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HISTORY 



ALLEGHENY COUNTY 



PENNSYLVANIA. 



INCLUDING 



ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT AND FROGEESS TO THE PRESENT TIME; A DESCRIPTION 

OF ITS HISTORIC AND INTERESTING LOCALITIES; ITS CITIES, TOWNS AND 

VILLAGES; RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND MILITARY HISTORY ; 

MINING, MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIAL INTERESTS ; 

IMPROVEMENTS, RESOURCES, STATISTICS, ETC. 



PORTRAITS OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF MANY 
OF ITS REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. 



IN TA\^0 PARTS. 




CHICAGO, ill: 

A. WARNER & CO., Publishers, 



r/^7 



Copyright 1889, by A. Warner & Co. 



CHICAGO. ILl 



PREFACE. 



THE story of the struggle for empire in the Mississippi valley, stretching 
away from the line of the Alleghanies to the farthest summits of the Rocky 
mountains, which had its rallying point and termination at Fort Duquesne, has 
often been told in a more or less fragmentary way. In view of the local impor- 
tance of this event it has been thought proper by the f>ublishers of this work to 
give it here complete, making brief statements of the parts which, fi'om frequent 
repetition, have become hackneyed, and giving with more fullness of detail the 
other portions. 

The controversy between Pennsylvania and Virginia, inaugurated by the 
Ohio Company under charter of the British Parliament — the uncertain track of 
the southern line of the state — the long and wasting wars with the natives of the 
forest, luminous with deeds of savagery novel even in a barbarous age — the part 
taken by the bounty in the revolutionary war, the war of 1812, the Mexican, 
and the recent civil war — the material resources in soil and mineral treasures — 
the vast manufacturing interests — the tonnage upon river and rail — the hand 
which the county has shown in state and national policy — the educational and 
religious interests of its people — and its eleemosynary institutions, have all been 
treated with the care and fullness of detail which the plan of the work would 
allow. 

The plan was settled and work begun in the spring of 1887, and has been 
carried to completion by the following-named corps of writers: 

Dr. Thomas Cushingi, of Barre Centre, N. Y. , general supervisor, and writer 
of Chapters X, XII, XVII, XXXVII, and parts of XXXIV and XXXVI. 

A. A. Lambing, LL. D. , Chapters I to VIII inclusive. 

Hon. Russell Ereett, Chapters IX, XIII, XIV, from XIX to XXXIII 
inclusive, and parts of XXXIV and XXXVI. 

Mr. R. H. Kelley, Se. , of Verona, Pa. , Chapter XI. 

Rev. W. J. Holland, Ph. D. , History of the Presbyterian, Reformed Pres- 
byterian, Cumberland Presbyterian and Reformed (German) Churches. 



IV PUEFACE. 

Ukv. J. C. Boyd, D. D., the United Prosbytcrinii Chinch. 

Rev. M. Byllesby, the Protestant Episcopal Church. 

Rev. C. W. Smith, D. D., the Methodist Churcli. 

Rev. B. F. Wooi>bui!N. D. D., the Bapti.st Cliurch. 

Rev. W. F. Cowden, the Disciph^s of Christ. 

Rev. a. a. Lambing, LL. D., the Catholic Church. 

Prof. T. J. Vandergrift, Chapter XVIII, with diagiam. 

George J. Luckev, A. M., first part of Chapter XXXV. 

John Morrow, M. S., last part of Chapter XXXV. 

Mr. H. C. Bei.l, of Waynesburg, Pa., township and borough histories. 

Acknowledgments are due to the Hon. John Harper, and N. B. Hooo, 
Esq. — to the secretary of the board of trade for courtesies extended — to Messrs. 
Snowden & Peterson for use of cuts — to the public press of Pittsburgh, the 
Gazette, the Chronicle, the Post and the Dispatch, and other of the daily and 
weekly issues for access to their files — to the Pittsburgh Library association for 
the use of its historical collections — to the officers and teachers in the various lit- 
erary institutions, the officers of the benevolent and charitable institutions, and 
to the many intelligent citizens throughout the county for the valuable aid which 
they gave to the writers. 

The part devoted to biography and genealogy includes representatives of 
nearly every important calling in the country. The large number of sketches 
necessitated brevity of treatment. They were submitted for correction before 
printing, and constitute an interesting portion of the work, which will increase in 
value with the lapse of time. 

Trusting that it may prove satisfactory to the citizens of the county, it is 
submitted to their considerate judgment. 

THE PUBLISHERS. 



CONTEJSTTS. 



PART L 



CHAPTER I.— Eakliest Times to the 
French War. — Aborigines and Pioneers — 
Indian Villages and Trails — Royal Land Pat- 
ents — Adventurers — Land Companies — In- 
dian Treaties — Forts — Settlements 9-33 

CHAPTER II. — Contest for the Ohio Val- 
ley. — War-Clouds — French and Eujjlisli 
Claims — Defeat of the Colonial Forces — Gen. 
Braddock's Defeat — Gen. Forhes' Operations 
— Destruction of Fort Duquesne — End of 
French Rule in Pennsylvania 23- 4i 

CHAPTER in.— Ali.eohext from 1759 to 
1779.— The Fourth Treaty— Fort Pitt— Con- 
centration of Forces — Chief Pontiac — The 
Shawanese and Delawares — Advent of Set- 
tlers-Land Sales 45-61 

CHAPTER rV'.— The Boundary Dispi te.— 
Territory Grants— The Ohio Company— Earl 
of Duumore — Subdi\isious of Virginia and 
the Disputed Territory- Dr. John Connolly 
— Fort Pitt the Bone of Contention — The 
Manor of Kittanning — Mason and Dixon 
61-74 

CHAPTER v.— The REvoLtTioxARY Period 
— News of the Battle of Leximrton — Meetings 
at Hannastown and Pittsburgh — Fort Pitt in 
the Struggle — Gen. Hand — Gen. Mcintosh — 
Regiments Ordered to Fort Pitt — Concentra- 
tion of Storehouses at Fort Pitt— Fort Mc- 
Int'ish — Fort Laurens 74- 91 

CHAPTER VL— The Revoli tio.vary Period 
(Co.vcn ded). — Fort Crawford — Fort Arm- 
strong — Brodhead's Expedition — Capt. Isaac 
Craig — Defeat of the Delawares — Col. 
Clarke's Expedition — Internal Di-affiction 
— Crawford's Expedition — His Fate — Indian 
Attack on Hannastown and Miller's Station 
91-109 

CHAPTER Aai.— From 1784 TO the Erection- 
op THE CorxTY. — Conflicting Claims — Penn- 
sylvania's Last Treaty with the Natives — 
"The New Purchase" — Settlements and 
Land-Titles — Depreciation and Reservation 
Lands — .\dministratioa of Justice — Court- 
houses, Jails, etc. — Erection of County — 
First County Officers, etc 109-122 



CHAPTER VIIL— Pioneer Life. — High- 
ways — Early Preaching — "Whisky Path" — 
Homes of the Pioneers — Caravans — Taverns 
— Scarcity of Mechanics — Primitive Mill.'' — 
Sports, Weddings, etc.— Witches and Wiz- 
ards — Religion and Education — Conclusion 
12-i-149 

CHAPTER IX.— The Whisky Ixsurrec- 
Tiox. — Condition of Things in Western Penn- 
sylvania in 1791 — Surplus Produci — Distil- 
leries— Tax on Spirits— Public M.i-tiiigs— 
Condition of Affairs from 1792 to 1794— The 
Revolt — ^Arrival of Troops — Elcetion.s — Re- 
trospect 149-1 73 

CHAPTER X.— The War of 1812— Prelim- 
inaries of the Struir^le — .\lle!^heny County 
in the War— The Pittsburgh Blues— BriL'ade 
of Militia at Pittsburgli— Rigging for Flur- 
ry's Fleet 174-179 

CHAPTER XL— Mexican- War.— Soldiers 
from Allegheny Conntv — ^Siege of Vera Cruz 
—Battle of Plan del "Rio— Capture of the 
City of Mexico — Peace Proclaimed — Return 
of the Troops— Losses 179-183 

CHAPTER Xn.— War of the Rebellion. 
— Regiments from Allegheny — Relief and 
other Committees — Military Supplies — The 
1863 "Scare" — Defense of Pittj-burgh- 
SkeUhcs of RcgimenU li*4-323 

CH-\PTER XIIL— Politics— Early Elec- 
tions — Gallatin and Brackenridge — Party 
Politics — Volunteer Candidat«.s — The Jones 
and Po.stlethwaite Contest — The Slavery 
Question — The Anti-Masonic Party — Elec- 
tion Returns 323-341 

CHAPTER XIV— Bench and Bar.— Early 
Courts — Judicial Officers — Stocks and Pil- 
lory — William Penn's "Peacemakers" — Cir- 
cuit and Judicial Districts — The Bench — The 
Bar 341-280 

CH.\PTER XV.— Churches. — Presbyt»?rian 
— United Presbyterian — Reformed Presbyte- 
rian— ^Cumberland Presbyterian — Reformed 
(German) 380-329 



Vi 



COKfEKTS. 



CIIAP'I'KK .\\1.— I'm liciiKs (CciNTi.rnET.). 
— I'rnlrstiuil Ki,iM..|,;il-K..nn:ili..ii ..f tin- 
Diocsc (if I'ittsl.urL'li-.M'tlinilist Epis.MiiKil 
—Till- Bunk Dtpusiliiry— licniiim Cciii'Trga- 
tiou— Luthuruu— Baptist^Disciples of Christ 
— t'litliulie-Tjcwish Congregation 339-411 

CHMTEK XVII.— Tiiii-K' TssTiTrTioxs.— 
Tli(M,l,..M,;il S.-iiiirKirifs— IVuf ;iih1 Dunil. In- 
slitutiun— Wcslrni l',-iiiis,vlv:iiii;i Jlo^pitul— 
Tli.^Couiilv lloiiK— \Vurkl.(m.-.c:uulI'Liiitrn- 
tiary ." -"1^34 

CHAPTER XVIIT.— (Jeoi.ooy axo Topog- 

KAiMiY.— InlrDihi.tiirv— (■ohniiii:ir Sc^cticiii— 
Tl.c- E:irUrs Crust— TIm- I'ittsUui -1. Bitumi- 
uous Coal— IVtrdUuni ami Natural (ias— 
Samlstoni-s, etc.— tieuural Toposrapliy. .-tio-ia- 

CIIAPTER XIX.— The Centennial Cele- 
BmTioN.— OUl and New County Buildings— 
The Celebration— Object of the Parades- 
Dedication of New Buildings— Civic and 
Military Procession 427^.« 

CHAPTER XX.— PiTTSBi'KGn.— Advantages 
of the Site of Pittsburgh— McKee's Rocks 
and "The Forks "— Eorts-Intlux of Settlers 
— C<d. Campbell's Town— Early Growth of 
Pittsburgh— Fort Pitt— Temperanceville— 
The Pontiac Conspiracy— Siege of Fort Pitt 
433-450 

CH \PTER XXI. — PiTTSBUROH (CONTIN- 

i;ed).— Pittsburgh from 1763 to 1768— Coal 
Hill— Land-Claim Disinites— Tlie Manor of 
Pittsburgh— Sale of Fort Pitt^Pittslnirgli in 
and after the Revolution— The Penns' Sale 
of Lands 4'>(M75 

CHAPTER XXn.—PlTTSBUBGH(CONTINUED). 

-Divesting the Penns of their Title— Sur- 
vev of the Town of Pittsburgh— Vickroy's 
I),-'po.Mtiun— The Town in 1786— Bracken- 
rid^i's Description of It— Comments .. .476-509 

CHAPTER XXIIL— PiTTSBUKGH and Alle- 
gheny.— From 1786 to 17(M:.— Rcdemptioners 
—Early Schools and Professions— Mail and 
Postofiice Established- High Freights— Mar. 
ket-Housc— Lotteries, etc.— F.>rniation of 
Allegheny City — Chartering of Pittsburgh 
as a Borough 510-533 

CHAPTER XXIV.— PiTTSBiTRGH and Alle- 
gheny (CoNTiNiEO). —Effect of Wayne's 
Victorv — First (ilasshousc — Paper-mills- 
Pittsburgh in 17Hli — Boat-buildiu^' — Oriiriuof 
the Coal Trade- Pittsburuli from 1810 to 
1830— In 1828— Mrs. Royall's Account of the 
Place 53^-557 

CHAPTER XXV.— PiTTsBiuGn and Alle- 
gheny (CoNTixrEii).— Transjiortation— 
Earliest Modes— First Stau'cs fr.im Pitts- 
burgh — Canals — Railroads — Steamboats- 
Bridges 557-.576 

CHAPTER XXVI.— PiTTsniKGH and Alle- 
gheny (CoNTiNi!Ei>).—Floods— Disappear- 
ance of Smoky Island- Low Water— Fires- 
Conflagration of 1845— Relief Appropria- 
tions— 1.09ses 57ft-582 



ClIAn'ER XXVIl— I'lTTsTU-non and AllS- 
oiiF-.NV (CiiNTiM i:oi, — BaiiKinL.'— TbcPitts- 
liuri;li Manufacturiim- (.mipanv— Insurance 
—Manufactures ami Trade, 18<>1-13— Manu- 
facturing Advantages of Pittsburgh — General 
Business — Statistics .585-614 

CHAPTER XXVITL— PiTTsniBon and Ai.le- 

(iiiENY (Contixiedi. — Lost Indiistri's of 
Pittsburgh — First Oil-Burings— Gaswclls— 
Sources of Sujiply — .\rliliiial m. Natural 
Gas — Decrease in the Amount of Coal Used 
—Qualities of the Gas 014r-t!20 

CHAPTER XXIX.— PiTTsniKGii and Alle- 
gheny (Ciintixi;ed).— Pujiulatinii — Health 
— W.alth — Water — Strc-ts— Debt- City 
Boundaries- The Wards— Additions . . . .620-636 

Chapter XXX.— Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny (Continied). — Fire Department — 
Its History— The Bucket Brigade— FireEn- 
gines— The Paid Department — Police De- 
partment — Its Growth in Numljcrs and Effi- 
ciency : 636-047 

CHAPTER XXXL— PiTTSBiKGH and Alle- 
gheny fCoNTiNVED). — The Medical Profes- 
sion — First and Other Early Pliysicians of 
Pittsl)urLrb— -VUcuhcny Comity Medical So- 
ciety — Medical Colleges — Homeopathic 
Pliysicians and Hospital 648-653 

CHAPTER XXXII.— Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny (Continied). — The Press — The 
Pittsliurgh Giuitte and Mr. Scull— Subse- 
qent Newspapers — Contrast Between the 
Press of 1786 and That of 1889 6>4-<Jt)0 

CHAPTER XXXIII.— PiTTSBrROH and Al- 
LEGHENY (Continced). — The Riots of 1877 
— Origin of tlie Outbreak— Destruction of 
Property and Loss of Life — Sympathy with 
the Rioters— Outrages 6»i(>-(><K; 

CHAPTER XXXIV.— Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny (Continied). — Principal Officers of 
Pittsburgh from its Incorporation — Princi- 
pal Officers of Allegheny as Borough and 
tity.... 666-669 

CHAPTER XXXV.— Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny (Continued). — Educational — Pitts- 
burgh Public Schools— Private Schools— 
Academy— Classical School— Allegheny Pub- 
lie Schools— High-School 669-687 

CHAPTER XXXVL— Pittsbuhoh and Alle- 
gheny (Continued).— Public Institutions 
— Literary Societies — Universities — Com- 
mercial— Scientific — Military— Bcneliccnt— 
Hospitals and Dispensaries 687-714 

CHAPTER XXXVai.— Cemeteries.— Home- 
wood Cemetery— Allegheny Cemetery . .717-730 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. — McKeesport.— The 
McKee Faniilv— Early History of McKees- 
port- Original" Lot-Owners— The Place in 
1830— Early Trade, Commerce and Manu- 
factures—Growth of the Town 733-740 

CHAPTER XXXIX. — McKeesi'Out (Con- 
cluded). — Additions — Incorporation- List 
of Burgesses— I'uliliilnii.n.venients— Banks, 
etc. —Population — Ncwsjiapers — SihooLs— 
Secret Societies- Churches 741-758 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PORTRAITS. 



Batclielor, Charles W 413 

Beilstein, J. F 551 

Beymer, Simon 517 

Booth, .James .J 573 

Breading, James E 117 

Brown, A. M 451 

Brown, James 67 

Brown, William H 325 

Brunot, Felix, M. D 17 

Brunot, Felix R 217 

Brunot, Hilary 137 

Bushnell, Daniel 473 

Clarke, Thomas S 307 

Converse, E. C 539 

Copley, Josiah 337 

Coursin, B. B 715 

Cox, John F 633 

Croghan, William 37 

Cunningham, D. 627 

Dabbs, B. L. H : .... 583 

Dalzell, John .507 

Davis, John .53!) 

Dickson, John, M. D 319 

Dravo, John F 363 

Edwards, Riehard 347 

Eiehbaum, William 87 

Errett, Russell 341 

Evans, Oliver 737 

Flagler, J. H 441 

Flemiui;, Huffh S 479 

Frew, William 385 

Goff, M. B 671 

Gourley, Henry I , 693 

Harbaugh, William 495 

Harper, Albert M 197 

Harper, John.. _ 187 

Hartmau, William, Sr 683 

Hays, Abraham 419 

Herron, Rev. Francis 47 

Herrou, John 147 

Herron, William A 347 

Hofmann, H. H., M. D 639 

Hosrg, George 97 

Hostetter, David, M. D 391 

Howe, Thomas M 257 

Hukill, Edwin M 567 

Hutchinson, F. M 611 

Hussey, Curtis G 277 



Ingham, John B 661 

Inskeep, A 6,55 

Jennings, John F 303 

Johnston, Samuel R 157 

Jones, B. F a53 

Jones, William R 501 

Kier, Samuel M 375 

Lambing, Rev. A. A 407 

Liggett, Thomas 137 

McClelland, J. H., M. D 485 

McClurg, Alexander 107 

McCIurg, Joseph 167 

McCIurff, Thiimas B 605 

Mc( 'ully, William 337 

Mellon,' TIk.tuh.s 297 

Messier, Thomas D 457 

Metcalf, Orlando : 177 

Moorhead, J . K 267 

0' Hara, James 27 

Penney, Tliomas 74S 

Pitcairn, Robert .561 

Porter, J. W .523 

Reel, Casjier, Sr 77 

Rook, A. W 331 

Ryan, M. F 705 

Sadler, O. W., M. D 649 

Scott, Graham 589 

Simon, Michael 677 

Spang, Charles F 369 

Stewart, John W 699 

Stowe, Edwin H 439 

Taggart, Jolin .545 

Thaw, John .57 

Thaw, William 387 

Vandergrif t, J.J 435 

Vandergrift, T. J 617 

Varner, Thomas 309 

Verner, James 463 

Wampler, W.P 595 

Wells, Calvin 397 

White, James P 737 

White, T. L., M. D 749 

Williams, James Clark Til 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Bouquet's Redoubt 439 

First Pittsburgh Bank Building 585 

First Postofflce 513 

Geological Diagram opposite 435 

Map of Allegheny County opposite 9 

Map of Pittsburgh in 1795 4»i 



New Postoffice 513 

Old Almshouse 698 

Old Courthouse and Market ,516 

Old Town Hall, Allegheny 668 

Old United Evangelical Church 377 

Pittsburgh in 1817 Frontispiece. 



CONTENTS. 



PART II. 



CHAPTER I.— TOWNSHII-SAND Bokougiis.— 
Moon (C'oraopolis) — Findlay — Crescent. 5- 16 

CHAPTER II.— Townships and Boroughs 
(Continued). — North Fayette — South Fay- 
ette— Collier Iti- 38 

CHAPTER III.— TowNSHirs and Bokoighs 
(Continued). — Robinson (Chartiers) — 
Stowe— Neville 28-43 

CHAPTER IV.— TowNSHii'.s and Boroughs 
(Continued). — Upper St. Clair — Snowden — 
Betliel 43-49 

CHAPTER v.— Townships and Boroughs 
(Co.vtinued). — Lower St. Clair (Beltzhoover 
—West Liberly—Knoxville)— Baldwin.. 49- 55 

CHAPTER VI.— Townships and Boroughs 
(Continued). — Chartiers — Union (Green 
Tree)— Seutt (Mansfield) 55-71 

CHAITER VII.— Townships and Boroughs 
(Continued). — Mifllin(Homestead) — Jeffer- 
son (West Elizabeth) 71-84 

CHAPTER VIII.— Townships and Boroughs 
(Continued).— Elizabeth (Elizabeth) — For- 
ward — Lincoln (Reynoldton) 84^110 

CHAPTER IX.— Townships and Boroughs 

(Continued). — Versailles — North Versailles 
—South Versailles 110-115 

CHA1>TER X.— Townships and Boroughs 

(Continued). — Willvin.s- Stcrrctt (Willvius- 
burs)— Braddock (Braddoclc) 115-137 

CHAPTER XL— Townships and Boroughs 
(Continued).— Plum— Patton—Peun (Vero- 
ua) 138-137 



CHAPTER XIL— Townships and Boroioiis 
(Continued). — West Deer — Richland — 
Hampton 137-144 

CHAPTER XIII.— Townships and Boroughs 
(Continued). —East Deer (Tarentuni)— 
Fawn — Harrison 144-153 

CHAPTER XIV.— Townships and Boroughs 
Continued).— Indiana — O'Hara (Sharps- 
burg) 154-163 

CHAPTER XV.— Townships and Boroughs 
(Continued).— Harmar—Spriugdale.. . . 163-168 

CHAPTER XVI. — Townships and Bor- 
oughs (Continued). — Pine — McCandless 
169-173 

CHAPTER XVIL — Townships and Bor- 
ouGHS (Continued). — Ross (Bellcvue) — Re- 
serve (Spring Garden) — Shaler (Etna — Mill- 
vale) 17:J-1S5 

CHAPTER XVIIL— Townships and Bor- 
oughs (Continued). — Ohio — Kilbuek — 
Aleppo (Gleulield— Oslwrn) 185-193 

CHAPTER XIX. —Townships and Bor- 
oughs (Continued). — Franklin — Marshall 
193-195 

CHAPTER XX.— Townships and Boroughs 
(Concluded). — Sewickley — Leet (Sewiek- 
ley) 196-308 

GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 309-776 

INDICES 777-790 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Anderson, W. B 13 

Brown, Col. Joseph 305 

Burns, Andrew 195) 

Calhoon, D. K 79 

Calhoon, John K 35 

Cochran, H. B 45 

Courthouse, Pittsburgli (View of), opposite 1 

Graham, R. T 177 

Heinz, H. J 161 

Hezlep, Joseph B 189 

Hickey, Very Rev. John 117 

Jamison, John C 311 

Kennedy, John, Jr 145 

Kenny, Thomas J 73 

McClure, Abdiel 67 

McKown, John 33 



McRoberts, John 183 

Meek, Jeremiah 7 

O'Neil, J. N 101 

Orr, William 321 

Pollock, D. H 95 

Porter, A. A opposite 230 

Prager, Peter 167 

Reynolds, Thomas Ill 

Risher,J.C 51 

Risher, Rev. Levi 139 

Roberts, George W 89 

Sample, William, Sr 155 

Sharp, T. W 123 

Spahr, Jesse 29 

Tomlinson, W. A 133 

West, Lowry H 57 



History of Allegheny County, 



CHAPTER I. 

EARLIEST TIMES TO THE FRENCH WAR. 

Aborigines and Pioneers— Indian Villages and Trails— Royal Land Pat- 
ents— Adventurers— Land Companies— Indian Treaties — Forts— Set- 
tlements. 

THE growth and development of our country, especially west of the Alle- 
gheny mountains, has been something phenomenal. Where, a century 
ago or less, nothing was to be seen but vast primeval forests or boundless 
prairies, inhabited by wild animals and savages only a little less ferocious, all 
has been changed by the rapid march of civilization. The few villages that 
dared to spring up at that early day have become populous cities, the solitary 
cabins of the hardy adventurers have given place to thriving towns and 
villages, the forests and prairies have been transformed into rich agricultural 
districts, and in every direction lines of railroad are seen threading their 
coui'ses to carry the fi-uits of industry to a ready market. Telegraphic lines 
facilitate communication, and over all religion spreads her peaceful influence, 
education sheds her cheering light, and a popular government secures for all 
equal rights. The peoples of the Old World, confined to traditional grooves, 
contemplate with wonder the gigantic strides of the Great Republic of the 
West, and speculate on what is to be the end of this onward march of national 
prosperity and domestic happiness. 

Nowhere, perhaps, is this extraordinary growth more marked than in 
Southwestern Pennsylvania, nearly all of which was once included in Allegheny 
county, where nature has been unusually lavish of her choicest gifts. Mineral 
wealth in coal, oil and natural gas has given to this section of country a 
prominence that leaves it without a rival; while water and railroad communi- 
cation unites it with every part of the world. But while the present arrests 
the attention of all, the past, to those who wish to inquire into its historic 
wealth, affords a field for investigation very pleasing to the student of history. 



12 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

coi;ntry around the beatlwaters of the river, named it the 0-he yii, which in 
their dialect signifies the Beautiful river, and which the French simply 
translated into La Bello Kivif-re. The English took the sound rather than 
the sense of this Indian term, and named the river Ohio, a designation which 
was at first applied to the entire stream, but which came, in process of time, 
to be applied to that part of it only which lay below its confluence with the 
Monongahela. 

It would be impossible to form anything like an accurate estimate of the 
number of Indians of the several tribes living in "Western Pennsylvania at the 
time of the first appearance of the whites, both because no reliable record was 
ever kept, and because their residence was not permanent; suffice it to say 
that, considering the extensive territory, the population was very sparse. 

The character of the Indians naturally gave rise to numerous towns and 
villages, or what were popularly designated as such, composed sometimes of 
the members of one tribe, and at other times of the members of several tribes 
living together in harmony. These villages, usually quite small, consisting at 
times of only a few cabins, were situated for the most part along streams, and 
were frequently removed from one place to another as necessity or caprice 
dictated. Only a few of them will be mentioned in this place, on account of 
the part they played in the country's history. One of the principal of these 
was Kittanning, which was known to the French as Attiqu6, situated where 
the town of the same name now stands, and which figured conspicuously in 
the French war prior to its destruction by Col. Armstrong, in September, 1756. 
Another was Shannopinstown, located on the eastern bank of the Allegheny 
about two miles above its confluence with the Monongahela; and C^loron, in 
the journal of his expedition, to be referred to later, declares it to have been 
the most beautiful place he saw on his journey. But it was of little or no 
historic importance. Eighteen miles further down on the north bank of the 
Ohio stood Logstown, the most important of all the Indian towns, as will be 
seen in the sequel. It was the principal point in the western part of the 
colony for trading and conferring with the whites. A mile below the 
mouth of the Beaver river stood Sakunk, seldom mentioned in pioneer his- 
tory; and about four miles below the present New Castle was situated Kiska- 
kunk, a name variously spelled, which, though of considerable size, was rather 
a place of meeting for the Indians themselves than of importance to the whites. 
Besides these there were other villages, but so insignificant as not to be 
deserving of mention. 

The nomadic life of the Indians and the fact that they had certain points 
where they were accustomed to assemble from time to time naturally led to 
the formation of paths or trails, which traversed the countiy in various direc- 
tions. While afi'ording means of easy communication for the natives, they 
were scarcely less advantageous to the early traders and explorers, and were 
particularly useful in showing the best routes for military and national roads, 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 13 

especially in the iiiouutainous parts of the country. The most noted, and per- 
haps the most ancient, of these pathways was the old Catawba or Cherokee trail, 
leading from the Carolinas and Georgia through Virginia, Western Penn- 
sylvania and Western New York to Canada. It was intersected by the Warrior 
branch, another path which, coming from Tennessee through Kentucky and 
Southern Ohio, entered oiu- state and united with it somewhere in Fayette 
county. These two were the only important trails that traversed the country 
north and south. Of greater importance, however, both to the Indians and to 
the whites, were the numerous trails which led east and west, one of the most 
noted of which was Nemackolin's path, afterward adopted and improved by 
Gen. Braddock and Washington, and known as Braddock's road. Starting 
from the mouth of Will's creek, where the city of Cumberland now stands, it 
crossed the mountains to the Monongahela river at the mouth of the Redstone 
creek, at the present Brownsville; while a branch leaving it near Uniontown 
continued on to the forks of the Ohio. It was not, however, used by the 
explorers or traders to the west until after Braddock's ill-fated expedition. 
Dunlap's path was also a very early one. Starting from in the vicinity of 
Winchester, Va. , it crossed the mountains to the mouth of the creek of the 
same name, immediately above Brownsville; and as Braddock robbed Nemack- 
olin of the name of his path, so did Dunlap of the name of his creek, which 
had been previously known as Nemackolin's creek. But perhaps the most 
important of all the Indian trails was the Kittauning path, which, coming up 
the Juniata and crossing the Allegheny mountains at Kittanning Point, passed 
westward by a somewhat northerly route to the Allegheny at the village of the 
same name, and thence west to Detroit. A trail extended also from the forks 
of the Ohio down the northern bank of the river to Beaver, and continued on 
into Ohio; and another from Logstown north to Lake Erie and the country 
of the Iroquois. Besides these there were numerous other trails of minor 
importance, which we shall not pause to consider. 

The better to understand the gradual development of the country from a 
forest wilderness to its present advanced condition it will be necessary to go 
back to the time when the territory first came into the possession of 'the white 
man. Naturally enough strange errors were committed in the portioning out 
of the New World among the powers of Europe, and by them in turn among 
their favorites. The ignorance of the geography of the recently discovered 
continent, the thirst for dominion, and the fabulous mineral wealth which was 
b elieved to lie concealed beneath the surface of the New World were elements 
of confusion that can hardly be appreciated at their proper value in the present 
advanced state of civilization. Add to this that the revival of learning was 
then beginning to dawn, thanks to the invention of printing, and men were 
not as yet fully released from the strange notions that had long prevailed re- 
garding what lay beyond the " Gloomy Ocean." Evidences of this are found 
in abundance in the early accounts of the newly discovered continent, and in 



14 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

the grotesque figures that adorn some of the earlier maps, which endeavored 
to convey some idea to kings and people of what explorers had seen, or im- 
agined they had seen, beyond the waters. AVhile the thoughtless may smile at 
this display of ignorance, the philanthropist rejoice at the amelioration of man' s 
condition, and the philosopher mark with pleasure the development of the 
human mind, the student of our history will discover in it a source of both 
pleasure and perplexity — of pleasure that some record, however imperfect, 
of the past has come down to us of the ideas entertained by the early ad- 
venturers, and of perplexity to solve the historical and geographical problems 
upon which, unfortunately, they shed so little light. Nor is the territory now 
under consideration free from these. "What a variety in the early maps; what 
conflicts in the early claims! Yet we must address ourselves to the task of 
unraveling them as well as circumstances and the information obtainable from 
every source will permit. 

As early as March, 1564, Queen Elizabeth granted to her favorite. Sir 
Walter Raleigh, a patent for a vast tract of land extending along the Atlantic 
seaboard of the New World, and back from it to an indefinite distance; but 
whether it could be so construed as to include the territory now embraced in 
Allegheny county, or not, it would be difiicult to determine, owing to the im- 
perfect knowledge then had of the geography of this continent, and the con- 
sequent indefinite terms of the patent. Be that as it may, it is not a matter 
of importance, inasmuch as no permanent settlement was ever made under the 
patent, which soon lapsed, while he in whose favor it had been granted fell 
from the loyal favor. Permanent possession dates from the charter granted 
May '23, 1009, by James II, to a company at the head of which appeared the 
name of the successful rival and inveterate enemy of Raleigh, Robert Cecil. 
Earl of Salisbury. That Allegheny county was embraced within the limits of 
this charter there can be no doubt, for the territory granted to the company 
extended two hundred miles north and as many south of Old Point Comfort, 
"up into the land throughout from sea to sea, west and northwest," as the 
charter expressed it. Thus was the claim to Southwestern Pennsylvania 
established in favor of Virginia. But owing to the still indefinite knowl- 
edge of America, the rapacity of adventurers and the desire of crowned heads 
to please their favorites at little cost to themselves it need not be a mat- 
ter of surprise that charters were granted which conflicted with each other, 
and that the same lands were bestowed upon two or more persons or com- 
panies. A notable instance of this is the territory around the head of the 
Ohio; for while it was granted to a Virginia company in 1609, it was after 
ward included in the charter granted to William Penn by Charles II, March 
4, 1681. By this instrument he was constituted sole proprietary of certain 
lands which, in the terms of the charter, were to extend westward five degrees 
of longitude from the Delaware river, and to include all the territory from 
the beginning of the fortieth to the beginning of the forty-third degree of 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 15 

northern latitude. Whether it was the royal will to take from Virginia part 
of her territory and bestow it upon Peun, or that the king was ignorant 
of the exact terms of the charter of that colony, it matters little; both 
colonies continued to claim the territory by virtue of a grant from the crown, 
and a long and bitter contest arose, which will form one of the most interest- 
ing chapters of this history. 

Although the English adventurers did not push into the forests with the 
same intrepidity as the French, they were early in the country west of the 
' ' Allegheny hills, ' ' as the range of mountains was at first called. Col. Ward, 
who lived at the falls of the James river, sent one Mr. Needham, in 1654:, on 
an exploring expedition, who, crossing the mountains, entered the country of 
the Ohio, and in ten years' time is said to have discovered several branches, 
not only of that river, but also of the Mississippi. 

Thomas Woods and Robert Pallam were commissioned by Maj.-Gen. 
Woods, of Virginia, "for ye finding of the ebbing and flowing of ye waters be- 
hinde the mountains in order to the discovery of ye South Sea." These men, 
with an Appomattox Indian and one servant and five horses, started from the 
Appomattox town in Virginia on Friday, September 1, 1671, crossed the mount- 
ains and descended to what is known as the falls of the Kanawha, where they 
marked some trees with marking-irons on September 17th. They returned to 
the Appomattox town on Sunday morning, October 1st. 

In 1674 Caj)t. Botts made another tour through the same country. As 
early as 1715 Father Marmet, at Kaskaskia, wrote to the governor of Canada 
that " the encroaching English were building forts on the Ohio and Missis- 
sippi rivers;" and^ though this is incorrect, it shows the presence of the 
English in the vicinity at that time. "Gov. Spottswood, of Virginia, made 
an effort, as early as 1711, to resist French encroachments, by attempting to 
establish the line of Virginia settlements far enough to the west to interrupt 
the contemplated chain of communication between Canada and the Gulf of 
Mexico. For this purjiose he also caused the passes of the mountains to be 
examined; desired to promote settlements beyond them, and sought to concen- 
trate within his province bands of fi'iendly Indians. Finding other measures 
unavailing, he j)lanned the incorporation of a Virginia Indian company, which, 
from the emoluments of the monopoly of the traffic, should sustain forts in the 
western country. Disappointed by the determined opposition of the people to 
a privileged company, he was still earnest to resist the encroachments of the 
French. But from Williamsburg to Kaskaskia the distance was too wide; and 
though, by a journey across the mountains, the right of Virginia might be sus- 
tained, yet no active resistance would be possible till the posts of the two na- 
tions should be nearer." In 1719 Gov. Keith urged upon the lords of trade 
the erection of a fort on Lake Erie. No settlements, however, had as yet been 
made in the territory embraced within the limits of Allegheny county; and 
little precise knowledge was had of the geography of that section of country. 



10 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

But a short time before the middle of the last century greater activity began 
to be manifested; land companies were formed, and adventurers began to look 
wistfully to the country immediately west of the mountains. But the mount- 
ains themselves presented a barrier to the progress of settlement. Though not 
elevated, the land on their summit was not so well suited for agricultural pur- 
poses as that on the hills and in the valleys beyond; yet, unless the consent of 
the Indians could first be obtained and forts erected for the protection 
of the pioneers against the inconstant and vacillating savages, it would be 
impossible to occupy the land, even granting that the formality of an 
extinction of the Indian claim had been effected, both on account of the rapac- 
ity of the whites and the reluctance with which the Indians saw their hunting- 
grounds come into possession of the palefaces. Companies might be formed 
and lands located, but no permanent settlements could be effected without 
protection. 

The savages naturally enough tolerated the traders for the need they had 
of them, and they on their part were not slow in perceiving the advantages they 
could derive from traffic with the simple, unsophisticated natives. They were, 
in fact, an early and natural outgrowth of the eastern colonies, and they jsene- 
trated the pathless wilderness far in advance of the foremost settlements. 
Though paying little heed to the laws enacted to restrain their greed for gain, 
they did not wholly forget their allegiance to the nation that had fostered 
them; and they generally prepared the way for the hospitable reception of the 
more permanent class of the frontier community. The more adventurous of 
this class had already reached the lakes on the north and the Miami on the 
west, and suggested the plan by which the English could hope more success- 
fiilly to contest the possession of the Ohio vallej^ with the French. 

The gradual occupation of the country east of the moimtains seemed to 
have brought the time for the settlement of the temtory west of them: and a 
number of land companies were formed, the most important of which was the 
Ohio Company, organized in 1748 by Thomas Lee, president of the Virginia 
assembly, Lawrence and Arthur Washington, and ten other Virginians, who, 
with a Mr. Hanbury of London, joined in a jaetition to the crown for the grant 
of an extensive tract of land in the Ohio valley. Their petition was favorably 
received, and they were granted live hundred thousand acres of land south of 
the Ohio and between the Monongahela and the Great Kanawha, with the 
further privilege of locating also north of that river. The company was 
required to pay no quitrent for ten years, but must select two-thirds of its ter- 
ritory at once, and at its own cost construct and garrison a fort. Other com- 
panies also came into existence, but soon died out. 

Negotiations had already been commenced with the Indians for the two- 
fold purpose of preserving friendly relations with them and of obtaining per- 
mission to erect one or more forts on the Ohio for the protection of the traders 
and pioneers. These would serve also to check the threatened encroachments 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. Id 

of the French till possession should be gradually taken of the country, aad 
the Indians, seeing themselves no longer able to hold it, would sell it, as they 
had other large tracts east of the mountains; for the boast that Pennsylvania 
never took any of the lands of the Indians without paying for them is to a 
great extent an empty mockery. The people of the province lirst occiipied the 
lands and then purchased them from the natives, who thought it better to sell 
for something than be driven off for nothing; the taking possession of the 
lands and keeping possession was a foregone conclusion, the obtaining of a 
title for them was a secondary consideration. The Indians were not slow to 
see this, and frequently protested; and their threatening attitude at times 
alarmed the colonies. The fears of the latter were only too well founded; for 
the colonies were still weak, while the power of the natives had not yet been 
broken. At the treaty of July 7, 1742, Canassatego introduced the claim of 
the Indians to the lands in Maryland, desiring to know what had been done in 
the matter, saying to the commissioners : ' ' You will inform the persons whose 
people are seated on our lands that that country belongs to us by right of con- 
quest — we have bought it with our blood and taken it from our enemies in a 
fair war ; we expect such consideration as the land is worth ; press him to send 
us a positive answer; let him say yes or no; if he says yes, we will treat with 
him; if no, we are able to do ourselves justice, and we will do it by going to 
take payment ourselves." This threat led to the convention at Lancaster, one 
of the most important held with the natives within the limits of our state. 
The preliminaries were arranged by Conrad Weiser, the Pennsylvania colonial 
interpreter, who met the delegates of the Six Nations at Lancaster, with the 
commissioners of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, June 22, 1744. The 
confereuce lasted twelve days; did little credit to the commissioners, who dis- 
tributed intoxicants very freely, and kept the Indians constantly more or less 
under their influence; and the result was that, while they gained their point, 
they gave occasion for bitter complaints for years to come, and have left a 
stain on their memory that would be a dark page in our history if it were not 
that such stains are so common. The good will of the Six Nations was secured 
for a time to the English and against the French, and a stimulus was given to 
settlement east of the mountains. But the occupation of the valley of the 
Ohio was still desired, and negotiations were carried on, by both Pennsylvania 
and Virginia, looking to the erection of forts and the taking possession of the 
lands. 

The lirst person to meet the Indians on the Ohio as the representative of 
the colony of Pennsylvania was Conrad Weiser, who was commissioned by 
Anthony Palmer, president of the executive council, in August, 1748, to treat 
with the Indians at Logstown. He was at the same time made the bearer of 
valuable presents, which had been promised the representatives of the Indians 
in the previous November. Among other instructions which he received were 
these: "You are to use the utmost diligence in acquiring a perfect knowledge 



20 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

of the number, situation, disposition and strength of all the Indians in or near 
those parts, whether they be friends, neutrals, or enemies, and be very par- 
ticular in knowing the temper and influence of the tribes of Indians who send 
deputies to receive you." He was also to strive earnestly to turn the Indians 
against the French and attach them to the English cause, and to use the 
utmost diligence to ascertain the movements and designs of the French. In 
his investigation, which was to be thorough, the instructions remind him 
that: " You are not to satisfy yourself with generalities, but inform yourself 
truly and fully of the real disposition of the Indians, and what dependence 
can be had on them for the security of this province, and for the total 
prevention of hostilities within our limits. . . . You are to take special 
care not to disoblige the Indians, or in any wise diminish their hearti- 
ness for his Majesty's cause against the French. You will therefore 
speak to them by themselves, and give them such a quantity of goods 
as uj3on their present temper and the frankness of their submission you 
shall think they deserve. " Having made all necessary arrangements, Weiser 
set out from his home in Berks county, crossed the Susquehanna, and came 
by Huntingdon, or Standing Stone as it was then called, to Frankstown, about 
three miles down the Juniata from the spot occupied by the present Hollidays- 
burg, of which he makes this quaint entry in his journal : ' ' August 20th. Came 
to Frank's Town, but saw no houses." Crossing the movmtains, he continued 
by a western route for a distance, and then, turning to the southwest, crossed 
the Kiskiminetas, a few miles above its mouth, and pursued his journej' till he 
reached the Allegheny twenty miles above its confluence with the Monongahela. 
On the 27th he dined with the Seneca queen, Aliquippa, at Shannopinstown. 
on the east bank of the Allegheny about two miles above its mouth, and the 
same evening arrived at Logstown, where he immediately set about the execu- 
tion of the task assigned him by the executive council. His efPorts were suc- 
cessful in strengthening the bond of friendship between the colony and the 
various tribes, and winning them from their adherence to the French. The 
presents were next distributed, and the conference broke up. He returned 
September 20th, and gave in his report of the proceedings. From this time 
communication between the east and the Indians on the Ohio became frequent. 
But the French were not in the meantime idle spectators of the action of 
the English. Claiming by the right of discovery all the lands drained by the 
Mississippi and its tributaries, they fixed the limits of their possessions at the 
summit of the Allegheny mountains, and prepared to make good their claim 
by the erection of a line of fortifications that should extend from the mouth of 
the St. Lawrence to that of the Mississippi. It is not the intention to enter 
in this place into a discussion of the claim made by some writers in favor of 
La Salle's discovery of the Allegheny and upper Ohio in the winter of 1669- 
70; it is highly improbable, and the best avithorities reject it. The better to 
become acquainted with the geography of the country, drive out the English 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 21 

traders, and secure the attachment of the Indians, the governor-general of 
■Canada despatched Louis de C^loron, in the summer of 1749, with a detach- 
ment of soldiers and friendly Indians, to make an excursion down the Alle- 
gheny and Ohio. His mission, as he acknowledges in the journal of the 
expedition, was but partially successful; everywhere he found a strong feeling 
in favor of the English; and he was on more than one occasion in danger of 
being attacked, notwithstanding the strength of the detachment under his 
command. The first symptoms of the struggle that was inevitable between 
the French and English began to manifest themselves, but the treatment of 
this part of our subject will be reserved for a future chapter. 

George Croghan, with the Indian interpreter, Andrew Montour, was again 
with the tribes at Logstown in December, 1749, where he found that the 
French had endeavored, but without siiccess, to win the natives to their cause. 
The Indians were at that time in favor of the English erecting a fort some- 
where on the headwaters of the Ohio to protect their traders against the 
French. Croghan was again sent with presents by the governor of Pennsyl- 
vania in the early part of the following year, and the joiu-nal which he kept 
■of his conference with the chiefs is still extant. The half-breed, Joncaire, 
who was the agent of the French, was there at the same time; but his overt- 
ures were contemptuously rejected by the chiefs of the Six Nations. As 
visual, the Indians signified their desire to trade with the colonists, but not to 
part with their lands. 

Measures having for their object the settling of families south of the Ohio 
were now inaugurated by the Ohio Company, as a preliminary to which they 
sent Christopher Gist, a noted adventurer, to explore the country. On the 
last day of October, 1750, he left the frontier of civilization, crossed the 
mountains by the Juniata and Kiskiminetas route, and came to Shannopins- 
town. Thence he proceeded to Logstown, but it is remarkable that in doing so 
he passed down the north side of the Allegheny, behind what is now known as 
Monument hill, in Allegheny City, and thus remained ignorant of the exist- 
ence of the Monongahela river, which forms its junction with the Allegheny 
at that point. From Logstown he proceeded by way of the mouth of the 
Beaver to the Muskingum, where he met Croghan. Parting from him in Jan- 
uary. 1751, he explored the country to the mouth of the Scioto, and thence 
across the Little Miami to the larger stream of the same name. From there 
he retraced his steps to the Ohio, where he checked his course and ascended 
the valley of the Kentucky river, where he found a pass to the Blue Stone, 
and returned to his principals by way of the Eoanoke. In the November fol- 
lowing he is found in another expedition, but this time in the country south 
of the Ohio, which he explored as far as the Great Kanawha during the 
winter. 

In April, 1751, Croghan was again at Logstown, and obtained formal per 
mission for the English to erect a fort at the mouth of the Monongahela. 



22 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

This, from motives of economy, the Pennsylvaaia assembly refused to do. In 
fact each of the colonies sought to evade the burden of securing the valley of 
the Ohio, though all recognized the necessity of doing so, and the propriety 
of losing no time in the matter. The proprietaries and assembly of Pennsyl- 
vania tossed the subject from one to the other in fruitless disputes as to where 
the responsibility rested. New York would remonstrate with the governor of 
Canada; and Virginia, limited in resources, was equally reluctant to assume 
the expense involved in such an undertaking. The key to the Ohio valley was 
the forks of the Ohio river, and Virginia's accessibility and the extent of her 
charter claims at length devolved the initiative upon her. 

In the meantime the French were steadily pushing their claims, and the 
dexterity with which they were generally able to manage the Indians, as well 
as the imjjortant fact that they did not want to occupy the country, but only to 
hold dominion over it and monopolize the Indian trade, enabled them to win 
the natives, and to turn them against the English, whom they never really 
loved, but with whom they saw they could trade with advantage. Time wore 
on, and the spring of 1753 saw the French actively engaged in carrying out 
their purpose of erecting a chain of forts through the we^t. Presqu ' Isle and 
Le Bceuf, in Northwestern Pennsylvania, were built in the early part of that 
year. 

Before entering upon the important history of the struggle between the 
French and English for the possession of the rich valley of the Ohio, and the 
key to it, the site of the present city of Pittsburgh, a hasty glance will be cast 
at the progress made thus far in planting settlements west of the mountains. 
Prior to the occupation of the forks of the Ohio by the French the territory 
west of the Alleghenies had become familiar to the colonists, thanks to the 
land-grabbers, traders, and other adventurers; and a number of frontier 
cabins sent their curling smoke toward the sky through the forest trees. 
C61oron informs us, in the journal of his expedition, that he found an English 
trading-house on the Allegheny soma distance above the mouth of Oil creek, 
and that of John Eraser, the gunsmith, at the mouth of French creek. 
There were also several cabins in the vicinity of the forks, one standing at the 
present Sharpsburg, another at Emsworth, below Allegheny City, one in the 
vicinity of Sewickley. besides others. The most important settlement, how- 
ever, was that of Christopher Gist at the spot on the Chestnut ridge known 
as Dunbar's Camp, which consisted of about a dozen families. Such was the 
condition of the tei'ritory embraced within the limits of Allegheny county at 
the date of the commencement of the French war, a contest of vast importance, 
not only to the colonies but to the world. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 23 



CHAPTER II. 

CONTEST FOE THE OHIO VALLEY. 

W.vr-Cloxjds— French and English Claims— Defeat or the Coloxial 
Forces— Gen. Braddock's Defeat— Gen. Forbes' Operations- Destruc- 
tion OF Fort Duquesne— End of French Rule in Pennsylvania. 

THE rising mists of war alluded to at the close of the last chapter soon 
became threatening clonds, growing more dark and lowering every mo- 
ment. It is not the intention to enter into a lengthy account of the complica- 
tions of European politics, or the circumstances that led to a declaration of war 
between France and England, so disastrous for the former in the loss of her 
possessions on this side of the Atlantic, and scarcely less so for the latter in 
schooling her colonists in the art of war, removing by the destruction of French 
power the only check she had on their dependence, and training a leader for 
them whose name is as imperishable as the everlasting hills, the illustrious 
Washington. To every reflecting mind a struggle between the two powers 
over their American possessions was inevitable. Time might be required 
before the cloud of war should burst upon the New World, but that time was 
certain to come, and it could not be long delayed. The pioneers cared little 
what disposition might be made by the crowned heads of old Europe of the 
territory here. Being an agricultural people, they must in the nature of 
things move westward, slowly, it might be, and frequently checked and 
driven back by the natives ; but move they would, and no jjower could resist 
them. 

By the treaty of Utrecht, signed April 11, 1713, England acquired large 
tracts of territory from the French in America ; but by far the most important 
of these was that lying south of Lake Ontario, upon which the Six Nations 
lived, and which included a recognition of that famous confederation as En- 
glish subjects. This grant not only curtailed the territory of the French, but 
also cut off all hope of a direct line of communication with the valley of the 
Mississippi, and left their route by way of the lakes oj)en to attack. Still 
further, this concession made the English heirs to the Iroquois conquests in 
the west, an advantage of the first importance, which they ultimately improved. 
As yet, however, they seemed utterly indifferent to the possession of the interior. 
The charters of the seaboard colonies granted the territory "from sea to sea," 
but, separate in organization, and jealous of each other, as well as of the crown, 
their policy was narrowed and their strength weakened. Living by agriculture 



24 IIISTOUY OF ALLKOHENY COUNTY. 

1111(1 irndo, tlu>ir oxpiiiisioii, Ui<Mif;[h cortiiiii, wiis iioccssarily hIuw. A powerful 
iiicoiitivo for tlio Hpeoily iicquiHitioii of t(>rritory for nctiial B(>ttloin(>nt in the 
proHeiit wiiH UiuH luckiii^j diiriiifj i,bo ourly poriod of Eiij^liHli coloiiiitl Listory, 
luul for luoro tlmii a coutury their W(>Ktorn boumlnry was tho mountains. The 
Fr(Micli, on tho otbor hand, woro grwuly of dominion, hut not for purposes of 
sottlonuMit. KiU'h nation oyod tho otlior with joalonsy as it gazed on the wide 
expanse of country between the Alleghenies and tlie groat river of the wo.st. 
Tiie treaty of Utr(>cht had effected no permanent peace between thorn, but 
only a truce which eacli was taking advantage of to prepare for whatever 
furtlii<r deveU)pm(<nts time miglit have* in store. It defined nothing : settled 
notliing permanently with regard to tlieir possessions in tho Now AVorld. 
The tnMif.y of Aix la-Chapelie, conclud(>(l in October, 1748, as far as it referi-ed 
to AnH>ricH only h»ft the possessions of the respective (towers "the same as 
Ix^foro tho war." This was but an evasion of the point at issue, which sooner 
or later must demand adjudication ; and it left a peaceful adjustment of con- 
flicting claims raised by the former treaty out of the question. 

It is dilVicnlt to describe aecnratoly the geographical scope of tho early 
French and Fnglish claims in America. Generally stated, the former included 
the entire basin of tho St. Lawrence and tho Mississippi and the extensive 
region around tlio great lakes; but tho details of this l)road claim were as ill 
defined in the minds of tho claimants as they were in those of the English. 
In Western Pennsylvania tho Allegheny mountains formed a natural boundary, 
which was fixed upon by tho French as tho western limits of their rival in that 
section. Tho terms of the various charters were more or less vague, as has 
lieen stated; and while tho colonies were united in disputing tho pretensions of 
the French, they had disputes, sometimes very bitter and long continued, 
among thenjselvos. Indeed, might was the only recognized basis of right 
ovorywhore in the New World, and each nation was eager to anticipate the 
other in establishing its power within the coveted limits before trying conclu- 
sions. Many circumstances united in transferring the inevitable struggle 
between tho rivals to the valley of the Ohii>; and here it is that we shall lirietly 
review tlu> actions of tho twt) groat nations. 

Taking up the history of this section of country at the point wheii" it was 
dropped at the dose of tho last chajiter, it will bo remembered that at the 
beginning of the year 175-1 a few colonists' cabins began to appear on the 
western side of tho Allegheny mountains, and principally along the course of 
tho rivers, which gave evidence of awakening activity in extending the border 
settlements. Negotiations were also being actively carried on with the aborigi- 
nes, with the odds apparently in favor of the English; permission bad been 
obtained for erecting a fort on the headwaters of the Ohio; and, all things 
considered, tho prospects were as enconraging as could be expected. But the 
agents of tho French were also on tho scene; and to their acknowledged supe- 
rior tact in niiumgiug the Indians thev added tho argument, which the conduct 



IIIHTOUY 0¥ AI.r.KdllKNV rOHNTY. 25 

of tlioir rivals only toiulod to coiilinu, Umt tlio Erii^liuli won* iift-fM' iht' Inuitiiif^- 
i^roiindH of tlio IiidiimB, find wore f^oini^ to forct* llicin buck, littlo by liltli", lis 
tliey Imd doiio wiHtof tho nioniifuins. Add toMiiH tliiit tlio Fr(>rich Iwid idicudy 
hnilt. two forts in tbo iiorthwcwtcrn puil of i'l'iinHylvnniii, with ii view of con 
n<«!tiiig Lako Erie with tho Alh^f^hony rivoi' by ninunH of L(( Uonif river, or 
FnwK^h creek, as it has since l)(>en called; and that they w(?re lu^gotiatiuf^ witii 
the Indians for the site of another fort at tlie conf!nenc(( of the two sti'oains,' 
thus ainiinf; at securiiifj coniniuiiication l)y water from the nioutli of tim St. 
Lawrence and the Mississippi, as well as from the lakes, witli the coveted 
strategic point, the forks of tll<^ Ohio, which tliey hoped soon to gi'asp. 
(2ui(»tly they wore pre|iariiig a fleet of canoes and battcaux to carry tlnur forces 
down the Boantifnl rivei', and with a favorable stage of water, snch as was 
natnrally to be expected in the spring, they could reacli tint forks in hiss than 
two days, the distance being only 121 miles, and before word of their (i|)proach 
(ronld be sent across the mountains. Once in possession, it would be didicidt, 
if not imi>ossible, to dislodge them; for before troops could be lironght from 
the east of the mountains, ovctr which a road niiist first be opened for their 
passage, a strong forlification could be erected at t\w forks, forces could bo 
concentrated from Detroit, the Illinois country and the forts to the noilh ; and 
in the meantime the enemy could be harassiMl on the nnirch. 

The colonies were not insensible to the dangers to which they were exjiosed; 
but apathy and a lack of harmony jxcevented concfuted action. Now York had 
suilli^ietit to engage hor attcuition in protecting her own frontier from Mie 
inroads of th(i French, who lay along so wide a stretch of her border; iinii in 
Pennsylvania there existed a protracted quarrel between the ))roprietaries and 
the assembly, m whicli the ol)ject seemed to be first to beat the governor and 
then light the French. It was only the Scotch governor of Virginia, Jtolxtrt 
Dinwiddle, who took the cause of the crown in hand. Acting upon instruc 
tions received from the mother-country, ho prepared to examinii into the move- 
ments and purposes of the enemy, as the territory around the h<(adwaters of 
the Ohio, to which their movements were directed, lay within the charter daiiu 
of the Old Dominion. For the arduous task of investigating the actions of the 
French ho selected a man who, though scarc(fly I)eyond the years of boyhood, 
was ecjual to the impf)rtant duty assigned him, being n<j other than (ieorge 
Washington, whose training in the art of war was to bo perfected mainly in the 
territory now engaging our attention. At that time ho was one of the thi'ee 
commanders of the militia of Virginia. Ho received his instructions an<l cre- 
dentials on the iiOth of October, 1703, and was ordered to proceed with all con- 
venient dispatch to Logstown, where he should consult with the Indians, and 
learn what he could of the designs of the French, and the best route by wliich 
he could reach their nearest fort. His interesting journal of the exp(fdition is 
preserved, from which it is learned that he arrived nt Will's crecik, where the 
city of Cumberland, Md., now stands, Novemljer 14th, whence he proceeded to 



26 HISTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Gist's plantation on the Chestnut ridge. Taking that fearless explorer with 
him, he reached Logstown on the 23d, after pausing to examine the land at 
the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, and the site three 
miles further down on the southern bank of the Ohio where the Indians wanted 
the traders to erect a fort. But the site did not please Washington so well as 
that at the forks. It was not until the 3()th that he was able, after much time 
spent in deliberation, to induce a small number of Indians to accompany him 
to the French post. The party arrived at Venango, at the mouth of French 
creek, December 4th, where, after wine had been drunk deeply, the French 
began to talk freely of their determination and ability to descend the river with 
the opening of spring, and take possession of the entire valley. Making care- 
ful notes of all that he saw and heard, Washington set out on his journey to 
Fort Le Boeuf, where he should meet the commander of the forts and deliver 
his message. But he encountered no little difficulty in keeping the Indians 
sober, and preventing them from being influenced by the wily Joncaire. He 
finally got under way on the 7th, and reached the terminus of his journey four 
days later. He remained at Le Bceuf till the 23d, occupying himself in keep- 
ing the Indians sober, preventing them from being drawn over to the cause of 
the enemy, making close observations and taking copious notes of what passed 
tinder his notice, and attending the councils for the transaction of the business 
ixpon which he had been sent. It was with the greatest difficulty that he suc- 
ceeded in getting his party on the road to return, but he at length succeeded. 
Arriving at the forks on the 29th, he continued his journey, and reached Will- 
iamsburg on the 16th of January. 1754. 

With the retiu-n of W^ashington the colonists were not only assured of the 
intentions of the French but also of their ability to carry them into execution 
itnless the most prompt and energetic measures were taken to prevent it. And 
these the colonists were not disposed to adopt. The matter was left entirely 
in the hands of Virginia: and Capt. William Trent was appointed to lead out a 
detachment of soldiers and workmen to build a fort with all dispatch at the 
forks. Washington had met, on his return, the vanguard of these forces, con- 
sisting of a train of packhorscs with materials for the fort; but it was doubt- 
ful whether it would arrive in time to throw up a fortification, as the movements 
of the enemy depended on the opening of the river, which might take place at 
any time. Trent an-ived at the forks on the 17th of February, 1754, from 
which dates the permanent occupation by the whites of the spot upon which 
the city of Pittsburgh now stands. Work was immediately commenced on a 
fort at the confluence of the rivers: but the small number of men engaged on 
it, together with the severity of the season, retarded its progress, and the 
spring opened to find it only partially completed, and with no garrison to 
make a successful defense against such a force as that of the French. 

The French had been very active on the upper waters of the Allegheny 
during the winter. Finding the Indians too much opposed to the building of 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 29 

a fort at the mouth of French creek, in the autumn of 1753 the greater part 
of the soldiers were sent back to pass the winter in Canada, leaving the two 
forts already erected garrisoned by a small force, while the shrewd Joncaire 
was left with the Indians at their village of Ganagara'hare, where the town of 
Franklin now stands, to spend the winter with them and endeavor to obtain 
their consent for building the desired fort at that place. His efforts were 
successful; the fortification was undertaken without opposition early in the 
spring, and the work was pushed forward with so much energy that it was 
completed before the middle of April. The object of these forts was not so 
much to form centers of defensive or aggressive warfare as depots for the stores 
landed from the lakes for transportation to the lower waters of the Alle- 
gheny, where the seat of war was soon to be located; and for that reason they 
were not remarkable for either strength or engineering skill. Their occupants, 
with the exception of a small garrison, were generally workingmen, but this was 
more especially true of Le Bceuf, at the head of canoe navigation on French 
creek, where the canoes and batteaux were prepared for the transportation of 
troops, provisions and munitions of war down the river. This part of the 
French operations was, properly speaking, only the preparation for what they 
had in view; the real work was to be performed at the confluence of the Alle- 
gheny and Monongahela, a most important affair, which is now to engage our 
attention. 

With the opening of spring the French marshaled their forces to the num- 
ber of about one thousand, including French Canadians, and Indians of various 
tribes, with eighteen pieces of cannon, in all a flotilla of about sixty batteaux 
and three hundi'ed canoes, and descended the Allegheny. Arriving on the 
evening of the 16th of April, under the command of Capt. Contrecoeur, they 
summoned Ensign Edward Ward, who commanded in the temporary absence 
of Trent, to an immediate surrender. Having only thirty-three men with 
him, he was reluctantly compelled to obey. The 17 th has frequently been 
given as the date of the surrender, but this is an error, as is proven by the 
document itself. This summons, being an important historical document, is 
reproduced entire. It may also be taken as a fair sample of the fulsome style 
in use at that early day, and as such it will be as interesting as it is instructive. 

A SUMMONS. 

Bt Ordee of Monsieur Contrecceur, Capt.\i>i of the Companies of the De- 
tachment OF THE French Marine, Commander-in-Chief of His Most Chris- 
tian Ma.jesty's Troops, now on the Beautiful River, to the Commander of 
Those of the King of Gre.at Brit.wn, at the Mouth of the River Monon- 
gahela. 
Sir — Nothing can surprise me more than to see you attempt a settlement upon the 

lands of the king, my master, which obliges me now, sir, to send you this gentleman. 

Chevalier Le Mercler, captain of the artillery of Canada, to know of you. sir, by virtue of 

what authority you are come to fortify j'ourself within the dominions of the king, my 



30 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

master. This aclion seems so contrary to the last treaty of peace, at Aix-la-Chapelle, 
between his most Christian majesty and the l^ing of Great Britain, that I do not know to 
wliom to imimle such an usurpation, as it is incontestable that the lands situated along 
the Beautiful river belong to his most Christian majesty. 

I am informed, sir, that your undertakinc has been concerted by none else than by a 
company, who have more in view the advantage of a trade than to endeavor to keep the 
union and harmony which subsists between the two crowns of France and Great Britain, 
although it is as much the interest, sir, of your nation as ours, to preserve it. 

Let it be as it will, sir, if you come out into this place, charged with orders. I sum- 
mon you in the name of the king, my master, by virtue of orders which I have got from my 
general, to retreat peaceably with your troops from off the lands of the king, and not to 
return, or else I shall find myself obliged to fulfill my duty, and compel you to it. I hope, 
sir, j'Ou will not defer an instant, and that you will not force me to the last e.xtremity. 
In that case, sir, you may be persuaded that I will give orders that there shall be no dam- 
age done by my detachment. 

I prevent you, sir, from asking me one hour of delay, nor to wait for my consent to 
receive orders from your governor. He can give none within the dominions of the king, 
my master. Those I have received of my general are my laws, so that I can not depart 
from them. 

On the contrarj', sir, if you have not got orders, and only come to trade, 1 am Sorry 
to tell you, that I can not avoid seizing you, and to confiscate your effects to the use of the 
Indians, our children, allies and friends, as 30U are not allowed to carrj' on a contraband 
trade. It is for this reason, sir, that we stopped two Englishmen last year, who were 
tradiug upon our lands; moreover, the king, my master, asks nothing but his right: he has 
not the least intention to trouble the good harmony and friendship which reigns between 
his majesty and the king of Great Britain. 

The governor of Canada can give proof of his having done his utmost endeavors to 
maintain the perfect union which reigns between two f riendl)- princes. As he had learned 
that the Iroquois and the Nipissings of the Lake of the Two Mountains had struck and 
destroyed an English family, toward Carolina, he has barred up the road, and forced them 
to give him a little boy belonging to that familjv. and which M. Ulerich, a merchant of 
Montreal, has carried to Boston; and what is more, he has forbid the savages from exer- 
cising their accustomed cruelly upou the English, our friends. 

I could complain bitterly, sir, of the means taken all last winter to instigate the In- 
dians to accept the hatchet and strike us, while we were striving to maintain peace. I 
am well persuaded, sir, of the polite manner in which you will receive M. Le Mercier, as 
well out of regard to his business as his distinction and personal merit. I expect 30U will 
send him back with one of your officers, who will bring me a precise answer. As )'0U 
have got some Indians with you, sir. I join with M. Le Mercier an interpreter, that he 
may inform them of my intentions upon that subject. 
I am, with great regard, sir. 

Your most humble and most ob't serv't. 

CONTRECfElR. 

Done at our camp, April Kith. IT.W.* 

On tbe morning of the ITtb the colonial soldiers were permitted to with- 
draw; and they went itp the Monongahela to the month of the Redstone creek, 
where the Ohio Company had a trading-post. 

The die was cast; the two nations were at war, although it had not been 
formally declared. The French followed up with alacrity the advantagea 
they had gained. The fort was completed early in June, and named Duquesne,. 

•Craig's "History of Pittsburgh," pp. 23-25. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 31 

in honor of the governor-general of Canada; troops fi'om the Illinois country 
were hastily brought up the Ohio to inoi'ease its garrison; spies were sent 
among the neighboring Indian tribes to tell them of the triumph of the French 
and win them back to their cause; and a close watch was kept of the move- 
ments of the colonial forces. 

Washington was at Will's creek pushing forward the preparations to 
reinforce the frontier fort, when the news of. its capture was brought hirn. 
Scouts continued to bring information of the enemy's movements, but the 
tedious preparations for the march were not allowed to cease. The line of 
march lay over a broken, mountainous country, to the north of Redstone creek, 
and thence down through the country to the mouth of the Monongahela. 
Eoads had to be cut for the artillery and provision trains, and progress was 
made at the slow rate of from two to four miles a day. On the 27th of May 
the English had reached a place known as the Great Meadows, when the 
scouts brought word that the French forces were in the vicinity. Washing- 
ton, fearing a sui'prise, started out on the following morning to ascer- 
tain the strength of enemy, when an engagement took place in which the 
French lost their commander, M. de Jumonville, and nine men, the Ameri- 
cans losing but one. This was the first act of open hostility between the 
regularly arrayed forces of the two nations in the valley of the Ohio, and it 
was held by the French as the commencement of the war. The march of the 
colonial forces was continued without fui'ther incident until the latter part of 
June, when the report came in that the enemy was approaching in full force. 
A council of war was held, and it was resolved to retreat to a more defensible 
point. The Great Meadows was reached on the 1st of July, and here the ex- 
hausted condition of the provincials determined Washington to take a stand. 
Here, as he reported, with nature's assistance, he made a good entrenchment, 
and prepared a charming field for an encounter, to which, owing to the cir- 
cumstances in which his people were placed, he gave the name of Fort Neces- 
sity. The enemy appeared on the 3d, and opened the attack. For nine 
hours an inefPectual resistance was made against overwhelming odds, when a 
capitulation was agreed upon, the colonials being permitted to retire with 
everything save the artillery, only one piece of which they were allowed to 
take with them. This action was one of the causes assigned by George II 
for a declaration of war. For Washington it was perhaps the most humiliat- 
ing scene in his entire career. How differently he celebrated the Fourth of 
July forty years later ! But reverses sometimes bring out better than success 
what is in a man. 

With this victory on the part of the French the whole frontier became ex- 
posed to their inroads; the Indians who till then had faltered were won over 
to the French; the settlements were in the utmost alarm, and a series of mur- 
derous incursions was begun, and continued for four years, checked for a brief 
space by the march of Gen. Braddock, only to burst forth with rekindled fm-y 



32 IIISTOHY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. * 

after his disastrous defeat. The massacred pioneers, the smoldering ruins of 
their frontier cabins, and the large number of prisoners taken, some to be tort- 
ured at the stake with the utmost refinement of savage cruelty, others to live 
in degradation worse than slavery, to be rescued years later by a Bouquet, or 
to die of hardship and exposure, tell the tale of the relentless fury of the 
natives. How far the French are to be held responsible for the blood that was 
shed and the barbarities inflicted it were difficult to determine; but the scenes 
described by such prisoners as James Smith seem to attach some blame at least 
to them. 

The colonists were powerless to dislodge the French from their stronghold 
at the forks, or to keep them in check on the frontier so long as they held it; 
and the season was too far advanced to expect assistance from the mother- 
country. Besides, England and France, though both were actively preparing 
for war, professed to be at peace. Thus matters stood at the close of this dis- 
astrous year, only to be followed, could the future have been penetrated, by a 
year still more disastrous. Negotiations between the two nations continued in 
Europe. France proposed to restore the American boimdary lines as they had 
been before the war of the Spanish succession, and refer all matters of dispute 
to the commissioners at Paris; England refused to go back to the treaty of 
Utrecht. France rejected this basis of discussion, and offered another com- 
promise — that both nations should retire fi'om the country between the A.lle- 
ghenies and the Ohio. To this England agreed, stipulating, however, that the 
French should destroy all their forts on the Ohio and its branches; but this 
the French refused to accept. Like nearly all such negotiations, it was an 
attempt on the part of each nation to outwit the other, and on the part of both 
to conceal, rather than manifest, their real intentions. The insincerity of the 
desire they mutually expressed to preserve peaceful relations is seen in the fact 
that, though the decision referred to was not reached till the latter part of 
March, 1755, yet in Febi-uary Gen. Braddock had landed in Virginia in com- 
mand of a strong force, with additional powers to compel the colonists to join 
him in an expedition for the reduction of all the French posts on the frontier. 
French fleets, too, with provisions and men, were on the ocean, crowding every 
sail to come to the rescue. But war was not even yet declared. Braddock 
had planned a threefold campaign against the enemy's posts — in Nova Scotia, 
at Crown Point and Niagara, by way of Fort Duquesne. He did not, indeed, 
meditate the conquest of Canada, but simply acted in obedience to his instruc- 
tions to resist encroachments on English territory. It is not the intention to 
give in this place an account of these several expeditions, but to treat only of 
the one which was sent into Western Pennsylvania. 

Gen. Braddock was everywhere beset with difiiculties, which retarded his 
movements and i-uffled his by no means placid temper. He had, besides, a 
contempt for everything colonial, which he made no effort to conceal. This 
antijiathy was not without its effects on the colonial troops, who, besides 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 33 

being trained to Indian warfare, knew it to be the best, and felt that a leader 
trained according to other methods must find himself at sea among the red- 
skins. This ignorance of Braddock's, coupled with his peculiar disposition, 
caused him to make numerous blunders, none of which escaped the attention 
of the self-reliant frontiersmen. Among the forces under the immediate com- 
mand of the general were two regiments commanded respectively by Sir 
Peter Halket and Col. Thomas Dunbar, and which were attended with a suita- 
ble train of artillery. The landing in Virginia instead of Pennsylvania was 
the first of a series of unfortunate mistakes, as neither adequate forage, pro- 
vision nor transportation could be easily procured; and it is said that, if the 
latter province had been selected as the point of debarkation, a saving of 
forty thousand pounds would have been effected, and the march shortened by 
six weeks. It is well known that when the army was detained at Will's creek 
for lack of means of transportation the general was only relieved by resources 
drawn from Pennsylvania. The general established his headquarters at Alex- 
andria, and spent the time from February 20th to the middle of April in elab- 
orating his plans and preparing his forces to move to the rendezvous at Will's 
creek. The army reached that point after a tedious march of four weeks, and 
there received such forces from New York and Virginia as raised the number in 
the command to two thousand men. Here it was that he encountered the most 
exasperating difficulties. Instead of the one hundred and fifty wagons and 
three hundred horses promised him, with ample supplies of forage and pro- 
visions, he found only fifteen wagons, hardly a third of the horses expected, 
and a scanty supply of damaged provisions. It was only by the tact and 
influence of Dr. Franklin that he was finally rescued from his trying posi- 
tion. He began to feel keenly the effect of his constant disparagement of the 
provincial officers and militia; but his eyes were not opened, and he made no 
effort to correct his mistake. Indeed it is much to the credit of* the colonial 
officers and men that they did not utterly abandon a leader who was so little 
able to conceal the contempt in which he held them. He declared that he 
saw little courage in them, and expected only indifferent military service fi'om 
them. Besides, he had orders from England that all officers of whatever rank 
bearing royal commissions were to take precedence of those holding commis- 
sion under the provincial governments. Such arbitrary folly gave great offense 
to the provincials, both officers and men; and among others, even Washing- 
ton, whose self-possession never forsook him, threw up his commission, but 
without abandoning the expedition. While no one at all acquainted with the 
history of Gen. Braddock has ever doubted his courage or bravery, all agree 
that a worse choice could hardly have been made of a leader. Another and, 
if possible, a greater blunder was the contempt in which Braddock held the 
enemy he was sent to conquer. 

Space can not be given for a full account of this important expedition ; but 
it is necessary to know the leader of it, if we want to arrive at a correct esti- 



34 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

mate of the cause of his disastrous failure, by which the enemies, not onh' of 
England and the colonies, but of humanity itself, were emboldened to perpe- 
trate deeds of cruelty which are an indelible stain upon the pages of the 
world's history. With what feeling do the Americans of to-day compare these 
words of Braddock to Franklin, who in his inimitable way attempted to give 
the general a timely warning: "The savages maybe a formidable foe to 
your raw American militia, but upon the king's regular and disciplined troops 
it is impossible they shoiild make any impression," with the account of his 
ignominious defeat and tragic death within a few miles of the enemy he so 
much despised ? 

The superiority of Washington's judgment appeared here, as on so many 
other occasions, and had his advice been followed the result of the expedition 
would doubtless have been other than it was. Accustomed to travel in the 
backwoods, he advised a rapid march by such trails as could be made practi- 
cable for an army with a pack- train; but the general, unable or unwilling to 
accommodate himself to circumstances, determined to proceed upon the plan 
to which he had been accustomed in his European campaigns. Five hundred 
men were sent forward to Little Meadows to open a wagon-road, and store pro- 
visions, following closely Nemackolin's path, of which mention has already been 
made. Sir Peter Halket followed with the first division of the army; but some 
delays intervened before the general was in motion with the second. The bal- 
ance of the army, under Col. Thomas Dunbar, was left behind to follow by 
slower marches. Owing to the difficulty of making a road the army moved 
slowly, leaving the enemy time to concentrate his forces. On the 30th of June 
the army crossed the Youghiogheny river at Stewart's crossing, about half a 
mile below the present town of Connellsville, and held a council of war to 
determine upon future movements. It was resolved not to await the arrival of 
Dunbar, but to push forward with the forces composing the first detachment. 
The route of the army lay toward the headwaters of Turtle creek, which it 
struck and followed till near the mouth, when it took a southern course to 
avoid the steep hills, and came to the Monongahela a little below the mouth of 
the Youghiogheny. Here the troops arrived on the morning of July 9th. 
The river was crossed, and the army moved down the western bank to a point 
opposite the mouth of Turtle creek, where the second fording was to be made. 
The general, not doubting that French spies were watching his movements, 
made this fording in such a manner as to present his forces to the best advan- 
tage, and make a deep impression of the strength of his command; and Wash- 
ington, who had been detained by sickness, and but lately joined the advance, 
declared in after life that it was the grandest spectacle he had ever witnessed. 
It was about noon, and the last of the forces reached the eastern bank of the 
river before 1 o'clock. The soldiers were in the best of spirits, and the play- 
ing of the July sun upon their polished weapons seemed but to be a reflection 
of the cheerfulness and hope that animated them. Only ten miles, and victory, 
with rest and the spoils, was theirs. 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 35 

The French had kept themselves accurately informed of the movements of 
the English; but what they should do under the circumstances vras an inquiry 
to vrhich no satisfactory answer was forthcoming. And here a question arises 
in regard to which there has long been great difference of opinion, namely: 
Who was in command of Fort Duquesne at that time? Some authorities 
affirm that it was Contrecceur, while others maintain that it was Beaujeu. 
The following entry in the register kept in the chapel of the fort places the 
question beyond doubt: 

lu the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty-five, on the ninth of July, was 
killed in the battle fought with the English, and the same day as above, Mr. Leonel Dan- 
iel, Esquire. Sieur de Beaujeu, captain of infantry, commander of Fort Duquesne and of 
the army, who was aged about forty-five years, having been at confession and performed 
his devotions the same day. His remains were interred on tlie twelfth of the same mouth, 
in the cemetery of Fort Duquesne, under the title of the Assumption of the Blessed 
Virgin at the Beautiful river, and that with the customary ceremonies by us, Recollet 
priest, the undersigned chaplain of the king at the above-mentioned fort. In testimony 
whereof we have signed: 

Fk. Denys Baron, P. R., Chaplain. 

The conflicting statements may perhaps be reconciled in one of two ways. 
Either Beaujeu had not yet assumed command, and then he is spoken of in 
the register as commander by anticipation, as one who held the commission 
but had not yet begun to exercise the duties of his office; or else he was act- 
ually in command, as is stated in the register, but, he being dead, Contrecceur 
could, without fear of contradiction, take the honor of victory to himself, and 
claim recognition from the home government for his eminent services. The 
reader need not be surprised at this statement, for it is well known that verac- 
ity was not one of the most eminent virtues of man)' of the first adventurers in 
the New World. Nor would the governor of Canada be likely to refuse to 
countenance the fraud, if proper influence were brought to bear upon him. 
The reader may choose for himself which of these two theories seems most 
probable ; but whatever may be said of the commander at the time of the battle, 
it is certain that Contrecceur resumed command after that time. M. Dumas 
was the first subordinate officer under Beaujeu at the battle, and for his gallant 
conduct on the occasion he was promoted to succeed Contrecceur in the com- 
mand of the fort and the army before the middle of the following September. 

For the French to abandon the fort without a struggle was to abandon the 
valley of the Ohio without hope of again recovering it; yet the probabilities 
were against them. The Indians began to waver in their allegiance, and could 
not be relied on; while it appeared rash in the extreme to attack the trained 
forces of Great Britain with the small army at the fort. With difficulty Beau- 
jeu prevailed on the Indians to join him; two days were spent in preparation; 
and it was not until the morning of the 9th that he, at the head of about two 
hundred and fifty French and Canadians and some six hundred Indians, set out 
to meet the enemy. The French had been so long delayed that the English 



36 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

were crossing the river as they reached the ravine on the side of the hill that 
sloped toward the stream ; and abandoning the idea of contesting the passage, 
Beaujeu disposed of his command in tho ravines where it was entirely concealed 
from the English. The position selected by the French was admiral)]y adapted 
to an ambuscade. Down the inclined surface which the English were ascend- 
ing extended two ravines, beginning near each other at al)out one hundred and 
fifty yards from the foot of the hill, and extending in different directions till 
they terminated in the valley below. In these ravines the French and Indians 
were concealed and protected, they being from eight to ten feet deep, and suf- 
ficiently large to contain at least ten thousand men. 

The signal for attack was the approach of the English to the place of con- 
cealment. The first onslaught was made on the front of the advancing column; 
but it was repelled by so heavy a return from the British that the Indians at 
once showed signs of wavering. The French commander was killed at the 
first fire while bravely cheering on his men; but Dumas, rallying the Indians, 
directed them to attack the English on the flank while he maintained the resist- 
ance in the front with the white men of the force. The attack soon became 
general. The vanguard was thrown back upon its supports in confusion, leav- 
ing two pieces of artillery in the hands of the enemy, and throwing that portion 
of the British troops already engaged into a very exposed position. Braddock 
did not allow his men to go behind the trees and fight the Indians in their own 
way, but compelled them to march in a body, while the Indians spread them- 
selves on every side behind trees and logs and whatever would afford them 
protection. Invisible, yet making the woods resound with their fiendish war- 
whoop, they fired with deadly aim at the compact body of the enemy. None 
of the English could say they saw a hundred of the enemy, and many of the offi- 
cers who were in the heat of the engagement the whole time would not assert 
that they saw even one; and they could only fire at random in the direction from 
which they were fired upon. The combat continued for two hours with scarcely 
a change in the disposition of either side. The regulars, terrified by the yells 
of the Indians, and dispirited by a style of fighting such as they had never 
imagined, gathered themselves into a body, and fired at random. The officers 
bravely advanced, sometimes at the head of small bodies, sometimes separately, 
but were sacrificed by the soldiers, who refused to follow them, and who even 
fired upon them fi-om the rear. Of eighty-six officers, twenty-six were killed, 
among whom was Sir Peter Halket, and thirty-seven were wounded, including 
Gage and the field officers. Of the men one-half were killed or wounded. Brad- 
dock braved every danger. Both his English aids were disabled early in the 
engagement, leaving Washington alone to distribute his orders. "I expected 
every moment to see him fall, ' ' said one whose eye was on him. He had two 
horses shot under him and four bullets through his coat, yet escaped with- 
out a wound. "Death," he wrote, "was leveling my companions on every 
side of me; but, by the all-powerful dispensation of Providence, I have been 




^1^ ^^;f^^"T^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 39 

protected." Many persons predicted a great future for Washington, seeing, 
as they believed they did, that a special providence had him under its protec- 
tion. The Virginia troops showed great valor, and of three companies scarcely 
thirty men were left alive. The regulars, having wasted their ammunition, 
broke and ran, leaving the artillery, provisions, baggage, and even the jirivate 
papers of the general a prey to the enemy. All attempts to rally them were 
vain. After having five horses shot under him unharmed, and tempting 
fate by his heroic service in the face of the terrible discharge of the enemy's 
musketry, a ball entered his side, and Braddock was borne from the field 
mortally wounded. With the remnant of his command he was carried across 
the river, and the ilight to Dunbar's camp on the Chestnut ridge was continued 
with all possible speed. Summing up the results of the battle, seven hundred 
and fourteen privates were killed or wounded, together with the army chap- 
lain ; while of the French and Indians only three officers and thirty men fell, 
and but as many more were wounded. On the 11th the retreating army reached 
the camp, which the news of the disaster had converted into a scene of confu- 
sion. On the following day the remaining artillery, stores and heavy baggage 
were destroyed and the retreat begun, Dunbar, who now assumed command, 
having determined to retire to Philadelphia for the winter. Braddock died on 
the 13th and was buried not far from the Great Meadows, where his grave 
may still be seen. 

The French did not pursue the retreating army across the river; the plun- 
der of the battle-field and the scalps proved too great an attraction for the 
savage allies; and with the exception of a visit to Dunbar's camp, they made 
no immediate efPort to reap the full advantages of victory. Had they pur- 
sued the English they could have cut them utterly to pieces. 

The effect of Braddock' s defeat was widespread and disastrous to the col- 
onies of Pennsylvania and Virginia; and nothing could exceed the terror with 
which the news filled the frontier, and reached even to Philadelphia, where 
some too sanguine persons were actiially engaged in collecting money to cele- 
brate the victory they felt certain would soon be gained over the French. 
But where victory and deliverance had been confidently expected, consternation 
alone appeared, and the tomahawk and scalping- knife were already seen in 
imagination to glitter at every cabin door. Nor did it require a violent stretch 
of the imagination; for from that day there was no security for hiiman life 
west of the Susquehanna. All that was ferocious in the breasts of the savages 
was roused to new life; the Canadians, not a few of whom were little less cruel, 
were ready to join them in the general devastation, while even the French 
soldiers felt a fresh impulse added to the race and national hatred with which 
they had for centuries regarded the Engish. 

Whence was relief to be expected ? All the forces of the colonies, suppos- 
ing that harmony reigned between them and between their respective governors 
and assemblies, would not be sufficient to check the elated victors; and assist- 



40 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

aace. could not be expected from the mother country before the middle of 
another year. In May, 1T5G, George II declared war against France; and 
both as a protection of the colonies and a means of dividing the forces of the 
enemy he planned an American campaign. But its management was a pitia- 
ble manifestation of military impotence. The commander-in-chief, the Earl 
of Loudon, did not arrive till the latter part of July. The only single ray of 
light shed upon the page of this year's history emanated from the action of the 
colonial militia. 

One path of the hostile Indians led from Kittanning east across the mount- 
ains, and down the Juniata; and it was felt that no security could be had till 
that base of supplies was destroyed. This was Kittanning, an important 
Indian town, situated on the east bank of the Allegheny river, fifty-five miles 
above the forks, where the town of the same name now stands. Lying on the 
line of communication between the east and the west, it was important for the 
Indians, and being on the route of the French from the lake to Fort Duquesne, 
it was no less so for them. It was known to the latter as Attiqu6, and is men- 
tioned as a considerable town in Chlorous journal. Col. John Armstrong, 
who commanded the forces that garrisoned the forts in the region of the Juni- 
ata, determined to strike a blow at this rendezvous, and the more so as it was 
the home of the noted Delaware chief, Capt. Jacobs, one of the most ferocious 
of the leaders of the savages against the fi-ontier settlements. Hopes were also 
entertained of rescuing a large number of prisoners held by the Indians there. 
All necessary preparations having been made. Col. Ai-mstrong set out from 
Fort Shirley, a frontier post situated on Aughwick creek a short distance south- 
east of Huntingdon, on the 30th of August, 1756, with a force of three hundred 
men. The course of the expedition led up the Juniata, across the mountains, 
and west by the well-known trail to the town. A march of four days brought 
the troops to the close vicinity of the place, -unobserved, when one night they 
discovered a party on their path. Turning aside, they were enabled to come 
without 'further danger of alarm to the river. We can not pause to enter into 
details regarding this important engagement; suffice it to say that the town 
was destroyed, with its vast stores of ammunition, Capt. Jacobs was killed, 
many prisoners were rescued, and the enemy was frustrated in the execution 
of a well-planned attack on the frontier forts that was to have been undertaken 
in a few days. Col. Armstrong received a slight wound, but was enabled to 
lead off his forces with the most gratifying success. Altogether it must be 
regarded as the most successful expedition ever led against the enemy in this 
part of the country, and well did the colonel deserve to have the county in 
which it took place named after him, that future generations might revere his 
memory. 

In the French account of the affair, which was dispatched to Canada the 
next day, the credit of leading the colonial forces is attributed to " Le 
G6n6ral Wachington," whose name was already a tower of strength on the 
frontier. 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 41 

The results of this well-planned and admirably executed attack were not 
of lasting importance, for, though it broke up the great Indian stronghold in 
Western Pennsylvania, it counted for little in the struggle between the two 
most powerful nations of Europe for the possession of the valley of the Ohio. 
Its results were only tem]-)orary, and could not be followed up. The blow 
sustained by the savages gave the frontier only a moment's repose. The En- 
glish forces in America were at that time under the command of an incompetent 
general, and the result was that the year 1757 only added to the disasters 
which had attended the British arms since the opening of the war. In the 
western part of our state the French and Indians had it all their own way; 
and whatever check they met with anywhere was from the provincials when 
they were permitted to follow the dictates of their own knowledge and expe- 
rience, untrammeled by the arbitrary authority of leaders unacquainted with 
the tactics necessary to be adopted with the enemy they had to contend against. 
The territory around the headwaters of the Ohio received comparatively little 
attention this year, the efforts of the commander-in-chief being directed toward 
the reduction of the French posts at the head of Lake Champlain. At the 
end of the year the cause of the enemy seemed everywhere triumphant; and 
had it not been that Pitt was restored to the ministry, the situation of the 
colonies would have been truly deplorable. But with the opening of the 
spring of 1758, the presence of that great statesman began to be felt in the 
British councils, and signs of healthy activity began to appear in America. 
Loudon was recalled and Abererombie, seconded by Lord Howe, succeeded 
him ; and while Amherst and Wolfe were sent to join the fleet in the northeast, 
and the commander-in-chief directed the movements against Tieonderoga and 
Crown Point, Gen. John Forbes was placed in command of the army that 
was to operate in the west. With his campaign only are we concerned here; 
and considerable space mxist be given to its details, for with it ended the 
ascendancy of the French not only in the valley of the Ohio, but, it may be 
said, within the territory of the United States. 

After long delays Forbes saw 1,250 Highlanders arrive fi'om South Caro 
lina. They were joined by 350 royal Americans. Pennsylvania, animated with 
an unusual military spirit, raised for the expedition 2,700 men. Their senior 
officer was John Armstrong. Virginia sent two regiments of about nineteen 
hundred men with Washington as their leader; yet vast as were the prepara- 
tions Forbes would never, but for Washington, have reached the Ohio. '' The 
Virginia chief, who at first was stationed at Fort Cumberland, clothed a part 
of his force in the hunting-shirt and the Indian blanket, which least impeded the 
progi'ess of the soldiers through the forest, and he entreated that the army 
might advance promptly along Braddock's road. But the expedition was not 
merely a military enterprise; it was also the march of civilization toward the 
west, and was made memorable by the construction of a better avenue to the 
Ohio. This required long-continued labor. September had C(jme before 



42 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Forbes, whose life was slowly ebbing, was borne on a litter as far as Rays- 
town (now Bedford). But be preserved a clear head and a tine will, or, as he 
himself expressed it, was actuated by the spirit of William Pitt; and he 
decided to keep up the direct communication with Philadelphia as essential 
to present success and future security."* 

At the same time the events of the year seemed to promise success to an 
embassy to the western Indians, if the proper messenger could be found. The 
influence of the Quakers, together with the campaign of Armstrong, had 
induced the Indians located in the eastern part of the province to confer with 
the whites at Easton in November, 1756. The contracting parties were Gov. 
Denny on the part of the province, and the noted Delaware chief, Tedyuscung, 
on the part of the aborigines. Each party was attended by a considerable 
retinue. When questioned as to the cause of the dissatisfaction and hostility of 
the Indians, the chief mentioned the overtures of the French and the ill-usage 
of the provincial authorities. He boldly declared that the very land on which 
they stood had been taken from the rightful owners by fraud, and not only had 
the country fi'om Tohickon creek to Wyoming been thus taken, but several 
tracts in New Jersey had been similarly stolen from his people. And subse- 
quently, when the Six Nations had given the Shawanese the country on the 
•Juniata for a hunting-ground, with the full knowledge of the governor, the lat- 
ter permitted settlers to encroach upon their lands. Again, in 1754, the gov- 
ernor had gone to Albany to purchase more lands of the Six Nations, describ- 
ing the lands sought by points of the compass, which the Indians did not 
understand, and by the profusion of presents obtained grants for lands which 
the Iroqtiois did not intend to sell. When these things were known to the 
native occupants they declared they would no longer be fiiends with the 
English, who were trying to get all their country. 

This council lasted nine days, and resulted in a treaty of peace between the 
two parties, and the former differences were amicably adjusted. Another 
council for settling certain other questions was held in July, 1757. These con- 
ferences did not, however, include the Indians on the Ohio, who were under 
the immediate influence of the French, but Tedyuscung promised to endeavor 
to bring them into friendly relations with the English. His efforts did not, 
however, avail, and the western tribes contimted their hostilities. But in 
1758, with Forbes' army on the point of marching against Fort Duquesne, the 
provincial authorities determined to make one more effort to alienate the Ohio 
Indians from their allegiance to the French. Accordingly Christian Frederic 
Post, a Moravian missionary, who was held in high esteem by the Indians in 
the east, was sent out in July. He proceeded by way of Venango to Kiska- 
skunk on the Beaver, a short distance below New Castle, and was accom- 
panied by several Indians to insure him a favorable reception. He was 
well received, though the Indians refused to hear of Tedyuscung or the Easton 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 43 

treaty. He remained about a week and made a favorable impression upon all, 
till a French officer arrived with an Indian delegation from Fort Duquesne, 
which caused the Indians to waver. An effort was also made to bring him near 
enough to the fort to capture him; but he escaped through the influence of his 
friends, and after an anxious delay, so skillfully managed his cause as to get an 
agreement from the chief men that, if all the nations agreed to join the English 
in a treaty of peace, they would also join. He set out on his return journey 
on the 8th of September, and reached the east some two weeks later. A severe 
blow was then struck at the confidence of the Indians in the ultimate success 
of the French, which was destined to be deeply felt by the latter. 

A grand council was accordingly held at Easton in the fall of the same 
year for the adjustment of the whole question of Indian grievances, in which 
all matters were amicably settled, though not without difficulty. When the 
Indians dispersed it seemed advisable to send a messenger with the delegation 
fi'om the west to negotiate with the wavering tribes on the upper Ohio and 
claim the fulfillment of their promise. No one being so well suited as Post, 
he was again sent out. 

The army under Forbes had been making slow progress westward; audit 
was September before he reached Raystown, where Col. Bouquet awaited his 
arrival. Bu^t this very tardiness was not without its effect. It gave Post an 
opportunity of perfecting his negotiations with the already wavering Indians; 
it exhausted their patience and made many of those assembled around Fort 
Duquesne withdraw; and it worked the consumption of the provisions at the 
fort, and made it expedient to reduce the forces there; and in this way it ren- 
dered the capture of the fort more certain and less difficult. Washington joined 
the army with his command at Raystown, and Bouquet with a force of two 
thousand men was sent forward to the Loyalhanna. Every day seemed to seal 
more certainly the fate of the French, who were beginning to be disheartened 
by the success which attended the British arms on the lakes. Their distance 
from their base of supplies was another difficulty they had to contend against, 
which, with the mutual jealousies of the rulers in Canada, rendered the posi- 
tion of the garrison at Fort Duquesne far from enviable. Gen. Montcalm, 
writing at this time to his friend the Chevalier de Bourlamaque, gives this jjict- 
ure of the condition of affairs at the fort: "Mutiny among the Canadians, 
who want to go home ; the officers busj"^ with making money, and stealing like 
mandarins. Their commander sets the example, and will come back with 
three or four hundred francs; the pettiest ensign who does not gamble will 
have ten, twelve or fifteen hundred francs. The Indians do not like Ligneris, 
who is drunk every day."* Insignificant successes served in a measure to keep 
up the spirit of the French ; but the entire policy of that nation in the New 
World was erroneous, and the fall of their power was only a question of time. 
The defeat of Maj. Grant within a mile of the fort, to which he had been 



44 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

sent with eight hundred men, was due rather to his imprudence than to the 
valor or vigilance of the enemy; while the attack of the French and Indians 
on Fort Ligonier produced no permanent result. The fall of Fort Frontenac, 
at the outlet of Lake Ontario, August '27th, by cutting off supplies, made it 
impossible to hold Fort Duquesne long. All hope being lost, on the 24th of 
November, 1758, when the English were within ten miles of the fort it was 
blown up and the buildings around it, to the number of about thirty, were 
l)urnt. The French, who counted about four hundred, besides a large force 
of Indians of several tribes, withdi'ew. Some of the former went down the 
Ohio to the Illinois country, others across the country to Presqu' Isle, 
and part with their commander, De Ligneris, up the Allegheny to Fort Ma- 
chault, at the mouth of French creek. On Saturday, November 25, 1758,. 
the English moved in a body, and at evening the yolithful Washington could 
point out to officers and men the meeting of the waters. The hand of the 
veteran Armstrong raised the British flag over the ruins of the fort; and as the 
banner floated to the breeze, the place, at the suggestion of Forbes, was 
named Pittsburgh. 

But all danger had not been removed by the capture of Fort Duquesne. 
That part of the French forces which retreated up the Allegheny halted at 
Fort Machault; that fortification was strengthened, and it was the intention 
to remain there during the winter, defend the place in case of an attack, and 
descend the river in the spring with a view of recapturing S"'ort Duquesne. 
L'nder favorable circumstances this would not have been difficult; for the 
British, after throwing vip a little fortification not far from the captured strong- 
hold, retired to Philadelphia, leaving a garrison of not more than two hundred 
men. In case of a sudden attack these could not be reinforced in time to 
hold the place. Having collected a force of about seven hundred French and 
Canadians, and a thousand Indians, with batteaux and canoes for their trans- 
portation, toward the end of June, 1759, the French were about to embark 
for the forks, when word was received that Fort Niagara was besieged. The 
importance of holding that point induced them to abandon Machault and 
hasten to concentrate all their available forces at Niagara. They saw their 
route to the Mississippi cut off by way of the Ohio, and if Niagara should fall 
into the hands of the enemy, all communication with the west would be broken 
off. The stores and munitions of war prepared for the expedition to the forks 
were hastily destroyed or distributed among the Indians, while the large fleet 
of batteaux and canoes was burnt. Forts Le Bceuf and Presqu' Isle, having 
served as relays during the occupation of Duquesne, lost their importance, 
and were evacuated, and the power of the French in Pennsylvania was 
extinguished forever. 

The subsequent history of the French in North America is soon told. Fort 
Niagara was captured on the 5th of August, 1759, and with it the French were 
cut off from all communication with the west; Quebec fell with the death of 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 45 

Montcalm, September 14th, of the same year; and with the capitulation of 
Montreal, September 8, 1760, all the possessions of the French east of the 
Mississippi fell into the hands of the English. But as the star of the French 
sank behind the western horizon, the sun of American Independence rose 
gloriously in the east. 

A word on this apparent triumph of England. Long before the expulsion 
of the FreDch from Canada, thoughtful minds on both sides of the Atlantic 
foresaw that such an event must be the prelude to the fi'eedom of the colonies. 
The presence of the French there retarded their progress, trained them to 
war, and made them feel their dependence on the mother-country; and no one 
understood this better than the French themselves. ' ' We have caught them 
at last," said Choiseul, on the definite surrender of New France; and at once 
giving up Louisiana to Spain, his eager hopes anticipated the speedy struggle 
of America for separate existence. So soon as the sagacious and experienced 
Vergennes heard of the conditions of the peace, he said: " The consequences 
of the entire cession of Canada are obvious. I am persuaded England will 
ere long repent of having removed the only check that could keep her colonies 
in awe. They stand no longer in need of her protection; she will call on them 
to contribute toward supporting the burdens they have helped to bring on her, 
and they will answer by striking off all dependence. ' ' Sixteen years later the 
hall in Philadelphia resounded with the Declaration of Independence; and 
less than seven years afterward Great Britain acknowledged the independ- 
ence of the colonies she had made every effort to defend. 



CHAPTER III. 

ALLEGHENY FROM 1759 TO 1779. 

The Fourth Treaty— Fort Pitt— Concentration of Forces— Chief Pon- 
TiAC — The Shawanese and Delawares— Advent of Settlers— Land 

Sales. 

TT^VERY obstacle to the colonization of the territory west of the mountains 
-*-—' was not removed with the overthrow of French rule in the valley of the 
rivers. Two formidable barriers still remained: the presence of the aborigines, 
and the claim of Virginia to the soil. The Indians were more jealous of the 
English taking possession of their hunting-grounds than of the French; and 
they still entertained the hope that the latter would soon retm-n, as the French 
continued to assure them. For this reason they entered only half-heartedly 
iato terms of peace with the dominant party; and the little gan-ison left at the 
frail Fort Pitt during the winter of 1758-59 was in a very precarious condition. 



46 IIISTOliY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Any considerable force of Indians could easily have cut o£P all communication 
with the east, and have destroyed it: while the French at Fort Machault, who 
doubtless kept themselves well informed of the slate of affairs at the forks, 
could descend the river, should it break up in the winter, as it often does, 
and retake their former stronghold. The opening of the spring of 1759 was, 
therefore, looked forward to with apprehension, by the garrison and the front- 
ier settlers, lest the French should execute their threat before assistance could 
reach the garrison from beyond the mountains; and had it not been for the 
siege of Fort Niagara, referred to at the close of the last chapter, their fears 
woiild have been only too well groiinded. 

At the second treaty held at Easton, in October, 1758, and known in history 
as the "fourth treaty," the natives were represented by the chiefs of the Six 
Nations and of the Delawares, and Pennsylvania and New Jersey by George 
Croghan, the agent of Sir William Johnson. The causes of the late war were 
discussed at length, the complaints of the Indians concerning the taking pos- 
session of their lands were heard, and the chiefs of the Six Nations were pre- 
vailed upon to use their influence, which was supreme, to induce the Shawanese 
and Twigtwees to desist from their hostilities on the Ohio. By far the most 
important end attained was the gaining possession of a large tract of country 
by the proprietaries in the southern half of the colony, extending west from the 
Susquehanna river and the Kittatinny mountains to the summit of the Alleghe- 
nies. Besides the territory which the colony thus gained, it was enabled, as time 
went on, not only to extend its settlements on it, but to trespass, as usual, on 
lands beyond its boundaries, till the savages, seeing they could no longer hold 
the occupied territory, would be disposed to part with some of it by a so-called 
purchase, and the fair fame of Pennsylvania would go down untarnished on the 
pages of history for having obtained from the natives by purchase all the ter- 
ritory she claimed as her own. 

The English having gained a footing on the Ohio, the next step was to enter 
into more amicable relations with the tribes of the vicinity, both for their own 
seciu-ity and to hinder them fi-om aiding their enemies, the French. But in 
order to do this successfully it was necessary to lead the savages to believe that 
they had not come to take jjossession of their lands, but only to establish 
trading-posts by means of which the wants of the Indians could be more easily 
supplied, and a more ready market prepared for their peltries: for the Indians 
were always suspicious, and with good reason, as long experience had taught 
them that the real object of the English was permanent settlement. For this 
purpose a conference was held by Col. Bouquet with the chiefs of the Delaware 
Indians "at the Pitts-Bourgh,"' December 4, 1758, at which were present, be- 
sides the colonel — who appears to have been left in command by Forbes. Ijefore 
the arrival of Col. Hugh Mercer — Col. Armstrong and several officers, with 
George Croghan, deputy agent of Sir William Johnson, and Capt. Henry 
Montour, the interpreter. In the course of his speech Col. Bouquet said; 




Olslaiti/MnSd'Ai^'^- 



wm^^ W'&ti&T^ 



IIISTOKY OF AI-IJOdllUNY COUNTY. 49 

" 15r(4hi(Mi, \v(i liiivo not come horo to take |)os80HHi()ii of yoiu- limiljrig country 
in a lioHtilo niiiunor, uh the French did when they ciinie mnoii^ yuii, but to open 
a Iiirf^e and exteiiHive trade with you and all other uationa of Indians to the 
woHtward who choose to live in friendHhip with uh. You are Hensible wo are 
at war with the French and can not Heud tradern among you, as, we formerly 
did, to be robbed and murdered by the enemy, an our traders formerly wore to 
your knowledge, for which reason the general has left here two hundred men in 
order to ))rotect our traders, and I can assure you that as soon as gcjods can be 
brought up you will see a large trade o])ened for you, and all other nations in 
alliance with you, and yon may di^pend on it, your brethren, the English, are 
not only the most powerful ])ooplo on this continent, but the most wealthy and 
best inclined to sei've you in every necessary you want, and on the cheapest 
terms; therefore the general ox|)octs, as you value the friendship of your 
brethren, the English, that you will treat those men he leaves here as your 
brethren, and supj)ort them, in case the enemy should come and attempt to 
drive them away, and as the enemy can do nothing in your country without 
your knowledge, ho expects you will give the commanding oflicer notice, from 
time to time, of the enemy's movements, or what they are doing." They 
were also earnestly recommended to drivo the French out of their country, as 
"they are a restless and mischievous people," and oblige them to destroy their 
forts. They wore further urged to koifj) their ])romise to send back the pris- 
oners they had taken in their repeated raids on the frontier. In thoir reply, 
which according to thoir wise custom was not delivered until the following 
day, they oxprossod thoir readiness to comply with the demands of the colonel, 
thanked him, and enlarged on the pleasure thoy felt on seeing the English 
come to trade with thom. But they would not promise to protect the garrison 
till they had conf(u-ro(l with the tribes further to the west. 

The iirst Fort Pitt was iinislied, most probably, al)out the 1st of January, 
17oU, and was placed under the command of (Jol. Hugh Mercer, who wrote 
under date of January Sth; " The garrison now consists of two hundred and 
eighty men, and is capable of some dofcuise, though huddled up in a very 
hasty manner, the weather being very severe." Ho was succeeded about July 
of the same year l)y Gen. John Stanwix, who built the larger Fort Pitt, which 
was to figure so prominently in frontier history. It is said to have cost the 
British government .£()0,0()0. Writing of the measures taken by Gen. Stan- 
wix at this time, Smollot, in his " History of I'jngland," says: "The h&ppy con- 
setjuouces of those measures were soon apparent in the pro<lucti(.)n of a con- 
srderablo trade between the natives and the merchants of Pittsburgh, and in 
the perfect security of about tour thousand settlers, who now returned to the 
quiet possession of lands they were driven from on the frontiers of Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland and Virginia." Unless a very large tract of country is 
embraced in this estimate of the number of inhabitants, it must be regarded 
as exaggerated. 



50 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Gen. Stanwix weat to Philadelphia- early in the yeai- 1760, leaving Maj. 
Tulikens in command of the fort, the garrison of which consisted at that time 
of one huncb-ed and fifty Virginians, as many Pennsylvanians, and four hun- 
dred of the first battalion of Koyal Americans. Gen. Stanwix soon afterward 
sailed for London, where he arrived some time in July. 

Gen. Monckton arrived at Fort Pitt on the 29th of June, and immediately 
gave orders for the march of a large detachment of the army to Presqu" Isle; 
and on the 7th of July foiu- companies of the Royal Americans, under com- 
mand of Col. Bouquet, marched from Pittsburgh toward that point, as did 
also Capt. McNeil's company of the Virginia regiment. On the Wednesday 
following Col. Hugh Mercer, with three companies of the Pennsylvania regi- 
ment, under Capts. Biddle, Clapham and Anderson, and two days afterward 
two other companies of the same regiment, under Capts. Atlee and Miles, 
were to follow. A letter fi-om Philadelphia, dated July 31st, says: "From 
Pittsburgh we learn that Maj. Gladwin had ariived at Presqu' Isle with four 
hundred men from the northward, and that our troops from Pittsburgh would 
be at the same place by the 15th of this month." These movements were all 
made with a view of taking possession of Detroit and Mackinac, which had 
been sm-rendered along with Montreal on the Sth of September, 1759. 

After the fall of the French power in North America. • ' the whole of the 
forces raised by the province of Pennsylvania had been discharged . . . except 
150 men, a part of whom were employed in transporting provisions from Niagara, 
and in garrison at Presqu' Isle and Le Bceuf. These were detained until they 
should be relieved by a detachment of the Royal Americans, but such was the 
weakness of that regiment that this had hitherto been impracticable . . . The 
province of Pennsylvania now looked for the enjoyment of a long and undis- 
turbed peace, since her mild and forbearing policy had conciliated the Indians, 
and their dangerous neighbors, the French, were removed. But the sources 
in which they sought for safety were fruitful of dangers. The unprotected 
state of the frontiers, consequent on the discharge of the forces of the middle 
and southern colonies, held forth irresistible temptations to the whetted appe- 
tite of the border savage for plunder. Their hostility had been rewarded 
rather than chastised by Pennsylvania; every treaty of peace was accompanied 
by rich presents, and their detention of the prisoners was overlooked upon 
slight apologies, though obviously done to afford opportunities for new treaties 
and additional gifts. The mistaken and perverted humanity of the Quakers 
had softened down their offenses, and its apologies gave them contidence in 
their allegations of injuries received from the whites. These reasons, how- 
ever, are insufficient to account for the wide extension of the Indian confederacy, 
which was probably caused by motives of profound policy. The aborigines 
beheld the French driven out of their whole country, themselves threatened by 
forts commanding the gi'eat lakes and rivers, and thev felt that an immediate 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 51 

and mighty effort was necessaiy to restrain the tide which now, unimpeded, 
would spread itself over the continent."* 

The hopes of peace upon which some of the more sanguine relied proved 
delusive. The opening of Braddock's and Forbes' roads prepared the way 
for an easy emigration from the whole east of the mountains, and the Indians 
soon became conscious of the fact that the English, though professing to have 
driven oiit the French for the benefit of the natives, had in reality oulj' done so 
that they themselves might the more successfully take possession of the rich 
hunting-grounds. Something must be done to arrest this influx of population, 
this threatened overrunning of their lands. The fi-ontier settlements were as 
yet weak, and a well-directed effort might drive the whites beyond the mountains, 
if not entirely out of the country. So thought the Indian sages. All that was 
required was a leader equal to the emergency; and, unfortunately for the pio- 
neers, such a leader was found in the person of Pontiac, the chief of the 
Ottawas. Far-seeing and diplomatic to a degree that is truly surprising in a 
rude son of the forest, he not only saw the danger of extermination that 
threatened his people, but he also saw the only remedy, if remedy at all 
existed; and he alone had the ability and influence to apply it. He was ably 
seconded by Kiashuta (a name variously spelled), a chief of the Seneca tribe 
of the Six Nations. Had the execution of the assault on the frontier forts 
and settlements been equal to the planning of it, it is hardly too much to say 
that they would have realized their determination of diiving the palefaces into 
the sea. It was nothing less than inducing all the tribes to forget for the present 
their party strifes ^nd animosities, and combine to strike a blow at the palefaces 
from which they would never be able to recover. So secretly and yet so per- 
fectly was this plan laid that, had it not been for an accidental circumstance, 
to which reference will presently be made, it would have met with such a 
measure of success as would have necessitated a general war against the sav- 
ages to subdue them, and would have retarded settlement for an indefinite 
period. 

ilessengers were sent to all the tribes of the west to interest them in the 
scheme of these Napoleons of the western wilderness to destroy the whites 
and leave their settlements a smoldering ruin. The plan was entered into 
with a will by the savages, and a certain day was set apart by those who 
arranged the plans for a general assault. All the forts were to be simultane- 
ously attacked, as well as the settlements, and all individuals whom they could 
come upon ; and with one bold sweep, as it were, raze to the earth everything 
bearing the mark of their doomed enemies. The season of harvest was 
chosen, that the attention of the people at the time might be drawn to their 
crops, as well as that the work of havoc might then be greater by the destruc- 
tion of them. But a circumstance, trifling in itself, in a measure frustrated 
the plan. When the attack was made it was found not to be simultaneous. 

* Egle. 



52 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

That on Fort Pitt aiul vicinity was made two or throe days Ijefore the time 
agreed upon for the general attack, although it was done in the belief that 
the day had arrived. The misunderstanding is said to have proceeded from 
the officiouaness of a Delaware squaw, who was desirous that their plans might 
be deranged. At the grand council held by all the tribes for the appointment 
of the dciy for the general uprising and making the necessary arrangements 
for it, a bundle of rods had been put into the hands of every tribe, each bun- 
dle containing as many rods as there were days till the day when the assault 
was to be made. One rod was to be drawn from the bundle every morning, 
and when a single one remained, it was to be the signal for the outbreak. 
The squaw referred to had purposely extracted two or three rods without the 
knowledge of the tribe, thinking it might materially disconcert, if not defeat, 
their project. From this circumstance the attack on Fort Piit and vicinity 
was precipitated, although it was simultaneous on all other posts and settle- 
ments. 

The Shawanese and Delawares, who were the most affected by the en- 
croachments of the settlers, appear to have been the most active in urging on 
the attack; and they hailed with exxiltation the day when it was to deluge the 
frontier with blood, and bring them sweet I'evenge with a plentiful retm-n of 
scalps so dear to the Indian brave. It would be interesting to pause here and 
inquire into the causes which led to the alienation of these two tribes from the 
English; for of all the nations they had been the most steadfast. It is in gen- 
eral to be attributed to the encroachments of the settlers, the claims of land 
companies and the extortion of the traders. , 

So well planned and formidable was the attack that of all the frontier posts 
only three were able to withstand it — Detroit, Niagara and Pitt. All the 
others fell; some at the first assault, others after a short resistance; and their 
garrisons were butchered on the spot or carried ofP to be tortured with a 
greater refinement of cruelty. Great skill was manifested in the carrying ont 
of the plan of attack. At one place the savages filed off the ends of their gun- 
barrels, that the squaws might be able to conceal them under their blankets: 
then the braves invited the garrison of the fort out to witness a game of ball, 
as they had often done before; the squaws were instructed to place themselves 
near the gate of the fort; and in the course of the game the ball, as it were by 
accident, was thrown near the gate of the fort; the contestants ran after it, got 
their weapons from the squaws and cut off the garrison from entering or get- 
ting their arms for defense, and thus placed them at the mercy of their assail- 
ants. Again, a fort was attacked by stealth in the night or early morning. 
At another time ingress was gained under some pretext, and the gate was 
opened for the assailants. Or, as in the case of Fort Pitt, the stronghold was 
stealthily surrounded, the warwhoop was raised, and an attempt was made to 
carry the works by storm. Mr. Parkman has admirably portrayed the scenes 
of this frontier war in his ' ' Conspiracy of Pontiac, ' ' where the student of our 
history will find the most glowing descriptions in the most classic language. 



HISTORY OK ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 53 

The shock of this attack was the most terrible ever felt on the frontier, so 
used to war's alarms. During the French ascendancy raids on the frontier 
were naturally to be expected; but when their power was destroyed a respite 
was looked for. But the backwoodsmen were a sturdy race, and soon recov- 
ered their self-possession, and with it a renewed hatred of the redskins, with the 
determination to wage war on them to extermination. Fort Pitt, the main 
reliance, not only for the western part of the province, but also for the entire 
western country, was placed in a most hazardous position, and serious fears 
were entertained of its ability __to hold the enemy at bay until relief could be 
despatched. And, although a full account of this attack will be found in 
another part of this history, a brief notice will be given in this place to preserve 
the thread of the narrative. The attack on the fort, of which Simon Ecuyer was 
then in command, was made on the afternoon of June 22, 1763, and all com- 
munication was immediately cut off. For several days the fate of the garrison 
was unknown. Fort Ligonier, though a place of no importance in itself, was 
an intervening post, which aided in keeping up communication with the east; 
and its preservation was for that reason very necessary at that juncture. Be- 
sides, large quantities of provisions and ammunition were stored in it at that time, 
which must at all cost be kept out of reach of the Indians. Characteristic 
a2:)athy marked the proceedings of the Pennsylvania assembly; but the com- 
mander at Bedford, or Raystown, as it was then called, despatched a small 
force of picked men to reinforce the garrison at Ligonier, while Col. Henry 
Bouquet was ordered to hasten to the relief of Fort Pitt. It was the most 
perilous period in the history of Western Pennsylvania; and, though a centiu'y 
and a quarter with marvelous changes have elapsed since those eventful days, it 
chills the blood to read of the trials of our grandsires of that time. All hope 
was centered in the reinforcement of Fort Pitt, and no better leader could have 
been chosen for the hazardous undertaking than Col. Bouquet. This point 
for defensive and aggressive warfare was then in the hands of the provincials; 
yet the garrison 'was small and exhausted, and the store of provisions and am- 
munition was so limited as to create serious alarm. Bouquet set out on the 
old Forbes road with the scattered remnant of the Forty-second and the Seven- 
ty-second regiments, lately returned from the West Indies, comprising in all 
scarcely five hundred men, not a few of whom were invalids, who had to be 
conveyed in wagons. These, however, he hoped to leave as garrisons at some 
of the posts on the way. He had also with him a large quantity of provisions 
and ammunition. To his forces were added six companies of rangers, amount- 
ing to two hundred men. The little army pressed forward with all speed, the 
fate of the fort being all the while uncertain. Passing Ligonier he came to 
the headwaters of Turtle creek, a tributary of which, named Bushy run, was 
reached on the 5th of August, after a march of seventeen miles. It being yet 
early in the afternoon, it was determined to halt and rest the troops till toward 
evening, and pass the Turtle creek delile during the ensuing night. "But 



54 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

when within half a mile of the creek, the advance guard of the army was sud- 
denly surprised by an ambuscade of Indians opening a brisk tire of musketry 
upon them. Being speedily and tirmly supported, by bringing up the rear, a 
charge of bayonets was ordered, which efpectually routed the savages, when 
they were pursued a short distance. But no sooner was the pursuit given up 
than they returned and renewed the attack with redoubled vigor, while at the 
same moment a most galling fire was opened by parties who had been concealed 
on some high ground that skirted the flanks of the army. A general charge 
with the whole line was now made, which proved effective, and the savages 
were obliged to give way; but withal to no purpose, for no sooner was the 
pursuit again given up than the Indians renewed the attack with their wonted 
ferocity. The action continued without intermission the whole afternoon — a 
confused and irregular attack by the forces of both parties. The enemy, routed 
from one skulking-place, would retreat to another. But Col. Bouquet made it 
an object as much as possible to keep his troops collected, that they might not be 
br.iken in upon and dispersed by the enemy. The battle ended with the day. 
without any decided advantage to either. With the first dawn of morning the 
warvvhoop was again raised, and in a moment there seemed a thousand start- 
ling yells to break in every direction around. At this signal a rush was made 
by the Indians on all sides, but the lines ready formed were not to be taken 
by surprise, and effectually repulsed the savages in every attempt. Betaking 
themselves to the trees, the Indians poured an incessant fire with great precision 
into the little army. Fatigued with the previous day's march and the battle 
of the preceding evening, combined with the exposure to a hot August sun, 
with no water within their reach, they began indeed to be dispirited. Attacked 
with a dogged determination, and tired upon without intermission, they could 
neither retreat nor proceed. It became obvious, therefore, that a desperate 
effort must be made to save the army from total destruction. The commander 
happily bethought himself of a stratagem that might prove successful, which, 
as the troops were still disposed in a circle from the previous night, consisted 
in making a maneuver of the appearance of a precipitate retreat from 
one side, so as to entrap the assailants in pursuit, who would rush as 
thoughtless within the enclosure of lines which lay in ambuscade. The snare 
was set in the direction of the enemy's deadliest tire, and most happily suc- 
ceeded in enticing them from their place of concealment. Before being aware, 
they were under a most destructive tire of the troops; and ere they could retreat 
they received so deadly a charge from the regulars that they fled with the 
utmost precipitation. This secured the victory. The woods around were 
immediately abandoned by the others, and the conflict ceased.* 

The victory gained on this memorable occasion was nothing less than the 
defeat of all the forces that had been besieging Fort Pitt for the last two 
months. They had long been undisputed masters of the country, carrying 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 55 

death and destruction wherever they pleased; and they hoped, by defeating 
the forces coming to the relief of the fort, to reduce it also, and carry away 
as rich trophies the scalps of its unfortunate garrison. But they began to feel 
the ability of Bouquet to cope with them, and they were soon to experience it 
still further in the very heart of their own country. Bouquet lost about fifty 
killed and sixty wounded; the savages had some sixty of their best warriors 
killed, with many of their most distinguished chiefs. A few scattered shots 
were tired at Bouquet during the rest of his march, but they amounted to 
little; the Indians were thoroughly disheartened, and no general attack was 
ever again made on the settlements . It must not, however, be imagined that 
an uninterrupted peace began to dawn upon the frontier; far from it. The 
confidence and the main strength of the savages were indeed broken; but they 
continued to be savages with all their cruel instincts and thirst for revenge on 
those who dared to trespass on their broad domain. Still it was not probable 
that they would attack any place in considerable numbers; only a small party 
was likely to fall upon any of the settlements. The foothold of the whites 
was becoming more firm, and the day of their final triumph was dawning 
apace. Still the road to Fort Pitt was a favorite scene of sudden attacks by 
the savages, who, after the Indian fashion, would strike a blow and disappear 
before the settlers could meet to retaliate. For this reason communication 
with the fort was at times almost cut off. 

Settlements would have flourished better had it not been for the supineness 
of the Pennsylvania assembly and the blindness of the Quakers, by whom its 
action was controlled, who seemed more solicitous for the welfare of the 
Indians than for that of the whites. Justly exasperated at this, Gen. Amherst 
wrote : ' ' The conduct of the Pennsylvania Quakers is altogether so infatuated 
and stupidly obstinate that I find no words to express my indignation. ' ' And 
Mr. Parkman says : ' ' The Quakers seemed resolved that they would neither 
defend the people of the frontier nor allow them to defend themselves, vehe- 
mently inveighing against all expeditions to cut off the Indian marauders." 
At length the attitude of the Indians became so threatening, and their attacks 
on the settlements so fi-equent, that in 1764 Gov. John Penn offered, by public 
proclamation, the following rewards for the scalps or the capture of Indians: 
For every male above ten years of age, captm-ed, $150; or for his scalp, being 
killed, $134. For every female or male under ten years old, captured, $130; 
or for the scalp of such female killed, $50. 

The only security for the frontier lay in the striking of such a blow against 
the Indians of the west as would not only inflict a temporary injury, bu.t would 
also be felt for years to come, and inspire them with a lasting sense of the 
prowess of the white man. No person better fitted for leading such an ex- 
pedition could be found than Col. Bouquet, to whom the colony was already 
so deeply indebted, and who had shown himself so capable of coping with the 
Indians under the most vinfavorable circumstances. To no other man does 



56 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Western Pennsylvania owe so much. Such a campaign into the western 
country, the present state of Ohio, was phmned by Gen. Gage, at that time 
the commanch^r-in-chief of the British forces in North America, who deter- 
mined to attack the Indians from two different points. A corps under com- 
mand of Col. Bradstreet was to proceed by the lakes, to act against the Wyan- 
dots, Ottawas, Chippewas and other tribes living on or near Lake Erie, and at 
the same time prevent the Six Nations from forming a junction with those 
tribes, in case they felt disposed to aid them ; while the corps under the com- 
mand of Col. Bouquet should attack the Delawares, Shawanese, Mingoes, 
Mohicans and other nations between the Ohio and the lakes. The two corps 
were to act in concert; but owing to the facilities for transporting troops by 
the lakes, and the distressing delays experienced by Bouquet, Bradstreet 
reached Presqu' Isle before Bouquet arrived at Fort Pitt. But Bradstreet 
was deceived by the specious promises of a delegation of savages, and, with- 
out proper authority, made a treaty with them which Bouquet did not think 
himself obliged to abide by, and which was afterward annulled. 

Col. Bouquet, having with great difficulty at length collected his forces, 
consisting of regulars and provincial troops, with a small number of friendly 
Indians, amounting in all to about fifteen hundred men, and having formed 
his magazines, and provided for the safety of the posts he was to leave behind, 
was ready to march on Wednesday, October 3, 1764. He proceeded with great 
caution down the north bank of the Ohio, omitting nothing that could con- 
tribute to the safety of his men and stores and the success of the expedition, 
familiar as he was with the Indian modes of attack. When near the mouth of 
the Beaver he struck out into the country toward Central Ohio, where some of 
the principal Indian towns stood, which it was his intention to visit, and, if 
necessary, destroy. Another important object of the expedition was the rescu- 
ing of a large number of prisoners, taken by the savages in their frequent 
raids on the frontier. His fb'mness struck terror into the hearts of the Indians, 
who could neither deceive him by promises nor intimidate him by threats, and 
who were unable to cope with him in battle. Holding on his course to the 
termination of his journey, he persisted in refusing to treat with them till he 
had reached it; and not then till they had delivered up all the prisoners, 
for the due fulfillment of which he held some of their messengers as hostages. 
Although not a blow was struck, nor a shot fired, it was the most crushing de- 
feat the Indians had ever experienced. Many were the touching scenes wit- 
nessed in the delivering up of the prisoners; wives recognizing their husbands 
after long years of separation, which had wrought their changes; parents re- 
ceiving once more their captive children whom they had long mourned as lost; 
and others seeking in vain for members of their families, who, alas! were now 
numbered among the dead, having paid the debt of nature at the hands of the 
most cruel torturers the world has ever seen. But there were not wanting 
those who would fain have remained among the Indians, for whom civilized 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 59 

society possessed no charms, and who had to bo led away by force. Never 
had that vast wilderness witnessed such a scene. Having taught the savages 
a salutary lesson, impressed them with both the courage and the determination 
of the whites, and extorted from them a promise of preserving the peace, 
which, for once, they were only too willing to make, Bouquet set out on his 
homeward march on the 16th of November, and arrived on the 26th. The 
frontier was now permitted to enjoy a season of comparative security. But 
the pioneers had long since learned not to place too much confidence in the 
pacific dispositions of the savages. It was easy to make a raid on a settlement, 
and, when called to account for it, blame it on the young warriors, who would 
not be advised. This was a favorite way of getting revenge without being 
held responsible; and it was about as true and as honorable as the conduct of 
many of the whites themselves, who would settle on the lands not yet secured 
from the natives, and then offer to buy them, when the natives saw they could 
no longer hold them. There was about as much trickery on the one side as 
on the other. 

Settlers continued to take up lands west of the mountains, although the 
title to them had not as yet been extinguished, and the Indians complained of 
the encroachment to the king and to the governors of Pennsylvania and Vir- 
ginia. As early as 176-1: the king sent instructions to Gov. Penn informing 
him that several persons from his province and also from Virginia had crossed 
the mountains and located on lands lying not far fiom the Ohio, in express 
disobedience to a proclamation, issued on the 7th of the previous October, 
prohibiting all governors from granting warrants for lands to the westward of 
the source of the rivers which flow into the Atlantic, and forbidding all per- 
sons purchasing such lands or settling on them withovit special license fi-om 
the crown. The governor was enjoined to use all the means in his power to 
prevent this emigration, and to cause such persons as had actually settled in 
the trans-Allegheny country to be removed. In compliance with this order. 
Gen. Gage instructed Alexander Mackay, who commanded a detachment at 
Redstone, the present Brownsville, to require the settlers to withdraw from 
the lands they occupied ; and the latter issued an order dated June 22, 1766, 
to all those who had settled west of the mountains, as he informs them : " To 
collect you together and inform you of the lawless and licentious manner 
in which you behave, and to order you all to return to your several provinces 
without delay, which I am to do in the presence of some Indian chiefs now 
along with me." He further informs them that, in case they refuse to comply 
with his demand, he will be compelled to drive them back by force, and confis- 
cate their goods. Gen. Gage wrote to John Penn on the same subject on the 2d 
of September. All their efforts were not, however, successful ; the pioneers 
were not remarkable for their respect for the law, especially when it would 
force them to relinquish their lands and leave them in the possession of the 
natives whom they hated so cordially, and from whom they had suffered so 



60 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

much. And Penu was compelled to write to the Earl o£ Shelbourne, January 
'21,1 707, after recouuting what he and the governor of Virginia had attempted: 
' ' I am at a loss to know what more can be done by the civil power. ' ' And 
Gage wrote on the 27th of December of the same year: "You are witness 
how little attention has been paid to the proclamations that have been pub- 
lished, and that even the removing these people from the lands last summer 
by the garrison of Fort Pitt l)as been only a temporary expedient; as they met 
with no punishment, we learn they are again returned to Redstone," etc. 
More stringent measures were now adopted, and on the 3d of February, 1708, 
au act was passed inflicting the penalty of death, without benefit of clergy, 
upon any person settled upon lands not purchased from the Indians, who 
should refuse after a certain number of days' notice to quit the same, or, having 
removed, should return to the same or other unpurchased lands. But it was 
all to no purpose; for those who were removed returned again as soon as the 
troops were withdrawn. 

The Indians, on their part, continued to complain, and a conference was 
held at Pittsburgh in April and May of this year, with the Six Nations, the 
Delawares, Shawanese, Munsies and Mohicans, at which eleven hundred and 
three Indians were present, besides women and children: but nothing effect- 
ual was done to remedy the evil. 

To complicate matters still more the old Ohio Company sought a perfection 
of their grant; the Virginia volunteers of 1754, who had enlisted under a 
proclamation offering liberal Ijouuties of lands, were also clamorous; individ- 
ual grants were urged; even Sir Willian Johnson was ambitious of becoming 
governor of an armed colony south of the Ohio river, upon a model proposed by 
Franklin in 1754; and the plan of another company, led by Thomas Walpole, 
was submitted to the English ministry. Under these circumstances but one 
course could be pursued; the title to the country must be purchased from the 
Indians. Accordingly, on the 24th of October, 1768, a council was held at 
Fort Stanwis, now Rome, N. Y., with the Six Nations and their confed- 
erates, and also with some independent tribes, although, as a matter of fact, 
it was a conference with the Iroquois exclusively, as none others signed the 
articles finally agreed upon. The general government was represented by Sir 
William Johnson, and there were commissioners present from New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania and Virginia. The result of the treaty was that the Indian 
claim was extinguished to all the country of the Six Nations lying to the east- 
ward of the Allegheny river, as far north as what is now Kittanning, and all 
lying to the southward and eastward of the Ohio from Pittsburgh down to the 
mouth of the Tennessee river, "and extending eastward from every part of the 
said line as far as the lands betweeen the said line and the purchased lands 
and settlements," except such tracts in Pennsylvania as had previously been 
sold by those Indians. The lands in Pennsylvania east of that line were at 
the same time purchased by that province. These embraced, among others. 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 61 

the first land lying within the limits of Allegheny county the Indian title to 
which had been extinguished. The way was now clear for the march of civ- 
lization to the Allegheny and Ohio, from Kittanning soath as far as settlers 
were prepared to go. 

" The title being thus acquired, measures were immediately taken to pre- 
pare the newly purchased lands for sale. On the 23d of February, 1769, an 
advertisement was published for general information that the landoffice would 
be opened on the 3d day of the ensuing April, at 10 o'clock A. M to receive 
applications from all persons inclined to take up lands in the new purchase 
upon the terms of five pounds sterling per hundred acres, and one penny per 
acre, per annum, quitreut. This quitrent was afterward abolished by the act 
vesting in the commonwealth the title of the Penns, commonly called the 
divesting act, passed on the 27th of November, 1779. In Washington county, 
and in portions of Allegheny, west of the Monongahela river, many settlements 
were also made under Virginia titles, so that there was a raj)id increase of the 
population from 1770 to 1775. Much of the very best land in that quarter is 
held by titles based on Virginia entries; "which, by the compromise of 1779, 
are recognized as equally good as Pennsylvania warrants. A large portion of 
the land along Chartier's creek is thus held by entries between 1769 and 
1779."* It is clear, however, from the journal of George Washington's tour 
down the Ohio in 1770, that no settlements had been made up to that time on 
the south side of that stream below a point only three miles west of Pittsburgh. 

But another dif3ficulty, the rumblings of which had long been heard, now 
arose, and disturbed the tranquillity of the territory around the headwaters of 
the Ohio, the tracing of which will form the subject of the next chapter. 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE. 

Tkkritory Grants— The Ohio Company' — Earl of Dunjiore— .Svbdivisions 
OF Virginia and the Disputed Territory— Dr. .John Connolly— Fort 
Pitt the Bone of Contention— The Manor of Kittanning— Mason and 
Dixon. 

IT was stated in a previous chapter that King James I, in 1609, granted to a 
company by royal charter a large tract of country, including the territory, 
among others, now embraced within the limits of Southwestern Pennsylvania; 
and that Charles II included the same territory in his charter to William 
Penn, in 1681. Hence arose a dispute regarding the boundary between the 

* Craig's " History of Pittsburgh." 



62 IIISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

two grants, which grew more interesting and bitter in the country began to be 
settled and the value of the property became better known. The purpose of 
this chapter will be to trace the history of that dispute from its inception to its 
final settlement, with such reference as may be necessary to questions of minor 
importance connected with it. 

The boundary question iirst began to come into prominence when it became 
necessary for the colonies of Pennsylvania and Virginia to take active measures 
to secui'e the valley of the Ohio against the encroachments of the French, in 
the middle of the last century; and Virginia took the initiative, as we have 
seen, although the charter of the company to which the territory had been 
granted was dissolved, and the land had reverted to the crown. So long as 
the French war continued the colonies were too busily engaged in striving to 
repel the common enemy to consume much time in disputing among them- 
selves, though even then they were not in perfect harmony; and when the 
French were finally expelled troubles with the Indians engaged no little of 
their attention for many years. The way was at length clear for settlements 
east of the Ohio and Allegheny ri\»ers; Pittsburgh became the center of the 
Indian trade, and of those who came out many began to take up lands, more 
especially along the military routes, in the valleys of the Monongahela and 
Youghiogheny, and in the vicinity of Pittsburgh. The Ohio Company, too, 
revived its claim, and settlers moved onto the territory embraced within its 
grant. In general it may be said that the settlers were, for the most part, 
from Virginia, while the Indian traders were Pennsylvanians; and that while 
it was to the interest of the former to drive the natives back, exterminate .or 
get rid of them by any means, and the more summary the better, the latter 
wished, on the contrary, to cultivate friendly relations with them. This gave 
rise to a conflict of interests; and, though the Virginians seemed to have the 
better of it in the possession of the lands, the Pennsylvanians held the center 
of trade and population with its celebrated fort, which commanded the water- 
courses, a matter of the greatest importance in those early days. But in the 
nature of things the Indian trade must diminish, as the aborigines retired 
before the advance of civilization; the settlers must multiply, and every day 
must bring nearer the inevitable conflict between the two colonies regarding 
the boundary line. The conflict was, however, precipitated by a circumstance 
which was in itself an evidence of peace and security. Without trenching on 
the history of Fort Pitt, which belongs to another part of these annals, it may 
here be stated, briefly, that Maj. Edmondson, who then commanded the little 
garrison of Fort Pitt, received orders from the commander-in-chief, in Octo- 
ber, 1772, to dismantle the fort and withdraw. 

Unfortunately for the peace of the colony, Virginia at that time possessed 
a governor who was moi-e remarkable for his avarice than he was for his patri- 
otism. The Earl of Dunmore was appointed governor of the colony in July, 
1771; and no soDner was he in possession of authority than he began to use it 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 63 

in taking np lands for himself. He may bo regarded as the prince of land- 
grabbers in North America. Says Mr. Bancroft: "No royal governor showed 
more rapacity in the use of official power than Lord Dunmore. He reluctantly 
left New York, where, during his short career" — of less than a year and a 
half — "he had acquired lifty thousand acres, and, himself acting as chancellor, 
was preparing to decide in his own court, in his own favor, a large and un- 
founded claim which he had preferred against the lieutenant-governor. Upon 
entering on the government of Virginia, his passion for land and fees out- 
weighing the proclamation of the king and the reiterated and most positive 
instructions from the secretary of state, he advanced the claims of the colony 
in the west, and was himself a partner in two immense purchases of land from 
the Indians in Southern Illinois. In 1773 his agents, the Bullets, made 
surveys at the Falls of the Ohio, and a part of Louisville and of the towns 
opposite Cincinnati are now held under his warrant. The area of the Ancient 
Dominion extended with his cupidity. ' ' So great was the antipathy of the 
Virginians to him that in a few years he thought himself only too fortunate in 
escaping their fury with his life; and Washington, who was not given to the 
utterance of ultra opinions, said, in December, 1775: "Nothing less than 
depriving him of life or liberty will secure peace to Virginia. ' ' Such was the 
man whose machinations, seconded by an unprincipled tool, were to bring 
upon Western Pennsylvania the last serious distiirbance to which it was des- 
tined to be exposed. At the same time he involved all Northwestern Virginia 
and Southwestern Pennsylvania in an Indian war which forced the settlers 
who were so fortunate as to escape with their lives to retire to the east of the 
mountains from the valley of the upper Monongahela and the adjacent coun- 
try, and which seriously interfered with the Indian trade of Pittsburgh. 

Having given the general outline of the territories claimed by the two 
provinces, and the grants upon which those claims were based, it will be nec- 
essary, before entering upon a narrative of the events which precipitated the 
adjustment of the dispute, to glance at the subdivisions of the territory made 
by the provinces, prior to that date, irrespective of the rights of each other. 

It is difficult to determine the exact boundaries of the subdivisions of that 
part of the country made by Virginia; but the whole would appear to have 
been included in Spottsylvania county, which was erected May 1, 1721. In 
1734 this county was divided, and the western portion of it was formed into 
Orange county. The western part of it, however, soon came to be known as 
the district of West Augusta; but just when, or for what reason, is not ascer- 
tained, only that it was prior to September, 1776. In October of that year 
the legislature of Virginia passed an act to ascertain the boundary between 
Augusta county and the district of West Aiigusta, in the preamble of which it is 
declared that, among other tracts, " all the territory lying to the westward of 
the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania shall be deemed, and is hereby 
declared to be, within the district of West Augusta. " The name Pennsylvania 



64 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUXTV. 

is here t<iken, of course, as Virginia then understood it. By another act, to take 
effect November Nth of the same year, 177(5, the district was subdivided into 
three counties, Youghioj^bania, Ohio and Monongalia, to the first of which the 
territoiy embraced in Allegheny county belonged. This division remained 
unchanged until the boundary dispute was finally settled. But after that time 
Virginia retained the names of Ohio and Monongalia for two of hor western 
counties, now in West Virginia, and the name of Youghioghania was dropped, 
which has, for that reason, been called ' ' the lo.st county. ' ' 

With regard to the subdivisions of the disputed territory made by Pennsyl- 
vania: As early as January 27, 1750, Cumberland county, the sixth county of 
the province, was formed, which included "all and singular the lands lying 
within the province of Pennsylvania, to the westward of the Susquehanna, and 
northward and westward of the county of York," to which the claims of the 
Indians had been up to that time extinguished. To this was added the territory 
acquired by the treaty of 1758. As yet the Indians had not relinquished their 
claim to any part of the territory now included within the limits of our coimty. 
By the treaty of Fort Stanwix, of October 24, 1768, already referred to. the 
Six Nations ceded a large tract of country, including all that part of Allegheny 
county oast and south of the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, from Kittanning 
down, which became, for the time being, a part of Cumberland county. It 
may be here remarked, parenthetically, that, in the study of our early history, 
it is necessary to bear in mind that almost all the counties lirst formed have 
been divided and subdivided until they are only the merest fi'actions of what 
they were originally. March 9. 1771, Cumberland county was divided by the 
erection of Bedford county, which included all the western and southwestern 
parts of the province already' secured from the aborigines; and consequently that 
part of Allegheny county included in the treaty of 1768. A further subdi- 
vision of this territory was made by the establishment of Westmoreland, Feb- 
ruary 26, 1773, which included all the western part of the province east and 
south of the rivers. Washington county was formed from Westmoreland by 
an act of the legislature, dated March 28, 1781, and included all the territory 
west of the Monongahela and south of the Ohio rivers. No further division 
of counties was made until after the settlement of the boundary question. 

In the division of Westmoreland county into townships, the tract of coun- 
try now engaging our attention was included in Hemptield and Pitt townships, 
but principally in the latter, which included the incipient city of Pittsburgh. 
Hempfield took in all that part of Allegheny on the east side of the Youghio- 
gheny river fi'om its movith to the county line. The boundaries of Pitt town- 
ship are thus described: "Beginning at the mouth of the Kiskiminetas and 
running down the Alleghenj- river to its junction with the Monongahela, then 
down the Ohio to the western limits of the province, thence up the western 
boundary {i. e. , south) to the line of Springfield township" (which was a line 
drawn due west from the mouth of Bedstone creek to the western boundary of 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 65 

the province), " thence with that line to the mouth of Redstone creek, thence 
down the Monongahela to the movith of the Youghiogheny, thence with the 
line of Hempfield to the mouth of Brush run, thence with the line of said town- 
ship to the beginning," which was a straight line from that point to the mouth 
of the Kiskiminetas. 

Fort Pitt was evacuated by the British forces, as we have seen, in October, 
1772, and soon afterward it was occupied by forces sent from Virginia by Lord 
Dunmore under command of Dr. John Connolly. Says Mr. Craig, in his 
"History of Pittsburgh: " " Early in 1774 Dr. John Connolly, a Pennsylvanian 
by birth, but a partisan and friend of Lord Dunmore, came here from Virginia 
with authority from that nobleman to take possession of the fort, calling it Fort 
Dunmore, and issued a proclamation calling the militia together on the SOth of 
January, 1774. For so doing, Arthur St. Clair, a magistrate of Westmoreland 
county. Pa., issued a warrant against him, and had him committed to jail at 
Hanna's Town, which was then the seat of justice for all this country. Con- 
nolly was soon released by entering bail for his appearance. He then went to 
Staunton, and was sworn in as a justice of the peace of Augusta county, Va., 
in which, as it was alleged, the country around Pittsburgh was embraced. 
Toward the latter part of March he returned to this place, with both civil and mili- 
tary authority, to put the laws of Virginia in force. About the 5th of April the 
court assembled at Hanna's Town. . . . Soon after, Connolly, with about 
one hundred and lifty men, armed and with colors flying, appeared there; placed 
sentinels at the door of the courthouse, who refused to admit the magistrates, 
unless with the consent of their commander. A meeting then took place 
between Connolly and the magistrates, in which the former stated that he had 
come there in fulfillment of his promise to the sheriff, but denied the authority 
of the coiirt, and declared that the magistrates had no right to hold a court. 
He added, however, that, to prevent confusion, he agreed that the magistrates 
might act as a court in all matters which might be submitted to them l^y the 
acquiescence of the people, until he should receive instructions to the contrary. ' ' 
This compromise, however, was of short duration, for, on the 8th of April, the 
justices returned to Pittsburgh, where most of them resided, and were arrested 
the next day by order of Connolly. They were soon released, but on the 
19th of April intelligence of the arrest of the justices reached the governor of 
Pennsylvania; and on the 21st, at a meeting of the council, it was determined 
to send two commissioners to Virginia to represent to the government there the 
ill consequences that might ensue if an immediate stop was not put to the dis- 
orders which then existed in the west, and to consult upon the most proper 
means for establishing peace and good order in that quarter. James Tilghman 
and Andrew Allen were appointed, with instructions, first, to request the gov- 
ernor of Virginia to unite with the proprietaries of Pennsylvania to petition his 
majesty in council to appoint commissioners to run the boundary line, the 
expense to be equally borne by the two colonies; second, to use every exertion 



bb HISTOliy OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

to induce the governor to agree to some temporary line, but in no event to 
assent to any line which would give Virginia jurisdiction of the country on the 
east side of the Monongahela river. The commissioners arrived at Williams- 
burg on the 19th of May, and on the 21st an oral conference was held with the 
governor, in which he expressed his willingness to join in an application to the 
king to appoint commissioners to settle the boundary, but also declared that 
Virginia would defray no part of the expenses. As to the temporary line, he 
desired the commissioners to make their proposition in writing. In compliance 
with this request they, on the 23d, addressed him a letter containing the fol- 
lowing proposition: " That a survey be taken by surveyors, to be appointed by 
the two governments, with as much accuracy as may serve the present purpose, 
of the courses of the Delaware, from the mouth of Christiana creek, or near it, 
where Mason and Dixon's line intersects the Delaware, to that part of said river 
which is in the latitude of Fort Pitt, and as much further as may be needed for 
the present purpose. That the line of Mason and Dixon be extended to the 
distance of five degrees; a line, or lines, corresponding to the courses of the 
Delaware be run to the river Ohio, as nearly as may be at the distance of five 
degrees fi'om said river in every part." And that extension of Mason and 
Dixon's line, and the line or lines corresponding to the courses of the Delaware, 
be taken as the line of jurisdiction, until the boundary can be run and settled 
by royal authority. Lord Dunmore, in his reply, dated May 24th, contended 
that the western boundary could not be of " such an inconvenient and difficult- 
to-beascertained shape" as it would be if made to correspond to the courses 
of the Delaware. He thought it should be a meridian line, at the distance of 
five degrees from the Delaware, on the forty-second degree of latitude. He 
further insisted that, unless the commissioners jaroposed some line that favored 
the Virginians as much as the Pennsylvanians, "he saw that no accommoda- 
tion could be entered into previous to the king's decision." The commission- 
ers, in their reply of the 26th, say that for the purpose of producing harmony 
and peace, ' ' we shall be willing to recede from oui' charter bounds so as to 
make the river Monongahela, from the line of Mason and Dixon, the western 
boundary of jurisdiction, which would at once settle oiu- present dispute, with- 
out the great trouble and expense of running lines, or the inconvenience of 
keeping the jurisdiction in suspense." On the same day Lord Dunmore 
replied in a very characteristic and haughty manner, remarking, as his final 
conclusion, "Your resolution with regard to Fort Pitt puts an entire stop to 
further treaty;" and the commissioners in their turn replied, the next day, 
that ' ' the determination of his lordship not to relinquish Fort Pitt puts a 
period to the treaty. ' ' The possession of Fort Pitt was the gi'eat difliculty in 
the way of an agreement. Both wanted it; the Pennsylvanians for purposes 
of trade and defense; the governor of Virginia for the advancement, it appears 
as certain, of objects of personal ambition. Says the accurate historian from 
whose narrative the above has been taken in a great measure: "After a careful 








lA^^^^ '^o^nrwiyi^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 69 

perusal of this correspondence, and an attentive consideration of Lord Dun- 
more's conduct in 1774 and 1775, the conclusion is forced on the mind that he 
was a very weak and arbitrary man, or else that the suspicions then entertained 
that he wished to promote ill-will and hostility between Pennsylvanians and 
Virginians, as well as between the Indians and the whites, was well founded. ' ' 
This negotiation having failed, Connolly continued to domineer and cany 
things with a high hand in the country around the head of the Ohio, so much 
so that iEneas Mackay, a prominent citizen in this part of the province, wrote 
to Gov. Penn: " The deplorable state of afPairs in this part of your government 
is truly distressing. We are robbed, insulted, and dragooned by Connolly and 
his militia in this place and its environs. ' ' 

The people were driven to the last extremity, and though a hardy race, and 
accustomed to take their own part, they had no court to which an appeal could 
be made, and were too weak to have recourse to arms. The trade upon which 
the town of Pittsburgh especially depended was utterly prostrated: and the 
traders contemplated a number of plans for their relief. One of these was to 
surround the town with a stockade; but this was hardly practicable so near the 
fort, where Connolly's men could harass them all the while. A second was to 
build another town on the manor of Kittanning, about two miles below the 
present tovrai of that name, where Manorville now stands. The manor of Kit- 
tanning did not, as many suppose, embrace either the Indian or the more 
receht town of that name, but extended north on the east bank of the Allegheny 
river fi-om the mouth of Crooked creek to about the middle of the present 
Manorville. Active measures were taken for the carrying out of this intention, 
as appears from the proceedings of the Pennsylvania council, as well as from 
letters addressed to it and the governor from the western part of the province. 
It was the intention to name the town Appleby. This name was probably se- 
lected because of its being the name of the principal town in Westmoreland 
county. England. The following extracts from state papers show how far the 
project was carried before it was abandoned. At a council held at Philadel- 
phia on the 4th of August. 1774, "the governor laid before the board two let- 
ters, which he received within these three days from Capt. St. Clair, at Ligo- 
nier, dated the 22d and 29th of July, with sundry papers inclosed relative to 
Indian and other afPairs in Westmoreland, and the same being read and con- 
sidered, the council advised the governor to order a town to be immediately laid 
out in the proprietary manor of Kittanning, for the accommodation of the 
traders and other inhabitants of Pittsburgh, who, by Capt. St. Clair's advices, 
would be under the necessity of removing from the town on account of the 
oppressive proceedings of the Virginians. ' ' And on August 6th of the same year 
Gov. Penn wrote St. Clair: " I am now to acquaint you that I approve of the. 
measure of laying out a town in the proprietary manor of Kittanning, to 
accommodate the traders and other inhabitants who may choose to reside there, 
and therefore inclose you an order for that purpose. ' ' Measures were imme- 



70 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

diately takeu for carrying the plan into execution; for on the 15th of Septem- 
ber, as we learn from his deposition, in which he relates how he was met aud 
takeu prisoner by the emissaries of Connolly, and treated with great harshness, 
George Ashton says: "On the 24th day of August, 177-t, as I was returning 
fi-om conveying Mr. James McFarlane, who set off before day with eight horse- 
loads of dry goods to be taken to the new town to be built at the Kittanning, on 
the proprietaries' manor, and two hors(^-loads of flour and salt for the use of 
the Pennsylvania troops to be stationed there," etc. . . "The people 

of the town were to meet Capt. St. Clair and a party of soldiers on the Monday 
following at the Kittanning and proceed to building a store and dwelling-house, 
lint the horses were stopped and turned back, and Mr. McCully seized and 
brought prisoner." The Indians, too, especially the Delawares, were informed 
by St. Clair of the erection of the new trading-post, as he writes to Gov. Penn 
under date of August 25th: " At the same time I acquainted them with your 
orders for erecting a trading-place at the Kittanning, for which they are very 
thankful, as they are in want of many things already, aud can not come to 
Pittsburgh to pui-chase, and a number of them will probably be there on Mon- 
day next, which is the time I have appointed for laying out the town. Mr. 
Speare and Mr. Butler set out this day with their goods and other effects. ' ' 
But the fall of the Dunmore government soon afterward left the traders more 
freedom at Pittsburgh, and rendered another post unnecessary. 

Connolly continued, however, to distui'b the peace of the country. In 
November of this year, 1774, and in the following February he went to 
Hanna's Town with an armed force and released certain prisoners detained 
there; and about the same time William Crawford, the president judge of 
Westmoreland county, renounced his allegiance to Pennsylvania and joined 
the Virginians. 

But Dunmore was becoming so odious to the Virginians that his power was 
fast waning — so much so that on the 8th of June, 1775, he was obliged to take 
refuge on a man-of-war, where he was soon afterward joined by Connolly. 
Patriotic citizens of both provinces lamented the continual disturbances, which 
so seriously affected trade and settlement, and exposed the pioneers to the 
incursions of the natives, without their being able to unite in repelling them ; 
and on the 25th of July, 1775, the delegates in Congress, including Thomas 
Jefferson, Patrick Henry and Benjamin Franklin, united in a circular urging 
the people to mutual forbearance. Yet on the 7th of August the Virginia 
provincial convention passed a resolution to the effect ' ' that Capt. John 
Neville be directed to march with his company of one hundred, and take pos- 
session of Fort Pitt." This action was wholly unexpected by the Pennsyl- 
•vanians, who had hoped for a respite during the absence of Connolly, and it 
created considerable confusion, exasperating all parties, who were prepared to 
entertain more friendly feelings for each other, and preventing the delegates 
fi'om Congress, who were at Fort Pitt to hold a conference with the Indians, 



HISTOIiV OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 71 

from doing so. In the meantime the first clouds of war between the colonies 
and Great Britain began to appear above the horizon, and Connolly, true to 
his instincts, was planning a scheme by which Fort Pitt would become an 
important point from which British troops could operate under his direction. 
But the authorities could no longer permit so turbulent a spirit to be at liberty, 
and, accordingly, on the 22d of November, he and two of his associates were 
arrested at Frederick, Md. His papers were seized, his machinations were dis- 
covered and exposed, and by order of Congress he was taken to Philadelphia for 
greater security, and there kept in prison. In time he was released, and after 
the war of the Revolution he resided in Canada, where he enjoyed the eoutideuce 
and liberality of the English government, and where we shall leave him. 

The boundary dispute was still the vexed question which was daily crying 
more loudly for adjustment. Both colonies were anxious to have it settled, 
the only difficulty in the way being the natural unwillingness of both the con- 
testants to make concessions. 

From the foundation of the province of Pennsylvania to the year 1768 the 
dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland had been carried on with such 
feeling that bloodshed not unfrequently resulted; when at length such an 
agreement was entered into by the two colonies as promised a final settlement 
of the long-standing dispute. Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, who drew 
the line which was destined to play a far more important part in American 
history than they could have expected in the wildest flights of their imagina- 
tion, arrived fi'om England November 15, 1763, and commenced their work in 
December. The line begins at the northeast corner of Maryland, in latitude 
39° 43' 26.3", and extends westward two hundred and twenty-four miles from 
the Delaware river. Here the surveyors were compelled to stop, owing to the 
hostility of the Indians, and the line remained unfinished until November, 
1782, when it was completed by Col. Alexander McLean, of Pennsylvania, and 
Joseph Neville, of Virginia. At the end of every fifth mile of the original line 
a stone was planted graven with the arms of the Penn family on the one side 
and of Lord Baltimore on the other. The intermediate miles were marked 
with smaller stones having a P on the north side and an M on the south side. 
All these stones were sent from England. Mason and Dixon, having prose- 
cuted their work as far as it was possible, returned to Philadelphia on Decem- 
ber 26, 1767. The line was tested by astronomical observations, and perma- 
nently marked, in 1874; and in 1849 the former surveys were revised, and 
found correct in all important points. So much for this line, the running of 
which settled the long and bitter dispute between the two colonies ; but, though 
it settled nothing regarding the dispute between the provinces of Pennsylvania 
and Virginia, yet it exercised an influence on that question, as will presently be 
seen. The proprietaries of Pennsylvania claimed, under the royal grant, a 
territory three degrees of latitude in width — that is, in the words of the charter, 
"from the beginning of the fortieth degree of north latitude" to "the begin- 



72 HISTOltV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

ning of the tbree-and-fortieth ilegrec of uorth latitude." They contended 
that tho beginning of the first degree of north latitude is the equator, and the 
beginning of the second degree is at the end of the first, or latitude 1° north, 
which is certainly correct; therefore, that "the beginning of the fortieth 
degree is at the ending of the thirty-ninth degree, or latitude 39° north. 
They therefore claimed as their boundary against Virginia the parallel of 39° 
north, which was beyond question in harmony with the terms of their charter. 
If there was a mistake, it was made by the king who granted the charter, not 
by them. This claim, however, would have given to Pennsylvania a strip 43' 
26 " in width south of Mason and Dixon's line, in that part west of the western 
boundary of Maryland. But Virginia, on the contrary, claimed that the 
boundary between the two states should be the parallel of 40° north latitude. 
This would have given to Virginia a strip 16' 34" wide north of the present 
state boundary, along the southern boundary of Greene and Fayette counties, 
as far east as the western limits of Maryland. 

Another proposition for the settlement of the boundary dispiite is found in 
n resolution passed by the Virginia legislature on the ISth of December, 1776, 
which authorized the Virginia delegates in the Continental Congress to propose 
the following plan: "The meridian line di-awn from the head of the Poto- 
mac to the northwest angle of Maryland be extended due north until it inter- 
sects the latitude of forty degrees, and fi'om thence the southern boundary 
shall be extended on the said fortieth degree of latitude until the distance of 
five degrees of longitude fi-om the Delaware shall be accomplished thereon, 
and fi'om the said point five degrees, either in every point, according to the 
meanderings of the Delaware, or (which is perhaps easier and better for both) 
from j^roper points or angles on the Delaware, with intermediate straight lines. " 
This was identical with the plan before mentioned, by which Pennsylvania 
would lose a strip of considerable width north of Mason and Dixon's line, 
along the southern boundary of the western part of the province. In fact it 
was almost identical with the proposition made, by Gov. Penn for a serpentine 
line, corresponding to the courses of the Delaware, for the western boundary, 
which Lord Dunmore very sensibly thought was not practicable. But the 
long-drawn struggle was not destined to be settled for a few years, though both 
provinces were suffering from its continuance. The war of the Revolution, 
too, was engaging their attention and seriously affecting the western country, 
as will be seen more at length hereafter. Under these circumstances it is not 
to be wondered at that the settlers felt anxious about a controversy that, it 
was feared, and not without reason, would exercise an influence on the titles to 
their lands. The administration of justice was no less affected by the anoma- 
lous state of affairs where two independent commonwealths claimed and exer- 
cised jurisdiction over the same territory' and the same people. Something 
must be done, and done without delay. 

The first practical oiBcial action toward a definite and final settlement was 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 73 

taken in 1779, by the appointment of George Bryan, John Ewing and David 
RittenLouse, on the part of Pennsylvania, and Dr. James Madison and Rob- 
ert Andrews, on the part of Virginia, as commissioners to meet in conference 
and determine the boundary. These commissioners met, Angust 31, 1779, at 
Baltimore, where they made and subscribed to the following agreement: "We 
[naming the commissioners] do hereby mutually, in behalf of our respective 
states, ratify and confirm the following agreement, viz. : To extend Mason 
and Dixon's line due west five degrees of longitude, to be completed from the 
river Delaware, for the southern boundary of Pennsylvania, and that a merid- 
ian drawn from the western extremity thereof to the northern limit of said 
state be the western boundary of said state forever. ' ' 

This agreement of the commissioners was confirmed — upon certain con- 
ditions as to land-titles — by the Virginia legislature June '23, 1780, and by 
the general assembly of Pennsylvania on the 23d of September of the same 
year. The southern boundary, as agreed to by the commissioners, was run 
later, as has been said; and all that remained to complete the boundary of our 
state was the tracing of the western line. And while we are on the subject it 
may as well be told, and further reference to it avoided. On the 9th of April, 
1785, instructions were issued to Dr. John Ewing and Mr. Hutchins to run 
and mark the western boundary. Dr. Ewing, being unable to accept, resigned 
April 18th, of the same year, and Mr. Hutchins being absent, David Ritten- 
house and Andrew Porter took their places. They, with the Virginia com- 
missioners, Andrew Ellicott and Joseph Neville, reported, on the 23d of 
August, that they had carried the meridian line from the southwest corner of 
Pennsylvania northward to the Ohio river, and marked it by cutting a vista 
over all the principal hills, and felling and deadening trees through the lower 
grounds, and placing stones marked on the east side P, and on the west side 
V, accurately on the meridian. Here the duty of the Virginia commissioners 
ended, and the boundary dispute was put to its final rest. The line from the 
Ohio to the northwestern corner of the state was yet to be run, and as it was 
for a time the boundary also of Allegheny county, mention should be made of 
it. By a resolution of May 5, 1785, David Rittenhouse, Andrew Porter and 
Andrew Ellicott were appointed commissioners to continue the western bound- 
ary north of the Ohio to the northwestern corner of the state. They began 
their survey at the Ohio on the 23d of August. After carrying the line north- 
ward about forty or fifty miles they suspended work until the following spring; 
and the siirvey of the remaining portion of the line to Lake Erie was made by 
Gen. Porter and Alexander McLean. By a letter dated at Shenango creek, 
25th of June, 1786, they informed the council that they began the extension 
of the boundary line on the 19th of June. On the 23d of September they 
reached the point 1-13 miles from the southwest corner of the state, and on the 
waters falling into Lake Erie. On Friday, September 15th, they came to 
Lake Erie, a distance of 155 miles and 226 perches from the southwest corner 



74: HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

of the state. The angle formed with the northern boundary fell a short 
distance within the waters of Lake Erie. The Erie triangle had not as yet 
been purchased, and the state had no harbor on the lake. Thus it was that 
the boundaries of the western part of the state were finally run, after all the 
difficulties presented by the Virginians and the Indians had been overcome, 
and the Keystone State was settled in the possession of her territory. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

News of the Battle of Lexington — Meetings at Hannastowx and Pitts- 
burgh— Fort Pitt in the Struggle— Gen. Hand— Gen. McIntosh— Regi- 
ments Ordered to Fort Pitt— Concentration of Storehouses at Fort 
Pitt— Fort McIntosh- Fort Laurens. 

SETTLEMENTS continued to multiply in Western Pennsylvania, notwith- 
standing the disturbances through which the territory was passing. Prob- 
ably not less than fifty houses, says a well-informed writer,* constituted the 
town of Pittsburgh at the commencement of 1774. From Fort Pitt far up the 
Monongahela, and along many of its branches, were settlements. Upon the 
eastern tributaries of the Ohio, and down that stream for more than a hundi'ed 
miles, were to be seen cabins of fi'ontiersmen ; but not a single settler had yet 
ventured across that river. Small cultivated fields broke in on the monotony 
of the wilderness for a short distance up the east side of the Allegheny from 
the forks, while toward the mountains Forbes' road was, in general, the north- 
ern limit of civilized habitations. Had the frontiersmen cared much for the 
majesty of the law the troubles regarding the boundaries of the province 
would have caused them anxiety ; but, as it was, the only matter that troubled 
them was the title to their lands, and in this they tnisted to future develop- 
ments; still the trouble resulted in checking settlements to some extent. But 
scarcely had Dunmore and Connolly passed from the scene when a more for- 
midable struggle demanded their attention, which was nothing less than the 
severing of their attachment to the mother-country; and right nobly did they 
face it. The day of the Revolution began to dawn. No sooner had intel- 
ligence been received of the battle of Lexington than the fires of patriotism 
were lighted west of the mountains. On the 16th of May, 1775, a meeting 
was held at Hannastown, composed, it may be supposed, entirely of Pennsyl- 
vanians, of which the following interesting report has come down to us. and is 
worthy to be preserved to posterity: 

*C. W. Butterfield, "The Washington-Irvine Correspondence." 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. i'O 

At a general meeting of the inhabitants of Westmoreland, held at Hannastown the 
16th day of May, 1775, for taking into consideration the very alarming situation of the 
country, occasioned by the dispute with Great Britain: 

Resolved, unanimously. That the parliament of Great Britain, by several late acts, 
have declared the inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay to be in rebellion, and the minis- 
try, by endeavoring to enforce these acts, have endeavored to reduce the said inhabitants 
to a more wretched state of slavery than ever before existed in any state or country. 
Not content with violating their constitutional and chartered privileges, they would strip 
them of the rights of humanity, exposing their lives to the wanton and unpunishable 
sport of a licentious soldiery, and depriving them of the means of subsistence. 

Resolved, unanimously, That there is no reason to doubt but the same system of 
tyranny and oppression will — should it meet with success in Massachusetts Bay — be 
extended to other parts of America. It is, therefore, become the indispensable duty of 
ever}' American, of every man who has any public virtue or love of his country, or any 
bowels for posterity, bj- every means which God has put in his power, to resist and oppose 
the execution of it; that for us we will be ready to oppose it with our lives and our fortunes. 
And the better to enable us to accomplish it, we will immediately form ourselves into a 
militar_y body, to consist of companies to be made up out of the several townships under the 
following association, which is declared to be the Association of Westmoreland Count}'. 

Possessed with the most unshaken loyalty and fidelity to his majesty. King George 
the Third, whom we acknowledge to be our lawful and rightful king, and who we wish 
may be the beloved sovereign of a free and happy people throughout the whole British 
Empire, we declare to the world that we do not mean by this association to deviate from 
loyalty, which we hold it our boundeu dut}' to observe; but, animated with the love of 
liberty, it is no less our duty to maintain and defend our just rights — which with sorrow 
we have seen of late wan tonlj- violated in many instances by a wicked ministry and a 
corrupted parliament — and transmit them entire to our posterity, for which we do agree 
and associate together; 

1st. To arm and form ourselves into a regiment or regiments, and choose officers to 
command us in such proportions as shall be thought necessary. 

'3d. We will, with alacrity, endeavor to make ourselves masters of the manual exer- 
cises, and such evolutions as may be necessary to enable us to act in a body with concert; 
and to that end we will meet at such times and places as shall be appointed, either for the 
companies or the regiment, by the officers commanding each when chosen. 

:^d. That should our country be invaded by a foreign enemy, or should troops be 
sent from Great Britain to enforce the late arbitrary acts of its parliament, we will cheer- 
fully submit to military discipline, and to the utmost of our power resist and oppose them, 
or either of them, and will coincide with any plan that may be formed for the defense of 
America in general, or Pennsylvania in particular. 

4th. That we do not wish or desire any innovation, but only that things may be 
restored to and go on in the same way as before the era of the stamp act, when Boston 
grew great and America was happy. As a proof of this disposition, we will quietly sub- 
mit to the laws by which we have been accustomed to be governed before that period, 
and will, in our several or associate capacities, be ready when called on to assist the civil 
magistrate to carry the same in execution. 

■5th. That when the British parliament shall have repealed their late obnoxious 
statutes, and shall recede from their claim to tax us, and make laws for us in every 
instance; or some general plan of union and reconciliation has been formed and accepted 
b}' America, this our association shall be dissolved; and to the observance of it we bind 
ourselves by everything dear and sacred amongst men. 

On the same day a meeting of the inhabitants of Augusta county, around 
the headwaters of the Ohio, was held at Pittsbitrgh, at which a ccimmittee was 



76 HISTORY OK ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

appointed for tho district. Th(> following report of tbe proceedings of the com- 
mittee bns come down to lis: 

The foregoing gentlemen met in committee, and resolved that John Campbell, .John 
Ormsby. Kdward Ward, Thomas Smallman, Samuel Sample, John Anderson, and Ueve- 
reu.\ Smith, or any four of them, be a standing committee and have full powers to meet 
at such times as they shall judge necessary, and, in case of an emergency, to call the com- 
mittee of this district together; and shall be vested with the same power and authority 
as the other standing committee and committees of correspondence are in the other 
counties within this colony. 

litsolretl, iinani'iiiouslj/, That the cordial and most grateful thanks of this committee 
are a tribute due to John Ilarvie, Esquire, our worthy representative in the late colonial 
convention held at Uichmond. for his faithful discharge of that important trust reposed 
in him; and to John Neville, Esquire, our worthy delegate, whom nothing but sickness 
prevented from representing us in that respectable assembly. 

lifwlettl, uHanii»ou.*li/, That this committee have the highest sense of the spirited 
behavior of their brethren in New England, and do most cordially approve of their 
opposing the invaders of American rights and privileges to the utmost extreme, and that 
each member of this committee, respectively, will animate and encourage their neighbor- 
hood to follow the brave example. 

The imminent danger that threatens America in general, from ministerial and parlia- 
mentary denunciations of o\n' ruin, and is Uow carrying into execution by open acts of 
unprovoked hostilities ,in our sister colony of Massachusetts, as well as the danger to be 
apprehended to this colony in particular from a domestic enemy, said to be prompted by 
the wicked minions of power to execute our ruin, added to the menaces of an Indian 
war, likewise said to be in contemplation, thereby thinking to engage our attentiou, and 
divert it from that still more interesting object of liberty and freedom that deeply, and 
witli so much justice, hath called forth the attention of all America; for the prevention 
of all or any of these impending evils it is 

Jit'solvid. That the recommendation of the Uichmond convention, of the "-Otli of last 
March, relative to the embodying arming and disciplining the militia, be immediately 
carried into execution with the greatest diligence in this county, by the officers appointed 
for that end; and that the recommendation of the said convention to the several commit- 
tees of this colony, to collect from their constituents, in such manner as shall be most 
agreeable to them, so much money as shall be sufficient to purchase half a pound of gun- 
powder, and one pound of lead, flints and cartridge-paper, for every tithable person in 
their county, be likewise carried into execution. 

This committee, therefore, out of the deepest sense of the expediency of this measure, 
most earnestly entreat that every member of this committee do collect from each tithable 
person in their several districts the sum of two shillings and six pence, which we deem 
no more than sufficient for the above purpose, and give proper receipts to all such as pay 
the same into their hands; and the sum so collected to be paid into the hands of Mr. John 
Campbell, who is to give proper security to this committee, or their successors, for the 
due and faithful application of the money so deposited with him for the above purpose, 
by or with the advice of this committee or their successors; and this committee, as your 
representatives, who are luost ardently laboring for j'our preservation, call on you. our 
constituents, our friends, brethren, and fellow sufferers, in the name of God. of every- 
thing you hold sacred or valuable, for the sake of your wives, children, and unborn gen- 
erations, that you will, every one of you, in your several stations, to the utmost of your 
power, assist in levying such sum. by not only paying yourselves, but by assisting those 
who are not at present in a condition to do so. . . . And the committee do pledge 
their faith and fortune to you. their constituents, that we shall, without fee or reward, 
use our best endeavors to procure, with the money so collected, the ammunition our pres- 
ant exigencies have made so exceedinglj- necessary. . . . 



HISTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 79 

Resolved. That this committee do approve of the resolutions of the committee of the 
other part of this county, relative to the cultivating a friendship with the Indians; and if 
any person shall be so depraved as to take the life of any Indian that may come to us in a 
friendly manner, we will, as one man, use our utmost endeavors to bring such offender 
to condign punishment. 

Ordered. That the standing committee be directed to secure such arms and ammuni- 
tion as are not employed in actual service, or private property, and that they get the same 
repaired, and deliver them to such captains of independent companies as may make appli- 
cation for the same, and taking such captain's receipt for the same so delivered. 

Sneb were some of the meastires adopted by the people of Western Penn- 
sylvania to prepare for the threatened invasion of their rights. Among those 
who took part in these meetings were Arthur St. Clair, subsequently a major- 
general in the revohttionary army, and John Gibson, William Crawford and 
■John Neville, who commanded regiments in the same service. 

At the commencement of the struggle of the colonies for independence the 
settlements to the west of the mountains had little to fear from the invading 
armies of Great Britain. Their dread was of a more merciless foe. Nor 
were their apprehensions altogether groundless; for the restless disposition of 
what might be termed the friendly tribes was well known. Besides, Kiashuta, 
whose name has already occurred in the history of the combination formed by 
Pontiac, and who was, perhaps, the most noted chief that ever figured in the 
history of Western Pennsylvania, declared the intention of the Six Nations to 
remain netttral in the great stritggle of the united colonies for independence, 
although they were afterward induced to side with the British. At a confer- 
ence held at Fort Pitt, just two days after the adoption of the Declaration of 
Independence, and before intelligence of that memorable action could have 
been known with the means of communication to which recotirse had then to 
be had, this noted chief was present, as well as Captain Pipe, a Delaware chief, 
Shade, a Shawanese chief, and several other Shawanese and Delawares, also 
Maj. Trent. Maj. Ward, Capt. Neville and his ofiicers, when Kiashtita pro- 
duced a belt of wampum, which was to be sent from the Six Nations to the 
Shawanese, Delawares, Wyandots, and other western Indians, acquainting 
them that the Six Nations were determined to take no part in the war between 
Great Britain and America, and desiring them to do the same. He was 
especially delegated by the Six Nations to send the belt through the Indian 
countiy. His address to the whites, taking their pectiliar circtimstances into 
account, is worthy of serious consideration: "Brothers," he said, "we will 
not sttfPer either the English or Americans to pass through our country. 
Should either attempt it, we shall forewarn them three times, and should they 
persist, they must abide the consequences. I am appointed by the Six 
Nations to take care of this country; that is, of the Indians on the other side 
of the Ohio ' ' [the Allegheny and Ohio were known at that early day by the 
common name of the Ohio], " and I desire you will not think of an expedition 
against Detroit, for, I repeat, we will not suffer an army to pass through otir 



80 IIISTOHY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

country." He then addressed the other natives present. Capt. Neville replied 
to his speech, declaring that the colonists would not march an army through 
their territory without first acquainting his people of their intention, but stat- 
ing that in case the English attempted an invasion, " we must make all pos- 
sible haste to march and endeavor to stop them. ' ' But the chief was not to 
be moved from the position his people had taken, and replied that " there is 
not the least danger of that, as the Six Nations would make it their business 
to prevent either an English or an American army passing through their 
country." When it ia remembered that the Six Nations were not only the 
most powerful tribes or confederation of tribes in the entire New World, but 
also that all the nations with whom the jjioneers of Western Pennsylvania had 
to deal were under their dominion, it will be seen that their neutrality meant 
far more than appeared on the surface; it meant that whichever of the con- 
testants secured their favor would have all the Indians with them. 

English influence and English gold were not, all this time, dormant. The 
agents of the mother-country were busy, and their efforts to fasten the fetters 
more securely on the yet feeble colonies were not sparing. Though boasting 
the first place in the ranks of civilized nations, they did not hesitate to appeal 
to the aborigines to assist them in the struggle, which they already felt was to 
be final as regards their hold on the colonies. The pen in our enlightened age 
hesitates to chronicle the means to which they had recourse to enslave the col- 
onies; but fortunately one of her own sons has supplied us with all the argii- 
ments necessary, when he had the courage to declare in her own legislative 
halls that she had let loose the horrible hellhounds of war upon the exposed 
settlements. Painted and plumed warriors soon carried destruction and death 
to the dismayed frontiers, instigated by the agents of the British government. 
The deadly strife thus begun was made u.p largely on the side of the Indians 
by predatory excursions of scalping- parties, after their fashion, into the settle- 
ments; the tomahawk and scalping-knife sparing neither age nor sex, while the 
torch laid waste the rude homes of the frontiersmen. It is difiicult to appre- 
ciate at this distant day, and in this time of peace and security, the appalling 
dangers that beset the frontier in those terrible days ; for to the natural ferocity 
of the Indians was added the powerful support of the English, lavish, in their 
resources, whose western agents, especially at the commencement of the war, 
were noted for their zeal in obeying the behests of their government. 

The principal point of British power and influence in the northwest was 
Detroit, a post founded by the French in 1701, where Lieut. -Gov. Henry Ham- 
ilton was in command, who paid a bounty for scalps,- but withheld it for pris- 
oners. He was captured !)}• the Virginians early in 1779, but not until his 
systematic barbarities, carried on through the savages whom he instigated and 
supported, had caused the blood of uncounted helpless and unoffending pio- 
neers to bedew their dearly bought homes. He was succeeded by Maj. A. S. 
De Peyster, a man zealous in carrying out the policy of his government, but of 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. ol 

-a more humane disposition. Still the Indian depredations on the frontier drew 
their inspiration from that point. The important post of Fort Pitt was in 
possession of the Americans, and it continued to be the center of government 
authority west of the Alleghenies during the revolutionary period. In West- 
ern Pennsylvania nearly all military operations looked merely to the protection 
of the settlements. Expeditions were made from time to time into the enemy' s 
country, but they were not always crowned with success. Capt. John Neville, 
who was in command at Fort Pitt at this time, tried to observe a strict neu- 
trality with the Indians, but he had little influence with any except the Dela- 
wares, and his influence with them was not sufiicient to control their operations. 
Hamilton of Detroit had, on the other hand, as early as September, 1776, 
organized small parties of the savages against the settlers on the Ohio and its 
branches, though the war on the frontier was not fully inaugurated till nearly 
a year afterward. 

With a view of securing the friendship of the Indians, or at least their neii- 
trality. Congress appointed commisssoners to hold treaties with them at differ- 
ent agencies. Those appointed for Pittsburgh met there in July, 1776, but 
were not able to convene a sufficient number of the tribes until the following 
October. In the meantime a general Indian war was thought to be inevitable, 
owing to the sinister influences of the British at Detroit. Every effort was 
made to put the fort in a state of defense, and an order was issued for the 
assembling of all the militia there that could be spared from other places; for 
if it were to fall the whole country would be at the mercy of the savages. But 
the threatening cloud blew over, and on the 8th of November Col. Morgan, 
the Indian agent for the middle department, wrote to John Hancock, president 
of Congress, the welcome news: " I have the happiness to inform you that the 
■cloud which threatened to break over us is likely to disperse. The Six Nations, 
with the Munsies, Delawares. Shawanese and Mohikons, who have been assem- 
bled here with their principal chiefs and warriors, to the number of six hun- 
dred and forty four, have given the strongest assurance of their neutrality with 
the United States." But the serious question was before the frontiersmen. 
How long could the Indians be trusted, with the tribes further west in the 
interest of the English, and they themselves liable at any time to be approached 
by the agents of the same government, with their proffers of gold and gifts ? 

On the 1st of June, 1777, Brig. -Gren. Edward Hand, of the continental army, 
arrived at Fort Pitt and assumed command. Not long after his arrival he 
resolved on an expedition against the savages — seemingly a timely movement. 
The frontiers of Virginia were, in the meantime, sorely afflicted with savage 
incursions, mostly by a lawless gang of the Mohawk Pluggy, located upon the 
Olentangy, or Whetstone, the principal eastern tributary of the Scioto, some 
distance above its confluence with that stream. This band was without tribal 
organization, and acted independently of other nations, but its incursions were 
none the less dreaded by the outposts of civilization west of the mountains. 



82 HISTOEY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

So galling did these incursions become that it was determined to send an expe- 
dition against their towns; but the project was abandoned lest it should arouse 
the ire of the Delawares and Shawanese, whom the colonists desired to keep 
in a state of neutrality if not of friendship. 

The extreme frontier line protection extended from Kittanning down the 
Allegheny and Ohio to the mouth of the Great Kanawha. The important posts 
below Fort Pitt at this time were Fort Henry, formerly called Fort Fincaatle, at 
Wheeling, and Fort Kandolph, at Point Pleasant. The former was built at 
the commencement of Dunmore's war, 1774; the latter was erected a year 
later by the Virginians. Rude stockades and blockhouses were multiplied in 
the intervening distances, and in the most exposed settlements, and were 
defended by small detachments from a Virginia regiment, also by at least one 
independent company, and by squads of militia on short terms of duty. To 
these stockades and blockhouses the settlers were accustomed to hasten when 
the Indians were known to be in the vicinity. But it not unfrequently hap- 
pened that so sudden and stealthy were their raids that the warwhoop was 
the first indication of their presence, and no time was left for escape. Even 
the scouts who patrolled the country did not always discover the enemy in 
time, and the sufPerings of the settlements were in consequence increased. 

Gen. Hand still held to the opinion — and in this his view was correct — 
that nothing would so effectually protect the settlements and bring the Indians 
to terms as penetrating their country with a large force and destroying some 
of the towns. But he appears to have been too sanguine of success in the 
undertaking. The Wyandots, and particularly the Mingoes — Pluggy's Town 
Indians — were the most troublesome. To prepare for the expedition Hand 
demanded two thousand men from the western counties of Pennsylvania and 
Virginia, but his call was not responded to with alacrity, although eight hun- 
dred men were embodied, including regulars at Fort Pitt and Randolph. 
Although he had many difficulties to contend against, he still expressed the hope 
that he would be able before the winter to reach the Sandusky river. But, being 
deceived as to the strength and spirit of his people, he was reluctantly obliged 
to abandon the expedition in the latter part of the fall. One reason for the 
failure was a want of concert between Gen. Hand and the lieutenants of the 
border militia. Another reason was the influence of the boundary dispute, 
which prevented unity of action by the Virginia and Pennsylvania militia. 
The most, therefore, that Hand could accomplish was a partial protection of 
the settlements by acting on the defensive only. " If I can assist the inhab- 
itants to stand their ground, ' ' he wrote, ' ' I shall deem myself doing a great 
deal. ' ' 

The Illinois country, with its old French settlements, was still in possession 
of the English; and in January, 1778, Lieut. -Col. George Rogers Clarke 
planned an expedition for its capture. He came to the west of the mountains 
with a view of enlisting men for the expedition; and by the end of the month 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 83 

lie had all his recruiting parties disposed properly, and at Redstone he pre- 
pared boats, light artillery and ammunition. But many of the backwoodsmen 
02:>posed the undertaking, and he could only succeed in raising one hundred 
and fifty men, when, on the 12th of May, he set sail for the Falls of the Ohio. 
The country around the head of the Ohio was greatly distressed by the Indians 
at this time, and it is not to be wondered at that the frontiersmen were reluc- 
tant to leave their homesunprotected while they engaged in a distant expedition, 
the issue of which was very uncertain, with the forces at hand. 

A little before this time, in February, Gen. Hand, having learned that a 
considerable quantity of stores was deposited by the British at an Indian town 
on the Cuyahoga river, which flows into the lake a short distance east of Cleve- 
land, formed a project for capturing them. "Gathering a party of about live 
hundred men, mostly from Westmoreland county, ' ' writes an authority on border 
annals, "he proceeded on the expedition. But heavy rains falling, and the 
snows of winter melting, he was obliged to relinquish his design, after having 
arrived at a point a considerable distance above the mouth of the Beaver, on the 
Mahoning river. Just at this place Indian tracks were discovered, conjectured 
to be of warriors on a marauding expedition into the settlements. These were 
followed to a camp supposed to contain fifty or sixty Indians, which was 
immediately attacked. 'But, to my great mortification,' wrote the commander, 
' only one man, with some women and children, was found. ' The Indian 
and one of the squaws were killed. ' Another woman was taken, ' adds the cha- 
grined and thoroughly disgusted general, 'and with diiSculty saved; the 
remainder escaped.' The prisoner reported that ten Munsie Indians were tak- 
ing salt ten miles further up the Mahoning. A detachment was sent to secure 
them. This enterprise proved even more inglorious than the first. The enemy 
turned out to be four women and a boy, of whom one woman only was saved. 
This, the first expedition to march into the Indian country from 
Pittsburgh after the war began, was long remembered in the west as ' the 
squaw campaign. ' " Gen. Hand was singularly unfortunate in his efforts to 
fight the Indians. 

For some months previous the Indians had become very bold, and the 
fruitless efforts made to protect the settlements by their utter failure only 
tended still more to embolden the savages. Kittanning had been occupied by 
troops from the spring of 1777, but Hand wrote to the commanding ofiicer, 
Capt. Samuel Moorhead, on the 14th of September: " Being convinced that, 
in youi- present condition, you are not able to defend yourself, much less to 
render the continent any service, you will withdraw from Kittanning, bringing 
everything away, leaving the houses and barracks standing." This evacu- 
ation caused the greatest alarm, especially in the northern part of Westmore- 
land county. 

Strong suspicions were entertained about this time of the loyalty of some 
of the inhabitants of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia, and numerous 



84 HIKTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

arrests were made; but the greater part of those arrested were paroled. The 
most noted of these was Alexander McKee, who had formerly been deputy 
Indian agent at Pittsburgh, and who, as early as April, 1776, had been put 
on his parol, by a committee of whigs, "not to give any aid or comfort" to 
the British. In the meantime he quietly plotted with the Indians for the 
removal of his effects from Fort Pitt across the Allegheny into the Indian 
country. Well had it been for the western country had this arch-traitor been 
secured at once. As it was, he was sulfered to remain at large upon his prom- 
ise not to correspond with or give any intelligence to the enemies of the United 
States, or to leave the neighborhood without permission. He was soon after- 
ward rearrested, and, after being conlined to his own house, was paroled anew. 
Hand afterward ordered him to report at York, Pa., to the continental board 
of war; but he feigned sickness, and remained at home. The excitement 
against the tories subsided after a short time, and in the spring of 1778 all 
was apparently quiet. But it was the lull that precedes the storm. On the 
2Sth of March all was changed; for not only McKee, but Mathew Elliott, who 
had lately arrived from Quebec, claiming to be a prisoner returned on parol, 
but in reality having a captain's commission from the British in his pocket, 
and Simon Girty, an Indian interpreter, fled from the vicinity of Fort Pitt and 
joined the enemy. These three renegades, as H. H. Brackenridge said, "of 
that horrid brood called refugees, whom the devil has long since marked as 
his own," proved themselves active servants of the English, causing untold 
sufferings on the frontier, not only during the war with Great Britain, but so 
long as the war with the Indians continued. Immediately after their depart- 
ure they began to exert a sinister influence on the tribes, mainly the Dela- 
wares, inducing many of them who had remained neutral to become avowed 
enemies of the United States. Their attempts were, however, in a measure, 
frustrated by the exertions of the friends of the Union. With other tribes, 
and especially the Shawanese, they were more successful, and aroused them 
to a desire to harass the settlements. After visiting neighboring tribes they 
made their way to Detroit. The seeds of disorder were rooted more deeply at 
Fort Pitt and in its vicinity than was at tirst supposed, and other traitors were 
soon discovered. On the night of April 20th several persons stole a boat and 
fled down the Ohio. They were, however, overtaken at the mouth of the 
Muskingum by a party sent after them, and the ringleaders were killed or capt- 
ured. Six of the citizens escaped; but of those captured two were shot, one 
hanged, and two whipped, the latter receiving one hundred lashes each. " The 
activity displayed by the British Indians along the western border, during the 
fall of 1777, induced Pennsylvania to bestir herself to protect the distant set- 
tlements. Congress, urgently appealed to by these suffering states, deter- 
mined to make common cause with them against the enemy. Commissioners, 
acting under authority of the United States, were sent to Fort Pitt to inquire 
into the disaffection of the frontier people, and to provide for carrying the 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 85 

war into the enemy's country. They reported that the western Indians were 
stimulated in their hostility by the British commandant at Detroit. They 
drew up and presented to Gen. Hand an elaborate plan for the protection, by 
the militia alone, of the frontiers until recommendations made by them to 
Congress could be approved and carried into execution. On the 2d of May, 
1778, Congress resolved to raise two regiments in Virginia and Pennsylvania, 
to serve for one year unless sooner discharged, for the protection of the 
western frontier, and for operation thereon — twelve companies in the former 
and four in the latter state. It was likewise determined that, as Gen. Hand 
had requested to be recalled from Pittsburgh, a proper person should be sent 
to relieve him. Washington was called upon to make a nomination. After 
much deliberation upon the subject, he named Brig. -Gen. Lachlan Mcintosh, 
an officer of worth and merit, a Georgian by birth."* Washington expressed 
the high opinion he had of the integrity and ability of this person, and declared 
that he parted with him with the utmost reluctance. He wrote: "His firm 
disposition and equal justice, his assiduity and good imderstanding, added to 
his being a stranger to all parties in that quarter, point him out as a proper 
person; and I trust extensive advantages will be derived from his command, 
which I could wish was more agreeable." 

Detroit, it was felt, not only by the inhabitants but by the military author- 
ities of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia, was the source whence the Indians 
received their inspiration and support, and Congress was also at length con- 
vinced of the same truth. Accordingly, with the appointment of Gen. Mcin- 
tosh to the command of Fort Pitt and of the forces of the west, it was 
resolved by Congress that an expedition should be undertaken against this 
British stronghold, as the most certain means of overcoming the Indians and 
restoring peace and security to the frontier. It was proposed to enlist three 
thousand men in the expedition. Virginia was requested to call forth as many 
militia, not exceeding twenty-live hundi-ed, as should be judged necessary to 
complete the number appropriated for the undertaking. The continental 
board of war was directed to cooperate with Mcintosh, who had not yet 
entered on the duties of his new appointment, but who was soon to have com- 
mand of affairs in the west, in measures necessary for the enterprise, and 
give him such instructions as might appear best adapted to promote the expe- 
dition. Over nine hundred thousand dollars were voted to defray the expenses, 
and a person was appointed to procure provisions, packhorses and other neces- 
saries for the army. To give effect to the action of Congress, a plan was imme- 
diately set on foot for raising the necessary force and for the purchase of 
supplies for the expedition. Fifteen hundred men were to march by way of 
the Kanawha to Fort Randolph, and a like number was to descend the Ohio fi'om 
Fort Pitt to the same place, whence they were to march into the enemy's 
country. Prior to this Washington, having heard of the ravages of the Indians 



86 HISTOliV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

in Western Pennsylvania, had ordered the Eighth Pennsylvania regnneut, a 
choice body of men who had been raised in the west, to prepare to march to 
Pittsburgh. Col. Daniel Brodhoad was at the head of this regiment. That 
part of the Thirteenth Virginia regiment remaining at Valley Forge was also 
placed under marching orders for Fort Pitt, under command of Col. John Gib- 
son. Brodhead did not reach Pittsburgh before the 10th of September. 

The great obstacle to success against the Indians, all this while, was the 
posses.sion of Detroit by the English; and it was felt that so long as they were 
there to back the savages no telling victory could be gained. It was therefore 
determined to lit out an expedition against that post. But the late arrival of 
Brodhead at Fort Pitt and the high price of supplies were insurmountable 
■obstacles; for an expedition, to have well-grounded hope of success, must leave 
Western Pennsylvania not later than the 1st of September. Congress for these 
reasons resolved that the expedition should be abandoned for the present. In 
lieu of it, however, Mcintosh was directed to assemble at Pittsburgh fifteen 
hundred continental troops and militia, and proceed without delay to destroy 
such towns of the hostile tribes as he, in his discretion, should think would 
most effectually tend to chastise and terrify the savages, and check their rav- 
ages on the western frontier. Mcintosh was more ambitious, and declared 
that Detroit and nothing less would satisfy him. Congress asked Virginia to 
supply him with as many militia as he should call for, and it was the inten- 
tion to march the force from that state by way of the Kanawha to Fort Ran- 
dolph to join the forces fi-om Pennsylvania that should descend the Ohio. But 
upon more mature deliberation this plan was abandoned. At the date of the 
arrival of Mcintosh there were only two forts west of the Allegheuies in Penn- 
sylvania occupied by continental troops. These were Forts Randolph and 
Hand. Fort Hand was erected in the spring of 1778, and named in honor 
of the commander of Fort Pitt; it was located in W'estmoreland county, 
about fourteen miles north of Hannastown, at a point described in an old 
manuscript as being " about a mile south of the ford of the Kiskiminetas; and 
the ford was about six miles above the mouth of the stream." It is very dif- 
ficult to understand what the exact position of the fort was from this descrip- 
tion, and it will for that reason be left to the reader to make the most of it. 
Besides these forts there was a large number of smaller stations or forts at 
difPerent times garrisoned by militia; some between Wheeling and Pittsburgh, 
others between the Monongahela and the Kiskiminetas, as well as others scat- 
tered throughout the settlements. These are described as being ' ' fi-equently 
altered, kept or evacuated, according to the humors, fears or interest of the 
people of most influence. ' ' And, however much Gen. Mcintosh may have been 
opposed to this, he was forced to yield to it, as his chief dependence was on 
the militia, who were about as independent a class as could have been found in 
the world in their day. But a new move was now to be made by Gen. Mcintosh. 
The war was to be carried into the enemy's country; and as these forts could 




V- - 







9. 



/ r^-/i cYi-a.c^< 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. «y 

be of no practical service, and their gan'isons seemed unnecessary when the 
eneniy had to defend themselves on their own territory, the general resolved 
to break them up as soon as he could without giving too much offense to the 
people upon whom he depended for the success of his enterprise. It would 
not, however, be prudent to leave the frontier without any protection; for the 
enemy might elude the pursuit of the general and fall upon the defenseless 
settlers and massacre them while the army was marching against their aban- 
doned towns. The lieutenants of Monongalia and Ohio counties, Virginia, 
which comprised the greater part of the valley of the Monongahela river, were 
authorized to raise a ranging company jointly, to scout continually along the 
Ohio river below the mouth of the Beaver, at such places as the savages 
usually forded the river to attack the settlements. At the same time Archibald 
Lochry, a name that figures prominently in the early history of AVestmoreland 
county, was empowered to organize two companies for similar service on the 
northern frontier, as a protection against the scalping-parties that might assail 
the settlers in that direction. Other companies occupied the forts in the 
absence of the regular garrisons. It need hardly be repeated that at this time 
all Western Pennsylvania, purchased from the Indians, was included in West- 
moreland county, although Virginia assumed jurisdiction, as has been shown, 
over certain parts of it. Another prudent move made by Gen. Mcintosh was 
the concentrating of all the storehouses at Fort Pitt. Previous to that time 
there had been a considerable number of such buildings, each of which 
required a small number of men for its defense, and, being situated in differ- 
ent parts of the country, streams had to be crossed with considerable risk at 
certain seasons. By making Fort Pitt what might be called a distributing 
point, provisions could be brought across the mountains, as the expression 
then was, without necessitating the crossing of any considerable stream, and 
they could then be sent to other points from it at such seasons as were most 
favorable. 

As the prosecution of the war was now in the hands of the general govern- 
ment, lately established, efforts were constantly being made to preserve friendly 
relations with some at least of the Indian tribes in Western Pennsylvania and 
beyond, although none could be relied on but the Delawares, and their attach- 
ment was beginning to grow weak. The Shawanese, the last of the other tribes 
to go over to the English, were now known to be unfriendly to the Americans, 
though from motives of interest they tried to preserve the semblance of friend- 
ship. But, however few of the savages might be on the side of the United 
States, they were more or less of a check on the British at Detroit and the 
Indians who drew their inspiration from that point; and, besides, they might 
give some warning of inroads on the settlements. Hence the value of their 
good will. Hence, too, the important part which Fort Pitt played in the great 
struggle for the independence of the colonies, as its predecessor. Fort Du- 
quesne, had played in the French campaign. It is difficult to overestimate the 



90 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

importance of the forks of the Ohio during the quarter of a century from 1754 
to 1779 and later. It was a fitting prelude to her present greatness and her 
future prospects. With a view of producing a favorable impression on the 
savages who might still he counted on as favoring the American cause, the com- 
missioners at Fort Pitt, by the advice of Congress, resolved to hold a treaty 
with the Delawares, Shawanese and other Indians at Fort Pitt in the summer 
of 1778. The 28d of July was chosen as the day for the conference, and mes- 
sengers were dispatched to the Delawares and Shawanese with presents and 
invitations. On the part of the whites Virginia was requested to send two 
representatives and Pennsylvania one. The two from Virginia, Andi-ew and 
Thomas Lewis, appeared; but although George Morgan solicited the appoint- 
ment from Pennsylvania that state neglected to send any representative. The 
Delawares sent three of their principal chiefs; but it was September before the 
parties met for consultation, and the treaty was not signed till the 17th of that 
month. It was very favorable ^to the United States, as far as the Delawares 
were concerned ; for not only did they declare themselves in favor of the Union, 
and bury the hatchet, but they also permitted the general government to march 
troops through their hunting-grounds, which was a matter of no small impor- 
tance at that time, when the cause of American freedom was not so hoiaeful as 
could have been desired. They further promised to join the forces of the gen- 
eral government, with such a number of their most noted braves as they could 
spare, consistently with their own safety. A requisition for two captains and 
sixty braves was afterward made upon the nation by the American com- 
mander. 

The commanding officer at Fort Pitt opened a road to the mouth of the 
Beaver, and just below, on the table-land where the town of Beaver now 
stands, he built Fort Mcintosh, as a post to which loads could be carried 
either by land or water, and where, should there bo a failure of either suffi- 
cient troops or supplies to carry forward the expedition during the autumn, a 
footing at least would be secured, considerably advanced toward the enemy's 
country. This would enable the commander to be better prepared for another 
attempt in the spring, and would show the enemy, at the same time, that he 
was in earnest in his movements. The fort was a regular stockade-work, with 
four bastions, built of hewn logs; its figure was an irregular square, the face 
to the Ohio river being longer than that toward the land; and it is remarkable 
as being the first military post built by the United States on the Indian side of 
the Ohio. On the 8th of October, 1778, the headquarters of the army were 
removed from Fort Pitt to the new fort, where a considerable force, the 
largest collected west of the Allegheny mountains during the Revolution, 
numbering at least thirteen hundred, was assembled, consisting, besides the 
continental troops, of militia, mostly from the western counties of Virginia. 
But the want of supplies prevented any immediate movement forward. On 
the 3d day of November cattle from the mountain arrived, Imt they were 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 91 

extremely poor, and could not be slaughtered for want of salt. At that date 
salt sold in Pittsburgh for twenty dollars per bushel. Alarming intelligence 
now reached Mcintosh from the wilderness west. He was reproached for his 
tardiness by fi-iendly Indians, who threatened that all their nation would unite 
in the Tuscarawas valley to give him battle, and oppose his progress to 
Detroit. Orders were therefoi-e immediately issued for twelve hundred men 
to get ready to march. On the 5th of November the movement of the army 
westward commenced, including the whole force, except one company, which 
was left under command of Lieut. -Col. Richard Campbell, of the Thirteenth 
Virginia regiment, to bring on the long-expected supplies. After a march of 
about seventy-live miles he was informed that the Indians had abandoned the 
idea of opposing his progress; and here, too, he learned the more dishearten- 
ing fact that the supplies promised him had not yet reached Fort Mcintosh, 
and that little, if any, could be expected. The result necessarily was that, 
like several other expeditions, this one had to be abandoned, and the army 
returned home, the only result produced being the confirmation of the savages 
in their conviction of the weakness of the Americans, and uniting them still 
more closely with the British at Detroit. A fort, however, was built, which 
was named Fort Laurens, in honor of the president of Congress. Leaving the 
fort with a garrison of one hundred and fifty men, with scant supplies, under 
command of Col. John Gibson, to finish and protect it, the rest of the army 
under command of the general returned to Fort Mcintosh, where the militia, 
who were now in a mutinous condition, were discharged. All that was left 
for the forces west of the mountains now to do was to act on the defensive, 
with such a disposition of men in the local forts and blockhouses as would 
best protect the fi'ontier, and await further developments. 



CHx\PTER VI. 



THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD (Concluded). 

Fort Crawford— Fort Aumstuong— Brodhead's Expedition— Capt. Isaac 
Craig — Defeat of the Delawares— Col. Clarke's Expedition— Inter- 
nal Disaffection— Crawford's Expedition — His Fate — Indian Attack 
ON Hannastown and Miller's Station. 

^T^HE treason of McKee and his companions was a source of no little 
J- anxiety to the people of the frontier; for their perfect knowledge of 
the strength and condition of the settlements enabled them to give informa- 
tion that might prove very disastrous. About this time a resident of West- 
moreland county wrote: ""What may be the fate of this county God only 



^2 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

knows; but at present it wears a most dismal aspect." On the 28th of April, 
1778, a settlement at and about Wallace Fort in Westmoreland county was 
attacked, and a body of twenty men who were out reconnoitering the woods 
had nine killed and their captain wounded. Only four of the enemy were 
killed. By the middle of May what was known as the northern road, that is, 
Forbes' route to Fort Pitt — Braddock's route was the southern road — had 
become the northern frontier line of settlement west of the mountains. A 
captain who, with nine men, chiefly continental soldiers, was bringing grain 
from the neighborhood of Fort Hand to Fort Pitt, was surprised, on the 7th 
of July, by a party of savages. Other scalping-parties were frequently found 
on the frontier settlements both of Pennsylvania and Virginia, since the return 
of Mcintosh's unsuccessful expedition into the Indian country. 

But the frontier, as well as the rest of the country, had more enemies than 
the British and the Indians. Money is the sinews of war; and the deprecia- 
tion of the continental currency, which resulted in a great measure fi'om the 
unsuccessful campaign of 1777, had by this time become a very serious burden 
on the people, and all over the country great ingenuity was exercised to dis- 
cover a remedy. Among other devices the prices of commodities were fixed, 
and the Indian traders came in for a large share of public odium, and not 
without reason. A meeting of the officers of the line and staff in the 
western department, held in Pittsburgh in October, 1779, declares that the 
traders ' ' are now commonly known by the disgraceful epithet of speculators. ' ' 
It was also resolved at the same meeting ' ' that a select committee be appointed 
to collect all papers and get whatever information they can possibly obtain 
relative to the regulations which may have taken place down the country, and 
by them endeavor to ascertain the price of goods as they ought to sell at this 
place, and lay them, with whatever matters they may conceive necessary, 
before the committee at the next meeting." The committee, having been 
appointed, met on the 6th of October, and declared "that at the present 
•enormous prices, unless dire and absolute necessity compels, to buy shall be 
deemed as criminal as to sell; and should the traders refuse to sell at the 
regulated prices agreed on and fixed by this committee," they further resolved, 
"that the commandant of the western department be waited upon by a com- 
mittee, and earnestly requested for the good of the community, as well as the 
army, that said traders be immediately ordered to withdraw themselves and 
property from this post, being fully determined to have a reasonable trade, or 
no trade, and live upon our rations and what our country can afford us, and, 
should it be necessary, clothe ourselves with the produce of the forest, rather 
than live upon the virtuous part of the community to gratify our sanguinary 
enemies and enrich rapacity; and it is the unanimous opinion of this com- 
mittee that the specious, designing speculator is a monster of a deeper dye 
and more malignant nature than the savage Mingo of the wilderness, whose 
mischiefs are partial, while those occasioned by the speculator have become 



HISTOEV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 93 

universal." Much more followed in the same strain, but the portions given 
are sufficient to show the depth and extent of the evil, and the feeling of utter 
abhorrence in which the traders were held. 

Depredations continued, and the Indians, led by Simon Grirty, came within 
a few miles of Fort Pitt and attacked parties of whites, while the little gar- 
rison of Fort Laurens was both reduced to the verge of starvation for want of 
supplies and beseiged by the savages. The latter, however, fortunately aban- 
doned the siege, and the timely aid of Gen. Mcintosh brought provisions to the 
men, who for a long time had subsisted on raw hides. Strangely enough, when 
the relief came and the garrison fired a salute for joy, the packhorses took 
fright and scattered the provisions over a considerable tract of country. 

Gen. Mcintosh was dispirited with the small number of men at his dis- 
posal, the want of proper supplies, and the activity of the Indians, spurred on 
by the British at Detroit; and, his health failing, he requested to be relieved of 
the important duty of commanding the department of the west. He withdrew 
in April, 1779, and this was the abandonment for the time of offensive measures 
west of the mountains. Although he had not succeeded against the Indians, 
his operations were not altogether fi'uitless, and it may be said that in his 
defensive measures he exercised good judgment. One rock, especially, he care- 
fully avoided, which was interfering with the troublesome boundary question, 
although he had often been applied to by both sides. He also preserved cor- 
dial relations with the several county lieutenants, and was active and vigilant 
in protecting the exposed settlements. The erection of Forts Mcintosh and 
Laurens as a precautionary measure was approved by Gen. Washington, who 
wrote " that the establishing of posts of communication, which Mcintosh has 
done for the security of his convoys and the army, is a proceeding grounded on 
military practice and experience. ' ' Congress having directed the appointment 
of a successor to Mcintosh, Washington, on the 5th of March, 1779, made 
choice of Col. Daniel Brodhead, of the Eighth Pennsylvania regiment, who 
was first in rank in the western department under the retiring general. At the 
time of his appointment he was in charge of Fort Mcintosh, to which point 
Washington wrote him: "From my opinion of your abilities, your former 
acquaintance with the back country, and the knowledge you must have acquired 
upon this last tour of duty, I have appointed you to the command." It was 
a selection gratifying to the Pennsylvanians, as Brodhead was a citizen of that 
state. The whole force at his command at the time of his taking charge of 
the department, including continental and independent troops, consisted of 
seven hundred and twenty-two men, stationed at Forts Laurens, IMcIntosh, 
Henry, Randolph, Hand and Pitt. A few other stations were garrisoned by 
small detachments. At the same time Washington planned an expedition 
against the Six Nations, who had been committing depredations on the northern 
frontier, and it was his intention that, while a strong force set out east of the 
mountains, it should be joined by the commander of the western department,. 



94 HISTOKV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

who should march up the Allegheny. The latter part of this plan was, how- 
ever, abandoned as impracticable under the circumstances. In his communi- 
cations to Brodhead the couimander-in-chief warned him not to interfere in the 
boundary dispute, as calculated to get him into difficulties without benefiting 
the cause he was sent to promote. Fort Laurens, after being a source of gi-eat 
anxiety to the commander of Fort Pitt, and after its garrison had sufPered 
untold privations, was finally evacuated early in August, 1779. 

"Turning our attention from the wilderness beyond the Ohio to the north- 
ern settlements of Westmoreland, we see that as early as the 26th of February, 
1779, Indian depredations began therein. On that day, about twenty miles 
east of Pittsburgh, on the main road leading over the mountains, eighteen 
persons — men, women, and children — were either killed or taken prisoners. 
It is not surprising, therefore,' that the first care of Brodhead, after assuming 
command in the west, was to protect the northern frontier. His first order 
directed a detachment from Fort Pitt to occupy the vacant Fort Crawford, 
located a few miles up the Allegheny." This fort stood a little above the 
mouth of Puckety creek, on the east side of the Allegheny river, probably on 
the site of the present village of Parnassus, eighteen miles above Fort Pitt. 
"The soldiers were instructed to scout on the waters of the river, as well on 
Puckety creek, and upon the Kiskiminetas as far as Fort Hand, thereby to 
protect as much as possible, from the death-dealing savages of the north, the 
exposed settlements to the eastward of Pittsburgh. Gen. Washington, with ' a 
full sense of the importance, necessity and duty of taking the most vigorous 
and speedy measures for the support and protection of the frontiers," decided 
to order to the westward Col. Moses Rawlings' corps of three companies from 
Fort Frederick, Md. , to assist in protecting the exposed settlements, and, at 
the same time, to promote the cooperation of troops from Fort Pitt with the 
army to be sent against the Indians of the Six Nations, by erecting posts at 
Kittanning and Venango. Although the plan for the movements of a force 
from Pittsburgh was .soon laid aside and the building of the two forts aban- 
doned, the march of the Maryland troops was not countermanded."* 

The Indians seemed to have made Westmoreland, which then included all 
Western Pennsylvania east and south of the rivers, the scene of their greatest 
activity. Here were perpetrated most of their daring and cruel raids upon the 
settlements. Pennsylvania determined to raise five companies to hasten to the 
defense of the west. Fort Hand was attacked on the 26th of April, and though 
Capt. Samuel Moorhead, who was in command, had only seventeen men with 
him, he held out, and the women busied themselves in molding bullets. The 
siege was raised the next day, the garrison during the action not having lost a 
single life. At this time a resident of the county wrote: "The savages are 
continually making depredations among us, not less than forty people having 
been killed, wounded, or captured this spring." The arrival of additional 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 95 

forces gave confidence to the frontier ; but the settlements were still the scenes 
of Indian raids in which lives were lost and prisoners taken. 

During all this time the commander of Fort Pitt experienced great difficulty 
in obtaining jjrovisions for his soldiers, as his letters to the commander-in- 
chief amply testify. The presence of the British at Detroit was still the 
gi-eatest source of trouble on account of the use they made of the Ohio Indians 
and the means they employed in winning over the few who remained neutral 
or friendly to the American cause. For this reason it was that Brodhead com- 
plained of his limited resources at a time when it was of the utmost importance 
to rival the English in the value of the presents he gave to the savages, upon 
whom these were known to have a potent influence. He says in one of his 
letters: " The Indian captains appointed by the British commandant at Detroit 
are clothed in the most elegant manner, and have many valuable presents made 
them. The captains I have appointed by authority of congress are naked, and 
receive nothing but a little whisky, for which they are reviled by the Indians 
in general, so that unless some kind of a system is introduced I must expect to 
see all the Indians in favor of the British, despite of every address in my 
power." The Indians from the north had now become more troublesome than 
those of the west, and Brodhead's attention was accordingly directed to them. 
He sent Capt. Samuel Brady with a small party to scout the country up the 
Allegheny and collect such information as he could regarding the savages. 
Near the mouth of Mahoning creek he met a small body of them who had 
made a raid on the settlements, killed some persons, and taken two children 
prisoners, and he killed the leader of the band with others, rescued the pris- 
oners and recaptured the booty. Other adventui'es of this noted scout form 
interesting episodes in our frontier history about this time. But Brodhead 
very properly thought that a station at Kittanning would more effectually hold 
the Indians in check than any other measure he could at that time adopt. 
This place was well known as an Indian stronghold during the French occupa- 
tion of the valley of the Allegheny and Ohio. The provincials did not, how- 
ever, occupy it for many years after its destruction by Col. Armstrong. But 
on June 5, 1776, a memorial was presented to the assembly of Pennsylvania by 
the inhabitants of Westmoreland county that they feared an attack from the 
Indian country west, and that Van Swearingen had, at a considerable expense, 
raised a company of eflFective men which the memorialists had continued and 
stationed at Kittanning, and which they prayed might be continued. Congress 
resolved on the 15th of July that the battalion which was to garrison the posts 
to be established at Presqu' Isle, Le Bceuf and Kittanning be raised in the 
counties of Westmoreland and Bedford, which latter at that date embraced a 
considerable part of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Some time afterward the 
battalion commanded by Col. ^neas Mackay was stationed at Kittanning, 
where it remained till December 15th of the same year, when the commanding 
officer was ordered to collect his scattered forces at some convenient rendezvous 



yo mSTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

to march elsewhere. No troop.s %Vere stationed at Kittanning from that time 
till 1779, although some attempt was made to protect the northern frontier by 
other posts and rangers in small detachments in the pay of the state. As 
regards the building of the fort we have the following, which Gen. Washington 
wrote to Brodhead under date of March 22, 1779: "I have directed Col. 
Rawlings' corps, consisting of three companies, to march from Fort Frederick, 
in Maryland ... to Fort Pitt, as soon as he is relieved by a guard of mili - 
tia. Upon his arrival you are to detach him with his own corps and as many 
as will make up one hundred men, should his company be short of that num - 
her, to take post at Kittanning, and immediately throw up a stockade fort for 
the security of the convoys. When this is accomplished a small garrison is to 
be left there, and the remainder are to proceed to Venango." But the fort was 
not built at that time, whatever may have been the reason, for Col. Brodhead 
wrote on the 3d of June to Archibald Lochry, lieutenant of Westmorelan d 
county: "I purpose building a small fort at Kittanning as soon as possible, and 
that will be more effectual seciuity for the inhabitants than all the little posts 
now occupied by the garrisons." On the 23d he again wrote: "Lieut. -Col. 
Bayard is now at Kittanning, and will cover the fi-ontier effectually;" and on 
the 31st of July he wrote to Gen. Washington: "A complete stockade fort is 
erected at the Kittanning, and now called Fort Armstrong." The fort stood a 
little more than two miles below the present town of Kittanning, close on th e 
east bank of the river; and about half a mile further down there was a block- 
house, which was standing as late as 1834. The writer distinctly remembers 
the well of the fort, which, thirty-five years ago, was still visible, though filled 
with stumps from the surrounding field. It would seem that Col. Bayard, who 
built the fort, wanted to name it after himself; for, although his letters are not 
preserved to us, Brodhead' s replies, which we have, plainly imply so much. 
The correspondence was evidently animated, and appears to have had a sarcas- 
tic vein ninning through it as far as the commander of Fort Pitt was concerned. 
In a letter of his dated July 1st, he says: " I think it is a compliment due to 
Gen. Armstrong to call the fort after him; therefore, it is my pleasure from 
this time forward it be called Fort Armstrong, and I doubt not we shall soon 
be in the neighborhood of a place where greater regard is paid to saints than 
at Kittanning, where your sainthood may not be forgotten." And in another 
letter of the 9th of the same month he writes: "I have said that I thoiight it 
a compliment due to Gen. Armstrong to name the fort now erecting at Kittan- 
ning after him ; and I should be very sorry to have the first fort erected by my 
direction in the department named after me. Besides, I should consider it will 
be more proper to have our names at a greater distance from our metropolis. I 
never denied the saintship of Stephen or John, biit some regard to propriety 
must be necessary even among saints." The commander's trouble with the 
fort, however necessary it certainly was for the protection of the northern front- 
ier, was not to end with the naming of it. On the 1st of Augiist Bayard was 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 99 

relieved of the command of the post. Early in October Brodhead ordered Capt. 
Irwin to take up his quarters there, but he did not obey the order, and a sharp 
correspondence took place between the two; for in a letter of his, dated Octo- 
ber 13th, Brodhead writes him : ' ' You had my positive orders to wait upon me 
for instructions to govern you at Fort Armstrong, which orders you have been 
hardy enough to disobey and are to answer for." During this dispute Francis 
Mcllvaine was sent to occupy the fort. There was talk of courtmartialing 
Irwin, but it is most probable it was not done. Discipline was at a low ebb in 
the department at that time, owing to the life of the pioneers, and the injurious 
effects of the boundary dispute, which taught the people to disregard the civil 
jurisdiction of one of the states. In the meantime Brodhead wrote to Lieut. 
Glass, or the "commanding officer of Capt. Irwin's company," October 18th: 
' ' You are to march the company under your command to Fort Armstrong and 
there relieve the present garrison under Mr. Mcllvaine. " Still another change of 
officers was found necessary; and on the 27th the commander of Fort Pitt wrote 
to Lieut. John Jameson : "I have received your favor of the 24th inst. I 
am glad to hear you are at length got to Fort Armstrong. ' ' He was to be the 
last commander of the short-lived fort. On the 27th of November Joseph I. 
Finley wrote him: "I am directed by Col. Brodhead to request you to evacu- 
ate Fort Armstrong, and to repair to this post [Fort Pitt] with all convenient 
dispatch, taking care to bring ofP all the stores in your possession and pertain- 
ing to the garrison of whatsoever kind. ' ' The fort was never after occupied 
permanently, although soldiers may have lodged there for a short time occa- 
sionally. Why a post so favorably situated should have been abandoned so 
soon after its construction it is difficult, with the information at command, to 
determine, unless it was that the success attending the expedition up the Alle- 
gheny into the Indian country was thought sufficient to prevent the savages 
from attempting any further raids from that direction for a considerable time. 
Brodhead had long been anxious to carry the war into the enemy's country, 
declaring to the commander-in-chief that he could effect more in this way than 
he could with three times the number of men required if he acted on the 
defensive. With great difficulty he succeeded in obtaining the consent of 
Washington as well as of the state authorities for the expedition; a considera- 
ble force was collected with the usual amount of delays and annoyances of 
other kinds; but a greater difficulty was encountered in securing the necessary 
provisions. At length he was able to inform Gen. Washington of the pleasiire 
he felt in having upward of four hundred head of cattle and nearly a thousand 
kegs of flonr. "The small posts of the department garrisoned by continental 
or provincial troops were evacuated, that their commands might be rendered 
available for the enterprise. As many soldiers as could well be spared from 
the large ones were directed to march to Pittsburgh for the same purpose. 
The provincial companies in Westmoreland were called in. Exertions were 
made to induce volunteering. Militia from the neighborhood were ordered to 



100 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Fort Pitt. By the 11th of August six hundred rank and file, with a number 
of Delawares, were collected. The force began to march that day under the 
lead ol Brodhead, with Col. Gibson second in command. The army, having 
one month's supplies, advanced up the Allegheny — the provisions, except live 
cattle, being transported by water under an escort of one hundred men — to the 
mouth of the Mahoning above Kittanning. The stores were now loaded on pack- 
horses, and the troops continued their march up the river. An advance party 
of fifteen light infantiy and eight Delawares, under command of Lieut. John 
Hardin, of the Eighth Pennsylvania regiment, fell in with thirty or forty war- 
riors, coming down the Allegheny in seven canoes. A sharp contest ensued. 
The enemy were defeated, the savages losing five of their number killed and 
several wounded. All their canoes with their contents were captured. Three 
of the Americans were wounded, also one of the Delawares. 

' ' Brodhead proceeded up the river as far as an Indian village of Bucka- 
loons, its inhabitants fieeing upon his approach. The army threw up a 
breastwork of trees not far away, and a garrison of forty men was left to guard 
the provisions. The remainder of the force marched up the river to the mouth 
of the Conewango, near which was a deserted village of that name." This 
was at the present town of Warren, one hundred and sixty-nine miles above 
Pittsburgh. ' ' The troops then moved up the latter stream to within about 
four miles of the present state boundary line, where several towns were found 
just vacated."* All the villages found were burned, and the cornfields 
destroyed, The army returned by the Venango road, and reached Pittsburgh 
on the 1-lth of September without the loss of a man. On the 27th of October 
Congress passed the following resolution relative to this expedition: 

Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be given to his excellency, Gen. Washington, 
for directing, and to Col. Brodhead and the brave oflScers and soldiers under his com- 
mand for executing, the important expedition against the Mingo and Munsie Indians, and 
that part of the Senecas on the A.llegheny river, by which the depredations of those sav- 
ages, assisted by their merciless instigators, subjects of the king of Great Britain, upon 
the defenseless inhabitants of the western frontiers have been restrained and prevented. 

During all this time, as before, the Indians of the west were a great source 
of trouble, and what to do, with the limited resources at command, was the 
question that perplexed everyone from the commander-in-chief down. Fort 
Laurens had for a long time engaged the attention of the savages, but without 
relieving the commander of the western department, who found the care of that 
post as difficult as that of the frontier had been without it. Even during its 
occupation the frontier was not free from the raids of small war-parties, but 
after its evacuation, up to the setting in of winter, the Indians of the west over- 
ran the whole southwestern part of Pennsylvania, and life was nowhere secure. 
The repetition of these raids, although varying more or less according to cir- 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 101 

cumstances, was the everyday expectation of the western population, and the 
mere recital of them became monotonous. 

The population around Forbes' road, in the Monongahela valley, in the 
immediate vicinity of Pittsburgh, and generally throughout the southwestern 
part of the state, had by this time become considerable. But the draft that was 
made on them for the war with England, for the garrisoning of the local forts 
and blockhouses, for the various expeditions into the enemy's country, and for 
the defense of their own homes, left them little time for the care of their farms. 
Yet at no time in the history of the state did this require greater labor. For, 
although the soil was as yet rich and required little cultivation, the forests had 
to be cleared and enclosed, the ground in most cases to be broken up with 
strong teams, which were not at the command of everyone, and when iinder 
cultivation it required constant watching to prevent wild animals, such as deer, 
bears, raccoons, etc., fi'om destroying large portions of the crop. The life of 
the frontiersman was one of great hardship, and though it bred a hardy race 
it frequently taxed them beyond the power of endurance. The women, too, 
lequired courage equally with the men, for it frequently happened that for 
weeks they were left alone with their families in a little ' ' patch ' ' in the forests, 
far from all human succor, and liable at any moment to hear the warwhoop of 
the savage, or discover him hirking around the premises, ready to fall upon 
his victim. Many a descendant of these pioneers remembers the thrilling tales 
of adventure with which his winter's nights were regaled by eyewitnesses of 
them, and actors, too, in the years of his childhood, and how he retired to rest 
afraid of seeing an Indian, in his childish fancy, as he crept into bed. With 
the narrators of those stories this was no fancy, but the sternest reality; and it 
may be truly said of them that they carried their lives in their hands. 

The Indians were again on the frontier earlier than usual in 1780, murder- 
ing and taking prisoners. Among the latter of these was a girl named Cath- 
arine Malott, who afterward became the wife of the notorious Simon Girty, 
whom Heckewelder called "the white savage," and who certainly deserved 
the name. This year threatened to be a sad one for the settlements. Says 
Mr. Butterfield: "By the last of April the Indians had become exceedingly 
troublesome; over forty men, women, and children had fallen victims of their 
ferocity in the country south and southwest of Fort Pitt. These depreda- 
tions were quickly followed by others to the northward. It really began to 
look as though the county of Westmoreland would again become a wilderness. 
A large part of the population north of the Yoaghiogheny were forced to fly 
to the several forts of that locality for safety. The utmost exertions of the 
local companies and of the half-clad, half-starved regulars^now only the 
cullings of last year's men, many having been sent over the mountains on 
account of the pressui'e of the war upon the sealsoard- — were put forth to pro- 
tect the homes of the borderers, but with little effect. The war, if possible, 
the commander realized fully, must be carried to the homes of the savages, 



102 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

and, above all, it was now seen, to the homes of the Wyandots, who were more 
powerful for mischief to the border than either of the other tribes acting 
against it. In June Capt. Isaac Craig, with a detachment from the Fourth 
Pennsylvania Artillery, reached Fort Pitt." Mr. Craig and his descendants 
were destined to be among the most intelligent and public-spirited citizens of 
the incipient city of Pittsburgh, and his name is frequently mentioned both 
in military and civic matters later on in our history. His son, Neville B. 
Craig, has put not only Pittsburgh, but the southwestern portion of the state, 
under obligations to him for his seasonable publication of " The Olden Time," 
a collection of original- papers relating to the country around the head of the 
Ohio, and his ' ' History of Pittsburgh, ' ' which relates the annals of ou r city 
with unusual accuracy down to the date of its publication, 1851 . He was 
also the leading newspaper- man of his time, and published the first daily 
paper in Pittsburgh. 

On the 10th of July BroJhead informed the lieutenants of the counties of 
the western department of his intention to carry the war into the enemy's 
country; but told them at the same time that that matter must be kept a pro- 
found secret, and its execution must be made with dispatch. But it was much 
easier under the circumstances to plan an expedition than it was to carry the 
plan into execution, and Brodhead was not the first commander of the depart- 
ment to learn this unpleasant truth. An entire corps from Maryland that had 
been on duty guarding the frontier of Westmoreland county deserted in a body, 
in August; and, to embarrass the commander of the department still more, 
Washington informed him that he could fui'nish no soldiers for the expedition. 
The best that Brodhead could do in these adverse circumstances was to confine 
his efforts to what Washington termed " partisan strokes," to which the com- 
mander-in-chief encouraged him. The creation of the new county of Wash- 
ington, March 28, 1781, which embraced the southwestern portion of Pennsyl- 
vania, and the organization of a body of militia there under James Marshall, 
the lieutenant of the county, increased the force in that part of the country, 
and afforded additional security to the settlers. 

The strenuous efforts of the British at Detroit to win the Delawares, the 
only tribe that could be said to have remained faithful to the Americans, was in a 
measure successful about the close of the year 1780, and the beginning of the 
following year saw every tribe of the west up in arms against the frontier. 
Brodhead, still bent upon a movement into the Indian country, collected a 
small force in April, 1781, and, dropping down to W'heeling, was joined 
by David Shepherd, lieutenant of Ohio county, Va. He led the forces into 
the Indian country, took the savages at Coshocton completely by surprise, 
destroyed their town and a village just below, killed fifteen of their warriors 
and took twenty prisoners. Large quantities of peltry and stores were alsa 
destroyed, and about forty head of cattle killed. The expedition was a very 
decided success; the hostile Delawares fell back further to the west, and never 



HISTOBY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 103 

again occ iipied the territory from which they had been driven. The few remain- 
ing friendly Delawares placed themselves under the protection of Brodhead ; and 
their assistance and the information they were able fi'om time to time to afford 
of the movements of the hostile savages were of great service to the com- 
mander of the western department. 

Early in 1781 Col. George Rogers Clarke arrived at Fort Pitt on his way 
down the Ohio, in command of an expedition against the Indians of the west, 
principally with a view of capturing the old French posts in the Illinois coimtry 
now in the hands of the enemy. Brodhead, whose forces then consisted of 
not more than two hundred men, was directed by Washington to detach his 
field-pieces, howitzers and train to join him. At that time Fort Pitt was little 
better than a heap of ruins, while the garrison, ill fed and ill equipped, were 
in a very sorry condition to repel an enemy, should the Indians take Fort Mc- 
intosh and attack them. The militia were without proper organization, and, 
when called into service, destitute to a great extent of military knowledge and 
discipline. The civil government was even in a worse condition, on account of 
the excitement regarding the boundary dispute. Both sides before the war 
had asserted their claims to an organized jurisdiction over the disputed territory, 
and exercised them. As between the two commonwealths, the quarrel was 
virtually brought to an end in 1779; but bitter feelings still existed among the 
people, and the line was not yet run. As a consequence, having long con- 
temned the authority of a neighboring state, many had come to open disrespect 
for their own. Hence there was a restlessness, bordering on insubordination, 
prevailing in many parts of the country, and a desire on the part of some to 
emigrate into the wilderness beyond the Ohio to form a new state. 

Troubles between certain of the military oiBcers added to the difficulties of 
the situation. Brodhead, who, according to his ability, was zealous for the 
advancement of the interests of his department, met with considerable opposi- 
tion — so much so that on the 6th of October he wrote Gen. Washington: " Col. 
Gibson still continues to counteract me, and the officers who favor his claim 
reject my orders; others refuse his, and things are in the utmost confusion." 
These unfortunate circumstances rendered it necessary to send some other 
officer to take command of the department; but who this officer should be it 
was not easy to determine. To an unusual degree of prudence he must add 
proper firmness in order to restore discipline, while with these he must possess 
all the qualities necessary to deal with the hostile savages to the north and 
west. After mature deliberation Washington selected Gen. William Irvine. 
Congress confirmed the apj)ointment, and the new commander set out for the 
field of his future operations, where he arrived early in November, 1781. 

Before the arrival of Gen. Irvine, Brodhead had been superseded in the 
command of the western department by his rival, Col. Gibson, and his pred- 
ecessor was submitted to a trial, mainly, it would appear, for his extravagant 
use or waste of the public stores. On this point Irvine wrote to Washington 



104 HISTOKY 01'' ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

under date of December, 1781: " The consumption of public stores, in my 
opinion, has been enormous, particularly military stores, and I fear the reason 
for it will not be justifiable, viz., that the militia would all fly if they had not 
powder and lead given them, not only when in service, but to keep at their 
homes. . . I find that nearly 2,000 lb. of lead and 4,000 lb. of powder 
have been issued to the militia since the dispute between Cols. Brodhead and Gib- 
son, chiefly by orders of the former, besides arms, accouteiments, etc., and 
not a man called into active service." He spoke at the same time of the man- 
ner in which he had re-formed the companies of soldiers at the fort, and also 
of the failure of Gen. Clarke's expedition, to which reference was made above. 
He further noted the encouragement the savages would feel in it, and the 
probability of an attack being made on the fi'ontier, seconded by the British, 
who were still in possession of Detroit. In view of this he thought that the 
site of Pittsburgh was not the best for a fort, and that it should be at the 
mouth of Chartier's creek, below Pittsburgh, on the south side of the Ohio. 
He wrote to the commander-in-chief: "I have been viewing the country in 
this vicinity, and find no place equal for a post to the mouth of Chartier's 
creek, about four miles down the river. Capt. Hutchins pointed that place 
out to me before I left Philadelphia, and says there is no place equal to it 
anywhere within forty miles of Fort Pitt. I think it best calculated on many 
accounts. First, the ground is such that works may be constructed to contain 
amy number of men from five hundred to a thousand. It is by nature almost 
inaccessible on three sides, and on the fourth no commanding ground within 
three thousand yards. Secondly, as it would effectually cover the settlements 
on Chartier's creek, the necessity for keeping a post at Fort Mcintosh would, 
of course, cease. In case of making that the main post, Fort Pitt should be 
demolished, except the north bastion, on which a strong blockhouse should be 
erected. A small party on it would as effectually keep up communication 
with the settlements on the Monongahela as the whole garrison now does; for 
the necessary detachments at Mcintosh, Wheeling, etc., so divide the troops 
that no one place can be held without a large body of troops. Indeed, if the 
enemy from Detroit should undertake to make us a visit, it would be an excel- 
lent place for them to take by surprise, whence they could send out Indians 
and other partisans and lay the whole country waste before we covild dislodge 
them.'" 

Few passages in all the correspondence relating to Western Pennsylvania 
contain more practical wisdom than this. The reader of our early annals will 
not fail to remember that the mouth of Chartier's creek was the very spot 
upon which the friendly Indians wanted the traders to build a fort for their 
protection, just before the breaking out of the French war, though Washington 
thought, af the end of 1753, that it was not so favorably situated as the forks; 
but then he had in view the protection of the mouth of the Monongahela 
ao-ainst the French coming down the Allegheny. Still, it is plain to all that a 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 105 

fort on the low ground between the confluence of the two rivers could at any time 
have been easily bombarded from any of the high surrounding hills, without 
its being able to make any effectual defense. And when Fort Duquesne fell 
into the hands of the English there were not wanting those who favored the 
building of a large fort upon what is now known as Boyd's hill, overlooking 
the Monongahela, which, from the name of the principal advocate of the 
measure, a Scotchman by the name of Ayres, was long known as Ayres' hill. 
In connection with this he would have a smaller fort on the hill overlookincr 
the Allegheny. Viewing the matter fi'om this distance only, we can not but 
believe that either this plan or that of Gen. Irvine was preferable to the one 
adopted, as Fort Pitt was iitterly defenseless against artillery, had it been 
brought to bear upon it. 

But brighter days were beginning to dawn for the country, although the 
west would be the last to reap the advantage. The surrender of Cornwallis 
effectually broke the power of the British in her former colonies, and sealed 
the independence of the United States. But Detroit, the instigator of the 
Indians against the western settlements, was for some time longer in her pos- 
session. Upon receiving intelligence of the surrender of the British forces 
Gen. Irvine issued the following order: 

Fort Pitt. November 6, 1781. 

Parole — General. Countersign — Joy. 

Gen. Irvine has the pleasure to congratulate the troops upon the great and glorious 
news. Lord Cornwallis, with the troops under his command, surrendered prisoners of 
war, on the 19th of October last, to the allied armies of America and France, under the 
immediate command of his exellency Gen. Washington. The prisoners amount to upward 
of five thousand regular troops, near two thousand tories, and as many negroes, besides 
a number of merchants and other followers. 

Thirteen pieces of artillery will be fired this day at 10 o'clock, in the fort, at which 
time the troops will be under arms, with their colors displayed. The commissaries will 
issue a gill of whisky extraordinary, to the non-commissioned officers and privates, upon 
this joyful occasion. 

At the beginning of the following year, Gen. Irvine retired for a time to 
Carlisle; but the threatening attitude of the savages on the frontier induced 
the commander-in-chief to v?rite him, under date of March 8th, to hasten back 
to Fort Pitt. He reached it on the 25th to find the settlements in a state of 
alarm. The garrisons, too, of Forts Pitt and Mcintosh were in a mutinous 
condition ; but the firmness of the commander soon restored them to proper 
discipline, though not without the frequent application of ' ' one himdred lashes 
well laid on, ' ' and the execution of two soldiers. 

The settlers were anxious to be led against the Wyandots on the Sandiisky 
river, to which measure the better judgment of Irvine made him opposed ; but 
he finally consented, and did all in his power to insure the success of the expedi- 
tion. The distance, however, was great, and led through the enemy's country 
for the most part, where the little army could be harassed continually, and 



106 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY'. 

where the difficulty of carrying provisions would be an almost insurmountable 
obstacle to success. The expedition proved unsuccessful: fifty of the soldiers 
lost their lives; William Crawford, the commander, was taken prisoner, and 
afterward burned at the stake. But this unhappy issue of the expedition was 
felt still further in emboldening the savages and convincing them of the inability 
of the whites to protect themselves and their settlements. Notwithstanding 
this, Irvine contemplated another expedition against the same Indian towns, 
and made preparations for it. But on the assurance of the commander of the 
British forces that the savages had all been required to desist from hostilities. 
Gen. Washington directed him to abandon it. 

The unprotected state of the northern portion of Westmoreland county, 
from which many of the soldiers had been withdrawn for the unsuccessful 
expedition into the west, proved too inviting for the savages to permit it to 
pass unprolited of. Accordingly a large war pai-ty, amounting to about three 
hundred, said to be in command of Kiashuta, crossed the Allegheny and pro- 
ceeded to Hannastown, the county seat of Westmoreland coimty, which was 
situated on the old Forbes road, about thirty miles east of Pittsburgh and three 
northeast of Greensburg. They reached this point on the 13th of July, 1782. 
The laborers at work in the harvest field about a mile north of the town spied 
the foremost skulking about the fields. Some, seizing their guns, hurried 
back to the fort, and others carried the news throughout the country. Then 
all flocked together where best they might, and within a few hoiu's the savages 
were around the village of Hannastown. Timely warning had been given to 
the villagers, and all had sought refuge in the fort. But its defenders, 
though brave, were few, its inmates being for the most part decrepit old 
men, women and children. Most of the men were out giving the alarm and 
assisting the helpless. Besides, they had few arms. When the savages came 
up the hill, north of the village, a loud yell indicated that they had been dis- 
appointed in their hopes of securing a rich harvest of scalps. They feared to 
attack the fort, but busied themselves in plundering and burning the village. 
Fears were entertained that the shower of sparks carried about by a strong 
wind blowing at the time would set fire to the fort, but a kind Providence 
averted them, and the garrison escaped the impending danger. While the 
flames were rising the savages held a consultation; a party of about sixtj' then 
broke olf, and, while the rest danced around the burning houses, passed toward 
the south to attack the station at Miller's, about three miles distant. Here 
about a dozen families had collected, whom the Indians hoped to surprise. 
But brave hearts, regardless of danger to themselves, had spread the alarm: 
and no sooner were the savages seen to approach the edge of the clearing at 
the station than Capt. Matthew Jack was gathering the men in. But resist- 
ance against such a body of savages was vain, and those who were most 
familiar with Indian warfare did not resist for fear of bringing on an indis- 
criminate slaughter of the innocent women and children. The whole party 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 109 

was bound and carried off toward where the rest of the savages were awaiting 
_them. The Indians retired during the night, with their prisoners and booty, 
and were followed as far as the Kiskiminetas by a small body of men who had 
assembled from the surrounding settlements. This was the last serious attack 
made on the settlements east of the Allegheny, although alarms were fre- 
quent, and minor depredations occasionally took place for a few years longer. 
The winter of 1782-83 was spent in comparative quiet by the settlements, 
the Indians being convinced by this time that the cause of the British, who had 
instigated and supported them, was hopelessly lost. Gen. Irvine, on the let 
of October, 1783, having furlonghed his garrison, and turned over his com- 
mand to a small continental force, took his final leave of the western depart- 
ment. Pennsylvania acknowledged her gratitude for his services by donating 
him a valuable tract of land on Lake Erie, below the city of the same name, 
which was afterward known as ' ' Irvine' s reserve. ' ' 

The conclusion of the war with Great Britain gave a new impulse to settle- 
ment, weakened the confidence of the Indians, and left a body of trained sol- 
diers ready at any time to march against them in case of an outbreak; and an 
altogether new era may be said to have dawned upon Western Pennsylvania, 
so long accustomed to war's alarms. 



CHAPTER VII. 



FEOM 1784 TO THE EEECTION OF THE COUNTY. 

Conflicting Claims— Penn.sylvania's Last Treaty with the Natives— "The 
New Purchase "—Settlements and Land-Titles— Depreciation and Res- 
ervation IjAnds— Administration of Justice— Courthouses, Jails, etc. 
—Erection of County- First County Officers, etc. 

THE claim of the Indians to the coiintry west of the Allegheny and north 
of the Ohio had not yet been extinguished, but both the natives and the 
whites saw that the time was at hand for such a move; the whites, because 
they were pushing constantly further west from the mountains, and would not 
be satisfied with small tracts of land, and the Indians, because they perceived 
that, as usual, the palefaces continued to encroach on their domain till they 
were no longer able to hold it. Nor could they rely, as formerly, on the English 
or the French, both of whom had to yield in their turn to the colonists; nor 
could they feel, as in former years, that the settlers were weak and they strong; 
for now they were sensible that their star was fast on the wane, while that of 
the settlers was on the ascendant. It was with feelings like these that both 
parties met in conference at Fort Stanwix in October, 178-1:, the state of Penn- 



110 HISTOUV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

sylvania being represented by commissioners appointed by the governor, and 
the tribes of the Six Nations being represented by their chiefs. The deed for 
all the territory west of the Allegheny was signed by the chiefs and commis- 
sioners on the 23d of October, and the claim of the aborigines to the soil of 
Pennsylvania was forever extinguished. This purchase was confirmed by the 
Wyandots and Delawares, at Fort Mcintosh, by a deed executed January 21, 
1785; for though these tribes were not independent of the Six Nations, whose 
will was their law, yet this formality was deemed advisable to prevent future 
cause of complaint. This was the last treaty which Pennsylvania had with the 
natives. She was now in possession of all the territory to which she was enti- 
tled; and however shallow the boast may be that she never occupied any of the 
territory of the aborigines without first purchasing it from them, she had it all 
now without any fear of serious molestation fi-om them. This last extensive 
acquisition was long known as ' ' the New Purchase. " ' Further on an oppor- 
tunity will be offered of treating of the divisions made of this new territory. 

The Indians were loth to permit their vast hunting-grounds to become the 
farms of their enemies, and continued, though not so frequently as before, 
nor in such formidable bands, to infest the settlements and carry off an occa- 
sional prisoner or his scalp. Settlements began to multiply on the Ohio, and 
Indian depredations were restrained to a greater or less degree in that direc- 
tion; but in the north and northwest the natives were very troublesome. It 
became necessary to build new posts on the headwaters of the Allegheny, or 
rather repair and garrison those which had long existed there, but which had 
for some years been evacuated. Accordingly we read in the •"Military Jour- 
nal ■' of Maj. Ebenezer Denny, under date of April 10, 1787, the following entry : 
'■ Fort Harmar, mouth of Muskingum river. . Capt. Heart ordered to 

proceed with his company to a place called Venango, on the Allegheny river, 
about one hundred and fifty miles above Pittsburgh, there to erect a suitable 
work. This place had formerly V>een occupied by the French and English 
troops, but burnt down. " ' The subjoined extracts from the same ' ' Joiirnal ' ' 
will both explain the building of the fort at the mouth of French creek and 
give au interesting picture of the Allegheny at that time. " Sth April. 1788. — 
It was the general's [Harmar" sj intention to spend a day or two here [at Pitts- 
burgh], and proceed up the Allegheny to Fort Franklin [formerly Venango], 
but a continuation of heavy i-ains and consequent high water induced him to 
delay for a more favorable time; but unwilling to be absent too long, we set 
out with high water, and rising. This day we passed seven islands, and gained 
fifteen miles. 18th. — Had severe thunder, with rain. Passed eight islands 
and several lodges of Indians near the Kiskiminetas, Lay five miles above 
the mouth of that river. 29th. — Clear and cold. Kiver still rising. Passed 
seven islands, and encamped a mile above Mahoning. 30th. — Last night the 
contractor' s boat, fi'om Venango, passed down on its way back to Pitt : had a pas- 
sage of fifteen days up. Very hard water to-day. Passed two islands: gained 



HLSTOIiy OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. Ill 

twenty miles. May 1st. — Current this day very rapid. Passed Stump creek 
[Clarion] and six islands; made about twenty miles. 2d. — . . Five 

islands this day, and ruin from morning till night. 3d. — About 8 o'clock this 
morning, after passing one island, we entered the mouth of French creek. The 
fort stands half a mile up. Several miles below we were discovered by some 
Indians, who cut across and gave notice to Capt. Heart of our approach. The 
arrival of Gen. Harmar was announced with seven rounds of a six-pounder 
from the fort. Verj' kindly received by the captain and Lient. Frothingham, 
at the head of their command. The company reviewed and dismissed. Spent 
the day in examining Capt. Heart's work, viewing the adjacent countiy and 
the old fortifications of the French and British. There is a fine fiat of good 
land here, altogether on the lower side of French creek, but sufficient for several 
farms. The only flat land from Mahoning or Mohelboteetam up. 
Capt. Heart's fort, or Fort Franklin, as it is called, is built precisely after the 
plan of the one which had been erected by the British, called Venango. It is a 
square redoubt, with a blockhouse, three stories high, in the center; stands 
better than half a mile up French creek, upon very good ground; but the sit- 
uation, in my opinion, by no means so eligible as that of old Venango, built 
by the English. The last work stood upon a commanding ground pretty close 
to the bank of the Allegheny, half a mile below French creek, and a mile from 
Fort Franklin. The cellar wall and huge stack of chimneys of the block- 
house are of stone, and are yet quite entire. The parapet and some other 
parts remain perfect, and the whole work might have been rebuilt with half 
the labor and expense of that built by Heart. The only reason the captain 
could offer for taking new ground was the convenience of timV)er. ' ' This was 
the last fort built in the state of Pennsylvania, and, though a hundred and 
twenty-four miles from Pittsburgh, was yet in Allegheny county. 

A sad change had already come over the Six Nations, the "Eomans of 
America. ' ' The ' ' Journal ' ' continues with regard to the Senecas, at one time 
the most numerous tribe of the confederation: " We see a number of Senecas 
here. The Senecas who inhabit the banks of the Allegheny, some three or 
four days' journey above this, are frecjuently here. They bring their peltry 
and exchange it with the traders for such articles as suit them. We saw 
several families of them; all appeared indolent, dirty, inanimate creatures; 
most so of any Indians I had seen. 4th. — Left Fort Franklin at 5 o'clock. 
Allegheny river flowing brim full; current not less, perhaps, than six miles 
an hour. We worked twelve oars steadily. Had two extra hands that afforded 
some relief; and except about an hour, which was taken up in whole in eating, 
and a little time spent on an island, we lost no time. Arrived and landed at 
the fort on the Monongaheia side precisely at 8 o'clock — fifteen hours' passage. 
Old Kittanning a delightful place. " 

The subjoined extracts from the ' " Journal ' ' seem in place here, as afford- 
ing some idea of the scenes and state of affairs around Pittsburgh: "13th 



112 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

[Miiy]. ^Visited my uncle John McClnre's family, nine miles above Fort Pitt, 
on the Monongahehi; spent a very pleasant day. Two or three gentle ae(|uaiiit- 
ances were along; they were formerly from Carlisle. A very r(>spectal)l(> por- 
tion of the society of Pittsburgh are from that place, and this circumstance, no 
doubt, tends to attract and to create the social intercourse and very great 
harmony which prevail among them. ]5th.— A Mr. White, a member of 
Congress, and some gentlemen fi'om Pittsburgh, acconjpanied the general 
[Harmar] in the barge on a visit up the Monongahela to Braddock's Field. 
We viewed the battle-ground. Saw several small heaps of bones which had 
been collected, with a little brushwood thrown over them. The bones of the 
poor soldiers are still lying scattered through the woods, but the ground where 
the heaviest of the action was is now under cultivation.'" 

The piu'chase of the Indian title to the land west of the Allegheny gave 
somewhat greater security to settlements east of that stream and south of the 
Ohio; although the natives were loth to leave their ancient domain, and contin- 
ued to pay it occasional unfriendly visits. Another imjiortant body of men, 
now ajipeared on the scene, the surveyors appointed by the state authorities to 
lay out the land prej)aratory to exposing it to sale. Apart from the ditficulties 
of their position, owing to the fact that almost the entire country was still a 
•wilderness, and the geography of it as to the particulars necessary to facilitate 
a survey in a great measure unknown, it was not unusual to find a lurking 
Indian in search of a scalp in some recess of the forest. The work, however, 
■went on. although interrupted at times; and large tracts of country were taken 
up by emigrants from east of the mountains. 

The large tract purchased from the Indians west of the Allegheny and 
north of the Ohio rivers was divided east and west into two great sections, 
which were afterward surveyed into lots. Says Judge Agnew:* " The com- 
monwealth, having become sovereign proprietor of all the lands within the state-, 
and intending and anticipating the purchase of the Indian title, provided by an 
act of March 12, 1783, for the appropriation of all that portion of the pur- 
chase of 1784 and 1785 north of the Ohio and west of the Allegheny river and 
the Conewango creek, by dividing the same into two large and separate sec- 
tions. These were: 1. For the redemption of the certificates of depreciation, 
given to the oflScers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania line, in pursuance of an 
act of 18th December. 1780, providing that the certificates should be equal to 
gold or silver, in payment of unlocated lands, if the owner should think proper 
to purchase such. 2. In fulfillment of the promise of the state, in a resolu- 
tion of March 7. 1780, to the officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania line to 
make them certain donations in lands, according to their rank in the service. 
The act of March 12, 1783. therefore divided this territory by a due west line, 
running from Mogulbughtiton creek on the Allegheny river above Kittanning 
(probably Pine creek), f to the western boundary of the state. The course of this 

• " Settlements and Laud Titles of Northwestern Pennsjlvania." + It is Mahoning Creek. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 113 

line runs between seven and eight miles south of the present city of New 
Castle, which lies in the fork of the Shenango and Neshannock creeks. The 
land south of this boundary was appropriated to the redemption of the depre- 
ciation certificates, and became known as the ' depreciation lands.' Out of this 
section were reserved to the state two tracts of three thousand acres each, one at 
the mouth of the Allegheny, where the city of Allegheny now stands ; the other at 
the mouth of the Big Beaver creek on both sides, including Fort Mcintosh 
(now Beaver). The land north of the line above described was appropriated 
to donations to the soldiers of the Pennsylvania line, for their services in the 
revohitionary war, and became known as the ' donation lands. " 

The act of 1783, referred to above, required the "depreciation lands" to 
be laid out by the surveyor-general, under the direction of the supreme exec- 
utive council of the state, into lots of not less than two hundred acres, and not 
more than three hundred and fifty acres, numbering them on the draft or plat 
of the country. As soon as the whole, or at least one hundred lots, shoiild be 
surveyed, the surveyor- general, secretary of the land-office and receiver- 
general were required to proceed to sell, in numerical order, at such times and 
places and under such regulations as should be appointed by the supreme 
executive council; the full sum of each bid to be paid in gold or silver or in 
depreciation certificates. The surveyor was further directed to note on his 
map the courses and depths of the waters, places of mines, sites for towns, 
the quantity of each lot, and a precise description. But those employed in the 
survey were forbidden to give any information of the quantity and advantages 
of the lots, except in the return made to the council. It is generally admitted 
that there were not wanting those among the surveyors who took advantage of 
their knowledge of the country to secure good tracts for themselves. 

The three thousand acres reserved to the state out of the depreciation lands 
opposite the town of Pittsburgh is deserving of more than a mere reference. 
The act provides for the "reserving to the use of the state of three thousand 
acres, in an oblong of not less than one mile in depth from the Allegheny and 
Ohio rivers, and extending up and down the said rivers, from opposite Fort 
Pitt, so far as it may be necessary to include the same." "This reservation 
was surveyed by Alexander McLean, in the month of April, 1785, in pur- 
suance of an order to make the survey, before the other lands were surveyed. 
The northern boundary began on the right bank of the Ohio river, nearly 
opposite the mouth of Chartier's creek, and ran east nine hundred and 
seventy-two perches to a hickory tree, north eighty perches to a sassafras, 
east two hundred and twenty-nine and a half perches to a mulberry, north 
twenty-six perches to a post and stones on the bank of Girty's run, thence 
down Girty's run several courses — in all one hundred and three perches — to 
the Allegheny river. The two rivers constituted the remainding boundaries. 

The following remarks on this reservation, which were made by David Ked- 
ick, then described as a man of mark in Western Pennsvlvania, will be read 



114 HISTORY OF ALLEOHENY COUNTY. 

with interest and amvxsement. In a letter to Benjamin Franklin, the presi- 
dent of the execvitive council of the state, and dated February 19, 1788, he 
says, among other matters of minor importance in this connection: "On 
Tuesday last I went with several other gentlemen to fix on the spot for laying 
out the town opposite Pittsbuigh, and at the same time took a general view of 
the tract, and find it far inferior to expectations, although I thought I had 
been no stranger to it. There is some pretty low groi;nd on the rivers Ohio 
and Alleghenia, but there is but a small proportion of it dry land which ap- 
pears anyway valuable, either for timber or soil; but especially for soil; it 
abounds with high hills, deep hollows, almost inaccessible to a survoj'or. I 
am of the opinion that if the inhabitants of the moon are capable of receiving 
the same advantages from the earth which we do from their world, I say, if it 
be so, this same far-famed tract of land would afford them a variety of beauti- 
ful lunar spots, not unworthy the eye of a philosopher. I can not think that 
ten-acre lots on such pits and hills will profitably meet with purchasers, 
unless, like a pig in a poke, it be kept out of view. ' ' 

The following minor reservations are worthy of note in the legislation 
regarding the same tract: "The president or vice-president in council shall 
reserve out of the lots of the said town" — Allegheny — "for the use of the 
state, so much land as they shall deem necessary for a courthouse, jail and 
market-house, for places of public worship, and burying the dead; and without 
the said town one hundred acres for a common pasture; and the streets, lanes 
and alleys of the said town and outlets shall be common highways forever." 

" A noticeable feature," says Judge Agnew, "indicating the views of that 
time, was the inclusion of houses of public worship and burial, as public uses. 
However singular this may appear to men of this generation, having looser 
notions, at that early day this reservation accorded decidedly with their stricter 
notions of religious practice, under a constitution which then required the 
members of the assembly to be sworn to a belief in God and in the divine 
inspiration of the Scriptures, and which declared that all religious societies or 
bodies of men united or incorporated for the advancement of religion and 
learning or other pious or charitable purposes should be encouraged." 

There were certain other reservations in the northern part of the new pur- 
chase, but, though they were then contained in Allegheny, they never figured 
prominently in her history. 

With regard to the depreciation lands the following must be premised in 
order that the reader may have a correct understanding of the subject; the 
words of Judge Agnew are once more the most fitting terms in which to treat 
of this matter. Says the learned jurist: " lu order to encourage enlistment, 
and to reward those who in the revolutionary war entered into the military serv- 
ice in the Pennsylvania line and in the state navy, the state promised to pay them 
in a sound currency, and also to secure to them donations of land. In pursu- 
ance of this patriotic purjiose. and of the recommendation of Congress of the 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 115 

15th of May, 1778, recited in the act, the state by the act of March 1, 1780, 
made provision for the state troops, and the officers and marines of the navy, 
and extended these provisions to the widows and children of those killed in 
battle."' In the carrying out of the provisions of this act a number of other 
enactments were found necessary, which it is not necessary to treat of in detail. 

The depreciation and donation lands were the twin progeny of patriotism 
and necessity. The northern portion of the lands of the New Purchase divided 
by the act of March 13, 1783, was ajipropriated to donations to bo made to 
soldiers of the Pennsylvania line. The act provides that all of a certain tract 
beginning at the "mouth of Mogulbughtiton creek; thence up the Allegheny 
river to the mouth of the Cagnawaga creek (Conewango) ; thence due north to 
the northern boundary of this state ; thence south by the western boundary of 
the state to the northwest corner of lands appropriated by this act for discharg- 
ing the certificates therein mentioned; and thence by the same lands east to 
the place of beginning; which said tract of country shall be reserved and set 
apart for the only and sole use of fulfilling and carrying into execution the 
said resolve. . . . The comptroller-general was directed to make out lists of 
persons, stating their rank and quantity of land, to be laid before the council, that 
the surveyor- general might be able to instruct his deputies as to the number and 
contents of the lots. The lots were to be of four descriptions, viz. , five hundred 
acres, three hundred acres, two hundred and fifty acres, and two hundred acres 
each; a quantity laid off in 500-acre lots, equal to what should be necessary 
for major-generals, brigadier- generals, colonels, captains and two-thirds of 
lieutenant-colonels; in 300-acre lots for regimental surgeons and mates, captains, 
majors and ensigns; in 250-acre lots for one-third of lieutenants, sergeants, 
sergeant-majors and quartermasters; and in 200- acre lots for lieutenants, cor- 
porals, drummers, fifers, drum-majors, fife-majors and privates. ... A 
major-general was entitled to di-aw four 500-acre lots; a brigadier-general, three 
500-acre lots; a colonel, t,wo 500-acre lots; a lieutenant-colonel, one 500-acre lot 
and one '250-acre lot; a sergeant, chaplain or majoi', two 800-acre lots; a captain, 
one 500-acre lot; a lieutenant, two 200- acre lots; an ensign or regimental 
sergeant, one 300-acre lot; a sergeant, sergeant-major or quartermaster-ser- 
geant, one 200- acre lot; and a drum-major, fife-major, fifer, corporal or private, 
one 200-acrelot. " Such was the plan adopted by the state for the distribution 
of the lands of this section. It is not necessary to enter into a detailed account 
of the carelessness of the surveyors, nor the causes of it, and the lawsuits that 
followed in the course of time. It may be remarked, however, that the Indians 
still infested the country, and caused considerable fears in the surveyors and 
their aids, fears which were occasionally realized in the loss of some imfortu- 
nate man's scalp. 

The placing of these two districts in the market had the effect of increas- 
ing the number of settlements west of the Allegheny, and rousing the ire of 
the natives, who soon renewed their depredations, till they were finally van- 



116 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

quished by Gen. Wayne, in the battle of the Maumee, August 20, 1794. But 
the principal settlements were in the valley of the Monongahela, where the 
country was well occupied, owing to the fact that that stream had become the 
thoroughfare for persons going to the west, who reached it at Brownsville. 
The time had not come, however, for the development of the mineral resources, 
and people were intent on taking up as much land as possible; for by means 
of farming they could best satisfy their few and simple wants. 

But, though the people were an industrious and hardy race, they had been 
so long accustomed to fight the Indians that they had become to a great extent 
reckless; the titles to lands were too often loosely constructed; and the boundary 
dispute had tended so much to complicate matters that fi'equent lawsuits 
varied the monotony of the life of the backwoodsmen. The inconvenience to 
which they were put iu attending court was the principal reason for the erec- 
tion of a new county, with the seat of justice at Pittsburgh. But it will be 
proper to cast a glance at the administration of justice in the district prior to 
that time. And first of the jurisdiction exercised by Virginia. 

The Earl of Dunmore, while governor of Virginia, first organized the courts 
of the West Augusta district at Fort Pitt, in December, 1774; and the first 
court held there was convened February 2l8t of the following year, and the 
last on the 20th of November. A ducking-stool for the district, it may be 
remarked in passing, was erected at the confluence of the Allegheny and 
Monongahela rivers, on the day following the opening of the court. In the 
meantime a primitive courthouse was built for Augusta county at Augusta 
Town, a prospective village about two miles west of the site of the present town 
of Washington. After the formation of Youghioghania county, the seat of 
justice was removed. The records of this county, which are still preserved, 
show that the first court for that county was held at Fort Pitt — now called 
Fort Dunmore — December 23, 1776, and that the courts continued to be held 
there until August 25, 1777. They were then held at the house of Andrew 
Heath for about two months, and after that time, until 1781, at the new court- 
house ' ' on the plantation of Andrew Heath. ' ' This plantation was on the 
west side of the Monongahela, a short distance above and in sight of the pres- 
ent town of Elizabeth. Mr. Creigh, in his "History of Washington County," 
gives the subjoined account of the selection of the site for this courthouse and 
the erection of the buildings, which will be read with interest at a time when 
the citizens of Allegheny county are yet flushed with honest pride at the com- 
pletion and dedication of their magnificent temple of justice. The methods 
adopted by our forefathers and the results are thus given in the words of the 
writer named: "The electors were required to meet on the 8th of December, 
1776, at the house of Andrew Heath, on the Monongahela river, to choose the 
most convenient place for holding courts for the county of Youghioghenia. 
Notices of the election were to be given by the sheriff, ministers and rectors. 
The law also provided that if prevented from holding the election on 




2^i^<sg^^2^^»^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 119 

the day aforesaid by rain, snow or rise of waters, the sherifp was authorized to 
adjourn to that day week, or as often as so prevented. . . The electors met 
at the appointed time, and selected the farm of Andrew Heath as the most 
convenient place. . . The court directed Thomas Smallman, John Canon 
and John Gibson, or any two of them, to provide a house at the public expense 
for the use of holding the court, and that the sheriff contract with the work- 
men to put the same in repair. The original records show that the court 
directed Isaac Cox to contract with some person or persons to build a complete 
bar and other work in the inside of the courthouse, to be completed by the 
next court. On the 24th of November, 1778, Messrs. Kuykendall and Newall 
were authorized to contract with some j)erson to chink and daub the court- 
house and provide locks and bars for the doors of the jail, and to build an 
addition to the eastern end of the courthouse and jail sixteen feet square, and 
one story high, with good, sufficient logs, a good cobber roof, a good outside 
chimney, with convenient seats for the court and bar, with a sheriff's box, a 
good iron-pipe stove for the jail-room, and that they have a pair of stocks, 
whipping-post and pillory erected in the courtyard. . . The price paid for 
these articles was two thousand dollars, continental money, which amount was 
equivalent to three hundred and seven dollars. ' ' 

The settlement of the bovrndary dispute put an end to the jurisdiction of Vir- 
ginia, and from it we shall turn to the courts held by the authority of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

The first court held under the authority of Pennsylvania, in which the set- 
tlers in the western part of the province were interested, was convened at Bed- 
ford, before the establishment of Westmoreland county, on the 16th of April, 
1771. " The scattered settlers of the west," says Judge White, " were rep- 
resented by George Wilson, William Crawford, Thomas Gist and Dorsey Pente- 
cost, who were justices of the peace and judges of the court. The court 
divided the county into townships. Pitt township (including Pittsburgh) 
embraced the greater part of the present county of Allegheny, and portions of, 
Beaver, Washington and Westmoreland, and had fifty-two land-owners, twenty 
tenants and thirteen single freemen." But with the erection of Westmore- 
land county, two years later, jurisdiction over all of the western part of the 
province was transferred to it. The location of the county seat was broiight 
aboiit in this way: Five trustees were named in the act (erecting the county) 
to locate the county seat and erect the county buildings. Robert Hanna and 
Joseph Erwin were two of them; Hanna rented his house to Erwin to be kept 
as a tavern, and got the majority of the trustees to recommend his place — 
where a few other cabins were speedily erected, and the place named Hannas- 
town — for the county seat. Arthur St. Clair and a minority of the trustees 
recommended Pittsbiirgh. Here it was that justice was first dispensed west of 
the Allegheny mountains, April 6, or, as other authorities assert, April 16, 1773, 
by William Crawford. The town was burnt by the Indians, as was stated 



120 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

above, July 13, 1782; but the house of Hanna, being near the fort, escaped. 
After the destruction of the town a committee was appointed to locate the 
county seat anew. After mature deliberation they fixed upon Greensburg, and 
to that point Pittsburghers and other settlers west of the mountains had to 
turn for redress of grievances. The first court was held there in January, 
1787. But with the erection of Allegheny county relief came to the inhabitants 
of the western part of the state. 

A petition was presented to the assembly asking for the erection of a new 
county out of the territory around the head of the Ohio, the principal reasons 
adduced being the increase of population and the difficulty of having to travel 
so far in quest of justice. The petition was favorably received and an act was 
passed September 24, 1788, erecting the county of Allegheny, but a far dif- 
ferent Allegheny from the one with which the readers of this history are 
familiar, as the boiindary lines will sufficiently demonstrate. On the 24th of 
September was passed ' ' an act for the erecting of certain parts of the counties 
of Westmoreland and Washington into a separate county. ' ' 

SECTioisf I. Whereas, the iuhabiti^nts of those parts of the counties of Westmoreland 
and Washington which lie most convenient to the town of Pittsburgh have by petition 
set forth that the_y have been long subject to many inconveniences, from their being sit- 
uated at so great a distance from the seat of judicature in their respective counties, and 
that they conceive their interests and happiness would be greatly promoted by being 
erected into a separate county, comprehending the town of Pittsburgh; and, as it appears 
just that they should be relieved in the premises, aud gratified in their reasonable re- 
quest: 

Section II. Be it enacted, and it is hereby enacted by the RepreMntativex of the Free- 
men of the Oomnionwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and hy the authority of 
the same. That all those parts of the counties of Westmoreland and Washington lying 
within the limits and bounds hereinafter described shall be and hereb3' are erected into 
a separate county: that is to say, Beginning at the mouth of Flaherty's run on the south 
side of the Ohio river, from thence by a straight line to the plantation on which Joseph 
Scott, Esq., now lives, on Moulure's run, to include the same; from thence by a straight 
line to the mouth of Miller's run on Chartier's creek, thence bj- a straight line to the 
" mouth of Perry's Mill run, on the east side of the Monongahela river; thence up the said 
river to the mouth of Becket's run; thence by a straight line to the mouth of Sewickley 
creek, on the Youghiogheny river; thence down the said river to the mouth of Crawford's 
run; thence by a straight line to the mouth of Brush run, on Turtle creek; thence up 
Turtle creek to the main fork thereof; thence by a northerly line until it strikes Poketos 
creek; thence down the said creek to the Allegheny river; thence up the Allegheny river 
to the north boundary of the state; thence along the same to the western line of the state; 
thence along the same to the river Ohio; and thence up the same to the place of begin- 
ning. . . . To be henceforth known and called by the name of Allegheny county. 

The other sections of the act relate to the offices, privileges, duties, etc. . of 
the inhabitants of the newly formed county. It will be seen from these bound- 
aries that Allegheny county at that time embraced all the territory north and 
west of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers, with a large tract also east and south 
of those streams. It may be remarked, in passing, that Benjamin Franklin 
was then president of the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, as the 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 121 

chief executive officer was at that lime called; but owing to his advanced age, 
and consequent infirmities, the business of the office devolved upon the vice- 
president, Peter Mnhlenberger. 

The boundaries of the county were still further extended by the annexation 
of a considerable tract from the northern part of Washington, which was 
authorized by an act bearing date September 17, 1789, the first section of 
which declares that, "Whereas, the inhabitants of that part of the county of 
Washington which is inchided in the boundaries hereinafter mentioned haye by 
their petition represented to this house their remote situation from the seat of 
justice, and prayed to be annexed to the county of Allegheny, and the prayer 
of the petitioners appearing just and reasonable," it is enacted, by the second 
section, that the territory bounded by the following lines shall be included in 
Allegheny county, namely: '• Beginning at the river Ohio, where the boundary 
line of the state crosses the said river; from thence in a straight line to White's 
mill, on Raccoon creek; from thence by a straight line to Armstrong's mill, on 
Miller's run; and from thence by a straight line to the Monongahela river, 
opposite the mouth of Perry's run." The fourth section of the act author- 
izes and directs Peter Kidd and John Beaver to survey and mark the line of 
the tract; for which they are to receive twenty-five shillings per day, " and no 
more," to be paid by Allegheny county. 

The triangular piece of territory bordering on Lake Erie, consisting of 202,- 
187 acres, was purchased from the United States, March 3, 1792, for the sum 
of $151,640.25, or 75 cents per acre, and annexed to Allegheny county. With 
this addition the county attained its maximum area, and embraced all the ter- 
ritory included in the counties now lying west of the Allegheny and north of 
the Ohio rivers, parts of Armstrong, Venango, Forest and Warren lying within 
the same lines, and that portion of Beaver lying south of the Ohio. But by 
an act passed March 12, 1800, the county was reduced to its present limits of 
seven hundred and fifty square miles, by the formation of the counties lying, 
in whole or in part, west and north of the rivers. The location of the county 
seat will find a place in another chapter; but there are a few points in relation 
to the organization of the county which properly belong to this place. 

The first officer named for the county was the prothonotary, James Bryson, 
who was elected the day after the erection of the county (September, 1788). 
On the 29th of the same September, Samuel Jones was commissioned the first 
register for the probate of wills and granting letters of administration and re- 
cording of deeds, and held the office from February, 1789, until February, 
1818. He was at the same time appointed and commissioned a justice of the 
court of common pleas. The next day Gen. Richard Butler was chosen lieu- 
tenant. October 9th George Wallace was appointed president of the court of 
common pleas and quarter session of the peace, of jail delivery and of the 
■orphans' court. With him were associated John Metzgar, Michael Hillman 
and Robert Richie, who were judges until the reorganization under the new 



122 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

state constitution of 1790. On the '21st of November of the same year, 1788, 
John Johnston and Abraham Kirkpatrick were appointed and commissioned 
justices of the peace and of the court of common pleas; and at the same time 
Richard Butler and William Tilton were appointed justices of the court of 
common pleas. 

The division of the county into townships for the better governing of the 
increasing population was a matter of the first importance, and early engaged 
the attention of the court. On the 18th of December, 1788, the court, consist- 
ing of George Wallace, president judge, and Joseph Scott, John Johnston and 
John Williams, justices, divided the county into the following seven townships 
— and it is remarkable that the custom of naming them after the judges of the 
county had not as yet come into vogue — namely: Moon, St. Clair, Mifflin, 
Elizabeth, Versailles, Plumb and Pitt. Their action was confirmed by the 
general assembly under Thomas Mifflin, president, September 4, 1789. 

Of equal importance was the division of the territory into election districts. 
There having been only one at Pittsburgh, a second and third were established 
by an act of September 29, 1789, and a fourth was made by an act of Septem- 
ber 3, 1791. 

John Griffin was named collector of excise for AUeghen}- and Westmoreland 
counties; but the difficulties which culminated a little later in the whiskj' 
insurrection had already began to cast their shadow before, and he declined 
to serve. Kobert Hunter was appointed in his stead September 16, 1789. 
James Morrison was appointed sherifp and David Watson coroner October 30th 
of the same year; and the county was fairly launched out into its career of 
extraordinary development and industrial success. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

PIONEER LIFE. 

HiGHM'AY,s— Early Preaching—" Whisky Path "—Homes of the Pioneeks— 
Caravans — Taverns— Soakcity of Mechanics— Primitive Mills — Sports, 
Weddings, etc. — Witches and AVizards— Eeligion and Education — Con- 
clusion. 

THE impression that prevailed from the earliest times, that the forks of the 
Ohio were the key to the west, was strengthened rather than weakened 
with the lapse of time. If in the beginning it was the key to the Indian trade of 
the western tribes, and if later it was the great strategic point in the conflict 
of the colonies with the French for the possession of the Ohio, and during the 
revolutionary period the point from which the frontier had principally to be 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 123 

defended against the border tribes, instigated by the English at Detroit, it 
retained its reputation with the beginning of active emigration to the west. 
A glance at the geography of the county will show this to have been not only 
natural but necessary. As yet wagon-roads were unknown in the western 
wilds, much less the better facilities for travel with which we are so familiar, 
and the water-courses were the much-prized means of intercommunication. 
Brad dock's road led over the mountains and passed in the immediate vicinity 
of Brownsville, from which a road had been cut at a very early day. This 
served as the most convenient route for emigrants fi'om Maryland and Vir- 
ginia, as well as the southeastern parts of Pennsylvania. Once at Browns- 
ville, the emigrants must of necessity pass through Pittsburgh, where a fur- 
ther delay might be rendered necessary by the low stage of water or the 
threatening attitude of the Indians, who might be prepared to attack a single 
emigrant boat, but would hesitate to assail a number of them. On the north 
Forbes' route was the other line of communication between the country east 
and that west of the mountains. Over this a considerable number were accus- 
tomed to pass, though not so many as over the other; but for both Pittsburgh 
was the veritable key of the west. It need not be wondered at that the 
amateur merchants of Pittsburgh, who had been trained in sharp dealing with 
the Indians, practiced their arts on the generally impecunious emigrants to 
the west in a manner that was most irritating. John Pope, who passed 
through the incipient town in the summer of 1790, and who was evidently 
either poor or parsimonious, or both, gives the following picture of the place, 
which will not be devoid of interest: "I viewed the fort aud neighboring 
eminences of Pittsburgh, which will one day or other employ the historic pen 
as being replete with strange and melancholy events. The town at present is 
inhabited with only some few exceptions by mortals who act as if they were 
possessed of a charter of exclusive privilege to filch from, annoy and harass 
theu' fellow creatures, particularly the incautious and necessitous ; many who 
liave emigrated from various parts to Kentucky can verify this charge; 
goods of every description are dearer in Pittsburgh than in Kentucky, which 
I attribute to a combination of pensioned scoundi'els who infest the place. ' ' 
Limestone, now Maysville, Ky. , was the principal point to which emigrants 
to the west at that early day directed their course, though some wended 
their way to the Illinois country and other places. Not a few, also, stopped 
in the Monongahela valley and at Pittsburgh. To give an idea of the magni- 
tude of this immigration— which, be it remembered, must be judged by the 
standard of those days, not of the present time — it may be said that in 1783 
Kentucky alone received an addition to her population of eight thousand. In 
the year following ten thousand more came, and each floodtide of the Ohio bore 
striking evidence to the increasing rage for western emigration. In 1786 an 
observer at the mouth of the Big Miami noted the passage of thirty-four boats 
in thirty-nine days; another at Pittsburgh in the nest year reported the depart- 



124 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

lire of fifty flatboats from that point between the first of March and the begin- 
ning of April; and at Fort Harmar the adjutant recorded the number of boats 
passing that post between October, 17S6, and May, 1787, at one hundred and 
seventy-seven, carrying two thousand seven hundred persons. In the year fol- 
lowing it was estimated that not less than ten thousand persons emigrated 
west by Marietta, and in twelve months, comprising portions of the years 1788 
and 1789, the ofKcial register at Fort Harmar showed that twenty thousand 
souls had descended the Ohio in eight hundred and fifty boats, which, more- 
over, contained six hundred wagons, seven thousand horses, three thousand 
cows and nine hundred head of sheep. 

Pittsburgh ^has many historians, and its annals are well known, but few 
persons are acquainted with Brownsville and the important part it played in 
the early history of all the country west of the mountains; and it is no exag- 
geration to say that there was a time when it was a more important place than 
Pittsburgh. A brief glance at its history will be especially interesting to the 
inhabitants of Allegheny county, to which it may truly be said to have been at 
one time a feeder. The history briefly told is this: In 1759, Col. James Burd 
was sent with two hundred men to open a road from Braddock's line of march 
to the mouth of Dunlap's creek, where Brownsville now stands, as a means of 
facilitating communication with Fort Pitt. He also built a fort on the site of 
Redstone Old Fort, which he named Burd's Fort; but the name of Redstone 
was so deeply fixed in the minds of the pioneers that the two terms long dis- 
puted possession. The foit stood on the site of the present town, and may be 
said to have been the first formal step in taking possession. It was also the first 
fortification worthy of the name built by the English west of the mountains. 
But the work of building it was no easy matter, as might be naturally judged 
from the circumstances, and which appears clear from the notes kept by the 
commander. Among other entries he has the following: "I have kept the 
people constantly emp)loyed on the works since my arrival, although we have 
been for eight days past upon the small allowance of one pound of beef and half 
a pound of flour per man a day ; and this day we begin upon one poimd of beef, 
not having an ounce of tionr left, and only three bullocks. I am therefore 
obliged to give over work until I receive some supplies." The supplies soon 
arrived, and he writes in his journal: "October 26th — Sunday— continue on 
the works; had sermon in the fort." The last entry is: " November 4th — 
Sunday — snowed today — no work. Sermon in the fort." As the fort was not 
designed to be a work of great strength, but merely an outpost, Burd gar- 
risoned it with one officer and twenty -five men; but how long the garrison 
remained is not known with certainty. It would seem, however, to have been 
under some kind of military possession in 1774; and during the war of the 
Revolution and the frontier troubles with the Indians, it was used as a store- 
house and a rallying point for defense, supplies and observation by the early 
settlers and traders. Among others Col. James Paul served here for a month 
in 1778, in a drafted militia company, in guarding continental stores. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 125 

With the exception of a few squatters who clustered around the fort for the 
time, there can be no doubt that Michael Cresap was the first white settler on 
the spot where Brownsville now stands, although certain of the Browns, from 
whom the town derived its name, were in the vicinity before Cresap. The 
important role which Michael Cresap played in the early history of the Monon- 
gahela valley entitles him to a brief notice. He was a son of Thomas Cresap, 
of Old Town, Md. , who had been connected with the operations of the Ohio 
Company as its agent, and who by that means became at an early day ac- 
quainted with the country west of the mountains. He was also with Col. 
Burd at the fort which the latter built. Michael appears to have come to the 
Monongahela as a trader about the year 1769, but the precise date of his arrival 
can not be stated with certainty. He became a noted pioneer, and by his 
knowledge of Indian intrigues was able to rescue the settlers on more than 
one occasion from an impending attack. He was quick in perceiving the 
importance to which the site at the mouth of Dunlap' s creek was likely to 
attain as the rendezvous of emigrants to the west, especially to "the dark and 
bloody ground," as Kentucky was then called, and he accordingly secured a 
title to several hundred acres of land, including that upon which the fort stood, 
by what was then known as"tomakawk improvement." He also built a 
house with a shingle roof nailed on, which is believed to have been the first of 
its kind west of the mountains. Mthough the date of its erection is not known, 
it was built most probably about the year 1770. He also figured in the front- 
ier Indian wars, and has been unjustly censured for his connection with Dun- 
more, and still more with regard to the murder of the relatives of Logan, the 
famous Mingo chief. But his character has been vindicated by John Jere- 
miah Jacob, who married his widow and wrote his life. 

In process of time Thomas Brown bought Cresap' s property, as well as 
that of certain other persons adjoining it, and commenced to make improve- 
ments in 1776. The tract was surveyed in 1785, and is described in the sur- 
vey as being " situated on the dividing ridge between Redstone and Dunlap' s 
creek." The tract was designated by the singular name of "The "Whisky 
Path." 

To this point it was that emigration now set in from the east of the mount- 
ains. The emigrants usually left their eastern homes in the latter part of the 
winter, both because the snow facilitated travel, especially in the mountain 
regions, and also because with the melting of it in the spring the river rose suf- 
ficiently to float their rude boats. But travel was beset with many trials, more 
particularly if the snow fell too deep; for then the unfortunate emigrants were in 
danger of being "snowed in;" and, though it was easy enough to procure 
wood to keep them warm there was serious danger of their provisions failing 
at points where it was impossible to procure more. At other times they would 
find the river too low to be navigated, and would be compelled to await a rise, 
thus causing serious drafts on both their provisions and their generally scant 



126 IIISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

supply of money. This constant stream of westward- bound travelers gave rise to 
a brisk trade in boatbuilding, though such of thera as were able usually built 
their own craft. This gave an importance to the mouth of Dunlap's creek 
which induced Thomas Brown to lay out a town on his "Whisky Path." 
This he did in 1785, and named it Brownsville in honor of himself, a species of 
vanity which is not confined to the illustrious familj' of the Browns. An effort 
was made to have the new town named Washington, as is clear from a deed 
executed in 1787, in v^hich the property is said to be " situated in Brownsville, 
alias Washington. " The year after the foundation of the town it is said to have 
had a population of six hundred, which was more than Pittsburgh could boast of 
at the same time. Merchandise was at first brought over the mountains on pack- 
horses. Says an early account of this means of transportation : ' ' Two men 
could manage ten or fifteen horses, carrying each about two hundred pounds, 
by tying one to the other in single file: one of the men taking charge of the head 
horse to pioneer, and the other the hinder one to keep an eye on the proper 
adjustment of the loads, and stir up any that apj^eared to lag. Bells were 
indispensable accompaniments to the horses, by which their position could be 
easily ascertained in the morning when hunting up, preparatory to start. 
Some grass or leaves were inserted into the bell to prevent the clapper from 
operating during the travel of the day." But with the increase of travel and 
settlement of the country, the roads underwent a much-needed improvement, 
which had the efPeet of fitting them for heavy wagons, and whicTi dispensed 
with the more laborious and expensive packhorses. The first wagon-load of 
merchandise brought over the mountains on the southern route, or that trav- 
ersed later by the National road, was in 1789, and was for Jacob Bowman. 
The wagoner was John Hayden, a native of Fayette county, who drove four 
horses, and brought about twenty hundred pounds, for which he received three 
dollars per hundred. He was nearly a month in making the trip to and from 
Hagerstown, Md., a distance of about two hundred and forty miles. 

However primitive may have been the houses, the dress and the manners of 
the emigrants in their eastern homes — and they were doubtless in many 
instances primitive enough — they were from sheer necessity much more so in 
their new homes beyond the mountains. A study of this portion of our 
county's history can not fail to be both interesting and instructive to a people 
who have, by one leap, as it were, placed themselves out of sight of the imme- 
diate past, 'and merged themselves so deeply in the concerns of the present as to 
regard the scenes through which their immediate ancestors passed as almost 
a myth. To others, who will take the time to pause and reflect on it, it will 
appear only a little less marvelous. Let the reader, however, try to forget the 
present for a few moments, and transport himself to the log cabin of his 
grandfather, with its curling smoke striving to make its way through the little 
break in the forest; let him contemplate his grandfather out in the "clearing" 
at work, or seated by the fire of a winter' s evening with a family of far healthier 





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HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 129 

children than he can boast of ai'onnd him, and his wife with them, dressed in 
homespun, preparing the evening meal of the simplest articles over a fire 
whose unruly smoke is seriously affecting her vision, and perhaps her temper, 
too. The "big boys" have fed the cattle, and are making ax-handles or scrub- 
bing-brooms around the fire, while the faithful dog by their side pricks his 
ears at every sound, as if placed on guard by the family. How interesting 
those early scenes! Why can we not pause in the hurly burly of busy life 
and contemplate them, if not for the instruction they afford, at least for the 
diversion they would give? Let us pause at the cradle of our marvelous 
county, and take a retrospective glance at those scenes of the days of other 
years; and no guide can be safer for us than Joseph Doddridge, from whose 
entertaining pages much of what follows will be freely taken. 

The most important matter to attract the attention of our pioneer forefathers 
was to defend not only themselves, but also their wives and children, against 
the tomahawk of the savages, who spared neither age nor sex. Not only must 
each settlement be so arranged that there should be a central place of refuge, 
but every man's house must in the truest sense of the word be his castle, and 
all its inmates be trained to perform a part in its defense, if necessary. The 
' ' forts' ' of which we read in pioneer history were not merely places of defense, 
but settlements consisting of cabins, blockhouses and stockades. Says Mr. 
Doddridge: " A range of cabins commonly formed one side at least of the fort. 
Divisions or partitions of logs separated the cabins from each other. The 
walls on the outside were ten or twelve feet high, the slope of the roof being 
turned wholly inward. A. very few of these cabins had piincheon floors; the 
greater part were earthen." A puncheon floor, it may be remarked for the 
information of those who have never seen one, was a floor made of logs split in 
halves, smoothed off with an as, and then laid with the flat surface up. Some 
of the early houses consisted of a story and a half; the upper part or "loft" 
being floored with straight saplings three or four- inches in diameter, laid side 
by side. Windows were not unfrequently made of paper, greased to make it 
translucent. ' ' The blockhouses were built at the angles of the fort, and pro 
jected about two feet beyond the outer walls of the cabins and stockades. 
Their upper stories were aboiit eighteen inches every way larger in dimensions 
than the under one, leaving an opening at the commencement of the second 
story, to prevent the enemy from making a lodgment under their walls. In 
some forts, instead of blockhouses, the angles of the fort were furnished with 
bastions. A large folding gate made of thick slabs, nearest the spring, closed 
the fort. The stockades, Ijastions, cabins and blockhouse walls were furnished 
with portholes at proper heights and distances. The whole of the outside was 
made completely bullet-proof. It may be truly said that necessity is the 
mother of invention, for the whole of this work was made without the aid of a 
single nail or spike of iron, and for this reason, such were not to be had. In 
some places less exposed, a single blockhouse, with a cabin or two, constituted 



130 HISTOIiY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

the whole fort. Such places of refuge may appear very tritling, but they 
answered the purpose, as the Indians had no artillery. They seldom attacked, 
and scarcely ever took one of them. ' ' In proportion to the extent of the set- 
tlement -would the number of cabins on the farms around the fort be; and so 
attached to their own cabins were the families belonging to these forts that they 
seldom moved into the fort in the spring until compelled by some evidence of 
the immediate presence of the savages. 

The backwoodsman had to suffer many privations, which extended not 
only to the luxuries, or comforts of life, but to its very necessaries. What his 
farm or the chase could not furnish must be procm-ed from east of the mount- 
ains, and everyone must look out for himself, for in those early days there 
were no stores or other centers of supply. The acquisition of the indispensa- 
ble articles of salt, iron, steel and castings presented great difficulties to the 
first settlers of the western country. So difficult was it to procure certain of 
these, that an instance is known of a man west of the Allegheny river giving 
his settler's right to two hundred acres of land for a set of plow-irons. Peltry 
and furs were their only stock in trade, before the settlers had time to raise 
cattle; and of these they had to make the most as a circulating medium. 
Every family collected whatever peltry and fur they could throvighout the year 
for the purpose of sending them over the mountains for barter. 

The departure to "east of the mountains," as the expression was, was an 
event in the settlements. For convenience and safety, at least in the earlier 
times, the men of a settlement, or perhaps several neighboring settlements, 
would set out together. Nor must those who were left at home be neglected. 
A certain number were obliged to remain to protect them against the lurking 
savages. ' ' In the fall of the year, after seeding-time, every family formed an 
association with some of their neighbors for starting the little caravan. A 
master driver was selected from among them, who was assisted by one or more 
of the young men, and sometimes a boy or two. The horses were fitted out 
with pack saddles, to the hinder part of each of which was fastened a pair of 
hobbles, made of hickory withes, and bells and collars ornamented their necks. 
The bags provided for the conveyance of the salt were filled with feed for the 
horses; on the journey a part of this feed was left at convenient stages on the 
way down, to support the retm'n of the caravan; large wallets, well filled with 
bread, jerk" — meat dried in the sun — "boiled ham and cheese furnished pro- 
visions for the drivers. At night after feeding, the horses, whether put in 
pasture or turned out into the woods, were hobbled, and the bells — which had 
been stuffed with leaves during the day — were opened. ' ' The importance of 
these bells, not only for use, but also for ornament, was illustrated in a manner 
that will appear more amusing to the reader of these pages than it was to the 
actors in the scene. During the journey of one of these caravans to the east, 
they put up for the night at a certain lodging-house in the mountains. The 
landlord and his hired man, no doubt thinking it would be the cheapest way 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 131 

to get articles so/ necessary as bells, stole two off the horses, and hid them away 
carefully. The/drove had not gone far in the morning before the bells were 
missed; and, not doubting that they had been stolen, a detachment was imme- 
diately sent b£«;k to recover them. And it was no trifle to be accused by a 
party of men who were accustomed to make their own laws and enforce them, 
too, after theii/own fashion. The men were found reaping in the field, and 
were accused 6f the theft, -which they denied, but to no purpose. The torture 
of " sweating/' according to the custom of that time, that is, of suspension by 
the arms pinioned behind their backs, brought a confession. The bells were 
procured and hung around the necks of the thieves; and in this condition they 
were driven on foot before the detachment until they overtook the drove, which 
by this time had gone nine miles. A halt was called and a jury was selected 
to try the culprits. They were condemned to receive a certain number of lashes 
on the bare back from the hand of each drover. When it came the turn of one 
of the men who had lost a bell, and who felt his loss very keenly, he took the 
primitive hickory rod in his firm grasp, and cried, as he applied it to the thief: 
"Now, you infernal scoundrel, I'll work your jacket nineteen to the dozen; 
only think what a rascally figure I should make in the streets of Baltimore 
without a bell on my horse! " And he was in earnest; for he had never seen 
horses used without bells, and thought them essential when a man appeared 
with one in an eastern city. 

The pvu'chases were first made at Baltimore; and later, as settlements and 
especially roads were opened further to the west, they came to be made at 
Frederick, Hagerstown, Oldtown and Fort Cumberland. The common price 
of a bushel of salt, at an early period, was a good cow and calf; and until 
weights were introduced, the salt was measured into the half-bushel by hand 
as lightly as possible. "No one," says Mr. Doddridge, "was permitted to 
walk heavily over the floor while the operation of measuring was going on. ' ' 

The poverty of resources forced upon our ancestors the most rigid sim- 
plicity in furniture, and some of the older residents of the country may 
remember how the house-fui-nishing of their fathers differed from the present 
styles. Mr. Doddridge remarks that " the furnitm-e for the table, for several 
years after the settlement of this country, consisted of a few pewter dishes, 
plates and spoons; but mostly of wooden bowls, trenchers and noggins. If 
these last were scarce, gourds and hard-shelled squashes made up for the 
deficiency. The iron pots, knives and forks were brought fi'om the east side 
of the mountains along with salt and iron on packhorses. These articles of 
furniture corresponded very well with the articles of diet on which they were 
employed. ' Hog and hominy ' were proverbial for the dish of which they 
were the component parts. Johnnycake and pone were, at the outset of the 
settlement of the country, the only forms of bread in use for breakfast and 
dinner. At supper milk and mush was the standard dish. When milk was 
not plenty, which was often the case, owing to the scarcity of cattle or the 



132 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

want of proper pasture for them, the substantial dish of hominy had to supply 
the place of them; mush was frequently eaten with sweetened water, molasses, 
bear's oil or the gravy of fried meat. Every family, besides a little garden 
for the few vegetables which they cultivated, had another small enclosui'e con- 
taining from half an acre to an acre, which they called a truck patch, in 
which they raised corn for roasting-ears, pumpkins, squashes, beans and 
potatoes. These, in the latter part of the summer and fall, were cooked with 
their pork, venison and bear-meat for dinner, and made very wholesoine and 
well-tasted dishes. The standard dinner dish for every log-rolling, house- 
raising and harvest- day was a potpie, or what in other countries is called a 
seapie. This, besides answering for dinner, served for a part of the supper 
also." 

As for tea and coffee they were for many years unknown; and when intro- 
duced roasted rye-grains or bread-crusts were often used to adulterate the cof- 
fee, or perhaps take its place altogether. Mr. Doddridge's experience with 
his first cup of coffee is worth relating, as it was, doubtless, in manj' of its cir- 
cumstances, that of many another person. He was a youth, and on his way to 
the east stopped at a tavern in Bedford. He continues : ' ' The tavern at 
■which my uncle put up was a stone house, and to make the change from the 
log cabin of the backwoods still more complete it was plastered in the inside, 
both as to the walls and the ceiling. On going into the dining-room I was 
struck with astonishment at the appearance of the house. I had no idea there 
was any house in the world which was not biiilt of logs; but here I looked 
round the house and could see no logs, and above I could see no joists; whether 
such a thing had been made by the hand of man, or had grown so of itself, I 
could not conjecture. I had not the courage to inqiiire anything about it. 
When supper came, my confusion was worse confounded. A little cup stood 
in a bigger one vvith some brownish-looking stuff in it which was neither milk, 
hominy nor broth; what to do with these little cups and the little spoon 
belonging to them I could not tell; and I was afraid to ask anything concern- 
ing the use of them. . 1 therefore watched attentively to see what the 
big folks would do with their little cups and spoons. I imitated them, and 
found the taste of the coffee nauseous beyond anything I ever had tasted in 
my life. I continued to drink as the rest of the company did, with the tears 
streaming from my eyes, but when it was to end I was at a loss to know, as 
the little cups were filled immediately after being emptied. This circumstance 
distressed me very much, as I durst not say I had enough. Looking attentively 
at the grown persons, I saw one man turn his little cup bottom upward and put 
his little spoon across it. I obsei'ved that after this his cup was not tilled again; 
I followed his example, and to my great satisfaction the result as to my cup was 
the same." Tea and coffee were only slops in the opinion of the backwoods- 
men — good enough for peo]3le of quality or for the sick, but not fit for men. 
In their language, they ' ' did not stick to the ribs. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 133 

In a state of society like that of the first settlers, where the most necessary 
utensils were scarce, and were yet required by all, a great deal of borrowing 
and lending was customary; and, while those who borrowed an article did not 
always return it promptly, the owner, though annoyed, did not like to quar- 
rel with his neighbor, for neighbors were scarce. When the season for killing 
the hogs, in the fall, came round, a large iron pot or kettle was very necessary 
to heat the water used in scalding them; and few of these were to be found. 
Still fewer copper kettles were seen, though so much needed in making apple 
butter. The owners of these must therefore expect to be beset with applica- 
tions for them at certain times, and with the accustomed delays in returning 
them. As an illustration of the devices to which an ingenious mind can have 
recourse to avoid a quarrel with a neighbor, and yet teach him a salutary les- 
son, the following is very good: The owner of a copper kettle was greatly an 
noyed by one of his neighbors, who would borrow it on all occasions, and leave 
it to be sent for. Instead of sending one of the boys for it, the owner deter- 
mined once to go himself; and as he approached the house he deliberately took 
out his jackknife and cut a lai'ge sprout from a stump in the clearing in sight 
of the house. He continued to trim the leaves off it till he reached the door, 
where the usual greeting of a thousand excuses for not returning the kettle 
was given, with the further declaration that John was just getting ready to 
take it home, and would have started in a few minutes. The man took the 
kettle without making many remarks, and, holding it up, began to whip it 
with the rod, enjoining on it the while to return promptly the next time it 
went away from home. On his way home, so long as he was in sight of the 
house, he would stop every few rods and give the kettle two or three more 
blows, with, "There! take that, and that. It'.s good for you. Now learn to 
come home." It is needless to say that the lesson was not forgotten. 

The frontiersmen were obliged, owing to the scarcity of mechanics, and the 
lack of money to pay them, had thej^ been found, to become in the true sense 
of the word jacks of all trades. They were constantly called upon to perform 
works of mechanical skill far beyond what a person enjoying all the advantages 
of civilization would expect from a population placed in such destitute circum- 
stances. It is needless to say that their work would not have stood the scru- 
tiny of an expert mechanic; but the people of that day were only too glad to 
have such work performed in any manner, however rude, if it answered the 
purpose. The first device required was some method of preparing the produce 
of the field, wheat, rye, and especially corn, for the table. In this there was 
a gradual ascent from the rudest methods to the present roller system. Says 
the writer fi'om whom we have already quoted: " The hominy-block and hand- 
mill were in use in most of our houses. The first was made of a large block 
of wood about three feet long, with an excavation burned in one end, wide at 
the top and narrow at the bottom, so that the action of the pestle on the bottom 
threw the corn up to the sides toward the top of it, whence it continually fell 



134 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

into tbo couter. In consequence of this movement the whole mass was pretty 
equally subjected to the strokes of the pestle. In the fall of the year, while 
the Indian corn was soft, the block and pestle did very well for making meal 
for johunycake and mush, but were rather slow when the corn became hard. 

"The sweep was sometimes used to lessen the toil of pounding grain into 
meal. This was a pole of some springy, elastic wood, thirty feet long or 
more; the butt end was placed under the side of a house or a large stump; 
this pole was supported by two forks, placed about one-third of its length 
from the butt end, so as to elevate the small end about fifteen feet from the 
ground; to this was attached, by a large mortise, a piece of sapling about five 
or six inches in diameter, and eight or ten feet long. The lower end of this 
was shaped so as to answer for a pestle. A pin of wood was put through it at 
a proper height, so that two persons could work at the sweep at once. This 
simple machine very much lessened the labor, and expedited the work. 
A machine still more simple than the mortar and the pestle was used for mak- 
ing meal while the corn was too soft to be beaten. It was called a grater. 
This was a half-circular piece of tin, perforated with a punch from the con- 
cave side and nailed by its edges to a block of wood. The ears of corn were 
rubbed on the rough edges of the holes, while the meal fell through them. 
The hand-mill was still better than the mortar and grater. It was 
made of two circular stones, the lower of which was called the bedstone, the 
upper one the runner. These were placed in a hoop, with a spout for dis- 
charging the meal. A staff was put into a hole in the upper surface of the 
runner, near the outer edge, and its upper end through a hole in a board 
fastened to a joist above, so that two persons could be employed in turning 
the mill at the same time. The grain was put into the opening in the runner 
by hand." Mills similar to these have been in use from time immemorial in 
many oriental countries. 

But the country was rapidly developing, and the improved methods of the 
east of the mountains were fast taking the place of the simple backwoods 
systems. Horse-power was in time made to take the place of handwork in the 
grinding of grain; and soon this was supplanted by water-power. The first 
mills made were operated by a wheel known as the tub-mill, which in time gave 
place to the paddle-wheel, and then to the undershot and the overshot, which 
last was regarded as the acme of perfection. And here two remarks should 
be made which may not have occurred to those whose attention has not been 
called to the fact. The first is the important part the early mills played in 
fixing villages, and postoffices when the latter were first introduced. Every- 
one had occasion to go to the mill more frequently than to almost any other 
place. Hence it was convenient for the blacksmith to locate there, so as to 
shoe the horses while the grist was being ground. The tavern, with its bar, 
was sure to be patronized by a people who regarded whisky not as one of the 
luxuries, but as one of the necessaries of life. The storekeeper, too, when his 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 135 

day arrived, found the vicinity of the mill a splendid place to ply his trade. 
The few loafers of the time found the millrace a good place for fishing, or the 
neighborhood of the blacksmith shop the most convenient ground for pitching 
horseshoes. Here, too, the honored seignors would talk politics or argue 
religion. A shoemaker, tinker or spinningwheel-maker might add his mite to 
the prosperity of the little clump of cabins that constituted the town. 

The other observation to he made with regard to the mill is the fact that 
streams which were sufficient to turn a mill wheel in those early days are not suf- 
ficient to do so now. This is not, as many suppose, due to the fact that the 
mills required less water to produce the same power; for, though this is 
undoubtedly true in part, it is not sufficient to account for the evident inability 
of many of these streams to turn anything at present. The real reason is that 
with the clearing of the country far more of the moisture of the earth evapo- 
rates than formerly, when the rays of the sun could hardly find their way to the 
earth on the hundredth part of the siu-face of every acre: whereas now, that 
the land is in a great measure cleared, the greater part of the country's sur- 
face is exposed to the sun, and there is less foliage to cool the air and prevent 
reflection of the sun's rays. 

It would fatigue the reader were we to pause to remark on the various ways 
in which the pioneers dispensed with the tanner, the fuller, the tailor, the shoe- 
maker, and all those mechanics whose presence and skill are deemed so neces- 
sary for the prosperity and happiness of our contemporaries. What has been 
said of a few will apply equally to all. Yet the way was not wholly barred to 
the development of native genius. Although there might be no one at hand to 
guide it to great results, the circumstances were well calculated to develop it until 
it was checked by the rude hand of fate. Geniuses were met everywhere. 
' ' There was in almost every neighborhood someone whose natural ingeniiity 
enabled him to do many things for himself and his neighbors, far above what 
could have been reasonably expected. With the few tools which they brought 
with them into the country, they certainly performed wonders. Their plows, 
harrows with their wooden teeth, and sleds were, in many instances, well made. 
Their cooper-ware, which comprehends everything for holding milk and water, 
was generally pretty well executed. The cedar-ware, by having alternately a 
white and red stave, was then thought beautiful. Many of their puncheon 
floors were very neat, their joints close and the top even and smooth. Their 
looms, though heavy, did very well. Those who could not exercise these 
mechanic arts were under the necessity of giving labor, or barter, to their 
neighbors in exchange for the use of them, so far as their necessities required. 

The circumstances of the people required that they should help each other 
on certain occasions, where one man and his sons could not perform the work. 
Among these were log-rollings, where a man had cut down the trees on a tract 
of ground and burned the brush, but was not able to roll the logs or trunks of 
the trees together to burn; for in those times there was too great a plenty. 



136 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

rather than a scarcity of wood, and the point was to get rid of it. The neigh- 
bors would assemble together and with handspikes roll the logs into heaps and 
set tire to them as fast as each heap was made. In this way a considerable 
field could be cleared off in a day. Probably the women would meet at the 
same time at a llax-break or a quilting. In the evening, after the supper, the 
young folks would have a dance. The black bottle was always invited in on 
these occasions, and was always welcome, too. But woe to the man who 
failed, without a good reason, to assist his neighbor; he was sure to "get the 
cold shoulder "' in the hour of his need. 

Another frequent gathering was that for a house-raising. If a couple were 
newly mai'ried, or a family moved into the settlement, and a house must be 
raised, invitations, in a style suited to the character of the people, were 
extended to the neighbors to come to the " raising " on a certain day, and in 
good time an encouraging assembly, with axes, was on the ground. Expe - 
rienced hands were selected to notch the corners; bosses, as they would be 
called to-day, were chosen to superintend the work of selecting the logs and 
moving them to their places, and the work was soon under way. A goodly 
number of the women were likely on hand to help do the cooking, or help 
make something iiseful or necessary for the new house. The supper and dance 
invariably closed the day, though not, perhaps, till the nest day had begun. 
Again it was acorn-husking or an apple-butter boiling that brought the people 
together, and this was generally at night. Here good singers or story-tellers 
were in demand, and speed in husking corn was a passport to the first place. 
When the hands had worked till 10 or 11 o'clock supper was announced; and 
here the men always tried to drink the cooks out of tea or coffee. But they 
often paid for their temerity, for water was used more freely than coffee or 
roasted rye, and the beverage was not unfi-equently little else than warm 
water. The dance was next in order, and the sun might rise on the jovial 
company before their departure. Let us not be too hasty in condemning our 
forefathers, for, however rude their habits and their attire may have been, as 
men they were, beyond question, better specimens of physical humanity than 
we or our descendants can hope to be, while most probably their moral char- 
acter possessed more of the reality and less of the show than ours. There was 
a simple, straightforward manliness about them that it would be well for their 
descendants if they possessed it. 

A number of characters were necessary to complete the backwoods picture. 
Principal among these was the tiddler, who was always in demand upon the 
occasions narrated above, and who must be prepared to appear upon a moment's 
notice, so that "a tiddlers warning" became a proverbial expression. Then 
there was what was often called the ••bully" of the locality, who was noted 
for his pugilistic qualities; but pioneer annals do not say that he followed the 
Marquis of Queensberry's rules, or any other but the rude customs of the 
forest home in which he was raised, with such variations as he himself saw tit 



HI8TOKV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 139 

to introduce with them. Others were noted for their pre-eminence in the labors 
or games of the frontier. But, as might be expected, and as was indeed both 
natural and necessary, the circumstances in which the people were placed gave 
a tone and coloring to whatever they did, whether of work or relaxation. 
"Many of the sports of the early settlers of this country," says our author, 
' ' were imitative of the stratagems of hunting and war. Boys were taught the 
use of the bow and arrow at an early age; but although they acquired consid- 
erable adroitness in the use of them, yet it appears to me that in the hands of 
white people the bow and arrow could not be depended upon for warfare or 
hunting, unless made and managed in a different manner from any specimens 
of them which I ever saw. . . . Firearms, wherever they could be 
obtained, soon put an end to the use of the bow and arrow." 

"One important pastime of our boys," he continues, "was the imitating 
the noise of every bird and beast in the woods. This faculty was not merely a 
pastime, but a very necessary part of education, on account of its utility in cer- 
tain circumstances. The imitation of the gobbling and other sounds of wild 
turkeys often brought those keen-eyed and ever-watchful tenants of the forest 
within the reach of the rifle. The bleating of the fawn brought its dam to her 
death in the same way. The hunter often collected a company of mopish owls 
to the trees aboiit his camp, and amused himself with their hoarse screaming; 
his howl would raise and obtain responses from a pack of wolves, so as to inform 
him of their neighborhood, as well as guard him against their depredations. 
This imitative faculty was sometimes requisite as a measure of precaution in 
war. The Indians, when scattered about in a neighborhood, often collected 
together by imitating turkeys by day and wolves or owls by night. In similar 
situations, our people did the same. . . An early and correct use of this 
imitative faculty was considered as an indication that its possessor would 
become in due time a good hunter and a valiant warrior. . Athletic sports 

of running, jumping and wrestling were the pastimes of boys, in common with 
the men. A well-grown boy, at the age of twelve or thirteen years, was fur- 
nished with a small rifle and shotpouch. He then became a fort soldier, and 
had his porthole assigned him. Hiinting squin-els, turkeys and raccoons soon 
made him expert in the use of his gun. Dancing was the principal amuse- 
ment of our young people of both sexes. . . . Shooting at a mark was a 
common diversion among the men, when their stock of ammunition would allow 
it; this, however, was far from being always the case." 

A wedding has, from the beginning of the world, been celebrated as an 
occasion of joy and festivity; and among our forefathers the rule was to suffer 
no exception, although circiimstances gave their impress to the rejoicing. 
Quoting once more from our author: "A description of a wedding from the 
beginning to the end will serve to show the manners of our forefathers, and 
mark the grade of civilization which has succeeded to their rude state of society 
in a few years. ... In the flrst years of the settlement of this country. 



140 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

a wodding engaged the attention of a whole neighborhood: and the frolic was 
anticijiated by old and young with eager expectation. This is not to be won- 
dered at, when it is told that a wedding was almost the only gathering which 
was not accompanied with the lalior of reaping, log-rolling, building a cabin, 
or planning some scout or campaign. 

" In the morning of the wedding-day the groom and his attendants assem- 
bled at the house of his father for the purpose of reaching the mansion of his 
bride by noon, which was the usual time for celebrating the nuptials, which 
for certain must take place before dinner. Let the reader imagine an assem- 
blage of people, without a store, tailor or mantuamaker within a hundred miles, 
and an assemblage of horses, without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal 
distance. The gentlemen, dressed in shoepacks, moccasins, leather breeches, 
leggins, linsey hunting-shirts, and all home-made; the ladies dressed in linsey 
petticoats and linsey or linen bedgowns, coarse shoes, stockings, handkerchiefs 
and buckskin gloves, if any. If there were any buckles, rings, buttons or , 
rutlfles, they were relics of old times — family pieces from parents or grandpar- 
ents. The horses were caparisoned with old saddles, old bridles or halters, 
and packsaddles, with a bag or blanket thrown over them; a rope or string as 
often constituted the girth as a piece of leather. 

"The march, in double file, was often interrupted by the narrowness and 
obstruction of our horsepaths, as they were called, for we had no roads; and 
these difficulties were often increased, sometimes by the good and sometimes 
by the ill will of the neighbors, by falling trees and tying grapevines across 
the way. Sometimes an ambuscade was laid by the wayside, and an unex- 
pected discharge of several guns took place, so as to cover the wedding party 
with smoke. Let the reader imagine the scene which followed this discharge; 
the sudden spring of horses, the shrieks of the girls, and the chivalric bustle 
of their partners to save them from falling. 

' ' Another ceremony commonly took place lief ore the party reached the 
house of the bride, after the practice of making whisky began, which was at 
an early period. When the party were about a mile from the place of their des- 
tination two young men would single out to run for the bottle; the worse the 
path, the more logs, brush and deep hollows the better, as these obstacles 
afforded an opportunity for the greater display of intrepidity and horseman- 
ship. The start was announced by an Indian yell; logs, brush, muddy hol- 
lows, hill and glen were speedily passed by the rival ponies. The bottle was 
always filled for the occasion, so that there was no use for judges; for the first 
who reached the door was presented with the prize, with which he returned in 
triumph to the company. On approaching them he announced his victory 
over his rival by a shrill whoop. At the head of the ti-oop he gave the bottle 
first to the groom and his attendants, and then to each pair in succession to 
the rear of the line, giving each a dram; and then, putting the bottle in the 
bosom of his hunting-shirt, took his station in the company. The ceremony 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 141 

always preceded the dinner. During the dinner the greatest hilarity always 
prevailed, although the table might be a large slab of timber, hewed out with 
a broadax, supported by four sticks set in auger-holes, and the furniture some 
old pewter dishes and plates; the rest, wooden bowls and trenchers; a few 
pewter spoons, miich battered about the edges, were to be seen at some tables. 
The rest were made of horns. If knives were scarce the deficiency was made 
up by the scalping-knives, which were carried in sheaths suspended from the 
belt of the hunting-shirt. After dinner the dancing commenced, and gener- 
ally lasted till the next morning." 

Both necessity and policy dictated that the dress, especially that of those 
who engaged much in hunting and scouting, should be rather simple, and as 
much as possible like that of the Indians. It was impossible, indeed, to have 
a very elaborate outfit; and if it had been possible it would have been out of 
place on the hunt; besides, it was advisable for the scouts to dress as nearly as 
might Vie after the Indian style. "The hunting-shirt was universally worn. 
This was a kind of loose frock reaching half-way down the thighs, with large 
sleeves, open before, and so wide as to lap over a foot or more when belted. 
The cape was large, and sometimes handsomely fringed with a raveled piece of 
cloth of a different color from that of the hunting-shirt itself. The bosom of 
this dress served as a wallet to hold a chunk of bread, cakes, jerk, tow for 
wiping the barrel of the rifle, or any other necessary for the hunter or warrior. 
The belt, which was always tied behind, answered several purposes besides 
that of holding the dress together. In cold weather the mittens, and some- 
times the birllet-bag, occupied the front part of it. To the right side was sus- 
pended the tomahawk, and to the left the scalping-knife, in its leathern 
sheath. The hunting-shirt was" generally made of linsey, sometimes of coarse 
linen, and a few of dressed deerskins. These last were very cold and uncom- 
fortable in wet weather. The shirt and jacket were of the common fashion. 
A pair of di-awers and leggins were the dress of the thighs and legs; a pair of 
moccasins answered for the feet much better than shoes. These were made of • 
dressed deerskin. They were mostly made of a single piece with a gathering 
seam along the toji of the foot, and another from the bottom of the heel, with 
gathers as high as the ankle joint or a little higher. Flaps were left on each 
side to reach some distance up the legs. These were nicely adapted to the 
ankles and lower parts of the leg by thongs of deerskin, so that no dust, gravel 
or snow could get within the moccasin." The moccasins were easily made; 
every family had its awl for that purpose, with its buckhorn handle; and the 
evenings were as a rule given to this rude species of shoemaking. For socks, 
deer's hair or dry leaves were used, with which the moccasins were well stuffed, 
and the feet were kept passably comfortable; but in wet weather it was usually 
said that wearing them was ' ' a decent way of going barefooted, ' ' and such 
was the fact, owing to the spongy nature of the leather of which they were 
made. 



142 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

A comparatively f nil account of the dress, customs, etc. , of our forefathers 
should not be deemed out of place in a history such as this; for, though many 
are yet living who remember something of vt'hat is here described, or who have 
it from their immediate ancestors, these are few and are fast leaving the stage of 
this world, while the younger are too much engaged with the present to expend 
their energies in the study of the past. It is well, then, to put these matters 
on record, for the benefit of future generations who may have the disposition to 
turn aside a little to contemplate the beginnings of our great country. Further 
quotation shall, for that reason, be made from a writer who lived and acted in 
these scenes so different from ours; and the reader can peruse his writings 
with the consciousness that his statements have not been modified by modern 
ideas or notions. And if his pictures sire even crude, it will be to the knowing 
a clearer evidence of their truth. Mr. Doddridge continues in his description 
of the first settlers' dress: 

' ' In the latter years of the Indian war our young men became enamored of 
the Indian dress throughout, with the exception of the matchcoat. The drawers 
were laid aside and the leggins made longer, so as to reach the iipper part of 
the thigh. The Indian breechclout was adopted. This was a piece of linen 
or cloth nearly a yard long, and eight or nine inches broad. This passed under 
the belt before and behind, leaving the ends for flaps hanging before and behind 
over the belt. These flaps were sometimes ornamented with some coarse kind 
of embroidery work. To the same belts which secured the breechclout strings 
which supported the long leggins were attached. When this belt, as was often 
the case, passed over the hunting- shirt, the upper part of the thighs and part 
of the hips were naked. The young warrior, instead of being abashed by this 
midity, was proud of his Indian-like dress. In some few instances I have seen 
them go into places of public worshij) in this dress. 

" The linsey petticoat and bedgown, which were the universal di'ess of our 
women in early times, would make a strange figure in our days. A small 
home-made handkerchief, in point of elegance, would ill supply the place of 
that profusion of ruffles with which the necks of our ladies are now orna- 
mented. They went barefooted in warm weather, and in cold their feet were 
clothed in moccasins, coarse shoes or shoepacks, which would make but a 
sorry figure beside the elegant morocco slippers, often embossed with bullion, 
which at present ornament the feet of their daughters and granddaughters. 
The coats and bedgowns of the women, as well as the hunting-shirts of the 
men, were hung in full display on wooden pegs round the walls of their cabins, 
so that while they answered in some degree the place of paper-hangings or 
tapestry, they announced to the stranger as well as to the neighbor the 
wealth or poverty of the family in the articles of clothing. This practice has 
not yet been wholly laid aside among the backwoods families. " It is to be 
hoped that the good young ladies of these closing years of the nineteenth cent- 
ury will not be displeased at ihe subjoined observations of the truthful annalist 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 143 

of those early days, whose remarks are more true of the present time than they 
were of his day. Perhaps they will lind a consolation in comparing the pres- 
ent with the past, and thank their stars that they were not doomed, as doubt- 
less they will put it, to see the light in those primeval days. Says our trusted 
narrator of the past: " The historian would say to the ladies of the present 
time, our ancestors of your sex knew nothing of the ruffles, leghorns, curls, 
combs, rings and jewels with which their fair daughters now decorate them- 
selves. Such things were not then to be had. Many of the younger part of 
them were pretty well grown up before they ever saw the inside of a storeroom, 
or even knew there was such a thing in the world unless by hearsay, and 
indeed scarcely that. Instead of toilet they had to handle the distafP or shut- 
tle, the sickle or weeding-hoe, contented if they could obtain their linsey 
clothing and cover their heads with a sunbonnet made of 600 or 700 linen." 

The sort of life led by the pioneers had its effect on the diseases which 
they contracted, as well as on the other peculiarities of the backwoods life. 
Owing to the circumstances in which they lived their diseases were for the most 
part such as are due to exposiu-e rather than those which are commonly regarded 
as contagious. The defective covering of their feet caused the greater num- 
ber of the hunters and warriors to be afflicted with rheumatism. Of this dis- 
ease they were all apprehensive in cold or wet weather, and therefore always 
slept with their feet to the fire to prevent or to cure it as well as they could. 
This practice had a very salutary effect, and prevented many of them from 
becoming confirmed cripples. The oil of rattlesnakes, geese, wolves, bears, 
raccoons, groundhogs and polecats was ajjplied to swelled joints and bathed in 
before the fire. 

The remedies were of the simplest kind, and were such, as we have just 
seen, as the backwoods afforded. A few more of them may be given here with 
advantage. The pleurisy was the only disease which was supposed to require 
blood-letting, a practice so common a few decades later, as many of our older 
citizens will remember; but, quite naturally, a doctor or other person capable 
of bleeding was not always at hand. Coughs and pulmonary consumptions, 
a species of ailment quite common owing to the kind of life led by the settlers, 
were treated with a great variety of syrups, the principal ingredients of which 
were commonly spikenard and elecampane. The people, too, as all people 
similarly circumstanced, were very superstitious, and resorted to a great variety 
pf charms for the cui-e of diseases, as well as for other purposes. These 
charms were regarded as efficacious not only against diseases and burns — the 
latter of which charms is well known to have existed to a very great extent 
among the people even to a recent period — but also against bullets in battle, 
though many were found who preferred the protecting agency of a good-sized 
tree. Among a simple people it was natural to find these charms extended to 
everything, as they were derived from everything. Says Mr. Doddridge: 
" The erysipelas, St. Anthony's fire, was circumscribed by the blood of a black 



144 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

cat. Hence tbere was scarcely a black cat to be seen, whose ears and tail had 
not been frequently cropped for contributions of blood.'' Similar supersti- 
tions existed in regard to many other diseases, as well as other matters. One 
species of superstition — witchcraft — is especially deserving of notice. "The 
belief in witchcraft was prevalent among the early settlers of the western 
country. To the witch was ascribed the tremendous power of inflicting strange 
and incurable diseases, particularly on children, of destroying cattle by shoot- 
ing them down with hair balls, and a great variety of other means of 
destruction; of inflicting spells and curses on guns and other things, and, 
lastly, of changing men into horses, and after bridling and saddling them, 
riding them at full speed over hill and dale to their frolics and other places of 
rendezvous. 

■' Wizards were men supposed to possess the same mischievous powers as 
the witches; but these were seldom exercised for bad purposes. The powers of 
the wizards were exercised almost exclusively for the purpo.se of counteracting 
the malevolent influences of the witches of the other sex. 1 ha:ve known sev- 
eral of these witch-masters, as they were called, who made a public profession 
of curing the diseases inflicted by the influence of witches, and I have known 
respectable physicians who had no greater portion of business in the line of their 
profession than many of those witch-masters had in theirs. 

" The diseases of children supposed to be inflicted by witchcraft were those 
of the internal organs, dropsy of the brain, and the rickets. . . Diseases which 
could neither be accounted for nor cured were usually ascribed to some super- 
natural agency of a malignant kind. For the cure of the diseases inflicted by 
witchcraft, the picture of the supposed witch was drawn on a stump or a piece 
of board and shot at with a bullet containing a little bit of silver. This silver 
bullet transferred a painful and sometimes a mortal spell on that part of the 
witch corresponding with the part of the portrait struck by the bullet." Other 
methods were adopted, equally novel, and supposed to be equally efficacious. 
"The witch had but one way of relieving herself of the spell inflicted on her in 
any way, which was that of borrowing something, no matter what, of the fam- 
ily to which the subject of the exercise of her witchcraft belonged. 

"When cattle or dogs were supposed to be under the influence of witch- 
craft they were burned on the forehead by a branding-iron, or when dead 
burned wholly to ashes. This inflicted a spell upon the witch which could only 
be removed by borrowing, as above stated. Witches were often said to milk 
the cows of their neighbors, which they did by fixing a new pin in a new towel 
for each cow intended to be milked. This towel was hung over her own door, 
and by means of certain incantations the milk was extracted from the fringes of 
the towel after the manner of milking a cow. The first German glass-blowers in 
this country drove the witches out of their furnaces by throwing living puppies 
into them." No nation is entirely free fi'om superstitions of this kind, no 
matter how enlightened the people may be. Take two curious examples in our 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 145 

day: that of breaking a bottle of wine ou the prow of a newly launched vessel, 
and that of having a woman light the fire for the first time in a blast-furnace. 

The following explanation of the origin of these superstitions may properly 
be appended here: "The greater or less amount of belief in witchcraft, 
necromancy and astrology," says the writer from whom the above extracts have 
been taken, ' ' serves to show the relative amount of philosophical science in 
any country. Ignorance is always associated with superstition, which, present- 
ing an endless variety of sources of hope and fear, with regard to the good or 
bad fortunes of life, keeps the benighted mind continually harassed with 
groundless and delusive, but strong and often deeply distressing, impressions 
of false faith. For this disease of the mind there is no cure but that of phi- 
losophy. This science shows to the enlightened reason of man that no effect 
whatever can be produced in the physical world without a corresponding 
cause. ' ' 

In drawing this portion of the county's history to a close it may be 
remarked that of the inhabitants of Allegheny county, which as yet included 
all Western Pennsylvania, except the southwest corner, neither the descendants 
of the English cavaliers from Maryland and Virginia, who settled mostly along 
the rivers, nor the descendants of the Irish, who settled in the interior parts of 
the country, were remarkable for science or urbanity of manners. The former 
were mostly rude in their manners, and addicted to the exciting diversions of 
horse racing, wrestling, jumping, shooting, dancing and similar amusements. 
These diversions often became serious and ended in quarrels, in which blows, 
kicks, biting, and the still more cruel custom of gouging were indulged in. 
This last consisted in forcing the eyeball out of its socket by means of the 
thumb, was extremely painful, and was only resorted to by the very roughest 
characters in a personal combat. The more common contest was what was 
designated the rough-and-tumble fight. Yet the people were industrious, 
enterprising according to the circumstances of their situations, generous in 
their hospitality, which was one of the noblest characteristics of the back- 
woodsman, and brave even to daring in their defense of the frontier against 
the savages. They formed a cordon on the frontier, advancing year by year 
further to the west, and forcing the aborigines before them. They were alter- 
nately soldiers, hunters and farmers, and possessed a remarkable faculty of 
adapting themselves to circumstances. With the exception of ailments that 
spring from exposure, they were tine specimens of physical development, and 
were noted for the determination with which they engaged in any enterprise 
and the tenacity with which they pursued it. 

By this time a few small villages had begun to spring up, the people being 
attracted by some industry, as boat- building, as at Brownsville and Elizabeth, 
or because the spot was a place where the road crossed the river and necessi- 
tated a ferry, as McKeesport, or for some other cause that ministered to the 
necessities of the people. Many of these villages have grown to flourishing 
manufacturing towns, and will be noticed at length in their proper places. 



l-llj HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Notwith.staiuling the uufavoraljle circuiuHtances in wlncli the pioneers of 
these parts were placed as ref^ards their spiritual concerns, they were naturally 
a religious people. A large proportion of them were from the northern coun- 
ties of Ireland, and belonged to the Presbyterian denomination; and these 
were noted for the uncompromising rigidity with which they held to the strict- 
est interpretation of their religious formulas. These persons began at a very 
early dav to form the nuclei of congregations, which have grown to impor- 
tance in wealth and numbers, the histories of which will form interesting 
poi-tions of this work. The members of other denominations were also found, 
but not in such numbers, nor with such strong adherence to their distinctive 
tenets. Although many of the ijeople of that day were noted for their disre- 
gard of the disciijlinary laws of the church to which they belonged, there was 
not the religious indifference at that time that there is in our day; and when 
men violated a rule they felt they were doing vprong. Scofiing at religion, at 
the idea of the supernatural and of man's duty to God were recognized as 
wrong, if not in all cases avoided. 

Outside Pittsburgh the cause of education could not, under the circum- 
stances, receive much, if indeed any, attention. Those who were able, and 
their number was extremely small, might send their sons and daughters east 
of the mountains to some of the schools of the cities, there to receive a train- 
ing; but for the great majority of the people there was nothing left but to 
give the children s^ich rudiments of education as the parents themselves were 
capable of imparting, or allow them to grow up in utter ignorance. Little 
learning was necessary to transact the simple business of the backwoods, and 
little time was left for reading, if books or papers could have been obtained : 
hence people did not feel the need of learning as it is felt and as it has become 
a necessity in oiu- day. The itinerant pedagog, that crystallization of 
tyranny, had not as yet appeared on the scene, though the day of his advent 
was dawning apace. But the advancement of the population was steadily 
going on, as could be seen in various ways. The days of alarms fi-om the 
Indians may be said to have gone forever; the people began to be better settled 
in their homes, the comforts of life were now becoming for manj- a matter of 
study; and, all things considered, there was evidence that the people were 
entering into a new period of existence. The trades were not all firmly 
established, so that a man could go to a skilled person to have a work done in 
any branch, as at present; but a few of the more necessary were beginning to 
appear on the scene, especially those who ministered to the personal appear 
ance of the people; and the extreme rudeness and half -savage appearance of 
the inhabitants began to give place to a more civilized aspect. Foremost 
among the useful trades were the shoemakers and tailors; not up to the stand- 
ard of the present day, it is true, but far in advance of what the country had 
before known. And if they could not open their own shops or places of busi- 
ness, it mattered little. They were journeymen who traveled from house to 




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aJ^J^f:^-L^^ 



Z^f~^^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 149 

house, as they might be engaged, and made shoes or clothes in the same room, 
perhaps, where their meal was cooked and eaten. But the journeyman was 
perhaps more important in helping the appearance of the young backwoods- 
man when he felt disposed to visit some of the girls of the neighborhood, and 
when he wanted to appear at his best of an evening at a dance; for there were 
dudes and mashers in those days as well as in the present. Nor did the tai- 
lor escape the suspicions of cabbaging from the cloth of his customers, who 
were the more suspicious as their web was no longer than the number of those 
to be clothed demanded. And the poet's picture is not, perhaps, overdrawn; 
certainly it was not in the estimation of many a frontiersman: 

'■ He cutteth well ye rich man's coate, 
And with unseemlie pride 
He sees ye little waistcoate in 
Ye cabbage bye his side." 

Such were the trials through which our forefathers passed in the early 
years of western life; such the social position to which they attained; and such 
the promise made of the better times that we witness, at the period of the 
formation of Allegheny county. 



CHAPTER IX. 

THE WHISKY INSURRECTION. 

€0Ni)rTi0N OF Things in Western Pennsylvania in 1791— Surplus Produce- 
Distilleries— Tax ON Spirits— Public Meetings — Condition of Affairs 
FROM 1792 TO 1794— The Revolt— Arrival of Troops— Elections— Re- 
trospect. 

ALMOST coincident with the establishment of the first western mail, and 
while Gen. Wayne was advancing from Fort Greenville to the Maumee, 
the whisky insurrection broke out at and near Pittsburgh. All governments, 
we suppose, have to go through this experience of local resistance to their laws, 
and they occur, mostly, when the government is young and before it has been 
able to make the power of its hands felt. Shay' s rebellion, in Massachusetts, 
grew out of the derangement^and depreciation of the currency, and was, if we 
understand it, an attempt to cure the evil by new issues of currency. The 
whisky insurrection grew, primarily, out of the want of a market for the 
products of the soil. The western part of Pennsylvania, after the capture of 
Fort Duquesne in 1758 and the termination of French rule in 1763, filled up 
rapidly with settlers, who cleared off the lands and began cultivating the soil. 
So long as settlers were few the local demand absorbed all they had to sell, at 



150 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

least within a considerable circle around Pittsburgh. This is shown by the 
correspondence of Col. Brodhead,* who was stationed at Pittsburgh in 1780 
and 1781. In a letter to Gen. Washington, dated October 17, 1780, he writes: 
" I have sent out parties to take cattle and grain from the inhabitants, and ex- 
pect to get a considerable supply of flour as the mills begin to grind. But the 
inhabitants disappoint us of beef by driving their cattle into the mountains 
[hills]; we have neither bread nor meat at present." This was short commons 
for the troops, and a resort to the " help-yourself " policy was justifiable; but 
the fact shows that either the inhabitants had little or nothing to spare or found 
the government a poor paymaster — probably both. The driving of the cattle 
into the hills, to get them beyond the reach of seizure by the government, af 
fords us a rare glimpse into the real condition of this country then. The 
settlers had but little ground cleared, and none of it fenced except the clear- 
ings. The cattle ran at large in the woods, and could easily be hid in the hills 
from the troops, when a raid was apprehended; and if Col. Brodhead' s letters 
are a fair index of a quarrelsome man, the explosion of his wrath, when foiled 
by the settlers, must have been something fearful. In a letter to the quarter- 
master. Col. Ephraim Blaine, j November 3, 1780, he writes: "It is clear to 
everybody that a sufficient supply of meat for half the present consumption can 
not be had here, even for money." Certainly not, for continental money. 
In another letter to Rev. D. Zeisberger, December 2, 1780, he notes a proposal 
fi-om that missionary among the Indians in what is now Coshocton county, 
Ohio, to send fifteen or twenty best [Indian] hunters to Little Kanawha, to kill 
buffalo, elks and bears, to be salted down for the use of the troops. To 
Richard Peters, December 7, 1780, he writes: "For a long time past I have 
had two parties, commanded l)y field officers, in the country, to impress cattle." 
To Col. Blaine, December 16, 1780, he writes: "The troops have not tasted 
meat at this post for six days past, and I hear of none that we can purchase or 
procure by our compulsory means. " In a letter to Gov. Reed, of the colony 
of Pennsylvania, he says that he had contracted with a man named William 
Wilson for one hundred head of cattle, which Wilson had procured in Vir- 
ginia, but was confronted by a law of that colony prohibiting the exportation 
of cattle. He adds: " As the United States in general, and our state in par- 
ticular, are immediately interested in retaining in this district all the grain that 
has been raised in it, it might appear inimical in me were I to remain silent 
respecting certain instructions lately sent by Gov. Jefferson for the purchase 

* There is an old ford on Chartier's creek, at the point where the old Steubenville turnpike crossed that 
creak, called Brodhead's ford, and a postotlice afterward placed there was called Urodhesid. Was this called so 
after Col. Brodhead, or after some settler of that name in that neighborhood? The impression that it was called 
after the colonel has somehow been left on ray mind, but I can give no reason why. 

t Col. Ephraim Blaine was the grandfather of the distinguished James G. Blaine, now of Maine. The 
colonel settled at or near Brownsville. His son was elected prothonotary of Washington county in 1840, and 
the family was living in the town of Washington, Pa., when James G. graduated at Washington College. The 
father of James G. married a Miss Gillespie, and thus the family became related to Thomas Ewing. of Ohio, and 
Gen. W. T. Sherman. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 151 

of two hundred thousaQd rations on tbis side of the mountains, for the use of 
the troops under Col. Clarke, for which purpose he has already advanced 
three hundred thousand pounds,* and promised to furnish, on the first notice, 
any further sum that may be necessarj"^ to complete the payment of that pur- 
chase. Because this contract, together with the consumption of multitudes of 
emigrants arrived and expected in this district (chiefly to avoid military duty 
and taxes), will scarcely leave a pound of flour for the regular or other troops 
which it may be necessary to employ." He adds, further, that he has notified 
Gov. [Thomas] Jefferson that he will not allow these rations to be taken out of 
this district. In a letter of March 10, 1781, to Gen. Washington, he com- 
plains that the troops under his command had been at half allowance of meat 
since December 20, 1780. and had frequently been without any for several days 
together. 

From all this it appears that in 1780 and 1781 the western part of Penn- 
sylvania was unable to supply the current demand for provisions, the troops at 
Fort Pitt, as well as the emigrants, consuming all the surplus that was to be 
had. Col. Brodhead hints that most of these emigrants were skedaddlers — 
men who had run away to escape military duty and taxes; but whether or not, 
they were bread-eaters and nearly as destructive as the caterpillar and the 
palmer-worm. This horde of emigi-ants scattered into out-of-the-way nooks, 
in all directions, and in a few years became themselves producers, until, in 
1791, the complaint was just the opposite of what it was in Col. Brodhead' s 
time. From a land of scarcity it had become a land of plenty. There was no 
longer any need for the Virginia law prohibiting the exportation of cattle. 
The problem was to know how and where to export the surplus. Everything 
the farmer had to sell was nearly worthless —flour one dollar a barrel and grain 
at scarcely a quotable price; while everything the farmer had to buy was 
enormously high. The farmer, in such a condition of things, could not sell 
enough to buy what he needed. There was no way of shipping produce east, 
except on packhorses, and that was impracticable. One way remained open — 
the rivers; but their outlet to the sea was closed to our commerce by the for- 
eign possession of Louisiana and the Mississippi below Cairo. Gov. Jefferson, 
whom Col. Brodhead circumvented in the matter of the two hundred thousand 
rations, was not yet president, and nothing had yet been done toward opening 
the navigation of the Mississippi. If the lower rivers had been open in 1791 
all the surplus grain of the west would have found shipment to the eastern sea- 
coast by way of New Orleans, as was afterward done when the new century- 
began and Louisiana had been purchased. A free highway to the ocean wa» 
the great want of the close of the last centui'y, and was clamored for as loudly 
in Kentucky and Tennessee as in Western Pennsylvania. But in 1791, the 
time of which we are writing, this clamor had produced no effect, and the 
farmers of Western Pennsylvania, then mostly within easy hail of Pitts- 

* Continental money. 



152 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

hurgh, and eonfiupd mainly to the counties of Alleghem-, Fayette, West- 
moreland and Washington, were reduced to financial distress by want of a 
market for their surplus produce. In this condition of things one door of relief 
stood promisingly open. If they could not sell their grain and flour they could 
convert them into whisky. A keg of whisky was much easier to transport than 
the grain it took to make it under the process then used for distillation. They 
could condense their grain, as it were, into much smaller bulk by converting 
it into spirits. And then, the demand for whisky was much more active than 
that for grain. They were certain of a market for one, and could find no 
market for the other. Why should they not convert their jjroduce into the only 
shape in which it was marketable':' There were no temperance societies in 
those days. Everyone, high and low. great and small, rich and poor, male 
and female, clergy and laity, made fi-ee use of whisky, and it was as common a 
supply upon the sideboard as bread and meat. No one thought it criminal to 
use it, and there was, apparently, much less abuse of it than now. But only 
because there were fewer people here then, and the practice of its iise being 
common to all, the abuse was not specially noted. At any rate, the demand 
for it was active, and the settlers, finding this to be the only open market for 
them, turned their attention generally to its manufacture. So general was 
the resort to its distillation that it has been said of Washington county that 
one could not stand anywhere, in the settled country, and look around, 
without seeing the smoke of a distiller's chimney. The grain was probably 
ground for distilling by horse mills. There were then no steam mills, and no 
water mills except on large streams. Craig & Bayard put up a distillery at the 
point, in this city, in 1784, and justified the use of horse mills in grinding on the 
ground that they were more to be depended on than either wind or water mills. 
Horse mills were in use in Kentucky, in the back country, as late as 1837, and, 
water mills being not very plenty here in 1794, the substitution of horse mills 
by small distillers would save much time and labor that would otherwise be 
lost in transportation to and from the water mills. 

This was the condition of things here when the whisky insurrection broke 
out. As to what led \\p to it, let us go back a little, and bring up the history 
from the start. "In December, 1790," says Craig's history, "'when Con- 
gress assembled, the nation was burdened with the debt contracted during the 
seven years' struggle for independence; the country was involved in war with 
some of the western Indians; Harmar had just returned fi'om his fruitless 
expedition against them; the expenses of the government were necessarily 
large and the revenue but small, so that additional taxes became indispensable. 
No tax seemed more proper than upon spirits, both foreign and domestic. A 
memorial from the college of physicians at Philadelphia advocated such a tax 
as desirable both to the morals and health of the people. Such a bill was 
reported in the house of representatives in January, 1791, in conformity with 
the suggestions of Alexander Hamilton, as advocated by James Madison, and 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 153 

passed. It imposed a tax of from nine to twenty-five cents a gallon, according 
to their strength, upon spirits distilled fi'om grain. To secure the collection of 
these duties suitable regulations were made. Inspection districts were eb.tab- 
lished, one or more in each state, and an inspector appointed for each. Dis- 
tillers to fui'nish, at the nearest inspection-office, full descriptions of their 
buildings, which were always siibject to examination, by a person appointed 
for that purpose, who was to gauge and brand the casks. Duties were to be 
paid before removal. But to save trouble to small distillers not in any town or 
village, they were allowed to pay an annual tax of sixty cents per gallon on the 
capacity of the still. ' ' 

Such was the act of 1791. Of course a tax upon a product in such com- 
mon use could not fail of being unpopular: but no one seemed to anticipate 
that it would lead to civil war. John Neville was appointed inspector for 
Western Pennsylvania. He lived, at that time, in a house on the road to 
Washington, Pa., from Pittsburgh, about seven or eight miles out. The estate 
was called Woodville (all estates had names at that time), and facing the house, 
on the opposite side of Chartier's creek, was the estate of Bower Hill. The 
present county home for the poor of the county is just behind the old Neville 
house, now known as the Wrenshall house, and the station on the Chartiers rail- 
road nearest the old Neville mansion is called Woodville, while the one just beyond 
it is called Bower Hill. So that all the old names are still retained, except 
that of the mansion. The present mansion, known as the Wrenshall house, 
stands on the site of the old Neville mansion, which was burned down by the 
insurrectionists, as we shall see further along. 

To those who have comprehended our sketch of the condition of things in 
Western Pennsylvania at that time it will not seem strange that the new law 
was regarded with much disfavor. Shut out from all accessible markets for 
their produce, and finding that they could realize something on it by convert- 
ing it into whisky, it is not to be wondered at that this first act of the new 
national government, laying a tax upon their only article of commerce, should 
seem to them not merely an iinfi'iendly act, but one ruinous to them. The 
study of political economy had not entered into their education, and hence they 
had not learned the lesson that an internal tax comes ofF the consumer and not 
off the producer, nor had they had any experience to teach them that safe conclu- 
sion. They regarded it, foolishly enough, as a tax to be borne by themselves 
exclusively, and consequently prohibitory in its nature. They reasoned like 
children, but according to the best lights they then had. Money, too, was so 
scarce as to make it very hard to get enough to pay the tax. 

The first public meeting in opposition to the law was held at Old Bedstone 
Fort (Brownsville), July 27, 1791, when it was arranged that county commit- 
tees should be convened at the different county seats of Allegheny, Fayette, 
Washington and Westmoreland counties. On the 23d of August one of these 
committees met at Washington, Pa., and passed some very intemperate reso- 
lutions. 



154 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Among the resolutions was one strongly condomning the excise law, and 
declaring that anyone who accepted office under it was inimical to the best 
interests of the country, and recommending the citizens to treat all such officers 
with contempt, to refuse to have any intercourse with them, and to withhold 
from them aid and comfort. The meeting also arranged for the appointment 
of three delegates from each of the four counties to a meeting to be held at 
Pittsburgh on the first Tuesday in September. This meeting took place at the 
time and place named, Albert Gallatin being present and acting as secretary. 

In the same month of September, 1791, a party of armed men, in disguise, 
met at a place on Pigeon creek, Washington county, and securing the person 
of Robert Johnson, collector for that county, cut off his hair, tarred and 
feathered him, deprived him of his horse, and then compelled him, in that 
condition, to travel a considerable distance on foot. Process against three of 
the men engaged in this act was at once issued, and the United States mar 
shal, Clement Biddle, in October, intrusted the writs to his deputy, Joseph 
Fox, to serve them. Upon arriving at Pittsburgh, he was so terrified by the 
accounts given him that he was afraid to risk his personal safety in serving 
them, and adopted the expedient of sending the writs by a private messenger 
under enclosures. The messenger sent with the writs was whipped, tarred 
and feathered, and his money and horse taken from him. He was then blind- 
folded, tied and left in the woods, where he remained for five hours. Mr. 
Wells, collector for Westmoreland and Fayette counties, was ill treated at 
Greensburg and Uniontown, and several other instances of violence took place. 
In the meantime the government, having no legal power then to use the 
army to enforce judicial process, was powerless to take any further steps. 

Congress assembled in October, 1791, and by an act approved May 8, 1792, 
reduced the excise rate, allowed monthly instead of yearly payments by the 
distiller, and made other modifications to obviate various objections to the law. 
But it did not remove Gallatin's main objection to the law, that it made viola- 
tions of the law national instead of state offenses, and compelled offenders to 
go to Philadelphia to be tried. This feature of the law was afterward removed, 
but for the time being the objections to it were urged with great warmth 
and the people kept in a continuous state of hostility to the law. That a 
direct tax should be imposed at all was the main and the real objection to the 
law. The power of Congress to impose it was not denied, but the expediency 
of it was seriously questioned. 

On the 21st of August, 1792, agreeable to previous notice, a number of 
persons, styling themselves "a meeting of sundry inhabitants of the western 
counties of Pennsylvania," assembled in Pittsburgh and passed a series of 
resolutions denouncing all taxes on spirituous liquors, and declaring that they 
considered it their duty to persist in remonstrances to Congress, and in the 
use of every other legal measure that might obstruct the operation of the law. 
It also adopted the resolution passed at the Washington meeting of 1791, as 
follows: 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 155 

Whereas, Some men ma}' be found among us so far lost to every sense of virtue and 
feeling for the distresses of this country as to accept offices for the collection of the dutj'. 

Resolved, therefore. That in future we will consider such persons as unworthy of our 
friendship; have no intercourse or dealings with them; withdraw from them every assist- 
ance, and withhold all the comforts of life which depend upon those duties that, as men 
and fellow-citizens, we owe to each other; and upon all occasions treat them with that 
contempt they deserve; and that it be and it is hereby most earnestly recommended to the 
people at large to follow the same line of conduct toward them. 

" These resolutions," says Mr. John Austin Stevens, in his "Life of Albert 
Gallatin." "were signed by Mr. Gallatin as clerk, and made public through the 
press. Resolutions of this character, if not criminal, reach the utmost limit 
of indiscretion, and political indiscretion is quite as dangerous as crime. The 
petition to Congress, subscribed by the inhabitants of Western Pennsylvania, 
was drawn by Gallatin; while explicit in terms it was moderate in tone. It 
represented the unequal operation of the act. 'A duty laid on the common 
drink of a nation, instead of taxing the citizens in proportion to their property, 
falls as heavy on the poorest class as on the rich;' and it ingeniously pointed 
out that the distance of the inhabitants of the western counties from market 
prevented their bringing the produce of their lands to sale, either in grain or 
meal. ' We are therefore distillers through necessity, not choice, that we may 
comprehend the greatest value in the smallest size and weight. ' ' ' 

In 1795, when Mr. Gallatin made his speech "on the western elections," 
in the house of representatives at Harrisburg, he made the following allusions 
to the Pittsburgh resolutions of 1792: 

I might say that those resolutions did not origmate at Pittsburgh, as they were almost 
a transcript of the resolutions adopted at Washington the preceding year, and I might 
even add that the}' were not introduced by me at the meeting. But I wish not to excul- 
pate myself where I feel I have been to blame. The sentiments then expressed were not 
illegal or criminal; yet I will freely acknowledge that they were violent, intemperate and 
reprehensible. For by attempting to render the office contemptible, they tended to 
diminish that respect for the execution of the laws which is essential to the maintenance 
of a free government; but while I feel regret at the remembrance, though no hesitation 
in this open confession of that, my only political sin, let me add that the blame ought 
to fall where it is deserved. 

And did it not fall where it was deserved when it fell on him ? His was 
not all the blame; but as he was particeps criminis with his colleagues, he 
can not escape from his share of the blame because others partook of it with him. 

On September 16, 1792, the president of the United States, George Wash- 
ington, issued his proclamation earnestly exhorting and admonishing all persons 
to refrain and desist from all unlawful combinations and proceedings what- 
ever, having for their object or tending to obstruct the operation of the excise 
law, inasmuch as lawful measures would be put in operation to bring to justice 
the infractors thereof, and for enforcing obedience to the same, and moreover 
charging and requiring all coiu'ts, magistrates and officers, according to the 
duties of their several offices, to exert the powers in them respectively invested 



156 HIST015Y OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

by law for the purposes aforesaid; also onjoiriing all persons to be aiding aud 
assisting therein, according to law. 

The United States court was held at York in October, 1 792. George Clymer, 
supervisor of the revenue, reported who composed the Pittsburgh meeting of 
August 21, 1792, and the names of two persons engaged in the outrage upon 
Faulkner. The attorney-general, Edmund Randolph, doubted whether the 
proceedings of the Pittsburgh meeting constituted an indictable offense, but 
instituted proceedings against the men reported as engaged in the Faulkner 
affair. They ended in nothing, as it was discovered that they really had no 
part in the outrage. 

On the night of November 22, 1792, a party of men, armed and disguised, 
called at the house of the collector of Fayette county, compelled him to sur- 
render his books to them, and extorted from him a promise to resign his office. 

In 1793 the law seemed to be growing in favor, and several distillers com- 
plied with it; but in 1794 the inspector at Pittsburgh reports, February 27th, 
that persons living near the line of Allegheny and Washington counties had 
made threats of tarring and feathering one William Cochran, a complying dis- 
tiller, and burning his distillery, also that they would not leave a house standing 
in Allegheny county owned by a person complying with the law. On making 
a personal supervision to find out who were engaged in making these threats, 
he was pursued by a disorderly crowd, which, on their way, called at the house 
of James Kiddoo, another complying distiller, and scattered fire over and about 
his stillhoiise. This violence was repeated in May and June, Kiddoo having a 
part of his gristmill carried away. Cochran, also, had his still destroyed and 
his saw- and grist-mill injured; several similiar outrages were reported. 

On June 5, 179-t, Congress passed an additional act, to render the law more 
effective and secure obedience to its provisions; but no modification of the law 
had any effect on the opposition. The national administration accordingly 
determined upon more active measures. Processes were issued against a num- 
ber of non-complying distillers in Allegheny and Fayette, including writs 
against two of the rioters who had attacked the house of a collector in Fayette. 
The United States marshal, under some local discouragement, executed the 
Fayette writs; but on attempting to execute those for Allegheny offenders he 
was assaulted, July 15, 1794, by a mob of thirty or forty, and fired upon. On 
the 16th the inspector, John Neville, who had just had his horse brought to the 
door for a ride into Pittsburgh, saw a mob of about one hundred men approach- 
ing the house with hostile intent. He returned his horse to the stable, with- 
drew within doors, and barricaded the house at every point. The mob made a 
vigorous attack, but, finding the defense more resolute than was expected, 
withdrew for a season. Neville, dreading another attack, made application to 
the judges, the sheriff and the general of the mUitia for protection. Gen. 
Gibson and John Wilkins, a magistrate, expressed their own willingness to help, 
but declared their inability to use the law or the force at their command for 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 159 

his protection. So general was the feeling of disaffection, they declared, 
that even the posse comitatus, if ordered out, would be found unavailable. 
Maj. Butler, the commandant at Fort Fayette, when appealed to, fm-nished a 
detachment of eleven men to aid the inspector. These were joined by Maj. 
Abram Kirkpatrick, whose wife .was a aister-in-law of the inspector. The rest of 
the story, as follows, is qiioted from Hildi'eth's " History of theXTnited States:" 

The ne-xt morning, .July ITlh, the assailants reappeared live hundred strong, led on by 
one Jolin Holcrofl, who, under the assumed name of "Tom the Tinker." had been deeply 
concerned in stirring up previous outrages against officers who attempted to enforce the 
law and distillers who were disposed to submit to it. On the approach of this force, 
Neville escaped from the house, leaving his kinsman, Maj. Kirkpatrick, with the soldiers 
to make such defense or capitulation as might seem expedient. The assailants had 
appointed a committee of three as directors of the enterprise, and they had chosen as 
commander one McFarlaud, formerly a lieutenant in the continental service. The sur- 
render of Neville was demanded, and. on information that he was gone, the admission of 
six men men to search the house for the papers connected with his office was claimed. 
This being refused, a flag was sent for the women to leave the house, soon after which an 
attack was commenced. McFarland was killed, and several other of the assailants were 
wounded, but they succeeded in setting fire to the outhouses, and, as the flames threat- 
ened to spread, the garrison, three of whom had been wounded, found themselves obliged 
to surrender. The men were dismissed without injury, but all the buildings were burned 
to the ground. The marshal and inspector's son, who came up just after the surrender, 
also Maj. Craig and Ensign Sample, were made prisoners. The marshal was subjected 
to a good deal of abuse, and was only dismissed after a promise, extorted by threats of 
instant death, and guaranteed by young Neville, not to attempt to serve any more proc- 
esses west of the mountains. The next day a message was sent to Pittsburgli. where 
the inspector and marshal had taken refuge, requiring the one to resign his office and the 
other to give up the warrants in his possession. This they refused to do. The means of 
protection at Pittsburgh were small, and as the roads eastward would most likely be 
guarded, as the only means of escape they embarked on the Ohio, descended as far as 
Marietta, and thence set out by land for Philadelphia, the greater part of the way through 
a wilderness. 

The next decided step seems to have been a public meeting, held at Mingo Creek 
meeting-house, July 23, in the neighborhood of which most of the late rioters resided. 
Bradford* and Marshall were both present, also Brackenridge. a lawyer of Pittsburgh, 
and who attended, according to his own account, by special invitation of Col. Neville, 
son of the inspector. Bradford was for making common cause with the rioters. Bracken- 
ridge suggested that, however justifiable in itself, their conduct was nevertheless illegal 
and that it was bad policy to draw into the same position those who might otherwise act 
as mediators. It was finallj' agreed to call a convention of delegates from all the townships 
west of the mountains, and from the adjoining counties of Marj'land and Virginia, to meet 
in three weeks, August 14th, at Parkinson's Perry,f on the Monongahela. 

Two or three days after this preliminary meeting, anxious to ascertain liow the late 
proceedings had been represented, Bradford caused the mail from Pittsburgh to Philadel 

* Bradford assumed the boldest front and made the most noise of any of the leaders of this insurrection, 
and yet was the first to run off when he knew it was a failure. Stevens, in his ■' Life of Gallatin," says: •* When 
they went up to the legislature in the winter of n 792-9.3), Br.idford and Smilie accompanied him; Smilie to take 
his seat in the state senate and Bradford to represent Washington county in the house, whore he ' cut a poor 
figure.' Gallatin despised him, and characterized him as a 'tenth-rate lawyer and an empty drum.' " 

t Parkinson's Ferry was afterward known as Williamsport, and is now^known as Monongahela City. Pos- 
sibly Bradford lived here, as it was the center, the very heart, of the insurrection. 



100 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

phia to be intercepted. Letters were found in it from young Neville and others, giving 
accounts, by no means satisfactory to the parties concerned, of the burning of the inspect- 
or's house and of the late meeting at Mingo creek. Without waiting for the proposed 
convention, a circular* signed by Bradford, Marshall, f and four or five others, was forth- 
with addressed to the officers of the militia of the western counties, stating that, by the 
interception of the mail, important secrets had been discovered, which made necessary an 
expression of sentiment, not by words but by actions. The officers were therefore called 
upon to muster as many volunteers as thej^ could to assemble on the Isl of August, at the 
usual place of rendezvous, at Braddock's Field on the Monougahela, witli arms and ac- 
coutermeuts, and provisions for four days.:]: 

Meanwhile the mail, with its contents, except the intercepted letters, was sent back to 
Pittsburgh, and the citizens of that town, to pacify the excitement, went through the 
form of expelling the obnoxious letter-writers. 

The summons to the militia, though it had only three days to circulate, and that 
among a population scattered over a wide extent of country, drew together not less than 
seven thousand armed meu.g Many afterward alleged that they went out of curiosity, 

* Issued from Cannonsburg^ Pa. 

tThis Marshall is stated, in Stevens' "Life of Gallatin," to have been " the same who opposed the rati- 
tication of the Federal Couslitutiou." He was a represeaialive of Washington county iu the legislature in 
1791-92. 

t It closed in these words: "Here is an expedition proposed in which you will have an opportunity for 
displaying your military talents and of rendcrinj^ service to your country." Nothing less was contemplated by 
the more extreme of these meu than an attack upon Fori Pitt and the sack of Pittsburgh. Thoroughly 
aroused at last, the moderate meu of Washiogton determined to breast the storm. A meeting was held ; James 
Ross, of the United States senate, made au earnest appeal, and was supported by Scott, of the house of repre- 
sentatives, and Stokely.of the senate of Pennsylvania. Marshall and Bradford yielded, and consented to coun- 
termand the order of rendezvous. But the excited population poured into the town from all quarters, and 
Bradford, who found that he had gone too far to retreat, again took the lead of the movements, already beyond 
restraint.— Stevens' '^ Life of (ial latin," p. 72. 

§ This is Brae ken ridge' 8 estimate, never very trustworthy at best. Gallatin says from fifteen hundred to 
two thousand, which is more likely. Stevens gives some additional particulars, not mentioned by Hildreth- 
He says: 

"There was great alarm in Pittsburgh, A meeting was held there, Thursday evening, July :ilsi, at 
which a mes.sage from the Washington county insurgents was read, violent resolutions adopted, and the Oth of 
August appointed as the day for a town-meeting for election of delegates to a general convention of the counties 
at Parkinson's Ferry. Judge Brackenridge, a man of education, influence and infinite jest and humor, was 
present at this meeting. Of Scotch-Irish birth himself, his sympathies of race were with his countrymen, but 
in political sentiments he was not in liarmony with their leaders. They were nearly all republicans [democrats], 
while he had sided with the federalists in the convention which adopted the new couslitutiou of the United 
Stales. He was a man of peace, and of too much sagacity not to foresee the inevitable ruin upon which they 
were rushing. At Mingo creek he had thwarted the plans of immediate revolution. The evident policy of 
moderate men was to prevent any violence beloie the convention at Parkinson's Ferry should meet, and to 
bend all their energies to control the deliberations of that body. The people of Pittsburgh were intensely 
excited by the armed gathering almost at their doors. 

" Brackenridge fell that the only safe issue from the situation was to take part in and shape the action 
of that gathering. Under his lead a committee from the Pittsburgh meeting, followed by a large body of the 
citizens, went out to the rendezvous. Here they found a motley assemblage, arrayed in the picturesque cam- 
paign costum^i which the mountaineers wore wliea they equipped tliemselves to meet the Indians — yellow hunt- 
ing-siiirts, handkerchiefs tied about their heads, and rifles on their shoulders; the militia were on foot, and the 
light-horse of the counties were in military dress. Conspicuous about the field, ' haughty and pompous,' as Gal- 
latin described him in the legislature, was Oavid Bradford, who had assumed theotfice of major-general. Brack- 
enridge draws a lifelike picture of him, as, mounted on a superb horse in splendid trappings, arrayed in ful 
uniform, with plume floating in the air and sword drawn, he rode over the ground, gave orders to the military, 
and harangued the multitude. On the historic ground, where Washington plucked his first military lau- 
rels, were gathered aboutseven thousand men, of whom two thousand militia were armed and accoutered as for 
a campaign— a formidable and remarkable assemblage, when it is considered that the entire male population of 
t>ixteen years of age and upward of the four counties did not exceed sixteen thousand, and was scattered over a 
wide and unsettled country. This is Brackeoridge's estimate of the numbers. Later, Gallatin, on comparison 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 161 

and others that their sole intention was to prevent mischief, and this was certainly the 
case with some who were present, among whom was Ross, the United States senator. 
But the very fact of this prompt obedience to their orders could not but inspire the lead- 
ers with a high idea of their power and influence, while it tended also to increase the 
mischief by giving the impression to the public at large of a general unanimity of senti- 
ment. Col. Cook, one of the judges of Fayette county, a member of the first popular 
convention held in Pennsylvania at the commencement of the Revolution, distinguished 
for his opposition to the excise, having repeatedly presided at the public meetings called 
to protest against it, was chosen president of this armed assembly. Bradford, to whom 
everybody cringed, assumed the character of major-general and reviewed the troops. A 
■committee to whom matters of business were referred resolved that two more citizens of 
Pittsburgh should be expelled. The troops then marched into the town [of Pittsburgh], 
and after receiving refreshments, which the terrified inhabitants hastened to furnish, the 
greater part marched on again. The more orderly dispersed, but several parties kept 
together, one of which destroyed a barn belonging to Maj. Kirkpatrick, and another at- 
tempted, but without success, to burn his house in Pittsburgh. 

It was Bradford's design, in calling this armed body together, to get possession of 
Fort Pitt and the arms and ammunition deposited in it; but finding most of the militia 
officers unwilling to coiiperate, that design was abandoned.* Immediately after this 
armed assembly, the remaining excise officers were expelled even from those districts in 
which the opposition had hitherto been less violent. Many outrages were committed, some 
■of the officers being cruelly treated, and their houses burned. The same spirit began to 
spread into the bordering counties of Virginia, and as tlie day for the meeting at Park- 
inson's Ferry approached things assumed a very threatening aspect. However opposition 
to the excise law might have been countenanced by the great body of the population, 
including the principal political leaders, the measuresf of actual resistance to it had been 

■of the best obtainable inforiuation, estimated tlie whole body at from fifteen hundred to two thousand men. 
Whatever violence Bradford may have intended, none was accomplished. That he read aloud the Pittsburgh 
letters, taken from the mall, shows his purpose to iulluenc« the people to vindictive violence. He was accused 
by contemporary authorities of imitation of the methods of the French .Tacobins, which were fresh examples of 
revolutionary vigor. But the mass was not persuaded. After desultory conversation and discussion, the angry 
turn of which was at times threatening to the moderate leailers, the meeting broke up on August 2d; about 
one-third dispersed for their hoiues, and the remainder, marching to Pittsburgh, paraded through the streets, 
and finally, crossing the river, in their turn scattered. They did no damage to ihe town beyoud the burning 
of a larm-building belonging to Maj Kirkpatrick of the garrison- The taverns were all closed, but the citizens 
brought whisky to their doors. Judge Brackenridge reports that his sacrifice to peace on this occasion cost 
him four barrels of his best old rye." 

*Stevens as well as Hildreth speaks of the fort here referred to, as Fort Pitt; but the fort then occupied 
was Fort Fayette. The road from Braddock's Field entered Pittsburgh by Fourth avenue, and Fort Fayette 
was on the corner of Penn street and Garrison alley. By turning to the left, Irom Fourth to the Jlouongahela, 
the militia gave Fort Fayette the needed wide berth. 

tNo mention is made in any of the authorities (except H. M. Brackenridge) to party lines, as having any 
bearing on the questions involved in the whisky insurrection, but it is plain to all who can read between the 
lines that the newly developing party inclinations had much to do with determining the part which prominent 
men took in it. The new constitution of the United States was just going into operation, as this insurrection 
was in the tirst term of the adtuinistratiou of Washington Those who were for a strict construction of the con- 
stitution were known as democratic republicans, while those who favored a liberal construction were called fed- 
eral republicans, and for short were called democrats and federals. Washington and Hamilton, his secretary of 
the treasury, weie federals, and the excise law was a pet measure of Hamilton's. Gallatin, on the other hand, 
was a democrat, and he disliked all such exercise of the taxing power conferred by the constitution. Bradford 
;ind Marshall were both democrats, and so was Hugh H. Brackenridge, although he had sided with the federals 
in advocating the adoption of the constitution. Gov. Mifflin, of Pennsylvania, who was very tardy in calling 
out the militia to put down the insurrection, was also a democrat. The excise law was not, in any sense, a party 
measure; but it was a strong measure, based upon a liberal construction of the constitution, and it naturally 
stirred up the hostility of such men as Gallatin, who deprecated any use of the taxing power that had to be 
backed up by force and was unequal and partial in its operation. This natural bent of the prevalent political 
ideas of the four western counties of Pennsylvania, combined with their anomalous commercial condition, can 



162 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

chiefly in the hands of a few violent and reckless individuals, who, sometimes by outrages 
and sometimes by threats, had kept in- awe not only the excise officers, but such of the 
distillers also as were disposed to submit to the payment of the tax. This reign of terror 
was now extended and completely established. No one dared utter a word against the 
recent proceedings for fear of banishment, personal violence or the destruction of his 
property. 

News of the bi:rning of Neville's house, of the meeting at Mingo creek, and of the 
robbery of the mail soon reached Philadelphia. In the eyes of the president and his cab- 
inet these incidents assumed a very serious character. 

In the present inflammatory state of the public mind the resistance to the laws in 
Western Pennsylvaniii, if not immediately checked, might find many imitators. Hamil- 
ton, Knox and Bradford, attorney-general, advised that the militia be called out at once. 
But upon a suggestion to Gov. Mifllin to that effect, he expressed apprehension that a 
resort to force might influence and augment the existing opposition and, by connecting 
with it other causes of complaint, might produce such an excitement as to make it neces- 
sary to call in aid from the neighboring states— a step by which jealousy and discontent 
would be still further aggravated. He even questioned whether the militia would 
"pay a passive obedience to the mandates of the government." He doubted also his own 
authority to make a call; for whatever might be the case with the federal judiciary, it did 
not yet appear that the ordinary course of the state law was not able to punish the rioters 
and to maintain order. He was therefore disposed to be content for the present with a 
circular letter already dispatched to the state officers of the western counties expressive of 
his indignation at the recent occurrence, and requiring the exertion of their utmost 
authority to suppress the tumults and to punisli the offenders.* 



easily be understood as iiupelling such men as GallatiD into open opposition to the law, and the people would 
readily follow any bold lead in the direction of their own inclinations; but opposition to the law, to itsorigin, 
design and policy, was one thing, and armed opposition was entirely another. The political instincts of such 
men as Brackeuridge and Galladn must, as it did, make them opponents of the law ; but when this opposition 
took the form of insurrection, they drew off. 

* As there were no "state" oflicers, at that lime, the governor must hare alluded to the "county" officers 
all of whom were appointed by the governor, under the old constitution, down to 18.39, except the sheriff, the 
only county officer chosen by the people. Of these, the only proper peace officer was the sheriU', and, practi- 
cally, the circular of the governor would be con6ned lo the sheriffs of the several counties. The only force of 
the sheriffs, beyond their immediate depulies, would lie the posse comitalus. or the body of the people of the 
county, and the sheriffs of the four westein counties, in calling upon this posse, would be calling upon the 
insurrectionists themselves to put down and su|>press their own violence. The circular of the governor, there- 
fore, while legally correct and proper, was practically a nullity. The sheriffs of the four western counties were as 
powerless as men tied hand and foot. And so are the sheriffs of to-day, under circumstances in any way similar. 
I have never known an instance in which a reliance upon the pos'e coniMus was not trusting to a broken reed. 
In the riotsof l.S77,in this city, every man that could be put into the posse was sure to have some friends in the 
mob he was loth to attack, and in any event service iu the posse was so disreputable that everybody avoided it. 
It was the same with the local militia ; they could not be brought to fire upon their personal friends in the 
ranks of the mob. 

The sheriff, while nominally, both here and in England, the governor or ruler of the shire or county, is, in' 
reality, but the principal executive officer of the courts to serve process and collect debts. His power to call 
out the posse comilalvs remains, hut practically his police power is gone. He is still a reserve police force, for 
extreme contingencies, but one it would be foolish lo depend on. The old time lawyers u<ed to pronounce the 
name of the oBice sher-rec/. the accent on the second syllable, a remnant of the original name of the office— 
shire-reeve. Stormouth says that reeve is from the .\nglo-Saxon gerefa, (lom ro/, active, excellent : Icelandic, 
yre?n", a governor; Dutch, jrae/, German, jrn/, count, a steward or governor. The shire-reeve was therefore 
the governor of the shire. :ind such, in theory, he is yet ; but in fact he is merely the chief court officer. In a 
popular government a sheriff, elected by the people, can not be counted on as a power to put down the people 
when they rise in insurrection. A popular outbreak can nut be put down by those engaged iu it. The force 
for its suppression must come from the outside. Ileuce the fallacy of the governor's reasoning in this 
instance. It was not yet actually demonstrated that "the ordinary course of the slate law was not able to pun- 
ish the rioter.-i and to maiutain order," but he knew it, nevertheless, and knew also that iu calling upon the 
sheriffs to use "their utmost authority to suppress the tumult, and to punish the offenders," he was calling 
upon men utterly unable to do what he asked them to do. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 163 

Mifflin's refusal removed all pretense for alleging that opportunity had not been 
afforded to the state of Pennsylvania to vindicate the authority of the laws by her own 
means. As the case seemed to require immediate interference, Washington resolved to 
take the responsibility on himself, and to act with vigor. A certificate was obtained, as 
the statute required, from a judge of the supreme court, that in the counties of Washing- 
ton and Allegheny the execution of the laws of the United States was obstructed by com- 
binations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings. 
A proclamation was put forth August 7, 1794, requiring these opposers of the laws to 
desist, and a requisition was issued to (he governors of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mary- 
land and Virginia for a body of thirteen thousand men, afterward raised to fifteen thou- 
sand. The insurgent counties could bring into the field about si.xteen thousand fighting 
men.* It was judged expedient to send a force such as would quite discourage any resist- 
ance. 

This calling out of the militia was not eutirelj' approved by Randolph, the secretary of 
state. He seemed to apprehend, with Mifflin, that an attempt to enforce the authority of 
the government miglit lead to a general convulsion. 

The movement of the troops was fixed for the 1st of September. Meanwhile, three 
commissioners appointed by the president. Senator Ross, the attorney-general, Bradford, 
and Judge Yeates, of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, were dispatched to the insurgent 
counties, with discretionary authority to arrange, if possible, any time prior to the 14th of 
September, an effectual submission to the laws. Chief-Justice McKean and Gen. William 
Irvine were appointed commissioners on the part of the state. Simultaneously with this 
appointment Mifflin issued two proclamations, one calling the legislature together and 
the other requiring the rioters to submit, and announcing his determination to obey the 
president's call for militia. 

The two boards of commissioners crossed the mountains together, and on arriving in 
the disturbed district found the convention called by the meeting at Mingo creek already 
(August 14th) in session at Parkinson's Ferry. It consisted of upward of two hundred! 
delegates, including two from that part of Bedford county west of the mountains and three 
from Ohio county, in Virginia. Almost all the townships of the four western counties 
were fully represented. Cook was chairman and Gallatin, secretary. The delegates were 
convened on an eminence, under the shade of trees, surrounded by a collection of specta- 
tors, some of them armed. Near by stood a liberty-pole, with the motto," Liberty and no 
excise ! No asylum for cowards and traitors ! " A series of resolutions was offered by Mar- 
shall, of which the first, against taking citizens out of the vicinity for trial, passed with- 
out objection. 

The second resolution proposed the appointment of a committee of public safety, 
empowered "to call forth the resources of the western country to repel any hostile attempts 
against the citizens." After a speecht in which he denied any danger of hostilities, the 
only danger being that of legal coercion, Gallatin proposed to refer this resolution to a 
select committee. But though there were many persons present whose chief object, like 

*Tlie male populatioD over sixteen years, in the four counties, was sixteen thousand; but to bring sixteen 
thousand fighting men into the field would have been, literally, to rob both the cradle and the grave. It was 
practically an impossibility. The fighting force, the force willing to fight, could not have exceeded five 
thousand. 

t The real number was two hundred and twenty-six, of whom ninety-three were from Washiugton, forty- 
nine from Westmoreland, forty-three from Allegheny, thirty-three from Fayette, two from Bedford and five 
from Ohio county, Va 

X Bradford also made a speech in which he advocated the formation of a new state. At the raising of the 
libc-ny-pole at the Parkinson's Ferry meeting, the people with the greatest difficulty had been dissuaded from 
hoisting a flag with six stripes— emblematic of the six counties represented in the committee. The flag was 
made, but set aside for the fifteen stripes with reluctance. This is Findley's recollection, but Brackenridge says 
it was a flag of seven stars, for the four western counties, Bedford and the two couoties of Virginia. This, he 
adds, was the first manifestation of a desire to separate from the Union. 



Itj-i HISTOIIY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Gallatin's, was to extrirutc the pc;o])lc; from !i disastrous consequence of a violent opposi- 
tion to the laws, wliicli lliey themselves had done much to stimulate, no one dared to sec- 
ond the motion. Marshall, however, already began to waver; and he presently offered to 
withdraw the proposition provided a committee of si.xtj' was appointed, with power to call 
another meeting. This was readilj' agreed to, as was also the appointment of a sub-com. 
miltee of fifteen to confer with the federal and state commissioners. For the purpose of 
being remodeled, the resolutions were referred to a committee, consisting of Bradford, 
Gallatin, Brackenridge and Herman Husbands, then a very old man, a leader formerly 
among the North Carolina regulators. The determination expressed in one of the reso- 
lutions, not to submit to the excise, was struck out on Gallatin's motion. But neither he 
nor anyone else went so far as to advocate obedience to it. A promise to submit to the 
state laws was, however, inserted. This business being disposed of, the exercise of some 
address secured a dissolution of the meeting, the assemblj' of the committee of sixty being 
fixed for September 2d. 

A few days after (August 20th), as had been arranged, the committee of fifteen 
met the commissioners at Pitsburgh. Among the members of this committee were Brad- 
ford. Marshall, Cook. Gallatin and Brackenridge, the whole, except Bradford, being 
inclined to an accommodation. Brackenridge was well aware of the folly and hopelessness 
of their cause, and at bottom not less anxious than Gallatin to escape out of the present 
dilemma. The demands of the commissioners were exceedingly moderate. Thej' required 
from the committee of sixty an explicit declaration of their determination to submit to 
the laws, and a recommendation to the citizens at large to submit also, and to abstain 
from all opposition, direct or indirect, and especially from violence or threats against the 
excise officers or the complying distillers. Primary meetings were required to be held 
to test the sense of the citizens in these particulars. Should satisfactory assurances be 
given on or before the 14th of September the commissioners promised a suspension 
till the next July of all prosecutions for offenses prior in date to this arrangement; and in 
case the law, during that interval, should be generally complied with, in good faith, a 
final pardon and oblivion of all such offenses. 

The committee of fifteen pronounced these terms reasonable; and to give more time 
to carry out the arrangement they agreed to anticipate by four days the calling together 
of the committee of sixty. Meanvvhile a report spread that the conferrees had been 
bribed; indeed that charge was made in express terms in a letter of " Tom the Tinker" to 
the Pittsburgh Gazette, which the printer, as was the case with other communications of 
that anonymous personage, did not dare to omit to publish. While the members of the 
committee of sixty were collecting at Brownsville (August 28th), the place appointed for the 
meeting, an armed party of horse and foot entered the town with drums beating. The 
friends of submission were so intimidated that, but for Gallatin, they would have aban- 
doned all thoughts of urging an accommodation. Bradford insisted on taking the question 
at once; but, by the exercise of some address, the matter was postponed till the next day, 
and meanwhile the armed partj' were persuaded to return to their homes. 

Gallatin opened the business the next morning in a speech in which the motives to 
submission were judicioilsly urged. He was followed by Brackenridge, who now came 
out strongly on the same side. Bradford, in an extravagant harangue, urged continued 
resistance and the organization of an independent state. Xot daring to expose them- 
selves by an open vote, the friends of submission hsid prevailed that the decision should be 
by secret ballot. They were then enabled to carry, by a very lean majority,* a reso- 
lution that it would be for the interests of the people to accede to the terms offered by the 

*Gallatin's accouDt is fuller. " Gallatio dow demanded a vote, but the twelve conferrees alone supported 
him. He then proposed an informal vote, but without result. Finally a secret ballot was proposed by a mem- 
ber. .V hat was passed, and when the slips of paper were taken out there were thirty-four yeas and twenty- 
three nays." 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 165 

commissioners. But they did not dare to propose what the commissioners had demanded, 
a pledge from the members of the committee themselves to submit to the law, and arrange- 
ments for obtaining, in primary meetings, a like pledge from the individual citizens. After 
appointing a new committee of conference, the committee of sixty adjourned without day. 

Thenewconferrees asked of the commissiouer.s further delay till the 10th of October, 
to ascertain the sense of the people, but this was declined as being be}'ond their authority. 
They now required that meetings should be held in the several townships on September 
11th, any two or more members of the late committee of sixty, or any justice of the peace, 
to preside, at which the citizens should vote yea or nay on the question of subtnittiug to 
aud supporting the law, all those voting in the affirmative to sign a declaration to that 
effect, which was to secure them an amnesty as to past offenses. The third day after the 
vote the presiding officers were to assemble in their respective county courthouses, to 
ascertain the number of votes both ways, and to declare their opinion in writing whether 
the submission was so general that excise inspection-offices could be re-established with 
safety; all the papers to be forwarded to the commissioners at Union town by the 16th 
of the month. 

Meetings were held under this arrangement in many of the townships, but the result, 
on the whole, was quite unsatisfactory. Most of the more intelligent leaders were careful 
to provide for their own safety by signing the required submission, but many of those who 
had taken no active part in resisting the law refused to attend or to pledge themselves to 
obedience. As they had committed no offense, such was their argument, tliey ought not to 
be required to submit, as if winking at the violation of the law aud neglecting to assist in 
its enforcement were not among the greatest of offenses. In some townships the meet- 
ings were violently broken up and the papers torn to pieces. Such was the case in the 
town in which Findley resided, who, it seems, was personally insulted on the occasion. 
From Allegheny county no returns were received. The judges of the vote in Westmore- 
land expressed the opinion that excise inspection-offices could not be safely established in 
that county. In the other two counties the expression of any direct opinion was avoided;* 
but these counties had always been more violent than Westmoreland. The better dis- 
posed part of the population had begun to form associations for mutual defense, and the 
opinion among them was quite universal that the presence of the troops was absolutely 
necessary. 

Notwithstanding the timidity and alarm of Randolph and others, real or pre- 
tended, the president's call for militia, as on the former appeal to the people in the case 
of Genet, had been responded to with a spirit that gave new strength and confidence ta 
the government. The Pennsylvanians at first were rather backward, aud a draft ordered 
by Miffiin seemed likely, by reason, it was said, of defects in the militia laws, to prove a 
failure. Bui the legislature, on coming together, having first denounced the insurgents 
in strong terms, to save the delays attendant on drafting authorized the government to 
accept volunteers, to whom a bountj' was offered. As if to make up for his former hesita- 
tion, and with a military sensibility to the disgrace of failing to meet the requisition, Mif- 
flin, in a tour through the lower counties, as in several cases during the revolutionary 
struggle, by the influence of his extraordinary popular eloquence soon caused the ranks 
to be filled^up. As a further stimulus subscriptions were opened to support the wives 
and cliildren of the volunteers during their absence. The quotas of the other states were 
promptly furnished, composed in a large part of volunteers. The troops of Virginia, led 
by Morgan, and those of Maryland by Smith, the Baltimore member of congress, form- 
ing together the left wing, assembled at Cumberland, thence to march across the mount- 
ains by Braddock's road; those of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, led b}' Govs. Mif- 

* Gallaiin says that Fayette submitted, which is undoubtedly true, but not in the manner prescribed by 
the coramissioners, nor was anyopiniou expressed, such as the commissioners asked. They submitted to have 
the law enforced, and advised the other counties to do the same, but seemed more anxious to vindicate what 
was done in the past than to malce promises for the future. 



166 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

flin iiud Howell in porsdii. and forming the right wing, had their rendezvous at Bedford, 
to cross the mouutains by the northern or Pennsylvania route. The command in chief of 
the expedition was given to Gov. Lee, of Virginia. 

The commissioners liaving returned to Philadelphia September 24th, and made their 
report, the president the next day (September 35th) issued a new proclamation giving 
notice of the advance of the troops — which, in anticipation of the failure of the mission, 
had already' been put in motion — and commanding submission to the laws. There was the 
more need of decisive measures, as the spirit of disaffection was evidently spreading. At 
Greensburg, in Westmoreland county, a house in which the state commissioners lodged 
on their way home had been assailed by a mob, who demanded entrance, broke the win- 
dows, and were only driven away by llireats of being fired upon. The same feeling had 
also spread to the east side of the mountains. At Carlisle, while on their way home, 
Judges McKean and Ycates had required bonds of certain persons charged with seditious 
practices in erecting whisky- or liberty-poles. Hardly had tliey left town when two hun- 
dred armed men marched in, and, being disappointed in seizing the judges, burned them 
in etligy and committed other outrages. There were also signs of similar disturbances in 
the neighboring counties of Maryland ; but these were soon suppressed by a party of 
horse, who made more than a hundred prisoners, most of whom were committed to 
Hagerstown jail. 

Calmer thoughts, and the news that the troops were marching against them, soon 
produced a change of feeling in the western counties. Bradford and others of the more 
violent tied the country to Louisiana, then under Spain. Encouraged by these symptoms 
of returning reason, the better disposed caused a new convention to be held at Parkin- 
son's Ferry-. Resolutions of submission were passed and a declaration was agreed to that 
the late failure in obtaining written pledges was principally owing to the want of time 
and information, to a prevailing sense of innocence, and to the idea thai to sign the pledge 
required would imply a confession of guilt. Findley at last had mustered courage to take 
a decided part on the side of order; and he was dispatched, with one Hedick, to convej- 
these resolutions to the president, and to stop, if possible, the march of the troops. At 
Carli.sle these commissioners encountered the advance of the right wing, five or six thou- 
sand strong. Findley, who has left us a very labored apology for himself and his political 
friends, under the title of a "History of the Insurrection, "If ound the troops, as he tells 
us, in a high state of excitement against the rebels. Two persons had been killed already; 
a man run through the body by a soldier, whose bayonet he had seized when ordered to 
arrest him for insulting an oflScer, and a boy, accidentally shot by one of a party of light 
horse sent to arrest those concerned in the late riot at Carlisle. But in both these cases, 
and this was the only blood shed during the expedition, the parties concerned had been 
delivered over to the civil authorities for trial, and every effort was made by the president 
and secretary of the treasury, both of whom had followed the troops to Carlisle, to pre- 
serve the strictest discipline and to impress the necessity of avoiding all unnecessary vio- 
lence and harshness. Findley, however, who was just beginning to recover from the 
terror of having his buildings burned, or being himself tarred and feathered by men whose 
violence he found it much easier to stimulate than to control, seems to have been not a 
little frightened, on the other hand, at the swagger, bluster and loud words of some of 
the militia officers against the whiskv rebels, whose insolent resistance to the laws had 
made necessary so long and fatiguing a march. 

The president treated Findley and his brother embassador with courtesy, and ad- 
mitted them to several interviews; but did not see fit. from any evidence which they 
exhibited, to countermand the march of the troops. They hastened l>ack. therefore, to 
procure more general and unequivocal assurances, which they hoped to transmit to Bed- 
ford, where Washington was again to meet the right wing, after insjiecting the troops on 
the left. The Parkinson Ferry convention, augmented by many discreet citizens, was 
again called together for the third time. Resolutions were passed declaring the compe- 





r^€^i^^ ^^^ O-l-c^^^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 169 

tency of the civil autliorities to enforce the laws, recommending all delinquents who had 
not already secured an indemnity to surrender for trial, and expressing the conviction 
that oflSces of inspection might be opened with safety, and that the excise duties would 
he paid. Findley hastened back with these resolutions, but before he reached the army 
the president had already returned to Philadelphia. Hamilton, however, remained be- 
hind, and was believed to act as the president's deputy. The troops crossed the Alle- 
ghenies in a heavy rain, up to their knees in mud, and not without severe sufEering, which 
occasioned in the end a good many deaths. The two wings formed a junction at Union- 
town, and as they advanced into the disaffected counties the re-establishment of the 
authority of the law became complete. Having arrived at Parkinson's Ferry, Lee issued 
a proclamation confirming the amnesty to those who had entitled themselves to it, and 
calling upon all the inhabitants to take the oath of allegiance to the United States. 

A few days after, arrangements having previously been made for it, there was a gen- 
eral seizure, by parties detached for that purpose, of persons supposed to be criminally 
concerned in the late transactions. But as those against whom the strongest evidence 
existed had either fled the country or taken advantage of the amnesty, this seizure fell 
principally on persons who, without taking an active part, bad been content with encourag- 
ing and stimulating others. Many were dismissed at once for want of evidence; and of 
those who were bound over for trial at Philadelphia, the greater part were afterward 
acquitted. Among those thus bound over Brackenridge was one; but instead of being 
tried he was used as a witness against the others. These people complained loudly of the 
inconvenience to which they had been put, and of the harsh treatment which in some few 
cases had been experienced at the hands of the military parties by whom the arrests had 
been made. But such evils were only the natural consequence of lying quietly by and 
allowing resistance to the laws to aggravate itself into rebellion. 

Shortly after the seizure of prisoners the greater part of the troons were withdrawn; 
but a body of 2,500 men under Morgan remained through the wii.er, encamped in 
the district. The advances necessary to sustain the troops in the field had been made out 
of a sum in the treasury of about §800,000, the unexpended balance of the foreign loans. 
Congress being trusted to for making good the deficiency.* 

About the time that the troops entered the disaffected counties an election had taken 
place, at which were chosen not only members of the state assemblj', but members of 
Congress also. When the legislature of Pennsylvania met, a question was raised as to 
the validity of these elections. Of those returned to the assembly, Gallatin was one, and 
he had the greater interest in the question, since he had been elected at the same time a 
member of the IVth Congress, and that body might be influenced, perhaps, by the 
example of the Pennsylvania assembly. In the course of an able speech Gallatin con- 
fessed his • political sin" in having been concerned in the preparation and adoption of 
thePillsburgh resolutionsof August 24, 1792, which, though not illegal, he admitted to hav.- 
been " violent, intemperate and reprehensible; "but all the rest of the opposition made t 
the excise law, by means of public meetings, he was inclined to justify, and to shift oil 
the blame of the whole affair upon a few obscure rioters. Order, he maintained, hadbeeji 
substantially re-established before the elections took place. The assembly, however 
judged differently, and a new election was ordered. t 



* Stevens says that the disbursemeDt of this sum by the expenditures of the troops made money plenty 
and enabled the people to pay the excise taxes. They were thus saved from bankruptcy by the money spent 
in subduing them, 

t One thing puzzles us about Gallatiu's election in 1794. He was elected to the legislature from Washing- 
ton county, and to Congress from the district composed of Allegheny and Washington, while he was not a resi- 
dent of either, but of New Geneva, in Fayette county. Fayette was erected in 1783, so that this could not have 
been under an apportionment including Fayelte or part of another county. The election was declared void, 
because the district was in a state of insurrection at the time it was held. When a new election was ordered 
Gallatin wrote t o his friend Badollet, at Greensboro, opposite New Geneva, that an attempt would be made to 

10 



170 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Of all llic prisoners tried before the circuit court at Philadelphia only two were found 
guilty of capital offenses — one of arson and the other of robbing the mail, both of whom, 
from some palliating circumstances, were ultimately pardoned by the president. Accord- 
ing to Findley, Hamilton made great efforts to obtain evidence against himself, ijmilie 
and Gallaliii. But, however reprehen.sible their conduct might have been in encourag- 
ing and stimulating the original opposition to the excise, the late outbreak, as Gallatin 
maintained in his speech, and Findley afterward at great length in his history, seems 
to have been a sudden, unpremeditated and, in its particular circumstances, an accidental 
thing, with which they had no immediate concern.* They had only prepared the com- 
bustibles to which others set the torch; and they seem to have exerted themselves 
with good failli, and Gallatin at some personal risk, and with a good deal of courage, in 
quenching the flame when actually kindled. 

The vigor, energy, promptitude and decision with which the federal authority had 
been vindicated; the general rally in its support, even on the part of many who had 
leaned more or less to the opposition; the reprobation everywhere expressed against 
violent resistance to the law, and the subdued lone, made a great addition to the strength 
of the government. The federalists exulted in this energetic display of authority, and 
Hamilton declared that proof at last had been given of the capacity of the government 
to sustain itself. In that point of view both he and Washington considered the out- 
break, however much to l)e lamented, in other respects as a fortunate occurrence. 

Stevens, in his life of Gallatin, says the $800,000 disbursed to the troops 
who put down the insurrection made money so plenty as to revive biisiness 
and enable the distillers to pay the excise tax; and Mr. Craig mentions the 
fact that among the volunteers who came out to suppress the insurrection were 
many young, enterprising mechanics, young men just passing out of their 
apprenticeships and on the lookout for homes. Many of them were well 
pleased with Pittsbiu-gh or the country around, and large numbers of our citi- 
zens are the descendants of persons who made their first visits here as volun- 
teers in this bloodless war. So that, although the insurrection bade fair to be 
a terrible calamity, it turned out to be a great advantage to Pittsburgh and 
Western Pennsylvania. 

The story of the whisky insuiTection, like all stories, has two sides to it, and 
the absolute truth probalily lies on the side of neither. It has been foolishly 
magnified by dignifying it with the title of "insurrection;" there was, really, 
no "insuiTection." For three years the mob spirit had free sway, and per- 

disatfect tliat assembly district " because none of ttie representatives whose seats had been vacated were resi- 
dents of it. I-"aIl not into the snare; take up nobody from your own district ; re-elect unanimously the same 
membeis.'' This advice was followed. All the old members were re-elected l)ut one, who declined, iu spite of 
their non-residence. This may have been legal, under the old constitution; but It is queer that Washington 
county should go beyond its own l)Ounds to get its representatives, when it had good miUerial at home. 

*rfallatin appears to have excited Hamilton's opposition from haviug been an active and leading demo 
crat, or democratic-republican, as they were then called. Gallatin was a Swiss, with an inborn hatred of des- 
potism in any form, and his great dislike of •* strong" governments, which the federals advocated, naturally 
drove him into the democratic ranks when he came to this country. Like the democrats who framed and 
passed the Virginia and Kentucky resolutious of 1798, he believed in curbing and restricting the national gov. 
ernment within nairow bounds, and the excise law of 1791 seemed to him an unwarrantable exercise of con- 
gressional power. He opjjosed it from the start, denouncing it in its inception, and his political bias carried 
him into opposition to its enforcement. He jirobably took hold early of this opposition in the hope of forcintr its 
repeal ; but when the movement took the form of violence, he abandoned it. The part of his conduct that was- 
wrong he acknowledged, and Hamilton, if he tried, never found any evidence to incriminate Gallatin. 



HISTOIIY OF ALLECillKNV COUNTY. 171 

sonal outrages, togetlior with arson and roljljing the mail, took placo; Ijut whiln 
there was an untloubtecl insurrectionary spirit, as was shown in the military 
gathering at Braddock's Field, there was no military outbreak and no overt 
acts of reVjellion. The military demonstration made by Washington was nec- 
essary as a demonstration of the power of the government to make itself folt and 
respected, and it is plain that nothing less would have subdued the Htnbljorn 
opposition to the excise law; but as a force to put down armed resistance to 
the government, it was totally unnecessary. It found no armed resistance 
anywhere, and before it arrived on the ground all opposition to the law was 
"played out." But for what went before it, the marcli of fifteen thousand 
men from the seaboard to the western wilds to put down an insurrection that 
had no existence would have seemed ridiculous. 

There are various' accounts of this insurrection in print — those of Hugh 
H. Brackenridge and his son Henry M. in extenuation of it; that of Findley 
in bis ^wn vindication, and that of Stevens in his life of Gallatin of the sauie, 
order. On the other side we have the government version from Hamilton's 
hands; Craig's version in his histoiy of Pittsburgh, and the account given by 
Hildreth in his " History of the United States." All of those are in some 
sense partial and one-sided. The account of the two Brackenridges and that 
of Findley are violent, full of personal abuse, and tedious from their extreme 
length; that of Stevens is fair, but not impartial; that of Hamilton is also 
fair, but tinged with the party feeling of his day; Hildreth'a accoutit follows 
that of Hamilton, ia temper and spirit; while Craig's is, like th(! Bracken- 
ridges', personal and bitter, and intended more to vindicate the Nevilles than 
to contribute to the treasures of history. The true account, without bias, 
abundantly vindicates the Nevilles, and does not, in our judgment, in any way 
incriminate Brackenridge. 

Excluding the political bias, the account of Hamilton appears the coolest 
and the truest. It is brief, and recites the facts succinctly. The government 
was veiy young in his day, and such outbreaks, seen through the mists that 
surrounded them, douljtless loomed up in awful proportions before him. Seen 
in the clearer light of our day they Vjecome dwarfed to much smaller propor- 
tions. It was a good thing for the government that it had an opportunity, at 
such an early day, to make a show of the supremacy of its force, but beyond 
that the " incident," as the French say, was a mere local, but turbulent, out- 
break. 

The passage of the excise law necessarily developed a great deal of party 
bitterness. Hamilton, in his iinancial policy, had forced the assumption by 
the federal government of the debts of the thirteen states, and this assump- 
tion made more revenue necessary. To get the revenue, recourse was ha<l to 
the passage of an excise law. In all this he had been backed up by the fed- 
eralists and opposed by the democrats, so that when the law came ta be put 
in operation the democrats were hostile to its policy and provisions. In 



172 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Virginia and North Carolina there were local outbreaks against it, which were 
soon subdued; but in the four western counties of Pennsylvania the opposition 
was more stubborn. Their desperate condition for want of a market for their 
produce has been before alluded to, and the open door of relief afforded by distill- 
ing whisky. In their financial poverty and distress the levy of an excise tax by 
the government seemed to them an act of great oppression. In this temper 
of mind nothing was more natural than that the democratic leaders, men like 
Gallatin and Brackenridge,* should take quick hold and strive to mold this 
hostility to their party benefit. Neither of them had any idea of resorting to 
violent means to oppose the law, and neither of them ever countenanced or 
justified such resort. It is true that the Nevilles were federalists, and that 
Brackenridge took great pleasure in opposing and thwarting them; but he 
always kept within the law. It was Bradford and Marshall, and perhaps 
Findley in the earlier stages, who stimulated the people to violence; but Brad- 
ford and Marshall were both cowards, and as vainglorious as peacocks, and it 
was well that such cool heads as those of Gallatin and Brackenridge were to 
the fore to prevent such demagogs from leading the; people into rebellion. 
That they both did this the record fully shows. Of the two, Gallatin was the 
greatest. He was a man of genius, of strong will, and an intense partisan, 
but upright of purpose throughout. Brackenridge was a genial fellow, full 
of fun, but while a man of talents he lacked that concentration of ideas and 
purpose characteristic of Gallatin. It is not to be wondered at that the man 
of genius rather than the man of talent had the most influence; but it is due 
to both of them to say that they rendered essential service in holding the 
people back from disgracing themselves utterly. 

But why did either go into the movement ? To be able to turn it to party 
account; perhaps we may be permitted to add that either or both may have 
hoped to reap political advantage from it. Brackenridge heartily denies this; 
but many a man has been led by such a motive without realizing it. If they 
had kept out of it the thing would have been robbed of the appearance of 
respectability, and in that event it is likely that Bradford would have precip- 
itated it much earlier into its final catastrophe. 

The motive of such men as Gallatin and Brackenridge was, by formal 
meetings of influential individuals, to render the excise law odious and to intim- 
idate individuals from accepting and executing ofiices under the law. So far 
they were within legal bounds; it was only when the passions of the populace 
had been inflamed that they found the movement getting beyond them. It 
was then, and not till then, that they remained in it solely to keep it fi-om 
going wrong. 

The movement of Bradford to establish a new state here in the west could 

* We cite Brackenridge as a democrat because he really was one, but not so ultra as Gallatin. He bad, it is 
true, advocated the adoption of the constitution, along with the federalists, but so had Madison in con- 
juiiCtion with Hamilton ; but that did not make a federalist of Brackenridge. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 173 

have had no motive except to erect a separate state independent of the United 
States government. The new flag with sis stripes or with seven stars was a 
plain evidence of this. We imagine it must have cost Brackenridge all his 
eloquence to save these people from that folly. Their persistence in it would 
have utterly ruined him. Nothing could have saved him from the effects of 
being particeps crimmis. 

So far as to these men. As to the general government its action through- 
out seems to have been well advised and creditable; but one event remains to 
disgrace it. We refer to the action of the troops after they reached Mononga- 
hela City. Both Hildreth and Stevens pass it over with a few words, and 
Hamilton makes no mention of it. The party that was sent out from there to 
make arrests among those who had not formally submitted performed its part 
in a very cruel manner. It arrested from one hundred and fifty to two hun- 
dred men in a needlessly brutal way, treated every one with sharp indignity, 
huddled the prisoners, tied back to back, into a dark and damp cellar, on a 
cold night, without fire or extra clothing, and denied them every little comfort. 
The next day they were marched to Washington, Pa., no regard being paid to 
age or condition, and when they were judicially heard there no case could be 
made out against the great bulk of them. They were, of course, discharged; 
and of those held to bail only two were convicted, and both of these were soon 
after pardoned. So that no object was accomplished by this wholesale arrest, 
and scores of really innocent people were treated worse than if they had been 
beasts. No apology or excuse will wipe off the taint of this criminal proced- 
ure. The troops, it is true, were incensed at being marched over three hun- 
dred miles for nothing, and were thus tempted to vent their spleen on these 
poor people; but it was not a soldierly act, and was totally unworthy of men 
wearing the United States uniform. The policy of the government was to 
conciliate, not exasperate, these people, even if nominally guilty; and this action 
really gave more good reason for an ' ' insurrection ' ' than ever had existed 
before. The really guilty people had run away; it was their victims who were 
made to suffer this indignity. The United States army, in this instance, was 
made to cut a very poor figure. 



174 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE WAR OF 1812. 

Pkeliminakies of the Struggle — Allegheny County in The War — The 
Pittsburgh Blltes— Brigade of Militia at Pittsburgh— Rigging for 
Perry''s Fleet. 

DURING twenty-nine years the United States submitted to a train of gall- 
ing annoyances and indignities from the government of Great Britain, 
till finally war was declared on the 18th of June, 1812. The immediate 
causes which led to the war were the interference with American trade by the 
blockade system of England, the search of American vessels and the impress- 
ment of American seamen, and the persistent incitement and encouragement of 
Indians in their hostilities and barbarities. 

At the outbreak of the war the advantage was all on the side of Great 
Britain, especially along the northern and western frontier. The Canadian 
territory bordering on the lakes and the St. Lawrence was far in advance of 
that on the south side of these boundaries in population, commerce and agri- 
culture. The British were also much better preisared for war, having long 
maintained a chain of military posts from Niagara to Sault Ste. Marie, which 
were well supplied with men, arms and provisions; and they were provided 
with a provincial navy, which gave them the mastery of the lakes. They had 
cultivated the friendship of the Indians on both sides of the boundary, and 
they artfully managed to retain, during the continuance of the war, the co- 
operation of these savages, whose well-known character for cruelty kept the 
people on the fi-ontier in a constant state of alarm and terror whenever their 
hostile bands were known or supposed to be in the vicinity. 

On the American side the population was sparse. The settlements were 
small and widely separated, and the military posts were few, weak and either 
insufficiently defended or without defense of any kind. 

There was no navy or regular army. The militia of the several states 
were poorly organized and without suitable equipments; and the Indians were 
everywhere hostile, and ready at a signal to combine for the purpose of driving 
the white men out of the country. 

Allegheny county was situated at such a distance from the frontier that it 
was not the theater of active hostilities during the war. Its citizen soldiery, 
however, were early in the field. A company of volunteers known as the 
Pittsburgh Blues, consisting of between fifty and sixty men, commanded by 
Capt. James R. Butler, and another of about the same number under com- 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY , COUNTY. 175 

maiid of Capt. Jeremiah Ferree, went out iu 1812. Of the movemeuts of the 
latter no record can be found. It may have constituted a portion of the force 
of vohinteers that had its rendezvous at Pittsburgh and Meadville. This 
force was called out by a proclamation of Gov. Snyder under the date of 
August 25, 1812. Gen. Adamson Tannehill was made commander, and on the 
25th of October three regiments departed from Meadville for Niagara. They 
were joined on the way by another regiment from Southwestern Pennsylvania 
under Col. Purviance, and the whole force proceeded to Niagara river, where 
an unsuccessful attempt was made to cross and attack the enemy. 

Early in the campaign of 1812 the Pittsburgh Blues, under Capt. Butler, 
joined the army of Gen. Harrison. Late in the month of November a detach- 
ment of six hundred men, of which the Blues constituted a part, under com- 
mand of Lieut. -Col. John B. Campbell, was ordered to march from the 
headquarters at Franklintown and destroy the Indian towns on Mississinewa 
river, one of the tributaries of the Wabash. They encountered great hard- 
ships in passing through the wilderness, and reached the Mississinewa about 
the middle of December. They passed down the river till they arrived within 
twenty miles of the first Indian town, and then a council of war, which was 
held, decided to march all night and surprise the enemy. Says Albach: "Just 
as they were entering the town one of the Kentuckians gave an Indian yell, 
which gave the alarm and prevented the surprise. Notwithstanding this, eight 
warriors were killed and foiiy-two men, women and children taken prison- 
ers. Pressing onward, they destroyed three towns lower down, and returned 
to the site of the first. At this place, on the 18th of December, at 5 o'clock 
in the morning, they were attacked by several hundred Indians, who were con- 
cealed in the edge of the forest behind some fallen timber, and who opened 
a heavy fire on them. 

"They at once sprang to their arms. The battle raged till daylight; the 
dragoons, however, being instantly aided by the Blues, finally dislodged the 
enemy, who were repulsed with great slaughter and driven into the woods. 
A number of dead Indians were left on the battle-ground, but the greatest 
niimber of the dead were probably carried off, according to the practice of the 
Indians. The Americans had twelve killed and about thirty wounded. They 
had also lost a great many horses; for, it being quite dark when the attack 
was first made, so that they could not distinctly see the enemy, they stood 
behind their horses till daylight, so that these were unavoidably sacrificed as 
the means of saving the lives of many soldiers. 

' ' The inclemency of the weather was now so great, and the troops were labor- 
ing under so many disadvantages, being cumbered with the wounded and their 
prisoners, and short of horses and provisions, besides being apprehensive of 
an attack in the rear from the infuriated savages, that they were obliged to 
return without being able to reach or break up the principal Indian town. 
Carrying their wounded on litters, they proceeded as quickly as possible to 



176 HISTOllY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Greenville, which they reached on the 24th of December, and thence In- easy 
marches by way of Dayton, Ohio, to winter quarters. 

"Their suffering had been very great; the roads were much impaired by 
fi'ost and snow, the weather was very cold, and provisions were scarce. No 
less than one hundred and eighty men were more or less frost-bitten.'' 

The Pittsburgh Blues constituted a portion of the force that made the val- 
iant and successful defense of Fort Stevenson, at Lower Sandusky, on the Slst 
of July, 1813. 

The garrison of the little fort was composed of one hundred and tifty 
men, under a commander (Maj. Croghan) just past his twenty-first year, and 
with a single piece of cannon, while the investing force, including Tecum- 
seh's Indians, was, it is said, three thousand three hundred strong, and with 
six pieces of artillery, all of them, fortunately, light ones. 

" Proctor demanded a surrender, and told the unvarying story of the danger 
of provoking a general massacre by the savages unless the fort was yielded, to 
all of which the representative of young Croghan replied that the Indians 
would have none left to massacre if the British conquered; for every man of 
the garrison would have died at his post. Proctor, upon this, opened his fire, 
which, being concentrated on the northwest angle of the fort, led the com- 
mander to think it was meant to make a breach there and carry the works by 
assault; he therefore proceeded to strengthen that point by bags of sand and 
floui-; while, under cover of the night, he placed his single six-pounder, manned 
by a sergeant and six of the Pittsburgh Blues, to rake the angle threat- 
ened, and then, having charged his infant battery with slugs, and hidden it 
from the view of the enemy, he awaited the event. During the night of the 
1st of August, and till late in the evening of the 2d, the tiring on the devoted 
northwest corner continued; then, under cover of the smoke and gathering 
darkness, a column of three hundred and fifty men approached, unseen, to within 
twenty paces of the walls. The musketry opened on them, but with little 
effect; the ditch was gained, and in a moment tilled with men; at that instant 
the masked cannon, only thirty feet distant and so directed as to sweep the 
ditch, was unmasked and fired, killing at once twenty-seven of the assailants. 
The effect was decisive. The column recoiled, and the little fort was saved 
with the loss of one man. On the next morning the British and their allies, 
having the fear of Harrison before their eyes, were gone, leaving behind them 
in their haste guns, stores and clothing. ' ' 

The Pittsburgh Blues were at the siege of Fort Meigs, where, as Thurston 
states, the following incident occurred, which is given in the language of the 
one who related it: 

' ' I had been in attendance on Capt. Butler, lying sick in one of the block- 
houses of Fort Meigs during its siege, and starting out one morning to procure 
some breakfast, saw Sergt. Trovillo cooking coffee over some coals. I told 
him my errand, and he told me to wait a few minutes and he would divide his 



-r' 




7« 




HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 179 

coffee with me. I took a seat, and in a minute or two afterward heard the 
peculiar singing of an Indian bullet that entered the ground a short distance 
from where we were sitting. ' Hurrah ! ' said I ; ' Sergeant, what does that 
mean ? ' He pointed to a tree at considerable distance from the pickets, where 
I observed an Indian perched on one of the branches. He said, with great 
good humor: ' That rascal, George, has been firing at me ever since I com- 
menced cooking my breakfast.' I swallowed my tin cup of coffee pretty 
expeditiously, during which, however, I think he fired once or twice, and told 
Trovillo I was not going to remain a target for the yellow-skins." 

In the autumn of 1812 a brigade of militia was raised in Western Penn- 
sylvania, and had its rendezvous at Pitts biirgh, where it was under the com- 
mand of Gen. Crooks, early in October of that year. They were made a part 
of the force of Gen. Harrison, and went to the Upper Sandusky, where, with 
other troops, they were engaged in the construction of fortifications. From 
that point they went to the rapids of the Maumee, where they remained till 
the expiration of their term of service. 

In the summer of 1813 Commodore Perry was at Presqu' Isle (now Erie), 
building the ships with which, on the 10th of September, he achieved his cel- 
ebrated victory on Lake Erie. At that time the northern frontier was a wilder- 
ness, and the timber for the larger vessels was cut from the neighboring for- 
ests. It is stated in the "Annals of the West: " " The rigging for all the fleet 
was brought from Pittsburgh, where Commodore Perry contracted for it in 
person with John Irwin and Boyle Irwin, who carried on ropemaking sep- 
arately at that place. 

"The Allegheny river this year continued in good keel boat order till 
August, a oircumstance so unusual that it seems providential, and thus the 
means were afforded for the conveyance of the manufactured rigging to Erie, 
while if the river had receded as low as usual, the fleet could not have been 
rigged in time for the glorious victory which followed." 



CHAPTER XI. 

MEXICAN WAR. 

Soldiers fro.m Allegiienv County— Siege of Vera Cruz— Battle of Plan 
DEL Rio — Capture of the City of Mexico— Peace Proclaimed— Return 
OF THE Troops— Losses. 

IN 1846 the quiet and peaceful citizens of Allegheny county were called on, 
for the first time, to take part in the threatened war between Mexico and 
the United States. The feeling of patriotism was intensified by the appearance 



180 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

-on the streets in Pittsburgh of heavy siege guns, mortars and the various muni- 
tions of war that were being hauled from the Allegheny arsenal to the wharf 
for transportation to the seat of war. These movements roused the military 
spirit of the citizens; many companies were organized, and their services were 
proffered to the government; but only one regiment was required from Penn- 
sylvania, and this was rapidly filled. Two companies from Allegheny county 
were accepted: Company A, Capt. Alexander Hay, and Company K. Capt. 
John Herron. These were the only two companies accepted. They were 
mustered in and forwarded to New Orleans in December, 1846, but before they 
departed for the seat of war another regiment from Pennsylvania was called 
for and immediately filled. The onlj' company from'Allegheny county accepted 
in this regiment was Company I, Capt. Robert Porter, which was mustered in 
in January, 1847. It must not be supposed that these three companies alone 
represented Allegheny county, for many had' enlisted in companies fi'om other 
counties. These two regiments organized hj electing the following officers: 
First regiment, colonel, F. M. Wynkoop; lieutenant-colonel, S. W. Black; 
major, — — Bowman. Second regiment, colonel, William B. Roberts; lieuten- 
ant colonel, John W. Geary; major, William Brindle. 

The two regiments came together at New Orleans, and encamped on the 
old battle-ground six miles below the city — Camp Jackson — where they received 
transportation for Lobos island; Gen. Scott's idea being to concentrate his 
army there previous to his attack on Vera Cruz and the invincible castle of 
San Juan de Uloa. On the 9th of March the island was evacuated, and the 
troops were conveyed by the fleet to Anton Lizardo, in sight of Vera Cruz, 
where they disembarked and proceeded immediately to invest the city, and 
they were busily engaged day and night making preparations for the bombard- 
ment. The change of climate and bad water caused many of our men, unac- 
customed to such a life, to break down. 

Gen. Worth having his batteries and mortars in position ready to com- 
mence his bombardment. Gen. Scott demanded a surrender of the city and 
castle, as he did not wish to jeopardize the lives and property of the citizens. 
This was refused by the authorities in command, and the order was given to 
commence the bombardment, which was begun on the afternoon of the 22d, 
and was continued day and night, accompanied with great destruction of life 
and property. On the 24th the Mexicans begged for a cessation of hostilities 
in order to give them an opportunity to bury their dead. A battery of Paixhan 
guns was manned by a squad of sailors and marines, and did most effective 
work. On the 27th the city and castle were both surrendered to the Americans. 
The Pennsylvania troops were well and ably represented in this siege. 

After the surrender of the city a number of sick and disabled of the regi- 
ments were either discharged or resigned, among whom were Capt. Alexander 
Hay and Lieut. Thomas A^ Rowley, of Company A. First regiment, and 
Lieut. Trovillo, of Company K. Gen. Scott remained here completing arrange- 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 181 

mentis until the 7th of April, and then took up the line of march for the 
interior. 

On the evening of the 12th they arrived at Plan del Rio, at the base of 
Cerro Gordo, vrhere the Mexican army under Gen. Santa Anna vvas strongly 
intrenched. General reconnoissance out of position was made, and on the 17th 
the enemy was attacked and an important position gained. On the 18th the 
attack was continued, and resulted in the complete rout of the Mexican army, 
the capture of many prisoners, five thousand stand of small arms and all their 
siege guns; Santa Anna narrowly escaping on a mule, leaving his cork leg and 
a large amount of silver behind. Gen. Scott immediately advanced his army 
to the city of Jalapa. Three companies of the Second Pennsylvania regiment, 
under command of Lieut. -Col. John W. Geary, had been left at quarantine on 
Lobos island on account of smallpox. These three companies now joined 
their regiment, and after remaining at Jalapa until about the middle of June 
they were advanced to the city of Puebla. It was necessary for Gen. Scott to 
keep his line of communication with Vera Cruz open, and additional troops 
were needed. Two other companies from Allegheny county were accepted, and 
credited to Maryland and the District of Columbia. These were raised and 
commanded by Capts. P. N. Guthrie and Thomas A. Rowley, who joined the 
main army at Puebla in July. This made five full companies of Allegheny 
county troops: Company A, Pittsburgh Blues, Capt. Hay, Lievits. Thomas A. 
Rowley, James O'H. Denny and William Charlton; Company K, Duquesne 
Greys, Capt. John Herron, Lieuts. William Ankrim, William Trovillo and John 
W.Hague; Company I, Second regiment, Hibernia Greens, Capt. Robert Porter, 
Lieuts. William Rankin, James Kane and William P. Skelly. Gen. Scott, after 
remaining in Puebla holding out the olive branch of peace in vain, ordered an 
advance of his army, and on the 8th of August moved for the city of Mexico, 
leaving the First regiment in the city of Puebla. Here the two regiments were 
separated for the first time. Several of the First regiment, not relishing this 
order to remain in the city of Puebla, and desirous of participating in the capt- 
ure of the city of Mexico, secured positions on detached service and accompanied 
the Second regiment, among whom were O. H. Rippey (late colonel), killed 
in the rebellion; John Hamilton, Esq., and others. On the morning of the 7th 
of August, an excessively hot day. Gen. Scott commenced the advance of his 
army. About sunrise on the 1 1th, at a bend in the road, the beautiful valley 
of Mexico suddenly burst upon their view. It was at this point where the 
hearts of Cortez and his followers thi'ee hundred years ago were cheered in their 
search for the city of Mexico and its untold wealth. On the evening of the 
l"2th the army encamped at the hacienda called Buena Vista, when a careful 
reconnoissance of the enemy's position showed they were strongly intrenched 
on the national road, and a council of war was held by Gen. Scott and his 
subalterns, and it was decided by a majority to enter and attack the city by 
the Elpinal, which was a very strong fort. Gen. Scott vetoed this decision. 



182 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

feeling that he could successfully reduce the fort and take the city, but he 
was not willing to make the sacrifice of life which would ensue; and how would 
he hold a city of two hundred thousand inhabitants with an army of twelve 
thousand, which was his numerical strength at this time ? He made a feint of 
attacking the Elpiual by means of floating batteries on Lake Chalco. He next 
countermarched and made a detour to the left, passing around Lake Chalco 
over a rough pedrigal road. After overcoming most formidable obstacles, he 
found the enemy strongly intrenched at Contratres, and early on the morning 
of the 19th he attacked them, drove them from their trenches, capturing many 
prisoners and munitions of war. The next day he attacked them in their 
strong defenses at Cherubusco. 

He was again victorious, capturing many prisoners. The Mexicans were 
somewhat discouraged and disheartened, and asked for an armistice, which was 
agreed to. This armistice remained in force from August 2'2d to September 
8th. When Gen. Scott discovered they were violating the terms of the armistice 
and were strengthening themselves to renew hostilities, he ordered Gen. Worth 
to attack Molino del Eey, where they were engaged in making cannons and 
balls from the church bells. On the 8th of September, after a hard and bitter 
contest, Worth captured the fort. The next point of attack was the castle of 
Chepultepec, which protected the city. This castle was a military college, sit- 
uated on a rocky eminence, formed perhaps by a volcanic eruption. On the 
11th it was bombarded by our batteries, and on the morning of the l'2th a 
general charge was made, and was successful. The army, following up the 
advantage, pressed forward to the city, distant about three miles, and after a 
bitter conflict, which lasted all the afternoon. Gen. Quitman effected an entrance 
through the walls of the city by the Garita de Bellen, and Gen. Worth's 
division fought its way by Garita Sancosme. On the morning of the 13tb 
of September, 1847, the American army was in possession of the city and its 
castles, and dictating terms of peace to the vanquished in the famous halls of 
Montezuma. We may now pause and take a retrospect of what had been done 
by Gen. Scott and his victorious army. He had entered a hostile country by 
capturing a fort that was considered impregnable, made his way into the inte- 
rior some three hundred miles, captured all their strong forts, this with an 
army of twelve thousand. This was unparalleled in the historj' of war. When 
he entered the valley of Mexico, in August, his army comprised four divisions, 
commanded by Gens. Worth, Quitman, Twiggs and Pillow, making a total of 
twelve thousand men. The Mexican army fought in their own country, at 
points of their own selection, and were well acquainted with the topography 
of the region; Gen Scott did not lose a battle. The army remained in the 
city of Mexico for nine months, till the treaty of peace was signed at Guade- 
lupe Hidalgo, and received orders for marching home May 29, 1848. They 
returned by the same route they went, but the ranks of these two regiments 
were sadly depleted. Many of the men died at Vera Cruz, Jalapa, Perrote and 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 183 

Puebla, among them Col. William B. Roberts, of the Second, who died a few 
days after the capture of the city. His remains were brought home by Lieut. 
Kane, of Pittsburgh. B. Alwood and Hugh Bateman, of the First regiment, 
died at Vera Cruz. More died from sickness than casualties in battle. James 
S ample, of Allegheny, lost a leg at Chepultepec, and St. Lenox Rey lost a leg 
at Molino del Rey. Everyone was happy and rejoicing at the thought of 
st arting for home in a few days, and congratulations between comrades were 
many; preparations for the journey were at once commenced. 

It was designed by the members of the regiments to bring home the remains 
of a number of their comrades. Robert D. Nicholson and Joseph Berk, of Com- 
pany I, Second regiment, were detailed to go to Puebla, and prepare the bodies 
of some comrades to be taken to Pittsburgh. They left the camp at San Angel 
on the Ist of June, two days previous to the marching of the regiment. They 
went away in good spirits, expecting to rejoin their regiment in a few days at 
Puebla. This was the last seen or heard of these two men. A number of our 
men had been assassinated by the guerrillas who still infested the mountains 
and passes, and it is supposed these two were murdered, as no tidings were 
heard of them when the regiments reached Puebla. There was still a hope 
that something could be heard or known of them at Jalapa or Vera Cniz, but 
all efForts failed to reveal anything of their fate. The widowed mother of 
Joseph Berk, when she heard of the return of the regiment, hastened to Wheel- 
ing to meet her son, and was overwhelmed with grief in not finding him among 
the retiu-ned. Her grief was so great she lost her mind. The widow of Robert 
D. Nicholson and her son of the same name still reside in the Sixth ward of 
Pittsburgh. 

The regiment, on account of the hot weather, after leaving Puebla, rested 
through the day and marched at night. On the 20th of June the regiment 
embarked on the steamer Mary Kingsland for New Orleans; 'some idea of 
the depletion of the regiment may be foimed, when it is remembered that one 
steamer was required to transport two companies on leaving Pittsburgh, but 
on the return one steamer was sufficient for the entire regiment landed at New 
Orleans. This regiment was taken on the steamer Taglioni to Pittsburgh, 
where they landed on the 10th of July, 1848. Company I left Pittsburgh for 
the seat of war with eighty six men for duty, and returned with but thirty. 
This would be a safe standard by which to judge of the fatalities of the other 
companies. The regiment was mustered out of the service on the 18th of July, 
1848. 



184 HISTORY OK ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XII. 

WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

Regiments fkom Allegheny— Relief and other Committees— Military 
Supplies— The 1863 "Sc.^re"— Defense of Pittsburgh— Sketches of 
Regiments. 

WITH the j)olitical events which led to the great rebellion every student 
of American history is familiar; it is not necessary to speak here in 
detail of the great war which followed the secession of a portion of the states 
from the Union, a war which severely tested the cohesive force of the gov- 
ernment, and by means of which was accomplished the enfranchisement of 
four millions of negro slaves. 

The brilliant record in that war of Allegheny county, and of the cities of 
Pittsburgh and Allegheny, claims a closer attention. 

When it was rumored on the 24th of December, 1860, that an order for 
the removal of seven hundred tons of arms and war material from the arsenal 
at Lawrenceville to New Orleans had been received, the people of Allegheny 
county were wild with excitement. In the afternoon of the 25th a meeting of 
influential citizens was held at the comptroller's office, and a committee was 
appointed to confer with the officers of the arsenal and request a suspension 
of the execution of the order till communication could be had with the 
authorities at Washington. It was learned that the order for the shipment 
of the guns had been received, and that the steamer Silver Wave was then 
lying at the wharf ready to receive them. 

More than lifty of the first citizens of Pittsburgh signed a request to the 
mayor for the calling of a meeting of the citizens of the city and vicinity, " for 
the purpose of expressing their opinions upon the act of the war department 
in ordering the available ordnance in the arsenal at this city to be forwarded 
to southern ports, also to take such action in the premises, either by memori- 
alizing the president on the subject, or otherwise, as the exigencies seem to 
require. ' ' 

The meeting was held on the 27th, and was the largest that had ever 
assembled in Pittsburgh. A series of resolutions, entirely peaceful in their 
character, were adopted. They set forth that the people had learned with 
STjirprise and indignation that the ordnance was to be removed to points where 
it was not needed, and where it would be exposed to seizure by those who 
were in actual or threatened revolt against the government: that, notwithstand- 
ing the fact that the rulers were disarming the friends to strengthen the ene- 



HISTOEY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 185- 

mies of the government, they had contidence in their abihty to sustain the 
constitution and the laws; that they deprecated any unlawful interference with 
the shipment of the arms, as such interference would imply the same want of 
respect for the laws manifested by the citizens of the seceding states; that 
they deplored the existence of such a condition of things as to have shaken 
the confidence of the people in the just administration of afPairs at the seat 
of government; that in their opinion the president should purge his cabinet 
of everyone who was giving aid and comfort to those in actual or apprehended 
revolt, and calling on him, as a citizen of Pennsylvania, to see to it that the 
republic received no detriment while in his hands. 

Notwithstanding the pacific tone of these resolutions, there was among the 
people an intense feeling of opposition to the shipment of the guns, and 
threats were made of violent resistance to such shipment. 

A meeting was called on the 30th, and while this was in session a detach- 
ment of troops moved from the arsenal in charge of a train of guns that were 
to be taken to the Silver Wave for shipment. By the exertions of influen- 
tial citizens the train was halted to allow time to obtain a communication from 
the government countermanding the order for removal. Messages had for 
several days been passing between Pittsburgh and Washington, with the 
view of obtaining the countermand; but red tape stood in the way of a prompt 
transmission of the order. At this critical moment such a message was 
received from Edwin M. Stanton, then attorney -general, as enabled a com- 
mittee from the meeting to allay the excitement of the people and prevent acts 
of violence. The cannon were conveyed to the wharf, and some of them were 
placed on the steamer; but no more were taken there, and three days later the 
order for their shipment was countermanded. 

" This was the first decided action anywhere in the north against the rebell- 
ion. The movement was in the hands of men fully as determined as Adams 
and his coadjutors, and the public feeling, while awaiting the countermanding 
of the order, was quite as intense as that which pervaded Faneuil Hall." 

On the 12th of April, 1861, the news was received in Pittsburgh that the 
bombardment of Fort Sumter was commenced. As in all parts of the north, 
intense excitement was occasioned by the news. At the theater that night the 
play was interrupted by the outburst of applause on the reception of the news 
that the fort was returning the fire, and the excitement could with difSculty be 
allayed so as to allow the performance to proceed. At the request of more 
than one hundred and fifty citizens the mayor issued a call for a public meet- 
ing on the evening of the 15th. On the 14th the situation was the engrossing 
subject of thought and conversation, and before the time of the meeting on the 
1 5th nearly every militai-y company in the county had tendered its services to 
the government. 

The enthusiasm at the meeting on the loth was greater than had ever 
before been witnessed. Stirring speeches were made and ringing resolutions 



186 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

were adojited, and the dift'erent military organizations vied with each other in 
their ahicrity to place themselves in readiness for service. 

By the 17th orders were received by Gen. Negley, the officer in command 
here, to forward two regiments to Washington, which was done as soon as 
practicable, the first detachment starting that evening. 

At the suggestion of many prominent citizens a committee of public safety, 
consisting of some one hundred and fifty, was appointed, and on the ISth it 
first met for organization. Sub- committees were appointed for various depart- 
ments of its work, and it at once entered on its efiicient and useful labors. A 
relief committee was appointed, and in this the work in the different wards was 
assigned to different members. This committee did good service in dispensing 
relief to the families of those who had gone forth to fight the battles of their 
country. 

The ladies exhibited no lack of promptitude in tendering such services 
as they could render, as will be seen by the following, which was published on 
the 22d of April, addressed to Gov. Johnson, chairman of the executive com- 
mittee of public safety : 

Dear Sir — The uudersigned tender to j'our committee their services in making band- 
ages, supplying lint and nursing the sick of the volunteers from Pennsylvania or other 
states. We are willing to go where and when called on. Our neighbors, relatives and 
friends are in the ranks, and we are anxious to be useful, as far as we can. to serve the 
cause of our country and humanity. 

This was signed by about one hundred ladies. Their services were accepted, 
and the hope was expressed that similar organizations would be formed through- 
out the country. 

The same alacrity which was shown in Pittsburgh was exhibited through- 
out the county, and within ten days from the outbreak of hostilities notice was 
received that no more troops were wanted under the original call for seventy - 
five thousand. 

The position of Pittsburgh at the head of navigation on the Ohio river, and 
its great railroad facilities, made it the point through which more troops passed 
in their movements between the east and west than through any other. Early 
in the summer of 18(31 the fact became known that a regiment from the west 
had complained loudly of hunger during its passage through the city. The 
patriotic feeling of the citizens would not permit a repetition of this, and a 
subsistence committee was established for the purpose of furnishing meals to 
troops as they passed through the city. The first regiment was regaled by 
that committee in the latter part of July, 1861; and from that time till 1866 
refreshments were offered to every body of troops that passed through the 
city, whether by night or day. More than four hundred thousand soldiers were 
furnished with meals oi; midnight lunches by this committee. The exj^ense of 
thus feeding the defenders of the country was defrayed by voluntary contribu- 
tions. 




iJ^^?^^:^ A^,i:i^-r^^^^^^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 189 

In the spring and svimmer of 1864 preparations were made for holding an 
immense sanitary fair, the character and purposes of which were indicated by 
its name. Extensive buildings were constructed in Allegheny City park, cover- 
ing an aggregate of about one hundred thousand square feet of space. Con- 
tributions poured in from all quarters, and on the 1st of June the fair was 
opened, and for the month of its existence it was crowded by thousands of 
people who were anxious to contribute to the fimd which it was proposed to 
raise. A sum amounting to more than $360,000 was realized, of which 
$200,000 remained unexpended at the close of the war. This sum was given 
as an endowment, to the Western Pennsylvania hospital, which had during the 
war been used as a government military hospital. 

An equally good work was done here after the battle of Shiloh. Two 
steamboats were fitted out here to go to Shiloh, carrying with them physicians 
and surgeons and hospital supplies to that battle-field, to gather up the 
wounded and bring them to Pittsburgh for restoration to health. They gath- 
ered up full loads for the two boats, and as the steamers passed up the Ohio 
those who desired it were left at cities and landings as near their homes as 
possible. Fifty-four were brought on to this city. Of these, eight died in the 
hospital; the rest recovered, and were sent home as soon as able to travel. 

It may here be said that the manufacturing facilities of Pittsburgh were, 
during the entire period of the war, utilized by the government for furnishing 
military supplies; shot, shell, cannon, armor-plates, saddles, harness, wagons, 
gun-carriages, caissons, clothing, accouterments and munitions of war were 
produced here on an extensive scale, and the mills and manufactories wore 
the appearance of departments of an extensive arsenal. This condition of 
things, and the almost constant passage of troops through the streets, gave to 
the place more the appearance of an immense arsenal or camp than of a city. 

The reverse which the Union troops encountered at the first Bull run 
battle caused in Allegheny county, as in all parts of the loyal north, an intense 
excitement, but it was of a character different from that produced by the 
attack on Fort Sumter. The people awoke to the fact that they were to face 
the realities of grim-visaged war; that the rebellion was more than a mere 
scare, and that those who enlisted in the army were to go forth to fight 
a determined foe, and possibly to lay down their lives in the effort to main- 
tain the Union. The patriotism of the people, however, did not diminish, 
but l>ecame more intense and determined in its character as the gravity of the 
situation became more apparent. If the reverses which had overtaken the 
Union forces emboldened those who were secretly in sympathy with the rebels 
to give even cautious expressions to their disloyal sentiments, they also inten- 
sified the loyal feeling of unionists. 

At the first meeting of the committee of public safety the organization 
of home guards was resolved on, and a sub-committee on such organization 
was appointed. Within three weeks sixty-four companies, with an average of 



190 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

seventy members each, were organized, and the banks of Pittsburgh, through 
the efforts of the venerable John Harper, Esq., president of the Bank of Pitts- 
burgh, contributed a fund for the purchase of the arms and equipments of 
these companies. Although these "stay-at-home soldiers" were sometimes 
made the subjects of unkind jeers, they proved to be the source whence were 
derived many recruits. ' ' There was not one of the companies that did not 
contribute largely of its members, already well drilled in arms, from time to 
time, to the various companies and regiments that under the several calls for 
troops entered active service, while not only regimental commanders, but 
able general officers as well, were furnished from this school of soldiers." 

In 1863 occurred the great " scare " in this county. Some time prior to the 
arrival of Lee in Pennsylvania, in June, 1863, raids of the rebel forces were 
made into Southern Pennsylvania, and rebel scouts came as far inland as 
Mount Union, on the Juniata. Some troops even penetrated as far as McCon- 
nellsburg, in Fulton county, and small bodies of soldiers were as near to us as 
Morgan town, on the upper Monongahela. Before all this haj)pened, however, 
the authorities at Washington became infected with the ' ' scare. ' ' On Sunday 
evening, June 14, 1863, dispatches were received by Maj.-Gen. Brooks, then 
commanding the department of the Monongahela. from Secretary Stanton and 
Maj.-Gen. Halleck, stating that the city was in danger from the rebel forces, 
and advising that this city be put at once into a state of defense. A meeting 
was at once called of the prominent citizens, by Gen. Brooks, for consultation. 
It being Sunday evening, most of the citizens were at church, but messengers 
routed them oiit in a hurry. The meeting lasted till midnight. It was deter- 
mined that the workshops should all be closed, and the men be employed in 
throwing up earthworks around the city, under the superintendence of govern- 
ment engineers. This course was pursued, and the work lasted for two weeks. 
The intrenchments extended from Saw Mill run, on the south side, along the 
top of Coal hill to a point opposite Four Mile run; thence across the country 
from the Monongahela to the Allegheny, and on the Allegheny side, along the 
Ohio river. Parts of these works are still discernible, but they are gradually 
disappearing. The work was well done, and would have been serviceable, if 
ever needed; but no enemy ever appeared. It is probable that, if such a 
design was ever entertained by the rebel leaders, the news of this preparation 
for them deterred them from even trying to carry their designs into execution. 
But no good evidence, beyond the fears of Stanton and Halleck, has ever been 
produced to show that any such design was seriously formed. It may have 
been cheri.shed as a favorite idea by some dreamer, and even canvassed care- 
fully; but it remains to be shown that it was ever seriously thought of. It is 
true that Pittsburgh, as a point for manufacturing guns and other munitions 
of war, would be of great value to the rebels, if they could take it and hold it, 
and Pittsburghers were fond of thinking of the place as essential, for such pur- 
poses, to the rebel leaders; but we doubt if the rebel leaders ever gave as much 



HISTOKV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. lUi 

importance to it in regard to these matters as our own people did; and cer- 
tainly its defensible condition was too clear, and its distance from their base of 
action too great, to warrant them in thinking either its capture or retention 
possible. The people showed their willingness and ability to defend them- 
selves, and that was a lesson as good for them as it was conclusive to the rebels; 
nevertheless, the "scare" of Stanton and Halleck seems to have been without 
good foundation. 

Altogether, the military record of Allegheny county is one its citizens may 
justly be proud of. They did their duty manfully in 1812 and 1846; and when 
the unusual circumstances of 1861 made extraordinary demands upon them, 
they responded heartily, and turned out what was equivalent to a small army 
in defense of the government. And the soldiers furnished were all good, effi- 
cient men, not mere militia nor camp-followers. The city prospered, it is true, 
while they were away, but not because they were away, and it contributed 
liberally and manfully to their comfort, welcomed them home when all was 
over, and soon absorbed them as a part of itself, as if they had never been away. 
Thousands of strangers came in to take the places they left, yet they all 
found places when they returned, thus demonstrating its ability not merely to 
furnish an army to the government from among its population, but to rehabil- 
itate all who returned as if their places had specially been reserved for them. 
Beyond the annual Grand Army parade, and an occasional halting step on the 
pavement, or an armless sleeve, and quarter-day at the pension-office, there is 
nothing to show that there ever was any war, or that the city ever had sent out 
the eighth of its citizens as soldiers for the defense of the republic. 

It has already been stated that of the three- months volunteers Allegheny 
county furnished its full quota, and that many offered themselves who could 
not be accepted. Twenty-four companies went from this county, one in the 
Third regiment, three in the Fifth, five in the Seventh, six in the Twelfth, eight 
in the Thirteenth and one in the Fourteenth. Of these regiments only the 
Seventh was in any engagement. On the 2oth of June, 1861, they were 
attacked by rebel cavalry, but the latter were repulsed with the loss of six men 
and three horses. The regiment crossed the Potomac on the 2d of July, 
marched to Martinsburg, captured a quantity of flour, and seized and de- 
stroyed a hundred and fifty barrels of whisky. A detachment afterward capt- 
ured three of the enemy's pickets. The soldiers in these regiments passed 
their terms of enlistment in drilling, guard, picket and fatigue duty, and the 
bloodless service to which they were subjected became to many of them 
exceedingly irksome. Many if not most of these volunteers re -enlisted after 
the expiration of their three -months terms, and able and efficient officers were 
furnished from among them. 

ELEVENTH KEGIMENT. 

Of the three-years regiments the Eleventh had one company from Alle- 



192 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

gheny county. Most of the men of this regimeut had been three-months vohin- 
teers, and re-enlisted. Their first winter was passed at Annapolis, Md. , where 
they were engaged in guard and fatigue duty. In the summer of 1S62 they 
were engaged at Cedar Mountain, at Graveyard hill, on the Rappahannock, 
at Thoroughfare gap, second Bull run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam 
and Fredericksburg. In 1863 the regiment was in action at Chaucellorsville 
and Gettysburg. 

A large portion of the regiment re-enlisted early in 1864, and fi'om that 
time until the surrender near Appomattox, it was actively engaged in the 
operations of the Army of the Potomac, and bore its part in the hardships and 
battles of that army. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT. 

The Twenty-eighth, which was uniformed and equipped at the expense 
of Col. Geary, had three companies from Allegheny county, and from surplus 
recruits Knap's battery was formed. In August, 1861, the regiment entered 
active service in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, and was engaged in several 
minor actions during the summer. In October a severe battle was fought at 
Bolivar Heights, and in the same month another at Ball's Bluff and Nolan's 
Ferry. During the winter of 1861-62 they frequently skirmished with the 
enemy, and in March, 1862, they assisted in dislodging the enemy from London 
Heights and Leesburg, and occupied the latter from that time till midsummer. 
They had an active part in the operations of the army in Virginia. They were 
engaged in the severe battles of the unfortunate campaign under Gen. Pope, 
and also in those of the Antietam campaign under Gen. McClellan. They 
were at the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and in that of 
Gettysburg in July, 1863. In all these campaigns they were constantly on 
active duty. 

In the autumn of 1863 the corps of which the Twenty-eighth formed a 
part was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and in the campaigns of 
the west and south, and in the ' ' march to the sea, ' ' it was constantly active. 
It was said of it that during its four years of service its casualties were equal 
to its original muster; that it served in twelve different states, and was 
engaged in as many skirmishes and battles as any regiment in the United 
States army. 

THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMpNT, EIGHTH HESEBVE. 

What were known as the reserve regiments were recruited under a state 
law authorizing the raising of fifteen regiments to meet what was then sup- 
posed to be a threatened emergency. These regiments were afterward mus- 
tered into the service of the United States as Pennsylvania volunteers. l)ut they 
also retained their designation as reserves. 

The Thirty-seventh had three companies from Allegheny county. It went 
to Washington late in July, 1861, and soon afterward went into camp at Ten- 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 193 

nalI3'to^vn. In October it moved to Langley, Va. , and established its winter 
quarters there. 

In the spring of 1862 it broke camp and started for the peninsula, where 
it participated in the operations of Gen. McClellan's army. It was in action 
at Mechanicsville, Gaines' mill, White Oak swamp and other places in the 
peninsular campaign. 

In August, 1862, it joined the army of Gen. Pope, and had part in the 
second Bull run campaign. The campaign in Maryland followed, and on the 
14th of September the Thirty-seventh was fiercely engaged at South Mountain, 
and again at Antietam on the 17th. The next severe action was at Fredericks- 
burg, where it lost heavily. In February, 1863, the regiment, with other 
troops, was ordered to the defenses of Washington, where it remained, engaged 
in various duties, till the spring of 1864. In April of that year it started for 
the Wilderness, where it arrived on the 4th of May, and was engaged in the 
actions there and at Spottsylvania. On the 17th, the term of the regiment 
having expired, it was relieved fi'om duty at the front. The veterans and 
recruits were transferred to the One Hundred and Ninety-first regiment, and 
the rest of the men returned to Pittsburgh, where the regiment was mustered 
out of service on the 24th of May. 

THIRTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, NINTH RESERVE. 

Eight of the companies composing this regiment were recruited in Alle- 
gheny county. It was organized on the 28th of June, 1861, and left Pittsburgh 
for Washington on the 23d of July, and was mustered into the United States serv- 
ice on the 28th. At Washington it was engaged in camp, picket and fatigue 
duty till the 9th of October, when it moved into Virginia and established winter 
quarters near Langley. On the Uth of November a detachment went on a 
reconnoissance to Hunter's mills, and on the 20th of December the regiment 
went with its brigade to Dranesville, where it participated in a spii'ited engage- 
ment. It returned to its quarters, and remained till the middle of March. It 
then broke camp, and after several marches and campings embarked for the 
peninsula, where it arrived on the 19th of June. On the 26th it took part in 
the battle of Mechanicsville, and soon afterward was engaged at Gaines' mill. 
For several days it bore an active part in the fighting in that vicinity. 

On the 16th of August the regiment embarked for the Army of Northern 
Virginia under Gen. Pope. It landed at Acquia creek, and after a forced 
march of five days it met the enemy at Groveton on the 29th. On the 31st 
it was engaged at Chantilly. After a brief rest it went forward, and met the 
enemy again at South Mountain on the 14th of September, and on the 17th it par- 
ticipated in the battle of Antietam. It was engaged at Fredericksburg on the 
12th of December, where, as at South Mountain and Antietam, it did excellent 
service. 

After the "mud" march the regiment was ordered to Washington, to reor- 



194 HISTORY OK ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

gaoize and recruit. In June, 18fi8, it again entered on active service in the 
movements which culminated in the battle of Gettysburg, in which it was en- 
gaged, and after which it joined in the pursuit of Gen. Lee. 

It entered on the spring campaign of 1864, after resting and recruiting 
during the winter, but while standing in the line ready for action at the Wil- 
derness, it was ordered to Washington. Its term of service had expired, and 
on the 4th of May it started for Pittsburgh, where it arrived on the 8th, and it 
was mustered out of the service on the 18th. 

FORTY-FOURTH RFGIMENT, FIRST CAVALRY. 

Company K of this regiment was recruited in part in Allegheny county, 
and joined the regiment in Washington in August, 1861. The regiment was 
organized as the Fifteenth of the reserve corps. The balance of the summer 
of 1861 was passed in drilling and perfecting the organization of the regiment. 
Late in November it entered on active service, and scouted the country toward 
Dranesville, and in the battle at that place a portion was engaged. 

On the opening of the campaign in the spring of 1862 it moved with the 
army toward Manassas. In May it entered on the campaign in the Shenan- 
doah valley, and was constantly engaged in scouting and skirmishing. Late 
in June it returned to Manassas, where it rested two weeks. It then joined 
in the advance of Gen. Pope, and participated in the operations which culmi- 
nated in the second battle of Bull run. In these operations it performed the 
usual service of cavalry, scouting, skirmishing and striking the enemy wherever 
a weak point could be discovered. 

During the campaign in Maryland the regiment picketed the approaches to 
Washington, and sent out occasional detachments. On the close of that cam- 
paign it resumed active duty, which it continued till the battle of Fredericks- 
burg, in which it participated. It then moved to Belle Main landing, where 
it went into winter quarters. During the winter it did picket duty along the 
Rappahannock and sent out occasional scouting-parties. On the r2th of April, 
1863, it entered on the spring campaign, and during the entire summer it was 
on active duty, taking part in several engagements. 

During the winter of 1863-64 there was little rest for cavalry. Scouts and 
raids into the enemy's lines kept the men almost constantly on duty. Of 
scarcely four hundred men present for duty it furnished a daily aggregate of 
ninety-tive for picket duty, with nearly an e(|ual number for scouts, guards 
and other details. 

The spring campaign of 1864 commenced in the latter part of April, and from 
that time till the close of its term of service the First was constantly on duty. 
Of sixty-one days that passed after the commencement of Grant's grand cam- 
paign against Richmond fifty-four were spent by the cavalry in either march- 
ing, scouting, picketing or lighting. It took part in sevei-al severe actions, 
and lost heavily. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 195 

The term of service of the regiment expired in August, 1864. The veterans 
and recruits, numbering four hundred, organized in a battalion, and afterward 
formed a part of the Second Provisional cavalry. The balance of the men 
were mustered out at Philadelphia on the 9th of September. 

FORTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. 

Companies B and F of this regiment were recruited in Allegheny county. 
It was organized on the 1st of September, 1861, and soon afterward joined the 
command of Gen. Banks on the upper Potomac. It passed the winter of 
1861-62 in drill and camp duty, and in the spring of 1862 entered on the cam- 
paign of the Shenandoah valley. Three companies of the regiment were 
engaged with the enemy near Kernstown. The entire regiment was engaged 
at the battle of Winchester, and did good service during the retreat from the 
valley. 

The regiment was next engaged at the battle of Cedar Mountain, where it 
fought bravely and sufFered severely, losing seventy killed, wounded and 
prisoners. It was next in action at Antietam, where its loss was comparatively 
slight. It passed the winter of 1862-63 at Harper's Ferry, Fairfax Station 
and Stafford Court House. It was engaged at Chancellorsville early in May, 
and in that campaign lost four killed and several wounded. It was next 
engaged, July 3d, at Gettysburg, where its loss was not great. 

In the autumn of 1863 the Forty-sixth, with its corps, was transferred to 
Tennessee, and spent some time in guarding the Nashville & Chattanooga 
railroad, which was subject to frequent attacks fi'om guerrillas. 

A large proportion of the regiment re-enlisted early in 1864, and received a 
veteran furlough, fi'om which they returned with ranks recruited. 

Early in May the Forty-sixth, with Gen. Sherman's army, entered on the 
memorable Atlanta campaign. It participated in the engagements at Dallas, 
Pine Knob, Kenesaw mountain and Marietta, and in all these actions its loss 
was fourteen killed and about thirty wounded. It was again in action at Peach 
Tree creek, where it lost ten killed and twenty-two wounded; and in the last 
battle between Sherman and Hood it lost six killed and several wounded. 

The regiment was in Gen. Sherman' s army on its ' ' march to the sea, ' ' 
which was reached on the 21st of December. It then turned northward, and 
was mustered out near Alexandria, Va. , July 16, 1865. 

FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT. 

Company K of this regiment was recruited in Pittsburgh. On the 11th of 
January, 1863, it was consolidated with other companies and became Com- 
pany B. 

The regiment was organized September 14, 1861, and moved to Washing- 
ton on the 22d of the same month. 

On the 10th of March it broke camp and went forward, and on the 4th of 



196 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

May it eucouatered the enemy at Williiimsburg, Va. It was again in action 
on the 27th and '28th on Garnett's hill and at Golding's farm. It moved to 
Harrison's Landing, where it suffered much from sickness. 

In August it went to the scene of Gen. Pope's retreat, but did not arrive 
in season to participate in the fighting there. Early in September it started 
on the Maryland campaign. It was in action at Crampton's gap on the 14th, 
and was present, thoagh not engaged, at the Ijattle of Antietacn on the 17th. 
It was again under fire, thoagh not engaged, at Fredericksburg December 13th. 
It also went on the "mud march." It was again in action near Fredericks- 
burg about the 1st of May, 1863. It was under fire, but not actively engaged, 
at Gettysburg, and participated in the pursuit of Gen. Lee. At Rappahan - 
nock Station the brigade of which the Forty-ninth was a part captured four 
guns and caissons, a pontoon, eight battle-flags, two thousand stand of arms 
and sixteen hundi'ed prisoners. 

A portion of the regiment re-enlisted, received a veteran furlough, and 
returned with ranks recruited. It entered on the Wilderness campaign in May, 
1864, and was in action on the 4th and 5th. It was again engaged on the 
9th, with a loss of sixty-four killed. On the 12th it was again engaged at 
Spottsylvania Coiu't House, with heavy loss. It was again in action at Cold 
Harbor, and participated in operations before Petersburg . 

It was with Gen. Sheridan in his Shenandoah valley campaign, and had an 
honorable part in the battle of Winchester. It returned to the trenches in 
front of Petersburg, and went into winter quarters at Fort Wadsworth. 

It entered on its last camjaaign April 1, 1865. Its last fight was at Little 
Sailor's creek, where a large force of the enemy was captured. It was mus- 
tered out on the 15th of July, 1865. 

FIFTr-SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

Companies C and E of this regiment were recruited partly in Allegheny 
county. On the 14th of December, 1861, they moved from Camp Curtin to 
Washington, and encamped during the winter. In February, 1862, they 
joined the Army of the Potomac, and in March went to Fortress Monroe. In 
April they went to Yorktown, where during a month they labored and slept in 
the mud, and engaged in one sharp skirmish. Early in May they went to 
Williamsburg, arriving too late for the battle there, but on the 31st of that 
month they were hotly engaged at Fair Oaks, losing seven killed and forty-nine 
wounded. On the 30th of June they were in action near Charles City cross- 
roads, and lost seven killed and fifty-six wounded. The next day they were 
in action at Malvern Hill. 

In August they joined the army of Gen. Pope in Northern Virginia, and 
participated m the actions of second Biill ran and Chantilly. They were next 
in action at Fredericksburg, where they lost twenty-one killed, seventy-six 
wounded and seventy-eight missing. 




/^;^^«y//^. 




^ 



HI8T0KY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 199 

In the latter part of April, 1863, they left their winter quarters, and on the 
3d of May were engaged at Chancellorsville. After a mouth' s rest they started 
on the Gettysburg campaign, and took part in that battle and the pursuit of 
Gen. Lee. They were engaged at Auburn creek October 13th, at Kelley's Ford 
November 7th and at Locust Grove November 12th. 

They went into winter quarters at Culpeper, and in January, 1864, two- 
thirds of their number re-enlisted, and received a veteran furlough. They 
returned with recruited ranks, and in May resumed active operations. They 
were severely engaged on the 4th of May, losing twenty-two killed and one 
hundred and twenty-eight wounded. They were again in action on the 12th, 
but with less of a loss. From that time on through the summer and autumn 
of 1864 they were in active service, marching, fighting, establishing new lines 
and erecting fortifications. 

In January, 1865, they were consolidated with the Eighty-fourth Pennsyl- 
vania. In the spring they entered on the final campaign of the war, in which 
they took an active part up to the time of the surrender of Lee's army. They 
were mustered oirt at Alexandria on the 22d of June. 

SIXTIETH REGIMENT, THIRD CAVALKY. 

This regiment. Company G of which was from Allegheny county, assembled 
at Washington in August, 1861. It passed the balance of the summer in drill- 
ing, and wintered at Camp Marcy, three miles from Chain bridge. 

On the 10th of March, 1862, it started with the army of Gen. McClellan, 
and was actively engaged in scouting, picketing, skirmishing and fighting 
through the peninsular campaign. 

The Third was actively employed in the Maryland campaign, discharging 
the usual duties of cavalry, protecting the flanks of columns and repelling 
attacks fi'om hostile cavalry. The winter of 1862-68 was passed in scouting 
and picketing in the vicinity of Warrenton and the Rappahannock river. It 
made a brilliant dash across the river at Kelley's Ford on the 16th of March, 
1863, and scattered the forces of Fitz Lee and Stuart. In April it went on a 
cavalry raid through Southern Virginia, in which much rebel property was 
destroyed. 

The Third bore a prominent part in the maneuvering and skirmishing 
during the invasion of Pennsylvania by Lee, and at the liattle of Gettysburg 
it was engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand fight with the cavalry of the enemy. 
It aided in harassing the army of Gen. Lee on its retreat from Pennsylvania, 
and during the rest of the summer and autumn it was kept constantly on the 
move, sometimes scouting, sometimes disputing the passage of fords, some- 
times fighting guerrillas, and several times it was engaged in severe battles. 

In December it went into winter quarters near Warrenton, Va., but its 
service during the winter of 1863-64 was more severe than its campaign of the 
preceding summer. The re-enlistment of veteran volunteers took place during 



200 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

the wintor, and so great had been the suffering of the men in their arduous 
duties, with poor supplies, that only seventy-five were willing to re-enlist. 

In May, 1864, the regiment entered on the Wilderness campaign, in all of 
which it was on active duty. In July the original term of service expired, 
and the two portions of the regiment separated, one part going to Philadel- 
phia, where it arrived on the 20th of August, and was soon mustered out. 
The veteran battalion remained, and was in active service during the rest of 
the summer and autumn. 

In May, 1865, it went to Richmond, and was there engaged in provost 
duty till it gradually drifted out of the service. 

SIXTY-FIRST REGIMENT. 

This was recruited in the summer of 1S61, at Pittsburgh, and six of the 
companies were raised mostly in Allegheny county. Before its ranks were 
full it went to Washington, and for a time was engaged in building a fort 
south of the Potomac. Late in March, 1862, it proceeded by transports to 
Fortress Monroe. It marched to Yorktown, and thence, through mud and 
rain, to Williamsburg, arriving too late for the battle at that place. It 
marched up the peninsula, making two reconnoissances on the way, and arrived 
at Seven Pines, where it went into action on the 31st of May. In this severe 
engagement the casualties of the regiment amounted to eleven officers and 
two hundred and sixty-nine men killed, wounded or missing. It was in action 
at Turkey Bend, and the next day it was in the sanguinary battle of Malvern 
Hill, where its loss was two officers and thirty- two men. July 2d it went to 
Harrison's Landing, and thence, August 16th, via Williamsburg to Yorktown, 
whence it soon moved by transports to Alexandria. It went on the Maryland 
campaign, did picket duty along the Potomac, and reached the Antietam 
battle-field on the evening of the 17th— after the battle. It went thence to 
Williamsport, to Downsville, and to the vicinity of Warrenton, where it 
remained till the opening of the Fredericksburg campaign. It was engaged 
in that battle, but did not lose heavily. 

Early in May, 1863, it went with other troops to Marye's Heights, which 
were carried by storm, and soon afterward it was in action at Salem Heights. 
On the 13th of June it marched for Pennsylvania, and arrived on the field of 
Gettysburg in the midst of the battle. Its loss there was not severe. 

After the pursuit of Lee was abandoned the regiment, as a part of a corps 
of observation, made various marches. On the 7th of November it partici- 
pated in a brilliant action at Rappahannock Station, and soon afterward it 
went into winter quarters at Brandy Station. 

During the winter of 1863-64 its numbers were considerably strengthened, 
and on May 4th of the latter year it entered on the Wilderness campaign. It 
was engaged on the 5th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th and 17th. In these actions, 
and the skirmishing which followed during several days, the loss of the regi- 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 201 

ment aggregated about thirtj' officers and four hundred enlisted men. On the 
13th of June it marched to the neighborhood of Petersburg, where during 
four weeks it was engaged in the operations of the siege. 

On the 9th of July the regiment started for Washington, where it arrived 
und marched through the city on the 11th, and on the r2th it was engaged in 
a sanguinary battle at Fort Stevens, losing thirty-three men killed and 
wounded. It pursued the enemy some distance and returned, and. during a 
month it marched and countermarched through Maryland and the Shenan- 
doah valley. On the 21st of August it was in action near Charlestown, Va. , 
losing six killed and sixteen wounded. 

On the 3d of September the men whose term of service had expired pro- 
ceeded to Philadelphia and were mustered out. The veterans and recruits 
were consolidated in five companies, known as the battalion of the Sixty-first 
regiment. On the 19th of September it went, under Sheridan, toward Win- 
chester, and was in the battle of Opequan, where it lost twenty-two killed and 
wounded. Following the enemy, it fought again at Fisher's Hill on the 22d. 
On the 19th of October it was in the battle of Cedar creek, which commenced 
with "Sheridan twenty miles away." Its loss here was sixteen killed and 
wounded. 

After this battle it received some accessions to its ranka, and early in 
December took its place in front of Petersburg, where it remained to the end 
of the siege. 

In March, 1865, two companies were added to the command, and on the 
25th of that month it was in action, losing eighteen. Its last fight was at 
Sailor's creek, three days prior to the surrender at Appomattox. It afterward 
marched to Danville, returned to Richmond, then to Washington, where it par- 
ticipated in the " great review. ' ' It was mustered out of the service on the 
2Sth of June, and on its return to Pittsburgh was entertained at a grand 
banquet. 

SIXTY-SECOND BEGIMENT. 

This was first the Thirty-third Independent regiment, but afterward the 
Sixty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers. Six of the companies — A, B, F, G, K 
and L — were raised in Allegheny county. In August, 1861, the regiment, with 
full ranks, went to Washington, and encamped in the suburbs of the city. After 
several moves and much fatigue duty it established its winter quarters at Minor's 
hill. Here a rigid system of discipline and drill was established and contin- 
ued through the winter. On the 10th of March, 1862, it moved to Manassas, 
then to Alexandria, whence it went on transports to Fortress Monroe, and thence, 
on the 3d of April, to Yorktown, where it was first under fire. On the 8th of 
May it moved up the York river, and on the 27th was in action at Hanover 
Oourt House. A month was spent in picket duty and constructing bridges 
and roads. On the 26th of June it was under fire at Beaver Dam creek, but 
was not actively engaged. At Gaines' mill it was hotly engaged, and its 



202 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

colonel, S. W. Black, was killed. On the 31st it was in the battle of Malvern 
Hill, suffering severely. Its entire loss in the engagements on the peninsula 
was two hundred and uinety-eight killed, wounded and missing. 

In the middle of August the Sixty-second left the peninsula, marched to 
Newport News, embarked on transports for Acquia creek, and entered on the 
second Bull run campaign. It was slightly engaged at Gainesville on the 
27th. The Maryland campaign followed, and the regiment was in the battle 
of Antietam. It was next in action in December, at Fredericksbui'g, but its 
loss there was not heavy. It participated in the "mud" campaign, and was 
at the battle of Chancellorsville, but was not largely engaged. It participated 
in the Gettysburg campaign, and lost heavily in the battle at that place. It 
took part in the ''campaign of maneuvers" in the autumn of 1863, and went 
into winter quarters at Licking run. 

With ranks recruited the regiment, on the 1st of May, 1864, entered on the 
Wilderness campaign. It was first engaged on the 5th, and during the rest of 
the month was more or less heavily engaged. At the battle of Bethesda church 
its losses were very heavy. 

On the 16th of June it arrived in front of Petersburg, and on the ISth had 
a sharp light near the Norfolk & Petersburg railroad. It was again engaged 
on the 21st at Jerusalem plank-road with small loss. It then did picket and 
fatigue duty till July 3d, when the term of service of the original companies 
expired. In one month of this campaign it lost one officer and twenty- eight 
men killed, eleven officers and two hundred and twenty seven men wounded, 
and one officer and thirty men missing. It started for Pittsburgh on the 4th 
of July, and was mustered out of service on its arrival. 

SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 

Companies A, B, D, E, H, I and K of this regiment were recruited mostly 
in Allegheny county. Alexander Hays, a graduate of West Point and a vet- 
eran of the Mexican war, was the colonel. The regiment went in detachments 
to Washington during the summer of 1861, and early in October it crossed the 
Potomac and went into camp on the road between Alexandria and Mount 
Vernon, where it remained during the entire winter engaged in picket duty 
and drill. A very thorough system of instruction was adopted and enforced, 
and to this the subsequent excellence and good reputation of the regiment were 
largely due. 

At the siege of Yorktown the regiment was posted some two miles from the 
town, in an unhealthful location, and many died from disease. It reached 
Williamsburg May 5th, too late to be engaged. At Fair Oaks it was severely 
engaged and lost heavily. At Charles City cross-roads it was again in action, 
and fought gallantly. At Malvern Hill the Sixty-third was engaged, but its 
part was not so prominent. It wfent into camp at Harrison's Landing and re- 
mained till ordered to the support of Pope, on the Rappahannock. At the 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 203 

second battle of Bull run it was fiercely engaged, lost very heavily, and 
covered itself with glory. On the 1st of September it was at the battle of 
Chantilly, after which it went into the defenses of Washington and remained 
till after the battle of Antietam. On the 13th of December the regiment was 
in action at Fredericksburg, and exhibited its usual gallantry. On the 3d 
of May, 1863, it went into action at Chancellorsville, and in that tight lost, in 
killed, wounded and missing, one hiuidred and twenty. 

On the 11th of June, 1863, the Sixty-third started on the Gettysburg cam- 
paign, and arrived on the battleground July 1st. Its loss in this battle was 
slight, considering its exposed position. The regiment joined in the pursuit of 
the retreating foe, and remained at Culpeper till the opening of the fall cam- 
paign, in which it participated. It fought at Auburn Mills, at Kelley's Ford, 
and in two skirmishes at Locust Grove. Winter quarters were established at 
Brandy Station, and during the winter of 1868-64 the regiment was engaged in 
guard and picket duty, and it went with its division on one reconnoissance. 

On the 3d of May, 1864, it moved toward the Wilderness, and on the 5th 
and 6th was heavily engaged, losing in the two days one hundred and eighty- 
six killed and wounded. On the 7th it again fought sharply, but with smaller 
loss. The regiment was also engaged at North Anna and at Polecat river, 
and after marching and intrenching for some days it arrived about the middle 
of June at the front before Petersburg. Here it was engaged in the operations 
of the siege, and was several times in action, losing heavily in prisoners on one 
of these occasions. 

The original term of enlistment having expired, the veterans and recruits 
were transferred to other commands, and on the 9th of September the regi- 
ment, consisting of three oflScers and sixty- four men, was mustered out of the 
service. 

SIXTT-rOUBTH REGIMENT, FOURTH CAVALRY. 

The Fourth Cavalry was raised under the direction of David Campbell, of 
Pittsburgh, who became its colonel, and it had three companies from Allegheny 
county! It went to Washington in September, 1861. The following winter 
was spent in drill, and rigid discipline was enforced. 

In May, 1862, the regiment joined McDowell's command on the Rappa- 
hannock and at once entered on its routine of picket and scouting duty. It 
was divided into squadrons, which were sent to different parts of the theater of 
hostilities as exigencies arose which rendered their presence desirable. In the 
peninsular campaign the Fourth did effective service, which for want of space 
can not 1)6 recounted here. By reason of the celerity of its movements the 
cavalry arm of the service supplied a seriously felt want, and as the war pro- 
gressed mounted troops became more and more popular. 

After the fighting in the peninsula was over the regiment went to Yorktown, 
and thence to Washington, but arrived too late to participate in operations at 
second Bull run. 



204 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The Fourth was with the army in the Marylaml campaiga, and participated 
ill the battle of Antietam, where Col. Childs, of Pittsburgh, was killed. In 
the autumn of 1862 the regiment was not on important duty, except brilliant 
dashes and scouts, and it went into winter quarters at Potomac creek station. 

In the winter of 1862-63 the operations of cavalry came to be of more 
importance than previously, and a cavalry corps was established. In the 
Chancellorsville campaign the Fourth, with the other cavalry force, rendered 
valuable service in scouting, guarding fords, etc. 

In the Gettysburg campaign the regiment was constantly active, and had 
a severe fight near Aldie. It arrived on the field of Gettysburg on the 2d of 
July, and was in action on the 3d. It then joined in the pursuit of Gen. 
Lee's army. In October a large number of the regiment were made prisoners 
and sent to southern prisons, where many died. 

In the Wilderness campaign, in the early summer of 1864, and in the sub- 
sequent cavalry operations, the Fourth bore its full share; but space will not 
permit a detailed account of its movements. History has recorded the impor- 
tant part achieved by the cavalry arm of the service in these operations. 

After the surrender the regiment was on duty at Lynchburg, Va. , where its 
colonel was the provost-marshal. It was mustered out at that place on the 1st 
of July, and returned to Pittsbiu'gh, where it was disbanded. 

SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT, FIFTH CAVALRY. 

This regiment was first known as the Cameron Dragoons. It was recruited 
in Philadelphia, except Companies L and M, which were from Pittsburgh. It 
went to Washington in August, 1861, and entered on active duty a month later. 
It scouted along the enemy's line for a time, then went into camp at Alex- 
andria, where it remained till May, 1862. It then moved with the army of 
Gen. McClellan, and during the peninsular campaign it was engaged in scout- 
ing in the rear of the army, with headquarters at Williamsburg. It remained 
here, engaged in the usual duties of cavalry troops, till September, 1863. Sev- 
eral engagements occurred in this time. On the 7th of February, 1863, Com- 
panies L and M went on a scout, and encountered a largely superior force of the 
enemy. They boldly attacked and, though at one time nearly surrounded, 
broke through and escaped with a loss of thirty-five killed, wounded and 
prisoners. 

In September the regiment went into North Carolina, and was there engaged 
in scouting. 'A detachment which included companies L and M went to Curri- 
tuck Court House and succeeded in ridding the district of some troublesome 
bands of the enemy that had been engaged in irregular warfare. 

In October the regiment went into winter quarters at Great Bridge, 
and there a part re-enlisted and received a veteran furlough. In November 
ten companies went to Portsmouth, and subsequently the entire regiment pro- 
ceeded to Yorktown, from which point an unsuccessful raid was made toward 



HISTOEY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 205 

Richmond. Early iu May, 1864. the Fifth was engaged in a successful raid 
on the Petersburg & Weldon railroad, and on the r2th of the same month in 
another, which was also successful, on the Richmond & Danville and the 
South Side railroads. The regiment joined the forces of Gen. Butler at 
City Point, and in the month of June several important and quite successful 
raids were made. 

"From the middle of July till the close of September the regiment was 
kept constantly in motion, frequently meeting and skirmishing with the 
enemy, and doing severe picket duty. ' ' Early in October it took part in , 
several severe actions near Richmond, in which its losses were considerable. 
In the latter part of that month, and again on the 10th of December, it was 
sharply engaged at the Charles City road, losing seven killed and fourteen 
wounded. It remained in that vicinity doing picket duty till the 25th of 
March, 1865, when it entered on its last campaign, in which it was constantly 
active till the time of the surrender of Lee's army. Little of importance 
occurred with the regiment after that, and it was finally mustered out on the 
7th of August. 

SIXTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

One company in this regiment was recruited from Allegheny county. A 
majority of the men in this company were mustered into the service after the 
surrender of Lee's army, and the regiment was mustered out on the 14th of 
July, 1865. Of course they saw no bloody service. 

SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. 

This was recruited in the summer of 1861. Two companies and a part of 
another were raised in Allegheny county, and included many German citizens. 
Late in September it went to Washington, where it spent the winter in fatigue 
duty and drill. 

In the spring of 1862 it was ordered to West Virginia, where it arrived 
after a very severe march. After a short time spent in picket and fatigue duty 
it marched to Strasburg and joined in the pursuit of Stonewall Jackson up the 
Shenandoah valley. At Cross Keys a severe battle was fought, in which the 
regiment lost six killed and thirteen wounded. It then proceeded to Middle- 
town, where it remained a month, then moved to Cedar Mountain, arriving too 
late for the battle at that place. With the army it fell back toward Manassas, 
Ijut on the way it had a sharp light at Freeman' s ford. It reached Groveton 
on the 28th of August, and during two days was engaged in the second battle 
of Bull run, losing seventeen killed and wounded. It retired to the fortifi- 
cations of Washington, and remained till after the battle of Antietam. It 
went forward to the battle-ground of Fredericksburg, but arrived too late to be 
engaged. 

At the battle of Chancellorsville, in the spring of 1863, the Seventy fourth 
was engaged, with a loss in killed, wounded and missing of sixty-one. On the 



206 HISTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

12th of June it left its camp at Stafford Court House for the Gettysburg cam- 
paign. In the battle of Gettysburg it lost in killed, wounded and missing 
one hundi-ed and thirty-six. Two weeks later it went to Warrenton Junction, 
and early in August to Folly Island, South Carolina, and it was on duty in 
that vicinity till August, 1864, participating in the operations for the capt- 
ure of Charleston. In that month it returned to Washington, where it did 
duty as heavy artillery. Late in September it went to West Virginia, where it 
was engaged in garrison, guard and picket duty till the end of its term of serv- 
ice. It was mustered out August 29, 1805. 

SEVENTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. 

A part of Company K in this regiment was raised in Allegheny. In the 
winter of 1861-62 it was in South Carolina, where it remained, participating 
in operations there, till May, ISO-t. It was engaged in the siege of Fort ^^"ag- 
ner, and in an attack on that work it lost eighty-seven killed and wounded, of 
which number fifty-three were killed. 

It went to Virginia and particij^ated in the movements there till December, 
1864, when it formed a j)art of the force sent against Fort Fisher. After the 
capture of that stronghold it was in North Carolina, engaged in guard and 
provost duty till July 18, 1865. when it was mustered out. 

SE\ENT¥-SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

Three companies in this regiment were raised, wholly or in part, in Alle- 
gheny county. It was organized in October, 1861, and on the 18th of that 
month it went to Louisville, Ky. , whence it proceeded by leisurely mai'ches to 
Nashville, Tenn., where it arrived March 2d, 1862. It went forward, and 
was first engaged at Pittsburgh Landing, with a loss of three killed and 
seven wounded. On the 28th of May it had reached the works at Corinth, and 
skirmished with the enemy. After the evacuation of that j)lace by the enemj' 
it moved again into Tennessee, and reached Nashville early in September. 
Thence it went on an expedition to Louisville, but returned and remained till 
the opening of the winter campaign. It went on several reconnoissances, and 
in one of these, near La Vergne, had a sharp skirmish with the enemy. 

On the 26th of December it went with the army toward Murfreesboro, 
and in the battle at Stone river it won from Gen. Rosecrans the praise of being 
the "banner regiment.'' After the battle it did guard, scout and foraging 
duty till the middle of February, 1863. It then went into camp at Murfrees- 
boro, and was employed in building fortifications till the commencement of the 
summer campaign. On the 24th of June it broke camp, and at Liberty gap 
it had a tierce engagement, losing nearly a third of its effective strength. 
After several marches in different directions the enemy was again encountered, 
on the 19th of September, at Chickamauga, and in that action all the field offi- 
cers, seven line officers and seventy men of the regiment fell into the hands of 





a<^^^ — s, 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 209 

the enemy. After this battle it went to Whiteside, where it remained till the 
end of 1868. 

In Jannary, 18(34, a large proportion of the regiment re-enlisted and 
received a veteran furlough. They returned, and early in May entered on the 
Atlanta campaign. They were engaged at Rocky Face ridge, at Resaca, 
Kingston, New Hope church, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna, Chattahoochie 
river and Peach Tree creek. 

The regiment was constantly employed during the investment of Atlanta. 
On the 25th of August it destroyed a portion of the Montgomery railroad, and 
on the 1st of September it aided in a like work on the Macon road. It was en- 
gaged at Jonesboro, and on the 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th of September at Lovejoy. 

After the fall of Atlanta the Seventy-seventh moved with its corps toward 
Nashville. On the 30th of September it was engaged with the enemy at Frank- 
lin, and the next day retired to Nashville. On the 15th of December Gen. 
Hood was attacked and driven from before that place. The regiment had a 
prominent part in that action, and pursued the retreating foe as far as Hunts- 
ville. Ala. 

The Seventy-seventh was reinforced and reorganized in the spring of 1865, 
and in the summer it was sent to Texas, where it arrived on the 27th of July. 
On the 5th of December it received orders to return home, and on the 16th of 
January, 1866, it arrived at Philadelphia, where it was mustered out of the 
service. 

SEVENTY-EIGHTH KEGIMENT. 

Companies F, H and I of the Seventy- eighth were recruited in Pittsburgh, 
and assigned, with other companies, to the regiment in March, 1865. The new 
regiment, as thus organized, remained on duty at Marshall, Tenn. , and partic- 
ipated with the Army of the Cumberland, under Thomas, in that brilliant 
campaign which swept the rebel army from Tennessee. It was finally mus- 
tered out of the service on the 11th of September, 1865. 

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT, SEVENTH CAVALRY. 

Of the twelve companies in this regiment one was recruited in Allegheny 
county. On the 19th of December, 1861, it left the state for Louisville, Ky. 
After a month in camp of instruction at Jeffersonville, it marched leisurely to 
Nashville. Tenn The three battalions were here separated, and sent in differ- 
ent directions to scout through the country. The enemy was met. and engage- 
ments of greater or less severity were had near Pulaski, at Lebanon, Sweeden' s 
Cove, McMinnville, Reedysville, and on the 13th of July, 1862. at Murfrees- 
boro. The battalions were then employed in protecting the flanks of the army 
from the prowling bands of hostile cavalry. On the 21st of August a severe 
battle was had with the combined forces of the rebels Morgan and Forrest, in 
whicli the Seventh lost forty killed and three hundi-ed wounded and prisoners. 



210 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

la September one battalion participated in the battle of Perryville. In Novem- 
ber the battalions were united, and late in December went, with other forces, to 
Miirfreesboro, where a sevei'e battle was fought ou the 31st. A month later' 
the regiment went with its brigade to Rov(>r, where it broke up a rebel out- 
post and scouted for two weeks within the rebel lines. Again at Rover and 
at Unionville the Seventh was sharply engaged. It was engaged with Morgan 
at Snow Hill on the 3d of April, 1863; fought Duke's brigade on the 20th, 
assisted in the captui'e of McMiunville May Hth, was engaged at Murfreesboro 
' May 14th, and fought Morgan at Alexandria on the 3d of June. 

Late in June the regiment was heavily engaged in the battle of Shelby- 
ville. where an important victory was achieved. On the 3d of July it fought 
at Elk river, on the 17th of August at Sparta, and early in September went 
on the Chickamauga campaign, in which, and in the operations immediately 
following, it did important service. 

Early in 1864 a large part of the regiment re-enlisted and was given a vet- 
eran furlough. It returned with ranks recruited, and on the 3d of April 
entered on the Atlanta campaign. It was engaged at Rome May 15th, at 
Dallas and Villa Rica road May 27th, at Big Shanty June 9th. at McAfee 
Cross Roads June 11th, at Monday creek June 20th, at Kenesaw Mountain 
June 27th. Augusta & Atlanta railroad July 18th, at Flat Rock July 28th, 
at Fairburn and Jonesboro August 19th. at Lovejoy's Station August 20th, at 
Rome October 12th and at Leach's Cross Roads two weeks later. 

It then went to Louisville, where it was remounted and equipped, and on 
the 22d of March, 1865, it set oiit with the command of Gen. Wilson on an 
expedition across the gulf states. It fought at Plantersville, Ala., on the 1st 
of April, and soon afterward at Selma, where it lost heavily. It was also 
engaged near Columbus on the 16th of April. On the 20th of August it 
arrived at Macon, Ga., where it was mustered out of service on the 13th of 
August. 

EIGHTT-SECOND REGIMENT. 

Allegheny county was represented in this regiment by Company B. After 
its organization it remained nearly six months in the defenses of Washington. 
In March, 1862, it moved toward Manassas, with the army, and two weeks later 
it went by steamer to Fortress Monroe. It moved to the neighborhood of Lee's 
mills, on the Warwick river, where it remained nearly a month. Thence it 
went to Williamsburg, to the Chickahominy, to Seven Pines, and to Fair Oaks 
station. Here, on the 31st of May, an attack was made by the enemy, and 
the regiment was engaged, with the loss of eight killed and twenty-four 
wounded. On the 1st of July it was again in action at Malvern Hill. Late in 
August it embarked for Alexandria, and it was in the line at Chantilly, but was 
not actively engaged. It went on the Maryland campaign, crossed South 
Mountain the day after the battle, reached the Antietam battle-held ou the 
evening of the 17th of September, and was under fire of the enemy's sharp- 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 211 

shooters the next day. It was in action on the 13th of December at Freder- 
icksburg, but its loss was not great. At the battle of Chaucellorsville, in May, 
1863, it was in action at Marye's Heights and at Salem Heights. It went on 
the Gettysburg campaign, and was engaged in the battle, but with only slight 
casualties. It joined in the pursuit of the retreating rebels, and had a skir- 
mish at Funkstown on the 27th of July, with a loss of eight wounded. The 
winter quarters of the regiment were established at Brandy Station, and there 
about half the men re-enlisted and went home on a veteran furlough. During 
the. winter it was sent to Johnson's island, in Lake Erie, to guard rebel pris- 
oners, but returned in May, 1864, soon after the battles of the Wilderness and 
Spottsylvania. At the battle of Cold Harbor it was severely engaged, losing 
in killed, wounded and missing one hundred and seventy-three men, more 
than half its strength. 

The regiment went to the front of Petersbui'g, whence, on the 9th of July, 
it was ordered to Washington to meet a raid through Maryland of the enemy 
under Gen. Early. For some time it was employed in marching, counter- 
marching and skirmishing. In September the original term of service of the 
regiment expired, and it was ordered to Philadelphia, where, on the IGth of 
that mouth, it was mustered out of the service. 

The veterans and recruits were consolidated with other troops under the 
designation of the Eighty -second. It participated in Gen. Sheridan's cam- 
paign in the Shenandoah valley, and returned to the front of Petersburg. It 
was in the campaign of the spring of 1865, was engaged in the battle of 
Sailor's creek on the 6th of April, and on the 9th was at the front when Lee 
surrendered. It was mustered out of service on the 13th of July. 

EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 

This regiment was raised at Erie, and entered the service in September, 
1861. Allegheny county was not represented in it till March, 1865, when two 
companies were assigned to it. 

The final campaign opened on the '29th of that month, and the engagements 
at Jones' Farm, White Oak road. Gravelly run, Five Forks, Sutherland 
station, Jetersville and the pursuit to Appomattox Court House followed in 
quick succession, and in all these the regiment had part and sustained well the 
reputation which the veterans had acquired. It was mustered out at Wash- 
ington on the 28th of June, 1865. 

EIGHTY -SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

Companies F and G were recruited in Allegheny county in February and 
March, 1865, and were assigned to the regiment in the latter month, after the 
veterans and recruits had been consolidated and reorganized. It participated 
in the camj)aign of 1865, and on the 2d of April had part in a charge on the 
works before Petersburg, losing thirty-three killed and wounded. On the 6th 



212 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

it was eni^agcd at Sailor's crook, wboro it had oue man woundod. It was 
miistored out at Alosandria, Va. , on tho 29th of Juno. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FIRST REGIMENT. 

Companies A, E, G and I of this rogiment were raised, wholly or in part, 
in Allegheny county. On the 27th of February, 1862, the regiment went to 
Washington. A month later it went by transports to the peninsula, and on 
the 16th of April went to the front. After spending some time building cor- 
diaroy roads at Yorktown, it went forward with the army, and was first en- 
gaged on the 5th of May, at Williamsburg, and was nest engaged on the 31st 
of May, at Fair Oaks. 

After the close of the peninsular campaign the regiment was engaged mostly 
in fatigue duty and reconnoissances till December, when it went to New Berne, 
N. C. , and on the 14th engaged the enemy at the Neuse river. It was again 
engaged at Goldsboro on tho 17th, and afterward went into winter quarters 
near New Berne. 

During the year 1803 and the spring of 1864 the regiment was engaged in 
fatigue duty, and in scouring the country in various directions, without any 
severe engagements. 

April 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th, 1864, a severe battle was fought at Plym- 
outh, in which this regiment lost five killed, twenty-four wounded and two 
missing, and the rest were made prisoners. They were marched to Tarboro. and 
thence taken by rail to Andersonville, Ga., where the enlisted men were kept 
till the latter part of the summer. A part were sent to Millen and a few to 
Savannah. They were exchanged at Wilmington in the spring of 1865. 
Nearly one-half died before the time of release. The officers were sent, suc- 
cessively, to Savannah. Charleston and Charlotte. Many escaped, some were 
recaptured, and those retained were exchanged in March, 1865. 

Those who were absent on leave or sick at the time of the battle were formed 
into a detachment, and received some recruits. They were mustered out on 
the 25th of June. 1865. 

ONE HDNDKED AND SECOND REC.IMENT. 

Col. Thomas A. Rowley, who commanded the Thirteenth, commenced 
recruiting a three-years regiment at Pittsburgh as soon as the Thirteenth 
was mustered out. which was on the 0th of August, 1861. So rapidly were 
the ranks filled that five companies departed for W^asbington on the 21st of 
the same month. Seven other companies soon followed, all recruited in Alle- 
gheny county except Company H, which was partly raised in Butler. The 
field oiiicers were Thomas A. Eowley, colonel; Joseph M. Kinkead. lieutenant- 
colonel, and John Poland, major. The regiment was drilled at Washington 
till March 26, 1862, when it embarked for the peninsula. During the siege at 
Yorktown it was at Warwick Court House. On the 5th of May it was engaged 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 213 

in the battle of Williamsburg, losing three killed and thirty-eight wounded. 
It went forward, and on the 30th of May was engaged at Fair Oaks, losino- 
thirteen killed and forty-eight, among whom was Col. Rowley, wounded. It 
was for a time at Seven Pines, doing guard and picket diity, and next met the 
enemy at Malvern Hill, where it lost ten killed and thirty- seven wounded. 
Among the killed was Maj. Poland. 

On its return from the peninsula the regiment met the forces retreating 
from the second Bull run field, and aided in checking the pursuing enemy. 
At Chantilly it acted as support to the batteries, and was not actively engaged. 
At the battle of Antietam it was held in reserve. It was also in reserve at the 
battle of Fredericksburg, but was under artillery tire. 

On the 27th of April, 1863, the regiment left its winter quarters for the 
Chancellorsville campaign. Col. Rowley had been made a brigadier-general, 
Lieut. -Col. Kinkead had become colonel, Maj. John W. Patterson had been 
promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and Adjt. Joseph Browne to major. On the 
3d of May it was furiously engaged in the battle of Chancellorsville, and 
behaved with great gallantry. Its loss was twelve killed, fifty five wounded 
and one hundred missing. Col. Kinkead soon afterward resigned. Lieut. - 
Col. Patterson was appointed colonel, Capt. William Mcllwaine lieutenant- 
colonel, and Capt. Thomas McLaughlin major in place of Maj. Browne, who 
resigned. 

Early in June the regiment left its camp near Falmouth, and moved to 
meet the enemy, who was making his way northward. It reached the battle- 
field of Gettysburg, and was engaged in the action, but without severe loss. 
It joined in the pursuit of the enemy, took part in the action at Rappahannock 
Station, and finally went into winter quarters near Brandy Station. Here 
nearly all the regiment re-enlisted and received a veteran furlough. 

On the 4th of May, 1864, it left its camp, and on the 5th became engaged 
in the battle of the Wilderness. In the fighting of this day it lost sixteen 
killed and one hundred and twelve wounded. Col. Patterson was among the 
killed. On the 6th it was again engaged, but with smaller loss. At Spott- 
sylvania fighting was renewed, and continued for nearly a week. At Cold 
Harbor the regiment was severely engaged on the 3d and 5th of June, losing 
thirty-nine wounded, among them Lieut. -Col. Mcllwaine. mortally. 

On the 15th of June it crossed the James and entered on the siege of Peters- 
burg. On the 9th of July it was ordered to Washington to aid in repelling 
the invasion through Maryland. It joined in the pursuit of the retreating foe, 
and during two months was almost constantly on the march. On the 19th of 
September it crossed the Opequan with Gen. Sheridan, and was engaged in 
the battle of Winchester, in which it lost five killed and twenty-three wounded. 
Again, at Fisher's Hill, the loss of the regiment was thirty-one wounded and 
three missing. On the 19th of October, at Cedar creek, on the occasion of 
Sheridan's famous ride, it lost seven killed and fifty-eight wounded. 



214 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

In December the regiment returned to the iiitrenchments before Petersburg. 
On the 25th of March, 1865, it was engaged in a fruitless advance on the 
enemy's works. On the 2d of April it joined in the last race with the enemy. 
A sharp fight occurred at Sailor's creek on the 6th, and on the 9th Lee surren- 
dered at Appomattox. After a move toward Danville the regiment returned to 
the vicinity of Washington, where, on the 28th of June, it was mustered out of 
service. 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD REGIMENT. 

Company C and parts of companies F, I and K in this regiment were from 
Alleghen)' county. In the latter part of February, 1862, it went to Washing- 
ton, and soon afterward to the peninsula. It participated in the siege of York- 
towQ, and was engaged in the battle of Williamsburg. On the 31st of May it 
was in the battle of Fair Oaks, losing eighty-four killed and wounded. Dur- 
ing a month after this battle it worked on fortifications at White Oak swamp, 
suffering greatly from sickness. 

After the close of the peninsular campaign the regiment went to Suffolk, 
and thence, early in December, to New Berne, N. C. Thence it went on an 
expedition to Kingston, where it was in action and achieved a brilliant suc- 
cess. It returned to New Berne, and dui'ing the spring made fi'equent expe- 
ditions into the surrounding country. In April it removed to Plymouth. On 
the 20th of that month a severe battle was fought at that place, and the regi- 
ment was captured. The men were sent to Andersonville. where one hundred 
and thirty-two died. The officers were taken to Macon, Ga. . and those of the 
highest grade were taken thence to Charleston; where they were placed under 
the fire of the union guns that were bombarding the city. 

At the time of the capture one company was at Roanoke island, and some 
men were absent in hospitals and on furlough, and these continued as the One 
Hundred and Third regiment. They were mustered out at New Berne on the 
25tb of June, 1865. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH REGIMENT. 

Company D of this regiment was recruited partly in Allegheny county. 
It went to Washington in October, 1861, drilled during the winter of 1801-62, 
and on the 17th of March went by transport to Fortress Monroe. It was at the 
siege of Yorktown and the battle of Williamsburg. At Fair Oaks, on the 31st 
of May, it fought desperately, losing forty-one killed, one hundred and fifty 
wounded and seventeen missing. In the battle at Charles City cross roads, 
on the 30th of June, it was sharply engaged, losing, in killed and wounded, 
fifty-six. At Malvern Hill it was under artillery fire, but not closely engaged.. 

After the close of the peninsular campaign the regiment was sent to guard 
the railroad between Manassas and Warrenton Junction, where two companies 
were captured and paroled. At the second battle of Bull run it lost thirteen 
killed aud forty-one wounded. After the close of Pope's campaign it was 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 215 

ordered into the defeases of Washington, and remained till after the battle of 
Antietam. It went with the army to Falmouth, and on the 13th and 14th of 
December it was under a severe artillery fire at Fredericksburg, losing thirteen 
wounded, two mortally. 

From the 3d to the 5th of May, 1863, the regiment was engaged in the 
battle of Chancellorsville, and its losses aggregated seventy-seven out of a force 
of three hiindred and forty -seven. On the 11th of June it moved northward, and 
reached the field of Gettysburg on the 1st of July. In that battle it lost an 
aggregate of one hundred and sixty-eight, more than half its entire strength. 
During the remainder of the summer it was moving in different directions, 
and was in action at Auburn, Kelley's Ford and Locust Grove. It went into 
winter quarters at Brandy Station, and here nearly the entire strength of the 
regiment re-enlisted and received a veteran furlough. 

From the opening of the campaign in the spring of 1864 till the 28d of 
May the regiment was constantly on the move, and was almost every day 
engaged. About the middle of June it crossed the James and went on duty in 
front of Petersburg. From that time till winter it was actively engaged in 
operations in that vicinity, and was frequently in more or less severe battles. 
In December it went into winter quarters, and was engaged in drill and 
fatigue duty. 

Late in March, 1865, it resumed active operations, and continued till the 
surrender on the 9th of April. Its last fight was at Sailor's creek on the 6th. 
It participated in the grand review at the capital, and on the 11th of July it 
was mustered out of service. " At the final muster-out not a single officer, and 
but a handful of the men who originally marched with the regiment, remained. ' ' 

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT, THIRTEENTH CAVALRY. 

This regiment had one company from Allegheny county. Its organization 
was completed in August, 1862. In September it was sent to guard the line 
of the Potomac, and to scout in Loudoun and Jefferson counties. In February, 
1863, it went to Winchester, and was employed in severe guard and scout duty. 
The country was infested with bands of rebel cavalry, and the Thirteenth was 
engaged in picket, scout, patrol and escort duties, and in reconnoissances and 
many skirmishes. On the 12th of June the Thirteenth went on a reconnoissance 
up the Shenandoah valley, on the Strasburg road. A heavy force of hostile 
cavalry was found and attacked near Middletown. The regiment was actively 
engaged during the two following days, and covered the retreat of the retiring 
column. It was not in the battle of Gettysburg, but scouted through the 
country, and on the 12th of October was engaged in a sharp cavalry fight near 
Sulphur Springs, losing many prisoners. 

During the winter of 1863-64 the regiment was assigned to duty on the 
Orange & Alexandria railroad, and in January went on a reconnoissance, in 
which it suffered severely from the cold. 



'■^lf> HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

lu tlio Wilderness campaign it participated in the severe lighting from the 
3d to the 11th of May, and in the operations at Spottsylvauia. In the latter 
part of May it went on Sheridan's cavalry raid toward Richmond, and was 
heavily engaged at Hawe's Shop on the 28th, losing ten killed and thirty-five 
wounded and missing. Soon afterward another raid was made toward Lynch- 
burg. 

In the latter part of June it went with .Sheridan on an expedition to the 
James. In this campaign much severe lighting was done, and a detachment 
with a herd of cattle was captured. On the 29th of September the regiment 
fought at Wyatt's farm, on the 22d of October at Boydton plank- road; and 
on the Sth and 9th of December at Hatcher's run. 

Early in February, 1865, it went on an expedition to Gravelly rim. Din- 
widdle Court House and Dabney's Mills, at which last place a severe light took 
place. About the middle of the same month it went to Wilmington, N. C. , 
and marched thence to open communication with Gen. Sherman, who was met 
on the 13th of March at Fayetteville. 

After the surrender of Johnston the regiment was engaged for a time in 
clearing the country of irregular bands that were plundering the inhabitants. 
In July it returned to Philadelphia, and on the 27th of that month was dis- 
charged. 

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY- THIRD REGIMENT. 

A call was made by the president on the 1st of July, 1862, for volunteers 
to serve nine months, and the One Hundred and Twenty-first was raised iinder 
this call. The regiment was full in less than a month from the time recruiting 
commenced. The field officers were: Rev. John B. Clark, colonel; Frederick 
Gast, lieutenant-colonel, and Hugh Danver, major. Two of the companies 
were recruited in Tarentum, the others in Pittsburgh and Allegheny. 

It proceeded at once to Washington, and on the 29th of August it was placed 
on picket between Washington and the Bull run battle-ground. On the 14th 
of September it started on the march through Maryland, arriving at Frederick 
on the 16th, and at the Antietam battle-ground on the 18th, too late for the 
battle. It crossed the Potomac and marched to Warrenton. then to a point on 
Potomac creek four miles from Fredericksburg. On the 13th of December it 
was engaged in the battle at that place, with a loss of twenty-one killed and 
one hundi'ed and thirty-one wounded. It returned to its old camp, and in 
January, 1863, moved to a camp nearer Falmouth. On the 28th of May it 
marched toward Chancellorsville. It did good service at the battle there, 
though it was not actively engaged. Its casualties were seven wounded by 
the explosion of a shell and five taken prisoners. It was mustered out at Har- 
risburg on the 13th of May, 1863, and returned in a body to Pittsburgh, where 
it was disbanded. 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. 

Companies E, F, G and H of this, which was a nine-months regiment, were 




C^^^z^ /f^ /^^f^^-^^^^z^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 2 19' 

recruited in Allegheny county. Its orgaaization was effected on the 2()th of 
August, 1862, by the choice of Thomas M. Bayne, colonel; Isaac Wright, lieuten- 
ant-colonel, and Charles Ryan, of Tioga county, major. It went to Washington 
on the 29th of August, and for a time was posted in detachments along the de- 
fenses of the city. On the 29th of September it went to Frederick, Md. , and two 
weeks later to Sharpsburg. It was afterward encamped at Warrenton, Brooks' 
Station, White Oak Church, and finally near Falmouth. It was engaged at 
the battle of Fredericksburg, losing in killed, wounded and missing one hun- 
dred and forty. 

It returned to its camp near Falmouth, and remained engaged in the usual 
routine of camp and picket duty till the 28th of April, 1863, when it moved 
toward the Chancellorsville field. On the 30th it was under the fire of rebel 
artillery, and several of the men were killed and wounded. Although it par- 
ticipated in the subsequent operations of the battle, it was not .actually engaged. 
On the 5th it returned to its camp. At the conclusion of its term of service it 
returned to Harrisburg, where, on the 2yth of May. 1863, it was mustered out. 

ONE UUNDRED AND THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENT. 

This regiment, which had Companies D, G, I andK from Allegheny county, 
was organized on the 1st of September, 1862, and immediately went to the 
front. It reached Washington on the 3d, and was sent directly to the Bull 
run battle-field, where, diiring three days, it was employed in burying the 
dead of that battle. It then followed the army, which it overtook on the 17th 
at the Antietam battle-field, but it was not engaged. In the battle of Fred- 
ericksburg, on the 13th of December, it was not engaged, but was under a heavy 
artillery fire, and had thirteen wounded. In the battle of Chancellorsville it was 
desperately engaged, losing in killed, wounded and missing one hundred and 
twenty-three. When the battle of Gettysburg opened it was thirty miles away, 
but it hastened forward, and was engaged, though with but small loss. It par- 
ticipated in the campaign which followed, and had part in the affair at Rappa- 
hannock Station. After much marching it went into winter quarters at Har- 
per's Ferry. In March, 1861:, it went to Brandy Station, and in May, with 
recruited ranks, it entered on the Wilderness campaign. In the fighting there 
it lost, in killed and wounded, one hundred and thirty-six, including nearly 
every commissioned officer. It bore its part in the operations about Spottsyl- 
vania Court House, being almost constantly under fire. It was lightly engaged 
at North Anna, but at Cold Harbor it had a bloody fight. It went to the front 
of Petersburg on the 15th of June, and was engaged in operations there till the 
9th of July, when it went to Washington to aid in repelling the invasion through 
Maryland. It bore an honorable part in this campaign, attesting its bravery 
by severe losses on every field. 

On the 1st of December it returned to the front of Petersburg, where it 
remained in comparative quiet during the winter. It was engaged in an assault 



220 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

on the enemy's works in March. 1N65, and in the successful assault on Peters- 
burg on the 2d of April. It was in the final race, and after the suirender was 
sent to North Carolina to the supjiort of Gen. Sherman. After the surrender of 
Johnston it returned by way of Richmond to Washington, where, on the 'Jlst of 
June, 1865, it was mustered out of service. 

ONE HUNDRED .\ND FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT. 

Of the ten companies composing this regiment eight were from Allegheny 
county. On the 4th of September, 1862, it went to Washington, and was at 
once placed in the defenses of that city. Soon afterward it went forward to 
the field of Antietam, where it arrived too late to have part in the battle. It 
first met the enemy at Fredericksburg, where it displayed great bravery, and a 
bayonet charge made by it with other troops was repelled with terrible slaughter. 

At the battle of Chancellorsville, early in May, 1863, the regiment sup- 
ported batteries, and was not heavily engaged. The enemy was next met at 
Gettysburg, where the regiment was heavily engaged on the 2d of July. In 
the campaign that followed the pursuit of Lee the regiment was engaged at 
Rappahannock Station, Mine Run and other minor skirmishes, displaying its 
wonted gallantry. During the winter of 1863-64 it was on guard duty along 
the Orange & Alexandria railroad. 

On the 5th and 6th of May, 1864, it was engaged at the Wilderness, and in 
the operations near Spottsylvania it sustained its well-merited good reputation, 
and suffered severe losses. It fought again at North Anna and in the bloody 
battles of Tolopotomy and Cold Harbor. 

On the 15th of June it crossed the James, and on the 16th was engaged in 
an assault on the enemy. On the 18th it participated in a charge which res- 
cued a portion of the Suffolk & Petersburg railroad from the enemy. On 
the 18th of August it joined in a descent on the Weldon railroad. On the 18th 
of September it had a sharp fight at Peebles' farm, and it was warmly engaged 
in the battle of Hatcher's run. It also did excellent service at the battle of 
Dabney's Mills. 

On the 29th of March, 1865, the regiment started on its last campaign. At 
Quaker road it routed the enemy and captured some prisoners. In the course 
of its march it fought, and fought well, at Gravelly run, Five Forks and 
Sailor's creek. At Appomattox Court House it was about to attack the main 
line when a white flag was displayed and the intelligence of the surrender was 
received. It returned to Washington, and on the 2d of June was mustered 
out of service. 

ONE HUNDRED .iND NINETY-THIRD REGIMENT. 

This was a "hundred-days" regiment, raised under a call of Gov. Curtin, 
ia July, 1864, to meet an emergency which had arisen. It was organized 
July 19th, by the choice of John B. Clark, colonel; James W. Ballentine, 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 221 

lieutenant-colonel, and Horatio K. Tyler, major. Soon after its organization 
it went to Baltimore, where it was drilled dvu'ing two weeiis. On the 10th of 
August one company was sent to Wilmington, Del., and the others were sta- 
tioned as guards along the Philadelphia. Wilmington & Baltimore railroad, 
with headquarters at Havre de Grace. Soon afterward four companies were 
withdrawn from the railroad and placed at Wilmington, under Col. Clark, 
commandant of that district. This distribution of the regiment was not changed 
until the close of its term of service. It was mustered out at Pittsburgh on the 
9th of November. 

TWO HUNDRED AND FOURTH REGIMENT, FIFTH ARTILLERY. 

A large portion of the men in this regiment were recruited in Allegheny 
county. Its organization was completed on the 10th of September, 1864, and 
soon afterward it went to Washington. It was posted along the line of the 
Manassas Gap railroad for the protection of construction trains on that road. 
In December the cavalry and artillery of Mosby appeared on the line of the 
road, and skirmishing, with some severe fighting, followed. Mosby retired to 
the mountains, and afterward a detachment of the regiment, with a squadron 
of cavalry, moved by night into the mountains and captured his artillery and 
some prisoners. 

After the battle of Oedar creek the regiment returned to the forts north of 
Washington. A few days later it returned to Virginia, and was posted in bat- 
talions at difFerent points, where it was engaged during the winter of. 1864—65 
in bxiilding stockades and blockhouses and drilling. ' ' Expeditions were also 
sent out, in the spring of 1865, to the Bull run battle-ground, where burying 
parties were employed in burying the dead of the second Bull run battle, 
whose bodies had lain ivncared for since the date of the battle. Nearly two 
thousand were buried, and monuments erected over their graves." The regi- 
ment was mustered out at Pittsburgh on the 30th of June, 1865. 

INDEPENDENT BATTERIES. 

Battery C, Tliompson s. — This was recruited at Pittsbm-gh for three years, 
and was organized November 6, 1861. It was engaged at the sanguinary bat- 
tle of Cedar Mountain, on the 9th of August; at Robinson's river, on the 12th; at 
Kappahannock bridge, on the 21st and 22d; at Thoroughfare Gap; at Bull run 
(second), AiigustSOth; at Chantilly, September 1st; at South Mountain, Septem- 
ber 14th: at Antietam, September 17th; at Fredericksbiu'g, December 13th; 
at Chancellorsville, early in May, 1863; at Gettysburg, July 2d and 3d; at 
Mitchell's ford, October 15th; at Mine Run, November 27th, and at Morton's 
ford, Febi-uary 6, 1864. Hampton's battery (F) was consolidated with it in 
May, 1863. 

The organization was renewed in the spring of 1S64, and during the 



222 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

remaindor of its term of service it was retfiined in the defenses of Wasbiiigtoii. 
It was mustered out at Pittsburgh June 30, 1865. 

Battery E, Knap's. — This battery was recruited in 1S61, at Pittsburgh. 
It was first attached to the Twenty-eiglith Pennsylvania Infantry. It was in 
Washington till the 24th of November. It passed the winter of 1861-02 near 
Harper's Ferry, occasionally taking part in a skirmish. It was in the cam- 
paign through the Shenandoah valley in 1802, and lost its guns, which were after- 
ward recovered. It was heavily engaged in the battle of Cedar Mountain, and in 
skirmishes during Pope's retreat. It fought at Antietam, at Chancellorsville 
and at Gettysburg. 

In the autumn of 1803 it went to the Army of the Cumberland. It fought 
at AVauhatchie, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. In January, 1804, a 
majority of the men re-enlisted and had a veteran forlough. They returned 
with ranks recruited, and participated in the campaign from Chattanooga to 
Atlanta, constantly at the post of duty, and frequently called to tierce fight- 
ing. It accompanied Gen. Sherman's army on its march to the sea, meet- 
ing with only inconsiderable losses. It marched northward through the Caro- 
linas, halting at Raleigh, then jaroceeded to Washington. Early in June. 1805, 
it went to Pittsburgh, where, on the 14th, it was mustered out. 

Battery F, Hampton's. — This, which was recruited at Pittsburgh, was or- 
ganized in October, 1861, and soon joined the forces on the Upper Potomac. 
It was in action at Dam No. 5 on the 18th of December, and at Hancock, Md. , 
on the 4th, 5th and 0th of January, 1802. It was engaged at Cross Keys on 
the 20th of April, at Middletown on the 24th, and at Winchester on the 25th. 
It also fought at Freeman's ford on the 22d of August, at White Sulphur 
Springs on the 28d and 24th, at Waterloo on the 25th, at Bull run on the 29th 
and 30th, at Chantilly on the 1st of September, at Falls Church on the 2d, at 
South Mountain on the 14th, and at Antietam on the 10th and 17th. It was 
in the affairs at Charlestown November 9th, and at Winchester December 2d. 
It passed the winter of 1862-63 between Fairfax and Acqviia creek. 

On the 1st, 2d and 3d of May it fought bravely at Chancellorsville, and 
Capt. Hampton was killed. It was then consolidated with Battery C, Capt. 
Thompson. Its subsequent actions were at Gettysburg, Blackburn's ford. 
Mine Run and White Hall Church. 

In February, 1864, it was engaged at Morton's ford. In May it went to 
Washington, and was placed in the defenses of that city. In July it went to 
Harper's Ferry and encamped on Maryland Heights, where it subsequently 
went into winter quarters. Here the original members, except veterans, were 
mustered out. About the middle of April, 1805, the veterans and recruits re- 
turned to duty in the defenses of AVashington, and on the 20th of June they 
also were mustered out. 

Battery G, Young's. — This battery was organized on the 21st of August, 
1862, and was principally recruited in Allegheny county. Soon after its 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 22i} 

organization it was ordered to Fort Delaware, where it remained during its 
entire term of service. It was mustered out on the I8th of June, 1865. 

The men composing this battery were mostly young and of more than ordi- 
nary education and ability, and many were detailed or sent away on special 
duty, and many became officers in other organizations. 

Battery H. — This, which was recruited in Pittsburgh and its vicinity, was 
organized on the 30th day of September, 1862. It was at once sent to Hagers- 
town, Md , where it arrived soon after the battle of Antietam. In December 
it was ordered to Camp Barry, in the District of Columbia, where it remained 
through the winter. It then went to Alexandria, and dviring nearly two years 
was engaged in provost duty and in operating against the forces of Stuart and 
Mosby. It returned to Camp Barry in January, 1865, and early in June it 
went to Pittsburgh, where it was mustered out on the 18th of that month. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

POLITICS. 

Early Elections— Gallatin and Brackenridge — Party Politics— Voltin- 
TEEE Candidates — The Jones and Postlethwaite Contest— The Slav- 
ery- Question — The Anti-Masonic Party — Election Keturns. 

AS Allegheny county was formed out of Westmoreland in 1788, it is 
natural to conclude that the prevailing tone in the politics of the new 
county would be democratic. The Gazette, the only paper published here for 
some years, was mildly federal in tone, and the only elective offices to be filled 
were those of representatives in the state legislature and in congress and 
those of sheriff, commissioner and coroner. There were no conventions to nomi- 
nate candidates for office in those days. The candidates for sheriff and coroner 
were all volunteers, and the most popular man won the office. Each voter 
voted for two of the candidates, and the governor appointed one of the two 
highest. The choice, presumably, fell upon the man best known to the voters. 
The same rule applied to the choice of legislators, except that the voter could 
not vote for both his first and second choice. The aspirants for legislative 
honors announced themselves, and depended, mainly, for election upon the 
knowledge the people had of them. As the voters were not numerous then, 
they were very apt to know all the men likely to offer themselves as candidates. 
For the first seven congresses this county was in the same district with Washing- 
ton. For the IVth, Vth, Vlth and Vllth congresses, strange as it may seem, 
the choice for each congress fell upon Albert Gallatin, a resident of Fayette 
county, and an active democrat. The fact that he did not live in the district 



224 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

does Dot seem to have been taken into consideration. Judge Brackenridge, a 
resident of Allegheny, offered himself as a candidate in 1794, against Galla- 
tin, but was beaten; Gallatin, being the abler man of the two, had made a 
greater impression, Ijy his sympathy with the whiskj' insurrectionists in their 
opposition to the whisky excise tax, and the voters chose him, although living 
outside of the district, because they had more confidence in his ability to 
serve them. 

But the line seems to have been less tightly drawn on members of the 
legislature. One of the Nevilles was chosen to the legislature from this county 
in the year before the whisky insurrection, and he was as noted a federalist 
as Gallatin was a democrat. The consideration in the choice of a legislator 
was purely personal. The voters chose the man they knew best, without regard 
to politics. But in the congressional fight the line was strictly drawn between 
Hamilton's financial policy and Gallatin's. The former was iu favor of a 
whisky excise tax, and the latter opposed to it. Brackenridge, too. was 
opposed to it, but not with the steady determination of Gallatin. Hence the 
whisky distillers of Washington and Allegheny naturally "froze" to Galla- 
tin, and nearly every farmer in both counties was a distiller on a small scale. 

The first election retui-n for this county, that we can find, is for 1790, and 
is as follows. On the paper before us the returns are not given by districts; 
only the totals are given. The county, be it remembered, at this time com- 
prised all the territory west and north of the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, besides 
what is now contained in Allegheny county. There were polls at Beaver, 
Butler, Franklin, Mercer, Meadville, Erie and Freeport, yet, covering all this 
territory, there were but 701 votes cast in all. After the ' ' Indian country, ' ' 
as it was then called, was thrown open to settlement, settlers crowded in 
rapidly; but it is apparent that they were not yet numerous in 1790, or took 
but little interest in the election. Both causes operated to make the vote small: 

Rtturn of the annual election for the county of Allegany.* in the state of Pennsyl- 
vania, held the second Tuesday of October, 1790: Assembly — John Neville, 701; sheriff — 
James Morrison. 701; William Wilson. 462; coroner — David Watson. 682; William Elliott, 
.588; commissioner— George Wallace. 467; George McCuUy. 193. 

The next rettirn we have is for 179S, when there was an exciting contest for 
sheriff, more exciting, probably, after the election than before it. The papers 
filed in the secretary's office at Harrisbiirg give the vote only for the two high- 
est candidates for sheriff, Jones and Postlethwaite; but the protest of Postle- 
thwaite's friends says that Jones polled only one-fourth of the total poll, from 
which it is inferable that a host of vohinteer candidates divided about 1,800 
votes among themselves, no one of them approaching the total of either Jones 
or Postlethwaite. As each voter voted for two candidates, the total poll would 



*The name of the county is spelled thus in the return, and in a fewoiher ofHcial papers, but the c 
orthography was "Allegheny." Those who spelled by sound wrote "Allegany;" those who spelled after the 
educated fashion wrote ".Allegheny." The nearest to the correct form would be "Alleghany." 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 225 

be about 3,600 votes. From the rapid settlement of the " Indian country " 
there was a great clashing as to land titles, and a legal conflict between the great 
land companies and the squatters or settlers. As the sheriff chose the jurors, 
and the jurors tried the land cases, the laud question would unavoidably run 
into the election for sheriff. Jones appears to have had the settlers on his 
side, and Postlethwaite to have been backed by the land companies. Ephraim 
Jones appears to have been the man from whom O' Hara bought the site f oi' the 
tirst glasshouse, just below the present southern terminus of the Point bridge. 
He was the father of Thomas Jones, St., who ran the ferry to Liberty street so 
long, and this Thomas Jones, Sr. , was the father of Ephraim Jones, who also 
ran (and was beaten) for sheriff in 1855, and of Thomas Jones, Jr. , the pilot, 
who was the first one to start the shipment of coal by river to the lower ports. 
Postlethwaite, it is inferred by letters filed in his favor with the governor, 
was a Carlisle man, and probably returned there, as we never hear of him after- 
ward. When the return judges of this election met to foot up the returns it 
was found that three districts made return of the votes in figures, and not in 
words. By throwing these out, Postlethwaite would be elected; by counting 
them, Jones would be elected. The judges would not decide, but made a special 
return, as follows: 

We, the judges of the general annuaj election held for the county of Allegheny, 
within the several districts thereof, on the 9th day of October, in the year of our Ijord 
1798, having met at the courthouse of the said county agreeably to the acts of assembly 
in such cases made and provided, and having added together the number of votes which 
appear to have been given to the different persons in the said respective districts, do cer- 
tif)' that Ephraim Jones and Joseph R. Postlethwaite are dul}' elected to represent the 
freemen of the said county of Allegheny as sheriffs, the said Ephraim Jones having six 
hundred and eighty-four votes returned to us in writing and two hundred and thirty- 
three in figures only, and the said Joseph R. Postlethwaite having eight hundred and 
eight votes returned to us in writing and sixty-four in figures onl}'. In testimony 
whereof we liave set our hands and seals, at Pittsburgh, this 13th day of October. 1798. 

John Cunningham, John Henry, Robert Vance, James McDermott, John Joice, No. 1 , 
Pittsburgh district; Moses Devore, No. 2, Elizabeth district; Thomas McKee, No. 3, Plum 
and Versailles district; Samuel Willson, No. 4, Moon district; John McLure, No. 5, 
Mifflin and St. Clair district; Ephraim Herriott, No. 6, Fayette district; Jolui Power, No. 
7, Mead's (Crawford county) district; Anth. Satterman, No. 8, Erie district; Henry 
Keener. No. 9. Franklin district; J. Coulter, No. 10, Beaver district; James Claris, No. 11, 
Freeport district. 

Postlethwaite' 8 friends, with that facility for using merely technical faitlts 
in election retiu-ns as a reason for their rejection and exclusion which has 
always been resorted to in such cases, contended that these returns in figures 
were illegal, as the election law required returns to be in luords, and that 
they shotild therefore be excluded from the count; while Jones' friends held 
that the error was merely technical, and did not vitiate the return. They filed 
the following, from the return judge of Moon district, to show that, in using 
figures, the election-officers followed the form prevalent for many years: 



220 HISTOUV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Allegheny County, ss. 

Personally appeared before me, one of llie justices of the peace in and for the county 
of Allegheny and state of Pennsylvania, Samuel Willson, one of the judges for the Third 
district, Moon township (the other judge, John Tod, not coming forward), at an election 
held at that place on the 9th day of October, 1798. and being duly sworn according to law, 
doth depose and say that he had known it to l)e the custom of several districts heretofore 
to send the returns in figures. The said Samuel Willson had been a judge for several 
years, and that it was entirely owing to their ignorance that the return was not made in 
writing. And further, that if there should be any dispute with respect to the legality of 
the votes, they have deposited Iheir boxes with a justice of the peace, to be had recourse 
to when required. And further deponent says not. 

Samuel Willson. 

Sworn and subscribed liefore ine this 18lh October, 1798. 

George Nottingham. 

The return judges, it will be seen, refused to decide the question, and 
made a special return of the facts to the governor, v?ith whom, under any cir- 
cumstances, the final decision lay. This transfeiTed the fight to Harrisburg. 
Thomas Collins, on behalf of the Pennsylvania Population Company, wrote to 
the company that Jones was " of depraved mind and manners, grossly ignorant, 
insolent, prejudiced, mean, intemperate, and, I believe, dishonest, and alto- 
gether unlit for the office of sheriff," and he urges upon the company that Jones 
was hostile to it, and would side with squatters against the company. In sup- 
port of this last allegation the following affidavit was submitted : 

Personally came before me, one of the justices of the peace for the county of Alle- 
gheny, James Fulton, who, being sworn agreeable to law, deposeth and saith that on the 
first day of August last, he being at the house of William Brown, for the purpose of choos- 
ing ofiicersof the battalion, a certain Ephraim Jones mentioned lo him that he was a candi- 
date for the sheriff's office, and hoped the said Fulton would give him his interest for, as 
there was a candidate in town, and if they would succeed they would choose juries to suit 
the land-jobbers, iind if he, the said Jones, should succeed he would choose juries from the 
country, or west side of the Allegheny river, to suit the actual settlers, as he. the said 
Jones, was no friend to the land-jobbers. And further this deponent saith not. 

Jame< Fulton. 

Sworn and subscribed before me this 19th day of October, 1798. 

Samuel A. Rippey. 

The friends of Postlethwaite also filed the following with the governor: 
To His Excellency, Thoiitas Mifflin, Esrjuire, Goceriior of the ,State of Pennsylrania: 

The memorial of the subscribers, citizens of Allegheny county, respectfully showeth: 

That Joseph R. Postlethwaite and Ephraim Jones are on the return for sheriff for Alle- 
gheny county for the ensuing three years; that the former is the highest by a majority of 
about one hundred and twenty votes, agreeably to the returns of all the districts of this 
county except three, which were in figures only, and not in writing as the act of assembly 
directs, but which, if admitted as legal returns, will give a balance in favor of Ephraim 
Jones of about forty votes; and that the j\idges deputed from the different districts, not 
having agreed on accepting or rejecting such returns, have made a special return, stating 
the facts, to be submitted to your excellency for your determination. 

It being of the utmost consequence to your memorialists, in common with their fellow- 
citizens of Allegheny county, that the office of sheriff be filled by one in whose upright 




^-^6-^^'^y^/ ^f^^. 



/ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 229 

principles, fair character, firmness of mind and respect for order and legal authority just 
confidence maj' be placed, with a knowledge of your constitutional power they (your 
memorialists) respectfully submit a few facts aud observations on this important subject. 
Joseph R. Postlethwaite is of unblemished reputation, and possesses a knowledge of 
business which renders him highly deserving of the appointment: and we are convinced 
he will discharge the duties of the office with ability and integrity and to the general sat- 
isfaction of his fellow-citizens. From our knowledge of Ephraim Jones, we are unable 
to vouch for even his honesty, and believe him vindictive, oppressive, quarrelsome and 
a contemner of the constituted authorities, as appears by the records of the courts of this 
county. And further, exclusive of the objections to his appointment arising from his 
principles, general conduct and character, we represent to your excellency that he has 
not but about one-fourth part of the votes received, and that a very great proportion of 
those were obtained (particularly in the districts of Meadville and Beaver) by promises on 
his part to settlers on land claiming adversely to warrants under the act of assembly of 
3d April, 1792, to summon juries opposed to office- titles and previously determined in 
favor of the claims of the settlers. 

Anxious for the preservation of the trial by jury in its genuine purity, and dreading 
const quences (too evident to need comment) from the appointment to ihe office of sheriff 
of a man shackled with previous engagements to act wrongly in office, in aid of popular 
prejudice already of alarming predominancy, and threatening in this county, as in Wy- 
oming, systematic opposition to legal principles and adjudications, we confidently trust 
and pra}' your excellency will commission Joseph R. Postlethwaite. 

George Wallace, John McDowell, Jno. Gibson, Ebenezer Denny, James Brison, 
Nathaniel Bedford, James G. Heron, John Wilkins, John Woods. George Stevenson, 
Steel Semple, Thomas Collins, H. Morrison, John Irwin. 
October 15, 1798. 

This was followed by the following, from the friends of Jones: 
His Excellency, Thomas Mifflin, Gorerrwr of the State of Pennsylvania: 

We, the undersigned, being well acquainted with ihe character of Ephraim Jones, 
resident of this county for many years, who by industry hath acquired a valuable prop- 
erty, aud who hath lately canvassed for the sheriff's office in the county of Allegheny 
and state of Pennsylvania, and obtained a majoritj- of forty-five votes in said county, do 
recommend him to your notice as a proper person to be commissioned and appointed to 
the office of sheriff, deeming him well qualified to discharge the duties appertaining to 
that office in this county. We are induced to make this representation, as we understood 
an exception is about to be taken against bis being commissioned, because two or three 
of the districts have been returned in figures (as hath hitherto been usual in those dis- 
tricts), and because we think that the ignorance or negligence of the judge of a particular 
district ought not to operate against the reception of the suffrages of the people. 

A. Kirkpatrick, A. Richardson, John Xevill, Abner Barker, Isaac Craig, Jesse 
Barker. Samuel S. Mahon. John Johnston, A. Taunehill, John Hannah. Preslej' Nevill. 
Sa'iiuel Ewalt, Samuel Creigh. 

And this was supplemented by the following letter fi-om Brackenridge: 

• PiTTSBUHGH, October 16, 1798. 

Sir — The election in this county has gone in favor of the republican or democratic 
interest at all points and in almost all particulars. 

In the county of Allegheny a dispute arose among the judges, from one or two of the 
district returns being in figures, and not in letters at length as the law directs. This did 
notaffect the election of anj' officers but that of the sheriff. Being consulted. I advised a 
special return, or a statement of the fact, according to the truth of it. 



230 IllSroitV OK AIJ-KdllKNY COUNTY. 

Al, tlio rt'(Hl«st of llic |mily wlm hears lliin I I'liillu'r nivc my opiniiiii. Iliiil llic liiw in 
IliiH elisor is (liniclory, llic olijecl hcinji lo kccihc! I'rom iilliTalion, bill, Mie rcliiin in li({urc8 
(locH not vitiiilL'. As ill iXw case of the law for llic abolilion of HJavc^iy, wliorc it is made 
a I'utniiaiUi llial. in n^coritlng the iiifc. lownsliip, o('Ciii)alioii of llic owner, etc., be 8i)eci(ie(l. 
ycl. Mil! (iniis.sioii is held nol to be fatal, the object being to establish the identity, and when 
lliut is rendori^d c(M-tain, liy any requisile, llie existence of the whole is not essciilial. 

In this caH(^ the eonimissioiiinK either on the return is within Ihe direelidii of llic 
governor; he will doublless pay the same rcsiiect to (Inures as he uoiilil in Iciurs, where 
then! is no suspicion of allcration. 

The bearer, in whose favor I K've my opinion, was with me in the late election; I am 
therefore the more disposed to wish liim success in oblainiiiK his commission. You will 
obli({e me in n^ndi^riiiH' him any servici! willi Ihe governor that may he judged expedient. 
If it is any olijcci with you lo have an interest in this county al the ensuing election 
for governor, il is of moment thai he be commissioned. 

^'(lu will nppreeiiile llie v.'ihu' of Ibis liinl. ami liiUe measures accordingly. 

^■llu luiiy luive heaid llie lumoi' of Ihe opposilinii In .lobii Woods as a candidate for 
congress. TIk! part lakcn by me has involved me in a quarrel with .ludge Addison and 
others; but after a severe baltli! they have been all routed, liors(!. foot and dragoons. 
John Woods could not have gone to the |st»lc] senate wilhoiil my ae(|uiesceiice. and I 
was struck with his audacity and timt of his connection in .illempliiig anything else, 
until Ihe iieriod for which he was elected had expired. 

If tli(! chief justice |Tli<imas McKean] is olTcred for governor at the next election 
you may be assured I shall take an avowed and decided part in his favor, and one decided 
man that can wrife and speak both is worth a thousand. 

Hut lliis Is running into what does not immedialely reliile lo my nbjeel. and so 1 
have done. I am. sir. with respect. 

Your very liuinble and obedient servant, 

'I'o Ai,Kx.\Ni)i;ii ,1. Dallas. II. II. Brackeniudiik 

Secretary of Ihe Coinmonvveallb. I'liibidclpbia. 

And tilio o;(iv('ruor (mkUhI it. all by this Hii^nilicnut. mlilouilmn : 

liCt a commission issue in favor of Mr. .lones as sherilTof Allegheny counly. he beiii.g 
the highest in vole upon iIh' relurn, 'I'lioMAs Mifflin. 

28th October. IT'.IS. 

Tho facts in the cuso aro jjiveii at sonic length, to show (hat thoro wore 
" toinposts in a teapot," politically, thou as wtill as now, and that tho same 
political methods provailod in thoso days as in those. The letter of Bracken- 
ridge is as adroit a use of political " influence ". as the latter days can 
furnish. It undoubtedly settled Mr. Postlethwaite's ''hasli." 

The returns of tlie election for I7U9 show that for representative at Harris- 
burg Janii<s Sample had 1,887 votes and Dunning McNair l,r)(S'2, and that for 
governor James Itoss, of Pittslmrgh, had 2, HICi and Thomas McKeau ^^l(i. 
Brackenridge's offiM' of his great power in politics to McK(>an, in his kttter to 
Dallas, shows that while the sj)irit was willing the Hesh was weak. As show- 
ing tho pcrsoiuifl of the election boards and the location of the olcctioii dis- 
tricts, we append the signatures to the returns of 17UU: 

William Earl, First district, Pittsburgh; Richard McC'lure, Second district, 
Elizabeth; Thomas McKoo, Third district, Plum and Versailles; John Taylor, 



IIISTOP.Y OI'' AI,[-I':(I1II'',NY (iOlJNTV. 



2;u 



l''(>iir(li(listrict, Moon; Jolin Kiiilds-id, l''ilUi disl.rici, Millliu and St,, (jliiir; Goorgo 
Dickmin, Sixth diHtrict-, Fnyolt.cs J'}dwiu<l Work, Sovmitli diHtrioi., Mead (Craw- 
ford county); Rohort McNair, Kif^litli dJHtrict, Krio; JaiimH McCIaraii, Ninth diH- 
trict, Fraid<iin (V((nango); David WatHon, Twitii diHtrict, H<«ivnr; .Jain<(H Chirk, 
l'jh)V((nt)idiHtrict, Fr<!(^[)ort (ArniHtrong); J)avi<l Korr, Twc^lfth dlHtrid,, Middlcwox 
(Morcor); Tirnotliy Tiitti(», Tliirt(!(^iitli diHtrict, Orcoiiliohl (MiircAit); Jiiboz (Jolt, 
Foart(mnth diHtriet, (Joiinoant (lOrio county); William HayH, Fift(!ontli diHtrict, 
S[)ringHol(( (JCrio county); Jacob Coiinack, Sixteenth district, Watorford (I'lrio 
county); Saniiicil MciCray, Sovmitofuith diHtrict,OiI Crook (Warron); JaiiiOH Kldor, 
Eightoonth diHtiict, Slipixiry Hock ("Builor); T. McMillan, Ninoto(!ntli district. 
North JSoavor. 

In ISOO tlio " Indian country " was formed into noparato countiiiH, Jii^avcr, 
Butler, Morcor, Armstrong, Venango, Warnui, Crawford and Krio being all 
formed in that year. The return above given was theniforo the hwt in whif^li 
AlloglKtny indudeil all these other countioH. In ISOl tlio vote of Alleghenv 
for electors was r>'20, but there was no opposition. In 1805 there appeared to 
have been a lively skirmish. 



VOTE FOB aOVEnNOB, 1806. 



I'iUHlmi-Kh 

Plum 

McKocHport. . 
Eli/abcllitown 

Mifllin 

Fayotte 

Moon 

Oliio 

RobinHon 

Pine 

Deer 

Pitt 

St. Oluir 



TIiornimMcICetin. 



1,125 



Ulniuii Hnyder, 



210 


125 


22 


65 


83 


22 


132 


m 


85 


m 


too 


m 


63 


65 


14 


r,o 


35 


T).! 


40 


112 


55 


17 


144 


77 


180 


114 



911 



RETUUN 01' THK ICLKCTION OK HHERIFF IN AI./.KdIIKNV COUNTY, WI1,I,IAM WOODS, 
AI'I'OINTKI) ANn COMMIHHIONKI) OOTOHEIt '27, 1807. 

A return of the general (ilection held on the second Tuesday of Cctobi^r, 
in the year of our Lord ono thousand eight hundred and seven, from tho 
Hevoral districts within the county of Allegheny, for shcsrilf of said county, 
made iritfj the offico of the clerk of the court of quarter sessions of th(! jjeaco 
of said county, Ijy the judges of the several districts. 



230 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

At the itquesl of the party who bears this I further give my opinion, that the law in 
this case is directory, the ol)ject being to secure from alteration, but the return in figures 
does not vitiate. As in the case of the law for the abolition of slavery, where it is made 
a requisite that in recording the age, township, occupation of the owner, etc., be specified, 
yet the omission is held not to be fatal, the object being to establish the identity, and when 
that is rendered certain, by any requisite, the existence of the whole is not essential. 

In this case the commissioning either on the return is within the direction of the 
governor; he will doubtless pay the same respect to figures as he would to letters, where 
there is no suspicion of alteration. 

The bearer, in whose favor I give ray opinion, was with me in the late election; I am 
therefore the more disposed to wish him success in obtaining his commission. You will 
oblige me in rendering him any service with the governor that may be judged expedient. 
If it is any object with you to have an interest in this county at the ensuing election 
for governor, it is of moment that he be commissioned. 

You will appreciate the value of this hint, and take measures accordingij-. 

You may have heard the rumor of the opposition to John Woods as a candidate for 
congress. The part taken by me has involved me in a quarrel with Judge Addison and 
others: but after a severe battle they have been all routed, horse, foot and dragoons. 
John Woods could not have gone to the [state] senate without ray acquiescence, and I 
was struck with his audacity and that of his connection in attempting anything else, 
until the period for which he was elected had expired. 

If the chief justice [Thomas McKean] is offered for governor at the next election 
you may be assured I shall take an avowed and decided part in his favor, and one decided 
man that can wrife and speak both is worth a thousand. 

But this is running into what does not immediately relate to my object, and so I 
have done. I am, sir, with respect. 

Your very hurable and obedient servant. 

To Alexander J. D.\ll.\s. H. H. Br.ackenridge. 

Secretary of the Commonwealth, Philadelphia. 

And the governor ended it all by this significant addendum: 

Let a commission issue in favor of Mr. Jones as sheriff of Allegheny county, he being 
the highest in vote upon the return, Thom.\8 Mifflin. 

39th October, 1798. 

The facts in the case are given at some length, to show that there were 
" tempests in a teapot," politically, then as well as now, and that the same 
political methods prevailed in those days as in these. The letter of Bracken- 
ridge is as adroit a tise of political ' ' influence ' '. as the latter days can 
furnish. It undoubtedly settled Mr. Postlethwaite's "hash." 

The returns of the election for 1799 show that for representative at Harris- 
burg James Sample had 1,837 votes and Dunning McNair 1,582, and that for 
governor James Ross, of Pittsburgh, had '2,10() and Thomas McKean 976. 
Brackenridge's offer of his great power in politics to McKean, in his letter to 
Dallas, shows that while the spirit was willing the flesh was weak. As show- 
ing the personnel of the election boards and the location of the election dis- 
tricts, we append the signatures to the returns of 1799: 

William Earl, First district, Pittsburgh; Richard McClure, Second district, 
Elizabeth; Thomas McKee, Third district. Plum and Versailles: John Taylor, 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



231 



Fourtli district, Mood; John Kinkead, Fifthdistrict, Mifflin and St. Clair; George 
Dickson, Sixth district, Fayette; Edward Work, Seventh district. Mead (Craw- 
ford county) ; Robert McNair, Eighth district, Erie; James McClaran, Ninth dis- 
trict, Franklin (Venango); David Watson, Tenth district, Beaver; James Clark, 
Eleventh district, Freeport (Armstrong) : David Kerr, Twelfth district, Middlesex 
(Mercer); Timothy Tuttle, Thirteenth district, Greenfield (Mercer); Jabez Colt, 
Fourteenth district. Conneaut (Erie county); William Hays. Fifteenth district, 
Springfield (Erie county); Jacob Connack, Sixteenth district, Waterford (Erie 
county); Samuel McCray, Seventeenth district, Oil Creek (Warren); James Elder, 
Eighteenth district. Slippery Rock (Butler); T. McMillan, Nineteenth district. 
North Beaver. 

In 1800 the "Indian country " was formed into separate counties, Beaver, 
Butler, Mercer, Armstrong. Venango, Warren, Crawford and Erie being all 
formed in that year. The return above given was therefore the last in which 
Allegheny included all these other counties. In 1804 the vote of Allegheny 
for electors was 526, but there was no opposition. In 1805 there appeared to 
have been a lively skirmish. 

VOTE FOR GOVEBNOR. 1805. 





Thomas McKean. 


Simun Snyder. 




210 
33 
88 

132 
85 

106 
63 
14 
35 
46 
55 

144 

130 


125 


Plum 


65 




22 




39 


Mifflin 


98 




93 




65 


Ohio 


50 




54 


Pine 


93 




17 


Pitt 


77 




114 








1,125 


911 



EETUKN OF THE ELECTION OF SHERIFF IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, WILLIAM WOODS, 
APPOINTED AND COMMISSIONED OCTOBER 27, 1807. 

A return of the general election held on the second Tuesday of October, 
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven, from the 
several districts within the county of Allegheny, for sheriff of said county, 
made into the office of the clerk of the court of quarter sessions of the peace 
of said county, by the judges of the several districts. 



232 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



DISTRICTS. 



PiUsburgh 

Plum (.John Little's) 

Eli/.iibtillitown 

Rec(lsbui-g (Mifflin) 

Noblesbiirj; (Noblestown, Fa3-ette towuship). 

Roliinsou (William Marks') 

Ohio (.Johu Moore's) 

Moou (John Byers') 

Pine (B.iltzer Good's) 

Deer (Thomas .McCoimell's) 

Pitt (Thomas Wilson's) 

St. Clair (Thomas McCuUy 's) 



Jas. FatlersoD. 



[No return from McKeesporl.] 



250 


134 


18 


46 


64 


63 


43 


131 


52 


31 


23 


31 


15 


36 


44 


35 


53 


90 










130 


63 


48 


83 



762 



749 



Certified by Presley Neville, Clerk. 

A return of the number of votes given for coroner at a general election 
lield in and for the county of Allegheny on the second Tuesday in October, 
1809: James Kerwin, 1,093; Joseph Curry, 1,27-1. 

A general return of the votes given for a member of Congress in and for 
the congressional district composed of Allegheny, Beaver, B utler. Mercer, 
Venango, Crawford, Warren and Erie counties on Tuesday, the 9th of 
October, A. D. 1810. 



COUNTIES. 


Adsmson 
Tannehill. 


Abner Lacock. Samuel Smith. 


Allegheny 

Beaver 

Butler 

Mercer 


1,390 
246 
193 
31 
19 
484 
92 


349 99 

735 3 

347 

755 11 

297 77 


Crawford 

Erie 


192 

222 136 








2,455 


2,897 1 326 



Vote for sheriff in Allegheny county, 1810: William Westhoff, 1,095; 
William Steel, 695; Thomas Jones, 290. 



coroner's election, 1805. 








Wm. Porter. 


Z.A.Tannehill. 


Jas. Kerwin. 


Jos. Curry. 




281 
32 
68 
93 
41 

60 ■ 
48 
11 
31 


275 
32 
59 
92 
42 
58 
47 
10 
31 


125 
60 
32 
57 
82 
82 
65 
35 
41 
41 
65 
91 
84 


130 


Plum 


60 




20 


Elizabelhtown .' 


58 


Reedsburg (Mifflin) 


85 


Uoblesburg (Fayette) 


83 




64 


Ohio 


85 




41 




35 ! 36 
167 145 
58 1 57 
77 76 


42 


Pitt 


64 


St. Clair 


138 


Pine 


82 








1,001 960 


860 


891 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 
VOTE FOR SENATOR, 1805. 



233 





Jas. Martin. 


Sam'l Ewalt. 


Thos. Morton. 




1,000 
487 
425 


996 
509 
314 


40 






Butler 










1,913 


1,719 


40 



RETURN OP ELECTION FOR REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COUNTIES OF ALLEGHENY, 
BEAVEK AND BUTLER IN 1805. 



COUNTIES. 


.Jacob 1 AbDc.r , Frank 
Macklin. 1 Lacock. McCIure. 


Jatues 
Carothers. 


John 
McBride. 


Jacob 
Ferree. 


George 
Robinbon. 


Allegheny 

Beaver 

Butler 


956 1 966 961 
473 1 466 475 
422 1 396 ' 389 


1,055 
520 
315 


1,030 
507 

218 


' 799 
200 

70 

1,069 


344 
328 
164 










1,850 i 1,828 , 1,825 1,790 ! 1,755 


836 



These returns show little, if aay, tinge of party color. They all indicate a 
sparse population. Any one of the old four wards of Allegheny City could now 
poll more votes than the whole county did in the early part of the centurj-. In 
1836 the vote for Harrison for president was 3,622, and for Van Buren, 3,074; 
and in 1838 this vote had increased to 6,000 for Ritner to 4,500 for Potter. In 
1832, for the first time, party lines began to appear. Wirt, the anti-masonic 
candidate for president, had a small majority in that year, and from that time 
to the present party lines have been pretty strictly drawn. Occasionally the 
democrats have carried the county, but as a general rule the county has been 
against the democracy since 1832, at first by a small and fluctuating majority, but 
gradually increasing until at present it is overwhelming. As far as it is pos- 
sible to judge from tradition, the city and county both were democratic until 
about 1832. The whisky insurrection, which grew out of an economical ques- 
tion that appealed strongly to the selfish interests, showed nearly the entire 
people of the county to be upon the democratic side, because democrats like 
Gallatin, Findley and Brackenridge showed sympathy for them, while feder- 
alists like the Nevilles were on the side of the government in enforcing the 
excise law. Men like James Ross and Walter Forward could be elected to any 
office they were willing to stand for; but that was because they enjoyed the 
public confidence, and not because of their politics. James Ross, for instance, 
was president of the select council of the city from 1816 to 1832, although the 
select council was largely democratic during all that period. Politics, in fact, 
until the times of Jackson and the anti-masonic excitement, did not enter, to 
any appreciable extent, into the selection of men for public places. They were 
chosen for their personal rather than their political qualities; and it is safe to 
say that from the time of the expiration of the presidential term of the elder 
Adams, when the federal party came practically to an end, down to the advent 
of the junior Adams in 1824, and the contest with Jackson that followed, there 



234 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

was really no such thing as politics, in city or county, in the selection of public 
officers. Voters took sides for and against a man according to their personal 
preferences. There was no political oratory to intluence the public mind, nor 
a political convention to range men by their political convictions. It was the 
' ■ era of good feeling, ' ' and remarkable for the absence of all political animosity. 
The general trend of political feeling was, of course, democratic, as would have 
been shown had any jjolitical question called out an expression of public opin- 
ion; but no such question arose until Jackson's election in 1828, and the war 
upon the United States bank which followed. The anti-masonic question may 
be regarded as an exception ; but it came almost simultaneously with the Jack- 
son and bank questions, and the two, in this section, were so blended together 
as to make it impossible to separate them. 

The opposition to Jackson and to his financial policy had no general organ- 
ization. It started out, in localities, as the national republican party, and 
finally crystallized in the whig party; but in this section the anti-masonic 
organization had the start of both, and being, in itself, strongly anti-Jackson, 
all the thorough anti-Jackson feeling naturally gravitated to it as offering the 
best method of fighting Jacksonism, without regard to its specialty — opposi- 
tion to secret societies. There was no anti-masonic candidate for president in 
1828. The tight that year was a personal one between Jackson and Adams, 
and this city and county were on the side of Jackson in that struggle. But in 
1832 the anti-masons presented William Wirt, of Baltimore, at one time 
previously attorney-general of the United States, as their candidate, and the 
anti-Jackson men, pure and simple, having no other candidate, gave their 
votes to Wirt as the best exponent of their opposition to Jackson. The same 
thing happened in 1836, when men of all shades of the opposition — whigs as 
well as anti-masons — voted for Gen. W. H. Harrison. In 1832 both city and 
county gave a small majority for Wirt. 

The anti-masonic excitement was the first to break into the solidity of the 
democratic ranks. It presented an issue that took a deep hold upon the feel- 
ings of a large portion of the people, particularly in the country districts. 
Quite a number of those who ranged themselves upon the anti- masonic side 
must have been democrats. James C. Gilleland, who started the Mercury, 
a democratic paper, was afterward the publisher of the Times, the anti- 
masonic organ; and A. W. Foster, Jr., who succeeded him, was also of demo- 
cratic antecedents. Many others could be mentioned, but it is not necessary. 
After it had run a course of a few years the United States bank question arose, 
and this, to a great many, was a more absorbing question than Masonry; but 
the anti-masons being against Jackson on the bank issue, the question for the 
anti- Jackson men, outside of the anti-masonic ranks, was whether to organ- 
ize into a third party or vote with the anti-masons, and so make their votes 
count the most against Jackson. Charles Shaler, who, up to that time, had 
been a strong anti- Jackson man. expressed his view and that of many others in 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 235 

the declaration that "the curse of Jacksonism was great, but the curse of 
anti-masonry was greater;" and he and those who thought with him became 
democrats from that period onward; but there were others, and by no means 
a few, who simply reversed Shaler' s proposition, and said ' ' the curse of anti- 
masonry is great, but the curse of Jacksonism is greater," and thenceforward 
threw in their lot with the anti-masons, as the only way of testifying their 
disapproval of Jackson and his policy. Hence the opposition vote of Pitts- 
burgh and Allegheny never gave a fair test of the purely anti-masonic feeling; 
it was all thoroughly anti-Jackson, but only partly anti-masonic. 

In 1835 the democrats of this state split into two factions, one run- 
ning George Wolf for governor and the other Henry A. Muhlenberg. The 
anti- masonic candidate was Joseph Ritner. , He had been a candidate on 
the same ticket in 1829 and in 1832. His vote in 1829 was small; in 1832 
it was much larger, but in 1835 the chance of success was so promising that 
all shades of the opposition united on him, tacitly, and he was elected by a 
large majority, slipping in easily between Wolf and Muhlenberg. With him 
was elected a legislature that was anti-masonic in both branches; and this suc- 
cess contributed greatly to the final extinguishment of anti-masonry. For now 
it had everything in its own power. Whatever it was possible to do, politically, 
to put down Masonry, it was in its power to do. And what could it do ? The 
one sole thing it could find to do was to pass an act prohibiting the adminis- 
tration of extra-judicial oaths. After going over the whole ground, this was 
found to be the extent of their power. And this they did. The act was passed 
and approved bj' the governor, and, for all that I know to the contrary, is on 
the statute-books yet, perfectly harmless and inefficient. No secret society 
ever was closed by it, and the opposition to such societies having no other legal 
way to vent its hostility to them, the victory was a barren one. From that day 
forward the secret societies began to renew their strength, and by 1842 all 
traces of the anti-masonic party had passed out of sight. While it lasted it 
had, morally, a strong persecuting force, but legally it could give no expres- 
sion to its power. It contributed, in this section, in conjunction with the anti- 
Jackson sentiment, to break down the democratic majority, and beyond that it 
was a mere political episode, of which this generation has but a limited 
knowledge. 

I have dwelt upon this episode because of my personal knowledge of it. It 
had passed its climax and was decidedl}' on the wane when I entered the polit- 
ical field in 1839. An anti- Jackson man, I was tolerant of anti-masonry 
because it was anti- Jackson, and can write impartially of it, now, because all 
feeling concerning it has vanished away. Its chief value, in any political retro- 
spect, arises from the fact that it first broke the solidity of the democratic pha- 
lanx, and because its advent marks the beginning of that hostility to the demo- 
cratic organization which has since made both city and county so remarkable. 

In 1838, in the contest for governor between Kitner and Porter, the county 



236 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

gave 1 , 530 majority for Ritner, a majority couiit(>(l huge in those days. la 
1840 this had grown to over 3,000 for Harrison. It gave large majorities for 
Clay in 1844 and for Taylor in 1848, and even in 1852 it gave Ssott 2.800 
majority. In 1856 it gave Fremont about 5,500 majority, and in 1860 it gave 
a round 10,000 to Lincoln. It gave over 13,000 to Garfield in 1880, over 
18,600 to Blaine in 1884, and over 21,400 to Harrison in 1888. From 1838 
to 1888 the transition from a small to an overwhelming majority has been 
noteworthy. Within that fifty years the democrats have carried the city 
occasionally and the county a few times; but these are the exceptions that 
prove the rule; both city and county have been anti-democratic as a rule. 

The city elected its mayor first in 1836, and the mayor was elected annu- 
ally thereafter until 1858, when .the term became biennial. At the first elec- 
tion for mayor, and in 1837 and 1838, Jonas R. McClintoek, democrat, was 
elected mayor; but he was a young man, and very popular with the young men 
of all parties, so that his election proves his own popularity rather than that 
the city was democratic. In 1839 William Little, a whig, but running as a 
volunteer, was chosen. In 1840 (the election being in January) William W. 
Irwin, whig and anti-mason, was elected, and in October of that year he was 
elected to Congress. In 1841 James Thompson, whig, was chosen; in 1842, 
Alex. Hay, whig, who was re-elected in 1843 and 1844 as an independent. In 
1845 the whigs elected William J. Howard, and in 1846 William Kerr, demo- 
crat, was chosen. In 1847 and 1848 Gabriel Adams, whig, was elected, and in 
1849 John Herron, whig. In 1850, in an anti-Catholic furor. Joseph Barker, 
whig, but running as a volunteer, was successful. In 1851 and 1852 John B. 
Guthrie, democrat, was chosen, and from that time on until 1856 the whigs 
elected the mayor; in 1857 the republicans elected Henry A. Weaver, and 
re-elected him for two years in 1858. Since 1860 the democrats have elected 
James Blackmore, Robert Liddell and R. W. Lyon to the mayoralty, and all 
the other mayors within that time have been republican. With rare excep- 
tions, the popular vote has been republican in the city. Occasional variations 
as to persons have occurred, but both here and in Allegheny City the prepon- 
derance has been almost regularly on the republican side. 

Following is a list* of the representatives in Congress from the district in- 
cluding Allegheny county for one hundred years: 

First Congress, Thomas Scott, from 1789-91 ; second, Israel Jacobs, 1791- 
93; third, Thomas Scott, 1793-95; fourth, Albert Gallatin, 1795-97: fifth, 
Albert Gallatin, 1797-99; sixth, Albert Gallatin, 1799-1801: seventh, William 
Hoge, 1801-03; eighth, William Hoge, 1803, resigned 1804; John Hoge, 
elected and took his seat November 27, 1804; ninth, John Hamilton, from 
1805-07; tenth, William Hoge, 1807-09; eleventh, William Hoge, 1809-11; 
twelfth, Abner Lacock, 1811-18; thirteenth, Adamson Tannehill, 1813-15;^ 
fourteenth, Thomas Smith, 1815-17; fifteenth, Henry Baldwin, 1817-19; 



* FuTDiBbed by William B. Negley, Esq. 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 239" 

sixteenth, Henry Baldwin, 1819-21; seventeenth, Henry Baldwin, 1821, re- 
signed in 1822; Walter Forward, elected and took his seat December 2, 1822: 
eighteenth, Walter Forward, from 1823-25; nineteenth, James S. Stevenson, 
1825-27; twentieth, James S. Stevenson, 1827-29; twenty-first, Harmar 
Denny, 1829-31; twenty -second, Harmar Denny, 1831-33; twenty-third, 
Harmar Denny, 1833-35; twenty-fourth, Harmar Denny, 1835-37; twenty- 
fifth, Richard Biddle, 1837-39; twenty-sixth, Richard Biddle, 1839, resigned 
in 1840; H. M. Brackenridge, elected and took his seat December 10, 1840; 
twenty-seventh, W. W. Irwin, from 1841-43; twenty-eighth, William Wilkins, 
1843, resigned in 1844; Cornelius Darragh, elected and took his seat March 
26, 1844; twenty-ninth, Corneliiis Darragh, from 1845-47; thirtieth, Moses 
Hampton, 1847-49; thirty-first, Moses Hampton, 1849-51; thirty- second, 
Thomas M. Howe, 1851-53; thirty-third, twenty-second district. David Ritchie, 
twenty-third district, Thomas M. Howe, 1853-55; thirty-fourth, twenty -.second 
district, David Ritchie, twenty-third district, Samuel A. Purviance, 1855-57; 
thirty -fifth, twenty-third district, Samuel A. Purviance, twenty-second dis- 
trict, David Ritchie, 1857-59; thirty- sixth, twenty- second district, James K. 
Moorhead, twenty-third district, Robert McKnight, 1859-61 ; thirty -seventh, 
twenty-third district, Robert McKnight, twenty-second district, James K. 
Moorhead, 1861-63; thirty-eighth, twenty-second district, James K. Moor- 
head, twenty-third district, Thomas Williams, 1863-65; thirty-ninth, twenty- 
second district, James K. Moorhead, twenty-third district, Thomas Williams, 
1865-67; fortieth, twenty -third district, Thomas Williams, twenty-second 
district, James K. Moorhead, 1867-69; forty-first, twenty-second district, James 
S. Negley, twenty-third district, Darwin Phelps, 1869-71; forty-second, 
twenty-second district, James S. Negley, twenty-third district, Ebeneezer Mc- 
Junkin, 1871-73; forty-third, twenty-second district, James S. Negley, 1873- 
75; twenty-third district, Ebeneezer McJuukin, 1873, resigned January 1, 1875; 
twenty-third district, John M. Thompson, elected and took his seat January 5, 
1875; forty- fourth, twenty-second district, James H. Hopkins, twenty- 
third district, Alex. G. Cochran, 1875-77; forty-fifth, twenty second district, 
Russel Errett, twenty-third district, Thomas M. Bayne, 1877-79; forty-sixth, 
twenty-third district, Thomas M. Bayne, twenty-second district, Russel 
Errett, 1879-81; forty-seventh, twenty-second district, Russel Errett, twenty- 
third district, Thomas M. Bayne, 1881-83; forty-eighth, twenty-third district, 
James H. Hopkins, twenty-third district, Thomas M. Bayne, 1883-85; forty- 
ninth, twenty-second district,' James S. Negley, twenty-third district, Thomas 
M. Bayne, 1885-87; fiftieth, twenty-second district, John Dalzell, twenty- 
third district, Thomas M. Bayne, 1887-89; fifty-first, twenty-second district, 
John Dalzell, twenty-third district, Thomas M. Bayne, 1889-91. 

A political movement that resulted in the formation of the republican 
party of the United States originated in this city. The old whig party held 
its last national convention in 1852. It nominated Gen. Winfield Scott for 



240 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

president, and made a gallant tij^ht for him, but in vain. The effect of the 
anti-slav((ry agitation, which began in 1832, and as it progressed excited more 
and more the fears of the south, was already telling upon the whig party. It 
had elected Taylor to the presidency in 1848, but when its national conven- 
tion met in 1852 it found itself forced to take grounds upon the slavery ques- 
tion. Its southern adherents wanted an outspoken stand taken against further 
agitation of the slavery question, while the more timid northerners were 
for a ' ' straddle, ' ' that could be interpreted both ways. The result was the 
adoption of a platform that was pro-slavery enough to alarm the northern anti- 
slavery whigs, and not enough to satisfy the southern whigs. Neither faction 
being satisfied, the election of 1852 went practically by default. Scott carried 
two northern states and two southern states; all the rest went for Pierce, and 
elected him. This overwhelming defeat broke up the whig party. It never 
rallied again. By 1854 the repeal of the Missouri compromise and the attempt 
to introduce slavery into Kansas drove the anti-slavery whigs into various local 
combinations; in some places they were christened "anti-Nebraska," in others 
"free-soil," and in others by various names; but, meantime, the anti-exten- 
sion-of-slavery feeling was steadily increasing, and in 1855 all thoughtful 
men were convinced that the only way to prevent the spread of slavery into the 
new territories was by forming a new national organization. Hon. Salmon 
P. Chase, being in Pittsburgh in 1855, consulted with David N. White, then 
editor of the Pittsburgh Gazette, and they determined upon calling a national 
convention to form a party to resist the further extension of slavery. Mr. 
White opened a correspondence with the active anti-Nebraska men of the coun- 
try, and the result was the issuance of a call for a national convention, to be 
held in Pittsburgh, February 22, 1856, to form a basis of union for all the vari- 
ous fragments of political organizations opposed to slavery extension. The call 
was signed by representative men from eight states, and the convention met 
here at the time appointed. It was not a delegate convention, but was a 
national mass-meeting, free to all who chose to come. Representatives were 
present from all the northern states and from several of the southern. John 
A. King, of New York, was temporary chairman, and Francis P. Blair, of 
Maryland, was the permanent president. It passed resolutions against the fur- 
ther extension of slavery, and called a national nominating convention to meet 
in June, at Philadelphia, to nominate candidates for president and vice-presi- 
dent. This nominating convention selected John C. Fremont as its candidate 
for president, and William L. Dayton for vice-pi'esident; and they would have 
been elected had Pennsylvania voted with the other northern states. But 
Pennsylvania voted for Buchanan, and saved his election. In 1860, however, 
this party elected Lincoln to the presidency, and all who followed down to 
1880. Thus the little private consultation between White and Chase, in a room 
at the Monongahela House, eventuated in the formation of a national party, 
that succeeded in a few years in winning national power and holding it for 
twenty -four years. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 241 

The success of this political movement demoastrates how thoroughly the 
emotions control human action. The opposition to slavery was purely human- 
itarian in its origin. It appealed to all the better and higher feelings of 
human nature, and, when they were thoroughly worked up, they were irresist- 
ible in their might. While legal obstacles intervened, no attempt was made 
to disturb the institution of slavery in the several states; but as soon as the 
south appealed to the arbitrament of the sword to save slavery, all legal obsta- 
cles disappeared, and slavery went down before the withering breath of an 
excited and determined people. Never before was so great a revolution 
accomplished in so short a time. The movement was successful because it had 
the great heart of the nation behind it. This is written, not from any party 
point of view, but as a fact of history; and it is written here because the move- 
ment had its actual beginning in this city. It did not succeed because it 
began here, but because the elements were simply waiting to be combined 
into a form of movement adequate to its success. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

BENCH AND BAR. 

Early Courts— Judicial Officers— Stock.s and Pi llorv— William Penn's 
" Peacemakers"— Circuit and .Judicial Distriot.s— The Bench- The B.\r- 

THE BENCH. 

UNDER the constitutions of 1776 and 1790, as well as under that of 1838, 
which succeeded them, all judicial officers were appointed for life by the 
governor. So chary were the framers of the first two constitutions of Penn- 
sylvania of trusting power in the hands of the people that all officers within 
the state had to be appointed by the governor. The offices of sheriff and 
coroner were seeming exceptions, but only in seeming. They were the sole 
elective county offices (except commissioners'), but all voters had to vote for 
two candidates for sheriff and two for coroner, and the governor appointed 
whichever one, of the two who received the most votes, that pleased him best. 
Ordinarily, the one highest in vote was appointed, but not always. Gov. 
McKean took the bit in his mouth on one occasion, at least, and appointed 
the lowest of the two candidates. The people, a hundred years ago, were not 
considered the depositories of all political power, as now, and they were trusted 
as little as possible. This was clearly apparent in the appointment of judges. 
A judgeship was not only a life office, but the judges were frequently 
chosen from outside the vicinage in which they were to serve. At one time it 
.seemed that the country east of the Susquehanna was to fuiTiish all the judges 



242 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

for Allegheny county. Judge Grier came from Lycoming county, Judge 
Hepburn from Easton, and then Judge Patton from Centre. Even the dis- 
trict attorney f^ this county, who was a deputy of the attorney-general, was 
from Lycoming county for at least one governor's term, and my recollection is 
that the common practice was to quarter the governor's pets as district 
attorneys in counties to which they did not belong. It was not until 1851 
that the power of choosing judges was conferred upon the people: and this, 
being a radical departure from the practice of sixty years, went even further, and 
limited the term to ten years for county judges and fifteen years for judges of 
the supreme court. The constitution of 1878 changed the term of the latter 
to twenty-one years. 

The English system of jurisprudence prevailed in Pennsylvania during the 
proprietary government. It was slightly modified by the constitution of ITTfi, 
and radically changed by the constitution of 1790. To understand our early 
courts we must have some knowledge of the provincial system. 

The act of May 22, 1722, which continued in force, with slight amendments 
and some interruptions, until after the Revolution, established and regulated 
the courts. Each county had a court of ' ' general quarter sessions of the 
peace and gaol delivery, ' ' for criminal offenses, and a court of ' ' common 
pleas," for the trial of civil causes, each court required to hold four terms in 
the year. The governor was authorized to appoint and commission " a compe- 
tent number of justices of the peace " for each county; and they, or any three 
of them, could hold the court of quarter sessions. He was also authorized to 
appoint and commission "a competent number of persons " to hold the com- 
mon pleas. At first the same jiersons were appointed and commissioned for 
both courts. But the act of September 9, 1759, prohibited the justices of the 
quarter sessions from holding commissions as judges of the common pleas. 
That act required " five persons of the best discretion, capacity, judgment and 
integrity " to be commissioned for the common pleas, any three of whom could 
hold the court. These justices and judges were appointed for life or diu-ing 
good behavior. The constitution of 1776 limited them to a term of seven 
years, but the constitution of 1790 restored the old rule of appointment for 
life or good behavior. 

The orphans' court was established by act of March 29, 1713. to be held 
by the justices of the quarter sessions. But the act of 1759 changed this, and 
made the judges of the common pleas the judges of the orphans' court. 

The act of 1722 established a supreme court of three judges, afterward 
increased to four, who reviewed, on writs of error, the proceedings in the 
county courts, and were also judges of the court of oyer and terminer, for 
the trial of all capital felonies, for which purpose they visited each county twice 
a year. The act of May 31, 1718, made the following offenses punishable 
with death: Treason, misprision of treason, murder, manslaughter, sodomy, 
rape, robbery, mayhem, arson, burglary, witchcraft, and concealing the birth 
of a bastard child. 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 243 

All this region of the state was then in Cumberland county. Bedford county 
■was erected by act of March 9, 1771, and all west of the mountains was 
included in it. The courts were then held at Bedford. The first covirt held 
there was April 16, 1771. The scattered settlers of the west were represented 
by George Wilson, William Crawford, Thomas Grist and Dorsey Pentecost, who 
were justices of the peace and judges of the court. The court divided the 
county into townships. Pitt township (including Pittsburgh) embraced the 
greater part of the present county of Allegheny and portions of Beaver, 
Washington and Westmoreland, and had fifty-two land-owners, twenty tenants 
and thirteen single freemen. 

Westmoreland county was formed out of Bedford by act of February 26, 
1773, and embraced all of the province west of the mountains. The act 
directed the courts to be held at the house of Robert Hanna, until a court- 
house should be built. Robert Hanna lived in a log house about three miles 
northeast of where Greensburg now stands. 

Five trustees were named in the act to locate the county seat and erect the 
public buildings. Robert Hanna and Joseph Erwin were two of them; Hanna 
rented his house to Erwin to be kept as a tavern, and got the majority of the 
trustees to recommend his place — where a few other cabins were speedily 
erected, and the place named Hannastown — for the county seat. Gen. Arthur 
St. Clair and a minority of the trustees recommended Pittsburgh. This dif- 
ference of opinion, and the unsettled condition of affairs during the Revolution, 
delayed the matter until 1787, when the county seat was fixed at Greensburg. 
In 1775 Hannastown had twenty-five or thirty cabins, having about as many 
houses and inhabitants as Pittsburgh. Now its site is scarcely known. The 
town was burned by the Indians in July, 1782, but the house of Hanna, 
being adjacent to the fort, escaped, and the courts continued to be held at his 
house until October, 1786; the first at Greensburg was in January, 1787. 

During all the time the courts were held at Hannastown, Pittsburgh was in 
Westmoreland county. The first court was held April 6, 1773. William Craw- 
ford was the first presiding justice. He resided on the Youghiogheny, opposite 
where Connellsville now stands. He had been a justice of the peace while the 
territory was in Cumberland county, and afterward when it was in Bedford 
county. In 1775 he took sides with Virginia in the border contest, and was 
removed. He was the Col. Crawford who conducted the unfortunate expedi- 
tion against the Indians on the Sandusky, and suffered such a cruel death at 
their hands. Col. William Crawford was a gentleman of the old school, intel- 
ligent, accomplished, brave, patriotic. He was the personal friend of Wash- 
ington, and served with him under Gen. Braddock. His death cast a cloud of 
sorrow and gloom over all the settlements west of the mountains. 

Under the provincial system the justices selected their own president. By 
act of January 28, 1777, the president and executive council (under the con- 
stitution of 1776) appointed and commissioned one as presiding justice. 



244 HISTOHY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Among the tirst thus regularly appoiutt'tl and commissioned was John Moor. 
John Moor was born in Lancaster county in 1738. At the breaking out of 
the Revolution, in 1775, he lived on a farm of four hundred acres on Crabtree 
run, in Westmoreland county. In 1777 he was commissioned a justice of the 
peace of Westmoreland county, in 177'J a judge of the common pleas, and in 
1785 president judge. Not being a lawyer, be could not hold that position 
after the adoption of the constitution of 1790. 

At the lirst court held at Haunastown a jail was ordered to be erected. It 
was made of round, unhewn logs, one story high, and had but one small room, 
where men and women, whites, blacks and Indians were confined together. 
The jail was mainly to contine the prisoners until trial, for imprisonment was 
not generally a part of the sentence after conviction. Punishments were tines, 
whipping, standing in the pillory or stocks, cropping the ears and branding. 
The whipping- post, which stood in front of the jail, was a stout sapling placed 
tirmly in the ground, with a crosspiece above the head, to which the bauds of 
the culprit were tied, while the lashes were inflicted by the sheriff on his bare 
back. The pillory consisted of a low platform on which the culprit stood, 
with uprights supporting a frame with openings in it through which his head 
and hands projected. At common law every passer-by might cast one stone at 
the projecting head. The stocks were also a rude framework on which the 
culprit sat. his legs projecting through openings in front. When no regular 
stocks were at hand, the custom was to lift the corner of a rail fence and 
thrust the legs between the two lower rails. 

At the October sessions of 1773 James Brigland was convicted on two in- 
dictments for larceny; on the lirst, sentenced to pay a line of twenty shillings, 
and receive ten lashes at the whipping-post; and on the second, twenty lashes. 
Luke Picket, for larceny, twenty-one lashes, and Patrick J. Masterson, for 
the same offense, fifteen lashes. At the January sessions, 1774, William How- 
ard, for a felony, was sentenced to receive thirty lashes ou the bare back, well 
laid on, and afterward stand one hoiu- in the pillory. This was the first sen- 
tence to the pillory. At every succeeding term of court numerous parties re- 
ceived punishments by whipping, standing in the pillory, branding, etc. At 
the April sessions, 1782, James Magill was sentenced to be whipped, stand in 
the pillory, have his right ear cropped, and be branded in the forehead. At 
the April sessions, 1783, John Smith, for a felony, was sentenced to pay a 
tine of twenty pounds, receive thirty-nine lashes on his back, well laid on, 
stand in the pillory one houi', and have his ears cut off and nailed to the 
pillory. At the July sessions, 1788. Jane Adamson, a servant of Samuel 
Sample, had one year added to her indenture for having a bastard child. 
The tirst person convicted of mm-der, and hung, west of the mountains, 
was an Indian of the Delaware tribe, by the name of Mamachtaga. In 1785, 
in a drunken spree at Pittsburgh, he crossed the river to the Allegheny side, 
nearly opposite Killbuck island, and killed a white man by the name of Smith. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COONTY. 245- 

He was tried at Haiinastowu in the fall of that year, bt-fore Chief -Justice 
McKeaa. Hugh H. Brackenridge was his counsel. When brought into court, 
he refused, at first, to plead ' ' not guilty ;' ' for that, he said, would be a lie ; 
he did kill Smith, but said he was drunk at the time, and did not know what 
he was doing. The chief justice, however, held that drunkenness was no 
excuse for murder. 

As there was no courthouse at Hannastown, the courts were always held 
in the house of Robert Hanna. Parties, jurors, witnesses and lawyers were 
crowded together in a small room, nearly all standing. The judges occupied 
common hickory chairs raised on a clapboard bench at one side. 

During the revolutionary war, while the courts met regularly, but little 
business was transacted, and the laws were not rigidly enforced. At the 
October sessions, 1781, only one constable attended, and he was from Pitts- 
burgh. The first courts held in Pittsbui'gh were Virginia courts, administer- 
ing the laws of Virginia. They were held under authority of Lord Dunmore, 
governor of Virginia. The first court was held February 21, 1775. 

As soon as the country west of the mountains began to be settled, a con- 
troversy sprang up between Pennsylvania and Virginia as to which owned the 
territory. The controversy between the two state jurisdictions continued in 
an irregular way for a year. The settlers generally sided with Virginia, for 
the price of lands under the Virginia laws was considerably less than under 
the Pennsylvania laws. 

The governor of Virginia and his agent Connolly enforced their jiretensions 
by holding regular courts in Pittsburgh. The first court was held February 
21, 1775. The justices of the peace of Augusta county, who held this court, 
were George Croghan, John Campbell, John Connolly, Dorsey Pentecost, 
Thomas Smallman and John Gibson. John Gibson was an uncle of Chief- 
Justice Gibson. The court continued in session four days, and then adjourned 
to Staunton, Va. Courts were also held in May and September of that 
year. Connolly attended the court in May, but soon after that the revolu- 
tionary war broke out, when he and Lord Dunmore fled to the British camp, 
never to return. 

The regular Virginia courts continued to be held at Pittsburgh, for West 
Augusta county, as it was then called, until November 30, 1776. The territory 
was then divided into three counties, called Ohio, Yohogania and Monongalia. 
Pittsburgh was in Yohogania county, which embraced the greater portions of 
the present counties of Allegheny and Washington. The courts of this county 
were held regularly until the 28th of August, 1780. They were sometimes 
held in Pittsburgh, sometimes in or near the present town of Washington, but 
the greater portion of time on the farm of Andrew Heath, on the Monongahela 
river, near the present line between Allegheny and Washington counties, where 
a log courthouse and jail were erected. 

For five years, from 1775 to 1780, the jurisdiction of Virginia over Pitts- 



246 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

burgh aud all the territory across the Monongahela ami Ohio was supreme, and 
almost undisturbed. Taxes were levied and collected, and all county offices 
tilled by Virginia authority. Courts for the trial of all civil causes, and crimi- 
nal offenses, for laying out roads, granting chartered privileges, settling the 
estates of decedents, etc., were regularly held. 

Negotiations had been going on for several years between the two states for 
settling the boundary question. Terms were finally agreed upon September 
23, 1780. Commissioners were appointed to extend Mason and Dixon's line, 
which thus became the southern boundary of Pennsylvania, and to fix the 
western corner, according to the terms agreed upon. The jiu'isdiction of Vir- 
ginia was withdrawn, and that of Pennsylvania extended over the territory. 
Washington coimty was erected by act of March 28, 1781. It embraced all 
that part of the state lying west of the Monongahela and south of the Ohio. 
But Pittsburgh remained in Westmoreland county. Fayette county was formed 
February 17, 1784. 

Allegheny county was established by act of September 24, 1788. It em- 
braced portions of ^'estmoreland and Washington counties, and all the terri- 
tory north of the Ohio and west of the Allegheny, from which were afterward 
formed the counties of Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Erie, Lawrence, 
Mercer, Venango and Warren, and parts of Indiana and Clarion. 

The county, although it has always had a bar of great eminence, has not 
furnished very much judicial material outside of its own list of judges. Hugh 
H. Brackenridge was appointed a justice of the supreme court in 1799, and 
served until the time of his death, June 25, 1816; John Kennedy was similarly 
appointed November 29, 1S30, and served until 1851 ; Walter H. Lowrie was 
elected a justice of the same court in 1851, and was chief justice fi-om 1857 to 
1863; Henry W. Williams was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the 
resignation of Judge Strong, October 26, 1868, and was elected for fifteen 
years in November, 1869, but died in 1877; James P. Sterrett was appointed 
to fill his place, February 26, 1877, and elected for twenty-one years in No- 
vember, 1878. Various other prominent lawjers have been jJressed for places 
on this bench, but failed to get a nomination. The men here named, how- 
ever, have all won substantial reputations on the supreme bench, and those 
who have passed away are still warmly remembered. Judge Brackenridge won 
a much higher position as judge than he ever could have won as a member of 
Congress, had he been successful in obtaining an election to that place. Galla- 
tin, who defeated him for Congress, was better fitted for political life, and the 
judge for the judicial place that fell to him. 

To the I'nited States bench the county has contributed two eminent mem- 
bers, Henry Baldwin and Eobert C. Grier. The latter was sent here as county 
judge from Lycoming county, but soon took up his permanent residence here, 
and won his judicial spurs by service upon the county bench, aud is therefore 
fairly counted as coming from here. His judicial reputation was so widely 





^C<^r7^i^^-?^~C^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 249 

established that President Polk, in 1846, appointed him a justice of the United 
States supreme court. He died in Philadeljihia in 1870. He succeeded Henry 
Baldwin, who was appointed in 1830, and died in 1846. The older members 
of the bar well remember both of them. Baldwin represented this district in 
Congress from 1817 to 1823, and as a member of the bar he always stood in 
the fi'ont rank. As a judge he was candid, impartial and just, and his opin- 
ions, as rendered, were always clear, concise and easily understood. Judge 
McCandless always pricked up his ears when a decision of Judge Baldwin 
was cited to him, and when he felt compelled to rule differently, protested that 
he still had a high veneration for Judge Baldwin. 

William Penn's idea, when he founded his colony, was that lawyers and 
judges could well be dispensed with. His education as a Quaker naturally led 
him to this. He enjoined upon his county magistrates* to appoint, every three 
months, a court of three "peacemakers," by whom he thought all contro- 
versies coiild be settled satisfactorily. If all his colonists had been Quakers 
this result might have been so attained, but they were not. His Scotch-Irish 
settlers were not of the kind to submit a quarrel to ' ' peacemakers. ' ' His 
whole system failed, insomuch that even Quakers eventually became lawyers 
and judges. The irony of fate was never so marked as in the case of Penn's 
own will, which the English chancery courts spent ten years in construing, 
and it took his heirs half a century to settle his southera boundary with the 
heirs of Lord Baltimore, to say nothing of the Dunmore war and the pro- 
tracted controversy over the western border of his colony. His charter gave 
him five degrees west of the Delaware, and if the western border had been 
settled on this basis it would have been as serpentine as the course of the 
Delaware. Happily for us, it was finally settled upon a more sensible basis, 
and Penn's system of "peacemakers," quarterly appointed, died out before 
Allegheny county was formed. 

The county was organized in September, 1788, and the first court was 
held on the 16th of December of that year. The courthouse was not built 
until some years afterward, and this first court was held in a room on the 
corner of Second and Market. The first execution in the county took place 
January 23, 1793, on Boyd's hill, not far from Fort Fayette. From this it 
is inferable that the county then had no jail and that the fort was used tem- 
porarily as a place of detention for criminals. James Ewalt was sheriff when 
Dunning was hung. Under the proprietary government, as well as under the 
first constitution of 1776, the county court was composed of the justices of the 
peace of the county, and in those times the court sat biit two or three days at a 
time. The executive council of the state designated someone to preside at court, 
and the person so designated was rarely a lawyer. In this county, at this court 
held in 1788, the executive council commissioned George Wallace as president 

* His county magistrates, according to the developments of Indian history, were not of a high order. 
They were of the earth, earthy. 



250 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

judge, and be served as such until IT'Jl, when the constitution of lT9il went 
into operation. He was not a lawyer, but a magistrate, appointed originally 
for "Westmoreland county. He was a large landholder and an excellent busi- 
ness man, and gave general satisfaction. The fact that he was not a lawyer 
has led to confusion in the statements as to who was the first judge in this 
county, one set speaking of George Wallace as the first judge, and another of 
Judge Addison as the first. Strictly speaking. Judge Addison was the first 
judge "learned in the law," but Jiidge Wallace was as much a judge lejgally 
as Judge Addison, and is fairly entitled to be classed as the first to exercise 
judicial functions in the county. At the first session of Judge Wallace' s court 
nine persons were admitted to practice law at the Allegheny county bar, five 
of them from Greensburg and Washington and the remaining four fi'om Alle- 
gheny. Three of these four were Hugh H. Brackenridge, James Ross and 
John Woods, but the fourth was "born to blush unseen." James Ross 
appears, in 1794, as being a resident of Washington, Pa., and may possibly 
have kept up a residence in both. Of Brackenridge enough has already been 
said elsewhere in these pages. Ross was elected to the senate of the United 
States in 179i. Albert Gallatin had been elected to this place from March 4, 
1791, but had been ruled out as ineligible, by the senate, in 1793, and Ross 
was chosen for the remainder of his term, and was re-elected in 1797, serving 
till 1803. He was chosen president pro tern, of the senate in 1797, and served 
until 1799. He returned to the practice of the law in Pittsburgh in 1803, and 
was the federal candidate for governor in 1799, against Thomas McKean, 
polling 32,641 votes against 38,036 for McKean. In 1802 he was again a 
candidate against McKean, but apparently without any concert of action among 
his political friends, and in 1808 he was a candidate against Simon Snyder, 
polling 39,575 votes to 69,975 for Snyder. He appears to have been a con- 
sistent but not very active federalist, and was at the head of the Pittsburgh 
bar until he retired in old age./ He was born in 1761 and died in 1847. He 
was a member of the convention which formed the constitution of 1790, and 
always commanded the deepest respect of his fellow-citizens. Of John Woods 
all we can gather from the records is that he was an able lawyer, and was 
elected to Congress from this city in 1814, serving from 1815 to 1817. 

Among the five admitted fi'om the other counties were Alexander Addison 
and David Bradford. The first was appointed judge of the Fifth Judical 
district, when it was organized in 1791, and the other was the Bradford who 
thrust himself into prominence in the whisky insiu'rection, and was the first of 
the recusants to run off to Louisiana. He appears to have been a blatant 
demagog, with treasonable conceptions in his brain, and his escape was no 
loss to Western Pennsylvania. He is said, I can not state upon what authority, 
to have been the grandfather of Mrs. Jefferson Davis. He proposed, as a 
part of his scheme in the whisky insurrection, to erect a new state here, outside 
of the government of the United States, and may thus be regarded as the 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 251 

first secessionist. Mrs. Davis, evidently, came legitimately by her secession 
sentiments. 

In 1789 the dissatisfaction with the clumsy constitution of 1776 culminated 
in calling a convention to frame a new constitution. Alexander Addison was 
chosen a member from Washington county, and James Ross from this county. 
They were among the ablest members of the body which framed the constitu- 
tion of 1790; and although it was tinctured with the then prevalent distrust of 
the people as a governing power, it was so well framed as to stand unchanged 
from 1790 to 1838, nearly half a century. This instrument pi'ovided for a 
thorough reconstruction of the courts, and the legislature, in 1791, acting 
under its provisions, organized the Fifth Judicial district, to be composed of 
all the counties in Western Pennsylvania. These were then Westmoreland, 
Fayette, Washington and Allegheny, but Allegheny then embraced all the ter- 
ritory west and north of the Allegheny and Ohio rivers from Pittsburgh to 
Lake Erie. Somerset was formed in 1795, Greene in 1796, Armstrong in 
1800, Indiana in 1803, and Jefferson, McKean, Potter and Cambria counties in 
1804, but these were all east of the Allegheny; west and north of that river 
and the Ohio, Butler, Beaver, Erie, Mercer, Warren and Venango were formed 
in 1800. The territory of all these counties was, however, embraced at the 
beginning in the Fifth Judicial district, and Alexander Addison was commis- 
sioned as president judge. 

The first court, quarter sessions, was held December 16, 1788, by George 
Wallace, president, and Joseph Scott, John Wilkins and John Johnson, asso- 
ciates. A letter was read fi'om Mr. Bradford, attorney- general, appointing 
Robert Galbraith, Esq., his deputy, who was sworn in; and on his motion the 
following persons were admitted as members of the bar, viz. : Hugh H. Brack- 
enridge, John Woods, James Ross, George Thompson, Alexander Addison, 
Daniel Bradford, James Carson, David St. Clair and Michael Huffnagle, Esqs. 
The first term of the common pleas was held March 14, 1789. The appear- 
ance docket contained fifty-six cases. The brief minute says the court was 
held " before George Wallace and his associates," without naming them. 

The constitution of September 2, 1790, and the act of assembly following 
it, April 13, 1791, made radical changes in the judicial system of the state. 
Justices of the peace were no longer judges of the courts. The state was 
divided into circuits or judicial districts composed of not less than three nor 
more than six counties. A president judge was appointed by the governor for 
each district, and associate judges, not less than three nor more than four, for 
each county. The associate judges could hold the quarter sessions and common 
pleas. All judges were commissioned for life or during good behavior. The 
constitution did not require any of the judges to be "learned in the law," 
but it was understood that the judges of the supreme coui't and the presi- 
dent judges of the districts were to be experienced lawyers. By act of Feb- 
ruary 24, 1806, the associate judges of each county were reduced to two. 



252 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The state was divided into five circuits or districts. The counties of West- 
moreland, Fayette, Washington and Allegheny composed the Fifth district. 
The new judicial system went into operation September 1, 1791. 

Upon the reorganization of the courts under the constitution of 1790, 
Alexander Addison was appointed president judge of the Fifth district, his 
commission bearing date August 17, 1791. His associates for Allegheny 
county, commissioned the same day, were George Wallace, John Wilkins. Jr., 
John McDowell and John Gibson. 

Alexander Addison was the first law judge of Allegheny county. He was 
born in Scotland in 1759, educated at Edinburgh, and licensed to preach by 
the presbytery of Aberlowe. He emigrated to Pennsylvania in early life, and 
on the 20th of December, 1785, applied to the presbytery of Redstone (Browns- 
ville) to be admitted. He was not regularly received into the presbytery, but 
was authorized to preach within its bounds. He preached for a short time at 
Washington, but read law, and was admitted to the bar of that county in 1787. 
Judge Addison's bold stand in favor of the federal government during the 
whisky insuirection, and his equally bold stand against French emissaries and 
secret political societies, caused him many enemies. H. H. Brackenridge was 
bitter in his hostility. As soon as the new political party got into power, Judge 
Addison was a doomed man. John B. C Lucas was appointed associate judge 
of Allegheny county July 17, 1800. He was a Frenchman, and intensely hos- 
tile to Judge Addison. As soon as he took his seat on the bench he commenced 
to annoy and provoke Judge Addison. Although a layman, he would frequently 
differ with the judge on points of law, and actually charged petit juries in oppo- 
sition to the views of the president judge. He also insisted on reading a written 
harangue to a grand jury, in opposition to some views expressed by Judge Addi- 
son to a previous grand jury. Judge Addison and Judge McDowell, who con- 
stituted a majority of the coui-t on that occasion, remonstrated against such 
conduct on the part of Lucas, and stopped him. 

That gave a prete.xt for legal proceedings against Judge Addison. The first 
movement was an application to the supreme court to file an information, in 
the nature of an indictment, against him for a misdemeanor in office. The 
supreme court dismissed it, saying that the papers did not show an indictable 
offense (4 Dallas, R. 225). The next step was to have him impeached by the 
legislature. The house ordered the impeachment, and the senate tried and 
convicted him. The articles of impeachment contained nothing but the two 
charges: (1) That when Lucas charged the petit jury Judge Addison told 
them they should not regard what he said, because it had nothing to do with 
the case, and (2) preventing him fi'om charging the grand jury, as above 
stated. The sentence was pronounced by the senate January 27, 1803, removing 
him as president judge from the Fifth district, and declaring him forever 
disqualified for holding a judicial office in the state. 

Samuel Roberts succeeded Judge Addison; was commissioned April 30, 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 253 

1803, and held the office until liis death in 1820. Judge Koberts was bom in 
Philadelphia September 8, 1763, was educated and studied law in that city, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1793. 

John Tiernan was convicted of the murder of Patrick Campbell, December 
7, 1817. He was tried January 12, 1818, before Judge Roberts, with Francis 
McGlure, associate. Campbell was a contractor on the Pittsburgh and Greens- 
burg turnpike. Tiernan was a laborer on the turnpike, living in a cabin on 
the hill this side of Turtle creek, and Campbell boarded with him. At uight, 
when asleep in his bed, Tiernan killed him with an ax, robbed his body, and 
fled to Pittsburgh, where he was arrested, tried, convicted and hung. 

William Wilkins succeeded Judge Roberts. He was born December 20, 
1779. His father moved to Pittsburgh in 1786. He was educated at Dickinson 
College, and read law with Judge Watt, at Carlisle. He was admitted to the 
bar in Pittsburgh, 1801. He was appointed president judge of the Fifth dis- 
trict December 18, 1820; resigned May 25, 1824, when appointed judge of 
the district court of the United States for Western Pennsylvania. In 1828, 
when on the bench of the United States district court, he was elected a 
member of Congress, but before taking his seat resigned, giving as a reason 
that his pecuniary circumstances were such he could not give uj) the judge- 
ship to accept a seat in Congress. But in 1831 he was elected to the senate of 
the United States for the full term of sis years, and resigned the judgeship. 
In 1834 he was appointed minister to Russia, and remained one year at the 
court of St. Petersburg. In 1842 he was again elected to the house of repre- 
sentatives of Congress. After the explosion of the monster gun on the Prince- 
ton, February 28, 1844, which killed Mr. Upshur, secretary of state, and Mr. 
Gilmer, secretary of war, Mr. Wilkins was appointed by President Tyler 
secretary of war, which office he held until March, 1845. In 1855 he was 
elected to the state senate from this county for one term. 

Charles Shaler succeeded William Wilkins as judge of the county courts. 
He was born in Connecticut in 1788, and educated at Yale. He was recorder 
of the mayor's court of Pittsburgh from 1818 to 1821. June 5, 1824, he was 
commissioned judge of common pleas; occupied the bench eleven years, resign- 
ing May 4, 1835. He was appointed associate judge of the district court of 
the county May 6, 1841, and held that office three years, resigning May 20, 
1844. 

Trevanion Barlow Dallas succeeded Judge Shaler. He was commissioned 
May 15, 1835. He was born in Philadelphia, Febriiary 23, 1801, and edu- 
cated at Princeton. He commenced reading law with his brother, George 
M., but came to Pittsburgh about 1820, and finished his stiidies with his 
brother-in-law, William Wilkins. He was admitted to the bar in 1822. Pre- 
vious to his appointment as judge he had been deputy attorney-general for 
the county. He remained on the common pleas bench from 1835 to June 24, 
1839, when he resigned to accept the position of associate judge with Judge 



254 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Grier, iu tho district court of the county, which position he held until his 
death, April 7, 1841. 

Benjamin Fatten succeeded Judge Dallas. He was commissioned July 1, 
1839, and resigned in January, 1850. He was born in Belief onte. Pa., July 
21, 1810. His ancestors were among the first settlers on the Juniata and in 
Huntingdon county. His maternal grandfather was a lieutenant under Wash- 
ington at Braddock's defeat, and a grand-uncle, Benjamin Patton, was a 
signer of the Declaration of Independence. He graduated at Dickinson College 
in 1829, and commenced the study of law with Andrew Carothers, at Carlisle. 
He was, when appointed, a young and inexperienced man, and made some 
blunders, but was always fair and honest. He had a crippled leg, and his 
physical appearance did not betoken long life; yet he still survives, hale and 
hearty, and was present at the centennial commemoration of the formation of 
Allegheny county, held in September, 1888. He is now a resident of one of 
the western states. He tried the celebrated ' ' conspiracy ' ' case against the 
canal transportation companies, in which he was blamed for undue severity 
toward the transporters; but that was so long ago that nearly everyone has 
forgotten it. He sent the publishers of the Aurora, William Flinn and Hiram 
Kaine, to jail, for libel on Judge Grier, and was blamed for that, too; but the 
origin of the suit was so funny that, had it been known, they would not have 
been sent to jail. The Aurora was a small jjenny sheet, and resembled the 
Sun so much that, at a distance, it was easy to mistake one for the other. 
Judge Grier, it happened, was being shaved at a barber-shop on the corner of 
Wood and Third, and Flinn was going through the same operation at the same 
time, but was done first, and while putting on his coat glanced at the judge, 
who held a paper in his hand which Flinn took to be the Auroi-a, horn its 
appearance. The judge really had the Sim in his hand, and his attention 
was arrested by a letter fi-om Mr. Recorder Van Amringe, declining a congres- 
sional nomination from the abolitionists because he was a democrat. To this 
the editor of the Sun had appended some remarks which excited the judge's 
ire. " Why," said he, " the editor of this paper must be a /ooL' " Flinn, still 
under the delusion that it was the Aurora he held in his hand, considered this 
personal, clapped on his hat hurriedly, and rushed to the Aurora office to jjour 
his grief into Kaine's ear. The result was the appearance in the Aurora, next 
morning, of the article libeling Judge Grier, and the subsequent trial and 
committal to jail. Had the real facts been known, even Judge Patton would 
have been compelled to laugh the case out of court. 

In sentencing convicted persons the judge occasionally left a wide chasm 
between his premises and conclusions. Smith would be before him, say, con- 
victed a second time of assault and battery. The judge would say to him: 
" Smith, this is the second time yovi have been before this court on this charge, 
and the court is disposed to make an example of you. This thing of wife- 
beating must be stopped. We let you off easily the first time, but you are not 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 255 

longer entitled to leniency. The sentence of the court is that jou pay a tine 
of $5 and the costs and stand committed until this sentence be complied with. ' ' 
Then would follow another victim, convicted for the first time of the same 
offense. To him the judge would say: " Jones, you are here for the first time, 
and we are disposed to be lenient with you, but do not let ns catch you here 
again. The sentence of the court is that you pay a fine of $50 and the costs, 
and be imprisoned in the county jail for six months." Query — Did the judge 
get these sentences transposed in his mind? That would be the easiest expla- 
nation. But, aside from all this, the judge was a careful, painstaking, fair 
and just man, and rose, eventually, to the level of his position. 

William B. McClure succeeded Judge Pattoii. He was appointed and 
commissioned by the governor January 31, 1850. That year a constitutional 
amendment was adopted, making the judiciary elective. The first election 
under it was in October of 1851. Judge McClure was elected and commis- 
sioned November 6, 1851, for ten years from December 1, 1851, the first judge 
elected in this county. He was re-elected in 1861, and commissioned for 
another period of ten years, but died December 27, 1861, and was succeeded 
by J. P. Sterrett. Judge McClure was born in April, 1807, at Willow Grove, 
near Carlisle, Pa. He graduated at Dickinson College in 1827. He read law 
in Pittsburgh with John Kennedy, afterward a justice of the supreme court, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1829. From 1850 to 1859 Judge McClure was 
the only law judge in the common pleas, orphans' court, quarter sessions and 
oyer and terminer of the county. The amount of business was enormous for 
one man. He had scarcely a day' s rest or vacation. He was a most laborious 
judge, frequently sitting on the bench from eight to ten hours a day. No 
man ever presided in a court more thoroughly in earnest or conscientious in 
the performance of his duties. The close confinement in the impure air of 
the criminal courtroom, and the excessive labors of his office, gradually ex- 
hausted the vital energies of a naturally vigorous constitution, and carried 
him to the grave when only fifty-four years of age. During the twelve years 
Judge McClure sat on the bench he tried more criminal cases and more homi- 
cides than any other judge in the state. His fame as a criminal jurist became 
almost national. Spotlessly pure in his own character, intensely anxious for 
the public welfare, and profoundly impressed with the responsibilities of his 
office, he bent all his energies to the suppression of crime and the just pun- 
ishment of criminals. He was justly a terror to evil-doers. 

The great increase of business in the criminal court of the county led to 
the act of May 26, 1859, adding an assistant law judge to the court. It 
also enlarged the jurisdiction of the common pleas to all cases where the sum 
in controversy did npt exceed three hundred dollars. This was followed by 
the act of April 11, 1862, adding a second associate law judge, abolishing 
the office of associate lay judge, and extending the jurisdiction, making it con- 
current with the district court, without reference to the amount in controversy. 



256 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The act wiped out of existence, so far as Allegheny county is concerned, an 
institution that had existed in England for many centirries, and was brought 
over by our ancestors at the settlement of this country. 

The earlier lay judges were among the most prominent men of the county, 
and their long experience on the bench added greatly to their usefulness. 
George Wallace was on the bench from 1788 to 1814, John McDowell from 
1791 to 1812. Francis McClure from 1812 to 1838, James Riddle from 1818 
to 1838. These were all men of mark and distinction. So also were Samuel 
Jones, Richard Butler, John Wilkins, John Gibson, George Thompson and 
Hugh Davis. Among the later judges should be mentioned Thomas L. 
McMillan, Gabriel Adams and John E. Parke. 

John Wesley Maynard was the first assistant law judge of the common 
pleas; appointed by the governor April 16, 1859, and commissioned until 
the first Monday of December following. He was admitted to the bar in 
Tioga county, Pa., in 1831, and practiced his profession in that and the 
adjoining counties until 1840, when he moved to Williamsport, in Lycoming 
county, where he has resided ever since, except six years at Easton. Although 
only nine months on the bench in Allegheny county, he made many fi'iends, 
and won the respect and confidence of all, both as a man and a judge. 

David Ritchie was the first associate law judge appointed under the act of 
April 11, 1862. He was appointed by Gov. Curtin, May 22, 1862, and com- 
missioned until the first Monday of December following, when he was suc- 
ceeded by E. H. Stowe, elected for ten years. Judge Ritchie was bom la 
Washington county, Pa, August 19, 1812; graduated at Jefferson college in 
1829; came to Pittsburgh about 1833; read law with Walter Forward, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1835. In 1852 he was elected to Congress, and 
twice re-elected, serving in the XXXIIId, XXXI Vth and XXXV th Congresses, 
during President Pierce' s administration and half of President Buchanan's. He 
died January 24, 1867, unmarried. 

The district court of the county was established by act of April 8, 1833, 
with one judge, having the same jurisdiction as the common pleas, except lim- 
ited to cases where the sum in controversy exceeded one hundred dollars. It 
was limited to a period of seven years. But by act of June 12, 1839, it was 
continued until abolished by law, and an associate judge was added. By this 
act the jurisdiction of the common pleas was limited to cases where the sum 
in controversy did not exceed one hnndred dollars. 

Robert Cooper Grier was the first judge of the district court. He was 
appointed by the governor, and commissioned May 2, 1833. He resigned 
August 8, 1846, when appointed by President Polk an associate justice of the 
supreme court of the United States. 

Judge Grier was born in Cumberland county, Pa., March 5, 1794. He 
graduated at Dickinson College in 1812, taught one year in the college, then 
was principal of his father's academy for three or four years, was admitted to 




y 



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HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 259 

the bar in 1817, and commenced practice in Bloomsburg, but soon moved to 
Danville, where he was residing when appointed judge. He came to Alle- 
gheny City in 1833, where he resided till 1848, and then moved to Philadelphia. 
He resigned as judge of the supreme court January 31, 1870, and died Sep- 
tember 25th of the same year. 

Hopewell Hepburn succeeded Charles Shaler as associate judge, and R. C. 
Grier as president judge, of the district court. He was born in Northumberland 
county. Pa., October 28, 1799. He practiced law at Eaaton until appointed 
associate judge of the district court September 17, 1844. When Judge Grier 
was advanced to the supreme court of the United States, he was commissioned 
as president judge, August 13, 1846. He held that position until November 3, 
1851, when he resigned. 

After Judge Hepburn retired from the bench, he practiced law at Pittsburgh 
for a few years, then withdrew from the practice, accepting the presidency of 
the Allegheny bank, which he held for three years, but, his health failing, he 
removed to Philadelphia, and died there February 14, 1863. 

Walter Forward succeeded Judge Hepburn, and was the first president judge 
of the district court elected by the people. He was commissioned November 
7, 1851, and held the office till his death; he died on November 24, 1852. 
Judge Forward was on the bench only one year. Like Lord Eldon, he 
was sometimes called the ' ' doubter, ' ' because he was slow in deciding an 
important question. Weak men jump to a conclusion, for their vision can not 
reach beyond the case in hand. A great man looks beyond, to see how the 
principle will apply to other cases. He is careful that a hasty decision shall 
not establish a precedent to work injtistice in the future. The last case Judge 
Forward tried was an important will case, which took several days. He walked 
in from his country home to the courthouse on Monday, November 24, 1852. 
It was a cold, damp day. The courtroom was very uncomfortable, and he had 
a chill just before charging the jury. The jury retired in the afternoon, and 
he went to his lodgings. Before the jury had agreed upon their verdict Walter 
Forward was dead. Perhaps no man ever died in the county more sincerely 
lamented, or more beloved and esteemed by the people. He was admired for 
his great intellectual abilities and loved for his great moral excellence. And 
Walter Forward loved the people; not as a demagog or office-seeker, but as a 
man and a patriot. His highest ambition was to be a useful man. 

Peter C. Shannon succeeded Judge Forward. He was appointed by Gov. 
Bigler, November 27, 1852, until the first Monday of December, 1853. After 
retiring from the bench he practiced law in Pittsburgh until 1869, when he was 
appointed judge of the United States court in Dakota, and moved to that 
territory, where he has continued to reside. 

Moses Hampton succeeded P. C. Shannon. He was elected in October, 
1853; commissioned November 19, 1853, for ten years from the first Mondajr 
of December, 1853; was re-elected, for a second term of ten years, in October,. 



260 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

1863; served the full term, and died June 24, 1878. Judge Hampton was 
born in Beaver county. Pa., October 28, 1803. In 1812 his father moved 
to Trumbull county, Ohio, and commenced farming, living in a log cabin, 
and carrying on his trade of a blacksmith. In his boyhood the judge helped 
his father ou the farm, and also in the blacksmith-shop. In his younger days 
Judge Hampton was an ardent whig, taking an active part in the election of 
Gov. Ritner in 1835, of President Harrison in 1840, and in the presidential 
campaigns of 1844 and 1848. As a campaign speaker he was immensely pop- 
ular, having few equals in the state. As a judge he was distinguished for his 
propriety and dignity on the bench, for close attention to the business of the 
court, for eminent fairness to suitors and counsel, for a high sense of honor 
and justice, for quick and clear perceptions, calmness of judgment, an exten- 
sive knowledge of the law, and the clearness and logical force of his opinions. 

Trevanion B. Dallas was appointed June 22, 1839; died 1841. Charles 
Shaler, May 6, 1841; resigned May 20, 1844. Hopewell Hepburn, September 
17, 1844; appointed jjresident judge in 1846. 

Walter H. Lowrie was appointed associate judge August 20, 1846, and 
held the ofSce until the fall of 1851, when he was elected one of the judges of 
the supreme com't. The five judges elected at that time were required, by 
the law putting in operation the elective judiciary, to cast lots for their terms, 
to serve, respectively, three, six, nine, twelve and fifteen years. Judge 
Lowrie drew the twelve-year term, which expired in 1863. After retiring from 
the supreme bench he practiced law in Pittsburgh for a few years, and then 
moved to Philadelphia. While living there, in 1870, he was elected president 
judge of Crawford county, and moved to Meadville. He died suddenly of 
heart disease, November 14, 1876; was brought to Pittsburgh, and interred in 
Allegheny icemetery. 

Henry W. Williams was elected assistant judge of the district court in 
October, 1851, and commissioned November 7, 1851, for ten years; re-elected 
in 1861, and resigned October 28, 1868, when elected to the supreme court. 
He died February 19, 1877. 

The United States district court for the Western district of Pennsylvania 
was established by act of Congress of 20th of May, 1818, and Jonathan Hoge 
Walker was appointed judge by President Monroe. He held the first court at 
Pittsburgh, December 7, 1818. 

Judge Walker was born in East Pennsboro' township, Cumberland county, 
Pa., in 1756. He was of English descent. His grandfather, William Walker, 
was a captain under the Duke of Marlborough in Queen Anne's wars. His 
mother was a daughter of John Hoge, of Hogestown, in Cumberland county. 
He graduated at Dickinson College in 1787, and read law with Stephen Duncan. 
While Judge Walker was on the bench of the United States district court, 
his second son read law, and commenced practice in Pittsburgh in 1821. 
After his father's death, in 1826, he moved to Natchez. This was Robert J. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 261 

Walker, who subsequently became a distinguished statesman and politician. 
Judge Walker was succeeded by William Wilkins, who held the office until 
1831. when he resigned, being elected to the United States senate. 

Thomas Irwin succeeded Judge Wilkins. Ke was appointed, in 1831, 
by President Jackson, and held the office until 1859, when he resigned and 
retired to private life. He was born in Philadelphia, February 22, 1784. 
His father. Col. Matthew Irwin, was a distinguished soldier of the revolu- 
tionary war, and one of the Philadelphia patriots of that trying period who 
brought relief to the famishing army at Valley Forge, subscribing himself 
15.000 for that purpose. His mother was a daughter of Benjamin Mifflin, 
whose ancestor came to Pennsylvania at an early period. Thomas Mifflin, the 
first elected governor of Pennsylvania, was a relative of Judge Irwin, after 
whom he was named. The Mifflins were known as the "Fighting Quakers," 
from the active part they took in the revolutionary war. 

Wilson McCandless succeeded Judge Irwin; appointed by President 
Buchanan February 8, 1859. He resigned, and retired to private life, July 
24, 1S76, and died at his residence in Pittsburgh June 30, 1882. Judge Mc- 
Candless was born at Noblestown, in Allegheny county, July 10, 1810; was 
educated at the Western university, read law with George Selden, Esq. , and 
was admitted to the bar June 19, 1831. He was in partnership in the prac- 
tice of law, for some time, with W. W. Fetterman, and afterward, for many 
years, with his brother-in-law, William B. McClure. 

Winthrop W. Ketcham succeeded Judge McCandless. He was born in 
Wilkesban-e, Pa., June 29, 1820. In 1848 and 1849 he was a teacher in 
Girard college, Philadelphia. January 8, 1850, he was admitted to the bar 
in Wilkesbarre. In 1855 he was elected prothonotary of Luzerne county for 
three years. In 1858 he was elected to the legislature, and in 1859 elected 
state senator for three years. In 1864 he was appointed by President Lincoln 
solicitor of the United States court of claims, and resigned in 1866. He was 
a delegate to the national republican convention at Chicago in 1860, at Bal- 
timore in 1864, and a presidential elector in 1868. He was elected to Con- 
gress in 1874, and in July, 1876, was appointed judge to succeed Judge 
McCandless. On Saturday, December 6, 1879, he held court in this city, in 
his usual good health, and returned to his room at the St. Charles hotel. At 
5 P. M. he was stricken with apoplexy, and died at 11:50 P. M. , his wife and 
only son at his bedside, with the physicians and friends who had been hastily 
summoned. He died universally lamented and respected. Judge Ketcham 
was succeeded by Marcus W. Acheson, the present incumbent. 

The borough of Pittsburgh was incorporated as a city by act of I8th of 
March. 1816. The act created a mayor's court, composed of the mayor, a 
recorder and twelve aldermen. The recorder and aldermen were appointed 
by the governor during good behavior, and the mayor to be elected annually 
by the city councils from the aldermen. The mayor's court had jurisdiction 



262 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

to try forgeries, perjuries, larcenies, assaults and batteries, riots, routs aud 
unlawful assemblies, and generally all offenses committed in the city cog- 
nizable in a court of quarter sessions, besides all violations of city ordinances. 
The causes were regularly trietl before a jury. The mayor presided in the 
court, but the recorder was the law judge or legal officer of the court. The 
mayor or recorder and any three of the aldermen could hold the court. The 
recorder was also vested with civil jurisdiction, the same as the aldermen. 
He was to receive a salary, to be paid by the city. 

Charles Wilkins, son of Gen. John Wilkins, was the first recorder. He 
was admitted to the bar in 1807, appointed recorder in 1816, and died in 
1818. Charles Shaler was recorder from 1818 to 1821. He was succeeded 
by Ephraim Pentland, who was prothonotary of the county fi-om 1807 to 1821. 
Pentland came to Pittsburgh in 1801 or 1802; he had been a printer and 
editor; he was a short, heavy-set man, very fond of jokes, and a noted char- 
acter. He died in 1839. He was succeeded by H. H. Van Amringe, who 
was admitted to the bar in 1837, and appointed recorder in 1839. He held 
the office only a few months, for the mayor's court was abolished by act of 
Jnne 12, 1839. Van Amringe came here from Chester county. He was aa 
excellent lawyer and courteous gentleman, but erratic in his religious notions. 

LIST or .JUDGES. 

Judges of the common pleas, quarter sessions and orphans' court prior 
to the constitution of 1790, appointed October 9, 1788: George "Wallace, pres- 
ident; John Metzgar, Michael Hillman, Robert Ritchie, associates. These 
were the judges until August 17, 1791, when the courts were reorganized under 
the constitution of 1790. 

The following were the justices of the peace, entitled to sit in the quarter 
sessions, but not in the common pleas or orphans' court: September 26, 

1788, James Bryson; September 27, 1788, Samuel Jones; November 21, 1788, 
John Johnson, Abraham Kirkpatrick, Richard Butler, William Tilton; No- 
vember 25, 1788, John Wilkins, father of John. Jr, and William; May 21, 

1789, Henry Nesby. 

ASSOCIATE JUDGES DNDEE THE CONSTITUTION OF 1790. 

Laymen appointed during good behavior, until 1851, and then elected for 
a term of five years: August 17, 1791, George Wallace, resigned in 1798 and 
re-appointed; John Wilkins, Jr., resigned February 26, 1796; John McDowell, 
died in 1812; John Gibson, died in 1800; February 26, 1796, George Thomp- 
son, in place of John Wilkins. Jr.; July 17, 1800, John B. C. Lucas, in place 
of Gen. John Gibson; July 24, 1812, Francis McClure, resigned December 
22, 1838; June 3, 1814, George Robinson, died in 1818; September 2. 1818, 
James Riddle, resigned December 25, 1838; December 27, 1838, William 
Hays, resigned April 11, 1840; December 31, 1838, Hugh Davis, resigned ia 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 263 

1840; March 20, 1840, William Porter, commission annulled by decision of 
supreme court, and re-appointed February 17, 1843; April 16, 1840, John M. 
Snowden, recommissioned March 31, 1841; April 9, 1845, John Anderson, de- 
clined; April 17, 1845, William G. Hawkins, declined; May 8, 1845, William 
Kerr, recommissioned March 14, 1846; February 28, 1848, Samuel Jones, 
resignedMay 12, 1851; March 18, 1851, William Boggs, recommissioned No- 
vember 10, 1851; June 10, 1851, Thomas L. McMillan, recommissioned No- 
vember 10, 1851, died 1852; April 27, 1852, Patrick McKenna, until Decem- 
ber 1, 1852; November 29, 1852, Gabriel Adams, commissioned for live years; 
November 12, 1856, John E. Parke, commissioned for five years; November 17, 
1857, Gabriel Adams, commissioned for five years; November 13, 1861, John 
Brown, commissioned for five years. John Brown was the last layman com- 
missioned as judge. The law was changed, requiring two associate law judges 
to be elected. 

PRESIDENT .JUDGES OF THE COMMON PLEAS, ETC. 

Appointed by the governor during good behavior, until after the constitu- 
tional amendment of 1850, then elected for a term of ten years: August 17, 
1791, Alexander Addison, impeached and removed in 1803; April 30, 1803, 
Samuel Roberts, died December 13, 1820; December 18, 1820, William Wil- 
kins, resigned May 25, 1824; June 5, 1824, Charles Shaler, resigned May 4, 
1835: May 15, 1835, Trevanion B. Dallas, resigned June 24, 1839; July 1, 
1839, Benjamin Patton, Jr., resigned in 1850; January 31, 1850, William B. 
MeClure, elected in 1851, and commissioned for ten years, re-elected in 1861, 
and commissioned for ten years, died in 1861 ; January 4, 1862, James P. 
Sterrett, appointed in place of W. B. McClure, deceased; elected in 1862, and 
commissioned November 4, 1862, for ten years; re-elected in 1872, and com- 
missioned November 10, 1872, for ten years; resigned in 1877, when appointed 
to the supreme court. E. H. Stowe then became president judge, and was 
re-elected in 1882 for ten years. 

ASSOCIATE LAW JUDGES OF THE COMMON PLEAS. 

April 16, 1859, John W. Maynard, until first Monday of December, 1859; 
November 8, 1859, Thomas Mellon, elected and commissioned for ten years; 
May 22, 1862, David Ritchie, commissioned until first Monday of December, 
1862; November 4, 1862, Edwin H. Stowe, elected and commissioned for ten 
years; November 26, 1869, Frederick H. Collier, elected and commissioned 
for ten years; November 6, 1872, E. H. Stowe, re-elected and commissioned 
for ten years; March, 1877, Charles S. Fetterman, appointed until first Mon- 
day in December, 1877; November, 1877, John H. Bailey, elected and com- 
missioned for ten years; November, 1879, Fred. H. Collier, re-elected and 
commissioned for ten years. 



2G4: HISTORY or Allegheny county. 

PRESIDENT JUDGES OF THE DISTRICT COURT. 

May 2, 1833, Roberh C. Grier, resigaed August 8, 1846; August 13, 1840, 
Hopewell Hepburn, recommissioued February 17, 1847, resigned November 
3, 1851; November 3, 1851, Walter Forward, elected and commissioned for 
ten years, died in 1852; November 27, 1852, P. C. Shannon, appointed till 
first Monday in December, 1853; November 19, 1853, Moses Hampton, elected 
and commissioned for ten years: November 3, 1863, Moses Hampton, re- 
elected and commissioned for ten years; November, 1873, Thomas Ewing, 
elected and commissioned for ten years. 

ASSOCIATE LAW JUDGES Or THE DISTRICT COURT. 

June 22, 1839, Trevanion B. Dallas, died 1841; May 6, 1841, Charles 
Shaler, resigned May 20, 1844; September 17, 1844, Hopewell Hepburn, 
appointed president in 1846; August 20, 1S46, Walter H. Lowrie, recommis- 
sioued April 17, 1847, elected to the supreme court in 1851; November 7, 
1S51, Henry W. Williams, re-elected in 1861, elected to supreme court in 1868, 
died 1877; November 10, 1868, John M. Kirkpatrick, appointed till lirst Mon- 
day of December, 1869, and elected and commissioned November 23, 1869, 
for ten years, re-elected in 1879, and commissioned for ten years; Novem- 
ber, 1873, J. W. F. White, elected and commissioned for ten years. 

By the constitution of 1873 the district court was abolished, and became 
common pleas No. 2. An*orphans' court was also created by the new consti- 
tution of 1873, and Hon. W. E. Hawkins was elected judge, and re-elected at 
the end of his first term. Afterward a second judge for this court was author- 
ized, and Hon. I. W. Over elected. This court has an abundance of business, 
and is well ofSeered. 

We have thus sketched the history of the bench of this county, covering a 
hundred years. The facts and dates have mainly been collected from Judge 
White's "History of the Judiciary of Allegheny County," in the Pennsyl- 
vania Magazine of History, Volume 7, 1883. It is a bright history, full of 
splendid judicial examples. Judge Addison's reputation is brighter to-day 
than when he was on the bench; and the names of Brackenridge, Kennedy, 
Lowrie, Dallas, Wilkins, Shaler, Grier, Baldwin, Hepburn, Williams, Hamp- 
ton, Forward, McCandless and McClure add luster to a judicial record that 
began brilliantly, and still continues without a blemish. No county in the 
state can present such an airay of illustrious names; and whatever else Alle- 
gheny county may have just cause to be proud of, she can always boast of a 
towering pre-eminence in judicial talents. 

THE BAR. 
For many years in the early history of the bar, the Fifth Judicial district 
embracing all Western Pennsylvania, the members of the bar practiced in all 
the counties of the district. As soon as court rose in one county the lawyers 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 265 

all mounted on horseback and accompanied the judge to the nest county, and 
so on till the round was completed. This was called " riding the circuit," 
and was borrowed from the English practice. Arrived at the point of their 
destination, the lawyers gathered mainly in one tavern, and made a lively time 
of it while court lasted. They were all full of fun, frolic and anecdote, and 
many a funny story has come down to the present day from these quarterly 
gatherings of the lawyers. 

At the present day lawyers are specialists. One is a good criminal lawyer, 
another is a patent lawyer, a third is an adviser or office lawyer, a fourth is 
mainly an advocate, and a fifth has his specialty in land cases, and so on; but 
in the olden times every lawyer was an ' ' all-rounder. ' ' In the fundamental 
and early literature of the law, and in the arts and subtleties and master 
learning of the profession, as it came to them from Europe, they were masters 
— thoroughly informed and always ready equipped. As pleaders they were 
grand; but pleading meant more to and before a jury then than now. They 
have left a recoi'd for eloquence and effectiveness which few of the present day 
can equal. Times have materially changed since those rude days; and any 
one of the leaders of the bar of 1 788 would be lost and bewildered at the bar of 
1888. Nearly a thousand attorneys have, in this century that has passed, been 
admitted to the bar, and about five hundred are in practice now, or are on the 
rolls. The terms of admission have gradually grown stricter, and the exami- 
nations are now an ordeal that none but the well instructed can pass. 

The machinery of justice, when the county was first organized, was of a 
rude and simple kind. Before September, 1788, litigants would have to travel 
either to Greensburg on the one hand, or Washington on the other, if they had 
to undergo a trial in court; and the courts then were composed mainly of 
justices of the peace. In some parts of the state, during the Revolution of 
1776, the local committees of safety assumed judicial power, and tried cases 
of replevin, horse-stealing, and some crimes for which the ordinary courts were 
too slow. A case was tried by the committee of safety in Northumberland 
county, in 1777, upon complaint made by a certain Allis Read that he, the 
said Read, had a horse strayed or .stolen from him which was found in 
the custody of a certain John Drake, when said Read replevied the horse, and 
got him and kept him in his possession for about six months, and then the 
widow of said Drake came and took him forcibly out of said Read's stable. 
Whereupon the committee proceeded to act summarily upon this complaint. 
The courts, too, when people had access to them, were slow — very slow. 
Almost all the actions were ejectments upon disputed original entries. The num- 
ber of witnesses was great, the means of travel scanty, and the districts large, 
so that much allowance had to be made for failure of attendance. The causes 
were, therefore, fi-equently continued, so that they usually stood upon the trial 
list several years before they could be acted on. This, added to the dilatory 
habits always prevalent in fi'ontier settlements, produced a leisurely, time- 



266 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

wasting habit of doing business. It is said of the estate of John Lukens. for^. 
merly surveyor-general of this state, that, although he died in 1799, it was 
in 1877 still before an auditor for distribution. There are no instances in 
point of a similar state of affairs in Allegheny county, but it is presumable 
that the same causes produced the same effects. There was none of the 
present hurry in legal matters then prevailing. 

The bar of Pittsburgh, like everything else in the history of the city, grew 
from very small beginnings. At the lirst court held here a number of attor- 
neys, from this and adjoining counties, took the oath, and four of these are 
set down as being from the city; but a close scrutiny reveals but three that 
can be recognized. These are John Woods, H. H. Brackenridge and Alex- 
ander Addison. These three would seem for a few years to have had a mo- 
nopoly of what legal business there was. Woods was rather a scrivener than a 
lawyer, and was depended on mainly for the di'awing of legal documents. 
Brackenridge was, in fact, the chief lawyer here. He was a well-educated 
Scotchman, with a fondness for literature and books, and was also a ready 
writer for the press. His books on "Modern Chivalry" show his literary 
inclination, and his description of Pittsburgh in the first number of the Pitts- 
burgh Gazette evinces his skill as a newspaper writer. But, with all this 
literary inclination, he was a good, faithful and industi'ious lawyer, and must 
have enjoyed the cream of the legal business. But, besides the law. Bracken- 
ridge had still other pursuits. He was a politican, and exercised, within a 
small compass, all the arts of the active politicians of to-day. He knew what 
political ''influence" was, and how to use it: and his course in the whisky 
insurrection lays him open, in a slight way, to the imputation of demagogism. 
He was never openly for the insurrection, and never decidedly against it until 
its weakness was demonstrated. His fate as a candidate for Congress in 1794. 
when, in spite of his great personal popularity, he was beaten out of sight by 
Gallatin, indicates a strong suspicion of the thoroughness of Brackenridge' s 
attitude. Gallatin sympathized with those who resisted Hamilton's or the 
federal method of internal-revenue taxation, but was outspoken in his opposi- 
tion to all efforts at forcible resistance. Brackenridge' s sympathies and con- 
victions ran in the same direction, but he was not so outspoken as Gallatin; 
and the people then, as now, rallied to the support of the most outspoken man. 
Brackenridge, however, never lost the respect of his fellow-citizens. They 
appreciated his talents, and were glad to follow his lead in ordinary politics. 
He continued, until 1799, to be at the head of the bar, and was universally 
esteemed and respected. In that year he was appointed a justice of the 
supreme court, a place he had fully earned by his splendid legal career, and 
remained upon the bench until 1816, when he died. His opinions as a judge 
are still frequently cited, and he maintained, on the bench as well as off of it, 
a high and deserved reputation as a jurist. 

Of Alexander Addison as a lawver it is unnecessary to sav much. He 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 269 

shortly afterward became a judge, and when he ceased to be a judge he 
moved to Washington, Pa., so that his connection with the bar of this county 
was short. He was, we judge, a solid rather than a showy lawyer. His learn- 
ing was profound and his knowledge of law precedents very extensive. 

Following this small beginning of the Pittsburgh bar the names of James 
Ross, David Bradford, Steel Semple, Henry Purviance, Thomas Collins and 
John Kennedy are soon found as early additions. Of these, James Ross was 
the first in every respect. He was a very large man, over six feet high, broad 
and full in all his proportions, and with big feet, of which he was not ashamed. 
He came here shortly after the county was organized, and lingered until nearly 
half of the present century was passed. As a lawyer, he was not noted for his 
pleading abilities, but for the soundness of his jtidgment and his full acquaint- 
ance with the law. When he was a candidate for governor in 1808, as we 
learn from "Linn's History of Buffalo Valley," page 372, James Ross was 
declared to be a man of mercenary and avaricious disposition ; accused of blas- 
phemy and mockery of religion, and was said to be the candidate of the nabobs 
and lawyers; that while a member of the United States senate he advocated the 
wresting of New Orleans fi'om the Spaniards by force, instead of acquiring it 
by treaty. The first charge had a bare color of truth in it; the second had 
nothing to sustain it, unless it may have been that, like many public men 
of that day, he was inclined to skepticism; and the third was true; but in 
advocating the acquisition of Louisiana he was but reflecting western sentiment, 
which was clamorous for the opening of the Mississippi to the ocean. With 
regard to his "mercenary and avaricious disposition," this much is true: he 
had money, and he preferred to lend it safelj'. He would never take or charge 
more than legal interest, 6 per cent, and he preferred lending to men in 
extremities, who could secure him for advances made for their relief. It is 
but natural that a man who was careful as to whom he lent money should 
acquire the reputation of being ' ' mercenary and avaricious ;' ' but the fact that 
he never took more than 6 per cent interest, in times when he could have had 
fi'om 10 to 20 per cent, should relieve him fi'om the charge of avariciousness. 
He owned and lived upon a square on Grant' s hill, known then as the " Oregon ' ' 
lot, extending from Fourth to Fifth on Grant aud Ross streets. He sold the 
half of this, from Diamond alley to Fifth, in 1837 or 1838, to the county com- 
missioners, for a courthouse and jail, and they paid him, as it is thought, 
$75,000 for it. The present courthouse occupies the whole of it. The other 
half of the lot he occupied himself until he died, the house standing upon the 
hill, considerably above the grade of Fourth avenue. Within the recollection 
of old citizens, an old orchard occupied at least a part of the remaining half of 
the lot. Besides this Mi-. Ross acquired a considerable part of the O'Hara 
estate, on the Allegheny river, eight or nine miles up; but the money which 
paid for this land saved the O'Hara estate from destruction at a moment of 
great peril to O'Hara' s financial credit. It is not worth while to try to eon- 



270 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

eeal the fact that Koss had an eye out, always, to the main chance: but he 
never oppressed anyone, and always maintained his integrity as a man and a 
lawyer. He was, as must be already apparent, prominent as a federal politician. 
Twice he was the federal candidate for governor, not by nomination, for state 
conventions did not then exist, but by general consent of that party; and he 
was twice elected to the United States senate, the lirst time for the unexpired 
term of Gallatin, who was elected in 1792, but ruled out on account of ineligi- 
bility, and was re-elected in 1799. Altogether he was a man of great intellect, 
and a sound lawyer, who left a good reputation behind him. 

The most that can be said of David Bradford has already been said in the 
sketch of the whisky insurrection. He was an able but an insurrectionary 
spirit. Like the petrel, he delighted in storms. That he was a good lawyer 
goes without saying; and that he was glib and persuasive of tongue is shown 
by the inflvience he held over the men he led into insurrection. That he was 
a .demagog, pure and simple, is evinced by his career, and that he was like- 
wise a coward is shown by his speedy departure from the scene of action when 
the insurrection began to collapse. The end of the whisky war ended his 
legal career here. 

Of Steel Semple the most that is known comes down by tradition. He 
was gone fi'om his profession before any of the present generation had a chance 
to know him. But all the accounts that have been heard of him are good. 
He was such a lawyer, in his day, as Henry Baldwin and Walter Forward were 
after him. His specialty, as was the case then with all the bar, was land 
cases. With James Ross, he had pre-eminence in ejectment cases. It is 
enough to say of him, after the lapse of nearly a century, that his memory 
still "smells sweet. " 

Heni-y Purvianee belonged properly to Washington county, but the Wash- 
ington lawyers all practiced at the Pittsburgh bar. He was connected with 
John A. Purvianee, at one time auditor-general, and Samuel A. Purvianee, 
who represented the Allegheny and Butler district in Congress for several terms. 
Both of these gentlemen were from Butler county, originally, but toward the 
end of his life Samuel A. took i;p his abode in Pittsburgh. The old records make 
very kindlj' mention of Henry Purvianee, and both he and Samuel A. built up 
for themselves splendid legal names. 

Thomas Collins, also, was a legal giant in those early days. He was prom- 
inent in legal practice, and for a time there was a pleasant rivalry between 
him and H. H. Brackenridge. He was a more solid and less florid man than 
Brackenridge, and this solidity attracted favorably the more cautious part of 
the community. He was not prominent as a politician; at least but little is 
heard of him in connection with politics. Socially, he stood high. Collins 
township, now a part of the city, was named after him. He had two daugh- 
ters, both noted for their intelligence and beauty. One of them married Wil- 
son McCandless, and the other William B. McClure; and it is noteworthy that 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 271 

these two lawyers both becauie judges — McCaodless of the United States dis- 
trict court, and McClure of the county court of common pleas. As both Mc- 
Candless and McClure were originally whigs, although McCandless afterward 
became a democrat, it is inferable that Collins, like most of the lawyers of his 
day, was a federalist. He was, however, a first-class lawyer, and his memory 
is still kept green. 

John Kennedy is better known to this generation as a judge of the supreme 
court of the state, and there are but few traces of him as a lawyer. But he 
must have been a good, safe and sound lawyer or he would not have been 
chosen for this promotion. The appointing power was then in the hands of 
the governor, and the history of our state supreme court shows that that bench 
was always filled by men of great legal stature. Forty years ago John Ken- 
nedy was pleasantly borne in mind by a large circle of personal friends. 

Just here it may be well to mention the name of Sidney Mountain, a mem- 
ber of the bar in its early day, concerning whom nothing remains but tradition. 
He was an eccentric man, of uncertain habits, but a brilliant orator and the 
pet of the populace. He was probably a better talker than lawyer, and his 
name has long since faded into the gloom of a deep obscurity. With country 
juries he was almost omnipotent, when he could be brought to his work. 

Henry Baldwin was, in his day, the most prominent lawyer at the bar. He 
was very successful in his practice, and was elected to Congress in 1816, and 
served fi'om 1817 to 1823. He was appointed a judge of the supreme court in 
1830, and served until 1846, when he died. There was a very strong feeling 
of attachment to him manifest in all who ever knew him, and this fact, alone,. 
shows how very worthy and excellent a man he was. Mrs. Ann Royall, in her 
sketches of her travels in Pennsylvania, in 1828, speaks thus of him: 

Mr. Henry Baldwin is the darling of Pennsylvania and the pride of Pittsburgh. He- 
is about thirty-five years of age, a thin, light figure, of good height, round, delicate face 
and sallow comple.xion; his eye is a keen, or rather sparkling, deep hazel, or what some- 
would call black. His countenance would not indicate talents of the first rate, although 
he certainly does, very justly, rank among the first men of the state. But of all men he 
has the most pleasing countenance and the most fascinating manners. He appears to most 
advantage when pleading. It is impossible to portray the winning smile which plays upom 
his countenance, while his head is elevated and his figure erect and manly. His voice is- 
harmonious and his actions pertinent and graceful. He is said to be an able statesman, 
and of unshaken integrity. Well may Pittsburgh be proud of him. His talents are de- 
voted to it, and have been for some years, while his generosity and goodness of heart 
keep him in the background. On my way to Pittsburgh the people would say, "You will 
see our idol, Mr. Baldwin." 

This, it may be said, is a woman's view, drawn from a female standpoint; 
and so it is. But it is nevertheless a very graphic sketch of the man. His 
face, lit up with a winning smile, won all hearts to him, and his power with a 
jury doubtless flowed from his manly bearing and his thrilling voice, as well 
as fi'om his all-conquering smile. As a lawyer he occupied the front rank, and 



272 HISTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

this was eviueeil by his elevation to the l)euch of the United States supreme 
court. He was a partner, for a long time, iu the Union rolling-mill, at Ken- 
sington, and was thus an enterprising citizen as well as a first-class lawyer. 

Walter Forward appears to have attained as high a rank at the bar as Mr. 
Baldwin. Mrs. Koyall speaks of him as "a Yankee;" but he came here from 
Somerset county. He was a man massive in body and in intellect, and impressed 
himself upon the jury rather by the strength of his arguments than by the 
beauty of his diction, differing from Baldwin in this respect. He was a thor- 
ough scholar and student, and bestowed great study and pains in getting up 
his cases. Like Baldwin, he seems to have captured Mrs. Royall. She says: 

Walter Forward is anolher Yankee, and second, if not equal, to 3Ir. Baldwin at the 
bar, and some do say he is superior. >Ir. Forward is another mau of towering talents, 
and a great pleader. He is a brother of Chauncey Forward, of Somerset, member of Con- 
gress, and is a stout, middle-aged man, of fine appearance. His face is round and rather 
sallow; his eyes are full, darlv, keen and intelligent, his countenance open and pleasing, 
his manners manly, though mild and alluring, and, take liim all iu all. one of the most 
higli-spirited and noble-looking raeniu Pittsburgh. This gentleman, as well as Mr. Bald- 
win, seems to have lived for the world and not for himself, both being men of the first 
talents, legal knowledge and e.xlensive practice, but from their excess of good nature and 
generosity have been able to lay up but little for themselves. 

Mr. Forward was a man who carried about with him an air of honest con- 
viction, and he had the profound respect of both the bench and the bar. as well 
as the fullest confidence of his clients. He was a member of Congress from 
1821 to 1825, and was appointed secretary of the treasui-y in 1841, after the 
death of Harrison, serving until 1843. In 1851 he was elected a judge of the 
district court of Allegheny county, being recalled home from Denmark, where 
he was serving as minister, but died after a year's service on the bench, iii 
December, 1852. All the rest of his time he spent in practice at the bar of 
this county, and won a reputation for profundity, close research and unswerv- 
ing honesty second to that of no other member of the bar. As long, at least, 
as the present generation lasts, there will remain a loving remembrance of the 
two greatest men of the Pittsbui'gh bar, Henry Baldwin and Walter Forward. 

Another prominent member of the bar was Samuel Kingston, a native of 
Ireland, and very popular at the bar from his kindness and amiability of tem- 
per. He came to the bar early, and at once attained prominence in his pecul- 
iar line. He was of middling age and height, his face round, thin and fair, 
with a large gi"ay eye. He was a perfect gentleman in his manners, and his 
countenance was peculiarly interesting. While a good lawyer and a safe coun- 
selor, he devoted himself mainly to conveyancing, which was not then a sep- 
arate branch of the legal business. He had trained a daughter to his specialty. 
She wrote a beautiful hand, and up to the time of her father" s death enjoyed 
a large share of the conveyancing business. Poor Kingston ! He fell a victim 
to the fire of 1845. His office was on the corner of Fourth and Smithfield 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 273 

streets, and it is supposed that when the lire came sweeping over from Fulton' s, 
on the opposite side of Smithfield street, burying all the houses in the neighbor- 
hood in a dense cloud of smoke and flame, he went into his office to remove the 
valuable papers there, and was smothered before he could get out. At any 
rate, his bones were found there when the debris was cleared away, and, firom 
whatever motive he entered the house, he never came out of it alive. He was 
the only person who lost his life in that destructive fire. It was so slow in 
making its progress that everyone else but him had time to get out of the way. 

There were in the first quarter of this century two gentlemen, of Irish 
birth, named Burke, who afterward rose to considerable distinction at the bar. 
Robert Burke was the eldest, and was probably the most talented and learned 
of the two. But he died early, and Andi-ew became the best known of the two. 
They were both good lawyers and eloquent pleaders. Although Andrew lived 
on the Allegheny side of the river, the democrats nominated him, in 1858, to 
run against Gen. Moorhead for Congress, but the contest was hopeless. Mr. 
Burke was a fine-looking man, and every inch a gentleman. 

Of William Wilkins, in a mere history, it is scarcely wise to speak in the 
loving terms a knowledge of him prompts. No one ever knew him fully who 
did not respect and admire him. He came here at the close of the last century, 
with Trevanion B. Dallas, his brother-in-law, and he soon became prominent. 
Of Dallas, and his elevation to the bench, we have spoken elsewhere. 
Wilkins was a courtly and polished lawyer and statesman, and he became, as 
he grew older, a citizen of commanding influence. In his addresses to the jury 
he did not play the orator, but confined himself to solid talk. A gentleman 
who heard him addressing a jury, in the grand-jury room of the old courthouse 
on Market street, describes him as standing close to the jury, delivering a well- 
studied sentence, and then walking away for a minute to the other end of the 
courtroom and back again, when he delivered another sentence, and then 
walked off again, repeating this till he came to an end. This is not the style 
of a pleader now. But the jury understood him, and so did the court. They 
were used to this style, and thought nothing of it. He served, at various times, 
in the state senate, in the senate and house of representatives at Washing- 
ton, as minister to Russia, as secretary of war, and as judge of the United 
States district court. At some time in 1832 the democrats of Pennsylvania 
refused to accept Martin Van Buren as a candidate for vice-president, and the 
electoral vote of the state was cast in that year for William Wilkins. 

This sketch of the bar is not chronological in its order, and, although out of 
place in point of time, this seems the proper connection in which to speak of 
Charles Shaler. He did not immigrate here until this century had opened, but 
his name is indissolubly connected with the history of the Pittsburgh bar. 
He came here early enough to identify himself with the interests of the city. 
He married a daughter of one of the earliest settlers, Maj. Kirkpatrick, and 
for a long time lived in the old Kirkpatrick house, on the banks of the Monon- 



274 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

gahola, bolow Ferry street. His office was on Fourth, between "Wood and 
Market, and he had as partners, for awhile, Edwin M. Stanton and T. C. 
Umbstaetter, both of whom came here from Ohio. He had a very extensive 
practice, was popular at the bar, and was an attractive and effective speaker, 
as well as a very trustworthy lawyer. He served for some years as judge on 
the bench of the district court, and the whole community had unlimited con- 
fidence in his acts as judge. He had what, in these days of tine handwriting, 
would be thought a bleniish; he wrote a shocking bad hand. At one time it 
was said that there were but two men in Pittsburgh who coiild decipher his 
manuscript. One of these was the late Robert Morrow, and the other was an 
editor. How the lawyers got their paper-books printed, when appealing from 
his judicial decisions, is a mystery. Probably the printers guessed at what was 
written, as they often do with much better copy. Judge Shaler retired from 
his practice before he died, and moved to Centre county. One of his sons is 
still living in Pittsburgh, on a part of the old Kirkpatrick place on Mount 
Washington. 

Of John McDonald, George Thompson and Robert Allison the writer of 
this article cannot speak with any certainty. McDonald was spoken of famil- 
iarly as ' ' Jack ' ' McDonald, which would indicate that he was a boon companion 
and good fellow. He is spoken of as a safe lawyer, a good counselor, and wise 
in his profession, and he was a distingviished citizen of the early time. John 
M. Austin practiced here awhile, but eventually removed to Uniontown. His 
son, AVilliam E., came here about 1850, and was a genial, gentlemanly lawyer, 
who attained to considerable eminence at the bar. Thomas M. T. McKennan 
also practiced here for a time, but the scene of his triumph was at the Wash- 
ington county bar. 

Among the men who immigrated here from Philadelphia to jaractice law was 
Richard Biddle, a relative of Nicholas Biddle of the United States bank. He 
was a man of genius, but sluggish in disposition, and remained a bachelor 
until near the close of his life. He was a finished orator, and always com- 
manded the respect of his audience. His reputation as a lawyer was fully as 
great as his fame as an orator. Before a public meeting he was omnipotent: 
and it was this fact, probably, that led to his selection as a candidate for 
Congress, to which he was chosen in 1834, 1836 and 1838. But the lower 
house of Congress was never much of an arena for oratory. Biddle tired of 
serving there, and resigned in 1840, being succeeded for the short term by 
Henry M. Brackenridge. His power over an audience was shown in 1842, at a 
public meeting in the courthouse, called to denounce the Pittsburgh represent 
ative in Congress (William W. Irwin) for ratting to Tyler. The audience was 
in favor of Irwin, and would not allow any vote to be taken nor anyone to 
speak. The meeting turned into a mob, the officers went out of the house by 
the back window, and the clamor and racket were so terrific that fearful citizens 
dreaded a riot. In this emei-gency Biddle was brought in; some of the officers 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 275 

resumed their seats, and as soon as Biddle's name was mentioned the audience 
quieted to perfect stillness. They heard him attentively, and allowed him to 
speak twice; but as soon as an attempt was made to read the resolutions the 
racket began again, and ended by the dispersal of the meeting. This audience 
would listen to Biddle as long as he wanted to speak, but it would not permit 
the adoption of resolutions to which it was opposed. Such instances of deep 
personal respect are very rare. 

Neville B. Craig was one of the old-time members of the bar, and well 
qualiiied to shine at it; but he early turned his attention to the press, and dis- 
tinguished himself as an editor. Leonard S. Johns was also a lawyer, but is 
known to the old generation only as an alderman or justice of the peace, to 
which offices he devoted his life. Two names of members of the bar, in the 
earlier part of the century, attract attention because they earned a national 
reputation in other fields. These are Robert J. Walker and Robert McClelland. 
Both of these gentlemen began their legal careers here, but Walker soon after- 
ward moved to Mississippi, and McClelland to Michigan. Walker rose to be 
United States senator, and finally to be secretary of the treasury, and was the 
author of the tariff of 1846, with which Pennsylvania found so miich fault. 
McClelland was elevated to the cabinet by President Pierce, and both he and 
Walker must have attained to great prominence in their new fields to be 
worthy of such promotion. Ross Wilkins also (a half-brother of William) 
began life as a lawyer here, went to Michigan, and was finally made judge of 
the United States district court in that state. Daniel Agnew is another 
who began his legal life here. He afterward migrated to Beaver; has served 
as judge of the state supreme court, and is still, at a hale old age, practicing 
his profession ably and faithfully. 

Among other names of this period we find mention of "Hopkins." Was 
this the man who afterward studied divinity, became rector of Trinity Church, 
and was finally made bishop of Vermont? Not being positively sure of the 
facts, they are given interrogatively. If this was the man, his subsequent 
career proved that a good lawyer was not spoiled by making him a bishop. 
The name also occurs, in this list, of Duncan S. Walker, of whom nothing has 
been gleaned, and that of Joseph Buffington, who belongs properly to the 
Armstrong county bar. All the adjoining counties furnished young recruits 
for the bar by educating them here and taking them home as soon as they 
became promising. 

The far-off counties also furnished their qu^ota of new men to our bar. 
Benjamin Patton, Jr., came here from Union county, and served for awhile as 
United States district attorney. He was finally made president judge of the 
criminal court and court of common pleas, and served as such until the judges 
were made elective. He is still living, in Ohio, and was present at the county 
centennial, in 1888. Two other gentlemen also came in here fi-om Northern 
Pennsylvania, Robert C. Grier and Hopewell Hepburn. Grier came here to 



276 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

till the place of judge of the district court of this county, which place he tilled 
with great acceptability to all uutil he was made a judge of the United States 
supreme court, on the bench of which he remained until his death. Hepburn 
came, also, as an appointed judge of the district court, and served until 1851, 
when he was displaced by the judge elected by the people. He afterward 
opened an office and resumed the practice of the law, and was subsequently 
elected president of the Allegheny bank. He was a man of fine legal capac 
ities, but death soon cut his career short. 

Henry C. Moorhead came here from Lycoming county, as prosecuting 
attorney for this county, somewhere between 1840 and 1850; but he was a man 
of very feeble health, and a cripple, and he did not live long. James Dun- 
lap and A. J. Durboraw came about the same time fi-om Franklin county. 
Dunlap was the author of several legal works, and was rated as a sound and 
trusty lawyer. Jasper E. Brady came in later, from the same county, but 
finally moved to Washington, D. C, being a clerk in the pay department for 
several years before his death. He represented the Franklin district in con- 
gress fi'om 18-17 to 18-1:9. 

Edwin M. Stanton must have moved here from Ohio about 1850. He was 
a partner of Charles Shaler, and remained in practice here rmtil the war of 1861 
broke out. He was never what could be called a popular man at the bar. but 
everyone recognized in him a giant intellectually. This recognition begot, 
naturally, in some minds, a wholesome fear of him. 

Marshall Swartzwelder was a young man at the bar in 1840. In 1S44 he 
was elected on the whig ticket, with Thomas J. Bigham, to the state legis- 
lature. He remained in this position for two or three years, but it had not 
the attractions for him it had for Bigham. He devoted himself to the prac- 
tice of the law, and attained to a very high position as one of the best -read 
" black-letter " men of the bar. He was tilled to the brim with a knowledge 
of the old legal authorities, and was a terror, in the criminal court, to all young 
practitioners. He became a great criminal lawyer, and when in his prime 
was on one side or the other of all large criminal cases. Bigham was more 
of a iiolitician than a lawyer. 

Of the other names that recur to the memory, of men who distinguished 
themselves at the bar from 1840 to 1870, mention may be made of John 
D. Mahon, William W. Irwin, Cornelius Darragh, Loomis, Metcalf, J. I. 
Kuhn, Kobert Woods, A. B. Todd, Moses Hampton, Joseph Knox, Samuel W. 
Black, Thomas McConnell, Thomas Mellon, George P. Hamilton, T. J. Fox 
Alden, William M. Shinn, D. W. Bell. John Barton, David Reed and David 
Ritchie. 

John D. Mahon was a brisk, bustling, active man, and was very generally 
retained in criminal cases. William W. Irwin was chosen mayor of Pittsburgh 
in January, 1840, and in October of the same year was elected to Congress. 
He served but one term, siding with Tyler in 1841, and thus losing the con- 




^yJ. ^ . ^^^^.^^5^^^-^, 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 279 

fidence of his constituency. Tyler appointed him minister to Denmark in 
1843, and he never resumed the practice of law afterward. He came of a good 
family, and had a good position at the bar. Cornelius Darragh belonged, also, 
to an old home family, and had a splendid practice. He was elected to Con- 
gress in 1844 and 1846, and was attorney-general of the state under Gov. 
Johnson from 1849 to 1852. Mr. Loomis came here from Ohio somewhere 
about 1850, and entered business with O. Metcalf, Esq. This firm had a 
splendid legal business, and few men ever stood higher at the Pittsburgh bar 
than Mr. Loomis. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the republican 
nomination to Congress in 1858, but his chief distinction lay in his deserved 
reputation as a great lawyer and "pleader. J. I. Kuhn was also a great law- 
yer, but not of any prominence as a talker. He was a close and careful 
student of the law, and always a safe and trusty counselor. Robert Woods 
was a native, and the descendant of an old family. He had a magnificent 
practice, and his aid was always sought in difficult and doubtful cases. He 
cut his life short by overwork. A. B. Todd was another instance of a great 
lawyer concealed by his garb as a counselor. He had a circle of devoted 
legal adherents around him, and, although he made little public record, was 
the trusted counselor of the many who had faith in hira. 

Moses Hampton moved here from Somerset, and at once worked into a 
prominent position as a successful pleader. He was elected to Congress in 
1848 and 1850, and was subsequently elected judge of the district court, 
where he served for twenty years, dying full of years and honor. The old 
law firm of Hampton & Millers, embracing, besides the judge, Jacob Miller 
and Alexander H. , was a celebrated one in its day, all three of its members 
being keen, sharp and practical business-men. 

Joseph Knox is hardly known to the present generation. He was a very 
genial, pleasant gentleman, with some peculiarities, but a well-read lawyer 
and a successful one. He died early. Thomas McConnell was a plain, 
undemonstrative man, but of solid acquirements, profound in his jiidgments 
and convictions, conscientious and just. As a lawyer he acquired a large 
practice through the indomitable honesty of his character. 

Samuel W. Black was the son of Rev. John Black, a well-known Cove- 
nanter preacher, and was a brilliant and very popular lawyer. He went out 
as colonel of one of the Pennsylvania regiments in the Mexican war, and dis- 
tinguished himself there in the siege of Puebla. When the war of 1861 
broke out, he again went out at the head of a regiment, and was killed in the 
stormy battle-year of 1863. He was intensely patriotic. A whig in 1840, he 
became a democrat in 1844, and remained so until his death. 

Of John P. Penney, Hamilton, Alden, Shinn, Bell, Barton, Reed and 
Ritchie, all now dead, it can be said of all, as of each of them, that they were 
ornaments of the bar, successful lawyers and good citizens, who are all still 
affectionately remembered as men who had made their marks in their time. 



280 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

To go fiu'ther in the enumeration of the members of the bar would be to 
trench upon the domain of the present, and discuss the characters of men still 
upon the stage of public life, which hardly comes within the province of his- 
tory. The bar, since 1840, has grown rapidly in numbers, and the subject, 
when fairly and fully treated, becomes too voluminous for a volume of this 
character. This chapter is a long one, yet no one name has been dwelt upon at 
any great length, and much has had to be omitted that it would otherwise have 
been desirable to insert. It is enough to say that Allegheny county has always 
been distinguished by the ability of its bar. Men of great national character, 
like Ross, Forward, Wilkins, R. J. Walker, McCelland, Baldwin, Grier, Brack- 
enridge and Addison, have grown to the stature of men, first, in its courts, and 
at no period of its history has it been devoid of distinguishing legal talent. 
It is said of an old Steubenville lawyer that he was once examining a candidate 
for admission to the bar, and asked him the stock question, ' ' What is a 
court?" "A court," said the applicant, pompously, " is a place where justice 
is judiciously administered." "Not always," said the examining lawyer, 
shaking his head, ' ' not alicays. ' ' The answer given in Blackstone is "a 
place where justice is judiciaZZ// administered. " The difference between Jiedi- 
cially sxiA judiciously is a marked one; and yet it can safely be said of the 
Allegheny county courts that, fi'om the tii-st, they have been places where jus- 
tice is both judicially and judiciously administered: and for this reputation the 
courts are indebted, mainly, to the high character of the members of the bar, 
to the reputation of its members for integrity and legal ability, and to the 
ever-present consciousness of their responsibility as the oflBlcers of the courts. 



CHAPTER XV. 

CHURCHES. 

Presbyterian— United Presbyterian — Reformed Presbyterian — Cumber- 
land Presbyterian— Reformed (German). 

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

THE reformation in Europe culminated in the development of four great 
groups of Protestant churches, the Lutheran, the Reformed, the Episco- 
palian and the Independent churches. The Presbyterian chiu-ches of the 
world belong to the great family of Reformed churches. Their theology is vari- 
ously denominated by theologians as Pauline, Augustinian or Calvinistie. 
Their polity emphasizes the headship of the Lord Jesus in the Church, the 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 281 

parity of the ministry, and the principle of popular representation in the delib- 
erative assemblies of the Church. They hold, with the best-instructed scholars 
of modern Christendom, that the terms episkopos and presbyteros, used in the 
New Testament as titles of the ministry, designated one and the same office, and 
repudiate diocesan episcopacy as unscriptural. The government of the indi- 
vidual congregation is administered by a "session, "composed of the " bishop" or 
' ' pastor' ' of the church and a number of ' ' ruling elders ' ' chosen by the people 
to cooperate with him. The government of the congregations within cer- 
tain territorial limits is committed to the "presbytery," or "classis,"' consisting 
of the bishops or presbji;ers, and one ruling elder from each of the churches. 
Appeals are carried from the session to the presbytery, which has the power of 
review and control over the sessions of all the churches under its jurisdiction. 
Jurisdiction over the presbyteries is maintained by the ' ' synods, ' ' constituted of 
an equal number of pastors and elders representing a number of presbyteries. 
Appeals are taken from the presbytery to the synod. A hnal court of appeal 
is provided among the larger bodies of the Presbyterian order in their ' ' general 
assemblies," which have the authority to review and control the proceedings of 
the lower courts upon proper presentation of cases. The general assemblies 
are delegated bodies, the members of which are chosen by the presbyteries. 

The Reformed churches represented in Allegheny county are the follow- 
ing: " The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America," commonly 
designated simply as "The Presbyterian Church ; " " The United Presbyterian 
Church, " " The Reformed Presbyterian Church, " " The Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church, ' ' and ' ' The Reformed Church in America, ' ' commonly known 
as " The German Reformed Church. " There are also one or two independent 
church organizations claiming the name of Presbyterian. 

In the following pages a brief epitome of the history of each of these de- 
nominations will be given, followed by a short historical account of its growth 
in Allegheny county, accompanied by a list of the congregations, arranged in 
the chronological order of their organization, together with the names and 
terms of service of their respective pastors, and the latest statistical tables of 
their membership and contributions to benevolence. 

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

The various churches of Great Britain and the continent were transplanted 
to the soil of the New World as the tides of emigration began to flow toward the 
setting sun. In New England the Congregationalists, and afterward less 
prominently the Baptists, wielded influence and laid the foundation of the 
rising institutions of church and state. In New York and New Jersey the Re- 
formed church of Holland held sway. The first colonization of Pennsylvania 
was undertaken by the Quakers. In Delaware Swedish Lutherans, and in 
Maryland Roman Catholics, were the first settlers. Episcopacy was established 
in Virginia by the English, and in the Carolinas the Huguenots, as the mem- 



282 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

bers of the Reformed church of France were called, found an asylum fi-om 
persecution. But everywhere along the coast, but more especially in the 
colonies lying to the south of New England, the Presbyterians of Scotland and 
Ireland gradually asserted themselves. From 1629 to 1640 a considerable 
Presbyterian immigration found its way from Great Britain and Ireland to 
New England. The names of many places, especially in Southern New Hamp- 
shire, attest the historic fact that the early colonists were of Scotch or Scotch- 
Irish origin. The first sermon preached in the English language upon Man- 
hattan island was delivered in the Reformed Dutch Church in the fort, now 
the Battery, by Rev. Francis Doughty,* an English Presbyterian. This 
was in the year 1643. In 1644 Rev. Richard Denton, a Presbyterian min- 
ister from Yorkshire, who had removed with a part of his charge to Water- 
town, Mass., became the pastor of the Presbyterian church at Hempstead, 
Long Island. In 1649 a colony of English Presbyterians settled at the mouth 
of the Severn river in Maryland. In 1656 Nathaniel and Daniel Denton, sons 
of Richard Denton, were instrumental in founding a Presbyterian church at 
Jamaica, Long Island, which remains to-day, and is the oldest in the great 
sisterhood of Presbyterian churches in the United States. In 1667 Rev. 
Abraham Pierson, who had thirty years before settled at Lynn, Mass., became 
the pastor of what is now the First Presbyterian Church of Newark, N. J. But 
it was not until the beginning of the eighteenth century that the scattered and 
isolated churches felt the influence of that organizing power which is one of 
the chief characteristics of the Presbyterian polity. The leading sfiirit in the 
movement which looked toward the erection of a presbytery in the colonies 
was Francis Makemie, an Irish Presbyterian, who in 1684 had founded the 
church of Snow Hill, in Maryland. He was greatly aided by Rev. Jedidiah 
Andrews, a graduate of Harvard College, who in 1701 was ordained the pastor 
of the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. 

The ' ' General Presbytery, " as it was called, was organized in the year 
1705-6, and consisted of Ministers Francis Makemie, John Hampton, George 
McNish, Samuel Davis, John Wilson, Jedidiah Andrews and Nathanael Tay- 
lor. Of the churches represented in the presbytery at that time, those of 
Snow Hill, Md., New Castle, Del., Philadelphia, Pa., and Freehold, N. J., 
are still in existence, and flourish in a green old age. The iirst meeting of the 
presbytery was held at Freehold, N. J., in 1706, Francis Makemie presiding 
as moderator. The church now began rapidly to increase. New presbyteries 
were formed fi-om time to time, and in 1717 the "General Synod," consisting of 
the presbyteries of Philadelphia, New Castle, Snow Hill and Long Island, 
met in Philadelphia, and Rev. Jedidiah Andrews was chosen as moderator. 
In 1729 the synod passed what is known as the "Adopting Act," accepting 
the confession and catechisms of the Westminster Assembly as church stand- 
ards, and requiring the personal adoption of these standards by the ministers 

*Au aucestor of the writer. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 283 

of the church. lu 1745 there occurred a division of the general synod into 
the synod of New York and the synod of Philadelphia. The principal point 
at issue concerned the qualifications of candidates for the ministry. The par- 
ties were known popularly as the "Old Side" and the "New Side." The 
Rev. Jedidiah Andrews was recognized as the leader of the former, and the 
Rev. William Tennent, of ' ' log-college' ' fame, was the leader of the latter. In 
1744 the " Old Side " party established an academy, and in 1746 the " New 
Side" founded Princeton College. In 1758 a reunion of the two parties took 
place, and the general synod was thereafter known as the synod of New York 
and Philadelphia. The year 1758 was not only eventful in the history 
of the Presbyterian Church, but also in that of Western Pennsylvania, the ter- 
ritory in which this church was destined to hold at a subsequent time a most 
conspicuous position of influence and usefulness. On Friday, the 24th of 
November, 1758, the French set lire to Fort Duquesne and abandoned it. 
This marked the first step toward that long series of disasters to the French 
arms which led to their final withdrawal fi'om the New World, and the over- 
throw of the influence of the Latin races and of the supremacy of the Church of 
Rome in broad territories to which they had heretofore laid exclusive claim. 

The years which followed were memorable both in church and in state. 
Events crowded rapidly upon each other, and the stream of immigration from 
Scotland and from the north of Ireland began to flow mightily into the central 
and southern colonies of the Atlantic seaboard. The movement to secure 
American independence began. We find the synod of New York and Phila- 
delphia, on May 22, 1775, issuing a pastoral letter to all the churches exhorting 
united support of the colonial cause, and on May 31st of the same year a con 
vention of Presbyterians at Mecklenburg, N. C. , united in a formal declara- 
tion of American independence. A year afterward we find Rev. John With- 
erspoon, the president of Princeton College, who was the only clerical mem- 
ber of the Continental Congress, with impassioned eloquence moving for and 
urging the passage of the Declaration of Independence which had been pre- 
pared by Thomas Jefferson. Many of the members of the Continental Congress 
were Presbyterians, and ruling elders in the churches, among them Richard 
Stockton, of Princeton, N. J., and the celebrated Dr. Benjamin Rush, of 
Philadelphia. It was in these years, when the infant nation was passing through 
the ordeal which attended its deliverance from the tyranny of an insensate king 
and court, that movements began to be made toward the planting of Christian 
institutions in the woodland wilderness of Western Pennsylvania. The pioneers 
in this development were the Presbyterians. 

The rapid growth of the church led to the necessity for a division of the 
synod of New York and Philadelphia, which took place in the year 1788. 
Four synods were erected, to one of which, — the synod of Virginia, — the pres- 
bytery of Redstone, which had been erected in 1781, and which covered the 
region now embraced in Allegheny county, was given. At the same time the 



284 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

presont constitution of the Presl)yteiian Church in the United States of Amer- 
ica was adopted, and a meeting of the general assembly was fixed for th(? third 
Thursday of May, 1789, in the Second Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, 
Rev. John Witherspoon, D. D. , to preach the opening sermon and preside un- 
til a moderator should be chosen. At the first meeting of the general assembly, 
which took place on the 21st of May, 1789, Rev. John Rodgers, D. D. , of 
the presbytery of New York, presided. The church at this time numbered 177 
ministers, 431 churches and about 18,000 communicant members. In the 
year 1811 the Cumberland presbytery withdrew. The cause of the separation 
was, among other things, the action of the presbytery in previous years in ordain- 
ing to the ministry persons not properly qualified to exercise the office. This 
action was censured by the higher courts of the church. The final result was 
the dissolution of the Cumberland presbytery by the ecclesiastical authorities, 
but the advocates of the new measui'es refused to recognize the act of the 
synod, and effected an organization of their own, which was the germ of what 
is now known as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

In the year 1837 took place the great division between what were known as 
the "Old School" and the "New School" parties in the church. The causes 
of this division were largely found in a difference of sentiment as to the manner 
in which the church should conduct her benevolent operations. As early as 
1801 a "plan of union" between the general assembly and the Congregational 
association of Connecticut had been adopted which permitted Congregational 
ministers to serve Presbyterian churches, and vice versa, and permitted congre- 
gations to be represented in the courts of the church either by Presbyterian 
elders or Congregational committees, as the case might be. This affiliation led 
to the espousal by many Presbyterian churches of the work of benevolence as 
carried on by voluntary associations originating among the Congi-egationalists, 
such as the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. A senti- 
ment gradually gained ground among Presbyterians that it would be better to 
have the benevolent work of the church more strictly under ecclesiastical con- 
trol, and this led finally to a disruption. The ' ' New School ' ' party adhered to 
the system of voluntary associations, and continued the alliance with the Con- 
gregational churches; the general assembly adopted the Western Missionary 
Society, which had been organized in Pittsburgh, and established the Presby- 
terian Board of Foreign Missions. In 1838 two assemblies met in Phila- 
delphia, known as the "Old School Assembly'' and the "New School Assem- 
bly," and the division lasted until 1869, when, on November 12th, a reunion 
was consiimmated in the Third Church of Pittslnirgh. On December 4, 1861, the 
' ' General Assemljly of the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of 
America " met at Augusta, Ga. It embraced under its jurisdiction the churches 
in the seceding states wp to that time identified with the Presbyterian Chiu-ch 
in the United States of America. Upon the failure of the slaveholders' rebell- 
ion in 1865 the title of this body was formally changed, and it has since been 
known as the "Presbyterian Church iu the United States." 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 285 

The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America is the largest of 
all the various Presbyterian churches in this country, and may lay claim, in 
some respects, to be a national church; for, while tracing its pedigree back to the 
Established Church of Scotland, it has drawn to itself elements out of all the 
churches and all the immigrations which have come to our shores, and has 
thus in the lapse of years acquired a development which is strictly its own, and 
peculiar in many respects to the land in which it is found, the institutions 
of which its clergy and laity have had a powerful influence in molding. It is 
a well-known historic fact that the views of some of the ablest among the 
framers of the constitution of the United States were shaped by a careful study 
of the polity of the Presbyterian Church, and many of the features of that 
remai'kable document reflect the influence of that ecclesiastical system which 
is one of the soui'ces of the strength of the reformed churches. 

Statistics of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, 1888: Synods, 
28; presbyteries, 303; ministers, .5,789; licentiates, 314; candidates, 997; churches, 6,543; 
elders, 22,434; deacons, 7,210; communicants, 722,071 ; Sabbath-school membership, 793,- 
442; contributions to benevolence, §4.015,121; contributions to congregational expenses, 
18,803,563; total contributions, $12,818,683. 

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHTJRCH IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

On Friday, the 24th of November, 1758. the French set fire to Fort 
Duquesne, and abandoned it. The same night the English and colonial troops 
under Gen. Forbes occuf)ied the place, and gave to it the name of Fort Pitt. 
The Sunday following, the 26th of November, was observed, by order of the 
general, as " a day of public thanksgiving to Almighty God, ' ' and a Presby- 
terian minister, Eev. Charles Beatty* chaplain of Col. Clapham's regiment 
of Pennsylvania troops, preached a thanksgiving sermon. This was the first 
Protestant sermon preached west of the Allegheny mountains. 

In the year 1766 Eev. Messrs. Charles Beatty and George Duiiieldf were 
sent by the synod to explore the region and ascertain what could be done to 
supply the spiritual necessities of the infant settlements. They found a Pres- 
byterian chaplain, by name of McLagan, at Fort Pitt, but elsewhere there were 
no eft'orts being made to preach the gospel. Shortly after the return of these 
two explorers, a Eev. Mr. Anderson was authorized to visit the region, and 
provision was made to recompense him for his labors, but of their results we 
know nothing. In 1769 the synod ordered the presbytery of Donegal to " pro- 
vide the western frontier with ten Sabbaths of ministerial labor." How the 
injunction was obeyed it is impossible now to ascertain. The first of the clergy- 

«The grandfather of the late Eev. C. C. Beatty, D. D., of Steubenville, Ohio, the well-kEOwu educator, and 
munificent benefactor ol Washington and Jefferson College and of the Western Theological Seminary in 
.\llegheny. 

fSubsequently one of the chaplains of the Continental Congress, and the grandfather of the late George 
Duffield, D. D., of Detroit, the author of the well-known hymn, " Stand up. Stand up for Jesus," and the great- 
grandfather of the late Samuel W. Duffield, D. D.,of Bloomfield, N.J. , a distinguished literary critic and author. 



286 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

meu who visited the region for the purpose of ultimately making it his home 
was Rev. James Finley, who came across the mountains attended by a single 
companion in the year 1771. He did not, however, permanently settle in Western 
Pennsylvania until in 1788, aliout which time he became the pastor of the 
churches of Round Hill and Rehoboth, in Westmoreland county. In 1774 
Rev. James Power visited the new settlements, and in 1776 returned, bringing 
his family with him, and entered upon his labors as a missionary, becoming 
some years later the pastor of the chvirches of Sewickley and Mount Pleasant, 
in AVestmoreland county. The next of the pioneer ministers to arrive upon the 
ground was Rev. John McMillan, who came to Washington county in 1776, 
but owing to the danger of Indian incursions did not remove his family thither 
until two years later.* In 1777 Rev. Thaddeus Dodd came to the west. 
He labored until his death, in 1793, as the pastor of the congregations of Upper 
and Lower Ten Mile creeks, in Washington county. He was followed by Rev. 
Joseph Smith, who became the pastor of the churches of Cross creek and Buf- 
falo, in Washington county, in the spring of 1780, and remained there until his 
death in 1792. 

John McMillan, James Power, Thaddeus Dodd and Joseph Smith were 
all graduates of Princeton College, and were thoroughly equipped intellectually 
as well as morally for the work to which they had been providentially called. 
With undoubted learning they combined a large degree of practical good sense 
and the most ardent piety, and became the recognized leaders of thought in 
the communities in which they had come to make their homes. All of them 
powerful preachers, they became the instruments in God's hand for preparing 
the way for that great revival of religion which swept, at the end of the last 
and the beginning of the present century, from the woods of Southwestern 
Pennsylvania westward and southward, transfonning many a locality which 
had been a moral and spiritual waste into a " garden of the Lord." They 
were not only great in the pulpit, but they distinguished themselves as the 
friends of education. They planted schoolhouses as well as churches in the 
wilderness, and to their labors are due, directly and indirectly, the establish- 
ment of many of those institutions which are to-daj' and long have been 
fountains of beneficent influence, not only for Western Pennsylvania, but for 
the whole land as well. To these four men, the fathers of the presbytery of 
Redstone, the first organization formed for purposes of ecclesiastical govern- 
ment west of the mountains, the people of the great valley of which Pitts- 
burgh is the eastern gateway owe a debt of gratitude which can never be 
measured. Not only were they the founders of churches, and schools and 
colleges, but in the spirit of a true patriotism sought wisely to mitigate those 
animosities and sectional differences which at one time flamed up into the 
fires of open revolt against the government. In the troublous days of the 

♦The tree under which Dr. McMillan preached his first sermon west of the HoDongahela is still pointed out, 
and stands about six miles southeast of Cannonsburg, Pa. 



'*?^.^ 




WILLIAM THAW. 



HISTORY OF A1.LEC1HENY COUNTY. 289 

" whisky rebellion" " they did much to maintain the public peace, and when the 
people of Western Pennsylvania were roused into bitter opposition to the 
ratification of the treaty with Great Britain, negotiated by John Jay in 1794, 
upon the alleged ground that it sacrificed to England some of their undoubted 
rights, the friends of the measure felt it necessary to secure the approval of 
Dr. McMillan to the terms of the treaty in order to allay the irritation of the 
people. "Cardinal McMillan," as he was facetiously styled by one of the 
leading spirits of the frontier, found himself much courted by politicians at 
that time, and one of them exultingly wrote: "The obtaining of the patronage 
of Kev. John McMillan, whom I denominate the patriarch of the western 
church, was a grand acquisition. It secures our flanks perfectly." 

The presbytery of Redstone was organized in the year 1781. It covered 
all the country west of the Alleghenies and north of Virginia and Kentucky, a 
territory imperial in its dimensions, but at that time populated by wandering 
savages save on the eastern border, where the rising settlements formed a nar- 
row selvage of civilization. The first meeting of the presbytery was not held 
at Laurel Hill church, the appointed place of meeting, but at Pigeon creek, 
"because the circumstances of some of the members, by reason of the incur- 
sions of the savages, rendered it impracticable for them to attend at Laui-el 
Hill;" and the next stated meeting, appointed for April, 1782, was not held at 
all for the same reason. The people who looked to this presbytery for guid- 
ance in their ecclesiastical affairs were mainly of Scotch and Scotch-Irish 
extraction. They were a sturdy, intelligent, liberty-loving race, almost wholly 
given over to agricultural pursuits. At the time of the first settlement the 
vast mineral wealth of the region was unknown, or but dimly suspected. Of 
commerce there was of necessity but little, and what there was was carried 
on in the most primitive manner by means of packhorses, which were led 
through the mountain defiles, conveying the barest necessities from the east- 
ern seaboard, and taking back in return burdens of skins and furs, the product 
of the chase or of barter with the Indians. The first settlers made, homes for 
themselves upon the fertile lands of what are now Fayette, Westmoreland and 
Washington counties. The little village, composed of log cabins and rude 
huts, which had sprung up about Fort Pitt, did not at first furnish gi'eat attrac- 
tion to the better class of immigrants. A change, however, rapidly took place 
when, in 1784, by direction of the agent of the proprietaries, the town of Pitts- 
burgh was surveyed and laid out in lots, and settlement was formally invited. 
It was then first that we find any indication of the fact that the inhabitants of 
the infant community were to any degree possessed with a desire for religious 
instruction. At a meeting of the presbytery of Redstone, held at BufFalo on 
the 13th of April, 1784, it is recorded that "supplications for supplies" were 
presented from Muddy creek, the South Fork of Ten Mile, a vacant congrega- 
tion near Robinson's Run, and Pittsburgh, and on the following day the pres- 
bytery took action, and appointed Rev. Joseph Smith to "preach at Pitts- 



290 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

burgh the fourth Sal)bath of August." It must not, howpver. be understood 
that the fathers of that old presbytery had been unmindful before this of the 
spiritual destitution and wants of the people found within the limits of what 
is now Allegheny county. There is reason to believe that as early as 1777 Dr. 
John McMillan had labored among the settlers on the southern borders of the 
county. In 1778 the two churches of Lebanon and Bethel were organized. 
In 1781 they were united under the pastoral charge of Rev. John Clark, 
who labored as the stated supply of the two tields until 1783, when he was 
formally installed as the pastor of the little flocks, remaining in charge until 
April 15, 1789. He died in 1797, at the age of seventy-nine years. The 
churches of Bethel and Lebanon, both of them to this day vigorous and self- 
supporting, are the oldest churches of any denomination in Allegheny county. 
During the fall of 1784 and the spring of 1785 there was occasional preach- 
ing at "Fort Pitt," provided by the presbytery of Redstone. In the fall of 
this year Rev. Samuel Barr, a licentiate of the presbytery of Londonderry, 
Ireland, arrived, and, though not at first formally recognized by the presby- 
tery, began his work as pastor of the joint charges of the First Chui'ch of 
Pittsburgh and the church of Pitt township, now Beiilah Church. On the 
■29th of September, 1787, the " Presbyterian Congregation of Pittsbiirgh " was 
incorporated by act of legislature. The Penn heirs a few days before had 
deeded to the congregation the lots upon which the present First Church edi- 
fice stands, for the "consideration of five shillings as well as the laudable 
inclination they have for encouraging and promoting morality, piety and relig- 
ion in general, and more especially in the town of Pittsburgh." The congre- 
gation proceeded at once to erect a building of squared timbers, and here it 
continued to worship for some years, until the log church gave way to a more 
commodious structvire built of brick, which at a later date was superseded by 
the present imposing edifice. The pastorate of Rev. Samuel Barr, who had 
become a member of the presbytery, closed in 1789, and he removed to Del- 
aware, where he continued to labor in the ministry with acceptance. He died 
on May 31, 1818. The pulpit of the First Church of Pittsburgh, after the 
removal of Rev. Mr. Barr, was filled by various "supplies " until the year 1800. 
The sixteen years which passed from 1784 to 1800, during which the Fir.st 
Church of Pittsburgh was feebly maintaining its existence, were years in which 
the growth of the church in the regions contiguous to Pittsburgh was vigorous. 
In 1793 the population in the territory covered by the presbytery of Redstone 
had so increased, and churches had multiplied to such an extent that, on the 
25th of September, 1793, the synod of Virginia, under which the presbytery of 
Redstone had been since 1788, resolved to create a new preslaytery, to be known 
as the presbytery of Ohio. It embraced that part of the United States lying 
north of Virginia and Kentucky, and bounded on the east by the Monongahela 
river and a line running in a generally northward direction fi'om its junction 
with the Allegheny to Presqu' Isle, or Erie. Under this arrangement Pitts- 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 291 

burgh and wheat is now Allegheny were left in connection with the old presby- 
tery of Redstone. The lirst meeting of the new presbytery took place on the 
22d of October, 1793, at Buffalo. Dr. McMillan was chosen moderator, and 
Rev. John Brice* was chosen clerk. The organization known as the presby- 
tery of Ohio continued to exist until the time of the reunion between the New 
and Old School divisions of the church, though the territory embraced under 
its jurisdiction was gradually diminished from time to time, by the erection of 
new presbyteries and the modification of boundaries, until at last its territory 
came to be practically coterminous with that covered by the presbytery of 
Pittsburgh. For three-quarters of a century the anomaly in nomenclature was 
presented of a presbytery in the state of Pennsylvania bearing the name of 
Ohio. The successive steps by which the territory of the presbytery of Ohio 
came to be reduced and its name changed may be briefly stated as follows : 

1801. On October 2d the presbytery of Erie was created out of the 
presbytery of Ohio by the synod of Virginia. The presbytery of Erie covered 
that part of Western Pennsylvania lying north of the Ohio and west of the 
Allegheny. 

1802. In May the synod of Pittsburgh was formed by the general 
assembly out of the presbyteries of Redstone, Ohio and Erie. 

1808. On October 7th the presbytery of Lancaster (Ohio) was formed 
from the presbytery of Ohio. 

1819. On October 8th the presbytery of Steubenville and the presbytery 
of Washington, the latter covering the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania 
and the upper part of what is now West Virginia, including Wheeling, were 
formed firom the presbytery of Ohio. 

1822. October 4th so much of the bounds of the presbytery of Redstone 
as were situated north and west of the rivers Ohio and Allegheny, together 
with the ministers John Andrews, Francis Herron, Joseph Stockton, Robert 
Patterson and Elisha P. Swift, with their several charges, were attached by 
the synod of Pittsburgh to the presbytery of Ohio. Prior to this time the 
territory included in the cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny had continued to 
be iinder the jurisdiction of the presbytery of Redstone, as we have seen. 

1837-38. The Third and the Fifth Presbyterian chiirches of Pittsburgh 
seceded, and with several other churches in the bounds of contiguous presby- 
teries organized the presbytery of Pittsburgh (New School). This presbytery, 
with other New School presbyteries, formed the synod of Pennsylvania (New 
School). 

1853 — October. The synod of Pittsburgh erected the presbytery of Alle- 
gheny City out of that part of the presbytery of Ohio which lay north of the 
Ohio and the Allegheny. This presbytery remained under the synod of Pitts- 
burgh for several years, when a synod of Allegheny was created, which was sup- 

* The grand-uncle of Hun. Calvin S. Brice. whose father, Rev. William Kirkpatrick Brice, was an 
honored minlBterof the Presbyterian church. 



292 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

planted by the synod of Erie at a later date. Just after tbe reunion in 1870 
the general assembly slightly altered the bounds of this presbytery, incor- 
porated with it certain churches which had come over from the Reformed 
presbytery of Pittsburgh, and changed the name to that of "Presbytery of 
Allegheny." 

1870. At the time of the reunion of the New and Old School branches of 
the church the name " Synod of Western Pennsylvania " of the New School 
party was given up and the name "Synod of Pittsburgh" of the Old School 
branch retained, while the name "Presbytery of Ohio" (Old School) was 
dropped and that of the New School party, ' ' Presbytery of Pittsburgh. ' ' 
adopted. 

Four presbyteries at the present time occupy in part the territory included in 
the bounds of Allegheny county, viz. : The presbytery of Redstone, the pres- 
bytery of Pittsburgh, the presbytery of Allegheny and the presbytery of 
Blairsville, erected in 1830 from the presbytery of Redstone. There are at 
the present time within the limits of Allegheny county eighty-two Presby- 
terian churches and six missions, distributed as follows: 

Churches. Missions. 

Presbytery of Pittsburgli 45 - 6 

Presbytery of Allegheny 31 

Presbytery of Blairsville 5 

Presbytery of Redstone 1 

Totals 83 6 

The year 1800 may be regarded as having marked the turning-point in the 
affairs of the churches in the city of Pittsburgh. At this time occurred that 
wonderful religious awakening known as " The Revival of 1800," the influence 
of which was felt all through the west and the southwest. At this time Rev. 
Robert Steele found his way to Pittsburgh, and began his ministrations in the 
pulpit of the First Church. He had fled from Ireland because of persecution, 
and, owing to delay in obtaining necessary doctiments from that country, was 
not received by the presbytery nor installed until 1802. About this time a num- 
ber of persons withdrew fi'om the First Church, and took steps looking toward 
organization of the Second Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. This year was 
also memorable because of the organization of the synod of Pittsburgh, which 
held its first meeting in the First church of Pittsburgh. It was also memor- 
able because of the origination in the First Church of ' ' The Western Mission- 
ary Society, ' ' which later became ' ' The Board of Home Missions ' ' of the 
Presbyterian Church, the work of which has assumed national importance. 
For a period of nearly twenty-five years the history of the growth of the 
churches in Allegheny county is almost synonymous with the history of the 
First and Second Presbyterian churches of Pittsburgh. Churches were multi- 
plying all over the western country, but as the population was still sparse they 
were widely separated from each other. In 1800 the chm-ches of Bethel, 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 293 

Lebaaon, Mingo, Montours, Plum creek and Pitt township (Beulah) were 
the only Presbyterian churches organized in the county besides the First 
Church of Pittsburgh. In 1803 Hiland Church is reported as being one of 
those " unable to support a minister." In 1807 the congregation of Plains 
is reported as " able to support a minister, " and in 1808 Sewickley is men- 
tioned as unable to do so. In 1814 the churches of Bethany, Alleghenytown 
(First Presbyterian Church of Allegheny) and Pine creek appear to have orig- 
inated. In 1823 Duff's (now Fairmount) had a stated supply. In 1828 the 
East Liberty Presbyterian Chiu'ch and the church of Cross Roads were formed. 
In 1883 the Third Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh was organized. From 
this time forward the increase of population was rapid, and the multiplication 
of churches has gone on withovit intermission. 

The work of the Presbyterian churches in Allegheny county has not, how- 
ever, been confined to the task of building up the denomination within the 
immediate borders of the county. The Presbyterianism of Western Pennsyl- 
vania, characterized by a zealous regard for the principles of the church, has 
always consistently emphasized the duty of caring for the ignorant and destitute 
iu our own country and in other lands. And right here in the city of Pittsburgh 
the two great Boards of Home and Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian 
Church in the United States may be said to have had their birth, and here is 
located at the present day the Board of Missions to the Freedmen, which is 
charged with the duty of seeking to educate and evangelize the colored people 
of the south. The old First Church of Pittsburgh enjoys in this connection a 
peculiarly honorable position. Here in 1802 the ' ' Western Missionary Society, ' ' 
the forerunner of the Board of Home Missions, was formed, and here in 1831 
"The Western Foreign Missionary Society," the parent of the Board of 
Foreign Missions of the church at large, was organized, Hon. ^V alter B. 
Lowrie resigning his position as clerk of the United States senate in order to 
become its first secretary and treasurer. For many years this historical old 
church has been the rallying-point and place of meeting in the interest of all 
causes, denominational and undenominational, which have had in view the 
promotion of the moral and spiritual interests of the cities of Allegheny and 
Pittsburgh, and of Western Pennsylvania in general. 

The work of the church has not been confined simply to movements of a 
strictly religious character. True to the intellectual tendencies of that system 
of doctrines which is one of the chief glories of the Reformed churches, the 
fathers of Presbyterianism in Western Pennsylvania planted the schoolhouse 
beside the church. They founded Washington and Jefferson colleges, and in 
the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh the Western University of Pennsyl- 
vania was born. Here, too, the Western Theological Seminary, which holds a 
foremost place among the theological schools of the land, was formally organ- 
ized, and its first classes recited under the roof of the First church. In the 
First church of Pittsburgh the Allegheny County Bible Society was organized 



294 HISTOllY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

in 1818, and Hon. Harmar Denuy, ono of the elders of the First church, was 
its first president; encouraged and aided in his work by his pastor, that great 
and godly man, Dr. Francis Herron, who for forty years was the leader 
among the clergy of the Iron City in all those things which make for righteous- 
ness, having associated with him such noble spirits as Elisha P. Swift D. D., 
the pastor of the First Church in Allegheny, and David H. Kiddle, D. D. , pastor 
of the Third Presbyterian Church, who, in spite of the withdrawal of that church 
into the " New School " body, did not fail to labor in the spirit of fraternity and 
with the utmost zeal and coiirage on behalf of all things calculated to promote 
the welfare of the Christian community. The zeal displayed by the founders 
of the church in this region has not been lost by their descendants, and in 
comparatively recent years the establishment of the Pennsylvania Female 
College and of the Shadyside Academy are evidence of the sincere interest 
which is felt in the higher education of the youth of these cities. 

Within the brief compass of a sketch like the present it is impossible to 
give an adequate idea of all that the church has accomplished in the manifold 
departments of activity which have been opened before her. To a very great 
degree the intelligence, wealth and social prestige of the population of these great 
communities have been represented within the pale of the Presbyterian Church. 
The leading spirits in the organization of the First Church in Pittsburgh repre- 
sented the best elements in the rising community. Many of the founders of this 
chui'ch had been officers in the revolutionary army, among them Gen. James 
O'Hara, Maj. Isaac Craig, Maj. Ebenezer Denny, Col. Stephen Bayard and 
Col. John Gibson. The first elder in the church, Capt. John Wilkins, was a 
man of gi'eat moral force. His son, Hon. William Wilkins, rose to distinc- 
tion in the service of his country, being at different times a judge. United 
States senator, minister to Russia and secretary of war. The first president 
judge of the courts of Allegheny county was Hon. Alexander Addison, who 
in early life was a licentiate of the presbytery, but who forsook the pulpit for the 
bar, and became one of its brightest ornaments. During his long and honorable 
life he was one of the most devoted among the members of that old church, in the 
pulpit of which he had occasionally preached in his youth. Judges Johnston, 
Wallace and Snowden were among the early members of this church. In 
fact, an examination of the records of the churches reveals that a very large 
proportion of those who have been eminent at the bar of this county have been 
actively identified with the work of the Presbyterian churches as elders or as 
trustees. 

In consequence of this close affiliation of the church with the people, through 
their recognized leaders, a happy influence has been exerted, and the re.sult is seen 
in the tempering by the principles of Christian charity of all the great public 
activities of the community to a remarkable degree. The hospitals and asylums, 
the schools and colleges, the Christian associations, the various movements 
begotten during the war of the rebellion for the relief of the wounded and 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 295 

sick soldiery, and for their spiritual instruction, the movements on behalf of 
temperance, the execution of the laws as against the lawless — all these have felt 
the vivifying and refining touch of that ecclesiastical life which, born of the 
Holy Spirit under the preaching of McMillan, Patterson, Powers and Dod, 
has been perpetuated under God through the ministrations of such men as 
Herron, the Swifts, Riddle, Howard, Jacobus, Beatty, Wilson and Mcllvaine, 
aided by men in the ranks of the laity whom God endowed with grace, wisdom 
and wealth to a commanding degree. 

Following is a list of the Presbyterian churches in Allegheny county, 
chronologically arranged in the order of their organization, together with the 
names of their successive pastors. This list gives the name of the church, 
preceded by the date of organization and followed by the name of the presby- 
tery to which it belongs. The former name of the church, if it had one, is 
enclosed in brackets. S. S. stands for stated supply. 

1778. Lebanon; Pittsburgh.— John Clark, 1781-89; William Woods, 1796-1830; Thom- 
as D. Baird, 1837-35; Samuel Henderson, 1836-40; William G. Johnston, 1841-45; John 
McConoughy, 1846-48; O. H. Miller, 1848-58; A. O. Rockwell, 1858-69; S. S. Shriver, 
1870-76; R. H. Fulton, 1877-80; G. N. Johnston, 1884^. 

1778. Bethel; Pittsburgh.— Jolm Clark, 1781-96; William Woods, 1797-1831; George 
Marshall, D. D., 1833-72; C. W. Wycoff, 1873-. 

1784. Beulah ["Bullock Pens," "Pitt Township"]; Blairsville. — Samtiel Barr, 
1786-88; supplies, 1788-1804; James Graham, 1804-45; J. M. Hastings, 1846-65; Thomas 
M. Brown, 1866-69; James A. Marshall, 1869-73; James Hunter, 1874-77; William S. 
Miller. 1877-88; W. W. Ralston, D. D.. 1888-. 

1784. First Ghnrch of PiUsburgJi.; Pittsburgh.— Samuel Barr, 1785-89; Robert Steele, 
1803-10; Francis Herron. D. D., 1811-50; William M. Paxton, D. D., 1851-65; S. F. Scovel, 
D. D., 1866-83; George T. Purves, D. D., 1886-. 

1788. Montours; Pittsburgh.— Joseph Patterson, 1789;-99; John, McLean, 1800-08, 
Michael Law, 1811-31; Robert Laird, 1836-38; John K. Cunningham, 1830-40; Thomas 
Gordon. 1843-45; Thomas Stevenson, 1846-54; Isaac N. McKinney, 1854-57; Levi Risher, 
1857-59: H. C. Foulke, 1864-67; J. J. Beacom, 1868-77; H. T. McClelland, 1878-81: R. J. 
Phipps, 1886-. 

1791. Plum Creek ["Ebenezer," " Puckety," or " Ebenezer on Puckety"]; Blairs- 
ville.— Francis Laird, 1800-31; Samuel Montgomery, 1832-34; Samuel McClung, 1837-59; 
G. M. Spargrove, 1861-65; J. D. Moorhead, 1865-73; J. M. Hamilton, 1873-86; T. B. 
Anderson, 1887-. 

1796. Bull Creek; Allegheny.— Various S. S., 1796-1803; William A. Boyd, 1803-33; 
Samuel Caldwell, 1834; John Johnston, S. S., 1838; Thomas W. Kerr, 1840-47; John M. 
Smith, 1848-56; G. W. Taylor, 1856-63; G. W. Jackson, 1863; J. F. Boyd, 1863-66; Thomas 
Johnston, 1871-86. 

1801, McEeesport; Redstone.— Boyd Mercer, S. S., 1803-23, Alex. McCandless, 1835- 
38; William Eaton, 1841^4; Samuel Hill, S. S., 1844-45; Prosper H. Jacob, 1847-51; 
Nathaniel West, Sr., D. D., 1854^56; R. F. Wilson, 1856-67; G. M. Hair, 1869-72; J. W. 
Wightmau, 1872-77; Samuel McBride, 1877-79; George N. Johnston, 1880-84; J. J. 
McCarrell, 1884-. 

1803-05. Second Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh. — Nathanial R. Snow- 
den, May, 1805-December, 1805: John Boggs, October, 1807-December, 1807; Thomas 
Hunt, 1809-18; Elisha P. Swift, D. D., 1819-33; Joseph W. Blythe, 1834-36; Robert Dun- 
lap, 1837-47; WiUiam D. Howard, D. D., 1849-76; W. S. Stites, 1877-79; William 
McKir)biu. 1880-88. 



296 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 

1803. Hilands; Allegheny.— Robert Patterson, S. 8., 1803-33; Joseph Reed. 1836-39; 
J. Watson Johnson, 1841-49; James R. Smith, 1850-54; J. Arthur, S. S., 1855-56; M. L. 
Wortman, S. S., 1856-57; William B. McKee, S. S., 1857-58; M. L. Wortman, 1858-69; 
James Mclntire, 1869-70; John M. Smith, 1871-74; W. W. Morton, 1875-80; M. L. Wort- 
man, 1880-86; J. J. Graham, 1886-. 

1805-10. Pine Creek Second Church: Allegheny [originally and until 1870 a Reformed 
Presbyterian Churchl.— Matthew Williams. 1809-28; Thomas C. Guthrie, D. D.. 18i8-.56; 
Thomas Johnston, 1856-85. 

1807. PfaiHs; Allegheny.— Reid Bnioken, 1808-19; John Moore, 1828-31; Lelaud R. 
McAboy, D. D., 1837-57; John W. Potter, 1863-66; Samuel R. Kerr, 1868; Levi Risher, 
1870-76; R. J. Creswell, 1876-79; G. M. Potter, S. S., 1882. 

1814. Bethany; Pittsburgh.— Alexander Cook, 1815-20; William Je£Eery. D. D., 
1821-.55; Cyrus G. Braddock, 1855-74; John F. Hill, 1876-84; V. G. Sheeley, 1880-. 

1814. Firat Church of AllegJieny: Allegheny. — There was preaching in Allegheny- 
town from 1814 onward, but the formal organization of the First Church did not take 
place till 1830. Joseph Stockton and others, S. S.. 1814-31; Job F. Halsey, 1831-35; 
Elisha P. Swift, D. D., 183.5-64; Elliot E. Swift, D. D.. 1861-87; David S. Kennedy, 
1888-. 

1815. Phie Creek; Allegheny.— Joseph Stockton, 1815-33; Samuel Caldwell, 1833-34 ; 
James Campbell, 1834-38; Timothy Alden, 1838-40; J. W. Johnston, 1841-48; various S. 
S., 1848-56; John F. McLaren, D. D., 1856-62; G. M. Potter, 1863-79; S. S., 1880-. 

1817. SJiaron [Flaugherty's] ; Pittsburgh.— Andrew McDonald, 1817-; Robert Ruther- 
ford, 1827-28; S. C. Jennings, D. D., 1829-79; S. R. Gordon, 1880-83; J. M. Mercer, 
1884-. 

1832. Fairmount [Duff's Mills Church]; Allegheny.— John Andrews, S. S., 1834-31 : 
John Moore. S. S., 1833-36; Daniel E. Nevin, 1843-46; Robert McPhersou, 1847-50; G. W. 
Shaiffer, 1853-55; Henry R. Wilson. D. D., 18.5.5-59; Aaron Williams, D. D., 1860; Edward 
Swift, licentiate, 1862; Aaron Williams, D. D., S. S., 1863; John Potter, 1864-65; Samuel 
P. Kerr, 1868-69; Levi Risher, 1870-76; B. O. Junkin, 1878-83; Robert McPherson. 1885- . 

1828. East Liberty; Pittsburgh.— William B. Mcllvaine, 1830-70; John Gillespie, D. 
D., 1865-82; B, L. Aguew, D. D., 1883-84; J. P. E. Kumler, D. D., 1884-. 

1828. Cross Roads: Allegheny.— John Moore, 1828-34; Leland R. McAboy, D. D., 
1837-71; James D. Shanks, 1873-74; John W. Little, 1875-83; R. B. Potter, 1882^7. 

April 30, 1830. Mount Pisgah [Chess' Tent] ; Pittsburgh.— Mount Pisgah, under the 
pastorate of R. McPherson, was united with Manstield, and its name changed to Mansfield 
in October, 1855. In 1870 the church now known by the former name of Mount Pisgah 
was formed by a separation of the congregations under the name of Mansfield. S. C. Jen- 
nings, D. D. 1830-48; John B. Graham. 1848-50; Robert McPherson, 1850-68; Ezra R. 
Heany, 1869-73; G. W. Bean, 1874-77; P. S. Jennings, 1877-. 

1833. Tarentum; Allegheny.— Joseph Johnson, S. S., six months; Samuel Caldwell, 
1834-43; James M. Smith, 1855-; W. G. Taylor, 1857-62; Samuel Ramsey, 1863-64: Watson 
Hughes. S. S., 1866; Marcus Wishart, 1867-70; George Scott, 1871-77; W. E. Oiler, 1878- 
82; A. F. Walker, 1884-. 

March 19, 1833. Third Church of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh.- David H. Riddle, D. D., 
1833-57; Henry Kendall, D. D., 1857-61; Herrick Johnson, D. D.. LL. D., 1862-67; Fred- 
erick A. Noble, D. D., 1868-75; 8. H. Kellogg, D. D., January, 1877-October, 1877; Charles 
L. Thompson, D. D., 1878-S3; Edward P. Cowan, D. D., 1883-. 

June 23, 1833. Seventh Church of Pittsburgh [Minersville]; Pittsburgh. — Various 
supplies. 1833-39: S. M. Sparks, 1839-61; supplies, 1861-67; S. M. Sparks, 1867-69; William 
McKibbin, 1873-74; F. L. Senour. 187.5-77; Joseph E. Andrews, 1877-79: R. A. Hill, 1883-. 

1836. Lawrencerille ( Thirty-ninth Street) Church; Pittsburgh.— Richard Lea, S. T. 
D., 1836-83; John Stark McConnell, 1877-87; A. G. Linn, 1888-. 

Feb. 17, 1838. Seicickley; Allegheny. — Services were held at Scwickley by various 




■trie jrmsieri •-'- 




^^C^p^i-^^-- 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 299 

ministers from 1807 and onward, but the formal organization of a churcb did not occur 
until 1838. Daniel E. Nevin. 1838-47; James Allison. D. D., 1849-64; J. B. Bittinger. 
D. D., 1864-85; William O. Campbell, D. D., 188.5-. 

June, 1838, Sharpsburg; Alleghen}-.— James Campbell, 1838-41; J. W. Murray, 1841 
-53; Alex. Shand, 1853-56; Alex. Sinclair, 18.56-58; S. J. Wilson, 1858-61; J. M. Smith, 
1861-67; T. M. Wilson, 1867-70; W. C. Falconer, 1870-72; Thomas Lawrence, 1872-79; 
J. T. Gibson, 1880-. 

1840. Valley; Pittsburgh.— Smith F. Grier, 1842-52; S. C. Jennings, D. D., 1857-68; 
M. N. Cornelius, 1871-73; W. P. Harbison, 1869-70; William Hanna, 1874-80; S. H. Moore, 
1883-85; supplies, 1885-. 

Nov. 9, 1841. West Elizabeth; Pittsburgh.— Various supplies, 1841-69; William Hanna, 
1869-73; William McCrea, 1874-79; Joseph E. Andrews, 1879-85; Robert Boyd, 1887-. 

Spring, 1843. Long Island; Pittsburgh.— S. C. Jennings, D. D.. 1843-57; M. L. 
Wortman, 1858-66; various supplies, 1866-73; M. L. Wortman, 1873-80; supplies, 1880-86; 
M. L. Wortman, S. S., 1886-88; W. 8. P. Cochran, 1888-. 

Octobers, 1843. Second Presbyterian Church of Allegheny [Manchester]; Allegheny. 

—Luther Halsey, 1843-45; Thomas Gordon, 1846-.50; Bennett, 1851-.53; L.L.Conrad, 

1853-67; J. E. Wright, 1866-68; W. P. Moore, 1869-76; J. L. Fulton, 1876-. 

Winter, 1847. Eighth Presbyterian Church o/ P(««J;;r^A [Temperanoeville]; Pitts- 
burgh.— Robert McPherson, 1850-52; A. D. Campbell, D. D., S. S., 1855-56; J. Y. McCart- 
ney, 18.59-64; P. S. Jennings, 1865-69; E. R. Donehoo, 1869-. 

August 22, 18.50. Sixth Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh.— D. McKin- 
ley, 1850-52; T. B. Wilson, 1852-55; Samuel Findley, D. D., 1857-61; S. J. Wilson, D. D., 
LL. D., 1862-76; H. G. Mendenhall, 1878-80; H. T. McClelland, 1881-86; John J. Patter- 
son, 1887-. 

July 21, 1851. First Church of Birmingham [South Side] ; Pittsburgh.— Thomas T. 
Bradford, July, 18.53-September, 18.53; Rev. Mr. St. Clair, S. S., October, 1853-August, 
1854; Rev. Mr. Rowan, S. S., 1855; Rev. J. Dickson, 185.5-58; James Reed, 1858-63; George 
Little, 1863-64; P. S. Davies, 1864-72; G. H. Humphreys, 1874-76; J. C. Ely, 1877-80; G. 
H. Webster, 1880-84; Alex. Jackson, 1885-88. 

January 14, 1852. Mansfield: Pittsburgh.— Robert McPherson, 1853-68; F. R. Wot- 
ring, 1869-78; Joseph M. Duff, 1880-. 

May 7, 1854. Central Church of Allegheny; Allegheny.— W. S. Plummer, D. D., LL, D., 
1854-63; Thomas X. Orr, 1883-69; George P. Hays, D. D., 1869-70; W. H. Gill, 1872-77; 
L N. Hays, D. D., 1878-. 

June 30, 1857. Mount Washington; Pittsburgh.— J. Y. McCartney, 1858-64; James 
Kirk, 1864-65; P. S, Jennings, 1866-83; N. S. Hoey, 1884-86; E. S. Farrand, 1888-. 

June 27, 1859. First German Church of Allegheny ; Allegheny. — Rev. John Launitz, 
18.59-. 

September 7, 1860. Emsworth; Allegheny.— M. L. Wortman, 1861-64; A. Williams, 
D. D., S. S., 1864-69; M. L. Wortman, 1869-73; J, S. McConnell, 1873-76; R. M. Brown, 
1877-80; Maurice E. Wilson. 1881-84; H. C. Ferguson, 1885-. 

April 14, 1863. North Church, Allegheny; Allegheny,— C. H. Dunlap, 1864-66; A. A. 
Hodge, D. D., 1866-78; O. A. Hills, D. D.. 1878-82; John Fox, 1883-. 

May 6, 1863. Forest Grove Church'; Pittsburgh.— Henry C. Foulke, 1864-67; John J. 
Beacom, D. D., 1868-. 

October 26, 1863. Mo^mt Olive Church; Pittsburgh.— Samuel Findley, D. D.. S. S., 
1863-65; L. B. Crittenden, S. S., September. October, 1865; William C. Smith, S. S., 1865 
-67; C. V. McKaig, S. S,, 1867-70; S. C. Faris, S. S., 1871-74; Neville B. Craig Comingo, 
August 25, 1874-88. 

April 1, 1.864. Leetsdale; Allegheny.— J. Allison, D. D., A. Williams, D. D., W. W. 
Eells, 8. 8.. 1866; James M. Piatt, 1867-69; R. S. Van Cleve, 1870-86; Edgar F. John- 
ston, 1887-. 



300 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

July 15. 1864. Natrona: Allegheny.— J. F. Boyd, 1804-69; George Scott, 1871-77; W. 
E. Oiler, 1878-80; U. J. Creswell, S. S.. 1881; W. E. Oiler, S. S., 1882: John Kerr. S. S., 
1883-8.5: H. R. Johnson. 1886-. 

May 10, 1866. Wilki.nshurg; Pittsburgh.— Samuel M. Henderson, 1867-78; J. C. 
Irwin, 1879-84; Samuel H. Moore, 1885-. 

September 9, 1866. Bellefield; Pittsburgh.— David McKinney, D. D.. S. S., 18e6-June 
2. 1867: D. T. Carnahan, June 2, 1867-August 15, 1873; W. J. Holland. D. D.. Ph. D., 
June 12. 1874-. 

July 8, 1867. Shadyside; Pittsburgh. — Various supplies, Julj'-November, 1867; W. 
T. Beatty, D. U., 1867-81; John M. Richmond, D. D., 1881-December, 1888. 

December 15, 1867. McClure Arenxe Church; Allegheny.— J. Henry Sharp, 1868-69; 
John Kerr, 1872-74; W. C. Burchard, 1874-. 

January 12, 1868. Orace Memorial (colored) ; Pittsburgh. — Various supplies, 1870; 
Charles Hedges, 1870-73; William H. Thomas, 1874-78; William A. Lynch, 1879-83; 
William F. Brooks, 1880-. 

April 17, 1869. Onkdale ; Pittsburgh.— Supplies, 1871; M. X. Cornelius, 1871-75; 
Jesse C. Bruce, 1876-78; J. M. McJunkin, 1879-. 

April, 25, 1869. Prmndence Church ; Allegheny.— J. V. Cellars. 1870-72; W. M. 
Robinson, 1872-. 

July 21, 1869. Hazelwood ; Pittsburgh.— Joseph S. Stuchell. 1870-75; D. K. Xesbitt. 
1875-84: J. S. Plumer, 1884r-. 

August 1, 1869. Millmle; Allegheny.— W. H. Knipe, W. R. Moore. S. S.. 1871; 
McNary Forsythe, 1872-73: J. M. Shields, 1874-83: A. D. Light, 1885-. 

April, 30, 1870. Swissvale ; Pittsburgh.— S. J. Fisher, 1870-. 

June 25, 1871. BeUevue ; Allegheny.— Supplies, 1873; Robert T. Price, 1873-74; 
Samuel H. Holliday, 1875-77; supplies, 1877-. 

February 6, 1871. Verona [Edgewater] ; Pittsburgh. — Various supplies, 1874; John 
Kerr, 1874-81; A. J. DufE, January, 1881-June. 1882; J. R. Stockton, April, 1883-. 

May 20, 1871. Bakerstown; Allegheny.— W. G. Stewart, S. S., 1871-83; E. S. Heaney, 
1883-. 

October 26, 1871. Fourth Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh [Bloomfield] ; Pitts- 
burgh.— John W. Little, 1872-73: C. V. McKaig. 1873-81; J. M. Thompson, S. S., 1882; 
J. O. Gordon. 1884-86; William P. Shroiii, D. D., 1886-. 

September 3, 1872. Braddock ; Blairsville.— William F. Kean, 1873-82; J. B. Dickey, 
1883-. 

April 24, 1873. Bpringdale ; Allegheny.— A. Williams, D. D., 1874-78: George Scott, 
S. S., 1879; G. M. Potter, 1885-86; D. V. Mays, 1887-. 

May 2, 1874. Homestead; Pittsburgh.— James G. Lyle, 1874-79; William E. McCrea, 
1880-85; Frank A. Ramsey. 1886-87; Rufus P. Miller, 1888-. 

November 21, 1874, Amity; Pittsburgh.— Levi Risher, 1877-82 ; Cyrus B. Hatch. 
1885-. 

April 25, 1876. Glenfield; Allegheny.— Supplies, 1877; W. M. Hyde. 1877-80: sup- 
plies, 1880-83: E. P. Walker, 1883-81; Charles M. McNulty. S. S., 1886; D. L. Dickey, 
1888-. 

July 31. 1870. Pleasant Hill; Allegheny.— John Brown. 1877-79; J. R. Creswell. S. 
S., 1880"; B. O. Junkin. S. S.. 1881-84; Robert McPherson. 188.5-. 

September, 1876. Laird: Blairsville. — Stated supplies, 1876-87; T. B. Anderson. 
1887-. 

December 28, 1876. School Street Chapel, Allegheny; Allegheny.— Supplies. 1887: 
■Clarence M. Junkin. July 12, 1887-. 

July 1, 1877. Enoxnlle: Pittsburgh.- F. R. Wotring, 1877-80; A. J. Duff. 1883-87; 
W. P. Braddock, 1887-88, 

September 23, 1877. Bethel Church, Allegheny; Allegheny.— Supplies. 1879; Reuben 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 301 

Beaver. 1879-83; John Kerr, S. S., 1883; C. C. Hay.s, S. S,, 1884; Wilson E. Donaldson, 
1885-. 

Novembers. 1877. Californui: PittslnirgU.— E, P. Crane, 1881-83; W. E. Donaldson. 
1883-84. 

June 30, 1^79. Riverdale; Pittsburgb.— Rev. S. E.;jennings, D. D., 1879-80; supplies, 
1880-85; W. S. P. Cochran, 1885-. 

July 39, 1879. Hoboken; Allegheny.— G. M. Potter, S. S., 1880; O. H. Miller, S. S.. 
1881; George Scott, S. S.. 1883; various supplies, 1883-87; D. V. Mays, pastor, 1887-. 

April 38, 1881. Park Avenue; Pittsburgh.— George W. Chalfant, June, 1881-. 

December 31, 1883. Middletown: Pittsburgh.— W. S. P. Cochran, May 19, 1884-. 

January 4, 1883. McKeeS Rocks; Pittsburgh.— O. N. Verner, May 11, 1886-. 

March 17. 1883. West Bellevue; Allegheny.— Supplies, 1885; W. P. Stevenson, 
188.5-88; Matthew Rutherford, 1888-. 

April. 1883. Forty-third Street Church, Pitt»t)urgh; Pittsburgh.— Richard Lea, S. T. 
D.. 1884-89. 

December 18, 1884. Central Church: Pittsburgh.— W. P. Chalfant. S. S.. December 
18, 1884-April 30, 1885; W. P. Braddock, 1883-87; A. A. Mealy, 1887-. 

February 36, 1885. Crafton; Pittsburgh.— P. S. Jennings, 1885-. 

May 3, 1885. Olenshaw; Allegheny.— Supplies, 1886; Joseph B. Turner, 1886-. 

September 33, 1885. McDonald; Pittsburgh.— Supplies, 1885-. 

May 6, 1887. Turtle Creek; Blairsville.— J. A. Eakin, S. S., 1887-88; J, W. Wight- 
man, D. D., January 18, 1888-. 

December 5, 1887. Point Breeze; Pittsburgh. — Supplies. 

Reorganized May 10, 1888. Concord; Pittsburgh.— Supplies, 1888-. 

September 30, 1888. Daquesne; Pittsburgh.— Supplies. 1888-. 

MISSIONS. 

McCandlens A-eenue. — 18th ward, Pittsburgh; organized 1886. Morniuyaide. — 18th 
■ward, Pittsburgh; organized 1887. Homeicood. — Homewood avenue, Pittsburgh; organ- 
ized 1886. Greenfield Arenue. — 33d ward, Pittsburgh; organized 1880. Elmer Street. - 
■30th ward, Pittsburgh; organized 1887. North Hiland Avenue. — Organized 1886. 

ST-iTISTICS. 

Statistics of the Presbyterian chnrclies of Allegheny county, Pa. , for the 
jear ending March 31, 1888: 

Whole number of churches and missions in the county 88 

Whole number of bishops, or presb3'ters, in the county 94 

AVhole number of communicants in the county 17,331 

AVhole number of Sabbath-school scholars in the county 31,685 

Total amount contributed during the year for congregational 
e.xpenses, including the erection of new churches within the 
county $394,608 

Total amount contributed for beuevolence: 

To home missions $37,747 

To foreign missions 31,476 

To educate young men for the ministry 9.137 

To board of publication and Sunday-school work 3,075 

To board of church erection to aid feeble churches in 

securing houses of worship 6.139 

Carried forward $77..554 |394,608 



302 HISTOHY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Brought forward 177,554 |294,608 

To relief of aged ministers and widows and orphans of 

ministers 26,523 

To missions among the freedmen 8,888 

To board of sustentalion to supplement salaries paid by 

weak churches 1,701 

To aid in building colleges in the south and west 16, 236 

To expenses of general assembly, presbytery, synods, 

etc 1,.598 

To miscellaneous charities, as the American Bible So- 
ciety, Tract Society, hospitals, American Sunday- 
school Union, etc 15,488 147.988 

Grand total S442,.5y(i 

THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA. 

The United Presbyterian Church was brought into existence by the union 
of the Associate and the Associate Reformed Churches of North America. This 
union was consummated in City Hall. Pittsburgh, May 26, 1858. The twa 
churches that were then united held substantially the same doctrines and 
fonns of worship; neither was required to give up or even modify a single 
important principle of its creed or public testimony. To us, at this distance, 
it seems strange that the union was so long deferred, and that so much nego- 
tiation was reqiiired to bring it about. The constituent elements of the United 
Presbyterian Church organized in Scotland in the latter j^art of the seven- 
teenth and earlier part of the eighteenth centuries. The Reformed Church of 
Scotland was made up of those who were dissatisfied with the ' ' Revolution Set- 
tlement" of 1688. Cameron, Cargill, Renwick and others of like views 
believed that the revolution settlement involved the giving up of some of the 
best attainments of the Church of the Second Reformation, among which were- 
the covenant obligations of the kingdom and Church of Scotland. This body, 
sometimes known as the Covenanter Church, did not assume distinct denomi- 
national form until 1743. The Associate Church was originally formed by a 
secession from the Church of Scotland in 1733. From the time of the settle- 
ment, in 1788, forward, the Church of Scotland rapidly declined in orthodoxy. 
That settlement prepared the way for the introduction of an element into the 
church which had no sympathy with her peculiar doctrines or past history. 

The Erskines and others of their stamp could not remain in a church 
where the rights of congregations were ignored and the doctrines of grace 
denied or corrupted. In the hope of correcting the abuses into which the 
church had fallen, " The Marrow of Modern Divinity, " by Edward Fisher, 
of England, was republished. But the appearance of this work seemed only 
to embitter the dominant party in the church, and increase their aversion to the 
" Marrow Men " and their doctrines. These seceders assumed the name of 
Associate Presbyterians. Ten years after the organization of the Associate 
presbytery the church had so increased that they had a synod, with three pres- 




^{Th^v Cr, ^lOdAyi^v-i-x^.^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 305 

b yteiies, thirty settled congregations and thirteen vacancies in Scotland, 
besides several congregations in England and Ireland. The principal points 
of difference between the Reformed Presbyterians and their Associate brethren 
were in regard to civil government. 

Members from both these churches came to America in the first part of the 
last century. It was not, however, until the year 1753 that any ministers from 
the Associate synod of Scotland arrived. In that year Messrs. Alexander 
Gellatly and Andrew Arnot came into what is now Eastern Pennsylvania, and 
soon after, on the 2d of November, 1753, organized themselves into a presby- 
tery. On the 5th of August, 1751, Rev. John Cuthbertson, sent over by 
the Reformed presbytery of Scotland, landed at New Castle, Del., and imme- 
diately began exploring his new field. Two other Reformed Presbyterian 
ministers. Revs. Matthew Lind and Alexander Dobbin, joined him in 1773; 
on the 10th of March, 1774, these, with a number of ruling elders, met near 
Harrisburg, Pa., and organized the Reformed Presbyterian Presbytery of Amer- 
ica. In 1782 nearly all of the ministers and members of these churches united 
and constituted the Associate Reformed Church, thus retaining in united form 
the names of both churches. Two ministers of the Associate presbytery, 
Messrs. Marshall and Clarkson, declined to go into the union, and continued 
t he Associate organization. Receiving accessions of ministers and members 
from the Associate synod of Great Britain, the body grew and prospered. 

All of the Reformed ministers entered the united church, but some of the 
members here and there throughout the bounds of the presbytery stood out 
against the union. In the course of time they obtained pastors from Scotland and 
Ireland. Rev. James Reid came from Scotland in 1789, and after a thorough 
inspection of the whole field, north and south, he returned to his native coun- 
try the following year. Rev. Mr. McGarrah, of Ireland, was sent to the scat- 
tered societies in 1791, and was joined by Rev. William King, of Scotland, in 
1792. For some time they simply acted as a committee of the presbytery in 
Scotland, but, receiving accessions of both ministers and people, a new presby- 
tery was organized in 1798. 

The synod of the Associate Reformed Church of North America was 
organized November 1, 1782, in Philadelphia, Pa. Dr. John M. Mason was 
chosen the first moderator. At this meeting nine ministers and six ruling elders 
were present from the three presbyteries composing the synod. These pres- 
byteries were the Associate presbytery of New York, the Associate presby- 
tery of Pennsylvania and the Reformed presbytery. After the union there 
was a change of presbyterial names as well as of presbyterial lines. 

The First presbytery consisted of Revs. John Cuthbertson, John Smith, 
James Proudfit and David Telfair, and the churches in Eastern Pennsylvania. 
The Second presbytery was composed of the following ministers: Revs. Mat- 
thew Henderson, Alexander Dobbin, John Rodgers, Matthew Lind, John Mur- 
ray and William Logan, and the churches west of the Susquehanna river. 



306 HINTOliY UK ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The Thin! pivsbytery embraced all tlie ministers and churelies in N(>w Yoik 
and New England. The ministers were Dr. Jolui M. Vinson and Revs. Kol)- 
ert Annan, Thomas Clarke and David Annan. 

Twenty years after the union tho Associate Reformed Church had eight 
presbyteries, under four synods subordinate to the general synod. In 1786, 
four years after the union, a new presbytery was organized in New En- 
gland, called the presbytery of LondondeiTy. This presbytery, after having 
formed a loose union with the "Presbytery of the Eastward," and this, too, 
without the authority of synod, and having fallen into practices contrary to 
the principles of the Associate Reformed Church, was dropped fi'om the roll 
of synod in 1801. The general synod itself was dissolved in 1822, as was 
also the synod of Pennsylvania. All the existing synods of the church now 
stood independent of each other. They were the synod of New York, the 
synod of the Carolinas and the synod of Scioto. In 1820 the synod of 
Scioto was dissolved, and reconstituted under the name of the Associate Re- 
formed Synod of the West. This synod, in 1839, was divided into the First 
and Second synods of the west. These two synods then organized the gen- 
eral synod, to which they were subordinate. In 1852, the general synod 
ordered the organization of the synod of Illinois from the Second Synod of 
the West. The general synod united with the synod of New York in 1856. 
This general synod of the Associate Reformed Chui'ch of North America 
united with the Associate synod. The union was consummated on the 26th 
of May, 1858, in City Hall, Pittsburgh, Pa., and the United Presbyterian 
Church of North America constituted. 

We now give a brief sketch of the different branches which became the con- 
stituent elements of the United Presbyterian church. 

Efforts looking to the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed 
churches extended over a period of fully forty years prior to the consummation 
of that union in 1858. Nearly all the luinisters and churches of both bodies vyent 
into the union. The harmony and unanimity with which the union was effected 
justified the long-continued and patient efforts by which it was brought aboixt. 
Since the union, thirty years ago, the church has enjoyed as great a degree 
of peace, unanimity and prosperity as either of the antecedent chiirches did in 
their separate capacity; and perhaps as much as other denominations of Chris- 
tians. One thing that has contributed to the homogeneousness of the church, 
and has rendered the maintenance of her principles more easy, was the healthy 
vigor of the great body of the chiirch, by which she has been enabled, through 
a gradual and voluntary sloiighing-off process, to rid herself of what might 
have proven, had it remained in the church, a disturbing and disintegrating 
force. 

The United Presbyterian Church was organized upon the basis of the West- 
minster Confession of Faith, with the single exception that that part of the 
confession in regard to the civil magistrate was modified to conform with 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 307 

the relatiou of the church to civil government in this coiTotry. In addi- 
tion to the confession, the church sets forth her principles in her testimony, 
which exhibits her views on certain points more fully and clearly than the con- 
fession itself. 

The articles of her testimony which more particularly distinguish her from 
some other denominations who hold the Westminster symbols, treat of the fol- 
lowing subjects, viz. : Psalmody, Communion, Slavery, Secret Societies and 
Covenanting. 

On the subject of Psalmody she holds : ' ' That it is the will of God that the 
songs contained in the book of Psalms be sung in his worship, both public 
and private, to the end of the world; and in singing God's praise, these songs 
should be employed to the exclusion of the devotional compositions of unin- 
spired men." 

On Communion she affirms: ■" That the church should not extend commun- 
ion in sealing ordinances to those who refuse adherence to her profession, or 
subjection to her government and discipline, or who refuse to forsake a com- 
munion which is inconsistent with the profession that she makes; nor should 
commimion in any ordinance of worship be held under such circumstances as 
would be inconsistent with the keeping of these ordinances pure and entire, or 
so as to give countenance to any corruption of the doctrines and institutions of 
Christ." 

On Slavery she declares: " That slaveholding — that is the holding of unof 
fending human beings in involuntary bondage, and considering and treating 
them as property, and subject to be bought and sold — is a violation of the law 
of God, and contrary both to the letter and spirit of Christianity. 

On Secret Societies her position is thus defined : ' ' That all associations, 
whether formed for political or benevolent purposes, which impose upon their 
members an oath of secrecy, or to obey a code of unknown laws, are inconsistent 
with the genius and spirit of Christianity, and church members ought not to 
have fellowship with such associations." 

On Covenanting, in the seventeenth article of her testimony, she declares: 
"That public social covenanting is a moral duty, the observance of which is 
not required at stated times, but on extraordinary occasions, as the providence 
of God and the circumstances of the church may indicate. It is seasonalile in 
time of great danger to the church — in times of exposure or backsliding — or in 
times of reformation, when the church is returning to God from a state of back- 
sliding. When the church has entered into such covenant transactions, they 
continue to bind posterity faithfully to adhere to and jirosecute the grand 
object for which such engagements have been entered into." 

The Associate Church at the time of the union had 198 ordained ministers, 
33 licentiates, 293 congregations, 10,621 families, 23,505 communicants. 
Her contributions to home and foreign missions amounted to $11,451. The 
total of contributions was $12,585. This did not include pastors' salaries,. 



3U8 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

congregational expenses or general contributions. She had foreign missions 
in India and Trinidad. Her theological seminary was .situated at Xenia, Ohio. 

The Associate Reformed Church had 221 ordained ministers, 32 licentiates, 
307 congregations, 14,787 families, 31,284 communicants. Her contributions 
to home and foreign missions were $9,264. Her foreign missions were in 
Egypt and Syria. When the union was consummated the United church had 
1 general assembly, 4 synods, 49 presbyteries, 419 ministers. 65 licentiates. 
14 foreign missionaries, 661 congregations and 54,789 communicaats. 

The statistics of 1888 show that there are 10 synods in the United Presbyterian 
church, 61 presbyteries, 753 ministers, 51 licentiates, 907 congregations and 
98,992 communicants. In the foreign field — India and Egypt — there are 22 
ordained ministers, 442 laborers, foreign and native; communicants, 6,878; 
scholars in the Sabbath and week-day schools, 16,361; value of mission prop- 
erty, §237,802. In no department of the church's work has there been so 
great progress as in the foreign field. At the time of the union there were 
only about fifty converts in all oiu- missions; the number reported to the last 
assembly was 6,878. The congregations of the United Presbyterian Church 
are scattered over a large part of our country. There are two presbyteries 
in New England and three on the Pacific slope; there is also one in Canada. 
The great body of the church, however, is in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, 
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. 

THE CHURCH IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY. * 

In no part of the country is the strength of the church in proportion to the 
whole population so great as in Allegheny county, Pa. The United Presby- 
terian Church, or rather the branches from which it originated, was very weak 
in this county one century ago. At the time of the organization of the county, 
September 24, 1788, there were not more than two or three congregations be- 
longing to the Associate and Associate Reformed churches in the county. 

The congregation of Bethesda, in Elizabeth township, was organized before 
that time. Rev. Matthew Henderson became its pastor in 1785. Robin- 
son Run, in South Fayette township, was probably organized about the same 
time. There were a few other congregations in Western Pennsylvania organ- 
ized more than a century ago, but all these were outside the present boundaries 
of Allegheny county. Application was made from Fort Pitt to the Associate 
presbytery of Pennsylvania for the dispensation of gospel ordinances as early 
as 1774. The presbytery, however, was rmable to respond favorably to this 
call, and consequently our church was not planted in Pittsburgh until many 
years afterward. In giving a brief historical sketch of the di liferent United 
Presbyterian churches of the county, they are here presented in alphabetical 
order : 

Allegheny First Church, organized November 4, 1831. Rev. John Taylor Pressly, D. 
D., pastor of this church, 1833-70, was born March 28, 1795, in Abbeville district, S. C. ; 




^Ae<^' M /A. 



^-^C^^/l£y^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 311 

was graduated at Transylvania University. Kentucky, in 1813, and studied theology in the 
Associate Reformed Theological Seminary, New York, under Dr. John M. Mason; was 
licensed in the spring of 1815, by the Second Presbytery of the Carolinas, and was ordained 
July 3, 1816, by the same; was pastor of Cedar Springs congregation. South Carolina, July 
3, 1816, to November, 1831; was professor of theology in the Associate Reformed Synod of 
the South, 1835-31; was elected professor of theology by the Associate Reformed Synod of 
the West October 10. 1831, and entered upon his duties in the Allegheny Theological Sem- 
inary on the 5th of January, 1832; was installed pastor of the First Church, Allegheny, 
August 23, 1833, and continued in the service of the seminary and as pastor of the First 
Church until his death, August 13, 1870. Dr. Pressly was a thorough scholar, a plain but 
able gospel preacher, and an eminently successful pastor. As a professor in the theolog- 
ical seminary, particularly in the departments of systematic theology and homiletics, he 
stood pre-eminent. His particular friend and associate in the seminary, the late Dr. David 
R. Kerr, speaks of him in these words: " A man of such prominence among bis brethren 
and such usefulness in the church, it must be believed, had some uncommon elements of 
power. Everything in him and about him as he stood among men, and in ever}' sphere 
in which he moved, marked him as a man above the general average of men. He had a 
commanding personal appearance. He was blessed with great bodily strength, in stately 
form, and moved with a dignity, and even majesty, that commanded attention and admira- 
tion wherever he appeared. In social life his presence was always felt as that of a great 
man, above all as a man of God." In 1873 Rev. W. J. Robinson, D. D., was installed 
pastor, and has still charge of the congregation, which is one of the largest and most 
influential in the church. Its present membership is 530: its total contributions for the 
year ending April 30, 1888, were 117,360. It has a Sabbath-school with 990 scholars and 
75 officers and teachers. 

Allegheny Second Church, organized October 26, 1837. This church has had three 
pastors: Rev. James Rodgers, D. D., Rev. J. B. Clark, D. D., and the present pastor. Rev. 
Dr. W. H. McMillan. Dr. Rodgers' pastorate began in 1838, and continued until 1860. 
Dr. Clark's extended from 1860 to 1873. Dr. McMillan became pastor in 1873, and is still 
in charge of the congregation. Dr. Rodgers was a man of great abilitj- in the scriptures, 
a very earnest preacher, and a most laborious pastor. During the later years of his life 
he suffered greatly from asthma. He was superintendent of the board of publication from 
1859 until his death, July 33, 1868. His successor in the congregation. Dr. J. B. Clark, 
was a popular preacher, and a remarkably successful pastor. He served as colonel in a 
regiment of volunteers, for more than a year, in the war of the rebellion. The congrega- 
tion under its present pastor continues to prosper. It is one of the largest in the church, 
having 733 members, with a Sabbath-school numbering 531 pupils and .50 officers and 
teachers. 

Allegheny Third Chvrch, organized May, 1854. This church has had five pastors: 
Rev. J. Holmes, 18.55-57; Rev. D. G. Bradford, 1857-C3; Rev. J. R. Kerr, 186-1-73; Rev. J. 
W. Bain, 1878-74, and the present pastor. Rev. E. S. McKitrick, since 1875. It has a 
membership of 463, and a Sabbath-school with 879 scholars and 100 officers and teachers. 

Allegheny Fourth Chvrch, organized April 17. 1860. The pastors of this church have 
been Rev. Charles A. Dickey, 1863-69; Rev. William Fulton, 1870-73; Rev. W. G. Moor- 
head. D. D., 1875-76, and the present pastor. Rev. James M. Fulton, D. D., since 1877. 
This church has a membership of 684, with a Sabbath-school of 925 scholars and 102 
officers and teachers. 

Allegheny Fifth Chvrch, organized November 18, 1862. This congregation has had 
but two pastors, Rev. D. M. B. McLean. 1863-65, and the present pastor. Rev. James W. 
Witherspoon, D. D. It has 666 members and 633 scholars in its Sabbath-school, with 53 
officers and teachers. Dr. Witherspoon is the oldest pastor in continuous service in the 
city, having been installed in 1867. 

Allegheny Sixth, organized in 1849. Rev. G. D. Archibald served this church, 1850-55 ; 



312 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Kcv. J. C. Steele, S. S., 1857-09; Rev. A. D. Clarke, I). D., 1801-84; the present pastor, 
Kev. D. F. McGill, since 1885. It lias a membership of ;i09, and 250 scholars in the Sab- 
bath-school, with 30 officers and teachers. 

Alkgheuy Seventh, organized April 21, 1880; G. W. McDonald, pastor; members. 150; 
Sabbath-school scholars, 360; teachers and officers, :!7. 

Allegheny Lombard Street Mission; members, 43; Sabbath-school scholars, 100; officers 
and teachers, 12. 

Allegheny Fourth Wnrd Mission; members, 51; Sabbath-school scholars, 446, with 34 
officers and teachers. 

Allentown, organized August, 1888; members, 29; Sabbath-school scholars, 151; officers 
and teachers, 12. 

Bellevve, organized May 21, 1872; Rev. S. H. Graham is pastor; members, 144; Sab- 
bath-school scholars, 125; officers and teachers. 16. 

Bethel, organized in 1801; the pastors of this church have been Revs. E. Henderson, 
1802-04; Hugh Kirkland, 1820-34; James Kelso, 1852-65; T. F. Boyd, 1867-74; members, 
74. It has been for some years, and still is, vacant. 

Braddock, organized Julj' 27, 1864; members, 192; Sabbath-school scholars, 314: officers 
and teachers, 23. Pastors, Rev. John S. Easton, D. D., 1869-76; Rev. W. S. Fulton. 1877 
-78; Rev. S. J. Shaw, pastor since 1879. 

Buena Vista, organized January 8, 1867; members, 82; Sabbath-school scholars, 30; 
officers and teachers, 5. Pastors, Rev. J. S. Speer, 1867-73; Rev. D. M. Thorn, 1879-87. 
At the present time [1888] a vacancy. 

Chartiers, organized January 18, 1883; members, 76; Sabbath-school scholars. 196; 
officers and teachers, 15. Rev. W. E. Paxton, pastor since 1885. 

Coraopolis, organized September 21, 1886; members, 23; Rev. J. A. Lawrence, pastor 
since 1886. 

Deer Creek, organized in 1802; members, 149; Sabbath-school scholars, 110; officers 
and teachers, 13. Pastors, Revs. J. McConnell, 1811-45; A. G. Shafer, 1847-68; S. M. 
Hood, 1870-. 

East Union, organized June 3, 1850; members, 189; Sabbath-school scholar.s, 100; 
officers and teachers, 12. Pastors, Revs. James Given, 1854-57; E. N. McElree, 186.5-66; 
W. Weir, 1866-69; J. A. Brandon, 1871-76; J. M. Witherspoon, 1877-82; W. F. Miller, 
since 1884. 

Etna, organized February 13, 1868; members, 185; Sabbath-school scholars, 260; 
officers and teachers, 24. Rev. A. H. Calvert, pastor since the organization, 1868. 

Evans City, organized ; members, 158; Sabbath-school scholars, 132; officers and 

teachers, 13. Pastor. Rev. J. M. Dight. 

Fleming, organized November 6, 1869; members, 64; Sabbath-school scholars. 111; 
officers and teachers, 16. Pastors, Revs. D. R. Imbrie, 1872; D. M. Thorn, 1873-76; J. H. 
Veazey, 1877-83; D. R. Imbrie, 1884-86; A Flick, 1887-. 

Glade Run, organized in 1813; members, 146; Sabbath-school scholars, 100; officers 
and teachers, 12. Pastors, Revs. J. Prance, 1820-41; W. Douthett, 1849-54; J. G. Barnes; 
1862-70; I. T. Wright, 1872-81; R. E. Lackey, 1884-. 

narrnurville, organized October 13, 1838; members, 96; Sabbath-school scholars. 49: 
officers and teachers. 8. Pastors, Revs. J. Gilmore, 1842-.56; W. G. Reed, I860-. 

Hebron, organized August 30, 1860; members, 115; Sabbath-school scholars, 160; officers 
and teachers, 19. Pastors, Revs. H. C. McFarland, 1858-64; D. Barclay, 1867-. 

Homestead, organized March 15, 1888: members, 21; Sabbath-school scholars, 30; offi- 
cers and teachers, 6. Pastor, Rev. A. R. Van Fossen. June 26, 1888-. 

/ra^ram, organized September 20, 1887: members, 26: stated supply. Rev. J. A Douthett. 

Jefferson, organized October 30, 1857; members, 100: Sabbath-school scholars.60; officers 
and teachers, 9. Pastors, Revs. John D. Glenn, 1859-61; J. W. McFarland. 1867-69; C. B. 
Hatch. 1872-73: R. B. Stewart. 1875-79; J. C. Hunter. 1881-85; T. W. Young, 1887-. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 313 

Logan's Ferry, organized in December, 1857; members, 45: Sabbatli-scliool scholars, 
36; officers and teachers, 9. Pastors, Rev. James Given, 1859-73; Rev. Alexander Young, 
D. D., LL. D., stated supply, 1875-. 

McKeesport, organized October 10, 1851; members, 174; Sabbath-school scholars, 300; 
officers and teachers, 19. Pastors, Rev. A. G. Wallace, D. D., 1854-57; Rev. M. McKins- 
try, 1857-61; Rev. A. H. Elder, 1863-75; James Kelso, 1877-85; A. I. Young, 1886-. 

Mansfield, organized December 30, 1856; members, 213; Sabbalb-school scholars, 140; 
officers and teachers, 16. Pastors, Rev. Alexander Calhoun, D. D., 1858-61; Revs. Q. K. 
Ormond, 1870-73; C. B. Hatch, 1876-79; T. C. Atchison, 1881-. 

Mifflin, organized in 1803; members, 30; Sabbath school scholars, 53; officers and teach- 
ers, 8. Pastors, Rev. Joseph Kerr, D. D., 1804-18; Revs. S. Weir. 1830-44; J. J. Buchanan, 
1846-49; H. C. McFarland, 1853-57; J. D. Glenn, 1859-61; C. B. Hatch, 1871-75; J. C. 
Hunter, 1881-85; A. R. Van Fossen, June 36, 188S-. 

Mount G-ilead, organized June 37, 1843; members, 52; Sabbath-school scholars, 50; offi- 
cers and teachers, 8. Pastors, Rev. R. Armstrong, D. D.. 1847-53; Revs. J. C. Bryson, 
1855-66; D. K. McKnight, 1873-74; G. H. Getty, 1884-85; J. A. Lawrence, 1886-. 

Mount Nebo, organized in 1838; membei's, 103; Sabbath school scholars, 107; officers 
and teachers, 15. Pastors, Revs. W. Burnett, 184.5-.50; James Greer, 1853-.55; J. L. Fair- 
ley, 1856-69; D. R. Imbrie. 1870-72; W. J. Cooper, 1874-77; D. R. Imbrie, 1878-. 

Mount Wosldngton, organized January 27, 1884; members, 67; Sabbath school schol- 
ars. 164; officers and teachers, 18. Pastors, Revs. D. M. Cleland, 1886-87; M. J. Smalley, 
1888-. 

Noblestown. organized in 1792; members. 71; Sabbath-school scholars, 44; officers and 
teachers, 9. Pastors, Revs. W. Wilson, 1800-30; J. Rodgers, D. D., 1831-38; J. M. French, 
1841-43; F. A. Hutchison, 1850-69; W, P. Shaw, 1870-75; W. B. Cherry, 1878-83; G. T. 
Scott, 1884-85; vacancy, 1888. 

Pine Creek, organized as a Reformed Presb3'terian congregation in 1805; members, 57; 
Sabbath-school scholars, 95; officers and teachers, 13. Pastors fReformed Presbyterian), 
Revs. M. Williams, 1805-25; T. C. Guthrie, D. D., 1827-56; T. .Johuston, 1860-73; (United 
Presbyterian) N. E. Wade, 1875-84; R. H. Park. 1885-. 

Pittsburgh First Church, organized November 24, 1801; members. 418; Sabbath-school 
scholars, 235; officers and teachers, 27. (Oalcland chapel; members, 75; Sabbath-school 
scholars, 150; officers and teachers, 15.) Pastors, Revs. Ebenezer Henderson, 1802-04; 
Robert Bruce, D. D., 1808-46; A. Anderson, 1847-49; H. W. Lee, 1849-55; S. B. Reed, 
18.57-59; W. J. Reid, D. D., 1862. (Rev. John M. Ross, associate pastor, 1888, in charge 
of Oakland Chapel.) Rev. Robert Bruce, D. D., the second pastor of the First Church, 
and who served it nearly forty years, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1776. His 
family, it is said, traced their ancestry back to Robert Bruce, Scotland's bravest king. He 
was fitted for college at the high-school of Perth, where he had for one of his fellow- 
students the late Dr. Alexander Bullion, of Cambridge, N. Y. They both graduated at 
the University of Edinburgh, and spent five }'ears together in the study of theology under 
Rev. Archibald Bruce, of Whitburn. They were both licensed at the same time, and 
came to America together. Dr. Bruce was a man of impressive personal appearance, 
almost six feet in height, and "portly and symmetrical in form." He was sent as a mis- 
sionary to this country in 1806 by the Associate synod of Scotland. After traveling in the 
Carolinas for two or three years he was ordained by the presbytei-y of Chartiers, Decem- 
ber 14, 1808, and installed pastor of the Associate congregations of Pittsburgh and Peter's 
creek. He was released from the Peter's creek branch in 1813, and gave his whole time 
to Pittsburgh until his death, June 14, 1846. Dr. Bruce was perhaps the most eminent of 
the early educators of Allegheny county. He was president of the faculty of the Western 
University from 1830 to 1843, and provost of Diiquesne College from 1844 to 1846. Dr. 
Bruce was a thorough scholar, an able theologian and an acceptable preacher. He received 
the title of Doctor of Divinity from JefEersou College in 1834. His publications are an 



314 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

address delivered before the Pitlsburgli Philosophiciil Society, 1828, and a volume of ^^e^- 
mons. When he prepared and delivered his last sermon he iirobably realized the nearness 
of his end, his text being John xiv, 2, " In ray Father's house are many mansions." 

PiUsburgh Second Church, organized in 1815; members, 210; Sabbath-school scholars. 
12.5; officers and teachers, 17. Pastors. Rev. .Joseph McElroy. D. D., 1816-24; Rev. Joseph 
Kerr, D. D.. 1825-29; Rev. J. R. Kerr, 1850-43; Rev. J. F. McLaren, D. D., 1846-51: Rev. 
John Ekin, D. D., 1854-57; Rev. James Prestly. D. D.. 18.58-66; Rev. T. H. Hanna. D. 
D., 1867-75; Rev. J. R. Kyle. 1876-79; Rev. A. IL Harshaw, 1881-83; Rev. D. S. Liltell. 
1886-. 

Pitfsbitrrjh Third Church, organized April 13, 1836; members, 892; Sabbath-school 
scholars. 290; officers and teachers, 25. Pastors, Rev. John Ekln, D. D., 1838-39; Rev. 
W. A. McKinnev, 1840; J. L. Dinwiddle. D. D.. 1843-44; Rev. R. A. Browne, D. D., 
S. S., 1844-45; Rev. John G. Brown. D. D., 1846-73; Rev. S. R. Frazier, 1872-79; Rev. J. 
S. McCrory, 1880-. 

Pittsburgh Fourth Church, organized in 1837; meml)ers. 314; Sabbath-school scholars, 
203; officers and teachers, 13. Pastors. Rev. Moses Kerr, 1837-39; Rev. William Burnett, 
1840^1 ; reorganized in 1849; V.Cockins.l8.5i)-51;R. Graoey. D. D.. 1853-67; J. M. Cockins. 
1868-71 : John Gailey, 1872-77; J. D, Turner, 1878-. 

Pittsburgh Fifth Church, organized in 18.59; members. 178; Sabbath-school scholars. 
65; officers and teachers, 18. Pastors, Revs. S. B. Reed. D. D., 1860-74; Rev. J. M. John- 
ston, 1874-78; Rev. J. M. Hervey, 1879-84; Rev. T. W. Young. 1884-86; J. W. Harsha, 
1888-. 

Pittsburgh Sixth Church, organized September 30, 1856; members, 360; Sabbath-school 
scholars. 290; officers and teachers, 37. Pastors, Revs. H. C. McFarland, 1858-65; J. S. 
Hawk, 1865-69; R. B. Ewing, D. D., 1870-. 

Pittsburgh Secenth Church, organized February 12. 1860; members, 394; Sabbath -school 
scholars. 400; officers and teachers, 39. Pastors, Rev. W. H. Andrew, D. D.. 1860-75; 
Revs. A. G. McCoy, 1876-78; J. D. Sands, 1880-. 

Pittxhui-gh Eighth Church, organized June 31, 1868; members, 200; Sabbath-school 
scholars, 370; officers and teachers, 25. Pastors, Rev. John S. Sands, D. D., S. S., 1868- 
80; Rev. J. M. Wallace, 1882-. 

Pittsburgh Ninth Church, organized in 1841; members, 216; Sabbath-school scholars, 
140; officers and teachers, 16. Pastors, Rev. L. H. Long. D. D., 1848-49; Rev. G. K. 
Ormond, D. D., 18.52-,58; Rev. W. M. Coleman, 1859-75; Rev. J. A. Gordon, D. D., 1876- 
81; Rev. A. E. Linn, 1882-88; vacancy, 1888. 

Pittsburgh Tenth Church (Wylie avenue), organized April 16, 1872; members. 139; 
Sabbath-school scholars, 185; officers and teachers, 18. Pastor, Rev. W. H. Knox, 1873-. 
Pittsburgh Eleventh Church (Temperanceville), organized in 1847; members. 61; Sab- 
bath- school scholars, 1.54; officers and teachers, 12. Pastors, Rev. L. H. Long, D. D., 
1848-49; Rev. Alexander Calhoun, D. D., 1858-61; Rev. G. A. B. Robinson. 1869-72; 
Rev. G. K. Ormond, D. D.. 1874-83; Rev. S. J. S. Moore, 1885-87; vacancy, 1888. 

Robinson Pun, organized in 1790 (the public ordinances were enjoyed here more or 
less regularly a considerable number of years before this date); members. 188; Sabbath- 
school scholars. 303; officers and teachers, 13. Pastors, Rev. J. Riddell. D. D.. 1794- 
1829; Rev. Moses Kerr. 1834-35; Rev. William Burnett, 1836-38; Rev. James Grier. D. D., 
1839-78; Rev. J. W. English, 1879-. Dr. Riddell, who was the first pastor of Robinson 
Run, and who continued in charge of the congregation for thirty-five years, was a small 
man, with piercing black eyes; was a superior scholar and a powerful debater. No one 
among the early ministers of the Associate Reformed Church was more strongly attached 
to the principles of the church, or more able to defend them. Dr. James Grier, another 
pastor of this congregation for thirty-nine years, was a preacher of more than average 
ability, possessed of good social qualities, much beloved by his people, and greatly 
respected bj' all who knew him. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 315 

St. Clair, organized in 1804; members, 183; Sabbatli-school scholai's, 173; officers and 
teachers, 16. Pastors, Rev. Joseph Kerr, D. D., 1804-25; Rev. J. Dickey, 1830-39; Rev. A. 
H. Wright, 1843-46; Rev. Joseph Cloliey, D. D., 1848-55; Rev. C. Boyd, D. D., 1858-. 
Dr. Joseph Kerr, the first pastor of this congregation, was a large man, tall, well pro- 
portioned physically, commanding in personal appearance, affable in his manners, liind 
and sympathetic; "to know him was to love him." As a preacher he stood among the 
foremost of his time. Though not so able in argument as Dr. Riddell, he was his superior 
as an orator, and was therefore the more acceptable preacher of the two. After laboring 
twenty-one years in St. Clair congregation he was, by liis synod, transferred to Pittsburgh to 
take charge of the theological seminary whicli the synod had established there. He was also 
called to the pastorate of what is now the Second United Presbyterian congregation of Pitts- 
burgh. Dr. Kerr was the father of a large family. Three of his sons entered the minis- 
try—Moses, Joseph R. and David R. The last named died October 14, 1887. He was the 
editor of the United Presbyterian for forty years, and a professor in the theological sem- 
inary nearly as long. No other minister in the church was more admired or more ardently 
loved by his brethren. He was a man of noble presence, tall, erect, and moved with a 
majesty that could not fail to attract attention. He was a good preacher. His sermons 
were constructed after the best models. They plainly, clearly, forcibly set forth the great 
truths of the gospel in the most appropriate language that could be chosen. He always 
spoke with genuine earnestness and deep tenderness. In the pulpit and out of it, his 
whole bearing was that of a man of God. He had occupied the highest positions in his 
own church, was twice a member of the Pan-Presbyterian council, and as often presided 
over that most venerable body. No man was ever more universally beloved in life, or 
more deeply lamented in death. 

Sewiekley, organized May 3, 1864; members, 132; Sabbath-school scholars, 100; officers 
and teachers, 13. Pastors, Rev. W. A. McKenzie, 1865-71; Rev. D. S. Kennedy, 1872- 
78; Rev. W. L. "Wallace, D. D., 1879-86; Rev. A. M. Campbell, 1888-. 

Springdale, organized November 14, 1873; members, 48; Sabbath-school scholars, 67; 
officers and teachers, 13. Pastor, Rev. W. G. Reed. 

Talley Cavey, organized July 13, 1868; members, 48; Sabbath-school scholars, 50; officers 
and teachers, 10. Pastors, Revs. D. R. Imbrie, 1878-84; R. H. Park, 1885-. 

Tarentum, organized in 1835; members, 306; Sabbath-school scholars. Ill; officers 
and teachers, 16. Pastors, Revs. .Jonathan G. Fulton, 1838-39; J. Gilmore, 1843-56; J. H. 
Timmons, 1860-84; D. R. McDonald, 1885-. 

Turtle Creek, organized in June, 1839; members, 315; Sabbath school scholars, 300; 
officers and teachers, 19. Pastors, Revs. Mungo Dick, 1839-35; Joseph Osborne, 1836-51; 
Jonathan G. Fulton, 18.52-59; D. H. Pollock, 1860-69; S. A. Taggart, 1870-71; A. I. Young, 
1873-85; R. A. Gilfillan, 1886-. 

Union, organized in 1794; members, 159; Sabbath-school scholars, 137; officers and 
teachers, 30. Pastors, Rev. J. Riddell, D. D., 1794-1816; Rev. Moses Kerr, 1819-38; Revs. 
A. S. Fulton, 1833-39; John Ekin, D. D., 1839-53; William McMillan, 18.5.5-.57; L. Marks, 
D. D., 1860-67; J. D. Turner, 1868-74; J. A. Douthett, 1876-. 

Unity, organized April 3, 1833; members, 302; Sabbath-school scholars, 203; officers 
and teachers, 19. Pastors, Revs. William Conner, 1837-49; James Kelso, 18.52-72; E. Z. 
Thomas, 1873-. 

Verona, organized in 18.57; members, 184; Sabbath- school scholars, 165; officers and 
teachers, 18. Pastors, Revs. H. K. Lusk, S. S., 1858-61; R. H. Boyd, 1864-69; J. D. Irons. 
1873-87; vacancy, 1888. 

West Union, organized in 1843; members, 84; Sabbath-school scholars. 115; officers 
and teachers, 11. Pastors, Revs. James Given, 1854-57; J. G. Barnes, 1863-70: N. B. 
Wade, 1875-84; R. H. Park, 1885-. 

Wilkinsburg. organized November 21, 1882; members, 185; Sabbath-school scholars, 
180; officers and teachers, 34. Pastor. Rev. M. M. Patterson. 



316 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

There are thus in Allegheny eouaty '52 congregations, with 11,591 commu- 
nicaats, 11,833 Sabbath-school scholars. 1,'JOl officers and teachers and 02 
ministers of the gospel. 

The value of the church property is not so great as that of some other 
denominations whose numerical strength is much less, as our people have not 
generally taken to the ornate and costly in church architecture. Still, almost 
every congregation in the county has a church building, and the property 
belonging to some of the congregations would be worth from fifty thousand 
to a hundred thousand dollars. 

Four of the most important boards of the church, viz. , the boards of Home 
Missions, Church Extension, Freedmen's Missions and Publication, are located 
in this county, and hold their regular monthly meetings in the Board of Pub- 
lication building, 55 Ninth street, Pittsburgh. 

The Board of Publication owns real estate here to the value of 850,000. 
Its plates, merchandise, etc., are worth §25,000. Its periodicals published 
here, viz., The Evangelical Repository, Bible Teacher, Quarterly Lesson 
Paper, Olive Plants, Youth's Evangelist and Young Christian, have a circula- 
tion of two million and a half copies, and are among the very best publications 
of their class in the countrj'. 

The United Presbyterian Church in Allegheny county is, at the present time, 
in a prosperous and promising condition. Her missionary spirit never was 
better. She is more aggressive in pressing her evangelistic work at all points 
than ever before. She is taking hold of new fields with a vigor and a confidence 
that indicate a determination to do her part in advancing the cause of her 
divine Master. With the blessing of the Head of the church upon her efforts, 
a pro-sparoas future may be confidently anticipated. 

THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 
The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland and in the United States 
claims to be the only church legitimately descended from the Church of Scot- 
land in her period of the greatest purity, that of the Second Eeformation. The 
movement which led to the foi'mation of this church was due to the flagrant 
and outrageous violations of his oath and most solemn promises by King 
Charles II, who, after having solemnly sworn to uphold the Presbyterian or 
Established Church of Scotland, and having gained the throne only upon 
condition that he would do this, proceeded as soon as he found himself in 
power to break his oath, and attempted to overthrow the reformation, both civil 
and ecclesiastical. Cameron, Cargill, Renwick and others protested against 
this conduct of the king, and declared him to be a traitor to his country. They 
were outlawed for this and killed. Their followers were cruelly persecuted, 
and only upon the accession of William of Orange to the throne did they 
enjoy liberty of worship. During the " persecuting times," some few of these 
people came to Pennsylvania, and in 1713 met at Middle Octorara and 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 317 

solemnly renewed the old Scottish covenant. In 1752 the Scottish church sent 
out Rev. John Cuthbertson to be their minister. In 1774 Rev. Messrs. 
Linn and Dobbin, from the Reformed presbytery of Ireland, immigrated to the 
colony, and the three ministers, veith their people, formed a Reformed Presby- 
terian presbytery. In 1782 these three ministers and the majority of their 
people joined with the Associate Presbyterians, another body on the soil of the 
New World representing Old- World dissent, to form the Associate Reformed 
Presbyterian Church, which in 1858 came to form one of the constituents of 
the United Presbyterian Chui-ch. With characteristic Scotch obstinacy, some 
of the people refused to join with their leaders in the union of 1782, and in 
1792 received again from Scotland a ministry. In 1798 a presbytery was 
organized in Philadelphia under the name of the ' ' Reformed Presbytery of 
the United States of America." In 1809 the church organized itself into "The 
Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in America," with three presby- 
teries under its jurisdiction. At this time it undertook, also, the education of 
its own ministry in a theological seminary founded in Philadelphia. From 
the year 1812 the relations of the Covenanting church to the national govern- 
ment were much discussed, it being felt by many that the refusal to allow its 
membership to perform the duties and exercise the privileges of citizenship, 
while possibly justified long before in the days of persecution by a bigoted 
and ungodly king and court, was no longer justifiable under the government 
of the American republic. In 1833 the ' ' New Lights, ' ' as they were called, 
withdrew and formed the ' ' General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Church," taking with them the theological seminary in Philadelphia. The 
remainder at the time of this withdrawal, nowise disheartened, to all appear- 
ance, proceeded to enforce their peculiar views more rigidly than ever, and in 
1840 established a theological seminary in Allegheny, Pa., and in 1871, 
according to their view of the moral duty of covenanting, entered into a cov- 
enant with God and each other to serve God, keep his commandments, and 
adhere to the Reformed Presbyterian principles and testimony. Accordingly, 
no member of this church can become or act as an American citizen. They do 
not vote, enlist in the army, accept of government situations, serve on jiu-ies, 
nor in any way identify themselves with the political system in the United 
States, the constitution of which they hold to be "godless," because neither 
the word ' ' God ' ' nor ' ' Christ ' ' occui's in the body of the instrument. 

' ' The First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, ' ' more commonly 
known as the "Oak Alley Church," was organized in 1799. Rev. John 
Black, a native of Ireland and a Bachelor of Arts of the University of Glas- 
gow, was its first pastor. He was licensed to preach by the presbytery at 
Coldenham, N. Y., in June, 1799, and immediately came to Pittsburgh, where 
he was installed, on December 18, 1800, as pastor of the "First Reformed 
Presbyterian congregation of Pittsburgh, and all the other adherent societies 
in the state of Pennsylvania beyond the Allegheny mountains. ' ' Dr. Black 



B18 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

was pastor of the congregation until his death, which took phice in Pittsburgh 
on the 25th of October, 1849. At the time of the disruption, in 1833, Dr. 
Bhick adhered to the ' ' New Light ' " party, and what has therefore been said 
as to the peculiar tenets of the Reformed Presbyterians does not apply to 
him or to his successors. Dr. Black was succeeded by Rev. John Douglas, 
D. D. ,* who was ordained pastor of the church in the month of May, 1850, 
and remained in charge for twenty- thi'ee years, when he re.signed and became 
a member of the presbytery of Pittsburgh of the Presbyterian Church. Rev. 
William Young was the next pastor, and served for four or five years, when 
delicate health led him to resign. He shortly afterward died. About this 
time Rev. Nevin Woodside became the candidate of a portion of the church 
for the vacant pulpit. A serious dissension arose, leading to a division. Rev. 
Mr. Woodside was deposed from the ministry by the ecclesiastical courts, but 
has continued to minister to a body of adherents claiming to be the First 
Reformed Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. This disruption led to pro- 
tracted litigation and caused much scandal. Rev. S. W. Douglas became the 
pastor in the regular succession after Mr. Young, but in 1886 resigned and 
connected himself with the presbytery of Pittsburgh of the Presbyterian Church. 
The church is at present withoi^t a pastor. 

In 1870 a number of chm'ches holding to the jurisdiction of the general 
synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, offended at the action taken in 
subjecting to ecclesiastical discipline Mr. George H. Stuart, of Philadelphia, 
and his pastor, Rev. Dr. Wylie, for using other metrical compositions than 
the psalms of David in divine worship, withdi-ew and united themselves with 
the Presbyterian Church. At this time the Pine Creek Chm-ch, now on the 
roll of the presbytery of Allegheny, took this step. 

The Reformed Presbyterian churches owning allegiance to the "" Synod 
of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States of America " ' are 
represented in Allegheny county by the following organizations, a brief sketch 
of the history of each of which is given: 

Allegheny Reformed Presbyterian Congregatinn. — In 1833, after the announcement of 
the adhesion of Dr. Black and his friends of the "Oak Alley" Church to the "New Side" 
party, a congregation was organized in Allegheny bearing the name of the "Pittsburgh 
and Allegheny Reformed Presbyterian Congregation." The organization took place on 
September 9, and upon May 13 of the year following Rev. Thomas Sproull, D. D.. LL. D., 
was installed pastor. In 1836 a church building was erected in Alleghenj' at the corner 
of Lacock and Sandusky streets. In 186.5 tliis congregation was divided, and a second 
cougregatiou, known as the "Pittsburgh Congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Church," was formed. From this time forward the word " Pittsburgh" was dropped from 
the title of the original church. In October, 1868, Rev. Dr. Sproull resigned his charge 
of the congregation, which upon the December following entered a new church building 
at the corner of Nortli Diamond and Sandusky streets. In November, 1870, Rev. D. B. 

* The writer 19 indebted to Dr. Douglas for the facts as to the church. 




.<2). 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 321 

Wilson was installed pastor. Resigned October, 1875. Rev. J. R. W. Sloane, D. D., in- 
stalled pastor June. 1877, and resigned May, 1884. Rev. J. R. J. Milligan was installed 
October, 1885, and is the present pastor. 

First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, O. S., organized 1865. Rev. A. M. 
Milligan, D. D.. was installed pastor in May, 1866, and continued to serve until his death 
in May, 1885. During his pastorate the house of worship on Eighth street was erected. 
In October, 1887, Rev. D. McAllister, D. D., was installed pastor. 

Central Reformed Presbyterian Church of Allegheny, organized October, 1870. Rev. 
J. W. Sproull, D. D., became the pastor, and has remained in charge until the present. 
In 1871 the church on Sandusky street was erected. 

East Liberty Reformed Presbyterian. Church, organized November, 1887. Rev. O. B. 
Milligan installed as pastor in October, 1888. 

Wilkinsburg Reformed Presbyterian Church, organized summer of 1848. House of 
worship erected 1845. Rev. Thomas Hannay, stated supply, 1853; Rev. Joseph Hunter 
installed April, 1853; resigned 1883; Rev. W. W. Carithers installed June, 1883; resigned 
January, 1889. 

Mononyahela Refm-med Presbyterian Congregation, organized 1801, Elizabeth, Pa. 
Rev. William Gibson, 1817-36; Rev. George T. Ewing, 1837-30; Rev. John Crozier, 
1834-65; Rev. J. W. Sproull, 1866-71; Rev. T. C. Sproull, 1871-76; Rev. W. J. Coleman, 
1879-81: Rev. John M. Wylie, 1883-84; Rev. R. Reed, stated supply, and Rev. D. C. 
Martin, stated supply, October, 1888-. 

Pine Creek Reformed Presbyterian Church, O. S., organized not later than 1807, Talley 
Cavey postoffice. Pa. Rev. Matthew Williams, 1807-35; Rev. T. C. Guthrie, D. D.. 
1836-^33; Rev. Hugh Walkinshaw, 183.5-41; Rev. John Galbraith, 1843-70; Rev. Alexander 
Kilpatrick, 1876. 

The educational work of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Allegheny 
county has been mainly confined to efforts to raise up an educated ministry 
for the denomination. 

At the time of the division in 1833 the Old Side party of the church was 
without a theological school, and accordingly in 1836 took steps to organize a 
seminary at New Alexandria, Pa. Eev. J. R. Willson, D. D., was chosen 
professor. In 1838 this action was rescinded, and two seminaries were called 
into being, the Eastern at Coldenham, N. Y., and the Western in Allegheny, 
Pa., Dr. Willson being the professor in the former and Dr. T. Sproull in the 
latter. In 1840 the two seminaries were united in Allegheny under the joint 
professorship of Drs. Willson and Sproull. In 1845 the seminary was removed 
to Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Sproull resigning and Dr. Willson remaining in charge. 
The step was unfortunate, and in 1851 the seminary was suspended. In 1856 
the seminary was reorganized in Allegheny, and has remained there ever since. 
At the reorganization in 1856 Drs. Christie and Sproull were made professors. 
Dr. Christie resigned in 1858, and Rev. J. M. Willson, D. D., was chosen his 
successor. Dr. Willson died in 1866, and the next year Rev. S. O. Wylie, 
D. D. , of Philadelphia, was chosen his successor, but declined to serve. Rev. 
J. R. W. Sloane, D. D., was then chosen, and, accepting the position, contin- 
ued to serve in it until his death in 1886. In 1875 Dr. Thomas Sproull was 
made professor emeritus, and Rev. D. B. Willson was elected professor. In 
1886 Rev. .James Kennedy and in 1887 Rev. R. J. George declined a professor- 



322 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

ship iu the seminary, but Rev. J. K. McClurkiu accepted it and was installed. 
Dr. Thomas Spronll, at the advanced age of oighty-five years, still hears one 
class in the seminary. 

As a feeder to the theological seminary Westminster College was called into 
being in November, 1848, under the care of the Pittsburgh presbytery of the 
Reformed Presbjiierian Church. It was located in Wilkinsburg. and then, in 
1850, removed to Allegheny, and in 1858 given up and its property devoted to 
the theological seminary. A number of men who have become eminent were 
students in this college. Upon the disorganization of Westminster College, 
Allegheny City College arose in its place, with Rev. John Newell, D. D. , as 
president. In 1860 Prof. J. R. Newell took charge of the school, and in 1863 
it became ' ' The Newell Institute. ' ' 

The official organ of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States 
is The Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter. It is edited by Rev. J. W. 
Sproull, D. D. ,* and D. B. Willson. The Central Board of Missions is also 
located in Allegheny, and has charge of the work which is being done by the 
church at home and abroad. The Central Church of Allegheny and the First 
Church of Pittsburgh have very successful schools for the Chinese, in operation. 

THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
At the time of the "Great Revival of 1800," which had its birth in the 
woods of Western Pennsylvania, the presbytery of Transylvania in Kentucky 
appointed a number of persons who had not received a classical education nor 
thorough instruction in theology to act as lay exhorters, and in a few cases to 
preach. In 1802 the synod of Kentucky divided the presbytery of Transyl- 
vania and erected a new presbytery, to which was given the name of the pres- 
bytery of Cumberland. In April, 1803, the new presbytery met, and pro- 
ceeded to ordain Finis Ewing and Samuel King, two of the lay exhorters, and 
to license a number of others. In 1805 complaints were laid before the synod 
of Kentucky declaring these proceedings to have been irregular. A commis- 
sion was accordingly appointed, which visited the region, summoned the pres- 
bytery and the irregularly ordained ministers, and sought to induce the latter 
to submit to an examination. This they refused to do, being supported in 
their determination by the presbytery. The commission accordingly prohibited 
them from further exercising the functions of the ministry' until they should 
submit to examination and an orderly induction into the sacred office. These 
" revival members" of the presbytery, as they chose to call themselves, met 
subsequently as a council, and abstained fi-om presbyterial acts. They sent a 
memorial to the general assembly, but the assembly sustained the action of 
the synod, which subsequently dissolved the Cumberland presbytery and re- 
annexed its members to the presbytery of Transylvania. The council at last 

« The writer is indebted to Dr. Sproull tor the facts .is to the Old Side Covenanter churches embodied in 
the foregoing narrative. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 323 

made an effort at reconciliation, and agreed to submit to an examination of the 
licentiates, upon condition, however, that all should be received in a body. 
This proposal the synod declined. On February 4, 1810, Finis Ewing and 
Samuel King, ordained clergymen, but silenced by the synod, met vs'ith Samuel 
McAdow, an aged minister, and organized themselves into what they called 
the Cumberland presbytery. The presbytery of Transylvania the spring fol- 
lowing suspended Samuel McAdow from the ministry for his schismatical 
conduct. The point really at issue in this controversy was not simply the ir- 
regularity of procedure in admitting candidates to the ministry, but the fact 
that the persons so admitted had taught and continued to teach doctrines at 
variance with the standards of the church. 

The growth of the new body was quite rapid in Kentucky, Tennessee and 
the southwestern states generally. Its polity is strictly Presbyterian. Its the- 
ology, so far as defined, seems to be an attempt to steer a middle course between 
the received theology of the Reformed churches, as represented by the great 
historic confessions of the Reformation period, and the theology of Arminius. 
Revivalistic measures, "protracted meetings," " camp -meetings," and other 
devices, the outgrowth of the early life of the church upon the fi'ontier, are 
.still much resorted to and relied upon. A number of colleges have been 
founded by the church, and are growing in usefulness, and a higher standard 
of education for the ministry than prevailed in the old days of the backwoods 
is being insisted upon. The oldest of the institutions of learning belonging to 
the church, Ciimberland College, at Princeton, Ky., was closed in 1861. 
Waynesburg College, at Waynesburg, Pa., is the only institution for the eduea 
tion of young men in the eastern states belonging to the denomination. 

Statistics of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the United States: 

188S. 

Whole number of churches 2,648 

Whole number of ministers 1.584 

Whole number of communicants 151,939 

Whole number of Sunday-school scholars 85,890 

Total amount contributed to benevolence f 47,398 

Total amount contributed for congregational expenses 489,320 

THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY.* 

In 1831 some members of a Presbyterian church in Washington county. 
Pa., vfiote a letter to the president of Cumberland College, and asked that 
representatives of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination should be sent 
to Pennsylvania that they might become acquainted with its doctrines. The 
matter was laid before the general assembly of the Cumberland Church, 
and Rev. A. M. Bryan was accordingly sent to Pittsburgh. He began his 

♦The writer is indebted for the following narrative to Rev. .1. B. Koehne, the present pastor of the First 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, and Rev. J. W. McKay. 



324 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

work cas a. street preacher, and in 1S88 a church was organized, which under 
Mr. Bryan's labors grew and prospered. A lot was secured upon Sixth street, 
nearly opposite Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church, and a plain brick church 
capable of seating five hundred persons was erected upon it. Mr. Bryan's 
life was consecrated to this enterprise, and he died during a " protracted meet- 
ing " which he was holding in the church. His death put an apparent end to 
the prosperity of the enterprise. Feuds broke out in the chiu-ch. Its mem- 
bership was decimated by death and removal, and though a long succession of 
ministers has labored in the tield, the old days of prestige and usefulness have 
never returned. The pastors who succeeded Mr. Bryan have been the follow- 
ing: Rev. Mr. Jacobs, Rev. S. T. Stewart, Rev. Dr. E. K. Squiers, Rev. Dr. 
A. Templeton, Rev. W. H. Black, Rev. Samuel S. McBride, Rev. J. M. Hub- 
bert and Rev. N. D. Johnson, the two latter as stated supplies. The present 
pastor is Rev. J. B. Koehne, a graduate of Waynesburg College, who received 
his theological education in the McCormick and the Western Theological sem- 
inaries of the Presbyterian Church, and who was chosen pastor in September, 
1887. In 1886 the old church on Sixth street was sold to the Duquesne club. 
A lot at the corner of Wylie avenue and Congress street was bought in 1888, 
and in 1889 it is hoped that a new church will be erected. The present mem- 
bership of the church is about sixty souls. In connection with this church a 
mission was started, under th^ care of Rev. J. W. McKay, in the fall of the 
year 1888, in East Liberty. 

The other Cumberland Presbyterian churches in Allegheny county are the 
First Ciimberland Presbyterian Church of McKeesport, the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian church of Tarentum, and a mission church in Allegheny City, orga- 
nized in 1883, and at present under the care of Rev. J. H. Barnett. The 
church in McKeesport, which is the outgi'owth of a feud in the First Presby- 
terian church of McKeesport, is numerically the strongest of all these enter- 
prises. The communicant membership of the Cumberland churches in the 
county may be stated as being about three hundred and tifty souls. No relia- 
ble statistics as to benevolent and congregational expenditiires are available. 

THE REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES (GERMAN), 
The chiu'ch recently known by this name, but more commonly designated 
by the older title of the German Reformed Church, represents the historical 
continuation in the United States of the Reformed branch of the Protestant 
reformation in Germany. 

The Reformed church of Germany had its chief seats in the Rhine prov- 
inces, which, originally accepting the reformation movement as molded by 
Melancthon rather than Luther, in 1559, under Frederick II. surnamed the 
Pious, passed over from the Lutheran to the Reformed faith. The disorders 
of the times, the petty warfares and the endless oppression of the upper classes, 
coupled with the gratuitous offer of land by William Penn, led a good many 




I^^^^J^^^'^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 327 

Germans at the beginning of the last centniy to forsake the Rhine provinces 
and come to Pennsylvania. Until 1 747 the religiou.s condition of these emigrants 
was very sad. Without ministers, churches, schools, and even books, except a 
few bibles, catechisms and hymn-books they had brought with them, and widely 
separated by language from those among whom they had settled, they were in 
danger of lapsing into a condition of most profound religious ignorance and 
degradation. For the first twenty years during which a German immigration 
had taken place, i. e. from 17'27-17, there were at no time more than three or 
four ordained German ministers in the entire country. 

In 1746 Rev. Michael Schlatter, a Reformed minister from St. Gall, in 
Switzerland, was sent out by the synods of North and South Holland to labor 
among the German settlers of the Reformed faith. He was a man of great 
energy and zeal, and visited all the German settlements in Virginia, Maryland, 
New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and on September 29, 1747, in the city of 
Philadelphia, brought about the organization of the first coetus or synod of the 
German Reformed Church in the New World. This synod was composed of five 
ministers and twenty-six elders, representing forty-six churches. It stood under 
the jurisdiction of the synod of Holland, and its proceedings for the period of 
forty-six years which followed, or until 1793, were annually submitted to the 
synod of Holland for review and confirmation. In 1793 the coetus assumed 
the right to govern for itself, adopted a constitution of its own, and laying 
aside the name of ' 'coetus ' ' took that of ' ' synod ' ' instead. The ch^^rch became, 
in contradistinction from the Nieder-deutsche or Dutch Reformed Church, the 
Hoch-deutsche Refonnirte Kirche in den Vereinigten Staaten von Nord- 
Amerika. The period which followed this step was characterized by great 
numerical increase in the membership, and a development of financial re- 
sources, but it was also characterized by retrogression in the matter of minis- 
terial qualifications. The clergy were no longer drawn, as had been the case 
formerly, from the ranks of educated men in Europe, but secured an education 
as best they could under the tuition of the pastors and clergy scattered through 
the country. This state of affairs lasted until in 1825, a period of thirty-two 
years, when a theological seminary was established at Carlisle, Pa. , whence 
it was removed in 1829 to York, and then finally established at Mercersburg in 
1835. The period which has followed has been one of constant growth. Con- 
siderable controversy was excited by the attitude of Dr. John W. Nevin, the 
professor of systematic theology at Mercersbiirg, whose views appeared to those 
who did not fully comprehend his spirit to be tinctured by the tractarianism 
of Oxford, with which he was familiar. The discussions aroused now more 
than forty years ago by his teachings have long since died out, not, however, 
without leaving their mark upon the life of the church. The growth of the 
church in the years subsequent to the close of the great civil war has been 
very rapid, owing to immigration, especially in the west. In the eastern part 
of the country English has supplanted the German language in pulpit dis- 



328 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

course to a very large degree. In the west, among the newer settlements, 
German is still prevalent. The name of the church was changed by formal 
action of the general synod, in session at Lancaster, Pa., in 1878, by drop- 
ping the word ' ' German, ' ' hitheiio invariably prefixed to the title. 

The statistics of the church throughout the United States show, in 1887, the 
following facts: Number of synods, 7: number of classes or presbyteries, 54; 
number of ministers, 817; number of congregations, 1,481; number of com- 
municants, 183,980; number of Sunday-school scholars, 122,095: number of 
candidates for ministry, 186; amount of contributions for benevolence, $141,- 
122; amount of contributions for congregational support, etc., $804,321; 
total amount of contributions, $945,443. 

THE REFORMED CHURCH IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The German element in Allegheny county appears at a very early date 
to have been possessed of considerable religious zeal; and the " Smithfield 
Street Church, " as it is commonly known, is the junior of the First Presbyterian 
Church, on Wood street, by only a few years. The rationalizing tendencies, 
which were so powerfully at work among the German churches of Europe, and 
to some extent in those of America, in the first half of the present century, 
having asserted themselves to a large degree in this old church, and a 
considerable popiilation having sprung up which. whOe forgetful of the German 
speech, was found to be attached to the history and traditions of the German 
Reformed Church, an effort was put forth not long prior to the war of the 
rebellion to establish a German Reformed church in Pittsburgh. The result 
was the organization in 1854 of "Grace Reformed Church." The leading 
spirits in the maintenance of this now strong and vigorous organization were 
W. E. Schmertz and wife, George Rauhauser, Rev. D. Diffenbacher, George 
Reiter and wife, Mrs. M. Walker. Rev. Dr. Henry Harbangh presided at the 
organization. Rev. George B. Russell was the first pastor. The first services 
were held in a small church edifice which at the time stood at the corner of 
Smithfield street and Virgin alley, and had been the place of worship for a 
then defunct Unitarian church. 

18,54. Grace Reformed Church, corner Grant and Webster streets, Pittsburgh —Rev. 
G. B. Russell, D. D., May 1. 1854-December 1. 1862; Rev. E. E. Higbee, D. D.. LL. D.. 
February 1, 1863-.January 10, 1866; Rev. J. H. Wagner, February 22. 1866-March 10, 
1870; Rev. L. J. Barkley, June 1, 1670-November 12, 1879; Rev. John H. Prugh, May 1, 
1880-. 

1868. St. Paul's Reformed Church, Forty-fourth street, Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, 
Pa.— Rev. A. Krahn, 1868-70; Rev. J. HetBey, 1870-72; Rev. Mr. Saul, 1873-74; Rev. 
Mr. Ebbingshaus, 1874-79; Rev. M. Dumstrei, 1879-87; J. Harold, July 1, 1887-. 

Juue 19, 1870. Trinity Reformed Church, Wilkinsburg, Pa.— Revs. L. B. Leasure, 
1870-July, 1871; Thomas F. Stauffer, September, 1871-April, 1877; John M. Souder, 
April. 1877-December, 1878; J. William Knappenberger, January, 1879-Xovember, 1883; 
Milton F. Frank, May, 1884-December, 188.5; James S. Freeman, November, 1886-. 

1873. Zion's Reformed Church, East Liberty, Pittsburgh.— Rev. George B. Russell, 



HISTORY OF ALLECxHENY COUNTY. 329 

D. D., 1873-75; H. D. Darbaker, 1876-78; J. W. Knappenberger, 1879-83; M. F. Frank. 
1884-85; J. W. Miller, 1886-. 

October 8, 1882. First Reformed Church, McKeesport, Pa. — Rev. H. D. Darbaker. 
1882-. 

1883. First Reformed Church, Turtle Creek, Pa.— Rev. H. D. Darbaker. 1882-88; E. 
S. Hassler, 1888-. 

1888. First Refm-med Church, Braddock, Pa.— E. S. Hassler, 1888-. 

Statistics of the Reformed church in Allegheny county: 

Total number of churches and missions 7 

Total number of ministers 6 

Total number of communicants 928 

Total number of Sunday-school scholars 796 

Total amount contributed to benevolence .|2.260 

Total amount contributed to congregational purposes 7.817 



CHAPTER XVI. 

CHURCHES (Concluded). 

Peotestant Episcopal— Formation of the Diocese of Pittsbiirgh — Meth- 
odist Episcopal— The Book Depository— German Congregation— 
Lutheran— Baptist— Disciples of Christ— Catholic — Jewish Congre- 
gation. 

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL. 

The records of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the vicinity of Pitts- 
burgh do not extend beyond the year 1792. There can be little doubt that its 
services and sacraments vpere fi'ec[uently celebrated before that date; for from 
the year 1758 Fort Pitt was occupied as an English military station, and the 
site of the present city of Pittsburgh was laid out and building begun about 
1764, by settlers almost exclusively of English descent. It is hardly probable 
that such an important point was wholly neglected by the clergy of the Estab- 
lished church, or that so many families of church people as then resided in 
the neighborhood would have been content to give up entirely the Christian 
privileges to which they had been used. 

However this may have been, it is certain that no definite attempt was made 
to organize or perpetuate the Chui-ch of England in this part of Pennsylvania 
before the Revolution, or the American Episcopal church after it, until toward 
the closing years of the last century. Even the venerable ' ' Society for the 
Propagation of the Gospel," to which we owe so largely the planting and the 
nurture of the church before the separation from the mother-country, appears to 
have made no effort to care for its members in Western Pennsylvania. 

In Bishop Perry's voluminous collection of historical documents relating to 



'S30 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

this time and region there are but two inci<lentHl references to Fort Pitt, and 
they have no connection with the work of the churcii. Tlie farthest station 
westward seems to have been at Carlisle. 

The timidity and inertia of the bishops, clergy and laity in the eastern ]>art 
of the church, during the fifty years following the war of independence, are 
notorious, and would be surprising did we not know the difficulties which they 
had to contend with. The popular prejudice which existed against the clergy, 
who for the most part had adhered to the king's side in the great struggle, 
extended to the liturgy and the whole system of the church to which they 
belonged. The Episcopal church was everywhere on the defensive. It was 
considered as essentially monarchial and aristocratic in its spirit and influence, 
unsuited to the wants of the people of a republic. So strongly did this public 
sentiment affect the rulers of the church that for a long time nothing more was 
done than to keep alive existing congregations. The idea of extending the 
work of the church into new regions was hardly thought of. We are told on 
good authority that up to the year 1811 not only was there no growth through- 
out the United States, but a positive decrease, especially of clergy, and one of 
the foremost of the bishops expressed the opinion that its ultimate extinction 
was only a question of time. Nevertheless, we have unquestionable proof that 
in the whole region west of the mountains, of which Allegheny county is a 
part, there was a numerous body of people by birth and education attached to 
the church, who would have gladly welcomed its services and might easily have 
been kept in its communion. Our principal authority on this point is Rev. 
Joseph Doddridge, M. D. He was himself born in Bedford county. Pa.. 
within 100 miles of Pittsburgh, in 1769, and for some time resided in Washington 
county, in the near neighborhood. To him we owe many interesting details of 
the condition of things' in the church about the close of the last century, and 
it was mainly through his persistent efforts that the attention of eastern church- 
men was gained to the work to be done in this region, He was himself a 
clergyman of the Episcopal church, and spent his life in constant missionary 
labor in Western Virginia and Southern Ohio. In his letters he speaks of the 
great numbers of church people then living in these parts, destitute of all 
pastoral care. In one of them he says : ' ' For the spiritual benefit of the many 
thousands of our Israel, I was most anxious for the organization of the Epis- 
copal church in this' country {i. e. , west of the mountains) at an early period of 
its settlement. How often have these people said to me in the bitterness of 
their hearts, ' Must we live and die without baptism for our children and with- 
out the sacrament for ourselves ? ' " Year after year he continued to plead 
with the authorities of the church in the east to send out a missionary bishop 
to care for these ahepherdless flocks, but without success. His final words on 
this subject are full of despondency and chagrin. ' ' I lost all hope, ' ' he writes, 
" of ever witnessing any prosperity in our beloved church in this part of Amer- 
ica. Everything connected with it fell into a state of langi;or. The vestries 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 333 

were not re-elected and our young people joined other societies. I entertained 
no hope that my own remains after death would be committed to the dust with 
the funeral services of my own church." Again he says: "Had we imitated 
the example of other church communities, employed the same means for col- 
lecting our people into societies and building churches, we should by this time 
have four or five bishops in this country, surrounded by a numerous and 
respectable body of clergy, instead of having oiu' very name connected with a 
fallen church. Instead of offering a rich and extensive plunder to every sec- 
tarian missionary we should have occupied the first and highest station among 
the Christian societies of the west." 

When at length, after years of inaction and neglect, the effort was made to 
organize the Protestant Episcopal Church in these parts, the work was far more 
difficult than it would have been had Dr. Doddridge's plea been listened to. 
A great opportunity had been lost and did not return. Not only were the 
thousands of its members, whom Dr. Doddridge assures us then lived in this 
region, alienated from it, but a change had taken place in the character of the 
immigration to this western country. The early settlers at Pittsburgh and in 
its vicinity were very largely members of the Episcopal church. But in after 
years there came an influx of hardy, thrifty Scotch-Irish people, who in a short 
time became the dominant element throughout Western Pennsylvania. They 
brought with them not only their energy and thrift, but a sturdy, aggressive 
Presbyterianism, which was intolerant toward episcopal government and ritual 
worship. In their eyes such things were but little removed from popery itself. 
Under such adverse circumstances it is not to be wondered at that we find no 
organization of the Episcopal church in Allegheny county until the year 1790; 
and it is significant that this was made, not at Pittsburgh, where we would 
naturally look for it, but among a rural population in Chartiers township, about 
six miles from the city, under the name of St. Luke's Church. The records 
read: "'The first Episcopal church west of the mountains was organized and 
the church built by several persons, viz. : Gen. Johnson Neville, his son, 
Pressly Neville, Maj. Isaac Craig and others." The lot, ten perches square, 
was given by William Lea for a site and graveyard. The church building was 
begun in 1790 and fui'nished in the following year, but not entirely finished 
until some time afterward. By whom the services were given, or who had 
charge of the flock, is not mentioned. But we learn that Mr. Francis Reno 
was taken under the care of Gen. Neville and educated and prepared for the 
ministry of the church. In due time he was ordained by Bishop White, of 
Pennsylvania, and called to the rectorship of the church at Chartiers. He 
officiated there for some years, until an insurrection (the whisky insurrection of 
1794) disturbed the public peace and drove the supporters of the church from 
the locality. Some time afterward we find that Mr. Reno was engaged to offi- 
ciate alternately at Chartiers and Pittsburgh, but soon left the neighborhood. 
The church appears to have been closed, and, being built of wood, soon fell into 



33-i HISTOEY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

decay, and almost every trace of the building was removed. The record goes 
on to state that no decided step was taken to rebuild the church until 1S51. 
However this may be, the insurrection could not have completely discouraged 
the congregation, for we find in Dr. Doddridge's memoirs a report of a con- 
vention of four clergymen held at St. Thomas' church, Washington county, 
Pa., September 26, 1803, Mr. Eeno being one of them, at which it was re- 
solved that the next convention be held at the church near Gen. Neville's old 
place, on Chartiers creek, Pa., to commence the Saturday before Whitsunday. 
In the year 1851, through the efforts of Rev. Dr. Lyman (now bishop), 
then rector of Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, a new church was begun on the site 
of the old one, and regular services resumed. From that time until 1871 the 
church was kept open and the congregation held together by various rectors, 
who seem never to have remained any length of time. Since then only occa- 
sional ministrations have been given. The building up of other centers of 
population at Mansfield and Grafton, and the founding of churches there, have 
divided the already diminished flock until almost nothing remains of what was 
once a numerous congregation. The church building is occasionally occupied 
during the summer months, and, with its old graveyard around it, stands as a 
monument of the first effort of reviving life in the church in Allegheny county. 
What steps were taken to establish the Episcopal church in Pittsburgh 
previous to 1797 is not known. But as Rev. Mr. Reno is recorded to have 
officiated there in connection with Chartiers shortly after 1794, it is likely that 
there was some movement toward that end. In 1797, however, we learn from 
the records of Trinity Church that the members of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church residing in Pittsburgh invited Rev. John Taylor to officiate for 
them; but it was not until September, 1805, that a regular parish organization 
was formed by obtaining from the governor of Pennsylvania a charter ' ■ making 
and instituting Rev. John Taylor, the minister of the congregation of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church in the borough of Pittsburgh, Pressly Neville and 
Samuel Roberts, the wardens of said church, and Nathaniel Irish, Joseph Bar- 
ber, Jeremiah Barber, Andrew Richardson, Nathaniel Bedford, Oliver Ormsby. 
George McGunnigle, George Robinson, Robert Magee, Alexander McLaughlin, 
William Cecil and Joseph Davis, the vestrymen of said church, and their suc- 
cessors duly elected and appointed in their place, a corporation and body poli- 
tic in law and in fact, by the name, style and title of the minister, church ward- 
ens and vestrymen of Trinity Church. Pittsburgh. ' ' Such was the decisive step 
which gave to the church in Allegheny county a definite standing and a center 
of growth. From this time for many years the history of Trinity Church is 
virtually that of the church in Allegheny county and in Western Pennsylvania. 
From the mother-parish nearly all new enterprises took their start or looked to 
it for support. About the same time with the organization, the building of a 
church was begun. It stood on the triangular lot at the intersection of Sixth 
street with Wood and Liberty streets, now occupied by a business block. In 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 335 

order to cotiform with the shape of the lot it was built ia oval form, and was 
known as the Round church. " Father " Taylor, as he came to be called, held 
the rectorship until 1817, when he resigned. But few traditions of his minis- 
try survive. He seems to have been a faithful and devout clergyman, of blame- 
less life, who probably did as much for the church in those days as any ordi- 
nary man could. It is said that he was killed some years afterward by a stroke 
of lightning, near Georgetown, Mercer county, Pa. In the short space of six 
years between Father Taylor's resignation in 1817 and July, 1823, three cler- 
gymen were chosen to the rectorship, served for brief periods, and in turn 
resigned. No statistics of the parish for these years exist. Of the success or 
the growth of the congregation, of its hope and outlook, no records remain. 
But from the fact that in 1823, when after two years' service Rev. William 
Thompson resigned the charge of the parish, no attempt was made to elect a 
successor, it may be inferred that the prospects of the parish were not very 
encouraging. Nor'could it have reasonably been expected that an Episcopal 
church situated in a region so remote as Pittsburgh then was, deprived of the 
care of a bishop and without the privilege of confirmation for its children, by 
which alone new communicants covild regularly be admitted, would make any 
striking progress in a hostile community. It is rather a matter of surprise 
that it survived at all. During this period of twenty-five yeai's or more, 
repeated efforts were made to enlist the sympathy and support of the church at 
the east, and to obtain for the whole region west of the Allegheny mountains 
then settled the erection of a diocese and the consecration of a bishop. Dr. 
Doddridge, though not then residing in Pennsylvania, never ceased to urge it. 
In 1810, at a meeting of Episcopal clergymen held at St. Thomas' church, 
Washington county, he was authorized to open correspondence with Bishop 
White, of Pennsylvania, for the purpose of obtaining through him permission 
fi'om the general convention of the church in the United States to carry out the 
project, such consent being necessary under the canons of the church. The 
petition was presented by Bishop White, and at one time there seemed to be 
hope of its favorable consideration; but the matter was dropped, as usual, and 
the clergy sending the memorial never so much as heard of its fate until nearly 
two years afterward through the chance visit of a clergyman from the east. 
But symptoms of interest in the state of the church west of the mountains began 
to show themselves about the same time. The formation of ' ' The Society for 
the Advancement of Chi-istianity in Pennsylvania" took place in 1812. This 
was the first attempt to make an organized effort to plant the chiu'ch on new 
ground. Shortly after the founding of this society Rev. Jackson Kemper, 
afterward a missionary bishop of the northwestern territories, visited Pitts- 
burgh and its vicinity, and on his return made an interesting report, which has 
been lost. In 1814 Rev. John Clay, D. D., then a deacon from Philadel- 
phia, was sent out on a visit of inquiry, and supplied Mr. Taylor's place at 
Trinity church for thi-ee Sundays, while he made a missionary tour to various 



33t) HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

poiats where services were desired. It is also on record that Kev. Mr. Rich- 
mond, a missionary in the employment of the society, supplied Trinity Church 
with services for a short time. Probably these were the first clergymen from 
the east who had ever seen Pittsburgh, as it was certainly the first and only time 
that Trinity Church received ministrations through the agency of the church at 
the east. Elsewhere the new missionary society had liegun its active opera- 
tions, so efficient and successful in after-time iu planting churches which have 
become strong and flourishing. 

An event now took place which explains partly the failure to elect a new 
rector in the place of Rev. Mr. Thompson, and which is really the first of two 
decisive events in the history of the church in Allegheny county. We are told 
that, at the request of the vestry, after Mr. Thompson resigned in 1S23 John 
H. Hopkins, Esq. , then a layman of Trinity Church, was invited to hold services. 
Years before, Mr. Hopkins had removed to Pittsburgh, studied law, and very 
soon became a prominent member of the bar. It is said that his income at this 
time was $5,000 per annum. He had been brought up in the Protestant 
Episcopal Church, but through friendship and social influence had, like so many 
other members of the church, been led to attend the Presbyterian services. 
His musical abilities led him to take charge of the organ and choir of Trinity 
Church. Very soon he became a communicant, and finally a candidate for holy 
orders. Shortly after, he was invited to read service for the congregation as 
a layman. He was also elected rector of the parish in advance of his ordina- 
tion, which took place December l-t, 1823. A week later he entered upon his 
duties as rector of Trinity Church, and from that time dates a new order of 
things in the church in Allegheny county, and in fact throughout the whole 
of Western Pennsylvania. Almost immediately there were signs of reviving 
hope and courage. The project of building a new church, which had for some 
time been talked of, was put into execution. Mr. Hopkins made the plans of 
the new church, and with his own hands did a large part of the interior decora- 
tion. It was the first example of gothic architecture not only in Pittsburgh 
but in the country. The new church, estimated to seat 1,000 persons, was 
completed and consecrated in June, 1825. It was a great step forward for 
that day, and meant that the church intended to stay and to grow. Up to that 
time no bishop had ever crossed the Allegheny mountains. In 1824 Bishop 
White made an attempt to visit the western part of his diocese, but meeting with 
an accident at Lewistown, he retiu-ned to Philadelphia. In 1825 he made a sec- 
ond effort, and succeeded in reaching Pittsburgh to consecrate the new edifice 
of Trinity Church. During his visit he also confirmed nearly one hundred and 
fifty persons belonging to the congregation, the first time that ordinance had ever 
been administered in the west. Within one year the list of communicants 
belongmg to Trinity Church was increased from forty to about two hundred, so 
that it became at once the third parish in numerical strength within the dio- 
cese. From that time it took its place in the front ranks of influential 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 337 

parishes in the country, and was the recognized representative of the church 
west of the mountains, and an important center of expansion. The varied and 
remarkable gifts of the rector, as a preacher, a writer, a theologian, a musician, 
a lawyer and an artist, gave him a wide influence throughout the church, as 
well as in the city of Pittsburgh. Mr. Hopkins did not confine his labors to 
his own parish. He made a missionary totir as far north as Meadville and 
eastward to Greensburg, holding prolonged services in both of these places, 
gathering numbers into the chm-ch (in the former place about sixty), and lay- 
ing the foundations of future parishes. No less than seven new parishes were 
thus established by him in as many years. Not content with such personal 
efforts, he also tried to supply the need of additional workers in the field. He 
saw that if a sufficient number of clergy were to be secured for the then remote 
west it must be done by training them up on the ground. When it took a 
week's time or more to make the journey from Philadelphia or New York to 
Pittsburgh it was in vain to look for any considerable number of promising 
recruits from the east. He therefore began a theological training-school for 
clergymen in his own house. He had, before entering upon the ministry, pur- 
chased a large tract of ground on the Ohio river, in the very heart of what is 
now Allegheny City, but was then open country. On this he built a large brick 
house, which still stands as one of the landmarks of sixty years ago. In this 
house Mr. Hopkins fitted up a chapel and recitation-rooms, and received into 
his family such young men as desired to prepare for holy orders. In 1 829 four 
young men thus trained by him were ordained deacons, and four others were 
among the candidates for orders reported by the bishop in his annual address. 
At the same time he was urging earnestly upon his eastern friends the wisdom 
of establishing a theological seminary under the authority of the diocese in the 
neighborhood of Pittsburgh. A memorial was drawn up and signed by those 
interested, and presented to the convention of the diocese. At one time it 
looked as if something might come of it. The memorial was referred to a 
committee, which reported favorably upon it, and the convention passed a reso- 
lution declaring it expedient to do what was asked. But, like every other meas- 
ure having in view the development of the church west of the mountains, it was 
([uietly smothered in the convention of the next year. Had Mr. Hopkins suc- 
ceeded in carrying out his plan, the whole history of the church in Allegheny 
county would have been different. As it was, however, the vigorous impulse 
already given to church extension west of the Alleghenies never wholly died out. 
In fact Mr. Hopkins virtually performed a large part of the duties of a mis- 
sionary bishop, without the dignity of the office or its authority. Henceforth 
the rector of Trinity Church had to be taken into account in the counsels of 
eastern churchmen. He was a power in the convention of the diocese and in 
the general convention of the church, and very soon he was advanced to the 
episcopate, as were three out of four of his immediate successors in the rector- 
ship, so prominent and lasting was the position which he gave to the parish 



338 msToitv of Allegheny county. 

wbich he practically fouuded. In 1880 Christ Church, Allogheuy City, was 
organized on the north side of the river, to accommodate the growing popula- 
tion of that suburb. Its progress was for a long time slow. Trinity Church 
naturally attracting a large proportion of the new settlers. Among its earliest 
rectors was Rev. Edward Y. Buchanan, the brother of the ex-president of 
the "United States. As late as 1857 Christ Church was still feeble in numbers 
and in pecuniary resources, and the building had a neglected and shabby look. 
But about that time it secured Rev. Dr. David Carter Page as rector, once 
a man of great influence and reputation in the church, but then somewhat past 
the maturity of his powers. He was still, however, of commanding personal 
appearance, distinguished manners, and striking as a reader of the liturgy and 
as a preacher. Under his ministry Christ Church began to show signs of im- 
provement. The old church was remodeled and impi'oved, and in the next 
twenty years it reached a position only second to the more popular of the Pitts- 
burgh churches. 

About the same time with the formation of Christ Church, Allegheny, St. 
Paul's, Laceyville (now part of Pittsburgh), was founded, and had for its rector 
Rev. Dr. C. W. Andrews, afterward the rector of St. Andrew's Church, and later 
on a famous man in the diocese of Virginia. 

In 1837 a still more important step was taken, in the formation of St. 
Andrew's parish, by the union of such churchmen as held what were known as 
" Low Church " views of doctrine and ministry and the minimum of ritual 
observance. At this period party lines were sharply drawn in the diocese of 
Pennsylvania, and it was inevitable that as soon as that element in the church 
became suiiiciently strong and numerous it would set up for itself. The result 
was the foundation of St. Andrew's Church, a congregation which for many 
years had a powerful influence in all church movements, and is still one of the 
wealthiest and foremost in all good works in the two cities. One after another, 
as the population drifted farther and farther from the old centers, new par- 
ishes were organized, iTutil Grace Church, Mount Washington, St. James' and 
St. John's churches, Pittsburgh, and St. Mark's, Birmingham, took their places 
in the ranks. But the most striking example of the rapid growth of the 
church took place afterward. About the year 1850, under the ministry of 
Rev. Dr. (now Bishop) Lyman, the old Trinity church, built in Bishop Hop- 
kins' time, began to be too small for its overflowing congregation. The proj- 
ect of building a new and costly edifice in its immediate neighborhood began 
to be talked of, and was soon carried out. The intention was to provide what 
is known in England as a chapel of ease for the congregation of Trinity. Ac- 
cordingly a site only a few blocks distant from the old church was purchased, 
and St. Peter's Church erected upon it. It was intended that the two churches 
should form but one parish, and be served by the clergy belonging equally to 
both. The new chiirch was built on the strict gothic style, then but recently 
revived in this country. It was modeled after the beautiful building of St. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 339 

Mark's church, Philadelphia, and when completed it was by far the most 
beautiful and costly church edifice within hundreds of miles of Pittsburgh. 
And when, with all its attractiveness of architecture and fiu-nishing. Rev. Dr. 
E. M. Van Deusen, of Wilmington, Del., was called to take charge of it. 
it became something more than the favored daughter of the mother-parish. In 
a short time St. Peter's grew to be by all odds the most flourishing congrega- 
tion of the Episcopal church in Allegheny county. Accessions were numer- 
ous and constant, and perhaps the church was stronger in numbers and wealth, 
relatively to population, daring the time of St. Peter' s palmy days than ever 
before or since. It was not to be expected that an arrangement such as was 
at first contemplated should continue long under these circumstances. St. 
Peter's Church soon sought and obtained a sejaarate organization as an inde- 
pendent parish, and under Dr. Van Deusen' s ministry imtil very near its close 
(when dissension arose, growing out of political questions relating to the civil 
war) it maintained its supremacy. 

But as the facilities for communication increased, the tendency to move out 
of town amounted to something like a general emigration, especially toward 
the little village of East Liberty, which since 1860 has been the most fashion- 
able quarter; the " East End," as it is now called. In 1856 a small parish was 
organized there, and for a while worshiped in a disused Methodist meeting- 
house, little thinking then of the future in store for it. But the growing dis- 
position to remove from the dirt and noise of the business parts of the city 
built up the new congregation, year by year, until Calvary Church, East Lib- 
erty, with its nearly seven hundred communicants, its splendid corps of workers, 
and its thorough organization, is the leading church of the county and diocese. 
But the growth was a serious drain upon the old parishes of the city, and for a 
time materially reduced their numbers, and made manifest the fact that the 
building of St. Peter's so near Trinity was an error, though perhaps it was im- 
possible to forecast what happened in the movement of population. The years 
from 1850 to 1860 were active and encouraging days for the Episcopal church in 
Allegheny county. The rapid grovrth of the two cities of Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny had fairly begun, and has ever since been maintained. The parishes were 
filled with rectors who not only drew to themselves the love and confidence of 
their congregations, but also put the church in its best light before the com- 
munity at large. With Dr. Lyman, now bishop of North Carolina, at Trinity, 
Dr. William Preston as the genial rector of St. Andrew's, Dr. E. M. Van 
Deusen, whose memory is still cherished as the model of a parish priest and as 
an eloquent preacher, at St. Peter's, and, for a part of the time, with Dr. D. 
C. Page at Christ Church, the parishes of the city might well congratulate 
themselves on their good fortune at this period. In addition to this, the num- 
ber of influential laymen whose names were enrolled upon its list of commu- 
nicants gave it a standing which has never been surpassed. We find during 
these years the distingtiished names of Judge Wilson McCandless, Judge 



340 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Sbalcr, Gea. George W. Cass, Maj. T. J. Brereton, Hill Burgwin, Esq., John 
H. Shoenberger, F. R. Brunot, Josiah King, George R. White, Joseph H. 
Hill, with others of equal note, whose names any church might be glad to in- 
scribe upon its register. If not so strong numerically as afterward, it may be 
confidently said that it was at the very height of its influence. The new life 
which at this time began to be felt among church people in Pittsburgh very 
soon brought to the front again the question of setting up a separate diocese 
in the counties lying west of the Allegheny mountains. The project had never 
been entirely abandoned, but for a time the increased and rapid means of com- 
munication with the east had rendered the need of a bishop on the groiind less 
urgent. It was now easier to reach the most remote missionar}' station in the 
northwest corner of the diocese than it was to get to Lancaster or Harrisburg 
in the early days when Dr. Doddridge and his friends were pleading for a 
bishop and a diocese for the west. Besides, the consecration of Bishop H. U. 
Onderdonk in 1828 as assistant to Bishop White gave more adequate episcopal 
supervision, and quieted for a time the demand for a separate jurisdiction. 
The election of Bishop Alonzo Potter in 1845, with his splendid physique, com- 
manding powers and untiring labors, still further tended to satisfy churchmen 
in the west with their condition for the time being. But in 1860 came the 
discovery of petroleiim in the northern counties, and with a great rush of fort- 
une-seekers, not only to the oil-producing country, but to Pittsburgh, as the 
center of the trade at that time. The increasing need of episcojjal labor, 
especially in these parts of the state, and Bishop Potter's failing health, led to 
the election of Dr. Samuel Bowman as assistant bishop. From the very first 
he took the liveliest interest in the church in the western counties, and with 
all his might pushed forward the plan for a new diocese with its own bishop. 
His sudden death by the wayside, while making a missionary journey in this 
part of the diocese, did but fix the determination of churchmen in Pittsburgh 
and its vicinity never to give up the agitation until their prayer should be 
granted. For six years longer the conservatism of the east and other influ- 
ences delayed the step. But at length the persistency and skillful manage- 
ment of a few determined men won the day, and in the year 1865 consent was 
reluctantly given to the formation of the new diocese, and what Dr. Doddridge 
and his fellow-workers had sought in vain more than fifty years before was at 
last obtained. 

To this consent, however, was attached the condition that a capital sum of 
not less than thirty thousand dollars should be secured as an endowment for the 
bishopric. The condition was readily complied with, though under protest 
as being unlawful and unwise. All preliminary steps required by the general 
canons of the church having been taken, the primary convention of the 
diocese of Pittsburgh met in Trinity church, Pittsburgh, November 15. 1865. 

It was the second decisive step forward for the church in Allegheny county 
and the western part of Pennsylvania, as Bishop Hopkins' entrance upon the 



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HISTOHY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 343 

rectorship of Trinity Church had been the first. Many were the prophecies 
of new life and progress, and high were the hopes indulged by the victorious 
churchmen of the west. And on the other hand not a few predicted only 
failure and embarrassment for the diocese. Warm and something more than 
earnest was the canvass that preceded the meeting of the convention and the 
election of a bishop, for, as has been said, party spirit was strong in Penn- 
sylvania in those days, and now that the formation of a new jurisdiction was 
settled upon, those who had opposed it turned their attention toward gaining 
the control of it. The after-results of this struggle of twenty-five years ago 
are felt to-day, and have been sufficiently serious to modify the actual benefits 
realized by the division. The candidates nominated for the bishopric were 
Rev. John Barrett Kerfoot, D. D. , then president of Trinity College, Hart- 
ford, Conn., some of whose devoted students at St. James' College, Mary- 
land, were among the leading spirits in the movement for the division of the 
diocese, and Rev. Frederic Dan Huntington, D. D. , now bishop of Central 
New York. Dr. Kerfoot was elected on the first ballot by a large majority, 
and on the 25th day of January, 1866, he was consecrated first bishop of the 
diocese of Pittsburgh in Trinity church. The event created unusual interest 
throughout the church, being the first case in which a new diocese had been 
formed out of an old one since 1838, when Western New York was sim- 
ilarly formed, and also because of the long contest which had preceded the 
event. All eyes were turned toward the western part of the state, and the 
results of the experiment were warmly watched. 

Bishop Kerfoot entered upon his duties with the energy and abilities which 
belonged to him. His decided character and deep religiousness made a strong 
impression from the start. But he found himself hampered fi'om the outset 
by the want of unity in the counsels and feeling of the churchmen of Pitts- 
burgh. The difPerences of opinion and the sharp controversies which had 
accompanied the formation of the diocese and the election of the bishop could 
not at once be put aside and forgotten, and for a long time interfered with the 
efficient working out of his plans. Very naturally his first thoughts were 
directed to the development of the church in the cities of Pittsburgh and 
Allegheny. To this end, taking up the idea of Bishop Hopkius more than 
fifty years before, he projected the University of St. Augustine, with special 
reference to the training of young men for the ministry; but this plan fell 
through now, as it had in Bishop Hopkins' day. He also organized the City 
Missionary society, intended to carry on the work of church extension in the two 
cities, and the Church Guild, which it was hoped would bring into harmonious 
working the members of the various churches and accomplish miach charitable 
work. A desirable building was purchased, in which the bishop had his office. 
There was a reading-room opened, a night school for young men and a free dis- 
pensary established. For a time everything seemed successful, and promised 
well ; but within two years interest declined, and finally the whole thing was given 



344 HISTOIiY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

up. Bishop Kerfoot also reorganized and placed on a permanent footing tbe 
Bishop Bowman Institute, a school for girls, which had been started some time 
before with a rather uncertain future. Under the bishop's guidance it has 
grown to be the leading school of its kind in Allegheny county. The City 
Missionary society continued in active operation for about two years, doing 
some work among the poor and neglected, and establishing two missionary 
parishes, one each in Pittsburgh and Allegheny. The former has gone out of 
existence, after experiencing various fortunes; the latter has finally taken shape 
as Emmanuel Church, a rapidly growing parish, with a good prospect of future 
strength and influence. With all the drawbacks mentioned, however, the 
formation of the new diocese more than justified the hopes of those who had 
so earnestly pressed it. Although the numerical growth was not at once so large 
as might have been expected in the two great cities, there was an immediate 
effect in bringing out the dormant powers of the church, especially in its giving 
power. Not only was the support of the bishop easily provided for, but the 
missions of the diocese were liberally sustained and many new points occu- 
pied; the contributions of the churches for general missions and charities were 
at the same time enlarged, and the far larger part of the money for such pur- 
poses naturally came from Allegheny county, where the strength of the church 
was concentrated more than elsewhere. The rate of increase in the church in 
Pittsburgh was also more rapid after the separation, though not so striking 
as in some other parts of the diocese. In order to appreciate the difiference 
we must remember how slow had been the growth in former years. 

When Bishop Hopkins assumed the rectorship of Trinity Church, in 1825, 
there was but the one organization west of the mountains, with 40 communi- 
cants. The impulse given at that time continued long afterward, and in 1840 
the number of organized parishes in Allegheny county had increased to five, 
three of them reporting 416 communicants. In 1850 the list of parishes is 
still the same, but four of them report 520 communicants. In 1860 there 
were twelve parishes, and the number of communicants reported by six of 
them was 750. If the other six had even as many as one-third of those report- 
ing, there must have been 1,000 enrolled communicants at that date. Suppos- 
ing these figures to be accurate, the period from 1850 to 1860 must have been 
the most prosperous in the history of the church in Allegheny county up to that 
time. Part of this growth was doubtless due to the rapid influx of population, 
for Pittsburgh and its suburbs had grown from a town of a few thousand 
inhabitants in 1825 to a great manufacturing city of 150,000 in 1860. But 
it is also true that, but for the new life that bad sprung up in the church, her 
members might have been neglected and lost to her, as they had been before 
Bishop Hopkins' time. 

When the diocese of Pittsburgh was formed, in 1865, there had been no 
increase of parishes since 1859, and the number remained stationary until 
1868. But these same parishes had vastly developed in working power and in 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 345 

liberality as well as in numbers. The communicants had grown to 1,300, 
and the money raised for all purposes, which had amounted to $15,000 or 
$16,000, now reached over $40,000. After 1868 the constant supervision of 
the bishop and his incessant labor began to have their efPect upon the church 
in the whole county. New churches came rapidly into existence, and in a few 
years St. Stephen's Church, Sewickley; St. Thomas', Verona; The Nativity, 
at Grafton; St. Luke's, Bloomfield; St. Stephen's, McKeesport, and the Good 
Shepherd, Hazelwood, took their places on the list with the older parishes. 
Nor was this all. St. Andrew's Church replaced its plain old building with a 
costly structure, expending something over $100,000. In 1871 the cathedral- 
like edifice of Trinity, with its beautiful appointments, costing, with chapel, 
$200,000, took the place of the old church, which was the wonder of Bishop 
Hopkins' day. Christ church, which had already been remodeled, was still 
further improved, and Calvary, East Liberty, had to enlarge its proportions to 
accommodate its growing congi'egations. At the time of Bishop Kerf oof s 
death, in 1881, there were sixteen parishes and three mission stations in Alle- 
gheny county. The communicants had increased to more than two thousand 
live hundred, and the contributions had reached an annual average of over 
170,000, rising as high as $150,000 in a single year. While these figures are 
very far from being as they should be, they show a vast improvement over the 
conditions which existed so long. 

The great disappointment of Bishop Kerfoot's episcopate was the failure 
to establish institutions for education and for charity. He found when enter- 
ing upon his work one such agency already existing, the Church Home for Aged 
Women and Children, and at the close of his life it remained the only diocesan 
charity. There are many reasons for this backwardness in a communion so 
wealthy and numerous as is the Protestant Episcopal Church in these cities, but 
the main one is that already mentioned, the want of thorough, united effort in 
such good works. The bishop labored faithfully to realize his hopes for found- 
ing a system of diocesan institutions such as the church should have, but the time 
for them was not yet. Aside from this obstacle it is to be remembered that 
the population of Pittsburgh and Allegheny is overwhelmingly Presbyterian 
and Methodist, and in some sense hostile to the Episcopal church. The ten- 
dency of these denominations is to organize charities and institutions of all 
sorts upon what is called the "non-sectarian " basis. ~ The united wealth and 
social influence of these powerful bodies make it easy to carry out any project in 
which they unite, and as a consequence the members of the church, finding little 
help outside themselves in establishing their own institutions, fall in with the 
prevailing method, and "do in Rome as the Romans do." Enough has been 
contributed by members of the Episcopal church to such charitable projects 
to found at least a part of the institutions so much needed for her own work. 
The laborious and fruitful episcopate of Bishop Kerfoot ended at Meyersdale, 
Somerset county, July 10, 1881. He literally wore himself out in the service 



346 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

of the church. His labors were incessant, and at the same time his highest 
pleasure. His memory will long be cherished in the diocese, and the monu- 
ments of his zeal and devotion will tell the story of his unselfish life to other 
generations. 

Shortly after the death of Bishop Kerfoot a special convention was called 
to meet in Trinity church, Pittsburgh, and at this convention Rev. Cort- 
landt Whitehead, D. D. , rector of the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, 
Pa., was chosen his successor. His consecration took place, as did Bishop 
Kerfoot' s before him, on St. Paul's day, January 25, 1882, in Trinity church, 
Pittsburgh. Since his accession to the episcopate the growth of the church 
in the suburbs of Pittsburgh and Allegheny has been rapid, but it may con- 
fidently be said that it is only beginning to be something like what it should be 
and might have been years ago had it not been for the delay in giving to the 
church in the west a head of its own. The enormous immigration setting 
into the county of Allegheny during the past few years is very largely com- 
posed of ironworkers and glass-blowers, who have been brought up in the 
English church, and naturally belong to the Episcopal church of this country. 
The numbers of workmen of this class employed by the immense establish- 
ments at Braddock and Homestead and McKeesport, to say nothing of Pitts- 
burgh and Allegheny, are counted by thousands. It requires only missionary 
clergy in sufficient numbers and a liberal outlay of money to form them into 
permanent congregations. But for want of prompt looking after, the habit of 
a lifetime and the associations of their old homes are broken up by their new 
surroundings, and to a great extent they become negligent and hard to win 
back when the church does look after them. There are, however, signs of a bet- 
ter state of things. Within the last two years, especially, churches and chapels 
have been rapidly multiplied among the working people in the neighborhood 
of Pittsburgh, and missions begun which will before long have their own places 
of worship. Five such chapels have been opened within a short time, and one 
new church built in a totally different community, at Bellevue; while the new 
Church of the Ascension at Shadyside, now being erected, will add in a few 
years another strong and wealthy parish to the list. Everything points to a 
more rapid development of church extension in Allegheny county than at any 
previous time. 

The statistics taken fi-om the last convention journal are as follows: 
Families, 2,304; confirmations. 354; contributions, $105,233.83; value of church 
property, $601,000. Yet such statistics, impressive as they are compared 
with the state of things when the diocese was formed, give but little idea of 
what they would be if the church in Allegheny county could keep within its 
fold all who rightly belong to her by birth and baptism. In that case its mem- 
bers would be numbered by thousands where it counts hundreds now. There 
are districts in which there are from five to ten times the number reported, 
who ought to be upon its parish lists. And if its numerical strength were com- 




? i/y ,'ohn Sa'taimJ'ftil^ 




^^/^/?^^K^Jf. ^A/^<^~/^7V^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 349 

puted as the Roman Catholic church counts its membership, the Protestant 
Episcopal Church would stand at any rate third or fourth in the list of ecclesi- 
astical bodies. 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

PREPARATORY PERIOD — FROM 1784 TO 1796. 

W ell -authenticated tradition says that in the spring of 1784 Mrs. Mary 
Gaut, a widow and a devout Methodist, came from Ireland to the home of her 
brother, Thomas Wilson, in the village of Pittsburgh. Through her influence 
the three daughters of her brother were converted, and these four persons were 
accustomed to hold religious services, which consisted of singing, prayer and the 
readincrof one of Mr. Wesley's sermons. These were probably the first Meth- 
odists in the village, and their meetings the first Methodist services. But the 
entire family shortly afterward removed to the neighborhood of Sandy creek, 
and even these private services ceased in Pittsburgh. The first Methodist ser- 
mon ever preached in Pittsburgh, of which we have any account, was by Rev. 
Wilson Lee, then one of the preachers on the Redstone circuit, who preached 
here in the autumn of 1785, in a tavern which stood on Water street, near 
Ferry street. Biit no organization or regular services followed this. 

Pittsburgh circuit was organized in July, 1788, at a conference held at 
Uniontown, Pa., and Rev. Charles Conaway was appointed the preacher in 
charge. It embraced the village of Pittsburgh and the surrounding country. 
No members were reported at the close of the year. Mr. Conaway was re-ap- 
pointed in 1789, and at the close of that year reported ninety-seven members; 
but there is good reason to suppose that none of these were in Pittsburgh. July 
19. 1789, Bishop Asbury made his first visit to the place. His journal says: 
" Sunday, 19th. — Came to Rowlett' sand dined; thence we set out and reached 
Pittsburgh, twenty-five miles; I preached in the evening to a serious audience. 
This is the day of small things. What can we hope ? Yet what can we fear ? 
I felt great love for the people, and hope God will arise and help and bless 
them. Monday, 20th. I preached on Isa. Iv, 6, 7. Had great zeal, and the 
people were very attentive, but alas! they are far from God and too near the 

savages in situation and manners. We were not agreeably stationed at 's, 

who was continually drunk, and our only alternative was a tavern. Tuesday, 
21st. — I spoke on ' The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was 
lost.' We were crowded, and I felt more courage. The night before the rude 
soldiers were talking and dancing about the door, but now they were quiet and 
mute. This, I judged, might be owing to the interference of the officers or 
magistrates. ' ' He does not say where he preached. The day following this 
last entry he says: " We left Pittsbm-gh and came by the Allegheny river to 
Wilson" s ' ' — the same family, no doubt, as that mentioned as containing the first 
Methodists in Pittsburgh. No mention is made by him of any members in 
Pittsburgh. The preachers who served the circuit during this period were: 



350 IIlSTOliV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

1788, Charles Conaway; 1789, Charles Conaway and Pemberton Smith: 1790,. 
George Callahan and Joseph Doddridge; 179.1, Charles Conaway; 1792, Val- 
entine Cook and Seely Bnun; 1793, Daniel Hitt and Alward White; 1794, 
John Watson and Richard Ferguson; 1795, John Watson and Richard Fer- 
guson; 1796, William Beauchamp. This brings us to the close of the prepar- 
atory period. 

FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST SOCIETY TO THE BUILDING OF THE FIRST 
CHURCH 1796 TO 1810. 

Down to the opening of this period there was no organization in this city. 
If there were any converts they were so few that no church resulted. But we 
have positive proof of the organization of a class at this time, of the circum- 
stances of which we now speak. 

In the autumn of 1796 John Wrenshall.an Englishman, settled in Pittsburgh 
and became a leading merchant and one of its most honored citizens. His store 
was on the corner of Market and Fourth streets. He was the progenitor of a large 
and highly respectable family, some of whom are still here, and among the most 
distinguished of whom is his granddaughter, Mrs. Gen. Grant. Mr. Wrenshall, 
was a convert to Wesleyanism in England, and had been a local preacher there 
for sixteen years. He was a man of culture, deep piety and great earnestness, 
Finding no regialar service here, and the people- destitute of public religious 
privileges, he began to hold meetings himself. It would seem that the itinerants 
came now but irregularly, and the Presbyterian church was without a pastor or 
supplies from 1795 to 1799. Touching these events I quote Dr. F. S. DeHass, 
who has in his possession the manuscript journal of Mr. Wrenshall: "Soon 
after his [Wrenshall's] arrival, as there was no minister or preaching of any 
kind in the place, he commenced holding meetings in an old, deserted log 
church belonging to the Presbyterians, which stood on Wood street near Sixth 
aveniie, where Dr. Herron's church was afterward erected. His first sermon 
was from the text, ' Worship God,' and appeared to be greatly enjoyed by all in 
attendance, many of whom were oflScers and soldiers from the garrison. The 
congregations continued to increase, but after a few Sabbaths a padlock was 
placed on the door of the log meeting- house, and a notice served on Mr. Wren- 
shall that he could not have the nse of the house any longer. In this emergency 
Mr. Peter Shiras, who lived at the Point and owned the site of Fort Pitt, kindly 
offered a room in the barracks of the old fort,\vhich was gladly accepted. Thus 
Fort Pitt, which cost Great Britain over 1250,000, became the first regular 
place for Methodist preaching in Pittsburgh. The society, consisting at first 
of J. Wrenshall, wife and daughter, Peter Shiras and wife, Robert McElhenny 
and wife, Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Chess and James Kerr, continued their meetings 
here for six years, when Mr. Shiras, in 1802, sold the fort to Gen. James O'Hara, 
and returned to his former home in New Jersey. The removal of Mr. Shiras, 
their class-leader, was a great loss to the church in the wilderness; but shortly 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 351' 

after, in the summer of 1803, Thomas Cooper, Sr. , and his family, all Meth 
odists, settled in Pittsburgh, and proved a great acquisition to the little flock, 
now without a fold." 

The coming of Mi'. Cooper put new life and hope into the little band. He 
became their class-leader, instead of Peter Shiras, and the newly organized 
band again began to grow. This event, because it is so marked in the history 
of Methodism in this city, is quite generally supposed to have been its origin, 
but this is an error. This was but a reorganization of the little band gathered 
in 1796, and which had been temporarily disturbed by the loss at the same time 
of its class-leader and its place of worship, and the origin of Methodism in 
Pittsburgh must be dated 1790, and not 1803. Prom this time forward it never 
halted in its march. Mr. Cooper was an Englishman who never lost his English 
accent, nor his love for Englishmen and English ways. He was a devout 
Christian, and a thorough and loyal Methodist who never faltered in his devo- 
tion to the church. He and John Wrenshall kept open hotises to Methodist 
preachers and people. 

Again I quote Dr. DeHass : ' " The circuit preachers still came round and 
held services every other Sabbath, in a small onestory frame building, or 
kitchen, back of Mr. Wrenshall' s store, on the corner of Fourth and Market 
streets. The place, however, was too inconvenient and contracted; other 
places were tried with like results, until in 1806 Sabbath preaching was removed 
from Pittsburgh and given to McKeesj)ort. In October, 1807, Nathaniel 
Holmes and Edward Hazelton, with their families, came from Ireland and con- 
nected themselves with our church. They were men of deep piety and sterling 
integrity, and added very much to the future growth of Methodism in Pitts- 
burgh. In the meantime Thomas Cooper, Jr., who was living in a large stone 
dwelling on the corner of Smithiield and Water streets, opposite where the 
Monongahela House now stands, offered a room in his house for public services, 
and in 1808 Sabbath preaching was re-established in Pittsburgh, half the time 
by the itinerant ministers, the other half by the local preachers." 

Let us pause a moment, for here are names which Pittsburgh Methodists 
should never forget, nor cease to honor. To John Wrenshall belongs the honor 
of founding Methodism in this city. He was born in England December 27, 
1761; came to Philadelphia in 1794, and to Pittsburgh in 1796. For forty- 
one years he was a local preacher, the friend of Asbury, the bishop's host 
when in Pittsburgh, and the first minister ordained by him west of the Ohio. 
He was five feet nine inches in height, slender, a little stooped, of solemn 
countenance and great seriousness of manner, a fine musician; retained his 
English accent to the close. He died September 25, 1821, in a house still 
standing on Fourth avenue, corner of Chancery lane, and sleeps in a vault 
immediately in the rear of the First Presbyterian church, Wood street. 
To Thomas Cooper belongs the honor of bringing new life and hope to the 
discouraged little band in 1803, and becoming for years its leader. He, too, 



352 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

was an Englishman, of medium height, tending to corpulency in after years, 
smooth face and bald head. He was a tine singer, Jind occupied a seat in the 
■altar, and " raised the tunes. " We would call him today the precentor. He 
was for years an alderman. He lived until the middle of the century, and was 
biiried in the Methodist buryiug-ground on the hill. With these two English- 
men should be named the no less honored Irishmen, Nathaniel Holmes and 
Edward Hazelton, of the former of whom a sketch may be found elsewhere in 
this volume. Of Mr. Hazeltou I have been able to learn almost nothing in the 
way of biography, but it is certain that he stood among the more honored of 
his brethren. 

But during all this time the little flock was suffering, as we have seen, from 
the inconveniences and uncertainty of having no settled place of worship — no 
church. First they were in the little log church; then in the fort; then in the 
room in the rear of Mr. WrenshalFs store; at another time in the courthouse, 
and again in the residence of Thomas Cooper. They sorely needed some better 
accommodations. In 1803 Bishop Asbury visited Pittsburgh again. Under 
date of Saturday, Axigust 27th, he writes in his journal : ' ' We had a dry, sultry 
ride to Pittsburgh. In the evening William Page preached. In the court- 
house I spoke on Sabbath day to about four hvindred people. ... I would 
have preached again, but the Episcopalians occupied the house. I come but 
once in twelve years, but they could not consent to give way for me. It is time 
we had a house of our own. I think I have seen a lot which will answer to 
build upon." No doubt he did, but the good bishop would tind it far easier to 
see the lot which would be suitable than to find the money with which to pur- 
chase it and erect the needed church. At all events it was not secured, and 
seven years more passed by before this desired end was attained. Then it came. 

The preachers during this period were: 1797-98, Robert Manly; 1799, 
James Smith; 1800, Nathaniel B. Mills and James Quinn; ISOl, Lasley Math- 
ews and Isaac Bobbins; 1802, Benjamin Essex and Noah Fidler; 1803, W^illiam 
Page and Lewis Sutton; 1804, William Page and William Knox; 1805, Jesse 
Stoneman and Thomas Church; 1806, Thomas Daughaday; 1807, K. R. Rob- 
erts and J. W. Hams; 1808, Frederick Stier and Thomas Daughaday; 1809, 
William Knox and Abraham Daniels; 1810, William Knox and Joseph 
Langston. 

FROM THE BUILDING OF THE FIKST CHURCH TO THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND 

1810 TO 1818. 

In June, 1810, a lot was purchased for the first church built in the city. 
It was situated on Front street, now First street, nearly opposite the lower 
end of the present Mouongahela House. The erection of a church was com- 
menced at once, for on August 20th of that year Bishop Asbury preached on 
the foundation of it. His journal says : ' ' Preached on the foundation of the 
new chapel to about five hundred souls. I spoke again at 5 o'clock to about 




A'c^.^L^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 355 

twice as many. The .society here is lively and increasing in numbers." The 
building was a plain brick structure, 30x40 feet. We do not know certainly 
when it was completed, but probably in the autumn of 1810. 

In this church the society continued to worship in peace and prosperity for 
eight years. But near the close of this period it had become too small, and a 
new and larger one became a necessity. Consequently, in May, 1817, three 
lots were purchased on the corner of Smithiield and Seventh streets, and the 
erection of a larger church commenced. It was completed the following year. 

The preachers during this period were: 1811, J. M. Hanson; 1812, Jacob 
Dowel; 1813, John Swartzwelder; 1811, L. R. Fechtig; 1815, Jacob Dowel; 
1816, Thornton Fleming and John McElfi'esh; 1817, Andi-ew Hemphill; 1818, 
Lewis R. Fechtig. 

FROM THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST CHURCH TO THE END OF THE CITY MISSION 
SYSTEM— 1818 TO 1835. 

The second church, on the corner of Smithfield and Seventh streets, was 
dedicated in 1818. It was a large brick structure, having a gallery on the two 
sides and one end, as was the custom of that day. In this ' ' new meeting- 
house, " as it was called for many years, the rapidly growing society worshiped 
and prospered. In 1819-20 the church was visited by a very extensive revival 
of religion under the ministry of Rev. Samuel Davis. The entire commu- 
nity was moved. Business was suspended to a considerable extent, and people 
gave their time and attention to the subject of religion. As a result many were 
added to the society, and the church was greatly strengthened. Not a few of 
those who belonged before and who were added at this time were persons of 
intelligence and culture, and, for that day, of considerable wealth. For years 
they had peace and prosperity. About 1827 a serious trouble arose. At this 
time the "Radical Controversy," which had begun to make itself felt in other 
parts of the chui'ch, appeared here, and this for a time was the theater of some 
of its fiercest struggles. It related to the economy of the chiu'ch, which the 
" Reformers," as they called themselves, denounced as tyrannical and undem- 
ocratic. They demanded lay representation in all the councils of the church, 
and the radical modification, or abolition, of the offices of bishop and presiding 
elder. The " Old Side," or loyal party, were satisfied with the economy as it 
was, and stood up manfully for its defense. The discussions were heated, and 
party spirit ran very high. In May, 1829, the ' ' Reformers ' ' called Rev. 
George Brown, a minister then stationed at New Lisbon, Ohio, to come and 
organize them into a separate church. He accepted, withdrew fi-om the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and came to Pittsburgh. After some preliminary 
skirmishing and preparation they formally organized as a separate church on 
the 21th of June, 1829. 

From the time of Mr. Brown's arrival until some time in the following 
autumn the two parties both worshiped in the ' ' new meeting-house, ' " the 



356 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

"Reformers" on Sundays at i) A. M. and 3 P. M., and the " Old Side'" at 11 
A. M. and 7:30 P. M. But this joint occupancy was terminated before tlie holi- 
days of that year, by Mr. Brown and his followers takinf^f forcible possession of the 
church at the hour of service belonging to the " Old Side," and thus shutting 
them out. The excluded party then repaired to the Front Street church, and 
held services there. After waiting a reasonable time, and seeing no hopes of 
regaining possession of the property, the trustees who remained loyal sued out 
a writ of ejectment, in the name of the Methodist Episcopal Church, against 
those whom they claimed held the property illegally. When the case came to 
trial it was decided in favor of the plaintiffs. The defendants asked a new 
trial, which was refused, when they took an appeal. The supreme court decided, 
on grounds that need not here be traversed, that the Methodist Episcopal 
Church was not entitled to recover, and further, in brief, that the property was 
held by the trustees of the local corporation for the benefit of all its members. 
This included both of the parties to the controversy, so that, as far as they 
were concerned, they came out of court just where they went in. The court 
then granted a new trial, but at the same time advised the litigants to settle 
their differences amicably. This advice was accepted; committees were ap- 
pointed on each side, and a division of the property was made by which the 
Smithfleld Street church was returned to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
the cemetery, where the Union station now stands, and $2,000 given to the 
Methodist Protestant Church, as it had now come to be called. Thus ended the 
trouble between the parties. This adjustment was made in August, 1833. 
The membership was pretty e<[ually divided between the two churches, proba- 
bly the larger part of the wealth going to the new organization. 

During the pendency of this litigation the third church was erected — Lib- 
erty Street — still standing, on the corner of Liberty and Fourth streets. The 
lot was purchased from Anthony Dravo in March, 1831. The church was 
erected at once, but just when it was completed we can not now determine. 
Kev. Wesley Browning, the junior preacher at that time, was the architect, and 
personally superintended the work. 

After the Smithfleld Street Church was returned to their possession, in 
August, 1833, the members divided between the two places of worship, Smith- 
field Street and Liberty Street, according to preference, thus forming two soci- 
eties; but the original corporation, chartered in 1828, remained unmodified, and 
continued to manage both properties until 1837, when, by an amicable arrange- 
ment, a division was made. Liberty Street Church procured a charter, and its 
property was transferred to it. Henceforth they were two separate societies in 
all respects, as they had been in all other respects since 1832. 

In 1830, and probably as early as 1829, the members living in "Allegheny- 
town" were organized into a class, and soon after into two classes. The first lead- 
ers of these classes were George Adams and William Colledge. As their numbers 
and necessities increased public services were held for them by their pastors 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COONTY. 357 

from the Pittsburgh side. The first place of public worship was a frame build- 
ing on what is now known as Park way. In November, 1831, a lot 60x00 
feet, situated on Beaver street (now Arch street), was purchased fi'om Hugh 
Davis. It was on the corner of what is now known as North Diamond street. 
On this a small frame building was erected, which was the first church owned 
by the denomination in that city. This was afterward enlarged, and served the 
purposes of the growing society until 1838, when, as we shall see presently, 
another was biiilt. The first preacher appointed to ' ' Alleghenytown ' ' was 
Rev. Alfred Brunson, in July, 1832. 

In 1831 a Sunday-school was organized in Birmingham, in Saulsbury Hall, 
situated where the present market-house stands. Soon after this a class was 
organized, and regular preaching was established as early as 1833 by the Pitts- 
burgh preachers. The first church was built on a lot purchased from Hannah 
Duncan, situated on Bingham street, adjoining, on the south, the present 
Bingham Street church. Soon this became too small, and it was exchanged for 
an unfinished Presbyterian church on Center street, which the society completed 
and occupied until it bought the lot and built its present church, on the cor- 
ner of Bingham and Thirteenth streets, in 1857. 

When, therefore, we reach the close of this period, 1835, we find four 
churches — Smithfield Street, Liberty Street, Alleghenytown and Birmingham. 
We have also the Pittsburgh Conference Journal, now a little over a year old; 
and the nucleus of the book depository, started by Rev. Matthew Simpson. 
The church was now in the midst of the most successful decade, so far as the 
increase of membership is concerned, in its history, as may be seen by the 
statistical table appended. 

The preachers during this period were: 1819-20, Samuel Davis; 1821, 
John Baer and T. J. Dorsey; 1822, Richard Tydings and H. B. Bascom; 
1823, Richard Tydings; 1824, Asa Shinn; 1825, William Stevens; 1826, 
Charles Cooke; 1827, John Waterman and Robert Hopkins; 1828, William 
Lambden and Jacob Flake; 1829, Robert Hopkins; 1830, Z. H. Coston and 
Wesley Browning; 1831, Charles Elliott and Wesley Browning; 1832, Martin 
Ruter and Thomas Drummond; 1S33, Martin Ruter, P. M. McGowan and 
Hiram Gilmore; 1834, T. M. Hudson. Matthew Simpson and William Hunter. 

FROM THE END OF THE CIRCUIT SYSTEM TO THE PRESENT TIME 1835 TO 1888. 

Up to the conference of 1835 all the churches in the city were included in 
one pastoral charge, or circuit, and each was served in turn by one of the three 
preachers assigned to the work. But at this conference this system was aban- 
doned, and each church was made a station, having its own pastor. At the 
opening of the present period, therefore, we have Smithfield Street, Charles 
Cooke; Liberty Street, Matthew Simpson; Birmingham, G. D. Kinnear; Alle- 
ghenytown, C. Jones. 

During the year the foundation of aaother organization was laid, in Bayards- 



358 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

towu, afterward the "old Niuth ward,'' which took the name of Wesley 
Chapel. The following year it was connected with Smithlield Street, and re- 
ceived regular preaching from the preachers of that station, Kevs. Charles 
Cooke and "Wesley Smith. A lot was purchased on the corner of Liberty and 
Seventeenth streets, on which a brick church was erected, and this soon be- 
came a strong, flourishing society. About 1882 this property was taken by the 
Penn Incline Company, and the society bought a lot on Penn avenue, near 
Eighteenth street, on which a small church was built, in which it now worships. 
In 1838 the South Common Church was organized in Allegheny, taking its 
name from the street on which it located its chui-ch, that which is now called 
Church avenue. The church was located a few hundred feet east of Federal 
street. Rev. Simon Elliott was the first pastor of the new organization. It 
continued to occupy this chu^rch until it was condemned as unsafe, in 1884, 
when services were held in a hall on Federal street for several years. In 
1886, under the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Mcllyar, a lot was purchased on 
Buena Vista street and the present brick structure commenced. The lecture- 
room was occupied first in May, 1887, and the audience-room in Septembei', 
1888. After the organization of South Common Church, the old church in Alle- 
gheny took the name of Beaver Street, which it retained until the name of the 
street was changed, in 1871, to Arch street, when it took that name. In 1838, 
under the pastorate of Kev. Robert Hopkins, the old frame building was re- 
placed by a brick structure, which in turn was removed, in 1888, under the 
pastorate of Rev. W. F. Conner, to give place to the fine stone structure now 
occupying that site. East Liberty appears first in 1839, although services had 
been held there for some time before that. It was taken out of the circuit and 
made a station in 1863, with Rev. H. Sinsabaugh as preacher, and the name 
was changed to Emory in 1870. In 1840 a class of Primitive Methodists was 
organized at Temperanceviile. Making but little progress, they connected 
themselves with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1845. and became an ap- 
pointment on the Chartiers circuit. This society became a station in 1848, 
with Rev. S. B. Dunlap as pastor. Their first church was built in 1850, and 
it was torn down in February, 1888, under the pastorate of Rev. H. C. Bea- 
com, to make room for the elegant stone structure now nearing completion. 
What is now Fifth Avenue first appears in 1842 as Asbury Chapel. Its 
first church was located on Townsend street, and is still standing. In 1860 
the society removed to its present location and took the name of Pennsylvania 
Avenue. About 1874 the name was changed to Fifth Avenue. Manchester 
became an appointment in 18-16. What organization there may have been be- 
fore this I can not tell. The first church was a small brick. In 1867 the loca- 
tion was changed to the present site and the name changed to Union Church. 
What is now Carson Street received its first appointment in 1848 as South 
Pittsbiu-gh, although it is known that services were held there before that. 
In 1871, the railroad having taken its building, it removed to its present loca- 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 359 

tiou and took the name of Carson Street. The Ninth Ward Mission became 
an appointment in 1853. The church was located on Twenty-fifth street and 
the name changed to Trinity in 1856. Christ Church was orsranized in 1853 
or 1854, and built its church at once. It received its first preacher, Rev. 
Alfred Cookman, in 1855. Its church was one of the first, if not the very 
first, of the fine churches, of modern architectiire, built by the Methodists of 
this country. Lawi'enceville received its first preacher in 1855. Its first 
church, a small frame, stood on the south side of Fortieth street, immediately 
below the schoolhouse. It is now occupied by the German Methodists. The 
present site was purchased in 1866, under the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Baker, 
and a subscription for the new church taken. The following year the church 
was built, imder the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Miller. The lecture-room was 
dedicated in February, 1868, and the audience-room in June, 1869. Ames 
Church was organized by members withdrawing from Liberty Street, under 
the lead of ' ' Auntie Adams, ' ' because of their opposition to instrumental 
music, in 1862. They received their tir-st pastor in 1863. In 1876 the charter, 
property and all were removed to Hazelwood, and are still in the present 
church of that name at that place. Centenary, organized by the Ladies' City 
Mission, received its first appointment in 1866. Simpson Church, known as 
Duquesne Borough until 1869, first appears in 1858. The Sunday-school out 
of which Walton Church grew was organized in 1864. Some time afterward 
a class was formed, and in 1870 a preacher was sent. It was then called East 
Birmingham. The following year the church building was commenced and 
the name changed to Walton. The church was built one story high, covered 
in, and left with a heavy debt, under which the people struggled until April 
1, 1881, when by the aid of the Pittsburgh Church Union it was paid off. 
After this Hon. Joseph Walton, who had already contributed liberally to the 
church, put the second story on, and finished it at his own expense. Wood's 
Run became an appointment in 1870; Oakland, 1872; St. Paul, 1872;- Home- 
wood, 1872; and Brown Chapel, then known as Squirrel Hill, in 1876. The 
lot was bought and the Mount Washington church built in the spring of 1866. 
The dedication took place June 10th of that year. A Sunday-school was 
started at once, and an organization effected. It was supplied by James 
Dermitt, a local preacher, until the conference of 1868, when it became a 
regular appointment. South Street was first known as Allentown. A class 
was organized in 1873. It was supplied with preaching by Jacob Shaffer, a 
local preacher, until 1876, when it became a regular appointment. The lots 
for the McCandless Street Church were botight about December, 1882, and 
the building erected during the following summer. In the autumn of that 
year the society was organized. Haven church was built in the summer of 
1880, and a Sunday-school maintained in it from that time, and also occa- 
sional preaching. A class was organized on August 23, 1884, and a preacher 
assigned to it at the following conference. 



360 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

In many of these cases it is difficult, if not impossibl(>, to determine exactly 
when the first organizations took place, but the dates given will indicate the 
time at which they attained " churchhood," and are. therefore, sufficiently 
accurate. 

Near the close of the year 1880 a movement was inaugurated which is 
worthy of special mention. For several years prior to this five of the churches — 
Walton, Carson Street, Oakland, Centenary and Fifth Avenue — had been em- 
barrassed by heavy debts, which they were unable to pay. At the time above 
named the presiding elder of the district, who had just been appointed to that 
office, undertook the work of relieving them. The "Church Union," com- 
prising all the churches of the city, was organized, and a central fund started, 
from which help should be given to the needy churches. The result was that 
in less than a year Walton and Oakland churches were fi-eed from debt; 
Carson Street soon followed, and the other two were practically relieved within 
three years, although their debts were not finally all paid for some time after- 
ward. Through the work of this Union, Pittsburgh Methodism was freed 
from debt. 

MEMBERSHIP BY DECADES. 

1790 97 1850 2,643 

1800 478 1860 3,349 

1810 438 1870 4,369 

1820 597 1880 6,682 

1830 633 1888 8,314. 

1840 1,868 

THE GERMAN CONGREGATIONS. 

In the year 1838 the English Methodists requested Dr. William Nast, the 
father of German Methodism, to come to Pittsburgh and preach to the Ger- 
mans. He accepted the invitation, came and preached daily for some time. 
He also distributed copies of the discipline of the church and religious litera- 
ture. The result was a gracious revival, and the organization of two classes 
with a total of thirty-five members. Among the converts was Englehardt 
Reimenschneider, a talented yo'ung man, who afterward became an influential 
minister in this country and in Germany. At the close of the year the congre- 
gation numbered one hundred devoted and active members. Pittsburgh had 
at that time thirty-five thousand inhabitants and only one German church, that 
located on the corner of Smithfield street and Sixth avenue. 

At first the services were held in a building which stood where the Union 
depot now stands. The new congregation met with great opposition, and was 
so greatly persecuted, especially by the Roman Catholics, that the police had 
to interfere. Nevertheless it prospered. Both the pastor and people were 
deeply spiritual and intensely earnest. The work spread over a large terri- 
tory, reaching many of the neighboring counties. But, unfortunately, just at 
this time the cause met with a great misfortune in the strange defection of a 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 361 

pastor, which retarded its growth for a time. But, providentially. Dr. Doering 
was sent as pastor in time to avert much of the damage and save the little band. 
He rented a chapel on Smithfield^treet, and the cause again began to prosper. 
Soon a church became a necessity, and the English Methodists aided them to 
get it. A lot was secured on Strawberry alley, in the rear of Seventh avenue, 
and a two- story brick building erected on it. But this location was a great 
mistake. The people would not go to a church in an alley. This mistake, and 
the misfortune alluded to above, greatly retarded the growth of the cause for 
many years. 

In 184:0 the work extended to Allegheny City, and grew so rapidly that a 
preacher was sent there that year. Rev. J. Smith. This congregation wor- 
shiped in a little fi'ame church on Chestnut street until 1857, when it secured 
the now valuable property on Ohio street, corner of Union avenue. This soon 
became one of the most influential congregations in the Central German con- 
ference, but during the panic of 1873 it suffered severely in members and 
wealth, and only in the last few years has recovered its strength. 

In 1810 a congregation was started on the South Side. Its first church was 
built upon the hill. Ten years afterward the little brick church was secured 
from the English chirrch, on Bingham street, above Thirteenth. In 1882 the 
third church was built on Sixteenth street, near Carson. 

A society was oi'ganized in 1868 by the members living in Lawrenceville. 
They bought the church formerly occupied by the Butler street English con- 
gregation, and still occupy it. This is a growing and enterprising church. 

The first church, situated on Strawberry alley, removed to Ross street in 
1870, into a building which had been occupied by the English Methodists. 
The property was good, but it was in the midst of an Irish Catholic population, 
so that very little advantage was gained by the change. In a few years this 
society was united with that on the South Side, the Bingham street and Ross 
street properties were both sold, and the proceeds put into the new Sixteenth 
street church. 

A mission was organized in East Liberty in 1885, services being held at 
first in Hall & Nelson's hall, by Rev. C. Golder, of the Lawrenceville church. 
In the autumn of that year Rev. P. Magley was sent as pastor. He re- 
ceived much encouragement and help from the English congregation, under 
the lead of its pastor, Rev. A. L. Petty, D. D. , and built a neat frame church 
on the corner of Park avenue and Carver street. 

The Germans have, therefore, four churches, valued in the aggregate at 
$63,500, and all free from debt. Their present membership is 550. They 
are a liberal, energetic people. They are especially active in the distribution 
of religious literature, circulating four thousand copies of the Haiisbesucher, 
a local paper, every month, carrying them from house to house. 



H62 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

COLORED CONGREGATIONS. 

Until 1881 there was no congregation of colored people in either city 
belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church. There were a number of 
churches of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the African 
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, but none of the Methodist Episcopal. But 
in the spring of that year Bishop Wiley sent Kev. Benjamin Myers from the 
Washington conference, and he organized the first society during that year. 
Their first place of meeting was on Spring alley. In 1882 Rev. G. W. W. 
Jenkins became pastor, and remained for three years. During his pastorate 
they removed from Spring alley to Eureka Hall, on Arthur street. From 1885 
to 1886 Rev. Henry Sellers was pastor. After that Rev. J. H. Watson, the 
present pastor, was appointed. The congregation removed to the Franklin 
schoolhouse, and November 21, 1888, into its new church, then nearly com- 
pleted, on Fulton street, corner of Clark. 

About the year 1887 Rev. G. W. W. Jenkins commenced to hold serv- 
ices in the lower end of Allegheny City, and shortly afterward organized a 
society among them. It worshiped in the schoolhouse until the latter part of 
1888, when a lot was purchased on Market street, and a neat little church 
commenced, which was dedicated January 13, 1889. The Pittsburgh church 
has 122 members and 125 Sunday-school scholars. The Allegheny church 
has 40 members. 

METHODIST CHDRCH STATISTICS. 

Total membership of the two cities: English, 8,314; German, 550: col- 
ored, 162: total, 9,026. 

THE PITTSBURGH CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. 

In 1826 a resolution was introduced into the Pittsburgh Conference, by 
Revs. George Brown and Alfred Brunson, in favor of the establishing of a 
religious newspaper in Pittsburgh, but action was postponed until the next 
year. In the meantime the Christian Advocate and Journal had been started 
at New York, and the conference resolved to support it. But the matter did 
not rest long in this way. The question of a home paper continued to be agi- 
tated until 1833, when, on September 15th, the first number of the Pittsburgh 
Conference Journal was issued, with Rev. Charles Elliott as editor. No 
further issue was made, however, until February 1, 1834, when the regular 
publication of the paper commenced. It was known as the Pittsburgh Con- 
ference Journal up to October, 1840, when it was changed to the Pittsburgh 
Christian Advocate, which name it has borne ever since. Dr. Charles Elliott 
continued to edit it from the time it was started until June, 1836, when, hav- 
ing been elected by the general conference editor of the Western Christian 
Advocate, he removed to Cincinnati. For two months Dr. Charles Cooke 
acted as editor, until Dr. William Hunter was elected in August, 1836. He 
served until August, 1840, when Dr. Charles Cooke was elected, and served 





ayi^^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 365 

until August, 1844. From 1844 to 1852, Dr. Hunter was again editor; 1852 
to 1856, Dr. H. J. Clarke; 1856 to 1860. Dr. I. N. Baird; 1860 to 1872, Dr. 
S. H. Nesbit; 1872 to 1876, Dr. Hunter again; 1876 to 1884, Dr. Alfred 
Wheeler; 1884 to the present time. Dr. C. W. Smith, whose present term will 
expire in June, 1892. 

The paper was started as the organ of the Pittsburgh Conference, and as 
the teiTitory of that conference has been divided, it has continued to supply 
all the conferences formed out of it, viz. : The Pittsburgh, Erie, West Vir- 
ginia and East Ohio conferences. Its chief circulation, therefore, is in Western 
Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia. It has had an honorable 
and successful career, and has been influential in aiding and directing the 
church in this region. 

THE METHODIST BOOK DEPOSITORY. 

Rev. Jacob Flake kept the first stock of Methodist books ever offered for 
sale in Pittsburgh, and probably opened it in the year 1831. But it was a 
private enterprise, and was woiind up when Mr. Flake went elsewhere. In 
1835 Rev. M. Simpson, afterward bishop, procured a stock of books and kept 
them for sale. Dr. Charles Elliott, then editor of the Conference Journal, 
soon afterward joined him in the enterprise, and the books were kept at his 
office. When, in 1836, Dr. William Hunter succeeded Dr. Elliott as editor, he 
took charge of the embryotic bookstore. In 1840 a regular depository was 
established, under the superintendency of Rev. Z. H. Coston, who was suc- 
ceeded in a few years by Rev. Robert Hopkins, and he in turn by Rev. J. L. 
Read. At that time the agents were elected annually by the Pittsburgh con- 
ference. Dr. Read served until 1868, when Rev. Dr. Joseph Horner was 
appointed agent by the book-agents at New York, the depository having in the 
meantime passed into their hands. Dr. Horner still holds the position. 

About the year 1868 a new and commodious building was erected on Smith- 
field street, corner Virgin alley, for the accommodation of the depository and 
the Christian Advocate, which is the property of the church. 

This has been one of the most successful depositories in the church. It 
has done a large and profitable business. Its trade is drawn chiefly fi-om 
Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia, to all of which ter- 
ritory it supplies the most of its Methodist literature. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The history of the Baptist denomination is a history of its churches. The 
nearly three million Baptists of the United States are bound together by no eccle- 
siastical organization. They are not independent, but interdependent, joined 
in Christian endeavor, and cooperating in religious and educational enter- 
prises. Their growth is more afPected by contingencies than in the case of 
those of other faiths. Depending largely on individual enterprise and local 



366 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

influences, they take root and grow where, iu the movements of population, the 
seeds have fallen and the envirouminit favors and fosters. In Allegheny 
county, and especially in the centers of population, immigration was not favor- 
able to the early planting or the vigorous growth of the faith of this people; and 
hence, in comparison with other parts of our country, the progress of the 
denomination has not been rapid, and in our teeming population the percent 
age of Baptists is very small. In attempting to give a history of the denom- 
ination in this county we will endeavor to adopt, as the guiding thought, the 
figures employed, and note the fall of a seed here and there, and in the cities 
regard the growth as the tracing, from the beginning, of the continuity of the 
trunk, and putting into the picture a sufficient number of the principal branches 
to give some conception of the whole growth. Many things must be passed 
without notice, and wearisome detail avoided. At the close of our sketch we 
will, in a brief summary, give the present numerical strength of the denomina- 
tion in the included limits. 

The pioneer Baptist ministers in Western Pennsylvania were John Sutton 
and John Corbly. The first church organized by them was at Big Whitely, 
Greene county, in 1770. This church still enjoys vigorous life. In 1870 inter- 
esting centennial services were held. Drs. Weston, of Crozer Theological 
Seminary, and Woodburn, of Allegheny City, delivered discourses. A vivid 
picture of that early time was presented in the well-preserved records. At 
that early date churches were also organized at Uniontown, Fayette county, 
and at Turkey Foot, near the modern Confluence, Somerset county. The early 
pioneers endured hardships in the services they rendered to the little bands to 
whom they ministered. Rev. John Corbly, in addition to the hardships of 
frontier life, had a trial of peculiar severity. On a Sunday morning he was 
on his way to a service at Big Whitely, about half a mile from his cabin. He 
was absorbed in the subject of his discourse, and lingered so that his wife and 
five children walked some distance in advance of him. He was aroused fi'om 
his reverie by the shrieks of his family, ran to their relief, and found that they 
were attacked by a number of Indians. He was unarmed, and his noble wife 
called to him to make his escape, which, although closely pursued, he succeeded 
in doing. His family were all left for dead by the savages. Two children, 
however, though tomahawked and scalped, finally recovered, and his descend- 
ants are numbered among the good citizens of Greene county. 

The first church in Allegheny county was organized November 10, 1773. 
It is known as the Peter's Creek Church, and is located at Library, about 
twelve miles south of Pittsburgh. It celebrated its centennial with appro- 
priate services in 1873. It now occupies its third meeting-house, which was 
erected a few years ago, and is one of the most commodious and beautiful 
rural church edifices in the county. Rev. I. K. Cramer is the pastor, and the 
organization is in a flourishing condition. Among those who have served as 
pastors during the life of this church are the names of many of the pioneer 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 367 

ministers of Western Pennsylvania. David Pliilips, whose descendants form 
a large circle, was among the first ministers. Dr. James Estep closed his long 
and eminently useful life as pastor of this people; Rev. William Shadrach, 
D. D., who still lives at an advanced age, and whose name is linked with the 
history of many churches and institutions in Pennsylvania, began his ministry 
with this chu.rch. 

The first church in Pittsburgh was organized in April, 1812. The city then 
had about five thousand inhabitants. The nation was agitated by preparation for 
the conflict with England, and the members of the little community at the head of 
the Ohio river were doing their share in furnishing men and material for the 
war. The church was independent in its origin. It was not an outgrowth of 
earlier churches, but the planting of a new seed. Some of the honored min- 
isters of the Redstone association, however, were present and assisted in the 
organization. This was the first "association" west of the mountains, and 
the second in point of age in the state. It embraced a large territory, and in 
the year 1809 had on its roll thirty-three small churches, with an aggregate 
membership of 1,323. The Redstone association is now extinct. Some of 
the churches connected with it were " hyper-calvinist " in doctrine and "anti- 
mission" in spirit, and these have passed away, and with them the association 
to which they adhered. New associations now occupy the territory. The 
Beaver association was formed in 1809, and the Monongahela association in 
1833. The First Church, Pittsburgh, withdrew from the Redstone association, 
and was a member of the Monongahela association, to which all the churches 
in Allegheny county belonged until 1839, when the Pittsburgh association was 
formed. In the latter organization all the churches in the county now nnite 
in cooperative effort. The constituent members of the First Church, Pitts- 
burgh, representing six families and numbering about twelve, had come from 
Old and New England, including Rev. Edward vTones, who was their first pastor. 
The church after its organization had no edifice for some time, but worshiped 
in private houses and rented halls. Its early history was varied by alternating 
periods of prosperity and adversity. The great influence of the celebrated 
Alexander Campbell, who was the founder of the denomination now known as 
"Disciples," or "Christians," caused trouble, and encouraged defection in 
the membership of many Baptist churches, and this influence was felt in Pitts- 
burgh. The church secured its first charter in 1822, and heading the list of 
charter members is the name of Sidney Rigdon, who became afterward a noted 
man from his association with Joseph Smith in the early history of Mormon- 
ism. It is generally regarded as an established fact that the "Book of Mor- 
mon" was given to the world through Rigdon" s cooperation. The unpub- 
lished work of Solomon Spalding, entitled the "Manuscript Found," it is 
asserted, came into the possession of Rigdon, who was a printer by trade, and 
was used in the composition of the " Book of Mormon." It is, however, 
claimed by lifelong friends of Rigdon that he was incapable of deliberate 



368 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

fraud. The later years of his life were passed in comparative obscurity, and 
he died, respected by those who knew him, in 1876, at Friendship, Allegany 
county, N. Y. Sidney Rigdon was born and reared on a farm in this county, 
and when quite young was baptized by Rev. David Philips, and became a mem- 
ber of the Peter's Creek Church. He united with the First Church, Pittsburgh, 
in 1822, and became pastor, but before the end of a year trouble arose, and he 
was excluded from the ministry by a council of Baptist ministers for teaching 
"baptismal regeneration" and other erroneous doctrines. From causes which 
have been indicated the growth of the church was retarded. 

When Rev. Samuel Williams became pastor, in 1827, the church had only 
thirty six members, although there were doubtless many more Baptists in the 
community. During the pastorate of Mr. Williams, which continued for 
twenty-eight years, the church prospered; a large number was added to their 
fellowship. In 1843 four hundred and fifteen members were reported, and 
many had been dismissed to form new organizations. Rev. Samuel Williams 
exerted a wide influence, and was an early and ardent advocate of anti-slavery 
principles. His later years were passed in New York city, where he died ifl 
1887, after sixty-three years' service in the ministry, and was buried in this 
city. 

Almost all the existing churches in the two cities and suburban localities 
have had in their constituency original members of the First Church, and some 
that were formed in the past have become extinct, or reunited with the parent 
body. In 1841 the Grant Street Church was organized, with Rev. N. G. Collins 
as pastor. Among the leaders in this enterprise were some who have long 
been identified with the business interests and the religious and philanthropic 
movements in this community, such as B. L. Fahnestock and John Owens, 
recently deceased, and Prof. L. H. Eaton, the active and energetic principal of 
the Forbes public schools. During the pastorate of Rev. T. C. Teasdale. in 
1846, the celebrated Elder Jacob Knapp visited the city and preached a series 
of sermons in the Grant Street Church ; two hundred and eight persons were 
baptized, and immediately succeeding this large accession a number withdrew 
and formed the Berean Church, After four years of separate life the two 
interests, the Grant Street and Berean, united and assumed the name of the 
Union Church, This church had a very creditable historj-, numbered in its 
membership many of the prominent workers of the cities, and had for its pas- 
tors many able men, including Rev. Drs. Shadrach, Dickinson, Sawyer, Young 
and Herr. In 1873 a basis of union was adopted, and the Union and First 
churches united to form the Fourth Avenue Church. The united body, accord- 
ing to agreement, was to occupy the building of the First Church, and the 
property of the Union Church was sold, and is now occupied by the Reformed 
Presbyterian congregation, of which Rev. N. Woodside is pastor. Of the pro- 
ceeds of this sale $10,000 was invested as a church extension fund of the Pitts- 
burgh association. The property of the First Church alluded to is located on 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 371 

Fourth avenue. The lirst brick buihling occupied by the First Church was 
erected iu 1833, on the comer of Grant street and Third avenue, at a cost of 
11,000. This building was destroyed in the great tire of 1815, and was 
replaced, at an expense of $8,000, by a building which was sold and is now 
occupied by a Jewish congregation. Under the pastorate of Rev. J. S. Dick- 
erson, D. D. , a lot was purchased on Fourth avenue, and a stone chapel was 
erected, at a cost, including lot, of $40,000, and was dedicated in 1867. Under 
the pastorate of Dr. Dickerson and his successor, Dr. Rowland, the church 
prospered, and when the latter resigned to assume the pastorate of the Tenth 
Church, Philadelphia, the "union" to which allusion has been made was 
effected. Rev. R.W. Pearson, D. D., entered on the pastorate of the united 
body — the Foiu-th Avenue Baptist Church— in 1873. He was a very eloquent 
orator, and soon the chapel was insufficient to meet tlie demands of the increas- 
ing congregation, and the main edifice, fronting on Ross street, a magnificent 
structure with a seating capacity of 1,300, was erected, at a cost of $86,000. 
It was dedicated November 28, 1876, Rev. E. G. Robinson, D. D. , LL. D., 
president of Brown University, preaching the sermon. During the pastorate 
of Rev. J. H. Hartman, who succeeded Dr. Pearson in 1879, the entire remain- 
ing debt on the property was liquidated. 

Rev. Lemuel C. Barnes became pastor in 1882, and during his ministry 
the church was greatly strengthened, and its working forces developed to 
an extent unknown in its former history. Large amounts have been given to 
the national societies of the denomination and expended in local work. A 
chapel was erected at Linden Grove, Oakland, and a prosperous mission estab- 
lished, which is under the charge of an associate pastor. After the resigna- 
tion and removal of Mr. Barnes to Newton Centre, Mass., the church called to 
the pastorate Rev. Howard B. Grose, of New York, who, with the associate 
pastor, Rev. E. T. Fox, late of Erie, Pa., has undertaken the work in this 
venerable church, that has maintained a continuous life through seventy-six 
years. The present members number 631. In the records of this body are 
the names of prominent citizens aad the ancestors of those who have exerted 
a large influence in the community. Of the living representatives in the 
present membership the names of Everson, Porter, Lippincott, Lincoln and 
King and many others might be enumerated. 

In 1835 fifteen persons were dismissed from the First Church, who united 
in an organization in the borough of Alleghenytown, which had at that date a 
population of 4,000. The now venerable Dr. Shadrach was then a student at 
the Western Theological Seminary, situated on what is now known as Monu- 
ment hill, and became the pastor of the infant church. Dr. James Estep and 
Rev. Samuel Williams assisted at the organization. This church has had a 
continuous history for tifty-three years. It was named the First Baptist 
Church of Alleghenytown, and it is now known as the Sandusky Street Baptist 
Church. The chmch occupied at first a room in the Pittsburgh Academy 



372 HISTORY OF Allegheny county. 

building, which was located in the present park grounds, near Marion avenue. 
Very soon a frame building was erected on Robinson street. In 1843 a build- 
ing was erected on Sandusky street, which has been remodeled several times, 
and is still occupied by the church. In the early records of this organization 
are the names of prominent workers, such as Wright, Trevor, Lippincott, 
Morgan, Beck and others. Faithful pastors served the church in the inter- 
vening years, such as Collins, Downer, Taylor and Sawyer; but the church has 
enjoyed the largest and most constant prosperity since 1859, when Rev. A. 
K. Bell, D. D., who died in 1888, entered upon his work in this field. Dr. 
Bell was a man of great energy and devotion, and has filled a large place 
in the history of the Baptists here and elsewhere. Diu'ing his pastorate a 
large number were added to the membership, and the work of the church was 
enlarged and extended. He resigned in 1870, and was succeeded by the 
present pastor, B. F. Woodburn, D. D., who is now in the nineteenth year of 
his pastorate. The church is in a prosperous condition, and has a membership 
of 454. 

Among the names of those enrolled in the later history of the church are 
many who were and are well-known citizens, such as Hoskinson, Bown, Eaton, 
Torrance, Myler and Cooper. Representatives of this church in the persons 
of former members are found in many organizations. Two young ladies. Miss 
Zillah Bunn and Miss Agnes Whitehead, are now in Burmah as missionary 
teachers. 

In 1867 the constituent members of the Nixon Street Church, Allegheny 
City, were dismissed from the Sandusky Street Church. This body occupies a 
promising field. Among its ministers Rev. A. G. Kirk, the first pastor, and 
Rev. J. S. Hutson served longest in the pastorate, and have been identified 
with its most prosperous and progressive years. Rev. John Brooks is the 
present pastor, and the membership is 172. 

In 1868 sixteen colored persons who had been members of the Sandusky 
Street Church were dismissed, and formed the fii'st colored Baptist church in 
the county. Since that date five additional organizations have been ett'ected. 
These churches, named in the order of their organization, all support pastors, 
and are prospering: Green Street, Allegheny, Rev. J. J. Jones, pastor, mem- 
bership 66; Ebenezer, Pittsburgh, Rev. J. H. Pryor, pastor, membership 289; 
Tabernacle, Allegheny, Rev. J. C. Taylor, pastor, membership 94; Antioch, 
Pittsburgh, Rev. J. H. Robinson, pastor, membership 39; Siloam, E. E., Pitts- 
burgh, Rev. W. Duvall, pastor, membership 130; Shiloh. Allegheny, Rev. I. 
Lafayette, pastor, membership 35. 

In 1874 a church was organized on Mount Washington, which grew out of 
a mission school established largely through the efforts of Mr. W. T. Bown, a 
deacon of the Sandusky Street Church. This church has had a number of 
faithful ministers, including Revs. Messrs. McKinney, Blaine and Macrory, 
their late lamented pastor; Rev. George T. Street is their pastor-elect. In 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 373: 

this work some well-known Baptists have shared, such as F. J. Rebbeck, clerk 
of the Pittsburgh association, and Prof. Coffin, of the AVestern University. 

In 1826 a Welsh church was organized in Pittsburgh from members dis- 
missed from the First Church. For a number of years Rev. William Owens 
was pastor, conducting services in the Welsh language in their edifice on 
Chatham street. New life has been infused into this body in recent years 
under the ministry of their present pastor, Rev. D. R. Davies. They have 
erected a new edifice on the old site on Chatham street, and have built a chapel 
and conduct services at Homestead. 

In 1862 a German Baptist church was organized, which has prospered. 
They have a commodious and tasteful edifice on Nineteenth street, South Side. 
They are distinguished for their devotedness and for the amount of their 
benevolent contributions. Rev. E. J. Deckman, recently deceased, was their 
pastor for a number of years, and during his life was called by his associates 
in the ministry "the model pastor of the Pittsburgh association." Rev. L. 
H. Conner is the present pastor, and the church numbers 235. 

In 1876 two churches, known as the South Pittsburgh and East Birming- 
ham churches, united and took the name of the Union Church. During the 
pastorate of Rev. "William Hildreth, D. D., the church erected a convenient 
and commodious edifice. The main audience-room is built in amphitheater 
style, and is seated with chairs. Rev. J. W. Riddle, their present pastor, 
entered upon his work in 1884. The growth and etHciency of the church in 
all departments have been constant in recent years. A mission has beea 
established at Allentown, and a chapel erected. 

In 1859 a church was constituted, now known as the Thirty- seventh Street 
Church, Pittsburgh. It has a good edifice, and a membership of 379. It 
occupies a field second to none in its importance. Rev. A. I. Bonsall was 
pastor when the present edifice was built. Rev. T. H. Chapman served the- 
church for the longest period as pastor. 

In 1873 a church was organized and an edifice partly completed on Penn 
avenue. East End. Rev. J. D. Herr, D. D., was the first pastor of this new 
interest, and was succeeded by Rev. J. S. Wrightnour. After several years*^ 
efforts, owing to the unfavorable location of their edifice, and in view of its 
incomplete condition, the property was disposed of so as to liquidate their in- 
debtedness. Property has been purchased on Shady avenue, and the church 
organized under the name Shady Avenue Church. Under the leadership of 
their present pastor. Rev. E. D. Hammond, they are worshiping in a hall, 
while a new edifice is in process of erection. They number 270 members, and 
in their fellowship there are and have been some of the most efficient workers 
of the denomination, such as Fahnestock, Verner, Lusk, Van Gorder, King, 
Black and Morris. 

Among the churches of this county none is more worthy of mention than 
the McKeesport Baptist Church. In the early records it appears under the^ 



374 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

luimo of the " Forks of Yough Church," iind it was organized in 1820. Its 
present pastor, Rev. William Codville, D. D., has been indefatigable in his 
efforts during the twelve yeai's of his pastorate, and has reaped large results. 
It owns a fine property, including the church editice, a parsonage and a 
mission chapel. It numbers four hundred members, including some of the 
most reputable and influential citizens, such as Hon. A. B. Campbell and 
Messrs. Penny, Baillie and Kiggs. Through the cooperation of an efficient 
body of workers three mission interests are maintained. 

In the early records of the Baptists a church at Deer creek is mentioned. 
This early organization is now represented by the Sharpsburg Baptist Church, 
with a membership of 198 and a good church edifice. Faithful men have 
filled the pastorate of this church: Revs. John White, David Williams, T. J. 
Lewis and S. Drummond. Rev. Alex. McArthur has recently removed from 
the field. In the membership appear the names of persons of great worth and 
influence, such as Crowther, Campe, Ingham and others. 

Of the more recent offshoots of the denominational tree we can not speak. 
The churches at Mansfield, Braddoek, Fifth avenue, Pittsburgh, Homestead, 
Sewickley, Fair Oaks, Indiistry and Coultersville, as well as the church at 
Elizabeth, which was organized in 1842, must be omitted to avoid unduly 
lengthening our sketch. 

The following statistical summary has been prepared to represent the exist- 
ing condition of the churches: There are in Allegheny county 27 Baptist 
churches, with 25 church edifices, valued at $318,100, and having a seating 
capacity of 9,6611 The total membership of the churches is 4,544. 

THE EVAXGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. 
While the details of the settlement of Lutherans in Allegheny county are 
unfortunately wanting, it is certain that a considerable number of them had 
found a home here more than a hundred years ago: for in 1783 Pittsburgh 
was visited by a learned German traveler by the name of Schcepf, who gath- 
ered information about his countrymen in America, and published the result 
in two volumes. He states that in Pittsburgh he saw a small church which 
was used alternately by the Lutherans and the Reformed. And fiuiher proof 
is found in the fact that the heirs of William Penn donated a large lot on the 
corner of Smithlield street and Sixth avenue to ' ' the two German religious 
communions or congregations in the aforesaid town of Pittsburgh and its 
vicinity, one of the said communions or congregations being known and dis- 
tinguished by the name or designation of the Protestant Evangelical Church, 
which adheres to the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, and the other of the 
said communions or congregations known and distinguished by the name or 
designation of the Protestant Reformed Church." This document is dated in 
the year 1787. For many years the two congregations worshiped under the 
pastoral care of one minister, whom they jointly elected and supported Some 




j^^./:^y/i^^^^^^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



377 



of these were Lutheran ministers, as Revs. Stock, Jacob Schnee and Henry 
Geisseuhainer. But, in the course of time, this aiTangement proved iinsatis- 
factory, and the Lutherans longed and labored to secure a spiritual home 
which they could call their own. 

THE PARENT CHDECHES. 

The First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh. — As early 
as 1833 the Lutherans residing in Pittsburgh and vicinity were visited by 
Eevs. D. P. Eosenmiller, G. Yeager, Thomas Lape and others, each of whom 
held a few services with them. ' But no serious effort to organize a distinctively 
Lutheran congregation was made until the winter of 1836 and 1837, when 
Eev. F. Heyer, of apostolic spirit, was sent to this city from the eastern part 




THE OLD UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH. 
[From cut in the Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette,] 

of the state to labor among the German Lutherans. On his arrival he entered 
earnestly into his work. Almost immediately an effort was made to induce him 
to hold English services, and to endeavor to organize an English congrega- 
tion. The good man gave his consent, and accepted a call to labor in that 
direction. Public services were now held regularly, and on January 15, 1837, 
the congregation was formally organized. The first entry in the record is as 
follows: " Pittsburgh, January 15, 1837. — Inasmuch as circumstances seem to 
require the immediate formation of an English Evangelical Lutheran congrega- 
tion in the city of Pittsburgh, under the care of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod 
of West Pennsylvania, the following-named persons made application to have 
their names recorded and to be considered as members of the church to be 
organized." The names of twenty-two persons are appended to this brief 
paragraph, and the first on the list is that of George Weyman, of blessed 
memory. The following officers were elected: Elders George Weyman and F. 



378 nisTOKY OF alleuhenv county. 

A. Heisely, Deacons Jeremiah IJitz ami W. J. Ansliutz, and tbcv were 
installed in the evening by the pastor, after he had preached a sermon to the 
little flock. The first communion service was held on Easter Sunday, Maixh 
26th of the same year. Rev. Heyer served the congregation a little more 
than a year, and at the same time ministered to the German Lutherans of thia 
city and Allegheny. The services in both languages were held at first in the 
Unitarian church on Smithfield street, and afterward in the Second Associate 
Reformed church. But this privilege was not of long duration, and the serv- 
ices were next held in a schoolhouse, where the Monongahela House now stands, 
at the corner of Smithfield and Water streets. But soon they were obliged 
to give up this refuge also, and then they assembled in private houses. But 
they were a second time granted the free use of the Unitarian church by the 
kindness of Mr. Benjamin Bakewell, who owned it, the church being at that 
time without a pastor. This privilege was continued until June, 1838, when 
the Unitarians secured a pastor. But when, in the course of a few months, he 
retired from his position, the Lutherans were again permitted to use the church 
for their public services. When they were again compelled to leave this church 
they held their services in the old courthouse, which is described as forbidding 
and gloomy to the last degree. They occupied it only because they could find 
no other place, having been refused the use of other chui'ches. Here the 
services were continued more than two years. January 24, 1838, a committee, 
consisting of George Weyman, Jeremiah Ritz and F. A. Heisely, was ap- 
pointed ' ' to look around for a building lot. ' ' After a long search they finally 
bought the lot at the corner of Seventh avenue and Strawberry alley, now 
Montour way, for $8,400. October 2, 1838, under the guidance of Rev. John 
N. Hoffman, the following action was taken: " Resolved that, in reliance upon 
divine aid, we forthwith commence operations in view of the erection of an 
English Evangelical Lutheran church." 

Rev. Heyer was succeeded by Rev. Emanuel Frey, who served the congre- 
gation only a short time on account of failing health. He was called Novem- 
ber 19, 1838, and closed his ministry before the end of the year. After fruitless 
efforts and weary waiting for a pastor, one was secured in the person of Rev. 
John McCron, who began his labors here May 9, 1839. He was cordially 
received by the congregation, and, on this very day, it was resolved to pro- 
ceed with the building of a church. The new pastor was requested to seek aid 
for this purpose from the older churches in the east, and he made several such 
journeys to collect funds. The erection of the new church was begun in the 
spring of 1840, and finished the following October, at a cost of §14,000. It 
was consecrated on the first Siinday in that month, during the convention 
within its walls of the West Pennsylvania synod. The first sermon was 
preached in the basement, by Rev. Augustus H. Lochman. The sermon at the 
consecration was delivered by Rev. Dr. S. S. Schmucker, who was assisted by 
Rev. C. P. Krauth, Sr., D. D., and the pastor. Rev. J. McCron. The con- 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 8TiJ 

vention of the synod and the consecration services produced a very happy effect 
on the congregation and the community. But two years later the congregation 
was again left without a pastor by the resignation of Rev. McCron, which took 
effect November 9, 1842. His departure was deeply regretted. 

The purchase of the lot and the building of the church involved the little 
flock in great financial trouble, under which they struggled for a number of 
years. But, by the grace of God, their earnest efforts and self-sacrificing gifts 
enabled them ultimately to free themselves from the oppressive burden. For 
this deliverance great praise is due to George Weyman for his sound judgment, 
earnest personal efforts and extraordinary liberality, and to his wife, who 
encouraged him in every good work. 

The next pastor was Rev. William H. Smith, of Charleston, S. C, whose 
ministry continued from April, 1843, to March 4, 1844, when he withdrew on 
account of ill health. He was a good and faithful man. But the vacancy did 
not last long; for, on the 22d day of April following, Rev. William A. Passa- 
vant, of Baltimore, was elected pastor, and entered on the discharge of his 
duties on the Ist of June. He served the congregation until May 1, 1855, 
with great zeal and marked success. The membership was largely increased, 
and the entire debt provided for. A most worthy successor was found in 
the person of Rev. Charles P. Krauth, Jr., of Winchester, Va. He was 
elected September 1, 1855, and assumed charge of the congregation one month 
later. He rendered this congregation and the Lutheran Church at large 
invaluable service, and left on both an indelible impression of his own exalted 
conceptions of the right faith and life of the true church. He was a giant 
among great men. And when he resigned his office, September 12, 1859, 
and moved to Philadelphia, the people deeply regretted their great loss, and 
followed him to the close of his life with their thoughts and affection, and when 
he died they draped their chancel and bent their heads in sincere sorrow. 

The next pastor was Rev. Reuben Hill, who was called November 16, 
1859, and served his people until July 1, 1866. He proved himself to be a 
faithful, laborious and affectionate pastor. His whole heart was devoted to 
the welfare of the congregation. Rev. Samuel Laird was elected pastor Jan- 
uary 30, 1867, and assumed the office on the 1st day of the following May, 
and remained pastor until August 1, 1879. He was a strong man, and his 
ministry was very acceptable to the congregation and fruitful of happy results, 
and his departure was the source of sincere grief. November 19, 1879, the 
congregation elected Rev. Edmund Belfour, of Chicago. He began his min- 
istry February 1, 1880, and is the present incumbent. 

The long- cherished desire and purpose of the congregation to build a new 
church edifice was brought up for definite action by the proposition to purchase 
the lot at the corner of Grant street and Strawberry alley, having a frontage 
of 120 feet on Grant street and running back to Foster alley. At a congrega- 
tional meeting held August 12, 1885, the council was instructed to make the 



380 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

l)nrch.'ise, and this was consummatod ou the Uh day of the following month, at 
a cost of §55,900. In the following December the congregation sold a prop- 
erty, which it had owned for a number of years, on the corner of Penn avenue 
and Ninth street, for $75,000. On the newly acquired lot the congregation 
has built a magnificent gothic church and chapel of gray stone, with tower and 
spire. The interior is finished in hardwood. It lias a large and superior 
organ, and the chancel is adorned with sedilia, lectuni. pulpit, marble altar 
and reredos, and a duplicate of the baptismal font, known as the "Angel of Baj)- 
tism," made by the famous sculptor, Thorwaldsen, for the Metropolitan Lu- 
theran Church in Copenhagen, Denmark. The consecration of the noble edifice 
took place on Sunday. November 4, 1888. The pastor. Rev. Edmund Belfour, 
D. D., presided, and performed the act of consecration, while the sermon on 
the occasion was preached by Rev. Samuel Laird, D. D., and other parts of 
the services were performed by Revs. Reuben Hill and John A. Kunkelman, 
D. D. The cost of the church was $90,000. 

This congregation has been exceptionally liberal in its benefactions, in aid- 
ing missions, the poor, the orphans, the sick, and in the educational work. It 
has sent twelve young men into the ministry. Its life-blood is now flowing in 
congregations in Allegheny City, East Liberty, the South Side, Braddoek, 
McKeesport and many other places. It has two Sunday-schools, two benevo- 
lent societies and a fund for the poor. The congregation adheres strictly to 
the faith of the Lutheran Church, as taught in its confessions, and to its con- 
servative life and work. 

The First German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pittsburgh. — It has 
already been stated that Rev. Heyer labored among the German as well as the 
English Lutherans. The German services were held in the same places as the 
English, and therefore we need not name them again. Just one week after the 
organization of the English congregation, namely, January 22, 1837, the 
indefatigable pastor organized the first German Evangelical Lutheran congre- 
gation in Pittsbui-gh. The church council was installed February 5, 1837, 
and consisted of the following members: Elders Michael Thomas and Mat- 
thias Kinzer, Deacons Jacob Kuntz, George Grossmann. Matthias Reuschler 
and George Stegmeier. 

Want of means prevented the congregation from securing a church prop- 
erty at an earlier day, but on the 14th of July, 1839, they resolved to build a 
church. They bought a lot on the corner of Sixth avenue and Grant street 
for $4, 500, and consecrated the new church April 5th of the same year. They 
immediately opened a parochial school in the basement of the new biiilding. 
Rev. Heyer resigned his office in the autumn of 1840, and went to another 
field of labor. He was succeeded by Rev. Friedrich Schmidt, who was elected 
October 11th of the same year. It was during his ministry that, January 17, 
1841, the congregation was incorporated. He was succeeded by Rev. Gottfried 
Jensen, who served with fidelity until his death, which occurred Februarj' 19, 



HISTOKV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 381 

1847. His remains rest in the cemetery of the church, and the spot is marked 
by a monument erected by the congregation. During the next four months 
the pastoral services were performed by neighboring ministers, Revs. Mech- 
ling, Madulet and Hoelsche. June 10, 1847, Rev. Jacob Vogelbach was chosen 
pastor, and continued in the office three years. 

But the prosperity and grovrth of the congregation were such that a larger 
church was needed. In January, 1848, it was resolved to purchase a lot on 
the corner of Wylie avenue and High street, for the sum of $6,000. The 
work of building the new church was prosecuted with energy, and it was con- 
secrated on the first Sunday in Advent. The old church property was sold to 
a Baptist congregation for $5, 500. 

Rev. Vogelbach was succeeded by Rev. J. Gr. Zeumer, November 18, 1850. 
During the pastorate of the latter greater efforts were made to strengthen 
the inner organization of the congregation by the adoption of very strict rules 
regulating all its spiritual affairs. It was decided, among other things, that 
persons belonging to secret societies must not be admitted to membership in 
the congregation, and this rixle is rigidly enforced to this day. The pastor 
resigned June 10, 1856. During the vacancy the congregation was served 
by Rev. A. Ernst. At this time the practice of hearing ' ' trial sermons ' ' 
before electing a pastor was abolished. In the spring of 1857 Rev. E. A. 
Brauer, of Addison, 111., assumed the pastoral office. Various changes were 
now introduced in the services of the church, and the charter and constitution 
were altered. A provision put into the charter will sooner or later make seri- 
ous trouble for the congregation. It is that the divine services of the church 
must never be conducted in any other language than the German. 

The ministry of Rev. Brauer was very acceptable, and it was with great 
regret that the congregation gave him up, when, in the spring of 1863, he 
went to St. Louis, and became professor of theology. He was very soon suc- 
ceeded by Rev. J. A. F. W. Mueller. During his ministry the congregation 
was compelled to seek another location for church, schoolhouse and parsonage. 
A railroad company had built a tunnel which ran under the church and ruined 
it. The company paid the damages inflicted on the church only after a pro- 
longed and expensive litigation, when compelled by the court. For a time the 
congregation worshiped in Lafayette Hall, on Wood street, and when that was 
destroyed by fire they were granted the use of the Third Ward schoolhouse, 
on Grant street. A large lot was bought for $25,000, on High street, near 
Fifth avenue, on which the congregation erected a large gothic church, a three- 
story schoolhouse and a parsonage. The consecration took place August 9, 
1868. The name of the church is now Trinity Chiu-ch. 

In 1871 Rev. Mueller was succeeded by Eev. J. P. Beyer, and he was 
followed in 1880 by Rev. F. A. Ahner, the present incumbent, who is a very 
faithful pastor. While the congregation is very large, four other congrega- 
tions have gone out from it. 



382 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Allegheny City. — The 
organizatioa of this congregation is immediately connected with that of the 
two preceding ones, and is the work, under God, of Rev. F. Heyer. At first 
the German Lutherans of Allegheny attended the services held by him in 
Pittsburgh. When the Germans of the two cities began to discuss the proj- 
ect of building a church, a difference of opinion arose in regard to the loca- 
tion. And when the brethren in Pittsburgh insisted that the church must be 
built in that city, those who resided in Allegheny determined to build for them- 
selves in their own city. The precise date of the organization of St. John's 
Church in Allegheny can not be fixed, but certain circumstances indicate that 
it was near the close of 1837. Thus in one year, by the labors of one humble, 
plain servant of the Lord, three churches were founded, which, with their 
offshoots, have grown to be a mighty host and are doing a great and noble work. 
The newly formed congregation, through its trustees, on the 30th of Jan- 
uary, 1838, bought two lots on the corner of Main street and Beach alley for 
$1,100. But it was many years before the amount was paid. On this lot was 
built a small frame church, forty-five feet long and twenty-five feet wide, at a 
cost of $450. These will appear to be small sums, but it must not be forgotten 
that the people were poor and that at that time a laborer received only thirty- 
seven and one-half cents for a day's work. The consecration took place Janu- 
ary 1, 1839. and the services were conducted by Revs. Heyer and Schweizer- 
barth, the latter of Zelienople, Pa. This is the second Luthei-an church built 
in Allegheny county. As Rev. Heyer could not serve the congregation regu- 
larly on account of his labors in Pittsburgh, Revs. J. Mechling and M. J. 
Steck, of Greensburg, Pa., occasionally filled his place. 

In the early part of 1839 Rev. H. P. R. Mueller was elected pastor. He 
served until 1841, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. Bauermeister. He was 
a faithful and energetic pastor, and is still held in kindly remembrance by the 
older members, though his pastorate lasted only about one year. He was fol- 
lowed by Rev. Karl Kobler, who made a bad record, and was soon dismissed. 
During the vacancy Rev. Schmidt, of the Pittsburgh church, rendered the con- 
gregation valuable service. At this time a charter of incorporation was 
secured, which contained important safeguards. 

In 1843 Rev. Herman Eggers became pastor, but he remained only a short 
time, and was followed in 1844 by Rev. Jacob Hoelsohe. In 1846 it was 
resolved to build a new church, as the congregation had outgrown the one it 
had. The frame church was sold to a Methodist congregation and moved to 
the corner of Chestnut street and Carpenter alley. The cornerstone of the 
new church was laid April 15, 1847. The pastor was assisted by Revs. Mech- 
ling and Passavant, D. D. The building was finished and consecrated Sep- 
tember, 1847. The pastor performed the act of consecration and Rev. 
Schweizerbarth preached the sermon. 

Rev. Hoelsche' s ministry in the congregation was brought to an unpleasant 



HISTORY or ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 383 

close in 1848, and he was succeeded by Rev. C. G. Friedrich, of Lancaster, Pa. 
He was an eloqueat preacher, and the congregation prospered under his care 
for some time, when unhappy contentions arose and he was compelled to leave 
his post. He was followed by Rev. C. E. A. Brandt, a thoroughly educated 
minister, who served until 1856, when he withdrew under a cloud. 

The next pastor was Rev. F. Schiedt, who was elected July 6, 1857. He 
filled the position twenty-five years, and exercised a powerful influence over his 
people. Important changes were made for the better administration of the affairs 
of the church, and the progress was very marked. The question about secret 
societies was earnestly discussed, and it was resolved that persons belonging to 
such could not be members of the congregation, but at a subsequent meeting 
this action was rescinded. The membership had greatly increased, and again 
it became necessary to build a larger church. A. lot was bought on the corner 
of Liberty street and Madison avenue, being 82x157 feet, at a cost of $6,800. 
On this the congregation built a large and elegant church, which cost $50,000, 
and a few years later a parochial school at the large outlay of $13,000, and a 
parsonage and teacher's house for $9,000. In 1884 Rev. A. Ebert was called 
as assistant pastor, and shortly thereafter Rev. Schiedt resigned, after a service 
of twenty-five years, and in the autumn the assistant died, greatly lamented by 
the congregation, who had learned to love him. 

In 1885 Rev. H. J. Shuh took charge of the church, having been unani- 
mously elected. The question about secret societies was again brought up, 
and it was decided that members of such societies can not be members of the 
congregation. This resolution is strictly enforced. One result was the with- 
di'awal of a considerable number of members and the organization of another 
congregation. But while this was regretted, the old congregation is now in a 
very flourishing condition. Besides the seceding party, four congregations 
have been formed out of St. John's, and the mother is still the strongest. In 
addition to providing for the living, the congregation owns a large burying- 
ground, or, as the Germans call it, a "God's acre." 

From the time when the laborious and trying work of laying the founda- 
tions of the church in the new territory was accomplished until the present 
day the progress has been very marked and constant. In giving statements 
of this progress we shall not go into the particulars to the extent that we did 
in presenting the history of the three parent churches. 

CHDRCHES IN PITTSBURGH. 

St. Peter's German Evangelical Lutheran Church, in East Liberty, was 
originally organized in 1839, as a United Church, by Rev. Weitershausen. 
Afterward it was reorganized as a Lutheran church and served by the following 
ministers: Revs. J. Hoelsche, W. Berkemeier, H. L. Hoehn, H. B. Kuhn, R. 
Neumann, J. Kucher,C. Bauman,C. A. Fritze, F. H. Reichman and H. Schmidt, 
the present pastor. At its organization the congregation was very small. The 



384 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

membersLip has, however, increased to a marked degree, and now it numbers 
200 heads of families. A parochial school has always been maintained, and 
it now has two teachers and 120 impils, and the Sunday-school numbers 225. 
In 1852 a church was erected on Frankstown avenue, and in 1864 the present 
church edifice was built on the corner of Collins avenue and Station street, 
and a schoolhouse was recently erected near the church. 

St. Paul's German Evangelical Lutheran Church, South Side, was organ- 
ized in 1850, with fourteen voting members. At present it has 980 communi- 
cant members. The following pastors have served it: Revs. G. A. Neuffer, 

C. Popp, J. H. C. Schirenbeck, H. Gilbert, F. A. Herzberger and P. Brand, 
the present incumbent. The lirst church edifice was consecrated in 1850, and 
the present one in 1866; the parsonage was built in 1868, and the school- 
house in 1881. Four teachers are employed, who have 250 scholars under 
their care. 

The Second German Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's Church was formed 
in 1852, under the care of Rev. AV. Berkemeier, with but a few members. 
Mr. Berkemeier was followed by Revs. R. Neumann, G. A. Wenzel, D. D. , 
F. Lindemaa and N. Soergel. The first church building stood on the corner 
of Sixth avenue and Grant street. The present church was built on Pride 
street in 1870, mainly through the efforts of Rev. Dr. Wenzel. The congre- 
gation has 400 members, and a parochial school with two teachers and 112 
pupils. 

Grace English Evangelical Lutheran Church, on the South Side, was 
organized in 1852 by Rev. H. Reck, with sixteen members. The first place of 
worship was a hall, and the present church edifice was built in 1853, on South 
Seventh street. The congregation also owns a parsonage. Their present 
membership is 280. A good Sunday-school is maintained. The following 
have filled the pastoral ofiice: Revs. H. Reck, C. D. Ulery, H. W. Roth, 

D. D., and J. K. Melhorn. 

St. John' s German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized by Rev. 
Graff in 1857. During the first thirteen years the pastoral changes were very 
frequent. In 1870 Rev. F. Schaeffer was elected, and he was followed by 
Revs. H. E. Seipel, A. Bauer and S. M. Reidenbach. The church, which was 
built in 1862, is located on Fortieth street, below North street. There are 
400 members; two teachers and 60 pupils in the parochial schqol. 

German Evangelical Lutheran Church, on the corner of Thirty-seventh and 
Bank streets, was formed in 1868, as a mission, and in the same year it became 
self-supporting. The pastors have been Revs. C. Engelder, F. Reichman 
and Mr. Hein. The first church was erected in 1868, and the present one in 
1876. The congregation numbers 500 members, and has two teachers and 
150 scholars in its parochial school. 

Christ English Evangelical Lutheran Church was established as a mission 
in 1869 by Rev. J. Q. Waters. At first service was held in a schoolhouse. 




^ "fnjujy--^ 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 387 

but a chapel was soon bnilt on the corner of Broad street and Sheridan avenue, 
which is still the place of worship. There are 141 members. The following 
pastors have had charge: Revs. J. Q. Waters, L. Geschwind, J. S. Lawson 
and W. A. Passavant, Jr. 

Bethany Lutheran Church was organized in 1888, with forty members. 
The place of worship is a public hall at the corner of Highland and Ellsworth 
avenues. The pastor is Rev. G. L. Hamm. 

The Swedish Lutheran Church was organized several years ago, and wor- 
shiped in the basement of the First English Lutheran Church, on Seventh 
avenue, but it was not until 1887 that it attained much strength. At that time 
Rev. Nelsenius labored successfully among his countrymen, and helped them 
to build a substantial chvirch on Center street, near Forty-third street. The 
present pastor is Rev. M. J. Englund. 

There is also an English mission on Forty-third street, in charge of Rev. 
C. A. Brick. 

CHUECHES IN ALLEGHENY. 

Trinity English Lutheran Church was the outcome of a mission Sunday- 
school held in Friendship engine-house, on Anderson street, in about 1855. 
The congregation which grew out of this work was organized in the' autumn of 
1860, with thirty-two members, by Rev.W. A. Passavant, D. D. A consider- 
able number of members from the First Church in Pittsburgh entered this 
organization. Rev. H. Reck took pastoral charge. The place of worship was 
a frame chapel on Washington street, which was bought fi'om a Presbyterian 
society. The present church edifice was erected in 1872, on Stockton avenue. 
Mr. Reck was succeeded in 1863 by Rev. J. G. Goettman, D. D., who is still 
in charge of the congregation. Recently the twenty-fifth anniversary of 
his pastorate was celebrated with much spirit, and the event was signalized by 
paying off the debt resting on the church, and giving the pastor tangible evi- 
dence of appreciation and affection. The congregation numbers 500 and the 
Sunday-school 600. 

Mount Zion's English Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1877 
by Rev. G. H. Gerberding. The church is on the Perry sville road, near West 
View. A parsonage has been built by the side of the church. Rev. Gerberd- 
ing was succeeded by Revs. W. P. Shanor and F. P. Bossart. 

St. Matthew's German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1873 
by Rev. J. P. Beyer.- It was at first a mission on the corner of Third street 
and Gerst alley. The present edifice, on the corner of North avenue and Middle 
street, was built in 1877, and a parsonage has since been added. Mr. Beyer 
was followed by Revs. A. H. Bauer, F. Wambsganss and E. H. Wischmeyer. 
The number of communicants is 450, and there is attached to the church a 
parochial school with two teachers and 1 30 pupils. 

St. PauVs German Evangelical Lutheran Church was formed in 1880 by 
Rev. Pfeiffer. In the course of one year it became self-sustaining. The 



388 HISTORY OF ALLEOHENY COUNTY. 

present house of worship, on the eoriu'r of Chartiers and Adams streets, was 
buijt and donated by Mr. G. D. Simon. Eev. Pfeiffer was succeeded by 
Revs. O. von Zech and A. R. Kuldell. 

St. Faul's English Evangelical Lutheran Church, worshiping on the cor- 
ner of James and Second streets, was commenced by Rev. E. PfeiiTer, who 
held the lirst service in July, 1882, in the Reformed Presbyterian church on 
Sandusky street. The mission was organized to meet the wants of those mem- 
bers of St. John's German Church who need English services. The congrega- 
tion was organized January 7, 1883, with sixteen members, by Rev. G. W. Lose, 
the present pastor. Under his ministry a church was built on the corner of 
James and Second streets, and it was consecrated in September, 1887. 

Memorial English Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized by Rev. W. 
P. Shanor in 1883, and a church edifice was built the same year. The present 
pastor is Rev. W. J. Finck, under whom the work is prospering. 

Emanuel English Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized by 
Rev. J. Q. Waters in 1886, and a chapel was built on Juniata street the fol- 
lowing year. Its membership and Sunday-school are prosperous. 

Grace English Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized by Rev. W. J. 
Finck, March 25, 1888. It has a flourishing Sunday school, and is at present 
worshiping in a public hall. 

Trinity German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1888. from 
members of St. Paul's Church, by Rev. A. R. Kuldell, on Wood's Run avenue. 
A church edifice was at once erected and Rev. E. Goessling called as pastor. 

St. Thomas German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in Novem- 
ber, 1887, by Rev. Ivan Dietrich. A neat church was erected the following 
year, and duly consecrated. A considerable number of members has already 
been gathered. 

CHURCHES OUTSIDE THE CITIES. 

There are Lutheran churches scattered over every part of the county, 
which we will enumerate without special descriptions. Chartiers, one En- 
glish church; Natrona, two German and one English; Springdale, one En- 
glish; Greenock, two German; McKee's Rocks, one German; Braddock. two 
English, one German and one Swedish; Tarentum, one German and one 
English; Glenfield, one German; Homestead, one English and one German; 
McKeesport, one English and one Swedish; Franklin township, one German; 
Wilkinsburg, one German; Sharpsburg, one English and one German; Turtle 
Creek, one English; White Hall, one English; Dorseyville, one German; 
Perrysville, one German; Mansfield Valley, one German; Mount Washington, 
one German; near Perrysville, one German and one English. 

There are, hence, in the county, including the cities, fifty-five Lutheran 
churches, of which twenty-three are English, twenty-eight German and three 
Swedish. The number of communicants is over ten thousand. 

There is a hospital in Pittsburgh, and orphans' homes at Rochester and 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 389 

-Zelienople, a little beyond the county line, which are connected with the Lu- 
theran Church, and are under the special care of their founder, Kev. Dr. W. A. 
Passavant, who has devoted most of his life to eleemosynary institutions in the 
east and the west. 

THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, OR THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. 
- The religious movement with which these churches are identified took its 
rise in the first quarter of the present century. It was in the beginning a 
vigorous protest against the religious intolerance and sectarian spirit which 
then dominated and distracted the religious world. At the opening of the 
century we find a number of small congregations in England and Scotland, 
and three, at least, in this country, one at New York city, one at Danbury, 
Conn., and one at Pittsburgh, Pa., which, having discarded human creeds, 
were endeavoring to build on the Scriptures alone. These churches, though 
very similar, and all tending in the same direction, had but little intercourse 
with each other, and were without unity and concert of action. As a distinct 
historic movement, therefore, we trace its history from the labors of Thomas 
Campbell and his son Alexander, in Western Pennsylvania and Virginia, who, 
more than all others, succeeded in bringing all these separate movements into 
sympathy and cooperation. Thomas Campbell was a minister in the Seceder 
church in Ireland, and in the year 1808 emigrated to this country, and began 
preaching in Washington county, Pa., under the jurisdiction of the local 
Seceder presbytery. Soon he drew upon himself the disapproval and formal 
censure of the presbytery by his very generous and liberal treatment, both in 
teaching and practice, of other religious denominations. However, his bold 
arraignment of the sectarian spirit of the age, and his eloquent appeals for a 
Christianity broad enough to comprehend all believers in Christ, soon gained 
for him an intelligent and enthusiastic following. 

About this time his son. Alexander Campbell, followed him to this country, 
ardently espoused his father's teachings, and became at once the fearless and 
eloquent advocate, and soon the acknowledged leader, of the now rapidly grow 
ing movement. From this time the movement, both in the formulation of its 
principles and its methods of organization, took definite shape, and was called 
by its friends " The Reformation. " Its followers called themselves, not in- 
vidiously, but that they might be scriptural in name, "The Disciples of Christ," 
and their organization ' ' The Christian Church. ' ' The cardinal principle of 
the movement was that sectarianism, in the light of God's word and the light 
of history, was sin, and must be abandoned. It had but one simple plea, 
namely, for the unity of God's people into one body on God's word. It pro- 
tested unceasingly against the projection of human authority into the realm of 
religious faith and practice as treason against Christ. Rigidly rejecting all 
human creeds, confessions, books of discipline, and decisions of synods and 
councils, it steadfastly pushed forward and upward the New Testament Script- 



390 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

ures as the only and all-sufficient hook of faith and discipline, and the only- 
basis on which the followers of Christ could be united. It aimed continually 
to reproduce the pure and simple gospel as taught by Christ and his apostles, 
and to restore the primitive integrity of the church as the apostles left it, as 
the only possible fulfillment of the Savior's prayer for the unity of his people 
in order to the conversion of the world. That the Christian world was ri]>e for 
such a movement is evidenced by its marvelous growth. In less than three- 
quarters of a century it numbers, in this country alone, 6,450 churches, 3,000 
preachers, and not less than 750,000 members. It has over forty institutions 
of learning, and from twenty-five to thirty periodicals and magazines, besides 
a large number of Sunday-school and other publications. It is strictly congre- 
gational in its polity, and maintains voluntary associations for missionary pur- 
poses only. Of these, besides state and district, it has three general associations, 
the General or Home society, the Foreign society and the Christian Woman's 
Board of Missions. These societies, during the year ending October, 1888, 
raised for missionary work $232,937.95. Besides home work, missions ar& 
sustained in Jamaica, Scandinavia, Turkey, India, China and Japan. 

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN ALLEGHENY CITY. 

The first church of the Disciples in Allegheny county had its origin in an 
independent Baptist congregation of the Haldane school, established in Pitts- 
burgh by George Forister as early as A. D. 1810. A number of members 
residing in Allegheny by mutual consent withdrew, and on the second Lord's 
day in March, 1835, organized the first Christian church in Allegheny City. 
Their first house of worship was a single-story brick building on the bank of 
the Allegheny river below the Sixth street bridge, capable of seating about 
three hundred persons. This building was burned in 1859, and for nine years 
services were held for the most part in Excelsior Hall. In 1868 the church 
completed and occupied its present commodious building on the corner of 
Arch street and Montgomery avenue, adjacent to the North park. The fol- 
lowing have served the church as regular preachers: Samuel Church, William 
James, Walter Scott, J. S. Benedict, W. J. Petigrew, B. F. Perkey, Robert 
Ashworth, Thomas Farley, Theobald Miller, W. S. Gray, Isaac W. Tener, T. 
C. McKeever, Joseph King and William F. Cowden, the present pastor. 
Besides these regular ministrations, the church has been favored at times by 
the presence and preaching of many of the great leaders of the reformation. 
To no service, however, is the church so largely indebted for her growth and 
prosperity as to the long-continued and self-sacrificing ministrations of Samuel 
Church and Joseph King, the former covering sixteen, the latter twenty-two- 
years of her history ; the former laying well the foundations, the latter building 
and embellishing the spiritual temple. During her history the church has 
contributed largely of her membership for the establishment of new churches. 
In October, 1882, a mission school was established on Fifth avenue, Pitts- 



HISTOEY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 393 

burgh, chiefly through the energetic Labors of Miss Carrie Merrick, since 
deceased, and Mr. Eobert Latimer, for five years its faithful superintendent. 
For the use of this mission a lot has been recently purchased, at a cost of 
$3,500, and buildings are soon to be erected thereon. The church has enjoyed 
almost uninterrupted peace and prosperity, and is now united, active and pros- 
peroiis, with a membership of 925, and church property worth $70,000, free 
from debt. The congregation is characterized by a broad missionary spirit, 
and is doing much to extend the cause of Christ in the city and the surround- 
ing country. 

The Peter's Creek Church. — This church, located near Library, was organ- 
ized by Edward Riggs, with six members, in 1836, and met in his house iintil 
1839, when a house of worship was completed. Its first officers, Elder Riggs 
and Deacons James Boyer, Obadiah Higbee and William Morrison, were 
ordained by Elder Thomas Campbell in 18-10. David Newmire was the first 
preacher. Among the resident preachers the following may be noted: James 
Darsie, "William Lloyd, E. L. Allen, Brother Lawrence and William Loos. 
James Darsie' s work extended over three years. A number of brethren from 
the Allegheny church visited and preached for the infant church, and from 
time to time Edward Riggs, Henry Bennett and Thomas Strathren from Brad- 
dock. They enjoyed occasional visits, also, from many of the leaders in the 
reformation, the Campbells, Bosworth, Robert Milligan, Benjamin Franklin, 
C. L. Loos, L. P. Streator and many others. Elder Daniel Higbee has done 
a great work in the development of this church, having labored efficiently with 
it for fifty years, most of the time serving as elder. This rural church has 
never had a large membership, being constantly depleted by emigration. It 
has rather been a feeder for other congregations. But it has moved quietly 
and steadily on its course, and received into its fellowship about one hundred 
and fifty members. Its history is full of lights and shadows, but in the midst 
of it all a strong faith has kept it steadfast and devoted to the cause of truth 
and righteousness. Its present pastor is O. H. Phillips, of Allegheny. 

The Church at Braddock. — As early as 1840 a few Disciples residing in Brad- 
dock held occasional meetings in the schoolhouse. About this time a meeting 
was held in a grove near by, at which Alexander Campbell did the preaching. 
Soon after a church was organized, and Thomas Strathren was for many years 
its faithful elder and preacher. In 1854 a house of worship was built, largely 
through the agency of Isaac Mills. Among its preachers may be mentioned 
A. S. Hale, W. B. Higbee, Eli Regal, James Darsie, L. S. Brown, J. L. Pink- 
erton, George P. Slade, E. A. Bosworth and W. S. Lane, the present pastor. 
In 1874 the house of worship was burned, and was a total loss. It was 
rebuilt soon after, but was not completed until 1886. This church has had a 
diversified history, but in recent years has enjoyed peace and prosperity. It 
has a membership of over two hundred, and an excellent church projierty free 
from debt. 



394 HISTOliY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The Church at Hazelwood. — This church was organized Deceuil)er 21. 
1868, with nineteen members. O. A. Bartholamew was the first pastor, fol- 
lowed in order by Alanson Wilcox, George P. Slade, J. L. Pinkerton, Levi Mar- 
shall and H. K. Pendleton, the present pastor. It has had a slow but steady 
and healthy growth, numbering over two hundred members, with a beautiful 
house of worship. The church is in a happy and flourishing condition, and, 
possessed of large resources of wealth and social influence, is moving steadily 
on to the accomplishment of greater achievements for God and his cause. 

The Church at McKeesport. — The church here was organized by George 
P. Slade on the 17th of February, 1879, with fourteen members. Mr. Slade 
was followed by E. W. Gordon, L. C. Jackson and W. H. Applegate. the 
present pastor. It numbers 120 members, who have a comfortable house of 
worship free from debt, and though not wealthy in this world's goods, are 
united, zealous and self-sacriticing, and according to their ability accomplish- 
ing a great work. 

The Church at Banksville. — Rhys T. Davis began preaching here in 1882, 
secured a lot, and succeeded, in building a house of worship, which was dedi- 
cated January 6, 1884, and a church organized with eighteen members. He 
continued to be their pastor to the time of his death, March 11, 1887. Since 
then the pulpit has been regularly supplied by a number of brethren from the 
Allegheny church, with occasional visits fi-om neighboring pastors. The 
church now numbers about fifty members. It has its church property paid 
for, and is a faithful, loving band of Disciples, zealous of good works. 

The Church at East End, Pittsburgh.— In April, 1885, William F. Cow- 
den, pastor of the church in Allegheny, began Sunday afternoon services at 
the residence of John M. Addy, at East End. These services continued with 
but little interruption until the end of the year, when a church property on 
Emerson street was purchased, at a cost of $2,500. On the 3d day of Janu- 
ary, 1886, this house of worship was rededicated, and a church was organized 
with thirty members. Measures wSre at once taken to secure regular preach- 
ing, and in the following October the present pastor, T. D. Butler, entered 
on his labors. In December, 1887, the church purchased a lot on the corner 
of South Highland and Alder streets, at a cost of $5,550, removed and remod- 
eled its house, and now has a beautiful and valuable property in one of the 
most desirable locations in the city. This young and vigorous church now 
numbers about one hundred members, is united, enterprising and consecrated" 
and has before it a bright and promising future. 

Mansfield. — In 1884 Rhys T. Davis began regular preaching in this place. 
He was followed by Samuel Williams, also a member of the Allegheny 
church. In the fall of 1887 Mr. Williams was elected agent of the American 
Bible Society, and in May, 1888, the work was transferred to the district 
missionary society. Under the energetic management of the board, this mis- 
sion is being, vigorously pushed. Prof. O. H. Phillips has been placed in 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 395 

charge of the work, and by the aid of a number of active members of the 
Allegheny church, some of whom reside in Manstield, it is hoped that a church 
will soon be planted in this thriving city. 

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 

The Catholic Church was the first of the various religiotrs denominations 
that now occupy the soil of Allegheny county to hold religious service in South- 
western Pennsylvania; and to the Jesuit Father Bounecamp, who accompanied 
the expedition sent down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers in the summer of 
1749 by the Marquis de la Gallissoniere, governor-general of Canada, under 
the command of Capt. Louis de C6loron, belongs the honor of having offici- 
ated. The expedition reached the confluence of the Allegheny and Mononga- 
hela rivers early in August. Five years later, when the French under Capt. 
Contrecoeur took possession of the territory at the confluence of the two rivers, 
where the city of Pittsburgh now stands, as will be found fully narrated in 
another part of this work, the army, according to the universal custom of the 
French, was accompanied by the chaplain, who performed regular religious 
service for the soldiers. The chaplain during the occupation of Fort Duquesne 
was Rev. Denys Baron, a member of the Recollet branch of the Order of St. 
Francis, whose register of baptisms and interments, kept during the French 
occupation, is one of the most valuable historical documents extant relating to 
this section of country. In July, 1757, the Jesuit father. Rev. Claude Virot, 
established a mission among the Indians at Sakung, a village at or near the 
mouth of the Beaver river, from which, however, he was soon compelled to 
withdraw by the hostility of Pakanke, a chief of the Wolf or Loup tribe of 
Indians. His name is not mentioned in the register of Fort Duquesne. 

The missionaries withdrew with the exprdsion of their countrymen, and we 
hear no more of the presence of members of the Catholic religion, except that 
Christian Frederic Post says there were a number as servants among the trad- 
ers; but it may safely be believed that their number was small, and their relig- 
ion still less. With the settlement of the country, however, a few began to 
mingle with the general population, principally in the Monongahela valley, at 
Pittsburgh and about the mouth of Chartier's creek, some three miles below. 
The number of these became so considerable that in the year 1784 a petition 
was drawn up by them and sent with one Felix Hughes, a member of the church, 
to the superior of the clergy in the United States, at Baltimore, asking for the 
ministration of a priest, at least at distant intervals, for some seventy-flve fam- 
ilies living about Pittsburgh and in the Monongahela valley; but owing to the 
scarcity of priests it was impossible at that time to comply with their request, 
and they were left to depend for the consolations of religion on the occasional 
missionary who stopped on his way to Kentucky or to the old French settle- 
ments in the Illinois country. These visits were only made at distant intervals, 
and many of the people had grown so indifferent in matters of religion that 



3yt) HISTOHY OK ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

they did not care to avail themselves of such opportunities when presented. 
Probably the tirst of these to pass through Pittsburgh was the Carmelite 
Father Paul, who was here in 1785. Rev. Charles Whelan stopped for a short 
time in the year 1787. In 1792 Rev. Benedict Joseph Flaget, afterward first 
bishop of Bardstown, Ky. , stopped for some weeks, awaiting a rise in the river, 
and during that time ministered to such as he found, among whom were some 
French soldiers in the forces which Gen. Wayne was then training previous to 
leading them against the Indians. Revs. Badin and Barri^re were at Pitts- 
burgh in 1798, but how long they remained or what they did history has not 
recorded. Rev. Michael Fournier, who was on his way to Kentucky in the 
winter of 1796-97, was detained for fourteen weeks at Pittsburgh, but, though 
he held service every Sunday, the people were so indifferent that only six ever 
came to enjoy the privilege of assisting. It must be borne in mind, as a pal- 
liation of their conduct, that all the priests who passed through, with rare 
exceptions, were Frenchmen, who possessed little or no acquaintance with the 
language of the people. Two other priests, Messrs. Maguire and Bodkin, spent 
the same winter at Pittsburgh. The people already began to talk of petition- 
ing the bishop of Baltimore, to whose jurisdiction the whole country belonged, 
for a resident pastor; and measures were also contemplated looking to the 
erection of a church. In 1798 Rev. H. John Dilhet stopped for a short time, 
and found'.the people very anxious to have a resident priest. He wrote to the 
bishop, presenting their petition; but nothing could be done at that time. 

As early as 1789 a priest took up his residence at the spot now occupied by 
St. Vincent's abbey, near Latrobe, Westmoreland county, which was then 
called Sportsman's Hall; but he does not appear to have visited Pittsbiu-gh or 
its immediate vicinity before the year 1798. About this time Rev. Patrick 
Lonergan, who was then at Sportsman's Hall, withdrew with a number of fam- 
ilies, and, after looking around for some time, formed a settlement not far 
from Waynesburg, Greene county. From there he visited Pittsburgh at dis- 
tant intervals for about two years. Rev. Peter Helbrou, who came to Sports- 
man's Hall in the latter part of 1799, also visited the place about once or twice 
a year till a resident pastor was appointed. He was accustomed to lodge in 
the house of Col. James O'Hara, who, though he had fallen away from the 
church to which he originally belonged, still favored it, and had a room in his 
house known as "the priest's room," where the occasional missionary who 
came to the town was accustomed to put up. He afterward donated the lot 
upon which the tirst church was built. Rev. Mr. Helbron officiated for a time 
in the house of a Mr. McFall, that stood at the corner of Liberty and Water 
sti'eets, and later in other private houses. 

But though the number of Catholics really devoted to their religion was as 
yet very small, the future prospects of the town were flattering, and it was felt 
that the presence of a resident priest would go far toward furthering the inter- 
ests of the church. After meeting with several disappointments the people at 





z^^-c^t^^^^/^y/^ 




HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 399 

length succeeded, and in the early part of November, 1808, Rev. William F. 
X. O'Brien, lately ordained in Baltimore, was appointed the first resident 
pastor of Pittsburgh. He took up his residence in a house on Second avenue 
near Grant street, and set apart one of the rooms for a chapel. About the 
same time the first church, "Old St. Patrick's," which stood at the corner of 
Liberty and Washington streets, immediately in fi-ont of the present Union 
depot, was commenced. It was completed with difficulty, owing to the small 
number and poverty of the people, and was dedicated by Bishop Egan, of 
Philadelphia, on his visit, the fii'st visit of a Catholic bishop to Western Penn- 
sylvania, in August, 1811. 

The Catholic population increased but slowly, and in 1816, when Very Rev. 
Felix de Andreis passed through the city on his way to Missouri, he wrote to 
a friend in Rome that "among a population of ten thousand the Catholics 
niimber scarcely three hundred. They are all generally very poor, so that the 
church is almost destitute of everything." Rev. Mr. O'Brien had also to 
minister to the scattered families in all Western Pennsylvania beyond the 
limits of Westmoreland county, so that the writer quoted above could truly 
say: "The pastor of Pittsburgh has under his jurisdiction a parish nearly 
equal to ten dioceses, and is constantly engaged in visiting his parishioners." 
Broken down in health, he at length withdrew to Maryland, his native state, 
early in 1820, and died at Baltimore November 1, 1831. He was succeeded, 
in March, 1820, by Rev. Charles Bonaventure Maguire. "Priest Maguire,'' as 
he was commonly called, was one of the most noted men of Pittsburgh in his 
day. A polished scholar, a gentleman of the old school, yet sociable and 
witty, firm in his religious convictions, yet tolerant of the opinions of others, 
he was universally esteemed. Born in Ireland, though educated in Germany, 
he had traveled much, taught theology in Rome, executed several important 
commissions for distinguished personages in Europe; was sought after by the 
French in the Reign of Terror; was present on the field of Waterloo immediately 
after the battle; he had, in addition to his education, a vast experience, which 
made him familiar with almost every topic that could be broached in conversa- 
tion. When the academy was opened in Pittsburgh, soon after his arrival, he 
accepted the chair of Greek, and filled it for a number of years. At first he 
visited a number of places outside the city, in addition to his duties there, but 
as the pojaulation increased his labors were soon confined to the members of 
his church residing in Pittsburgh and the immediate vicinity. 

Gradual as had been the increase of his congregation, the little church was 
soon too small to afPord accommodation for all, and about the year 1825 he 
found it necessary to enlarge it. With the commencement of work on the 
Pennsylvania canal, a year later, the number of Catholics became so consider- 
able and the future prospects so encouraging that it was deemed advisable to 
erect a second church; and the more so as a strong German element was now 
beginning to infuse itself into the population. Measures were accordingly 



•400 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

taken in August, 1827, looking to tlic purchase of property for that purpose, 
and that at the corner of Fifth avenue and Grant street, upon which the jiresent 
cathedral stands, was boiight. Work was commenced on the new building, and 
the cornerstone was laid on the 29th of June, 1829. The Germans were 
promised the old church in case they aided in the erection of the new one, and 
in this way all resources were turned upon the one great work. But Father 
Maguire was not destined to witness the completion of his favorite undertaking. 
With the completion of the canal many of the laborers withdrew, and the 
activity of business in the city suffered a temporary check, and work had to be 
discontinued on the church for a time. Before it was resumed Father ]\Iaguire 
died of the cholera, July 17, 1833. Rev. John O'Reily, who had been his 
assistant since the previous October, now became his successor, and resumed 
work on the unfinished edifice. It was completed early in the following sum- 
mer, and was dedicated on the 4th of May. At the time of its completion it 
was most probably the largest and most elegantly furnished Catholic church in 
the United States. 

Rev. Francis Masquelet now organized a German congregation in the old 
church; but the terms upon which the use of it was granted by the English 
congregation not being acceptable to all, there was a division among the Ger- 
mans, and one of them purchased an old cotton-factory at the corner of Liberty 
and Fourteenth streets, where St. Philomena's church now stands, and fitted 
up a room in it which served as a church for a number of years. At length, 
in 1838, a union was effected between the two elements, and a few years later 
the present St. Philomena's chu.rch was built, and dedicated in November, 1844. 

Owing to the increase of the population and the distance to Philadelphia, 
where the bishop resided who exercised jurisdiction over Western Pennsyl- 
vania, the propriety and necessity of having a bishop appointed for Pittsburgh 
began to be felt. At first all the territory subject to the crown of Great Brit- 
ain was under the jurisdiction of the vicar of London, who was accustomed to 
appoint a vicar-general for the American colonies. But when the French gained 
possession of the valley of the Ohio, that territory formed a part of the exten- 
sive diocese of Quebec. After the expulsion of the French it reverted to the 
vicar of London, and was governed as before. But at the close of the war of 
the Revolution it was evident that this could not with propriety continue: and 
the few priests of the country, most of whom were found in Maryland and 
Eastern Pennsylvania, met together and petitioned the pope for a superior 
depending immediately on the Holy See. Their petition was favorably received, 
and Rev. John Carroll, one of their number, was appointed prefect apostolic 
of the American clergy in June, 1784. Six years later he was consecrated 
the first bishop of the United States, with his see at Baltimore. In 1808 this 
extensive district was divided, and four new sees erected, one of which, at 
Philadelphia, embraced, among other territory, the entire state of Pennsylvania. 

But the growing population and importance of the western part of the state 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 401 

seemed to demand a separate ecclesiastical organization. As early as 1823 Rev. 
Demetrius A. Gallitzio, the Russian prince-priest, who had founded a colony at 
Laretto, in Cambria county, in the tirst years of the century, exerted himself to 
have a bishopric established at that place. Few, however, would have regarded 
it as a suitable location, and the proposition never attracted any attention 
among the church authorities. Nothing was attempted till 1835, when the 
proper ecclesiastical authorities took the matter in hand. All the prelimi- 
naries were arranged in 1837, but the matter was permitted to rest for some 
time longer. In the meantime Rev. Michael O'Connor was sent to Pittsburgh 
in July, 1841, as the vicar-general of the bishop of Philadelphia for the 
western part of the state, which supplied in a measure the need of a bishop. 
At length the provincial council, which met in Baltimore in May, 1843, decided 
upon recommending to the pope the erection of an episcopal see at Pitts- 
burgh, and proposed the name of Rev. Michael O'Connor as the most fitting 
person, in their opinion, to fill it. Both recommendations were approved at 
Rome, and on the 7th of August Dr. O'Connor was named, and on the 15th 
was consecrated first bishop of Pittsburgh. He spent some time in Europe in 
securing missionaries and teachers for the new diocese, and did not reach home 
before the early part of December. He commenced with his wonted energy 
the work not only of ruling, but also, it might be said, of creating his diocese; 
supplying it priests, religious teachers, schools and charitable institutions — 
in a word, with all that the rules of the church and the circumstances of the- 
place demanded, in all of which he met with marked success. He was a maa 
of superior education and remarkable natural ability, as his episcopate of 
seventeen years amply proves. 

The second English congregation had in the meantime been organized at 
St. Patrick's church, with Rev. E. F. Garland as pastor, in October, 1840. 
The number of persons attending the two English churches was estimated in 
1844 at seven thousand, and four thousand Germans; but many of these 
resided beyond the limits of the cities. The extensive manufactories for 
which Pittsburgh was even then noted drew a large foreign population, among 
whom was a considerable number of Irish and German Catholics, which neces- 
sitated the building of additional churches for their accommodation. St. 
Bridget's, on the hill, was undertaken in the summer of 1853, for the con- 
venience of those residing in that district, which has since been replaced by a 
much larger edifice. A year later the Catholics residing in the Lawrenceville 
district felt the necessity of building a church for themselves rather than going: 
to Sharpsburg or to one of the churches of the city, and as a result St. Mary' s^ 
on Forty-sixth street, was erected under the direction of Rev. A. P. Gibbs, 
one of the most noted j)riests of the city, who continued pastor of it till the- 
time of his death, a period of more than thirty years. In time the church was- 
enlarged, and finally gave place to the present imposing edifice. The English 
Catholics of the East End, after attending religious service in the German 



402 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

churcli, or in one of the churches of the city, built one for themselves in the 
summer of 1873, which, like nearly all the others, has since been replaced by 
a much larger one. When the theological seminary was transferred to Grlen- 
wood, on the Monongahela, in the fall of 1858, a public chapel was attached to 
it for the accommodation of persons residing in the vicinity, which, after serving 
its purpose for some fifteen years, gave place to the present St. Stephen's 
Church. Other churches have been formed from the outskirts of existing con- 
gregations, till the number of English churches between the two rivers has 
reached nine. 

On the 6th of May, 1851, the cathedral was destroyed l)y fire, and the 
present magnificent structure was built to replace it. In the erection of this 
cathedral much credit is due to Very Rev. E. McMahon, then vicar-general of 
the diocese. Though not completed, it was sufficiently advanced to be dedi- 
cated and opened for divine service in 1855, and the solemn ceremony was 
performed on the 24th day of June. The erection of the towers and the 
completion of other minor details was the work of subsequent years. 

Turning to the South Side, we find a large population of both English and 
Germans, for the former of whom St. John's Church. Fourteenth street, and St. 
James', Temperaneeville, were opened early in the summer of 1854. the former 
of which has since been enlarged, and the latter, after having undergone the 
same improvement has been replaced by a more stately edifice. In addition to 
these there are on the South Side four other English churches. 

Crossing the river to Allegheny, it is found that the first Catholic families 
there attended religious service at the cathedral or St. Patrick's church, Pitts- 
bvargh. Soon, however, their numbers increased, and in September, 1848, a 
movement was made to secure property for the erection of a church on their 
own side of the river. Lots wei-e purchased on Anderson street, and work was 
soon after begun; but it was not until April, 1850, that the church was finishevi and 
opened for religious service. This church may be justly called the school of 
bishops, for of its four pastors three are now wearing the miter: Right Rev. 
James O' Connor, bishop of Omaha, and brother of the first bishop of Pitts- 
burgh; Right Rev. Tobias Mullen, bishop of Erie, and Right Rev. Richard 
Phelan, coadjutor bishop of Pittsburgh. The fourth pastor. Very Rev. E. 
McMahon, was for a long time vicar-general of the diocese of Pittsburgh, and 
at times administrator. The congregation of St. Peter's was divided at the 
close of lSf)3, and St. Andrew's Church, in the lower part of the city, was cut 
off, which, from small beginnings, has now become one of the most important 
congregations of the western part of the state. Still St. Peter's church was 
too small, and lots for a new church were purchased at the corner of Ohio 
street and Sherman avenue, where the present magnificent pile stands, and a 
church was built, which was dedicated in July, 1875. It was burned some two 
years ago, but has risen from its ruins more stately than before. With the 
erection of the see of Allegheny, in January, 1876. St. Peter's became a cathe- 
di'al, or bishop's church. 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 403 

It has already been stated that the German Catholics organized a congre- 
gation of their own nationality as early as the year 1834, which is now repre- 
sented by St. Philomena's Church. From this parent stock have branched off 
the following flourishing congregations: In the city proper, in the latter part 
of the year 1857, Holy Trinity parish, on Center avenue, was organized for the 
benefit of those living on the hill; in the autumn of the same year the congre- 
gation of SS. Peter and Paul, in the East Liberty district, was cut off; in the 
spring of 1860 St. Augustine's congregation. Thirty -seventh and Butler streets, 
was formed for the Germans residing in the Lawrenceville district, and which 
has since grown to be one of the most important congregations of the diocese; 
in 1868 St. Joseph's congregation, Bloomtield, was cut off from it, which, like 
all the others, has steadily increased, and is now worshiping in a large and 
elegant church erected some three years ago. 

On the South Side, St. Michael's, the largest German congregation in 
Western Pennsylvania, numbering more than six thousand souls, was organ- 
ized in 1848. There are nine hundred childi-en in the schools of this parish, 
in two large buildings, erected at a cost of over ninety thousand dollars. From 
this congregation have been formed three others: St. Joseph's, Moiint Oliver, 
in the summer of 1870, which, though located immediately beyond the city 
limits, draws the greater part of its worshipers from within the city. In the 
beginning of the following year St. Peter's congregation was organized in the 
upper part of the South Side, and has since become very flourishing. [For fur- 
ther particulars of St. Peter's Church see biographical sketch of Rev. John B. 
DufFuer.] About the year 1884 St. George's parish was formed, in Allen - 
town, on the hill back of the South Side. 

St. Martin' s congregation, in the West End, was formed in the summer of 
1869, and is keeping pace in numbers with the growth of the general population. 

The German Catholic population of Allegheny is very strong, and early 
claimed the privilege of having a church of its own. It was ready to receive 
them in December, 1848. Shortly after its completion it was placed in charge 
of Rev. John Stebiel, and from that date until the time of his death, in Jan- 
uary, 1869, no person deserved better of the German Catholic popiilation of 
the two cities than he, by his prudence, energy and zeal in laboring for their 
spiritual and temporal welfare. Some years ago the Benedictine Fathers took 
charge of this congregation, and it is now the second in size aiuong the Germans 
in this part of the state. Its growth necessitated its division, and in the sum- 
mer of 1866 a new parish was formed fi-om its southern end, St. Joseph's, 
which itself has lately been divided by the formation of the congregation of 
St. Leo's at Wood's Run. On the north another parish was also cut off from 
St. Mary's in the summer of 1866, the Church of the Holy Name, on Troy hill, 
which was dedicated in August of that year, and soon after placed in charge 
of Rev. S. G. Mollinger, whose name is well known throughout the country. 
There are few sections of the countiy in which the German Catholic popula- 
tion is stronger than it is in Pittsburgh and Allegheny. 



404 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The colored Catbolics, a few of whom were found in the city at an early 
date, were the objects of Bishop O'Connor's solicitude. Soon after his appoint- 
ment he opened a chapel for them in a room at the corner of Diamond and 
Smithfield streets, and placed it in charge of Rev. R. H. Wilson. The zeal of 
the pastor and his frequent visits among the people soon gathered a consider- 
able number to his humble chapel. But a minister of one of the denomina- 
tions of the city declared from the pulpit of one of the colored churches that 
Dr. Wilson was a pro-slavery man, who, when he had collected a sufficient 
number of colored people, intended to seize them, carry them to the south and 
have them sold into slavery. The trick had the desired effect: the poor, 
simple people took the alarm, and the congregation was dispersed about a year 
after its organization. Nothing more was done for the colored Catholics, 
except assigning them a place in the several churches they frequented, till the 
year 1867, when Rev. James P. Treaey, pastor of St. Bridget's Church, in 
whose neighborhood the greater part of the colored people lived, undertook, 
at the request of the bishop, to build them a church. Although services were 
held in it, it was never finished, and soon the people were sent back to the 
churches they had frequented before. An attempt, which promises to meet 
with better success, is now being made to organize them into a separate con- 
gregation. 

From an early day a number of Bohemians made their homes in Allegheny, 
and during the life of Rev. John Stebiel, who understood their language, 
were ministered to by him. But soon after his death they united together and 
purchased a Protestant church on Main street that was exposed for sale, and 
converted it into a place of worship for themselves, in the year 1871. Four 
years later the Poles, a large number of whom had found employment about 
Pittsburgh, purchased the Fourth Presbyterian church, on Penn avenue, near 
Sixteenth street, and made it the nucleus of a congregation of their nationality. 
Another Polish congregation was formed on the South Side, and a church was 
built for them about the year 1883, on Fifteenth street. 

Bishop O'Connor, having organized the diocese of Pittsburgh, and gov- 
erned it for seventeen years with marked success, was forced by declining 
health, though but fifty years of age, to ask to be relieved of a burden which 
he felt himself no longer able to bear. His resignation was accepted by the 
authorities at Rome in May, 1860, and was announced by him to the diocese 
in a letter dated June 18th of the same year. Early in the fall Rev. Michael 
Domenee, of Germantown, Philadelphia, was selected as the successor to the 
see of Pittsburgh, and he was accordingly consecrated in the latter city on the 
9th of December. He continued to govern the diocese until January, 1876, 
when, at his own request, it was divided and the see of Allegheny formed, to 
which he was at the same time transferred. Right Rev. Johc Tuigg, of 
Altoona, was chosen to fill the vacant see of Pittsburgh, and was consecrated 
at Pittsburgh on the 19th of March. Bishop Domenee resigned the see of 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 405 

Allegheny in July, 1877, and a few days later the two sees were united under 
the administration of the bishop of Pittsburgh, and so they remain and are 
likely to remain for years to come. Bishop Domenec retired to his native place 
in Spain, and died at Tarragona on the 7th of January, 1878. Bishop Tuigg 
was incapacitated for active service by an apoplectic stroke in the fall of 1883, 
and so he remains, living at Altoona, although he retains his jurisdiction, and 
directs the affairs of the diocese. Seeing that his return to health was not 
to be expected, he petitioned the proper authorities for a coadjutor, and Right 
Rev. Richard Phelan, of Allegheny, was appointed to that position, and was 
consecrated August 2, 1885. 

The advantage and necessity of calling certain of the religious orders both 
to assist in ministering to the spiritual wants of the people, and also to conduct 
educational and charitable institutions, early attracted the attention of Bishop 
O'Connor and his successors in the see of , Pittsburgh. At the date of the 
arrival of Bishop O'Connor only two religious communities were found in 
Pittsburgh, the Redemptorist Fathers and the Sisters of Charity. The latter 
retired, however, soon after his arrival, and did not return until some thirty 
years later. On his return from Rome after his consecration the bishop stopped 
in Ii-eland and brought over with him a colony of the recently established 
order of the Sisters of Mercy, which were the first of that name to cross the 
ocean. They have met with remarkable success in Western Pennsylvania, in 
both educational and charitable work, and have spread into many other parts 
of the Union. In the diocese of Pittsburgh alone they now number more than 
two hundred members. During the late rebellion a number of them left 
Pittsburgh to conduct a hospital in Washington city for soldiers wounded in 
the defense of their country. In October, 1846, the bishop welcomed the 
Benedictine order into the diocese, and located the members at St. Vincent's, 
near Latrobe, Westmoreland county, fi-om which point they have branched 
out to every part of the United States, and have sent out their shoots to South 
America. No religious order in America has met with more marked success. 

Next came the Passionists, an Italian order, the first of whom arrived at the 
close of the year 1852, and were also the pioneers of their institute in the New 
World. From the hill on the South Side, where they first located, they have 
spread abroad into several states of the Union. In Pittsburgh, besides the 
church which they attend in connection with their monastery, they have also 
charge of St. Michael's congregation, on the South Side, and they give mis- 
sions in chixrches where their services are asked for. The Capuchin Fathers, 
a branch of the great Franciscan order, entered the diocese in the spring of 
1874, and took charge of St. Augustine' s congregation in Lawrenceville, which 
is still under their pastoral care. The Congregation of the Holy Ghost came 
to the diocese in the same year, 1874, and have charge of the German congre- 
gation at Sharpsburg and others, besides conducting the Catholic college, of 
which mention is yet to be made, and assisting in several other parishes. Not 



406 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

long after their arrival came the members of the Carmelite order, who were 
intrusted with the congregation of Holy Trinity, a German parish on the hill, 
where they still remain. 

The necessity of enlisting male religious in the work of teaching, especially 
for the larger boys, has always been a subject of difficult solution. Bishop 
O'Connor brought over from Ireland a number of Presentation Brothers for that 
purpose in 1846; but they did not succeed in forming a permanent establishment. 
Two years later the priests of St. Philomena's Church secured a colony of the 
Brothers of Mary Immaculate as teachers of the boys' department of their 
schools. They met with better success, and a few years later took charge of 
the male department of St. Mary's schools, Allegheny, both of which are still 
under their care. 

Of the various orders of women, engaged in teaching and in charitable 
works, there is quite a number in the two cities, all the schools and Catholic 
charities being under their charge. The first religious order of women to 
appear in Pittsburgh was the Poor Clares, who arrived from Belgium in 1828, 
and soon after opened a young ladies' academy on the hill back of Allegheny, 
which from that circumstance is still known as " Nunnery Hill." Circum- 
stances, however, forced them to withdraw in the early summer of 1835. They 
were immediately succeeded by the Sisters of Charity, who taught a day school 
and opened a young ladies' academy, besides taking charge of the orphan 
asylum, when it was first opened in 1838. But they withdrew from the city 
in 1845, and did not return for about thirty years. They now teach a number 
of English parish schools, and are in a very flourishing condition. The Sisters 
of Mercy, however, have always been the principal community of women in this 
part of the state. Introduced into the city in 1843, they were the first of their 
order to cross the Atlantic, since which time they have spread into every part 
of the Union. In the two cities they have charge of a large number of schools, 
to many of which an academy is attached for the higher education of young 
ladies. They have also the Mercy hospital, which they opened in January, 
1847, and have since conducted with marked success. The English orphan 
asylum has also been under their care since the withdrawal of the Sisters of 
Charity, and they have recently opened a home for working-girls. The Sistera 
of St. Francis, another teaching order, first entered the city in the latter part 
of the year 1865, and now teach the greater part of the German schools. In 
September, 1872, they opened St. Francis' hospital, on Forty-fourth street. 
Two years later they opened a Gorman orphan asylum on the South Side. The 
Ursuline nuns came to the city in the fall of 1870, and soon after opened an 
academy for young ladies. Two years ago they built a large and elegant 
academy at Oakland, which, besides being one of the best educational institu- 
tions in the country, is also by its fine architectural proportions an ornament 
to the city. The School Sisters of Notre Dame came to Pittsburgh in 1849, 
and took charge of the girls' school attached to St. Philomena's Chm-ch, and a 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 409 

year later they opened the German orphan asylum on Troy Hill. To these 
may be added the Benedictine nuns, who teach the German schools of Alle- 
gheny City. 

But one of the most deserving of all charities is that which cares for the 
aged. The Catholic Church possesses one of these in each of the two cities; 
that in Allegheny having been opened in 1872 by the Little Sisters of the Poor, for 
which a large and commodious building is now being erected, and that in Pitts- 
burgh, in charge of the same community, opened about the year 1883. The two 
homes accommodate about two hundred and fifty aged persons of both sexes. 
This long list of charities is closed by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, who 
came to Pittsburgh in the fall of 1872, and opened a house for the reformation 
of girls who had fallen from virtue, and for the preservation of those who were 
in danger of falling. Soon they built very extensive houses on Troy hill, 
where they have accomplished a lasting good among the unfortunate objects of 
their charity. 

From the arrival of Dr. O'Connor at Pittsburgh the higher education of 
boys was a subject that arrested his attention. Several attempts were made to 
open a college, but none of them met with complete success, either under him 
or his successors, till at length the Fathers of the Holy Ghost opened a day 
college in the summer of 1878. Rented rooms were occupied until extensive 
lots were purchased, and the splendid college building that crowns the brow of 
Boyd's hill, and overlooks the Monongahela, was erected six years ago, and 
chartered under the title of the Catholic College of the Holy Ghost. The num- 
ber of students has gone on constantly increasing, and the best facilities are 
offered them for a commercial, classical and scientific training. An important 
part of church work is the training of laborers for the vineyard of the Lord, 
and this was one which early attracted the attention of Bishop O'Connor. 
Scarcely had he returned from Rome to his newly erected diocese when he 
opened a diocesan seminary, which, though begun on an humble scale, as his 
circumstances demanded, was yet productive of great good to religion. For a 
time it was in the bishop's residence, then it was located in buildings on the 
South Side, and, after various vicissitudes, it was finally opened at Glenwood, 
now within the city limits, in September, 1858. Here both the theological and 
preparatory departments were conducted till the close of the year 1876, when 
Bishop Domenec, then occupying the see of Allegheny, withdrew his students, 
and the institution was compelled to close its doors, which have not since been 
opened. But the prospects of re-opening in a new and more suitable building, 
in the near future, are very flattering. Finally, to complete the long list of 
good works, a home was opened for Catholic newsboys in the fall of 1888, where 
the young waifs are cared for when off duty. 

In conclusion, it may be said that the progress of the Catholic Church in 
the two cities has been very encouraging, especially in the last fifty years, 
during which time it has more than kept pace with the growth of the popula- 



412 IIISTOliY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

le<u-iunfj without religion in ministers of the gospel will prove injurious to the 
church; and religion without learning will leave the ministry exposed to the 
impositions of designing men, and insufficient in a high degree for the great 
purposes of the gospel ministry." 

Difficulties delayed the preparation of suitable buildings, and it was not 
until the spring of 1831 that the first seminary building, the foundations of 
which were laid in 1829. was ready for use. It was placed on what is now 
known as Monument hill, an elevated and commanding position, which fur- 
nishes a fine outlook upon the three rivers and two cities at its foot. 

During the erection of this building, and for two years previous to the lay- 
ing of its foundations, the teaching department had been carried forward iu 
the session-room of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. It opened 
with a class of four students November 16, 1827. By the time the seminary 
building was opened nearly forty young men had come thither for instruction. 

On January 23, 1854, the seminary building was completely destroyed by 
fii"e, many of the students losing their clothing and their books, and the semi- 
nary library being greatly damaged. Generous offers were immediately made 
of the use of their lecture and Sunday-school rooms by the First Presbyterian 
Church of Allegheny and the Second Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. The 
offer of the lirst-named church was accepted, and its rooms were used until a 
new building was ready for use. Through negotiations with the city, the old 
location, which had been found very inconvenient for educational purposes, 
had, prior to the fire, been exchanged for a beautiful site at the foot of the 
hill, on grounds fronting on Ridge avenue. On the new site secured a new 
edifice was erected, at a cost of twenty-two thousand dollars, now known as 
Seminary Hall. The building was completed and dedicated in January, 1856. 

On the same site four professors' hoitses were erected during the period 
from 185-1 to 1856. Their cost was about five thousand dollars each. In 1859 
a new hall, named " Beatty Hall " or " Memorial Hall," in honor of the noble 
generosity of Mrs. Hetty E. Beatty, of Steubenville, Ohio, whose gift of ten 
thousand dollars covered the cost of the building, was erected on the north side 
of Ridge avenue, above Irwin avenue. This structure, a fine one of four stories 
in height, was wholly given up to students' dormitories. It was remodeled in 
1868. At a later period a fine library building was erected, at a cost of twenty- 
five thousand dollars, on the lot adjoining Memorial Hall on the west, and the 
residence next on the east was purchased for a fifth professor' s house. 

The winter of 1887-88 witnessed another partial destruction of Seminary 
Hall by fire. The damage was so serious as to require a general reconstruc- 
tion of the interior, which, with some alterations, that have made the build- 
ing more commodious and more beautiful, and other permanent improvements 
of the seminary property, have cost over twenty thousand dollars. The prop- 
erty now consists of two large halls, a library building and five residences for 
the professors. The entire value of the real estate of the seminary, together 





^^^JA^f\j^UuJ.^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 415 

with the various endowments it possesses, exceeds sis hundred and thirty thou- 
sand dollars. The library contains about twenty thousand volumes, and is one 
of creat value. The collection of unbound pamphlets is very large. 

The whole number of students who have pursued a full or partial course 
of study in the seminary since its opening in 1827, including those who are 
now present, is 1,663. The number in attendance at present is seventy. 

The following persons have been professors and instructors in the seminary: 

Priifessors. — Rev. Jacob J. Janeway, D. D., professor of theology, 1838-29; Hev. 
Luther Halsey, D. D., LL. D., professor of theology, 1839-37, and professor of church 
government and ecclesiastical history. 1836-44; Rev. John W. Nevin, D. D., professor 
of oriental and biblical literature, 1839-40; Rev. David Elliott, D. D., LL. D., professor 
of theology, 1836-74; Rev. Lewis W. Green, D. D., professor of oriental and biblical 
literature, 1840-47; Rev. Alex. T. McGill, D. D., LL. D., professor of ecclesiastical his- 
tory and church government, 1843-54; Rev. Melancthon W. Jacobus. D. D., LL. D., pro- 
fessor of oriental and bibical literature, 18.51-76; Rev. William S. Pluramer, D. D., LL. D.. 
professor of theology, 1854-63; Rev. Samuel J. Wilson, D. D., LL. D., professor of 
biblical and ecclesiastical history, 1857-83; Rev. William M. Pa.xtou, D. D., LL. D., 
professor of sacred rhetoric, 1860-73; Rev. Archibald A. Hodge, D. D., LL. D., pro- 
fessor of theology, 1864^77; Rev. William H. Hornblower, D. D., professor of sacred 
rhetoric, church government and pastoral theology, 1871-83; Rev. Samuel T. Lowrie, 
D. D.. professor of New Testament literature and exegesis, 1874-77; Rev. William H. 
Jeffers, U. D., LL. D., professor of Old Testament literature and exegesis, 1877-; Rev. 
Samuel H. Kellogg, D. D., professor of theology, 1877-86; Rev. Benj. B. Warfield, D. 
D., professor of New Testament literature and exegesis, 1878-86; Rev. Thomas H. 
Robinson, D. D., professor of sacred rhetoric, church government and historical the- 
ology, 1883-; Rev. Robert D. Wilson, Ph. D., professor of Hebrew, Chaldee and Old Tes- 
tament H i story, 1 885-; Rev. Henry T. McClelland, D. D., professor of didactic and polemic 
theology, 1887-; Rev. Matthew B. Riddle, D. D., professor of New Testament litera- 
ture and exegesis, 1887-. 

Instruciors. — Rev. Joseph Stockton, 1837-38; Rev. Thomas L. Janeway, 1838; Rev. 
Elisha P. Swift, D. D., 1837-38; Rev. John W. Nevin, D. D., 1839-36; Rev. Allan D. 
Campbell, D. D., 1836^0; Rev. Samuel J. Wilson, D. D., 1854-57; Rev. John H. Kerr, 
1883-83; Rev. Jonathan W. Miller, 1883-84; Rev. William O. Campbell. 1883; Rev. Robert 
D. Wilson, 1880-85; Prof. George M. Sleeth, 1883-84; Prof. James E. Culliton, 1885-86; 
Prof. Chas. W. Hollister, 1886-87; Prof. John P. Stephen, 1887-. 

During the history of the seminary about ninety-four persons have served 
on its board of trustees, and two hundred on the board of directors. 

ALLEGHENY (u. P.) THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.* 

" The Associate Reformed Synod of the West resolved, in May, 1825, to es- 
tablish a theological seminary at Pittsburgh, Pa., and unanimously elected Rev. 
Dr. J. Kerr, of St. Clair, Allegheny county. Pa. , as its professor, and the congre- 
gation in that city being vacant, Dr. Kerr was chosen by it as pastor. He accepted 
both, and opened the seminary in the following December, with three students. 
The enterprise gave every indication of decided success, when, on the 15th 
of November, 1829, Dr. Kerr suddenly died. Rev. Mungo Dick, of Westmore- 

* From the manual of the U. P. Church, hy Dr. J. Brown Scoviller. 



410 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

land county, was appointed by the Monongehela presbytery to till the office 
until more permanent arrangements could be made. In October, ISHO, the 
synod elected Rev. Alexander Sharp, of Newville, Pa., but he declined to 
accept, and Mr. Dick was continued for the time. On the 19th of OctoI)er, 
1831, Rev. J. T. Pressly, pastor of Cedar Spring, S. C. , and professor of 
theology for the Associate Reformed Synod of the South, was unanimously 
elected, and in the early part of the following January entered on the duties of 
the office. During the same year he accepted the pastorate of a new congre- 
gation in Allegheny City, and the seminary was removed to his church. 

' ' In 1835 Rev. M. Kerr, son of the first professor, was elected to the 
chair of biblical literatui'e and exegesis, but his feeble health allowed him to 
remain only for a single year. This chair remained vacant until 1843, when 
Dr. J. L. Dinwiddie was elected, but his promising career of usefulness was 
suddenly cut short in February, 1846, by partial paralysis of the brain, from 
which he never wholly recovered. In 1847 Rev. A. D. Clark, president of 
Franklin College, Ohio, was elected, and in 1851 Rev. D. R. Kerr was added 
in the department of church history and government. On the 13th of August, 
1870, Dr. Pressly died, and on the 25th of the following October Dr. J. T. 
Cooper was chosen his successor, and on the 7th of December, 1875, Rev. Dr. 
A. Young was elected to the chair of pastoral theology and apologetics.'" 

The following have been professors in this institution: Joseph Kerr, D. 
D. , Mungo Dick, John Taylor Pressly, D. D. , Moses Kerr, James Lemonte 
Dinwiddie, D. D. , Alexander D. Clark, D. D., Joseph Tate Cooper, D. D., 
LL. D., David Reynolds Kerr, D. D., LL. D., Alexander Young, D. D., LL. 
D., David McClenahan, A. M., James A. Grier, D. D., John McNaugher. A. 
M. , and O. J. Thatcher, A. M. , a recently appointed instructor. 

THE WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTION FOR THE INSTRDCTION OF THE DEAF AND 

DUMB. 

This excellent institution, located at Edgewood station, on the Pennsylvania 
railroad, like many of its class, had its origin in an apparently trivial circum- 
stance. In the summer of 1868 a little deaf-mute colored boy was brought to 
a mission Sunday-school, held in the public-school building on Franklin street, 
Pittsburgh, of which Joel Kerr was superintendent. Through the intervention 
of a lady teacher, W. R. Drum, a gi'aduate of the Pennsylvania institution at 
Philadelphia, undertook to become his teacher. The attendance of this class 
of unfortunates rapidly increased. Two additional teachers, Archie Woodside 
and F. H. Murray, were secured. Rev. John G. Brown, D. D. , pastor of the 
Third United Presbyterian Church (with which the mission school was con- 
nected), was deeply interested in the new departure, and through his efForts 
the central board of education was induced to take the matter in hand. A day 
school for the instruction of deaf and dumb children in the city of Pittsburgh, 
the first in the United States, was opened on the first Monday in September, 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 417 

1S69, with fourteen pupils, and Mr. Archie Woodside and Miss Sarah Wood- 
side as teachers. It became necessary to provide for the care of chihlren from 
a distance, and for that purpose a " home " was organized and maintained until 

1875. In this home some twenty deaf-mutes were cared for. The institution 
was regularly incorporated in 1871, and about that time James Kelly placed a 
tract of ten acres of land in Wilkinsburg at the disposal of the board of trust- 
ees, and subscriptions to the amount of f 21, 500 were secured for the erection 
of buildings. An appropriation of $16,000 having been granted by the state, 
it was decided to discontinue the day school and extend the benefits of educa- 
tion to all deaf-mutes in the western counties in the state. Suitable buildings 
and grounds were rented at Tiirtle creek, and there the institiition was form- 
ally opened on the 25th of October, 1876, with nineteen pupils. This number 
soon increased to fifty-six, and within two or three years to one hundred. James 
H. Logan, who had succeeded Mr. Woodside as principal of the day school in 

1876, was followed by J. A. McWhorter, Thomas Mclntyre and John G. 
Brown, D. D., the present principal of the institution. 

After protracted litigation the land donated by Mr. Kelly was disposed of, 
and a tract of sixteen acres was secured in its stead, on which, in 1883-84, the 
present imposing edifice was erected. The cost of the buildings was about 
.§150,000. In addition to Mr. Kelly's donation the sum of $71,000 was con- 
tributed by the citizens of Allegheny county. 

The attendance at this institution during the year 1888 was one hundred 
and fifty. Articulation is successfully taught here. 

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. 

This institution had its origin, more than forty years since, in the benevo- 
lent desire of a number of citizens to extend aid, comfort and relief to their 
indigent and afflicted fellow- beings. On the 9th of March, 1847, these men 
met in the city of Pittsburgh and formed themselves into an association for 
the purpose of establishing a hospital. They chose as officers: Thomas Bake- 
well, president; George Breed and John Graham, vice-presidents; M. Allen, 
T. Bakewell, John Harper. John Bissell, George Breed, J. Carothers, Will- 
iam Ebbs, John Graham, George Hogg, William Holmes, John Irwin, George 
W. Jackson, F. Lorenz, S. Lothrop, O. Metcalf, J. K. Moorhead, Jacob 
Painter, J. N. Shoenberger, Charles F. Spang, William J. Totten, William 
Wilkins, W. W. Wallace, managers, and Harmon Denny and David Shields 
became life managers. Of these onh' John Harper, J. N. Shoenberger and 
Charles F. Spang are now (1889) living. 

On the 18th of March, 1848, an act of incorporation, with these gentlemen 
as corporators, was approved. Within three years from the date of incorpora- 
tion two hundred and twelve other citizens made themselves, by contributions, 
life members of the corporation. Of these only twenty survive. 

From the annual report of the managers to the legislature for 1867, made- 
through the president, John Harper, the following extracts are made: 



418 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

"A judicious site for the contemplated hospital was araono; the first objects 
that eniraged the attention of the board of managers, and a generous donation 
of twenty-four acres of land, in the Ninth (now Twelfth) ward of the city of 
Pittsburgh, was accepted for that purpose, forming the square bounded by 
Ferguson, Smith, Fisk and Morton streets. The managers went to work vig- 
orously, relying upon the generous aid of their fellow -citizens, and erected a 
large and commodious building, dividing the same into medical and surgical 
wards, which was opened for patients in the mouth of January, 1853. 
A supplement to the act of incorporation was passed, and approved the 8th 
of May, 1855, appropriating ten thousand dollars to aid in extending accom- 
modations to the insane. . . . The district designated in the act now em- 
braces twenty-two counties, forming the Western Judicial district of the 
supreme court of Pennsylvania; and the governor, judges of the several courts 
of record and members of the legislature were made ex-officio visitors of the 
hospital. A further supplement to the charter was approved the 19th of 
March, 1856, granting a further sum of twenty thousand dollars to aid in ex- 
tending the accommodations for the insane of Western Pennsylvania, the 
proposed additional buildings for that purpose to be approved by the gov- 
ernor, and authorizing him to appoint annually three managers on behalf of 
the state, and making it the duty of the institution to submit yearly, in the 
month of January, to the legislature a certitied statement of the condition of 
its afPairs. 

" After mature consideration the managers determined to erect a new, sepa- 
rate hospital beyond the city limits, on a site combining facility of access, 
capacious territory and cheerful prospects for the unhappy inmates ; and it 
was also decided that no part of the state appropriations should be expended in 
the purchase of the grounds. A farm was then bought on the left bank of the 
Monongahela river, birt afterward sold, by the advice of Miss D. L. Dix, on 
account of having no railroad apjjroaches. That distinguished lady, whose 
advice was solicited, accompanied a delegation of the managers, and after 
visiting nearly all the tit locations near Pittsburgh, a selection was made of a 
farm on the right bank of the Ohio river, about seven miles below the city, 
which was bought through private benefactions. Subsequently the board pur- 
chased three adjoining tracts of land, which were also paid for by generous 
individual aid. These united farms contain three hundred and seventy acres. 
This property is readily accessible by river and railroad, possesses an abun- 
dant supply of good water for drinking and culinary purposes, derived from a 
spring of sufficient elevation to reach all the stories of the hospital. It pos- 
sesses, also, a fine quarry of excellent freestone. 

"In honor of the lady mentioned this domain was named Dixmont. which is 
also the name of the station of the Pittsburgh, Fort AVayne & Chicago railway 
on the premises. At the base of an abrupt wooded cliff the railroad extends 
along the hospital property two thousand eight hundred feet, parallel and 





; J t ^i^Ck^_ 




HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 421 

proximate to the river. Frora this cliff orchard, garden and pasture land rise 
to a summit, crowned with forest trees, of the altitiide of four hundred and fifty 
feet. Half way up the slope, in a pui'e atmosphere, a site was chosen, com- 
manding an extensive and picturesqiie jirospect, upon which now stands a most 
imposing structure — a hospital for the cure of ' mind diseased,' an asylum 
for the care of those upon whom God, in his inscrutable wisdom, has laid a 
chastening hand. 

' ' The plan of the buildings was submitted to the governor, and it met his 
approval, and his signature is aflSxed thereto. The legislature also sanctioned 
the undertaking by making toward it a liberal appropriation in April, 1859. 
The work on the center building was commenced about the 1st of 
May, 1859, and on the 19th of July following the cornerstone was laid, 
with appropriate ceremonies, in the presence of a large concourse of citizens 
fi'om various parts of the state." 

The building has since been enlarged by the successive addition of wings 
till it has reached a length of seven hundred and fifty feet, with twenty-five 
wards and a capacity for four hundred patients, though the present number is 
greatly in excess of that. 

J. A. Eeed, M. D. , was elected superintendent in 1856, and continued in 
that capacity till his death, when Dr. Heniy A. Hutchinson, the present incum- 
bent, was chosen. It has been truly said that the institution fully realizes 
the expectations which were formed of it. 

At the time of the removal of the insane to Dixmont the civil war had 
broken out, and was in progress. ' ' There was then but little preparation for 
the comfort of disabled volunteers, maimed in battle or broken down by expos- 
ure. For these patriotic sufFerers the managers promptly tendered to the sec- 
retary of war the use of their Twelfth Ward hospital. . . . Nearly a 
thousand patients at a time were accommodated in the large building and tem- 
porary outside arrangements." 

After the close of the war it was kept open as before, for medical and sur- 
gical cases, and by means of a bounty fund of $200,000, the avails of a sanitary 
fair in Pittsburgh, which became an endowment of the hospital, it was, during 
some ten years, a place where disabled volunteers were cared for. Since the 
withdrawal of these the hospital has been used for the treatment of those suf- 
fering from disease or injuries. Its support has been derived from the income 
of its endowment fund, the benefactions of benevolent individuals and small 
appropriations from time to time by the legislature, aided by such sums as 
patients have been able to pay for their care and treatment. The poor have 
never been refused, but neither the city nor the county has ever aided in the 
support of the institution. The number of patients admitted in 1885 was 
1,244; in 1886, 1,380; in 1887, 14,462. 

"The legislature has empowered the Western Pennsylvania Hospital, 
through its organization, to distribute coal to the worthy poor, derived from the 



422 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

earnings of certain bequests for that purpose. William Holmes, Esq., ex- 
ecutor of the late Charles Brewer, paid to the treasurer certain funds be- 
queathed by the decedent, amountin<^ in the aggregate to over lifty thousand 
dollars. John Holmes, Esq., executor of the late James Crawford, has paid 
to the treasurer ten thousand dollars, under the will of the decedent, which is 
invested. Through such benevolent means the hospital is now the benign 
agency of cheering many a humble fireside in Pittsburgh and vicinity." 

Thomas Bakewell was the president of the institution from its organization 
until his death, in 1806. He was succeeded by John Harper, who has contin- 
ued ill office until the present time. 

THE .\LLEGHENY COUNTY HOME. 

This institution, one of the most important public charities of the county, 
is situated at Woodville, in Collier township. The act of assembly authorizing 
the purchase of ground and erection of buildings was approved April 23, 1852, 
and a supplement thereto, April 23, 1853. The commissioners under this act, 
Thomas Varner, Alexander Carnahan, James Kelly, John Boyles, Thomas 
Blackmore, Jr. , John Gilfillen, Jr. , Erasmus Cooper, Henry Chalfant and 
Christian Sniveley, organized November 1, 1852, with Mr. Varner president 
and Mr. Gilfillen secretary. Agreeably to the requirements of the law, they 
selected and purchased a farm of 205 acres from Jeremiah Dunlavy, the price 
paid being 190 an acre, securing the same by deed under date of May 22, 1853. 
J. W. Kerr was engaged as architect, and the contract for the building awarded to 
Abraham Patterson for 123,255, June 20, 1853. The work of construction was 
begun July 8, 1853, and the buildings received their first occupants September 
8, 1854. As enlarged at various times, the main building is about three hun- 
dred feet long, with two wings on either side. The hospital building is detached. 
The number of inmates is 225. The government of the institution is consti- 
tuted as follows: Directors, W. H. Guy, A. S. Miller, Frank Patterson: super- 
intendent, W. J. Glenn; matron, Mrs. M. E. Glenn; assistant matron, Miss Emma 
Harrison; resident physician, J. L. Srodes, M. D. ; farmer, S. W. Lea. 

ALLEGHENY COUNTY WORKHOUSE. 

Few institutions are more interesting and worthy of a visit than the Alle- 
gheny County Workhouse. It was built in 1870, with cell capacity for four 
hundred prisoners which was believed to be ample for many years. It has, 
however, been from time to time so enlarged that at the beginning of 1885 it 
had cell capacity for 402 males and 150 females. Additional prisoners were 
provided for by the erection of bunks in the corridors, not at all desirable, 
and by temporary barracks in the yard. 

' ' Mr. Henry Warner, the superintendent, has made prison management and 
discipline a lifelong study, and has brought much practical experience to aid 
him in his investigations, so imceasingly carried on that now he is, not only at 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 423 

home, but abroad, a recognized authority upon all subjects relating to the 
delinquent classes." 

The industrial features of the institution are especially noticeable. In the 
year 1884 the barrel- and keg-factories consumed material to the value of one 
hundred and seventy thousand dollars, at a net profit of forty-three thousand 
dollars. " Equally good, although not so large, results, because the plants 
are less extensive, are found in the broom-factory, the brush -factory, the 
laundry and the knitting department." 

A disastrous fire occurred April 28, 1875, destroying the north and east 
wings, which were rebuilt upon an enlarged plan. The female department 
was built in 1873. 

WESTERN PENITENTIARY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

An act of assembly was passed March 3, 1818, providing for the erection 
of a penitentiary on the plan of ' ' solitary confinement, ' ' and appropriating 
sixty thousand dollars for constructing the same. The act authorized the select 
and common councils of Pittsburgh to select for a site ten acres of the public 
grounds or commons in Allegheny. This was done, but three and a half acres 
were afterward restored to their original use as commons. 

In May, 1818, a commission for the erection of the prison was appointed. 
In July, 1826, the first prisoner was received, and in November, 1827, the 
entire work was completed, at a cost of about six hundred and fifty thousand 
dollars. Improvements were subsequently made, the cost of which would, at 
present prices of labor and material, reach two and one-half million dollars. 

An act passed April 23, 1829, directed imprisonment by solitary confine- 
ment, at labor, in the cells or workyards of the prison. This change neces- 
sitated an alteration of the prison, and an act was passed in 1833 authorizing 
the taking down of all the first cells and the erection of others adapted to the 
new regulation. These were completed in 1886, and the system of solitary 
labor was rigidly adhered to during more than thirty years. The growing con- 
viction that the system of solitary labor did not tend to the reformation of 
prisoners led to the passage in 1869 of two laws which had a most important 
bearing on prison discipline and reform. One authorized the congregating 
of convicts for purposes of labor, learning and religious services; the other 
was known as the "commutation law," or the reduction of the term of im- 
prisonment by good behavior. The changes contemplated by these laws were 
adopted with watchfiil caution, but the results have been highly satisfactory. 
The system of congregated labor adopted was what is known as the ' ' contract 
system. ' ' 

PENNSYLVANIA REFORM SCHOOL. 

The House of Refuge of Western Pennsylvania was incorporated in 1850, 
and was first opened in the latter part of 1854, at a point on the Ohio river 
near the mouth of Wood's run, some two and a half miles centrally distant 



424 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

h-om Allegheny. After continuing in operation there some more than twenty 
years, that location was abandoned, and buildings, which had been erected at 
Morganza, in Washington county, were occupied, and the name of the insti- 
tution was changed to the "'Pennsylvania Reform School." 

By an act of the legislature approved June 12, 1876, it was directed that 
the old House of Refuge should be acquired to be used as a temporary prison, 
' ' with a view to the removal of the old buildings and the erection of new and 
suitable buildings on the new site." The work was entered on, and from 
appropriations for the purpose, • ' and a judicious use of material fi-om the 
old buildings. ' ' such progress has been made that the prison is approaching 
completion. 

The enactment of the law prohibiting " contract convict labor," and direct- 
ing that the labor of convicts be employed for the state when the contracts had 
expired, necessitated considerable changes in the prison management. The bien- 
nial report made January 1, 1877, states: 

' ' In the selection of an industry for the employment of at least a part of our 
idle population, after a careful study of the matter it was decided that the 
manufacture of cocoa mats and matting would be less competitive than any 
other. The requisite machinery, tools and raw material were purchased, and 
now, after trial of a year, the wisdom of our choice is apparent to all who have 
examined its details." 

The same report states : ' ' We now make formal report that the old prison 
site on the public common ceased to be used for penitentiary purposes in July, 
1885, and under the provisions of the act of June 22, 1883, the title thereto 
then vested in the city of Allegheny, for use as a portion of the public parks 
of said city. 

The total number of prisoners received from 1826 to January 1, 1887, is 
8,303; the number remaining December 31, 1886, 706. 

The board of inspectors and officers January 1, 1887, were: George A. 
Kelly, president; James McCutcheon. treasurer; T. D. Casey, secretary; A. L. 
Robinson and James R. Reed. Edward S. Wright is the warden; Hugh S. 
McKean, deputy warden; D. N. Rankin, M. D., physician, and A. F. Sawhill, 
clerk. 



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HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 425 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

GEOLOGY AND TOPOGKAPHY. 

Inteoductory— Columnar Section— The Earth's Crust— The Pittsburgh 
Bituminous Coal— Petroleum and Natural Gas— Sandstones, etc.— 
General Topography. 

IN writing an abridged geological sketch of Allegheny county we shall 
necessarily be confined to a brief outline of such general principles of 
geology as may be of interest or profit to the general reader, and avoid the 
use of such technical terms and details as may be omitted without sacrificing 
the subject too greatly. For a work at once elaborate and instructive we shall 
refer the reader to the reports of the geological survey of Pennsylvania, 
published by a board of commissioners for such purpose, and under authority 
from the state government. 

Geology treats of the earth's formation and structure, its rocks, strata, 
minerals, organic remains, the changes it has undergone from inundation, also 
from volcanic and other influences. Geology is a history of the earth built 
upon circumstantial evidence, such as is read from the rocks, minerals and 
organic remains, together with stratagraphical construction, and the later 
disarrangement of that by volcanic action, and the slow process of erosion, 
which has been going on for countless ages. For how long has it taken the 
waters of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers to wear their ways 
between the hills of Western Pennsylvania? And how immeasui'ably longer 
must have been the process of rock- or structure-making, since each succeed- 
ing stratum represents a vast period of time, and a deposit of sediments when 
the surface of the country was overspread by the ocean, or a marginal bay or 
estuary, and until the great Appalachian uplift raised this end of the continent 
out of water, leaving the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers flowing 
through the carboniferous basin of coal, limestone, sedimentary and sandstone 
deposits laid down or formed during the period of inundation. 

We herewith give a generalized sectional view of the strata as shown in 
the hillsides throughout the county, from river level to the hilltops and below 
river level, by oilwell boring, showing the rock structure to a depth of twelve 
hundred feet at the northeast corner of the county. 

In Allegheny county it is a stratification of rock, shale, limestone, clay and 
coal as shown in the sectional diagram. The Pittsburgh bituminous coalbed, 
underlying, as it does, fifty square miles of the county across the south part, 
being accessible in the hillsides and above water level, economically considered, 
is the most important member in the county's geological structure, if not in 



ITOTE! TO COLTJIMIItTJ^K. SEOTIOiT. 



At the northeast corner of Allegheny county the river level is, approximately, 
1 50 feet above ocean level, and at this point, were the hills high enough to reach 
the Pittsbui'gh coal, it would be found 1,500 feet above ocean level, the distance 
being 750 feet fi-om the measures at the river level, up the scale, to the place of 
that scale. At the extreme south end of the county, approximately, the Pittsburgh 



coal is 800 feet above ocean level, or 700 feet lower at the south end of the county 
than the scale would show it at the northeast corner of the county, were the coal 
in existence at that point; therefore, the distance from point to point being 35 
miles in a direction between south and southwest, or along a line from Freeport on 
the Allegheny river to Monongahela City on the Monongahela river, and the differ- 



ence in the elevation of the coal at the two extremes of the county being 700 feet, 
we find the dip of the strata, in the direction named, to be 20 feet to the mile — 
700-^35=20. 




The total outcrop, or the edges of the horizontal strata exposed within the bonndaries of Allegheny county, when 
measured vertically, eq\ial 1,100 feet, as shown by the scale of this generalized section. The 1,100 feet may be subdivided 
into three parts: 1st— 350 feet of the "Upper Productive" Coal Measures, outcropping in the south part of the county, having 
the Pittsburgh coal for a base; 2d— 500 feet, or the outcrop of the entire "Lower Barren" Coal Measures lying between the 
Pittsbiu-gh Coal and the Mahoning Sandstone, and outcropping across Ihe central and north part of the county; 3d— 250 feet 
of the "Lower Productive" Coal Measures, outcropping along the Allegheny river and valleys of the north part of the county. 



1325 feet of carboniferous meisures below the Allegheny river level as shown by oil'well drillings at or near the 
northeast corner of the county. All tlie important oil and gas rocks found within the county are represented by the last 
350 feet of this scale. 



426 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

the state, being the chief source and foundation of the county's wealth and 
prosperity. It has made the city of Pittsburgh the greatest manufacturing 
center on the continent, and the city in turn has afforded a market for the 
agricultural products of the eount}''s bountiful soil, until the county has be- 
come one of the most beautiful, as well as one of the wealthiest, sections on 
the globe. The Pittsburgh coalbed has an average thickness of about eight 
feet, and each square mile contains S.00(\000 tons of coal. The south part 
of the county is underlaid with about forty square miles of coal or about 
320,000,000 tons, but this is only a small part of the Pittsburgh coalbed, as 
there are about tweuty-tivo hundred square miles of the bed lying south of 
Pittsburgh, and within the state. Owing to railroad facilities for transporta- 
tion, and a natural waterway made navigable through the coal-basin by a 
system of dams to Pittsburgh, that city must continue to be the commercial 
center for bituminous-coal operations within the state as well as the great 
manufacturing center. 

The Pittsburgh coalbed for the past forty years has supplied the cities along 
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to the Gulf of Mexico, and many other cities 
and towns throughout the country, by means of railway transportation, bring- 
ing to Allegheny county an immense amount of wealth, independent of Pitts- 
burgh's great mamifacturing interests. Twenty-tive hundred square miles of 
the Pittsburgh coalbed within the southwestern part of the state means 
10, 000,(100, 000 tons of bituminous coal, after allowing liberally for intervals 
between outcroppings: of the above, no doubt 7,000.000,000 will be available 
for commercial purposes after allowing for waste in mining. The average out- 
spread for the past ten years has not exceeded 10.000,000 tons per annum, 
at which rate the Pittsburgh coalbed within the state limits will not be 
exhausted for seven thousand years. A matter about which the reader need 
not be personally concerned. 

The Pittsburgh coal, while being of the very best quality for heating and 
cooking pui'poses, from its geographical location surpasses all other coals on 
account of being easy of access and for its availability in mining. 

The next most important of the underground products of Allegheny 
county may be considered under the head of petroleum and natural gas; but 
while natural gas has lent a great impetus to the city of Pittsburgh and her 
manufacturing interests, the story may soon be told, for within a few short 
years that delightful fuel will only be available in quantities for household 
purposes. The manufacturers will have to return to the use of bituminous 
coal or gas manufactured from it, or petroleum, and the latter can not be 
depended upon as a fuel, for many years, as the supply is decreasing. The 
present production is already less than the consumption, causing a depletion of 
the stock of oil above ground, and we may say that the prospect of an increased 
production, except, perhaps, temporarily, is very doubtful. Yet Allegheny 
county is already producing petroleum in paying quantities, and is giving 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 427 

promise of cutting a respectable figure among the oil-producing counties of 
the state. 

The sandstones and flagstones of Allegheny county add to her material- 
wealth, and are excellent for basework and ordinary building purposes; but 
as elaboration is not intended, and as the writer makes no pretensions to great 
geological knowledge, we shall not attempt a scientific or technical discussion 
of the several strata in detail. The limestones and fireclays of the county 
may be passed over as a being of no very great economical importance, except- 
ing the use of the limestone for still further enriching an already fertile soil. 

The topography of Allegheny county makes beautiful, picturesque scenery. 
The Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, together with their tributaries, 
having cut their way down through several hundred feet of shales and sand- 
stones, leaving beautiful bluffs and escarpments on either side overlooking the 
rivers and creeks with their terraced banks, form scenery not often surpassed, 
and the smaller streams, fed by springs, running down the hillsides and find- 
ing their way to the creeks, afford most excellent natural drainage for the 
county. 

With a climate salubrious, soil rich, and an abundance of mineral wealth, 
the county is capable of sustaining an immense population, and with its vast 
manufacturing interests is almost a world in itself. 



CHAPTER XTX. 

THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Old and New County Huildings — The Celebration— Ob.ject of the Parades 
—Dedication of New Buildings— Civic and Military Procession. 

^ I '^HE history of Allegheny county would be incomplete were there not given 
-*- some account of the celebration, in Pittsburgh, of the centennial of the 
formation of Allegheny county, September 24, 1788. 

The second courthouse, opened in 1841, was destroyed by fire on Sunday, 
May 7, 1882. The county commissioners, after consultation with many 
citizens, and after an examination of many of the best courthouses in the 
country, decided to rebuild upon the site of the burned courthouse, and invited 
plans and proposals from architects. Fortunately their preference fell upon a 
plan submitted by H. H. Richardson, of Massachusetts (since dead). The 
estimate upon this plan was that the new courthouse and jail could be liuilt 
for $2,500,000. Contract for the erection of the buildings was made with 
Northrop Bros., of Massachusetts, and they were finished in time for occu- 
panc}' in August, 1888, and the cost was, for a wonder, inside of the estimate. 



428 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 

As the best history of this efFort was made at the centennial by R. E. Mercer, 
one of the commissioners, it is hereto appended: 

It was on Sunday, the 7th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1882. that the old 
courthouse, a building of great architectural beauty, and for years the pride of our 
people, was destroyed by fire, and we, as county commissioners, were confronted with the 
duty of building a new courthouse and jail, a legal responsibility of the office we held. 

Tlie task thus presented was one of great and serious responsibility and fraught with 
manifold difficulties, and was one for which we previously had no special fitness or adapt- 
ness. Illy equipped as we were, we called upon the leading public-spirited citizens of the 
county and the public press, and with their advice and assistance entered upon the prose- 
cution of the work. 

We were exceedingly fortunate in securing the services of that eminent architect, 
Henry Hobson Richardson, and to his genius, skill and great learning we are largely 
indebted for the rapid and satisfactory manner in which the masterpiece of his life's work 
was completed, and it is with feelings of deepest sorrow that we remember he was called 
from the scene of his earthly labors before the completion of these buildings. 

To his credit, however, be it said, that for rare architectural beauty, completeness of 
arrangements and substantial workmanship the buildings are unequaled anywhere 
throughout the country. 

The sum estimated as necessary to be expended for their construction and equipment 
was $2,500,000; their actual cost, not including |163.300 paid for the ground on which the 
jail stands, is $2,4.50,284.66. 

The important question at the beginning of the work was, " How shall this great sum 
of money be obtained?" A variety of opinions prevailed among the citizens and tax- 
payers; some advocated the issue of bonds for the entire amount, while others recom- 
mended that it be raised by direct taxation during the progress of the work, and thereby 
avoid increasing the indebtedness of the county, which, on the 1st day of January, 1882, 
was 83.922,477.01. 

The suggestion to avoid increasing the indebtedness of the county was in part 
adopted, and although it was necessary, during the prosecution of the work, to issue 
$800,000 in bonds, yet to-day the indebtedness is but $4,081,617. while the available assets 
of the county acquired during this time amount to $160,000 invested in the university 
building and other properties used temporarily for county purposes. We are thus enabled 
to present to you these buildings with every dollar of their cost paid or provided for, 
without increase in the tax-levy, and the indebtedness of the county, taking into con- 
sideration the assets referred to, $860.01 less than it was January 1, 1882. 

That new buildings, costing 12,500,000, should have been built and paid 
for without incurring any increase in indebtedness is, indeed, a remarkable 
fact, and that none of this large sum was found sticking to the hands of either 
the commissioners, the architect or the contractors, is creditable in the 
highest degree. The new buildings are models of taste and beauty, as well 
as of adaptedness to their uses, and add much to the appearance of the city. 

The jail was first built, and was finished in 1886, and the fact that the 
courthouse was finished in 1888, the one hundredth anniversary of the forma- 
tion of the county, led to the suggestion that the building should be dedicated 
on the day of the county's formation, September 24, 1788. Acting upon this 
hint, the citizens of the two cities, through a centennial committee of one hun- 
dred, of which Mr. Morrison Foster, of Allegheny, was chairman, made 




(j^/Z60-u^ J^'t. ^Sr^^ 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 431 

arrangements for a grand centennial celebration of three days, September 
24th, 25th and 26th, the courthouse to be dedicated on the 24th, to be fol- 
lowed by a civic display and grand procession on the 25th, and a military dis- 
play on the 26th, the nights of the three days to be occupied in displays of 
fireworks. No celebration would be complete, in this country, without this 
Chinese addendum. 

The object of the several parades was to show, by contrast, the great 
advance made by the county within the hundred years. It was impossible, 
of course, to show the actual condition of things here in 1788; but by means 
of mules and horses laden with packs of merchandise, the only method of 
transportation a hundred years ago; by parading a Conestoga wagon of the 
period of 1820, and the canal-boats of 1830, a clear contrast was drawn with 
the locomotives and cars of to-day; and by pictorial delineations of river trans- 
portation in 1788 by canoe, flat and barge, by steamers in 1812 and at sub- 
sequent periods, the contrast with 1888 was clear and unmistakable. 

On the 24th, before the courthouse was formally turned over to the people, 
there was a significant parade of the police of the two cities, and of their 
respective fire departments, including such of the old fire-engines as could be 
obtained. There was no police force in 1788, to contrast with the splendid 
display of such force made in 1888; but that very fact was suiHeient, in itself, 
to mark the advance made in a century. The present police of the two cities 
is not a very large force, numerically speaking, but this parade showed it to 
be composed of men physically adapted to their task, and the peace and good 
order that prevailed during the three days' celebration demonstrated how well 
trained they are to their difficult work. The contrast between the old fire- 
engines, worked by hand, and the present steam fire-engines was also note- 
worthy. The history of these old hand- worked fire-engines extends back only 
to 1808, and from that period forward to 1869; bilt from 1788 to 1808 the 
fire department consisted exclusively of the bucket brigade. The old borough 
of Pittsburgh compelled every householder to keep a certain number of leathern 
buckets always on hand. When a fire occurred each householder repaired 
with his leathern buckets (which had his name painted on them) to the fire, 
where a double line was formed from the tire to the nearest pump, well or 
stream, and the buckets, as filled, were passed up one side of the line, and 
returned empty down the other side. This was a miserable provision for put- 
ting out a fire, but it was the best that could be made then. Fortunately, 
each house was detached from all others, and, clumsy as this method was, it 
generally served to confine a fire to the premises on which it began. After 
1808, when a small hand fire-engine was in use, the bucket brigade was still 
used to furnish water to the engine. It was not until a long time afterward 
that the city furnished a water supply, and so ended the services of the bucket 
brigade. Since the introduction of the steam fire-engine fires have been 
easily extinguished, and, though fi'equent, are not often disastrous. The 



432 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

transition from 1788, when the tires had to be extinguished by pouring water 
on a bucketful at a time, to 1888, when water is copiously supplied in a dozen 
potent jets from as many engines, or is frequently put out without water, by 
the use of a Babcock extinguisher, was a great one, and was made fully mani- 
fest by the parade of the magnificent steam apparatus of the present day. 

At the morning exercises, on the 24th, Judge Stowe presided, and address- 
es were made by Judge White, D. D. Bruce, Henry Warner and ex-President 
Hayes, who was an invited guest. The courthouse was formally turned over 
to the people by the county commissioners, and accepted, on behalf of the 
people, by William M. Darlington, Esq., the oldest attorney at the bar. At 
the afternoon meeting Hon. James L. Graham presided. The school chil- 
dren of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, some three thousand of them being present, 
sang several patriotic songs admirably, and this would of itself have made 
the occasion a notable one. There may have been a school in Pittsburgh in 
1788, but if any existed at all it was a private and very small one, while the 
public schools of 1888 are the pride and the glory, as well as the security, of 
the people. An oration by A. M. Brown, Esq., followed, and several speeches, 
among them one by Judge Patton, who held the first court in the coui-thouse 
lately destroyed by fire; and this, with some fine choral singing, finished the 
proceedings of the first day, and completed the dedication of the new building. 

The civic procession of the 25th was the grandest display of the kind ever 
witnessed in Pittsburgh up to that time. The procession began to move at 
10:20 A. M. , and occupied three hours and a quarter in passing a point a short 
distance from the starting- place, and was so vast in its proportions that it was 
impossible to get into it more than three-fifths of those waiting to take part in 
it. As a mere civic spectacle it was a grand success; but as aifording a dem- 
onstration of the growth of the city and county within the past hundred years 
it was still more successful. The almost interminable lines of workingmen 
from innumerable factories of every kind, and the displays of domestic mate- 
rials and handiwork, were bewildering in their number and extent. It was an 
overwhelming proof of the progress wrought in a century. No words can express 
the height and the depth, the length and the breadth of the teaching it conveyed 
by an object-lesson of such surpassing magnitude. The military procession of 
the 26th was not so gigantic in its proportions; but it, too, was an object-les- 
son sufficient to leave a lasting impression. When Mad Anthony Wayne was 
here, shortly after the formation of the county, drilling his troops for an 
advance into the Indian country, it was thought a great thing that Pittsburgh 
was able to form a small military company of thirty or forty men; and among 
all the contrasts brought out during the three days of this centennial, none was 
more noteworthy than that between the puny military company of Wayne' s day 
and the grand military display of 1888. All the troops present were volun- 
teers. The regular army has no force in Pittsbui-gh. The war of 1861-65 
has left behind it a military spirit that still keeps up its ardor, and Western 



PITTSBURGH. 433 

Pennsylvania conlcl, if needs were, turn out a respectable army, on short notice, 
to repel the advance of any possible enemy, from any qiiarter. 

The mere details of these processions would not be edifying in a history of 
this kind, and are therefore omitted. It is enough to say that the lesson of 
the centennial was beautifully and fully taught; and we are left to wonder, 
with all who witnessed this grand display, what the next hundred years will 
bring forth. What will be the measure of their advancement? It can not 
be greater, everyone is fain to think, than that of the past century; and the 
fondest aspirations will be satisfied if it shall prove to be as great. 



CHAPTER XX. 

PITTSBURGH. 

Advantages of the Site of Pittsburgh— McKee's Rocks and " The Fouks " — 
FOKTS— Influx of Settlers— Col. Campbell's Town— Early Growth 
OF Pittsburgh— Fort Pitt— Temperanceville— The Pontiac Conspir- 
Acv— Siege of Fort Pitt. 

IT was at a very early period that the site of Pittsburgh attracted attention. 
To a practiced military eye its advantages as the site for a fort were at 
once plain. The Indians, however, never seemed to have any idea of its value 
for the purpose of fortification.* Shannopin'sf tovni was not at the forks, 
but at Two-Mile run, on the Allegheny, while Shingiss;|; selected McKee's 
Rocks as the most advantageous military point. 

In Judge Agnew's recent work, giving a history of the titles to land in 
Western Pennsylvania, he cites from the treaty of Fort Stanwix, made in 1784, 
a statement of the boundaries of the lands surrendered by that treaty, which 
speaks of ' ' Shingo' s old town, at the mouth of Beaver, ' ' as the starting-point 
north and south of the western boundary line of Pennsylvania. As ' ' the 
mouth of Beaver " was never known as " Shingo' s old town," and there is no 
trace of such a town at the mouth of Little Beaver, twelve miles below "the 
mouth of Beaver," the judge is not a little mystified by this phraseology. 
The mouth of Beaver was known among the Indians as Sawcung, a generic 
Delaware word signifying the mouth of streams, generally. Saucon creek, in 

* That the Indians never attached any importance to the '* fork " as a military point is shown by the fact 
that Ihey had no name for it until after it was occupied as a fort. The Indian name for this place was 
Menachiuk— literally "at the fortified place." Menach is an enclosure, a fortification; ink is the locative, as 
in Kittan-ing, meaning at. Hence Menachink is "at the fort," or at the fortified place. This shows that 
the name was framed after its occupation by the English and French. The name has very little to commend 
it to general use; being harsh in sound and not sutliciently iadicative in its meaning. 

t A Shawanese chief. 

; The chief of the Delawares, erroneously called " King " by many of the earlier writers. 



434 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Northampton county, Pa., is an instance of its use, and it is found in Maine, in 
Saco and Sagadahock, as well as in Saginaw, in Michigan. If the treaty had 
meant Big Beaver creek, therefore, it would have used the well-known Indian 
name applied to the mouth of that stream, Sawcung; and as the parties named 
in the treaty to run the lines must have known what was meant by the terms 
used to define the boundary, and as they started the line north and south from 
the mouth of Little Beaver, it follows that " Shingo's old town" was at the 
mouth of Little Beaver. There is nothing beyond this inference to show that 
this was the fact; but as Shingiss' town [Shingo being used for Shingiss in the 
treaty] was at McKee's Rocks in 1753, " the mouth of Beaver" is referred to 
in the treaty as " Shingo's old town " to distinguish it from his new town 
near the site of Pittsburgh. And the language is used in 1784 as definitely indi- 
cating a specific point, showing that at that time there could be no difficulty in 
identifying it. The fact that there is nothing at the mouth of Little Beaver 
to show that Shingiss ever occupied it amounts to nothing. There is as little 
now to show that he ever lived at McKee's Rocks. 

In 1748 Thomas Lee, one of the king's council in Virginia, formed a plan 
for a settlement on lands west of the mountains. (It must be borne in mind 
here that Virginia, as well as Pennsylvania, laid claim to all the lands west of 
Laurel hill, which accounts for Washington's visit here in 1753 and Brad- 
dock's expedition in 1755.) A company was formed of persons in Mary- 
land and Virginia, called " the Ohio Company," to whom half a million acres 
of land, principally south of the Ohio, were granted. George Washington, in 
his journal of the visit of 1753, says: 

"About two miles from this [Pittsburgh], on the southeast side of the river, 
at the place where the Ohio Company intended to erect a fort, lives Shingiss, 
king of the Delawares. As I had taken a good deal of notice j'esterday of 
the situation at the fork, my curiosity led me to examine this more particularly, 
and I think it greatly inferior, either for defense or advantages, especially the 
latter. For a fort at the fork would be equally well situated on the Ohio, and 
have the entire command of the Monongahela, which runs up our settlement, 
and is extremely well designed for water carriage, as it is of a deep, still nature. 
Besides, a fort at the fork might be built at much less expense than at the 
other place." 

We infer from the fact that the Ohio Company was formed in 1748, and 
that a fort was designed by it at McKee's Rocks, that some representative of 
that company had been over the ground prior to that date. C^loron, a French 
officer, was certainly here in 1749, and must have noted the '' fork," as Wash- 
ington calls it, as a desirable and commanding military position. France at 
and prior to that time was incited, by her extensive possessions in North 
America, to strengthen herself by establishing a line of posts from her northern 
(Canada) to her soiithern (Louisiana) colony. In this great scheme the point 
at the junction of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers became a command- 




J. J. YAHDERGRIFT. 



PITTSBURGH. 437 

ing position. But the knowledge of this implies a personal knowledge of the 
spot on the part of its exploring agents. So it is fair to conclude that both the 
English and French had been on the ground and made note of its value, as a 
military point, some yeai's before 1750. This is certain as to the French, the 
English explorers seeming, at first, to prefer a point a little lower down the river. 
But Washington had too good a military education to prefer McKee' s Rocks to 
"the fork." The latter commanded his preference at first sight. 

C61oron was sent out, not to select sites for forts, but to take possession of 
the country along the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. He did this by burying 
leaden plates, on which were inscribed the objects of his mission, at different 
points. Three of these, it is said, have been found, one at the mouth of 
French creek, Pennsylvania, one at Marietta, Ohio, and one at Big Kanawha. Of 
the latter, a fac simile was published by Neville B. Craig in ' " The Olden Time. ' ' 

This action of the French excited the governor of Virginia, who sent out 
George Washington, in 1753, to visit and remonstrate with the French com- 
mandant at Fort Le Bceuf. He arrived here November 24, 1753, and made 
his way to Fort Le Bceuf, where he discharged his mission and returned. 
When he reached this place in December the Allegheny was running with 
ice. He attempted to cross at Herr' s island on a raft, which was wrecked by 
the ice, and he narrowly escaped with his life. But he got over in some fash- 
ion, and passed on to Frazier' s, at the mouth of Turtle creek. Frazier was an 
Indian trader, and his settlement was one of the few then in Western Pennsyl- 
vania. From Frazier' 8 he went home to Virginia, and made report of his 
mission. 

The English were the first to act in taking possession of "the fork." 
Washington returned in December, 1753. In February, 1754, Capt. Trent 
was dispatched to build a fort there, and must have got rapidly to work, for 
he had a stockade built and occupied in April, 1754. On the 17th day of that 
month Capt. Contrecoeur, on behalf of the French, demanded an instant siir- 
render. Capt. Trent being absent. Ensign Ward was in command, but the 
Frenchman knew his advantage, and insisted upon and received an instant sur- 
render. ContreccEur then built a new fort, which he called Fort Diiquesne, 
after the governor of Canada. To dispossess ContreccBur was now the grand 
object of the English, and the management of the effort to recapture the fort 
was intrusted to Gen. Braddock. Of the disastrous failure of his expedition 
our readers all know. This occurred in 1755, and the French remained in 
possession until Gen. Forbes undertook another expedition in 1758. The 
French, by that time, had become satisfied of their inability to hold the fort, 
and instead of waiting for his arrival blew it up, and carried their forces away 
in canoes to a fort of the Shawanese in Ohio. By 1763 Canada had fallen into 
the hands of the English, and all the French schemes for a foothold in America 
were blasted. 

On the 17th of February, 1754, Capt. William Trent and Christopher Gist 



438 HISTOHY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

built their half-faced camps on the forks of the Ohio, and selected the site of 
the fort which was destined to attract the attention of all Europe and America, 
an event which an enthusiastic writer has properly proclaimed as the real 
founding of Pittsburgh. No doubts of immediate success appear to have de- 
pressed the spirits of these hardy pioneers. Little more than two years before 
Gist had laid out a town and fort on Redstone creek, not far fi'om Brownsville, 
and eleven families soon afterward took up their homes there. About the same 
time the bold surveyor had transferred his home from the Yadkin (North Car- 
olina) to a site between Redstone creek and the Laurel hills, while in 1753 a 
considerable settlement had been planted a little further off, on the Youghio- 
gheny. The Ohio Company had established a fort in the meantime at the 
mouth of the Redstone, and was now seeking to plant another stronghold still 
nearer the tribes to which they already were sending their traders. But with 
the succeeding spring came the French, followed by the contest for military 
supremacy between the rival powers and Pontiac's conspiracy to sustain the 
" frail fabric of French empire in the west." 

The close of the French and English war, in 1763, found all these organized 
attempts at colonization prostrated, but the events of the war and succeeding 
campaigns had brought the attractions of the region to the notice of many, while 
the bounties offered the troops created an interest in the lands beyond the mount- 
ains which soon brought an eager thiong of pioneers into this region. The 
provisions of existing treaties still made the Allegheny hills the boundary 
between the whites and the Indians, but, in spite of royal proclamations and 
strict military orders for their removal, the settlers came into the forbidden 
territory, and planted their homes on the very banks of the river. In 1761 a 
return of the garrison and camp-followers at Pittsburgh showed something 
more than three hundred persons present, but no sign of a regular settlement. 
Three years later, however, when Bouquet's campaign was scarcely ended, and 
almost before a stockade promising ample protection had been provided for. 
Col. John Campbell laid out that portion of the city which is now indicated by 
the line of Water and Second streets, between Ferry and Market. A\'hat his 
encouragement for this action was can not now be ascertained. Doubtless the site 
promised great advantages for a frontier town, which Campbell felt sure would 
rapidly grow into existence under the protection of the fort, and he hastened 
to reap the advantage of his early presence on the ground. Whatever the 
basis of his claim was, it does not appear to have been disturbed, and his plat 
became the origin of the town, which has since developed into a great manu- 
facturing center. To resume, the importance of the site of Pittsbui'gh was 
recognized as early as 1748; induced in part the journey of Ci^leron in 1749; 
led to Washington's visit in 1753; to the erection of a stockade in 1754 by 
the English ; to its capture by the French in the same year, and the erection of 
Fort Duquesne; to the expedition of Braddock in 1755; to the capture of Fort 
Duquesne in 1758 by Gen. Forbes; to the subsequent erection of Fort Pitt in 



PITTSBURGH. 



439- 



1759, and to the laying oat of a squatters' town by Campbell in 1764. In 
all this time, from 1748 to 1758, there were but few settlers in Western 
Pennsylvania beyond the immediate vicinity of the fort; but after the expulsion 
of the French, in the latter year, white settlers began to creep in, and there 
was enough demand for supplies from settlers and from Indian traders to 
warrant this first beginning of a town of stores made by Campbell in 1764. 

The municipal history of Pittsburgh begins with 1794, when the town was 
incorporated as a borough; but the history of the town of Pittsburgh begins 
with 1764, the year in which Col. Bouquet erected his redoubt, still standing at 
the Point. ' ' In the same year, also, ' ' says Craig in his ' ' History of Pittsburgh, ' ' 
"Col. John Campbell laid out that part of the city which lies between Water 
and Second streets [now Second avenue] and between Ferry and Market 




bou(;,uet's redoubt, kkK( ted 1764. 

streets, being four squares." What fashion Craig followed in finding /ottr 
squares where there are really but two I can not say, positively, but probably 
Chancery lane was counted by him as an intervening street between Ferry 
and Market, which would make four squares, or blocks. 

This little town plot of Col. Campbell was near the fort, and therefore- 
under its protection. The fort, it is true, was nearer the intersection of the 
two rivers, the Allegheny and Monongahela, and was between Liberty street 
and the Allegheny, with two of its five sides facing the Monongahela; but the 
original fort, Duquesne, being practically destroyed by the French when they 
evacuated it in 1758, the British force left by Gen. Forbes to occupy the 
position erected a temporary barracks and a redoubt on the corner of what i& 



440 HISTOliY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

now Redoubt alley and Water street, which served as a fortification until Fort 
Pitt was erected near the site of Fort Duquesne. It is not improbable 
that in 1704 this redoubt was occupied by the British forces as well as Fort 
Pitt, so that Col. Campbell, in laying out his little town, would be able to 
feel that its citizens were sufficiently near to military protection. If, how- 
ever, the old redoubt was not occupied by the military, the new redoubt of Bou- 
quet was only two squares distant; and the fact that the laying out of this 
embryo town was done in the same year the redoubt of Bouquet was built 
would naturally indicate the dependence of the town upon the new fortification 
for military succor when needed. The commandant of the fort, also, might 
very properly think the town would be injurious to the fort if allowed any 
nearer. 

Whatever encouragement Col. Campbell had, or thought he had, his legal 
authority for plotting this town-site does not appear from any papers now 
accessible to the public. The Indian title to the land had not been extinguished 
in 1704, so that, although the Penns claimed all the territory five degrees west 
of the Delaware under the original grant of William Penn, their purchases 
from the Indians extended west only to the eastern side of the Allegheny 
mountains. In 1708 the Iroquois Indians sold to the Penns all the territory 
from the eastern side of the Alleghenies to the Allegheny river at Kittanning, 
and thence downward to its mouth, and thence to its western border; and in 
1709 the Penns ordered a survey of the manor of Pittsburgh. It was com- 
pleted March 27, 1769, and contained 5,766 acres. This was five years after 
Campbell's town was laid out, so that he did not need, in 1764, any authori- 
zation from the Penns to justify his act. His plan, nevertheless, seems to have 
satisfied the Penns; for when their survey of the town was made, in 1784, 
they adopted Campbell's plan, as far as it went, and the rest of their plan was 
made to conform to it.* Whether the settlers on Campbell's plan had to buy 
their titles from the Penns, or whether Campbell's titles were recognized, or 
whether, in fact, Campbell made any titles, I can not tell. Probably he did 
not undertake to give title to what he never owned; and those who built upon 
the lots laid out by him, being merely squatters, were recognized by the Penns 
as having the first right to a title from them. Campbell was a Virginian, and 
may have got authority from Dunmore. He ran off with Connolly, and this 
gives color to the supposition. The little town, we are told, was occupied 
mainly by Indian traders after it was laid out, and may hence be regarded as 
a mere military convenience, to carry on intercourse with the Indians outside 
of the forts, and not as a speculation in town lots. In an account given of 
the visit of Rev. Charles Beatty and Rev. Mr. Duffield to Pittsburgh in 1766 
we are told that ' ' Mr. Duffield preached to the people icho lived in some kind 
of a tourn, without the fort, to whom Mr. Beatty also preached in the after- 

* This fact may explain a peculiarity of that plan which will be more fully noted when we come to 
consider it farther. 



PITTSBUEGH. 443 

noon." Mr. Craig adds: "We infer from the expression 'some kind of a 
town' that Pittsburgh must have been a poor afPair, indeed." Which it 
undoubtedly was. In 1788, twenty-foui- years afterward, Dr. Hildreth, then 
on his way to Marietta, Ohio, writing of Pittsburgh, which he passed on his 
way to the west, says : ' ' The houses were chiefly built of logs, but now and 
t hen one had assumed the appearance of neatness and comfort. ' ' If this was 
so in 1788, what must have been the appearance of the town in 1764? In 
December, 1784, Arthur Lee, of Virginia, visited here, and writes very eon- 
' temptuously of the place. He says: 

' ' Pittsburgh is inhabited almost entirely by Scots and Irish, who live in 
paltry log houses, and are as dirty as in the north of Ireland, or even Scotland. 
There is a great deal of small trade carried on, the goods being brought at the 
vast expense of forty-five shillings per cwt. from Philadelphia and Baltimore. 
They take in the shops money, wheat, flour and skins. There are in the town 
four attorneys, two doctors, and not a priest of any persuasion, nor church, nor 
chapel, so that they are likely to be damned without benefit of clergy. The 
rivers encroach fast on the town, and to such a degree that, as a gentleman 
told me, the Allegheny had, within thirty years of his memory, carried away 
one hundred yards. The place, I believe, will never be very considerable. ' ' 

This is not calculated to give us a very high opinion of Mr. Lee as a 
prophet, but as a delineator of what he saw he may be trusted. The tovm, doubt- 
less, as he saw it, and when he saw it, was mean in appearance, dirty, and with 
dirty inhabitants. To a Vii-ginian it doubtless held out the very minimum of 
promise; yet it would take all the towns in Virginia, that then looked so clean 
and promising, to make an approach to it to-day in wealth, in appearance, in 
population and in resources. Even then, he admits, there was ' ' a great deal 
of small trade carried on;" and another writer, of an earlier period, speaks 
very encouragingly of the brisk trade of which this small and mean-looking 
town was then the center. Especially when the Indians filled its few streets, 
and were keen for barter, did the place look bright and cheery. 

From the time of the extinguishment of the Indian title, in 1768, and the 
survey of 1769, a steady stream of emigration set across the mountains, much 
of it passing through the settlement at the forks to find a location south of the 
Ohio in the purchased lands of Kentucky. 

The new venture at Pittsburgh felt the invigorating impulse of this tide of 
life, and early began to take the form of a town. The same influence made 
itself felt elsewhere, and all along the western margin of the mountains new 
houses sprang up, though for years greatly isolated and exposed to the raids 
of the savages. 

In 1770 the town of Pittsburgh consisted of four indistinct "squares" with 
a score of log houses situated along the bank of the Monongahela. With a sin- 
gle exception they were occupied by traders, whose business made the security 
of a frontier fort more desirable than any other eligible situation. The demands 



444 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

of the garrison and the roads which had been laid out to the fort would have 
brought a large number of persons here and given activity to the post if the 
reservation of bounty lands had not been made in this vicinity. The latter 
fact, doubtless, added to the number of visitors, and made ' ' a place of public 
entertainment" a necessity. The single evidence of general business in the 
town, therefore, was the tavern of Samuel Semple. Its site is said to be on 
the corner of Water and Ferry streets. It was a double log house, erected in 
1764 by Col. George Morgan, and was the first house in the place to have a 
shingle roof. It was a pretentious structure for the time, contained three 
rooms below, and ample sleeping-quarters in the upper story for the accom- 
modation of the traveling public. 

Although by all these indications destined to fulfill the anticipations of its 
founder, the incipient city early became a bone of contention, and suffered much 
in this disturbed period. Its development was greatly retarded, and save for 
its great natural advantages it would doubtless have lost its chance of future 
greatness. * 

The first Fort Pitt (for there were two) was a temporary aifair, at the foot 
of West street and extending to Redoubt alley, which was erected by Col. 
Mercer and occupied by him January 1, 1759. Fort Duquesne was captiu-ed 
November 25, 1758, so that Col. Mercer, who was left behind with 200 men 
by Gen. Forbes to occupy the fort, must have been very active to get into 
new barracks within little more than a month afterward. A letter fi-om Col. 
Mercer, January 8, 1759, says: "This garrison now consists of 280 men, and 
is capable of some defense, though huddled up in a very hasty manner, the 
weather being extremely severe. " A letter from Gen. Amherst, March 15, 
1759. announces the death of Gen. Forbes, and the appointment of Gen. John 
Stanwix as his successor. Gen. Forbes had been very sick for some time 
before his march to Pittsburgh. He had been carried on a litter from Phila- 
delphia all the way here and back again. He left here with his army after 
the capture of the fort, in December, 1758. and arrived in Philadelphia Jan- 
uary 17, 1759. He died in that city March 11, 1759. His quartermaster 
speaks of. him as "the man with the iron head," and he must have been a 
man of iron firmness and indomitable will to have endured transportation in a 
litter from Philadelphia here and back, during the cold of a severe winter, and 
against many discouragements of every kind. There were but few men in the 
British army, at that time, who either could or would have done it ; and Pitts- 
burgh owes her start into life to his high courage, iron will and unquestioned 
military ability. 

Gen. Stanwix, who succeeded Gen, Forbes, is supposed to have arrived 
here about September 1, 1759. A letter, given in Craig's "History of Pitts- 



*The refereooe in this paragraph is to the Dunmore war, in which that tory governor of Virginia laid 
claim to all Western Pennsylvania uU west of Laurel hill) as a part of Virginia. This episod« is dwelt upon 
80 fully by I'ather Lambing, in his sketch of the history of .Mlegheny county, that the reader is referred there- 
to for further details. It is unnecessary to repeat them here. 



PITTSBURGH. 445 

burgh," dated September 24, 1759, says: " It is now uear a month since the 
armv has been employed in erecting a most formidable fortification, such a 
one as will, to latest posterity, secure the British empire on the Ohio." This 
was Fort Pitt, erected by Gen. Stanwix, and the presumption from the words, 
"it is near a month since," is that the general arrived about the last of August 
and began the work of building the fort. He pressed the work with great 
energy, and soon had the fort in condition for occupancy. It was called Fort 
Pitt, after the elder Pitt, and was, as near as may be, upon the site of the old 
fort, Dnquesne. Washington, in his journal of 1770, says it was five-sided, 
each side being of equal extent, the two sides next the land being of brick and 
the other three of stockade ; but Craig says the five sides were «o^ equal, so 
that Washington was in error. As Mr. Craig knew the fort well, having been 
born near to it, I subjoin his description of it as certain to be correct, and 
therefore worthy of preservation: 

" The earth around the proposed work was dug and thrown up so as to 
inclose the selected position with a rampart of earth. On the two sides fac- 
ing the country this rampart was supported by what military men call a 
revetment, a brickwork nearly perpendicular, supporting the rampart on the 
outside, and thus presenting an obstacle to the enemy not easily overcome. On 
the other three sides the earth in the rampart had no support, and of course 
it presented a more inclined surface to the enemy, one which cotdd readily be 
ascended. To remedy, in some degree, this defect in the work, a line of 
pickets was fixed on the outside of the foot of the slope of the rampart. Around 
the whole work was a wide ditch, which would, of course, be tilled with water 
when the river was at a moderate stage. In summer, however, when the river 
was low, the ditch was dry and perfectly smooth, so that the officers and men 
had a ball-alley in the ditch and against the revetments. 

' ' This ditch extended from the salient angle of the north bastion, that is, the 
point of the fort which approached nearest to Marbury* street, back of the 
south end of Hoke's row, down to Allegheny, where Marbury street strikes it. 
This part of the ditch was, dui'ing our boyhood, and even since, called Butler' s 
Gut, from the circumstance of Gen. Richard Butler and Col. William 
Butler residing nearest to it, their houses being the same which now [1850] 
stand at the corner on the south side of Penn and east side of Marbury. 
Another part of the ditch extended to the Mooongahela, a little west of West 
street, and a third debouch into the river was made just about the end of 
Penn street. 

"The redoubt, which still remains near the Point, the last relic of British 
labor at this place, was not erected until 1764. The other redoubt, which stood 
at the mouth of Redoubt alley, was erected by Col. William Grant, and our 

*Now .Second street, all the streets runniug at right angles to the Allegheny river being now numbered 
from one upward. The old numbered streets are uow called " avenues," Yirst avenue. Second avenue, etc., 
instead of First street, Second street, etc. 



446 HISTOKV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

recollection is that the year mentioned on the stone tablet was 1765. but we 
are not positive on that point."* 

This redoubt must have accompanied the first Fort Pitt, erected in 1758. 
The date on the stone tablet must therefore have been 1759 or 1760. 

The cost of erecting Fort Pitt is stated by Judge Brackenridge, in the 
Pittsburgh Gazette of July 29, 1780, at £00,000 sterling. This seems an 
enormous sum for such a comparatively small work. Arthur Lee, in 1784, 
states the cost at £600, which is probably a misprint for either £6,000 or 
£60,000, and Mr. Craig expresses his conviction that the latter sum is correct. 

The redoubt built by Col. Bouquet in 1704 is still standing in its original 
place. Propositions have been made in the Chamber of Commerce to buy it 
and remove it to some other place for the purpose of preservation; but it still 
remains where it was built, with surroundings of the most squalid kind, and 
has itself been turned from its original purpose into a dirty tenement-house. 
The stone tablet originally inserted in its outer wall has been removed to the City 
Hall for safe keeping, so that, if the building should be destroyed, the tablet 
will remain as a memento. It is worthy of note, in this connection, that the 
original site of Fort Pitt, from Water street on the Monongahela to Marbury 
street, and from Penn street to the Allegheny river, fell finally to the lot of 
Col. Croghan, and descended fi-om him to his second daughter, who married 
Col. Schenley, of London, in 1841 or 1842, and it remains at this writing a 
part of the Schenley estate. All the occupants of it are mere tenants, paying 
ground-rent for the land, on long or short leases, as they can best secure them; 
so that the fort and its grounds, captured in 1758 by Forbes for the British 
government, still remain in British hands, and are likely to remain there so 
long as there are British heirs to claim and hold onto them. unless the legislature 
should pass an act, as has been done in Illinois, to cut off foreign ownership 
of American lands. 

When the town of Fort Pitt began to be called ' ' Pittsburgh ' ' we can not 
ascertain with exactitude, but it must have been immediately after the fort was 
built, or soon afterward. The first fort was built in 1759. and the second in 
the latter part of the same year; and in the Pennsijlcania Gazette of April, 
1700, only sis months after Gen. Stanwix had completed Fort Pitt, we find a 
letter published, dated " Fort at Pittsburgh; March 21, 1700." The place was 
probably known as Pittsburgh, instead of Fort Pitt, from the start. Campbell' s 
town plot dates from 1764, four years after this, so that we may date the name 
from 1759-60. To ordinary ears it would seem that Fort Pitt sounded as 
well and could be pronounced as easily as Pittsburgh: yet the preference was 
given to the latter, as we find all, or nearly all, letters from that date onward 
dated at Pittsburgh. 

The native fancy seems to have run to "'town" as a termination rather 
than to "burgh," as is seen in the early name of Bedford, Kaystown, and 

♦Craig's " History ol' Pittsburgh," piiges 85,80. 



PITTSBURGH. 447 

iu the county seat of Westmoreland, Hannastown; also in Nonistown and 
Uniontown. The only exception, at or near that time, is Harrisburg. The 
suggestion of " burgh " must have come from some one of Anglo-Saxon ante- 
cedents, probably one of the English officers. The early Anglo-Saxons, in 
England, when they formed a settlement inclosed the place for their residence 
with a ditch, within which was erected the manor-house of the lord or baron, 
and around it the outhouses and cottages for his serfs or tenants. This was 
called his bur'h, and from this root we get our word "borough," sometimes 
shortened into ' ' burgh, ' ' likewise the word ' ' burrow. ' ' The resemblance of 
Fort Pitt and its inclosure and ditch to an old Anglo-Saxon bur'h would 
naturally suggest Pittsburgh as more appropriate than^Fort Pitt. At any rate, 
the name had its origin simultaneously with the erection of the fort, and, like 
other names that struck the popular fancy, it ha^ stuck permanently. From 
a letter in the Pennsylvania Gazette, dated March 21, 1760, we extract the 
following: 

' ' The Indians are carrying on a vast trade with the merchants of Pitts- 
burgh, and instead of desolating the frontiers of these colonies are entirely 
employed in increasing the trade and wealth thereof. The happy effects of our 
own military operations are also felt by about four thousand of our poor inhab- 
itants, who are now in quiet possession of the lands they were driven from on 
the frontiers of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia." 

What is now the state of Ohio was then a part of Virginia, so that the use 
of the latter name here includes Ohio as well as West Virginia. We get from 
this letter an estimate of the number of settlers dispossessed by the Indians 
prior to 1760. Four thousand seems a large aggregate, but the territory cov- 
ered is also large, and of this total Western Pennsylvania furnished a very 
small proportion. The proprietaries, not having extinguished the Indian title 
to the lands until 1768, did all they could to discourage and prevent settle- 
ments from being made. Virginia also laid claim to Western Pennsylvania, and 
cared nothing for the Indian title. The bulk of the white settlements in West- 
ern Pennsylvania in 1760 was to be found west and south of the Monongahela 
and Ohio, made upon Virginia titles. Judge Agnew, in his recent work, men- 
tions the farm of West Elliott, on Saw-Mill run, now in the Thirty-sixth ward 
of this city, as taken up on a Virginia title. This farm contained about one 
hundred and fifty acres, and had upon it, within the recollection of the writer, 
an old stone gristmill and a sawmill, a short distance up the run from the 
Ohio, and a saltworks, still standing, at the mouth of the run. The claim of 
West Elliott's heirs was purchased, eventually, by I. B. Warden, who laid the 
farm off into town lots, and called it Temperanceville, from a clause inserted 
in the deeds that a sale of liquor upon the premises should work a forfeiture of 
the title. The courts, however, declared this clause a nullity, and but little 
effort was ever made to enforce it. Temperanceville was afterward admitted 
into the city as the Thirty-sixth ward. 



448 HISTOKV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Gen. Staiiwix was relieved fiom command at the fort March 21, 1700, 
and was succeeded by Maj. Tulikeiis. He (Staawix) returned to England in 
the same year, and was shipwrecked in January, 1767. The ship on which 
he was sailing was the Eagle, and he had his wife, daughter, a relative and 
four servants along with him. All of them perished. As the notice is found 
in Hazard's Register, a Philadelphia publication, it would be presnmal)le that 
he was returning to military duty in America; but from Fearne's " Posthumous 
Works," an English lawbook, we learn that the vessel was bound from Ireland 
to England. Litigation took place between the heirs of his wife and his daugh- 
ter, the question turning upon which was the last survivor. The question was 
so difficult that the court declined to decide, and recommended a compromise, 
which was adopted. 

Of Maj. Tulikens, his successor, nothing can be told. The name is almost 
unknown to the public annals, and is suggestive of a character in a theatrical 
farce rather than that of an active military man; but Craig says he "seems to 
have been highly esteemed and respected." No one is likely to put in a claim 
to have a street named after him. 

He was in turn succeeded by Gen. Monekton, who arrived here on June 29. 
1760. On the 7th of July Col. Bouquet was dispatched with four companies to 
Presqu' Isle to unite there with Maj. Gladwin, for the purpose of taking posses- 
sion of Detroit and Mackinaw. This is the Maj. Gladwin of whom Parkman 
makes distinguished mention as the defender of Detroit in the Poutiac war. 
In August, 1760, Gen. Monekton held a treaty at Fort Pitt with the Six 
Nations, the Shawanese and the Delaware Indians.* We find here, in the com- 
plaints of the Indians, a repetition of the old grumble about the encroachment 
of the whites upon the Indian lands, or lands to which the Indians had not 

*The Iroquois confederacy consisted originally of hut Jive nations, the OneidaB, Onondagas, Mohawks, 
Cayugas andSenecas. In 1712 the Tuscaioras, having been expelled from North Carolina, were admitted to this 
confedenicy as the sixth nation. This accounts for the reference in Indian histories to the " Five " Nations and 
" Six ■' Nations, indiscriminately, long after the sixth nation was admitted. In the history of Western Penn- 
sylvania, and of Pittsburgh particularly, the Iroquois, or Six Nations, are almost invariably coupled with the 
Shawanese and Delawares. The Shawanese had towns on the Allegheny, at Two-Mile run ttheold Lawrence- 
ville), and along the Ohio, Post mentioning, in the diary of his visit here in 175S, that he passed through three 
Shawanese towns between Fort Duquesne and Logstown; the Delaware chief, Shingiss, had a town at McKee's 
Rocks, and there were four or five Delaware towns, one at Saweunk (Beaver), and four at Kush-kush-kee, this 
side of Newcastle: and the Iroquois, or Six Nations, were at Logstown, below Sewickleyville, under Tanachar- 
ison, who was always spoken of as " ihe half-kiug," or " half-chief." This phraseology was used, it is likely, to 
distinguish him from a full chief, his command here being a small, and therefore fractional, one. Now, why 
are these three tribes always mentioned together? There was no tribal relationship, the Iroquois being entirely 
distinct in language, liabits and character from the Algonquins, of whom the Delawares and Shawanese were a 
part. The answer i.>i found in the claim set up by the Iroquois that at somelprehistoriciili time they had con- 
qnered the Delawares and made " women" of them, holding them in subjection, and forbidding them to act in 
any other capacity than as subjects. The Shawanese were Algonquins, and kindred to the Delawares, but did 
not come into Pennsylvania until lGo9; and being weak in number, with no home that they could call their own, 
they naturally fell into (he wake of the Delawares, and generally were classed with them. Tanacbarison and 
his Iroquois were at Logstown, to w.^tch both and keep them in order. The Iroquois occasionally made treaties 
alone with the whites, but they never suffered the Delawares and .Shawanese to act .separately in making a treaty 
without holding them to a strict accountability. That is the reason we find them acting together here, not aS 
kindred tribes, having a common object, but as sovereign and subjects, respectively, .\fter the Pontiac war of 
JW! the tribes became scattered, and the Iroquois sovereignty over these Algonquin tribes came to an end. 



PITTSBURGH. 449 

suireadered their title. Gren. Monckton delivered to them, in reply, a copy of 
a speech from Sir Jeffrey Amherst, commander-in-chief of the British forces 
in North America, in which it was stated that the king (of Great Britain) did 
not intend to deprive them of any of their lands, except as necessity obliged 
him to take posts and build forts in some parts of the country to prevent the 
enemy (the French) from taking possession of their lands. Within eight 
years, as has been seen, the Iroquois, acting for themselves and without con- 
sulting the Shawanese and Delawares, sold to the Penn j^roprietaries all the 
lands from the east of the Allegheny mountains to the Allegheny river west- 
ward. 

After the definitive treaty of peace betweeen France and England, Febru- 
ary 10, 1763, all the French forts in America were surrendered to the English. 
In the latter part of the spring of the same year the Pontiac war broke out. 
Pontiac, supposing that the British were not very strong in all these forts, 
planned his war so as to attack all the forts at the same time. The Shawanese 
and Delawares, although they had entered into a treaty of peace with Gen. 
Monckton in 1760, were most active in attacking Fort Pitt. They, with other 
Ohio Indians, were assigned to this fort because they were the nearest to it. 
Of the twelve forts held by the British, nine were captured by the Indians. 
Forts Pitt, Niagara and Detroit escaped. Fort Pitt was under the command of 
Capt. Ecuyer,and was vigorously assailed by the Indians, who surrounded it and 
cut off all communication with the rest of the world. The fort, however, was 
vigorously defended. All the outside inhabitants, traders and others, took 
refuge in it, and the enemy was successfully kept at bay. Fortunately relief 
was on the way for them. Col. Henry Bouquet, a Swiss by birth and a gal- 
lant soldier, who had served under Gen. Forbes in his capture of Fort Du- 
quesne, was intrusted with the command of a force for the relief of Capt. 
Ecuyer. He assembled his troops at Carlisle; they left Bedford July 28, 1763, 
and on the 5th of August they were at Bushy run, aboiit twenty-two miles east 
of Pittsburgh. Here, when about to encamp after a fatiguing march of seven- 
teen miles, he was suddenly attacked by the Indians, detached from the besieg- 
ing force at the fort, who thought by a sudden onset to scatter the relieving 
force. This attack and a second one were both repulsed, when night came on. 
Nest day the fight was renewed, and Col. Bouquet, badly off for water and 
occupying a poor position, resorted to a device to entrap the Indians. A part 
of his force, being hard pressed by the enemy, feigned a retreat; the Indians, 
elated at the prospect of an easy victory, were tempted from their cover to join 
in the pursuit, when Bouquet, coming up with the rest of his force, attacked 
them in flank and rear so successfully that, finding themselves between two 
fires, they broke and fled, "every man for himself, and the de'il take the hind- 
most. ' ' This defeated force carried consternation to their besieging brethren 
at the fort, who at once raised the siege and departed. Col. Bouquet lost fifty 
killed and sixty wounded; about forty Indians, including several chiefs, were 



450 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

killed. From the crippled condition of his force, the colonel was uuahle to 
pursue the Indians to their homes. But it was not needed. The Pontiac 
conspiracy was at an end, and the subsequent outbreak, in 1701-93, was so 
effectually quelled by Mad Anthony Wayne that Pittsburgh, at least, was not 
afterward in danger from Indian outbreaks. In ITO-l, the following year, 
Bouquet rebuilt his redoubt. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

PITTSBURGH (Continued). 

PiTTSBUUGH FRDJI 1763 TO 1768— COAL HiLL— LAND-ClAIM DISPUTES— THE 

Manor of Pittsburgh — Sale of Fort Pitt— Pittsburgh in and after 
THE Revolution— The Penns' Sale of Lands. 

TT was in 1764, as already stated, that Campbell laid out his little town of 
-L four squares, just beyond the fort and facing the Monongahela, and it is 
from that date that the history of Pittsburgh, as a town, may be said to begin. 
The town was a small and mean one, apparently, given up to Indian trading, 
and for the next twenty years its history was nearly devoid of interest. Like 
the knife-grinder, it had no stoiy to tell, and the narrator of what little gossip 
there is about it may be told, as Macaulay was about his ' ' History of England, ' ' 
that it is his story, and not history. Still, within these twenty years the 
foundations were laid for the city as it exists to-day, and it does not do for 
cities, any more than individuals, to despise the day of small beginnings. It 
was always, during its record of one hundred and twenty-five years, prominent 
as a trading-post; it has always, too, kept pace with the growth of the great 
west, at whose gates it sits, and has always had reason to congratulate itself 
that its founders had some conception, even if an inadequate one, of the great 
prospect before it. 

The reproach of Arthur Lee in 1784. that the town was then devoid of 
either church or clergy, was not altogether deserved, for as early as 1766 the 
town was visited, as we have seen, by Rev. Charles Beatty and Rev. 'Mi. 
Duffield, sent hither by the synod of New York and Philadelphia, to find out 
what assistance might be necessary to afford religious instruction to the 
inhabitants. They found in the fort Rev. Mr. McLagan, chaplain of the 
Forty-second regiment, and on Sunday, September 7, 1766, they preached in 
the gari'ison, and also to the people of the town outside afterward. From the 
mention of the chaplain made here it is inferable that religious services were 
held in the fort regularly as long as it was occupied by the British, and we 
know that while in possession of the French particular attention was paid not 




\^ 




PITTSBURGH. 458 

only to regular religions services, but to the registration of the births, deaths and 
marriages of the inhabitants. When the town came to be regularly laid out, in 
1784, particular attetition was paid to reserving ample lots for building 
churches on, and Kev. Mr. Barr, a Presbyterian preacher, was even then on 
the ground arranging for the erection of a meeting-house. So that Lee's sneer 
goes for nothing. Travelers never do know everything, and they are generally 
farthest fi'om the truth concerning matters they seem most positive about. 

Craig (History, p. 95) says the following is a note to Mr. Beatty's journal 
of Monday, September 8, 1766: "In the afternoon we crossed the Mocconghe- 
hela* river, accompanied by two gentlemen, and went up the hill [Coal hill] 
opposite the fort by a very difficult ascent, in order to take a view of that part 
of it more particularly from which the garrison is supplied with coals, which is 
not far from the top. A tire being made by the workmen not far fi'om the 
place where they dug the coal, and left burning when they went away, by the 
small dust [slack] communicated itself to the body of the coals and set it on 
fire, and has now been burning almost a twelvemonth entirely under ground, 
for the space of twenty yards or more along the face of the hill or rock, the 
way the vein of coal extends, the smoke ascending up through the chinks of the 
rocks. The earth in some places is so warm that we could hardly bear to stand 
upon it; at one place where the smoke came up we opened a hole in the earth 
till it was so hot as to burn paper thrown into it; the steam that came out was 
so strong of sulphur that we could scarce bear it. We found pieces of matter 
there, some of which appeared to be sulphur, others niter, and some a mixture 
of both. If these should be large in this mountain it may become a volcano. 
The smoke arising out of this mountain appears to be much greater in rainy 
weather than at other times. The tire has already undermined some part of 
the mountain, so that great fragments of it and trees with their roots have 
fallen down its face. On the top of the mountain is a very rich soil covered 
with a fine verdure, and has a very easy slope on the other side. ' ' 

The idea of calling Coal hill a ' ' mountain ' ' seems ridiculous when we 
know that it is less than five hundred feet high. 

The supply of coal for the garrison and town was drawn from Coal hill, 
and the mining of it began in 1760. As the vein of coal was near the top, it 
is to be presumed that there must have been some sort of a road from the top 
down, to get the coal down fi-om its high level. Such a road was in all proba- 
bility the origin of the steep road which now leads to Mount Washington fi'om 
the end of the Smithfield street bridge. If Mr. Beatty followed this road, or clam- 
bered up the steeper face of the the hill ' ' opposite the fort, " it ia not hard to 
agree with him, in either case, that it was " a very difficult ascent." 

Mr. Craig says that this is the first and only evidence confirmatory of a 

*This is an awful spell, but not more outlandish than many other attempts to spell the name of this river. 
The present form, Mo-non-ga-he-la. is as near the Indian form as is needed. Its etymology, according to Gal- 
latin, defies analysis; but its meaning is conceded to be '* River of the Falling-in Banks." 



-454 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

triiilition that Coal hill was onee on tire. Such a tradition has loni^ been cur- 
rent; yet, as Coal hill has for years been emptied of its coal, and no evidence of 
a conflagration ever found, Mr. Beatty' s testimony mvist be held to apply to some 
very superficial fire, easily and soon afterward extinguished. Very recently a 
similar alarm was raised, which was found to have been caused by some boys 
having a tiro in an empty pit, which communicated to a small rib of coal left 
when the pit was robbed of the ribs reserved to support the roof while the dig- 
ging was going on. This fire soon exhausted its source of supply, and the 
alarm was as futile as that of 1766. The abandoned pits in Coal hill are now 
used by the inhabitants of " the very easy slope on the other side " as a sys- 
tem of drainage, holes being sunk from the houses to the abandoned workings 
to carry off the drainage. 

The immense coal business of the city, now amounting to many millions of 
tons per annum, had its origin in 1760 in the effort to find a fiiel supply for 
Pittsburgh in this sleeping "'volcano" of our clerical friend of the last cent- 
ury. Of all the industries of this busy city, this is the oldest, and can lay 
claim to an antiquity that makes all the others appear youthful. 

The first effect of the general peace of 1763, which followed the withdi'awal 
of the French and the subsequent Pontiac war, was the return of 4,000 pris- 
oners to their abandoned homes in the west, and this was supplemented by an 
immediate advance all along the line of white settlers pressing in to occupy the 
new lands along the Youghiogheny and Monongahela. The track which Brad- 
dock took over the moimtains was the oldest trail between the east and the 
west, and as this afforded easy access to both the Youghiogheny and Mononga- 
hela, it is not to be wondered at that those streams bore the first brunt of the 
immigrant onset. The Indians, as in duty bound, began to complain. Mr. 
George Croghan (in no way connected with the Col. Croghan whose daughter 
married Capt. Schenley), who appears to have been a deputy superintendent 
of Indian affairs under Sir William Johnson, of New York, was in Fort Pitt 
May 22, 1766, and received complaints from the Six Nations, Delawares and 
Hurons. The Iroquois complained that, ' ' as soon as peace was made last year 
a number of white people came over the great mountain and settled at Red- 
stone creek and on the Monongahela, before they (the Iroquois) had given the 
country to the king, their father. ' " The burden of this complaint appears to 
be, not the coming in of the whites, but their coming in and settling before 
the Indians had been paid for their lands. They were not, it must be con- 
fessed, very sharp at a bargain, but they were sharp enough to see that it was 
easier to get pay for the land before it was settled than afterward. They sold 
all of Western Pennsylvania, two years afterward, for S10,000, payable, it is 
supposed, in muskets, blankets and such truck; but it was more than they 
would have got for it if they had put the sale off to a much later day. 

The whole of 1766, 1767 and part of 1768 was taken up in hearing and 
attending to these complaints. First the complaint would be sent to the gov- 



PITTSBURGH. 455 

ernor; then the governor, with the aid of the troops in Fort Pitt, would proceed 
to move a settler off his claim and send him out of the colony, and the nest thing 
would be a new complaint that the intruder had returned to the claim from which 
he had been removed. Gen. Gage, under date of December 7, 1767, writes from 
New York: "Even the removing these people from the lands last summer by 
the garrison of Fort Pitt has been only a temporary expedient. As they met 
with no punishment, we learn they are returned again to Redstone creek and 
Cheat river; recommends that more effective laws should be passed." More 
effective laws ivere passed; but passing laws did not execute them any more 
effectively in 1768 than 1888. On the 3d of February, 1768, an act was passed 
inflicting death without benefit of clergy "upon any person settled upon lands 

not purchased of the Indians, who shall refuse after days' notice to quit 

the same, or, having removed, shall return to the same or other unpurchased 
lands. ' ' This was law enough, but no one was executed under it. Some 250 
copies of the law were printed and stuck up ail over the disputed section, but 
the settlers laughed at the law, and kept coming in in spite of it. The princi- 
pal business of the garrison at Fort Pitt, in those days, appears to have been 
to act as bailiffs in dispossessing settlers. 

At length, on October 24, 1768, a congress or council was held at Fort 
Stanwis, N. Y. , attended by Sir William Johnson, the governor of New Jersey; 
commissioners from Virginia and Pennsylvania, and chiefs of the Iroquois, 
Shawanese and Delawares. The two latter were allowed to be present; but the 
treaty that followed was made by the Iroquois, in their own name and in that 
of ' ' their confederates and independent tribes. ' ' This treaty was made by 
Tyunhasare, a Mohawk; Senaghsis, an Oneida; Chenughiata, * an Onondaga; 
Gaustrax, a Seneca; Sequarihera, aTuscarora; and Tagaaia, a Seneca. In con- 
sideration of ten thousand dollars they granted to Thomas and Richard Penn all 
the territory west of and north of a boundary beginning at Owegy, on the east 
branch of the Susquehanna, thence to the mouth of Towanda creek, thence up 
said creek to Burnett's hills, thence to the head of Pine creek, in Lycoming 
county; thence down said creek to the west branch of the Susquehanna; thence 
up said river to the northwest corner of Cambria county; thence to Kittanuing, 
on the Ohio (Allegheny); thence down said river "to where the western bounds 
of the said province of Pennsylvania cross the same river, and then, with 
the said western bounds, to the south boundary thereof, and with the south 
boundary to the east side of the Allegheny hills, and with the said hills," etc. , 
to the place of beginning. The shaky part of this bovrndary was the western 
and southern lines, the Penns having never come to an understanding with 
Virginia up to that time as to either of them. There was a commissioner from 
Virginia present, who heard these terms agreed upon, and saw the money 

*Heckewelder gives Chughniata as the proper spelling of Juniata; and it is not improbable that Chugb- 
niata is but a shortened form of Chenughiata. The meaning of Juniata is therefore to lie sought for in the 
Iroquois language. 



456 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

paid, yet raised no objection. The treaty, however, did not define the western 
and southern boundaries of Pennsylvania, that were between the Penns and 
Virginia, and the Penns found it an ugly question, afterward, to settle. For 
the present, however, the treaty seemed fairly to cover all the territory between 
the Allegheny hills and the Allegheny river, from Kittanning downward, and 
that embraced all the territory on which settlers were squatting. So that the 
treaty got them out of immediate trouble, but left the door open for plenty 
more. The Penns offered the newly acquired lands for sale in 176Q. The 
country west and north of the Allegheny and Ohio was still the Indian country, 
and remained so until 1784. 

Simultaneous with this opening of the landoifice of the state for the 
sale of these newly ceded lands came the reservation by the Penns of the 
manor of Pittsburgh. The history of this is so well given by Mr. Craig that 
it is here appended : 

" On the 5th day of January, 1769, a warrant issued for the survey of the 
' manor of Pittsburgh.' On the 27th day of March the survey was completed, 
and returned May 19, 1769. It embraced within its bounds 5,766 acres, and 
allowance of six per cent for roads, etc. The survey began at a Spanish oak 
on the south bank of the Monongahela, thence south 800 perches to a hickory, 
thence west 150 perches to a white oak; thence north 35 degrees west 14:4 
perches to a white oak, thence west 518 perches to a white oak, thence north 
758 perches to a post, thence east 60 perches to a post, thence north 14 
degrees east 208 perches to a white walnut on the banks of the Ohio, thence 
up the river 202 perches to a white walnut, thence crossing the river obliquely 
and up the south side of the Allegheny 762 perches to a Spanish oak, the cor- 
ner of Groghan's claim, thence south 60 degrees east 249 perches to a sugar- 
tree, thence south 85 degrees east 192 perches to a sugar-tree, thence 
by vacant lands south 18 degrees east 23 perches to a white oak, thence 
south 40 degrees west 150 perches to a white oak, thence west by claim of Samuel 
Semple 192 perches to a hickory, thence south 65 degrees west 74 perches to 
a red oak on the bank of the Monongahela, thence obliquely across the river, 
south 78 degrees west 308 perches to the beginning at the Spanish oak. 

"As these hickories, white oaks, sugar- trees and Spanish oaks have nearly 
all disappeared, and even if still standing would not be readily recognized, we 
have procured a more modern and intelligible account of this survey. 

"The Spanish oak, the place of beginning, stood near the south bank of the 
Monongahela river, just in the middle of McKee (now South Ninth) street. 
The manor line is there the eastern line of the Gregg property. The hickory 
corner, south from the Spanish oak, stood not far from the Buck tavern, on the 
Brownsville road. The white walnut on the Ohio stood a short distance above 
the SawMill run, where the Washington and Steubenville roads unite. The 
white walnut, from which the line starts across the river, stood near the old 
glasshouse [just below the Point bridge] erected by James O'Hara and Isaac 




c^^y^^^r 



PITTSBUKGH. 459 

Craig and now owned by Frederick Lorenz. The Spanish oak on the Alle- 
gheny river stood near the line between Croghansville and Springfield farm. 
From that point the manor line passes along the western side of the Spring- 
field farm, crosses the Fourth street road [Fifth avenue] five or six hundred 
yards east of the Colony [Oakland], makes a corner near Mrs. Murray's 
tavern, and strikes the Monongahela three or four hundred feet above the 
mouth of Two- Mile run." 

The evident object of reserving this and other manors from the public, 
while other land in its vicinity was offered for sale, was to hold it out of market 
until advanced in value by its surroundings. The Penns had not a very clear 
vision, so far as seeing ahead is concerned, but plainly had a very keen eye for 
a nice piece of property. The land between the two rivers was clearly too 
valuable to leave open to public settlement; hence its reservation as a manor; 
but why did they go south of the river so far, when they could have gone 
eastward, and taken in the East Liberty valley? Because they could not see 
ahead far enough. The hills to the south were full of coal, while several 
settlers had already got into the East Liberty valley and partially blocked the 
way in that direction. The Revolution of 1776 was another thing not foreseen 
by the Penns, although very near at hand. It completely blocked the game 
of holding the manors for an advance in values. The colony of Pennsylvania 
was driven, by the plain leaning of the Penns toward toryism, to pass an 
act divesting them of all interest in the territory of the state, but reserving to 
them full possession of the manors. This action of the legislature induced the 
Penns to offer the manors for sale at a much earlier day than they otherwise 
would have done. "What," asks Mr. Craig, "would have been the popula- 
tion of the country around and its condition had the proprietaries continued 
to hold it [the manor] as private property ? Could such a monopoly be toler- 
ated here? and how long? " Not quite such a monopoly, but one very much 
like it, was tolerated here for a long time, and is tolerated yet, to some extent. 
The Croghan, Denny, O'Hara and Ormsby estates were, together, nearly as 
large as the manor. The O'Hara and Ormsby estates have mainly been dis- 
posed of, but the Denny estate is not yet closed, and the Croghan (now Schen- 
ley) estate still continues to exist in nearly its original jjroportions. We 
have not heard of any rebellion against either of them, and as the Schenley 
estate is the property of an English family, why should a monopoly in the 
hands of the Penns be more odious than one in the hands of Capt. Schenley' s 
heirs? This is not saying anything against the holders of either of these 
estates. The O' Haras, Ormsbys and Dennys were all good and valuable citi- 
zens, and Capt. Schenley was always very miich respected, as also his worthy 
wife, the real holder; but no one can doubt that these estates have severally 
acted as a serious drawback upon the prosperity of the city. No one can cen- 
sure the heads of these estates for getting all the valuable property they could 



460 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

and for holding on to it; but the fact remains, all the same, that large amounts 
of unemployed lauds in one hand do not tend to encourage the growth of a 
young city. So far as a mere human judgment goes, it would have made 
little difference, if any, if the holders bad been the Penns instead of those 
named. The Penns were in bad odor when the Revolution came, and that bad 
odor might have followed them if they had held on to the manor; but it would 
have been their toryism and not their monopoly that would have made them 
odious. They doubtless did a wise thing for themselves to sell out as soon as 
they could; but it would have been more fortunate for us if they had held on 
until purchasers increased, and if their holding had gone into many hands 
instead of into those of a few. 

In 1770 Pittsburgh was honored by a second visit from George Washing- 
ton, then on his way to the Kanawha. As his journal will speak better for 
him than we can, we append the following extracts: 

"October 17, 1770. Dr. Craik and myself, with Capt. Crawford and 
others, arrived at Fort Pitt, distant from the crossing [on the Youghiogheny] 
forty-three and a half measured miles. In riding this distance we passed over 
a great deal of exceedingly fine land, chiefly white oak, especially from 
Sewickley creek to Turtle creek, but the whole broken, resembling, as I think 
the whole lands in this country do, the Loudoun lands. AVe lodged in what 
is called the town, distant about three hundred yards from the fort, at one 
Semple' s, who keeps a very good house of public entertainment. The houses, 
which are built of logs, arranged in streets, are on the Monongahela, and I 
supj^ose may be about twenty in number, and inhabited by Indian traders. 
The fort is built on the point between the rivers Allegheny and Monongahela, 
but not so near the pitch of it as Fort Duquesne stood. It is five-sided and 
regular, two of which, near the land, are of brick, the others stockade. A 
moat encompasses it. The garrison consists of two companies of Royal Irish, 
commanded by Capt. Edmondson. 

"18th. Dined in the fort, with Col. Croghan and the oflicers of the garrison; 
supped there also, meeting with great civility from the gentlemen, and engaged 
to dine with Col. Croghan the next day at his seat, about four miles up the 
Allegheny. ' ' [Craig says that Croghan' s seat ' ' was on the lot which is on oui- 
right when we first reach the Allegheny, when going fi'om Lawrenceville up 
toward Sharpsburg," or opposite to the residence of the late Ju<lge McCand- 
less. ] 

Washington's estimate, here given, of the number of houses in Pittsburgh 
in 1770 must be nearly correct, as a man could hardly err in so small a range 
as twenty. At six to a house, this would give a total of one himdred and 
twenty as the first census of Pittsburgh. 

In 1772 the British government decided to abandon the fort at Pittsburgh, 
probably thinking it unnecessary in the then quiet condition of this section. 



PITTSBURGH. 461 

The buildings were not' destroyed, but Maj. Edmondson sold the materials in 
the buildings for fifty pounds sterling. New York currency,* and the force here 
was removed eastward. If, as Brackeniidge says, the fort cost £60,000 in 
1759, it was a short-sighted investment for only thirteen years of occupancy. 

Whoever bought the fort, at the nominal price above stated, did not take 
it down and sell the materials. It was occupied in 1773 by Connolly for Lord 
Dunmore, and during the revolutionary war it was constantly occupied, first 
by Virginia troops under Capt. John Neville, and afterward by continental 
troops under Gen. Hand, Col. Brodhead and Gen. "William Irvine. I can 
find no record of the final dismantling of the fort; "but," says the writer, 
"I well remember seeing, in my younger days, the old stone vault used as a 
magazine for powder. It was, if memory serves me right, on the ground now 
occupied by the Pennsylvania freight-depot, at the foot of Liberty street. It 
must have been outside of or some distance from the fort." Having no copy 
of the plan of the fort, it is impossible to say how the magazine and fort were 
connected, but there are doubtless many old citizens who can yet recall a recol- 
lection of the old magazine — the last relic of the fort excepting Bouquet's 
redoubt. 

In the year 1774 Diinmore's war with the Indians, the last contest between 
them and the British, took place. Dunmore passed through this city on his 
way down the Ohio to cooperate with Gen. Lewis, of Virginia, but beyond 
the fact of his passing through here this pity had no direct connection with 
that contest. The name of Dunmore is, however, familiar to our early records, 
as the head of the struggle on the part of Virginia to extend her dominion 
over Western Pennsylvania. This struggle is fully described elsewhere in the 
history of the county, and need not be repeated here; but Connolly, Dunmore' s 
factotum, kept this city in constant hot water from 1774 to the middle of 1775. 
The controversy about this disputed jurisdiction was practically settled in 
1779, and the lines run between the two colonies, on bolh the southern and 
western borders, precisely as they now stand in 1784. 

* As the readers of this work are not likely to have been put through DaboU's Arithmetic, as the boys of 
sixty years ago were, they are not likely to be acquainted with the mysteries of " New York Currency," '* Penn- 
sylvania Currency," etc. Each colony had its own " currency " at that time, and each of them kept afloat as 
much currency as its public credit would allow. It was issued, of course, in pounds, shillings and peuce, and 
after our federal currency was established, the relative value of the currency of each colony to the others was 
expressed in so many shillings and pence to the dollar. Thus New York currency was worth eight shillings to 
the dollar, while Pennsylvania currency was worth seven shillings and sixpence to the dollar. A pound in 
Pennsylvania currency was therefore worth i-3.67, while a pound in New York currency was worth only S2.50^ 
The rule in mercantile life to buy always with the worst currency was therefore exemplified in this sale, the pur- 
chasers paying in New York instead of Pennsylvania currency. This difference in the value of the currency of 
ditferent colonies explains why the old Spanish 123-^-cent silver piece was called a " shilling "in New York, and an 
"eleven-penny bit" or "levy "in Pennsylvania. There being eight shillings to the dollar in New York, the 12%- 
cent piece was therefore the equivalent of a shilling New York currency. In Pennsylvania the 12'2-cent piece 
was worth more than eleven pence, but that sum wa.'i the nearest to its value. The 614-cent piece was a " tip" 
or five-penny bit in Pennsylvania, and a sixpence in New Y'ork. There was an intermediate coin between the 
12>2- and SS-cent pieces, called a " pistareen " in Spanish, and which passed for 17 or 18 cents, hut being near the 
size of the Spanish quarter was often mistaken for a 25-cent piece. Hence a man who i>assed for more than he 
was worth was characterized, very properly and aptly, as a " pistareen." 



462 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

In 1775. after the battle of Lexington, a meetiufr was held in tbis place. 
May 16, which expressed " the highest sense of the spirited behavior of their 
brethren in New England," and cordially approving of their opposition to the 
invaders of American rights. The men active in this meeting were George 
Croghan, John Campbell, John Ormsby, Edward Ward, Thomas Smallman, 
Samuel Sample, John Anderson and John Neville. One movement on the part 
of the standing committee appointed by this meeting appears open to grave 
question, although the necessities of the people here might seem to justify it. 
"As this committee," it says, "has reason to believe there is a quantity of 
ammunition destined for this place for the purpose of government, and as this 
country, on the west side of the Laui'el hill, is greatly distressed for the want 
of ammunition, . . . they do earnestly request the committees of Fred- 
erick, Augusta and Hampshire* that they will not suffer the ammunition to pass 
through their counties for the purposes of government, but will secure it for 
the use of this destitute country. " As " the government ' ' of the colonies was in 
opposition to the government of Great Britain, this was an appeal to steal the 
ammunition from the government of the colonies for the use of those who were 
fighting for the colonies. If the ammvmition proposed to be thus ' " conveyed' ' 
had belonged to the governme;it of Great Britain, it would be easy to under- 
stand siich an effort to capture it; but to " convey " it fi'om their own govern- 
ment might easily incline the reader to indorse Arthur Lee's judgment, in 
178-1, that the citizens of this place were damned without benefit of clergy. 

We get but few glimpses of any movements here during the Revolution, but 
we find the proceedings of a meeting held in Pittsburgh July 6, 1776 (just 
two days after the Declaration of Independence), worthy of some note, as indi- 
cating the current of passing events. It appears to have been a council or con- 
ference between Keyasutha (commonly spelled Guyasuta), an Iroquois; Cap- 
tain Pipe, a Delaware; Shade, a Shawanese.and other Indians, and Majs. Trent 
and Ward and Capt. Neville. Its object appears to have Ijeen to enable Key- 
asutha to "define his position," which he did in-this style: 

Brothers: We will not suffer either English or Americans to pass through our country. 
Should either attempt it. we shall forewarn them three times, and should they persist the}' 
must abide the consequences. I am appointed by the Six Nations to take care of this 
countrj', that is. of the nations on the other side of the Ohio [the Allegheny is here meant, 
the Iroquois applying the name Ohio to the Allegheny and Ohio as one stream], and I 
desire you will not think of an expedition against Detroit, for. I repeat, we will not suffer 
an array to pass through our countr)'. 

This was short and clear. Capt. Neville assured him. in reply, that the 
Americans would not invade his country, unless the English should try to 
come this way through it. 

* Virgiuia, following up its claim to Western Pennsylvania, made it a part of Augusta county. The appeal 
here made is to the authorities of Frederick, Hampshire and Augusta counties of Central and Western Virginia, 
and is uttered in the name of citizens of Augusta county. Connolly held Fort Pitt at this time, under Lord 
Dunmore, and the citizens seem to haye been either terrorized by him or to have accepted their position as 
citizens of Virginia without question. 



-aiS^ 




>,^2>«.-^^-^^ 



^< 



PITTSBURGH. 465 

Keyasiitlia lived, at this time, on the plain which yet bears his name, above 
"Sharpsburg, and was buried there. He had been an active man in his time; 
accompanied Washington from Logstown to Le BcBuf in 1753; was at the con- 
ference with Col. Bradstreet, near Lake Erie, in 1764, and shortly after at the 
conference with Bouquet, on the Muskingum. He was also present at the 
■conference here in 1768, and was. altogether, an active and remarkable man. 
But he was not half as sharp as he got credit for, or he would not have been 
involved in two fatal blunders, successively, which led to the final extinction of 
his Iroquois confederacy, and embittered his own declining years. He was a 
chief promoter in Pontiac's war, in which he was so prominent that it is often 
called Keyasutha's war, and he sided, along with his nation, with the British 
in the Revolution. He fought against the British in the first case and with 
them in the second, and was a loser in both. If he and the Six Nations could 
only have seen beyond the ends of their noses! In this, as in most other cases, 
his hind sight was much clearer than his fore sight. 

The Continental Congress was early aware of the importance of Pittsburgh 
as a military point; not as being in any way available in the struggle between 
the colonies and England, but as a central point for watching the Indians and 
keeping them, if possible, from cooperating with the British. The latter still 
had possession of Detroit, and from Detroit access could be had to the Indian 
tribes as well and as easily as from Pittsburgh. The latter place, therefore, 
was necessary as a check upon the former; and in this light we can the Ijetter 
understand the tenor of Keyasutha's speech. As an ally of the English, it 
was his task to prevent any advance fi'om Pittsburgh toward Detroit. He af- 
firms for himself a sort of neutrality between the two national combatants: but 
the Six Nations had evidently an understanding with the English, and availed 
themselves of the residence of Keyasutha near hereto use him as a check upon 
any contemplated advance from here to Detroit. He talked very big and 
saucily; but his threats would have been harmless if we had had any available 
force here, which we had not. Maj. Neville was still in command at the fort, 
with his one hundred Virginians; but this was too small a body for aggressive 
movements, and it was sent here by Lord Dunmore as an army of occupation 
to maintain the assertion of Virginia's jurisdiction over the territory of Penn- 
sylvania west of the Laurel hill. 

In April, 1776, Col. George Morgan was appointed by the Continental 
Congress Indian agent for the middle department of the United States, and 
his headquarters fixed at Pittsbui'gh. The object of Congress in this appoint- 
ment was to secure the fi-iendship, or at least the neutrality, of the Indian tribes, 
and commissioners were appointed to hold treaties with them at the different 
agencies. The commissioners for this, the middle department, were Thomas 
Walker, John Harvey, John Montgomery and Jasper Yates. They met in 
Pittsburgh in July, 1776, but were not able to assemble any tribes until 
October following. The inflvience of Detroit was operating against them, and 



466 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

SO alarming were the iadications that the commissioners issued an order for 
assembling all available militia at Fort Pitt in September of that year. But 
the alarm soon after died away; and Col. Morgan, under date of November 
8th, writes that the threatening clouds are about to disperse, and that ' ' the 
Six Nations, with the Munsies, Delawares, Shawanese and Mohickons,* who 
have assembled here with their principal chiefs and warriors, to the number of 
six hundred and forty-four, have given the strongest assurance of their deter- 
mination to preserve inviolate the peace and neutrality with the United States. ' ' 
They were not ready just then for breaking with the United States, and hence 
were very peacefully inclined; but it was the peaceful inclination of a bully 
calmly awaiting a better opportunity to strike. 

The year 1776 slipped away in this dallying with the Indians. But in 1777 
we hear of the beginning of a new industry here. On February 23d fourteen 
boat-carpenters arrived here from Philadelphia, and were set to work on the 
Monongahela, fourteen miles above the fort, near a sawmill. There is nothing 
more definite than this to indicate the spot, but it must have been above Turtle 
creek, and between that and the mouth of the Youghiogheny. They here 
built thirty large batteaus, forty feet long, nine feet wide and thirty two 
inches deep. These were not very large boats, and would be dignified in these 
later days with the name of ' ' flats " or " scows, ' ' but they were big enough 
for their purpose, and were adapted to the only system of navigation then in 
use. They were intended for the transport of troops to invade the Indian 
country, should it become necessary. Where it was intended to use them does 
not appear, but probably on the Ohio below Pittsburgh. It is only one 
hundred miles from Beaver to Lake Erie, and these light-draft batteaux 
could be propelled some distance up the Beaver; or they may have been 
intended for transportation to the mouth of the Muskingum or the Scioto, 
both available as starting-points against the Indians; or the purpose may have 
been to use them for ascending the Allegheny to French creek, and thence to 
Lake Erie, Detroit being the objective point. But speculation is useless, as 
they were never used for either route. In the meantime their construction 
here may well be considered as the beginning of the business of boat-building 
on the western waters, an industry which not many years afterward attained 
considerable importance. It is not now much of an industry here, but boats 
still continue to be built at and near Pittsburgh, both wooden and iron, and 
the armor-plates for our war-vessels are even now preparing at Pittsburgh 
mills. We have thus the genesis of two important branches of business — 
coal-mining in 1760 and boat-building in 1777. In the very neighborhood 
where these batteaux were built coalboats and barges are now built, any one 
of which wou.ld hold a dozen or more of the batteaux of 1777. In the spring 



* The Munsies, Delawares and Mohickons were simply subdivisions of the same tribe. They were 
known under the general name of Lenni Ltnape, " men of men," but the Delawares being the largest division 
in Pennsylvania, the whole tribe is usually spoken of as "the Delawares." 



PITTSBURGH. 467 

of 1778 the commissioners for Indian affairs ordered the building here of six 
larger boats for the defense of the navigation between the military posts on the 
Ohio. Each boat was to carry a four- pound cannon, and to be built so as 
to be useful either for defense or attack. Compare these four-pound cannon 
with the monster steel guns now made! 

Indian alarms were ?iiore or less frequent thi'oughout 1777, and Col. Morgan 
appears to have been kept in hot water all the time. The attacks were directed 
mainly against the Virginians, and not against Fort Pitt; but as Virginia 
claimed (and occupied) Fort Pitt, and the Pittsburghers did not know whether 
they were really Virginians or Pennsylvanians, it was hard for them to 
determine whether the victims of these attacks were "fellow-citizens" or not. 
The slaughters were sufficiently near, in either case, to awaken both their sym- 
pathy and af) prehension. The "Mingoes"* or Iroquois were the most prom- 
inent in this border warfare, notwithstanding their peace professions at Pitts- 
burgh only the previous year. 

In 1778 complaints of the scarcity of food began to be heard. Provisions, 
such as beef and bacon, were in very poor supply, and flour was quoted at $16 
a barrel. The settlements were not yet numerous, and the farmers, living in 
constant peril of the Indians, did not venture on large crops. Cattle and hogs 
had to run at large, in the open woods, and became an easy prey to Indian as 
well as white hunters. There were as yet no roads, and mills were far apart. 
It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that scarcity prevailed even in so limited 
a market as Pittsburgh then was. The population of the town was probably 
under four hundred at that time, and the country was too poor to supply food 
even to that small number. If, as is presumable, each house in the town had 
a garden attached (the lots were originally 60 by 240 feet, equal to one- 
third of an acre), the occupants could raise enough " garden sass " to furnish a 
partial supply of food, and there was range enough all around to pasture cows 
and furnish a good deal of food for pigs. Yet, with all these advantages on 
their side, the early townsfolk of Pittsburgh had a hard time in finding enough 
to eat. A frontiersman's lot was not a happy one. 

On the 28th of March, 1778, an event happened which demonstrated to the 
citizens of this then out-of-the-way part of the world that, though far from 
the seat of war, the influences of the Revolution could be brought to their very 
doors. On that day Simon Girty, Alexander McKee and Mathew Elliott made 
their escape from Pittsburgh, and ever after were active agents of the British 
government, and exercised much influence with the Indians against the United 
States. They were probably worked upon at an earlier date by Connolly, the 
active agent of Dunmore, who must have known everybody and how such men 
could best be reached. Girty (after whom Girty' s run, above Allegheny City, 

*The Iroquois did not answer to tiie name " Mingo," yet they were generally known by that designation 
and "Mingo" creek, near Steubenville, Ohio, is so called from having been one of their settlements. The name 
is a corruption of " Mengwe," the Delaware name for the Iroquois. It is said to signify " enemy '* or *' eneniies." 



468 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

was named) became worse than a savage. He was more cruel and relentless 
than any of the Indians, and was a daily illustration of the old adage that one 
renegade is worse than ten Turks. He is said to have lived at one time on 
Squirrel hill, but his residence at this time must have been on the run named 
after him. He is one of several men who became infamous at that time. 
Alexander McKee was a deputy Indian agent at Pittsburgh up to 1776, where. 
as we learn fi-om a letter of Gen. Richard Butler, given in " Olden Time, ' ' he was 
accused of some wrong-doing by John Campbell, and was compelled to give his 
written parol that he would not thereafter, without permission, hold any inter- 
course with the Indians or attempt to transact any business with them. Wash- 
ington, in his journal of his visit of 1770, mentions dining with Mr. " Magee," 
two miles below the city, and Craig says this was intended for Alexander 
McKee, and his place must have been at McKee' s Eocks. He was very intimate 
with Connolly* and probably left under temptations earlier held out by that 
prince among scoundrels. 

* As Connolly's Dame is often mentioned in this hi&lory, ii may be well to giTC. in this note, all that is 
known of him. The following sketch of him is by Mr. John Ormsby, and is found in "The Olden Time" (Vol.2, 
p. 93): "The above Dr. Connolly was born and bred near Wright's ferry [Columbia], in Pennsylvania. His 
father was a grubber among the farmers on the Susquehanna, who found the secret of pleasing a Quaker, 
orderly widow of the name of Ewing, and the jobber was a professed papist. Thi.i match, as might be expected, 
proved very disagreeable, so that he left nothing to commemorate his memory but the above villainous doctor. 
This fellow had traversed the Illinois country till he could subsist there no longer, so that he appeared at Pitts- 
burgh a few years before the commencement of the Revolution. Here he was introduced to Lord Duumore, who 
traveled through the western country to sound the inclinationsof the inhabitants as well as the Indians. Con- 
nolly, like a hungry wolf, closed with Dunmore a bargain, that he would secure a considerable interest among 
the white inhabitants and the Indians on the frontier. In consequence of this agreement my lord made him 
a deed of gift of 2,01H) acres of land at the falls of the Ohiu, and 2,tHio more to Mr. John Campbell, late of Ken- 
lucky, both of which grants are now owned by the heirs ol Col. Campbell. [X run emptying into Cbarliers 
creek at Mansfield, in this county, is called • Campbell's ijun' from this Col. Campbell, who also laid out the 
town of Pittsburgh in 1764, and who was active in tbis region as an Indian trader before the Revolution. —R. E.] 
Connolly immediately set himself to work in disseminating his hellish insinuations among the people. He 
employed an adjutant to drill the militia, and had the audacity to engage artificers to repair the old fort, and 
In every respect acted the part of a tyrant. He sent runners among the Indians, far and near, with large 
promises of soon supplying them with goods and money. Hanng thus far paved the way for his atrocious 
designs, he met Lord Dunmore at .Alexandria, where they concerted the infernal scheme of massacreiog all 
those on the frontiers who would not join in their work. Matters being thus arranged, Dunmore sent Con- 
nolly to Gen. Gage, at Boston, who approved of the scheme, appointed Connolly a lieutenant-colonel and com- 
mander of two or three regiments of whites and Indians, with authority to draw upon the paym.ister-general 
for cash. Upon this exaltation the great and mighty Connolly set out for Baltimore, where he joined the per- 
sons who were taken along with him, and who no doubt were as sanguinary villains as himself. A report was 
whispered among the minutemen at Hagerstown, etc., of Connolly's schemes, so that they had a sharp lookout 
for him, and happily succeeded in arresting him and his comrades, and all the commissions for the new regi- 
ments, with the general plan of their operations, were found upon him, upon which he was committed to prison. 
This news, you may be sure, was joyfully received on the frontier, and especially at Pittsburgh, where the writer 
of these lines resided with his family. When Lord Dunmore arrived at Pittsburgh [in 1774] he lodged at my 
bouse, and often closeted me, as he said, for information respecting I he disposition of the inhabitants. He threw 
out some dark insinuations as to my usefulness, in case I w.uld be concerned, but as he found I kept aloof, he 
divulged to Connolly, and I suppose to Campbell, else why give him the aforesaid grant of land, which he enjoys 
and which is very valuable? Had Connolly and his associates reached Pittsburgh there were a great many 
drunken, idle vagabonds waiting to join him. The savages were also in high expectation that they would soon 
glut their vengeance on the distressed frontier inhabitants. But the Almighty Lord showed himself to be our 
protector against all the machinaiions of our European and American foes. Connolly and Arnold, both of 
whom merited halters, are now on half-pay on the British establishment." 

Connolly was arrested at Hagerstown, November 23, 1775. His ostensible purpose was to secure Western 
Pennsylvania to Virginia under Punmore's claim; but the papers found on him showed that his military scheme 
was not for Virgiuia.but for British interests against the cause of the colonies. He waa accordingly held as a pris- 



PITTSBURGH. 469 

Of Andrew Elliott no other or further mention is made; and the event is 
noticeable only as showing how far out the lines of adverse infinence ran at 
the time of the Revolution. 

The importance of Fort Pitt seems to have risen in the estimation of Con- 
gress in 1778, for Gen. Lachlan Mcintosh, with portions of the Eighth Penn- 
sylvania and Thirteenth Virginia, was ordered here to supersede Maj. Neville. 
This officer planned a formidable incursion into the Indian countrj' for the 
summer of 1778. Fifteen hundred men were to assemble at the mouth of the 
Kanawha, to be joined by fifteen hundred from here. Gen. Mcintosh accord- 
ingly prepared to march with the latter force by way of the Big Beaver, at the 
mouth of which Fort Mcintosh, named after himself, was erected. Before start- 
ing, however, he thought it prudent to ask for and get the consent of the Dela- 
wares to pass through their country, which having been done, in October of that 
year he gathered one thousand men at Fort Mcintosh, and commenced his march. 
But the season was so far advanced that he got only to the west bank of the 
Tuscarawas river, near Sandy creek, seventy miles west of Fort Mcintosh. 
Heie he built a fort, called Fort Laurens, placed Col. John Gibson in it with 
one hundred and fifty men, and the rest of the army returned to Fort Pitt. 
Fort Laurens was afterward invested by the Shawanese and Wyandots, and 
was finally abandoned in the summer of 1779. 

In the summer of 1779 the cry of scarcity of provisions was again heard. 
Flour and meat had to be brought over the mountains, from the east, on horse- 
back. Bacon was quoted at Pittsburgh at one dollar a pound, and many other 
articles in proportion. 

Col. Brodhead was in command at Fort Pitt in March 1779, and Washing- 
ton had projected an expedition under Brodhead up the Allegheny, to cooper- 
ate with Gen. Sullivan in an attack upon Fort Niagara, but the project was 
abandoned, as Washington says, becaiise of "the difficulty of providing sup- 
plies in time, and a want of satisfactory information of the country up the Alle- 
gheny." Col. Brodhead, however, did march his force up the Allegheny, 
beyond Warren, inflicting much damage upon the Indians, but accomplishing 
nothing more. He returned to Fort Pitt, without loss, September 14th. 

The high price of provisions was not so much owing to scarcity as to a 
deranged currency. Each colony issued currency without limit, and with each 
new issue its purchasing power went down. " I had money enough some 
time ago," says an anonymous writer of this time, "to buy a hogshead of 
sugar. I sold it (the sugar) again, and got a great deal more money than it 



oner of war at Frederick, Md., and at Philadelphia until 1780-81, vhen he was released and exchanged. He 
went from Philadelphia to Canada, and there organized an attack by tories and Indians on Fort Pitt in 1782, and 
had his forces at Lake Chautauqua, but learning that the fort had been repaired by Gen. Irvine, the force was 
dispersed. He remained in Canada till 1790, when he went to Louisville to claim his 2,000 acres, bat found they 
had been confiscated. After that he disappeared from view. 

Ormsby's statements leave as poor an impression about Dunmore as about Connolly. Worse, indeed, for 
Dunmore was well educated and knew better, while Connolly was the mere victim of ignorance and vicious 
habits and associations. 



470 HISTOHY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

cost me, yet when I went into the market again the money would get me only 
a tierce. I sold that, too, at a great profit, yet the money received would liuy 
me only a barrel. I have more money now than ever, yet I am not so rich as 
when I had less." 

Pittsburgh, like all other places, was badly affected by this trouble, and 
every expedient was tried to remedy it. The favorite one, at first, was to 
put a price on everything, and make it a penal offense to ask or give more. 
But this failed, and every other proposed remedy, yet the remedy of cutting off 
excessive issues seems never to have been tried or even thought of. 

Among the rest, the officers of the line and staff at the garrison or fort were 
tempted to try their hand at a remedy. Doubtless they were the wise men, 
and wisdom would die with them. They held a meeting, October 5, 1779, and 
put forth a long pronunciamento, which should have been terrifying enough in 
its length, to say nothing of its contents. It occupies six pages of Craig's 
history, and is an aggregation of adjectives and balderdash which, while it 
must have been satisfactory to the sophomore who wrote it, must have been 
sickening to everyone else. The following resol ution is a specimen : 

Resolved, That any person whatever, holdiiis a commission, place or employment 
under the United States, who shall directly or indirectly be concerned in trade or specula- 
tion of any kind, shall not be kept company with, or even .spoken to. by any person in the 
public service, that is, on the footing of a gentleman, excepting at such lime when neces- 
sary duty may require; and those who countenance a speculator shall be deemed as ac- 
cessary, and held up to the world in the same colors, and be treated with the same degree 
of scorn and contempt. 

The " scorn and contempt " appear to have been useless, or at least unpro- 
ductive of good results. The currency went on decreasing in value until it 
finally became worthless. A. big box-full of it could have been seen at the 
state treasury not many years since, but has lately been destroyed. There is 
no doubt that men in the army, with fixed incomes, found their pay totally 
inadequate for any expeitditure outside of the army rations, and men in busi- 
ness mttst have suffered much, also; but the business-man had the barter of 
one article for another to fall back upon, which the army man had not. It 
was not mttch wonder that the army broke out in a miitiny of big words; 
still these army offieers probably had men among them with sufficient philoso- 
phy to conclude that language was incompetent to do justice to the subject. 
A reflection of this wise sort would have saved the officers ' ' of the line and 
staff" at Fort Pitt from making themselves ridiculous. But, if wisdom really 
died with these wise men, th(^ use of sophomoric language to cure a public evil 
has not died with them. 

Col. Brodhead, the commandant at Fort Pitt, appears to have been a man 
full of projects. One was an expedition down the Ohio and Mississippi against 
Natchez, and another was a winter expedition against Detroit; but Washing- 
ton put a veto on both. He thoiight Natchez too far off, and that Brodhead 



PITTSBUKGH. 471 

had ueitber men nor supplies sufficient to take Detroit. In the latter case 
Washington was clearly right. A winter expedition, all the way through the 
woods, with Indian enemies on each hand, would have been a wild undertak- 
ing; but that the capture of Natchez was possible was proven by Don Galvez, 
Spanish governor of Louisiana, who captured Natchez as well as Baton Eouge, 
and six hundred and fifty British troops, with military stores and other prop- 
erty. Washington's letter was dated Januaiy 4, 1780, and Galvez captured 
the fort shortly after that date. What Galvez did Brodhead could also have 
done. But what good would it have accomplished? The United States had 
then no claim to either Natchez or Baton Rouge. But it would have been a 
British defeat, and that would have been something. 

The suggestion for such an expedition must have come to Brodhead from 
farmers of this region, who were then and for years afterward chafing itnder 
the adverse possession of the Mississippi. That river was the only outlet to 
the ocean for the country west of the Alleghenies, and so long as it remained 
in either British, Spanish or French hands the west had really no outlet for its 
products, since transportation over the mountains was impracticable for them. 
That this feeling should find expression so early as 1779 is a little to be mar- 
veled at; but it is difficult to conceive how Brodhead could have got his idea 
except from this source. The clamor for a free river to the ocean grew louder 
as the century grew older, and culminated in the early years of this century, 
when Jefferson was driven by it to accomplish the purchase of the territory of 
Louisana. Brodhead was ahead of the times, that is all. Before the days of 
river navigation began by keelboats, it was no uncommon thing for farmers to 
load a boat with flour and produce, on such crooked and ugly streams as the 
Chartiers, and float them to the Ohio and thence to New Orleans. 

The period of Brodhead' s inaction here, which must have galled an active 
man like him, was drawing to a close. In the summer of 1780 he made a 
march to Coshocton. It was effective, so far as awing the Indians was con- 
cerned, but it was marred by the slaughter of the prisoners, for which, how- 
ever, Brodhead was not responsible. 

The letters of Brodhead, in 1780 and 1781, give full token of his restless 
spirit. He is, apparently, always in want of provisions. He can get no beef- 
cattle from the inhabitants, and he is constantly scolding the quartermasters. 
Col. Ephraim Blaine, the grandfather of Hon. James G. Blaine, was quarter- 
master here in 1780, and must have had a hard time of it under the constant 
complaints of the general. 

Under date of November 2, 1780, Brodhead writes thus to the governor 
of Pennsylvania: "I hear, this moment, that Thomas Smallman has made a 
secret and clandestine purchase of an island in the Ohio, two miles below this 
post, commonlj- called McKee's island. The deed, I am told, is signed by two 
Delaware chiefs." 

This must be what is now known as Brunot's island. Whether Smallman 



4(J HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

was permitted to eujoy this purchase we can not now tell: but we presume th& 
proprietaries were sharp enough to look closely to their own interests in such 
matters. 

It is not surprising to learn that in 1781 Col. Brodhead became involved 
in a very angry controversy with some of his officers. Col. Gibson at their head. 
It ended in suspension from his command, to a court of inquiry, etc., which it 
is no part of this history to follow. He was superseded by Gen. William 
Irvine, who arrived here in November, 1781, and at once assumed command. 
In a letter dated December, 1781, he recommends the abandonment of Fort 
Pitt as indefensible, and the erection of a new fort at McKee's Rocks. This 
letter was addressed to Gen. Washington, v?ho knew all about the two sites, 
and as he had before expressed a preference for ' ' the forks, ' ' this revival of 
an old project would hnd no favor with him. Nothing, at least, ever came of 
it. Under date of May 9, 1782, Gen. Irvine writes: 

' ' Another kind of expedition is much talked of, which is to emigrate and 
set up a new state. The matter is carried so far as to advertise a day of gen- 
eral rendezvous, the 25th inst. A certain Mr. Jackson is said to be at the head 
of this party. He has a form of constitution, written by himself, for the new 
government. I am well informed that he is now on the east side of the mount- 
ains, trying to purchase or otherwise provide artillery and stores. A number 
of people, I really believe, have serious thoughts of this matter, but I am led 
to think they will not be able, at this time, to put their plan into execution. 
Should they be so mad as to attempt it I think they will either be cut to pieces 
or they will be obliged to take protection from and join the British. Perhaps 
some have this in view, though a great majority are, I think, well-meaning 
people, who have at present no other view than to acquire large tracts of 
land. 

' ' Mr. Jackson has been in England since the commencement of the present 
war. Some people think he is too trifling a being to be worthy of notice. Be 
this as it may, he has now many followers, and it is, I think, highly probabla 
that men of more influence than he are privately at work. Jackson, it is said, 
was once in affluent circumstances, is now indigent, and was always open to 
corruption. ' ' 

There is an old story, still current, of a lost county in Western Pennsylvania; 
but here is a lost state, of which no farther account is given. The rendezvous 
of May 25th was probably never held. No mention of it can be found any- 
where, and if, as Gen. Irvine suggests, Jackson was impecunious and open to 
a tempting offer, he is likely to have found such an offer, or to have met with 
some rebuff that was fatal to his scheme. He and his new state never " materi- 
alized. ' ■ Possibly, if he had any British help in view, it was scared off by the 
near approach of the treaty of peace, finally accomplished November 30. 1782. 
The one thing certain is that the proposed state went up in smoke, and Jack- 
son is so common a name that this particular "Mr." Jackson remains without 




^^ /%^^y^4i^y^JJU. 



PITTSBURGH. 475 

a Christian name to distinguish him from others. It is a consolation to know 
that Western Pennsylvania was so securely anchored; since Vioth Dunmore and 
Jackson tried to steal it, and both failed. 

Gen. Irvine remained here in command of the troops until the war was 
over. His fear that the Canadians might come down the Allegheny and capt- 
ure Fort Pitt and his anxiety for a new fort at McKee's Rocks were alike 
unavailing. The old fort answered its purj)Ose to the end, and none has been 
needed since. Our people in 1864 thought the city needed fortification again, 
but the earthworks they threw up were on the hilltops, and not at "the 
forks" of the rivers. The fortifications of 1864 were really not needed, and 
the citizens of this bailiwick are permitted to live in the hope that the city may 
never need a fort again. 

There is no record of the receipt, at this post, of the treaty of peace be- 
tween Great Britain and the United States, the preliminary articles of which 
were signed at Paris, November 30, 1782; but as the surrender of Cornwallis 
had been celebrated here with firing of guns and other noisy demonstrations, 
and as that surrender practically ended the war, there was probably but little 
feeling manifested at what was merely a matter of course. That the cessation 
of war and the confusion following it would bring on a stagnation of business 
here, for awhile, may be regarded as certain. The place had not much busi- 
ness then at best, and what it had came mainly from its proximity to the fort. 
It was now to enter upon a new career, that of a town struggling to build itself 
up, with nothing but its position at one of the main gateways to the west to 
back up its pretensions; and it is natural to expect that it would be some time 
before it could get well out of the old rut and well into the new. And the 
new road soon opened before it. 

The Penns, who owned the "manor" in which Pittsburgh was to stand, 
had made up their minds that they could not maintain themselves as "propri- 
etaries ' ' in Pennsylvania after the Revolution began. The manor of Pittsburgh 
was surveyed March 27, 1769, before the Revolution occurred; but in 1779, 
when the war was fairly under way, an act of the legislature was passed, divest- 
ing fi'omthe Penns all the proprietary public property, including the quitrents, 
but carefully protecting and excepting the manors, as private property. By 
the time the revolutionary war was ended the Penns had probably concluded, 
as all that was left to them in the state was the manors, to give up the idea of 
holding on to them and to ofPer them for sale. Consequently, in the fall of 
1783, they offered to sell the lands within the manor of Pittsburgh. The first sale 
was made in January, 1784, to Isaac Craig and Stephen Bayard, of all the ground 
between Fort Pitt and the Allegheny river, ' ' siipposed to contain about three 
acres. " Subsequently the proprietaries concluded to lay out the town of Pitts- 
burgh so as to include these three acres as well as the fort itself. The pur- 
chasers of the three acres afterward received a deed for the lots laid out on their 
previous purchase. 



476 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

PITTSBURGH (Continued). 

Divesting the Penns of Theiu Title— Survey ok the Town of Pittsbi'kgh 
—Viceroy's Deposition— The Town in 1786— Bkackenridge's Description 
OF It — Comments. 

BEFORE proceeding to give a history of the surve}' of the town, it may be 
well, as a matter contributing to a full understanding of the case, to 
give here a complete account of how the Penns came to be divested of all their 
claims to the territory of Pennsylvania, by the act of November 27. 1779. The 
appended account is from " The Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed," by 
William B. Reed: 

' ' By the charter of Charles II, the absolute ownership of the soil within 
the assigned limits of Pennsylvania was vested in the proprietary [William 
Penu] and his heirs, with a reservation of the paramount sovereignty of the 
crown of England. The political authority conferred on the proprietaries dur- 
ing the interval from the settlement to the Revolution was exercised by their 
nominees, or by members of the proprietary family itself. It, as well as 
the ownership of the soil, was undisputed till the period when, by the Revo- 
lution, the paramount sovereignty was transferred. At that time it happened 
that the political aiithority delegated by the charter was exercised by John 
Penn, the grandson of the first proprietary, who had been for some years dep- 
uty governor. The ownership was vested in him and Thomas, a son of William 
Penn, who resided in Great Britain. Richard Penn, another of the family, 
who also had been deputy governor, returned to England in the fall of 1775, 
being, with Arthiir Lee, the agent of Congress and the bearer of its last petition 
to the king. * In November of that year he was examined at the bar of the 
house of lords, and the testimony which he gave was so fi-iendly to the pro- 
vincial cause as to call down strong rebuke from some of the ministerial peers, f 
He did not, I believe, ever return to America, certainly not till after the 

* Richard Penn's examination will be found in " Parliamentary History," xviii, p. 911. When asked what 
was the military force of Pennsylvania in 1775 he said : " When I left Pennsylvania they had twenty thousand 
men in arms, embodied, but not paid, and forty-flve hundred since raised." He said there were sixty thousand 
men fit to bear arms in Pennsylvania, In the debate which followed Lord Lyttleton said: "With all the 
caution wilh which Mr. Penn guarded his expressions, he nevertheless betrayed through the whole of his ex- 
amination the strongest indication of the strongest prejudice." lb., 928. 

tThis statement has reference to the beginning of the revolutionary disturbances. Thomas, the son o( 
William Penn, died M.irch 21,1775. At the time of the divesting act, in 1779, the proprietaries were John 
Penn, the governor, and John Penn, of Stoke Pogis, the son of Thomas. Richard Penn, referred to in the text, 
was the second son of Richard, the third son of the original William Penn. The most intelligent statement of 
this intricate genealogy will be found in * Yeates, Rep., p. 550. 



PITTSBURGH. 477 

peace. Gov. John Penn remaiued iu Pennsylvania, and appears to have been 
a temperate and inoffensive man, who relinquished political authority without a 
struggle, and was content to watch with unobtrusive vigilance the more sub- 
stantial interests of his family. With the exception of his temporary removal 
to Virginia in the summer of 1777, he appears never to have been personally 
molested. 

" It was, however, very soon manifest that the proprietary tenure of the 
vacant land within the limits of Pennsylvania, and the reserved right in the 
form of quitrents, could not be allowed to continue. The paramount sover- 
eignty could not be superseded. The fealty at Windsor, with its emblems of 
two beaver-skins, was supplanted by submission to more practical authority 
nearer at hand, and the ' provincial seigniory called Pennsylvania ' had become 
an absolute and substantial sovereignty by itself. Under this change it was 
hardly reasonable that vast tracts of unappropriated lands should be suffered 
to remain under private control, and be utterly unproductive for public neces- 
sities, or that the proprietaries, recognizing in their very titles a foreign and 
adverse authority, should be left in undisputed possession not only of this 
vacant territory, but still more offensively, of the quitrents to which they had 
subjected all the patented and improved lands. These rents, too, it should be 
remembered, were no new grievance. From the time of William Penn down- 
ward they had been complained of, and had led to the most fierce controversies. 
The time had now come when a rude remedy was to be applied. It was 
applied with decision and with dignity — with much less precipitation, in fact, 
and with less apparent violation of decorum than commonly characterize revo- 
lutionary processes. 

■'In February, 1778, President Reed, in a message to the assembly, calls 
attention to the nature and effect of the claims or estates of the late proprie- 
taries, and their consistency with the interests and happiness of the people. 
' To reconcile the rights and demands of society with those of private justice 
and equity in this case will be worthy your most serious attention,' etc. 

■■ The house took the matter into early consideration, and directed notice to 
be given to Mr. Penn. At the instance of that gentleman a more distant day 
was assigned, in order to give him a more reasonable time to determine what 
his course would be. On the 1 1th of March the counsel for the Penns asked 
for further indulgence, which was allowed. Five days were subsequently 
devoted to the argument of the case before the assembly. 

■ ' On the 27th of March a series of questions was propounded, by order of 
the house, to Chief-Justice McKean, on the legal points in controversy. They 
relate to the authority of the crown to give the charter, the nature of the 
grant, the extent of the concessions to the first purchasers, the right to reserve 
the quitrents, their proper appropriation, and the effect of the change of 
government on the pre-emption right of the proprietaries. 

' ' These questions, which show either the doubts or course of reasoning of the 
fi-iends of the pending measure, were answered by the chief justice. In his an- 



478 HISTOliY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Bwer, which he expressly and significantly desired may bo taken in a logal and not 
a political light, Mr. McKean was of the opinion that the right of the crown 
was unquestionable, and the grant to Penn an absolute one. He affirmed the 
right to the quitrents, and denied that the object of their reservation was the 
support of the government (a favorite theory of the anti -proprietary party in 
former times), and on l)ut one point of law seemed to agree with the popular 
party; the right of pre emption he considered as vested in the new govern- 
ment. The report of the committee asserted very different and more radical 
doctrines as to these proprietary tenures. Without pausing to inquire who, 
on these abstract questions, was right, it is obvious that the political reason 
was the active and controlling one; and no one looking back to those times and 
their exigencies will, for a moment, doubt that the continuance of these 
tenures, with pre-emptions and quitrents, was wholly incompatible with the 
new institutions. It may be observed, in passing, that the abolition of the 
quitrents, a prominent feature in the revolutionary measures, may be regarded 
as the means of saving Pennsylvania from the discredit and embarrassment of 
such a contest, between tenantry and landlords, as in our day has occurred in 
a sister state. 

"The opinion of the chief justice and the report of the committee were 
ordered to be printed on the 5th of April, 1779, and, the legislatvu'e adjourn- 
ing soon after, no action was had, either then or at the resumed session in the 
fall, except that, after the summer recess, a bill was reported and, after a cer- 
tain consideration, ordered, according to the fashion of the times and the 
requisitions of the constitution, to be printed in the newspapers for public 
approval. The new legislature, which met in October, immediately resumed 
the subject, and a bill was soon matured, which, after passing to a second 
reading, was referred for examination to the chief justice and attorney-general.. 
Their report has not, that I am aware of, been preserved, nor is there any 
allusion to it on the journals. The bill was finally passed on the 24th of 
November by a vote of forty to seven. The minority entered a short protest, 
and on the same day Mr. Penn addressed a brief and decorous remonstrance 
to the assembly, which, at his request, was printed in the journal. The law, 
as is well known, divested all the proprietary public property, including the 
quitrents, but carefully protected the manors and what could be distinguished 
as private property, and, with a liberality which may have given other less 
favored individuals some reason to complain, allowed a compensation to the 
late proprietaries of £130,000 sterling, money of Great Britain, all of which, 
to the uttermost fai'thing, with interest, was discharged within eight years 
after the peace of 1783. It will hardly be questioned that this was a measure- 
of the most liberal justice. It was one, too, which, after the first irritation of 
controversy had passed away, never, so far as I am aware, was complained of 
by the parties interested.* 

* The council of censors, in theirrevision of the legistatiou under the constitution of 1776, found no fault, 
witli the divesting act. 



PITTSBURGH. 481 

••This, however, is the less remarkable from the fact that the Penn family 
received additional remuneration, from an estimated loss of half a million ster- 
ling, from Great Britain, in an annuity of £4,000. Fevr, either active or passive 
loyalists, were as fortunate in receiving compensation on both sides of the 
Atlantic. ' ' 

The survey of the town plot for the town of Pittsburgh was completed by 
Thomas Vickroy, of Bedford county, in June, 1784, and approved by Tench 
Francis, attorney of the proprietors, on the 30th of September, 1784. The 
survey was made by George Wood, father of Harry Wood, who was elected 
sheriff of this county in 1861. Wood street was named after this surveyor, 
who settled here and took up land in what is now known as " Hazel wood. " 
It was far out of the city then, but is in the city now. The plot, as made 
in 1784, extended only to Grant street, on the Monongahela; thence over 
Grant's hill to Liberty; thence to the Allegheny river, and thence to the 
Point, the place of beginning. But the act of the legislature erecting the 
town into a borough, passed in 1794, extended the lineup the Monongahela to 
Suke's run;* thence north thirty degrees east one hundred and fifty perches to 
a post in Andrew Watson's field ;f thence north nineteen degrees west one 
hundred and fifty j^erches to the Allegheny river. This difference in the eastern 
boundaries of the town and borough explains why the Monongahela wharf 
ends at Grant street. The town plot ending at Grant street, all the lots from 
Grant street to the Point were sold as fronting on and beginning at Water 
street, all the space between Water street and the river being reserved for a 
wharf. The land above Grant street was a part of the manor, and the lots 
from Grant street to Suke's run were evidently sold to the river. There 
being no reservation here for a wharf, none ever existed there. Bake well's 
glasshouse was built on land above Grant street, between the line of Water 
street and the river, and remained there, between Grant and Ross, until con- 
verted into a depot by the Pittsburgh & Connellsville (now B. & O.) Railroad 
company. 

Many names of streets in Pittsburgh are derived from the names of British 
officers at and after the occuj)ation of Fort Duquesne in 1758. Forbes street 
is named after Gen. Forbes; Smallman street, Marbury street and Stanwix 
street, after officers at the fort who followed the British recapture of the fort. 
Grant street and Grant's hill were both named after the unfortunate High- 
lander who occupied the hill in advance of Forbes' arrival, and was cut to 
pieces by the Indians before he knew the danger he was in. We a,l^o have 
ShingisB street and Shannopin street, after two Indian chiefs who were here 
before any fort was built. It seems odd that while men of no greater promi- 
nence than those mentioned have their names perpetuated on street-corner 

* Suke's run is now a mere sewer, emptying into the Monongahela just above the Panhandle 
railroad bridge. 

t This field must haTe been north of what is now Filth avenue, what was known as Watson's orchard 
in 1835, about the eastern end of Hoss street. 



482 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

signs, men like Neville B. Craig, Brackenridge and mauy others that could 
be named are left without recognition. There is, to Ije .sure, a Craig street in 
Allegheny City, upon which city he had no special claim; but not a street iu 
Pittsburgh is named after him, nor a borough or township in the county. Yet 
no man had a better claim to such remembrance. 

Vickroy's or Wood's plot of the town of Pittsburgh (see plate of it 
elsewhere in this volume) attracts attention from one or two peculiarities, 
which are probably more apparent now than they were then: First, the lots 
all face the Monongahela river and the streets running parallel to it. There 
is not a lot in the whole plot facing on Ferry, Market, Wood, Smithfield or 
Grant streets. Second, the width of the streets varies very remarkably; 
Market street is narrow, while Wood, Smithfield and Grant are comparatively 
wide; and in like manner Front, Second, Third and Fourth (avenues) are nar- 
row, while Fifth, Sixth and Seventh are comparatively wide. . (There was an 
Eighth street, running from Grant to Liberty near their junction, but the city 
sold or surrendered it to the Pennsylvania railroad.) Liberty street, like- 
wise, is wide, while Penn is narrow. What pui'pose was in the minds of the 
siu'veyors or proprietors when this variance was made? Such a variation 
could hardly be the result of mere carelessness or accident. 

As to the first peculiarity, it may, possibly, have been the result of Camp- 
bell's plan of the two squares between Ferry and Market and Water and Sec- 
ond. These lots were laid out, it will be recollected, in 17(34, and faced the 
Monongahela, Front and Second streets; and the sirrveyors, having adopted 
this as a part of their plan, may have made all the rest of the plot to corre- 
spond. If the proprietors had any plan separate from this, its general purpose 
may, if the speculation indulged in further on is correct, have coincided so well 
with Campbell's plot as to lead them to incorporate his with theirs, and make the 
two correspond. (The lots on Penn and Liberty, it will be noted, face on these 
streets respectively, and are not included in the speculations hereinafter in- 
dulged in.) 

The second peculiarity, the varying width of the streets, can be solved only 
by guessing. The first impulse of the owner of a desirable town site is to lay 
it out with streets of the same width throughout. This will be seen in the 
plan of the old city of Philadelphia, laid out by the Penns. The streets in this 
plan were all the same width, except Market street, and that, imlike our Mar- 
ket street, was made wide because it was a market street. The plan involved 
the idea of open, but roofed, market-houses, down the middle of the street, 
with the street on each side. In the case of our Market street, the Diamond 
was undoubtedly reserved for a market-place; but why, in that case, was the 
street left so narrow? Possibly because Campbell designed it that way; and if 
squatters had built on the upper side of the street, leaving but a narrow lane 
for the street, the surveyors of the Penns would not feel willing to disturb 
ex isting lines. This would account for all the streets running at right angles 



PITTSBURGH. 483 

from the Monongahela ; but how to account for the varying width of Penn and 
Liberty, and the widths of the numbered avenues ? 

(juessing, only, can supply the answer, and in that case, it may be urged, 
one guess is as good as another. So it is, if accompanied with a satisfactory 
reason, and the reader is at liberty to adopt the guess here given, or reject it, 
as the reason may or may not be satisfactory. To begin, then, the value of 
Pittsburgh, as a town site, in 1784, depended entirely upon its position at the 
head of the Ohio and at the mouth of its influents, the only routes to the west 
then practicable. For it must be remembered that the proprietaries were act- 
ing upon the knowledge they then had, and not upon the experience of after 
years. The waterways, then, were the great highways of travel, trade and 
intercourse in 1784. There were two routes over the mountains to the east, 
and Pittsburgh was the natural terminus of both, because both connected here 
with the Ohio. The town would consequently be laid out with a view to ac- 
commodate the trade that would naturally center at a spot with such great 
natural advantages. The lots were made to face the river because the river 
was the great highway of trafific. Emigrants arriving here by water (as many 
did, taking boat on the Youghiogheny and Monongahela) would stop in front 
of the town, and emigrants arriving by land would take boat here; all freight 
arriving here from the east would also have to be shipped here. Hence 
we find the streets arranged for the carrying-trade as it then existed. Penn 
street was on the then principal route to the east, and its width, having prob- 
ably been fixed before the survey was made, would not be changed. But Lib- 
erty street, the only one parallel to it, was left wide expressly to accommodate 
the wagons and horses that would come into it to load and unload. Market 
street terminated at the river on a high bluff. It could not be used as a way 
to the river, and was left undisturbed in its narrowness. But there was a 
low place at the river at the foot of Wood street, by which access to the river 
was easy ; hence Wood was made wider than Slarket. The lots were each 60 feet, 
by 240 feet in depth, affording room for a garden and stable on each lot. The 
inhabitants, it might be supposed, would prefer the numbered streets nearest 
the river for private residences, and these were left narrow; but from Fifth 
eastward the horse and wagon traffic would begin to concentrate, in connection 
with Liberty, and these streets were consequently left wider. 

Up to the time of opening the canal, in 1829, such was really the course 
which traffic took. The great caravansaries for the lumbering Conestoga 
wagons were on Liberty, Fifth and the streets beyond Fifth. Very few can 
now recollect them, but some traces of them were still to be found even after 
the canal was opened. There was one on the corner of Liberty and Seventh, 
the "Spread Eagle" tavern, and one on the corner of Wood and Fifth; and 
further up Fifth, near Smithfield, nearly opposite the postoffice, there was a 
great arch under which the wagons used to drive, and a huge courtyard, 
around which frame dwelling-houses were erected. This courtyard was an old 



484 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



wagon-yard, and the houses around it had pr()l)ably Iseen originally stables or 
a part of the tavern buildings. Certain it is that tavern-keeping of that kind 
was a huge business up to 1830; and the proprietaries must be supposed to have 
had sense enough to see that traffic with the east and west would concentrate here 
so largely as to make special provision for it necessary. Could they have fore- 




MAP OF THE 

BOROUGH OP PITTSBURGH 

AS LAID OUT IN 1795. 



seen the days of railroads and telegraphs, and the change they would work in 
the methods of business, they would have made the lots from Front street out 
front on Market, Wood, Smithtield and Grant; but who, of the present gener- 
ation would have acted differently from them had they lived in their times and 
circumstances ? 





L-'^^:2>«,-t. ^^V_ 



PITTSBURGH. 487 

The plot, it must be confessed, is not an extensive one, and might reasona- 
bly enough have taken in the level ground up to the Two-Mile run on the Alle- 
gheny river; but the place was big enough to accommodate most comers for 
nearly fifty years; and who can see even fifty years ahead? The city did not 
begin to extend beyond the limits of 1784 until 1837, and that was a long 
boyhood to serve before it could get larger clothes. Its baby-clothes wei-e 
therefore cut sufliciently large to suit its slow but sturdy growth. 

After the foregoing was written the aiithor came across the following depo- 
sition of Thomas Vickroy, who assisted George Wood in making the survey of 
the town of Pittsburgh. It will be seen that he fully bears out the supposition 
that the survey of Pittsburgh was made to conform to Campbell" s original plot 
of the town: 

And now, to wit, August 31st, 18-41, in the matter of petition of Moses Hampton. Esq., 
solicitor of the citj' of Pittsburgh, to perpetuate the testimony respecting the true location, 
extent and width of Grant street, Water street, Cherry alley and other streets, lanes and 
alleys in the city of Pittsburgh, under an act of assembly of April 21, 1841, the court 
appoint .John Mower, Esq., of Bedford county, Pa., commissioner to take the testimony 
of witnesses under the act aforesaid. 

Pursuant to said act by said commissioner of the taking of depositions of witnesses 
on behalf of city of Pittsburgh was begun at the house of Thomas Vickroy at Alumbank, 
St. Clair township, Bedford county, Pa., on December 16. 1841. 

STATE OP PENNA., ) 
Bedford County, f 

Personally appeared before me Thomas Vickroy, a witness produced on behalf of the 
city of Pittsburgh, aged eighty-live years and upward, who having been first duly sworn 
according to law doth depose and say as follows, viz, ; I assisted George Wood, the elder, 
to lay out the town of Pittsburgh. He requested me to go with him as surveyor and em- 
ployed me in that capacity to lay out the town of Pittsburgh, and to divide the proprie- 
tary manor into outlots and farms. We arrived in Pittsburgh in the month of May, 1784, 
and the first thing we did was to circumscribe the ground where he intended to lay the 
town out. We began up about where Grant street now is, on the bank of the Mononga- 
hela, and proceeded down the Monongahela according to the meanderings of the river to 
its junction with the Allegheny river. Then up the Allegheny river on the bank, keeping 
on the bank a certain distance up to about Washington street; from thence to Grant's 
hill, thence along Grant's hill to place of beginning. I made a draft of it. in Mr. Wood's 
presence, throwing it into a large scale to see how it would answer to lay out into lots 
and streets. After that there was a good deal of conversation, and the ground was viewed 
by Mr. Wood and the persons who lived at that place to fix on the best plan to lay out 
the town with the greatest convenience. There had been lots laid out before, as I under- 
stand, called military lots, said to be laid out by Mr. Campbell. These are the four blocks 
in the plan contained between Market street and Ferry street, Water street and Second 
street. Mr. Wood expressed a desire to new model those small streets and lots so as to 
make them larger, especially Market street. A number of the inhabitants had small 
houses on those lots as they were laid out. These persons remonstrated and obieeted. 
and gathered in a body together and would not have it done, saying it would destroy their 
property. Eventually Mr. Wood acquiesced in their wishes, and laid out the four squares 
as they had been before. Mr. Wood having procured a pole and a great number of locust 
pins for the purpose of measuring and staking off the lots and streets, we then went to 
Samuel Ewalt's house, which stood on what is now the corner of Market and Water 



488 HISTOllY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Streets. Then we took the range of Water street, from some houses that then stood on 
the bank of the 5lonougahela river, viz. : Ormsby, Galbraith and others, and then meas- 
ured below Ewall's some distance, perhaps as far as the military lots, and laid them out 
and staked them. We then returned, and again took Ewalt's house and laid out Market 
street and the Diamond, and continued Market street to a certain point. We then com- 
menced and laid off Liberty street. After we had laid out Liberty street, we again 
commenced at Ewalt's. and measured up the river on Water street to Wood street, 
which we laid out sixty feet wide, running from Water street parallel with Market 
street through to Liberty street. We then laid out the blocks between Wood and Mar- 
ket streets, through from Water street to Liberty street. We then measured up Water 
street to Smithfleld street, which we also laid out from Water street through to Liberty 
street, sixty feet wide, making it parallel with Wood street, and then proceeded to lay 
out the blocks between Smithtield and Wood streets, from Water street through to 
Liberty. From Smithtield street we went on to lay out Cherry alley, making it twenty 
feet, and running it from Water street to Liberty, parallel with Smithfleld street. We 
then laid out the block of lots between Smithfleld street and Cherry alley, through from 
Water to Liberty street. We then proceeded to Grant street, which we laid out sixty 
feet wide, making it parallel with Cherry alley, and then laid out the block of lots 
between Cherry alley and Grant street. We run Grant street through from Water street 
to Liberty, making it end on Liberty street, whicli was the last street we laid out on that 
side of Liberty. We made Market street and Liberty street the bases of blocks of sur- 
veys south of Liberty street, and we flnished all the survey and laying out of the lots on 
that side of Lilierty street before we proceeded to the other side. 

In making the survey of the lots south of Liberty street, we staked them all ofiE with 
good locust pins. In making the survey of the lots between Liberty street and the Alle- 
gheny river, we commenced, I think, at Marberry street and worked ou up until we 
finished at Washington street, which was the last street we made. We made Washington 
street to run from the Allegheny river to Liberty street, when it ended. The reason we 
stopped at Liberty street was, that if we had run it across it would have run through a 
public street. Liberty street had been run. and when we run Grant street we stopped it 
at Liberty street as running to a public street; and when we nm Washington street, we 
stopped at Liberty street for the same reason, Washington street was sixty feet wide. 
Those streets, viz.: Grant and Washington, did not meet, because there was a public 
street between them. We drew a line along the outside of the last row of blocks sixty 
feet wide for Grant street. The streets and lots were all measured with a pole and not 
with a chain. The first survey we made I call a circumscribed survey. The object of it 
was to get a general view of the ground to enable us to lay out the town. None of the 
streets were fixed by it, not even Washington or Grant. It was run with a chain, 
and we threw it away and made no further use of it. except to plot by it the ground 
north of Liberty and below Marberry street. That ground was then occupied by a mili- 
tary post and we could not survey it. Water street was to extend in width from the base 
line which we used. Ormsby's house, to low-water mark in the river, and this width was 
to prevail through its whole length from Grant street to the Point. In laying out Water 
street there was another murmuring of the inhabitants, complaining that the street was 
too narrow, Mr. Wood said they would be digging cellars and then they would fill up the 
gulleys and make a fine street. There was a narrow place at the mouth of Ferry street, 
and also down lower. There was a great gut at the mouth of Wood street which made 
an u.gly crossing. We set no pins at the south side of Water street, for it was to go to 
low-water mark. [Signed] Thomas Vickrov. 

.4.S soon as the town was laid out sales of lots commenced, many appli- 
cations for lots having been made before the surveyor's notes were transferred 



PITTSBURGH. 489 

to paper. These applications would come, to some extent, from the squattors 
on Campbell's plan; but the demand for them exceeded what was needed for 
their wants. As every lot was 60x240, there was enoiigh room in every one 
for six lots 20x120, which is larger than the average lot in the business part of 
Pittsburgh now. Nearly every one of the original lots has been thus subdivided. 
But this has been a slow process. According to Mr. Craig's personal recol- 
lection, there were but one hundred and two houses in Pittsburgh in 1796, and 
as Washington counted twenty in Campbell's old town in 1770, the number 
of houses built in twenty-live years would be only eighty-two. Many people, 
therefore, must have bought lots in 1784. who did not immediately build on 
them. This is always the case with new towns. In some cases householders may ■ 
have bought the lots adjoining them, for garden and pasturage, not an unusual 
thing to do in a place where flour was sometimes sixteen dollars a barrel and 
bacon a dollar a pound. 

We have chronicled the genesis of the coal business in 1760, and the boat 
business in 1777; we have now to add an effort at a new branch of manufacture. 
The first distillery in Pittsburgh was erected above where the Allegheny arsenal 
now stands, by Jonathan Plumer, previous to 1770. It is said that on the 
18th of October in that year Washington dined with Maj. George Croghan, 
and on his way back to Pittsburgh stopped at Plumer' s, tasted the whisky, and 
pronounced it "very good." Maj. Craig, July 25, 1784, writes: "I have 
provided a house for the reception of the goods when they arrive, and have a 
party employed in the preparation of timber for the cisterns, pumps, etc., for 
the distillery. I am convinced that our best plan will be to erect a windmill at 
the junction of the rivers, instead of a horsemill. It would do all our grinding 
for the distillery, and at other times do work for the inhabitants. At the Point 
there is almost always a breeze up or down the rivers." So this was what the 
three acres were for that he and Bayard bought from the proprietaries! 

Up to October 21, 1784, the entire stretch of country north and west of the 
Allegheny and Ohio rivers was ' ' Indian country. ' ' If there was a white man 
within its bounds, he was a trespasser, and it is safe to conclude that there was 
not, for the late Gen. William Robinson, Jr., used to boast that he was the first 
white child born west of the Allegheny. As he could not have been born imtil 
after 1784, the presumption is a fair one that there was not a white per.son, 
barring all Indian traders, at that time within this territory. On October 21, 
of that year, a treaty was concluded with the Iroquois, at Fort Stanwix (now 
Rome, N. Y.), by which their title was extinguished to all that region of 
country, except the Erie triangle, which was afterward acquired. It did not 
settle rapidly. For ten years after this it was unsafe for a white man to venture 
in beyond the border. But immediately opposite this city, on the present site 
of Allegheny City, adventurers felt safer than those going farther in. 

In December, 1784, Arthur Lee, of Virginia (one of the F. F. V. 's), visited 
this city, and it did not satisfy his squeamish tastes. The following are extracts 
from his journal: 



490 IlISTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

'• Four miles down the river brings you to Montour's island, which is six 
miles long, and about half a mile broad on an average, and contains about 
two thousand acres of very good land, the greater part of it never overflowed. 
The assembly of Pennsylvania gave Gen. Irwin a right of pre-emption to this 
land. They were moved to do it by an old and influental Presbyterian mem- 
ber, who with great gravity assured them he knew the island contained about 
one hundred and fifty acres. The property of it is contested between Gen. 
Irwin, Col. Neville and Col. Simms, of Alexandria.* The next place is 
Logstown, which was formerly a settlement on both sides of the Ohio, and 
the place where the treaty of Lancaster was confirmed by the western Indians. 

From Logstown to the mouth of Beaver creek is miles, and from thence 

to Fort Mcintosh one mile. . . . The place was formerlj- a large Indian 
settlement and French trading-place. There are peach-trees still remaining. 
It is a beautiful plain, extending about two miles along the river, and one to 
the hills, surrounded on the east by Beaver creek and on the west by a small 
run, which. meanders through a most excellent piece of meadow-ground, full 
of shellbark hickory, blackwalnut and oak. About one mile and a half up 
Beaver creek there enters a small but perennial stream, very tit for a mill-seat, 
so that the possession of the land from there to the western stream would include 
a fine meadow, a mill-seat, a beautiful plain for small grain, and rich, well- 
timbered uplands. It falls just within the bounds of Western Pennsylvania, 
and is reserved by the state out of the sale of the land; is a precious morsel f or 
some favorite of the legislature, f The Ohio, here, is about four hundred yards 
wide. The Monongahela at Fort Pitt is about two hundred and eighty wide. 
The Allegheny about two hundred. The former frequently overflows, and falls 
much sooner than the latter, owing to its rapidity and extent. The banks of 
the Monongahela on the west or opposite side to Pittsburgh are steep, close to 
the water and about two hundred yards high. About a third of the way from 
the top is a vein of coal above one of the rocks. The coal is burnt in the town, 
and considered very good. The property of this [coal] and of the town is in 
the Penns. They have lotted out the face of the hill at thirty pounds a lot, to 
dig coal as far in as the perpendicular falling from the summit of the bank. 
Fort Pitt is regularly built, cost the crown £600, J and is commanded by can- 
non from the opposite bank of the Monongahela, and from a hill above the 
town called Grant's hill, from the catastrophe which befell Gen. Grant at that 
place. He was advancing, with some Highland regiments and Virginia light 
infantry, before the army under Gen. Forbes, took his station upon this hill, 
and had the folly to order his drums to beat and his bagpipes to play, in 
expectation of frightening the French and Indian garrison of the then Fort 

* As the island has long been known as Neville island, it is presumable that Col. Neville established his 
claim finally to it, but I have heard some old people speak of it iis Montour's island. Lee's estimate of 2,000 
acres is certainly too large. 

+ Lee, plainly, has not got over his chagrin at the defeat of Virginia's claim to Western Pennsylvania. 

J Evidently a misprint for i:i")0,000. 



PITTSBURGH. 491 

Duquesue to surrender. But the commandant, sending a part of the Indians 
in his rear,* sallied out upon him, killed all the Highlanders, and made him 
prisoner. The Virginia troops under Col. Lewis, being more upon their guard, 
mostly escaped. ' ' 

Here follows the i^aragraph, already quoted, saying that Pittsburgh was 
then without church or clergyman. There were, it seems, two doctors and 
four lawyers; and if there was no clergyman in 1784 the lack was soon supplied, 
for Rev. Samuel Barr, the first pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, was 
stationed here in January, 1785, shortly after the date of Lee's visit. The 
plot of the town of Pittsburgh, made in 1784, reserved three large lots for 
churches and burying-grounds. The square from Wood to Smithfield street, 
and fi'om Sixth to Virgin alley, was reserved, the half next Wood street for the 
First Presbyterian church, and the half next Smithfield for the Episcopal 
church. The half-square in the block on Smithfield street, just above Sixth, 
running back to Miltenberger's alley, was also reserved for the German Evan- 
gelical church. These facts do not appear as fully as they are here stated on 
the face of the plan, but are set forth in the alBdavit, perpetuated as evidence 
in sundry suits about titles to the lots. It would seem from this that there 
were then three congregations, either formed or in process of formation. 
The Pittsburgh Gazette of August 19 and 26, 1786, states there was then 
' ' one clergyman of the Calvanistic faith (Samuel Barr) settled here, and one 
German Lutheran occasionally preached here." It is also stated that "a 
church of squared timber and moderate dimensions is on the way to be built. ' ' 
This was built on the lot above mentioned as reserved in 1784 for the First 
Presbyterian church. The log building was superseded by a brick building, 
and that by the present stone edifice. These facts indicate that if Rev. Samuel 
Barr was getting a log building up for a church in 1786, he must have been 
"thar or tharabouts " in 1784. Means to build chvxrches are not got in a day, 
especially in an impoverished community such as Pittsburgh was in that day. 

In addition to the distillery before noted, Isaac Craig and Stephen Bayard 
already, in 1784, engaged in the mercantile business, formed a partnership 
with Turnbull, Marmie & Co., of Philadelphia, and established a sawmill up 
the Allegheny, and saltworks somewhere on Big Beaver. The distillery prob- 
ably went into operation in 1784, as a letter from Turnbull, Marmie & Co. to 
Craig, Bayard & Co., October 28, 1784, says: " We are very anxious to hear 
that the stills have reached you, and that you will be able to set them going 
this fall." Never fear; they were much more certain to get here safely than 
Rev. Samuel Barr was to get his log church up in 1786, and to get more cus 
tomers, too, for an agent of Craig, Bayard & Co., at the saltworks, writes: 
" I am greatly in want of three barrels of whisky and a barrel of rum. For 
want of them my neighbor gets all the skins and furs. ' ' 

The next event of any importance in the history of Pittsburgh is the estab- 

*Up Suke's run, probably. 



492 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

lisbmeiit of tlio Pittsburgh Gazelle, wLicli occurred July '2U, ]78G. The town 
must hiivo grown cousideral)ly, since the peace of 1783, to warrant such an 
enterprise. The owners of this enterprise were John Scull and Joseph Hall, 
both printers, it is judged, but John Scull appears to have been the leading 
mind. It was a very grave task to undertake the publication of a paper at 
such a time. Paper and ink had to be brought over the mountains, and there 
were no mails — no postoffice, in fact. The publishers had to deliver their 
paper to their subscribars by mail-carriers of their own, and even when mails 
were established they covered but one route, from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. 
They persevered, however, amid all discouragements, and the paper still lives, 
much heartier and stronger than when it was born. Many a similar venture has 
gone to the bottom within the century that has since elapsed. 

It is much to be regretted that files of this paper have not been preserved. 
The present owners of the Gazette have made strenuous efforts to get hold even 
of stray copies of the first volumes, but succeeded in getting only a copy of the 
sixteenth number. Mr. Craig, in his ' ' History of Pittsburgh, ' ' gives extracts 
from the first number issued, but no other copy of the first issue can be foimd. 
The great value of them, however, would consist in the advertisements, which 
would show what business was going on; for of items of local interest the num- 
bers, as far as seen, contain nothing. It was like all the papers of its time — 
filled with news fi'om abroad. The proceedings of the legislatui-e are given 
with great fullness, and of foreign news there is an abundance; but of home 
news very little, and of editorials, none. Editors, then, did not write. 
Everything original in any newspaper of the last century is communicated, and 
the writers all have classical signatures — " Cato," "Brutus," "Cassius," 
' ' Cicero, ' " etc. The young lawyers and doctors of that day probably aired 
their college education in this way, and seemed to be happiest when they could 
stir up a controversy about something. The approach of an election is percep- 
tible by communications on the danger the country is in, which can be averted 
only by the election of John Smith to the legislature. The only elective ofiice 
then, outside of Congress and the legislature, was that of sheriff, but there 
were no party nominations for it. Every fellow had a free blow, and the news- 
papers were full of cards and advertisements from a shoal of candidates. 

Mr. Craig, from the first number of the Gazette, gives the following, "from 
the pen," he says, "of the late Judge Brackeni-idge. " The Brackenridge 
here meant is Hugh H. Brackenbridge, and not Henry M. It is headed 
"From Brackenridge' s 'Gazette Publications,' " from which it is inferred that 
others of a similar nature followed. 

Brackenridc/e's Description of Pittsburgh in 1786. — "It was in the spring 
of the year 1781 that, leaving the city of Philadelphia, I crossed the Allegheny 
mountains, and took my residence in the town of Pittsburgh, 

' If town it might be called that town was uoue, 
Dislinguished by house or street ' 



PITTSBURGH. 493 

but in fact a few old buildings, under the walls of a garrison, which stood at 
the junction of the two rivers. Nevertheless it appeared to me as what would 
one day be a town of note, and in the meantime might be pushed forward by 
the usual means that raise such places. Two or three years had elapsed, 
and some progress had been made in improvement, "when a gazette was estab- 
lished at this place for the western country, and one of my earliest contribu- 
tions was the following, intended to give some reputation to the town, with a 
view to induce immigration to this particular spot. Whether it contributed in 
any degree to this object I do not know, nor is it material. It will serve to 
give some idea of what the town was at an early period, and the state of society 
at that time, July 26, 1786: 

ON THE SITUATION OF THE TOWN OF PITTSBURGH, AND THE STATE OF SOCIETY AT THAT 

PLACE. 

" The Allegheny river, running from the northeast, and the Monongahela, 
from the southwest, meet at an angle of about thirty-three degrees, and form 
the Ohio. This is said to signify, in some of the Indian languages, bloody; 
so that the Ohio river may be translated The River of Blood. The French 
have called it La Belle Rivi&re, that is, the beautiful and fair river, but this is 
not intended by them as having aqy relation to the name Ohio.* 

■ ' It may have received the name of Ohio about the beginning of the 
present century, when the Six Nations made war upon their fellow- savages in 
these territories and subjected several tribes. 

■ ' The word Monongahela is said to signify, in some of the Indian lan- 
guages, the Falling-in Banks, that is, the stream of the falling-in or moldering 
banks. 

" At the distance of about four or live hundred yards from the head of the 
Ohio is a small island, lying to the northwest side of the river, at the distance 
of about seventy yards from the shore. It is covered with wood, and at the 
lowest point is a lofty hill, famous for the number of wild turkeys which inhabit 

* Brackenridge is all wrong in his Indian etymology. The French name, " La Belle Riviere," was intended 
by them as having relation to the name " Ohio," and in no Indian language that I ever heard of is " Ohio " said 
to signiiy "blood." Kentucky, though on questionable authoiity, is said to mean "the bloody ground," but 
that has nothing to do with " Ohio." Heckewelder contends strenuously that Ohio is a Minsey or Delaware 
word, signifying a river covered with " white caps," and cites ' ' Ohio pyle," the name of a rapids on the Youg- 
hiogheny, as another instance of its use, but the best authorities on Indian languages concur in the conclusion 
that it is an Iroquois word, and that they applied it to the Allegheny, from its source downward, counting 
what we call the Ohio as a mere continuance of the Allegheny. That is why we find the French and Iroquois 
continually speaking of the Allegheny as the " Ohio." The Iroquois word is " 0-y-o," or, more properly, 
"O-ee-o" — fair, or beautiful water. The French, in converting it into their own orthography, aspirated the 
ee by placing an /i before it—" O-hi-o," the i in French being sounded as our double e. The French rarely, and 
the English more rarely, got a name from the Indians spelled rightly. In this case an aspiration was interpo- 
lated, otherwise they got it right enough. We have retained the French spelling, with an English pronuncia- 
tion — " O-high-o," which takes it far out of the original form. The Iroquois word is " O-ee-o," with the accent 
on the first syllable, and it applies, in old Indian usage, to both the Allegheny and Ohio, just as the Delaware 
name Allegheny, " the principal, chief, fair river," applies to both rivers. The Ohio, to the Delawares, was the 
Allegheny, and the Allegheny, to the Iroquois, was the Ohio; and both names, as Post in his journal states, in 
two totally dissimilar languages, mean, practically, the same thing. 



49-4 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

it.* The island is not more in length than one-quarter of a mile, aud in 
breadth about one hundred yards. A small space on the upper end is cleared 
and overgrown with grass. The savages had cleared it during the late war, 
a party of them attached to the United States having placed their wigwams 
and raised corn there. The Ohio, at the distance of about one mile from its 
source, winds round the lower end of the island and disappears. I call the 
confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela the source of the Ohio. 

"It is pleasant to observe the conflict of these two waters where they 
meet; when of an equal height the contest is equal, and a small rippling 
appears from the point of laud at their junction, to the distance of about five 
hiindred yards. When the Allegheny is master, as the term is, the current 
keeps its course a great way into the Monongahela before it is overcome and 
falls into the bed of the Ohio. The Monongahela, in like manner, having the 
mastery, bears away the Allegheny, and with its muddy waters discolors the 
crystal current of that river. This happens frequently, inasmuch as these two 
rivers, coming fi-om different climates of the country, are seldom swollen at 
the same time. The flood of the Allegheny rises perhaps the highest. I have 
observed it to have been at least thirty feet above the level, by the impression 
of the ice on the branches of trees which overhang the river, and had been cut 
at the breaking up of the winter, when the snow and frost melting toward the 
northeast threw themselves with amazing rapidity and violence in a mighty 
deluge. The current of the Allegheny is in general more rapid than that of 
the Monongahela, and though not broader nor of greater depth, yet, from this 
circumstance, throws forward a greater quantity of water in the same space 
of time. In this river, at the distance of about one mile above the town of 
Pittsburgh, is a beautiful little island, which, if there are river gods and nymphs, 
they may be supposed to haunt, f At the upper end of the island, and toward 
the western shore, is a small ripple, as it is called, where the water, bubbling 
as if it sprung from the pebbles of a fountain, gives vivacity and an air of 
cheerfulness to the scene. 

' ' The fish of the Allegheny are harder and firmer than those of the Monon - 
gahela or Ohio, owing, as is supposed, to the greater coldness or purity of the 
water. The fish in general of those rivers are good. They are the pike, 
weighing frequently fifteen or twenty pounds; the perch, much larger than 
any I have ever seen in the bay of Chesapeake, which is the only tide from 
whence I have ever seen perch; there are also the sturgeon and many more 
kinds of fish.;[! 

♦This must be** Smoky island," the last of which was washed away by the flood of 1832. .\s to the *' lofty 
hill "at its foot, no one now Hying can, I think, remember it. It was not there in 1832,.if my memory serves 
me right. Still that does not militate against its being there in 1786. 

t Presumably either Wainwright's or Herr's island. The islands he mentions appear to have had no 
names in his day. 

X Brackenridge is writing of 1786 ; but as late as 1830, and from 1830 to 1850, there was a steady supply of 
good fish in the Pittsburgh markets, caught in the Allegheny, Monongahela and the Ohio, and I think I am not 



PITTSBURGH. 497 

' ■ It is a bigh amusement, to those who are fond of fishing, to angle in those 
waters, more especially at the time of a gentle flood, when the frequent nibbles 
of the large and small fishes entertain the expectation, and sometimes gratify 
it by a bite; and when those of a larger size are taken, it is necessary to play 
them a considerable time before it can be judged safe to draw them in. I have 
seen a canoe half loaded in a morning liy some of those most expert in the employ- 
ment, but you will see in a spring evening the banks of the rivers lined with men 
fishing, at intervals from one another. This, with the streams gently gliding, 
the woods, at a distance, green, and the shadows lengthening toward the town, 
forms a delightftil scene. Fond of the water, I have been sometimes highly 
pleased in going with a select party, in a small barge, up or down the rivers, 
and landing at a cool spring, to enjoy the verdant turf, amidst the shady 
bowers of ash-wood, sugar-tree or oak, planted by the hand of nature, not art. 

' ' It may be said by some who will read this description which I have given, 
or may be about to give, that it is minute and useless, inasmuch as they are 
observations of things well known. But let it be considered that it is not 
intended for the people of this country, but for those at a distance, who may not 
yet be acquainted with the natural situation of the town of Pittsburgh, or, 
having heard of it, may wish to be more particularly informed. Who knows 
what families of fortune it may induce to emigrate to this place? 

' ' There is a rock known by the name of McKee' s Rock, at the distance of 
about three miles below the head of the Ohio. It is the end of a promontory, 
where the river bends to the northwest, and where, by the rushing of the floods, 
the earth has been cut away during several ages, so that now the huge, over- 
hanging rocks appear hollowed beneath, so as to form a dome of majesty and 
grandeur near one hundred feet in height.* Here are the names of French 
and British officers engraved, who in the former times, in parties of pleasure, 
had visited this place. The town of Pittsburgh, at the head of the Ohio, is 
scarcely visible from hence, by means of an intervening island,f the lower 
end of which is nearly opposite the rocks. Just below them, at the bending 

tar wroug in saying that the supply from these sources was equal to the home demand. After the railways 
were opened, of course, supplies came from both the lakes and the sea ; and after oil was discovered, and oil- 
reaneries began to void their refuse into the Allegheny, the fish began to disappear rapidly, until now there are 
few to be found. On streams polluted by drainage from coalpits the destruction of fish is rapid. The Youg- 
hiogheny is frequently covered with dead fish destroyed by the sulphurous drainage of the coalpits, and from the 
same cause streams like the Chartiers are nearly devoid of fish. 

* McKee's Rock here referred to was up to about 1760 the site of the Indian town of the Delaware chief 
Shingiss, but before his location here he probably lived at the mouth of Little Beaver, which is spoken of in 
the Fort Stanwix treaty of 1784 as " Shingo's old town." Of Shingiss Heckewelder speaks in poor terms. He 
says: " Were bis war exploits all on record they would form uu interesting docunient, though a shocking one. 
Conacocheague, Big Cove, Sheriuau's valley and other settlements along the frontier felt bis strong arm suffi- 
ciently— that he was a bloody wan-ior— cruel his treatment, resistless his fury. His person was small, but 
in point of courage and activity and in savage prowess he was said never to be exceeded by anyone." Post, in 
his journal, says that Shingiss told him the English had set a price upon his head. 

" The Ohio Company," formed in Lord Dunmore's time, intended to fortiiy this place and lay out a town 
there, but never did. Washington thought it much inferior to the forks of the river at Pittsburgh as a site for 
a fort, but Gen. Irvine was much taken with it. Washington's judgment was the best. 

fBrunot'a island. 



498 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

of the river, is a deep eddy -water, which has been eounded by a line of thirty 
fathoms and no bottom found. Above them is a beautiful extent of bottom 
containing live or six hundred acres, and the ground rising to the inland coun- 
try with an easy ascent, so as to form an extensive landscape. As you ascend 
the river from these rocks to the town of Pittsburgh you pass by on your right 
hand the mouth of a brook known by the name of Saw-Mill run.* This 
empties itself about half a mile below the town, and is overlooked by a build- 
ing on its banks, on the point of a hill which fronts the east, and is first struck 
by the beams of the rising sun. At a small distance from its mouth is a saw- 
mill, about twenty perches below the situation of an old mill built by the 
British, the remains of some parts of which are yet seen.''T 

' • At the head of the Ohio stands the town of Pittsburgh, on an angular piece 
of ground, the two rivers forming the two sides of the angle. J Just at the 
point stood, when I first came to this country, a tree, leaning against which I 
have often overlooked the wave, or, committing my garments to its shade, have 
bathed in the transparent tide. § How have I regretted its undeserved fate 
when the early winter's flood tore it from the roots and left the bank bare! 

" On this point stood the old French fort known by the name of Fort Du- 
quesne, which was evacuated and blown up by the French in the campaign of 
the British under Gen. Forbes. The appearance of the ditch and mound, 
with the salient angles and bastions, still remains, so as to prevent that perfect 
level of the ground which otherwise would exist. It has been long overgrown 
with the finest verdure, and depastured on by cattle; but since the town has 
been laid out it has been enclosed and buildings are erected. 

"Just above these works is the present garrison, built by Gen. Stanwix. 
and it is said to hav^cost the crown of Britain £60,000. Be that as it may, it 
has been a work of great labor and of little use, for, situated on a plain, it is 
commanded by heights and rising grounds on every side, and some at less than 
the distance of a mile. The fortification is regular, constructed according to 

* Brackenridge makes no mention of Cbartiers creek, which empties into the Ohio just above >IcKee'8 
Kock. The rich Kinds .ilong this creek earlytempted settlers, and it was the scene of several Indian slaughters. 
It was certainly as worthy of mention as Saw-ilill run. 

tThe stone gristmill of West Elliott was probably built on the site of this old British mill, or was the 
British mill itself, and the sawmill above referred to was continued in use down to 1S40 and afterward. 

; If the author had said triaugular he would have been nearer right, the two rivers forming two sides 
of the triangle, a line drawn from one u< the other forming its base. This was the shape of the town as laid 
out by the Penns in 1784. 

?The "transparent tide" must refer especially to the Allegheny. In years gone by, before the rivers be- 
came the common receptacle of sewers, oil-refineries, tanneries and other factories, the Allegheny was noted 
for its beautifully clear water and its pebbly liottom. The Monongahcla, when very low, is clear, but is usually 
several shades less clear than the Allegheny. AVhen Coal hill was covered with trees, and the .Allegheny was 
at its best, the scene on either river was one of rare beauty. But that was long before the memory of the present 
generation. 

li This seems a stronger argument to-day than it was in 1786 -, but it is to be remembered that when Fort 
Duquesne and Fort Pitt were built the approaches to it were by the rivers, and transportation by the rivers 
was confined to canoes. The heaviest piece of ordnance that could be carried in canoes was a four-pounder, 
and a four-pounder from the top of Coal hill would hardly be very eflective, even if it were possible for the 
enemy to get to the top of either that or Grant's hill. For the purposes for which these forls were built they 
were more formidable where they were than they would have been on higher ground. 



PITTSBUUGH. 499 

the rules of art, aad about three years ago put into good repair by Gen. Irvine, 
who commanded at this j)Ost. It has the advantage of an excellent magazine,* 
built of stone; but the time is come, and it is hoped will not again return, 
when the use of this garrison is at at end. There is a line of posts below it, 
on the Ohio river, to the distance of two or three hundred miles. The savages 
come to this place for trade, not for war, and any future contest that we may 
have with them will be on the heads of the more northern rivers that fall into 
the Mississippi. 

"The bank of the Allegheny river, on the northwest side of the town of 
Pittsburgh, is planted with an orchard of apple-trees, with some pear-trees 
intermixed. These were brought, it is said, and planted by a British officer, 
who commanded at this place early on the first occupation of it by the crown 
of England. He has deserved the thanks of those who have since enjoyed it, 
as the fruit is excellent, and the trees bear in abundance every year. Near 
the garrison, on the Allegheny bank, were formerly what were called the king' s 
artillery gardens, delightful spots, cultivated highly to usefulness and pleasure, 
the soil favoring the growth of plants and flowers equal with any on the 
globe. Over this ground, the ancient herbs and plants springing up under- 
neath the foot, it is delightful still to walk, covered with the orchard shade. 

' ' On the margin of this river once stood a row of houses, elegant and neat, 
and not unworthy of the European taste, but have been swept away in the 
«ourse of time, some for the purpose of forming an opening to the river from 
the garrison, that the artillery might incommode the enemy approaching and 
deprived of shelter, some torn away by the fury of the rising river, indignant 
of too near a pressure on its banks, f These buildings were the receptacles of 

* This magazine was still standing in a dilapidated condition until after 1850, if my memory serves me 
rightly, and was on the upper part of the lot now occupied by the Pennsylvania railroad freight depot. I think, 
•but will not be sure, that a drawing was made of it, before it was demolished, and cuts of it published in the 
papers. It was a mere vault of stone, with nothing particular or striking about its appearance, and doubtless 
served its original purpose admirably. 

tBrackenridge raenlious, in another part of this e-vtract, that the Allegheny was in the habit of rising, in 
his day, thirty feet above its bed. In another part he speaks of the town as built upon the " third bank" of 
the rivers, or upon the highest ground above the river. Yet here he speaks of houses upon this third bank as 
having been swept away by " the fury of the risius; river." From all which it is apparent that, a hundred 
years ago, the Allegheny rose higher and oftener than it does now. This fact militates against the theory that 
the preservation of the forests prevents such high overflows. The whole area drained by the Allegheny river 
was a primeval forest, undisturbed by clearings, iu 1780, yet the annual spring flood rose to thirty feet, whereas 
in these later years it has not gone beyond twenty-four feet. The upper region of the Allegheny, in 183'.3, was 
nearly all forest, yet that year witnessed a disastrous flood, which has been equaled but once since, the flood 
of 1S5'.' having been short of the height of 1832. These high floods, then, are not as frequent as they were a 
century ago, nor do they rise as high, although the drained region is now nearly clear of the original forest. 
This deduction does not aflect the general theory that forests attract water and to some extent retain the rain- 
fall ; but in so far as the theory claims that forests prcveut high floods, the facts do not sustain it. Within a 
few months after Brackenridge's article appeared in the Oazetle, the following appeared, January 13, 1787: "The 
heavy rains and constant thaw for this some time past swelled the .Allegheny and Monongahelato a great height, 
and several Kentucky boats passtd down the latter adrift, all of them loaded. The Allegheny overflowed its banks 
to such a degree that a great part of the reserved tract opposite this place was under water. The inhabitants 
of the ferry-house were obliged to leave it, and it was with the greatest difficulty they escaped, as the flat, 
canoes, etc., had been carried by the water to what is called the second bank, a great distance from the usual 
bed of the river. We have not yet received an account of the damage done, but judge it must be considerable." 



500 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

the aiieiput ludiau trade which, coining from the westward, centered in this 
quarter, but of these buildings, like decayed monuments of grandeur, uo 
trace remains. Those who, twenty years ago, saw them flourish, can only say. 
here they stood. 

'"From the verdant walk on the margin of this beautiful river you have a 
view of an island, about a mile above, round which the river twines with a 
resplendent brightness; gliding on the eastern bank, it would wish to keep a 
straight direction, once supposed to be its course, but, thrown beneath, it mod- 
estly submits and falls toward the town. When the poet comes with his 
enchanting song to pour his magic numbers on this scene, this little island may 
aspire to live with those in the iEgean sea, where the song of Homer drew the 
image of delight, or where the Cam or Isis, embracing in their bosoms gems 
like these, are sung by Milton, father of the modern bards.* 

' ' On the west side of the Allegheny river, and opposite the orchard, is a level 
of three thousand acres, reserved by the state to be laid out in lots for the 
purpose of a town. A small stream at right angles to the river passes through 
it. On this ground it is supposed a town may stand, but on all hands it is 
excluded fi'om the praise of being a situation so convenient as on the side of 
the river where the present town is placed, yet it is a most delightful grove of 
oak-, cherry- and walnut-trees; but we return, and take a view of the Monon- 
gahela on the southern side of the town.f 

" This bank is closely set with buildings^Ji for the distance of near half a mile, 
and behind this range the town chietiy lies, falling back on the plains between 
the two rivers. To the eastward is Grant's hill, a beautiful rising ground, 
discovering marks of ancient cultivation, the forest having long ago withdrawn 
and shown the head and brow beset with green and flowers. From this hill 
two crystal fountains issue, which, in the heat of summer, continue with a lim- 
pid current to refresh the taste. § It is pleasant to celebrate a festival on the 

* This inland of Brackenridge, if his distances be correct, not only failed to find its Milton, but like hi* 
houses "decayed monuments of grandeur," has fallen a victim to "the fury of the rising river." No island has 
been seen in the Allegheny "about a mile above" its mouth, within the List sixty years. It must have been a 
mere islet, which soon disappeared in a rapid river like the Allegheny. 

tin this paragraph we have, in embryo, an instance of the hostile feeling that starts up betweeu two 
towns adjacent to each other, a feeling by no means confined to Pittsburgh. But the idea here expressed, as to 
the unfitness of tire site of Allegheny City for a town, was by no means coufined to Brackenridge. Judge Re- 
dick, a man of no mean parts for his day, speaks very contemptuously of it. His letter is given in full iu 
Agnew'a "Settlement and Titles." He speaks of the miu in the moon looking down in scorn upon the attempt 
to plant a town there. The man in the luoon has seen enough to change bis opinion, since. He now looks 
down nightly, when the clouds will let him, upon a city of rj.5,000 inhabitants, which has far overspread the 
paltry limits of the original town; and as Pittsburgh has spread far beyond the limits of the old Penn manor, 
within the center of which the town of Pittsburgh was laid out, so .\llegheny City bids fair to expand beyond 
the limit of the three-ihousand-acre lot reserved by the state to pay its old soldiers. 

t There were less thau one hundred houses in the whole town of Pittsburgh when the above was wriite 

§ These cool springs continued to flow until Gram's hill was graded off. Long after the city furnished 
water supply froiu a reservoir on (irant's hill, where St. Peter's church now stands, these springs were resorted 
to for supplies of cool drinking-water in summer. This was, of course, before the days when ice was supplied 
for cooling the water. I am told that in some of the cellars on Fifth, near Smithfield, springs still bubble up 
and are carried off into the sewers. 



PITTSBURGH. 503 

summit of this ground. In the year 1781 a bower had been erected and cov- 
ered with green shrubs. The sons and daughters of the day, assembling, joined 
in the festivity, viewing the rivers at a distance, and listening to the music of 
the military on the plain beneath them. When the moonlight rising from the 
east had softened into gray, the prospect, a lofty pile of wood enframed with 
pyramidal rising, illuminated both the rivers and the town, which far around 
reflected brightness. Approaching in the appearance of a river god, a swain 
begirt with weeds natural to these streams, and crowned with leaves of the 
sugar-tree, hailed us and gave prophetic hints of the grandeur of our future 
empire. His words I remember not, but it seemed to me, for a moment, that 
the mystic agency of deities well known in Greece and Rome was not a fable, 
but that powers unseen haunt the woods and rivers, who take part in the affairs 
of mortals and are pleased with the celebration of events that spring from 
great achievements and fi'om virtue. * 

" This is the hill, and from whence.it takes its name, where, in the war which 
terminated in the year 1763, Grant, advancing with about eight hundred Cal- 
edonians or Highland Scotch troops, beat a reveille a little after sunrise to the 
French garrison, who, accompanied with a number of savages, sallied out, and 
flanking him unseen from the bottom on the left and right, then covered with 
wood, ascended the hill, tomahawked and cut his troops to pieces and made 
Grant himself prisoner. Bones and weapons are yet found on the hill, the 
bones white with the weather, the weapons covered with rust.f 

"On the summit of this hill is a mound of earth, .supposed to be a cata- 
comb or ancient burying-place of the savages. There can be no doubt of this, 
as upon opening some of the like tumuli, or hills of earth, bones are found. 
In places, where stones are plenty, these mounds are raised of stones, and skel- 
etons are found in them. J To the northeast of Grant' s hill there is one still higher, 
at the distance of about a quarter of a mile, which is called the Quarry hill, 
from the excellent stone-quarry that has been opened in it. § From this hill 

* I cau not state positively wliat this festal celebration in 17SI was intended to commemorate. Can it be 
possible that our people were then beginning to celebrate the Fourth of July ? No other event of any local im- 
portance can have come in summer. If so, it was, I think, the earliest Fourth-of-July celebration on record. 
On June 20, 1788, the adoption of the United States constitution was celebrated on Grant's hill. 

+ Grant's massacre occurred in 1758. It was in the war which ended in 1763, but was not itself in 1763. He 
was sent in September, in advance of Forbes, to attack the fort, and had force enough, if he had known how to 
use it, to have captured the fort. His Highlanders, refusing to profit by the experience of Braddoek in 17.55, 
fought in "the open," wbile the Americans sought shelter behind trees. The result was that the Highlanders 
were simply slaughtered. 

X There is no record, that I know of, of the opening of this mound, or of its contents ; but a similar one, at 
McKee's Rocks, was opened a few years ago, and found to contain human remains. 

Of the height of Grant's hill there is now no monument extant, and the hill itself will soon be graded away 
BO as to be scarcely perceptible. But when the courthouse was first erected on Grant's hill, in 18.36-40, a monu- 
ment was left for the express purpose of preserving a taugible record of the original level of the hill. The court- 
room floor, or the floor that opened off" the columned portico in front, was exactly at the height of the original 
elevation of the hill. That building is now swept away, and no other level to preserve the elevation has been 
made. As near as I can judge, it was about twenty feet above the present level of Grant and Fifth avenues. 

g This must be the hill traversed by Wylie and Webster avenues, but it is not now known as Quarry hill. 
It was originally do part of Grant's hill, but as the streets are now graded, it seems but a continuance of it. 



504 HISTORY OF ALLKGHENY COUNTY. 

there is au eiisy descent the whole way to the town, and an excellent smooth 
road,* so that the stones can be easily procured to erect any building at Pitts- 
burgh, f From the Quarry hill you have a view of four or five miles of the 
Allegheny river, along which lies a tine bottom, and in high cultivation, with 
different inclosures and farmhouses, the river winding through the whole 
prospect. 

" This hill would seem to stand as that whereon a strong redoubt might be 
placed, to command the commerce of the Allegheny fiver, while directly oppo- 
site, on the Monongahela side, to the southeast, stands a hill of the same 
height and appearance, known by the name of Ayres' hill, so called from a 
British engineer of that name, who gave his opinion in favor of this ground as 
that whereon the fort ought to be constructed, as being the highest ground, 
and which must command the rivers and the plain, with the inferior rising 
grounds on which the town is built. The hill has been cultivated on the sum- 
mit by a Highland regiment, who built upon it, though the buildings are now 
gone, and the brow of the hill is still covered with wood.;}; 

•'From Ayres' hill § issue several fountains, falling chiefly toward the 
north into a small brook, which, increasing, encircles the foot of the hill, 
and takes its course through several beautiful little meads into the Mononga- 
hela river. On this brook, before it takes its turn to the Monongahela, in a 
delightful little valley, and in the neighborhood of some plum-trees, the 
natives of the country, was the ancient residence of a certain Anthony Thomp- 
son, the vestiges of whoee habitation still remain. An extent of ground cleared 
by him lies to the north, accustomed to long cultivation, and now thrown out 
a common. The best brick may be made from this gi-onnd, the fine loam and 
sand of which the soil consists, and the water just at hand, highly favoring the 
object. 

"As you ascend from this valley, through which a main leading road 
passes from the country, you see the Monongahela, and approaching Grant's 
hill on the right, you have the point of view from whence the town is seen to 
the best advantage. It is hid from you until by the winding of the road you 

The old Peiiusylvania canal had a paspage, between the two hills, to the Monongahela river, the tunnel of the 
Pittsburgh, Cincinnati tt St. Louis Railway company occupying, very nearly, the route of the old canal ; but 
the cut made for the canal has since been filled up, aud no trace of it can now be found. 

* The old Coal-Lane road, presumably —now Webster avenue. 

tAnd yet the stones for building the courthouse on Grant's hill, in 1S36-40, were taken from a quarry on 
Coal hill, opposite the moutu of Ferry street. This courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1882, but long before 
this fire the atmosphere had begun to wear away the stone i>erceptibly. So rapid was the corrosion, in an atmos- 
phere loaded with coabsmoke, that the dressed surface of the front wall had dropped off, some of the cnrnices 
near the roof had begun to fall, and the building hart a general scaly look that would have rendered a new one 
necessary if the fire had not happened. All the building-stone around Pittsburgh has the same failing. 

I This must be what is now known as Mount Oliver, as distinguished from Coal hill, although both are 
part of the same range. I can not remember of ever heariug it called Ayres' hill. 

^ No mention is made here by Brackenridge of either Boyd's bill, just beyond Grant's hill, on the 
Monongahela, or of Hogback hill, in Allegheny. The omission of the latter can be accounted for, as he was not 
describing the .\llegheny side of the river; but the omission of Boyd's hill, a point as prominent as Grant's 
hill, is inexplicable. 



PITTSBURGH. 505 

begin to turn the point of the hill; you then see house by house on the Monon- 
gahela side opening to your view, until you are in front of the main town, 
in a direct line to the confluence of the rivers. Then the buildings on the 
Allegheny show themselves, with the plain extending to the right, which had 
been concealed. You have in the meantime a view of the rising grounds 
beyond the rivers, crowned with lofty woods. I was once greatly struck, in a 
summer morning, viewing fi-om the ground the early vapor rising from the 
river. It hung midway between the foot and summit of the hill, so that the 
green above had the apjjearance of an island in the clouds. 

"It may be here observed that, at the junction of these two rivers, until 
8 o'clock of summer mornings a light fog is usually incumbent; but it is of a 
salutary nature, inasmuch as it consists of vapor, not exhaled from stagnant 
water, but which the sun of the preceding day had extracted from trees and 
flowers, and in the evening had sent back in dew, so that rising from a second 
sun in fog, and becoming of aromatic quality, it is experienced to be healthful. 
[Our fogs are not aromatic now, more's the pity. They smell more of the 
sewer than of dew. — K. E.] 

' ' The town of Pittsburgh, as at present built, stands chiefly on what is called 
the third bank, that is, the third rising of the ground above the Allegheny 
water. For there is the iirst bank, which confines the river at the present 
time ; and about three hundred feet removed is a second, like the falling of a 
garden; then a third, at a distance of about three hundred yards, and lastly, 
a fourth bank, all of easy inclination and parallel with the Allegheny river. 
These banks would seem in successive periods to have been the margin of the 
river, which gradually has changed its course, and has been thrown from one 
descent to another to the present bed where it lies.* In digging wells the 
kind of stones are found which we observe in the Allegheny current, worn 
smooth by the attrition of the water. Shells, also, intermixed with these, are 
thrown out. Nature, therefore, or the river, seems to have formed the bed of 
this town as a garden, with level walks and fallings of the ground. Hence 
the advantage of descending gardens on these banks, which art, elsewhere, 
endeavors with the greatest industry to form. Nor is the soil less happy than 
the situation. The mold is light and rich. The finest gardens in the known 
world may be found here. 

"The town consists at present of about a hundred dwelling-houses, with 
buildings appurtenant; more are daily added, and for some time past it has 
improved with unequal but continual pace. The inhabitants, men, women 
and children, are about fifteen hundred, f this number doubling almost every 

* The grading of the banks of the rivers, for wharves, has obliterated all the marks of these separate 
embankments. 

t Plainly an overestimate. A hundred houses would not average fifteen to each; and as Mr. Craig could 
count but 102 houses in 1796, ten years later, the estimate as to bouses was also wild. If, as he says, the town 
was improving, and had but 102 houses ten years afterward, the number of houses in 178t> must have been 
nearer fifty, and the population 300 or 400. 



506 HISTOltV UF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

year from the accession of people from ahnjad and from those Ijorn in tlie 
town. As I pass along, I may remark that this new coimtry is in general high- 
ly prolific ; whether it is that the vegetable air, if I may so express it, constantly 
perfumed with aromatic flavor and impregnated with salts drawn fi-om the 
fresh soil, is more favorable to the production of men and other animals than 
decayed ground. 

"There is not a more delightful spot under heaven to spend any of the 
summer months than at this place. I am astonished that there should he such 
repairing to the warm springs in Virginia, a place pent up between the hills, 
where the sun pours its laeams concentrated as in a biirniug-glass, and not a 
breath of air stirs; where the eye can wander scarcely half a furlong, while here 
we have the breezes of the river, coming from the Mississippi and the ocean; 
the gales that fan the woods, and are sent from the refi'eshing lakes to the 
northward; in the meantime the prospect of extensive hills and dales, whence 
the fragrant air brings odors of a thousand flowers and plants, or of the corn 
and grain of husbandmen, upon its balmy wings. Here we have the town and 
country together. How pleasant it is of a summer evening to walk out upon 
these grounds, the smooth, green surface of the earth and the woodland shade 
softening the late fervent beams of the sun; how pleasant, by a crystal fountain, 
is a tea-party under one of these hills, with the rivers and the plains beneath!* 

' ' Nor is the winter season enjoyed with less festivity than in more populous 
and cultivated towns. The buildings warm, fuel abundant, consisting of the 
finest coal from the neighboring hills, or of ash, hickory or oak brought down 
in rafts by the rivers. In the meantime the climate is less severe at this place 
than on the other side of the mountain, lying deep in the bosom of the wood, 
sheltered on the northeast by the bending of the Allegheny heights, and on 
the southwest warmed by the tepid winds from the Bay of Mexico and the 
great southern ocean. 

' ' In the fall of the year and during the winter season there is usually a great 
concourse of strangers at this place, from the different states, about to descend 
the river to the westward, or to make excursions into the uninhabited and ad- 
joining country, f These, with the inhabitants of the town, spend the evening 
in parties at the different houses, or at public balls, where they are surprised 
to find an elegant assembly of ladies not to be surpassed in beauty and ac- 
complishments, perhaps, by any on the continent. 

" It must appear like enchantment to a stranger, who, after traveling a hun- 
dred miles fi-om the settlements across a di-eary mountain and through the 
country, where in many places the spurs of the mountains still continue and 
cultivation does not always show itself, to see all at once, and almost on the 

*Tbi8attempt to booui Pittsburgh as a summer resort reads very funnily when we contrast the Pittsburgh 
of to-day with the Pittsburgh of 1786. Even the warm springs of Virginia will not suffer by the contrast now. 

t The country to the north and west of the .\llegheny and Ohio rivers was all " Indian "country until the 
treaty of 1784 opened it up to exploration and setlleiuenl. Pittsburgh was, in nS6, the best point at which to 
«nter it. 




2l 



<2U^(L 



PITTSBURGH. 509 

verge of the iahabited globe, a town with smoking chimneys, halls lighted up 
with splendor, ladies and gentlemen assembled, various music and the mazes 
of the dance. He may suppose it to be the effect of magic, or that he is come 
into a new world, where there is all the refinement of the former and more 
benevolence of heart. ' ' 

This is a long sketch, and rather magniloquent in tone, but it is the first 
pen-and-ink sketch of this city, and affords an excellent means of contrasting 
the city now with the city then. It is a great aid to a reader to know fully 
what a place looked like when it began. 

By reference to an accompanying map of Pittsburgh in 1795, it will be 
seen that Fort Duquesne was near the extreme point, between Penn street and 
the Allegheny river, while Fort Pitt extended from Liberty street across Penn, 
and occupied the square now covered by the freight depot of the Pennsyl- 
vania railroad. Fort Fayette, built by Maj. Craig in 1791, faced Penn street 
on both sides, corner of Garrison alley. The United States still owns the lot 
from Penn street to the Allegheny river. Above the fort, on the Allegheny, 
are the "orchards" referred to by Brackenridge. Smoky island, in the 
Allegheny, will be noticed, as also an island in the Monongahela, on which 
buckwheat was grown in 1798, which has since been washed away. The reader 
will also please note the ponds draining into the Monongahela at Wood street, 
the main one extending from Fourth street to Grant, crossing Smithfield street 
at Fifth. This map, with Brackenridge' s description, ought to convey a fair 
idea of Pittsburgh when first laid out. 

Apro}ios of Brackenridge' 8 boast about the mildness of the winters at 
Pittsburgh, the following comes in with poor effect as a comment: 

In the fall of 1787 two young French gentlemen visited Fort Pitt. The 
story of their sojourn here is thus told by M. Brissot de Warville : ' ' Imme- 
diately after their arrival in Philadelphia they hastened to Pittsburgh, on the 
Ohio, where they were detained by the winter. The frost was extraordinarily 
severe. The Ohio was frozen, which rarely occurs. They established them- 
selves a mile or two from Fort Pitt, in a house which was exposed on all sides, 
in consequence of which they suffered much. Although they kept up great 
fires and had numerous coverings, they could not defend themselves against 
the frost. The Reaumer thermometer fell to below 32° and then burst. 

" The two young gentlemen were obliged to chop their own wood and 
cook their own meals, which usually consisted of game and potatoes. Bread 
was dear and scarce. During their somewhat lengthy sojourn they tried a 
number of experiments on a hydrostatic scale which IVIr. Sangrain had 
brought with him. They weighed the different sorts of wood and tried from 
which the best and most potash could be made. Numerous experiments con- 
vinced them that the stalks of Indian corn gave comparatively the largest 
yield. They inspected the neighboring mines; they found iron, lead, copper, 
and even silver, in the vicinity. They were told of an iron-mine, belonging to 
a rich Mr. Murray, but were not permitted to see it. ' ' 



510 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 

Fro.m 1788 TO 1794— Uedemptioneks— Early .Schools and Professions— Mail 

AND POSTOFFICE ESTAKLISHED— HiGII FREIGHTS— MaUKET-HOUSE— LOT- 
TERIES, ETC. — Formation of Allegheny City — Chartering of Pitts- 
burgh AS A Borough. 

THE eighth number of the Pittsburgh Gazeite, of September 16, 178G. con- 
tains the following advertisement, which exposes a j)r*ictice then preva- 
lent, but long since abandoned and forgotten: 

TO BE SOLD, 
(For Ready Money, only) 

A German woman servant, she has near 3 years 
to serve, and is well qualified for all household 
work; would recommend her to her own country 
people, particularly as her present master has found 
great inconvenience from his not being acquainted 
with their manners, customs and language. For 
further particulars enquire at Mr. ORMSB Y's in 
Pittsburgh. 

This was distinct fi'om negro slavery, but not one whit better. This Ger- 
man woman was a " redemptioner. ' ' That is, she was a German immigrant 
without sufficient money to pay her passage over, and was sold, by her own 
consent, upon her arrival, for a term of years, to pay her passage money. 
What the term was seems to have been indefinite; this woman had " near three 
years to serve. ' ' Her term was probably five years. Shiploads were brought 
over upon these terms; and that the immigrants were willing to endure this 
shows how eager they were, in those days, to get away from Europe. ' ' Con- 
tract labor," now forbidden by law, appears to be based on the game idea. 

In 1786, besides the establishment of a paper, a racecourse was also estab- 
lished; and as if to offset this, Mrs. Pride, about the same time, advertises a 
boarding- and day-school for young ladies, in which she proposes to teach all 
sorts of plain and ornamental needlework, " also reading, English and knit- 
ting, */ required. " It is to be hoped that the use of English was ' ' required, ' ' 
although sewing and knitting were valuable accomplishments in the then state 
of society. These private schools were then, and for half a century afterward, 
the sole reliance for acquiring education. The public schools did not begin 
until 1835, and until that time each youth had to get what knowledge he could 



riTTSBUBGH AXD ALLEGHENY. 511 

through the agency of private schools. There were always a good many of 
them, and many men attained eminence in carrying them on; but there was, 
probably, a Squeers or two among them. The state made some provision for 
the higher education by endowing academies in each county. The Pittsburgh 
Academy was incorporated in 1787, and was tolerably well endowed. It was 
afterward merged, I think, in the Western University, which is still in existence. 

In 1786 there were two physicians here, of whom Dr. Bedford was one; 
and two lawyers, Hugh H. Brackenridge, and the other was either John Woods 
or James Ross. The county was not organized until 1788, and prior to that 
this county was a part of Westmoreland county, with the county seat at Han- 
nastown. Of course, with the courthouse so far ofF, there was but little legal 
business carried on here. 

The intercourse with the east, in 1786, was very restricted. The price of 
freight was sixpence a pound, or two pounds ten shillings a hundred. This, 
however, must have been in Pennsylvania currency, which was nominally seven 
shillings sixpence to the dollar, which would make the price equal to $6. 67 a 
hundred weight. As the currency was much depreciated at this time, the real 
price must have been much less, though evidently dear enough. A writer of 
that day says: "However improved the conveyance may be, and by whatever 
channel, the importation of heavy articles will still be expensive. The manu- 
facture of them will therefore become more an object here than elsewhere." 
A strong argument for home manufactures. 

In addition to the drawback of high freights, there was then no mail to 
Pittsburgh or from it. All correspondence was carried on by special express 
or by casual travelers, and the latter was an exceedingly slow and unsafe 
method. The Pittsburgh Gazette of September 30, 1786, publishes an extract 
from a letter dated Philadelphia, September 11, 1786, which says: "Mr. Brison 
has returned from New York with orders to establish a post from this place to 
Pittsburgh, and one from Virginia to Bedford. The two to meet at Bedford." 
Mr. Brison went to New York from Pittsburgh, on behalf of the citizens here, 
to got this mail established. This was, when started, a weekly mail, arriving 
at Pittsburgh every Friday, and leaving every Friday. Whether it was carried 
on horseback, or in a gig, sulky or carriage, does not appear, but pi'obably on 
horseback. As it was three hundred miles between the two places, this would 
be about forty-three miles a day, and could be managed, at that rate, without 
night riding. To a newspaper it afforded but one route, and the Gazette had 
still to depend upon its private mail-carriers to deliver its papers to its subscrib- 
ers. A postoffice was established in Pittsburgh as soon as this mail was 
ordered, and John Scull, editor of the Gazette, appointed postmaster. The 
office was in the same building as the printing-office, on Water street, near 
Ferry.* The postmastershij) must have been very near a mere honor then. 

* Ferry street was so Darned because the ferry landing was originally at its mouth. On the opposite side 
of the river, at the foot of the hill, there was an old, abandoned brick house, as late as 1840, known as '* the 



512 



HISTOItY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



For the year ending October 1, 1790, four years after the office was established, 
the total income was only $111. It never made Scull rich. 

A public meeting was held March 1, 1787, to consider about erecting a 
market-house. Messrs. Hugh Itoss, Stephen Bayard and Rev. Samuel Barr 
were appointed a committee to report a plan and to establish market-days. 
The market-house was erected on their plan, on the corner of Market and Sec- 
ond streets, and Wednesdays and Saturdays were named as market-days. After 
the first courthouse was erected, a semicircular market -house, roofed, but open 
below, was liuilt on the public square, in the Diamond in front of the court- 
house. In the course of time two wings were added, one at each end of the 




THE FIRST PITTSBURGH POSTOFFICE. 



courthouse lot, each being an extension of the market-house on the lot oppo- 
site. Down to a comparatively recent period, Wednesdays and Saturdays 
continued to be market-days, but gradually every da_y in the week, except Sun- 
day, came to be market-days. Why the market-house was not originally built 
upon the public square it is impossible now to say, probably because, the county 
not being organized, there was no courthouse, and the purpose seems to have 
been to put the two together on the Diamond. 

The First Presbyterian Church was incorporated September 20, 1787, but 
the church had existed since January, 1785, when Rev. Samuel Barr took charge 
of it. The log building in which it at first worshiped had also been put up 



Ferry house." The ferry afterward kuowD i 
this side was at Liberty street for a long time. 



.Tones' ferry was farther down the river, and the landing oa 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 



513 



prior to the incorporation. One of the favored plans for raising money for 
church-building purposes was by lottery, and the First Presbyterian Chiirch 




THE KKW I'l 



was authorized by the legislature to employ this method. Tickets in this lot- 
tery were exhibited here a few years since; but Rev. Samuel Barr, sturdy and 
worthy preacher as he was, must have had very different ideas on this subject 



514 HISTOliV OF ALLEGHENY COUXTV. 

from those now prevalent. Piil)lie attention had not then been called to the 
immorality of lotteries, and the difficnlty of raising money otherwise doubtless 
contributed to reconcile good men to the trial of a method of such doubtful pro- 
priety. Many other churches, of all denominations, were authorized by law to 
raise money by lotteries. 

This year was remarkable, also, for two measures of great importance — the 
formation of the constitution of the United States, and the ordinance of 1787 
for the government of the Northwest Territory, ceded by Virginia to the 
United States. The former gave to the country a firm government with enlarged 
powers, and the latter, by the clause prohibiting slavery in the new tenitory, 
built up just west of us a free, thriving and industrious population, which 
has kept pace with Pittsburgh in growth, and furnished a commerce between 
them and us useful and profitable to both. The result was early seen. In 
April, 17S8, the Mayflower, the pioneer boat, with New England emigrants 
for the mouth of the Muskingum, arrived here from Simrall's ferry (also called 
Robbstown), where West Newton now stands. These emigrants had crossed 
the mountains by the old Braddoek route, and took boat on their arrival at the 
Youghiogheny. This was the beginning of an emigration from which Ohio 
was the first to benefit, and afterward Indiana and Illinois. From 1788 
onward a great deal of this emigration flowed through Pittsburgh. Some of 
it came down the Monongahela and Youghiogheny in boats, and some of it 
came to Pittsburgh through Philadelphia, and took boats here for various des- 
tinations in Ohio; but all of it made Pittsburgh a stopping-point, adding brisk- 
ness to the appearance of the place, and laying the foundations of a subsequent 
business intercourse that has grown gigantic from its original small proportions. 
Boat- building, originally started in 1777, must have grown into an active 
business by this time, the demand being large for boats to carry down the river 
, parties of emigrants arriving here from the east. The boats were not large, 
nor very substantial. All that was needed was a solid, flat bottom, sloping 
slightly in front, and well-boarded and calked sides, with a roof for shelter. 
There were oars in fi-ont for propulsion to get steerage- way, and a sweep at 
the stern to steer by. The current of the river furnished most of the motive 
power, the oars being used only when necessary, at particular spots. In such 
a boat a man with his family, or several men and their families, could float 
down to Steubenville, Marietta, Cincinnati, or to whatever point was nearest 
to the point chosen for a settlement. There the boat was sold or abandoned, 
and the passengers sought a way to their new homes. This was the first 
development of the river business of Pittsburgh. 

Reference has heretofore been made to the fact that Pittsburgh was origi- 
nally a part of Westmoreland county. This arose from the policy adopted first 
by the colony of "Pennsylvania, and afterward by the state, of regarding all 
the rest of the colony or state as belonging, for the time being, to the western- 
most county. At first there were but three counties outside of Philadelphia — 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 515 

Bucks, Delaware and Chester. The latter, being the westernmost, embraced 
all the territory west of it. When Lancaster county was formed everything 
west of it was a part of Lancaster. Then Cumberland was erected, west of 
the Susquehanna, and included all of the state west of that river. When Bed- 
ford was formed out of Cumberland, it took in all that was west of it; then 
Westmoreland was cut off from Bedford, and took in all territory west to the 
Virginia border. Washington county was first taken off of Westmoreland, and 
finally, in 1788, the legislature passed an act erecting the county of Allegheny 
out of parts of Westmoreland and Washington. It sometimes pleases our 
neighbors in those counties to boast that this county was made out of theirs; 
but while they had an undoubted legal existence ahead of us, and our people 
were compelled for twenty-four years to travel to Hannastown, in Westmore- 
land county, for whatever justice was legally administered, this county, though 
no larger in extent than either of them, has so far outstripped them in the 
race of growth as to leave both of them out of sight. The growth of a 
county does not depend upon when it was organized, or how. The time was 
when Washington county had more representatives in the state legislature than 
Allegheny, and when Allegheny had to be coupled with a neighboring county 
to form a legislative or congressional district; but that time has long gone by. 

On the 24th of September, 1788, then, an act of the legislature was passed 
erecting the county of Allegheny. The courts were to be held in Pittsburgh 
until certain triistees named in the act should erect suitable county buildings 
on the "Reserved Tract" opposite Pittsburgh, the state making a donation 
of the necessary ground; but in the spring of 1789 this part of the act of 1788 
was repealed, and the trustees were authorized to purchase lots in Pittsburgh 
for a courthouse and jail. The courthouse was put upon the public square, in 
the Diamond, and the jail in Jail alley, behind the courthouse. 

What purpose the legislature had in naming what was then a wilderness 
for the county seat it would be hard to determine. Pittsburgh, as having 
been long settled, and the center of business, would naturally indicate itself as 
the proper spot; bat the state owned all the land west and north of the Alle- 
gheny, and could easily give its own ground for the public buildings, while 
in Pittsburgh it owned nothing, and could therefore give nothing. It was this 
that probably led to the selection of Allegheny as the county seat; but finding 
upon reflection that all the country north and west of the Allegheny river was 
then a howling wilderness, tenanted only by savages and wild beasts, the legis- 
lature concluded that that was consequently not a fitting place for a county 
seat, and speedily repealed its legislation. As things have turned out, it might 
as well have let the legislation stand. There would have been some inconven- 
ience at first, and for some time, but after that was over Allegheny City would 
have been even more convenient than Pittsburgh, in many respects, for a county 
seat. 

In 1788 the legislature directed the survey and reservation of a tract of land 



516 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



of 3,000 acres, opposite the town of Pittshurt^h, on the western side of the Alle- 
gheny river. The object of creating this reservation was to bring a valuable 
tract into the market to raise funds to pay the claims of Penn.sylvania soldiers. 
This tract was called ' ' the Reserved Tract opposite Pittsburgh. ' ' A portion of 
it was ordered, in 1789, to be divided into town lots, and all the rest of it 
was afterward erected into Reserve township. The town was divided into one 




THE OLD COURTHOUSE AND SIAEKET. 

hundred lots. 60 by 240 each, and each inlot was to carry with it the title to an 
outlot of the same dimensions. The one hundred inlots formed a perfect square, 
and the one hundred outlots were formed into an outer square beyond the inner 
one, if three sides can be said to form a square. The lines of the " Reserved 
Tract" began on the Ohio at Wood's run, ran back in a straight line to the 
neighborhood of Millvale, thence to the river, then down the river to its mouth, 
and thence to the place of beginning. The center of the town was oppo- 



riTTSBlRGH AND ALLEGHENY. 519 

site St. Clair street (now Sixth), in Pittsburgh, and the lines extended up and 
down the Allegheny, and back as far as North avenue. This was the town of 
Allegheny', called afterward, in common speech, ' ' Allegheny Town, ' ' and is 
now Allegheny City. It was erected into a borough in 1828, and into a city in 
1840. The city, at first, consisted of four wards, dividing on Federal and Ohio 
streets, which were known as the First, Second, Third and Fourth wards, and 
embraced not only the outlets, but the territory back as far as Nunnery and 
Observatory hills. Manchester grew up as an independent borough on the 
southwest, and Duquesne on the northeast. Manchester was finally taken in 
as the Fifth and Sixth wards, and Duquesne as the Seventh. The Eighth to 
the Thirteenth wards have since been taken into the city from Reserve township, 
and the city has thus nearly absorbed the entire "Reserved Tract." 

The state, in ordering the town to be laid out, reserved a ' ' diamond ' ' or 
public square at the intersection of Federal and Ohio* streets, on which the 
city hall, a market-house and a public-library building have since been 
built. The disposition of the outlets was for some time a subject of public 
controversy. The first intention was to set them apart as a general pasture- 
ground for the cows belonging to the inlot-holders, and every attempt to dis- 
pose of them separately was met by the courts with a ruling that they were 
the property, in common, of all the inlot-holders, and no one outlet could be 
disposed of without the consent of all the holders. After a prolonged con- 
troversy the consent of all the lot-holders was got to dedicating them for the 
purpose of a public park. This was the origin of the beautiful public parks of 
the city. With rare f<j)resightedness, a park commission was made up of 
prominent citizens, who borrowed money to construct the park, on the bonds 
of the city, and levied a tax for their ultimate redemption. The tax was 
patiently borne, and thus the city got, at a very cheap rate, considering its 
real value, as fine (though not as extensive) a park as any western city can 
boast of; and the ugly, gullied surface of the old commons has been converted 
into a healthful and beautiful public resort for the citizens. The pojaulation 
of Allegheny City was 78,681 in 1880, and is now probably 125,000. • The city 
has abundant room for extension, northward, southward and westward, and is 
continually finding outlet in all these directions. 

In 1821-22 the town consented to the erection of the Western Penitentiary 
on a part of its commons, and the penitentiary was subsequently built, being 
finished in 1826. It remained there until 1886, when a new set of buildings 
for it was put up at Riverview, on the Ohio, and the old site reverted to the 
city as an addition to the park grounds. Through the munificence of Mr. 
Phipps, who donated a large sum for that purpose, a splendid series of green- 
houses has been erected on the old penitentiary site. 

There were but a few years between the periods of starting the two towns, 

*So called because it was, id early days, the '* road to Ohio " for emigrants traveling with their lamilies, 
by wagon, overland to Ohio. 



S20 HISTORY OK ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Pittsburgh and Allef^heny, and most onloukors, not knowing thii difference in 
the genesis of each, wonder why they were not both made parts of one town. 
But each got started in its own direction, under totally different auspices, and 
are, like the two parallel lines of the mathematical prol)lem, forever approach- 
ing each other without over meeting, Pittsburgh was started by the Penns, 
in 1784, on a part of the manor reserved by them in 1769, and was not, there- 
fore, so far as the ownership of the territory was concerned, under the control 
of the legislature, while Allegheny was a part of the purchase made by the 
state from the Indians in 1784, and was laid out as a town, specially and 
directly, by an act of the legislature. Indeed, it is supposable that the success 
of the Penns in starting a town on this side of the Allegheny river must have 
suggested to the legislature the profitableness of another town on the other 
side of it. The state, then just out of the exhausting struggle of the Revolu- 
tion, was very hard up for money. Its currency was greatly depreciated; it had 
maintained a force of many thousands of militia during that long war, and it 
had no resource to turn to, for means to liquidate its debt to the soldiers, but 
to the public lands of the state. These lands it had wrenched fi'om the Penns 
by the act of 1779, and this act not onlj' alienated the Penns, but left a tinge 
of bad blood between them and the state. It is not to be wondered at, there- 
fore, that the state did not offer to cooperate with the Penns in extending the 
limits of Pittsburgh over lands just acquired from the Indians by the common- 
wealth; nor that, having full power over its own territory, it chose to start out. 
"on its own hook," to establish a town of its own. By rare good luck, for 
the state, the border of the new purchase from the Indians was separated 
only by the river Allegheny from the new town of the Penns, and it was 
enabled thereby to profit by the close neighborhood. The growth of one place 
would naturally stimulate the growth of the other. The legislature, it must 
be admitted, showed rare good sense in selecting the site of the new town. It 
has grown up with Pittsburgh, keeping pace with it steadily, and is practi- 
callj', what it ought to be in fact, a part of that city. The two, however, got 
separate starts, each with an impetus of its own; and this separate existence 
has been kept up so long, and so harmoniously, withal, that it would be use- 
less to try to join them. Municipally they are better governed separately. 

Historically they are one. The history of one, after the starting-point is 
passed, is the history of the other. In these pages, therefore, beyond this 
separate mention to show its origin, the two places are regarded as one. and it 
has not been deemed necessary to keep up a separate line for each. Allegheny 
has an aboriginal name, which is preferable, on all hands, to that of Pitts- 
burgh ; but the people generally know the two places, taken together, as Pitts- 
burgh, and in that sense we use the name as comprehending the history and 
interests of both. 

In 1790 the western Indians again became troublesome, and the people of 
Pittsburgh, terrorized by their past experience, were alarmed lest the Indians 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 521 

near at hand should be tempted to re-enact their past savagery on this 
exposed neighborhood. An expedition under Gen. Harmar was sent from 
Fort Washington against them to the Scioto river. He met with a pretty 
severe repulse, and returned to Fort Washington. His ill-success encouraged 
the Indians, and their incursions were extended nearly to this city. In conse- 
quence, a town-meeting was held here in March, 1791, to prepare to resist 
them, and demanded the loan of one hundi-ed muskets from Maj. Isaac Craig, 
then acting as quartermaster here, to defend the town, and if he would not 
loan them it resolved to take them. The alternative offered was not a pleasant 
one, and rather than submit to it Maj. Craig, much against his will, loaned the 
citizens such arms as they asked for. The citizens appear to have been very 
much in earnest, and very much scared. But nothing came of it. The 
Indians did not come, and the arms were finally returned. 

In a letter to the secretary of war. May 19, 1791, Maj. Craig says: "We 
have frequent accounts of murders being committed on our frontiers by the 
Indians. Several parties of them have penetrated ten, fifteen and twenty 
miles into the country." It was no wonder, then, that the people of this 
place, then on the borders of the western wilderness, were in a state of fright. 
It was this exposed condition of Pittsburgh, Fort Pitt being in a dilapidated 
condition, that induced Gen. Knox the secretary of war, on December 16, 
1791, to order Maj. Craig to procure materials for a blockhouse and picketed 
fort, to be erected in Pittsburgh so as to cover and protect the town. Maj. 
Craig acted promptly upon this order, and selected lots on what was then the 
upper end of Penn street, corner of Garrison alley, running through on one 
side from Penn street to the Allegheny river, and on the other from Penn to 
Liberty, the fort and blockhouse occupying both sides of Penn street.* The 
following letter from Maj. Craig to the secretary of war, dated December 29, 
1791, with other reports, explains his action under his orders: 

I am making every possible exertion for the erection of a work to defend tills town 
and the public stores. Accounts from Fort Franklin, as well as your orders, urge the 
necessity of prompt attention to the defense of this place. By next post I shall Inclose 
you a sketch of the ground and the work that I have judged necessary; it will be erected 
on eight lots, Nos. 55. 56, 57 and 58, 91. 92. 93 and 94; they belong to John Penn, Jr., and 
John Penn; Anthony Butler, of Philadelphia, is their agent; the prices tcere fixed when 
the town was laid out. It is not intended to cover the whole of the lots with the work, 
but the portion not covered will be suitable for gardens for the garrison. 

I take the liberty of inclosing to you t\vo letters from Fort Franklin, and extracts of 
oilier letters of same date (December 26th), by which it appears that that garrison is in 
imminent danger, and that the fidelity of the northern Indians is not to be depended on. 

lam mounting four six pounders on ship-carriages for the blockhouses; but there are 
no round shot nor grapeshot for that caliber liere, the last being sent to Port Washington. 

As there is no six-pound shot here I have taken the liberty to engage four hundred at 



*The government still retains possession of a part of this property, that part running from Penn street to 
the Allegheny, on the corner of Garrison alley. It is occupied by a recruiting-office and a building now used 
.as a bonJed warehouse lor imported goods. 



022 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Tiirnl)ull ife Murmie's furnace,* which is now in blast. Keports bj' the way of Fort 
Franklin say that in the late action (St. Clair'sf defeat, November 4, 1791) the Indians 
had three hundred killed and many wounded, that there were eight hundred Canadians 
and several British officers in the action. I shall take the liberty of communicating to the 
inhabitants of Pittsburgh your assurance of such ample and generous means of defense.^ 

I have contracted for forty-two boats, viz., thirty two of fifty feet each, four of sixty 
feet, and six of fifty five; they are to be one-fourth wider than those purchased last year, 
viz., fifteen feet; to be also stronger and belter finished; delivered here, with five oars to 
each. Price per foot, eight shillings, ninepence — SI. 17 per foot.J; 

The fifty boats now ready will transport three thousand men; thej- are the best that 
ever came here. and. I believe, the cheapest.! 

Capt. Hughes with his detachment has occupied the barracks in the new fort since 
the 1st instant. Two of the six-pounders are very well mounted in the second story of 
the blockhouses. The others will be mounjted in a few days. The work, if you have no 
objections, I will name Fort Lafayette. "1 Gen. Wayne arrived here yesterday.** 

For the situation of Fort Lafayette see cut of Pittsburgh in 1795. In the 
same map between the town boundaries and Suke's run, on the Monongahela 
river, there is a building known as "Gen. Wayne's stables.'' Probably some 
horse-sheds put up for the use of his cavalry, which, it is likely, was well 
drilled here before he undertook his (the third) expedition against the Indians. 
He was known as "Mad" Anthony Wayne, from the strict severity of the 
discipline he exercised over his men, and may have been a high-tempered man, 
as well as something of a martinet. It was, nevertheless, owing to the perfect 
control he held over the force under him that his expedition was not a failure. 
He administered so terrible a defeat to the Indians that his name became a per- 
fect terror to them, and they did not need another chastisement for some time. 
They had become inflated with the silly idea of their invincibility, from the 
successive defeats they administered to Harmar and St. Clair, but Wayne took 
all this conceit out of them. The site of his stables, in this city, was most 
likely on the ground afterward occupied by Bakewell's glasshouse, and now 
covered by the Baltimore & Ohio railroad depot, Wayne, besides being con- 
nected locally by the site of these stables, and by making this the starting- 



*In Craig's " History of Pittsburgh" tlie following note is appended to this passage: "We hare taken some 
pains to ascertain the time when this furnace, the first west of the mountains, was erected and where it was 
located, and have ascertained that it was situated on Jacob's creek (in Fayette county), fifteen miles from the 
mouth, and that it went into Ijlast on the 1st of November. 1790." To which note, in the copy before me, J. 
Bowman Sweilzer, Esq., has added: " I kmw the site of this furn.lce and make this correction," striking out 
fifteen and inserting two. The furnace, then, was two miles from the mouth of .Jacob's creek. 

t St. Clair is a well-preserved name in this region, St. Clair street (now Si.\th street) was named after 
this general, as was also St. Clair township, in this county. He was proihonotary of Westmoreland county 
when Hannastown w.asthe county seat, and while Allegheny county was a part of Westmoreland. He had the 
full confidence of Washington when he undertook this unfortunate expedition of 1791. His grave is to be- 
seen yet atfireensburg. Pa. 

J Craig to the secretary of war, January 12, 1792. 

§ Craig to the secretarj- of war, March 11, 1792. 

II Craig to the secretary of war, May 11, 1792. 

•^ Craig to the secretary of war. May 18, 1792. 

**Craig to the secretary of war, June 15, 1792. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 525 

place of bis expedition, had a street named for him, which is now Tenth 
street. The starting-point of Wayne's army was Legionville, a spot below 
Logstown. The army of Gen. Wayne was called the Legion; hence the name 
Legionville. Both it and Logstown were below the present site of Sewickley- 
ville, and between it and Economy. 

Gen. Wayne, it will be seen, arrived in Pittsburgh June 14, 1792, and he 
went into winter quarters at Legionville November 30, 1792. He must have 
passed the time between June and December in gathering and drilling his 
forces. Maj. Craig writes, November 9, 1792: "This morning a detachment 
of the troops and the artificers, with the necessary tools for building, set off 
for the winter ground below Logstown, on the Ohio. In a few days the whole 
arm}- will follow." On November 30, 1792, he writes: "This morning, at an 
early hour, the artillery, infantry and rifle-corps, except a small garrison left 
in Fort Lafayette, embarked and descended the Ohio to Legionville. The 
cavalry crossed the Allegheny at the same time, and will reach the winter 
ground as soon as the boats. As soon as the troops had embarked the general 
(Wayne) went on board his barge, under a salute from a militia artillery corps 
of the place,* and all have no doubt, before this time, reached their winter 
quarters." 

Gen. Wayne was severely censured for the severity of his discipline while 
he was in Pittsburgh, and Craig mentions the execution of Sergeant Trotter as 
an instance. No facts are given in this case; but it is supposed that the ser- 
geant had been guilty of gross disobedience or insubordination, and the general, 
feeling that a severe example was needed, had him tried, condemned and exe- 
cuted. As is usual in such cases, the sergeant had some sympathetic friends, 
who would naturally rail at such severity; but the following from Gen. Wayne's 
letter to the secretary of war, July 20, 1792, .shows that severe discipline was 
absolutely necessary: "Maj. Ashton's detachment arrived here on Monday. 
Lieut. Campbell and Stokes" dragoons and Faulkner's riflemen on Tuesday. 

* The military spirit must have been active in Pittsburgh to have called into life an artillery company 
in a place so small as this was in 1T92. The following is given in the "American Museum" as a list of the me- 
chanics of this place in that year: '' 1 clock- and watch-maker, 2 coopers, 1 skin-dresser and breeches-maker, 2 
tanners and curriers, 4 cabinet-makers, 2 hatters, 2 weavers, 5 blacksmiths, 5 shoemakers, S saddlers, 1 maltster 
Rnd brewer, 2 tinners, 3 wheelwrights, 1 stocking-weaver, 1 ropemaker, 2 whitesmiths; total, 36 mechauics. The 
number of families was said to be 130." At six to a family, this would make the total less than 800. A small 
population from which to organize a voiunleer military company. 

The reader will notice the cassification here of "one skin-dresser and breeches-maker." As skin-dressing 
and breeches-making are coupled together the presumption is that leathern breeches are meant, and that in those 
days, when deerskins were plenty, buckskin breeches were cheaper and more serviceable than breeches made 
of cloth. In all parts of this country buckskin breeches were then the common resort. The commonness of 
this article of wearing-apparel suggests here an anecdote of Maj. Kirkpatrick, who owned and occupied, about 
1792, the house on AVater street, below Ferry street, occupied at a later period by Judge Shaler, his son-in-law, 
as a residence. The major, it is stattd, was working at putting a new roof on the house, which was nearly fin- 
ished, when he felt himself slipping down the ruof toward the eaves. There was nothing to catch at, to stop his 

slipping, and realizing the certainty of what was going to happen, he exclaimed: "Oh! what a h of a fall I 

am going to get !" But the impossible always happens; for just at that moment his buckskin breeches caught 
on a slightly protruding nail and held him fast until relief came. The one breeches-maker in Pittsburgh could 
doubtless have got a certificate frtm the major that this pair was made of good stuff. 



526 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Not less than lifty of Ashton's detachment and seven dragoons deserted on the 
way from Carlisle to this place." 

The troops remained at Legionville until April 30. 1708. and during all 
that time were subject to constant and severe drill. "Sham tights were fre- 
(juently resorted to," says Craig, "and neither life nor the lash was spared." 
Witness this order upon the quartermaster at Pittsburgh : "Maj. Craig, please 
send down some whipcord for cats; they have no cats to whip men with. 
•John Finley. Legionville, Fel)ruary 2'2. 1793." The date of Washington's 
birthday was scarcely appropriate for the issuance of an order that looks brvital, 
at this distance. 

Maj. Craig, May 3, 1793, reports to Gen. Knox, secretary of war, that "on 
the 30th ult. Maj. -Gen. Wayne, with the troops under his command at Legion- 
ville, embarked in good order and set off for Fort Washington (Marietta, Ohio); 
the troops were in high spirits. The boats being well fitted for transportation 
made a fine appearance. As the river was considerably swelled by the late 
rains, it is probable that the troops will reach Fort Washington in six days." 

A few days before AVayne left. Gen. John Gibson, on behalf of a public 
meeting of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, of which he was chairman, expressed 
to him, in a letter, their great respect for him, personally, and for the just 
attention paid by him to the rights of the citizens while the army lay at this 
place. The general responded in a tone of keen appreciation of the compli- 
ment thus paid him. We judge from this action of a public meeting that the 
o-eneral did not leave a bad odor behind him, no matter how severe he may 
have been with the reckless troops he had to break in. As he returned success- 
ful, all the hard complaints against him vanished into thin air except those 
which crystallized in the epithet of "Mad " Anthony Wayne. 

On May 20, 1793, a trial took place at Pittsburgh that illustrates how near 
to Pittsburgh the Indian outrages came that took place in 1791. The follow- 
ing is a history of the trial : 

PiTTSBCRGH, May 25, 1793. 

On Mondaj- last, the 20lh of this month, a court of oyer and terminer and gaol* deliv- 
ery and of nisi prius, for the county of Allesheny.was held at this place by the chief jus- 
tice and Judge Yeates. 

The only criminal business that came before the judges was the trial of Capt. Samuel 
Brady, who, when the judges were last here, had been indicted for murder in killing cer- 
tain Indians near the mouth of Beaver creekf in the spring of the year 1791. 

It was proved to the satisfaction of the court that, notwithstanding the treaties of 
Fort Stanwix, SIcIntosh, Muskingum and Miami, which established peace between the 
Indians and the people of the L'nited States, and obliged the Indians to surrender all who 
should commit any murder on the frontiers, certain banditti of them had, from lime to 
time, infested the western frontier, stolen horses, taken boats, and murdered our citizens; 

• * This is the old form of spelliog "jail," and is still in use in England, which yields slowly to changes id 
spelling as well as to all other ehaDge,^. In all the old newspapers and books this form is uniformly found, the 
only variation being an occasional *' goal " for "gaol."' The g was sounded soft, as in congest, precisely as if 
the word was spelt with a j. 

t Beaver county had rot then been formed, and was included in Allegheny county. 



PITTSBUKGH AN'D ALLEGHENY. 527 

that recentl}-, before the killing of the ludtans for which Brady was now tried, several- 
people from Ohio county (West Va.), particularly Boggs, Paul Riley's family and Mrs. 
Van Buskirk, had been put to death; that to pursue the Indians who had committed these 
murders, and to recover some property stolen, a party of volunteers from Ohio county, of 
which Brady was one, crossed the Ohio, and, led by the trail of the Indians toward the 
place where the killing happened, fired and killed those for whose death Brady was tried. 
It was proved by the oath of Keyasulha, an Indian chief,* that the Delawares had long 
before let go the chaiu;f that they, the Shawanese, Chippewas, Ottawas, Wyandots and 
some renegade Mingoes| were in the battle against Gen. Harmar iu 1790. It was also 
proved that the attack and firing upon Capt. Kirk wood's house was by Delawares ; that 
some of the instances of murder and rapine above mentioned were by Delawares; that 
the persons killed were Delawares, and had in their possession some of the property just 
before taken from Ohio county, manifested an intention of proceeding to commit other 
murders on our citizens, and, when fired on by those who attacked them, and whom they 
had just discovered, were in the act of seizing their guns; and, moreover, the relation of 
.John Hamilton, a trader on the spot, satisfied the court of the malignant and -hostile tem- 
per of those very Indians. 

The chief justice, § in a charge distinguished not less by learning than humanity, 
e.xplained the laws of war, and the right of putting enemies to death, urged the impro- 
priety of killing those who might with safety be taken prisoners, and the baseness of kill- 
ing women; lamented that any acts of outrage by our citizens should occasion retaliation 
on themselves, but stating that, in his opinion, the Indians killed were hostile; directed, 
if the jury concurred in his opinion, of which he had no doubt, they should acquit the 
prisoner without leaving the bar. The jury did so, and the court ordered Capt. Brady to 
be discharged on payment of fees. 

The testimony of Keyasutha in behalf of Brady, on this trial, was so one- 
sided and partial that James Ross,[j Esq., who was Brady's counsel, was 



* .\n Iroquois chief, who made his home on the broad bottom-lands just above Sharpsburg. His name is 
variously spelled Guyasula, Kiashutha, and as i^iveu iu the text. He appears to have been detailed by the Iro- 
quois, as early as 1758, to watch the Delawares and Shawanese then resident at and near Fort Duquesne, and 
keep them in subjection. He committed the blunder, afterward, of lending himself to and actively promot- 
ing the schemes of Ponliac, and the still greater blunder of taking up arois for the British in the revolutiouary 
war, which folly culminated in the dispersion of the Iroquois confederacy. He seems to have regained his 
senses in his old days, and to have been the friend of the whites at this time and for some yeais previously. He 
with Coruplanter, visited Gen. Wayne while at Legiouville, and went to Ohio as commissioner to induce the 
western Indians to submit to the government; but their mission was a total failure. The western Indians, 
having beaten Harmar and St. Clair, were too mtich elated thereby to listen to the cooler counsel of Keyasutha 
and Cornplanter. 

tThis is the figurative expression used by all Indians to indicate a state of war. To brighten "the chain" 
of friendship was to promote peace; to let go the chain was to promote war. One old chief gave utterance to 
the idea that he and his tribe had held in their hands so long the chain of friendship binding him to the 
whites that it had grown rusty and needed brightening afresh. The Delawares and Shawanese were con- 
tinually taking up and brightening "the chain," and letting it go again. Tbey held on to it only so long as it^ 
suited their purpose to do so. 

X The Delaware name for the Iroquois, Mt^ngwe, was corrupted into Mingo. 

i Edward Shippen was chief justice of the supreme court from December, 1700 to 1S06, aud Jasper Yeates 
was a judge of the same court from 1791. The supreme court appears to have held court in those days regu- 
larly in the various counties. 

Il James Ross survived until 1842 or 184.3. He was United States senator from 1794 to 1803, and made a 
speech on the acquisition of Louisiana and the free navigation of the Mississippi— a subject in which the people 
of Western Pennsylvania took a deep interest. He was elected to succeed .\lbert Gallatin, who was elected in 
1793, but was ousted in 1794 on a question of eligibility. He was re-elected for six years in 1797, and was presi- 
dent pro Urn. of the senate from 1T97 to 1799. He was a splendid-looking man, even in his old age, tall, erect, 
and of large frame, and was for some years a leading man at the Pittsburgh bar. He owned the square between 
Grant and Ross and Fourth and Fifth avenues, aud sold the one-half of it, from Diamond alley to Fifth avenue. 



528 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

abashed by it, and expressed liis surprise to the ludi.ui at the decided tone of 
his testimony. Whereupon that chief clap[)ed his hand upon his breast and 
exclaimed, "Am I not the friend of Brady':"' His idea was that one friend 
should testify for another in the same sjiirit that he would fight for him. 

On the 22d of April, 1794, an act was passed by the legislature incorporat- 
ing the town of Pittsburgh into a borough. As the act may prove interesting, 
in showing how things were managed in those days, it is hereby appended: 

ACT OF MARCH 5, 1804. 

Whereas, The inhabitants of the borough of Pittsburgh, in the county of Alleghen}', 
haye pelitiont'd for an alteration in the law for incorporating said borough, stating that, 
on a fair experiment, they have found the existing law in.sufficient to promote conven- 
iency, good order and public utilit}-; therefore, be it enacted: 

Section 1. That the said town of Pittsburgh shall still continue and forever remain 
a borough, under the name and title of " the borough of Pittsburgh," the extent and 
bounds of which .shall be the same as in the original law, to wit: Beginning at the point 
or confluence of the rivers Allegheny and Monongahela, and running up the northeast 
beach of the said river Monongahela, south 57° east 39 perches to Short street; thence 
south 64° east 207 perches to Grant street; thence south 74° east 49 perches to Suke's 
run; thence north 30° east 150 perches to a post in Andrew Watson's field: thence north 
19° west 150 perches to the river AUeghenj'; thence down the said river Allegheny south 
71° west 315 perches to the place of beginning. 

Sec. 2. That the freeholders, housekeepers and other inhabitants of said borough 
who have resided within the same at least one year immediately preceding the election, 
and within that time paid a borough tax, shall have power on the third Saturday in March 
next, and on the same daj' in every year hereafter, to meet at the courthouse, in said bor- 
ough, and then and there, between the hours of twelve and six o'clock of the same da}-, 
elect by ballot one respectable citizen residing therein, who shall be styled "the bur- 
gess of said borough," and thirteen reputable citizens to be a town council, and shall also 
elect as aforesaid one reputable citizen as high constable, all of whom shall be freeholders 
in said borough; but previous to said election the inhabitants shall elect three repuiable 
citizens as judges, one as inspector and two as clerks of the said election, which shall be 
regulated and conducted according to the general election law of this commonwealth, so 
far as relates to receiving and counting votes, and who shall be subject to the same penal- 
ties for malpractices as by the said law is imposed; and the judges, inspectors and clerks, 
before they enter upon the duties of their respective offices, shall take an oath or affirma- 
tion before any justice of the peace of said county to perform tlie same with fidelity, and 
after said election shall be closed shall declare the persons having the greatest number of 
votes to be duly elected; and in case any two or more candidates shall have an equal num- 
ber of votes, the preference shall be determined by lot, to be drawn by the three judges; 
whereupon duplicate certificates of said election shall be signed by the said judges, one of 
which shall be transmitted to the persons elected, and the other tiled among the records of 
the corporation: and in case of the death, resignation, removal or refusal to accept any of 
the said offices, the burgess, or in his absence or inability to act, the first-named of the 
town council, shall issue his precept directed to the high constable requiring him to hold 



in 1835, to the county commissioners, for a courthouse and jail, for 820,000, I thinli. These were built in 1836- 
40, andljurueddown in 1882, the present new courthouse occupying the whole of the lot. Mr. Eoss lived on the 
other half of the lot until the time of his death. The house, an old frame, was known after his death as the 
" Oregon House," from the circumstance that it was occupied for some time by the " Oregon " brewery. The lot 
was also known as the " Oregon " lot. 





(nAA/^tAJUy 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 531 

an election in the manner aforesaid, to supply such vacanc\', giving at least ten days' notice 
by advertisements set up at four of the most public places in the said borough. 

Sec. 3. That from and after the third Saturdaj- in March nest, the burgess and town 
council duly elected as aforesaid and their successors shall be one body politic and corpo- 
rate in law, by the name and style of "The Burgess and Town Council of Pittsburgh," and 
shall have perpetual succession, and the burgess and town council aforesaid and their suc- 
cessors shall be capable in law to have, get, receive, hold and possess goods and chattels, 
land and tenements, rents, liberties, jurisdictions, franchises and hereditaments to them 
and their successors, in fee simple or otherwise, not exceeding the 3'early val ue of $5,000, 
and also to give, grant, let and assign the same lands, tenements, hereditaments and rents, 
and by the name and style aforesaid they shall be capable in law to sue and be sued, plead 
and be impleaded in any of the courts of this commonwealth, in all manner of actions 
whatsoever, and to have and to use one common seal and the same from time to time at 
their will to change and alter until it shall be otherwise directed by law. The inhabitants 
of sa\dhoTough may Jiold two fai7's every year hereafter, to continue two days each, com- 
mencing on the first Thursday of June and upon the first Thursday in October. 

Sec. -I. That If any duly elected burgess or a member of the town councilor consta- 
"ble as aforesaid, and having received notice thereof as aforesaid, shall refuse or neglect to 
take upon himself the execution of the ofiice to which he shall have been elected, every 
person so refusing or neglecting shall forfeit and pay the sum of $20, which fine and all 
other fines and forfeitures incurred and made payable in pursuance of this act or of the 
by-laws and ordinances of the town council shall be for the use of the said corporation. 

Sec. 5. That the burgess and town council and high constable and each of them be- 
fore entering upon the duties of their respective oBices shall take an oath or affirmation, 
before any of the justices of the peace of said county, to support the constitution of the 
United States and of this state, and execute the duties of their respective offices with 
fidelity, and the certificates of such oaths and affirmations shall be filed among the records 
of said corporation. 

Sec. 6. Tliat it shall and may be lawful for the town council to meet as often as oc- 
casion may require and enact such by-laws and make such rules, regulations and ordinances 
as shall be determined by a majority of them, necessary to promote the peace, good order, 
benefit and advantage of said borough, particularly of providing for the regulation of the 
market, improving, repairing and keeping in order the streets, alleys and highways, ascer- 
taining the depth of vaults and sinks and pits for necessary houses, and making perma- 
nent rules relative to the foundations of buildings, party walls and fences. They shall 
have power to assess, apportion and appropriate such tax as shall be determined by a ma- 
jority of them necessary for carrying the said rules and ordinances, from time to time 
into complete effect, and also to appoint a town clerk, treasurer, two persons to act as 
street and road commissioners, a clerk of the market and collector, annually, and such 
other oflicers as may be deemed necessary from time to time; Provided, that no by-law. 
rule or ordinance of said corporation shall be repugnant to the constitution or laws of the 
United States or of this commonwealth, and that no person shall be punished for a breach of 
a by-law or ordinance as aforesaid until three weeks have expired after the promulgation 
thereof, by at least four advertisements set up in the most public places in said borough; 
und provided, also, that no tax shall be levied in any one year on the valuation of taxable 
property exceeding one-half per cent on the dollar, unless some object of general utility 
shall be thought necessary, in which case a majority .of the taxable inhabitants of said 
borough, by writing under their hands, shall approve of and certify the same to the town 
council, who shall proceed to assess the same accordingly.* 

*This limitation of taxation on real estate to five mills on the dollar was continued in force when the city 
was chartered, and was not repealed or altered until 1867. AU expenditure outside of the revenue raised within 
t hat limit, such as paving streets, etc., was provided for by the issue of city bonds, until the railroad furor 
swamped the city. 

27 



532 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COONTY. 

Sec. 7. Thai the burgess elected and qualified agreeably lo this act is hereby author- 
ized and empowered to issue his precept as often as occasion may require, directed to the 
collector, demanding him to collect all taxes assessed, and to the high constal)le to collect 
all tines and forfeitures imposed by this act or by the ordinances or regulation of the cor- 
poration, and the same lo paj' over to Ihe treasury; and the said burgess is hereb}- author- 
ized to carry into effect all bylaws enacted by the council, and whatever else shall be 
enjoined upon him for the ordering aud governing of said borough. 

[Sections 8, 9 and 10 prescribe the duties of the town clerk, treasurer and other 
officers.] 

Sec. 11. That five of the town council, to be chosen by lot, drawn by the town clerk 
in the presence of the said council, annually, shall be a court of appeal, a majority of 
whom shall be a quorum. And prior to the collection of any borough tax, the collector 
shall inform each inhabitant of the amount of his tax and of the time and place of the 
appeal; Provided, that said court of appeal shall have no other power as such than to deter- 
mine the justness of the apportionment of said tax and to remedy any grievances that may 
occur in imposing the same. 

[Section 13 directs the high constable to give notice of borough elections. Section 13 
empowers the council, by and with the consent of a majority of the taxable inhabitants, in 
writing, to authorize lot-owners on the Allegheny and Monongahela lo build wharves 
opposite their lots and erect buildings thereon.] 

The town was evidently very small at that time, and was simph- part of 
Pitt township, with nothing but a township government. The necessity of 
some more efficient form of government must have been keenly felt; and as the 
town was laid out upon what was then thought a large scale, with streets to 
maintain and bridges over the sloughs to build, some local power competent to 
minister to the wants of the town was an absolute necessity. The boundaries, 
it will be seen, were extended beyond the limits of the town laid out by the 
Penns, along the Monongahela river to the mouth of Suke's run, taking in the 
territory covered by Ross and Try streets. There must have been some good 
reason for this at the time, but it has not been made apparent. 

The sole elective offices in the borough were those of burgess and council, 
and overseers of the poor, and in the county, those of sheriff and represent- 
atives in the legislature. All the other county officers and justices of the 
peace were appointed by the governor. This continued itntil the constitution 
of 1838 was adopted. The magistrates, commissioned by the governor, natu- 
rally gathered in as close a way as possible, to the courthouse; and the "■ Dia- 
mond," as the public square was called, bristled all round its four sides with 
magistrates' offices. 

We have already noted the establishment of a post-route from Pittsburgh 
to Philadelphia. But no postal communication with the west had yet been 
opened, nor was any possible, overland, except for short distances. The only 
way open was by water, and all communication with Limestone, Ky. (the 
original name of Maysville), or with Fort Washington, where Wayne's army 
was left, must be had by means of transient travelers or special expresses sent 
through Western Virginia and Northern Kentucky. This was too uncertain for 
a government to depend on for correspondence with its army. The result was 



PITTSBUEGH AND ALLEGHENY. 533 

that in July, 1794, a line of mailboats was established to run from "Wheeling 
to Limestone ( Maysville, Ky. ), and back, once every two weeks. From AYheel- 
ing to Pittsburgh the mail was carried on horseback. ' ' The mailboats, ' ' says 
Craig, " were twenty-four feet long, built like a whaleboat, and steered with a 
rudder. They were manned by a steersman and four oarsmen to each boat. 
The men had each a musket and a supply of ammunition, all of- which were 
snugly secured from the weather in boxes alongside their seats. The whole 
could be protected in wet weather by a tarpaulin, which each boat carried. 
This mode of carrying the mail was continued until 1798, and the coudu-ctors 
of the boats were so careful that, in all that time, but one attack was made 
upon them by the Indians. The time allowed for the first trip from Pittsburgh 
to Maysville and back to Wheeling was fi'om July 5th to the 24th, nineteen 
days. At this rate the boats could have traveled only in the daytime. Night 
travel would have been dangerous. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Continued). 

Effect of Wayne's Victory— First Glasshouse— Paper-Mills — Pittsburgh 
IN 1796— Boat-building— Origin of the Coal Trade— Pittsburgh from 
1810 TO 1826— In 1828— Mrs. Royall's Account of the Place. 

THE victory of Wayne, August 20, 1794, over the combined forces of the 
Indians, and his pursuit of them even to the gates of a British fort, broke 
the spirit of the Indians, and led to the treaty of Greenville and the cession to 
the United States of the Indian title to Eastern Ohio. It also removed all dan- 
ger of hostile incursions in this neighborhood, and by removal of all fear of the 
Indians contributed greatly to the security and growth of Pittsburgh. 

In the spring of 1795 the first glassworks were started at Pittsburgh, by 
James O'Hara and Isaac Craig, the late Mr. William Eichbaum, then super- 
intendent of the glassworks at the Schuylkill, near Philadelphia, being engaged 
to direct the erection of the works. Mr. Eichbaum was thus connected with 
the beginning of this important business here; was afterward engaged in other 
business enterprises; was postmaster from 1824 to 1833, and city treasurer from 
1857 to 1866. He died in 1866, during his term as treasurer, leaving behind 
him the record of a well-spent life, and a son who succeeds to his father's repu- 
tation for integrity and business ability. 

Craig, according to his own account, tried to find coal and a site for the- 
glassworks on a run at the upper end of Allegheny City, but failed. He then 
bought a lot from Ej^hraim Jones and two adjoining lots fi'om Ephraim Blaine-, 



534 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

just below where the Point bridge terminates on the South Side, and there the 
first glasshouse was built. There is a glasshouse still on the same site, but 
the original works consisted of one house on the river bank and another on the 
■opposite side of the river road. The latter is not now in existence; fifty years 
ago it was known as Lorenz's glasshouse. 

The Ephraim Jones from whom Craig bought "the house and lot near the 
spring for one hundred pounds ' ' must have been the father of the Thomas 
Jones who started the ferry across to Liberty street, and farther up the river 
than the site of the glasshouse, and the grandfather of Ephraim Jones, Jr., 
and Thomas Jones, the river pilot, a large, fat man, who, from his obesity, was 
known as "' Paunch-ion Pilot " among the wags. It was this Thomas Jones, 
not his father, of the ferry, who first established the shipment of coal down the 
river in flatboats, of which we shall speak again. 

James O'Hara, who formed a partnership with Mr. Craig in starting the 
glass business, was apparently, at this time, a citizen of Detroit, but afterward 
took up his residence here, and died in 1819. He was well acquainted with 
Washington, and was the quartermaster-general of the army brought here -to 
put down the whisky insurrection. He rendered efficient service during the 
Revolution, which accounts for his acquaintance with Washington and for the 
confidence of the latter in him. His name is very familiar to Pittsburghers, 
not merely for his connection with the first glasshouse, but more particularly 
for his being the founder of sundry large estates which have not been a marked 
advantage to Pittsburgh, but which speak well for his thrift and carefulness. 
He must have been a resident of Pittsburgh at the time or after the survey of 
the manor of Pittsburgh and the laying out of the towns of Pittsburgh and 
Allegheny, for it was in all of these he picked up the lands constituting his 
estate. The three acres at the Point, lying between the old Fort Pitt and the 
Allegheny, or between Penn and the Allegheny river, and between Water and 
Marbury streets, purchased, after the manor was surveyed by Craig and Bayard, 
from the Penns, were afterward sold by them to O'Hara, and the latter also 
acqiiired, by purchase from the Penns, lots in several parts of the town of 
Pittsburgh, including one or two blocks on Market street. O'Hara also pur- 
chased from the Penns large tracts of land in the manor of Pittsburgh, be- 
ginning at Two-Mile run, on the Allegheny, and extending across to the Monon- 
gahela, and he also bought a largo number of lots in Allegheny when that 
town was laid off by the state, together with a tract on the SoiTth Side, on the 
extreme western line of the manor, and a portion of the " Guyasuta plain," 
above Sharpsburg. These large acquisitions, now extremely valuable, were 
only relatively so then. Their selection indicates the shrewdness of his judg- 
ment, and his faith in the future prosperity of this place; but there was a time 
before his death when his large and judicious investments placed him in a very 
straitened condition. There is a condition out west known as being "land 
230or," that is poor from having too much unproductive land, and O'Hara had 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 535 

his last days embittered by being in this condition. After the war of 1812 
was over this nation passed through one of its periodical j)anics or business 
depressions, which culminated about 1817. Money was scarce, industry was 
paralyzed, enterprise was torpid and business at a standstill. No one would 
build, or buy or rent a lot, and very few were willing to pay their debts, if 
they could avoid it. This stagnation of trade struck O'Hara when he had 
many irons in the fire, for he was an active, enterprising man, and, although 
he had a large and nominally valuable estate, he found himself so pressed for 
means as to be on the verge of bankruptcy. 

In this hour of distress he found a helping friend in James Ross, Esq. It 
was the peculiarity of Mr. Ross to be the friend of men in trouble, and when 
he had money to lend he was ready to help anyone in whom he had confidence. 
And he was no Shy lock. He never exacted a heavy rate of interest. "When 
money was worth 20 to 30 per cent he stuck to the legal rate of 6 per cent. 
He never demanded more, and would accept of nothing less. And he always 
got his money back, or its equivalent in land. His kindness was shown, not 
in giving, but in helping, and he helped many a one, both then and long after- 
ward. Among others he helped O'Hara, and delivered him from the fear of 
the sherifP and from the agony which pecuniary pressure brings. Ross tided 
him over that terrible depression, and when O'Hara came to die he was able 
to make a careful division of his huge estate, free fi'om the burden which would 
have broken him down had Ross not lifted its weight from him. 

O'Hara, at the time of his death, had three children, one son and two 
daughters, between whom he divided, as equally as he could, the various parts 
of his estate. One-third went to his son James; another to his daughter Mary, 
and another to his other daughter, Elizabeth. In his will he was careful to 
balance one corner lot to Mary with another to Elizabeth, one next to the 
corner to the one, and one next to another corner to the other, the value of 
each lot being duly weighed, so as to make the division equal. The "Spring- 
field ' ' farm, on the Allegheny, went to Elizabeth, and the ' ' Smithfield ' ' farm, 
on the Monongahela, to Mary. His will showed extraordinary care and impar- 
tiality. I have understood, bat will not be sure of it, that the devise to Mary 
was entailed upon her son; but if so, providence broke the entail by the early 
death of this son, so that her daughter inherited, not from her mother, but as ■ 
the heir of her brother. Mary married William Croghan, Jr., a brother of 
Gen. George Croghan, and Elizabeth married Harmar Denny; thus, from 
these three children, sprang the O'Hara, the Croghan (now Schenley) and the 
Denny estates. 

The Gen. George Croghan here referred to is not the Col. George Croghan 
known to our military annals, who appeared at Philadelphia in 1758 as 
the representative of Sir "William Johnston, of New York, then general super- 
intendent of Indian affairs in the American colonies, and who came to Pitts- 
burgh afterward as Indian trader and Indian agent. The William Croghan, 



536 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Jr., who married Mary O'Hara was the son of Maj. William Croghan of 
revolutionary fame, and a resident of Kentucky. He came here on a visit, 
became acquainted with the O'Hara family, and ultimately married Mary. 
He was admitted as a member of the Allegheny county bar on the '20th 
of May, 1835, and died at his residence, "Picnic," near Pittsburgh, in 1850. 
His wife died in 1827, leaving a son and a daughter. The son died 
soon after hei", so that the daughter fell heir, as the next of kin to her dead 
brother, to the whole of her mother's estate. This daughter was bom in 1826, 
and was married to Capt. Schenley, a British officer, in 1842. This was the 
origin of the Schenley estate. The captain is since dead, but Mrs. Schenley 
is still living in England, where she has resided the gi'eater part of her mar- 
ried life. Her family now living consists of live daughters and one son. 
The estate she inherited remains as yet nearly intact, the revenue from rents 
being sufficient for all the family's wants, without any necessity to sell. 

The Denny and O'Hara estates are not now near as large as they were, 
sales of portions of them having been frequently made, and the ultimate dis- 
posal of them is only a question of time. The Schenley estate may last for 
another generation, perhaps two; but as it is contrary to the policy of the law 
to encourage such aggregations, and contrary to the usual coarse of property 
in this country, all traces of them as separate estates will disappear in the 
progress of time. 

James Eoss also accumulated a large estate above SharpsbiU'g, probably 
as a consideration for his advances to O'Hara in the latter' s lifetime, but part 
of this tract fell to the heirs of James O'Hara, Jr., and will eventually be ab- 
sorbed by the advance of Allegheny City northward. Maj. Kirkpatrick also 
had a large estate on Mount Washington. One of his daughters married Judge 
Shaler, and one or more of Shaler's sons occupy a part or all of her share. 
Another daughter married a man named Lewis, of Philadelphia, and the only 
surviving daughter of Lewis married Thomas J. Bigham, now deceased. His 
children and their descendants will inherit what is left of this other share of 
Kirkpatrick' s farm. One other estate, the Ormsby estate, was on the South 
Side, at, around and above old "Birmingham." Ormsby was a quarter- 
master here after Forbes captured Fort Duquesne, and had good opportunities 
of picking up good pieces of property, as had Ephraim Blaine after him ; but 
the latter appears to have been less thrifty than the former, or at least to have 
acquired less property. 

These are the principal estates acquired, mainly out of the manor of Pitts- 
burgh, by those who were then on the ground and had the means to buy them 
as well as that faith in the future of Pittsburgh which was so necessary when 
the site of the present city was nearly all a wilderness. After the lapse of 
over a hundred years the Schenley and Denny estates still remain prominent. 
All the others have lapsed, or have begun to lapse; and another century, per- 
haps another generation, will witness the absorption of all of them. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 537 

We have chronicled the establishment here of glassworks in 1795, thus 
initiating a business since grown to immense proportions. We have now to 
add the establishment of a paper-mill in 1796. This was not, it is true, estab- 
lished in Pittsburgh, but in Brownsville. Pittsburgh, in fact, has never been 
the seat of paper manufacture. A factory for the manufacture of wall-paper 
was established here prior to 1840, by Hind & Howard, but the manufacture 
of printing-paper has been invariably established at smaller places, such as 
Steubenville, West Newton and Brownsville. The projectors of this new 
industry were Samuel Jackson and Jonathan Sharpless, both Quakers from the 
Brandy wine mills, near Philadelphia. They set up the "Bedstone Paper-mill" " 
at Brownsville, the first of its kind west of the mountains. Previously, the 
Pittsburgh Gazette had had to borrow, once or twice, cartridge-paper from the 
United States arsenal, to make up for the failure of supplies from Philadelphia. 
Henceforward it drew its supplies from Brownsville. 

The winter of 1796-97 was one of uncommon severity, the rivers at this 
place closing November 26, 1796, and remaining closed until February 3, 1797. 
But this severity was not then unusual, nor afterward. The winter of 1831-32 
was as bad, the rivers closing in November and breaking up in February. The 
winter of 1855-56 was another instance. The rivers closed shortly after 
Christmas, and did not open till the March following. It will be found upon 
examination that the winters from 1830 to 1840 were nearly all of this class. 
The freezing over of the rivers in November or December was not an unusual 
occurrence. There were no icehou^ses in those days. If there had been it 
would have been impossible to get up a corner on ice. 

In the Pittsburgh Gazette of January 9, 1796, it is stated that " the num- 
ber of inhabitants in the borough of Pittsburgh, as taken by the assessor, last 
week, amounts to 1,395. " 

An assessor's return is a poor basis for a census. All that an assessor is 
bound to return is the number of resident taxable inhabitants and non-resident 
property-owners. The "taxable inhabitants" include all males above twenty- 
one years of age. The above calculation was probably made by someone who 
took the total of names on the assessor's book, resident and non-resident, and 
multiplying by, say seven or nine, as the imagined number of inhabitants to 
each taxable, assumed the total as the sum of the population. By increasing 
the multiplier he could, on the same basis, make out any total he pleased. 
The previous calculations of the population are all of the same kind. The 
first United States census was taken in 1800 — all previous estimates are mere 
guesses. It gave a population of 1,565. 

In 1761 an enumeration made by the military authorities gave the popu- 
lation as 332, and the number of houses, 104. But this included the soldiers 
and families in the garrison as well as the Indian traders. This enumeration 
gives but little over three to each house, presuming each one to be occupied, 
and was probably con-ect. 



538 nisTOKY OF Allegheny county. 

In 1786 Brackenridge gives the populatiou at 1,500, and the number of 
houses at 100. This is a mere guess, and a very wild one at that; for iuNiles' 
Register, Vol. 30, page 436, it is stated that "Pittsburgh, in 17S6, contained 
thirty-six log houses, one stone and one frame house, and live small stores." 
The particularity of these details would seem to make it trustworthy. Count- 
ing the stores as dwelling-houses, which thoy generally were at that time, 
this, at six to a family or house, would give a total of 258, or, at seven to a 
house, 301. This latter sum is about the correct figure. 

An extract from a ' ' Historical Review of North America, ' ' published at 
Dublin, Ireland, in 1789, says: " Pittsbiu'gh is a neat, handsome town, contain- 
ing about fom- hundred houses." This book, with its estimates, was probably, 
like the peddler's razors, ' ' made to sell, ' ' and was not intended as an author- 
ity. Whatever Irishman wrote it must have licked the blarney-stone inces- 
santly. Pittsburgh, in 1789, was neither "neat" nor "handsome," and did 
not contain over one-fourth of four hundred houses. 

The eleventh volume of the " American Museum," for 1792, gives a list of 
thirty-six mechanics and one hundred and thirty families in Pittsburgh. This 
is a rapid, but not incredible, increase upon the enumeration of Niles' Regis- 
ter for 1786, but the number of families is apparently too large, unless, which is 
not improbable, there were more than one family in quite a number of houses. 
This total of the "Museum" would give a population of about nine hundi'ed. 

Mr. Craig, who was a young man in 1796, with a distinct recollection of 
the town and its inhabitants as it then stood, speaking of the calculation made 
by the Pittsburgh Gazette January 9, 1796, says: "This is the earliest authen- 
tic account of our population, and it may be well to tarry awhile and notice the 
condition and appearance of this place at that time. The number of inhabit- 
ants, at six to each house upon an average, would give 232 houses, and 
although the writer's memory goes back pretty distinctly to that time, he can 
not conceive where that number of houses could then be found. I have tasked 
my own memory severely, and, with the aid of one whose recollection is more 
distinct than my own, have made out the following enumeration of the houses 
in Pittsburgh about the time above mentioned: 

On Penn street, east of Fort Pitt, Col. William Butler, James O'Hara, D. McHeury, 
3; Liberty street, Cecil's and Dr. Bedford, 3; The Diamond, Blackbear tavern, George 
McGuunigle, William Denning, 3; Market street, old jail, corner of Fourth, John Irwin, 
Molly Murphy, Brady's smithshop, corner of Third, Horner's, corner of Second. Bracken - 
ridge's, Mowry's, Ewalt's, and Christy's, corner Water, 10; Water street, P. Xeville's, 
Mclntyre's, Scull's, Wilmer's, Duncan's, .1. Irwin's, John Ormsby's, S. Sample's, John 
Neville's, Craig's, Redoubt, Kirkpatrick's, O'Hara's, Tannehill's, Greentree tavern. Ferry 
house, Ross', Audrain's, 18; Wood street, John Wilkins, Jr., John Wilkins. Sr., Hender- 
son's, Sturgeon's, Palmer's log house, Rody's, McKinne3''s, T; Ferry street, Devereux 
Smith's, Diehl's, Funk's, Charles Richards' and two other log houses, Willock's. 7; Front 
street.Ward's, M. Adams', George Adams'. Hanlou's, stonehouse, Larwill's, Cooper's, Wat- 
son's, log tavern, Delaney's, 10; Second street (west of Market), Hex Gibson's, Chambers', 
Gen. Gibson's(the first brick house), Turnbull's stonehouse. McLaughlin's, Jimmy Lang's, 





^ a 



'a^^ 



PITTSBUKGH AXD ALLEGHENY. 541 

Benjamiu Askin's, Maj. Irwin's, 9; Second street (east of Market), McNickle's, Mrs. 
Elliott's, H. Reed's, Nicholson's, Hanna's, Addison's, 6; Third street, Benjamin Richards', 
1; Fourth street (west of Market), Hamsher's, McCord's, 2; (east of Market) two one- 
story log houses, two-story log house, small log house east of Pittsburgh bank, Granny 
Irwin's log house, Engleman's, D. Hogg's, Jones', Murie's, 9; Fifth street (east of Wood), 
Riley's, Cogau's, Vaughan's, and two or three more, 6; (west of Wood) Lighteuberger's 
and two others, 3; Marbury street. Gen. R. Butler, 1; Bouquet's old redoubt, 1; in Fort 
Pitt, four or five, 5; total number of houses, 103. 

' ' In this list I do not think there are five houses overlooked, and allowing 
eight to a house the poulation would be a little over eight hundred." 

This a very careful enumeration, giving street and name for each house, 
and, taking the subsequent enumerations, would seem to be near right. The 
census of 1800, taken nearly five years after, makes the population 1,565; that 
of 1810 makes it 4,768. As the population tripled itself in these last ten years, 
it is easier to comprehend that it doubled itself from 1795 to 1800 than to 
suppose it gained only 170 in that time. Mr. Craig fui'ther says, of his per- 
sonal reccollections of that time: 

We would be pleased if we could give our readers an adequate conception of the 
situation and appearance of the plain on which our city stands at the time of the first 
assessment, or even many years later. Those who see Pittsburgh in its present not very 
pleasant aspect can scarcely imagine its former ragged and broken appearance. We 
shall attempt to describe it. 

The ramparts of Fort Pitt were still standing, and a portion of the ofiicers' quarters; 
a substantial brick building was used as a malthouse; the gates were gone, and the brick 
wall called the revetment, which supported two of the ramparts facing toward the town, 
and against which the officers and soldiers used to play ball, were gone, so that the earth 
all around had assumed the natural slope. Outside of the fort, on the side next the Alle- 
gheny river, was a large, deep pond, the frequent resort of wild ducks. Along the south 
side of Liberty street, and extending from the foot of Diamond alley to the foot of Fourth 
street, was another pond, from which a deep ditch led the water into a brick archway, 
leading from Front street, just below Redoubt alley, into the Monongahela. By whom 
this archway was built I have never learned. It was no trifling work. The writer, when 
a boy. has often passed through it. The sides, which were from three to four feet high, 
and the top, were of hard-burned bricks; the bottom of flagstones. Before it was made 
there must have been a deep gull}' extending up from the river below Redoubt alley, and I 
have supposed that when Col. Grant built the redoubt on the bank of the river, just above 
the gully, he probably had the archway or culvert constructed to facilitate the commu- 
nication between the redoubt and Fort Pitt. 

South of Market street, between Front and Water streets, was another pond, and still 
another in the square in front of the St. Charles hotel. Finally, there was Hogg's pond, 
extending along the north side of Grant's hill from Fourth street up to Seventh. From 
this last there was a low, ugly drain, extending down nearly parallel to Wood street to 
the river. A stone bridge was built across this gully in Front street, probably soon after 
the borough was incorporated, because without it the gully would be very difficult to 
pass. 

We have now [1850] a beautiful landing along the Monongahela from the bridge to 
the point. Fifty years, nay, even thirty years ago, nothing could be less pleasing to the 
eye than the rugged, irregular bank. From the bridge down to near Wood street the 
distance from the lots to the break of the bank was from sixty to seventy feet. Wood 



542 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

street was impassable when the river was moderately high. From Wood to Market the 
distance from the lots to the break of the bank was fifty or si.xty feet. At Market street 
there was a deep gully worn into the bank, so that a wagon could hardlj- pass along. At 
the mouth of Chancery lane there was another chasm in the bank, so that a horse could 
not pass between the post at the corner of the lot and the precipitous bank. At the 
mouth of Ferry street there was another similar contraction of the way. so that it 
required very careful driving for a wagon to pass along. At Redoubt alley there was quite 
a steep and stony descent down to the level of the covered archway, of which I have 
before spoken. Below that archway the space between the lots and the break of the bank 
nowhere exceeded twenty feet, and between Short and West streets it varied from fifteen 
feet to five. Between West street and below Water street was closed bj- a fence extend- 
ing to the foot of the bank, so that persons going to Jones' ferry from any place on Water 
street had either to climb down the steep bank and go along the beach or else turn up 
from Water to Front and pass along it to Liberty. Such was Pittsburgh le.ss than fifty 
years ago. No doubt the next fifty years will produce as much improvement as the last. 

In 1796 James O'Hara, who was then quartermaster-general in Washing- 
ton's administration, had occasion to visit Niagara, and there learned that Onon- 
daga salt coitld be carried to Lake Erie, and from there via French creek to 
this city, much cheaper than via Baltimore, as was the practice at that time. 
This changed the current of the salt trade, which came by the Lake Erie and 
French creek route from then down to 1810, when supplies began to come in 
from the Kanawha, in Virginia. We can not learn exactly when the salt- 
works at the mouth of Saw -Mill run were started, but probably during, or 
shortly after, the war of 1812. The works were old in 1829, and must have 
been worked then for some years. Salt has been made also at and near 
Tarentum and on the Kiskiminitis river for a long time; and in Temperance- 
ville and Allegheny City, after the oil-fever broke out, salt water was obtained 
instead of oil, and salt has since been extensively made at both places, as well 
as at several places up the Monongahela. The supply, however, has never 
been fully equal to the home demand, but would lie much larger if prices were 
more remunerative. Salt water can be had for boring all over Western Penn- 
sylvania, as is shown by the experience of those sinking wells for oil and gas. 
Saltworks were established here by Craig & Bayard in 178-1, but the main 
supply came from New York up to 1810. 

Boat-building began here in 1777, when a large number of barges were 
built for army use at a point above Turtle creek. On the 19th of May, 179S, 
the galley President Adams was built. The keel of a second one, to be called 
Senator Ross, was laid just after the launch of the first. Gen. Wilkinson, 
the commander-in-chief, embarked here June 8, 1798, in the President Adams. 
The Senator Ross was not launched until the spring of 1799, and was then 
fully equipped for the Mississippi. 

The shipments down the river from this point were mostly made in flat- 
boats, which were not intended to be brought l)ack. The use of such boats 
was rendered unnecessary by the keelboats, which could be broiight back, and, 
having better appliances, rapidly superseded the earlier vessel. These boats 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 543 

were commonly manned by from five to ten men, under the command of a 
" patroon," and carried from twenty to thirty tons of freight. After the open- 
ing of the Missis.sippi the increased demands of trade gave rise to the barge, a 
vessel similar to the keelboat, but of greater capacity, provided with oars, and 
carrying a crew sometimes reaching the number of fifty men. Both kinds of 
vessels were furnished with masts, square sails and coils of cordage known as 
cordeilles. A horn was also a part of each boat's equipage. It was origin- 
ally intended for making signals, but it became the custom of the boatman, at 
intervals, to sound on it a sort of cadence, the mellow notes of which, floating 
landward, announced the passing boat in melodious tones which have been 
celebrated in a touching poem by Gen. W. O. Butler. 

Another factor which contributed to shape the destiny of the town planted 
in the forks of the Ohio, and one scarcely se3ond to its natural command of 
inland navigation, was the abundant supply of the best fuel right at its door. 
It is estimated that the bituminous coal-field which underlies Pittsburgh and 
the region for some sixty miles about, from which it draws its increasing an- 
nual supply, is equal to fifteen thousand square miles, and is practically inex- 
haustible. It was regularly mined as early as 1760, and according to tradition 
was first tied up in rawhides and tumbled down Coal hill, now known by the 
more ambitious title of Mount Washington. The first manufactories started 
here were supplied from the same source, but the method of transportation 
was improved. It is said that "the coal was hauled down the hill on a sled- 
car, made of two oak saplings formed as shafts for a horse to work in, and a 
box fastened onto the outer end of the shafts that would contain fifteen bushels. 
The road was made with a rut each side about ten inches deep for the ends 
of the saplings to run in." In 1795 coal was brought from Minersville, now 
the Thirteenth ward of the city, and a year later coal was discovered and mined 
on the east side of the Youghiogheny, near Bobbins station. In 1803 a ship 
was ballasted with coal, which sold at Philadelphia for thirty-seven and a half 
cents per bushel. This was probably the first shipment of coal down the river, 
but such shipments did not assume any commercial importance until 1817. At 
this time "Pilot Tom" Jones, whose father then owned and conducted a 
ferry from the foot of Liberty street to the opposite side of the Monongahela, 
began to ship it down the river. " The coal was brought down the hill on a 
'sled-car' driven by Pilot Tom, and placed in piles on the bank of the river 
during the winter, and in the spring, when ' flatboats' arrived from ' French 
creek," Jones would purchase a pair, hire four or five stout young Irishmen, 
and have his coal wheeled into the boats, lay in a stock of provisions, jump 
aboard the boats with only the steering-oars at bow and stern, cut loose, and 
not attempt to land until he reached Maysville, Ky., where he first com- 
menced to make sales; and from this place he would take a fresh start for Cin- 
cinnati." Two years later coal was mined under the present cemetery near 
Monongahela City, and hauled in wagons to the mouth of Pigeon creek. There 



544 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

it was loaded into boats and brought to Pittsburgh. This plan of shipping coal 
continued for several years, and the business gradually grew in proportions. 
The " French Creeks," as the boats were called, from a tributarj' of the Alle- 
gheny, where they were built and loaded with produce for sale at Pittsburgh, 
carried from four to six thousand bushels of coal. These were lashed in pairs, 
and in charge of a crew of five men, floated with the current to market. After the 
French Creeks, larger boats were built, and loaded and manned in the same way. 
Even this primitive method stimulated the activity of coal-owners, and greatly 
advanced the price of mineral lands in the vicinity of the rivers. The rapid prog- 
ress in boat-building at length began to suggest an improvement in this method, 
and in 1845 Daniel Bushnell began to ' ' tow ' ' coal with a small sternwheel boat, 
the Walter Forward. The enterprise was looked upon with contempt by the 
old boatmen, but it proved a success, and in the same year Thomas H. Baird, 
constructing two barges for the purpose, and using a small sidewheel boat, 
engaged in the same business, bringing the barges back loaded with pig-iron. 
From this beginning the biisiness continued, until now "packages " made up of 
as many as eighteen llats and barges, containing from eight to twelve thousand 
bushels each, are successfully propelled by a small steamboat. There are now 
from ninety to one hundred boats thus engaged annually, carrying down the 
river from three and a half to four million tons of coal. 

With cheap and abundant fuel, the cheapest transportation of the period, 
and a large and growing market for everything that could be manufactured, 
the future of Pittsburgh as the "Birmingham of America" was assured. 

The yellow fever prevailed in Philadelphia in 1798, and a sum of nearly 
tive hundred dollars was remitted h'om Pittsburgh for the relief of the sufferers. 
This was doing well for a town of but little over a thousand inhabitants, 
mostly poor people. 

The character and gi-owth of Pittsburgh at this point is thus summarized 
in the Navigator of 1811: " In 1807 the public buildings of the town were a 
large and spacious brick courthouse and market-house, situated in the public 
square or Diamond, having Market street running between them: a stone jail: a 
bank in West Second street, established January 1, 1804, being a branch of the 
Pennsylvania bank, also of stone; a large four-story stone house on the bank 
of the Monongahela river, built by Oliver and Owen Evans, of Philadelphia, 
for a steam gristmill, which was put in operation in the spring of 1809: it is 
conducted by George Evans (son of Oliver), who is part proprietor: this mill is 
of great value to the town and adjacent country, forming a good and sure 
market at all seasons of the year for vast quantities of wheat, rye. corn, etc. 
The calculation is that she is able to grind eight bushels per hour on each pair 
of stones throughout the twenty-four hours. She has two pairs of stones con- 
stantly running, but her power of steam is calculated for three pairs.'" The 
running-gears of the mill were made of cast-iron, which were made at McClurg" s 
air furnace. " The other public buildings were a handsome octagon Episco- 



^-^^fc 





PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 547 

pal church, at the point of Liberty aud ^Vood streets (the ' Eonnd church"): 
a large and spacious Presbyterian meeting-house, on the east side of Wood 
street and near the church: a church for the Covenanters; one for Ger-man 
Lutherans; and a Eoman chapel at the end of Liberty street, and an academy, 
all of brick; and a large frame warehouse, at the corner of Wood and "Water 
streets, built by Thomas Cromwell. ' ' 

It was noted in 1818 that ' ' the price of property has increased in a most sur- 
prising manner within the last ten years: it is now at least ten times as high as 
it was at that period. There are but few sales of lots in fee simple; the cus- 
tom is to let on perpetual lease. The price in Market and Wood streets varies 
from ten to twenty dollars per foot fiont, and in the other streets from four to 
eight dollars, and in particular situations still higher. The rents are equally 
high. In Market, Wood and Water streets, the principal jalaces of business, 
it is difficult to procure a common room in an upper story under one hundi'ed 
dollars per annum. The rent of stores varies from three hundi'ed to live hun- 
dred dollars. There is one warehouse which rents for twelve hundred dol- 
lars. The rent of dwelling-houses varies much, according to the locality and 
kind of tenement. A genteel private family can scarcely attain a good dwell- 
ing under three hundred to four hundred dollars. There was little show of lux- 
ury, however, in the new city, and strangers who were not engaged in business 
found little to attract them to it. There were but one or two carriages in the 
place. There was a small theater, occasionally occupied by some traveling com- 
pany from the east, but public amusements were few. A few balls in the winter 
season sufficed for the workaday people who comprised the population. The 
community was apparently largely made up of matter-of-fact Presbyterians, 
who were ' diligent in business, serving the Lord. ' Other denominations had 
not felt the necessity of building more places of worship since 1810, or at 
least had not yielded to it, while the Presbyterians had by this time ' three 
large ones.' " 

It required a bushel and a half of wheat to buy a pound of coffee, and 
twelve barrels of flour to j)urchase a yard of superfine broadcloth. In 1825 
and 1826 the city began to rally, and in 1830 she was again prospering. 

In 1802 one of those bitter prosecutions got up by local influence and 
fanned by local- feuds resulted in the impeachment and removal from ofiice of 
Alexander Addison, the president judge of the Allegheny county district. The 
ostensible reason given was his temper and want of courtesy on the bench; but 
the real reason is believed to have been a political one. Party spirit then ran 
exceedingly high, much higher than now, when an impeachment of any judge 
would be considered a great rarity. 

In 1804 Joseph McClurg erected the first iron-foundry in this city. In 
May, 1805, the first stage started from Pittsburgh to Chambersburg, and in 
May, 1806, the advertisement appeared for the construction of a turnj)ike 
road from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg. In 1809 the first steam flouring-mill was 



548 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

built, on tlio cornor of \Vat(>r street and Redoubt alley, by Oliver and Oweu 
Evans. It was still runnini^ after 1S4(I, under the management of Cadwalla- 
der Evans. 

Mrs. Ann Royall visited Pittsburgh in 1828. She was a native of Mary- 
land, but long a resident of Westmoreland county, and had settled down finally in 
Washington City, where she published the Huntress and the Paul Pry. She was 
an eccentric woman, eaten up with self-conceit, and was that rare.stof all things 
among women, an infidel. She railed constantly at the clergy, the missionaries, 
Sunday-schools, and at whatever was distinctly religious. She published, in 1829, 
two volumes of her travels in Pennsylvania, and although much of it is taken 
up with accounts of her squabbles with landlords, stage-drivers and stage-owners, 
her descriptions of scenery and of places is very graphic and correct. Her 
account of Pittsburgh as she found it at the close of 1828 is herewith given, 
omitting all irrelevances: 

Pittsburgh is entirely concfiUed by bills, approachiug it from any point excepting 
the Ohio river. 

As we drove down the Allegheny river we wereclosely hemmed in by a vast hill on 
our left. This hill makes a sudden stop as you draw near the city, and runs across in a 
steep, perpendicular precipice to the Monongahela, forming a perfect wall in its rear, 
seventy feet high. This hill takes different names in its progress; that part opposite the 
Point, or the great body of the city, is called Grant's hill, so named from Col. Grant, who 
was defeated on its summit by the French and Indians in 17.58; that part of it on Monon- 
gahela is called Boyd's hill, from one Boyd, who hung himself there; that part extending 
10 Allegheny river is also distinguished by the name of Quarry hill, four hundred and forty 
feet high. Over each river there are also seen vast hills, so that you are in the city be- 
fore you can see it. 

Its situation is much lower than I expected to find it— more level and the hills much 
higher. The city runs up upon the banks of both rivers, beyond its limits in the center; 
much further up the Allegheny, however, the Monongahela and the Point give it the 
tigure of a triangle. It is about one mile on one river, one and three-fourths on the other. 
The whole city sits on an even plain, from thirty to forty feet above low-water mark, 
higher, however, upon the Allegheny side. On the opposite side of the Allegheny river 
is a steep hill called Hogback hill. On the opposite shore of Monongahela is another steep 
called Coal hill. 

In this hill, nearly opposite the city, a tire has been burning many years, which is 
visible by the smoke, the coal having caught flie, by what means is unknown to any of 
the present race. But it is generally supposed to have caught from the carelessness of 
the miners. Several attempts have been made to extinguish this tire by slopping the holes 
and fissures on the surf ace, but all in vain; it still continues to burn, and is daily increasing. 

There is another eminence called Castleman's hill. Coal hill is four hundred and si.xty- 
five feet high, and very rugged. The height of Hogback hill is unknown; it is a barren 
eminence of \msightly appearance. In all these elevations coal is found, except in Grant's, 
Boyd's and Hogback hills, their altitude not being sufficient to bring them within the 
range of the great strata of that mineral which pervades this region. 

The scenery around Pittsburgh is very beautiful, I am told, in sunmier, and when 
viewed from some points presents the most interesting associations of nature and art. 
The view from Castleman's hill is not surpassed in any country— earth, air, rocks, water, 
wood, town and sky break upon the vision in forms the iliost picturesque and delightful. 
Coal hill, immediately above the burning pits, is another point of interesting observation, 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 54& 

where the e_ye, at a single glance, takes in a hundred beauties, which might vie with the 
purest and brightest of the other hemisphere. 

Pittsburgh has several suburban villages that contribute to and are supplied from the 
great center, with which their strength and prosperity are intimately connected. On or 
nearly adjoining the northeastern boundary of the city, and on the flat between Quarry 
hill and the Allegheny river, the Northern Liberties are situated, and are intended as a 
continuation of the city. They were laid out in 1816 by George A. Baj'ard and James 
Adams, and are now improving rapidly, and contain the Phceni.x cotton-factory. Juniata 
iron-works, etc. 

Adjoining the southeastern boundary of the city, on the Monongahela, stands Ken- 
sington, or, as it is commonly called. Pipe Town, deriving this name through one of its 
early settlers an eccentric little gentleman, still well knowu among all classes for his 
odd humor and the universality of his mechanical business, Mr. William Price, who estab- 
lished a pipe-manufactory there. Kensington is partly on a steep hillside; the houses, 
which are low, seem to stick to Boyd's hill by magic. 

Over the Monongahela is anotlier considerable village called Birmingham; it is incor- 
piirated into a borough, and sits at the base of Coal bill, on the bank of the river, and here 
the celebrated Birmingham glass is manufactured. It also contains several steam mills 
and an extensive lock-manufactory. It is well built, and makes a handsome appearance 
from Pittsburgh. 

Over the Allegheny river, directly opposite the city, is another very handsome and 
flourishing town called Allegheny. The Western Penitentiary is built here, one of the 
most splendid buildings in the United States, and the site of the town is, by far, one of 
the most pleasant of any in the vicinity, or even in Pittsburgh itself. It is unrivaled in the 
scenery and soil. There are two superb bridges, one over Monongahela and one over 
Allegheny, of the first architecture, and are the finest ornaments belonging to Pittsburgh. 

Two miles above Pittsburgh is the village of Lawrence, the seat of the United States 
arsenal, on the Allegheny. The Allegheny river is 1,100 feet wide at Pittsburgh, and the 
Monongahela 1,400 feet wide. No language can convey the beautiful appearance of these 
rivers. I should say the Allegheny was the handsomest of the two; it is equal in beauty 
to the Ohio, and just such another river. These rivers and the Ohio, and bridges, con- 
stitute one of the handsomest sights, beyond doubt, in the Union; I mean where beauty 
alone is considered. 

I had heard so much of the .oteam manufactories, and coal and smoke of Pittsburgh 
tliat I tried to form some idea of them, but was greatly disappointed. More smoke than 
I could have conceived, and the manufactories were far beyond my conception in skill 
of workmanship and amount of capital. I give the population of all the towns; Pitts- 
burgh City, 10,600; Northern Liberties, 711; Kensington, 390; Birmingham, 459; Alle- 
gheny, 711; miscellaneous, 260. 

Of those born in foreign countries, 3,000, or nearly. Pittsburgh at the last enumera- 
tion contained — dwelling-houses, 1,140; churches. 12; public buildings, 7; stores, 60; 
groceries, 146; banks, 2; taverns, 16; factories, mills and shop.s, 440; warehouses, etc., 76. 

This number, however, has greatly increased, and buildings are going up at this time 
in all parts of the cit}^ Most of the houses are brick, and some of them are lofty, fine 
buildings; but all of the houses are colored quite black with the smoke. The interiors of the 
houses are still worse, carpets, chairs, walls, furniture — all black with smoke; no such thing 
as wearing white; the ladies mostly dress in black, and a cap or white ruff put on clean 
in the morning is tinged quite black by bedtime. The ladies are continually washing 
their faces. Meantime the smoke, particularly in the absence of the sun, is quite annoy- 
ing to the eyes of strangers, and everj'thing has a very gloomy, doleful appearance at first, 
excepting, always, the interior of the workshops. But in a few days the stranger becomes 
so familiar to it that the novelty of the thing is completely worn off, and your walks and 
rambles through the city are pursued with the same pleasure common to others. 



550 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

lu !ill ihe towns of Pennsylvania of anj- size the public buildings and offices are 
built on squares in llie cent^^'s of tlieir towns. Tbese squares are uniformly called 
" Tbe Diamond." I bad often heard the word, and from haste and inattention never 
stopped to ask what it meant, and that it meant the public square is one of the last things 
I should take it to apply. "You will find such a man on tbe east, west, etc.. of the 
Diamond," said my friend, Mrs. Hol)erts. "And what is tbe Diamond?" "Where the 
market-house is." Tbe Diamond is about the center of tbe city; is large, and contains 
the market-house in the center, and tbe pul)lic buildings, attorneys' offices and a few 
oyster-cellars. Tbe public buildings are large and well built of brick. Tbe cburebes are 
small, and make no show. e.Kcept one, just rebuilt, touched off in great gotbic style. 

Tbe streets of Pittsburgh are not regular, running iu all directions; most of them, 
however, angle with tbe Monongabela. They are paved, but not lighted. The sidewalks 
are narrow, and tbe whole are dirty, and in wet weather verj' muddy in some parts of the 
town. 

Tbe citizens are now engaged in furnishing the city with good water, and have sunk 
a very handsome reservoir upon the top of Grant's bill for tbe purpose. But, from some 
cause to me unknown, tbe pipes have mostly bursted, and flood tbe streets with water, 
which I found very unpleasant. 

There are in Pittsburgh thirty-two attorneys and counselors, and sixteen physicians, 
a museum, the Western University, a high-school, an academj-, and forty smaller schools. 
The manners of tbe people of Pittsburgh, as in all other large towns, some are liberal and 
polite, and others quite the reverse. The university exists onl}' in name, and can not be 
said to be in operation, though it has a long string of professors. Miss Parrj' is at the 
bead of an academy for young ladies. Misses Roberts and Campbell have a large school 
of both sexes. The Sisters of Charity also have a very large school. Tbe high-school is 
by far tbe best conducted seminary in the place. It is kept in tbe Unitarian church. Tbe 
name of tbe principal is E. Worthington, Esq. He has fifty-four students. 

Lambdin's museum and gallery of paintings was established September 8, 1828. and 
now contains a valuable collectiou of paintings from ancient as well as modern masters — 
fine landscapes by Doughty, Birch, Lawrence, etc. ; pictures from tbe collection of Baron 
MuUer, portraits of distinguished characters by Stuart, Sully, Peale andLambdin. The 
museum contains about two hundred foreign birds, among which are tbe birds of paradise, 
twenty quadrupeds, five hundred minerals, three hundred fossils, three hundred marine 
shells, twelve hundred impressions of medals, one hundred ancient coins, a handsome col- 
lection of articles from tbe South seas, marine productions, Indian articles, etc., etc. 

Mr. Lnmbdin is himself an artist, and bis museum is the only specimen of taste or 
amusement in tbe cit}' — no library, no atheneum, no gardens, no theater. I understood 
there was an apprentices' library, got up by a few liberal gentlemen, Messrs. Holdsbip, 
Eichbaum and several others. There are, however, many liberal and enligbtened men in 
Pittsburgh. Tbe whole city is a perfect workshop; and the most remarkable fact in 
regard to the character of the society of Pittsburgh, and one which excites astonishment 
and pleasure, is thai tbe mechanics and artificers are by far the most enligbtened part of 
tbe society. There is not a more honorable, orderly and well-behaved collection of men. 
doubtless, to be found on tbe globe, of their calling. I was not prepared for this part of 
the history of Pittsburgh, having never beard it mentioned by any writer. They appear 
to form an exclusive society of gentlemen. 

I am now come to tlie most difficult, but by far tbe most interesting, portion of m}' 
description of Pittsburgh, and without which tbe citj- would have little weight — its trade 
and manufactures, in which last it excels any city in the Union, either in the quantit3', excel- 
lence or variety of tbe articles. Every article manufactured out of iron, copper, brass, 
tin, leather or wood is made in Pittsburgh iu a superior style; besides glass, delf, pottery 
and paper, tbej^ manufacture sheeting, shirting, coverlets, carpets, cloths, cassinets, plaids, 
checks, etc. But what distinguishes Pittsburgh from everj- other part of the Union is 
the fame she has acquired from her steam-engine foundries. 







^ s^^.^.:A^^tz^ 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 553 

Another distinguished trait in the character of Pittsburgh is the polite, chaste and 
gentlemanly deportment of her workmen and mechanics, which, joined to their skill, 
sobriety and industry, surpass any set of mechanics in America, or perhaps in the world. 
They, as a body, are the only gentlemen in the city. 

In all the manufacturing establishments I have visited in the United States I never 
failed to find the mechanics more or less depraved. Even in New England you too often 
find the workmen, and very often the principals, vicious, idle and impertinent, with a 
total want of respect to strangers. Not so iu Pittsburgh. I spent thirteen days in the 
manufacturing houses and foundries in this city, where, but in three cases, I found none 
but mechanics, and never saw nor heard the most distant indelicate look or word among 
the whole of them; on the contrary, I was treated with marked and gentleman-like respect. 
I was more astonished at this than anything else in the wonder-working city. Why Pitts- 
burgh should differ so widely in this respect from all other manufacturing towns I am 
unqualified to say, but it is a well-known fact that both in this country and in Europe, I 
am told, tliose manufacturing houses exhibit a most lamentable picture of low, vicious 
manners. During the whole of my visit to these manufactories I never saw an instance 
of? intoxication, or the smallest indication of drinking. Whether this highly honorable 
trait in the mechanics of Pittsburgh has been noticed by other travelers or not I am unable 
to say. but it was the first thing that struck me, not only with surprise, but pleasure. The 
workmen were almost as black, throughout, as the coal of their pits, but this disguise 
could not conceal the noble mien, the chaste smile and manly deportment for which they 
are unequaled. Had they been looking for me I should have thought their manners as- 
sumed: but, to recur to my own maxim, no one can affect what they do not possess, 
least of all politeness. But nothing was farther from ihem than the thought of receiving 
a visit from a female; and, though sometimes accompanied, I mostly stole a march upon 
them. A visit from a female was doubtless the last thing these men were thinking of, 
and such was my curiosity to see these far-famed foundries and workshops that, without 
consulting a friend, I popped into one tlie next day of my visit, it being understood that 
these manufactories are profusely scattered throughout the city, and being much delighted 
with the good order, stillness and innocent manners of the workmen I pursued the busi- 
ness unceasingly, which took up thirteen days, but not finding the proprietors in the shops, 
or anyone who could give me any accurate account of the capital, hands employed, or 
amount manufactured. 

The Sligo Rolling-miU is situated on the south side of the Monongahela river, immedi- 
ately opposite the mouth of Market street, and is owned by Robert T. Stewart and John 
Lyen. It was erected in 182,5. Sligo mill may be considered as a branch of those exten- 
sive iron works which the proprietors own on the Juniata, as all the iron they make use 
of is brought from there in a state partly manufactured, that is, in large blocks, called 
blooms, which do not require the process of puddling, but are immediatelj'fit for rolling. 
The consumption of blooms at the Sligo mill is about 1,400 tons annually. The engine is 
one of the most powerful in or about Pittsburgh, beiug 130-horse power, and was built by 
Mark Stackhouse. Some idea may be formed of the strength and immensity of the vari- 
ous machinery, when we say that their weight is 120 tons. Fiftj' hands are employed in 
the different departments, and the consumption of coal per annum is about 14.000 bushels. 
The value of iron made per year is 1150.000. . . . The Juniata Iron-work», on the 
Allegheny river, in the Northern Liberties, is ow^ned by Dr. Peter Shoenberger. They 
were erected in 1834, and may also be considered as a distant branch of the extensive 
forges of the proprietor on the waters of the Juniata. The establishment here is a very 
extensive one, and was put up under the superintendence of M. B. Belknap. The engine 
is of 120-horse power, and was built by Matthew Smith, of the firm of Binney & Smith. 
One thousand tons of blooms are used here annually, and the mill contains six nail- 
machines, making six tons of nails a week. Eighty men are employed. ... The 
Chrant's Hill Iron->rorks, owned by William H. Hays and Daniel Adams, was erected in 



551 HISTOltV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

1821. The engine, built bj- tlie Columbian Steam-engine company, is of 80-horse power. 
Thiit)- hands are employed. The mill used, the last year, 800 tons pig-metal and 400 Ions 
blooms. Coal used yearly, 90,000 bushels, and annual product. $80,000. . . . The 
Union RolUng-null, iu Kensington, is owned by Baldwin, Robinson & McNickle. This is 
the largest and most extensive establishment of the kind in the western country. The 
machinery is driven by two engines of lOOhorse power each, which were built by the 
Cohinibian Steam-engine company in 1819. The quanlitj' of metal converted annually 
into merchantable iron was about 1,500 tons, which, at SlOO a ton. which it averages, is 
S150,000 annually. Attached to the mill is an extensive nail factory. Hands employed, 
100; coal consumed, 182,000 bushels; capital, $100,000. . . . The Doirlur Iron trorks 
was erected inl835, in Kensington, by Mr. Lewis. It has an engine of lOO-horse power, 
and makes about 600 tons of iron per year. . . . The Pittsburgh Rolling-taUl, on the 
corner of Penn street and Cecil's alley, is owned by li.'Bowen. Has an engine of 120-hoi'8e 
power, built by the Columbian Steam-engine company, which drives one pair of rollers 
and slitters and ten nail-machines. In this mill there is no other than bar-iron made use 
of. From the blooms three tons per day are reduced to rods, sheet, etc. The nail-machines 
make If tons per day, besides hoops and sheet. Capital, 840,000; hands employed, 80. 
Mr. R. Bowen was, for a long time, a common sailor. . . . The Pine Creth- Rolling- 
miU\s owned by Elkins & Ludlow, and is on Pine creek, a few miles above Pittsburgh. It 
has an engine of lOO-horse power. At this establishment both steam and water power are 
employed, and the manufacture of axes, scythes, sickles, shovels, is carried on exten- 
sively. Forty hands are employed, and about 600 tons of bar-iron used annuallj-. 

The Pittsburgh Foiuidry was erected as early as the year 1804, by Joseph McClurg, 
and was the first establishment of the kind west of the mountains. The opposition that 
Mr. McM. met with from his friends shows how limited the views of the citizens of that 
period were in relation to the important situation of Pittsburgh, and the great sources of 
wealth that lay around it. Many thought at that time that Mr. McClurg would certalrdy 
be ruined, that a foundry was useless, and that he could not possibly succeed. He per- 
severed, however, and subsequent years have shown the fallacy of human prognostica- 
tions. He realized a fortune; has retired from business, and left the old foundry to fill 
the pockets of his successors with better stuff than pig-metal. The foundry is at 
present carried on by A. McClurg, Culhbert & Co., on an extensive scale. There are two 
furnaces in daily use. which produce some 600 tons of castings a jear. The cannon used 
by Com. Perry on Lake Erie were cast here, and the United States government still uses 
it as a source of supply of cannon and balls. . . . The Jackson Foundry, corner of 
Sixth and Liberty streets, is owned by Messrs. Kingsland. Lightner & Sowers. It makes 
stoves, grates, wagon-boxes, plow-plates, machinery and all kinds of heavj' castings. 
It employs twenty hands, and turns out 500 tons of castings annually. The Eagle Found- 
ry, in Kensington, is operated by the same men, but was erected by A. Beelen. Its 
annual product is 300 tons. . . . The Phmnix Foundry is on Scotch hill, corner of 

Ross and Third, and is owned by Freeman & Miller. It w^as established in 1821, by 

Clark, and is principally devoted to the highest order of castings, sad-irons, grates, stoves, 
wheels, etc. Annual product, 200 tons. The same gentlemen have just established the 
Washington Foundry, with nail-factory attached. . . . Stackhouse's Fnundry is 
attached to the Columbian Steam-engine factory, corner of Front and Redoubt alley. 
The principal part of the castings made here are for steam machinery. Annual product, 
400 tons. . . . The Allegheny Foundry is near the Allegheny river, on McCormick's 
alley, and is owned by William Franklin. Annual product, 150 tons. . . . Stackhouse 
& Tomlinson's Foundry is on the corner of Libert}' and Second streets, and is attached 
to their steam-engine foundry. It produces 120 tons annually. The steam-engines here 
produced are mainly for steamers. . . . Price's Cupola Foundry is situated one- 
fourth of a mile- east of Pittsburgh, and may be considered a brass as well as an iron 
foundry, as all the articles of a light nature in both branches are produced here. . . . 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 555 

The Birminghatii Foundry is carried ou b}- Sutton ifc Nicholson, and produces 200 tons of 
castings annually, as well as screws for tobacco-presses and paper-mills and for fulling- 
mills. . . . The Union Rolling-mill Nail-factory has 14 nail-machines, producing 
360 tons of nails a year. The Sligo Nail-factory has four machines, and produces 200 
tons a year. The Pittsburgh Nail-factory has 10 machines, and produces 400 tons a year. 
It produced last year 3.804 kegs of cut nails and 33,000 pounds of wrought nails. The 
Grant's Hill Factory has five machines, and yields 250 tons annually. The Juniata Fac- 
tory produced the same amount with live machines. The Pine Creek Factory, with four 
machines, produced 338 tons. 

In manufacturing steam-engines Pittsburgh has acquired great celebrity. No place in 
the world can surpass Pittsburgh as to the means and materials for manufacturing these 
powerful machines. There are six steam-engine factories in Pittsburgh — the Columbian, 
owned b}' Mark Stackhouse; thefactory of Warden & Arthurs, corner of Second and West; 
that of Stackhouse & Tomlinson, corner of Liberty and Third; that of Smith & Binney, on 
Grant's hill; that of M. B. Belknap, at Pine creek, and that of Mahlon Rogers, corner of 
Grant and Hewith. . . . The Steam Wire-manufactory of Mr. Arnold Eichbaum is in 
Kensington, near the Union Rolling-mill. It manufactures wire from No. 1 to No. 16. 
Employs 7 hands. . . . The Steam Cotton-factory of James Arthurs & Sons is on 
Strawberry near Cherry alley. Runs 388 spindles, and is principally employed in the 
manufacture of fine yarns, from No. 16 to 20. Employs 13 hands. . . . The Phenix 
Steam Cotton-factory is owned by Adams, Allen & Grant. It is in the Northern Liberties, 
and runs 3,700 spindles, producing daily 700 pounds of yarn, from 3 to 23, and 450 yards 
of cotton cloth. It employs 170 hands, and its annual product exceeds 8100,000. . . . 
John Mcllroy, on Wood, between Front and Second, has in operation 80 hand-looms, 
producing 1,200 yards of plaids, stripes and checks. Employs 155 hands. Annual prod- 
uct. 363,600 yards. . . . James Shaw, Wood street, between Sixth and Liberty, has 
80 hand-looms, producing 300,000 yards cotton cloth yearly. . . . Thomas Graham, 
Market, between Fifth and Liberty, has 34 hand-looms, and Tilford & Sons, near Pitts- 
burgh, have 8 looms. There are besides 47 looms which are engaged in various kinds 
of weaving, such as coverlets, carpets, etc., producing over 200,000 yards yearly. . . . 
.James Arthurs & Sous, in connection with their steam cotton-factory, have a woolen 
establishment, where they last j-ear made or dressed 13,800 yards of broadcloth, cassinette 
and counlry cloth. Headrick & Gibb, corner Liberty and Diamond alley, produced last 
year 4,200 yards of cassinette. The Fleecedale Woolen-factory, on Chartiers creek, near 
the Steubenville pike, and owned by A. & J. Murphy, produced last year 1,500 yards 
broadcloth and 9,600 yards of cassinette. 

Bakewell's Glasshouse is owned by Bakewell, Page & Bakewell, and is on Water street, 
above Grant. It was erected in 1811. It is entirely devoted to the manufacture of white 
or flint glass. Numerous articles are made at this factory, everything in the glass line, 
and of every grade of workmanship. The value of the glass made here last year was 
190,000. . . . The Birmingham Olnssicorks were built in 1813, by Sutton, Wendt & 
Co., but are now conducted by Wendt. Encel, Ihmsen & Co. This establishment makes 
window-glass and green hollow-ware entirely. Its product last year was 4,000 boxes win- 
dow-glass, 100 gross bottles and 10.000 dozen hollow-ware. . . . The Pittsburgh Glass- 
works are on the south side of the Monongahela, opposite the Point, and are now conducted 
by Mr. F. Lorenz. This concern was the first of the kind established in the western 
country. It was built as early as 1797, by Gen. O'Hara and Maj. Craig. For a few years 
their success seemed very doubtful, so much so that the latter gentleman withdrew and 
left Mr. O'Hara to make the best of what was then termed a losing concern. But the 
general, who had a happier knack of seeing a few j'ears before him and drawing deduc- 
tions from the nature of things than any of his contemporaries, persevered with his glass- 
house, made large additions, prospered, and conducted it until his death, in 1819. It 
produced last year 7,-500 boxes window-glass, 160 gross bottles and 3,160 dozen hollow- 



556 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

ware. . . . Tlie StonebrUlye (rhissiforks. near the corner of Hoss and Seconil. were 
erected by John Robinson in 1833. Manufacture white or flint glass only. . . 
Besides these there are window-glass factories at Bridgeport, New Albany, New Boston, 
Williainsport and Geneva, up the Monongahela, producing 17,000 bo.xes window-glass 
yearly. 

The Anchor Steam Paper-mill, on Ross street, owned by Mr. Holdship; the Pittsburgh 
Steam Paper-mill, in the Northern Liberties; the Clinton Paper-mill, at Steubenville; the 
Franklin and Big Beaver, at Beaver; the Seicickley, at West Newton; the Redstone, at 
Brownsville, and various other mills, are all engaged in the making of paper, producing 
about 30,000 reams per year. There are four steam gristmills in operation: The Pitts- 
burgh, corner of Water and Redoubt alley, established by Oliver Evans in 1813, now 
operated by George Evans; the Allegheny, on Irwin's alley, operated by John Herron; 
the Eagle, at mouth of Suke's run, owned by Mr. Henderson, and the Birmingham, by 
Sutton & Nicholson. 

Besides these there are in Pittsburgh 4 brass-foundries, 24 blacksmith-shops, 6 white- 
smith-shops, 1 lock-factory, 4 gunsmiths, 8 silversmiths. 9 tanneries. 3 saddle-factories, 45 
boot- and shoemakers, 8 chairmakers, 14 cabinet makers, 2 coachmakers, 7 wagon and 
plowmakers, 2 wheelwrights, 360 carpenters, 140 boat-builders, 3 potteries, 1 ropewalk, 
3 whitelead-factories, 4 distilleries, 3 breweries, 11 tobacco-factories, 2 wire- weaving 
establishments, Ti saltworks, 1 sickle-maker, 3 brushmakers, 7 hatters, 2 dyers, 11 painters, 
11 plasterers, 12 coopers, 44 tailors, 8 bakers, 4 confectioners, 1 organ-maker, 1 button- 
maker, 2 saddletree-makers, 2 chemists, 5 chandlers, 1 combmaker, 2 reedmakers, 4 wood- 
turners, 2 sashmakers, 1 rigger, 2 bellows-makers, 3 pattern-makers and 2 cutters. 

Value of annual product of factories, S3,400,000; value of total imports, $2,119,000; 
value of total exports, $2,781,276. There is a city for you, without a parallel in manu- 
factures, in proportion to the inhabitants, perhaps in the world I 

Speaking of the general business appearance of Pittsburgh, Sirs. Royall 

says : 

Of all towns (in our country, I mean) Pittsburgh excites most astonishment. Every- 
thing pursued in other towns is thrown into the shade b}' Pittsburgh; even in the building 
of steamboats it excels, b}' a long waj% our great city. New York. You see nothing but 
columns of smoke rolling out of these manufactories in every part of the citj' and in 
every street. Go to the river Monongahela, and you see nothing but steamboats, tico stories 
high many of them, and two tiers of windows, preciseh- like a house and with gable ends. 

Such is Mrs. Royall' s account of Pittsburgh, and in a notice attached of 
the Western penitentiary, she tells us that it then had but forty inmates, two of 
whom were black women. It was her first visit to Pittsburgh, and she takes a 
rather enthusiastic view of things: but the city no doubt made a similar impres- 
sion upon all who examined it leisurel}' at that time. It had passed through a 
fearful pinch in the panic which followed the close of the w^r with England, 
in 1815; but it had recovered from this, and was now putting on new strength, 
and reaching out its active arms in all directions. This activity and growth 
continued until checked by the panic of 1837-38. From the blow it then 
received it was longer in recovering than it was from the effects of the panic 
of 1817. 

Pittsburgh, it may be as well to add here, does not generally impress vis- 
itors favorably, but that is because they are repelled by the first looks and do 
not seek to investigate further. Mrs. Royall took two weeks for her examina- 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 557 

tion. The Duke of Saxe- Weimar, who preceded Mrs. Royall, gave bvt a 
cursory look at the city, visited but one factory, and then gave vent to his 
unreasoning disappointment. He was too much of an aristocrat to examine 
minutely into the industries of men begrimed by the dirt of their labor. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Continued). 

Tran.spoutation— Eakliest Modes— First Stages from Pittsburgh — Canals 
—Railroads— Steamboats— Bridges. 

THE means of travel and transportation vpere exceedingly limited until 
1805. The river was the main reliance for intercourse with the west, and 
with the east there was the packhorse and the wagon for fi'eight, and travelers 
could go on foot or on horseback. There were at first two routes to the east, 
by the old Braddock trail to Cumberland and Baltimore, and by the route 
through Bedford, Chambersburg and Harrisburg to Philadelphia. Later 
there came to be three routes. The Braddock trail was abandoned for the 
road from here to Brownsville, and thence through Uniontown to Cumberland 
and Baltimore; the northern route, through Murraysville and Ebensburg to 
the Juniata, and thence to Harrisburg, and the old route through Bedford. 
The first was substantially the route of Braddock, and the second was a near 
approach to the old ' ' Kittanning trail ' ' of the Indians. In the course of 
time the old Bedford route, having been turnpiked, was very generally pre- 
ferred. 

Prior to and long after the establishment of a stage-line to Philadelphia, 
in 1805, travel on foot was resorted to by very many. The wagoners who 
hauled freight to and fro built up all along the road a line of substantial and 
comfortable inns, so that the traveler on foot could always find a good eating 
and resting place. The distance from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, three hun- 
dred miles, was usually covered by foot-travelers in nine or ten days, unless the 
weather hindered. Travel, of course, was not undertaken for pleasure, and 
nobody took to the road unless compelled by necessity to do so. Freight, at 
first, when the roads were bad, was carried on packhorses; but these were soon 
superseded by wagons of all kinds, mainly large, for four or six horses, with huge 
beds covered with canvas, in which the freight was packed. The wagon had a 
trough fastened on behind, in which the horses were fed, the drivers usually 
carrying oats for their teams along with them. They also carried a flexible 
mattress for a bed, which they unrolled upon the tavern-floor at night, and 
lay down in their clothes, with their feet to the fire. They thus became aa 



558 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

little indebted as possible, pecuniarily, to the innkeepers, yet their custom 
was eagerly sought. The barroom floor at night was usually covered with 
those recumbent teamsters. One of these wagons was a poor substitute for a 
freight-car, either in capacity or otherwise, yet all the freight between the 
east and west passed over the mountains in these vehicles until 1829, when 
the canal was opened and soon destroyed the wagon traffic. 

In 1805 a stage-line was started from Pittsburgh to Chambersburg, where 
it connected, it is supposed, with a similar line to Philadeljihia. This was the 
nucleus for the stage business that afterward developed here into a daily line 
of stages to Philadelphia and all points east and .south of that city. These 
stages carried the mails, and were a great public convenience. The canal 
came in competition with them after 1829, but passage on the canal occupied 
four days and more, wh,ile the stages made the transit to and from Philadel- 
phia in three. After the Columbia railroad was built by the state as a part of 
its system of public works, connection was made with it at Harrisburg by the 
Cumberland Valley railroad from Harrisburg to Chambersburg, so that the 
stage-lines in the end ran as they did at first between Chambersburg and Pitts- 
burgh. It took two days and one night to go from Pittsburgh to Chambers- 
burg, arriving at the latter place about midnight of the second day. The 
Cumberlancl Valley railroad took the passengers from there to Harrisburg, 
landing them at the latter place on the morning of the third day, and from 
there they passed to Philadelphia over the Columbia railroad. Both of 
these roads were laid with strips of iron spiked to wooden sleepers, the iron 
rail not having been then invented, and the locomotives bvu'ned wood. The 
passenger over them thus encountered two dangers — the "snake-head," 
which was the name given to the iron strips spiked to the sleepers, when the 
spikes worked out and the strips curled up before the wheels, often penetrating 
into the cars, to the danger of the passengers, and live cinders from the loco- 
motive, which, when the windows were up, fell upon the clothes of passengers 
and burned holes in them before their presence was detected. The seats were 
ranged along the sides of the car, and served as beds at night, a hanging shelf 
overhead being let down to do the same duty when there were passengers 
enough. This was the germ of the present sleeping-car, but the idea evi- 
dently was borrowed from the canal-boat, which accommodated its passengers 
in the same way. 

This lasted until 1852, when the Pennsylvania railroad was opened. It 
was 1854 before this road was opened all the way through, but in the inter- 
vening time the railroad company made use of the inclined planes connected 
with the canal to cross the mountains, until its own tracks over the mountains 
were laid. With 1852 canal and stage travel ceased. I quote: 

Mr. David Stephenson, the British engineer, who took the journey over the Pennsyl- 
vania state works in 1836, wrote that he traveled the entire distance from Phihidelphia to 
Pittsburgh, then 39.5 miles, in ninety one hours, an average rate of about four and a half 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 559 

miles per hour, at a cost of three pounds sterling, or about four cents per mile, aud that 
118 miles of the journey, which he calls "extraordinary," were by railroad, and 277 miles 
by canals. These works were the double-track Columbia railroad, from the Delaware to 
Columbia on the Susquehanna; the canal by that river aud the Juniata to Hollidaj'sburg, 
at the eastern foot of the main Allegheny mountain; then the portage railroad over the 
mountain to Johnstown, at its western base, and the canal again from Johnstown down 
the Conemaugh and Allegheny rivers to Pittsburgh. 

Of these the Columbia railroad is now the only portion used, but with a vast improve- 
ment and development. The portage and canal west of the mountains have long been aban- 
doned. This route of the state works was the forerunner of the Pennsylvania railroad. 
The transfer of freight was at Ijrst made between car and boat, but afterward the plan 
was successfully devised of making canal-boats in sections and carrying them on car- 
trucks. These sectional boats were hauled down Market and Third and Dock streets to 
the wharf in Philadelphia bj' mule-teams over thirty years ago. This uncouth transpor- 
tation method of our fathers was the primitive way of sending western produce to Europe. 
These canal-boats, mounted on car-trucks, and Cope's packet-ships from Walnut street 
wharf, were the germ of the "through bills of lading" that now carry wheat aud pro- 
visions between the west and Liverpool. The canal-boats were hauled on the railroad to 
Columbia, and there dropped into the eastern division of the Pennsylvania canal, extend- 
ing 172 miles along the Susquehanna and the Juniata to Hollidaysburg, then a busy place, 
but now only a shadow of its former self, for changed methods have taken the business 
elsewhere. This canal had thirt_y-three aqueducts and 111 locks, and rose, in its western 
progress to the mountain, 585 feet above the level at Columbia. 

The ingenious device of the portage railroad was used to cross the main range of the 
Alleghenies, the timbered sides of this great ridge, about three thousand feet high at 
its chief elevation, being encountered at Hollidaysburg. This railroad extended thirty- 
six miles over the mountain to Johnstown, cost $1,860,000, was two years In building, 
being finished in November, 1833, and had a second line of rails constructed in 1835. It 
crossed the ridge through Blair's gap, at 2,326 feet elevation, and consisted of a series of 
inclined planes and a summit tunnel nine hundred feet long. It was a difficult and costly 
work, being almost entirely sidehiU cuttings and embankments supported by heavy walls, 
sometimes one hundred feet high, most of the line being boldly laid out skirting the edges 
of precipices, and there being four bridges, one of them crossing the Conemaugh river at 
seventy feet height. There were ten inclined planes, five on each side of the mountain, 
tbelr rises varying from 130 feet to 300 feet. These planes overcame a total height of 
2,007 feet, while the entire rise aud fall of the road were 2,571 feet, ordinary gradients 
providing the remainder. 

The steepest face of the Allegheny mountain is on the eastern side, and consequently 
the railway from Hollidaysburg to the summit, though but ten miles long, ascended 1,398 
feet, while on the other side, in twenty miles' distance, the descent was but 1,172 feet. The 
gradients in these inclined planes varied from one in ten to one in fourteen, the longest planes 
being about three-fifths of a mile. A thirty-horse-power engine worked each plane, an eight- 
inch cable being used, with descending and ascending trains moving at the same time on 
the double track. Three cars, each carrying three tons, were considered a load for a sin- 
gle draft. Twenty-four cars, carrying sevenl}'-two tons, could be taken over a plane in 
•one hour, which was ample for the traffic then passing over the line, for the average was 
not over one hundred cars a day. These one hundred three-ton loaded cars are to-da^' con- 
densed by improved methods into fifteen box-cars, which make barely one-half of a single 
freight-train out of the manj- now passing over the mountain. 

The transit by the portage over the mountain, though considered marvelous then, 
was slow, for Mr. Stephenson wrote in his account that he started from Hollidaysburg at 
9 in the morning, reached the summit at noon, halted an hour for dijiner, and, resum- 
ing the journey, was at Johnstown at 5 in the afternoon. Seven hours of actual time 



560 mSTOUV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

were thus occupied in going the thirty-six miles. At Johnstown the western division of 
the Pennsylvania canal began, and extended along the Conemaugh and Allegheny rivers 
to Pittsburgh, 105 miles. It had sixty-four locks, a tunnel of one thousand feet long, 
and went over sixteen aqueducts, its broken bridges and abandoned locks being still seen 
as relics of the past beyond the mountains. 

Although these works were used for twenty years, they had scarcely gone into opera- 
tion when an agitation began for making a railway over the entire route from Phila- 
delphia to Pittsburgh. Charters were granted for this purpose iu 1837, but during some 
years lay dormant. Surveys were afterward made, and public meetings were held, but noth- 
ing was actually done until the Pennsylvania railroad was chartered, in 1840, with S10,000,- 
000 capital. In 1847-48 the great work was given an actual start by contributions from 
the city of Philadelphia, amounting to the munificent sum, for that period, of about 
four million dollars. 

In the summer of 1847 work began at both ends of the line, contracts being let for 
building sections leading twenty miles west from Harrisburg and fifteen miles east from 
Pittsburgh. In the fall of 1849 the first division, sixty-one miles long, from Harrisburg 
to Lewistown, was opened for business, and in 18.")0 the line was completed to the junction 
with the portage at Hollidaysburg. In August, 18.51, the road west of the mountains was 
completed twenty-one miles west of Johnstown, leaving only twenty-eight miles unfinished 
to join the builders working westward from Pittsburgh. On December 10, 1852, the 
Pennsylvania railroad, in conjunction with the state works, was completed, and through 
trains began running (all rail) between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, by way of the port- 
age. In February, 1854, the Pennsylvania railroad finished its own line over the mount- 
ain, and the portage was abandoned. 

In 1806 an advertisement appeared in the Pittsburgh papers for proposals 
to construct a turnpike-road, from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. The road was 
first built to Greensbnrg, the sections from Greensburg to Bedford, and from 
Bedford to Chambersburg, following in due course. Craig says, in his "History 
of Pittsburgh, ' ' that proposals were invited for the whole distance from Pitts- 
biu-gh to Philadelphia; but the conviction of the writer is that the road to 
Greensburg was bitilt by one company, and the other sections by other corpo- 
rations. The state subscribed liberally to the stock of these turnpike com- 
panies, aiding materially in their construction. For a time the stock in these 
companies earned dividends, but in the end they became bankrupt, the state 
losing its investment therein; but the money, nevertheless, was well spent, and 
contributed greatly to the development of the industry and commerce of the 
state. Other companies, besides those above referred to, built the Pittsburgh 
& Washington turnpike fi'om here to 'Washington, Pa., and the Pittsburgh & 
Steubenville turnpike from here to Steubenville, Ohio. All of them have long 
since been abandoned, and are now mere country roads. 

There beiug a fort at Franklin, Pa., a route to Franklin was early opened. 
Federal street, in Allegheny City, was originally called the "Franklin road," 
and a ferry from the Franklin road to what is now Sixth (St. Clair) street con- 
nected this place with that route. A stage-line was established on the Frank- 
lin route, but exactly when can not be stated. The Franklin road followed 
Federal street to the hill, and thence over the hill and through the country to 
Butler and Fraaklin. The country north of the Allegheny was not settled as 




ROBERT PITCAIRH. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 56B 

early as the rest of Westera Pennsylvania, but intercotu'se between Pittsburgh 
and Franklin was at all times constant. Stage-lines were also early placed on 
the routes to Washington, Pa. , and Steubenville, Ohio. After steamboats 
began to be run on the Monongahela, which was in 1825, connection with 
Brownsville and the route of the National road was maintained by river. 

In 1826 Pennsylvania, spurred on by the example of New York in building 
the Erie canal, undertook the construction of the Pennsylvania canal, extend- 
ing fi'om Columbia, on the Susquehanna, to Pittsburgh. The original intention, 
it is presumed, was to connect at Middletown with the Union canal, extending 
thence to Philadelphia, but railroads were just beginning to come into use, 
and a railroad was built from Philadelphia to Columbia to supply the needed 
connection. The canal and its adjuncts cost, originally, $26,000,000; but sub- 
sequent expenses, for losses by flood, and interest, brought the cost, eventually, 
to §-1:0,000,000. The canal was opened in 1829, the first boat arriving at 
Pittsburgh November 10. It was maintained, at a steady loss, by the state 
until 1847, when it was sold to the Pennsylvania road for $7,500,000. It 
entailed upon the state a debt of 140,000,000, which is now nearly wiped out. 

But although the state was the loser by its construction, her trade and 
commerce gained immensely by it. If it had not been built the Erie canal 
would have taken from Pennsylvania the immense carrying-trade and travel 
between the west and the east. As it was, she saved her full share of that 
trade, built up Pittsburgh and Philadelphia thereby, and developed the re- 
sources of the interior of the state. 

As soon as the canal was built, packet -lines were formed and freight-carry- 
ing companies organized, and, until railroads supplanted it, the canal was a 
busy thoroughfare for both trade and travel. The stage-lines still took a 
part of the travel, but the canal was from the start kept full of business. The 
Ohio river furnished an immense amount of produce for transportation east, 
and carried off to the west the vast shipments of merchandise for western con- 
sumption. The canal has long since passed out of use, but in its day it was 
of untold advantage to Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania. This city grew very 
slowly from 1800 to 1817. A great depression then set in, caused by the 
reaction from the war of 1812 and the want of an adequate tariff. In 1817 
many factories stopped, and until 1821 there was a continual downward tend- 
ency in business and property. The depression appears to have culminated in 
1821. In 1825-26 there was a partial rally, which continued, fitfully, iintil 
1830. The opening of the canal, and the consequent renewed activity in the 
carrying-trade, infused new life into the business of the city, and from 1830 
forward, excepting the depression of 1837-42, her career has been steadily 
onward; much of this, but not all of it, is due to the opening of a through 
transportation line to the east. Railroads have more than supplied the sus- 
pension of canal trafBc; but Pittsburgh can never fail to look back with grati- 
tude to the time when the opening of the canal lifted her out of the slough 
of despond. 



664 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Auother item in the line of trausportalion needs mention here before we 
recvu' to the railroads ; we mean steamboat navigation. Like the canal, this, 
too, has nearly passed away, the railway having supplanted both the steam- 
boat and the canal-boat; but while it lived it was an immense item in the total 
of the prosperity of Pittsburgh. John McKinney, who was a prisoner at 
Fort Du<juesne in 1756, notes the aiTival at the fort of thirty batteaux, which 
had come up the Ohio from the Mississippi, laden " with pork, flour, brandy, 
peas and Indian corn;" but these batteaux were not built at Pittsburgh. In 
1761 James Kenney, a trader at Fort Pitt, states that William Ramsey had 
built H double-keeled boat, propelled " by an engine that goes with wheels 
enclosed in a box, to be worked by one man" treading on treadles; but while 
this was an approach to the paddle- wheeled steamboat, it was a long way from 
the steamboat itself, and led to nothing practical. 

Many vessels were built and sent down the river fi'om 1801 to 1811, but 
they were all sailing-vessels, and could not return. But the fact that they 
■were built and fitted out here demonstrates not only the importance of the 
Ohio as a channel of trade, but of Pittsbiu-gh as standing at the head of nav- 
igation, and as being then, and long remaining, the great gateway of the west. 

The applicability of steam to navigation was demonstrated by Fulton in 
1807, but the first steamboat built was built by him at Pittsburgh in 181 1. This 
was the New Orleans, 138 feet keel and of 300 to 400 tons burthen. "Her cabin 
was in the hold," says Thurston,* " and she had portholes; also a bowsprit 
eight feet in length, in ocean-steamer style, which was painted sky-blue. She 
was owned by Messrs. Fulton, Livingston and Roosevelt, and her construction 
was superintended by the latter gentleman. Her cost was S40.00(V She was 
launched in March, and descended the river to Natchez in December, at which 
point she took in her first fi-eight and passengers, and thence proceeded to 
New Orleans on the '2-l:th of the same month. She continued to ply between 
New Orleans and Natchez until 1814, making the round trip in ten days, con- 
veying passengers at the rate of $25 up and $18 down. On her first year's 
business she cleared $20,000, net. In 1814 she was snagged and lost near 
Baton Kouge. " Fulton, who crossed the mountains with some Kentuckians 
while his boat was building, was full of the idea of what steam could do. and 
boasted of it so much that they laughed him to scorn. He is then reported to 
have predicted that the day would come when carriages would be drawn over 
the Allegheny mountains by steam. This, of coui-se. only made them laugh the 
wilder, and reminds one of the story told of James Biutis on the same subject. 
Burns had been canal commissioner, and was a prominent contractor. V)ut 
somewhat incredulous as to the power of steam to surmount the heights of the 
Allegheny mountains. Meeting J. Edgar Thomson, then engineer of the 
Pennsylvania railroad, at Hollidaysburg, before the road had been built over 
the mountains, he asked the engineer how many miles an hour they made over 
the part already constructed, and being told, he inquired further how many 

* ** Pittsburgh in the Centennial." 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 565 

hours it would take from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh when the road was com- 
pleted. " Fifteen," Thompson answered. "And then I knetv," said Jimmy, 
" that he was a raving idiot!' ' Burns is dead now, but he lived to see it done 
in nine hours. People were just as incredulous in 1852 as in 1811. 

The Comet, a stern-wheeler, 25 tons, was built here in 1812-13; the Vesu- 
vius and Etna in 1813-14. The Enterprise, 45 tons, was built in 1814. In 
181G the Franklin, 125 tons, the Oliver Evans, 75 tons, and the Harriet, 40 
tons, were built here. The Expedition, 120 tons, and the Independence, 50 
tons, were built in 1818, and the Western Engineer in 1819. For a long time 
after steamboats began running the conviction was general that they could 
navigate very well down-stream, but could never stem the Mississippi above 
Natchez nor overcome the rapidity of the Ohio; but Capt. Shreve brought the 
Enterprise back from New Orleans to Louisville in 1817, and the Washington 
shortly afterward repeated the experiment successfully. This convinced the 
incredulous public that the rivers could be navigated by steamboats i;p-stream 
as well as down, and as soon as this conviction got a good hold of the public 
mind the work of boat-building began in earnest. From 1811 to 1835 there 
were built 197 boats at Pittsburgh, 22 at Brownsville and 7 at Beaver. In 1836 
there were 61 boats built here, making 287 boats in all in twenty- five years, the 
bulk of them having been built from 1825 to 1836. In 1837 there were 63 steam- 
boats running in regular lines to this city. In 1846 there were 63 boats built here; 
from 1852 to 1856 the number built here was 362; and 84 were built in 1857. 
From 1857 to 1875 no less than 649 boats were enrolled as built here. From 
1875 to the present time the number built yearly has been steadily decreas- 
ing, the navigation of the Ohio being now confined mainly to a few local 
steamers plying from here to Brownsville, and from here to Cincinnati, and to 
the steamers engaged in towing coal to Cincinnati, Louisville and New Orleans. 
The tonnage of this coal business far exceeds that of the ordinary freight- 
steamers in the best of times, but it does not require so many steamers. 

The large number of steamboats built here and trading here shows the 
great importance of the navigable waters of the west to the trade of Pitts- 
burgh in times past. The railroads do not carry freight so cheaply as steam- 
boats, but they carry it much more quickly, and so get it into market sooner 
and more surely. Hence shippers prefer the cars to the steamers, and the 
freight that used to employ over one hundred steamers constantly now glides 
into the city by rail, and passes east mainly without transshipment. The 
time may come, and it probably will, when the cost of carrying freight will 
enter more largely into mercantile calculations, but for the present the steamer 
scarcely enters as an integer into the sum total. 

The Monongahela river was first navigated by steam in 1825. A steamboat 
•was then put upon it to ply between this city and Brownsville, but it was only 
when the river was swollen by rains that it was navigable. In midsummer it 
went nearly dry, and Milner Roberts, a distinguished civil engineer, estimates, 



566 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

after a careful exaiuinatioa of it, that in a dry time all the water it furnished 
would tlow through a two-inch pipe. In midwinter it was frozen over: so 
that it was only in the sjjring and fall that the river was navigable. But 
spring and fall were the traveling seasons; and many availed themselves of 
this route to connect with the National road at Brownsville, whence it was 
biit a short transit to Cumberland, to which point the Baltimore & Ohio rail- 
road was early built (in 1846). It was probably this fact, together with the 
growing importance of the coal-veins cropping out all along the Monongahela, 
that led to the formation, in 1836, of the Monongahela Navigation company, 
by which the river was made navigable the year round. The first suggestion 
of improving the river was made by E. F. Gay, a civil engineer in the employ 
of the state, in 1828. He made a survey of the river, and recommended its 
improvement by means of locks and dams; but the state was then burdened 
with the canal debt, and nothing came of this recommendation. In 1832 Hon. 
Andrew Stewart, of Fayette county, made an effort in Congress to have the 
river improved by the United States, and made to connect with that great 
highway, the National turnpike, which crossed the river at Brownsville. As 
a consequence a survey was ordered, and made in 1833 by Dr. William How- 
ard, United States civil engineer. He proposed a series of eight dams, four 
and a half feet high, except No. 1, which was to be six feet, the object 
being to use them only when the river was low. But Congress was as unwill- 
ing as the state legislature, and the proposition failed. Finally, in 1836, by 
the act of March 31, a company was chartered by the state, known as " The 
Monongahela Navigation Company," to .slackwater the river by locks and dams 
fi'om Pittsburgh to the Virginia state line, and as much farther as Virginia 
would allow it to go. The capital stock was to be $300,000, in shares of $50 
each, and as much more as might be needed. The United States bank, in its 
state charter, was required to subscribe .550,000 at first, and ?50,000 more when 
$100,000 was subscribed by others. The state, in 1S38, subscribed §25,000, 
and in 1840 $100,000 more. The charter was issued in 1837, and in that 
year the company began work, based on the following subscriptions of stock: 

Citizens of Allegheny county, 94<S shares f 47,400 

Citizens of Fayette county, 508 shares 25,400 

Citizens of Washington county, 20 shares 1.000 

Citizens of other counties, 86 shares 4.300 

Monongahela bank, Brownsville, 100 shares 5,000 

United States bank, of Pennsylvania, 1,000 shares 50,000 

5133,100 
To which the state added in 1838 and 1840 125,000 

§258.100 
This, until the work was completed to Brownsville, was its entire capital 
stock, and much of this was never realized. The United States Vjank broke, 
and the second subscription of $50,000 was never paid. The state paid her 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 569 

subscription of 55100,000 in bonds, which were sold at a loss, and many indi- 
viduals failed to pay from inability, the terrible panic of 1838 having inter- 
vened, much to the loss of the company. Yet it went on with its work 
promptly. W. Milner Roberts was chief engineer, with Nathan McDowell and 
Robert W. Clark, assistants. The distance to Brownsville was foimd to be 
fifty-five and one-half miles, and from Brownsville to the state line thirty-five 
miles. The ascent to Brownsville was thirty-three and one-half, and to the state 
line forty-one feet more. The dams were at first fixed to be four and one-half 
feet high, but this would make seventeen dams necessary, and the dams were 
afterward fixed at eight and ten feet. Dams Nos. 1 and 2 were finished and 
in use in 1841. Nos. 3 and 4 were begun, but work was suspended for want 
of funds. In 1843 the state sold its stock in the company at a low figure, 
which brought men of capital into the corporation, and by their aid the work 
was completed to Brownsville in 1844-45, where it ended for some years. 
The Pennsylvania railroad was not opened until 1852, and up to that period the 
navigation company had a good thing of it in accommodating the trade that 
flowed over it fi'om the Baltimore & Ohio road at Cumberland. In 1853 the 
coal trafiic had begun to develop, and from that period to the present has been 
the main item in the company's business. The terrible debt which hnng over 
it in 1843 was soon extinguished, and the stock of the company is now among 
the best in the market. In 1854 Dams Nos. 5 and 6 were put under contract, 
but Dam No. 7, to carry the work to the state line, was, by an understanding 
with the people of Virginia, not to be undertaken until the Virginians should 
construct other dams, beyond the state line, sufficient to carry the navigation 
to Morgantown, Va. In later years the United States has bi;ilt the dams in 
Virginia, and No. 7 has been accordingly completed, but the business above 
Brownsville has never yet paid more than expenses. In the meantime the coal- 
men are clamoring for free locks on the river, and it is proposed that the United 
States shall buy the works from the company, and so make the navigation free. 
This will undoubtedly be done ultimately, and the United States will thus, 
say in 1890, be compelled to do what Andi-ew Stewart urged her to do in 1830. 
It might have cost the national government $500,000 then: it will cost nearer 
$5,000,000 now. 

There was also a company chartered to slackwater the Youghiogheny, and 
two dams and locks were built in 1851 ; but the Youghiogheny is a rapid stream, 
with many falls, and very crooked, so that the great flood of 1865 swept both 
locks and dams away, and they have never been rebuilt. The immense coal- 
b eds of that stream are well worked, the bulk of the coal mined being converted 
into coke, for which it is specially fitted. The coal and coke of this region, 
ho wever, all finds its way to market by rail, the country being traversed in all 
directions by foitr separate railroad lines, all of which find plenty to do. 

An item in the account of transportation must not be omitted here — the 
bridges. From 1764 to 1819 the only way of crossing the rivers was by ferry. 



570 HISTOItY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The first ferry is said to have been from the foot of Ferry street (whence its 
name) to a point opposite; bnt later on, in the early part of the present cent- 
ury, Jones' forry, from the mouth of Liberty street, was established. Up to 
near 1840 the only way of crossing was by skiff for foot passengers and by 
flat for horses and teams. The fiats were pushed across by poles when the 
river was low enough, and propelled by oars when the river was high. Abotit 
or before 1840 horseboats were introduced, blind horses tramping on a hori- 
zontal wheel forming the propelling power. Some years afterward Capt. 
Erwiu established a steam feiTy-boat, from a point below the Point bridge to 
Penti street, but it did not succeed then. In after years the Joneses abandoned 
the ferry at Liberty street, and established a steam ferry from Saw-Mill run 
to Penn street. This continued until the Point bridge was built. Indeed, 
there would have been no business for a ferry on the Monongahela at all, after 
the Smithfield street bridge was built, but for the fact that it was so far up the 
river. The Liberty street ferry was a short cut into the city, and intercepted 
nearly all the South Side business that came from below the bridge. 

There was also a ferry at St. Clair (now Sixth) street to Allegheny, con- 
necting St. Clair street with the Franklin road, now Federal street. The build- 
ing of the St. Clair street bridge put an end to its existence. 

The Smithfield street bridge was opened in 1818, and the St. Clair street 
bridge in 1820. Both bridges were chartered in 1810, but these charters 
lapsed, and new ones were got in 1816. Both bridges were of wood, and 
roofed, after the style of the present Hand street bridge over the Allegheny, 
and both were dismal places at night, lighted only by oil-lamps, which went 
out about midnight. In 1830 or 1831 two spans of the Monongahela street 
bridge, the two next the northern side, fell down, but fortunately there was 
nothing on them at the time but a loaded coal-wagon, drawn by four horses, 
which was precipitated into the river and lost. When the flood of 1832 came, 
these two spans were still down, and there were some ill-natured souls, dis- 
gusted, probably, by having to cross the dark and dusty concern after dark, 
who prayed heartily that the river might rise high enough to carry off the 
remaining sj)ans; but it did not, though it came within a few feet of it. The 
fallen spans were afterward replaced, and the bridge stood until 1845, when 
the great fire swept it completely away in a brilliant flash of light. The late 
Mr. Roebling undertook to rebuild it as a suspension bridge, using the old 
piers for supporting the cables; and this bridge stood until 1885, when it was 
replaced by the present elegant structui'e. For many years after it was built, 
the old bridge failed to pay much to its stockholders, it being too far up the 
river to catch the bulk of the then South Side travel ; but when the South Side, 
above the bridge, began to till up with population, the bridge became, and 
has ever since continued, a good-paying institution. There was a steam ferry 
to Birmingham fr-om the foot of Grant street for awhile, but it disappeared 
long ago. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 571 

The St. Clair street bridge has always paid well, and the old structure 
lasted until 1S60, when the present splendid suspension bridge took its place. 
It, too, was built by Mr. Roebling, and so substantially that when, a few years 
ago, the cables were carefully overhauled and tested they were found nearly 
as sound as when originally put in. The toll on both these bridges was origi- 
nally two cents for men, women and childi'en, but was finally cut down to one 
cent for men, and women free. The yearly toll for a family is four dollars. Low 
as these rates are, many workingmeti feel they are burdensome, and an agitation 
for free bridges has set in, which will probably be successful at an early day. 
Toll -bridges in the heart of a city can hardly be maintained long. 

The state, when it built the canal, brought it over the Allegheny into Pitts- 
burgh at Eleventh street, over an aqueduct. This was in 1829. Foot-pas- 
sengers were allowed to cross it on payment of the usual toll of two cents. In 
18-t3, or thereabout, one pier of the aqueduct gave way, and it had to be aban- 
doned. Pittsburgh, despairing at losing the canal trade, urged the state to 
rebuild it ; but the state was too poor, and finally authorized the city to rebuild 
it, and repay itself with the tolls. The city did rebuild it, but the tolls never 
repaid the cost of its construction. It was rebuilt by Mr. Roebling, who 
strung wire cables across the river to support it. As the canal was abandoned 
in 1854, the aqueduct soon fell into decay. The present bridge of the Fort 
Wayne railway is about half a square below the old aqueduct. 

The Hand street bridge was built in 1837; the Mechanic street bridge in 
1838; the Ewalt street bridge about 1868; the Sharpsburg bridge in 18 — , and 
the Seventh street bridge in 1884. The Union bridge, at the Point, connecting 
Allegheny and Pittsburgh, was built in 1876, and the Point bridge, to the 
South Side, in 1880. The Tenth street bridge, to Birmingham, on the Monon- 
gahela, was built in 18 — . The Tenth street. Union, Hand street and Me- 
chanic street bridges are all of the old covered kind, while the Smithfield 
street, Point, St. Clair street and Seventh street are suspension bridges, all of 
different styles. There are, besides, foiu' railroad bridges, two across each 
river, and one is projected over the Ohio from Cork's run to Allegheny City 
at or near Wood's run. 

Last, but not least, are the railroads — the last to come and probably the 
longest to stay. No city in the Union has a more complete connection with all 
parts of the country, north, south, east and west, than Pittsburgh. So com- 
plete is it that, although she has three rivers at command, with a system of 
water navigation reaching out to nearly all parts of the south and west, as well 
as with the north and the lakes, the railroads have absorbed the great bulk of 
travel and trade, nothing but coal and a few items of heavy freight seeking the 
water-courses. The contrast between 1788, when fi-eight cost $6.67 per hun- 
dred pounds, and 1888 is something marvelous. The packhorses of 1788 could 
not carry as much in ten years as the Pennsylvania road now carries in a 
day. 



572 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The desire for a railroad connectiou with the east l)roke out here at an early 
date. Railroads began about 1826, but did not spread rapidly. It was 1842 
before the Baltimore &; Ohio road reached Cumberland, Md., and the Pennsyl- 
vania road was not begun until 1848. Naturally, the Baltimore & Ohio rail- 
road, being only 150 miles to the southeast, first attracted attention. It was 
within reach before the Pennsylvania road was begun. It first attempted to 
reach the Ohio by passing through Western Pennsylvania: and if Pennsylvania 
had not been struck with judicial blindness at that time, the right-of-way 
would have been granted her. Philadeljjhia saw, or thought she saw, that if 
this road was permitted to enter the state a connection with Pittsburgh would 
be as certain as it would be easy, and western trade would thus be diverted 
from Philadelphia to Baltimore. So the Baltimore & Ohio road was driven to 
hew its way through the rough hills of West Virginia to Wheeling. The leg- 
islatui'e of this state, acting then under the constitution of 1838, was in the 
habit of passing what were called "omnibus" bills: that is, toward the close 
of the session, when a bill was under consideration, other bills would be tacked 
on as amendments, until this one bill comprised fifteen or twenty other bills, 
all of differing character. It happened, when a bill for opening or vacating a 
street in Erie was before the house, Mr. Darsie, of Allegheny county, offered 
as an amendment a bill incorporating the PittsbiU'gh & ConnellsviUe railroad. 
This bill conferred power, really, to construct a road from Pittsburgh to Cum- 
berland. As was usual in such cases no one was paying any attention, the 
Philadelphians least of all, and the amendment was tacked on without objection. 
The bill passed and became a law, and it was not until the session was over 
that the Philadelphians discovered the interpolation, and it was then too late 
to apply a remedy. Under this bill the Pittsburgh & ConnellsviUe Railroad com- 
pany was organized, and the road was built and is operated under it, although it 
is only a branch of the Baltimore & Ohio. Progress under it, however, was 
very slow, and many stockholders, sick with hope deferred, withdrew their 
subscriptions and put the money into the stock of the Pennsylvania & Ohio 
road, a company chartered by Pennsylvania and Ohio to build a road from 
Pittsbui-gh to the Indiana state line. It is now the Pittsburgh. Fort Wayne & 
Chicago railway. 

In the meantime Philadelphia, stirred by the successful effort to overreach 
her in the interest of Baltimore, determined on organizing the Pennsylvania 
railroad. It was begun in 1848, and completed, all but the mountain sec- 
tion, in 1852, but locomotives could not run all the way through till 1854. In 
the meantime the Pennsylvania & Ohio road was begun, and the Cleveland & 
Pittsbiirgh. The latter was to begin at Rochester, pass along the Ohio to 
Wellsville, and from there to Cleveland, crossing and connecting with the 
Pennsylvania & Ohio at Alliance, Ohio. These two roads, together with the 
Pittsburgh & Erie, also beginning at Rochester and running north to Erie, 
the Pittsburgh & Steubenville, now the Pittsburgh. Cincinnati & St. Louis, 




CT^^/^^.^ 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 575 

«ad the Pittsburgh & Waahington, now known as the Chartiers road, are all 
operated together under a corporation known as the ' ' Pennsylvania Company. ' ' 

The Pittsburgh & Steubenville was begun as a separate road, to connect 
at Steubenville with the Steubenville & Indiana road, but the panic of 1858 
banki'upted both of these and the Chartiers. They were afterward consoli- 
dated into one line, and completed, in 1866, as the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & 
St. Louis railway. 

The Allegheny Valley railway was begun and carried on for awhile under 
Pittsburgh auspices, but gradually fell into the hands of the Pennsylvania rail- 
road. The Pittsburgh. Virginia & Charleston railway was begun in the same 
"way, but eventually sufPered a like absorption. The West Pennsylvania, extend- 
ing from Allegheny City to Bolivar, on the Pennsylvania railroad, was built 
by the latter on the site of the old canal after it was abandoned. 

The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie begins at the south end of the Mouongahela 
bridge, and runs on the south of the Ohio to Beaver, where it crosses, and 
terminates at Youngstown, Ohio, where it connects with a congeries of roads 
running in all directions, forming connections with Buffalo, New York, Chicago, 
Cleveland, Cincinnati and all western and southern points. The Pittsbui'gh, 
McKeesf)ort & Youghiogheny railroad, running from Pittsburgh to Connells- 
ville, is a branch of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie. The Pittsburgh & Western 
railroad begins in Allegheny City, and runs thence through Butler and New 
Castle to Youngstown, Ohio. 

We have thus a network of railroads occupying every open route in reach- 
ing Pittsburgh, and extending to every point of the compass: 

Pennsylvania railroad, to Philadelphia, connecting with Baltimore, Washington and 
the south, and with Erie and the north at Harrisburg. and with New York and the east 
at Philadelphia; Pittsburgh. Fort Wayne & Chicago, connecting with all points north- 
west at Chicago; Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis, connecting with Louisville & 
Nashville at Cincinnati, and with the south and southwest at St. Louis; Chartiers rail- 
way, to Washington, Pa.; branch of Baltimore & Ohio, to Washington, Pa.; Baltimore & 
Ohio, connecting with all points south and west; Allegheny Valley railroad, to Oil City, 
Titusville and BuSalo; West Pennsylvania, from Allegheny City to Bolivar, Pa; Pitts- 
burgh & Western, from Allegheny City to Youngstown, Ohio, and Pittsburgh & Lake 
Erie, from South Side to Youngstown, Ohio, with connections to all points; Pittsburgh, 
Virginia & Charleston, to Brownsville; Pittsburgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny. Pitts- 
burgh to Connellsville; Cleveland & Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh to Wheeling and Cleve- 
land; Pittsburgh & Erie, from Pittsburgh to Erie; Pittsburgh & Ashtabula, part of Fort 
Wayne route, extends from Homewood to Ashtabula. Ohio, through Warren. Ohio. 

The Pennsylvania was aided by a $1,000,000 subscrij)tion from the county, 
the Ohio & Pennsylvania by $-tOO,000 from Allegheny City and $200,000 fi-om 
Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh & Steubenville, Pittsburgh & Connellsville, Chartiers 
& Allegheny Valley by $1,600,000 among them from Pittsburgh, and a consid- 
erable amount from the county. After the panic of 1857 these roads, except 
the Pennsylvania, all failed to pay the interest on the bonds issued to them, 



576 nisTOUY of Allegheny county. 

and both city and county for a time repudiated all responsibility for the issues, 
but eventually compromised with the holders of the bonds by issuing new bonds 
at lower rates. The Pennsylvania road assumed payment of the county's 
million upon surrender of the stock; all the rest of the subscriptions were lost 
But the loss has been more than made up to l)oth city and county by the 
advantage to them of these roads. As long as the roads were unfinished it 
was a great burden to have to shoulder an unproductive debt of several millions; 
but now that the roads are finished, and are daily pouring wealth into the coffers 
of the city, the burden vanishes. Indeed, after it was once fairly shouldered 
it f)roved a very light burden, and if the panic had not temporarily impoverished 
this community, there would have been not even a temporary repudiation. 
The folly of issuing bonds to railroad companies was one indulged in by 
a great many counties in the western country, and nearly all went through 
the sad experience of this city and county. The disgrace, bad as it was, did 
not last long, and the people can now look back upon it with the profound 
consciousness that honesty is the best policy, for communities as well as for 
individuals. The financial credit of both cities and the county is now of the 
very best. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Costisued). 

Floods— Disappearance of Smoky Island— Low Water— Fires— Conflagra- 
tion OF 1845— Relief Appropriations— Losses. 

PITTSBURGH has been an occasional sufferer from floods, but the occasions 
have been few and far between. The "Annals of the West"' mentions a 
great flood in 1789, which overflowed Marietta and the town of Symmes, at 
the mouth of the Little Miami, and demonstrated the superiority of Cincinnati 
as a town site over eveiy other place on the Ohio. At Symmes' town the inhab- 
itants took refuge at first in the blockhouse, were driven finally to the loft of 
that building, and thence they had to take refuge in a skiff. No mention is 
made of this flood in the annals of Pittsburgh, but it must have been as high 
as any of our more modern floods, and thus disproves the theory that they had 
no such overflows in olden times as we have now. The fact is that high spring 
floods were more common then than since, so common that when they happened 
no mention was made of them as of anything extraordinary. Brackenridge, 
in 1786, speaks of the flood-marks left on the trees as indicating spring fi-eshets 
of thirty feet, which is higher than any modern record; but Brackenridge is 
given a little to exaggeration, and, having no tape-line to measure with, was 
driven to guess at the height, which was probably nearer twenty than thirty 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 577 

feet. But the inside figure indicates very high rivers in the spring as a matter 
of annual occurrence. 

There is a legend about a great flood, called "the pumpkin flood,"' which 
occurred either at the close of the last eentm-y or the beginning of this, which 
is always spoken of as sinking all subsequent floods into comparative insig- 
nificance. Like all legends, this story has grown by repeated transmission, 
and is exceedingly indefinite as to dates and measurements. No account ever 
yet written of it gives either the year or the height of the flood. It must have 
been in the fall, or there would have been no pumpkius to float, and it must 
have been at a time when the river and creek bottoms were well settled and culti- 
vated, or there would not have been pumpkins enough to characterize the flood 
by their name. It therefore probably took place in this century. There was 
a second legend, current in 1832, that great floods happened every twenty years; 
if this was based on experience it would be safe to fix it in 1812. The period, 
probably, was from 1809 to 1812. There were no meteorological records kept 
then, and we are confined to the vague conclusion that it was higher than the- 
floods of 1832 and 1852, and that it swept off all the exposed produce on the 
meadows bordering the various streams. Most likely it came suddenly and 
unexpectedly, and destroyed the hopes of many a farmer who calculated upon 
the corn-fodder and the pumpkins for the winter food of his cattle. 

The next flood was that of 1832, and this, fortunately, was within historic 
recollection, for there are people still living who saw it, and remember it well. 
Its exact height, also, was marked upon the brick building just below Penn 
street, on the banks of the Monongahela. The winter of 1831 set in early in 
November. The rivers were fi-ozen over in that month, and remained solid 
until February of 1832. The ferries were closed, and people crossed freely on 
the ice, loaded wagons ventiu-ing without danger upon it, and abundant use 
was made of it as a natural bridge by the country people, who made good 
use of the steadily cold weather to market whatever they could muster for sale 
or exchange. There was some snow, enough for tolerably good sleighing, but 
not enough, either here or on the mountains, to give token of a large spring 
freshet. Albach, in his ' ' Annals of the West, ' ' p. 969, says : "A winter of 
excessive cold was suddenly closed by long-continued and very heavy rains, 
which, unable to penetrate the frozen ground, soon raised every stream empty- 
ing into the Ohio to an unusual height. The main trunk, unable to discharge 
the water which poured into it, overflowed its banks, and laid the whole valley, 
in many places several miles in width, luider water. The towns and villages 
along the river banks were flooded in some instances so deeply as to force the 
inhabitants to take refuge on the neighboring hills; and the value of the prop- 
erty injured and destroyed must have been very great, though its amount, of 
course, could not be ascertained. The water continued to rise from the 7th to 
the 19th of February, when it had attained the height of sixty-three feet above 
low-water mark at Cincinnati. ' ' 



578 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The river is very narrow at Cincinnati, which accounts for this extraordi- 
nary height. At Pittsbiu'gh the marks indicated a height of only twenty-four 
foet; but this was }iigher than any subsequent flood, except that of 1882, which 
excelled that of 1832 by two or three inches. That of 1852 fell short of 1832 
about two feet. 

Albach's statement of " long-continued and very heavy rains " as bringing 
on the flood is not strictly correct. The rain, which began to fall early in Fel)- 
ruary, 1S32, was a gentle, warm rain, not a '"very heavy" one. It fell upon 
ground deeply and solidly frozen, and melting what little snow there was. ran 
off, as fast as it fell,' into the streams, the frozen gi'ound being unable to aljsorb 
any of it. The rain was protracted through several days, but could hardly be 
spoken of correctly as " long- continued,"' at least not in the region of Pitts- 
burgh. Possibly the rains were of longer continuance in the lower part of the 
Ohio valley. They were continued here, however, long enough to swell every 
tributary of the Ohio river till each spread beyond its banks. The rivers broke 
up here, as near as the date can be fixed, on the 10th of February, and had 
begun to fall on the 14th. The whole of Allegheny between the first bank and 
the second, where the Fort Wayne road crosses Federal street, was covered 
with water, and all the river bottoms, along the Monongahela and Allegheny, 
to the bases of the hills. The Point, at Pittsburgh, was firom four to six feet 
under water, and the water extended to St. Clair street, on Penn and Liberty. 
Wood street, also, was overflowed as far as Fourth avenue, and all along the 
shore of both rivers the water flowed over the banks, excepting where, as at 
Market, Smithfield and Grant streets, the banks were too high. A part of the 
Monongahela bridge having fallen a year or two before, all communication 
between the town and the South Side was temporarily cut ofiP. Yet, beyond the 
flooding of cellars and lower rooms, no special damage was done to Pittsburgh. 
The people living near the rivers were inconvenienced for a time, and business 
was at a standstill for a few days; but a few weeks served to remedy all this 
inconvenience. 

To the people in the country living near the suddenly swollen streams 
much loss did really happen. Hay- and grain-stacks were floated off: fences 
everywhere were swept away; many cattle and horses were caught in the flood 
and carried off; stables, barns, and in many cases houses, fell a prey to the 
roaring torrents, and many stories were current about cradles floating down 
the river with sleeping infants in them, and of houses full of occupants, who 
found refuge on the roofs; but the people who had skiffs, and were able to use 
them, were very prompt in rendering aid in all such cases, and experience has 
shown that one real instance of this nature gives birth to a dozen similar but 
apocryphal stories. Except where borne away in the night, all who were carried 
off were pretty promptly rescued. 

The one material loss to Pittsburgh was that of Smoky island. In all the 
old pictiu-es of Pittsburgh, Smoky island is depicted as extending into the 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 579 

Ohio below the mouth of the Allegheny, and up that river to about a square 
below the Sixth street bridge. Brackenridge speaks of it as having a hill or 
ridge upon it, but this must have been on the upper end of it, and had disap- 
peared before 1832. Prior to the liood the lower part of the island was still 
intact, and a year or two before some adventurous young capitalist had put up 
a large frame building upon it for a manufactory. It had hardly begun opera- 
tions when the flood came; and when it had subsided factory and island were 
both gone. A small part of the lower end was left, and continued there for 
years, but subsequent freshets gradually wore it away, and now there is 
nothing left but a sandbar, visible at low water, to show that Smoky island 
ever existed. 

The flood of 1852 came late in the spring, and did not rise so high, but it 
was dangerously near the high-water mark of its predecessor. But it subsided 
sooner. A gentleman who left here on the Cincinnati packet just as the river 
began to fall at Pittsburgh went on to Louisville and St. Louis, returning 
immediately. He met the flood at its height at Cairo, and when he reached 
Pittsburgh again the steamboat ran aground at Brunot's island. He was 
gone less than two weeks. The flood, as is the case in all floods, caught many 
people unawares, and destroyed a great deal of property, especially logs and 
sawed lumber; but all freshets have similar accompaniments, and this was in 
no sense an exception to the general rule. 

There was an intermediate flood in July, 1874, but this was not a general 
flood, but the result of the bursting of a water-spout, which did its greatest 
damage on Spring Garden run, in Allegheny, and along the middle part of 
Chartiers creek, southwest of Pittsburgh. The water poured down in impetu- 
ous torrents, bringing up the little runs in a short time into small rivers, tum ■ 
bling down their rocky beds and carrying destruction to all that was in their 
paths. In "Bulcher's," or Spring Garden run, the ordinary outlet of a 
usually very quiet stream was unable to carry off the immense body of water 
that came thundering down the gorge almost without notice. Both sides of 
the run being closely built up, the torrent had a fertile field before it, and left 
desolation behind it. Several lives were lost, and a great deal of property 
destroyed, but the flood was local, both in its destructive power and in its 
effect upon the rivers. 

The flood of 1882 broke the twenty-year ride, and delayed its advent for 
thirty years. Nature has no fixed rule for either floods or panics. The lapse 
of twenty years between previous floods was a mere coincidence. An effort 
has been made to create a similar cycle in business depressions. The first was 
in 1817, the second in 1837, and the third in 1857; but the fourth came with 
the suspension of Jay Cooke, in 1873, thus destroying the uniformity of pre- 
vious coincidences. It is safe to conclude that floods come when circumstances 
combine to produce them, and are not subject to any rule whatever. Several 
efforts have been made to base predictions of meteorological events upon vari- 



580 HISTOliY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

ons meteorological cycles, l)ut all have been abortions so far, and this rule 
about Hoods has proved a similar al)ortion. In like manner the conclusion that 
floods happen because the timl)er has been all cut away from the face of the 
country, so that the rainfall flows off the more rapidly, is demonstrated to be 
baseless. The floods of 1759 and 1832, as well as the "pumpkin" flood, all 
happened when the forests on the headwaters of the Ohio were standing 
intact; there was an interval of thirty years, between 1852 and 1882, showing 
that floods are less frocjuent than formerly; and as for periods of low water, 
there were years about the beginning of the present century when there was 
no fall freshet, and there was not enough water in the river to launch a barge 
upon. Some better theory than this will have to be found. The flood of 
1882 was, like those which preceded it, a spring freshet; carried its usual 
devastation along with it; snapped the lines of rafts, and bore off logs and 
lumber to enrich the wi-eckers who live below us on the Ohio; washed off 
fences, stables, barns, stacks and outstanding produce; flooded cellars and 
parlors and dining-rooms, and stopped business along the water-courses for 
the time being. A great many who could took no precautions against it, and 
many who could not were victimized by their inability. It carried desolation 
into many homes, and brought some to the verge of bankruptcy. But just so 
it will be when the end of the world comes. The Son of Man, when he 
makes his appearance, will find men marrying and giving in marriage, buying, 
selling, trading, eating and drinking the same as if such end was never to be 
looked for. All unusual occurrences find men unprepared for them. Things 
go on as if there were never to be any changes in causes and effects, and as if 
the rule of to-day is sure to be the rule of to-morrow. But human nature, if 
it will not prepare for changes beforehand, very soon accommodates itself to 
them when they do happen; and hence, while these various floods have carried 
a great deal of destruction to individuals, society at large soon fills up any 
gaps that may have been made, and affairs go on as if floods never occurred, 
or were nothing wonderful when they do occur. 

Pittsburgh has always had a good fire department, and has generally 
managed well in providing securities against loss by fire. Once, and once only, 
was she caught in a great whirlpool of fire. This was in 1845. After it was 
over a public meeting was held to take measures for public relief, and a com- 
mittee, consisting of Hon. Cornelius Darragh and Hon. Wilson McCandless, 
was appointed to lay the case before the legislature. As the narrative they 
presented to that body is the best statement of the facts, it is hereto appended : 

On Thursday, April 10, 1845, at 12 o'clock noon, a fire broke out in some frame 
buildings situated on the southeast corner of Ferry and Second streets. For two or three 
weeks before the weather had been dry, and high winds prevailed to a great extent. At 
the time of the discovery of the fire the wind was blowing fresh from a few points north 
of west. In a very brief space of lime the flames had spread throughout the square, and 
communicated Are to one of the opposite squares. The wind continued to increase, and 
with it the conflagration extended until it enveloped at least one-third of the city in the 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 581 

tempest of flame. The fire extended along Ferry street south to First street, consuming the 
whole square; it crossed from the south side of Third street to the north side, and burned 
that blocli, with the exception of one or two houses; it passed east on Market street, and 
consumed more than one-half the blocli between Third and Fourth; it passed up Third 
street to Diamond alley, and destroyed the larger part of the block between Fourth street 
and Diamond alley to the base of Grant's hill, and consumed all the buildiugs between 
Diamond alley and the Monongahela river. Its eastern course was arrested only when 
every house or building, with few exceptions, was destroyed. It passed from the city 
into Kensington,* and destroyed that town. The burnt district comprised most of the 
large business-houses and many of the most valuable factories. Intelligent citizens esti- 
mated the extent of the fire as covering at least one-third the geographical extent of the 
city, and two-thirds its value. The loss can not fall short of six or eight million dollars. 
The bridge over the Monongahela was entirely consumed. The magnificent hotel, erect- 
ed at a vast expense, known as the "Monongahela House, "is a ruin; cotton-factories, 
iion-works, glassworks, hotels and several churches are prostrated in the general desola- 
tion. It is estimated that not less than eleven hundred houses were destroyed, tlie 
greater number of which were buildings of a large and superior kind. 

Gov. Shunk sent a message to the legislature, along with this statement. 
The legislature passed an act appropriating $50,000 for the relief of Pitts- 
burgh, and exempting property in the burnt district from state taxes for the 
years 184:6—18. The news of the fire also excited great sympathy for Pitts- 
burgh, and the contributions for the relief of the citizens amounted to 
$198,740, besides large donations in provisions and clothing. This was a 
small sum to make up siich a loss; but it came very opportunely for those peo- 
ple who had lost their all, clothing, furniture, etc., in the conflagration. The 
owners of real estate had to depend mainly on themselves for means to 
rebuild. The system of dividing fire losses among many companies, home 
and foreign, was not in existence then. As a consequence, all the insurance 
companies of Pittsburgh were broken up completely, and there were not banks 
enough in the city then to help much in the way of recuperation. Yet all 
did help manfully, and somehow the means for rebuilding were gathered up, 
and in a very short time the work of rebuilding was going on extensively. 

The fire, like the similar big one in Chicago, began in an act of careless- 
ness. Some washerwoman had built her fire in the yard, as more convenient 
than the house, and the wind carried the sparks to a frame stable adjacent. 
There was a great scarcity of water, the city then having but a small supply. 
The fii-emen worked nobly, but the fire had got a good start in a short time, 
and the wind carried it eastward faster than the firemen could put it out. 
When it got a good start it was practically beyond their control. 

One life was lost, that of Samuel Kingston, a lawyer on the corner of 
Fourth and Smithtield streets. He probably went into the office to get some 
papers, and was smothered by the smoke before he could get out. 

The fire extended from Water to Third on Ferry, then cut across to the 
northern side of Third, working over to Diamond alley between Market and 

• Kensington was then the general name for what was also called ■ " Pipetown." It extended from Try 
street east, between the bluff and the Monongahela river. It is now a part of the Sixth ward. 



582 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Wood. It crossed Smithfield at Andrew Fulton's house, between Fourth and 
Diamond alloy, and crossed Fourth on Ross street, just south of the corner of 
Fourth, leaving, singularly enough, a combustible frame house standing on the- 
corner of Fourth and Ross. The house is still standing, as is also the house 
which was erected after the fire and which marks its limit on Smithfield 
street. 

The sight of the ruins was a melancholy one. On Water street, the site of 
the iron and glassware houses, the debris revealed great masses of iron melted 
into all possible shapes, kegs of nails reduced to useless masses, and lumps 
of glass mixed with nails, mortar and other rubbish. It was a mass of utter 
ruin, not a vestige of anything useful remaining, and the result showed how 
terrible must have been the intensity of the heat produced by such an extended 
fire. 

The individual losses to real-estate owners ran from $20,000 to $60,000. 
The heaviest loss fell upon Lyon, Shorb & Crossan, owners of the Monongahela 
House, their loss being put at $60,000. Messrs. Lyon & Shorb also lost 
$15,000 on the stock in their iron warehouse adjoining the Monongahela House. 
Their factory, being on the South Side, escaped. The burnt section embraced 
a large part of the business portion of the city, but not the manufacturing 
part; Bakewell's glasshouse, the Novelty works, on Grant street, and the 
Kensington rolling-mill were the principal factories destroyed. 

The banks and other dealers in money exercised great lenience and forbear- 
ance, and through mutual acts of accommodation the sufferers were enabled to 
tide themselves over the difficulties of the occasion. Those who had money to 
lend found instant employment for it, and those to whom money was due 
waited patiently until the current of business was resumed. It is astonishing 
how soon, apparently, a community gets over such a disaster. But it is only 
in appearance, for in reality it was a long time before the effects were removed. 
Outwardly, new stores and warehouses and factories took the place of the old 
ones, and the burnt spaces were mostly soon filled; bnt many a shoulder was 
sore for years with the heavy burdens assumed and carried along to the end. 
The recuperative powers of man are great when fairly called into action. 

No great fire has occurred here since, and the fire departments of the two 
cities seem able to keep any fire from spreading far. London, New York, 
Chicago and many other cities have had to pass through the same ordeal, and 
Pittsburgh may therefore console herself that she is in good company. Every 
year, on the 10th of April, the fire-alarm strikes l-S-4-5 on its alarm-bell, to 
remind the citizens of the time when they "passed through the tire." 




y^j'.k^^^^^^ 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 



585 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Continued). 

Banking — The Pittsburgh Manufactiteing Company — Insurance— Man- 
ufactures AND Trade, 1804-13 — Manufacturing Advantages of Pitts- 
burgh—General Business— Statistics. 

banking. 

THE business of banking in Pittsburgh has been of slow growth, and was 
still slower in the beginning. There must have been private bankers, on 
a small scale, from the beginning, but as money was never plenty in the early 




THE FIRST PITTSBURGH BANK BUILDING. 

history of the west, the necessity for bankers was never great or pressing. 
Barter was the basis of business, and not money. 

The first effort in the banking line here was made in 1804, by the Bank of 
Pennsylvania, a Philadelphia concern, which established a branch in Pittsburgh 
in that year. It began business on January 1, 1804, in a two-story stone 
building on the east side of Second street (avenue), between Market and Ferry 
streets. This was, at that time, the center of business, and was within the 
bounds of the town originally laid out by Col. Campbell in 1764. The busi- 
ness of the old town of Pittsburgh was concentrated between Ferry and Market 
streets, extending back no farther than Fifth avenue. The stone building' 
occupied by this bank was a solid and substantial one, and lasted until the great 
fire of 1845 swept it out of existence. But for that calamity, it was stout 
enough to have stood until the present. The writer remembers it well, as do 



586 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

all the old citizons whose memories run back as far as 1840. Of what success 
this l)ank attained to there is no record. Probably, as the branch did not last 
long, its success did not justify the effoi-t of the parent bank. The l)ranch was 
too far away from the stem. 

The next effort was made in 1810, by the Pittsburgh Manufacturing com- 
pany. This was not a chartered company, but a voluntary organization of 
Pittsburgh capitalists, its ostensible ol)ject being to foster Pittsburgh manufact- 
ures by timely loans. The organization shows not merely a disjwsitiou to 
use home capital for home purposes, but that Pittsburgh men had prospered 
so well as to be able to help others as well as themselves. Heaven, in this 
case, helped those who help themselves, for this movement was the basis on 
which the Bank of Pittsburgh was built up, a bank .still in healthful and active 
existence. In 1814 the Pittsburgh Manufacturing company was merged into 
the Bank of Pittsburgh, the first regularly chartered and organized bank in this 
city. It was chartered in the winter of 1813-14, by the legislature, and was 
regularly organized November 22, 1814, with the following board of directors: 
William Wilkins, George Anshutz, Jr., Thomas Cromwell, Nicholas Cunning- 
ham, John Darragh, William Hays, William McCandless, James Morrison, 
John M. Snowden, Craig Ritchie, George Allison, James Brown and J. P. 
Skelton. 

These are nearly all familiar names to men of fifty years ago. Craig Ritchie 
was afterward, and probably then, a Washington county man, and the other 
unfamiliar names are those of Thomas Cromwell and J. P. Skelton. William 
Wilkins was afterward United States senator, minister to Russia, secretary of 
war and member of Congress, and served the county also in the state senate. 
William Hays was a tanner, a member of the state senate, and the father of 
Richard T. Hays, at one time president of the Iron City bank. John Darragh 
was the father of Cornelius Darragh, a representative of the county in the leg- 
islature and in Congress. William McCandless was at one time prothonotary, 
and Judge Wilson McCandless, as well as W. McCandless, at present president 
of the Allegheny National bank, were connections of his. John M. Snowden 
and George Anshutz both have children and grandchildren still living here. 
They were all substantial and well-to-do men. 

The capital of the bank, at its start, was nominally 1600,000, but of this 
sum only $250,000 had been paid up as late as 1833, but in 1834 it was 
increased to $1,200,000. It is inferable that $250,000 capital was found 
abundantly sufficient for the first twenty years of its life. 

On the 28th of November, 1814, the board of directors organized by elect- 
ing William Wilkins as president, and Alexander Johnstone, Jr., as cashier. 
Mr. Wilkins was succeeded by John Darragh, he by John McDonald, and he 
by William H. Denny, who, in April, 1835, was succeeded by John Graham. 
The rest of the history of this bank we quote from Thurston' s ' ' Pittsburgh in 
1876:" 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 



587 



In 1866 Mr. Graham was succeeded in the presidency by John Harper, who entered 
the bank in 1833 as chief cleric, which position he retained until 1850, when he became 
assistant cashier, and, on John Snyder's resignation in 1857, cashier, and, on the retiring 
of Mr. Graham in 1866, president, as above stated. This office he still fills, after forty-four 
.[now fifty-sis] years of continuous service in the same institution, more than three-fourths 
of the bank's existence, having filled all the oflicial grades from clerk to president, being 
to-day the oldest bank officer in continuous service in the city. 

The leading policy of the Bank of Pittsburgh has been to consider its liabilities, at 
all times, payable in specie, and to adhere to the avowed object of the " Pittsburgli Manu- 
facturing compan}-," whence it proceeded, to foster the manufacturing interest of Pitts- 
burgh. It is claimed that, in no instance, has the bank coerced a loan in a time of finau 
cial difficulty. 

The general impression prevails that the Bank of Pittsburgh never suspended specie 
payments. This is not precisely the fact. In 1837 it suspended, at the general request of 
citizens, expresse<l at a large public meeting; but the suspension was only brief, as, 
after a few days, specie was paid in special cases, to small amounts, and the bank soon 
resumed full specie payment. In the general suspension of 1889 the bank continued to 
pay specie on all its liabilities, and in the suspension of 1841, b}- the banks of the whole 
country south and west of New York, the bank continued as before to pay in specie. In 
the .great crisis of 1857 the Bank of Pittsburgh still continued its policy of paying coin for 
its liabilities, and in 1861 again resolved to pa}' specie on its every liability, and in carrj-- 
ing out that resolve paid from December 30, 1861, to December 1, 1866, in gold, 11,374,939. 

It is but fair to say, in explanation of this last statement, that after the 
national banking system was established, and it declined to become a national 
bank, it could not, legally, maintain its circulation issued under state laws, and 
hence accepted the alternative of redeeming its circulation in specie and retir- 
ing it. As a merely state banking institution, it has not now any notes in cir- 
culation, and has not had since 1866. 

This bank declared its first dividend, 4 percent, in May, 1815, having paid 
six dividends previously, as the "Pittsburgh Manufacturing company," and 
has paid regular dividends in May and November ever since. In November of 
1888 it had attained the age of seventy-five years, having passed through the 
depressions of three wars and of five suspensions of specie payments without 
deviating from its original policy. It is still in the foremost rank as a sound, 
and safe, and successful institution. 

There appears to have been another bank here, older even than the Bank 
of Pittsburgh. It was called the "Farmers' & Mechanics' Bank of Pitts- 
burgh, ' ' but we can find very few traces of its existence. It had a capital of 
$-150,000, and was in operation as late as 1817. That it did not survive is 
plain, and it did not become, like the Bank of Pittsburgh, an instance of ' ' the 
survival of the fittest." George P. Smith, Esq., formerly a merchant of Pitts- 
burgh, has kindly furnished the writer a sample of one of its notes. It is a ten- 
dollar bill, "A No. 41," issued to S. Hill, or bearer, and dated November 2, 
1810. It is signed by John Scull, president, and M. Neville, cashier. Plainly 
it was in existence and doing business in 1810, and issued very neat notes for 
that early day; but it must have gone down in the depression attendant upon 
the war of 1812, and none of the wrecks it left behind have remained to this 



588 HISTOIJY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

day to bear testimony to its history. If Craig njontions it in his history, th» 
mention is but a brief one. 

To the kindness of Mr. Smith the writer is also indebted for the following- 
copy of a memorial addressed to the managers of the United States bank at 
Philadelphia, asking for the establishment of a branch of that bank in this city. 
The memorial, with the signatures, is herewith given: 

7'') //((■ President and Directors of the Bunk of the United States at Philadelphia: 

The memorial of the undersigned, merchants, traders and inhal)itanls of tlie city of 
Pittsburgh, most respectfully slioweth: 

That your memorialists, in common with their fcllovv-citizeus of the western country, 
generally labor under great and increasing difficulties from the want of some general 
circulating medium by which they would, without ruinous sacrifices, be enabled to dis- 
charge their eastern debts, and to continue their mercaulile and manufacturing establish- 
ments with undiminished capital. In consequence of the depreciation of ihe paper of the 
western baniis gcnerallj-, the course of exchange has, for a considerable time past, 
operated powerfully against the business of the western merchants, and compelled many 
of them to curtail their business, and some to close their concerns entirely, rather 
than risk their honest gains in commercial tratflc, in the payment of a most exorbitant 
premium for the purchase of eastern funds in exchange for the paper which they are 
compelled to receive from their customers in payment of their debts. The establish- 
ment of your institution, it is fondly hoped, will put an end to this state of things, and 
restore the circulating medium of the country to the same condition in which it existed 
before the suspension of specie payments, provided that the aid which its extensive capi- 
tal enables it to afford be equally and impartially extended to the different sections of the 
Union. Your memorialists deem it unnecessary to state the importance of the western 
f'ountry, in a commercial and manufacturing point of view, as the facts respecting it are 
fully and generally known; it is dulj' estimated by their commercial fellow-citizens in 
the eastern parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland and I^ew York, and the revenue drawn from 
it by the Uryted States forms no inconsiderable item of the public accounts. Your 
memorialists, however, beg leave to state that the establishments made by j-our institu- 
tion at Baltimore, Norfolk and Cincinnati (in addition to the original institution at Phila- 
delphia) are entirely too remote to render any, the smallest, assistance to the merchants 
and manufacturers of the western parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, the 
northwestern part of Ohio and the Michigan territory, embracing an extent of country 
the most important, in a geographical point of view, in the United States, and equal in 
population, riches, extent, variety and importance of its manufactures to auy separate 
state in the Union. The military depot, in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, will, for many 
years to come, cause the expenditure by the United States of immense sums of the pub- 
lic money, the payment of which would be made with more convenience through a 
branch of your institution than in anj- other form, while the collection of the public 
revenue in so great an extent of country would be greatly facilitated, with equal profit 
to the United States and the citizens concerned; and which, with the deposits of money 
collected from the sales of the public lands in the northwestern part of the state of Ohio, 
would at all times form a capital fully sufljcient to render the business of such branch, if 
established, profitable to the stockholders and beneficial to the community at large. The 
distance of your memorialists from the orjginal bank and from the branches at Norfolk, 
Baltimore and Cincinnati is such as entirely to deprive them of the benefits which the 
more immediate situation of their eastern mercantile and manufacturing brethren enables 
them to enjoy, and which your memorialists believe they would wish them to participate 
in. The growing population, wealth, commerce and manufactures of this section of the 
Union, your memorialists believe, entitle them to your consideration; and the establish- 




^^TTO^OMt^ 0C^^^ 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 591 

ment of a branch of tbe United States bank, while it will greatly contribute to restore 
the circulating medium of the western country to its proper standard, and aid the United 
States in the collection of the internal revenue, will afford a liberal accommodation to 
tbe mercantile and manufacturing interests, as well in the prosecution of their extensive 
and rapidly increasing business as to increase their intercourse with the commercial 
capitalists of tbe eastern parts of the states with which they are connected. Under these 
impressions your memorialists pray that a branch of the Bank of the United States may 
be established at the city of Pittsburgh, with such capital and under such rules and 
restrictions as you may think find beneficial to the stockholders, and to the interest and 
prosperity of this important section of the Union. 

A. Tannehill, H. B. Holmes, Armor it Wallace, Robert Herron, Hosier & Co., .1. & 
N. Darragh, Richard Bowen & Co., L. Stewart, Doran, McCabe & Co., John Horn, Gill- 
iam & Co., Andrew Wite; J. Whiting, agent for Pittsburgh iron and nail factory; Nich. 
Cunningham, Hugh Davis, Peebles &McKee, K. Bonnel & Howard, Abner Barker, Isaac 
Craig. Robert Simpson, Robert Getty. Daniel Wvlie, E. Williams, Nathaniel Holmes, Will- 
iam Earl, W. Closey, Samuel Pettigrew, Hyram Badgley, Peebles, Tweedy & Co., Samuel 
Mackey, Bradly & Butler, William Kipner, John Davis, A. McAlpin, Joseph Thomson, 
Samuel & John Thompson, John McDonald, Walter Forward, Jacob Welsh & Co., 
Thomas Read, Christy & Liggett, James Wells, McKee & Co., David Greer, Francis Wil- 
son. William Turney. Samuel Bern, Joseph Goulden, S. Bakley, Joseph Caskey, William 
Clarke. F. Brunot. Jr., Isaac Harris, AVilliam Hutchison, Carey & Wilson, Andrew Ott- 
hoff, Robert Wilson, John Hamilton, C. F. Adler, James H. Kattee, Francis Bailey, 
Jacob Negley, Francis Herron, William Hill, John D. Davis, A. J. Chittenden, William 
McKnight, Johnston & McClelland, Duval & Short, D. & J. Chute, F. & G. Algeo, James 
Walker. J. C. Johnson & Co., Benjamin Bloomfield, Daniel Boyle, Isaac Wickersham, 
James Brown, R. Graham, Cochran & Scottow, M. B. Lowrie, R. Patterson, George V. 
Robinson, S. V. R. Forward, James Jolley, William Moore, Jeffrey Scaife, Hazelton & 
Jones, Samuel Davis, Arthur Macoubry. James Gormly, A. Gorml}^ John Birming- 
ham. Brown & Scott, Thomas Enoch, Thomas Johnston, James Sutton, William Mont- 
gomerj'. Thomas McDermot, Charles Martin, William Graham, John T. Reed, George 
Watson, Edward Patchell. .Tohu Jackson, George Reiter, George Mazurie, William Steele, 
John M. Snowden, Cramer, Speer & Eicbbaum. H. R. Wooley, Sutton, Irwin & Co., A. 
Kneelaud, Benjamin Darlington, John Gibson, Joseph Wiley, Jr., Thomas Taylor, 
McDonnell & Ekin. H. Bailey, John Little, John I. Wright, Joseph McCullogh, J. Tor- 
rens. J. McAdams, James George & Co., George Allison, Lewis Peters, J. W. Hunter, 
B. Troost, James Lanbie. Philip Mowry, Thomas Ingram, Alexander Smith, M. Stewart, 
Moses Twitchell, George Schwarts, Robert Cairns, Joseph Armitage, James McCracken, 
John Means, John Butler, William Caldwell, James McVicker, John McClintock, P. 
Gilland. Charles Wilkins, Jr., Robert Magee, R. Hilands, Joseph Davis, James M. Riddle, 
John Irwin, Henry Sutton, G. Fosdick, William Tait, John McCormick, Carter Curtis, 
Poster & Doan; Bolton, Encell & Co.; Allen & Grant, McCIurg & McKnight, Anderson 
& Bell, Samuel Smith, Armstrong & Ewlng. H. McClelland. C. L. Volz & Co.; Anshutz, 
Rahm & Co. ; Aaron Hart, James Liggett. John McGrew, John Wrenshall. Thomas 
Gormley, Charles Plumbe, George Miltenberger, Christian Latshaw, John Phillips, 
Solomon Stoner, John Hodge, James Park, Packabury, Peppard & Co., C. Patterson, W. 
Blair, James Patterson, William Dietsch, William Hays, William B. Irish, A. Kirk- 
patrick, Mark Stackhouse, George Forrester, Mahlon Rogers, David Logan, James 
Holmes, James McCully, Stephen Barlow, John Gibson, A. Ernest. Charles Mayes, John 
L. Johnston, English, Alexander & Co., Thomas Cooper, Robert McElhinney, Jr., Henry 
Holdship, Fred G. L. Buhring, A. Humbert & Co., Thomas Duncan, John W. Johnson, 
James Crossan, Robert Cochran, John Jones, Arch Richmond, James Wilson, Walter 
Glenn, John Meek, P. C. McCombs, John Linton, Thomas Fairman, William Robinson, 
John McClelland, James Arthurs, James Miller, Andrew Watson; Bakewell, Page & 



592 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Bnkewelh Jacob Beltzhoovev. John Gralisiin. William Semple. Bedwcll i& Co., William 
Moore. Ilcnn- Westhery. John G. O'Brien. .Samuel Yoving, John Caldwell, Andrew Wil- 
lock. A. Geary. John Haukart, James Cummings, Peter Beard, William E. Robinson. 
John Scott, Hugh Hazelton. A. & J. SherrifF. John Byrne, A. Brackenridge, James M. 
IIuliD, Thomas J. Lea, Neal & Miltenberger, Cromwell & Dobbin, William Watson, J. 
& J. WnsoD. Charles Craig, Arthur F. Gore, George Robinson, Benjamin Kendrick, John 
Osborne, Jacob Carniack. Daniel Si)eir, J. L. McMillan, Gormly & Bell, Averj' & Steven- 
son, Robert Alexander, R. L. Dunn. Ephraim Blaine, Scudder Hart, George Scott, 
William Church, John Poyntz, Andrew Johnson. 

Tliis memorial is indorsed, "Petition from citizens of Pittsburgh for a 
branch at that place, 1817." This fixes the date definitely. The petition sets 
forth fully the financial difficulties the people of this city labored under at 
that date. The currency, such as they were compelled to take, was bad, and 
as a consequence the rate of eastern exchange was high. To convert their 
depreciated currency into drafts on the east was a severe tax upon the mer- 
chants, and consumed all, or nearly all, their profits. The Bank of Pittsburgh 
had been in existence for three years, but appears to have been unequal to the 
occasion. The petition is valuable as showing the low commercial condition 
that followed upon the war of 1812. The signatures, too, are valuable, as 
embracing the active mercantile interest of the city. The reader will note 
among them the names of John M. Snowden, George Allison, "William Hays, 
John Darragh (J. & N. Darragh). George Anshutz (Anshutz, Kahm & Co. ) 
and Thomas Cromwell (Cromwell & Dobbins), all of them in the directory of 
the Bank of Pittsburgh elected in 1814; and this shows that it was not a 
movement against that bank, but one intended to supply what that bank could 
not furnish. The list also contains the names of Nathaniel Holmes, founder 
of the still extant banking-house of N. Holmes & Sons, established in 1826; 
Walter Forward, Isaac Craig, Ephraim Blaine (grandfather of James G.) 
and many others of note in the history of the city. 

The petition was successful. The branch was duly established, and 
remained here actively employed until the charter of the bank expired under 
the war upon it begun by the refusal of Gen. Jackson to approve the bill 
passed by Congress for its recharter. The marble building on Fourth avenue, 
now occupied by the Mechanics' bank, was built by the United States bank, 
and was used by it until the charter expired, or until the state bank of the same 
name broke. There is no doubt that the establishment here of this branch 
contributed largely to the relief of the merchants of the city fi-om the burdens 
of which they complained. The Tnited States bank, whatever else may be 
said of it, furnished a good and safe currency, and was always available for a 
supply of eastern exchange, the great want, then, of the entire western country. 

The next bank here was the Merchants' & Manufacturers' bank. It was 
organized in 1833, when Michael Tiernan was elected president. In the war 
upon the United States bank. Gen. Jackson removed the national deposits 
from it, and they were parceled out, for a few years, among several banks in 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 593 

each state. The Merchants' & Manufacturers' bank became the recif)ient of 
the national money here, and was much helped thereby. The removal of the 
deposits from the United States bank to so many state banks, however, caused 
a crreat expansion of the currency, of which the government felt the bad effects 
when the panic of 1837 supervened. The result was the establishment of the 
snbtreasury and the withdrawal of the national money from all the banks. 
The Merchants' & Manufacturers' bank was not seriously affected by this change 
of policy. 

The Exchange bank was chartered in 1836, with William Eobinson, Jr, . 
as president, who was succeeded in 1852 by Hon. Thomas M. Howe. The 
Mechanics' bank followed in 1855, the Iron City and Allegheny banks in 
1857. There were no new banks started until 1863-65, when a shoal of trust 
companies, savings banks and private banking companies organized as national 
banks. The First, Second, Third and Fourth National banks of Pittsburgh, 
the First and Second of Allegheny, the First of Birmingham, the Farmers' 
Deposit, German, People's, Citizens', Bank of Commerce, Tradesmen's and 
Union were all so formed in these years, and all the state banks except the 
Bank of Pittsburgh. The other national banks followed in subsequent years; 
but from 1857 to 1863-65 the banking business was carried on by the five 
state banks and a host of private bankers and incorporated companies, issu- 
ing no notes. 

In Thurston's ' ' Pittsburgh as It Is, ' ' published in 1857, a list is given of 
thirteen private bankers then doing business in this city. As a matter of his- 
tory the list is appended : 

George E. Arnold & Co.. established in 18.")0; Arthur, Rodgers & Co., 18.54; Harris & 
Co., 1848; Hanna, Hart & Co., 1846; W. A. Herron & Co., 18.55; Hill & Co., 184.5; N. 
Holmes & Son. 1826; S. Jones & Co., 1837; Kramer & Rahm, 1841; O'Connor, Bro. & Co., 
1851; R. Patrick & Co., 1851; William H. Williams & Co., 1848; John Woods, 1853. 

The following list of incorporated companies, issuing no notes, is also given : 

Farmers' Deposit bank. Citizens' Deposit bank, Pittsburgh Trust company. Com- 
mercial bank, Dollar Savings bank, Allegheny Savings bank, Mechanics' Saving Fund 
company, Merchants' & Farmers' bank, Manchester Savings Fund company. 

The Farmers' Deposit became a national bank in 1865 ; the Pittsburgh Trust 
company in 1863; the Citizens' Deposit became a state bank in 1857 and a 
national bank in 1864; the Commercial bank became first the Shoe and Leather 
bank, and afterward, in 1881, the Commercial National bank, and O'Connor, 
Bro. & Co. organized the Fourth National in 1864. "W'ith these exceptions, 
and those of N. Holmes & Son and E. Patrick & Co., among the private bank- 
ers, and the Dollar Savings bank, all the rest of the private bankers have gone 
out of business, and the incorporated companies have either died out or retired 
into comparative obscurity. 

Thurston, in "Pittsburgh in 1876," gives the list of private banking-houses 



694 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

at live at that time: N. Holmes ic Sou, estaljlished 1826: li. Patrick & Co., 
1850; liobiusou Bros., 18<J4; Semple ^ Jones, 185'J; T. Mellon <Sc Son, 1870. 
These houses are still in existence, and to them are to be added the names of 
Bea Bros., established in 1885, and W. A. Thompson & Co. 

The present condition of the banking business in this city will best be 
shown by the following lists, which give date of incorporation or organization 
and amount of capital in each case. 

Nntional Banks. — Allegheny, incorporated 18G5, amount of capital $5011,000; Citizens', 

1864, 1800,000; Commercial, 1881, |300,000; Diamond, 1870, |300,000; Duqucsne, 1875, 
$200,000; Exchange, 1863, 81,700.000; Farmers' Deposit. 1865, $300,000; Fort Pitt, 1879. 
$200,000; First Pittsburgh. 1863, $7.50,000; First Allegheny, 1864, 8350,000; First Bir- 
mingham, 8100,000; Second Pittsburgh, 1864, $300,000; Second Allegheny, 1865, $150,000; 
Third Pittsburgh, 1864, $500,000: Third Allegheny, 1875, $200,000; Fourth Allegheny, 

1865, 8300,000; Fifth Allegheny, 1875. 8100.000; German, Pittsburgh, 1865, $2.50,000; Ger- 
man, Allegheny, 1868, 8200,000; Iron City, 1865, $400,000; Marine, 1875, 8200,000; Mechan- 
ics', 1865, 8500,000; Merchants' & Manufacturers', 1865, 8800,000; Metropolitan. 1875, 
$200,000; Monongabela, 1888, |200.000; People's, 1865, $1,000,000: Pittsburgh National 
Bank of Commerce, 1865, $.500,000; Tradesmen's. 1865, 8400,000; Union, 1865, $2.50.000. 

State Banks. — Bank of Pittsburgh, incorporated 1814, amount of capital $1,163,6.50; 
Arsenal, 1871, $55,000; Masonic, 1869, $200,000. 

Individual Banks. — Central, incorporated 1868, amount of capital 8100,000; City 
Deposit, $50,312; Diamond Savings, 1869, $90,000; Fifth Avenue, 1869, $100,000; Key- 
stone, new, 8300,000; Nations for Savings, 1871, $100,000. 

Samngs Banks. — Anchor, organized 1873. amount of capital $57,350; City Savings, 
$100,000; Dollar, 1855, none: Enterprise Savings, $72,1.50; Freehold, 1870, $200,000; 
Farmers' & Mechanics', Sharpsburg, $135,000; Farmers' & Mechanics', $49,300; Ger- 
man Savings, Birmingham, 1871, $70,265; Gerraania, 1870, $150,000; Iron and Glass Dol- 
lar Savings, $100,000; People's, 1866, $300,000; Pittsburgh Bank for Savings, 1862, 
$75,000; West End, 1871. 862.600; Wood's Run. 1871, : Lawrence, $80,000; Odd- 
Fellows', 8100,000. 

INSURANCE. 

There are in the city twenty-two insurance companies, organized under 
state laws, with a cash capital of $3,825,000, with $119,000,000 at risk. They 
all, with few exceptions, declared dividends of six per cent and upward in 
1884, and paid $689,000 for losses. They all seem to be on a substantial 
basis and to be doing a safe business. .The insurance companies of several 
other states have agencies and do a considerable business here, besides. By 
dividing large risks among a nttmber of companies the loss by fire falls lightly 
upon each of them. The total assets of the twenty-two local insurance com- 
panies footed up over six millions in 1884, and their total income for that year 
was near $1,600,000. Notwithstanding the fi-equent losses met by the com- 
panies, their stock is a very general favorite for investment, though not so 
much so as bank stock. To show their general condition the following table 
is appended: 




'^/y ^/^-^^c^^^ 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 



597 



COMPANIES. 



Allemania 

Allegheny 

Armenia , 

Artisans' 

Ben Franklin 

Birmingham 

Boatmans 

Cash 

Citizens' 

City 

German , 

German American 

Humboldt 

Manufacturers' & Merchants'. 

Monongahela 

National 

Pennsylvania 

People's 

Pittsburgh . . 

Teutonia 

Union 

"Western : 



Total $3,825,000 



Capital. 

$:iOO,000 
100,000 
250,000 
100.000 
150,000 
200,000 
250,000 
100,000 
500,000 
100,000 
200,000 
100,000 
100,000 
250,000 
175,000 
100,000 
200,000 
200,000 
100,000 
125,000 
100,000 
225,000 



Income. 

1181,995 
26,554 
51,718 
41,756 
42,890 
55,403 

141,225 
21,945 

135.477 
92,959 

216,086 
48,219 
29,909 
54,721 
28,638 
37,118 

133,868 
88,558 
46,685 
35,217 
22,924 
63,719 



$1,597,583 



$77,588 
12,310 
24,635 
23,.592 
13,674 
15,477 
62,944 

4,078 
48,734 
50,269 
110,053 
13,462 

9,930 
11,638 

5,461 
13,875 
65,710 
60,303 
14,214 
12,571 
12,803 
27,133 



$689,264 $272,486 



$16,000 

8,000 

9,823 

8,104 

9,000 

12,000 

20,000 

7,920 

16.000 

8.000 

24,000 

6,000 

6,000 

22,500 

11,386 

8,000 

15,622 

12,000 

16,000 

7,500 

2,881 

15,750 



Risks. 

$12,876,350 
2,111,148 
4,806,300 
2,802,697 
3,076,988 
3,.503.o83 
7,030,862 
1,711,183 

10,81.'^, 042 
(i.7.'in.<j«l 

18,7(i(i,(isT 
3.6.'i-l,Li04 
2,49>s,175 
4.922,246 
2,038.880 
3,603,706 
9,699,014 
5,409.077 
3,097.826 
2, 898,971 
2,279,079 
4,938,627 



$119,298,226 



These companies have all been organized since the great tire of 1845. That 
fire completely wiped out every insurance company existing when it happened. 
Their oiBces were all in the track of the tire, and it swept away capital, assets, 
ofSce- furniture and the safes, with what was in them. Insurance companies 
were never calculated for such a calamity as that. The present companies 
always keep it in mind, however, and guard, as well as they can, against its 
repetition. A portion of the risks above detailed, it must be remembered, are 
marine risks. 

GENERAL BUSINESS AND STATISTICS. 

The principal business of Pittsburgh, from the beginning, has been manu- 
factui-ing. Nature pointed out the site for that purpose. Standing at the 
headwaters of inland navigation, and at the very gateway of the west, with fuel 
in abundance, and raw material accessible at all points, there was no spot in the 
west with equal advantages at the close of the last century, and at the close of 
this centui-y it still maintains its old pre-eminence. 

But manufacturing did not spring, like Minerva from the brain of Jove, 
full- orbed and well equipped. It was a plant of slow but steady growth. The 
demand was confined mainly to the west, and the west, for many years after 
the history of Pittsburgh began, was a wilderness. Ohio and West Virginia 
began to fill up gradually at the end of the last century, but the present cent- 
ury was well on in years before Indiana, Illinois and Michigan began to assume 
prominence. The west was poor, too, and the demand was restricted by pau- 
city of means as well as by sparseness of population. 

Manufactures, at first, were literally what the name implies, handwork. 
Tanneries grew up first; then the making of harness, saddles and other 



598 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

articles of leather; blacksmith shops were abundant, and wagon-makers' shops 
■were adjacent. Shoemakers were as plenty as saddlers; carpenters and brick- 
layers, but particularly stonemasons, were in demand. Stone was plenty, and 
bricks scarce, hence stone houses were plentier than brick ones for many years. 
Hatters were more numerous than tailors, and clock- and watch-makers were 
plenty. The coal-mines in Coal hill were first worked in 1760, but the demand 
was confined for a generation to the wants of housekeepers, who, it is likely, 
found wood as cheap as coal, and much cleaner. The first distillery was started 
in 1770, but, though of small capacity, found an abundant demand for its 
product. Boat-building began in 1777, but was confined to the building of 
barges, flats and skiffs. The first paper-mill was started at Brownsville in 1796, 
and the first saltworks in 1784. Education and religion do not properly come 
in here as manufactures, but were necessary adjuncts. The first church was 
organized in 1785, and the first school in 1786. The first foundry started in 
1790, but was more properly spoken of as a furnace. It was, in fact, a fur- 
nace, with appurtenances for producing castings as well as pig-iron. The fuel 
used was charcoal. It was not in Pittsburgh, but in Fayette county, where both 
charcoal and ore were abundant. The first glasshouse was put up in 1795 or 
1796, and the first rolling-mill began operations in 1812. Albert Gallatin, 
however, was ahead of Pittsbm-gh as the pioneer of glass-making, for he began 
to make window-glass at New Geneva, some distance above Brownsville, in 
1787. The old centui-y, it will be noted, was drawing well to its close before 
manufacturing, in the modern sense, began, and the new one had opened before 
it attained any prominence. In 1804 Cramer's Almanac says: "Do not be 
surj^rised when you are informed that the aggregate value of the articles manu- 
factured in Pittsburgh for 1803 amounts to upward of 1350,000." That 
was a big sum for those days, and indicates how quickly the business sprang 
into activity. 

But manufacturing was not, by any means, the principal business of the 
city for many years. Access to the east being difficult, laborious and slow, the 
traders of the west made Pittsburgh the center of their business operations. 
Hither came wheat, flour, grain of all kinds, bacon, peltries, furs, wool, potash, 
hemp, flax, flaxseed; and all other portable produce, including whisky and lum- 
ber, came in abundance down the Allegheny. All this was exchanged for dry 
goods, hats, shoes, saddles, harness, wagons, tinware, cutlery, iron and nails, 
guns, glass, clocks, furniture, and the thousand small things that go to the 
supply of human wants. The general jobbing trade of Pittsburgh has always 
been large and active from the beginning. For awhile after the railroads 
made access to the east so easy there was a lull in this activity, but, after a few 
years of jobbing in the east, country dealers found it as cheap and more con- 
venient to buy their supplies in this city, and the jobbing trade is as active 
to-day in Pittsburgh as it ever was. There has been a fading out of the com- 
mission-houses, which received consignments from the west and southwest by 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 599 

river, except what is needed to supply the local demand going east direct; but 
with this exception the general business of the city, outside of manufacturing, 
continues steadily to thrive and increase. There was at iirst, especially among 
railroad men, an idea that Pittsburgh business was confined exclusively to man- 
ufactures. The late J. Edgar Thompson, president of the Pennsylvania road, 
said to the writer, in 1858 or 1859, that Pittsburgh was no place for business. 
It was a market for iron, nails, glass, etc., but it was too dirty a place for dry 
goods and other wares to find a wholesale demand. He said this to justify the 
plan on which his road started out, to treat Pittsburgh as a mere way- station; 
but it is probable that he found out his mistake before he died, as have his suc- 
cessors. There are dry-goods and jobbing houses in this city doing business up 
in the millions yearly, and this is doing well for a place that failed to compare 
favorably with Philadelphia in the point of cleanliness. 

Until the railroad system crushed out the cheaper but less expeditious 
method of transportation by water, the business of boat-building was one of 
the chief industries of Pittsburgh. The first steamboats on the western waters 
were built here. In 1818 there were 22 steamers on the Ohio and Mississippi, 
and 23 more building, 9 at Pittsburgh, 5 at Cincinnati, 5 at Louisville, 2 at 
Wheeling, 1 at Corydon and 1 at Maysville. In 1835 a list was published of 
all the boats built on the Ohio river from 1811 to 1835, and of this list 197 
were built at Pittsburgh, 22 at Brownsville and 7 at Beaver. In 1836 the 
business took a sudden spurt, and 61 boats were built in this city in that year. 
In 1846 the number built was 63, besides keels and barges, and in the absence 
of specific figures it is fair to infer that the business was equally brisk in the 
intervening years. In 1852 the number built was 70; in 1853, 78; in 1854, 
83; in 1855, 72, and in 1856, 59. Besides these 59 steamers, there were 49 
keels, barges and flatboats built here in 1856, a total of 108, against 69 at all 
other points on the Ohio. In 1857 there were 84 steamers built at Pittsburgh, 
and from 1857 to 1875, eighteen years, 649 steamboats and 578 barges. The 
tonnage of the steamers was 155,243 tons, and of the barges, 100,883 tons. 
The business, however, had begun to fall off before 1875, and from that period 
to the present the construction of boats has been confined mainly to coal-barges 
and immense towboats for towing coal down the river. 

The total tonnage of the boats thus constructed here up to 1875 could not 
have been much below 350,000, and the total value not below 140,000,000. 
From 1836 to 1856 the value averaged more than a million yearly, and from 
1857 to 1875 it was nearly $22,000,000. This is a large item to drop suddenly 
out of the values of industry. 

The first statistical table of the industries of Pittsburgh is given in Cramer's 
Almanac of 1804. It is for the year 1803. Considering that the town was 
practically less than twenty years old, the showing is a remarkable one: 

Glass and glass cutting, S13.000; tinware, |12,800; bar-iron, axes, hoes, plow-points, 
etc.. S19.800; brass, andirons, still-faucets, e c, $2,800; cutlery, augers, chisels, hackles. 



600 HISTOliV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

planing-bits, etc., i?l.<'0(); cut !in<l hiuniiicrod nails, $10,138; cowbells, |200; guns, rifles,' 
etc., $1,800; clocks and silversmitli work, 4^3,000; grain-screens, 1120; scythes and sickles, 
fl.nOO; grindstones, tombstones, S2,000; cabinet-ware, Windsor chairs, etc.. S16,700; 
carpenter's planes, |850; wagons, carts, etc., |1,500; barrels, tubs and buckets, fl.l-iO; 
boats, ships, keel- and flat-boats 840,000; spinning-wheels, pumps, etc., |1,700; carpenter- 
work, $13, .500; candles, soft soap, etc., S5.600; beer and porter, $4,.")00; flour. 1.400 brls. @ 
$6, $8,400; boots and shoes, 112,365; saddles, bridles and harness, S9,.500; buckskin 
breeches and dressed skins, §2.300; clothing, price of labor only, 55,9.50; cigars, snuff and 
tobacco. $3,000; ropes, cables and bedcords, $2,200; mattresses, 19 Cd |20 each, $380: dyeing, 
cotton and flaxen yarn, $450; carded and spun cotton and woven striped cotton. $6,500; 
linen, tow-linen and linsey-woolsey. S3, 675; rag carpets, woven stockings, coverlid and dia- 
per weaving, $1,900; weaver's reeds, $200; hats, wool, fur and chip hats (chip hats, $675), 
$14,675; leather, tanned, $10,000; brushes, all kinds, $2,500; bricks, 1,250 M @ $4. .$5,000; 
crockery-ware,$3,500; mason-work, $10,500; plastering and paintiug.$3.500; books, printed, 
$1,000; total, $266,443. 

Remeiaber these are all home-made goods, not goods bought and retailed. 
The following are given as the principal items of barter in the trade carried on 
in the city: 

Whisky, 3,300 brls. @ $12 per brl., $27,600; linen, 700, 28,000 yards @ 40 cts. a yard. 
$11,300; linsey-woolsey, 4,000 yds. @ 50 cts., $2,000; tow-linen, 9,000 yds. @ 25 cts., $2,250; 
twilled bags. 3.000 @ §1, $8,000; striped cotton, 3,000 @ 80 cts., $2,400; raw cotton, from 
Tennessee, 30,000 lb. @ 25 cts., $7,500; maple-sugar, 15,000 lb. (To 12 cts, $1,800; lake salt, 
Onondaga, 1,000 brls. @ $12, $12,000; castings, 50 tons @ $100, $5,000; bar-iron. 80 tons 
@ $160, $13,800; flax, hemp, oats, cheese, etc., say $5,000; total, $92,550. 

The castings and bar-iron came from Fayette county, and should properly 
be in the other table, but both talsles are given as in the almanac. If no other 
sugar were imported, the grand total of maple sugar, 15.000 pounds, would 
give but a small modicum to each family in the town. The tables given, how- 
ever, are confined exclusively to home products. 

In 1806 Cramer's Almanac felicitates itself t;pon the prospect of a cotton- 
factory, a foundry and a woolcarding-machine. In 1807 it mentions that the 
"town is growing rapidly in importance." and records the following manufac- 
tories : O'Hara's glassworks, annual product $18,000; Kirwin & Scott's cot- 
ton-factory; McClurg' s foundry ; Poter's, Stringer's and Stewart' snail -factories 
(for hammered nails), producing forty tons a year; two breweries, O'Hara's and 
Lewis' , ' ' whose beer, ' ' adds Cramer, ' ' and porter are equal to that so much 
celebrated in London;" two rope walks, Irwin's and Davis' ; three copper- and 
tin-factories, Gazzam's, Harbeson's and Bamtin & Miltenberger's. 

In 1810 there were three glassworks, producing yearly §30,000 worth of 
flint-glass, and $40,000 in bottles and window-glass; two cotton -mills, driven 
by horse-power, producing yearly $20,000; one foundry, "which lately cast 
seventy tons of cannon-balls for the United States; one iron grindiug-mill; one 
white-metal button-factory, making forty to sixty gross a week; several fac- 
tories of ironmongery, producing §15,000 annually; several nail-factories, 
producing 200 tons yearly of hammered and cut nails: one factory of bridle- 
bits and stirrups; six copper- and tin-factories, producing $30,000 annually. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 



601 



These factories alone produced more than the entire industry of Pittsburgh 
in 1803, showing remarkable progress in so few years. Of the linen industry 
Cramer says that 52,800 yards of linsey-woolsey were produced in 1810, worth 
about .140,000, and that 80,000 yards of flax-linen were brought to the Pittsburgh 
market yearly. The manufactures of flax were then attracting much attention. 

Concerning floiu- and whisky, the almanac says : "Of these articles a vast 
and unknown amount is made throughout the country. There is too little for- 
eign demand for the former, and too great a home consumption of the latter. 
The old times were not better than the new in that respect. 

Altogether, the town had made much progress since 1803. " Kentucky and 
New Orleans boats, keels, barges, skiffs, etc., are made on all our rivers. " A 
new steam flourmill has been erected by Owen & Oliver Evans, with a capac- 
ity of 100 barrels a day, and Cramer says that within sixty miles of Pittsburgh 
" 4,000 tons of bar-iron, 18,000 tons of pig-metal and castings and 400 tons slat- 
iron were made annually, and 60,000 pairs of boots and shoes." 

In 1812 the almanac condenses from the report of the marshal who took the 
census of 1810 the annexed table of Pittsburgh industries: 



1 Steam gristmill, using 60,000 

bushels grain yearly $50,000 

3 Carding- and spinning-mills, pro- 
ducing 14,348 

1 Flatiron-mill 3,000 

1 Button-factory 3,000 

3 Distilleries, producing 600 barrels 

whisky 60,000 

3 Chandlers 14,500 

4 Brickyards, make brick worth. . 13,600 

3 Boat- and ship-builders 43,000 

1 Ropewalk 3,500 

3 Foundries 40,000 

10 Silversmiths, and copper-, tin- 

and brass-factories 35,000 



3 Redlead-factories $13,100' 

6 Nailworks 49.890 

3 Wagon-makers 3,000 

3 Glassworks 63,000 

3 Potteries 3,400 

3 Gunsmitheries 2,400 

16 Looms, producing 19,443 yai'ds 

cloth yearly 13,000 

3 Tobacconists 11,500 

6 Tanneries 15,500 

17 Turneries 34,400 

4 Cooperies 2,250 

Saddles, boots, shoes and hats. . .144,485 

Total $625,778 



The factories, it will be seen, are not only increasing in number, but the 
industries are growing more varied and valuable. 

In 1813 the glass-factories had increased to five, the foundries to three, 
and in new industries there was an edgetool- factory, a steam factory for mak- 
ing shovels, scythes, etc., Cowan's new rolling-mill just erected, Patterson's 
lock-factory, two steam-engine- and boiler-works, one steel-factory, and quite a 
number of smaller factories. In 1817 the city councils, by a committee, col- 
lected and published the following list of factories in the city: 



602 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Auger-maker 

Bellows-maker 

Blacksmiths 

Brewers 

Bnishmakers 

liuttoiimaker 

Colioii-spinners 

Copper- and tin-smiths. 

Cabinet-makers 

Currier 

Cutlers 

Iron foundries 

Gunsmiths 

Glass-factories, flint . . 
Glass factories, green. 
Hardware merchants.. 

Hatters 

Locksmith 

Linen-factory 

Nail-factories 

Paper-maker 



$3,500 
10,000 
75,100 
73,000 
; 8.000 
^ 6,250 
25,218 

200,000 

40,000 

12,000 

2,000 

180,000 
13,800 

110,000 

130,000 
18,000 
41,640 
12,000 
25,000 

174,716 
23,000 



Patternmaker 

Planemakers 

Potter, line ware 

Ropemaker 

Spiuningwhee! maker. 
Spanish brown maker 

Silver-plater 

Enffine-builders . . . 

Gristmills 

Saddlers 

Silversmiths 

Shoe and boot-makers 

Tanners 

Tallow-chandlers .... 

Tobacconists 

Wagon makers 

"Weavers 

Windsor-cliairmakers 
Woolen-manufacturers 

Wire-drawer 

Whitelead-maker. . 



$1,500 
57,600 

8,000 
15,000 

6,000 

6.720 
20,000 
125,000 
50,000 
86,000 
12,000 
120,000 
58,860 
32,600 
21,000 
28.500 
14,562 
42.600 
17,000 

6.000 
40.000 



Total 

Estimated by committee. 



1270 $1,957,166 
357 700,000 



Grand Total. 



2.59 1162712.657,166 



This, being an official compilation, carries more weight with it than preced- 
ing tables. Comj^ared with that of 1803, the progre.ss is astounding; and 
1817, it must be remembered, was just after the war of 1812, when every- 
thing in the shape of business was in a terribly depressed condition. 

In 1825 the Gazette of November 19th enumerates 7 rolling-mills, 8 found- 
ries, 6 engine-factories and 1 wire -manufactory. The glass product, in same 
year, was 27,000 boxes window-glass, §135,000, and flint-glass, §30,000. In 
1829 the Gazette enumerates 9 foundries, 8 rolling-mills, 9 nail-factories and 7 
engine-factories. The total consumption of iron in the mills was 6,000 tons 
pig, "and an equal quantity of blooms." In 1830 there were 9,282 tons of 
iron rolled and 100 steam-engines built. In 1831 there were 8 glasshouses, 
4 window and 4 flint, "using 7,000 cords of wood, 700 tons sand, 1,000 barrels 
salt, 40,000 pounds potash and 150,000 bushels coal, producing about $500,- 
000." There were also 12 foundries, with a yearly product of about §190,000. 
The following is the list of rolling-mills reported in 1831: 



Weight 

Mills metal used. Value. 

Union 720,0U0 $43,000 

Sligo 400,000 32,000 

Pittsburgh 782,887 86,.544 

Grant's Hill 500.000 20,000 



Weight 

Mills. metal used. Value. 

.Tuniata 500.000 S30,000 

Pine Creek 4.57,000 34, 100 

Miscellaneous 360.000 28.200 



In 1837 there were the following factories in operation: 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 



603 



FACTORIES. 



Value Product. 



13 Glass-factories 

6 Cotton-factories 

5 Breweries 

8 Lead- factories 

3 Ropewalljs 

9 Rolling-mills 

18 Foundries, engine- and machine-shop.s. 

Miscellaneous 

Mercantile business of the city 

Commission business of the city. ...... 

Coal trade of the city 



544 
900 
61 



107 
1,000 
1,000 



Total. 



§681.000 

770,000 

118,500 

206.000 

25(1.000 

4,160,000 

2,130,000 

3,290,550 

13.100.000 

5,87."), 000 

565,300 

131,146.2.50 



In 1857, twenty years later, Thnrstou, in "Pittsburgh as It Is," gives a 
volume of figores, which we condense below: 



MANUFACTURES. 



FACTORIES. 


Value of Product, 


FACTORIES. 


Value of Product. 


25 Rolling-mills 


$10,730,563 
1,248,300 
40,000 
836,300 1 
305,000 
833,742 ' 
334,500 ^ 

361,000 

250,000 

116,000 

30,000 

40,000 

12,000 

40,000 

30,000 

44,000 

20,000 

40,000 

28,875 

40,000 

15,000 

4.50,000 

193,000 

10,000 

200,000 

192,000 

1,269,6.55 

443,390 

2,631,990 

10,000 

170,000 

75,000 

60,000 

18,000 

10,000 

80,000 


5 Lime factories 

1 Slate roofer 

1 Stocking factory 


$48,000 




20,000 




.50.000 




10,750 


7 Boiler-yards 

4 Shovel and ax factories. . 


1 Washboard factory 

1 Porcelain teeth f actor3'. . . 

1 Kid glove factory 

1 Alcohol distillery 

1 Etherial oil factory 

3 Linseed oil factories 

2 Lard oil factories 

2 Varnish factories 

17 Tobacco factories 


6,7.50 
5,000 
6,650 


7 Chain factories ( 

100 Blacksmiths ) 


450,000 
20,000 


1 Railroad-spike factory. . . 


71,500 
60,000 


3 Cutlery factories 

2 Smut machine factories. . 

1 File factory 

1 Boiler rivet factory 


46,500 
443,700 
86,000 




864,500 




25,000 


2 Saddlery-hardware facts. 
1 Rivet-mill 




34,000 


2 Saddletree factories 

2 Coffee-extract factories.. 


5,000 




60,000 




33,000 


1 Gun and rifle factory . . . . 

1 Repeating pistol factory. 

2 Domestic hardware facts, 




40,000 


2 Bellows factories 

6 Saddlery-hardware facts. 

4 Trunk factories 

2 Patent leather factories. . 
1 Woolen factory 


10,000 
44,000 
30,000 




80,000 


1 Copper rolliug-mjll 


5.000 
1,000 


5 Cotton-mills 




5,000 






2,.500 


34 Glass factories 




11,000 


1 Stained glass factory 


1 Children's-carriage fact'y 


6,000 
12.480 




3 Pumpblock makers 

6 Turners 


10 000 


1 Japan ware factory 

1 Britannia ware factory. . 

1 Wire cloth factory 

3 Agrl. imp. factories 


55,000 


3 Ropewalks 


117,451 
70.000 


1 Oilcloth factory 


75.000 



604 



HISTORY OK ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



FACTORIES. 


Value of Product, j FACTORIES. 


Value of Product. 




5166,000 7 Sawmills "1 




2 Railroad-car factories 


65.000 ;l 17 Lumber-vards 1 

85,000 ,1 8 Sash and door fact's.. ( ■■ 

175,000 , 9 Planing-mills J 

204,500 1 Compass factory 

463,320 1 Gold leaf factory 

864,500 Coal 


8:^241,000 


6 Carriage factories 


10,000 


IS Tauneries 


25,000 
6,336,720 




114 000 " Boatbuilding 


1,924,800 


6 Marble-works 


75,000 Saddlery and harness 

503,000 Salt 


181,000 
130,000 




960,000 1 Iron railings 


.52,000 


1 Glue factory 


7,500 IJ Gilt molding 


25,000 









Hats, caps and furs 82.50,000 

Leather 2.52,000 

Boolis and stationery 225,000 

Tin and metals 216,000 

Feed 214,000 

Saddlery hardware 130,000 

Carpets 125,000 

Trimmings 111,000 

Sti aw goods 108,000 

Paper and rags 80,000 

China and queensware 75,000 

Wall-paper 50,000 

Bonnet factories 36,000 



This list comprises a total of about $40,000,000 for manufactures alone. 
For the wholesale trade this table is given: 

Groceries $5,812,000 

Produce 3,244.000 

Pic-iron 3,255.1.50 

Dry goods 2,843.230 

Clothing 960,000 

Boots and shoes 806,000 

Drugs 725,000 

Rectifiers and liquors 731.890 

Pork-packers 645,0i)0 

Hardware 615,000 

Jewelry and watches 375.000 

Variety goods 284.000 

Confectionery 279,000 

Soda 270,000 

Compared with the statement for 1837, these tables for 1857 show an 
immense stride for the twenty years. In 1837 the manufactures and coal 
trade footed up ?12,175,550, and 1857 shows a total of §40,000,000. The other 
business of 1837 is given at $18,975,000, and this includes the retail trade. 
In 1857 the wholesale trade alone, exclusive of the retail trade and commission 
business, is about $23,000,000. 

The next comparison is 1857 with 1876, the centennial year. Thurston, in 
his "Pittsburgh in the Centennial Year," gives a large surface of detailed 
statistics, but no condensed table of figures. We have condensed the follow- 
ing table from his figures in detail as carefully as possible, and can speak con- 
fidently of their general correctness: 

MANUFACTDKES, 



Hands. Toul Product. 



34 Sawmills and lumber-yards. 

38 Planing-mills, etc 

29 Carriage and wagon makers 

11 Furniture factories 

Carried forward 



391 

831 
400 
300 



1,812 



SI. 370, 000 

2.000.00O 

479,000 

1,400,000 



15,349,000 







7/ 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 



607 



FACTORIES. 



Hands. 


Total Product. 


1,813 


15,249,000 


340 


1,500,000 


65 


70,000 


20 


75,000 


8 


26,600 


240 


430,000 


27 


67,000 


2512 


$7,417,600 


1200 


2,.500,000 


1895 


2,250.000 


619 


500,000 


944 


1,3.50,000 


790 


600.(100 


5448 


$7,200,000 



Brought forward 

12 Coopersand stave dealers. 

5 Stair-builders 

3 Woodturners 

2 Bellows makers 

2 Coffin and casket works. . . 
1 Match factory 



Total lumber and products. 

24 Window-glass factories 

24 Crystal or table-glass factories. 

8 Vial and bottle factories 

11 Green glass factories 

9 Glass chimney factories 

Total glass products 



Hands. Busbels Coal. Total Product 



76 Pits on Monougahela river 

6 Collieries on Youghiogheny 

12 Collieries on P.. C. & St. L. Ry. . . . 
5 Collieries on Pennsylvania railroad 
5 Collieries on Allegheny Valley 

13 Collieries in and around Pittsburgh 

7 Collieries on P. & C. R. R 

45 Coking concerns 

Total 



6,440 
915 

1,859 

3,609 
550 

1,481 
675 

8,471 



69,409,000 
11,460,000 
16,290,000 
41,300,000 
8,250,000 
13,060,000 
17,700,000 
73,633,000^ 



$3,270,450 
573,000 
814.500 

2,165,000 
412,.500 
.583.000 
885.000 

1,452,640 



18,000 



178,069,000 



$10,076, 190t 



Total Product. 



11 Pig-metal furnaces 

33 Rolling-mills for iron 

17 Foundries 

9 Stove foundries 

11 Engine and machine shops. . . 

3 Malleable iron foundries 

3 Steam pump factories 

4 Builders' hardware factories. 
3 Saddlery hardware factories. . 

3 Plow factories 

4 Bolt and nut factories 

3 Locomotive factories 

2 Iron bridge factories 

1 Railroad spike factory 

1 Spike and rivet factory 

5 Wrought-iron pipe factories . 

2 Cast-iron pipe factories 

14 Boiler, tank and still factories. 

2 Chain cable factories 

1 
1 
1 
1 



Anvil factory 

Forge 

Wire and rivet mill 

Glossing and fluting-iron mill. 
Carried forward 



1,000 
10,148 



$3,000,000 
20,000,000 



4,300,000 



46 


100,000 


815 


450,000 


285 


400.000 


150 


650,000 


800 


1,380,000 


716 


1,350,000 


700 


1,500.000 


235 


750,000 


35 


1.50.000 


1,390 


3.500.000 


not running 

587 




1,. 500. 000 


135 


300,000 


30 


50,000 


40 


40,000 


30 


60.000 


10 


30.000 


18,458 


$38,310,000 



* Coke. 

tThis includes the amount consumed in Pittsburgh. It is impossible to separate this from the rest, but 
it probably amounts to fifty millions a year, or more, and fifteen million bushels of coke. 



€08 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Brought forward 

Galvanizing works 

Airbrake factorj' 

Cornice makers 

Macliinery and manufacturing supplies. 

Wood- working mnchinerj' 

Plumbers and gasfitlers 

Steam fitting 

Gun-barrel factory 

Carwheel factory 

Iron railing factories 

Sheet-iron, tin and copper workers 

Safe factories 

Steel factories 

Steel rail mill (Braddock) 

Railway steel spring factory 

Spiral steel spring factory 

Steel casting company 

Steel tool works 

File factory 

Crucible factories 

Total 



■29 Oil (petroleum) refineries 
6 Lubricating oil factories. 

3 Lard oil factories 

3 Linseed oil factories 

Total 



1 Lead smelting company (including silver). 

7 White lead factories 

3 Copper-mills 

10 Brass foundries 

2 Britannia-ware factories » 

Total 

5 Cotton-mills 

2 Woolen-mills 

Total 



4 Salt factories 

1 Pottery 

11 Marble-workers 

1 Hydraulic cement factory 

9 Fi'rebrick makers 

25 Building brick makers 

1 Glass-sand factory 

6 Sewer-pipe and terracotta factories. 
Total 



2.50 Cigar factories 

2 Tobacco manufacturers 

6 Breweries (ale) 

13 Breweries (lager) 

5 Flourmills 

4 Cracker factories 

14 Tanneries 

1 Glue, bouedust, etc., factory. 

6 Soapmakers 

4 Broommakers 

5 Brushmakers 



Total. 



H8Dd>. 


Total Product. 


18,458 


$38,310,000 


16 


50.000 


120 


400.000 


30 


50,000 




3011 01)0 


90 


1 ."lO OOll 


300 


(i.'io null 


40 


■,>iiii mill 


20 


40.000 


40 


100.000 


60 


160,000 


60 


120,000 


120 


l.")0,oOO 


2.000 


4, 200, 0( to 


500 


l,.500,0OO 


60 


390.000 


16 


80.000 


60 


100.000 


430 


545,000 


35 


TO.OOO 


57 


400,000 


22,412 


347,365,000 


514 


4,936.369 


103 


210.000 


15 


180.000 


36 


200,000 


658 


S5,526,369 


80 


82.600,000 


175 


1.000. 000 


100 


0."iO.0UO 


180 


400,000 


53 


90,000 


587 


$4,740,000 


1,090 


$1,0.50 000 


58 


125.000 


1,148 


$1,175,000 


34 


110.000 


40 


75.000 


162 


290.000 


oo 


35 000 


262 


540 OOO 


499 


327,000 


25 


75,000 


100 


225,000 


1,144 


$1,677,000 


1,000 


$1,500,000 


80 


125.000 


207 


750.000 


100 


360.000 


80 


900,000 


135 


500.000 


166 


8.50,000 


50 


6O.(M10 


50 


4.50 000 


133 


200,000 


50 


190,000 


2,051 


$5,885,000 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 



609 



FACTORIES. 



Distilleries . 

Architectural iron works 

Proprietary mediciue makers 

Japanned goods factories 

Enameled tin, etc., factories 

Tar chemical factory 

Glass mold factories 

Glass pot factories 

Woodenware factory 

Gasworks factory 

Agricultural iron factory 

Stained glass factories 

Plating establishment 

Confectionery factories 

Silver spoon and fork works 

Harness and saddlery hardware works 

Leather belt factorj' 

Picture-frame makers 

Showcase factory 

Paper-bag factory 

Paper-box factories 

Cigar-box factory 

Total 

RECAPITULATION 



34,000,000 

200,000 

1,.SOO.OOO 

300,000 

150,000 

.-)0.0()0 

70.000 

80 OOO 

70.000 

7."i.(i00 

130,(100 

so, (1(10 

3().0(»0 

4(;(»,(ioo 

10.(1(10 
2.50.000 
20,(100 
27."),(J(J0 
2.5,000 
40.000 
7.5,000 
10,000 



$7,600,000 



FACTORIKS. 



Lumber and products 

<Jlass products 

Coal and coke 

Iron and steel 

Tobacco, flour, etc 

Oil products 

Sundry metals 

Cotton and woolen 

Salt, pottery, etc 

Miscellaneous 

Total 

WHOLESALE BUSINESS. 

10 Dry goods houses 

9 Hardware houses 

4 Saddlery hardware houses 

7 Boot and shoe houses 

8 Leather houses 

8 Notion and fancy goods houses 

17 Liquor houses 

9 Druggists 

3 Wholesale clothing houses 

5 Hat and cap dealers 

3 Glass jobbers and dealers 

4 Lamps, glassware, etc 

6 China and queensware 

21 Grocers 

8 Pork dealers 

Hag and paper stock dealers 

10 Book and stationery dealers 

9 Metal dealers 

4.5 Produce dealers 

13 Cattle dealers 

Total 



Hands. 



2,513 

5,448 

18,000 

22,412 

2,051 

658 

587 

1,148 

1,144 

918 



54,873 



Total Product. 



17,417.600 
7,200,000 
10 076,190 
47,36.5,000 
5,885,000 
5,526.369 
4,740,000 
1,17.5,000 
1,677,1100 
5,88.5.000 
$94,662,159 



Vatue Sold. 



144 
78 
30 
59 
28 
30 
99 

104 

450 
27 
15 
40 
30 

190 
40 
90 
60 



$4,400,000 

1,250.000 

450.000 

1,600,000 

570,000 

600,000 

1,925,000 

1,200,000 

800,000 

2,50,000 

300,000 

350,000 

300,000 

10,250,000 

2,500,000 

330,000 

- 860,000 

6,200,000 

5,920,000 

33,980,000 



1,578 



$74,035,000 



610 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



GRAND TOTALS. 



Manufacturing business 
Wholesale business 



Total 

Total for 1837. 



198,662,1.59 
74,0:«,000 



1172.697,1.59 
63,000,000 



$109,697,159 



The last table in this series is compiled by the Pittsburgh Chamber of 
Commerce for 1881. 

Summary Statement, showing for the year 1881 the class of manufacturers, number of 
establishments, number of hands employed in each branch of industry (exclusive 
of the retail industries), with the value of the manufactured products in the cities 
of Pittsburgh and Allegheny and immediate vicinity: 



No. of 
establish- 
ments. 



CLASS OF MANUFACTURES. 



Number 
of bands 
employed. 


Value of 
product. 


365 


$675,000 


405 


467,000 


776 


1,450.000 


330 


1.300,000 


429 


1,895.752 


162 


430,000 


104 


127,000 


65 


142,000 


112 


124,875 


752 


1,462,000 


235 


620,000 


3,260 


2,400,000 


17,962 


12,208,306 


5,659 


4,423..559 


120 


975,000 


511 


1,283,. 583 


723 


1,153.000 


873 


785,000 


565 


1,021,000 


175 


1,154,000 


300 


400,000 


984 


730.000 


20 


30,000 


268 


4,470,000 


416 


500,000 


2,083 


3,9.53,000 


70 


1,1.58,930 


845 


1,029,500 


475 


1,220,000 


40 


20,000 


6,442 


6,832,683 


32 


57,000 


59 


257,000 


270 


525,000- 


170 


450.000 


18,905 


30,242,257 


2,285 


8,766,49a 


85 


204,000 


67.333 


$95,037,92S 



Agricultural implements. 
Boots and shoes. 
Boilers, tanks, etc. 
Brass- founders. 
Brewers. 

Bottlers 

Britannia ware 

Brushes 

Brooms 

Bridges, iron 

Bakers, crackers, etc. . . . 

Boating, rivers 

Coal 

Coke 

Copper 

Chemicals, acids, etc 

Cooperage 

Cotton-mills 

Clothing, wholesale 

Confectioners, wholesale.. 

Carriage-makers 

Cigars 

Cigar-boses 

Distillers 

Domestic hardware 

Founders, machinists, etc. 

Flouring-mills 

Fire-brick and tile 

Furniture, chairs, etc 

Files 

Glass 

Gold and silver plating . . . 

Guns, pistols, etc 

Grocers' supplies 

Harness and saddlery 

Iron, rolling mills 

Iron, blast-furnaces 

Iron railings and fences.. . 



Carried forward. 



1 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 



613 



No. of 
establish- 
ments. 



CLASS OF MANUFACTURES. 



Brought forward 

Iron roofs, cornices, etc 

Lubricating oil 

Lard oil 

Lumber, etc 

Looking-glass frames 

Miscellaneous lead and iron 

Miscellaneous manufacturing establishments. 

Nail-kegs 

Newspapers 

Paper-mills 

Plumbers and gasfltters 

Patent medicines 

Printing 

Paper boxes 

Planing-mills 

Pork-packers 

Railway supplies ' 

Steel 



Saws and tools. 

Stoves 

Soap. 



Salt and bromine 

Safes, fire-proof 

Steam pumps 

Stained glass 

Showcases 

Sawmills and box-factories 

Sawmills and barge-builders 

Sash, door, box factories and planing-mills. 

Tanners 

Tinners 

Tobacco, plug and smoking 

Upholsterers 

White lead and linseed oil 



3 




50 


100,000 










1,380 


Totals.... 


85,436 


$145,721,619 







Number 
of hands 
employed, 



67,332 

141 

61 

15 

1,450 

40 

1,0.50 

845 

75 

436 

535 

297 

197 

460 

80 

475 

150 

1,103 

7,060 

834 

406 

84 

90 

137 

60 

50 

41 

80 

830 

320 

345 

276 

123 

123 

306 



Value of 
product. 



195,037,938 
316,000 
638,000 
180,000 

3,748,000 
150,000 

5,963,921 

1,405,000 
53,000 

1,1.54,000 

1,345,000 
507,200 
649,050 
560,000 
90,000 
850,000 

1.000,000 

3,177,817 
18,378,830 

1,345,850 
693.000 
443,450 
166,557 
143,000 
110,000 
90,000 
97,000 
310,000 

1,0.50,000 
680,000 

3,183,000 
868,000 
305,000 
457,000 

1,673,000 



The summarized statement for 1881. gives the following totals: 

Manufactures 1145,721,019 

Wholesale trade 74,303,152 

Totals 1220,024,771 

Total for 1876 172.697,1.59 

Increase $47,327,612 

The report of the Chamber of Commerce for 1884 gives the total of busi- 
ness for that year as follows: 

Manufactures, mining and mechanical industries $181,014,000 

Commercial business, wholesale and retail 135,387,000 

Transportation, rivers 2,000.000 

Raihoad, express, telegraph, etc 10.400.000 

Professional and personal services 14,500.000 

Total $343,301,000 



614 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Here, in 1884, as compared with 1803, our starting-point of comparison, 
we have nearly every dollar of business in 1803 multiplied by a million. That 
is progress enough for eighty years. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Contindep). 

Lost Industries of Pittsburgh— First Oil-borings— Gaswells— Sources ok 
Supply— Artificial vs. Natural Gas. — Decrease in the Amount of 
Coal Used— Qualities of the Gas. 

IT would be an instructive lesson to point out the decayed industries of any 
city, although not a pleasant one to trace. In all growing places various 
industries spring up and flourish until the demand for them decreases; then 
they fall off and die out. Of these, in Pittsburgh, may be enumerated the 
manufacture of wrought nails, which was flourishing until cut nails supplanted 
the use of them; ship-building (including keels and flats), with its attendant 
sail-lofts, anchor, chain and block factories, which lasted until steam was applied 
to navigation; steamboat-building followed, was very flourishing for years, 
but has been gradually destroyed by the competition of railroads in the can-y- 
ing trade; transportation by wagon and stage-coach until the canals came, 
and by canal and river until the railways came, to which may be added boiler- 
and engine- Iniildiug for the boats. Then steam destroyed hand-spinning, 
knitting and weaving, just as the mowing-machine and harvester are destroying 
the sickle, the scythe and the grain-cradle. One of the latest instances in 
Pittsburgh is the oil-retining business. 

For years this city was the natural outlet for the petroleum so abundant 
for many years on the upper Allegheny river, and refineries sprung up here in 
great abundance, shipping their products, refined oils, to the west and to the 
seaboard. In 1860 there were 7 refineries in Pittsburgh, 17 in 1861, 26 in 
1862, 41 in 1863, 46 in 1864 and 58 in 1867. These had dwindled to 
29 in 1876, and in 1888 the oil-refining business is practically dead. There 
is still a little doing, but it is barely worth mention. It is not a lost art to 
Pittsburgh, but a lost industry. It rose, flourished and fell within the last 
twenty years. The business culminated in 1863, when the shipments east 
reached 27,000,000 gallons. 

The first attempt at sinking or boring a well for oil was made by Drake in 
1859. It was ridiculed at first, but, being successful, soon tempted the advent- 
urous from all sections to embark in the business. For awhile oil had to be 
pumped up by steam-power, but in a short time it began to flow freely without 



PITTSBUKGH AND ALLEGHENY. 6I& 

pumping. This brought the oil furor to a climax, and for years the oil-region, 
mainly in Venango county, was the center of a speculation wild and exciting, 
profitable to some, but ruinous to many others. Gradually oil was discovered 
east and north of Venango, in the Bradford (McKean county) district, and west 
in Butler county; but of later years it has been found abundant in Washington 
county, on the borders of West Virginia and in Northwestern Ohio, while the 
Venango district, in which it was first discovered, has been mainly abandoned. 
The old wells failed, and were given up; but lately they have been found to 
yield again upon lighter boring, and the business may thus get back again to 
the point at which it started. 

The first great difficulty in the oil trade was transportation. It was too 
bulky to find storage for any quantity of it, and the river did not always offer 
facilities for shipping it to market. Gradually the railroads traversed the 
oil region; tank-cars were made for its transportation; great tanks were built 
for its storage, from which it was pumped into the cars; and finally pipelines 
were formed, through which it was forced by pressure to market. It was this 
that broke up the oil industry of Pittsburgh. The Standard Oil company, a 
huge corporation, by making special terms with the railroads and getting pos- 
session of the pipe-lines, was enabled to concentrate the entire oil business in 
its own hands, and thus to undersell and drive out all the competing refineries. 
Cleveland, Ohio, was its headquarters, and as Cleveland was as near to the oil- 
region as Pittsburgh, after the railroads reached it, the refining business grad- 
ually dwindled here and grew up there. It was a malodorous and uncleanly 
business at best, and biit for the money involved in it the loss to Pitttsburgh. 
would not be a source of regret. 

Kindred to the oil business was that of using natural gas. This use, to 
Pittsburgh, is not yet a lost industry, whatever it possibly may be. The orig- 
inal oil-wells gave out, and some of the gas-wells have also failed; but the first 
gas-wells about Pittsburgh still hold out with remarkable regularity, and new 
ones are constantly coming in, the demand increasing as the supply increases. 

Although the extensive use of natural gas in manufacturing is very recent, 
the discovery of the gas itself is not a new one. It was found extensively in 
the oil-region, and became a nuisance to the borers from its constant escape 
through the holes bored for oil. It was oil they were boring for, and not gas. 
The borers did not know the value of gas then, and hence the appearance of 
gas, in boring, was as much a detriment as the frequent appearance of salt 
water in boring for gas. At New Cumberland, West Va. , gas has been sup- 
plied from wells for more than twenty years, and used in the manufacture of 
fire-brick. The East Liverpool (Ohio) wells have been burning for twenty-five 
years, and are still productive. Partial use was made of it by Spang, Chalfant 
& Co., at Etna, near Sharpsburg, in 1875-76, and by Graff, Bennett & Co., 
yet its general adoption as fuel dates back only to July, 1884. The Philadel- 
phia company, to supply gas as fuel to all who wished to become consumers,. 



616 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

was then formed, under the leadership of (ieorge M'estinghouse. Jr. The 
wells at and just beyond the eastern border of the city were the immediate 
stimulus to this movement, but it derives its main supply from the Murrays- 
ville gas-lield, where wells have l)een biu-ning for ten years or more. It has 
laid pipes from the wells to the city, has traversed all the main streets of the 
city with them, has absorbed or formed a union with several other compames, 
and now supplies nearly all the factories using it in the two cities. 

The transition from the use of coal to that of this non-producer of smoke 
has been simply wonderful. Prior to 1884 the city used 3,000.000 tons, or 
nearly 80,000,000 bushels, of bituminous coal in a year, the smoke from which 
hung in a black cloud, like a pall, over the city continually, discharging flakes 
of soot and tine dust in a steady downfall. The black, pall-like cloud has dis- 
appeared; the atmosphere is cleaner than that of most western cities, and the 
temptation to use bright colors in house-ornamentation is steadily growing. 
The consumption of coal has fallen much below a million of tons annually. 

Gas is used as a fuel in all the glasshouses, iron- and steel-mills, and all 
other factories, the sole exception being the blast-furnaces, no ingenuity hav- 
ing yet devised a plan for its use in smelting ores. In generating steam and in 
house warming it is in general use, and it has been found not only a cleaner and 
cheaper, but safer, fuel than coal, and it makes better iron, steel and glass 
than coal did. Its universal employment in every branch of industry proves 
this. The only question is, will it last? No one can answer that question 
definitely, but there is an undercurrent of fear everywhere that it will not. 
Compames for supplying gas are plenty, but their stock is not a favorite invest- 
ment, because of the di-ead that the gas-supply will not be permanent. But 
the advantages of gas as a fuel are so apparent that artificial gas will most 
likely take the place of natural gas if the supply of the latter fails. Various 
experiments in the manufacture of artificial gas are in progress, and it is 
reported that the Disstons, in Philadelphia, have succeeded in producing an 
artificial gas at a cost under ten cents a thousand feet. If so. the substitute 
for the natural article has already been found. 

The various sources of supply of natural gas are the Butler county field, 
which is piped down Pine creek to Spang, Chalfant & Co. and others: the 
Bull creek or Tarentum field, used extensively at and near Tarentum: the 
Murraysville field, which supplies the Edgar Thomson steelworks at Brad- 
dock, and partially the Philadelphia company, and the Washington county 
field, supplies being drawn from Cannonsburg and the region of the McGuigan 
well, near Hickory. There are wells, also, along the Ohio, down as far as 
Beaver, from which supplies are drawn for the city, and there is also a pres- 
ent good supply up the Monongahela river, above Monongahela City, but none 
of this is piped to the city as yet. The neighborhood of Grapesville, near 
Greensburg, in Westmoreland county, is also fruitful in supply, as also Free- 
port, in Armstrong county, and single wells here and there, in other places, 



i 



PITTSBUEGH AND ALLEGHENY. 619 

are to be found. The more durable wells tap the gas-productive strata at a 
greater depth than a thousand feet. The Tarentum field, already falling off 
partially, was tapped at 1,147 feet, and the Murraysville, which shows no 
signs of failing, at 1,337 feet. Veins struck near the surface soon give out. 
Of the chemical constituents of natural gas, the Engineers' society of this city, 
which has given it some investigation, has made a report, the substance of 
which is given by the Chamber of Commerce in its issue for 1884. It says: 

" The few investigations published during the past few years tend to show 
that it is essentially composed of the hydro- carbons of the series known in 
chemistry as paraffin. 

"The members difPer in their relative proportions of carbon and hydro- 
gen. The vapors of these hydro-carbons are heavier as the proportion of car- 
bon is greater. The calorific values show the superiority of marsh-gas, weight 
for weight, over all the others. Some are odorless; among the others, 
the odor is stronger in proportion as the amount of carbon is greater. A 
remarkable similarity of chemical properties is exhibited by all, and by reason 
of the strong attraction existing between them, the boiling-point of a mixture 
is always fovmd to be considerably higher than that of its most volatile constit- 
uent. They are theoretically the point of departure for the formation of a 
great number of useful compounds, such as alcohol, chloroform, acetic acid 
and glycerin, but on account of serious technical difficulties, due chiefly to their 
remarkable resistance to ordinary chemical reagents (paraffin, parum and affinis) 
they have never yet been turned to practical account. 

"In the lower sand-rocks of the oil-regions occur, probably, all the mem- 
bers of the series, the less volatile flowing as petroleum and the more volatile 
existing in a state of compression, ready to escape through every opening. 
Natural gas is, then, a mixture of the most volatile of these hydro-carbons, 
carrying various quantities of the vapor of the less volatile compounds. The 
lightest member, marsh-gas (so called from its constant occurrence among the 
products of vegetable decay), is the chief element of the gas supplied to Pitts- 
burgh. In addition to these, hydrogen, carbonic acid, oxygen and nitrogen 
are found. * As the gas and oil sands have a slight dip toward the southwest, 
the gas, in the southern part of the region, is drawn from rock-strata which 
are higher in the geological series than those yielding the gas in Northern 
Pennsylvania and New York state. If any attempt at a generalization may be 
made with the few data at disposal, it appears, then, that the deeper strata 
yield a gas of higher specific gravity and illuminating power. ' ' 

Although natural gas has illuminating qualities, but little effort has been 
made to use it in place of artificial gas for light. In the country, and in country 
villages, it may be seen in use as an illuminant; but the gas- vents along the pipe- 

* The followiDg is given as a chemical analysis of the natural gas used in Pittsburgh: Marsh-gas, .67; hy- 
drogen, .'2Si; carbonic acid, .06; carbonic oxide, .006; oxygen, .008; olifant gas, .001; ethylic hydride, .005; nitrogen, 
. 03; which is suggestive, strongly, of its vegetable origin. 



620 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

lines are used mostly for illuminatinf^ purposes in country villages, and in country 
houses and outhouses a burner is used that serves for lighting verj' well. 
Where artificial gas is obtainable it is always preferred, because, mainly, of its 
greater illuminating power. That of natural gas is not above half of that of 
artificial gas. But for heat, its use for cooking, for heating rooms, for keep- 
ing up a supply that needs no watching in greenhouses, it is unapproachable 
by any other fuel. It does not need to be carried in and about, like coal; it 
makes no ashes, and consequently makes no dust, and can be regulated at will. 
It saves great labor to the housewife, and reduces the tug and toil of house- 
work to a minimum. It has one drawback, and that is its drying power. It 
robs the air of its moisture very quickly, and, unless moisture in plenty is 
artificially supplied, will soon exhaust every article of furniture in a room of 
whatever moisture it contains. There is a tendency, also, to overheat a room, 
the heat being cumulative to some degree, and hence rooms grow warmer, but 
so slowly as not to be perceptible to its inmates. Still it is an invaluable heat- 
ing agent, clean and labor-saving; and it has proved a godsend to Pittsburgh 
in providing heat that needs no handling of materials, makes no dirt, does its 
work better in every way than coal, and has rendered the city much more tol- 
erable to occasional residents. The men who, in 1760, were forced to climb 
the almost perpendicular face of Coal hill to mine the coal that outcropped 
there, loaded it in sacks made out of oxhides, and then tumbled the loaded 
sacks down the hill to its foot, for transport across the river to Fort Pitt, 
would have been more astonished than the crew of Columbus were when 
America was discovered, could they have foreseen the advent of natiu'al gas. 

It may be added that though the use of gas has cut off the home demand 
for over two million tons of coal, the foreign, or down-the-river, demand for 
coal has more than made up for it. The southwest gets all the advantage of 
an increased supply. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

PITTSBUEGH AND ALLEGHENY (Continued). 

Population— Health— AVe.\ltii— Water— Streets— Debt— City Bol'xdaries 
—The Wards— Additions. 

IN 1790. when the first United States census was taken. Pittsburgh had no 
separate existence as a town. The county, formed in 1788, was at first 
divided into nine townships — Pitt, Plum, Versailles and Elizabeth between the 
rivers, St. Clair, Moon and Mifflin south of the rivers, and Deer and Ohio 
north of the river. The small town of Pittsburgh formed a part of Pitt 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 



621 



township, aud continued such until 1794, when it was formed into a borough; 
but Pitt township extended to Turtle creek, and hence the population of that 
township affords no criterion to judge that of the town by. And there is noth- 
ing definite about the town's population at that time to form even a good es- 
timate on. In 1788 Dr. Hildreth, then on his way to Marietta, a new settle- 
ment on the Ohio, says that " Pittsburgh then contained four or live hundred 
inhabitants." The census taken by the borough in 1796 gave a total of but 
1,395; and from all this it is fair to infer that Hildreth' s estimate, in 1788, 
of a population of 400 was nearly correct. The following table will therefore 
indicate the small beginning and the rapid increase of the city's population: 





Population. 






Pittsburgh. 


Allegheny. 




1790 (estimated) 






400 


1800 






1,565 


1810 






4,786 


1830 






7,248 


1830 


12,568 
21,115 
46,610 
49,317 
86,076 
156,381 


4,420 
10,090 
31,263 
38,703 
53,180 
78,681 


16,988 


1840 


31,205 


1850 


67,872 


1860 


77,919 


1870 


139,256 


1880 


235 063 







This comprises only the population contained within the corporate limits of 
the two municipalities. If to these totals the population of the boroughs im- 
mediately adjoining the two cities were added, the figures would be increased 
to 38,931 in 1840, to 79,873 in 1850, to 124,844 in 1860, and to 199, 130 in 1870. 
Before 1880 the boundaries of both cities were extended so as to take in nearly 
all the adjoining boroughs; but in 1890 the population outside of but immedi- 
ately adjoining the corporate limits will be as great as it was in 1870. In 
American cities ttis suburban population mirst always be large. 

The estimate for 1890 puts the popixlation of Pittsburgh at 250,000, and that 
of Allegheny at 125,000, which is more likely to be under than over the actual 
figures; but estimating futtu'e figures is like reckoning without your host, never 
certain and not always safe. It is nearly sure, however, that the figures of 
1890 will approach near to 400,000 for the population of the two cities and 
adjacent boroughs. From four hundred to four hundred thousand is a com- 
fortable growth for the first hundred years of oiir existence ; and the figures 
are here put on record for the benefit of the future historian of 1990, who, it 
is to be hoped, will not have the trou^ble in gathering up his figures that the 
writer of this history has had. 

The health of Pittsburgh has always been good. Notwithstanding the dirt 
and discomfort which unavoidably attended the use of coal as fuel, and not- 
withstanding the further fact that dirt begets dirt — that people living in a dirty. 



622 HISTOItV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

(l('filiii<^ atmospbero hoeoiue so used to their liltby surroundings as to regard 
them as a part of their daily life, and submit to dirty streets and dirty clothes 
as a part of the inevitable — the health of the two cities has always been 
remarkable. Only for rare periods has the annual mortality exceeded twenty 
in the thousand of population, and this is as safe a criterion as it is possible to 
offer. Fifty years ago Dr. Denny, a skilled and observing physician, called 
attention to the salubrity of the city's position. It is not jireteuded that 
Pittsburgh is a sanitarium or health-resort. It is hot in summer and cold in 
winter, and has all the dirty characteristics of a great manufacturing place; 
but still its citizens feel much pride in its reputation as a health}' place. The 
cholera, in its visits of 1S82 and 1854, although severe in its visitations, was 
not so fatal here as in many other cities, and its ravages, in fact, were confined 
to a very limited locality; and other epidemics, such as smallpox, have yielded 
easily to municipal control, and have been confined to the neighborhoods where 
they first broke out. There have been local outbreaks of typhoid fever, scarlet 
fever, and such diseases, from local causes, but a severe discipline has kept 
them within their original bounds. While west of us the ague was always 
prevalent, and east of us, also, to a more limited extent, this bill-country of 
Western Pennsylvania has always been free fi'om diseases of malarial origin, 
and the sulphur in the air of a coal-consuming city has been favorable rather 
than unfavorable to lung-diseases. True, people die here of consumption, just 
as they do everywhere; but it was Dr. Denny's belief, fifty years ago. and of 
eminent doctors since then, that the climatic conditions of this place do not 
develop, but rather restrain, any tendency to lung diseases. 

One drawback to complete healthfulness does exist, and that is the want of 
a complete system of drainage. No city is better situated for drainage. With 
three rivers to bear off the sewage, and hills on every side affording all the 
slopes needed for drainage, nature has done her best to furnish all the condi- 
tions necessary, except the will and the means to use them. For a long time 
Pittsburgh and Allegheny both depended upon surface drainage; but within a 
few years past public attention has been so directed to the want of a system of 
imderground drainage that sewers have now become numerous, and are daily 
growing more so. Much yet remains to be done; but the beginning has been 
made, and the city will soon have a complete system. The financial inability 
of the municipality itself to undertake this costly work has doubtless hindered 
it, but the capital of property owners is now being directed to it, and will 
accomplish what taxation shrinks from. Twice has the city been on the verge 
of financial bankruptcy ; once by lending her credit to the building of railroads, 
and once by an extended system of street improvements. She has got over 
both efforts; but she is cautious about undertaking anything so cosily as a gen- 
eral system of sewerage would prove to be. The property-owners will build 
the sewers, slowly but surely. 

And this brings into consideration the wealth of the city. This it is hard 



riTTSBUKGH AND ALLEGHENY. 623 

to measure, but the few data available will suffice to form a judgment. The 
valuation of real estate in Pittsburgh and Allegheny was, in 1883, $175,- 
383,766; this had grown in 1888 to over $213,000,000. But this is the assess- 
or's valuation only, notoriously under the real figures; it is probable that 
$400, 000, 000 would be nearer the actual amount. The appended table is a mere 
estimate, but it is an estimate carefully made, of the actual wealth of the city: 

Real estate, actual value, §400,000,000; mauufacturing, capital invested, $13.5,000,000; 
railways, street and other, $5,000,000; wholesale and retail trade, capital employed, 
$40,000,000; steamboats, principally used in coal-towing, 810,000,000; national banks, 
capital. $11,450,000; other banks, capital, $3,950,000; various corporations, capital invested, 
$40,000,000; insurance companies, capital, $4,500,000; coal and coke companies, capital, 
$12 300.000; blast-furnaces, $5,300,000. Total wealth, $667,500,000, 

WATER STREETS DEBT. 

The city of Pittsburgh has had a good supply of water, drawn from the 
rivers, for a very long period. Prior to the establishment of a water-works, 
the siipply was drawn almost exclusively from pumj)S. These piimps were 
affixed to deep wells, and the water was not only cool and pleasant to the taste, 
but, until the town became thickly settled, healthful. Fine springs also 
abounded along the base of Grant's hill, and in other parts of the city. These 
pumps remained in use throughout the city until after 1 840. 

The first water- works was built in 1826, on the corner and on both sides of 
Cecil's alley and what is now Duquesne way, about half a square below the 
Sixth street bridge. A strong pair of engines forced the water from the Alle- 
gheny river to the top of Grant's hill. The l^asin occupied the western side of 
Grant street fi-om Diamond alley to Fifth avenue, and from Grant street to 
Cherry alley. It was abandoned in 1843, or shortly afterward, and the city 
sold the site in 1848 for the purpose of redeeming its shinplasters, called "city 
scrip," and the alley through the middle of it was called " Scrip alley," in 
commemoration of the fact. St. Peter's church and the buildings between 
Grant street and Cherry alley now occupy the site of the old basin, and the 
height of the level of the basin was the original height of Grant's hill, which 
was the height of the courtroom floor of the old courthouse, burned in 1882. 

Remembering that the original town extended only to Grant street, this 
basin was at a suflScient elevation to supply the whole city with water at the time 
it was built. The water, too, at that time, was good, but is now, at the site of 
the old pumping-house, foul with the drainage of sewers above it. 

The second water- works was put up in what is now the Ninth ward, a short 
distance above the eastern line of the original town. Thence the water was 
drawn from the Allegheny river, and forced up to a new reservoir on what is 
called, in an act of assembly of 1843, "Stone-Quarry hill." This was 
known as the Bedford street basin, and the hill is the one which towers above 
the Pennsylvania Central depot, and on which the Pittsburgh high-school has 



624 HIHTOllY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

since been erected. This basin, at the time it was l)uilt (1848), was above 
all the parts of the city then built upon, but the city has since spread all 
around and above it, and the water-supply is now drawn mainly from the 
Hiland street reservoir, on a high bluff above the Allegheny, and from Her- 
ron's hill, the highest point of land about the city. 

The third and present water- works was erected in 1871-74, and is at Brill- 
iant station, on the Allegheny Valley railroad, very near the present eastei'n 
boundary of the city. The water is forced by several very powerful engines 
first to Hilaud reservoir, and thence, for the supply of the highest parts of 
the city, to Herron's hill. The lower and main parts of the city are supplied 
direct fi-om the Hiland .reservoir. The South Side is supplied by the South 
Side Water company, a private corporation, drawing its supply from the Monou- 
gahela above the first dam. 

The streets of the city have always been a source of trouble, especially 
those streets over which the surface drainage was carried. The first paving 
material used was cobblestones, and many streets are still paved with this 
material. When wooden pavements came into use, the craze in their favor 
broke oiit with great violence, and the city was run into an enormous debt, 
incurred in constructing them. These pavements were very nice to drive over, 
for awhile, but soon wore into holes and rotted rapidly. Then the craze for 
asphalt pavements, of every kind, broke out, and ran the city into further extrav- 
agance. The rapid extension of the city limits, bringing in an enormous num- 
ber of new streets, unpaved, has been an embarrassment to the city, which finds 
continual trouble in paving them and keeping them in repair. Since the city has 
reached the constitutional limit of indebtedness, it can no longer borrow money 
for street pui-poses, but is making judicious use of what means it can spare to 
bring its streets, as far as possible, into decent condition. 

The debt of the city (now about $14,000,000) has been incurred mainly in 
paving streets and building water- works. The old city, up to about 1850, had 
a debt under $1,000,000; to this was then added $1,800,000 of railroad sub- 
scriptions, paid by the issue of city bonds. This old debt, including the rail- 
road debt, is in regular course of extinction; the bulk of what remains has 
been added since 1860, and the city now has it in good control, meeting its 
interest regularly, and gradually wiping the debt out by the aid of its sinking- 
funds. Its present rate of taxation is heavy, but ought to decline, as it 
probably will, in the course of a few years. 

During the panic of 1837 the city, being either unable to collect taxes, or 
being otherwise hard up for money, issued scrip, or " shinplasters," of the de- 
nominations of $1, $2 and $3, to the extent of $300,000, and this remained in cir- 
culation until 1848, when the old water-reservoir lot was laid off and sold, the 
proceeds being used to redeem this outstanding scrip. Small sums of this 
issue were in private hands until a few years since, but it is probably now all 
redeemed. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 625 

CITY BOUNDARIES THE WARDS ADDITIONS. 

The boundaries of the city of Pittsburgh remained the same as those of 
the borough until 1837. Prior to that time a borough had grown up east of 
the borough line, between the hill and the Allegheny river, known as the 
"Northern Liberties," but it was generally known as " Bayardstown; " 
probably the Bayards surveyed and laid it out in lots. It was incorporated as 
a borough in 1829, and in 1837 was added to the city as the " Fifth " ward. 
The city had been, up to that time, divided into four wards — the West, South, 
East and North. The West ward was the present First; the South, the 
present Second; the East, the present Third, and the North, the present 
Fourth. The Northern Liberties, brought in as the Fifth, is now the Ninth 
and Tenth wards, and what is now the Fifth ward was originally added to 
what was then the East or Third ward. The lines of the Northern Liberties 
are thus given in the act of incorporation of 1829: 

Beginning at tlie corner of Penn and Washington (Eleventh) streets, on Alexander 
Laughlin's land; thence along the line of the city of Pittsburgh to the middle of the 
Alleghen}' river; thence by the middle of said river up the same to a point o])posite John 
McDonald's and Joseph Patterson's line, adjoining O'Hara's property; thence southeast- 
wardly to said McDonald and Patterson's line, and along said line and that of Boyle 
Irwin to his southeastern corner; thence along his line, at or near the foot of the hill 
commonly called Grant's hill; thence to the southeastern corner of the Methodist bury- 
ing-ground, thence along the southern line of the said buryiug-ground, and by a line pur- 
suing the course thereof, to the line of the city of Pittsburgh; thence by the said line 
to the place of beginning. 

The only easily recognized points in this description are the starting-point 
and the Methodist burying-ground, which is now covered by the buildings of 
the Pennsylvania depot. * 

The present digest of the laws applying to Pittsburgh does not contain any- 
thing relative to the extensions of the city boundary by which the present 
Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Eleventh and Twelfth wards came into the 
city, but an older digest does, and from it we learn that on June 16, 1836, an 
act of the legislature was passed creating what was called a "city district" 
out of parts of Pitt township, adjoining the city, which was subdivided into 
sections, each section being admissible to the city as a ward, upon a vote of its 
citizens, at an election to be held under the direction of the court of quarter 
sessions. LTnder this act what is now the Fifth ward came into the city as a 
part of the Third ward; what is now the Seventh and Eighth wards came in as 
the Sixth ward; what is now the Eleventh ward came in as the Seventh ward; 
what is now the Sixth ward was brought in as the Eighth, and what is now the 
Twelfth ward was brought in as the Ninth. All these changes were made by 
ordinance of councils, after the popular vote had been taken, and the dates of 
these ordinances range from July 7, 18-45, to December 15, 1846. 

By the act of April 6, 1867, a wholesale addition to the city was authorized, 
which took in the East End, Allegheny City and the South Side; but this was 



026 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

divided into three districts, and tlie acceptance of the act was left to a vote of 
the people. The East End district voted to accept; the other two divisions voted 
against acceptance. The result was that the territory in the East End, from the 
present Twelfth ward eastward, was added to the city, which was divided into 
fourteen additional wards from the Tenth to the Twenty-third. ' The old Fifth 
was divided into the Ninth and Tenth; the old Sixth, into the Seventh and 
Eighth; the Eighth changed to the Sixth, the Ninth to the Twelfth, and the 
Seventh to the Eleventh. By the act of April 2, 1872, the several boroughs 
on the South Side, viz., Ormsby (Twenty- fourth ward), East Birmingham 
(Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth), St. Clair (Twenty-seventh), Birmingham 
(Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth), South Pittsbm-gh (Thirtieth), Allentown, 
(Thirty-first), Mount Washington (Thirty-second), Monongahela (Thirty-third), 
West Pittsburgh (Thirty-fourth), Union (Thirty-fifth) and Temperanceville 
(Thirty-sixth ward), were also added to the city, and this completes the present 
boundary lines. 

On the outside of the city, on the South Side, are the boroughs of Knoxville 
and Beltzhoover and the village of Mount Oliver, and on the East End, Wilkins- 
burg, all nearly, if not quite, ready to drop into the city's arms. It need not 
surprise anyone if the city lines soon extend from Beck's run, on the Monon- 
gahela, to Chartiers creek, and take in the bulk of Chartiers township. Green 
Tree, Knoxville, Beltzhoover, and what is left of Lower St. Clair township, on 
the South Side, and Sterrett township on the east. The heavy indebtedness of 
the city is the only drawback; but this will gradually diminish, and with it. 
whatever of opposition is likely to arise. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Continued). 

Fire Department— Its History— The Bucket Brigade— Fire-Engixes— The 
Paid Department— Police Department— Its Growth in Numbers and 
Efficiency. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

IN the original plan of the town of Pittsburgh the lots were 00x240 feet, 
which necessitated, as a general rule, the building of detached houses. It 
was possible to build what is known as "semi-detached " houses, that is, two 
houses built together with but one on each lot, but this could be the case only 
when one man owned two adjoining lots, or where the two owners of adjoining 
lots agreed to build together. As a matter of fact, " semi detached " houses 
were never built in the early history of the town. The house on each lot, for 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 629 

a long period, was built standing by itself, detached from all adjacent build- 
ings. If lire occurred in any one of the buildings it could not easily extend to 
an adjacent one, and consequently the danger of fire was reduced to a mini- 
mum. We therefore hear little or nothing of tires in the first years of the his- 
tory of the place. Some of the houses were of stone and brick, but the most 
of the first buildings were made of logs. Logs were the cheapest material, and 
the most accessible. The first accounts we have of the town sjjeak of it as con- 
sisting mainly of log houses. A log house, well built, was warmer and more 
comfortable than a weather-boarded frame house, and much cheaper and more 
easily put up than a brick or stone house. The danger from fire from within 
was really not miich greater in a log house than in a brick or stone house, and 
the danger fi'om without was lessened by the large space intervening between 
the several houses. It was not until the city became more compactly built up 
that the danger from fire made precautious against it needful, and this did not 
occur until the second or third decade in this century. At least, steps for a 
free supply of water were not taken until then. 

The water-supply of the old town of Pittsbiirgh was drawn mainly from 
pumps and springs. The rivers may have supplied a few persons living upon 
their banks, but the river water was too warm in summer and the ice was too 
abundant in winter to make this source of supply go very far. Along the base 
of Grant's hill there were numerous springs, which were in use as late as 1840; 
but the main dependence was upon wells, sunk to the strata of sand and gravel 
which underly the city, and these, until 1825 or 1826, furnished all the water 
that was needed for home uses and for the extinction of fires. They also fur- 
nished whatever water was needed for running steam-engines in the factories, 
each steam-engine pumping all the water required to make the steam to 
run it. 

But the number of pumps, at first, must have been very limited. Lot-own- 
ers might be willing to incur the expense of sinking wells upon their own prop- 
erty to supply the wants of those occupying the premises, but few of them, 
apparently, were public-spirited enough to sink them for the accommodation 
of the public. The borough was chartered in 1794; and we find that as early 
as 1802 the public mind was in a ferment about the necessity for public pumps. 
The feeling was so strong that the borough authorities convened a town-meeting, 
August 9, 1802, to consider the subject of water supply. From the records of 
the borough the following statement of that meeting is taken : 

At a meeting of the burgesses, freeholders and other inhabitants, householders of the 
borough, agreeable to public notice by the Pittsburgh Gazette, the following report was 
made. viz. : 

That, in pursuance of a resolution of the corporation at their last meeting, the bur- 
gesses and assistants proceeded on the 4th instant to view such parts of the borough as 
were presumed most immediately to require a more efficient supply of water. In conse- 
quence of that view the burgesses are of opinion that on Market street four wells 
with pumps are necessa^}^ viz., one between Front and Second; one between Second and 



630 HISTOHY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Third sliuets; onu between Third iind Fourlli streets; siud one at the courthouse. With 

respeet to the liitter the buri^esses have * that the commissioners of the county 

will apree that it sliall be executed at the expense of the count}'; with respect to the three 
former, it is their opinion that the expense will be most equitably defrayed by a tax on 
property contiguous to the wells and pumps, viz., both sides of Market street, extending 
from Water street to Fourth street, and extending westwardly to Chancery lane and 
Jail alley, and eastwardly h.xlf tlie distance from Market to Wood street. 

On the minutest inciuiry it is found that the expense of sinking and walling a well in 
this borough will amount to §120, and a pump, with the ironwork, S55 — ^175; there- 
fore, three, with pumps, will amount to $335. In consequence of the preceding report, 
on motion of Judge Addison, the following ordinance was passed by a large majority, viz.: 

Be it ordained by the burgesses, freeholders and inhabitants, householders of the 
borough of Pittsburgh, duly assembled, that the burgesses are hercb}' authorized and 
empowered to liave wells sunk and pumps erected in such parts of the borough as they 
may think most advisable, beginning with Market street; and it is further ordained, that 
where individuals have at their expense sunk wells and erected pumps in the streets in 
useful and necessary parts of the borough, that a compensation shall be made them, 
assigning them for public use, the whole expense to be defrayed by a general tax. 

WilIjIam Christy, Cte'A . Isaac Craig, Chief Burgess. 

This was the action of a pure democracy — legislation by the people them- 
selves. The burgesses, it will be noted, asked only for three wells, to be paid 
for by a. special tax on the parties benefited; but the people answer by con- 
ferring a general power to sink wells wherever needed, to be paid for by a 
general tax. This would seem to indicate a general urgency for wells and pumps, 
and a general willingness to bear the burden of the cost; and it is not unlikely, 
although not so specified, that the fear of fires stimulated this general willing- 
ness to be taxed for a water-supply. 

The first method of extinguishing fires was by forming lines of citizens 
from the fire to the pumps, one line passing the filled buckets from the pump 
to the fire, and the other passing the empty buckets back to be refilled. This 
was a slow and uncertain method, yet I have seen fires in country towns extin- 
guished in this way as late as 1846, or within the last fifty years. Where 
buildings were detached, the fire was usually confined, by this method, to the 
building it orginated in. If it had but little headway when the line was first 
formed, it was easily extinguished; but if it had got a good start before the 
water could be poured on it, the main effort of the citizens was confined to 
preventing its spread to other buildings. The whole community, men, women 
and children, under such circumstances, belonged to the fire department, and 
everyone worked with determined earnestness and a resolute good- will. The 
passing of buckets at a fire, especially when the weather was a little cold, was 
real hard work; and working the pump constantly required a steady relay of 
help. Yet everybody, at such times, felt called upon to help all he cotild. If 
any fires occtirred in Pittsburgh prior to 1802, and the people were forced to 
form long lines to distant pumps, the unanimity with which the inhabitants 

* Tiie copy ia illegible here; the word used, probably, is " learned." 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 631 

expressed a willingness to be taxed for erecting more pumps can easily be 
understood. 

From the sketch of the tire department appended to this chapter it will be 
seen that as early as 1794 the citizens had formed a volunteer fire company, 
and obtained a small fire-engine, to be worked by hand, from Philadelphia. 
This was the ' ' Eagle, ' ' and was a very small affair, worked by a lever at each 
end by four men, two to each lever. This would send water up a considerable 
distance, and squirt a small stream into the fire, which was far more effective 
than emptying water by hand by the bucketfiil. By this, the original method, 
water could be carried up to the upper part of a house on fire only by ladders, 
and even then a bucketful could not always be delivered where it would do the 
most good. The hand fire-engine removed this difficulty, but its supply of 
water was derived solely from the hand- bucket brigade, who first pumped it 
from the well, and then carried it to the engine by the bucket-line. Even with 
the engine the supply of water was limited by the capacity of two or three of 
the nearest pumps. That was tnily the day of small things. 

' 'An act to authorize the corporation of the city of Philadelphia to oblige the 
owners and occupiers of houses in the city of Philadelphia to procure buckets, 
etc., to extinguish fires," passed April 18, 1795 (3d Smith, 245), was extended, 
with other acts relating to Philadelphia, to the city of Pittsburgh by the fifth 
section of the first act of incorporation, passed March 8, 1816. Under the 
powers thus conferred the councils of Pittsburgh early_ passed an ordinance 
requiring each owner and occupier of a house to keep on hand in his house a 
certain number of leathern buckets, with the owner' s name plainly inscribed on 
them. These were for use in extinguishing fires. Leathern buckets were required 
because wooden ones were so easily broken, and the painting of the owner's 
name on them was necessary to enable him to reclaim them when the fire was 
over. I recollect seeing such buckets in various houses fifty-five years ago, 
but their use at that time had nearly gone out. The plentiful supply of water 
by the city, and the use of hand engines, or engines operated by manual power, 
had rendered a resort to them unnecessary, except outside of the city limits. 
There are, doubtless, many old citizens who will remember the rows of old 
leathern water-buckets stowed away for use at fires. 

The building of the first water- works, with the supply -basin on Grant's hill, 
where St. Peter's church now stands, did away with the necessity for water- 
buckets at a fire at all points, at least below the level of the basin. The first 
water-works was built about 1826. The record of the introduction of the first 
hand fire engine is noted above. At the celebration of the centennial of the 
formation of Allegheny county, held in Pittsburgh, September, 1888, there were 
exhibited in the procession two or three of the engines in use immediately prior 
to the establishment of the present fire department, and one very old one, which 
preceded even the use of them. This was a small concern, with a diminutive 
water- chamber and two levers, one at each end, each worked by two men. This 



632 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

was piohaltly one of the first engines used to put out fires, anil was in use long' 
before an improved engine was invented, with longer levers, to be worked by 
more men. These last continued, with various improvements, until steam fire 
engines came into use. 

As was the case when pumps and fire-buckets were used, the hand fire-engines 
were managed exclusively by volunteers. Fire companies weie formed, com- 
posed largely of young men, in later years, whose vigor and strength were the 
chief reliance at a fire; officers elected, comprising captain, lieutenants, etc., and 
each company, when a fire occurred, strove to be first at the fire, if possible. 
When there, all worked with as much zeal and energy to put out the fire as if their 
own property were in danger. Many acts of great heroism and endurance were 
performed by these volunteer firemen, and the feeling among the firemen was 
as ardent and creditable as the feeling of patriotism brought out in time of war. 

The old volunteer fire department consisted of the " Eagle," the "Vigilant, " 
the "Allegheny," the "Neptune," the "Duquesne," the "Niagara," the 
"Independence" and the "Good Intent" in Pittsburgh, and several others in 
Allegheny. They had a general organization, which exercised general control, 
and although the system was as successful and thorough as it was possible for 
a volunteer organization to be, it failed to stop the great tire of 1845 at its 
start, but that was not its fault. The engines were all promptly on the ground, 
and did all that it was possible for men to do, but the supply of water gave out, 
and the fire, with a strong wind blowing, soon got beyond human control. In 
all other cases it was of essential service, and it rendered efficient aid in sup- 
pressing fires for many years. 

But after steam fire-engines were invented, the volunteer department was 
no longer equal to the occasion. It became too expensive for volunteer's to 
manage, and the necessity was apparent for the cities to step in, take control, 
buy the engines and employ the men at a fixed salary. Pittsburgh led off in 
taking this action, but Allegheny City soon followed, and both cities now have 
paid tire departments that are exceedingly creditable to them. 

The paid fire department of Pittsburgh was authorized by act of assembly of 
March 23, 1870, and the city councils were clothed with full power for its man- 
agement, and a, tax of three and one-half mills on the dollar on the gross receipts 
of " all fire-, marine- and life-insurance companies or agencies doing business in 
said city" was authorized, to enable the city to pay the cost of management. 
The idea in this was that the insurance companies, being the most interested in 
subduing tires, should bear the cost of extinguishing them. This plan did not 
long prevail, however. The city now pays the expenses of the department out 
of its current revenues. In 1873 a loan of $200,000 was authorized, to enable 
the city to purchase the necessary machines. The affairs of the department 
are managed by a board of tire commissioners, chosen by the councils, and fire- 
engines and hook-and-ladder companies are now scattered over the entire city, 
so that wherever and whenever a tire breaks out, in any section of the city, aa 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 635 

engine to extinguish it may be found cl( :se at hand. If the tire is a slight one, 
only the nearest engine is called out; but if it grows formidable, as many more 
as are needed are called out. The "fire-alarm telegraph" extends to all parts 
of the city, and keys to the alarm -boxes are to be found at all points, by means 
of which an alarm can be sent promptly to the central office. The horses that 
draw the engines to the tire are trained as strictly as the men, and when an 
alarm is sounded both horses and men are almost instantly ready for service. 
The result is that fires rarely get any headway, and where, by any mischance, 
they do, the whole force of the department can be used to prevent the fire from 
spreading. Give the engines plenty of water to use, and a repetition of the 
disaster of 1845 is absolutely impossible. In this city, as in all others having 
a paid fire department, large fires are no longer of frequent occurrence. Large 
losses by tire occasionally happen, but the presence of the steam fire-engines 
prevents the fire from spreading, and so keejjs down the losses. The system 
has been brought to great perfection, and the men employed exhibit as great 
daring and as much heroism as was ever displayed under the volunteer system. 

Provision is made, in this city, for taking care of all injured or disabled 
firemen, and whatever accidents befall the men, they and their families are 
secured from suffering thereby. The fund set apart for this purpose has 
proven abundantly ample so far. It seems hardly possible to make the city 
more secure against losses by fire than under the present system. 

One feature of the present system deserves special mention here, that of a 
fire marshal to examine into the causes of all fires. As soon as a fire is over 
the marshal begins his examination, and the certainty that it will be made has 
undoubtedly had a great restraining effect. Incendiary fires are not so likely 
where there is a probability that such an examination will reveal them. 

The contrast between 1802 and 1889 is great and striking. Instead of 
convening town -meetings to authorize the erection of pumps, and making every 
householder a furnisher of leathern buckets to assist in putting out a fire, the 
citizens now know exactly where a fire is when they hear the alarm, and in 
most cases they scarcely hear the alarm before they hear that it has been extin- 
guished. There is no more need to get up at midnight, run to a fire, form in 
line, and pass cold and wet buckets by the hour to save a neighbor's house 
from destruction. An alarm, now, simply excites his curiosity, which he can 
gratify by reading the paper as well as by going to the fire to look on uselessly. 
In fact, fires are no longer subjects of general dread. 

In the centennial number of the Pittsburgh Gazette, July 29, 1886, Frank 
P. Case, Esq. , contributes a detailed history of the Pittsburgh fire department, 
a condensation of which is hereto appended. Mr. Case was for many years 
secretary of the paid fire department, and the history given by him is as correct 
as it is thorough: 

DETAILED HISTOET OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

To the oldest citizen of Pittsburgh the names Eagle, Allegheny, Vigilant, Neptune, 



636 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENV COUNTY. 

Niagara. Imlepcnck'nce, Relief niul Duquesne, as applied to tlie fire department, are as 
familiar as ■' lioiiseliold words," and nearly so to the present generation. It is to the 
honor and credit of the fire authorities that the popular nomenclature of bygone days 
should be adhered to, and that they should remain attached to localities where they 
originated. These old companies are a part of the history of the city. 

From them sprang not only merchants and manufacturers, who were successful in 
their several aims, but many trusty officeholders, who filled their several positions with 
honor and credit to the city and county. At least seven who were firemen in the early 
days were chosen in later years to the chief magistracy of the city, while several took 
positions in the courthouse. 

The Engle.— The first organization for protection from fire. or. more properly speak- 
ing, for the extinguishment of fires, was the Eagle company, which was instituted in 
1794, when Pittsburgh was but a village, and did not extend further east from the Point 
than Smithfield street. The hand engine for the company was brought from Philadelphia 
in pieces, by slow freight (Conestoga wagons) and set up by John Johnston (afterward 
postmaster), a relative of the Johnstons of printing fame in this city today. Mr. John- 
ston was made first engineer, and Jeremiah Barker and Robert Magee (grandfather of 
Judge Christopher Magee) were assistant engineers. The engine was small and of the 
most simple construction, and it is said could almost be carried by the men to a fire. 
There were no hose or plugs, and water was carried in buckets to supplj- the " masheen." 
Messrs. Barker and Magee, already mentioned, were, with John Hannah, James Gray, 
James B. Clow and William Watson, directors of the association. In 1800 William 
Leckey, afterward sheriff of the county, was engineer. During the first sixteen years of 
its existence the company was managed by elderly citizens (as stated in an old account, 
the "first in the place"). Notwithstanding the undoubted respectability of the members 
in these early days, the)- were not without the ordinary passions of men, and could not 
withhold their tempers on occasions of excitement. It is related that during these early 
days a Quaker (name not given), who was the captain of the company, finding an unau- 
thorized person laying hands upon the engine at the time of a fire, ripped out a regular 
troopers oath, and bade the interloper to " vamose the ranch." Muchscandal, it is said, 
was created by the incident. 

The house first provided for the company was a small building erected on First street 
(now First avenue), near Chancery lane and between Market and Ferry streets. The ap- 
paratus was kept under lock and key, Messrs. Barker, Johnston and Magee, who lived 
opposite, having alone access thereto. 

About 1811, William Eichbaum (late city treasurer) was chosen engineer, and con- 
tinued in the position until 1832, when a fire department was organized by the institution 
of the Firemen's association, at which he was elected chief engineer. From the oldest 
record obtainable, 1815, it would appear that the membership (although not given) was 
large, as is shown by the numerous fines of a " levy " (twelve and one-half cents) upon 
absentees. In those days one-eighth of a dollar was no insignificant sum. The order of 
one hundred white ribbons with the words " Eagle Fire Company " upon them is noted in 
the book, as well as the printing of two hundred copies of the constitution. 

About 1819 the company removed to a house on Fourth street (now Fourth avenue), 
near Chancery lane, and in 182.5 a new hand engine was procured. 

From this time on the Eagle company maintained its existence through varying fort- 
unes; lax discipline prevailed at times, and at others little interest was taken in the so- 
ciety. In 1840. and for ten years thereafter, great rivalry existed between the different 
companies of the town. The number of active members rapidly augmented, and races 
and disgraceful fights were of frequent occurrence. In 1850 a new badge was adopted, 
"gilt-black letters in green ground; " also parade uniform, "green gauze shirt over white 
one, white pants and black belt." In March, 1851, the engine-house was destroyed by 
flre, the company losing five hundred feet of hose (leather only was used in those days). 



PITTSBUKGH AND ALLEGHENY. 637 

and other articles, amounting in all to about eight hundred dollars. The apparatus was 
saved, but remained out of service almost all of the time till 1854, when the present build- 
ing on Fourth avenue, near Liberty, was erected by city subscriptions and company 
reserve funds. 

In October, 1859, a committee consisting of George Wilson, Henry Moreland. Alex. 
Gracie, Thomas Rees and Columbus West was appointed to build a steam tire-engine, as 
to the feasibility of which there was much skepticism. This first steam fire-engine, says 
Mr. James Irvin in his "Fire Department Sketches," was built altogether by members of 
the Eagle. James Nelson made the drawings, James Rees the castings, and George 
Wilson (all of whom are now living) was the builder. Fearing a failure, it is said the first 
trial was made at midnight, and it was not a success. The company was laughed at by 
its rivals, and the machine was called a steamboat. Perseverance was, however, re- 
warded, and the first steam fire-engine, the " Eagle," turned out to be a success, and it 
continued long in the service of the city, when it was displaced by the present well-known 
Amoskeag make. In 1869 the engine was purchased by the late James McAulej', on 
behalf of the city, preparatory to the establishment of a paid department. 

The Allegheny. — Mr. David Gregg, an old and esteemed citizen, who was a member 
of the Allegheny company, gives access to the constitution of the company and the 
minute-book running from May, 1835, to February, 1847. From the printed constitution 
in his possession it appears that the company was instituted in the year 1803. It is said 
to have been located in 1832 on Third street (now avenue), and in 1836 occupied the same 
house as the Eagle. In later years the company occupied a building erected for the pur- 
pose on Fifth street (avenue), about the eastern side of the present Opera-house building. 
To the constitution of 1834, the first before us, are appended the signatures of many well- 
known citizens, but as some from time to time dropped out of active membership, their 
names were erased instead of having been noted as retiring. The minutes of meetings 
during the period mentioned show a sad want of interest by the officers, as most fre- 
quently pro terns, ofliciated. Among the more notable names we find Mr. George R. 
White, long and until late years in the dry-goods business, elected as first engineer. Mr. 
John Herron filled the position of second hose-director, and Edward Gregg, now of 
Logan, Gregg & Co., was fourth hose-director. The late John Birmingham and S. P. 
Darlington were active members. In 1836 we find W. M. Shinn, S. Gormley, George 
Diirsie, W. W. Wallace and J. O'H. Scully elected officers. 

In January, 1837, it was resolved, "That the members of the company be earnestly 
requested to make as slight noise as possible both at fires and false alarms, and more par- 
ticularly when such alarms may be on the Sabbath." In June of the same year Messrs. 
George R. White, W. M. Shinn and George McCandless, delegates to the Firemen's asso- 
ciation, laid before a meeting of the company the propriety of nominating one of their 
members to represent the company in a general convention to digest and report upon a 
plan for the " relief of disabled firemen." W. M. Shinn was so chosen. At the meeting 
of February 5, 1838, a long letter from S. P. Darlington was presented, in which he states 
his inability to attend owing to the occurrence of one of his "public auction sales," and 
reporting complaints of various kinds heard by him as to the conduct of members. At 
this meeting Robert M. Riddle, formerly editor of the Commercial Journal, was elected 
vice-president; James B. Murray, late of the Exchange bank, second lieutenant, and 
Jared M. Brush, since mayor, and now living, third engineer. In 1839 the late John P. 
Glass, formerly a member of the legislature, appears as an axman; C. H. Paulson and A. 
Nimick, hose-directors; John Coyle on the election committee, and James Laughlin as 
fourth tender-director; also R. H. (Benton) Kerr upon a committee, and the now retired 
Gen. James A. Ekiu, as secretary. For the parade of the approaching fall it was decided 
to turn out the apparatus perfectly plain, but to be drawn by horses. In 1840 Mr. S. P. Dar- 
lington, who had for an uninterrupted term of years held the position of captain, tendered 
his resignation, and a committee of three was appointed to express the regrets of the 



638 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

company to Mr. Darlington upon his retirement. It was later ordered that a medal be 
presented to the retiring captain. In Septembor Mr. \V. K. Nimick was elected fourth 
hose-director, rice John H. Oliver, resigned. 

In 1840 serious trouble appears to haveexisted. and suits for debt appear to have been 
brought. In September, 1841, tlie companj- was reorganized, James E. Wainwright being 
chosen president, James B. Sawyer, secretary, and A. Richardson, captain. The name 
of William C. McCarthy (ex mayor) liere first appears as second hose-director, but at the 
following December meeting Mr. McCarthy's resignation was presented and accepted. At 
the February (1843) meeting the name of William H. Whitney appears as president i)ro 
tern., and later we notice the names of D. Holmes and William V. Diehl. 

' At the October meeting of this year it was resolved unanimously, " That we, as mem. 
hers of the Allegheny Fire company, do hereljy obligate and hind ourselves, as gentlemen, 
not to make use of any intoxicating drinks while acting in the capacitj- of firemen." D. 
J. Aguew was elected secretary, vice A. Nimick, resigned. In November. 1842, it was 
resolved that when refreshments were offered at a fire the members go to the house con- 
taining the same under direction of the officers, who were requested not to allow any but 
members to enter. Pending a suit by S. P. Darlington to recover some fifteen hundred dol- 
lars, the engine and other apparatus were placed in charge of the captain of the company. 

On the 22d of December, 1842. in a meeting, with J. B. Murray in the chair, the resig- 
nationsof Edward Gregg and Alex. Richardson were presented and accepted, although at 
a meeting the following February we find thejn elected to important positions, Mr. Rich- 
ardson being made president. At this later meeting J. Heron Foster, theij of the Di>i- 
patcli, is noted as chairman pro tern. 

In January, 1846, the Allegheny compan}' appears to have entered upon its new 
house on Fifth street (avenue), about the site of the present Opera-house building. In 
February of this year the annual election of officers took place, and few changes were 
made in the prominent places. At the meeting of June 6, 1846, George Bradley was 
appointed "a committee of one to investigate the late riotous affair in Allegheny City 
relative to our company." 

The Allegheny continued on Fifth street (now avenue) until about 18.57. when 
improvements there compelled its withdrawal, and a new building was erected for it on 
Irwin (now Seventh) street. The Allegheny became extinct with its absorption into the 
paid fire department in 1870, there being more companies in the "old city" district than 
were necessary under the new r<giine. It should be noted that the late Robert W. 
Mackey was one of the active and influential members of this company during its later 
years. 

The Vigilant. — The praises of the Vigilant Fire company, instituted Jlay 31, 1811, 
have been sung to an unlimited extent by that faithful chronicler and long life-member, 
James Irvin, otherwise known as " Vigy " and "Leather ' Jim. now a competent city 
officer, i. e., one of the (three) board of viewers. Had Father Irvin divided the time spent 
upon his "sketches" of the "Vigy" among all the volunteer companies of his day, 
.giving a succinct history of each, it would be invaluable, and would have largely 
increased the interest of this necessarily brief resume, and lessened the labor thereon. 
But Jaines' heart was with the days and doings of this certainly prominent company, and 
columns of " veritable chronicles " could be given from his "outings." 

William Wilkins, afterward an honored judge, was the first president of the com- 
pany, and John Thaw, father of our well-known William Thaw, was secretary and treas- 
urer. In 1812 a baud engine costing 1600 was received from Pat. Lynn, of Philadelphia. 
It was dejomiuated a "hydraulic fire engine of the third magnitude with all the 
improvements lately made." According to the indorsement upon the bill it was "to be 
delivered to James Morrison in twenty-five days from date, September 10, 1812, at the 
price (freight) of $.5 per 100 pounds." The cost of transportation was S98. The engine 
was placed in a building on Fourth street, now Fourth avenue. The early meetings of 



PITTSBDRGH AND ALLEGHENY. 641 

the ccmpany were held in the taveru of William Morrow, then situated on the northeast 
corner of Wood and Fourth streets (now Fourth avenue). There were no Woman's 
Christian Temperance unions at that time, and the company kept an account with Mr. 
Morrow for refreshments, while it is noted that Rev. Robert Patterson presided at the 
meeting for organization, and, no doubt, at subsequent meetings. The Vigilant flour- 
ished from the start, and many men who afterward became conspicuous in business and 
professional circles were active members. Between 1824 and 1833 the company appears 
to have languished, although during a part of that period the well-known William C. 
McCarthy was captain. 

November 26, 1833, a meeting of the old members and others was held in the Wash- 
ington coffee-house, corner of Penn and St. Clair streets, where a reorganization took 
place, with James Crossan, father of John McD. Crossan, of Monongahela House fame, 
as president, and Dr. Jonas R. McClintock as captain. In January, 1834. Neville B. 
Craig, the editor of the Qazeite, was elected an honorary member. Mr. Craig took an 
active part in furthering the organization. March 16, 1834, at a fire at Third and Market, 
the little engine and those who manned her came near being covered by a falling wall. 
Capt. McClintock, seeingthe danger, insisted upon an immediate change of location, which 
was made in the nick of time. At this fire the old Bank of Pittsburgh was endangered. 
"Dp to this year the Vigilant had no reel or hose, depending upon hose companies of sepa- 
rate organization. In the fall of that year, however, the want was supplied, and attention 
was then directed to the necessity for a new and larger engine. On September 14. 1834, at 
a fire at Aaron Floyd's carpenter-shop, corner of Fourth and Ross streets, the little engine 
was used for the last time, and it was sold to the town of Wellsburg, Va. 

The new engine arrived about September 26, just in time for the parade of ne.\t day. 
The engine was the finest then seen here, weighing 3,300 pounds, and cost $1,100. In the 
spring of 1835 Robert P. Nevin (Uncle Robert) joined the " Vigy. ' In 1336 the company 
appears to have held its meetings in the Eagle engine-house, on account of the " miser- 
able condition " of that of the Vigilant. Councils failing to rebuild'or obtain a suitable 
place for the company, there was much feeling exhibited, and the matter of suspending 
was discussed. In December, a resolution to suspend failing to pass, quite a number of 
prominent members withdrew by resignation. The feeling of rivalry and jealousy be- 
tween some of the companies appears to have run high. It was not until 1839 that they 
succeeded in getting their apparatus suitably housed. In 1841 the company expressed 
great indignation because of certain newspapers charging half price for notices of meet- 
ings. 

In 1842 dissensions arose among the members of the Vigilant, which caused a split, 
and resulted later in the organization of the Duquesne company. The apparatus of the 
Vigilant was out of service for some time, and councils ordered the mayor to take posses- 
sion, which that official, it appears, declined to do, and at a meeting held November 7, 
1842, at which D. D. Bruce acted as secretary, resolutions of censure were passed. 
November 11 a new constitution was adopted. In February, 1843, the company again 
went into active service. The minute-book for the years 1842 to 1849 contains a record 
of fires, something that does not appear in similar books of any other company. 

The new house for the companj' was finished and occupied first after the big fire in 
January. 1849. 

In November, 1861, the name of the company was changed to the Vigilant Steam Fire 
Engine and Hose company, the first steam engine having been brought to the city at that 
time for this company. The house, that now occupied by W. B. Scaife & Son, Third 
avenue, near Market street, to whom it was sold by the city at the organization of the 
paid department, was handsomely arranged and fitted up. and in the supervision of the 
work no one was more active and interested than Robert C. Elliott, who was long there- 
after one of the most painstaking members. John J. Torley, then a member of coiincil 
and of the fire committee, was also given high praise in the matter. The company was 



642 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

at the time denominated "The Pride of the West" and the house as the "Fireman's 
Palace." To Robert C. Elliott, still an active " volunteer," is largelj' due the titles thus 
bestowed. 

The Neptune. — The third in tlie list of volunteer fire companies in time of organization 
in Pittsburgh was the XepUine. in 181.5, so far as published records show. In 181.5. how. 
ever, as our veracious chronicler says, the borough consisted of the First and Fourth 
wards as now constituted, and the Neptune was located in the suburbs. A rivulet coursed 
down between Penn avenue and Liberty street, and at about Eighth street turned into 
the Allegheny; Hogg's jiond extended from now Seventh avenue to Fourth avenue, and 
Suke's run continued the boundary to the Jlonongahela. The Xeptune was emphatically 
a bucket-brigade, and east of Smithfield street it had ample supplies of water from nu- 
merous wells. Sixth and Wood streets was the first location of the company with its 
cumbrous engine, built, it is said, in Pittsburgh, no doubt in the thirties. 

In 1841 the engine was rebuilt and was thought to be perfection. In 1842 no less than 
sixty-seven members were added to the roll. Because of non-attendance the names of 
quite a number were also stricken from the roll, among them Walter H. Lowr3', who 
afterward became chief justice of the state. In this year many disgraceful scenes 
occurred, among others the washing out of the "Crow's Xest," a disreputable place on 
Second avenue, although during the same period a library was started and a resolution 
was offered by Mr. Gormley that all take the pledge. 

In the great fire of 184.5 the Neptune, as well as the Eagle and Vigilant, did noble 
service. At that time their former president, Mr. William M. Edgar, was the chief 
engineer. 

In 1846 the engine was rebuilt by Sheriff & Co., at a cost of $690, and at the parade 
it was resolved, upon motion of John D. Bailey, that it be decorated only with the stars 
and stripes. In 1847 the Neptune furnished a large list of volunteers for the Mexican 
war (as did also the other two companies), and the minute-books contain voluminous 
reports concerning them. 

The close proximity of the Neptune to the Smithfield Methodist church was a cause 
of trouble, and resulted about 1848 in the company being placed farther up Seventh 
street (now avenue), about the same place where No. 3 of the present fire department is 
located. A boat-club composed of Neptune boys owned an eight-oared barge, called 
Fashion, which furnished much amusement on the Allegheny. 

Resolutions against profanity and the habit of carrying liquor to members at work 
upon the engine are interspersed at frequent intervals in the minutes. In 18.52 the com- 
pany was badly in need of a new house, and threats of abandoning the organization 
were made if councils did not act. In 1853 the erection of the house on Seventh street 
was begun, and in January, 18.54. the company was able to house its apparatus there^ 
although the building was not completed. The new hall was dedicated on the evening of 
August 19 of the same year, when an oration was delivered by R. Biddle Roberts, then 
president of the Firemen's association. 

During the year 18.56 Joseph L. Lowry, formerly mechanical engineer of the water- 
works, then a member of the Neptune, built the first steam fire-engine, which was called 
the " Citizen," and it was placed in charge of that company, much to their delight. This 
was. from its size and being the first of the kind, the wonder of the day, and much inter- 
est was manifested in its workings. The engine, however, failed to realize the expecta- 
tions of its friends, being too unwieldy, but it demonstrated the practicability of using 
steam to run fire-engines. Joseph Dusha, who has continuous!}- been a member of the 
paid department, and now the engineer of the Relief, was a member of the Neptune. 

After the withdrawal of the steamer from service a new hand engine was ordered and 
obtained from Baltimore, at a cost of twenty-seven hundred dollars. It was a handsome 
piece of machinery, but in playing qualities did not equal that built in Pittsburgh in 
1832-38. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 643 

David E. Hall who for a long time afterward was a very active member of the Nep- 
tune, and for a time its captain, was admitted to membership in 1856. In 1860 Col. Johu 
H. Stewart, afterward sheriil, and still later postmaster, was chosen president. In 1870 
the Neptune, like the older companies, was absorbed in the paid tire department. 

The Niagara. — For a short time before the organization of tire Niagara Fire com- 
pany, 1838, there existed a company called the Phoinix, which was located on Liberty 
street, in "Bayardstown." John Stewart, father of Col. John H. Stewart, was captair^ 
of the Phoenix. But little can be learned of the Phoenix except that from it was insti- 
tuted the Niagara. The first president of the company (Niagara) was John Ralston, a 
tanner, while Samuel McKelvey was its 13rst captain. Soon after the organization of the 
Niagara the company located on Penn avenue near Fifteenth street, and thereafter 
remained there. Indeed, we believe the present Niagara, now known as Engine Com- 
pany No. 15, occupies the same site. Capt. Crawford, present wharfmaster, was a mem- 
ber. Their hand engine was built by E. & F. Faber, of this city, and was rebuilt in later 
years bj' Joe Kaye. The company was always noted for efficiency. 

Hose Companies. — Worthy of somewhat extended noticesare the First Pittsburgh Hose 
company and the Union Hose company, which must have been in existence, one of them 
at least, about 1830. We find in the constitution of the Firemen's association, adopted 
April 25, 1833, the names of these two companies, which, with the Eagle and Alle- 
gheny, formed the association. The two hose companies named, as is shown by the early 
records of the two engine companies, were depended upon by the latter to furnish hose at 
a fire. Unfortunately, except as to mention thus made, we have no information about or 
records of these companies, save tliis further: One of the companies was composed of 
employes of the glassworks, the Jenny Lind, of Bakewell, Pears & Co., then located 
where the Baltimore & Ohio depot now is, and it is mentioned that Mr. James P. Bake- 
well furnished the outfit to the company. 

The paid fire department was organized June 13, 1870, and now numbers sixteem 
engine companies, four hook-and-ladder companies, with a total force of 173 officers 
and men. 

The department is governed by nine commissioners elected by councils, three each 
year. The first board of commissioners was composed of Henry Hays, R. W. Mackey, 
Robert Finney, John J. Torley, W. H. McKelvey, M. K. Moorhead, John H. Stewart, 
John H. McElroy and William B. Neeper. 

The officers were: Henry Hays, president, and William B. Neeper, secretary of the 
board; chief engineer, John H. McElroy; assistant chief, W. J. White; alarm-telegraph 
superintendent, S. T. Paisley. 

ALLEGHENY'S FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The volunteer fire department in Allegheny City, prior to 1840, did not amount to 
much. But from 1840 to 1850 it thrived and grew in size. At the commencement of the 
latter year there were three excellent companies in existence. They were known as the 
"Phoenix," the " William Penn " and the "President." Each one had one of the old- 
style hand fire-engines. Neither is now preserved, but they have long since been reduced 
to kindling-wood and scrap-iron. At a period a little later than '1850 the "Uncle Sam" 
company was also formed. The old-time rivalries among these companies are among the 
most pleasant traditions of Allegheny. In 1860 the "Hope" company had been formed, 
and had quarters in the immediate vicinity of where the present Hope engine-house now^ 
stands. The Friendship, Grant and Columbia companies were also organized in the 
early sixties. 

On each of these companies a foreman was given a residence in the engine-house, a 
salary of $r2.50 per quarter, with "free coal and rent." Besides him there were four 
men, who lived in the vicinity, who were given ten dollars a quarter each, with one dollar 



644 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

for every lire they attended. Hose was carried on a hand reel, and not on a carriage as 
at present. 

The " Old Hope " was tlie first steam engine ever purcliased. It was put into service 
in 1861, and is still held as a reserve. At tliat date the wages of the live chief volunteers 
were increased to twenty dollars a ijuarler. The men often pooled their earnings and then 
made an equal division among all tlie members of tlie company, which sometimes were 
scores in number. In 18T0 the whole department was reorganized on its present basis at 
regular salaries, with James E. Crow as chief engineer. He has held that office ever since. 
At present the department consists of nine engines, nine hose-carriages, two trucks for 
ladders, (iftj'-seven men and nine companies. 

POLICE DEPARTMENT. 

The history of the police force of Pittsburgh, so far as effectiveness and 
strength are concerned, belongs exclusively to the latter half of this century. 
The city has had a nominal police force from the beginning, but an effective 
one only since its size rendered one necessary as well as possible. 

Th(^ first police of the town consisted, up to 1794, of the constable of Pitt 
township — a township long since swallowed up by the city. When this county 
was a part of Bedford county, up to 1773, and a ])art of Westmoreland county, 
from 1773 to 1788, Pitt township extended on the Monongahela from the Point 
to Turtle creek, and thence tip Turtle creek to Brush creek, and thence by the 
line of Plum township to the Allegheny river, and thence to the place of begin- 
ning at the Point. The constable of this township was, with the exception of 
the sheriff, the only officer available for the arrest of criminals. Happily, as 
the population was small, there were but few arrests necessary. When the 
borough of Pittsbitrgh was organized in 1794 the town became detached from 
Pitt township, and was thenceforward able to take care of itself. There was, in 
the borough organization, a high constable, and probably, also, a borough con- 
stable, who took the jslace of the township constable. This officer, however, 
confined his attention mainly to the service of civil process, to the collection of 
small debts and kindred duties, so that, although he could serve as well in 
criminal as in civil cases, the police jiu'isdiction of the town passed into the 
hands of the borough high constable. The borough was never rich, and the 
high constable never had any assistants. Probably he did not need any. The 
borough limits extended only- to Grant street on the east, and to what is now 
Eleventh street on the north. The high constable could make a circuit of it 
two or three times a day, if he chose, and not tire himself out, either, in doing 
so, and the population was not numerous enough at any time to be very vicious 
or disorderly. There were probably drunkards galore, but dritnkards were 
not so much objects of attention then as now; and as the methods of getting 
away were not numerous, nor readily available, crimes against property, within 
so small a space, were not of fi-equent occurrence. At any rate, for many 
years the high constable found himself equal to all the demands for police 
service. 

In 1816 the city was first organized, and although empowered with full 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 645 

authority to establish a police force, but little use seems to have been made of 
that power. The limit of city taxation was five mills on the dollar, and this 
allowed but little room for expenditures on police; and although at first, proud 
of its powers as a city, it branched out into the establishment of a night watch, 
it soon found itself stranded, for want of means, probably, and was obliged to 
repeal its night-watch ordinance, and allow the city to get along at night with- 
out police supervision. The act of assembly of March 4, 1816, incorporating 
the city, does not mention policemen, or contain any special authority empow- 
ering the councils to establish a city police; but it conferred a general power 
upon councils to "make, ordain, constitute and establish such and so many 
laws, ordinances, regulations and constitutions ... as shall be necessary 
or convenient for the government and welfare of said city, and the same to 
enforce, put in use and execution by constables and other proper officers (whom 
they shall have power to appoint)." That this act did not contemplate the 
appointment of a city police force, immediately, is plain from Section 14 of the 
same act, which provided that, ' ' to the further end and intent that there may 
not be a failure of justice, within the said city, by reason of any person or per- 
sons who may be charged with having committed any offense or offenses therein 
lurking or being in secret or other places in the neighborhood thereof, it 
shall be lawful for any constable or constables of the said city, to whom any 
warrant under the hand and seal of the said mayor, recorder or aldermen, or 
any of them, shall be delivered, commanding him or them to take any person 
or persons who shall have been charged with having committed any offense 
within the said city, and to bring him, her or them before the said mayor, 
recorder or aldermen, or any of them; and he and they are hereby enjoined 
and required to execute the same by making of the arrest, if the same can be 
done, at any place within the county of Allegheny. ' ' 

The ' ' constable or constables ' ' herein referred to were undoubtedly the 
ward constables, elected by the people in each ward yearly, and not a special 
city police; and this provision of law was needed, not to empower them to 
execute processes issued by the city authorities, as they already possessed that 
power amply, but to ' ' enjoin and require ' ' them to serve all stich processes 
in cases where they might feel like refusing to execute warrants issued by the 
mayor. These ward constables would naturally be not overburdened with 
work, in their line, in the early history of the city, and hence there was no 
apparent necessity, at that time, for increasing the expenses of the young city 
by requiring it to maintain a separate police force. There was, as we find by 
the old appropriation ordinances, a high or chief constable for the city, whose 
salary was the munificent sum of two hundred dollars, and he, with the four 
ward constables, was expected to maintain the peace and dignity of the city 
from all assaults by mobs, disorderly persons and criminals of all kinds. 

The power of appointment of police officers, it will be seen, was vested in 
the councils, not in the mayor, and this phraseology was continued as late as 
1857, when an act was passed empowering the councils of the city "to pro- 



€46 HISTOUV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

vide for an efficient day and nifjjlit police in said city," and the supreme court 
held, as will be seen in 2 Harris, 177, that "the appointment of police for the 
city of Pittsburgh exists in the city councils and not in the mayor." In 1842 
Mayor Hay undertook to assert his power to act independently of councils in 
the choice of night-watchmen; but the city solicitor. Andrew Wylie, Jr. (since 
one of the judges of the District of Columbia), cited him into court upon a 
writ of mandamus, and the court decided against the mayor. The solic- 
itor, however, acquired thereby the nickname of "Mandamus Wylie," which 
stuck to him until he removed to Washington city. 

In the appropriation ordinance for 1831 there is an appropriation of two 
hundred dollars a year to the high constable, and six hundred dollars to city 
constables, from which it is inferable that there were three city constables at 
two hundred dollars a year each. In a previous ordinance mention is made of 
but two city constables, and subsequently, in 1837, of four. In 1840, and for 
years afterward, there were live, besides the chief, and this continued until 
1851, or thereabouts, when the force was increased. 

The first ordinance discoverable in the city records concerning a night 
force was passed August 24, 1816, the first year of the city's existence, 
and it was an attempt to imitate the example of Philadelphia, her form of 
city government being the model for ours. It authorizes the mayor to appoint 
one captain of the night-watch, and as many night watchmen as he may deem 
expedient, or the interests of the city may require. This was a large power 
to confer upon the mayor, but a subsequent part of the ordinance limits the 
expenditures to three hundred dollars, so that there was not much danger, with- 
in that limit, of an abuse of the power. These night watchmen, be-sides being 
directed to apprehend all drunkards, vagrants, disorderly persons and criminals 
of all kinds, are also enjoined to call the hours, and the weather, every hour from 
10 o'clock at night to 4 in the morning, in sumnler, and from 10 at night to 6 
in the morning, in winter, that the inhabitants may thereby know the time of 
night and the state of the weather at all hours. This practice of crying the 
hour was continued in this city up to within the memory of many of the present 
generation; and any old citizen could tell when a new watchman was put on 
duty by the awkwardness with which he tried to announce that it was " past 12 
o'clock and a rainy (or cloudy) morning.'' But the principal duty of the 
night-watch was to arouse the town when a fire broke out. The terror of all 
new towns is a constant dread of fire. The night-watch were enjoined, wheu 
a tire broke out, to arouse every person upon their "beats" or "rounds," to 
give immediate notice to the firemen in charge of the fire-engine, and to do 
whatever was necessary to spread the alarm as far and as rapidly as possible. 
Those who have lived in country places know the terror which a cry of ' ' fire ' ' at 
night creates, and the particularity with which this ordinance details the duties 
of the night-watch, in cases of fire, shows that the early inhabitants of Pitts- 
burgh had passed through all phases of that terror. 

But this experiment did not last long. Either it cost too much, or did not 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 647 

■work well, for, on March 5, 1817, after an experience of less than six months, 
the ordinance was repealed and the night force entirely broken up. The watch- 
men were directed to hand over their maces, uniforms, etc. , to the city author- 
ities, and. provision was made for taking future care of the watch-houses that 
had been erected. These latter were small concerns, about large enough for 
two people to stand up in. Their purj)ose was to house any person who had 
been arrested until he or she could be taken before a magistrate. In later 
times, after a central watchhouse had been provided, these small concerns 
were used to house the watchmen, who were fi-equently charged with snoozing 
away the time therein. What led to this sudden repeal of the ordinance 
must ever remain a mystery. A wag suggests that the ears of the people were 
too much vexed by the inharmoniousness that prevailed in this early attempt 
to call out, hourly, the time of night and the weather; but it is not likely that 
their musical taste was sufficiently cultivated, then, for that. An ordinance 
of January 3, 1831, empowers the mayor to employ "night patrolmen," biit 
imposes no limit as to number; an ordinance of March 24, 1836, which followed 
shortly after the first election of mayor by the people, confines the force to one 
captain, two lieutenants and sixteen watchmen. Another ordinance, of March 
9, 1842, reduces the number of watchmen to eleven, and these were paid the 
princely sum of twenty-six dollars per month each; in 1843 the number was 
increased to twelve; and in 1850 the lieutenants had increased to four, and the 
watchmen to twenty- four. In 1868 the day and night police were combined into 
one force, under the chief of police, and the number was largely increased. This 
has continued ever since ; but the whole police force, night and day, is now 
included under the superintendence of the department of public safety. 

The police force of the city has thus grown up, slowly but steadily, from a 
very small beginning. Its development, in numbers, has kept pace with the 
growth of the city, and it has, also, grown very rapidly in efficiency. A young 
community gets along very well with a small police force, and a small force is 
not apt to develop much skill in the apprehension of criminals. Crimes come 
with a larger population; and skill in the detection of crime grows, generally, 
with the demand for it. There have been times, in the history of this city, 
when the police seemed unequal to the occasion; but that experience has fallen 
to the lot of every city. As a general rule, the police force of this city has 
had a steady grovrth in efficiency, and it is now the equal of any force in any 
other city of equal population. It has produced no very great men, but great 
men are not expected to be bred in such an atmosphere. But it has produced 
some very excellent officers and skilled detectives, and crime has as little chance 
of success here as it has anywhere else. 



648 IIISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Continued). 

The Medical Profession— First and Other Early Physicians of Pitts- 
burgh—Allegheny' County Medical Society— Medical Colleges — 
Homeopathic Physicians and Hospital. 

"rr^HE medical history of Western Pennsylvania," says Dr. E. A. Wood, 
-L "is much the same as medical history everywhere, made up and filled in 
with ambition, endeavor, but steady progress. The early struggle of pioneers 
in medicine hereabouts was the struggle common to professional men in all parts 
of America. Our western medical Athens, Philadelphia, and our metropolis. 
New York, had no medical school when Fort Duquesne was built, none when 
Braddock left the bones of a thousand slain to whiten the plain which bears 
his name. The profession in America did the best it could in those days; the 
medical profession of young Pittsburgh did the best it could do with the 
knowledge and armament, crude and imperfect, at its command. The science 
of medicine was, in those days, very incomplete — it is not perfect yet, but is 
immeasurably superior to what it then was — and the drugs, implements and 
conveniences were almost barbaric compared with the efficient and elegant out- 
fit of the physicians and surgeons of to-day. Calomel, the lancet and the 
blister constituted the armament of the old heroes, and these, with the saddle- 
bags to carry them in, were the first things requisite to give a young doctor a 
start in the world. The human system with its ills is the same to-day as it was 
a century ago, but if one were curious to know how medical practice has 
changed, let a young graduate be started on his way with the old-fashioned 
saddle-bags, with their contents." 

The doctor usually precedes the lawyer and the clergyman in all new com- 
munities. The early settlers in any neighborhood can get along very well for 
a good while without a lawyer, and for a longer period without a clergyman; 
but human ills prevail in new as well as in old settlements, and hence the doctor 
is the first professional necessity of any new place. It is not surprising to 
learn, therefore, that as early as 1765, as soon, in fact, as Campbell's new town 
began to assume shape, a doctor's "shop" was opened in Pittsburgh. (It 
was the doctor's " shop," not his "office," in those days. The doctor's stu- 
dents were his " apprentices," and the doctor furnished his own medicines in- 
stead of writing prescriptions. The drugstore came in a good way further 
along.) The first doctor here was Dr. Nathaniel Bedford. That it was in 
1765 we learn from the Gazette of August 26, 1786, which says "there were 




^^au^^ M<^. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 651 

here in Pittsburgh, in 1765, two physicians. Dr. Bedford was one of them." 
The name of the second is omitted, but Dr. Wood says it was Dr. Stevenson. 

Dr. Bedford came to Pittsburgh as a surgeon in the British army, but, at- 
tracted by the promise of the place as a good one for a physician, resigned his 
position in the army, and forthwith opened his "shop." He is represented 
as having been well educated and of polished manners, but very dressy, wear- 
ing ruffled shirt-fronts and wristbands. He must have succeeded well in his 
profession, for he acquired a large tract of land on the South Side, comprising 
what is now the Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth wards of the 
city, or what was comprised within the old boroughs of Birmingham and St. 
Clair. Almost directly under the track of the South Twelfth street inclined 
railway, an antique wine-urn may be seen, storm-beaten and weather-stained, 
which marks the last resting-place of Dr. Nathaniel Bedford. It was erected 
to his memory by the Freemasons, of which body he was a prominent member. 

Peter Mowry, born in 1760, entered Dr. Bedford's office in 1786, as an 
' ' apprentice, ' ' whose business it was to sweep the shop, make pills, and, as he 
progressed in acquiring medical knowledge, to accompany the doctor in his 
visits, carrying the saddle-bags, and pick up such crumbs of medical experience 
as fell in his way. Mowry attended lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, 
when the celebrated Dr. Rush was a professor there. On his return from the 
lectures he married a daughter of Judge Addison, and entered into partnership 
with Dr. Bedford. He attained a very prominent rank as a physician, and 
was the leading medical authority here in the early part of the century. A son 
of his, or a grandson, is still practicing medicine here. Dr. Mowry' s house 
stood on the east side of the Diamond square. 

Dr. William Addison, a son of Judge Addison, studied medicine with Dr. 
Peter Mowry, graduated at the Maryland University, spent two years in Paris, 
and returning entered into partnership with his preceptor. He was a well- 
educated physician, but was occasionally rather plain-spoken and independent. 

Drs. Carmichael, Mawhinney and Holmes are spoken of as contemporary 
with Bedford, Stevenson, Mowry and Addison. Dr. Stevenson was a revolu- 
tionary soldier. In 1826 the city directory gives the following as a list of the 
physicians in Pittsburgh : Drs. Brunot, Mowry, Holmes, Church, Agnew, Gaz- 
zam, Simpson, W. F. Irwin, I. S. Irwin, Burrell, Armstrong, McConnell, 
Speer, W. H. Denny, Hannen and McFarlaud. 

Dr. Holmes, here mentioned, studied with Dr. Mowry, and while well known 
as an excellent physician, was equally well known as a dashing rider of fast 
horses. He was a splendid figure on horseback, and was as fine a rider as was 
ever seen on the streets of the city. He had a keen eye for a good piece of 
horseflesh, and was fond of saying that his horse knew more of medicine than 
some pretended doctors. 

Dr. James Agnew, the father of Judge Agnew, stood very high in the ranks 
of the earlier physicians. He entered into partnership with Dr. Simpson, and 
in the city directory for 1819 the following advertisement appears: 



652 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Drs. A.gnew and Simpson have formed a copartnership in the practice of medicine, 
and conjointly tender their services to their friends and all others whomay apply for pro- 
fessional aid. Their shop is at the corner of Third and Wood streets, where one or both 
ma3- at all times be consulted. 

Medical etiquet has changed very much since 1819. It would be a mortal 
offense for a doctor to advertise at all in 1888, and the advertisers would be 
unmercifully tabooed who should issxie such a notice now. Yet Agnew and 
Simpson were no mean slouches in their profession. Why should what was 
right then be wrong now ? 

In the early part of this century it was the practice of the doctor to attend 
the funerals of his patients, and his place was at the head of the procession to 
the graveyard. The graveyards were then all in the lower part of the city, and 
quite easy of access. There were no hearses or carriages. The pall-liearers 
carried the corpse, either on their shoulders or on a bier; the doctor and clergy- 
man marched in front, and the family and friends followed behind. The doc- 
tor was rather honored than otherwise in being thus placed in the van. On 
one occasion, the story goes, a celebrated physician was marching at the head 
of a funeral jarocession, when he was met by BUly Price, an eccentric English- 
man, who built a roundhouse out Fifth avenue, and had a foundry there for 
small castings, which he delivered in person to his customers. On meeting 
the procession, Price called out, " Well, doctor, I see that, like myself, you are 
delivering your worfc. " 

Of the other men mentioned as being in practice here in 1826, nearly all 
are familiar to men who lived here from 1830 to 1850. Dr. Joseph P. Gaz- 
zam was a long time in practice, and earned a grand reputation as a safe, cau- 
tious, methodical and courteous physician. His father was an Englishman, 
and came to Pittsburgh with his family in 1800. There were two doctors in 
the family, Joseph P. and Edward D. , but the latter was more of a politician 
than a doctor. He ran as a candidate for state senator in 1841, against George 
Darsie. The district was composed of Butler and Allegheny counties. Alle- 
gheny gave Gazzam forty-six majority and Butler gave Darsie forty- seven, thus 
beating the doctor by one vote. In 1856 the doctor's political ambition was 
gratified, he being elected to the senate in that year on the republican ticket. 
Dr. E. D. Gazzam, however, was not much known in the profession. He 
never practiced much, having married a rich wife; but Dr. Joseph P. Gazzam 
was a star in the profession. He had great brain-force, energy and ability, 
and attained to a very extensive and lucrative practice. 

Dr. Brooks came to the city from the upper Monongahela, having acquired 
his professional education at his country home. He soon attained to a high 
rank and popularity as a family physician, and became skillful, also, as a sur- 
geon. He lived to a good old age. 

Dr. McDowell graduated at an eastern university, and began the jiractice 
of medicine there; but having acquired, through his wife, an interest in an 
iron-works, gave up medicine and came to Pittsburgh as an iron-manufacturer. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 653 

But the business did not jarove congenial, and he resumed the practice of med- 
icine by opening an office in this city. He built up for himself a splendid 
practice by bis quick, winning and decisive manner. 

Drs. Irwin, Burrell, Armstrong and Hannen were all eminent in the pro- 
fession, and achieved great success in practice. Dr. Speer was a long time in 
active service, but finally devoted himself to the special study of diseases of 
the eye, in which he attained great proficiency. He retired from the service 
some years since. Dr. Denny, after a few years' practice, developed as a 
financier, and served creditably as such in several banking institutions. 

Dr. H. D. Sellers is not mentioned in the 1826 list, and probably came here 
afterward. He graduated at Baltimore, and .shortly afterward moved to Pitts- 
burgh. He gathered up a large practice, and earned a very high reputation 
as a good physician. 

The Allegheny County Medical society was organized in 1850, and kept up 
its organization for five or six years, when it suspended. It was resuscitated 
in 1865, and has kept up its existence actively and efficiently ever since. 
Under its influence Pittsburgh has kept pace with the leaders of the medical 
and surgical art, and in the councils of the profession and in its literature has 
many physicians and surgeons who stand among the foremost in the land. 
The profession has erected a handsome and commodious building for a medical 
college, and the "Western Pennsylvania Medical College" is now fully under 
way, with a large and brilliant array of home talent as its professors and lect- 
urers. In thoroughness and efficiency it is to be second to none in the land. 

The homeopathic system of medicine was not introduced here until 1837. 
Dr. B. F. Dake says it was brought here then at the request of " a clergyman 
of Pittsburgh, ' ' whom he does not name. His appeal brought here Dr. Grusta- 
vus Reichhelm, just arrived from Europe, and he was thus the first to intro- 
duce the homeopathic practice here. He was a grave, scholarly, resolute and 
courteous man, and he soon built up a large practice, his success being great 
in the treatment of young children. He remained here till 1853, when, on 
account of domestic troubles, he went back to Philadelphia, and died there, 
suddenly, of apoplexy, in 1864. He was not an aggressive man, but, as the 
pioneer of a new medical idea, held his own with remarkable firmness. The 
men who followed him were Dr. C. Bayer, Dr. D. M. Dake, Dr. Marcellin Cote, 
Dr. Wilson, the Drs. Hoffman, Dr. J. P. Dake, Dr. J. F. Cooper, and since 
then a host of others, whom it would be tedious to enumerate. The most 
aggressive of these men was Dr. D. M. Dake. The homeopathic hospital, on 
Second avenue, is a monument of their energy and persistence. The system 
ias been established here on a very firm basis. 



654 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Continued). 

The Press— The Pittsburgh Gazette and Mr. Sculi,— Subsequent Ne:\vs- 
PAPERs— Contrast Between the Pre.ss of 1786 and that of 1889. 

THE newspapers of Pittsburgh, though few, are good; and all of them can 
say that they have come to their present estate " through much tribula- 
tion. ' ' The Gazette had the field to itself for many years, yet its circulation dur- 
ing its early period must have been very limited. On several occasions, when 
the packhorses failed to arrive with a supply of paper from the east, Mr. Scull, 
its proprietor, was obliged to borrow cartridge-paper from the commander of 
the United States gamson; and it is not supposable that cartridge-jiaper, in 
those days, was of very superior quality. The Gazette must have presented an 
appearance much like a confederate country sheet, during the rebellion, printed 
on wall-paper. Then there were no mails. For years after the Gazette was 
started there were no mails at all, and the subscribers were supplied, fitfully, 
by special carriers. These carriers were undoubtedly very slow coaches, taking 
their time after the fashion of modern messenger-boys. Even when a mail 
was established, it traversed but one route, fi-om Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, 
with a branch fi'om Bedford to Virginia. "V^'hat a solitary ride the mail-rider 
must have had on this southern route! From Bedford to Cumberland was an 
unbroken wilderness. Plainly the mail could have supplied facilities to but 
few of the Gazette's subscribers, who lived, most of them, off the mail-route; 
and during the whole of the closing years of last century, probably, they had 
to depend on the uncertain visits of the hired paper-carriers. Advertising, 
too, was of slim proportions. Notices of the running off of apprentices and 
slaves; of " vendues," or auctions of stock and household stuff; of lost horses 
and cattle: of candidates for sheriff, then the only elective county office; an 
occasional sale of a homestead; and once in awhile the owner of a store would 
give notice of his willingness to exchange his wares for coiintry produce, such 
as potash, pearlash, wool, pelts, yarns, socks, along with butter, eggs and 
grain. Every country house then had a loom and spinning-wheel, and country 
linen and flannel were in plentiful supply. Money was scarce, and barter was 
the common resort of both buyer and seller. Mr. Scull, we know, made both 
ends meet in the long run, but he was proprietor, editor, reijorter and type- 
setter all in one, and was, besides, postmaster; but as the revenue of the 
Pittsburgh postofifice did not exceed one hundred dollars a year for some years, 
his income from that source could not have been large. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 657 

The first thing that strikes a reader on seeing one of the old-time papers is 
the entire absence of editorial matter. Beyond a notice of a fire, or a flood, or 
some other local calamity, there is no original matter in any of them, except- 
ing communications. In every place able to support a paper there was always 
someone to write a communication to it. These articles were never signed 
with the name of the writer, but purported to come from " Vindex," " Publi- 
cola, " "Tacitus," "Cicero,'' and the whole range of classical authors and 
heroes. They were usually written in the sophomore vein, abounded in clas- 
sical allusions and quotations, and were on all subjects, religion, politics, law, 
medicine and morals. Essays after the manner of the Spectator were fi-e- 
quent, and the weekly paper was the only outlet for whatever literary activity ex- 
isted. Beyond these literary eflPorts the paper was filled with news. Foreign 
news in great fullness, a month or two old, and domestic news a little fresher, 
but not much. It has been stated, with a flourish, that the Gazette took a firm 
stand against the whisky rebellion, but its "firm stand" must have consisted 
in saying and doing nothing. Its influence may have been felt on the right 
side, and doubtless it was, but its columns can not be cited in proof. Down 
to 1830, and perhajjs afterward, this characteristic of the press was main- 
tained, and one can not but wonder, in looking back, how the papers of that 
day made their impression on the public mind. The contrast between that 
day and this, in that respect, is marvelous and noteworthy. 

Mr. Scull remained in connection with the Gazette until 1818, when he 
retired to Westmoreland county, and died there in 1828. He was succeeded 
in the paper by Morgan Neville, he by Neville B. Craig, and he by David N. 
White. Mr. White disposed of the paper in 1856 to Samuel Kiddle & Co., 
who in 1866 transferred it to its present proprietors. It is now, in its one 
hundred and third year, a large, vigorous, well-condiicted paper, giving prom- 
ise of continued long life. It was always considered a federal paper under 
Scull, was whig under Craig and White, and republican from the inception of 
that party in 1855. 

The next oldest paper, although not in continuous succession, is the Post. 
It claims to date back to 1796, but we can find no record of any paper of its 
class until 1803, when the Comviomoealth, a weekly democratic paper, was 
started by Ephraim Pentland. It was finally merged in the Statesman, a whig 
paper, published by John B. Butler, and the Statesman was merged in the 
Advocate, which was eventually swallowed up by the Gazette. But the demo- 
cratic patronage was transferred at an early date to the Pittsburo-h Mercury, 
a weekly paper, started in 1811 by James C. Gilleland, who was succeeded in 
1812 by John M. Snowden. In J 837 it was published by Morrow & Smith, 
and in 1842 was merged with the American Manufacturer, and from the union 
of those two sprang the Post, which has continued fi'om that day to this, and 
is the only democratic paper published in the city (excepting Sunday and 
German papers). It has a connected history back to 1803. 



658 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The next oldest paper is the Dispatch. It was established in 1S40, as a 
penny paper, by J. Heron Foster. A paper of the same name was started in 
1838 by John F. Jennings, but only seven numljers were issued. Mr. Foster 
made the Dispatch popular from the start, but in 1865 it was changed from a 
penny to a three-cont paper, and is now one of the largest papers in the city. 
It has a large and substantial circulation, is edited with great ability, and is 
independently republican in polities. 

The Times is the remaining morning paper. It was started in 1880 as a 
penny paper, and is now firmly established as such, with a daily circulation 
bordering on thirty thousand. It is republican in politics, clean, spirited and 
popixlar. 

The evening papers are the Chronicle- Telegraph, the Leader and the Penny 
Pi'ess. The Pittsburgh Chronicle was begun in 1841 by R. G. Berford, and 
continued its life till 1884, when it was merged in the Telegraph. The latter 
paper was started in 1847, and maintained a fitful existence for several years, 
but was finally set fair upon its feet, and now, since its union with the Chronicle, 
it is a substantial, well-conducted, well-to-do paper. The Leader was estab- 
lished in 1870 by Pittock, Nevin & Co., is independent in character, and enjoys 
a large circulation. The Penny Press, started in 1885, is a penny paper, as its 
name indicates, republican in politics, and is a sprightly and industrious col- 
lector of the news. 

These constitute the list of daily papers now published. But behind them, 
looking back for fifty years, the pathway is strewn with newspaper wrecks. 
The mere list of them would occupy solid pages. There was the Tree of Lib- 
erty, 1801, which lasted only five or sis years; the Pioneer, 1812; the Western 
Gleaner, 1813; the Wester7i Journal, 1826; the Allegheny Democrat, 1827, 
merged with the Mercury in 1841; the Hesperus, 1828; the Independent 
Republican, 1829; the Times, 1831, died in 1838 or 1839; the Advocate, 1832, 
merged afterward in the Gazette; the Western Emporium (Allegheny). 1833; 
Saturday Evening Visitor, 1838; Christian Witness, 1836; the Pittsburgher, 
1839; the Daily American, evening, 1839; Harris' Intelligencer, 1839; Liter- 
ary Examiner, 1839; Sibbett's Western Revieio, 1839; Literary Messenger, 
1841; Daily Sun, 1841; Herald and Weekly Advertiser, 1841; Spirit of Lib- 
erty, 1842; Spirit of the Age, 1843; the Mystery, 1844; the Ariel, 1845; the 
Alleghenian, 1845; the Nautilus, 1845; the Olden Time, 1846; Stars and 
Stripes, 1847; the Albatross, 1847; Temperance Banner, 1847; Evening Day 
Book, 1847; the Token, 1848; Allegheny Daily Enterprise. 1850; Dollar 
Ledger, Evening Tribune, the Evening News and the Daily Express, all in 
1850; and divers other papers, the names of which memory fails to recall. All 
of these lived but a short time — some less than a year, others one, two or three 
years — and all died out completely, or were merged in other concerns that 
also died. 

The religious press is well represented. The Methodist Recorder, organ of 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 659 

the Methodist Protestants, was started in Ohio iu 1839, and after being moved 
about to sundry places was finally lodged in Pittsburgh in 1871. The Pitts- 
burgh Christian Advocate, organ of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was 
originally the Pittsburgh Conference Journal, started in 1 833. The Presby- 
terian Banner was started as the Weekly Recorder in 1814, at Chillicothe, 
Ohio, and removed to Pittsbiirgh in 1822. It is said to be the oldest religious 
paper in the United States. The United Presbyterian began as the Preacher 
in 1842, and has absorbed about a dozen other papers. The Pittsburgh Cath- 
olic was first issued in 1844, and has continued regularly since. All these 
papers are large, well printed and well edited, and each of them has a large 
circulation among the people of their several denominations. 

Of the German papers, the first published here was the Beobachter, a 
weekly, in 1832. The Freiheits Freund was originally started at Chambers- 
burg, Pa., in 1834, but was removed to Pittsburgh in 1837, by Victor Scriba, 
its then owner. Its present proprietors, L. & W. Neeb, were apprentices in 
the oifice in 1836. It commenced as a weekly, but has been a daily since 1855, 
or before. It was neutral in politics until the Fremont campaign, when it 
became republican, and has so remained ever since. It has a daily circulation 
of over ten thousand, and a large weekly circulation. It is the principal Ger- 
man paper in Western Pennsylvania. The other German papers are the 
Volksblaat and the Republikaner, both respectable papers, but neither of them 
of sufficient prominence, outside their immediate circle, to draw special atten- 
tion. The Republikaner is democratic. 

In addition to the papers above mentioned there are various trade-journals 
published in the interest of the several branches of trade, the principal of 
which is the American Manufacturer, devoted mainly to the iron and steel 
interests. The labor interest is represented by the Labor Tribune and the 
Labor Herald. 

Altogether, the city makes a most respectable showing in the list of papers 
now published in it. They are all neat in appearance, well patronized, well 
edited, enterprising, brisk and, as a general rule, clean. The contrast 
between the diminutive sheet of the Pittsburgh Gazette of 1786, with its 
meager supply of intelligence fi'om weeks to months old, and any of the Pitts- 
burgh dailies of 1889, broad and well-filled sheets, with telegraphic news from 
all parts of the world only a day old, is simply astounding. It illustrates, 
better than the most eloquent lecture could, the great progress attained in a 
century. One of the double issues of to-day contains as much matter as the paper 
of a hundred years ago contained in a year. But, query, are the people any 
better satisfied with the fresh news, day by day, than they were a century ago 
with news comparatively stale ? It is not certain that they are. The news then 
was slow in coming, and reached back for weeks and months; but it was still 
news, and was probably received, old as it was, with as much keenness and 
interest as we receive our later news. The interest in intelligence depends 



060 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

more upon its character tbau upou its age. ytill, that does not weaken the 
contrast between the papers of 1786 and 1889. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Continued). 

The Uiots of 1877— Origin of the Outbreak — Destruction of Property 
AND Lo.ss OF Life— Sympathy with the Rioters— Outrages. 

ALL cities have riots, at some time in their history, and Pittsburgh had 
her share in 1877. It was chiefly remarkable for the amount of prop- 
erty destroyed, and for the utter paralysis that overcame the local authorities 
in attempting to put it down. The total of the property destroyed was valued 
at three millions of dollars, and all this destruction was wrought during the 
quiet of a beautiful Sunday in July. 

The origin of this outbreak was an attempt on the part of the Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad company to cut down its expenses by putting two ordinary 
freight- trains into one. This double train was called a " double -ender." An 
ordinary freight-train consists of one engine and twenty freight-cars, with a 
conductor and two brakemen. The plan of the road was to put forty fi-eight- 
cars into one train, with an engine at each end, and man it with one conductor 
and two brakemen, thus saving the pay of three men on each of such trains. 
The company was engaged in an effort to cut down expenses, and it knew of 
no better method than this to retrench. It was not a very brilliant conception 
at best, and the effort to carry it out did not result in any retrenchment, as far 
as heard from. 

The freight employ (5s of the road naturally ' ' kicked " ' against a movement 
aimed to cut down half their force. They argued with the company against 
its reasonableness, and endeavored to demonstrate that it would really not 
prove economical, but in vain. The order to make the experiment was issued, 
and the railroad company seemed to be confident of its ability to carry it 
out. But the freight employes at once formed a compact organization, and 
resolved to resist. Thursday, the I'Jth of July, 1877, was chosen by the rail- 
road company as the time for the order to go into effect, and on that day sev- 
eral " doubleenders " were made up, but there were no brakemen or conduct- 
ors to man them. The men had ' ' struck, ' ' and strung themselves out through 
the yards and along the tracks to see that no one ventured to help take out a 
"double-ender." The fi-eight business of the road came to an immediate 
standstill, and the company, on Friday, called on the governor for troops to 
protect the property of the railroad. The troops were called out on Saturday. On 




y^:'^^^ /S, G::=^2^Aa. 



^Z'^-^-z/ 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 663 

that (lay the strikers were strung out along the raih-oad tracks, between the 
Union depot and the stockyards, in the East End, the greatest gatherings 
being at ToiTens station and East Liberty, and at the outer depot, near Twenty- 
eighth street. The local military organizations called out were the Fourteenth 
and Eighteenth regiments of the National Guards, the Jefferson cavalry and 
Hutchison's battery. The cavalry and artillery were stationed in the low 
part of the threatened district, and the infantry upon the hill-slope above 
Twenty-eighth street. A local paper says: 

About 2 o'clock P. M. on Saturday, Philadelphia troops, consisting of two brigades, 
including the Weccaco Legion, Washington Gre5-s and Keystone battery, with two Gatling 
guns, arrived, and were stationed at the Twenty-eighth street crossing, near the round- 
house and outer depot. It was then that indications pointed to an attempt to send out 
" double-headers." The crowd in the vicinity was immense, the tracks being covered 
with people, and the eastern regiments at once proceeded to clear the way for the business 
of the road. The crowd sulleuly maintained its position. In the endeavor to push back 
the crowd some evil-disposed persons hurled stones among the militia. This resulted in 
a scattering fire from a portion of the latter, bj' which a number of persons were killed 
and wounded, including some of the home soldiers. This unfortunate affair incensed 
the strikers and their friends, and their fury increased as night drew on, when a powerful 
mob took possession of the city. All the idlers, thieves and lawless characters of the city 
took control, and robbery and arson followed. Soon after the firing 'he Philadelphia 
troops took possession of the lower roundhouse of the railroad company, at Twenty- 
seventh street, and there prepared to defend themselves against the infuriated mob. 
Bands of desperate men visited different parts of the city, forced armories, broke into 
gunshops and stores where arms were kept, and helped themselves. A cannon was 
obtained at the armory of Knapp's battery, in Allegheny, and it was placed on Twenty- 
seventh street, with a view of assault upoij the roundhouse. It was of little avail, how- 
ever, as upon every attempt to fire it the besieged from the windows of the house emptied 
a volley of balls with deadly effect. Meantime the work of arson had commenced, and 
train after train of freight-cars was set on fire, and with them an effort made, by means 
of the tracks on both sides of the buildings, to set the roundhouse on fire. This double 
danger was gallantly fought by the beleaguered garrison, who cast obstructions upon the 
tracks. Sunday morning the troops evacuated the roundhouse, and reached Penn avenue 
by wa}- of Twenty-fifth street, and thence marched to the United States arsenal. Being 
denied admission there, the}' crossed the Allegheny river and marched thence to Blairs- 
ville. On the way out Penn avenue they were attacked by the mob, and, when compelled, 
returned fire. On the march several soldiers were killed and a number wounded, while 
their fire into their assailants had deadly effect. 

The work of destruction by fire continued during all of Sunday, and the incendiary's 
torch was not stayed until all the Pennsylvania railroad property, including cars and 
freight, within reach had been fired. Other railroad property in the ity and in Alle- 
gheny would also have been lighted had it not been that by Sunday ernoon citizens 
had organized and were prepared for resistance. The firemen were , evented b}' the 
mob from attempting to save railroad property, the companies being stopped by armed 
men. while threats vere made to cut the hose and upset the apparatus. 

Twenty-five persons in all were killed. In all about 1,383 freight-cars, 104 loco- 
motives and 66 passenger-coaches were destroyed. The grain-elevator and Union depot 
and hotel were the principal buildings burned. The losses to the railroads amounted to 
f 2,.500,00O; that to private persons was about f 1.50,000. 

In the meantime efforts were made to use the city authority to quell the 



664 HISTOBY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

revolt, and, that failing, to use the county authority; but neither effort amounted 
to anything. The mayor was willing and anxious to do his best; but his police 
force was small and he had no power to increase it. Even if he had had the 
power he would have been unable to use it, for, on account of the reasons 
hereinafter stated, the people generally sympathized with the strikers, and men 
could not be found willing to serve as special policemen against their neighbors 
and friends among the rioters. The sheriff had power, and we believe he used 
it, to call out the posse comitatus ; but the strikers constituted a large part of 
the posse comitatus, and those not among the strikers were related to them, or 
knew them, or sympathized with them. Hence, neither city nor county was 
able, on the spur of such a moment, to do anything; and, indeed, after the 
strikers had been infuriated by the military it would have taken the city and 
county, en masse, to have put them down. This is said, not to excuse the 
action, or want of action, of the local authorities, but to show that in a struggle 
between employers and employes, such as this was, one part of the commu- 
nity can not be depended on to put another part down. There is a strong dis- 
inclination, even at the best, in the average citizen, to serve in the posse or as a 
special policeman. 

But there were reasons behind this for the lukewarmness of the citizens 
when this outbreak commenced. From the very start the Pennsylvania road 
had persisted in treating Pittsburgh, not as the western terminus of the line, 
but as a mere way-station on its route to the west. The city, until within a 
few years past, was unable to profit by the advantages of its position. The 
railroad rates discriminated against it at nearly every point, and it was cheaper 
to ship grain and other western produce from Chicago to Philadelphia and 
New York than to Pittsburgh. A manufacturer here could ship his wares to 
Boston at a cheaper rate by sending them first to Cincinnati and reshipping 
them from there to Boston via Pittsburgh. This discrimination told strongly 
against Pittsburgh, and as a consequence her merchants generally were at odds 
with the railroads. Nearly eveiy one of them had some private grievance of 
this kind to complain of. As a matter of course, everyone sought redress 
through the papers, and .so the complaint became general, and everyone in 
the city, whether interested or not, took sides against the railroad. It became 
a great public wrong, and when the rebellion of the freight employes against 
the railroad began everyone was disposed to stand back and let the railroad 
fight out its own fight. This was before the destruction of property began; 
after that, instinct drove public sentiment to the side of the railroad company. 

But it was too late. When the railroad employes began to burn cars, and 
put the burning cars in motion down the tracks for the purpose of driving the 
soldiers out of the roundhouse, all the devil in the hearts of the outside 
rowdies looking on was stirred up, and every thief, every loafer, every idler, 
every ill-disposed creature, seeing the opportunity offered for plunder, jumped 
at the unwonted chance, and at once began the work of looting. There were 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. DDO 

hundreds of loaded cars on the tracks, some from the west for the east, 
loaded with flour, grain and jsrovisions of all sorts, and some from the east for 
the west, loaded with shoes, hats, dry goods, and nearly every kind of good& 
for household use. To set fire to the depot and begin the work of plundering 
the cars was the task of but a moment; and all that Sunday, while the 
heavens were black with the smoke of the burning ears and depot, the streets 
were alive with plunderers loaded down with hams, sacks of flour, boots and 
shoes, dry goods and everything that was portable. 

Was no attempt made to stop this plundering? Was ever an attempt 
made to stem a torrent in its course? No; it could not be stopped. The people 
engaged were mad with an unusual excitement, and a hat in front of the rush 
-of Niagara would have done as much service as an attempt to stop this onrush 
and its results. The orderly part of the community were not engaged in it, 
and there was neither time nor occasion to organize them for effective resist- 
ance. 

During Sunday the mayor called a public meeting of the citizens, which 
took measures to prevent the spread of the riot, and this step saved Allegheny 
and other portions of the city from the spread of the riot. It was conse- 
quently confined to the railroad tracks between the passenger depot and the 
outer depot. But enoiigh mischief was done within this limited space to 
compel the county to pay over damages to the amount of nearly three million 
dollars. 

In the time of the Native-American riots in Philadelphia the legislature 
passed an act making Philadelphia county responsible for all property destroyed 
by riots, and this act was afterward extended to Allegheny county, although 
no riots had ever at that time disgraced this county. The act was not general, 
and applied to those two counties only. Had the riot occurred in any county 
in the state outside of Philadelphia and Allegheny there would have been 
no legal recourse for damages. 

The high pitch of excitement prevailing here in this riot among the railroaders 
and their sympathizers was not confined to Pittsburgh. It existed at the same 
moment and with equal intensity at Washington city, Baltimore, Philadelphia, 
New York, Cincinnati and other cities. The electric fluid develojsed itself at 
all these places threateningly, but it struck here. That was all the difference. 
As in a thunder-storm, one spot received all the strokes of lightning, while 
dozens of other spots saw the flashes of the lightning and heard the mutterings 
of the thunder. After exhausting itself here, the storm soon ceased at all the 
other points. But there was a widespread feeling of discontent with the 
railroads at that time all over the Union. The interstate commerce law has 
done a great deal to remove all public sympathy with such a movement now, 
and the riot of 1877 is not likely to be repeated. 

The riot, however, demonstrated how utterly useless home troops are in 
putting down a popular outbreak. The National Guards from this city were 



666 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

tho first on the i^round, and did iiiucli toward worliing up tlio minds of the 
freight oiuployes to the tightiug-poiut. Those home soldiers were nearly all 
personally known to the rioters, and it is the most difficult thing imaginalile to 
induce men to shoot into the ranks of their neighbors, relatives and friends. 
In war, when the blood is up, this is easier; but to summon A, B and C from 
their peaceful homes to shoot down, in cold blood, D, E and F, whom they 
know and to whom they are possibly related, is a far more difiicult thing. The 
home troops, in this instance, did fire, but it was with great reluctance, and 
amid execrations it was hard to bear. The reluctance, too, was marked enough 
to be seen by the rioters, and appreciated by them accordingly. It only made 
them the more determined and resolute. 

This, and all the otlier reasons we have cited, was no excuse for the riot 
itself. That was inexcusable on any plea. The facts we have cited explain, 
but do not justify, the riot. The occasions of a wrong done may be understood 
-without turning them into an excuse. The county, it may be added, manfully 
shouldered its burden caused by the loss, and settled, on a fair basis, satis- 
factorily with all claimants. There was no litigation beyond what was neces- 
sary to establish its legal and corporate responsibility. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Continued). 

Principal Officers of Pittsbukgii fkom Its Incokporatiox— Principal 
Officers of Allegheny as Bouougii and City. 

THE mayors of Pittsburgh, from 1817 to 1835, inclusive, were chosen by 
councils annually from the list of aldermen appointed by the governor. 
From 1836 to 1857, inclusive, the mayor was chosen annually by the people; 
from 1858 to 1868, inclusive, the mayor was chosen every two years by the peo- 
ple; and from 1869 to the present, every three years. The following is a list: 

Ebeiiezer Denny, 1816 lo 1817; John Darragh, 1817 to 1835; John M. Snowden. 1825 to 
1827; Magnus Murray. 1828 to 1829; Mathew B. Lowrie, 1830; Magnus Murray. 1831; 
Samuel PeUigrew, 1832 to 1835. In 1834 the mayor was fir.^^t elected l)y the people. Prior 
thereto he was appointed annually by the city councils, and their choice was restricted to 
the twelve aldermen of the city. Jonas R. McClintock, 1836 to 1838; William Little, 1889; 
William W. Irwin, 1840; James Thompson, 1841; Alex. Hay, 1842 to 1845; William J. 
Howard, 1845; AVilliam Kerr, 1846; Gabriel Adams, 1847 and 1848; John Herron, 1849; 
Joseph Barker, 1850; John B. Guthrie, 1851 and 1852; Robert M. Riddle, 1858; Ferdinand 
E. Volz, 18.54 and 18.55; William Bingham, 1856; Henry A. Weaver. 18.57 to 1859. In Jan- 
uary, 1858, the mayor was first elected for the term of two years. George Wilson, 1860 
and 1861; B. C. Sawyer, 1862 and 1863; James Lowrey, 1864 and 1865; William C. McCarthy. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 667 

1866 and 1867; James Blackmore, 1868 and 1869; Jared M. Brush, 1869, 1870 and 1871. Mr. 
Brush was elected under the act of 1868 for three years. James Blackmore. 1872, 1873 
and 1874: William C. McCarthy, 1875, 1876 and 1877; Robert Liddell, 1878, 1879 and 1880; 
Robert W. Lyon, 1881, 1883 and 1883; Andrew Fulton, 1884, 1885 and 1886; William 
McCallin, the present mayor. 

Presidents of Select Council. — James Ross, 1816-33; Benjamin Bakewell, during the 
illness of Mr. Ross; Trevanion B. Dallas, 1834-35 (Mr. Dallas resigned upon being ap- 
pointed president judge of the Fifth Judicial district); Abishai Way, 1835; Samuel B. Dar- 
lington, 1836-37; Joseph P. Gazzam, 1837-39; John P. Bakewell, 1840^1; John Shipton, 
1842-43; Thomas Bakewell, 1844-45, resigned; George W.Jackson, remainder of 1845; 
Thomas Bakewell, 1846; John Shlpton, 1847-48; Harraer Denny, 1849; James B. Murray, 
1850-51; Isaac C. Jones, 1852; John Shipton, 1853-54; James McAuley, 1855-70; A. H. 
Gross, 1871-1876; David Aiken, 1877; J. G. McCandless, 1878; H. I. Gourley, 1879-87; H. 
P. Ford, 1888. 

Presidents of Common Council. — William Wilkins, 1816-19; Alexander Johnstone, Jr., 
1820-31: John Graham. 1831-34; Jonas R. McClintock, 1835; George A. Cook, 1836; M. 
B. Miltenberger, 1837; William Eichbaum, lb38-41; Alexander W. Foster, Jr., 1842, re- 
signed: William Eichbaum, 1843-43; Morgan Robertson, 1844-48; Robert McKnight, 1849- 
51; Thomas M. Marshall, 1853-54; Samuel A. Long, 1855; Thomas M. Marshall, 1856; 
Russell Errett, 1857; Samuel McKelvey, 1858; Russell Errett, 1859; A. G. McCandless, 
1860-62; John M. Killen, 1863; Thomas Steel, 1864-68, resigned; W. A. Tomlinson. 1868- 
70; Henry W. Oliver, 1871-73; William B. Negley, 1873-78; W. W. Thompson, 1879; 
William R. Ford, 1880-86; George L. Holliday, 1887-88. 

Controllers.— Umvj Lambert, 1858-59; Russell Errett, 1860-61; Thomas Steel, part of 
1861 and balance of Errett's term; John McCargo, 1863-67; Thomas Steel, 1868; Robert J. 
McGow an, 1869-73; Robert Snodgrass, 1874-7';; William C. McCarthy, 1878-80; E. S. 
Morrow, 1881 — the present officer. 

Treasurers.— io\in Pentland, 1816-18; John Scull, 1819-33; William Graham, Jr., 
1823-35; William Pentland, 1836-37; Robert Watson, 1838, declined to serve; Nathaniel 
Holmes, 1838; James Thompson, 1839, declined; Samuel Johnstone, 1839-40; James A. 
RartrRm. 1841-45; Samuel R. Johnstone, 1846; James M. Christy, 1847; Samuel R.John- 
stone, 1848-51; Andrew McMasters, 1853-54; John C. Davitt, 1855-56; William Eichbaum, 
1857-66. In January, 1858, the treasurer was first elected by the people, and for the 
term of two years. Mr. Eichbaum died during his term, and Mr. Allinder was elected by 
councils to supply the vacancj'. Samuel Allinder, 1867-68; A. J. Cochran, 1869-71; C. L. 
Magee. 1872-77: Samuel Kilgore, 1878-80; Joseph F. Denniston. 1881— the present treasurer. 
Solicitors. — This office was established in 1831, but no record of any appointment can 
be found from 1825 to 1830. Neville B. Craig, 1821-25; Trevanion B. Dallas, 1830-31; 
Edward Simpson, 1832-36; James Findley, 1837-39; Cornelius Darragh, 1840; Moses Hamp- 
ton, 1841; Andrew Wiley, 1842-43; Robert Woods, 1844; C. M. B. Smith, 184-5-46; C. O. 
Loomis, 1847-48; Charles B. Scully, 1849; James I. Kuhn, 1850-51; Oliver H. Rippey, 
1852-53; James I. Kuhn, 1854; Alfred B. McCalmont, 1855; David D. Bruce, 1856; Alexan- 
der M. Foster, 1857-59; John W. Riddle. 1860; Jacob F. Slagle, 1861-62; J. W. F. White, 
1863-65; Jacob F. Slagle, 1866-72: Thomas S. Bigelow, 1873-81; William C. Moreland, 
1882 to the present time. 

The following is a list of the principal officers of the borough of Allegheny: 

Burgesses.— John Irwin, 1829-34; Hugh Davis, 1835-38; John Morrison, 1839-40. 

Presidents of Coimcil.—Jumes Brown, 1828. 1839, 1834; Isaac Lightner, 1830-31; John 
Tassey, 1833, 1833, 1835, 1837, 1839; John Mannen, 1838; S. S. Shields, 1840. 

Clerks of Council.— U. A. Campbell, 1838: John Morrison, 1839-33; George R. Riddle, 
1834-38; Thomas L. McMillan, 1839-40. 



668 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Treiuurerx.—lluglx Davis, 1828-29; William Robiuson, Jr., 1830-30; .John Patterson, 
1836; John Morrison, 1837-38; John Hannen, 1839-40. 

The following is a list of the principal officers of the city of Allegheny from 
its incorporation, in 1840, to the present time: 

Mtti/orii. —Gcu. William Kobinson, Jr., 1840; Thomas Sample, 1841; William B. Foster, 
1843-43; Ilezekiah Nixon, 1844-45; R. S. Cassett, 1846; Henry Campbell, 1847-48; Jona- 
than Rush. 1849; Hugh S. Fleming, 1850-53; R. W. Park, 1853; William B. Adams. 
1854-56; Harmon De Haven, 1857; Jacob Stiickrath, 1858; John Morrison, 1859-60; 
Simon Drum, 1861-62; A. C. Alexander, 1863-64; John Morrison, 1865-67; Simon 
Drum, 1868-69; A. P. Callow, 1870-74; David Xeely, 1874; II. S. Fleming, 1874; O. 
Phillips, 1875-77; Thomas Magaw, 1878-80; L. Peterson, 1881-84; James G. Wyman, 
1884-87; Richard T. Pearson, 1887-88. 




^ is ffl |g Pw rii 




OLD TOWN HALL, ALLEGHENY CITY, TORN DOWN IN 1863. 

[From cut by Snowden & Peterson.] 

PresidentK of Select Counci/.— James Brown. 1840-41; H. Nixon, 1843; E. W. Stephens, 
1843-44; .John Tassey, 1845-46; R. S. Cassett, 1847-48; William Robinson, 1849-56; Jarob 
Painter, 1857-58; James Marshall, 1859-65; James McBrier, 1866-74; Joshua Patterson. 
1875-78; A. D. Armstrong, 1879-83; James H. Lindsay. 1884-. 

PreKideiit.f i,f Common Council.—llcary Irwin, 1840-44: G. E. Warner, 184.5-49; Will- 
iam Boyd. 1850-53; James Park, Jr., 1853; William Chambers, 1854; James Marshall, 1855; 
John Atwell, 18.56; John W. Barr, 1857; J. Gardner Coffin. 1858; H. S. Fleming, 1859; 
Joseph Kirkpatrick, 1860; A. D. Smith, 1861-62; John Brown, Jr., 1863; James McBrier, 
1864; Simon Drum, 1865; George D. Riddle, 1866-67; John S. Slagle, 1868; Alfred Slack, 
1869; Henry Warner, 1870; Alfred Slack, 1871-73: Henry M. Long, 1874; William T. Price, 
1875; J. C. S. Golden, 1876; James Hunter, 1877; George W. Shaman. 1878-80; James 
Hunter, 1881-. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 009 

Controllers.— R. B. Francis, 1865-69; William R. Porter, 1870-71 ; James Brown, 1872-. 

Treasurers.— 3 ohvL Hannen, 1840^3; Thomas H. Stewart, 1843^7; John H. Stewart, 
1848-49; Jonathan Rush, 1850-53; Henry Campbell. 18.54-57; David Macferron, 1858-. 

SoK<-j7or«.— William O'Hara Robinson, 1841; Thomas McConnel, 1842; William 
O'Hara Robinson, 1843-44; Thomas Williams, 1845-47; Stephen H. Geyer, 1848-56; David 
W. Bell, 18.57-59; S. Shoyer, Jr., 1860-65; M. A. Woodard, 1866; J. C. McCombs, 1867-69; 
William B. Rodgers, 1870-87; George Elphiustone. 1888-. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Continued). 

Educational— Pittsburgh Public Schools— Private Schools — Academy — 
Classical School — Allegheny Public Schools— High-school. 

PITTSBURGH SCHOOLS. 
public schools. 

FROM 1764, when Pittsburgh was laid out as a town, until 1834, a period of 
seventy years, no records were kept from which can be gathered information 
showing the educational advantages of the people during that period. During 
these seventy years education was mostly in the hands of the church, almost 
every denomination making provision for the education of those connected with 
its communion. In many cases the minister was teacher, filling the pulpit on 
Sunday and posing behind the teacher's desk during the week. 

In 1834 the legislature of Pennsylvania, after one of the most bitter fights 
that ever occurred in that body, passed a public-school law, which, however, was 
not to go into operation in any borough, township or city until the people of 
said borough, township or city had approved the act. Indignation-meetings 
were held in all parts of the state. The members who voted for the bill were 
roundly denotmced by their constituents for their act, and many of them 
failed of re-election, while others were returned only after pledging themselves 
to favor the repeal of the obnoxious measure. At the session of 1835 numer- 
ous petitions {Vi\ per cent of all the voters in the state) asked for the repeal of 
the law, and, strange to say, quite a number of the petitioners were unable to 
write their names, and signed by making a cross. To Thad. Stevens and Gov. 
Wolfe, more than to any other individuals, is due the passage of the school law 
of 1834. 

Immediately after the passage of the free-school law each of the four wards, 
North, South, East and West, then constituting the city of Pittsburgh ap- 
proved the measure and took steps to put its provisions into effect. The 
county had bought a lot on Ferry street, upon which it erected a building 
and opened a school for the education of the children of the very poor. The 



670 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

First Ward school boari:! (Duquesne) purchased this in 1836 or 1837, and 
opened a public school under the law of 1834. This is believed to be the tirst 
property owned by a school board under this act. This building is still stand- 
ing, although considerably changed since it left the hands of the school board. 
The school was continued on Ferry street until 1S50, when it was removed 
into what was then the new school building on the lot extending from First to 
Second avenue, and there it has remained until the present time. 

The Second Ward (South) school board opened the first public school in that 
district on the 11th of September, 1835, in the old carpet-factory building, near 
the corner of Smithfield and Water streets. In 183S the school was moved into 
what had been a chair- factory, near Cherry alley and Third avenue. In 1841 
the board completed the first public-school building, on the corner of Fourth 
avenue and Ross street (now a Jewish synagog). In 1850 the school was re- 
moved to its present qiiarters, corner of Koss and Diamond streets. 

The Third ward (Grant) erected the first public-school building for that 
district in 1836. It was located on the corner of Cherry alley and Diamond 
street. In this building the school was conducted until 1852, when it was re- 
moved into the present structure, at the corner of Strawberry alley and Grant 
street. When this building was completed it was said to be the best public- 
school building in the United States. 

In the Fourth ward (North) the first public school was opened in 1835. in a 
dilapidated building on the corner of Duquesne way and Seventh street. There 
it continued until 1838, when the school was removed into a new building 
erected for the purpose on the same street, near Penn avenue. This building 
was burned in 1847. After its destruction the school board purchased a lot on 
the corner of Penn avenue and Cecil alley, upon which was erected the school 
building now in use. School was opened in the new building in 1848. 

These fom- wards constituted the city of Pittsburgh until 1836, when the 
Fifth ward (now Ninth and Tenth) was added. The first school was opened 
in this ward in 1837, in rented rooms, where it remained until 1842, when the 
board erected two school-buildings, one on Pike street and the other on Lib- 
erty street. In these buildings the schools were continued until 1861, when 
they were removed to the large and commodious building at the corner of 
Penn avenue and Fifteenth street, named the Ralston. 

The Sixth ward (Forbes) became a part of the city in 1846. The first school - 
building was erected on Ann street, in 1848, and the small building on Second 
avenue was erected in 1851. This district has just completed one of the finest 
public-school buildings in the commonwealth. It is located at the corner of 
Forbes and Stevenson streets, and contains thirty schoolrooms. 

The Seventh and Eighth wards (Franklin) became a part of the city in 
1845, and the first school was opened in the present building on the 11th of 
May, 1847. 

The Eleventh ward (Moorhead) became a part of the city in 1846, and a 



^^s 

''^& 






!^>»* ^ 





PITTSBUliGH AND ALLEGHENY. 673 

school-building was erected in 1848 on Green and Linton streets, where the- 
school remained until 1868, when it was removed into the present building on 
Granville street. 

The Twelfth ward (O'Hara and Springfield) became a part of the city in 
1846. At the time of its admission there was a small school near the corner of 
Twenty-sixth and Smallman streets, but in 1848 a public-school building was 
completed tipon the corner of Twenty-sixth and Smallman streets; this build- 
ing was replaced by the present structure in 1855. The ward was made into 
two school districts in 1870, the eastern half being known as the Springfield 
sub- district; school was opened in temporary buildings on Smallman near 
Thirtieth street, and in 1872 one of the handsomest school -buildings in the city 
was dedicated to the use of public instruction. 

What is known as the East End was added to the city in 1868, and th& 
South Side in 1872. The East End schools are as follows: Minersville, Thir- 
teenth ward; Oakland, Fourteenth ward; Lawrence, Fifteenth ward; Howard, 
Sixteenth ward; Washington, Seventeenth ward; Mount Albion, Eighteenth 
ward; Hiland, Nineteenth ward; Liberty, Twentieth ward; Lincoln, Twenty- 
first ward; Homewood, Twenty-first ward; Colfax, Twenty- second ward; Ster- 
rett. Twenty-second ward; Peebles, Twenty-third ward. The South Side 
schools are the following: Wickersham, Twenty-fourth ward; Morse, Twenty- 
fifth ward; Humboldt, Twenty-sixth ward; St. Clair, Twenty- seventh ward; 
Birmingham, Twenty-eighth ward; Bedford, Twenty-ninth ward; Knox, 
Thirtieth ward; Allen, Thirty-first ward; Mount Washington, Thirty-second 
ward; Monongahela, Thirty-third ward; Eiverside, Thirty-fourth ward; Luckey, 
Thirty-fifth ward; Thad. Stevens, Thirty-sixth ward. The organization of 
these schools is of recent date, and consequently not of interest in this article. 
It may be seen, however, from an old minute-book of the Peebles township 
school board (now in possession of the Peebles sub-district school board. 
Twenty-third ward), that the people of what is now the East End of the city 
were among the first to avail themselves of the privileges of the free-school 
act. Immediately after the passage of the act of 1834 the voters were called 
together and unanimously voted to accept its provisions. The directors 
elected were John Graham, Daniel Negley, John McClintock, James Fleming, 
B. A. Fahnestock and William B. Mcllvaine. Shortly after their election the 
board met and placed upon the minutes the following resolution: 

In consequence of the great uncertainty in relation to the school laws, on account of 
the numerous petitions sent in from the various parts of the state for its repeal, the 
board think it advisable to suspend their operations for the present and wait the action of 
the present assembly on the subject. [Assembly of 1835.] 

Quite a lengthy list of names might be given of those who worked to 
establish and build up the fi'ee-school system in this vicinity. Among them 
are John Kelly, J. B. D. Meads, Isaac Whittier and George F. Gilmore, who 
organized the first free schools in Allegheny county; later on we have the 



674 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



names of S. 1"\ Covell, Andrew Burtt. D. C. Holmes, James M. Pryor, Henry 
Williams, James Newell, Lucius Osgood, \V. W. Dickson and Philetus Dean. 

In 1835 George F. GUmore opened the first public school in the city of 
Pittsburgh, in a rented building on Seventh street, with an enrollment of five 
pupils. Fifty-three years later (18SS) the number of teachers employed is 
nearly six hundi'ed, the enrollment about thirty thousand, and the school projj 
erty of the city is valued at more than two million dollars. 

The following table shows how the system has developed in Pittsliurgh 
since 1855, the time at which the first reliable statistics were collected; 



Year. 


No. 
Teachers. 


No. 
Pupils. 


Ami. Paid 
Teachers. 


Year. 


No. 
Teachers. 


No. 
Pupils. 


Ami. Paid 
Teachers. 


1856 

1861 

1866...... 

1871 


109 
129 
131 
216 


6.724 
7,937 
8.216 

IS.iiT 


$39,394.75 
39,638.58 

64,441.88 
144,931). 98 1 


1876 

1881 

1886 


428 

473 

. 557 


31,488 
24,480 
27.959 


$268,276.59 
272..501.09 
324.363.29 



The general management of the Pittsburgh schools is vested in the Central 
Board of Education, consisting of thirty-six members, one from each sub- 
district, and holding office for three years, one-third of the board being 
changed each year. There are, besides, sub- district boards, one in each sub- 
district, each consisting of six members, having the same term of office as the 
members of the Central board, and one-third retiring annually. Each of 
these sub-district boards appoints its own teachers, and levies the tax neces- 
sary for the payment of janitors and other expenses; but the Central board 
appoints the teachers of the high-school, fixes the salaries of all the teachers 
employed in the city, and levies the tax necessary for their payment. It has 
the exclusive control of the high-school, and prescribes the text-books to be 
used in all the schools. 

In 1868, in pursuance of an act establishing the office of city supei'intend- 
ent of schools, George J. Luckey, A. M. , was elected to that office, to which 
he has several times been re-elected, his seventh term expiring in May. 1^90. 

PRIVATE SCHOOLS. 

M'illiam Penn, when he arrived at Philadelphia in 1682 to place himself 
at the head of his colony, had ingrafted into his great law for the government 
of his colony a proviso: 

That all persons in this province and territories thereof having children, and all the 
guardians and trustees of orphans, shall cause such to be instructed in reading and writ- 
ing, so that they may be able to read the Scriptures and to write by the time they attain 
to twelve years of age; and that then they l)e taught some useful trade or skill, that the 
poor may work to live, and the rich, if they become poor, m.iy not want. 

For the violation of this proviso a penalty of five pounds was affixed. This 
law remained in force ten years, and was then abrogated by the order of William 
and Mary, king and queen of England, but was subsequently re-enacted in 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 675 

1693 under Gov. Fletcher, and there does not seem to be any record that it 
"was ever repealed. It will thus be seen that over two hundred years ago there 
was a proviso in the organic law of Pennsylvania making education compulsory, 
and also providing for industrial training. The state did not support the 
schools, but left them in private hands or under the control of the church. 
While the state did nothing in support of the primary and intermediate 
schools, it early and continuously provided for higher education. The general 
assembly set aside public lands, and frequently made appropriations of monej', 
in aid of colleges and universities in several parts of the state. 

ACADEMV IN 1787. 

The Pittsbui-gh Academy was chartered in 1787, and in 1819 it became the 
Western University. Its early professors are in the list of the forgotten, but 
in 1810 it was in charge of Rev. Joseph Stockton and Drs. Swift and McEl- 
roy. Rev. Mr. Stockton ranked among the prominent educators of the nation. 
In addition to his rank as a teacher he was the author of some well-known 
textbooks, that were in general use west of the mountains during the first half 
of the present century. Later on, this institution was honored by having among 
its professors that trio of learning and wit. Father Maguire and Drs. Bruce and 
Black; although differing widely on religions matters, they were the closest per- 
sonal friends. Most of those who taught in elementary schools have been forgot- 
ten, save by a few of our oldest citizens, who, when recalling the scenes and inci- 
dents of their early childhood, occasionally speak of those who wielded the birch 
three-quarters of a century ago. Among the names thus handed down are 
Messrs. Tierney, Callan, Lowiy, Christy, Cole, Bushnell, McCleary, Campbell, 
McGahan, McCurdy, Moody, McClurkin, Brown, Carr, Forrester, Dumars, 
McGanahan, Raney, Richmond, Winter, Stone, McNiven, Hartley, Daft, Lacey, 
Cust, Caskey, Sutherland, McDowell, together with Mesdames Curry, Harvey, 
Parry, Oliver and Gazzam, and the Misses Taggart and Cowles. Tierney and 
Callan taught what was known as the Pittsburgh Classical Academy in 1799. 
Their school was located in a brick building, nearly opposite the Exchange bank. 
In 1819 a Mr. Cole taught a school on Sixth street, about where the Hotel Ander- 
son now stands, and Daniel Bushnell and William McCleary wielded the birch 
in the courthouse. In 1821 Rev. John Campbell taught an ungraded school 
in a room over Leckey's blacksmith-shop, on Virgin alley, and later opened a 
high-school on Smithfield street, near Sixth; he was the father of Mrs. E. J. 
Roberts and Mrs. George Fortune. 

CLASSICAL SCHOOL. 

In the same year V. B. Magahen had charge of a classical school in a frame 
building that stood on a lot adjoining the present Lewis block, and about the 
same time Daniel McCurdy and a Mr. Moody presided over an academy near 
-the corner of Fourth avenue and Ferry street. A Mr. McClurkin and David 



676 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

L. Brown were teachers in 1821-22; the fonuer kept his school in a small 
frame on Fifth avenue opposite Masonic hall, and the latter in his dwelling, a 
brick building, on Second avenue, between Wood and Market streets. From 
1823 to 1830 the growth of the town brought quite a number of teachers to 
this vicinity; among them was a Mr. Carr, who, although having but one arm 
and one leg, managed to strike terror into the hearts of the unruly urchins who 
sought knowledge in his little frame school-building on Hay Scale alley, between 
Third and Fourth avenues. 

About the same time a Mr. Foirester taught on Fourth avenue, near Ferry 
street, and was as much noted for ability to swim as for his ability to teach; 
it was while sporting in the water that he finally lost his life. Then there was 
Mr. J. Dumars, who taught on Third avenue between Wood and Smithtield 
streets. Mr. Richmond (an invalid) taught on Fifth avenue, where the Ham- 
ilton building now stands. Rev. John Winter taught in the Baptist chiu'ch, 
which stood on the lot now occupied by the Kaufmann building. 

In 1832 Mr. Daniel Stone and his sister opened a young ladies' seminary 
in Bishop Hopkins' residence, and the following year Mr. John M. Nevin 
opened a high-school on Foiirth avenue, upon the site of the present English 
block. In 1832 a blacksmith-shop stood on the lot now occupied by the Van- 
degrift block, and in the upper story a Mr. Caskey wielded the proverbial 
birch and taught the young idea ' ' how to shoot. ' ' As the years rolled on, what 
had formerly been a village grew into quite a town, and the increased and 
increasing population spread out over the surrounding hills, and teachers and 
scholars multiplied until it would take a small volume to name the teachers 
and locate the schools. 

ALLEGHENY SCHOOLS. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

Allegheny was incorporated into a borough by an act of the general assem- 
bly passed April 14, 1828, and became a city April 10, 1840, with a popula- 
tion estimated at ten thousand. Soon after this it was divided into four wards. 
The portion of the borough which comprised the First ward, previous to 1835, 
supported a school, located on Robinson street near Corry street, which con- 
sisted of one room, in a rented building, without paint or plaster. This 
school was taught by Mr. Thomas McConnell, succeeded by William Carson 
and others. All the schools of the borough, according to the most reliable 
information at hand, were removed, in 1835 or 1836, to the old Presbyterian 
academy on South common near Marion avenue, and a borough school was 
then established and continued until 1840. This school was conducted by ]\Ir. 
John Kelly, Mr. Campbell and others. 

In 1840 the First and Fourth wards established and maintained a joint 
high-school in the basement of the South Common Methodist Episcopal church, 
and appointed Mr. John Kelly as teacher. In 1844 the directors of the First 




o^^C^^^gC^ 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 679 

ward purchased a lot on the corner of School and Rebecca streets, and erected 
on it a two- story brick building containing four rooms, and in January, 1845, 
removed the schools from the academy to the new quarters. Mr. John Kelly was 
elected principal and teacher of the highest department. 

In 1849 this building was enlarged by the addition of a third story con- 
taining two rooms. In 1853 a contiguous lot in the rear of the schoolhonse 
was purchased for fifteen hundred dollars. At the same time (1853) two 
rooms were rented in the west end for three dollars per month, and two 
schools organized therein, with Misses Heed and May as teachers. 

In 1856 sis rooms were added to the rear of the first building, at a cost of 
forty-nine hundred dollars, and the two schools in the west end of the ward 
were transferred to the enlarged building on Rebecca street. This house was 
used for school purposes until June, 1874, when it was torn down and the 
present spacious edifice erected. Previous to the year 1856 there was no sys- 
tem of grading in these schools, each teacher being responsible to the board 
only for the management of his school. 

The public schools of the Second ward were organized in 1840. From 
1840 till 1846 the schools were held, a part of the time, in a two-story build- 
ing which stood on the corner of North alley and Webster street. It contained 
two rooms. During the remainder of this period they were held in a building 
on the corner of Barnett alley and Arch street. The house on North avenue 
was first occupied in August, 1846. It was two stories high and contained 
four rooms. This building was subsequently remodeled, one story being 
added. The remodeled building was damaged by a storm in 1859, and was 
then rebuilt, very nearly as it now stands. The added story, like each of the 
others, was constructed to suit the plan of school management in those times, 
with a classroom and study-room, occupied, respectively, by a principal and an 
assistant. 

Prior to 1874 the Second ward maintained two other schools besides the 
one on North avenue. One of these was located on Taggart street, and was 
known as the Pleasant Valley school. The other was on Observatory hill. In 
1866 a two-story frame schoolhouse, afterward the Pleasant Valley church, 
was erected on Taggart street, in Manchester. During the following winter 
the borough of Manchester was annexed to the city, and this school was 
assigned to the Second ward. The Observatory hill school was organized as a 
sub-district of McClure township, and a one-story brick schoolhouse was 
erected there in 1867. In 1870 this territory' was also annexed to the city, 
and became a part of the Second ward. 

In 1873 a large lot on Irwin avenue, fronting on Washington street, was 
pui'chased, and during the summer of 1874 the Irwin Avenue schoolhouse was 
built. Since that time a large wing, comprising seven rooms, has been added 
to the main building. In 1887 another large building was erected on Observ- 
atory hill. The Second ward schools, as now organized, ai'e in three build- 
ings. North Avenue, Sherman Avenue and Observatory Hill. 



080 HISTOItY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The first building erected in the Third ward for public-school purposes 
was located at the corner of North and Cedar avenues, in 1839. It was built 
of l)rick and contained two rooms. The second house was built at the corner 
of East and Third streets, about 1841. It was a ono-story frame building 
containing two rooms. 

About 18-i6 the old Washington Temperance society, of Allegheny, erected 
near the Diamond a building which was known as "The Ark." This build- 
ing was rented and fitted up to accommodate the advanced pupils of the male 
department of all the schools of the ward. 

The school-building at the corner of Esplanade street and North avenue 
was erected in 1850. It contained at first eleven rooms, but the rapid increase 
in population made it necessary, at two different times, to enlarge the building, 
which now contains twenty-three rooms. In 1870 a site was procured on Chest- 
nut street, in the eastern part of the ward, where, in 1871, a handsome three- 
story brick building, with stone trimmings, was erected, containing twelve 
large schoolrooms, with cloakrooms, etc., the entire cost of which, including 
the lot of ground, heating apparatus, furniture, etc., was $75,000. At the 
present time the schools of the ward are accommodated in the tifo buildings. 
North avenue and Chestnut street. 

In 1840, as far back as the records extend, there were three jiublic schools 
in the Fourth ward. Two of these were located in the basement of Dr. Sproul's 
church, corner of Lacoek and Sandusky streets, and the remaining one on 
Avery street nearly opposite the present schoolhouse. There were also in the 
ward two joint public schools, one for colored children, in the basement of the 
Baptist church, and the other a joint high-school, already spoken of. 

In 1841 another school was added to the three already in operation, and in 
1844 the schools were reorganized, when the joint high-school was abandoned 
and the rooms occupied by it were taken for the lower schools, which had grown 
from three in 1840 to seven in 1844. 

The schools, as organized in 1844, were located as follows: Two in the 
basement of the South Common Methodist church, two in the basement of Dr. 
Kodgers' church, two on South Canal street near the aqueduct, and the remain- 
ing one on Avery street near the present school-building. Thus organized 
they remained till 1848. 

In 1847 a lot seventy by one hundred and ten feet, situated on Sandusky 
street, where Rev. Sproul' s church now stands, was purchased for §3, 500, and 
a new schoolhouse was erected thereon at a cost of $5,400. This building con- 
tained fourteen rooms, and was used for school purposes until 1871, when the 
present schoolhouse, on Liberty street, was occupied. 

The building for the schools of the upper district of the Fourth ward was 
located on South Canal street, near the aqueduct, from 1848 until 1808, when 
the present building on Liberty street was finished, at a cost of $31,000. The 
total cost, including ground, furniture, grading, jjaving, fencing, etc., was 
about fiftv-six thousand dollars. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. DOl 

The Fifth and Sixth wards are so intimately connected as to make their 
early history inseparable. By an act of assembly, in 1867, the borough of 
Manchester was consolidated with the city. By an ordinance of city councils, 
May 9th of the same year, those f)arts of the First and Second wards west of 
Allegheny avenue were added to this district, and the whole divided into two 
wards, the Fifth and Sixth. The number of children of school age in the 
Fifth ward, at that time, was between five and six hundred. Their only school 
accommodations consisted of a two-story brick building on the corner of Char- 
tiers and Fayette streets, containing four rooms, partitioned off with unpainte d 
boards. 

Steps were immediately taken to secure better school accommodations. A lot 
at the corner of Fulton and Page streets was pm-chased, and in May, 1868, and 
September, 1869, an elegant school -building was ready for occupancy. On the 
21st of December, of the same year, this building was partially destroyed by 
fire. The schools were located in different parts of the ward till the next Sep- 
tember, when they came together again in the new building. Nothing of note 
has since taken place in the ward except the rapid growth of the schools, which 
not only filled the new building, but rendered an additional twelve-room house 
a necessity. 

In obedience to the demand for more room one of the most elegant school- 
edifices in the state was erected here last year. The two buildings will furnish 
ample accommodations for the school population in this ward for many years to 
come. 

That part of Allegheny embraced within the Sixth ward constituted, in 
1834, part of Ross township; later it became part of the borough of Man- 
chester, as has already been stated. Earlier than 183-1 Mr. Neville had taught 
a school near what is now the corner of Strawberry alley and Beaver avenue. 
Through the influence of Mr. Robert M. Park and others a small frame school- 
house was erected at the corner of Chartiers and Fayette streets, in which 
private schools were maintained for several years before the adoption of the 
public-school system. In this building it is claimed that the first public school 
of this locality was opened under the new law. The new system met with 
such bitter opposition that no one could be found willing to serve with Mr. 
Park on the board. He, however, was equal to the emergency. Under legal 
advice, he levied a tax, appointed collectors, and for a year constituted the 
board, bravely fighting the new law through to a glorious success. From that 
time on the sentiment of the people underwent a rapid change, and the schools 
gi'ew correspondingly in public favor. In 1836 a new schoolhouse was erected 
on Chartiers street near Locust. It was a one-room brick building. 

In 1849 blackboards were first used in the schools of this neighborhood. 
During the same year arrangements were made for the building of a new brick 
schoolhouse on the lot where the old frame stood. In 1859 the old Sixth Ward 
schoolhouse, which still stands near the new one, and which is still occupied 



-682 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

with schools, was ready for use. It contained twelve rooms, and was a great 
improvement on the old buildings. It accommodated the children till 1870, 
when a new fifteen-room building was erected alongside of the old one, at a 
cost of $42, 700. To these two buildings a frame annex of six rooms was added 
two years ago, making a total of thirty-two rooms. The growth and success of 
this ward since its organization has been very encouraging. 

In the Seventh ward, which was formerly a portion of Reserve township, 
public schools were organized in 1830. This district embraced Duquesne 
borough. New Troy, Spring Garden, Woodville and McClure township. Troy 
Hill, Woodville and Spring Garden were ab.sorbed by Allegheny in 1808, and 
formed the Seventh ward until 1877, when Woodville became the Twelfth 
-ward and Troy Hill was designated as the Thirteenth. The first public school 
building in the Spring Garden district was erected in 1857, on a lot fronting 
on Angle and Humboldt streets. It was a one-story brick of two rooms. An 
additional stoiy of two rooms was added in 1801. 

In 1808 a one-story frame, containing one room, was erected on the same 
lot. In 1874 an adjoining lot was purchased, and the building on it was re- 
modeled for school purposes. In 1880 all the schools in Spring Garden were 
brought together in an elegant new brick building of twelve rooms, which is 
still in use. 

In 1849 Duquesne borough was formed from a portion of the Troy Hill 
district, and in 1808 it became the Eighth ward. As far back as 1847 or 
1848 a iwo-story brick building was erected on River avenue, opposite Herr's 
island. The board of directors furnished some money to assist in the erec- 
tion of the building, but most of it was contributed by the citizens on condi- 
tion that the house should serve for both school and church purposes. In 
1809 a room was added to this structure, and four teachers were employed. 
Again, in 1873, another teacher was added to the force, and in 1883 the 
Eighth ward schools, with six teachers, occupied their new building on the 
upper side of East Ohio street, where they are provided with all the modern 
conveniences of a first-class schoolhouse. 

Through the efforts of Mr. James Shipman, the first school (select) was 
established in the Ninth ward in 1850. At and prior to this time the Ninth 
ward was a part of Ross township. In 1858 this territory became a part of 
McClure township, and the select school became a public school. In 1859 
the board of directors purchased, at a cost of 1800, a half-acre lot on Williams 
and Hanover streets, on which they erected a two-room frame building, for 
11,000, and in 1801 another room was added. In 1807 a brick building was 
erected on the same lot, containing three rooms, at a cost of $0,000. In 1870 
part of McClure township was annexed to Allegheny, as the Ninth ward, and 
still more room being needed for school purposes, in 1873 a three-story brick 
building was added to the old schoolhouse, making a total of twelve rooms 
•and a hall. The school at this writing employs eleven teachers. 




a^/^ /o^-y a^^rj^ 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 685 

Prior to 1873 the Tenth ward was part of Ross township; soon afterward it 
became part of the city, and another schoolhouse was erected in addition to 
those already in use. The schools as at present organized employ six teachers, 
four in the Charles street building and two in the building near the Perrysville 
road. 

More than forty years ago the Eleventh ward, then part of Ross township 
and afterward a part of McClure township, had a school, located on Black 
lane, subsequently transferred to the upper part of Strawberry lane, where it 
remained until 1869, when a new site was purchased on Woodland avenue for 
the sum of $1,300. On this a two-room brick building was erected. Three 
years later a school was added by occupying the dressing-room of the upper 
grade of pupils. In 1873 this territory became the Eleventh ward of the city, 
and in 1874 the present large and capacious building was erected on Shady 
lane. The school at present employs nine teachers. 

The Davisville school, in the lower end of the ward, was organized about 
the same time as those in the upper part, already adverted to. A fourth of an 
acre of ground was purchased where the present building now stands, north of 
the Brighton road, on the hill west of Wood's run. In 1858, when a second 
story was added to the schoolhouse, two teachers were employed. The school 
now employs four teachers, two more rooms having been added to the old 
building at a recent date. 

The Twelfth Ward school, like the others of Reserve township, was organ- 
ized in 1836. During 1857 a one-story brick building of two rooms was erected 
and the Woodville school was reorganized. In 1874 another story was added 
to the building. This territory with its schools had then become the Twelfth 
"ward. The population has grown so rapidly that the ward at present supports 
twelve teachers. These schools are quartered in two excellent buildings of 
modern style. 

The Thirteenth Ward school, formerly New Troy, now Troy Hill, was or- 
ganized in 1836 in a one-room house. It was continued here till 1860, when 
the building was sold and the location changed to Clark street, where a two- 
room schoolhoiise was erected. In 1874 two more rooms were annexed to this 
building, and in 1885 four more rooms were added by tearing down the old 
schoolhouse and erecting a two-story eight-room building. These schools now 
employ seven teachers. 

In 1837 a public school for the education of colored children was organized 
in the basement of the Baptist church on Robinson street. This school grew, 
and soon after its organization another was opened. In 1844 these schools 
were removed to a building on Sherman avenue, a few yards south of Ohio 
street, in the rear of Dr. Swift's church. In 1846 they were again removed, 
this time to Avery street, very near where the Fourth Ward schoolhouse now 
stands. From here they were removed to Temperance Ark, where they remained 
for seven years. Their next flight was to the Uuiversalist chapel in the Second 



686 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

waiil, iu 1859. Thi.s building was located on the corner of Middle alley and 
North commons. The final locality of the colored school was Sherman avenue, 
where the new high-school now stands. It remained here in a four-room frame 
building till 1880, when the pupils were distributed among the ward schools. 

UIGH- SCHOOL. 

Previous to 1833 a high school department had been established and 
maintained in each of the first six wards. At that date all these departments 
were consolidated, and a central high-school was organized. The frame build- 
ing on Sherman avenue, which had been used for the colored school, was 
refitted for the accommodation of the high-school pupils in September, 1883. 
This building, however, has since been torn down, and three more lots pur- 
chased adjoining the one on which it stood. On this ground an elegant high- 
school building has been erected, which is an ornament to the city. The entire 
cost of the new edifice, including the site and furniture, is about §120,000. 
The high-school is in a flourishing condition. 

The Allegheny public schools, as at present organized, are under the man- 
agement of a board of controllers consisting of seventy- eight members. The 
officers of the board are a president, secretary and superintendent. The board 
also has the following standing committees: Finance, teachers and salaries, 
rules and regulations, grades and textbooks, evening schools, public library, 
special instruction, printing, high-school and school inspection. 

Total number of school-buildings is 22; total valuation of school property, 81,249,514;. 
total bonded indebtedness, 1562.993; total enrollment of pupils, 14,815; total average daily 
attendance, 11,200; total number of teachers employed, 264. 

Total receipts for 1888, 466,979; total expenditures for 1888, 416,682.* 

CDREY UNIVERSITY. 

This institution was organized and established in 1869, as a normal train- 
ing-school for teachers, by Robert Curry, A. M. , deputy state superintendent 
of public instruction in Pennsylvania, and it numbers to-day among its alumni 
a majority of the most prominent teachers in the public schools of this part of 
the state, as well as in almost every state in the Union. Under its present 
(1888) management it has increased its enrollment of fourteen students in 
1880 to an annual attendance now of over fourteen hundred. In 1884 the 
Polytechnic Institute of Western Pennsylvania, located in Allegheny City, 
with its charters and all its franchises, was merged into what was then Curry 
Institute, besides other schools, giving it an accession in that year of over two 
hiindred new students. 

The work of the institute having developed such large proportions, cover- 
ing in its scope a wider field of study than the majority of the universities of 

*The writer desires to acknowledge liis indebtedness to the principals of the different schools of Allegheny 
for much of the infurmatiun embodied in this sketch. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 687 

the United States, the board of trustees, at the July, 1888, meeting, directed 
the name to be changed to Curry University. The addition of two depart- 
ments, industrial and military, together with others to be completed in the 
near future, and the securing of more spacious accommodations, will place 
Curry University among the first in the country. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY (Continued). 

Public Institutions— I.,iterary Societies — Universities — Commercial — 
Scientific — Military — Beneficent — Hospitals and Dispensaries. 

pittsburgh library association. 

ON the 13th of July, 1847, twenty-three persons signed a paper setting 
forth the advantages of a public library and reading-room, and pledging 
themselves to put forth efforts for the establishment in Pittsburgh of such an 
institution. On the 29th of the same month a meeting was held, at which the 
following oificers were chosen: Samuel M. Wickersham, president; John Fin- 
ney, Jr., vice-president; Robert Finney, secretary; William P. Townsend, treas- 
urer; John R. Hersh, David Holmes, Jacob Weaver, Charles H. Grant and 
W. R. Nimick, directors. 

At a meeting on the 5th of August a constitution and code of by-laws 
were adopted, and, with slight modifications, these are still in force. The as- 
sociation was incorporated by an act of the legislature in 1849. 

Soon after the organization rooms were rented in the second story of a 
building on Market street, between Third and Foui-th streets, and in the sum- 
mer of the next year the library was removed to a larger room on Fourth 
street, between Market and Wood streets. There it remained till 1861, when 
it was removed to the corner of Sixth and Penn streets, and its final removal 
to its present quarters on Penn avenue was made in 1870. 

A library-hall company was organized, with F. R. Brunot, president; a lot 
at the corner of Penn avenue and Barker alley was purchased, the old concert- 
hall and other buildings on this lot were removed, and the erection of the pres- 
ent library building was commenced in August, 1868. It was first occupied, as 
above stated, in the spring of 1870. The library occupies the second story of 
this building. The library hall is one hundred feet by forty, and forty six feet 
high, with a gallery surrounding it at seventeen feet above the floor. At the 
west end of the hall is a special reading-room for ladies, thirty by eighteen 
feet, and over this room and accessible from the gallery is a room of corre- 
sponding size for gentlemen. In the rear of the east end is the libraiian's 



080 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

room, tliirt.y-four by sevonteen feet. In the rear of these apartments was the 
auditorium, now the Bijou theater. 

Many years ago the library of the Historical Society of Western Pennsylva- 
nia was transferred to the Pittsburgh library, and from time to time donations 
have been made by individuals. A bequest of five thousand dollars was made 
by Ebenezer Brewer, Esq., and this has furnished and endowed the "Brewer 
alcove." In 1887 Andrew Carnegie furnished the "scientific alcove" with 
valuable scientific works to the value of five thousand dollars. 

The presidents of the association have been Samuel M. Wickersham, John 
Finney, Jr., Robert E. Sellers, James McAuley, Felix R. Brunot, David 
Ritchie, James Park, Jr., William Frew, John R. McCune, Joseph Albree, 
Henry M. Long, William N. Howard, Malcolm Hay, J. Bowman Sweetzer and 
T. B. Swearingen, the present incumbent of the position. 

The librarians have been C. Scaad, Alexander Hay, George E. Appleton, 
James Macrum, Miss Ellen Cuddy and M. F. Macrum. 

WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

This institution was the successor of the old Pittsburgh academy, in which 
Rev. Robert Bruce and Rev. John Black had been professors. It was char- 
tered February 18, 1819, and was formally opened May 10, 1822. The charter 
empowered it to confer such degrees as were usually granted by similar insti- 
tutions in the United States, but the state held no supervision or control. The 
university was made wholly undenominational in its character. 

The first faculty consisted of Rev. Robert Bruce, principal; Rev. John 
Black, professor of ancient languages; Rev. E. P. Swift, professor of moral sci- 
ence; Rev. Joseph McElroy, professor of rhetoric, and Rev. C. B. Maguire, 
professor of modern languages. 

The first university building was erected on Third street, near the corner of 
Cherry alley, and in architectural beauty was equaled by few in the country. 
This building, with the records, library, cabinet and philosophical apparatus of 
the university, was destroyed in the great fire of 1845. Another building was 
erected on Duquesne way, but that, too, was burned in 1849. The course of 
instruction was then suspended till the third building was completed. It stood 
on the corner of Ross and Diamond streets, a short distance fi'om the court- 
house. It was first occupied October 8, 1855 ; but the university was formally 
reorganized on the 19th of December, 1856, with Rev. John F. McLaren, 
D. D., as principal. He was succeeded in 1859 by George Woods, LL. D. 

In 1861 provision for military drill was made, and in 1869 that branch was 
placed in charge of an officer of the regular army, detailed by the government. 
In 1863 a scientific course was established. The duration of this course was 
made three years, and it led to the degree of bachelor of philosophy. 

The Allegheny observatory was transferred to the university, and the chair 
of astronomy was endowed in 1867. In 1869 instruction in engineering was 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 689 

commenced, leading to the degree of civil or mechanical engineer. In 1871 
a preparatory department was added, and in 1872 a chemical laboratory was 
opened, in which provision was made for practical instruction in chemical 
analysis. The cabinet came to contain many thousand specimens in mineral- 
ogy, geology and zoology, and also a large collection of casts of fossil animals. 

In 1871 William Thaw, who had been a generous contributor to the uni- 
versity, offered to donate 1100,000 provided an equal amount should be raised 
by the trustees within four years, or in 1873 they had succeeded in raising 
this amount. By the will of Robert Watson, Esq., the university received, io 
1874, a library of 2,500 volumes, mostly works of reference and standard 
works in ancient and modern languages. 

In the latter part of 1880 military instruction was abandoned, and about 
the same time instruction in mechanical engineering was suspended. 

In 1882 the university buildings were sold to the county for temporary use 
by the courts, and the university was transferred to the buildings at present 
occupied, the Allegheny Theological Seminary building. No. 133 North ave- 
nue, Allegheny, and the E. P. Theological Seminary building, No. 204 North 
avenue, at which latter place its chemical laboratory and drawing and prepara- 
tory departments are located. In 1884 $4,000 were appropriated by the trustees 
for additions to the chemical laboratory and department of physical science. 

The departments are now four — preparatory, classical, scientific and civil 
engineering. The erection of university buildings on Observatory hill has been 
determined on, and instruction in mechanical engineering is to be resumed. 

The presidents of the university have been Eobert Bruce, D. D., Kev. 
Gilbert Morgan, Heman Dyer, D. D., D. H. Riddle, D. D., John F. McLaren, 
D. D., George Woods, LL. D., and Milton B. GofF, LL. D. 

The following constitute the present faculty: Milton B. Goff, A. M. , LL. 
D. , chancellor and professor of mental and moral science; Joseph F. Griggs, 
A. M. , professor emeritus of Greek, librarian and ctu-ator of the museum; 
Alphonse M. Danse, teacher of French; Samuel P. Langley, LL. D., director 
of the observatory; Levi Ludden, A. M., principal of the preparatory school;: 
Theodore M. Barber, A. M., professor of Latin and of English; Charles E. 
Coffin, A. M., instructor in Latin; Francis C. Phillips, A. M., professor of 
chemistry and mineralogy; Oscar M. Tucker, instructor in English branches; 
Henry Gibbons, A. B., professor of the Greek language and literature; R. C. 
Wrenshall, instructor in drawing and biology; Paul F. Rohrbacher, professor 
of German and history; Frank W. Very, B. S. , assistant in the observatory; 
Daniel Carhart, C. E., professor of engineering and acting professor of mathe- 
matics; Eeid T. Stewart, Ph. M. , C. E., instructor in mathematics and engin- 
eering; William D. Rowan, instructor in commercial branches; Albert E. 
Frost, A. M. , professor of physics. 



690 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

PITTSBURGH FEMALE COLLEGE. 

The Pittslnirgb Female College, which is a Methodist institution, was char- 
tered February 10, 1854. A majority of the trustees, all of whom are elected 
by the stockholders, must be members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Bishop Simpson, then a resident of the city, was the prime mover in the organ- 
ization of the college, and it had the earnest and liberal support of Allen 
Kramer, Dr. H. D. Sellers, Alexander Bradley, Samuel Kier, F. D. Sellers, 
W. M. Wright, N. Holmes and many others. The buildings, which are large 
and commodious, are situated on Eighth street, just in the rear of Christ 
Church. The school was first opened by Rev. S. L. Yourtee, in the leetui-e- 
room of Christ Church, October 1, 1855. Two years later, 1857, Mr. Yourtee 
was succeeded in the presidency by Rev. L. D. Barrows, D. D., who served 
until 1860, when Rev. I. C. Pershing, D. D., became president, and continued 
to serve until 1886. In the last-named year Rev. A. H. Norcross, D. D., was 
elected president, and still holds that office. 

PENNSYLVANIA FEMALE COLLEGE. 

In February, 1869, several of the leading members of the Shady Side Pres- 
byterian Church met at the house of David Aiken, Esq., to consider the proj- 
ect of establishing a female college. At this meeting a committee, consisting 
of Rev. W. T. Beatty and John A. Renshaw, was appointed to elaborate a'plan 
of organization and make arrangements for cariying this plan into effect. 
The plan contemplated the establishment of a ladies' college equal in every 
respect to colleges for the education of gentlemen, and the denominational 
character of the institution was indicated by requiring that the president and 
a majority of the board of managers should be members, in good standing, of 
some branch of the Presbyterian Church. Subscriptions were solicited fi-om 
Shady Side Church, and with such readiness did the members respond that in 
a short time $30,000 was pledged. 

In June of that year the presbyteries of Ohio, Allegheny City and Monon- 
gahela adopted a resolution approving the movement, and api^ointed a commit- 
tee to act with the board of managers. In July, 1869, a meeting was held at 
the Second Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh to further consider the project. 
It was determined to expend about §100,000, and committees were appointed 
to take in hand different departments of the work. Within three weeks the 
committee on subscriptions had secured pledges to the amount of ST5,000, of 
which Mr. James Laughlin contributed a large sum. 

December 11, 1869, the institution was incorporated under an order of the 
court. A site consisting of ten acres, on Fifth avenue, three and one-half 
miles from a central point in Pittsburgh, on an elevation overlooking some of 
the finest portions of the city and its suburbs, was purchased, and the school 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 691 

"Was opened September 28, 1870, in the mansion which stood on these grounds, 
where it was continued during a year. Within that time the college edifice 
was erected, and in the autumn of 1871 an extension was added. 

In 1885 Joseph Dilworth bequeathed to the college ten thousand dollars, 
and that sum is now being expended in the erection of what is to be known as 
Dilworth Hall. This is to include a chapel, laboratory, artroom, classrooms, 
dormitories, etc. Like many other institutions, this has had its times of vary- 
ing prosperity; but within the last few years it has steadily advanced, till now 
the students in attendance number one hundred and fifty. 

The officers of the board of trustees are: W. J. Reid, D. D. , president; 
Charles J. Clarke, first vice-president; Oliver McClintock, second vice-president; 
W. M. Frew, secretary; George A. Berry, treasurer. 

BISHOP BOWMAN INSTITCTTE. 

This is a school for the higher education of young ladies. It was estab- 
lished in 1862, with the aid and encouragement of Rev. Dr. Van Deusen, the 
rector at that time of St. Peter's Church. It was named in honor of Rt. Rev. 
Samuel Bowman, then assistant bishop of Pennsylvania, whose noble and self- 
denying character won for him the love and respect of the people iu this region. 

The first rector of the school was Rev. Anthony Ten Broeck, D. D. , who 
held the position four years. The school was opened in the old Murray resi- 
dence, on Second avenue, near Smithfield street, and there it prospered under 
Dr. Ten Broeck till the spring of 1866, when he was called to the rectorship of 
Burlington College, New Jersey. About the same time Rev. Kerfoot became 
the first bishop of Pittsburgh, and he at once took steps to enlarge the scope 
and influence of the institute. A board of trustees was organized, consisting 
of the bishop and John H. Shoenberger, Abraham Garrison, Ormsby Phillips, 
William Metcalf, Thomas H. Howe, Hill Burgwin, Thomas J. Brereton and 
John H. Bailey. The institute was chartered by the court, and Rev. R. J. Coster, 
a former associate of Bishop Kerfoot in his educational work at the college of 
St. James, Md. , was chosen rector. Soon afterward the Mui-ray residence was 
purchased for a hospital, and the school was removed to the residence of 
Andrew Fulton, Grant street, near Fourth avenue, which was leased for the 
purpose. In this building the school was continued with many disadvantages 
during nine years, or till the spring of 1875, when the trustees purchased the 
commodious building at the corner of Penn avenue and Fourth street. On 
the 1st of April in that year the school was removed to this building, where it 
has since been continued with constantly increasing success. 

The course of study is of a high grade, including a full course of English, 
together with literature, languages, mathematics and vocal and instrumental 
music. The institute offers a full course and effective training for young 
ladies who desire higher education. 



692 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MEDICAL COLLEGE. 

This institution was established ttrough the eiTorts of Drs. C. B. King, J. 
B. Mnrdoch, W. J. Asdale, J. Chris Lange, James McCann, W. Snivery, J. 
D. Thomas, J. G. Connell, J. M. Duff and J. G. Dunn, who became the cor- 
porators. These gentlemen assumed all the expenses of establishing the 
institution, erecting the buildings, furnishing the laboratories, etc., etc.. and the 
college started on its career without debt. 

The college building, a tasteful, spacious and convenient brick structure, 
occupies an elevated site on Brereton avenue and Thirteenth street, about one 
hundred yards from West Pennsylvania Hospital, which affords clinical advan- 
tages to the students. 

The first course of lectures was given in 1886-87, to a class of sixty-nine 
students, and the class of 1887-88 numbered ninety-sis. The college has a 
dispensary, complete in all its appointments. 

PITTSBDRGH GRAIN AND FLOUR EXCHANGE. 

This association was incorporated, by a decree of court, on the 15th of 
July, 1882, with twenty-seven citizens of Pittsburgh and Allegheny City as 
corporators. Its objects as set forth in its charter are: 

To increase the business facilities for buying and selling grain and flour; to advance 
the commercial character and increase the interest of the same by bringing buyer and 
seller nearer together; by inculcating and enforcing just and equitable principles in trade; 
establishing and maintaining uniformity in the commercial usages of the trade; acquir- 
ing, preserving and disseminating valuable business information; and to avoid or adjust 
and settle any and all misunderstandings and controversies which may arise between 
individuals engaged in traffic or business aforesaid; reforming abuses therein; protecting 
it against unjust and unlawful exactions; to promote a more enlarged and friendly inter- 
course between the persons therein engaged, and generally to use such lawful means as 
may be necessary for the encouragement and protection of the interest aforesaid. 

The place of business of the exchange is 985 Liberty street. Here mem- 
bers meet daily for the interchange of views, for learning prices and actual or 
prospective receipts in the market, and for making legitimate purchases and 
sales. 

The general work of the exchange has been highly beneficial. It has 
adopted definite rules for the transaction of business among its members. It 
has a standing board of arbitration, consisting of fifteen members, the duties 
and methods of procedure of which are prescribed in the constitution of the 
exchange. At first this board was fi-equently called on to adjust differences 
that arose between members, but these disputes became less and less frequent, 
till now the good oifices of this board are rarely required. 

The membership in the exchange is nearly two hundred. The presidents 
have been R. D. Elwood, A. M. Marshall, D. G. Stewart, B. McCracken and 
S. 8. Marvin. The present officers and managers are: S. L. McHenry, presi- 




'^ 




riTTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 695 

dent; S. McNaiigher, vice-president; R. S. McCague, secretary; B. McCracken, 
treasurer; D. G. Stewart, K. D. Elwood, B. F. Veach, P. Reil, James Her- 
ron, J. Dunlevy, J. C. Houck, C. F. Horning and John Hood. 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF PITTSBURGH. 

This body was chartered, by a decree of court, on the 8th of July, 1876. 
Its purpose, as set forth in the second article of its charter, is as follows: 

This association is formed for the purpose of protecting, fostering and developing 
the commercial, manufacturing and business interests of Allegheny county by joint and 
concerted action; by providing for collecting, preserving and disseminating statistical 
and other information concerning the same; by assisting in adjusting, as far as possible, 
the controversies and misunderstandings which are liable to arise between parties engaged 
in trade, and generally to use such lawful means as may be necessary for the encour- 
agement and protection of the interests aforesaid. 

The first board of directors was constituted as follows: Hon. Thomas M. 
Howe, president; J. F. Dravo, William MoCreery, T. J. Stockdale, Mark W. 
Watson, J. K. Moorhead, H. W. Oliver, Jr., and J. S. Slagle, vice-presidents; 
A. M. Marshall, Capt. K. C. Gray, Joseph D. Weeks, Edward Gregg, C. 
Meyran, J. G. Stiebneck, Simon Reymer, Dr. D. Hostetter, George A. Kelly, 
T. Brent Swearingen, G. W. Hailman, C. A. Carpenter, William Frew, 
Daniel Wallace. S. S. Marvin, M. F. Herron and Arthur Kirk. 

A "board of trade," with functions similar to those of this chamber, had 
been organized in 1836, and during the forty years of its existence had been 
of mttch benefit to the business interests of the city of Pittsburgh and the sur- 
rounding region. The period during which this board existed was one of great 
changes. The fourth and greatest change in the methods of transportation 
occurred in those years, and brought with it corresponding changes of method 
in all branches of business, and the old board, though it had not, perhaps, 
lapsed into senile inefficiency, had not kept even pace with the rapid advances 
of the period, and a reorganization, or a more eiiicient organization, seemed to 
be necessary ; hence the existence of this association. 

The successive presidents of the chamber have been Hon. Thomas M. Howe, 
Hon. J. K. Moorhead and Hon. John F. Dravo. The present officers are 
William E. Schmertz, president; George A. Kelly, Reuben Miller, R. C. 
Gray, George H. Anderson, John H. Ricketson, Henry Holdship, James B. 
Scott, vice-presidents; S. L. McHeury, secretary; Charles Meyran, treasurer, 
and G. Follansbee, superintendent. 

ALLEGHENY OBSERVATORY. 

Mr. L. Bradley first aroused public interest in the project of an observatory 
here, and by his exertions subscriptions were procured to promote the under- 
taking. A building was erected, in which was placed a large equatorial telescope, 



696 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

but immodiate further progress was ])reventc>d by pecuniary difficulties. A 
generous donation from William Thaw, of Pittsburgh, with contributions from 
others, relieved the observatory from debt, and provided a partial endowment 
for future pressing needs. This was in 1860. In 1867 the original contribu- 
tors conveyed the property to the trustees of the Western University of Penn- 
sylvania, on condition that it should be used for the purposes of the observa- 
tory, and on the appointment and maintenance of an observer. Accordingly 
the trustees appointed as director Prof. S. T. Langley, but the equipment was 
not such as to permit systematic observations till 1869. The means for this 
equipment were largely due to the generosity of Mr. Thaw. 

Under the administration of Prof. Langley much work of general scientific 
interest has been accomplished. We quote the following: 

A turret clock in the city hall of Pittsburgh has been provided by the muuir.ipal 
authorities, vrith electric mechanism which enables it to be controlled from the observa- 
tory, so that its movement is synchronous with that of the principal mean standard time 
there, which is itself corrected by nightly observations. 

The electric mechanism of the distant turret clock causes a stroke on a heavy bell 
above the summit of the towerto be given with exact precision at the first second of 
every third hour, so that it is audible throughout the city. The mechanism of the same 
turret clock is arranged so that the pendulums of clocks in any distant police, fire-alarm 
or other municipal ofiBces can be controlled by it, and compelled to move S3-uchronousl3' 
with its own, at the same time it automatically reports its own time upon the electric 
recording apparatus at the observatory. 

This observatory has several times been serviceable in determining the longi- 
tude of different places, and by interchanges of signals with other observatories 
in this country and Europe it has aided in the prevention or correction of even 
the slightest errors. 

ALLEGHENY ARSENAL. 

As early as April, 1814, the United States government purchased from 
William B. Foster, of what was then Pitt township, thirty acres of ground, and 
■commenced the erection of arsenal buildings. Additions to this were from 
time to time made, till the amount came to reach thirty-six acres. Massive 
stone walls, inclosing the grounds, were completed in 1829. Ammunition, 
infantry and horse equipments, caissons and gun-carriages were formerly 
manufactured here, and during the war of the rebellion about twelve hundred 
hands were employed, and immense amounts of war-material were manufact- 
ured and sent to the army at different points. Heavy ordnance was never cast 
here, but cannon, ammunition and small-arms cartridges have been extensively 
produced. No manufacturing has been done here since 1868, but the arsenal 
is kept as a military post, and is used for storing and distributing. The fol- 
lowing is a list of the commandants of Allegheny arsenal from 1814 to 1889: 
Maj. A. R. Wooley. Capt. George Talcott, Maj. Sylvester Churchill, Maj. E. 
L. Baker, Maj. H. K. Craig, Capt. Edward Harding, Maj. W. H. Bell, Lieut. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 697 

T. J. Rodman, Lieiit. T. J. Brereton, Maj. John Symington, Col. R. H. K. 
Whitely, Maj. A. R. Buffington, Maj. J. W. Reilly, Maj. George W. McKee. 

CARE OF THE POOR. 
PROTESTANT HOME FOR .*GED WOMEN. 

At a meeting of the Women's Christian Association of Pittsburgh, in 1869, 
Miss Jane B. Holmes, the present president of the home, suggested the estab- 
lishment of an institution of this kind. The proposition was favorably con- 
sidered, and measures were at once instituted for the accomplishment of this 
beaevolent object. A bazar was held from which the sum of eight thousand 
dollars was realized, and Miss Jane Holmes and others procured subscrip- 
tions to a large amount. Mr. James Kelly donated a lot of five acres in Wil- 
kinsburg, and a house was erected thereon at an expense of twenty-five thou- 
sand dollars. Miss Jane Holmes afterward erected, at a cost of twenty- five 
thousand dollars, an additional building. 

In 1871 a charter was procured, and the home has since been conducted 
under it. The first president was Mrs. Felix R. Brunot, succeeded in 1872 
by Miss Jane B. Holmes, the present incumbent of the office. 

HOME FOR AOED PROTESTANTS. 

In 1881 an aged man applied for admission for himself and wife in the 
Old Ladies' Home. The regulations of that institution did not permit the 
admission of men, and though the woman was eligible the almshouse seemed 
the only place of refuge for the man. This led the benevolent Miss Jane 
Holmes to consider the propriety and practicability of establishing a home for 
aged couples who were dependent wholly or in part on charity for their main- 
tenance. The result was the establishment of this institution. The chief con- 
tributor toward this enterprise was Miss Holmes, but she was aided by other 
benevolent ladies and gentlemen. 

A charter was procured in the latter part of 1881, and soon afterward the 
home was established at the place where the "Sheltering Arms" had con- 
ducted its asylum. 

This property was donated for the purpose by the late James Kelly, and is 
admirably adapted to the purposes of the organization. It consists of about 
five acres of ground in the borough of Wilkinsburg, on which stands a spacious 
brick house with the necessary outbuildings. The expenses of the institution 
are defi-ayed by the contributions and bequests of the benevolent, no state aid 
having ever been received. Miss Jane B. Holmes, a cousin of the foiinder, is 
the president, and Miss Louise Lardin is the matron. 

Every community, under the laws of Pennsylvania, has to take care of its 
own poor. "The poor ye have always with you;" and Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny have been no exceptions to that universal rule. Under the general law 
of the state every ward, borough and township was a separate poor-district, 



oyo HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

and this law prevailed until cities and counties were authorized to establish 
poorhouses for the benefit of the poor in each city or county. By this old law 
every ward, borough and township elected annually a board of three overseers 
of the poor. The old borough of Pittsburgh had its board of overseers, and 
this board continued, under the city organization, to have charge of the poor 
of the city until 1847, when the councils were authorized, by act of assembly, 
to elect a board of twelve guardians of the poor, four of which went out of 
oifice every year. 

The old board of overseers was authorized to levy a tax for the support of 




[Was at the foot of Coal Hill, and is said to have been the oldest house standins; iu Pittsburgh in 18.32.] 

the poor, and exercised this right vigorously until it was superseded by the 
guardians. The annual election was held in March, and there was a general 
scramble for the office, thus creating the impression that it was a " soft snap " 
for the incumbents. The relief extended to the poor, under the borough 
organization, was all "out-door" relief. There was no poorhouse nor place 
of any kind to which the poor could be sent. Coal was freely supplied to the 
poor by the wagon-load, and sometimes provisions were purchased and fur- 
nished: but the usual plan was to allow a specified sum per week to each needy 
family, graduated in amount by the extent of the necessity. It was not a very 
economical method, nor was it based upon scientific principles: but it was the 
one that most readily suggested itself, and it involved the least trouble. 

After the city was organized there must, at some time, have been a joint 




/^. 



:2'^-2tx'^^ 








PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 701 

arrangement with Allegheny for a poorhouse in that borough or city, each bear- 
ing its own share of the expense; for in the act of March 5, 1847, creating the 
board of guardians of the poor, it authorizes the board of guardians ' ' to 
sell and dispose of, to the best advantage, all and any part of the poorhouse 
property situated in Allegheny City which may remain unsold at the time of 
their going into office." The councils of Pittsbiu-gh had, prior to this, pur- 
chased a farm in Mifflin township, on the south side of the Monongahela river, 
six or seven miles above the city, and were directed, by the act of 1847, to 
turn the same over to the board of guardians as a poor-farm. The city of 
Allegheny has a somewhat similar organization, with a poor-farm above the 
city, on the Allegheny river. 

Since 1847, then, all the needy poor, except the few relieved at their 
own homes, have been cared for at the poor- farms belonging to both cities. 
Large and commodious buildings have been erected, and the poor have been 
as well cared for as it is possible for them to be under such a system. There 
is very little out-door relief, and the poor are sent where they can work, as 
well as they are able, to raise farm products for their support. But men 
able to work are not likely, in such a busy community as this, to become a poor- 
charge. The greater part of those sent to the poorhouse is composed of old 
people, of both sexes, too nearly worn out to be of much service in cultivating 
vegetables upon a farm. Still, the farms, when first bought by the respective 
cities, were in the country, well situated for water and pure air, and, if that 
condition of things had continued, both poor-farms were well situated. But 
the city of Allegheny has well-nigh reached the site of her poor-farm in the 
extension of her boundaries, and the Pittsburgh poor-farm is being encroached 
upon by railroads and the growing borough of Homestead, which is the chosen 
site of several large manufactories. The city line, on the northern side of the 
Monongahela, extends above the poor-farm, and while the borough of Home- 
stead adjoins it closely on the east, the extension of the city is gradually 
approaching it ujion the west side. What was a well-chosen site in 1847 is no 
longer so, and the city will be forced, soon, to get further into the country, 
and further away from the possible bounds of the city. 

For a long time, before insane hospitals were founded, the care of the 
insane poor of the two cities devolved first upon the board of overseers, and 
finally upon the guardians. The number was not very great at first, and the 
board of overseers usually got some family to take charge of each insane pau- 
per; but when the number grew large, and after the establishment of Dixmont 
Hospital for the Insane, this class of paupers was sent to the hospital for care 
and treatment. Of late years, however, insane departiaents have been created 
at the poorhouses, and the insane poor are now cared for specially, and care- 
fully, in the main, at the poor-farms. The treatment here is good and help- 
ful, but not so thorough as at the hospital. The cost, however, which is a 
great item in such cases, is much less than at Dixmont. 



702 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Since 1887 the board of guardians of the poor of Pittsburgh has been abol- 
ished, and its powers and duties transferred to a department of the city govern- 
ment. The management is in excellent hands, and the system appears to be 
carried on economically as well as honestly; but the student of this branch of 
human affairs could doubtless suggest many improvements upon the systems 
produced by our poor-laws generally, especially as to the treatment of the 
insane poor; but until some better system has been devised, the two cities 
seem to have no alternative except to do as they are doing. 

There are, besides this municipal provision for the poor, several funds, 
such as the "Brewer" and other funds, left by will for the relief of the poor, 
which are annually distributed with care, and furnish great relief to the needy. 
There is, also, the " Society for the Improvement of the Poor," which inquires 
carefully into needy cases, and extends help of all kinds in a systematic way 
to needy applicants. This society has wrought a good work; keeps a regular 
office, has regular methods of distribution, and is the channel for the employ- 
ment of whatever donations the benevolent may desire to make for the benefit 
of the poor. In so large a place the application of benevolence, personally, is 
difficult, and sonae associated effort of this kind is needed. There are kindred 
societies in Allegheny, and between them and the municipal poor-boards the 
poor are well looked after. Occasional cases of suffering doubtless occur, 
constantly, but they grow out of the determined effort of some to conceal their 
poverty, and to avoid receiving charitable help. So far as organized work is 
concerned, the poor of the two cities are exceedingly well provided for. 

PITTSBUFGH CITY FARM OR ALMSHODSE. 

This institution is located in the township of Mifflin, on the south side of 
the Monongahela river, adjoining Homestead on the east, and comprises one 
hundi-ed and lifty acres. ' ' The almshouse proper is built on elevated ground, 
with a lawn in front, ornamented with trees, shrubbery and walks, sloping 
down to the Monongahela river. It is a brick structure, erected in 1851, at a 
cost of $42,000, and consists of a center building, 46 feet front, with two lat- 
eral wings, each 92 feet front by 48 feet deep. A building extends in the rear 
of the center 67 feet deep by 30 feet wide, at the rear of which there are two 
lateral wings, the eastern one 67 feet in length by 17 feet wide, the western 23 
feet in length by 19 feet wide. The center building is three and a half and 
the back building and wings three stories high, all roofed with slate. The 
almshouse building has capacity to accommodate 300 paupers. 

"A separate building for the insane was erected in 1879. It is of brick, 
three stories high, 196 by 40 feet. The corridors are 12 feet wide and 12 feet 
high. It has a capacity for 150 patients, 75 of each sex. The sexes are ef- 
fectually separated, there being three male and three female wards. The orig- 
inal cost of the building, including steam -heating, lighting, water, sewerage, 
etc., was $47,689.27. The funds were raised by taxation. The estimated 



PITTSBUKGH AND ALLEGHENY. 703 

present value of buildings, including many improvements, is 165,000; value of 
personal property in both almshouse and asylum, $200,000. The staircases 
are not fireproof; there are two fire-escapes, one at each end of the building; 
fire- ladders are also provided, and each ward is supplied with fire hose. It is 
under control of twelve ' guardians of the poor,' six being apjDointed by select 
and six by common councils ; term of office, three years ; the terms of four ex- 
pire at the end of each year. The expenses of the insane department are not 
kept separate from the other accounts of the institution. The average cost of 
maintenance is about one dollar and eighty- five cents per week."* 

THE ALLEGHENY CITY HOME. 

This old-established institution, located at Claremont station, in O'Hara 
township, occupies a commanding site 150 feet from the railroad, on the south- 
ern slope of the river hills. The main building has a fi-ontage of 280 feet and 
is 46 feet wide, with a center wing 50 feet wide, extending back 150 feet. 
The steward's house at the center in front is 35x52 feet. Its construction was 
begun in June, 1871, and completed in December, 1873, at a cost of $225,000. 
It was first occupied July 29, 1873. There are 96 acres of land connected 
with the institution, purchased from James T. Beatty, March 10, 1871, for 
157,600. The buildings were enlarged in 1881, at a cost of $25,000, and, with 
the grounds and personal property, represent an expenditure of about $325,000. 
There are about 300 separate apartments, 17 of which are occupied by insane 
or imbecile paupers. This institution was originally founded in 1844. April 
9th of that year the legislature passed an act authorizing Thomas Barnett, 
Henry Hannen, Robert S. Cassett, Thomas Farley, E. W. Stevens, Thomas 
H. Stewart, John Morrison, William Tate and L. O. Reynolds to purchase a 
site within ten miles of the city. A farm of 164 acres (the present site of 
Millvale) was secured, and buildings erected. The act of assembly authorizing 
the removal was approved March 12, 1887. The first board of directors of the 
poor was elected January 14, 1845, and consisted of Thomas H. Stewart, 
Thomas Barnett and Peter Beard. The composition of the board has been 
changed at various times, and now includes twelve members, one from each 
ward of the city of Allegheny, and the chairman of the poor-farm committee of 
councils. Its organization for 1887-88 is as follows: President, William F. 
Trimble; secretary, John R. Watson; clerk, William P. Hunker. Officers of 
the home: John L. Rolshouse, steward; Mrs. M. J. Kellogg, matron; H. H. 
West, resident physician; Rev. John Henderson, chaplain. 

ASSOCIATION FOB THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE POOR. 

The Pittsburgh Association for the Improvement of the Poor waS started in 
1875, by some benevolent ladies and gentlemen in Pittsburgh. In 1877 a char- 
ter was granted, and the association has ever since been actively engaged in its 

* Board of Public Charities (Pennsylvania) , committee on lunacy, report for 1885. 



704 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

good work, which has been, chieHy, ('xteiuliiif^ aiil to such needy people as are 
not proper sul^jocts for assistance by the j)ul)lic charities. This work has been 
accomplished by the personal efforts of visitors appointed for the purpose, and 
by obtaining situations for unemployed poor people, or by procuring admission 
in various charitable institutions for proper subjects of their benevolent aid. 
Under the auspices of this associatiou the temporary home and daj' nursery for 
children has been established, at No. 'JH Washington street, near Wylie avenue, 
Pittsburgh, and many laboring women have been assisted by the care of their 
children while they were pursuing their work. 

The country home for children, at Oakmont, is also under the care of this 
association. It has also a diet dispensary, the function of which is indicated 
by its name. The association has a central and three branch oflSces in Pitts- 
burgh. The means for carrying on the work of the association are derived 
wholly from voluntary contributions. 

HOME OF THE LITTLE RISTEBS OF THE POOR. 

In 1872 five of the sisters of this order came to Pittsburgh, and in a short 
time removed to Allegheny, where they established a house on Washington 
street. They at once entered on their good work, caring for aged destitute 
people. From their small beginning they increased their work till now there 
are ten sisters and about seventy inmates. New buildings are in process of 
erection, at a probable cost of sixty thousand dollars, and when these are com- 
pleted the facilities for their good work will be greatly increased. In 1885 
another house was established at the corner of Penn and Rebecca streets, Pitts- 
burgh. Thirteen sisters are engaged at this house, and it has one hundred and 
thirty inmates. 

These charities are maintained wholly by the contributions of the benevo- 
lent, which are solicited from door to door by these sisters. This order origi- 
nated in Brittany about forty years since, and it now numbers some two hun- 
dred and fifty houses in different parts of the world. The care of indigent 
aged people is the particular work of the order. No distinction as to creed is 
made in the dispensing of their charities by these sisters. 

TEMPORARY HOME FOR DESTITUTE WOMEN. 

This was established in 1868 by the Women's Christian Association of 
Pittsburgh. Its object is sufficiently indicated by its name. The first location 
of the home was on Chatham street. In 1881 it was removed to its present 
location on Penn avenue, near Ninth street. In the twenty years of its 
existence the home has received 7,639 women and children. The expenses of 
the home are defrayed by the contributions of benevolent people. The affairs 
of the institution are managed by a board of twenty-four ladies. 

HOME FOR THE FRIENIILKSS IN PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENT. 

In 1864 the members of the Ladies' Relief Association of Pittsburgh and 




t/^c/^ 



0^y<y\y 



PITTSBUKGH AND ALLEGHENY. 707 

Allegheny, finding themselves unable to provide for the proper care of all the 
children made needy by the absence of their fathers in the army, conceived 
the project of establishing a home for such children. They first rented a 
house on Federal street, v?here these children were collected and cared for, 
and afterward purchased a place on Washington street, near Cedar avenue. 
There, during many years, the benevolent work was carried on. The number 
of subjects of this charity outgrew the capacity of the house, and in 1886 a 
new building was commenced. It has been completed at a cost of $75,000, 
$60,000 of which was a bequest from the late Miss Jane Holmes. This home 
has a capacity for two hundred inmates. The average number cared for here 
has of late been one hundred. These are children that, though destitute, 
have parents living, and are, therefore, not subjects for admission to orphan 
asylums. The expenses of the home are defrayed largely from the contribu- 
tions of the benevolent. 

THE CHRISTIAN HO.ME FOR WOMEN. 

This was organized under the auspices of the Women's Christian associa- 
tion. It grew out of the evident necessity for a place where women who had 
gone astray, and desired to reform, could find a refuge and be assisted in their 
efforts. The first house was opened at Wilkinsburg, where ground was donated 
by the late James Kelly. A building was erected there in 1871, and the work 
of the home was conducted there till 1881, when the home was removed to its 
present location on Locust street, Allegheny. 

In addition to the work of reclaiming fallen women, this home has a depart- 
ment for the care of incurables, and one of the employments of the inmates is 
the care of such. Of those who have been cared for here a large proportion 
have been permanently reformed. The expenses of the home are defrayed 
from the contributions of benevolent people. The association is incorporated, 
and holds its property free from debt. 

widows' home association of AILEGHENT CITY. 

At the close of the late civil war the ladies of the Allegheny Relief society 
found in their visitations many homeless widows, with children dependent 
on them. To provide homes for these seemed a great desideratum, and these 
ladies entered on the benevolent work of raising funds for the pui'chase aud 
fitting up of tenements for such widows. Their success exceeded their expec- 
tations. A sum sufficient for the purchase of the old Protestant Orphan 
asylum, Taylor and Webster streets, Allegheny, was raised. To this other 
houses on the same streets were added, till now seventy-five rooms are avail- 
able for this purpose. These rooms are rented at sums varying from one to 
two dollars per month, and an average of one hundred persons is made com- 
fortable there. It is believed that no similar charity has been more successful. 
Mrs. Felix R. Brunot is president of the association; Miss Melinda Pressly, 
secretary, and Miss J. M. Smith, treaisurer. 



708 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

EI'ISCOPAI. OHCRCII BOMB. 

In the autumn of 1858 measures looking to the establishment of this- 
charity were lirst taken. Meetings of the clergy and laity were held in the 
difFei-ent parishes in Pittsburgh and Allegheny, plans were matured, and the 
Charity Home association was incorporated on the '28th of March, 1859. 

The original intention was to provide a home only for aged members of 
the church, but a change was made in the scope and extent of its charities, 
which were made to include the young as well as the aged. The reasons for 
this change were thus stated in the report of the board of trustees to the cor- 
porators January 27, 1861 : 

We started out with the intention of first opening ii home only for aged members 
of the church, with the view of afterward, when our means should have been increased 
and our foundations more firmly laid, extending our charities to the infirm in health and 
to the helpless children of the church, by the establishment of an infirmary for the 
former and an orphans' home for the latter. But we are now satisfied that for the present, 
at least, it is better that we e.xclude none of any class who may be proper objects of our 
bounty; that we open our door alike to the aged and weary Christian retiring from the 
toil and strife of the world — to the young and helpless child just entering the world, with 
none to teach and train it for its warfare; in a word, to any of our household who, home- 
less and friendless, has not where to look for aid save, under God, to the sacred brother- 
hood of his church. 

The home was opened in the spring of 1859, in a rented house, but two 
years later it was removed to its present location, near that jsortion of the city 
of Pittsburgh formerly known as Lawrenceville. Here what had been the 
' ' Locust Grove Seminary ' ' was purchased at a cost of sixteen thousand dollars. 
Of this sum John A. Shoenberger contributed seven thousand dollars, Felix 
R. Branot, Charles Knap and Thomas M. Howe one thousand each, and several 
others donated smaller sums, and Charles Brewer bequeathed five thousand 
dollars. 

The grounds are extensive and well improved, the buildings are large, sub- 
stantial and well adapted to the purposes of the institution, and the property 
is not encumbered with any debt. The home is an institution of the diocese of 
Pittsburgh, and the charity is actively and intelligently conducted. The 
trustees are: John H. Shoenberger, F. R. Brunot, Charles Knap, Hill Burg- 
win, William Metcalf, M. B. Hogg, H. J. Lynch, Wilson Miller, E. P. Jones 
and John B. Jackson. 

UNITED TRESBYTERIAN WOMEn's ASSOCIATION AND ORPHANS' HOME. 

This was organized in October, 1879. The request of a dying woman to 
her pastor that suitable homes might be found for her fatherless children led 
to reflections and efforts that resulted in the establishment of this home. The 
first house occupied was No. 93 Webster street, Allegheny, which was soon found 
to be too small, and the home was removed to a more capacious one on Tag- 
gart street. In April, 1880, the present house, at Jefferson and Monterey 



PITTSBUllGH AND ALLEGHENY. 709 

streets, was first occupied. The original cost of this property was seven 
thousand dollars. In 1884 its capacity was doubled, at an expense of fourteen 
thousand dollars, and the property has appreciated in value by other improve- 
ments that have been made in and about it. The expenses of the institution 
are defi'ayed by funds received from life directors, life members, annual mem- 
bers, missionary societies, Sabbath-schools, private contributions, etc., etc. 
Some of these contributions have come from friends as far away as Egypt. 
The average number of childi-en cared for at this home is about fifty. Mrs. 
Elizabeth M. Campbell is the president, and Miss L. Rose the matron. 

ST. PAUL'S ORPHAN ASTLUM. 

In 1843 a few Sisters of Mercy opened a house for girls on the corner of 
Webster and Chatham streets. In 1851 another house, for boys, was opened 
in Birmingham. In 1872 the two were united, and the present house on Tan- 
nehill street, near Wylie avenue, was erected and fitted up for an asylum, 
under the name of St. Paul's. 

The house has a capacity for three hundred and twenty- five, and during 
the year 1888 it had an average of three hundred inmates. No distinction as 
to religious creed is made in receiving children. Fifteen sisters are employed, 
in the house. 

ST. Michael's orphan asylum. 

This was established in 1874 by the parish of St. Michael, under the admin- 
istration of Rev. Father Frederick Lang. The building used for the asylum 
stands on Pine street. Twenty- seventh ward, Pittsburgh, nearly opposite St. 
Michael's church. It was erected at the same time with St. Joseph's convent 
of the Sisters of St. Francis, and it has been in charge of these sisters from the 
beginning. The house has accommodations for fifty inmates. During 1888 
the average number was twenty- four. 

PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY PROTESTANT ORPHAN ASYLUM. 

This is one of the very oldest charitable institutions in the two cities. It 
was organized in 1833, by a number of benevolent ladies, of whom Mrs. Mary 
Smith, of Sewickley, is the only survivor. The first building o^vned by the 
association was the one now used as the widows' home, at the corner of Taylor 
avenue and Webster street. During many years their benevolent work was 
carried on there, but larger accommodations were found necessary, and a sit© 
was purchased on Grand avenue, extending from Ridge to Lincoln avenues, 
and on this the present asylum was erected. The expense of building this 
house was defrayed from a bequest by the late Charles Brewer, and by the 
benefaction of the late William Holmes, who superintended the erection of the 
building. 

During the early years of the association the expenses of the asylum were 
defrayed wholly from vohintary contributions, and severe struggles were encoim- 



710 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

tered. Bequests and donations have, from time to time, been made, till now 
the asylum has an endowment sufficient to nearly defray its current expenses. 
During some years past the institution has maintained an average of two hun- 
dred and forty inmates. 

8T. .iosei'h's orphan asylum. 

This was established in 1853, for the relief, support and education of orphan 
children, chiefly of German parentage. It was located in a healthful and 
pleasant situation on Troy hill. Allegheny, where it has ever since been conducted. 
It is under the charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame, of whom there are twelve 
now in the institution. German, Bohemian, Polish and French orphans are 
received in this asylum, and are educated in both the German and English lan- 
guages. The home has a capacity for two hundred inmates, and during 1888 
one hundred and fifty were cared for in it. There is also a House of the Good 
Shepherd on Troy hill. 

COLORED ORIMIAX ASYLUM OF ALLEGHENY. 

This was started in 1880, by an association of ladies, among whom were 
Mrs. Swift, Mrs. L. H. Eaton and Miss Mary O'Brien. The first house was 
opened on Fountain street, near Sandusky; but in 1882 the asylum was removed 
to its present location, at the foot of Greenwood avenue. It is maintained 
principally by voluntary contribvitions ; but it, as well as other benevolent insti- 
tutions, was the recipient of a generous bequest from the late Miss Jane Holmes. 
It has an average of about sixty inmates. 

PROTESTANT HOME FOB BOY'S. 

Prior to 1886 there existed in Allegheny a "Young Women's Boarding 
Home. ' ' In June of that year the name was, by order of the court, changed 
to the ' ' Protestant Home for Boys, ' ' and the character and object of the cor- 
poration was thereafter to be the maintenance, support and control of a home 
for friendless boys. 

The building occupied by the Young Women's Boarding Home, at the 
corner of Robinson and Anderson streets, was repaired and refitted, and it has 
since been in successful operation. It is a boarding home for boys between 
the ages of six and eighteen years, and each boy is requii-ed to pay for his 
board according to his income. The boarders, when not employed, ai"e 
required to attend school, and a night school is provided for those who labor 
during the day. 

The home was established and endowed by a bequest of fifty thousand 
dollars from the late Miss Jane Holmes for a boys" home, and it is maintained 
from the i ncome of this fund, the payments from the boys and the contributions 
of the benevolent. During 1888 the number of boarders averaged twentv-five. 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 711 



ALLEGHENY DAY NCBSERY. 



This was organized in the fall of 1886. Its object is the daily care of the 
children of such as would otherwise be compelled to relinquish the entire care 
uf their children to asylums. An average of about twelve children are cared 
for here daily, thus enabling their parents to pursue their daily labors without 
anxiety concerning their children. 

PlTrSEURGH FREE DISPENS.IRV. 

In March. 1873, this was organized. It was the outgrowth of a dispensary 
which had been conducted by the Pittsburgh Church Guild, which it superseded. 
Dr. L. H. Harris was the president of the guild, which was unable to meet the 
increasing demands for an institution of this kind. Mainly through his efforts, 
aided by other benevolent citizens, this dispensary was established and placed 
on a sound financial basis. The expenses of the dispensary are defrayed with- 
out city, county or state aid, and the medical profession of the city give gra- 
tuitous attendance on the patients here treated. 

Arrangements have been made for the erection of a new and commodious 
dispensary building, the funds for the purpose having been bequeathed to the 
dispensary by the late Miss Jane Holmes. This will be another fitting monu- 
ment to the memory of this distinguished benevolent lady. 

PROTESTANT HOME FOR INCURABLES. 

This was chartered in December, 1883. Its object is, in the language of 
its charter, "to provide a home for persons suffering from incurable dis- 
eases. ' ' It was founded by the late Miss Jane Holmes, who donated for the 
purpose the grounds and buildings on Butler street, near Fifty- fifth, Pittsburgh, 
valued at near one hundred thousand dollars. The affairs of the home are in 
charge of a board of sixteen lady managers, with an advisory board of six gentle- 
men. The expenses of the institution are defrayed mostly from the contributions 
of the benevolent. The home was first occupied in June, 1885. Since that time 
thirty- four patients have been received, of whom five have died, leaving 
twenty- nine inmates. 

ALLEGHENY GENERAL HOSPITAL. 

This institution was chartered in October, 1882, under the act of April 29, 
1874, and the several supplements thereto. The corporators were: R. B. 
Mowry, James Park, Jr. , George A. Kelly, J. A. Myler, John Dean, W. S. 
Hiisilton, John A. Caughey, L. Peterson, Jr., William McCreery, Hugh S. 
Fleming, Edward Gregg, Oliver P. Scaife and Thomas McCance. 

The hospital was opened for patients on the 15th of February, 1886, on 
Stockton avenue, Allegheny, a pleasant and healthful location, in buildings 
well adapted to the requirements of such an in,stitution, and 369 patients were 
treated during 1886. 



712 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The goverriiuont of the hospital is vested in a board of eleven directors, who 
are chosen by the contributors to the ponnanent fund of the institution, each 
contribution of tifty dollars entitling the donor to one vote. The by-laws of the 
corporation provide for the appointment, by the board of directors, of a num- 
ber of ladies, termed the "Ladies' Society," to assist in the maintenance of 
the hospital. The income of the institution is derived from the fees of such 
patients as are able to pay, the contributions of the benevolent, the interest of 
an endowment fund of ten thousand dollars, and appropriations from the state 
and city. 

A training-school for nurses has been established in connection with the 
hospital. Lectures are given by the members of the medical and surgical 
staff of the hospital to the nurses in this school, and practical instruction is 
imparted by the principal, Miss F. K. Fildesley, who is also the superintend- 
ent of the hospital. This institution, though now in its infancy, gives promise 
of great usefulness in the fiiture. 

MERCY HOSPITAL. 

In December, 1843, seven Sisters of Mercy arrived in Pittsburgh. The 
chief functions of this order are the instruction of the ignorant, the protec- 
tion of young females of good character, and the visitation and care of the 
sick. These sisters established their home on Penn avenue, and entered at 
once on the discharge of their duties. At that time, and up to 1846, there 
was no hospital in Pittsburgh, although the need of one had become very 
apparent. The convent of these sisters at that time was a building which 
stood on the present site of the library, on Penn avenue. It had been a hotel 
and a concert-hall, and in 1846 the sisters fitted up the old ballroom for 
hospital purposes. In that their first patients were received and cared for. 

The need of better accommodations was at once felt, and the erection of a 
hospital building was soon commenced. The location selected was Stevenson 
street, on what was then the Fourth street road, where Mercy hospital now 
stands. This locality was then thinly inhabited, and was considered ' ' in the 
country." The hospital building erected there, which was first used in May, 
1848, was not, even at first, of a capacity sufficient to meet the requirements 
of the rapidly growing city, and was at all times crowded, but a lack of funds 
prevented its immediate enlargement. It was not until 1882 that the present 
spacious and convenient building was erected. It stands near the original 
hospital, which is now used as a female ward and dormitory for the sisters in 
charge. The entire hospital has now a capacity for one hundred and fifty 
patients. The sick of all creeds, without distinction of race or color, are 
received and cared for in this institution, which has never faltered in its good 
work. 

The earliest physicians to this hospital were Drs. McNeal, Gazzam and 



PITTSBUKGH AND ALLEGHENY. 713 

Anderson, all of whom are dead. Of the seven sisters who came in 1843, and 
commenced their hospital work in 1846, only one is now alive. 

HOMEOPATHIC HOSPITAL AND DISPENSARY OF PITTSBURGH. 

No hospital of the homeopathic school of practice existed in Pittsburgh 
prior to 1866. Late in 1865 Drs. Marcellin Cote, John C. Burgher and H. 
Hofman secured the grounds and buildings located on Second avenue, near 
Smithfield street, with sixty- seven feet of front and extending through to First 
avenue, on which it had a frontage of forty-seven feet. The cost of this was 
tvpenty-two thousand dollars and it was held until a hospital organization was 
effected. 

April 4, 1886, the legislature of Pennsylvania granted the institution a 
charter, naming as corporators: Wilson McCandless, William Frew, James B. 
Murray, James Caldwell, A. M. Wallingford, Annie Murray, Mary E. Moor- 
head, Letitia Holmes, M. K. Moorhead, W^illiam Metcalf, J. H. Hillerman, J. 
M. Knapp, J. H. Nobbs, W. A. Gildenfenny, O. Metcalf, William Crawford, 
Jr., E. Miles, E. Dithridge, A. McFarland, T. S. Blair, E. W. Burke, W. M. 
Faber, G. H. Burke, William T. Shannon, H. W. Oliver, Jr., George Bing- 
ham, J. G. Backofen, Mary Cote, E. R. Burke, Mary Caldwell, Sarah L. 
Woods, E. C. Donaldson, Jennie Blair, James Colvin and S. Miles. The 
presidents of the corporation have been: Hon. Wilson McCandless, till 1869; 
William Frew, till his death in 1880; William H. Barnes, till 1884, and Will- 
iam Metcalf till the present time. 

During sixteen years patients were treated in the hospital first established, 
but the insuffiency of the accommodations became more and more apparent, 
till, in 1882, it was resolved to erect a new building. Additional ground was 
purchased, the new structure was placed under contract, and was ready for 
occupancy in 1884. Its total cost, including real estate and furnishment, was 
two hundred and thirty-four thousand dollars, of which one hundred thousand 
dollars were contributed by the state, fifty thousand by William Thaw, fifteen 
thousand by Miss Jane Holmes, between five and six thousand each by William 
Metcalf and Charles J. Clarke, and the balance in donations of from five to 
one thousand dollars. 

The hospital has a free dispensary, and there is connected with it a train- 
ing-school for nurses. There exists also, as an efficient auxiliary to the manage- 
ment of the hospital, a ladies' association, the functions of which are to aid in 
the internal management of the institution, supply clothing and delicacies to 
the indigent sick, and by systematic effort to raise money for the maintenance 
of the good work. The annual number of admissions to the hospital is about 
one thousand. 

ST. Francis' hospital. 

The order of the Sisters of St. Francis was established several centuries 
since. Their functions are the education of children, the care of the sick in 



714 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

hospitals, and of orphan children in asj'lums. In 1867 two of these sisters 
came to Pittsburgh from Buffalo, N. Y., and soon engaged in their charitable 
work. In the same year they were joined by others. In the following year 
the property of Mr. Keller, consisting of six acres on Forty- fourth street, the 
present site of St. Francis' ho.spital, was purchased by a committee, and hos- 
pital work was commenced there by the Franciscan Sisters. The residence of 
Mr. Keller, which is now the insane department of the hospital,, was first used 
for the care of the sick, but larger accommodations soon came to be required, 
and in 1871 the present structure was erected. It stands on the height in 
Forty-fourth street, between Penn avenue and Butler streets — an aiiy and 
healthful location, one of the best in this region. It is a large and tasteful 
brick structure, and has a capacity for one hundred patients. The sick of all 
denominations and of every class and nationality are cared for in this institu- 
tion, which is self-supporting. Fourteen sisters are in attendance on this hos- 
pital, and between five and six hundred patients are annually treated. 

PITTSBUEGH NEWSBOYS* HOME. 

This institution was opened in March, 1885, by T. P. Druit, as a news- 
boys' school, in the bank building on the corner of Fifth avenue and Liberty 
street. It commenced with seventy-five scholars, which number was soon 
increased to one hundred. In December, 1886, the school was removed to 
No. 125 Fifth avenue, and a home department was added, beginning with six 
boarders. In April, 1887, it was removed to its present location. No. 15 Old 
avenue, and its capacity was greatly increased. It was incorporated on the 
16th of March, 1888, with Rev. George T. Purvis, D. D., president; Charles E. 
Speer, treasurer; Allan C. Kerr, secretary, and Thomas P. Druit, superin- 
tendent. 

The home occupies the second and third stories of a large building, and has 
accommodations for seventy boarders and two hundred scholars. There are 
now forty boarders, and one hundred and fifty attend the day school, the 
Sunday-school and the gymnasium. The dormitory is fitted up with single 
iron bedsteads, with bathrooms, lavatories, and every convenience, in a 
plain way, for the inmates. An industrial department, including a printing- 
office, is soon to be added. The boarders are kept at §1.50 per week, and are 
aided in obtaining situations where they can support themselves and prepare to 
take their places among useful citizens. It is believed that great good has 
resulted from the establishment of this home. 



PITTSBUKGH AND ALLEGHENY. 717 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 

CEMETEEIES. 
HoMEwooD Cemetery— Allegheny Cemetery. 

HOMEWOOD CEMETERY. 

IN the early part of 1878 the idea was suggested of establishing a new ceme- 
tery in the eastern portion of the city of Pittsburgh, which was so favor- 
ably received by the community that it was decided to make application to the 
court for the organization of a corporation for that purpose, which was accord- 
ingly done, and on the 23d day of February, in that year, a charter was granted. 

The distinct and irrevocable principle on which this corporation is founded 
is, that the entire funds arising from the sales of burial-lots, and the proceeds 
of any investment of said funds, shall be specifically dedicated to the purchase 
and improvement of the grounds of the cemetery, and keeping them durably 
and permanently inclosed and in repair through all future time, including all 
incidental expenses for keeping in order the approaches to the cemetery, and 
the proper management of the same; and that no part of said funds shall, as 
dividend profit, or in any manner whatever, inure to the corporators. 

Immediately after the organization of the company a proposal was received 
fi'om James A. Hutchinson, trustee of the estate of Hon. William Wilkins, 
deceased, offering to sell a tract of land containing one hundred and seventy- 
five acres, situated in the Twenty-second ward, between Penn avenue and 
Forbes street, and having a fi-ontage on Dallas avenue of three thousand feet. 
This ground being considered peculiarly well suited for a cemetery, on account 
of its elevated and comparatively secluded situation, and the probability of its 
being forever free from the smoke and dirt of manufacturing establishments, 
and at the same time convenient and easy of access, and the terms for the pay- 
ments being liberal, the board of managers decided to accept the offer, and a 
purchase of the property was made. 

Soon afterward a large force of men was engaged in grading and macadam- 
izing Dallas avenue and in laying out and cutting roadways in the grounds. 
About four miles of these roadways have been constructed, a convenient and 
tasteful office-building and a superintendent's house have been erected, and 
fifteen acres of the cemetery have been improved for burial purposes. The 
improvements which have been made have cost about fifty thousand dollars. 
Two thousand and nine hundred interments have (January, 1889) been made 
in this cemetery. 

The proceeds of the sales of lots and interments is appropriated, after the 



718 BISTOKY OF ALLKGHENY COUNTY. 

paymeut of current expenses, to the extinguishment of the debt, and to the 
creation of a fund for the perpetual cari! of the cemetery after all the lots shall 
have been sold. This fund now amounts to seven thousand dollars. 

The origiiml corporators were: Charles W. Batchelor, Marcellin Cote. P. M. Guthrie, 
William Metcalf, Anthony S. Murray, William Rea, William H. Smitli, J. B. Sweitzer, 
James W. Brown. .John H. Dalzell, Frank Le Moyne, Cliarles Meyran, George P. Mc- 
Bride, John Scott, David A. Stewart and Thomas Wightman, of Pittsburgh; and James 
J. Donncll, Malcohn Hay, Henry Holdship, Alexander Nimick, John H. Ricketson. Albert 
H. Childs, James Herdman, Reuben Milltr, A. I'j. \V. F^ainter. Oliver P. Seaife, of AUt- 
glieny. Of these Marcellin Cote, William H, Smith, J. B. Sweitzer, David A. Stewart, 
Malcolm Hay and A. E. W. Painter have died; and James B. Hill. W. W. Card, E. M. 
Bigelow and Dr. John Semple have been chosen. 

The present officers are: William Rea. president; James A. Hutchinson, .secretary 
and treasurer; David Woods, superintendent; Thomas Wightman, Charles Meyran, 
Joseph Abel, Alexander Murdoch, Alexander Nimick and J. D. Collingwood, managers. 

ALLEGHENY CEMETERY. 

Churchyards, village or neighborhood graveyards and private burial- 
places were, until a comparatively recent period, the only places of interment 
in this country. In most cases these were, during many years, well cared for, 
but as time went on less and less attention was given to them, until at last 
they came to be wholly neglected, and a few marble slabs inclosed by broken 
fences alone marked their sites. 

Often the people of a small settlement dedicated a spot of ground in their 
immediate vicinity for purposes of sepulture. The settlement grew to be a 
thriving village, which surrounded this primitive Inirial-place. Churches 
spi-ang up and became prosperous, and many of the different sects established 
burial-places farther away from the growing village. The place continued to 
prosper and expand till it became a busy city; and these were melancholy spots 
in the midst of streets, dwellings and places of business. Esthetic and san- 
itary considerations demanded their removal, and the question of the proper 
disposition of the remains of the departed came to be a pertinent one. From 
circumstances like these was probably developed the idea of rural cemeteries, 
having corporate existence under laws which should insure them against dese- 
cration and provide for their proper care. Early in the third decade of the 
present century such cemeteries came into existence in this country, and now 
such a resting-place for the dead is found in the vicinity of almost every large 
town. 

The first move toward the establishment of a rural cemetery here was made 
in 1834, by Dr. J. R. Speer, Stephen Colwell and John Chislett. The success 
of Mount Auburn cemetery at Boston led them to conceive a plan for one 
here that should embrace the prospective wants of the population of the cities 
of Pittsburgh and Allegheny. The plan was not at once successful. Time, 
effort and example were necessary to educate public sentiment up to the proper 
point. The example was furnished by Mount Auburn cemetery, which was 



PITTSBURGH AND ALLEGHENY. 719 

-chartered ia 1831; Laurel Hill, at Philadelphia, in 1836; and Greenwood, at 
New York, in 1838. The three gentlemen named, and others who adopted 
their views, labored assiduously, and the press was enlisted in behalf of the 
project. Ten years elapsed, and in the spring of 1844 several meetings for the 
furtherance of the object were held. The grounds of Trinity church, adjoin- 
ing those of the First Presbyterian church, on Sixth avenue, had become 
crowded with graves, and prominent members of these churches had come to 
feel a lively interest in the proposed plan. The last of these meetings was 
held on the 8th of April, 1844. The following is taken from a report of the 
proceedings of that meeting: 

An adjourned meeting of the citizens of Pittsburgh, to consult in regard to the estab- 
lishment of a public cemetery, was held at the Board of Trade rooms. . . . 

Richard Biddle, from a committee appointed at a former meeting, reported a memorial 
to the legislature, and the draft of a proposed act of incorporation. These were unani- 
mously adopted, and directed to be forwarded to Harrisburg for the action of the legis- 
lature. 

The board as finally constituted was as follows: 

Thomas Bakewell, Dr. James R. Speer, William Robinson, Jr., John Freeman, E. W. 
Stephens, Thomas M. Howe, J. Chislett, T. J. Bigham, W. J. Totten, Dr. H D. Sellers, 
F. Lorenz, Charles Avery, George Hogg, John H. Shoenberger, H. Childs, J. Painter, 
John Bissell, H. Sterling, Rev. A. M. Bryan, W. Lippencott, William Kerr, E. D. Gaz- 
zam, R, S Cassett, W. Eichbaum, F. G. Bailey, H. Denny, R. C. Grier, G. W. Jackson, 
Josiah King, Charles Brewer. Wilson MoCandless, J. S. Craft, George Ogden, N. Holmes, 
P. MoCormick, J. Laughlin, R. Biddle, J. D. McCord, R. Kerr and Thomas Irwin. 

The legislature promptly passed the act of incorporation, and it was ap 
proved April 24, 1844. 

The corporation was fortunate in the purchase of its lands. They were 
bought in separate parcels, from different owners and at reasonable rates. 
Real estate in their vicinity has so appreciated in value that these lands would 
now command many times the amount paid for them. The character of these 
grounds is admirably suited to purposes of sepulture. Instead of a clayey, 
tenacious subsoil, that would not permit the downward percolation of moisture, 
it is of a sandy, porous nature, in keeping with modern taste and sentiment in 
regard to riu-al cemeteries. 

The surface of the ground is not level, nor is it too hilly. Those parts 
which are not available for use are quite ornamental. They are covered with 
native forest-trees, and in the season of foliage, when the wind sighs among 
the leaves and the birds nestle and sing in the branches, truly beautiful rural 
and sylvan scenes are presented. The idea of what should be the surroundings of 
the resting-place of the dead seems here to be realized. 

Dr. Speer thus summarizes the results of this enterprise: 

It has fully met an evident want and necessity in this large and growing community. 
It has already risen in public estimation to the rank of a highlj- useful institution, 
And it is considered by all an ornament and honor to the city. 



720 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

It hiiH (lone much, by the influence it lias exerted on visitors from all parts of the 
couutry, to aid in introducing the modern and improved system of rural cemeteries, 
adapted to the wants of different conimuuities. The condition of many of the small, 
neglected and dila|)idated graveyards attached to churches all over the country, over- 
grown with briers and weeds, and often infested with vermin, is trulj' deplorable, but it 
may rea.sonably be expected that many of these will be restored from their present repul- 
sive conditions to those of comparative neatness, order and beauty, by the stimulus 
given by the new sj'stera. 

It has given gratuitous sepulture to many of the brave soldiers who lost their lives in 
the late rebellion, and to many indigent persons who bad neither money nor friends to 
defray this last debt of nature for tliem. 

Since the establishment of this cemetery sums have been expended in im- 
provements aggregating six hundred and thirty-seven thousand dollars. It is 
not practicable to speak of these improvements in detail, but it may be said in 
general terms that they are of such a character as to render this one of the 
most tasteful and attractive rural cemeteries in the country. There is now in 
process of construction, on Penn avenue, an entrance which, when completed, 
will be more tasteful and elegant than anything of the kind in the country. It 
is believed that, in proportion to the number interred here, there are more 
costly and elegant moniiments than can be found in any other rural cemetery 
in the United States. At the beginning of 1889 thirty-two thousand inter- 
ments had been made here. 

By the provisions of the charter, and the amendments thereto, the amount 
of land that may be held by the corporation is limited to three hundred acres. 
Two hundred and seventy two acres have been acquired, and about one-third 
of this area is improved for burial purposes. The assets of the corporation 
amount to $512,637.40. 

The present corporators are: 

.Tohn H. Shoenberger, Dr. James R. Speer. Robert S. Cassett, John D. McCord, Will- 
iam Thaw, Ale.\ander Bradley, H. J. Lynch, Francis Sellers, Charles Hays, John Harper, 
E. T. Jones, Charles J. Clarke. Charles E. Speer, S. C. McCandless, George Shiras. Jr., 
David Hostetter, Joseph Woodwell, Hon. James P. Sterrett, Frank S. Bissell, William 
Metcalf, William M. Darlington, A. E. W. Painter, William N. Frew, Reuben Miller, Jr., 
Alexander Nimick, Felix R. Brunot, James S. McOord, William E. Schmertz, Joseph 
Walton, W. Dfwees AVcod, W. J. Moorhead, Charles H. Spang. W. Kirk Porter, Robert 
M. Tindle, John B. Jackson, Charles Lockhart, George M. Laughlin. Charles M. Gormly, 
George A. Berry, William Bakewell and George A. Kelly. 

The officers are: 

Charles J. Clarke, president; William Thaw, Charles J. Clarke, John Harper. Charles 
E. Speer, S. C. McCandless. Frank S. Bissell and Felix R. Brunot, managers; James R. 
Speer. secretary and treasurer, and John Perring, superintendent. 



(l)''V!>\---, 




MCKEESPOET. 723 



CHAPTEE XXXVIII. 

McKEESPORT. 

The McKee Family— Early Histoky of McKeesport— Original Lot-own- 
ers— The Place in ISsJO — Early Trade. Commerce and Manufactures 
-Growth of the Town. 

IT is a singular fact, and worth)- of notice in connection with the early 
history of this county, that while the Scotch predominated among its first 
settlers, very few localities have received names of Scotch origin. Their 
religious and social customs were faithfully reproduced and tenaciously adhered 
to, with such modifications as their surroundings necessitated; but they seem 
to have been forgetful or indiflFerent concerning the names of their native 
country, scarcely any of which have been transplanted to this soil. McKees- 
port can hardly be regarded as an exception to this general rule. The name 
is distinctively Scotch, but John McKee was probably influenced in its selec- 
tion by the pardonable egotism of founders of towns at the period rather than 
any other motive. 

The name is worthy of being perpetuated. Among the advance-guard of 
the army of adventurers that pushed across the frontier before the final issue 
of the seven years' war, there were few in whom courage, constancy and pru- 
dence were so happily blended as in David McKee. If the traditions of the 
family may be credited, he removed from Scotland to County Donegal, in the 
north of Ireland, in the early part of the eighteenth century. Persecution fol- 
lowed him thither, and about the middle of the century, with several brothers, 
he migrated to America, where they settled near Philadelphia. One of the 
brothers removed to Rockbridge county, Va. , and from him the southern con- 
tingent of the family is descended; another settled in the valley of the Sus- 
quehanna ; and David McKee removed to the distant frontier, where, by the 
courtesy of Queen Aliquippa, he established himself at the mouth of the 
Youghiogheny. The date of this second emigration is disputed. It is said to 
have been in 1755, the year of Braddock's defeat; but the exposed condition 
of the frontier at that time renders this exceedingly improbable. Western 
Pennsylvania was not considered a desirable place of residence until after Gen. 
Forbes' occupation of Fort Pitt in 1758, nor was it tolerably secure from 
Indian ravages until after Col. Bouquet's victory at Bushy run in 1763. It is 
a well-established fact that McKee appeared on the Monongahela before the 
cessation of hostilities; that he was well received by Queen Aliquippa, and 
settled at the mouth of the Youghiogheny by her permission, and that in 1769 
the colonial government confirmed to him the exclusive right of f en-iage over the 



724 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

two rivers at their confluence. April 3, 1 709, the colonial landoffice was 
opened for the sale of lands acquired ljy the Indian treaties at the close of 
Pontiac's war, and warrant No. 1108 was granted to David McKee for the 
survey of a tract of land inclosed by the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, 
Huey street of the borough of McKeesport, and its original southern boundary, 
the area of which, as returned in the survey of November 30, 1782, was three 
hundred and six acres three roods and twenty perches. April 5, 1769, war- 
rants were issued to Robert and Thomas McKee, respectively, the former thus 
securing two hundred and eighty-tive acres adjoining the Monongahela river, 
between Huey ami Riverton streets, and the latter, two hundred and fifty-three 
acres on the Youghioghenv, adjoining the tract of Robert McKee on the south. 
The elder McKee lived to an advanced age, and died October 11, 1795. 

John McKee, his son, succeeded to the ability, the influence and a portion 
of the fortune of his father. Born in the north of Ireland in 1746, he had 
crossed the Atlantic at a very early age, and began his career on the frontier 
before reaching manhood. Brought up amid the hardships of pioneer life, a 
remarkable degree of self-reliance, energy and determination was developed in 
his character. He became familiar with the method of procedure in taking 
up laud, and became one of the largest individual holders within the present 
territorial limits of the eoiuity. He was the original patentee of "Allegheny 
Tract," "Hopewell," "Newport" (on Saw-Mill run), and a number of others, 
and his piu'chases from warrantees and resident owners were numerous. He 
owned lots in Pittsburgh, Beaver Falls and other tovras in the west, the value 
of which, with his coal-lands, would aggregate millions of dollars at the present 
day. It is hardly possible that he realized the extent to which his property 
would appreciate in value, but, judging by the standard of that day, he was a 
man of wealth, and his operations evince shrewdness and sagacity. He was the 
victim of his generosity. In 1793 he became surety for his brother-in-law, 
Judge John Redick, of Beaver Falls, who had contracted to furnish supplies 
for the Indian expedition of Gen. Wayne. The contractor failed to meet his 
obligations to the government, and his bondsman was called upon to assume 
liabilities aggregating thousands of dollars. He had a small trunk of conti- 
nental money, but the government repudiated currency of that character. At 
the instance of Steel Sample, John Woods, James Ross and other eminent 
counsel of that day, he resisted the enforcement of payment in gold, claiming 
that the tender of continental currency was a sufficient discharge of his obliga- 
tions. The case was tried in the United States court at Philadelphia, and after 
several years of litigation a decision adverse to Mr. McKee" s interests was ren- 
dered. His property was exposed to sale by the United States marshal; but 
the state had but recently opened to purchase and settlement that large portion 
of its area northwest of the Allegheny river, and land commanded a merely 
nominal price. The entire amount realized from his large estates was less 
than thirty thousand dollars. Returning to the county after the unfortunate 



McKEESPOKT. 725 

termination of his suit, the idea of retrieving his losses by laying off a town at 
the mouth of the Yonghiogheny seems to have occurred to him for the first 
time. The location was not inviting; swamp and forest occupied much of the 
present site of the town, but there were advantages that fully compensated its 
unfavorable aspect in this respect. The proprietor, in announcing his plans 
regarding "the new town," thiis enumerated its advantages: 

The grouud intended for the town is delightfully situated on a fine level point at 
the junction of the Monongahela and Yonghiogheny rivers, about sixteen miles only above 
Pittsburgh by water and twelve only by land. . . . The situation of this place is so 
well known in the western country that it needs no encomium that can be given it, but 
for those persons below the mountain who may wish to become purchasers it may be 
necessary to premise that its situation is one of the best in the western country for trade 
and commerce, having the advantage of two rivers flowing under its banks, being near 
several gristmills and sawmills, close to what is called the Forks of Yough settlement 
(which is indisputably the richest we have); it is at least twelve miles nearer to Philadel- 
phia than Pittsburgh is; it has public roads laid out from it in different directions. 

This was published in the Pittsbtirgh Gazette of February 5, 1795, and 
formed part of an advertisement in which the following information concerning 
the plan of the town and the method adopted for the disposition of lots was 
also given: 

The plan on which the town is to be improved consists of upward of two hundred 
lots of forty feet front by one hundred and forty feet deep, each lot having the advantage 
of a street, and an alley twenty feet wide for the convenience of stables, etc. The prin- 
cipal streets are eighty feet wide, the others sixty. 

Near the center of the town is a large area or square intended for a market-house. 
Forty-eight of the lots front the two rivers, Monongahela and Youghiogheny. Four lots 
will be given . . . for the use of a place of public worship and a seminary of learn- 
ing. The price of each lot is to be twenty dollars and one dollar groundrent annually. 
To avoid dispute, the lot every purchaser is to possess is to be deeded by a lottery, which 
will be held on the spot'on the 1st of April next. Each purchaser at the time of receiv- 
ing his ticket is to pay ten dollars, and the residue when he draws his number and gets his 
deed. The majority of the purchasers present at the meeting are to choose the persons 
who shall draw the tickets, which persons shall point out the four lots to be appropriated 
to public uses prior to the drawing. 

In front of those lots that are laid out next the two rivers is a considerable portion 
of ground extending to the water-edge, which, as it will be of great use to the settlers for 
a variety of purposes, the proprietor intends as public property for the general accommo- 
dation of all the inhabitants, reserving only to himself the sole right of keeping ferries, 
and as much ground at each ferry as a storehouse or a ferry-house may stand upon. 

Tickets were offered for sale at Pittsburgh, Washington, Grreensburg, Mer- 
cersburg and Carlisle. March 26, 1795. it was announced that one hundred 
and eighty-seven tickets had been sold, and that the groundrent might be ex- 
tinguished by the payment of ten dollars additional. The drawing took place 
agreeably to announcement, and April 3, 1795, McKee informed the purchas- 
ers that the deeds woiild be prepared with all possible dispatch. November 4, 
1795, he secured a patent for the tract previously held in his father's name by 



726 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

warranty title, upon which the town was hiid out. presumalily the same year, 
by Andrew McCulloch, a surveyor and school-teacher. In the Gazette of 
November 20, 1795, McKee announced that he would execute conveyances for 
the lots December 21-30 following. Many of the deeds are dated December 
24, and for some time they monopolized the business of the recorder's office. 
As thirty dollars is the consideration usually mentioned, it would appear that 
the major portion of the purchasers preferred to extinguish the groundrent. 

The following is a list of the original lot-owners of McKeesport, and of the 
respective numbers and locations of the lots held by each: 

Market street, lietween First and Second — 103, David Jones; 104, Andrew Watson; 
105, .Joseph L. Findley; 106, George Leslie; 107, Hugli Scott, .Jr.; 170, .John Hannah; 171, 
Andrew Byers. 

Between Second and Third — 109, Thomas Foreman; 110, Andrew Irwin; 111, Faithful 
Cretan; 113, Thomas B. Patterson; 16.5, David McKet-; 167, William Huey; 169, Barbara 
Lauderbach. 

Between Third and Fourth — 113, Jacob Bausmau; 114, John Hoge Redick; 164, George 
Cooper. 

Between Fourth and Fifth — 116, James Mclvinney; 118. James Matthews; 1.59, James 
McKinney; 160, Andrew Byers; 161, James B, Clow. 

Between Fifth and Sixth— 120, Anu Herron; 121, Clarinda Redick; 1.56, Reuben T. 
Sacket; 157, Daniel Venture. ^ 

Between Sixth and Seventh — 124, Robert McKee; 126, James McCulloch. Robert 
Knox;* 127, Margaret McCulloch; 128, Edward Nicholas; 149, John Reed; 150, W. H. 
Beaumont; 151, Nathan Bedford; 152. Abigail Hunt; 1.53, John Cunningham and Robert 
Calhoon.* 

Between Seventh and Eighth — 131, Robert McKee; 132, Alexander Shaw. 

Between Eighth andNinth— 134, John McNeal; 137, JamesMcKeS; 141, John Findley; 
142, AV. H. Beaumont. 

Water street, between Second and Third — 5, John Snodgrass; 6, Sterling Johnston; 7 
and 8, David Redick. 

Between Third and Fourth— 9, James Smith; 12, Alexander Sworn; 13, Zenas Hill. 

Between Fourth and Fiftli — 14, .John Speer; 15, Ephraim Edwards; 16, .John Kinkaid; 
17, John Speer; 18. John Fislier. 

Between Fifth and Sixth— 20. W. H. Beaumont; 21, John Roseborough; 22, W. H. 
Beaumont; 23. Obed Davis. 

Between Sixth and Seventh — 24. Joseph McCormick; 25. W. H. Beaumont; 26, W. 
McLaughlin; 28, John Dunlap. 

Between Seventh and Eighth — 30, W. H. Beaumont; 31, John Speer; .33, Augustus 
Leipart. 

Between Eighth and Ninth— 34. Sally Jones; 35. Robert McKee; 36, Obed Davis; 38, 
Robert Smith. 

First street — 100, Thomas R. Swearingen; 101, William Thompson; 102, Charles Han- 
nah; 175 and 176, Samuel Sinclair; 177, Adam Burchfield; 178. John Speer. 

Second street — 91, David Pollock; 94, John Shaw; 95. John McMasters; 96, Samuel 
Stoops; 97, Joseph Patterson; 98, John Reed; 179, William Loughhead; 180. George 
Roush, Hugh Wilsou;* 181 and 182, Samuel Bailey and William Clutter;* 183. Robert 
Wilson; 184, Thomas Snodgrass; 185, Elizabeth McK^e; 186. Augustus Leipart. 

Third street— 83. William McClure; 84, James McKinney; 86, Daniel McNickel; 89, 

* One moiety each. 




4r' 




{yLui^'t^'r OP^^^^"-"^ 



McKEESrOKT. 729 

Elizabeth McKee; 90, James Lauridge: 187, \Villiam Loughhead; 188, Thomas Morton; 
189, James Wills; 190. Robert Smith; 192, Jesse Nash. 

Fourth street — 75, Hugh Wilson; 77, Matthew Long; 78, James Reed, James Mc- 
Karn; 79, William Watson; 80, John G. Young; 81, John Arthurs; 83, Anthony Dravo; 
195, Robert Thompson; 197, Andrew Patterson; 199, Thomas White; 200, John Cavet; 
201, John Shearer; 202, James Alcorn. 

Fifth street— 67, Nathaniel Lyon; 68. William Loughhead, William McClure;* 69, 
George Roush; 70, Alexander Shaw; 72, Margery Howell; 203, James Alexander; 204. W. 
Pettigrew; 205, Mary Cunningham ; 208, Jacob Bausman; 210, Mary Calhoun. 

Sixth street — 59, Alexander Brown; 60, Betsey Adams; 61. John Patterson; 211, Peter 
Mowry; 213. John Fisher; 214 and 215, Cornelius Thompson. 

Seventh street— 51, W. H. Beaumont; 54, Alexander Speer; 56 and 222, John Speer; 
223, James Boner. 

Eighth street — 43. John Speer; 227, James Herron; 229, Joseph Clow; 231, John Speer; 
233, John Easton. 

Ninth street— 41, David Tate; 42, Robert McKee; 336 Matthew Turner; 238. James 
Foster. 

Of these persons, the majority resided in Allegheny county; Washington, 
Westmoreland, Fayette, Franklin and Cumberland, and the states of Virginia 
and Kentucky were also represented. John McKee seems to have inspired 
the public with confidence in his project, and some of those who participated 
in the drawing disposed of their numbers at a premium. George Leslie, for 
whom No. 159 was drawn by Annie McKee, transferred it to Rev. James Mc- 
Kinney for ' ' fifty-three silver dollars' ' before the deed had been executed, and 
Alexander Shaw, who seciu'ed No. 70, disposed of it immediately for twenty 
pounds. The project was undoubtedly a financial success to McKee, and although 
the immediate future of the town was not such as those who had invested in it 
may have been led to expect, the proprietor is certainly worthy of honor for his 
efforts in furthering its interests. The location was well chosen: the width and 
regularity of the streets, the public square, and the reservations for religious 
and educational purposes, establish his character as a public-spirited citizen. 
His eventful life was closed by death, Jantiary 11, 1807. 

The town did not improve to any extent for some years. Among the acces- 
sions to its population was William Cavin, who came from New York by way of 
Pittsburgh, where he was offered an acre of ground in the vicinity of Wood 
street in exchange for his cow; but he continued his journey, preferring the 
su perior advantages of the place that was twelve miles nearer to Philadelphia. 
After a short residence in McKeesport, he married a daughter of Col. Will- 
iam Loughhead, the first merchant of the town, whose store was situated on 
the north side of Third street. In 1815 James Penney came from the Jersey 
settlement near Monongahela City, and settled on Third street. James Mc- 
Kinney("an itinerary preacher"), and James Irwin (" doctor of physics"), 
Samuel Stoops, David Jones, Augustus Leipart, George Cooper, John Speer, 
(merchant), Ephraim Edwards, Andrew Irwin, James Matthews (merchant), 

* One moiety to each. 



730 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Zeuas Hill, James Foster (brewiu), John Hodye liodick, SU>rliug John- 
ston, James Reed, Eobert Smith (who moved from Franklin county in 1796), 
James Alcorn, James Foster, John Culljertson (tanner), William Petti- 
grew (tailor), Samuel Bailey, Philip Unsettler and Ohed Davis (cooper), 
are mentioned as residents prior to 1800. The number of houses in 1821 is 
placed at seventeen, none of v?hich made any pretensions to architectural 
beauty. Several of these primitive structures are yet intact. The first brick 
houses were built in 1819, by Dr. George Huey and James Evans, on the south- 
east corner of Walnut and Second and on the opposite side of Walnut, respect- 
ively. The following is a list of residents in 1830 : 

Samuel M. Rose, tavern-keeper; his house was two stories high, and is still standing 
at the corner of Second street and Mulberry alley. Andrew Hendricksou, school- 
master, lived in a two-story log house on Second street, adjoining Rose's on the east. 
John Baker, tavern-keeper, was the occupant of a two-story log house at the corner of 
Second and Walnut. Dr. Geerge Huey lived in a brick house opposite to Baker's tav- 
ern, on the southeastern corner of Second and Walnut. Samuel Dickej-'s residence was 
on Third street between Market and Walnut. John Behan lived on Third street near 
Walnut, in a two-story log house, still standing. James Penney's house is likewise still 
in e.xistence, and occupies a lot on Third street adjoining that of Behan. Penney was a 
cooper. William Loughhead, merchant; his place of business was a log house on the 
north side of Third, nearly opposite Behan and Penney. A Mr. McVeagh lived on the 
east side of Market below Second. Samuel Hunter's house, on the east side of Market 
between Second and Third, was one of the few that was weather-boarded at that time. 
Andrew Soles, merchant, was engaged in business at the corner of Third and Market, in 
a two-.'itor3' log building that is still standing. Immanuel Hurst's house occupied an ad- 
joining lot. Daniel Stone occupied a one-story log building on the west side of Market, 
between Second and Third. Hugh Rowland lived on the west side of Market between 
First and Second. James Loucridge, chairmaker; his house and shop were at the corner 
of Third and Water streets. James Alexander, saddler and hotel-keeper, lived on Water 
street between Second and Third. James Evans, merchant and justice of the peace; his 
place of business was on the south side of Third, near Walnut. Peter Soles, shoemaker, 
lived on Second street. Conrad Roth, farmer; his house and barn were above Ninth street. 
Samuel Culbertson, tanner, pursued his calling at the corner o£ Shaw avenue and Huey 
street. William Irwin was a justice of the peace, and farmed that part of the borough 
east of Walnut street. John McKee, farmer, lived east of Walnut near Second. John 
Anstie was also a farmer, and lived on Second street. John Redick, merchant; his place 
of business was at the corner of Third and Market. 

It is probable that the oldest house now in existence is that occupied in 
1830 by James Alexander, and known as the "Black Horse Hotel." It was 
built in 1796 by Sterling Johnston. It was afterward occupied by a Mr. 
Whigham, and in 1812 passed into possession of James Alexander, from Car- 
lisle, Cumberland coimty, from which his father was elected a member of 
assembly. It became a favorite stopping-place for boatmen on the Youghio- 
gheny, and enjoyed an extensive patronage in its daj*. Few of the landmarks 
of that period are invested with associations of equal interest. 

McKeesport in 1830 is best described as a country village, with little 
apparent prospect of appreciating in importance. In a region not remarkable 



MCKEESPOET. 731 

for the advanced morality of its people, the reputation of the town was proverb- 
ial. It possessed exceptional facilities for horse-racing years before a place 
for religious services was provided, and, in common with every locality in 
Western Pennsylvania, had its local stills and breweries. The racecourse 
extended along the bank of the river Youghiogheny, and by way of Seventh 
and Walnut streets quite around the town. No records of the speed attained 
on this course have been preserved, but it was a favorite place among the 
jockeys far and wide, and during the racing-season the town not infrequently 
assumed a color deeper than a peachblow tint. Then there was always a float- 
ing population, made iip of boatmen engaged in transporting the pig-iron of 
Connellsville to Pittsburgh and other points along the Ohio and Mississippi. 
The "trade and commerce" to which John McKee had alluded in glowing 
terms was not developing as had been confidently expected, and three or four 
local stores were equal to the requirements of the trade, while many articles 
of common use were obtainable only in Pittsburgh. The inhabitants, becom- 
ing accustomed to the unbroken monotony of village life, had apparently come 
to regard this condition of things as inevitable; but the time at last arrived for 
the beginning of an era of activity and development. 

THE COAL TEADE. 

The discovery of coal contributed to this more than any other consideration. 
John Harrison, a blacksmith by trade, and a man of fair business ability, 
became a resident of McKeesport in 1824, and in 1830 began the mining of 
coal, in which business he was the first to engage in this part of the country. 
Having purchased a tract of land from a Pittsburgh lawyer named Selden, he 
opened a coalpit thereon, which he operated with success for two years, when 
Col. John Neel instituted litigation for the property, and was eventually con- 
firmed in its possession. This mine was situated on the bank of the Mononga- 
hela, opposite McKeesport. It was subsequently operated by a Mr. Dunshee, 
but it is now abandoned. Samuel Dickey made the second mining venture, 
and the industry soon became general. There was a corresponding demand 
for barges in the shipment of the product, and for labor in their manufacture 
and transportation ; and from this McKeesport derived substantial advantages. 
The floating of coal became the principal business of the town. Among the 
first to engage in this business were Daniel Pollard, Thomas McGill, Peter 
Soles, John Speice, Clem. Smith, James Ferroll, H. B. Sinclair, John Patter- 
son, George High, Messrs. John, Jacob, Peter, Perry and "Jack" Baker, of 
whom several were owners, while all were skillfiil pilots. The later following 
comprised such men as J. A. Mahaffey, C. M. Bailey, G. W. Gray, Samuel 
Trich, Peter Gallatin, William Brown, John Gallatin, James Harriott, John 
and Hartman Guiee, James Buttonfield, Samuel Clark, Nicholas, William and 
Alfred O" Neill, Hon. Alexander Millar, William E. Harrison and David Clark. 
The dams in the Monongahela were constructed in 1841, and in 1847 tow- 



732 HISTOltV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

boating on that river was begun by Smith & Co., with a Beaver passenger 
packet which had become unfit for carrying jiassengers. The former method 
of depending vipon the current was not at once abandoned, but the use of steam 
in towing barges began at this date, and is now practically universal. The 
dams in the Youghiogheny were completed in 1851, and the importance of 
McKeesport measurably increased. The resident river pilots in 1855 were 
Peter Lauderbach, Henry McCloskey, D. V. Day, George Hunter. Eli Leazure, 
Charles and John McCoy, "William Powers, James Wilson, N. Lynch, Nelson 
Soles and William McCloskey; engineers — James Parkinson, James R. Hen- 
drickson and John Wampler; boat-builders — Benjamin Coursin, Isaac Hammitt, 
Sr. , Enos Spratt and William Cook; owners — John Harrison, Samuel Rose. 
Samuel Hunter and M. Elliott. The mining and shipment of coal and the 
building of barges were the sole dependence of the to^vn, and its prosperity 
fluctuated with that of the coal trade. During the summer months, when the 
depth of the river was not sufficient for navigation, money became scarce, the 
merchants found it difficult to make collections, and business of all kinds lan- 
guished. With a rise in the river,' the town suddenly assumed a condition of 
abnormal activity, as the convoys of barges were manned and equipped for their 
voyages and departed in rapid succession. It was often that weeks, and some- 
times months, elapsed before their return, and the intermediate period was one 
of stagnation and quiet, in which the town seemed to have been deserted by the 
male portion of the commimity. They returned in due time, however, and 
prosperity returned with them. Money became plenj;iful. Every branch of 
business flourished, and merchants improved the opportunity to fortify them- 
selves against the ajjproaching stringency. Such were the annual vicissitudes, 
as unfailing in their recurrence as the seasons. 

Improvement in the general appearance of the town had, meanwhile, 
received a powerful stimulus. Failing to realize any retivrns from their in- 
vestments, many of the original lot-owners allowed the taxes to accumulate on 
their respective holdings, and in 1833 this had become general to such an 
extent that the assessor, Robert Sinclair, returned the plot of the entire town 
to the court. In the following year all the lots upon which the taxes were 
unpaid were offered at public sale by the sheriff, under the usual restrictions 
in such cases. The recent discovery of coal had attracted attention to the 
locality, and the purchasers were usually of such a class as formed a valuable 
acquisition to the community. The difficulty of obtaining titles to the lots, or 
of discovering who the real owners were, had previously retarded improve- 
ments to a great extent; but a valid title was now assured to the purchaser, and 
the beneficial effects of the change were speedily apparent in the erection of 
houses of a substantial character. 

The Standard, John Y. Collins, editor, thus summarizes the advantages 
and general status of McKeesport in 1855: 

Situated at the confluence of two navigable rivers, the Yougliioglieny and Monon- 



McKEESPORT. 733 

gabela, on a rich bottom-land, and surrounded by the most exquisite scenery, few 
towns in the United States can boast of sucli a favorable location. Enjoying a perfectly 
pure and salubrious atmosphere, fanned almost throughout the year by a fresh northwest 
breeze, our neighborhood has proven impregnable to the most pestilential diseases. . . . 
Nearly all the buildings are stately two- and three-story brick dwelling-houses, [and] 
besides these the streets are graced bj' si.\ churches, one three-story schoolhouse. a 
capacious market-house (with a town hall), and a fine-looking Odd-Fellows' hall. A 
seminary with a male and female department will be opened within a fortnight, since the 
building is already arranged. Among the branches of public interest we may count a 
furnace, rolling-mill and Russia sheet-iron factory, two foundries, five steam sawmills, one 
boatyard, twelve coalbanks in the immediate neighborhood, two tanneries in town, 
eight principal stores and a number of groceries, two bakeries and confectioneries, several 
butcher-stalls, with a great variety of mechanics, and last, but not least, a priutiugofflce, 
from which darts, meteor-like, the Weekly Standard. 

R.\ILROAD INTERESTS. 

In the same connection the writer makes this remarkable prediction: "A 
more prosperous period awaits our town and neighborhood, and with the pros- 
pect of an early connection with the Connellsville railroad, with new markets 
for our coal and other productions, McKeesport will not fail ere long to be a 
flourishing city." In ascribing the growth of the town to its railroad facilities, 
the editor's prediction has been verified to the full extent. The rivers have 
been utilized for traffic and travel from the time that David McKee established 
his ferry, and local enterprise has always been interested in the improvement 
of the facilities thus presented. A steam ferry was established in 1845, by H. 
B. Sinclair, and was regarded as a great improvement over the former method 
of trans-navigation. In 1851, upon the completion of the slackwater naviga- 
tion in the Youghiogheny, Messrs. Bailey, Whigham, Hendrickson and Sin- 
clair purchased two boats, the Genesee and Tom Shriver, and established a 
packet-line from Pittsburgh to West Newton, which was continued until 
the destruction of the dams several years later. Its suspension seemed to em- 
phasize the importance and necessity of the railroad, the construction of which 
was then agitated. The project received strong financial support from Pitts- 
burgh, Lawrenceville and other municipalities, and, following their example, 
the borough council of McKeesport passed an ordinance August 30, 1855, 
authorizing the burgess to subscribe to the capital stock of the Pittsbiu'gh & 
Connellsville Railroad company in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, 
payable in borough bonds. The road was nearly completed at that time, and 
was j^laced in operation September 11, 1855. It was subsequently merged in 
the Baltimore & Ohio system, of which it is known as the Pittsburgh division, 
and has proved a powerful factor in furthering the development of the country 
it traverses, and the growth of McKeesport in particular. The Pittsburgh, 
McKeesport & Yotighiogheny Railroad company was granted its franchise in 
the borough, by ordinance of council, in September, 1881, and the road was 
placed in operation two years later. It is operated by the Pittsburgh & Lake 
Erie Railroad company, and serves the interests of the community as a compet- 



734 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

ing line. The Pittsbm-gh, Virginia & Charleston railroad, on the opposite 
side of the Monougahela, is also available. 

Although the granting of a subsidy to the Pittsburgh & Conuellsville Rail- 
road company was apparently supported by a strong public sentiment, a 
reactionary movement occurred immediately upon the close of the transaction. 
This was increased as the interest upon the railroad bonds became onerous, and 
eventually crystallized in a determination to repudiate the debt, on the ground 
of alleged irregularity on the ]>art of the railroad company. March 0, 1875, 
Messrs. Hampton & Dalzell and John Evans, counsel for the borough corporation, 
filed a bill in equity, in the court of common pleas of the county, against the rail- 
road company, alleging that the respondent company had violated the law in 
hypothecating certain of the bonds of the borough. It was averred that Ijy an 
act of assembly approved April 26, 1854, the provisions of a previous act were 
extended to the boroughs of McKeesport and Birmingham, authorizing each to 
subscribe for two thousand shares of the stock of the company, amounting to 
one hundred thousand dollars, and to issiie bonds to the company to the amount 
of stock subscribed. August 30, 1855, the borough of McKeesport subscribed 
for two thousand shares of stock, and issued bonds for the same, bearing, date 
September 1, 1855, payable in thirty years, with semi-annual interest. The 
railroad company, in 1857, borrowed money from a Pittsburgh banking-house, 
giving its promissory notes for the same, and hypothecating, as collateral secur- 
ity for the payment of the notes, borough bonds to the amount of forty-seven 
thousand dollars. In default of payment of the notes at maturity, the bonds 
were sold, and about four thousand dollars realized therefrom. It was urged 
that the company was not authorized to sell the bonds at any rate below the 
amount which would make them par at seven per cent per annum, and that 
by so doing the bonds should be forfeited and revert to the borough. The 
payment of either principal or interest had been strenuously opposed for years; 
an offer from the railroad company to compromise for the sum of fifteen thou- 
sand dollars was rejected; the borough government was for a time suspended 
in the effort to prevent payment; but the final decision in the courts was in favor 
of the railroad company in almost every particular, and the full amount of the 
principal, with accnied interest, awarded from the borough, was added to its 
liabilities. The action of those most concerned in this long struggle has been 
variously regarded, and while it is admitted that there were strong grounds for 
the position taken by the "borough fathers" generally, the final issue influ- 
ences many to regret that a compromise was not acceded to years ago. In this, 
as in other cases of long-continued litigation, it would seem that the final 
decision is a contingency which no foresight can determine. 

The opening of the railroad did not materially affect the coal interest, and 
McKeesport reached the zenith of its importance as a shipping- point during 
the years of the civil war, declining rapidly from that time, until few indica- 
tions of its character in this respect remain. Diiring all this jieriod the " coal 



MCKEESPORT. 735 

town ' ' was gradually losing its distinctive features as such. It is to-day a man- 
ufacturing city, and the transformation is complete. This has been accom- 
plished through the far-sighted policy of its manufacturers and the intelligence 
of its laboring classes. 

MANUFACTDEINQ INTERESTS. 

Manufacturers at an early period in the history of the borough, though 
insignificant in comparison with their present importance, were equal to the 
demands of the times. Whisky was then a staple product, as it was only 
through the still that the crops of the surrounding country could be reduced 
to a merchantable commodity. The distillery was regarded as essential to the 
prosperity of every commimity, and McKeesport was no exception. Its earliest 
manufacturing establishment was a stone distillery at the foot of Market street, 
built prior to 1800, and dismantled within twenty or thirty years thereafter. 
In close proximity there was a carding- and fulling-mill, owned and operated 
by Hugh Rowland. That the ' ' plant ' ' was not extensive may be inferred 
from the fact that two blind horses in a treadmill furnished the motive power. 
Robert McMillan became proprietor about 1835; he introduced steam, and con- 
tinued to operate the mill for some years. In 1824 a grist- and saw-mill was 
placed in operation at the corner of Second street and Blackberry alley, and a 
second, about 1830, on First street. Both were operated by steam. In 1829 
John Behan, an Irishman, and a retired member of the body-guard of King 
George IV of England, built a saw- and grist-mill on the north side of Second 
street near Walnut. John Young, maker of spinning-wheels at his residence 
on Second street, is also worthy of mention among the pioneer manufacturers 
of the place. At the time when all clothing was of domestic manufacture, his 
make of the spinning-wheel found a place in many households. The local 
artisans have been mentioned in the list of residents. 

Joseph Wampler located in the town in 1821, and attained some celebrity 
as a manufacturing optician. Among the telescopes of his manufacture was 
one with a four-inch glass, sold to Stockley, of Cleveland, Ohio, for one hun- 
dred and seventy-five dollars; a telescope six feet in length, with a three and 
one-half inch glass, which subsequently was taken to Liberia by Rev. John 
Smith, and the McKeesport telescope, six feet five inches long, with a five-inch 
glass, completed in 1876. 

The McKeesport Iron -works were erected in 1851, by Richard B. Gilpin and 
W. Dewees Wood, of Wilmington, Del., for the manufacture of American 
Russia sheet-iron under a process patented by W. D. Wood. Mr. Gilpin dis- 
posed of his interest in 1855, and the business was continued under the firm 
name of Wood, Moorhead & Co., until January, 1859, the manufacture of 
smooth, refined and galvanized sheet- iron being added during this period. In 
January, 1859, W. D. Wood leased the works to M. K. Moorhead and George 
F. McCleane, retaining their ownership in connection with Mr. Gilpin. The 
lease expired in 1862, and in July of that year W. D. Wood and Alan W. 



736 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Lukens, under the linu name of Wood & Lnkens, recommenced the manu- 
facture of American Russia and black, smooth, refined sheet-iron, and from that 
time forward the works have been operated to their utmost capacity, having 
been enlai-ged and re-enlarged imtil at the present time the annual capacity is 
ten thousand tons patent planished and superior quality black sheet-irons, with 
an invested capital of more than a million dollars. Upon the retirement of 
Mr. Lukens, in 1871, the style of the firm became W. D. Wood & Co., limited; 
W. Dewees Wood, chairman; Richard G. Wood, general manager: Alan W. 
Wood, secretary and treasurer; Thomaa D. Wood, assistant manager. The 
works employ eight hundred operatives. All material is manufactured from 
the pig-metal, charcoal refinery fires being in operation for the making of such 
grades of iron as are required for planished sheet-iron, and boiling-furnaces 
for making all lower grades. The patent planished sheet-iron has a world-wide 
reputation. It is the only iron made in the world that successfully competes 
with the Russian iron of same finish, and which it has almost entirely displacd 
in this country. 

The National Tube-Works company was incorporated in 1869, with J. C. 
Converse, i^resident; P. W. French, secretary; William S. Eaton, treasurer, 
and J. H. Flagler, general manager. The company assumed control of a small 
plant, built in 1867, at East Boston, by Mr. Flagler, and this, with extensive 
additions, constitutes the works of the company at that place. The rapid de- 
velopment of the oil-regions of Western Pennsylvania, and a consequent 
demand for pipe from that section, induced the management to consider the 
advisability of removing thither. A site was secured at McKeesport, and the 
work of construction completed in 1872. In September of that year the mill 
was placed in operation, with one furnace. A second and third were com- 
pleted, and the construction of a fourth begun, when the works were destroyed 
by fire April 9, 1873. The work of rebuilding was at once begun, and in the 
following September thi'ee furnaces were in running order. The fourth was 
built in 1873, the fifth and sixth in 1880, the seventh and eighth in 1886 and 
the ninth and tenth in 1887. The butt-weld mill was built in 187-1, and 
burned and rebuilt in 1876. The new butt-weld mill, foiu- hundred feet long 
and three hundred and thirty feet wide, was built in 1886. The works 
throughout comprise forty acres, thirty of which are under roof. Owing to 
their great extent, and the many special processes employed, a detailed descrip- 
tion is impossible. 

To guard against fluctuation in the quality of the iron used in the manu- 
facture of their tubing the company have their own iniddling-furnaces, rolling- 
mills, forges and refineries. They have one hundred pnddling-furnaeea and 
four rolling-mills, with shops and facilities for the manufacture of everything 
used in the production of their goods. They have eight miles of their own 
railroad tracks interlacing their yards and various departments, and on these 
five locomotives, with the requisite number of cars, are in constant use. 




^^^a■,.,.,,^^ y^^//H^^2c 



MCKEESPOKT. 739 

Tubular goods of every variety are manufactiu'ed, aggregating more than 
two hundred thousand tons of finished material annually, equal in length to 
the equatorial circumference of the earth. About five thousand operatives are 
employed in the works, and the labor of these men amounts to two million 
five hundred thousand dollars per annum. ^ 

In the production of the goods made here not a pound of coal is used. 
This company was among the first to utilize natural gas for fuel in the manu- 
facture of iron, and for that purpose they purchased gas territory, drilled their 
own wells, and brought the gas to their works in their own pipe-lines. They 
had previously used manufactured gas in their furnaces, and their gas-pro- 
ducers are preserved for use in case the supply of natural gas should ever fail. 
The daily delivery of gas at the works is 2-1:, 300, 000 cubic feet, or about 
7,290,000,000 cubic feet per year, taking the place of nearly three hundred 
thousand tons of coal annually. 

The United States Iron and Tin-Plate works, operated by the United 
States Iron and Tin-Plate company, limited, W. C. Cronemeyer, chairman; 
F. E. Schrenck, secretary and treasurer; A. J. Demmler, superintendent, were 
established in 1873. The company was organized in January, 1873, with J. 
D. Strons, president and treasurer; Mr. V. B. Cowen, secretary, and W. O. 
Davies, superintendent. The site for the mill was selected in March, 1873, 
but owing to interruptions from various causes incident to the panic of 1873, 
the works were not placed in operation until August, 1874. Tin- and terne- 
plate constituted the product at that time, and this company was the only 
one in the United States engaged in their manufacture. Owing to a change 
in the tarifp regiilations, etc. (occasioned, it is said, by the displacement of a 
single comma), the duty on tin-plate of foreign manufacture was so reduced 
as to render it impossible for this company to continue in the business profit- 
ably, and the works were thereupon suspended. The company was reorganized 
in 1882. In 1883 the works were burned and rebuilt. The plant at present 
consists of five puddling-furnaces and two heating-furnaces, two double sheet- 
mill fui-naces, three annealing- furnaces, four knobbling-fires, two tinning- 
stacks, one hammer, one train of bar-rolls, two trains of sheet-rolls, and two 
sets of cold-rolls. The product consists of specialties in refined and charcoal- 
polished black sheet and Bessemer steel sheets and plates, with an annual 
capacity for block- and tin-plates of three thousand net tons. Natural gas is 
used exclusively. One hundred and twenty operatives are employed. 

The Sterling Steel-works, also at Demmler, on the Baltimore & Ohio and 
Pittsburgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny railroads, were established by Jones, 
Ingold & Co., in May, 1874, and originally known as the Pitt Steel-works. 
The name was subsequently changed to Crown Steel-works. The Sterling 
Steel company, limited, C. Y. Wheeler, chairman, William P. De Armitt, 
secretary and treasurer, was incorporated in 1885, with a capital of thirty 
thousand dollars. The office of the company is at No. 208 Wood street, Pitts- 



740 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

burgh. The plant consists of two twenty-four-foot Siemens-steel smelting- 
furnaces, six heating-furnaces and four hammers (eight hundred to two thou- 
sand five hundred pounds). The product consists of fine crucible tool-steel. 
The annual capacity is three thousand net tons. Sixty men are employed. 

The Russell Manufacturing conipany, James S. Kuhn, president and treas- 
urer; John P. Mclntyre, secretary, and George Russell, general manager, was 
incorporated March 2, 1886, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. 
The works comprise several large and substantial buildings, covering an area 
of more than an acre, and fronting on Olive street near Walnut. The business 
was established in 1879 by Russell & Co. , who began the manufactui-e of var- 
nish, ferrotype-plates and japanned-tin signs (used in photography). Sheet- 
metal fenders and coal-vases were added to the list a few years later, and in 
1886 fancy brass goods. At the present time the product consists j)rincipally 
of brass fittings for steam-, gas- and water-pipes, including a natural -gas "cut- 
off" valve, invented by Mr. Russell in 1885, which is gaining in favor wherever 
introduced; and japanned goods, the trade in which extends all over the United 
States, Canada and other foreign countries. The number of employes in 1879 
was ten; in 1887, thirty-five. 

R. J. May & Co., founders and machinists, Walnut street and Shaw 
avenue, located at McKeesport in 1878, having established their business at 
Elizabeth three years previously. Ten men are emploj^ed in the usual lines 
of foundry-work. 

John T. Penney & Co., founders and machinists, successors to Penney, 
Millholland & Co., began business in May, 1885. The plant comprises a 
foundry sixty-eight by seventy feet, machine-shop forty by sixty feet and pat- 
tern-shop of the same dimensions, two stories high, the whole representing a 
capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. Forty-three men are employed. The 
amount of work done in the course of a year approximates in value sixty 
thousand dollars. 

Among the various miscellaneous manufactures are the carnage- and wagon- 
works of A. W. Smith, Wemke Brothers, George Hoffman, Learn & Taylor; 
the planing-mills of Neel & Wampler, Morgan & Patterson, Gemmill, Breiten- 
reiter & Co. ; the window-glass factory of Stewart, Estep & Co. : the brass- 
foundries of Pitt & Kinkaid, Henry Sheermesser: the Snowden Metallic 
Shingle company, Thomas Moore's distillery. 



MCKEESPORT. 741 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 

McKEESPORT (Concluded). 

Additions — iNCORPOKATiON — List of Burgesses— Public Improvements- 
Banks, ETC.— Population — Newspapers— Schools— Secret Societie.s— 
Churches. 

rr^HE growth of the town and the extension of its environments are the di- 
-L rect results of the manufacturing activity that has just been described. 
As previously stated, the town plot originally comprised the area included by 
Ninth and Walnut streets, the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers. The first 
addition to this was made at some time between 1840 and 1850 by Robert Sin- 
clair, and consisted of a number of lots on the east side of Walnut street, 
between Fourth and Shaw avenue. T. B. Hammer's plan extended from 
Fourth street to Shaw avenue, between Tube Works alley and Sinclair street; 
this was a later plan, and practically a re-su^rvey of part of Sinclair's. In 1849 
the square bounded by Fourth avenue, Shaw avenue, Sinclair street and Tube 
Works alley was laid out by Alexander Miller for Robert Sinclair. In 1855, as 
administrator of the estate of Dr. C. Huey, Mr. Miller laid off the area between 
Sheridan and Huey streets from the Monongahela river to Ringgold street. 
About 1852 the area south of Shaw avenue, between Jenny Lind street and 
Tube Works alley, was laid off by G. A. Forbes. South of the Forbes plan, 
between Graveyard and Wilkins alleys and Jenny Lind and Walnut streets, 
was the plan of Mary J. Penney, between which and Ninth street were the 
plans of Joseph Jenkins, Learn & Snyder, and the old graveyard. The plans 
of Robert Shaw and W. E. Harrison are located south of Shaw avenue, 
between Huey and Jenny Lind streets. About 1850 Jones & Petty laid off the 
area between Huey and Armstrong streets from the Monongahela river to 
Shaw avenue, and a tract of corresponding width south of Shaw avenue was 
subdivided in 1862 by William Stevenson. Between Armstrong avenue and 
Martin street, from the Monongahela river to Fifth avenue, the plans north and 
south of the railroad, respectively, were those of Joseph Armstrong and John 
Fritch. Adjoining that of the former and extending thence to St. Clair alley 
was the subdivision of Richard A. Breed. Directly opposite the latter, between 
the railroad and Fifth avenue, is the plan of John W. Patterson and Thomas 
Mellon. East of the Mellon plan are the subdivisions of Mary Ann Sinclair 
and Jacob Mainhart, the latter extending to Riverton street. Michael Burk- 
holder's plan embraces the region popularly known as "Bone-Dust Hollow." 
The extreme eastern part of the borough, popularly known as the ' ' Crooked 



742 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Run district," was liiid out in 1875 by Jarvis & Riggs. Other siiljdivisions 
in that vicinity have since been made by the Enterprise Building and Loan 
association, the heirs of George Hoffman, Meyer & Edmundson, William 
Hartman, William Spoilmeyer, William Lovall and Watson Mains. Directly 
north of the association plan, on the township road, is the Chester plan of lots, 
including Linden and Chester streets, Freelaud and Shady avenues. 

The territory south of the original plat, between Ninth and Eleventh streets 
and west of Jenny Lind street, was laid out in small tracts and at various times 
by Alexander McClure, John Harrison, Meyer & Walker, Eliza Vankirk and 
Asher Vankirk. The extensive plan of McClain & Fleming is situated south 
of Eleventh street and contiguous to that of the heirs of W. J. Powers, laid 
out in 1878. The latter extends to Fifteenth street. The plan of Michael 
Ryan, east of Central avenue and south of Fifth avenue, was laid off in 1872, 
and that of B. B. Coursin, on the opposite side of Central avenue between 
Fifth avenue and Fairview cemetery, in 1880. Union and Ridge avenues, 
east of the cemetery and north of the township road, were laid off in 1874 by 
the Enterprise Building and Loan association. The plan of Robert Douglass, 
partially inclosed by Cherry, Fairmount and Stewart streets, and those of 
William Packer and John W. Stewart adjoining, were laid off in 1885. 

A comparison of the original town plat and the additions thereto is not 
favorable to the latter. John McKee's plan is distinguished by uniformity 
and regularity, qualities which can not be ascribed to the labyrinth of crooked 
and narrow streets that surround it. This condition of things is unfortunate, 
but not irremediable. The streets have been widened and straightened at 
various points, and made to conform more nearly to the general plan of the 
town. The configuration of the surface interferes with the success of these oper- 
ations to some extent. Fifth street was first macadamized about fifteen years 
ago, and this process has since been extended to the most important thorough- 
fares of the town. Fourth and Walnut streets and Shaw avenue are paved 
with Belgian blocks and Huey street with brick. The work of street improve- 
ment is prosecuted with energy, and, if continued at the present rate of prog- 
ress, will be extended to the important thoroughfares of the city at no distant 
future. 

The municipal government was established during the era of the coal trade, 
and the borough limits have been changed from time to time with the growth 
of the built-up area. 

McKeesport was incorporated as a borough, by the court of quarter sessions 
of the county, September 3, 1842, under the act of 1884, with the following 
described boiindaries: 

Beginning at the mouth of the Youghiogheny river, thence up said river to the line 
of Samuel M. Rose's land; thence by land of said Rose, north seventy-nine and one-fourth 
degrees east seventy-one and one-half porches to the line of James Evans' land; thence 
by land of said Evans and Robert Sinclair, north ten and three-fourths degrees west one 



McEEESPOET. 745 

hundred and seventy-eight perches to the Monongahela river; thence up said river to the 
place of beginning. 

The borough limits were extended by act of the legislatitre, February 13, 
1847, so as to include a greater extent of territory to the east and north. The 
present boundaries were established by act of assembly approved May 24, 
1873, and are thus described: 

Beginning at the Youghiogheny river at the southern boundary of the said borough; 
thence south by the course of the said river to the northern line of John Paaney's land; 
thence easterly direct through the lands of Evans, Powers, Stewart and others to private 
road at Guice's lane; thence by said private road to the public road; thence by the same 
along lands of Guice, Arthurs, Soles and Fawcett to the state road; thence west by the 
same to the intersection of the public road leading up Crooked run; thence due north to 
the Monongahela river; thence west by the course of the same to the western boundary 
line of the said borough; thence by the original lines of said borough to the place of 
beginning. 

As incorporated in 1872, the southern boundary of the borough was a line 
extending from the Youghiogheny river diagonally between Ninth and Eleventh 
streets, and the eastern boundary was identical with Huey street. The latter 
was so changed in 1847 as to correspond with Armstrong avenue. The present 
area of the borough is quite extensive. 

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMEKT, ETC. 

The borough government has been changed from time to time, as the re- 
quirements of an increasing population demanded. As originally constituted, 
it consisted of a burgess and town council, elected annually, with merely nom- 
inal functions at an early period in the history of the town. The borough was 
incorporated in conformity with the act of 1834, but in 1851 a general law for 
the regulation of boroughs was enacted, the provisions of which were extended 
to McKeesport in 1855. This imposed new duties upon the burgess, and en- 
larged the powers of the council in various ways. The number of councilmen 
was increased to six in 1871, and their term of office fixed at three years; two 
were to be elected annually. The burgess and council, by this act (May 11, 
1871), were vested with the power to establish and maintain a police service, 
for which no provision had previously been made. May 24, 1873, by act of 
the legislature, the number of councilmen was increased from six to nine (three 
from each ward). Under this arrangement one councilman from each ward is 
elected annually, as is also the burgess. Although eminently satisfactory for a 
time, the borough government has ceased to be regarded as sufficient for the 
needs of the large population for which it is meant to provide, and within the 
last decade the sentiment in favor of incorporation as a city has become practi- 
cally unanimous. Definite action may be delayed until the result of the next 
census has established its eligibility for metropolitan honors, but the necessity 
of the change is universally admitted, and the final issue is no longer prob- 
lematical. 



746 HIHTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

At the first election for borough officers, September (j, 1842, James W. 
Edgar, Hiram B. Sinclair, Hngh Rowland, Charles Fausold and Samuel C. 
Huey were chosen councilmen and James P. Hendi-ickson, burgess. The fol- 
lowing-named persons have successively filled the latter office: 

1842, .James Hendrickson; 184;{, William Cook; 1844, Thomas Penney; 184.5, Theo- 
dore Marlin; 1846, Thomas Pennej'; 1847, Oliver Evans; 1848. .John Trilch; 1849, Robert 
Shaw; 1850, .John Wilkinson; 1851, .1. B. Mitchell; 18.52. Hugh Rowland; 18-53, A. At- 
water; 18-54, Thomas Carroll; 18-55, Thomas Lj'nch; 18-56, Hugh llowland; 1857, Will- 
iam H. Hill; 1858, Robert Shaw; 1859-60. Thom.as Penney; 1862, James H. Berry; 1862, 
J. W. Patterson; 1864, Lewis Harvey; 1865, William Atwater; 1866-67, James R. Hen- 
drickson; 1868-70, A. W. Lukens; lf<Tl, James F. Ryan; 1872-73, W. P. Wampler; 1874, 
James F. R}-an; 187-5, W. P. Wampler; 1876-77, F. Houghton; 1878-79, J. W. Scott; 
1880-82, Alonzo Inskeep; 188;^-84, Thomas Tillbrook; 188-5, B. B. Coursin; 1886, W. W. 
Hunter; 1887, B. B. Coursin; 1888, James A. McLure. 

Among the ordinary legislation of the council, two subjects have been 
notably important, — the Pittsbiu-gh & Connellsville railroad and the water 
system. The former was a subject of discussion for years after the decisive 
action was taken; the latter, for a correspondingly long period beforehand. 
Public meetings were held in 1874 to consider the subject, and the discussions 
seemed to indicate a preference for the formation of a water company rather 
than undertake the work under the auspices of the borough. It was urged 
that the taxation entailed by the latter plan would Ije unfavorable to the 
growth of manufactures and prevent the establishing of new industries. 
Moreover, the consolidation act of 1873 provided that the annexed district 
should be taxable for borough purposes at a rate equal to one-third that at 
which property was assessed and taxed in the old borough limits when landa 
so annexed contained fifteen acres or more, and at two-thirds the rate when 
the area of the lands was less than fifteen acres, for a period not exceeding ten 
years. The burden of taxation for the maintenance of water-works would 
thus fall upon the older portions of the borough, already burdened with debt. 
The opposition to a system provided and maintained was thus based upon the 
inadvisability of undertaking the work at that time, rather than a sentiment 
favorable to a private corporation. The agitation was resumed as the period 
for which the annexed district was exempt from the full rate of borough taxa- 
tion neared its close. The improved condition of the finances presented a 
favorable opportunity for action. The strength of the movement was mani- 
fested in the election of a council favoralale to the project. The requisite bor- 
ough legislation was secured, placing the work of construction in charge of a 
committee composed of Joseph Ecoff, chairman, W. C. Soles, B. B. Coursin, 
W. P. Wampler and George W. Stone. Preliminary measures were taken in 
the spring of 1881, and the work of construction commenced about the 1st of 
Septeiuber of that year. The plans and specifications were prepared by 
Messrs. Hatch & Taylor, civil engineers, and the contract awarded to R. D. 
Wood & Co., of Philadelphia. September 13, 1882, the works were accepted 
by the council and placed in operation. 



McKEESPOET. 747 

The plant consists of a pumping-well, the i^umping-station, the reservoir, 
and the distributing-mains. The well has an interior diameter of twenty- 
eight feet, and is situated at the margin of the Youghiogheny river. It is 
sunk to the depth of several feet below the bottom of the river, and was intended 
to afFord, by filtration through the gravel composing the river-bed, a constant 
supply of clear and pure water. However, within a short time after the works 
were placed in operation, it became evident that the water was not derived 
from the river, but was, instead, the drainage from marshy grounds in the 
vicinity, and therefore impregnated with dangerous elements. This was rem- 
edied to a certain extent by dredging the river, but it was evident no permanent 
benefit could be anticipated from this source. The plan finally determined 
upon was that now in successful operation. A twenty-inch conduit-pipe ex- 
tends from the well a distance of four or five rods out into the channel of the 
Youghiogheny river, resting upon a foundation of stone. In the outer sections 
of the pipe there are several thousand one- inch holes, and the end of the pipe 
is inclosed by a perforated cap. This work was begun September 20, 1883, 
and completed November 15, 1883. This provision for a water-supply has 
proven entirely satisfactory. The well is utilized as a temporary reservoir, in 
which the water is received from the conduit. The pumping- station and reser- 
voir present no features worthy of special notice. The original cost of the 
works, including land, etc. , was |98, 304. 45. 

Other public conveniences of a varied character have also been provided . 
Gas for illuminating purposes has been manufacttired and supplied by a local 
company for some years. Electric lights have also been introduced, and the 
discovery of natural gas in the vicinity of the town is among the latest acquisi- 
tions to its advantages. The Passenger Railway company, of which J. C. 
Smith is president, has recently placed its line in operation upon Fifth avenue. 
The market-house, a brick building on the southeast corner of Market and 
Fourth streets, was built in 1883, by the McKeesport Market company, and 
opened in January, 1884. The cost was seventeen thousand dollars. At the 
expiration of ten years from the time the franchise was granted the property 
reverts to the borough, at ten per cent less than its cost, this rebate being con- 
sidered as rental for that period. 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. 

The first moneyed institution of the city, the Monongahela Valley bank, 
was established in 1858, with Alexander Millar, president, George Langley, 
cashier, and a capital of two hundred thousand dollars. It was a bank of 
issue, and circulated its notes principally in Michigan. Arrangements were 
made for the redemption of fifty thousand dollars by a merchant in an eastern 
city, but he failed to carry out his obligations, and the notes were presented at 
the counter of the bank, which was obliged to suspend in 1860. The Com- 
mercial Banking company was organized in March, 1872, with William Wig- 



748 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

ham, president ; W. D. Wood, vice president; Thomas Penney, cashier; James 
S. Kuhn, assistant cashier; \\illiam Wigham, W. D. AVood, Benjamin Cour- 
sin, H. B. Sinclair, H. B. Cochran, James Lynn, James F. Kyan, William E. 
Harrison, James F. McMiiIlen and W. H. Crump, directors. It was merged 
into the First National bank of McKoesport, and reorganized as such March 1, 
1875, with a cajiital of sixty-seven thousand dollars, which has since been 
largely increased. 

The People's Savings bank was organized in January, 1873, with J. C. 
Converse, j)resident; C. K. Stuckslager, vice-president; G. L. Reiter, cashier; 
J. C. Converse, James O'Neil, James A. Stone, C. R. Stuckslager, J. H. 
Flagler, J. C. Penney, D. Bailie, J. P. Learn, H. Todd, Samuel Cable and 
A. Vankirk, directors. The capital was one hundred thousand dollars. This 
institution was chartered as the People's bank in January, 1881. Its present 
organization is constituted as follows: J. G. Leezer, president: H. C. Bradeen, 
vice-president; C. R. Stuckslager, cashier; T. D. Gardner, assistant cashier; 
E. W. Pitts, teller; J. G. Leezer, H. C. Bradeen. C. R. Stuckslager, C. A. 
DufFey, L. Gerson, W. W. Hunter, John Muse. W. L. Patterson. Thomas 
Reynolds, Jr. , James L. DeLong, J. C. Smith, J. P. Learn and D. H. Lynch, 
directors. There is a capital paid in of So2,000, a surplus fund of S55, 190, 
and undivided profits to the amount of $3,623. 

The Bank of McKeesport, James Evans, president, P. J. Rankin, cash- 
ier, T. L. White, vice-president, began business May 19, 1887, under a char- 
ter originally granted to the Shoe and Leather bank, of Pittsljurgh. The cap- 
ital is one hundred thousand dollars. 

The Mutual Building and Loan association, the first in McKeesport. 
began biisiness in 1871, with a capital of twenty-live hundred shares of two 
hundred dollars each. William E. Harrison was president : Joseph Ecoff. vice- 
president; James F. McMulleu, treasurer, and Dr. D. C. Hoffman, vice-presi- 
dent. The Enterprise Building and Loan association, Joseph Eeoff, president; 
A. B. Campbell, vice-president; John F. Davitt, treasurer, and James S. Kuhn, 
secretary, was established in 1873. The former expired in 1879, the latter 
in 1881. The Union Savings Fund and Loan association, incorporated in 
July, 1881; the Honre Seciu-ity and Building and Loan association, incor- 
porated in August", 1886; and the Union Savings Fund and Loan association 
No. 2, incorporated in March, 1886, are virtually one organization, the officers 
in each case being as follows :H. W. Hitzrot, M. D., president; J. B. Miu-ray, vice- 
president; E. E. Dearborn, secretary, and Isaac West, treasiu-er. The capi- 
talization of each is one million dollars. The McKeesport Building and Loan 
association was organized June 8, 1887, with J. B. Shale, president, A. 
W. Smith, vice-president; James L. DeLong. treasurer: E. W. Pitts, secre- 
tary; E. P. Douglass, solicitor. The last-named four are all that were in 
operation in 1887. Institutions of this character, when managed with the abil- 
ity apparent in the instances noted, can not fail to benefit the community. 





^^x^& 



MCKEESPORT. 751 

The population of McKeesport in 1846 is said to have been one thousand, 
and in 1857, two thousand. In 1860 it was 2,166; in 1870, 2,523; in 1880, 
8,212; and at this writing (1887) it is variously estimated at from fifteen to 
twenty thousand, the most reliable estimate being that of eighteen thousand. 
The rapid growth of the last ten years has been truly remarkable. 

THE PRESS. 

In all this development the press has borne its share of the burden and re- 
sponsibility. City papers were depended upon for the news for many years, 
and continue to circulate largely. The first local journalistic effort was made 
by John Y. Collins in 1854. The first number of his paper, the McKeesport 
Standard, appeared December 16th of that year. It was a quarto of small 
dimensions, and the lines were blurred and indistinct. It chronicled the prin- 
cipal events of Europe and remote portions of the world, congressional and 
legislative proceedings, and some eight or ten items of local interest. The 
energies of the new journal were exhausted in the effort to begin its career, and 
the first issue was not followed by another until the first week of January, 1855. 
During this time both Collins and Wilson, the original proprietors, had retired, 
and Dr. J. B. Mitchell and Julius Francis Zoller appeared as publisher and 
editor, respectively. The Standard was continued under various auspices and 
with varying fortunes until 1861, when it suspended, never again to reappear. 
McKeesport was without an organ until June 8, 1870, when John Wag- 
ner Pritchard & Brother began the publication of the Paragon, a six- column 
quarto, which, like its predecessor, did not give immediate promise of perma- 
nency. It suspended publication from October 17, 1870, to July 29, 1871, 
but was published continuously from the latter date for some years. April 30, 

1881, John B. Scott & Brothers issued the first number of the McKeesport i?ecord. 
The Evening Record appeared for the first time on Monday evening, April 10, 

1882. Upon the retirement of Mr. Pritchard from the Paragon, in 1883, that 
paper was continued by " The Paragon Publishing Company " until Septem- 
ber, 1884, when it was merged with the Record into the Paragon Record, and 
so published by the John B. Scott Publishing company until the year 1887; 
the daily edition was suspended for a time, but the weekly was continued 
until February, 1887, when the name was changed to the Weekly Sun. Feb- 
ruary 21, 1887, the Daily Sun appeared for the first time, under the proprie- 
torship of E. E. & W. H. Hamilton. The Sun is thus the outgrowth of the 
Paragon and Record, and the only morning paper in the county outside of 
Pittsburgh. 

The McKeesport Times, B. B. Coursin, proprietor, was first issued Augiist 
5, 1871, and continued by him for about one year, when it was purchased by 
S. E. & J. B. Carothers, by whom the daily edition was begun. The jslant 
was purchased in 1882 by W. A. Dunshee, by whom it was transferred in 1885 
to J. C. Tarkington. The present proprietor, W. S. Abbott, assumed control 



752 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

July 1, 1887. The Weekly Times was discontinued March 10, 1886, when the 
office of the paper was destroyed by tiro. The Daily Times is the oldest in the 
city, and the official organ of the municipal governments of McKcosport and 
Reynoldton. 

The McKeesport Daily Neivs was founded July 1, 1884, by Edward W. 
Clark, from whom it passed to Dravo Brothers. J. L. Devenny, the present 
editor and proprietor, has been connected with the paper from the beginning, 
and succeeded Dravo Brothers October 1, 1886. IVIr. Devenny is the youngest 
editor in the state. 

The weekly papers of the town are the Tribune and Herald, the Sunday 
Herald and the Sun. The first named was established in August, 1882, by L. 
F. Armbrust and T. F. Galvin, as the McKeesport Tribune. Mr. Galvin re- 
tired in 1883, and established the Sunday Herald, now published by John A. 
Galvin. Mr. Armbrust continues the publication of the Tribune and Herald, 
and advocates the principles of the labor organizations. The Home Gem was 
published for some time by the Home Gem Publishing company. The Journal, 
edited by Martha A. McConnell and Harriet S. Pritchard, appeared June 10, 
1886. It is the organ of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. It ap- 
pears that ten distinct journalistic ventures have been made, the present re- 
sults of which are represented in three dailies, two weeklies and a bi-monthly. 
There have been many obstacles in the way of establishing local journals, not 
the least of which is the large circulation of the city papers. But the local 
press has proven invaluable to the best interests of the community, and may be 
regarded as firmly established. 

The educational facilities of the city are exceptionally good. The first 
school-building was erected in 1832, at the corner of Fourth and Market streets, 
fronting on the latter. The first teacher here was one Higbee. The school 
was sustained by private subscription, and so continued until the introduction 
of the public-school system, which occurred while the village formed part of 
Versailles township. The first public-school building in the borough was 
erected on Market street near the old graveyard, between Eighth and Ninth 
streets. Dr. James Huey was the first principal, and John Rowland, his assist- 
ant. The present public-school buildings are five in number, and in appear- 
ance, architectural beauty and adaptation to the purposes intended compare 
favorably with any others in the county. An academy and a business college 
are also among the educational advantages of the place. In 1853 and 1854 
Misses Nancy McJunkin and R. J. Robinson conducted a select school, and a 
Mr. Remington established a similar institution about the same time. The 
rooms of the McKeesport Library association were opened Monday evening, 
August 9, 1875, in the third story of the Hiawatha building, corner of Market 
and Fifth streets. Five hundred volumes constituted the library at that time. 
This is among the local influences that tend to elevate the general intelligence 
and culture of the community. 



MCKEESPORT. 753 

SECEET SOCIETIES. 

McKeesport has been prolific in the organization of secret aijid benevolent 
societies, of which the following have been instituted at the respective dates 
given: 

Alliquippa Lodge, No. 375, F. & A. M., October 23, 1866; Yohogany Lodge, No. 364, 
I. O. O. F., June 8, 1849; Bluchev Lodge, No. .506, 1. O. O. F., May 14, 18.14; Youghio- 
gheny Encampment, No. 147, 1. O. O. F., November 19, 1856; Versailles Council, No. 
238, R. A., May 3, 1880; McKee Lodge, No. 43, A. O. U. W., January 24, 1873; Col. 
Samuel Black Post, No. 59, G. A. R., June 15, 1877; John A. Logan Command, U. V. U., 
February 3, 1887; Titus Lodge, No. 207, K. of P., November 14, 1SG9; Iron Castle, No. 
81. K. M. C, October 30, 1875; White Castle, No. 35, K. M. C, June 14, 1887; Indian 
Queen Division, No. 15, K. of P., December 38, 1883; Court Equality, No. 6459, A. O. F., 
July 30, 1879; Court Gustaf I, Wasa of Sweden, No. 6683, A. O. F., September 18, 1880; 
Welcome Stranger Lodge, No. 53, O. S. St. George. March 13, 1880; Fidelity Lodge. No. 1005, 
K. of H.; Alliquippi Council, No. 2, O. C. F., September 1, 1883; Robert Lodge, No. 353, I. 

0. G. T., 1883; Lincoln Council, No. 67, R. T. T., April 24, 1885; Youghiogheny Assem- 
bly, No. 6331, K. of L., April 17, 1886; Acme Assembly, No. 6328, K. of L.; National, 
No. 97.53; Rhine, No. 7683; Uriah 8. Stevens, No. 9004; Monongahela, No. 7633; Key- 
stone, No. 9664; Star of Hope, No. 8285; Globe and AVelcome Stranger Lodges, A. A. 

1. & S. W. 

CHDECHES. 

Nineteen denominational organizations attest the religious activities of the 
community. Of these the Presbyterian is probably the oldest. The early 
population of McKeesport and the siirrounding country was largely Presby- 
terian in its religious affiliations, and this denomination has been identified 
with the religious interests of the place throughout its history. It is probable 
that occasional services were held in this locality by the pastors of neighbor- 
ing congregations before the year 1800; but no provision for stated worship 
was made until 1801, when the presbytery of Redstone authorized the people 
of McKeesport and "Pitt township" (Beulah Church), jointly, to employ 
Rev. Boyd Mercer to labor among them for one year. The arrangement was dis- 
continued at the expiration of that period, and for more than a score of years 
the ministerial record is irregular. In 1 802 McKeesport and ' ' Pitt town- 
ship" were reported together as "vacant and able" to support a pastor. In 
1803 the former is reported individually as "unable" to support that relation, 
and in 1805 as "not yet able." Mr. Mercer became stated supply from 1803 
to 1823. Two important events signalized this period, the formal organization 
of the church in 1819 or 1820, with James Evans, William Penney and Will- 
iam Sill as elders, and the erection of a church-building in 1819. Prior to- 
that date there was no established place of public worship. The congregation! 
assembled in a boathouse near the Monongahela river, to the right of Walnut 
street, a sheep- stable on the north side of the public square and west of Market 
street, the residence of John McKee, east of Walnut street above Second, the 
house of James Evans, on the southeast corner of Market and Third, or under 
a clump of locust-trees on the grounds adjoining, as the season of the year 



754 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

or tbo nature of the occasion rendered most convenient. The site of the first 
church in McKeesport was that of the present Presbyterian church, upon the 
ground reserved for religious purposes by the proprietor of the town. It was 
a brick building, about thirty-five feet square and fifteen feet high. 

The second church-edifice, a building thirty-six by sixty feet, was erected 
in 1842. Its architectural appearance was superior to that of its predecessor, 
but after nine years it was deemed xmsafe for occupancy. The present place 
of worship was built in 1852-53, and dedicated July 17, 1853. It is a brick 
structure, ninety-five by fifty feet, and was enlarged during the year 1S87. A 
pipe organ has also been added. 

The following-named clergymen have been pastors since the organization 
of the church: Alexander McCandless, 1825-38; William Eaton, 1841-44; 
Prosper H. Jacob, 1847-51; Nathaniel West, Sr., D. D., 1854-56; Eobert F. 
W'ilson, 1856-67; G. M. Hair, 1869-72; James W. Wightman, 1872-77: Sam- 
uel McBride, 1872-79; George N. Johnston, 1880-84; J. J. McCarrell (the 
present incumbent), 1884-. Two-thirds of Mr. McCandless' time was given 
to Long Eun Church, and Mr. Eaton was also pastor at Round Hill. McKees- 
port has constitiited a separate pastorate since 1843. 

The First Baptist Church (incorporated as ' ' The McKeesport Regular 
Baptist Church") was organized by Elders William Stone and Nathaniel 
Tibbots, Jime 3, 1820, with seven constituent members, viz. : James Penney 
(who was the leading spirit and prime mover in the enterprise), his wife, Jane 
Penney, Leonard Long, Margaret Long, Ann Watkins, Elizabeth Carnes and 
her daughter of the same name. None of these are now living. The last to 
die was Mrs. Jane Penney, about twelve years ago. A charter was not procured 
until 1864. This congregation formerly worshiped jointly with the Presby- 
terians in the Union church previously described. A separate church -edifice 
was afterward built near the Diamond. This was occupied until 1867, when 
the present place of worship was built. The parsonage adjoining was built 
in 1876. 

The first pastor was Rev. William Stone, 1820-21. The church became a 
branch of Salem congregation, Westmoreland county, in 1822, and so continued 
until August, 1837. The pastors since that date have been as follows: William 
Sutton, 1839-43; J. P. Rockefeller, 1843-44; James Estep, 1845-46; A. G. 
Ebenhart, 1847-49; S. D. Morris, 1851; Frederick Douglass, 1852; Dr. Will- 
iam Penney, 1853-54; T. J. Penney, 1855; C. H. Remington, 1856; Moses 
Heath, 1857-58; W. W. Hickman, 1861; William Whitehead, 1863-66; J. K. 
Kramer, 1867; G. A. Ames, 1868-69; W. M. McKinuey, 1871-74; William 
Codville, D. D., 1876-. The names of the deacons are as follows: Thomas 
Penney, William Coyan, A. B. Campbell, R. L. Riggs, J. K. Hammitt and J. 
D. Davis. When the present pastor began his labors, in 1876. the membership 
numbered 143. It had increased to 200 in 1882, and at the present time num- 
bers 400. The last seven years have been a period of great prosperity. In con- 



McKEESPORT. 755 

nection with the central organization there are three missions, at Christy Park, 
Reynoldton, and in the Third ward of McKeesport. A Swedish Baptist church 
has recently been organized, with about seventy members. 

The First Methodist Episcopal Church was originally an appointment on 
Miller's church circuit. It is not known when this relation was established, 
but a class had been organized a short time previously. It consisted of Michael 
Dravo, leader, Ephraim Shannon, his wife Angelina Shannon, Thomas Means 

and wife, Edward Fisher, his wife Elizabeth Fisher, Mrs. Heath and 

three or four others whose names can not now be ascertained. The society 
assembled for prayer-meetings at the house of Thomas Means, then in the 
country, but near the extension of Walnut street. Preaching was held in the 
Baptist church on the Diamond. The first church-edifice was built in 1843 at 
the corner of Market and Fifth. This was a brick building, and fi-onted on 
Market, though not directly adjoining the street. It was sold to the Luther- 
ans in 1847, and is now incorporated in a private residence built to the fi'out 
along the street. A second brick church-edifice was built in 1846 upon the 
corner of the streets. This served as a place of worship until 1876-77, when 
the present church -building on Walnut street was built. It is a brick structure 
in the German gothic style, one hundred and twenty-five feet long by seventy- 
two feet wide, with a spire rising to the height of one hundred and eighty- 
three feet from the street. The main audience-room on the second floor is 
ninety by seventy feet, with a seating capacity of one thousand. The organi- 
zation of the chui'ch was constituted as follows in 1851: Pastor, William F. 
Lauck; local preachers, J. Wilkinson, J. H. Patterson; stewards, Michael 
Dravo, Thomas Lynch, J. G. Groff; leaders, A. J. Brown, M. Dravo, J. Wil- 
kinson, James Love, J. F. Dravo, J. G. GoS. 

The Second Methodist Episcopal Church, in the Third ward, McKeesport, 
originated in a Sunday-school established in 1880 by Mrs. A. N. Lawson and 
others. In the delirium of fever, some time previous, Mrs. Lawson had been 
heard to say that she would undertake this work if she ever recovered. Upon 
regaining her health she was reminded of this, and at once interested her friends 
in the movement. A class was formed in connection with the First Church, and 
a separate organization effected, with a board of trustees, of which Thomas 
Magraw was chairman, W. H. Carson, secretary, George Peterson, James K. 
Spangler, Thomas Howard, Robert Taylor and A. Stephens, members of the 
board. The church-edifice on Fifth avenue was dedicated November 11, 1881, 
and a mortgage of four thousand dollars upon the property has lately been 
liquidated. Rev. J. B. Taylor was the first pastor, and was succeeded in 1884 
by Rev. S. W. Davis. 

The Third Methodist Episcopal Church, otherwise known as Ashley Church, 
was organized in 1882 from the constituency of the First Church. A chapel 
was built on Shaw' s avenue in that year, and removed to its present location, 
corner of Locust and Sixth, in 1886. Revs. Morrow, Minnett, Dillon, Long,. 



1 



75G HISTOltV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Cable, McCiirdy and Silbaugh have successively served as pastors. The 
Swedish and the German Methodist churches were organized within the year 
1887. The African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the spring 
of 1885, with Rev. Alexander Christian, pastor. This element of the popula- 
tion has been but recently introduced. The African race was not represented 
at the place in its early history, and was regarded with aversion by many of the 
citizens. The various Protestant churches of the city contributed to the build- 
ing of a church for the colored people, which was completed in 1880. 

The Roman Catholic Church was first represented by the German element, 
but the time of its arrival is involved in uncertainty. Prior to the year 1846 they 
were sufficiently numerous to warrant regular visitations from the Redemptorist 
Fathers of Pittsburgh. Fathers Gallagher and McGovern, of Brownsville, also 
visited the town. In 1846 a lot of ground was pTirchased and the erection of a 
church begun, the dedication of which occurred April 5, 1847, by Rev. M. 
Muller, under the invocation of St. Peter the Apostle. This was a brick 
structui-e about fifty feet in length and thirty in width. The first resident 
pastor was Rev. Nicholas Hoeres, who was appointed in 1848, and included in 
his field of labor several missions on the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers. 
He built a small fi-ame house for his residence, and there spent the closing years 
of his ministry, dying July 18, 1862. A native of Schleida, in Saxe-Weimar, 
Germany, he was ordained in 1831 and removed to America in 1846. He was 
identified with the religious interests of McKeesport fourteen years. Follow- 
ing his decease Rev. Cajetan Kloecker was pastor in 1865, and, like his prede- 
cessor, he died while the incumbent of that office, May 18, 1865. Rev. John 
B. Smith was among his successors, and remained for some time. Rev. James 
Nolan, the present pastor, was appointed to the charge in 1870. The princi- 
pal event of his incumbency was the building of the church -edifice, "one of 
the most substantial and beautiful in the diocese. " ' The cornerstone was laid 
by Bishop Domenec September 14, 1873. The dedication ceremonies occm-red 
September 12, 1875, the bishop of the diocese officiating. Bishop Ryan, of 
Buffalo, preached the sermon. It is a brick structure one hundred and thirty 
by sixty-five feet, with tower and spire one hundred and seventy-five feet high 
The style is pui-e gothic. The altars, three in number, are of pure Italian 
marble, and harmonize with the general style of the building. That in the 
center was erected as a memorial by the family of J. P. White. The nineteen 
windows, all of which are memorial, are of appropriate design and fine work- 
manship. The school-building was built in 1872. An apartment on the 
lower floor was dedicated January 19, 1873, and used as a place of worship 
while the church was in course of erection. It is a two-story brick building, 
sixty- five by thirty-two, and is filled to its utmost capacity. The school was 
established in September, 1870, and opened in I. O. O. F. hall with an attend- 
ance of thirty-five. It was placed in charge of the Sisters of Mercy in 1876. 
The pastoral residence, a frame structure in the rear of the church, was built 
in 1876. 



MCKEESPORT. " 757 

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, a recently formed German organization, 
of which Rev. Mr. Holtzappel is pastor, numbers about one hundred families. 
The cornerstone of a church -edifice has been laid, and the building is nearly 
completed. 

St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal parish was organized as a mission in 
1869. The succession of rectors is as follows: Revs. T. S. Bellum, 1869- 
70; B. B. KiUikelly, 1869-72; J. P. Norman, D. D., 1872-75; P. Beckett, 
1875-76; E. W. Smith, 1876-77; Thomas White, 1877-79; D. C. Peabody, 
1879-84; H. Greenfield Schorr, 1884-. The first church-edifice, a frame 
building, was erected under Dr. Norman's administration. The present edi- 
fice, a stone structure, was dedicated on Easter Day, 1888. 

The First German United Evangelical Protestant Church originated as 
a Lutheran church, and was so organized, with thirteen or fifteen members, 
June 1, 1846, by Rev. Mewer, the first pastor. The organization assumed its 
present name and chiu'ch connection in 1858. The first place of worship was 
the building erected by the Methodists, corner of Fifth and Market, and was 
purchased in 1847, for six hundred dollars. The present church- edifice, a 
brick building on Walnut street, was dedicated October 15, 1871, Rev. 
Christian Heddans preaching the sermon. He was the immediate successor 
of Mr. Mewer, but the pastor when the church was built was Rev. David 
Leeman. The present incumbent. Rev. G. Schmidt, succeeded Mr. Leeman 
upon his death in 1884. The present constituency is 227 families. A paro- 
chial school is sustained, and a pai'sonage is in course of erection on Olive 
street. 

The United Presbyterian Church was organized October 10, 1851, under 
the direction of Blairsville presbytery of the Associate Reformed Church, by 
Rev. Jonathan G. Fulton, Elders John Gregg, M. H. Eakin and Arthur Hen- 
derson. Fifty- four persons were received as members. On the following day 
John Pollock, Samuel Shaw, James Shaw, Samuel D. Foster, James B. Mitch- 
ell and Mosel L. Curry were elected as ruling elders. Rev. A. G. Wallace, 
D. D., was ordained and installed as pastor in 1854, and continued in that 
capacity until 1857. Rev. Matthew McKinstry was pastor 1857-61; A. H. 
Elder, 1863-75; James Kelso, 1877-85; A. I. Young, the present pastor, 
1886-. A church was built in 1851. The present place of worship, a brick 
building, was erected upon its site in 1871. It has been improved in appear- 
ance and repaired. 

The First Cumberland Presbyterian Church originated in the formal with- 
drawal of one hundred and nine members of the Presbyterian Church from 
that body November 17, 1879, and their organization as an independent con- 
gregation November 19, 1879. It was known as "The First Independent 
Presbyterian Church " until June 29, 1880, when a union with the Pennsylvania 
presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was effected. Services 
were held in public halls and in a tabernacle on Fifth street until November, 



758 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

1882, when the church-edifice at the corner of Fifth avenue and Sheridan street 
was dedicated. Rev. Samuel McBride was the first pastor; M. B. Dewitt 
from October 2, 1882, to August 3, 1884, and G. D. Willingham from June, 
1885, to September, 1887. 

The First Reformed Church was organized in October, 1882, with eleven 
members, A. L. Kemmerer and \V. P. Watson, elders, W. J. Miller and 
Aaron Baker, deacons, constituting the first consistory. The first services were 
held the preceding summer by Rev. H. D. Darbaker, in a public hall, which con- 
tinued as the place of worship until November 9, 1884, when the church at the 
corner of Sinclair and Ringgold streets was dedicated. Rev. E. E. Higbee, 
D. D., officiating. The present membership is eighty-one. The congregation 
is under the care of the board of missions of the Reformed Chui'ch, with fair 
prospects of becoming self-sustaining in the near future. 

The Covenanter or Reformed Presbyterian Church was represented at 
Crooked ran some years ago, and a small frame church was built about 1840 on 
the land of Andrew Taylor, at that time an elder in Monongahela congrega- 
tion. The families of James Blair, John Taylor, Andrew Taylor and Robert 
Allen worshiped here, and the pastors of Monongahela congregation, Revs. 
John Crozier, T. C. Sproull and John W. Sproull, preached occasionally. In 
1867, there being three families of Covenanters in McKeesport, those of James 
Stewart, John Stewart and John McConnell, a building recently vacated by the 
Baptist society was purchased and refitted for use as a Covenanter church. 
Revs. T. C. Sproull and W. J. Coleman continued here the services formerly 
held at Crooked run. This relation with Monongahela congregation was dis- 
solved in 1882 by Pittsburgh pre.sbytery, and April 27, 1882, the McKeesport 
congregation, as at present constituted, was organized by a presbyterial com- 
mission over which Rev. A. M. Mulligan, D. D., presided. Rev. J. H. Wylie, 
the first pastor, resigned July 1, 1887. The church -edifice was built in 1874. 

The First Christian Church, Rev. T. C. Jackson, pastor, is an organization 
of recent origin. The church -building is a frame structure at the corner of 
Penn and Jenny Lind streets. 

The Swedish Lutheran Chui-ch was organized January 23, 1887, by Rev. 
Nelsenius. The cornerstone of a church-edifice was laid July 31, 1887, by 
Revs. P. A. Bergquist and E. G. Lund. It is estimated that the Swedish pop- 
ulation is one thousand. 



History OF Allegheny County 

PART II. 



History of Allegheny County, 



PART II. 



CHAPTER I. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 

Moon (CoROAPOLis)—riNDLAY— Crescent. 

AT the first session of the court after the formation of Allegheny county 
the records state that ' ' the court proceeded to divide the county of 
Allegheny, including the part received from^Westmoreland, in the following 
manner into townships," of which the first mentioned is thus described: 

"Moon — beginning at Flaherty's run, thence by the Ohio river to the 
mouth of Chartiers creek; thence up said creek to the mouth of Miller's run; 
thence by the line of the county to the place of beginning. ' ' This extensive 
area was enlarged in the following year by the annexation of a considerable 
territory from Washington county. It then extended from Chartiers creek west- 
ward to the county line, including the eight townships of North and South 
Fayette, Collier, Eobinson, Stowe, Findlay, Moon and Crescent. Fayette 
was erected in 1790, and Moon was thus reduced to that portion of its former 
territory west of Montour's run. Among the residents here between 1790 and 
1811 were the following: 

1790. John Stevenson, William McCancUess, George Elliott, Samuel Stevenson, .John 
Burns, Alexander McCandless, Elijah Charles, Joseph Scott, Alexander Gray, Adam 
Deemer, William Guy, Robert McMinn, John Deemer, Alexander Drummond, James 
Warden, Andrew Stevenson, James Elliott. James Stewart. 

179.5. Samuel Wilson. John Read, William Br3-son, Robert Woods, Charles Morgan. 
William Gleudy, Robert Greenlee, James Todd, John Todd, William Thompson, John 
Neilson, Alexander Gibbs. 

1798 ("lower end of Moon"). William Marshall, Matthias Hoadly, John Laugh- 
lin, John Ross, Edmundton Marshall. Samuel Rea, James Hall, Amos Wilkinson, Robert 
Longland, Nathan Neald, Henry Wilson, James Thompson, .Jesse Smith, Samuel Thomp- 
son. Andrew Foe, James Glass, Philip Ducomb. Benjamin Thompson. 

1811. Adrian Aten, William Scott, Benjamin Hall, John Marks, Robert Miller, Will- 



6 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

iam Fulk, Willinm McDonough, Abraham Dalley, Josiah Guy, John Grimes, Hugh Mc- 
Claren, William Simpson, Robert McMiiin, Adam Deemer, Adam Grimes, John Ferguson, 
Richard Aten, Zadok Dickson, James Ralston, Nathaniel Gordon, Thomas Mitchell, 
William Grey, Benjamin Miller, Garrett Aten, George Bristow, John Meanor, Jacob 
Smith, Adam Guthrie, William Stephenson. James Kerr, Philip Record, John Hanlon, 
James Bayard. Robin Guthrie, Samuel Hall, Thomas Spratt, John Miller, David McKenny, 
Samuel Suten. 

It is not to be supposed that this list comprises the entire popuhition at the 
different periods given, but it is as complete as the availalile records at this 
time permit. 

MOON TOWNSHIP. 

This townshi]) has been reduced to its present limits by the formation of 
Findlay in 1822 and Crescent in 1855. It extends from the line of Beaver 
county to Montour run, and borders iipon the Ohio river a distance of several 
miles. The surface is broken and hilly, but well adapted to farming, which is 
the princiisal pursuit. Trout run and other branches of Chartiers creek drain 
the southeastern part of the township, Flougherty run, Wilson ran and Nar- 
row riTn, the western; Thorn's run and other smaller streams, the middle and 
eastern portion. Geologically the entire township is included in the fourth 
coal-measure, or Pittsburgh vein. 

Many interesting circumstances occurred in the early settlement of this 
section. The first settlers arrived before the Indian troubles had subsided, and 
many of the early land-titles were originally based upon "tomahawk claims." 
Of the original settlers, many of the families are represented among the pres- 
ent population. They were principally of Scotch nationality. 

Jeremiah Meek and sons Jeremiah, Bazaleel and Joshua; Abraham Christy 
and sons Daniel, John and James; William Simpson and son Robert; Robert 
Simpson and son Robert; John Hanlon and sons John, Benjamin, Hughey, 
James and Joseph; J. D. McCormick and son James; Samuel Neely and son 
William; William P. Free and sons Jacob, Robert, George, William and 
Sandford; Jacob Free; Isaac Free and sons James, Joel and Spencer; John 
Stevenson and sons Samuel, John and Philip ; James McCabe, Esq. , and sons 
James H., William P., John, Milton and Alfred; James Stoddard and son 
Robert; John Creighton and sons W^illiam, James and John; Samuel Ram- 
sey and sons Samuel and James; Jonas Moore and sons James and Samuel; 
John Vanderveer and sons John, Martin, Hiram, James and Peter; John 
Harger and sons Martin, Milton and John were residents of the present town- 
ship of Moon prior to 1820, and some of them were very early settlers. 

Montour run, the eastern boundary of the township, derives its name from 
Henry Montour, an Indian three-quarter blood. His mother, Catherine Mon- 
tour, was the daughter of a French governor of Canada, probably Count 
Frontenac, by a Huron woman. At the age of ten years Madame Montour 
was adopted by the Iroquois Indians, and became domiciled with them. At 
the age of eighteen years she married a chief of that people, by whom she had 




^^^^-^yytJ^aJ^ ^yKjifiA^ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. V 

several children, two of whom, Andrew and Henry, were interpreters, the 
latter serving Sir William Johnson in this capacity. Henry figured promi- 
nently in Indian affairs about Pittsburgh. Montour county in this state is 
named from their mother. 

The Montour Railroad company, William McCreery, president; L. M. Jen- 
kins, treasurer, and F. L. Shallenberger, superintendent, was incorporated in 
1878. The road is eleven and one-half miles long. The terminal points are 
Montour Junction, on the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad, in this township, 
and Montour City (Imperial), in North Fayette. The road was built for coal 
transportation from the mines of the Imperial Coal company, a corporation 
identical in management and control, but also affords passenger facilities, and 
has proven an important factor in the development of the Montour valley. 
The coke-ovens on the line of this road, on the farm formerly owned by Will- 
iam Ewing, about a mile from the Ohio river, constitute the only industrial 
feature of any importance in the township. The ovens are one hundred and 
twenty in number. 

The postoflSces are Moon, established in October, 1841 ; Beers, established 
in July, 1861; Stoops, established in December, 1879; Montours, established 
iu February, 1832, discontinued in May, 1837, re-established in May, 1848. 
and finally discontimied in May, 1852; Tipps, established in February, 1884, 
and discontinued in November, 1885. 

Henselville appears upon maps of the county, but the propriety of calling 
it a village is questionable. Sharon, on the Beaver road (opened by Col. Dan- 
iel Brodhead), and Stoop's ferry, opposite Sewickley, are also designated as 
villages, but the indications of their existence are not numerous. The town- 
ship is exclusively agricultural, and not thickly settled. In 1860 the popula- 
tion was over 1,148; in 1870, 1,230; in 1880, 1,389. 

Sharon Presbyterian Church was organized in 1817 by Eev. Andrew Mc- 
Donald, who continued as pastor three years. Rev. Samuel C. Jennings, D. 
D., was ordained and installed as pastor in 1829, and continued in that capac- 
ity for half a century, during which he was instrumental in organizing three 
other churches within the bounds of his charge. Rev. John M. Mercer is the 
present pastor. A church- edifice was built in 1828. 

Mount Gilead United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1843. Rev. 
Robert Armstrong was pastor 1847-53; J. C. Bryson, 1855-66; D. K. Mc- 
Knight, 1872-74; G. H. Getty, 1884-85; J. A. Lawrence, 1886-. This 
church is in the southern part of the township. 

CoraopoUs Borough. — This borough was incorporated June 7, 1886. It 
was previously known as a village under the name of Middletown, while the 
postoffice name was Vancefort. It was established in August, 1861, and 
changed to Coraopolis in March, 1886. 

The site of the borough was originally secured in warranty title by Henry 
Montour, April 3, 1769. It is a matter of uncertainty whether he ever lived 



10 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

upon this tract, and LigLly probable that his residence was not long, at all 
events. Robert Vance, who is thought to have been the first permanent settler 
in Moon township, settled in the vicinity of Montour's warrant about the begin- 
ning of the Revolution, and for the protection of himself and his neighbors, of 
whom several arrived within a few years, a stockade and blockhouse were 
built on his land. The Indians on the opposite side of the Ohio were very 
aggressive, and made frequent predatory incursions into the territory to the 
south. The danger from these attacks is shown in the fact that murder and 
oiitrage were of fi-equent occurrence, notwithstanding the protection afforded 
by the fort. 

Since acquiring railroad facilities, the town has imjjroved rapidly. The 
location combines healthfulness, accessibility and congenial natural surround- 
ings, the requisite conditions to secure valuable and permanent accessions to 
the population. The next few years will probably bring forth great changes 
in its appearance, and in that of this entire section of country. The churches 
of the borough are Presbyterian, United Presbyterian and Methodist, all of 
recent origin. The Review, an able exponent of local interests, appears at 
regular but infrequent intervals. 

FINDLAY TOWNSHIP. 

This township is south of Moon and west of North Fayette, adjoining 
Beaver county on the west and Washington on the south. Potato Garden run 
and other branches of Raccoon creek di'ain it from the south and west, and nu- 
merous branches of Montour's run from the east. The township is exclusively 
agricultural. 

At the November session, 1819, a petition signed by thirty-one inhabitants 
of Moon township (the names of Thornburg and Aten being most numerous) 
was filed in the court of quarter sessions, representing that it was ' ' supposed 
to be at the least fi'om ten to thirteen miles the nighest course across,'' in con- 
sequence of which two supervisors had been elected for some years; and in the 
appointment of constables, the records show that ' ' First Moon ' ' and ' ' Second 
Moon ' ' were separately recognized by the court prior to 1800. The division 
line of the respective territories of supervisors and constables was as follows: 
"Beginning at the plantation of Thomas Hill adjoining Fayette township, 
thence a straight line to William Neville's in Moon township, from thence a 
straight line to Isaac Justus' in Beaver county. ' ' The court was asked to con- 
firm this line, or take such measures as would accomplish the desired end in 
giving to the people 'of "Second Moon" a separate township organization. 
James Martin, Thomas Aten and James Thornburg were appointed commis- 
sioners to inquire into the matter. Their report was filed January 11, 1820, 
the line of division recommended being substantially as described in the peti- 
tion. This appears to have caused some dissatisfaction. In a second report, 
under date of February 21, 1822, the following terse description of the line 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 11 

was submitted to the court : ' ' Beginning at the mouth of Jacob Guy' s mill- 
race, thence north twelve degrees west to Isaac Justus' on the Beaver county 
line. ' ' This was confirmed at the following term of court, the portion border- 
ing upon Washington county receiving the name of Findlay, in honor of Gov. 
William Findlay, one of the ablest men upon whom the honor of that posi- 
tion was ever conferred. He was born at Mercersburg June 20, 1768, of 
Scotch-Irish origin, and was early prominent as a democratic legislator. He 
was state treasurer, 1807-17; governor, 1817-20; United States senator, 
1821-27; treasurer of the United States mint, 1827-41; he died November 12, 
1846. 

Prior to 1820 the following residents in Findlay township are remem- 
bered: James McNall and sons John and James; David McAdam and sons 
Alexander and James; Samuel Maloney and sons Samuel, Alexander, Will- 
iam and Robert; James McBride and sons John, David, Matthew, Isaac, Alex- 
ander, Nathaniel and Francis; Nicholas Swearingen and sons John and Nich- 
olas; Charles Morgan and sons John, Simon, James and Daniel; Alexander 
Burns and sons William, Thomas, John, Samuel, Robert, Alexander, George 
and James; James Stewart and sons John, Richard, Thomas, James and 
Joseph; Rev. William Wilson and sons William, James, Robert, Samuel and 

John; Charles and sons John, Elisha and Elijah. In addition to these 

the Purdys, Batons, Vandermarks, Guys, McMinns, Jeffreys, Byerses, Harpers, 
Cooks, Cavitts, Morrisons and Springers are remembered as early residents. 

At an early day a gristmill stood on Montour's run, a mile below Imperial; 
the name of its builder is not remembered, but William Guy conducted it as 
early as 1820. Horse-power was used here in times of drouth, and subse- 
quently a steam-engine was added. It has been but little used for the last 
twenty years. Forbes' mill, on Potato Garden run, and Stro use's mill, on the 
same stream, were in operation long ago. Both have gone to decay. 

The village of Imperial was laid out by the Imperial Coal company, ten 
years since. Prior to that its site was the farm of Robert Wilson. The pop- 
ulation is largely composed of miners and their families, and numbers about 
six hundred. Most of the houses are owned by the company. The town is 
superior in some respects to ordinary mining villages. 

The company now operates three mines — two on Montour's run, in North 
Fayette township, and one at Bower Hill, on the Pan Handle road. The two 
first named are operated by wire-rope haulage. The daily output of the three 
mines is one thousand tons. The company operates coke-works on the line of 
the Montour railroad, near Montour junction. There are 102 ovens here, and 
a coke-crusher, for preparing domestic coke, has recently been added. 

The Montour railroad, though a distinct organization, is under the control 
of this company. Four hundred men are employed in the mines of the com- 
pany, at the coke-ovens and on the railroad. The officers of the company are 
U. A. Andrews, president of the Imperial Coal company; William McCreery, 
of the railroad, and F. L. Shellenberger, superintendent of both. 



12 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Clinton, a village of some importance as a local business center, was laid 
out in 1826, bj' John Charles. The postoffice, one of the oldest in this part 
of the county, was established in 1828. A postoffice at Cliff Mine was estab- 
lished in Februaiy, 1880, and one at McMinn in June, 1881. Imperial, the 
southern terminus of the Montour railroad, is partly in this township. 

Hopewell Presbyterian Church was organized in 1814 as part of the charge 
of Rev. Michael Law. Among the early pastors were Revs. William J. Frazier 
and James D. Ray, installed in 1825 and 1829, respectively. Rev. William 
Hunter was pastor during the civil war, and a difference of opinion among the 
congregation as to the advisability of his continuance resulted in the organiza- 
tion of Hebron Church, 1870. The church-building at Clinton is jointly 
owned by Presbyterians and Methodists. Valley Presbyterian Church was 
organized in 1840. Rev. Samuel C. Jennings was pastor 1857-68. Rev. 
William Hanna became pastor of this church and Hebron in 1874. The United 
Presbyterian congregation at Clinton completes the number of religious bodies 
in the township at present. 

The population in 1860 was 1,187. In 1870 it had declined to 1,170; in 
1880 was 1,417. 

CRESCENT TOWNSHIP. 

The division of Moon township again became a subject of judicial consid- 
eration in 1855, when its great extent, the impossibility of roads and schools 
receiving proper attention, and the fact that the pojiulation was not propor- 
tionately distributed, were urged as reasons for the formation of a new subdi- 
vision fi'om its territory. James W. Biddle, R. Patterson and C. L. McGee, 
commissioners to whom the matter was referred, having reported favorably at 
the June sessions, 1855, the court, under date of November 17, 1855, issued 
a decree erecting Crescent township, with its present boundaries. 

This part of the county was early known as the ' ' Forks of Flougherty, ' " 
and it may be observed in this connection that the stream of that name was the 
original western boundary of the county south of the Ohio river. 

James O'Hara and William Woodburn were, at an early date, the owners 
of extensive tracts of land in this section, and the latter l)ecame a permanent 
resident in 1794. The first improvements were made by a Mr. Scott, some 
years previously, but he removed to a place of greater security during the 
Indian troubles. Mr. Woodburn located on the bank of the Ohio river, just 
above Shousetown. His sons were James, John and Benjamin F. 

John Ritchie came in 1804, and settled in Shousetown. His sons were 
William and John. Ebenezer Worth came in 1804, and located on Flougherty' s 
run, three-fourths of a mile from the river. His sons were James and John, 
both dead. Samuel Vance lived next to Mr. Worth, and came here about the 
same time. His sons were Robert, Joseph, Samuel and James, all passed away. 

Simon Holsinger was a resident early in this century, on the bank of the 
river, near the Beaver county line. He reared several sons. Barnard Dough- 




'■M^d<.J.<^^..^<u^-^ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 15 

erty came in 1820, and purchased the property of Simon Holsinger. He died 
here in 1847. John McNamee also came in 1820, and purchased the property 
originally settled by Mr. Ritchie. He died in 1826. His daughter, Mary Mc- 
Namee, the last survivor of the family, still resides on the old place, the 
oldest resident of the town. She lives in a primitive log house, and eats from 
a table at which Gen. Washington, Gen. Wayne and other revolutionary 
heroes are said to have eaten. 

Shousetown, on the Ohio river at the mouth of Flougherty's run, was 
laid out by Peter Shouse in 1837. Few indications of its former imjiortance 
are apparent. Although little more than a country village at the present time, 
this place was once one of the most active towns on the upper waters of the 
Ohio river. It became such through the energy and efforts of its founder, 
Peter Shouse, one of the pioneer boat-builders of this part of the state. Born 
at Eeading, Berks count}-, Pa., October 8, 1788, of German parentage, he 
removed to the neighborhood of Pittsburgh when a young man. Here he 
obtained employment at a boatyard, and was engaged in the construction of 
the New Orleans, the tirst steamboat that ever floated on the Ohio river 
or traversed the Mississippi from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. He married in 
1810, and enlisted for service in the war of 1812. His skill as a mechanic 
was soon discovered, and he assisted in building the fleet that Commodore 
Perry led to victory on Lake Erie. On his return he settled at Elizabeth, and 
continued at his previous occupation in that rapidly growing town. April 2, 
1822, he removed to the locality that bears his name, then a farm, with a small 
log house and barn, and inaugurated his career as a boat-builder. The depth 
of the water was greater then than now, and the present location of a sand- 
bar in front of the town was marked bj- a pool eighteen or twenty feet deep, 
thus presenting excejitional facilities for launching boats. The countrj- for 
miles inland was covered with forest, and every variety of timber was thus 
conveniently obtainable. The boatyard was placed in operation in due season, 
and the business was extended from time to time. Between two and three 
hundred men were usually employed at the yards, and others were engaged 
in the forest preparing timber. A large number of steamboats and other 
varieties of river craft were built, of which the Algonquin, Bed Biver and 
Mohican became famous for their speed. The business was continued with 
uninterrupted success by Mr. Shouse until 1857, when he was succeeded 
by Ezra Porter, Nathan Porter and Samuel Shouse, by whom it was continued 
for some years. The timber in the vicinity has disappeared, and other con- 
ditions unfavorable to a continuance of the boat-building industry at this 
place have come into existence; and after gi-adually declining, the building 
of boats was suspended about 1873, and has never been resumed. 

A church was built at Shousetown in 1845, for the use of all denominations, 
and a schoolhouse, the first in the township, was erected in 1830. Both were 
destroyed by fire April 27, 1856. A Methodist society has been in existence 



16 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

for some years, and a Presbyterian organization is connected as to pastoral care 
with the church at Coraopolis. Both have built substantial frame churches. 
Occasional Catholic services are also held by the pastor at Sewickley. 

The town has improved to some extent since the opening of the Pittsburgh 
& Lake Erie railroad. In 1860 the population of Crescent township was 
32-4; in 1870, 364, and in 1880, 419. Shousetown postoffice was established 
in August, 1851. 



CHAPTER II. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOEOUGHS (Continued). 
North Fayette — South Fayette— Collier. 

THE seven townships into which Allegheny county was originally divided 
received the tirst addition to their number at the March sessions, 1790, 
at which time the following was entered upon the records: 

The court having taken into consideration the large extent of the township of Moon, 
and having been applied to by sundrj- inhabitants thereof to divide the same; Ordered, 
that that part of the said township which is contained within the following lines, to wit: 
Beginning at the mouth of Montour's run, thence up the said run and the south fork there- 
of to the county line, thence by the said line to Chartiers creek, and down the said creek 
and the Ohio riijer to the place of beginning — be considered and the same is hereby erected 
into a new township named Fayette. 

The following-named persons were among the residents upon this territory 
in 1800: 

Robert Boyd. Christopher Lannit, Moses Coulter, John Vance, Moses Gibson, James 
Borland, Peter Hickman, Amos Robbins, Samuel McCormick, Richard Bryer, Robinson 
Crusoe, William Brice, Robert Patterson, Frederick Lesmith, Hugh Morgan, Matthew 
Murdock, Joseph Fawcett, Samuel Morgan, Robert Burnett, Samuel Monk, Ephraim Her- 
riott, John Hickman, Robert Thompson, William Hanna, Joseph Fawcett, William Sankey. 
Hezekiah .South, John Gibson, Richard Coulter, Benjamin Scott, Thomas Jones. Abraham 
Falkner, William McClelland, William Rowley, George McKee, Henr3' Sturgeon, Henry 
Middleswart, R. E. Glenn, Thomas Biggs, James Richardson, John Williams, Hugh Wil- 
son, Gilbert Buchanan, Obadiah Dolans, Samuel Arnold, Thomas Bacon, Matthew Jordan. 
JohnRiddell, James McKnight, Henry Noble, John Best, James Gilmore, William Gillilan, 
James Means, Jesse Bonham, Thomas Matthews, John Morrow, Samuel Nelson, Samuel 
Coulson, George Dixon, Samuel B. Fleming, James Ralston, Matthew Thompson, John 
Brown, Hugh Mitchell, John Beck, Joseph Stuart, William Stewart, James Dennis, Moses 
Middleswart, Samuel Hastings, John Lusk, John Wilkinson, Alexander McClelland, Alex- 
ander McC.allin, Jacob Henson, Arthur White, Henry Savage, Obadiah Holmes. Matthew 
McCoy, George Dickson, Samuel Graham, John Boyd, William McCandless, William Mc- 
Clelland, Hugh Boyles, George Long, Jacob Fink, Edward Mulherron, James Walker, John 
Scantlin, John Taylor, William Ewing, Daniel Harkins, Charles Marchaud, John Logan, 
Samuel Arnold, Robert Sturgeon, Thomas King, Jacob Adams, Robert Bigham, Hugh 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 17 

McCo}-, George Jackson. George Williams, George Burney, William Johnson, John Mc- 
Clelland, James Short, Isaac Holmes, John Walker, Peter Rogers, John McKillip, George 
Vallandigham, John McCall, Caleb Plumb, Thomas McKee, Archibald Armstrong. 

Kobinson township was erected from the northern part of the original ter- 
ritory of Fayette in 1801, and the latter, as thus reduced, comprised the whole 
of North and South Fayette and a portion of Collier. This condition of things 
did not long continue when a disposition to effect a change was manifested. 
At the April sessions, 1809, Robert Johnson, John Vance, Francis Leavitt, 
Daniel South, Moses Coulter and David HeiTiott were appointed by the court 
of quarter sessions to inquire into the propriety of dividing Fayette. August 
14, 1809, their report was submitted, Robinson's rvm being recommended as 
the line of division. The matter was held under advisement until the Novem- 
ber term, 1810, when Nathaniel Plummer, Sr. , James Brison, David Kennedy, 
Peter Traugh, Henry Beltzhoover and Isaac Williams were appointed a second 
commission of inquiry. January 13, 1811, they reported adversely to the neces- 
sity of division. It does not appear that the question was again agitated until 
the March sessions, 1840, when, upon the representations of certain citizens of 
the township that it was fourteen miles long and seven miles wide, and that 
great inconvenience was thereby occasioned, Hugh Davis, Thomas Gibson 
and H. L. Magraw were commissioned to take the matter into consideration. 
They reported favorably to division, but with such modifications of the plans 
suggested by the petitioners that the confirmation of their action was strongly 
remonstrated against. The case was continued from time to time, and the 
division finally consummated by decree of court, March 16, 1842. 

NOETH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 

North Fayette, as thus erected, extends from Montour's run to Robinson's 
run, and borders upon Washington county on the southwest. Pinkerton's run 
forms its northeastern boundary. The numerous branches of these streams, of 
which Half Crown run is the most important, drain the whole of its extensive 
area. 

The township was crossed by the Mingo trail, the course of which is fol- 
lowed by the road leading from Noblestown to Beaver Falls. This route was 
frequently traveled by scalping-parties, and the region through which it passed 
not infrequently experienced the effects of their visitations. Among others 
who were killed in North Fayette may be mentioned one McNaminy. It 
was in the time of harvest, and, as the custom was, the neighbors assisted 
each other. On this occasion he was returning with a number of others from 
Findlay township, and being in advance of the rest was murdered and scalped 
before they had an opportunity to act in his defense. In 1778 a blockhouse 
was built on the land of William Turner, who had become a resident of the 
township in 1774. It is described as a substantial, well- constructed building, 
surrounded by a stockade, within which a never- failing spring of water was > 



18 HISTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

situated. The last Indian outr;ijT(> affecting the people of this section occurred 
about 1780. The four children of William Turner, two sons and two daughters, 
and a Mr. Fulks left their home in the spring of the year and went over into 
what is now Beaver county to make maple sugar. They completed prepara- 
tions for their stay, and had remained several days, when a party of Indians 
appeared. George Turner was killed upon the spot. Fulks might have 
escaped but for the fact that he was followed by a white dog which barked 
incessantly. He was overtaken and also killed without further i)arley. The 
party then set out with the two girls, Betsey and Polly, and their remain- 
ing brother, William Turner. The latter died after a short time, but 
the girls survived the hardships of the journey, and reached a British post 
in the northwest, where they were ransomed. One was married to a captain 
in the British army, McCormic by name, and the other to a Mr. Johnston, 
who subsequently settled in Kentucky, and became an officer on the American 
side in the war of 1812. 

About the year 1780 Alexander Ewing emigrated from Cecil county, Md., 
with his wife and two children, and all their worldly goods were transported 
by packhorses. They were received by James Ewing, who had become a 
resident of Collier township some years previously, with all the hospitality the 
circumstances of fi-ontier life at that time would permit. They finally settled 
permanently in the vicinity of Fayetteville, where the family is still numer- 
ously represented. 

Of the families that were residents of North Fayette prior to 1820, the 
following are remembered: 

John Marshall and sons Alexander, Henry, Archit)ald, John, William and Andrew; 
John Logan and sons John, Alexander. William and David; Archibald ilcBride and sons 
Henry, Archibald, John, William and James: Samuel Turner and sons John. William, 
Ewing and Samuel: George Cavitt and sons George. Samuel and William; William McEl- 
heny and sons William, George, Marshall, Jared, Campbell, John and James; John Cowan 
and sons Adam and James: John Miller and sons Thomas and James; Alexander Begges 
and sons Alexander and William: John Short and sons James. John, William, Alexander 
and Marshall; John Walker and sons Isaac and Jacob; Huston Tom and son Robert; 
Thomas Partridge and son Joseph; John Gregg and sons Mark and Levi; Joseph Wallace 
and son Harper; Thomas Wilson and sons Reed and William; William Cowan and sons 
William and Andrew: George Kelso and sons James and John; Alexander McFarland 
and sons George, Henry, Andrew, Alexander, William and Robert; Benjamin Mevay and 
son Benjamin: Joseph Walker and sons James, Joseph, Ezekiel andJosiah; Isaac Walker; 
Adam Potter and sons Robert and Adam: Jacob WLitmore and sons Samuel, John and 

H. H. ; Alexander McCandlessand sons William, Philip and George; McMichael and 

sons John and James; Stoncipher and sons John and Isaac; George McKee and sons 

David, George and James; John Jeffrey and sons Robert and Milton; Joseph McConnell 

and son Joseph; Glenn and sons Robert and John: John Taylor and son Robert: 

Joseph McMurray and sons John, William and George: Robb and sons Mark and 

William: William Savage and son Henry; William Sturgeon and sons William. Robert 
and Samuel; Andrew Dickson and sons Samuel, Joseph and James; John P. Ewing and 
sons Samuel and Amos: Samuel Sturgeon and sons James and David; William McClelland 
and sons David, William. Robert and Thomas: Samuel Thompson and sons John, Mat- 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 19 

thew, Ivester and William; Williams and sons John and Isaac; Thomas Hall and 

son James; William Leas and sons George, Henry, Abraham and Isaac; Isaac Messer. 

The township is crossed diagonally from northeast to southwest by the 
Pittsburgh and Steubenville turnpike. The Montour railroad traverses the 
region about its northern boundary, and the Pan Handle railroad passes through 
the eastern part of its territory a short distance. Coal of excellent quality 
underlies the township throiighout, but is practically undeveloped except on 
the line of the Montour railroad. The Imperial Coal company, William 
McCreery, president; L. M. Jenkins, treasurer, and F. L. Shallenberger, super- 
intendent, was incorporated in 1878. The company owns one thousand acres 
of coal-land, and operates the " Montoui' " and "Cliff" mines, both in North 
Fayette township. The first coal shipments were made in July, 1879. The 
amount produced ranges from eight hundred to one thousand tons daily. Five 
hundi'ed men are employed. The product is shipped by way of the Montour 
and Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroads, and is principally consigned to points 
in Northern Ohio. 

Imperial (formerly called Montour City), the terminus of the railroad of 
that name, is a town of about one hundred and thirty houses, and is virtually 
owned by the Imperial Coal company. It is a place of recent origin, and 
presents the features usually associated with mining towns. A postofiice was 
established under the name of Imperial in April, 1880. 

Noblestown, in the eastern part of the township, on Kobinson's run, is the 
oldest town in this part of the county. It was founded bj' Col. Henry Noble, 
but the date can not be definitely ascertained. The following sheds some light 
upon the question: 

Lot No. 1, on the south side of Mill street, " in a town called Nohle's-burgh," con- 
taining 119 perches of land, was sold by Col. Noble September 13, 1796, to Francis 
Hamilton, of Fayette township, who agreed " to build thereon a dwelling-house either of 
stone or brick, frame or hewn logs, at least twenty feet by eighteen, and to cover the 
same with a shingled roof," within two years, or relinquish all claim to the property in 
default of complying with this condition. The consideration was five pounds ten shil- 
lings. Lot No. 15, -t7| perches on the northeast side of Mill street, was sold to James 
Richardson. Sr., for eight pounds; No. 16, containing 6.5i perches, to Mr. Richardson, 
for twelve pounds; No. 14, containing 94f perches, to John Brown, for ten pounds; No. 
13, containing 135 perches, to George Williams, for one hundred dollars; No. 12, con- 
taining 50 perches, to James Law; all of which were on the north side of Mill street. On 
the south side of the same street. No. 5, containing 50 perches, was sold to Lancelot 
Campbell for thirty dollars; No. 3, containing 50 perches, to Sarah Miller; No. 6, con- 
taining 50 perches, to Thomas Moor; No. 4, to George Williams for two hundred and forty 
dollars; Nos. 7 and 8, at the corner of Mill and Cross streets, to James McCollister; No. 19, 
at the southwest side of Second street, was purchased by Jacob Shroad, and No. 18, ad- 
joining, by Francis Hamilton. .lohn Brown." taverner," bought a lot adjacent to the town 
plot, on the southeast side of Robinson's run. All the purchasers were residents of Fay- 
ette township; and as the agreement relating to the erection of houses was entered into 
by each one, it may be presumed that the town had a population of fifty or sixty before 
the close of the century. 



20 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The following entries appear in an old Bible in the possession of Mrs. Mc- 
Clelland, of Noblestown: 

Joseph Noble was born in April, in the year of our Lord 171"), and departed this life 
at his brother Francis Noble's, in St. Mar5''s county, Md., on Sunday, ye 24lh day of 
September, 1780, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. Mr. George Vallandighara departed 
this life with his daughter, Elizabeth McClelland, at the house of William McClelland, 
in Fayette township, Allegheny county, and state of Pennsylvania, on Wednesday morn- 
ing, the 4th day of October, 1810, in about the seventy-fourth year of his age, about 
eight of the clock in the morning. 

Joseph Noble was the father of the founder of Noblesburg, and George 
^'allandigham, previously mentioned as a justice of the peace, was his uncle. 
The mother of Henry Noble was Mrs. Martha Noble, born in Charles county,' 
Md., in 172-1; she died ''at her own home on Robinson's run," in 1796. The 
record quoted does not state when Henry Noble was born, but he is known to have 
lived in Charles county, near Baltimore, Md., prior to his removal to the west. 
He is buried in the cemetery adjoining Robinson's rtin church. 

"Col. Henry Noble's merchant-mill at Noblesburg" was one of the ear- 
liest in the county. It was a log building, with three sets of buhrs, situated 
at the foot of Mill street, and there was a sawmill adjoining. The first ship- 
ment of flour to New Orleans was made by Mike Fink, about 1800. His 
convoy consisted of two keelboats, the William and Matilda, which were 
launched at the mouth of the rim on Chartiers creek. Fink enjoyed an envi- 
able reputation in his profession, but his companionship was not sought by the 
better element of the community. From its position this place early became 
the radial point of a number of important roads, and public houses became 
correspondingly numerous. Although railroad facilities were obtained a score 
of years ago, but little improvement has been manifested. The local business 
is considerable, and the development of the coal in the surrounding territory 
can not fail to result in a more rapid growth than the town has yet experienced. 

The United Presbyterian Church of Noblestown originated as an Associate 
or " Seceder " church. "William ^Yilson, the first licentiate west of the mount- 
ains, preached here prior to 1790, in connection with his churches at Char- 
tiers and Clinton. This organization was effected in 1792; it was connected 
with Montour's Run until 1830, and with a church in Beaver county for some 
years thereafter. Pastors: Rev. "William "^'ilson, until 1830; James Rodgers, 
1831-38; John M. French, 181:1-43; Fulton A. Hutchison, 1850-69; W. P. 
Shaw, 1870-75; W. B. Cheney, 1878-83; G. T. Scott, 1884-85. Lots Nos. 
4 and 5 were secured January 10, 1802. The present church-edifice was ded 
icated in June, 1852. 

St. Patrick' s Roman Catholic Chm-ch, Noblestown, originated in the efforts 

of Rev. J. Stillerich in 1865. Revs. J. P. Tahaney and J. O. G. Seanlon, of 

Washington, and Thomas McEurne, of Mansfield, were among the early pas- 

_tors. The church-edifice is of brick, seventy by thirty-five feet in dimensions, 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 21 

and it was dedicated in 1869. The Methodist Episcopal Church is of compar- 
atively recent origin, and in a fairly prosperous condition. 

The Noblestown postoffice was established in 1823. 

Oakdale Station, fifteen miles from Pittsburgh, on the Pan Handle railroad, 
was laid out by C. H. Love, to whom its importance is largely due. It is 
partly in South Fayette, and its growth has resulted in a great measure from 
the opening of coal-mines in that township in the vicinity. The population 
may be estimated at four hundred. 

The Oakdale malthouse, P. Kiel & Son, was established in 1868-69 by 
McKee, Scott & Co. , and, after being owned successively by George Y. McKee 
& Co. and George Y. McKee, came into possession of the present proprietors. 
The plant consists of a brick building seventy-five feet long and forty-two 
feet wide, four stories high, in which the ' ' growing process ' ' is conducted, 
and an annex fifty by twenty-five feet, containing the "drying" apparatus. 
The capacity is thirty thousa,nd bushels of barley in a season of nine months. 
H. W. Davis has been superintendent since the works were established. 

The Oakdale Mutual Fire Insurance company was incorporated April 21, 
1874. The present ofiicers are as follows: President, William C. McFarland; 
secretary, J. W. Nesbit; general agent, C. J. Vance. The report for 1886 
shows policies in force aggregating more than eight hundi-ed thousand dollars. 

Oakdale Classical and Normal Academy, J. M. McJunkin and G. C. McJun- 
kin, principals, was founded in 1870 and incorporated in 1881. The property 
consists of a commodious frame building, erected for the purpose by C. H. 
Love. It is owned and controlled by the " Oakdale Academy Association." 
J. R. McMichael, president; A. McFarland, vice-president; J. W. Nesbit, sec- 
retary, and W. A. Herriott, treasurer. The school has had a checkered history, 
but has always exerted a strong influence in the direction of more general in- 
telligence in the community. The present management has been successful in 
elevating the standard of education, enlarging the curriculum of study, and 
increasing the attendance. The school sustains a high position among similar 
institutions in this part of the state. 

The Presbyterian Church of Oakdale Station was organized April 17, 1869, 
by a presbyterial commission of which Rev. David McKinney, D. D., was 
chairman, with eleven members, Ebenezer Nesbit and John Barnes constituting 
the first session. Rev. Maxwell N. Cornelius was pastor 1871-75; Jesse C. 
Bruce, 1876-78; J. M. McJunkin, the present incumbent, was installed in 
1879. A frame church-building, fifty feet long and forty-two feet wide, was 
dedicated in May, 1870. An addition, sixty-six by twenty-three feet, was 
erected in 1884. The auditorium has a seating capacity of five hundred. 

At the period when the Steubenville turnpike was a much-traveled thor- 
oughfare, wayside hostelries were numerous along its route. Fayetteville, a 
scattered hamlet in the western-central part of the township, originated in an 
institution of this character. A small Methodist church is located here. 



22 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Shirland postofiSce was established in January, 1850; North Star postoffice was 
established in October, 1861; Beech ClifP postoffice was established in Febru- 
ary, 1877. Jeffreystown is an unimportant hamlet, founded by Samuel Jef- 
frey, whose daughter Martha was the first white child born on Montour's 
run. The population of the township in 1860 was 1,172; in 1870, 1,482; in 
1880, 2,242. 

SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 

This township, as formed in 1842, was reduced in area to a considerable 
extent by the erection of Collier. Robinson's nin. Coal run, Chartiers creek 
and the Washington county line constitute its present territorial limits. The 
principal streams are Miller's run, an affluent of Chartiers creek, and its 
branches. Fishing and Dauphin runs. One Miller, from whom the stream is 
named, is said to have settled at its mouth in 1768. He removed to Kentucky 
about the time that other settlers began to arrive. Christopher Lesnet, a 
German from Baltimore, Md. , was probably the first permanent settler. 
Moses Middleswart, James Dinsmore and Obadiah Holmes, who were residents 
in 1800, arrived prior to 1785. 

Mr. Middleswart located on Chartiers creek, near Bridgeville, where he 
died. His sons were Jesse, Jonathan and Vanderveer, all of whom died child- 
less. Moses Coulter came about 1790, and settled near the center of South 
Fayette. He had sons, John, Richard and Goodman Y. , the last still living 
at the age of eighty-four. John Hanna was a settler near Bridgeville before 
1800. His son was William, whose sons still reside in the township. Thomas 
Alexander located on Miller's run, about two miles from its mouth, very 
early. His sons were Joseph, Samuel, Thomas and John. The last is living 
in Pittsburgh. Peter Hickman was also a very early immigrant. He located 
near the center of the township, where he remained till his death. His sons 
were Joseph, John, Benjamin, Daniel, Steward, Moses and Nicholas, all dead. 

In addition to these the following were residents prior to 1820: 

William Dickson and sons George, James and William; George Kelso and sons John 
ami Benjamin; Benjamin Kelso and sons John, George, James, Benjamin, Mark and Sam- 
uel; William Herdman and sons Frank and Robert; Joseph Campbell; Christopher Erick; 
James Slater and sous John. James, William and Thomas; Samuel Sterling and sons 
William. John and Hugh; William McConnell and sons James. William and Joseph; 
William Waters and sons Hugh and Samuel; John Nesbitt and sons James, Ebenezer, 
William and David; James Hall and sons Henry, John and James; William Gilliland; 
John Bo}-le and son Hugh; Daniel South and sons Hezekiah, James. Daniel and Benja- 
min; Steward Jordan, Hughey Morgan. John Wallace, Samuel Brice, Samuel Steward, 
Samuel Hopper, David Herriott, James Herriott, Ephraim Herriott. Samuel Shane. Darby 
Dunlevy, Patrick Dunlevy, Samuel and John Collins, John, Isaac and Richard Boyce, 
Andrew Fawcett, John Lesnet and Samuel McKown. 

About 1790 Capt. Samuel Morgan built a gristmill on Miller's rvm. about 
three miles from its mouth. It was purchased by Moses Coulter, who in 1812 
sold it to William Gilmore. Mr. Coulter repurchased the property after it 




^a^A-rz. c^^^. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 25 

had been much improved, aad at his death Goodman Y. Coulter became its 
owner. He converted it into a steam mill, and conducted it for some years. 
It was torn away several years since. A sawmill was added after it became a 
steam mill. 

A fulling-mill was built about 1820 on Miller's run, half a mile from its 
mouth, by Samuel Stewart. Mr. S. manufactured sickles at the same place. 
Both industries have died out in the country with the march of improvement. 
The township is traversed by the Hickory grade-road, the Pan Handle and 
Chartiers Valley railroads, and the Pittsburgh, Chartiers & Youghiogheny 
railroad. 

The mineral resources of this section are extensively developed. Laurel 
Hill mines and coke-works, W. P. Eend proprietor, are situated on the Pan 
Handle railroad, near McDonald. The works were established in 1872, by W. 
P. Eend & Co. , and the first mines, opened on the farms of Samuel H. Cook 
and James Wallace, are now exhausted; 400 men are employed, and 200, 
000 tons are produced annually. The various coal-works of W. P. Rend, in 
Ohio and elsewhere, require 2,000 cars in their operation. Coking was begun 
here in 1875, when 16 ovens were erected. The number was increased to 26 
in 1882, to 31 in 1884, and in 1887 to 41, with a capacity of 14,000 tons an- 
nually. . . . Willow Grove mines are operated by the Willow Grove Min- 
ing company, T. B. Bobbins, W. P. Rend and T. L. Robbins, constituent 
members. These works were originally established in 1866, by Dickson, Stew- 
art &Co., from whom the estate of James T. Wood secured them; 200 men 
are employed, and the daily capacity is 500 tons. . . . Star mines, 1,930 
feet east of Willow Grove station, are operated by Frank Mankedict, and pro- 
duce 225 tons daily; 100 men are employed. . . . Oak Ridge mines, 
1,300 feet east of Oakdale station, were opened in 1872. The annual product 
is about one million bushels. The Oak Ridge Coal company, limited, John 
Musser, chairman, George Schluederberg, secretary and treasurer, was incor- 
porated in 1872. . . . The National Coal company, limited, Frank Arm- 
strong, chairman, F. R. Pinkerton, secretary and treasurer, was incorporated 
in 1865 as the National Coal and Coke company. The present style was 
adopted in 1879. The mines are situated 1,300 feet east of Noblestown. The 
improvements are valued at $40,000, and in addition there are 17 houses, 72 
cars and 195 acres of coal-land; 105 men are employed. . . . The coal- 
works of the Pennsylvania Coal company, W. J. Morgan, president, F. R. 
Layng, secretary, 200 feet east of Hastings, on the Chartiers Valley rail- 
road, were opened for local consumption by David McKee in 1872. Mc- 
Cabe, Clark & Co. assumed control in 1875, and began operations on a more 
extensive scale. James Clark became sole proprietor in 1878; in 1881 the 
works were- purchased by the Patterson Coal Mining company, from which 
they passed to the present proprietors in 1882; 85 men are employed, and the 
product is about eighty thousand bushels per month. . . . The Chartiers 



26 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Block Coal company, incorporated iu 1881, secured control of extensive coal- 
lands on the line of the Pittsburgh, Chartiers &, Youghiogheny railroad; 
and on the Tom's run branch the principal lessees are Sanford & Co., the 
Beechmont Coal company, W. J. Stoen and E. W. Powers. 

The post-villages of the township are Herriottsville. Federal. Beechmont 
and Sturgeon. 

Robinson's Run United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1790. Rev. 
John Riddell was pastor from 1794 until his death in 1829: Moses Kerr, 
1834-35; William Burnett, 1836-38. James Grier was installed in 1839, and 
was succeeded in 1879 by J. W. English. Bethany Presbyterian Church was 
organized in 1814. Rev. Alexander Cook was installed as pastor in 1815: 
William Jeffrey, 1821; Cyrus G. Braddock, 1855; J. F. Hill, 1876: V. G. 
Sheeley, 1886. Thomas Alexander, John Nesbit, George Herriott, Moses 
Coulter and John Hanna constituted the session in 1821. The population of 
the township by the census of 1860 was 1,260: in 1870, 1,927: in 1880, 1,765. 

COLLIER TOWNSHIP. 

January 12, 1875, a petition of citizens of Robinson, North Fayette and 
South Fayette was presented in court, praying for a redistribution of the ter- 
ritory comprised within their limits, whereupon J. B. Stilley, Capt. John Gil- 
fillan and Alexander D. Burns were appointed to the usual service of taking 
the matter into consideration. Under date of February 26, 1875, they reported 
in favor of forming a new township from the contiguous portions of Rob- 
inson and South Fayette, one-third and one-fourth of their respective areas, 
with about a half square mile from North Fayette, to constitute the new divis- 
ion. At an election May 11, 1875, the measure thus proposed was adopted by 
a majority of sixty-six in a total vote of one hundred and ninety. June 7, 
1875, by decree of court, the new township was erected and its organization 
forthwith ordered. The name was conferred in compliment to Hon. Frederick 
H. Collier, of the common pleas bench of the county courts. 

The first families who settled in this township were the Ewings and 
Walkers. James Ewing, the first representative of the former, was born in 
Cecil county, Md. , about 1730, emigrated to the west in 1770, and built the 
first gristmill on Robinson's run, if not in the county. His claim extended 
from Chartiers borough to Walker's Mills, a distance of two miles, and com- 
prised a thousand acres. In common with a majority of the emigrants from 
the slave states, he brought his slaves with him; their labor was utilized to 
great advantage in clearing the land, erecting improvements, etc. Boatswain, 
a negro of exceptional intelligence and faithfulness, was manumitted by Mr. 
Ewing in consideration of his fidelity, and established in comfortable circum- 
stances at a locality since known as Camp Hill. James Ewing was a strict 
Presbyterian, and was identified with the early histopi- of Montour's church. 

Gabriel and Isaac Walker, the first of that name in this section of country, 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. li 

•were born in Lancaster county, Pa., the former in 1744, the latter in 1746. 
They were of Scotch-Irish descent, and tradition asserts that their ancestors 
were in the siege of Londonderry. They emigrated to the west in 1772, and 
purchased land from John Henry. It was of that general class known as 
"tomahawk claims," and extended from Robinson's run to Scott's run, em- 
bracing two thousand acres. Gabriel located near Hays crossing, on the Pan 
Handle railroad, and Isaac at Walker's Mills. Supplies of ammunition and 
other necessaries were broiight from Lancaster county every spring and 
autumn by Isaac Walker, who was a young man, and unmarried. This was 
before the era of wagon-roads, when the packhorse was the only means of con- 
veyance. There was a further inducement for Isaac Walker to repeat this 
journey as often as convenient; he was ijaying his addresses to a young lady in 
Lancaster county, whom he married in 1779 — a Mrs. Richardson, the widow 
of an early settler on the Loyalhanna, in AVestmoreland county. 

In September, 1782, a party of Indians, about twenty-five in number, ap- 
proached the cabin of Gabriel Walker, and concealed themselves near by, with 
the intention of surprising the family while at dinner. In the meantime two 
hunters approached and entered the house, and as they were well armed the 
savages thought best to defer the attack until their departure. Visitors at that 
early period were not frequent, and the hospitalities extended them required a 
long time in the discussion of current events. And so, immediately after din- 
ner, the younger members of the family, including William Harkins, an 
indentured boy, were sent to the field, while Mr. Walker entertained his guests. 
Several hours passed in this manner, when the latter finally departed. The 
Indians rapidly closed in around the unsuspecting family, but their movements 
did not escape the practiced eye of Mr. Walker. He called to his children in 
the field to run, which they did, but only Harkins escaped, and the five others 
were captured. Hearing the alarm, Mrs. Walker seized the two children who 
were with her in the house, and concealed herself until she could safely proceed 
to the fort. Mr. Walker also escaped. After pillaging the house and burning 
it to the gi'ound, the Indians killed the two youngest of their captives, and set 
oiit with the three that remained, two young women and a boj'. They then 
started out in a northwesterly direction, stopping that day long enough to burn 
the cabin of a Mr. Breckenridge. When the course of a stream coincided 
•with the direction of their journey, they waded its channel; when a fallen tree 
lay in their course, they walked its trunk, making their prisoners do the same. 

Harkins, after making his escape, alarmed the family of Isaac Walker, and 
they also made their way to the fort, which was situated a short distance above 
the mouth of Robinson's run. On the following day a body of men number- 
ing forty or fifty collected at the scene of the massacre. Under the leadership 
of John Henry they set out in pursuit, and overtook the Indians as they were 
crossing the Ohio river. The captives were taken to a British post in the 
northwest, and returned upon the cessation of hostilities in 1784. 



28 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Other early residents of Collier township were Rowley Boyd, who reared 

three sons; Rogers, whose sons were Thomas and James: John Nesbitt and 

David, William and Ebenezer, his sous; Joseph Hickman, Alexander Loggett, 
John Wilkinson, Ezekiel Harker, Richard Cowan, the Hardmans, Joneses, 
Moores and others. This town was the theater of some of the violent proceed- 
ings which occurred at the outbreak of the whisky insurrection, an account of 
which is given elsewhere. For an account of the Allegheny County Home, 
located in this township, see page 422, Part I. 

The Pan Handle railroad passes through the township from east to west, 
with stations at Fort Pitt, Walker's Mills and Hays. The first coal-mine on 
this road west of Mansfield station is that of W. L. Scott & Co., known as 
the Grant mine. The next in order is Camp Hill, one mile west of Mansfield 
station, operated by David Steen. These works were established in 1870. 
The daily capacity is 5,000 bushels. Twenty-two houses are owned in 
connection with the works, and 75 cars. One hundred men are em- 
ployed. . . . The McConnell mines, 1,000 feet west of Fort Pitt, are 
operated by James McConnell. Fifty men are employed. This mine was 
opened in 1805 by the Pittsburgh Union Coal company, John A. McKee. man- 
ager. Huntsman & Miller were the lessees for a number of years. 
The Boyd mines, 1,000 feet west of Walker's Mills, were opened in 1885 l)y 
Ewing & Gordon, fi'om whom the works were leased in 1887 by Edward 
Fisher. . . . The Jackson mines, 5,000 feet west of Walker's Mills, are 
operated by D. C. Jackson. Cherry mines, at Hays station, Morris McCue, 
proprietor, employ 40 miners and produce 25,000 tons yearly. 

The principal village is Woodville, on the Chartiers Valley railroad. The 
Diamond flourmills at this place, Joseph Campbell, proprietor, were built in 
1857 by Robert Lea. 

A postoffice was established here in 1871. Walker's Mills, in the central 
part of the township, became a postoflSce in February, 1841. The coal-mines 
and stone-quarries of the vicinity, and the extensive flouring-mills, render 
this an important local point. The population by the census of 1880 was 1,697. 



CHAPTER III. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
RoBixsox (Chaktiei!s)—Stowe— Neville. 

AS originally formed in 1790, Fayette township extended fi'om the county 
line to the Ohio river, and from Montour's run to Chartiers creek, and 
before the close of the century the formation of a new subdivision within these 



A 




1:^ ^£:^ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 31 

limits was seriously considered. In a petition presented at the March sessions, 
1799, it is stated that Fayette comprised one hundred and twenty square miles, 
and nearly four hundred taxables. In view of the inconveniences occasioned 
by this, a division was asked by a line ' ' beginning at the mouth of Robinson' s 
run, up the same to the mouth of Pinkerton's ran, thence up the same to Mr. 
Patterson's meeting-house, thence by a direct line to strike Montour's run 
opposite the house of Joseph Scott, Esq." The pronounced views of those 
who opposed this measure are thus expressed in a remonstrance filed March 
26, 1801: 

The township of Fayette is a small township, being about twelve miles in length, 
including narrow points at each extreme, and about five miles in breadth. Yet a petition 
has been preferred . . . for a division, assigning the south fork and a small part 
of the main branch of Robinson's run for that purpose, the which petition, if obtained, 
will leave a tract of land for a township northwest of the said south fork which will not 
average more than four miles square; and the other township will measure about eight 
miles in length and average about three miles and a half in breadth. [It may be observed 
that there is considerable disparity in the respective dimensions given.] In the four miles 
square township there are two justices of the peace, to wit, George Vallandigham and 
Joseph Walker; in the extended township none. . ' . . If any . . . inhabitants 
are dissatisfied with the usual place of holding township meetings, they can easily assem- 
ble and vote for the most convenient place; six miles' travel in the year is no great 
burthen to attend township meetings. 

A second remonstrance averred that there was no necessity for the change, 
' ' unless to gratify a few ambitious characters who are eager for office. ' ' Not- 
withstanding the strength of the opposition, the division was consummated in 
the erection of Robinson, presumably at the June sessions, 1801. 

ROBINSON TOWNSHIP. 

The hostile feelings engendered in this struggle did not at once subside. 
June 8, 1803, Robert Bell and others appeared before the court, representing 
that while the proceedings were in progress the sujiervisors of Fayette had 
collected from its entire territory a road- tax, which was being expended solely 
for the benefit of Fayette as it remained after the division. This was a man- 
ifest injustice to Robinson, and when friendly entreaty failed to effect a right- 
ful distribution of the money, the matter was then referred to the courts. 

The available data for compiling a list of early settlers in Robinson are very 
meager. The names of some appear in the preceding chapter, in addition to 
which the following may be mentioned at the respective dates: 

1803. William Marks, John Nickel, Isaac McMichael, Adam Logan, William McCoy, 
Robert Graham, John Young, Robert Baldwin, James Bell, John McCoy, John McMichael, 
Isaac Walker. 

1805. Robert Vance, James Speer, Robert Miller, Patrick Watson, James McClurg, 
Samuel Neely, Thomas Phillips, Edward Sharp, Jonathan Phillips, William Knox, Ben- 
jamin Wall, Benjamin Miller. 

1808. Isaac Ferree, JohnMcFadden, William Marks, Jr., Samuel Goswald. Frederick 



32 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY CODXTV. 

Slover, Robert Morgan, Joseph Wlurry. John Youn;^, William Dull, William Ewing, 
Jeremiah Wright, William Johnson, James Mitchell, William Hall, John Boggs. John 
MitcJiell, James Ewing, J. McMichael. William Henry, Samuel Richey, Robert Bell. 

Within tbo present limits of Kobinson township, the first permanent set- 
tler was James Bell. He was of Scotch origin. When fourteen years of age 
he was taken prisoner by the Indians, and after a residence of several years 
with them returned to his home in Virginia. In the autumn of 1768, with 
his brother John, he made a journey to Chartiers creek. Tradition asserts 
that they passed their first night in this vicinity in Chartiers township, near 
Mansfield valley; that on the next day they crossed Chartiers creek and passed 
the second night within Robinson township: and after marking the bounds of 
their respective claims in the customary manner, retui'ned to their homes. 
The following spring they brought their families, and here James Bell lived to 
an advanced age, dying in 1833. His brother John lived in Chartiers township. 

The Steubenville turnpike and Clinton grade-road cross the township from 
east to west. The Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad crosses its northern bor- 
der, with stations at Gibson and Moon run. That part of the township adja- 
cent to Chartiers creek is traversed by the Pittsburgh, Chartiers & Youghio- 
gheny railroad. This is a county enterprise, and is worthy of more than pass- 
ing notice. The company was incorporated in October, 1881, and organized 
with J. E. Schwartz, president; George S. Griscom, vice-president and general 
manager; R. T. Hill, secretary and treasurer; George S. Davison, superin- 
tendent. The projected route follows the coarse of Chartiers creek and Peter's 
creek from the Ohio river at Brunot's island to the Monongahela at West 
Elizabeth, crosses the Youghiogheny at Douglass, and thence continues to 
the coke-regions. Construction was begun in 1881, and that portion of the 
road now in operation, extending from Beechmont to the Ohio river — a distance 
of fifteen miles — was completed in 1883. A branch through Upper St. Clair 
township is also in operation. Patterson station, in this township, is situated 
at the junction of the turnpike and railroad. The Montour railroad passes 
through the valley of Montour run. 

Union United Presbyterian Church was organized prior to 1793, and con- 
stituted a pastoral charge in connection with Robinson Run from 1794 to 1816, 
under the care of Rev. John Riddell. During this period it was known as 
Lower Robinson Run and Deep Hollow. Rev. Moses Kerr was pastor 1819-28; 
Andrew S. Fulton, 1833-39; John Ekin, 1839-53; William McMillan, 
1855-57; Lafayette Marks, 1860-67; J. D. Turner, 1868-74; J. A. Douthett, 
since 1876. Montour Presbyterian Church was organized in 1788, when Rev. 
Joseph Patterson was installed as pastor. Among his successors the following 
clergymen may be mentioned: John McLean, Michael Law, Robert Laird, 
John K. Cunningham, Thomas Gordon, Thomas Stevenson, Isaac N. McKin- 
ney, Levi Risher and H. C. Foulke. Forest Grove Presbyterian Church, in 
the northern part of the township, is connected with Montour in pastoral 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 33 

charge. A German Liatheran church, on the Steubenville pike, completes the 
number of religious bodies in the township. 

The only village in the township is Palmersville, on the Steubenville pike, 
known as a postoffice under the name of Remington. The first postmaster, 
Samuel B. Marks, was appointed November 25, 1850. 

In 1860 the population was 2,100; in 1870, 2,275; in 1880, 1,170. 

Chartiers Borough. — This borough was laid out by John Doolittle, and 
incorporated September 6, 1872, from the southeastern part of Robinson. 
An efFort had previously been made to have a new township formed from the 
adjacent portions of Robinson and Scott, but as it was evident that the village 
on the west bank of the creek would thus lose its individuality, its people 
opposed the measure. The first burgess of the borough was William Hill. 
The first ordinance of the borough, ' ' For the regulation of sidewalks and 
street- crossings, " was approved December 9, 1872. 

In 1867, two years after the completion of the Pan Handle railroad, few 
indications of village growth were apparent. There were four houses between 
the creek and the railroad, two of which were owned by Samuel Yourd and 
P. Wilbert, respectively. Three houses were situated on Fifth avenue, those 
of Jacob Doolittle, David Steen and Joseph Chalfant. Russell Errett, W. 
R. Justus, Henry Keib and J. C. Morrow lived on ' ' Trust Company ' ' hill, 
and there were also several houses on Campbell's run, occupied by transient 

residents. Samuel Yourd and Caldwell were the only merchants at 

that time. A rapid expansion was noticeable until 1873, when the panic 
affected this part of the country with the effects generally experienced every- 
where. The population in 1880 was 1,852, but the past four years have been 
a period of great building activity, and three thousand is an approximate 
estimate at the present time. 

It would be the expression of a platitude to say that the prosperity of 
the town depends almost entirely upon its industrial activities, and largely 
upon the development of the mineral resources of the surrounding country. 

The Mansfield Coal & Coke company, William Carr, president; John K. 
Shinn, secretary and treasurer; D. Reisinger, manager, was incorporated in 
1862. Mining operations were begun in 1863. Colliery No. 1, on the line 
of the borough and township, was opened in 1863, and has a daily capacity 
of 600 tons. No. 2 is mentioned in the history of Scott township. Six 
coke-ovens were built in 1868, and 16 in 1870, making a total of 22 now 
operated, producing 25 tons of coke daily. The company also owns 500 acres 
of coal-land in Collier township, to which a railway is now in course of con- 
struction. It is proposed that these works, when placed in operation, shall 
have a daily capacity of 1,500 tons. D. Steen & Sons were the proprietors 
of a colliery within the borough limits for some years, but the coal-measui-es 
upon which they depended have been exhausted, and a row of houses marks 
the former location of their works. . . . The Grant mines have experi- 



34 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 

eDCt'd many changes of proprietorship, and are now operated hx A\'. L. Scott 
& Co. 

The Pennsylvania Lead company, J. E. Schwartz, president; B. 'W. Doyle, 
secretary: Robert Wardrop, treasurer; F. C. Blake, superintendent, was organ- 
ized in 1872, with a capital of five hundred thousand dollars. The works com- 
prise nine acres, situated at the junction of the Pan Handle and Pittsl)urgh, 
Chartiera & Youghiogheny railroads, just outside the borough limits. The 
ores are obtained in Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, and are received 
at the works in the form of base bullion; the foreign elements of their composi- 
tion are removed, and the silver and gold separated from the lead by chemical 
processes. The product consists of pig-lead, used in the manufacture of white- 
lead, shot, pipe and sheet-lead to the amount of 25,000 tons annually; silver 
bars, used at the mint for coinage and in the arts, 5,000,000 oimces annually; 
and gold bars, principally exported to London, England, 20,000 ounces annu- 
ally; the aggregate value being $6,000,000. Similar statistics in 1877 show a 
product valued at $1,700,000. The plant is valued at .S150.000; 120 men are 
employed. 

The Chartiers Iron & Steel company, John C. Kirkpatrick, chairman; D. 
A. Carter, secretary; B. C. Wilson, treasurer; J. Heniy, superintendent, was 
incorporated in October, 1883. The works are situated in Chartiers borough. 
The plant consists of a frame building 277 feet long and 120 feet wide, com- 
prising 33,000 square feet of floor-surface; 2 trains of rolls, consisting of 
5 mills; 15 furnaces, 2 knobbling-fires, steam-engines of 700- and 65-horse 
power, respectively; a steam hammer weighing 4 tons. The works were 
placed in operation August 12, 1884, with 150 operatives, which number has 
since increased to 200. The product consists of sheet-iron and sheet-steel to 
the value of §500,000 annually. 

The Mansfield Roller Flour-mills, Forsythe & Foster, proprietors, manu- 
facture roller flour and feed for local and city consumption. There are other 
smaller industries of a varied character, which may appear comparatively unim- 
portant as compared with those mentioned, but perceptibly swell the aggregate 
of production. 

The business of the town is locally important. There are a number of 
stores and hotels, and several large business blocks. The Mansfield Yalley 
postoffice was once conducted here, and the postoflEice under the name of 
Putnam established Januarj' 8, 1885. 

Several newspapers have been published at various times, the latest jour- 
nalistic effort being the Independent, George W. Halej', editor, of which the 
first niimber was issued July 31, 1887. The borough school-building reflects 
an intelligent interest in educational matters. More than ten thousand dollars 
were expended in sustaining the schools in 1886. Among the secret and 
benevolent fraternities represented are the Masons, Odd-Fellows, Knights of 
Pythias, Sons of St. George, Sovereigns of Industry, Junior Order United 






^ cpa//i^ 



'-^77^^?t/ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 37 

American Mechanics, Knights of Labor, Amalgamated Association of Iron 
and Steel Workers and Knights of the Mystic Chain. 

The Catholic population of this vicinity attended mass at St. Philip's 
Church, Crafton, until Mansfield was attached to Washington mission under 
the pastoral care of Kev. J. O. G. Scanlon, October, 1866. He secured prop- 
erty within the limits of the borough of that name, which was dedicated by 
the bishop of the diocese July 28, 1867, under the invocation of St. Luke. 
This building was known as the " wool-house," and had been the first place 
of worship for others than this church. Upon the death of Father Scanlon, in 
May, 1871, Eev. W. A. Nolan became pastor. The principal event of his in- 
cumbency was the large increase in the membership) and the purchase of a site 
for a new church-edifice. Its erection was not begun until August, 1879, 
owing to the financial stringency of 1873 and the following years. It is one 
hundred and twenty feet long and fifty-foiu- feet wide, in pure gothic style. 
Eev. P. May was pastor 1873-75; Thomas Walsh, 1875-77, and Hugh Hag- 
gerty, 1877-. The German Catholic element worshiped at St. Mary's church, 
Stowe township, until the organization of St. Luke's; and as they increased 
in numbers, a meeting was held June 8, 1879, at which formal action was 
taken, resulting in the organization of St. Joseph's German Catholic Church. 
The cornerstone of the church-edifice was laid by Kev. W. Pollard Sej)tem- 
ber 21, 1879; the bishop performed the ceremony of dedication January 1, 
1880. Rev. John Stillerich was pastor in 1879-80; E. W. Trautwein, from 
March to October, 1880; Joseph Lingel, 1880-84; Julius Kuenzer, 1884-87, 
when Joseph Fleckinger, the present incumbent, was appointed. The Ger- 
man Lutheran church of Chartiers, Rev. E. F. A. Dittmer, pastor, was 
erected in 1872. A parish school is connected with the church. The prop- 
erty comprises a brick church- edifice, school-building and pastoral residence. 

STOWE TOWNSHIP. 

This is so named in honor of Edwin H. Stowe, president judge of the com- 
mon pleas court of Allegheny county. The division of Robinson was first 
agitated in 1867, when, at the June sessions, a petition was presented to court, 
the line proposed being the Pittsburgh and Steubenville turnpike and theHook- 
erstown road. The court, deeming it unnecessary to appoint commissioners, 
directed that the question should be submitted to popular vote. August 1, 
1867, the election was held, but the measure was defeated. The advocates of 
the measure made a second efPort in 1869; J. B. Stilley, Cornelius Scully and 
R. M. Kerr, to whom the matter was referred, reported favorably September 
18, 1869, and at an election ten days later their verdict was sustained by a 
vote of one hundred and eleven to eighty-eight. The final decree of court 
erecting Stowe was issued December 6, 1869. 

The township is triangular in shape, and is bounded on the north and east 
by the Ohio river and Chartiers creek. It is one of the smaller subdivisions of 



38 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

the county. A large part of its area was originally secui-ed by Alexander 
McKee fi'om Col. Henry Bouquet, a Swiss oflScer in the British service, and at 
that time (1764) commandant at Fort Pitt. This tract is described as situated 
' ' at the mouth of Shertee' s creek, ' ' and is said to have comprised more than a 
thousand acres. McKee was faithful to the British cause when the Revolution 
began, and fled to a military post in the nortiiwest to avoid arrest by colonial 
officers. His position here was that of deputy agent of Indian affairs for the 
district of Fort Pitt. In after years he figured conspicuously in the British 
interests about Detroit and the Maumee river. He acquired considerable prop- 
erty there, but it was almost totally destroyed after the battle of Fallen 
Timbers by Gen. Wayne. James McKee, his brother, succeeded to his estates 
on Chartiers creek. The sons of James were Alexander, Thomas and .John, 
and some of their descendants still reside here. 

Lewis Davis came to this township about 1800, and purchased from Will- 
iam Brown the island of about fifty acres that has since been known as Davis' 
island. A grandson of Mr. Davis now owns a portion of the island. The 
upper part is owned by the United States government, and is occupied in con- 
nection with the "Davis' island dam," a government work. The sons of 
Lewis Davis were David, John, Lewis and James. William McCoy and his 
son Thomas, and John Sampson and his sons John and George were early 
residents. ' ' Paddy' s Hill, ' ' in this township, is so named from ' ' Paddy 
Moore," who was killed by the Indians and buried there. James and Eobert 
Porter; William WagstafP and his brother; Caleb and Daniel Moriarty; Joseph 
Wilson and sons Robert, Joseph, William, Thomas and Alexander: Edwin 

Haynes; Allen and son William and several sons of William were among 

the early citizens of what is now Stowe township. 

McKee" s Rocks, known as a railroad station under the name of Chartiers, 
is a town of several hundred inhabitants situated on the Ohio river at the 
mouth of Chartiers creek, three miles fi'om Pittsljurgh. Its growth and 
importance as a manufacturing point are the direct result of the opening of 
the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad. The advantages of the location were 
early regarded with favor by manufacturers, and at no one of the numerous 
suburban railroad points around Pittsburgh is there greater promise of indus- 
trial activity in the future. Of the manufacturing interests represented at 
present the Pittsburgh Steel-works, Anderson, Dupuy & Co., proprietors, 
rank first in importance and extent. The works comprise about seven acres of 
ground, principally occupied by buildings. The plant consists of 4 sixteen- 
pot and 2 thirty-three-pot Sieman furnaces, 15 heating- furnaces, 1 open-hearth 
furnace, 5 trains of rolls, 3 steam hammers, and other apparatus of a varied 
character. The product consists of fine-tool crucible steel for the manufact- 
ure of agricultural and mechanical devices to the amount of 10,000 net tons 
annually. The works were established in ISS'2. . . The Iron City 

Bridge-works, C. J. Schultze, proprietor, were established at Cincinnati in 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 39 

1854. removed to Pittsburgh in 1S56, and to Cbartiers in 1881. The maia 
building is 300 feet long and 50 feet wide, with three wings attached, 110 by 62 
feet, 80 by 50 feet, and 60 by 20 feet, respectively, aggregating fully one acre of 
floor surface under roof. The plant consists of general bridge machinery of 
the most approved design, and the annual product is about five thousand tons 
of finished material. Among the structures built by Mr. Schultze may be 
mentioned the Thirty-third street bridge, Pittsburgh, several inclines on the- 
South Side, the Red river bridge on the Texas Pacific railroad, and the railroad 
sheds at Indianapolis, recently completed. The establishment is represented 
by its work in every part of the United States, in Mexico, Cuba and South 
America. . . . The Vulcan Forge and Iron Works, Long & Co., propri- 
etors, were established in 1877 and removed to Chartiers in 1882. The rolling- 
mill is 192 feet long and 170 feet wide; there are 3 trains of rolls, 18, 16 and 
9 inches, respectively, 15 puddling- furnaces, 10 heating-furnaces and other 
requisite machinery. The forge and machine building is 179 feet long and 90 
feet wide. The product consists of railroad specialties— carwheels and axles, 
and bridge-iron — to the amount of 15,000 net tons annually. Three hundred 
men are employed. The repair-shops, roundhouses and freight-yards of the 
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad were constructed during the past year, and 
can not fail to attract a large population. The opposite bank of the Ohio 
river is embraced within the corporate limits of Allegheny City, and compara- 
tively thickly settled; there is every reason to anticipate similar developments 
in relation to this place. 

St. Mary's Gennan Catholic Church originated in the efforts of the Pas- 
sionist Fathers of Pittsburgh in 1855, when Father Luke laid the cornerstone 
of the church. It has experienced frequent pastoral changes. The first Pres- 
byterian service at McKee's Eocks was held in 1875 by Eev. W. C. Burchard, 
by whom, E. E. Swift, D. D., Rev. W. J. Holland and David Robinson, Esq., 
the church was organized in 1883, with twenty-four members. The church- 
edifice was dedicated in 1884. Eev. O. N. Verner is pastor. St. John's Ger- 
man Lutheran Church was organized in 1885, and incorporated in the following 
year. The cornerstone of the church-building was laid September 25, 1887. 
It is a frame structure 42 feet long and 80 feet wide. Eev. F. L. Dietrich is 
pastor. Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, at Diiff's station, is an older organ- 
ization. It was organized in 1853 by Eev. H. Reck. The present church- 
buQding was completed and dedicated a few weeks before the organization.. 
The pastors have been: Rev. M. Valentine, six months to 1854; Rev. H. Reck, 
five years to 1859; Rev. J. S. Lawson, nine years to 1869; Rev. W. A. Passa- 
vant, D. D. (supply), eight years to 1876; Rev. G. H. Gerberding^, three years 
to 1879; Rev. A. N. Bartholomew, six years to 1885, at which time the pres- 
ent pastor. Rev. J. Q. Waters, took charge. The church was organized with 
10 members, and in a few years ran up to about 80 souls. The record prior 
to 1868 is very imperfect. The number of communicants then. (1868). was re- 



40 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

duoi'd to 'IS. From that time the mi'inhi'isbip has ))e(>ii tluetuating. It uow 
inmibors 65. The SuDday-scbool unmbcr.s 70 scholars and 8 teachers. The 
church is boautifully located on a hill overlooking the valley of Chartiers creek, 
al)out a mile from its mouth, and has in connection with it a line cemetery and 
a pastor's homo vrith several acres of ground. 

The oldest postoffice in the township is Chartiers, established in February, 
1863. McKee's Rocks was established in 1879, discontinued in August, 1881, 
and re-established in February, 1882. The population was 739 in 1870 and 
867 in 1880. 

NEVILLE TOWNSHIP. 

This comprises Montour's island in the Ohio river, which, after being suc- 
cessively included in Moon, Fayette, Robinson and Ohio, was erected sepa- 
rately April 8, 1856. The proceedings in this case were begun December 3, 
1853. The island is about live miles in length, and averages three-eighths of a 
mile in breadth, with a total area of about fifteen hundred acres. It is an alluvial 
deposit, and correspondingly fertile. The surface is level, and the island is 
not known to have been submerged in the highest freshets. Every part of it 
is under careful tillage, and in no other portion of the county is the labor 
of the farmer and the gardener so well repaid as here. 

The ownership of the island has at various times been vested in persons of 
distinguished character in the county. By proclamation of the king at the close 
■of the seven years' war, a field-officer of his army named Douglass became 
entitled to five thousand acres of land, and located a part of it upon Long 
' island, as it was then called. He subsequently transferred his title to Charles 
Simms, who sold certain portions of the island to John Harvie and Gen. 
INeville, for whom Col. William Crawford made the surveys in 1776. The 
supreme executive council of Pennsylvania conferred the island upon Gen. 
■William Irvine in consideration of his services in the Revolution, and a legal 
struggle for its possession was then begun. It was urged on behalf of Gen. 
Irvine's claim that the grant to Douglass was in violation of the treaty of Fort 
Stanwix, and therefore his title was null and void; but the United States 
court confirmed Simms in bis title, and also Neville and Harvie, who were 
interested in the ownership by deeds from him. Henry Montour, from whom 
the island derives its name, was an Indian interpreter of French and Indian 
descent, and the trusted friend of American interests throughout the protract- 
ed Indian troubles of the frontier. Of Gen. John Neville, for whom the 
township is named, Neville B. Craig thus speaks: 

John Neville was a man of great wealth for those da\'s. He was the descendant of a 
lad who at an earl}' day, was kidnaped in England and brought to Virginia, and sub- 
sequently accumulated a good propert)' there. John Neville was a man of good English 
•education, of plain, blunt manners, a pleasant companion, and the writer well recollects 
how eagerly he listened to his well- told anecdotes, and liow, by his manner, he could give 
interest to trifling incidents. He was born on the headwaters of the Accoquan creek, 



TOWNSHIPS AKD BOKOUGHS. 41 

Virginia, on tlie direct road from Washiugton's paternal estate to AVinchester and Cum- 
berland, and the residence of his father is laid down on Sparks' map of " The Operations 
in Virginia" in 1754. From this circumstance, probably, it was that he became an early 
acquaintance of Washington, both of whom were of about the same age, and thus, with 
the ardor of a young man, he engaged in Braddock's expedition. Prior to 1774 he had: 
made large entries and purchases of land on Chartiers creek, then supposed to be in Vir- 
ginia, and was about to remove here when the revolutionary troubles began. He was- 
elected in that year a delegate from Augusta county, i. e., Pittsburgh, to the provincial 
convention of Virginia, which appointed George Washington, Peyton Randolph and 
others to the first Continental Congress, but was prevented by sickness from attending. 

In 1774, by direction of the provincial convention of Virginia, he marched 
from Winchester with his company of one hundred men and took possession of 
Fort Pitt on behalf of the colony, and retained the command of that post until the 
appointment of Gen. Mcintosh by Congress. He was in active military service 
throughout the revolutionary war, and served with conspicuous ability in the 
soiithern campaigns. At the close of the war he returned to his estates in 
Allegheny county, and in 1791 received the appointment of inspector of inter- 
nal revenue for the district. He remained lirm in his determination to per- 
form the duties of his office, at the expense of his property and the imminent 
peril of his life. His popularity returned when the " whisky rebellion" had 
subsided, and the course he had pursued gained for him the respect of all. 
He filled many other positions of public trust, and was at one time a member 
of the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania. Gen. Presley Neville, 
his son, inherited the abilities of his father. He was a graduate of the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania, a line classical scholar, and entered the army at the age 
of twenty years as ensign in his father's company. He rose to the rank of major, 
and was aid- de-camp to Lafayette for three years. 

The most distinguished resident of the island, and the only member of the 
family of Gen. JohnNeville who ever lived there, was his son-in-law, Maj. Isaac 
Craig. Born in County Down, Ireland, in 1741, he settled at Philadelphia in 1765^ 
and began his career ten years later as a lieutenant of marines on the Andrew 
Doria, under Capt. Nicholas Biddle. He was subsequently transferred to the 
army, and participated in many important battles. In 1780 he was ordered to 
Fort Pitt for sei-vice, and was identified with all the important military move- 
ments in thin section until the cessation of hostilities. Gen. Knox appointed him 
deputy quartermaster at Pittsburgh, and he was employed in various capacities 
under the government until the close of the war of 1812. He became involved 
financially about this time, through large liabilities assumed for others, and 
retired from active employments to the quiet seclusion of Montoitr's island, 
where he died in May, 1820. 

About 1795 Archibald Hamilton settled. He and his sons David, William 
and Hugh were lifelong residents, and the family is still numerously repre- 
sented there. James, Rufus, Isaac, George and William Cole were early res- 
idents on the eastern portion of the island. 



42 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. _ 

Tho Long Island Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. Samuel C. 
Jennings, D. D. ,tho pastor of Sharon Church, in Moon township. Mr. Andrews, 
bis predecessor, hold the first religious services on the island in 1828. The church 
was built in 1843. Itevs. M. L. Wortman, G. M. Spargrove, James Kirk and 
others have been pastors. There is also a Methodist society, and a church was 
built about the same time as the Presbyterian. 

The township is conveniently accessible by the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & 
Chicago and the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroads on either side of the river. 
Farming and market gaidening will doubtless continue to be the principal 
occupations, and from the nearness to the great centers of population in this 
part of the country, these pursuits will be increasingly profitable from year to 
year. The population of the island in 1800 was 230; in 1870, 289, and in 
1880, 306. 



CHAPTER IV 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
UrPEK St. Ci.AiR—SxowDEN— Bethel. 

THE second township mentioned in the proceedings of the court in subdi- 
viding the county was thus described: 

' ' St. Clair, beginning at the mouth of Chartiers creek, thence up the 
river Ohio to the mouth of the Monongahela river, thence up said river to the 
mouth of Street's run, thence up said ran to the head thereof, thence by a 
.straight line to the line of the county, thence up the said line to the mouth of 
Millers run on Chartiers creek, and down said creek to the place of beginning. " 
These comprehensive limits included at least one-third of the territory in this 
county south of the Ohio and Monongahela rivers, and west of the latter. 

It has been found impossible to ascertain the names of many of the inhab- 
itants in this section of country at an early period, but from a careful compari- 
son of existing records the following list has been compiled: 

1798. William McNutt, Nathaniel Plummer, Presley Neville, Samuel Adams, A. 
Kirkpatricli, James Caras, Joseph Cochran, Samuel Plummer, C. Steveuson. John Frew, 
John Bell. William Chase, Jacob Beltzhoover, Isaac Craig, James Morion, Henry Wolf, 
John Neville, Jeffrey Porson. 

1S(B. John Fife, Alexander Gilfillan, John Tidball, Benjamin Couch, Thomas Jones. 
John LongsuUer, Nathan Couch, Abel Jones, John Beitler, Zadok Hules, Joseph Couch. 
William McICinney, Isaac Andrews, Philip Couch, John McCreary, Adam Rutherford, 
John Manners, Samuel Morrison, Stephen Higbee. Andrew Nelson. William Fife. Joseph 
Higbee, Thomas Walker. Robert Evans, Robert Guthrie, Robert McKee, James Jlorrow, 
Obadiah Higbee, Henry Mantle. Robert Wharley. Samuel McHenry, Samuel McCreary, 
William Morrow. Jolin Smith, Robert Wilkinson, Jacob Whitman, Thomas McCauu, John 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 43 

Stewai't, Samuel Wilson, Benjamin Higbee, John Dailey, George Thompson, Joshua Cope- 
land, James McCrearj', John Connel, Abraham Hunt, Levi Hunt, David Long, Samuel 
Robinson, David Walker. John Thompson, Thomas Rigdou, Barnabas McAvie. John 
Bennett. 

The date at which St. Clair was divided can not be definitely ascertained. 
It is described in 1805 as " full fifteen miles in length," ranging in breadth 
from six to ten miles, which occasioned great inconvenience in attending 
township meetings and repairing the roads. The court was petitioned to 
divide the territory by a line " beginning at Catt's old place, thence to Mr. 
Nathaniel Plummer' s, thence to Chartiers creek at Mr. William Lea' s. ' ' Alex- 
ander Giltillan was active in circulating this petition. Nathaniel Phimmer, 
John Henry and John Findlay were appointed as commissioners, but it is not 
known what action was taken by them. A second petition, with the same 
object in view, was filed at the June term, 1805, and also a third, in which 
the following considerations are urged as arguments in favor of division: 
' ' Last October, the day appointed by law for the choice of inspectors for the 
county election and assessors, there was not one from Capt. McCreary's com- 
pany, nor from Capt. Lyle's company, attended, nor could attend, it being the 
day appointed by law for their muster, and the township meeting being so far 
off they could not attend [both]. Indeed, this township is as large as some 
counties in other states." The name of Alexander Gilfillan heads the list 
of petitioners, and in his chirography the document is written. At the Sep- 
tember term, 1805, James Martin, Joseph Phillips and William Fife, Sr., 
were appointed to inquire into the propriety of making the proposed change. 
The order of court was not placed in their hands until December 14, at which 
time Mr. Martin was absent from the county and Mr. Fife seriously ill. At 
the December court the order was continued, but there is no record of the 
final issue. From the manifest necessity of the change and the practically 
unanimous sentiment in its favor, it is highly probable that the division was 
efPected in the nest year (1806), although one authority places the date forty 
years later. 

UPPER ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP. 

This township, as separately erected, included a portion of the territory 
now comprised in Bethel township and the whole of Scott. Within its present 
limits the first settler was John Fife, who made improvements in the eastern 
part of the township on land still in possession of his descendants. He was of 
Scotch-Irish descent, and was a resident of West Chester, Pa., prior to his 
removal here. John Connor settled near the central part of the township in 
1769. He was accompanied by his father, Cornelius Connor, and both had 
previously lived in Virginia. They were soldiers during the Revolution, Cor- 
nelius enlisting as a recruiting- sergeant, and John leaving the service with the 
rank of major. The Connor family narrowly escaped an attack from the Indians 
within a few years after their arrival, but no outrages are known to have occurred 
in the township. 



44 HISTOIiY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The following are remembered as very early families in this township: 
Leonard Fryer and sons William, Leonard, Thomas and Samuel; Amos Jones 
and son Thomas; AVilliam and John, the sons of Cornelius Connor; John Con- 
nor and sons Samuel and Jesse; Matthew Borland and sons John, Cornelius, 
Andrew and Matthew; Alexander Gillihinikand sons John and Andrew: Will- 
iam Morrow and sons William, Hugh and others; Thomas Patterson: William 
Dennison and sons Thomas, Samuel, Joseph and William; Samuel Collins; 
John McKowen and sons Richard and John; William Hastings and sons John, 
Ebenezer, James, Levi, William, Henry and Daniel; Ejihraim Morton and sons 
Samuel and John; John Morton; numerous descendants of John Fife; Capt. 
Samuel Morgan and son Alexander; James Kerr and sons Eobert, John and 
Wesley; Wilson Lesnet and sons John, Frederick, William and Thomas; 
Thomas McMillan and sons William, Andrew, Samuel and Jacob; (numerous 
descendants) Mark Kelso: Samuel Wilson and sons William, John, Thomas 
and Benjamin. In addition to the above the names of the following early resi- 
dents are remembered: Harvey Rogg, Gregg Algo, William Orr, Charles 
McConnell. There are many others whose names are not recalled. 

John Herriott built a mill in the present village of Bridgeville, on McLaugh- 
lin's run, about 1830. It was converted into a steam mill by William and 
Samuel Fryer, and was burned some ten years since. John McDowell built a 
steam fulling-mill about 1828. It was burned about fifteen years since. 

The township is traversed by the old Pittsburgh & Washington turnpike, 
the Chartiers Valley and the Pittsburgh, Chartiers & Yoiighiogheny railroads. 
Bridgeville, twelve miles from Pittsburgh, on the Chartiers Valley railroad, is an 
old place, and came into existence when the old road from Pittsbiu-gh to Wash- 
ington was traveled much more than at present. Being situated in a great 
bend of Chartiers creek, and approached bj' bridges from the north and south, 
the name was early suggested from this circumstance. The place was little 
more than a wayside hamlet until 1884, when the Bridgeville mines were 
opened by A. J. Schulte. These works employ 150 men, and produce 150,000 
tons annually. A rolling-stock of 64 cars is required, and shipments are made 
to Ashtabula harbor en route to the northwest. The mines are 1,500 feet east 
of Bridgeville station. The town has improved rapidly in the last three years, 
and numbers several hundred inhabitants. 

The Presbyterian Church of Bridgeville, the only religious body in the 
township, was organized May 4, 1876, with 16 members, by a committee of the 
Pittsburgh presbytery. A chapel had previously been erected by Bethany 
Presbyterian Church, from which the original membership was derived. Rev. 
J. F. Hill was pastor 1876-84, and V. G. Sheeley, the present incumbent, 
was installed in 1886. The membership in 1877 numbered 69, and in 1884, 
116. In April, 1884, by action of presbytery, the churches of Bethany and 
Bridgeville were consolidated, the resultant organization retaining the former 
name, while the church -edifice is located at the latter place. In 1887 a 





^ ^ir^acA^^^^^^^^'^^' 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 47 

chiirch-buikling was erected, of which the cost was about twelve thousand 
dollars. 

The postoffice waa established under the name of Moorhead in January, 
1862, and the name was changed to Bridgeville in June, 1874. 

Essen is a mining village on the Pittsburgh, Chartiers & Youghiogheny 
railroad. The mines were opened in 1882 by the Chartiers Block Coal com- 
pany, and operated by them for one year, when the present proprietors, San- 
ford & Co., assumed control; 78,000 tons were mined in 1886, and the present 
daily product is 409 tons; 150 men are employed. The only other mines in 
this locality are those of Beadling Brothers. Essen postoffice was established 
in March, 1884. 

Upper St. Clair is a post-village on the old Washington road, also at one 
time a station on the Pittsburgh Southern railroad. The postoffice there was 
established in 1845. Yee Station postoffice was established in 1873. The 
population of the township was 1,847 in 1860, 810 in 1870 and 829 in 1880. 

SNOWDEN TOWNSHIP. 

October 2, 1844, Stephen Woods, Col. John Neel and John Brawdy were 
appointed by the court to consider the propriety of forming a new township 
from parts of Jefferson and Upper St. Clair. A favorable report having been 
rendered, the proposed territory (12,240 acres, 7,741 acres from Upper St. 
Clair and 5,499 acres from JefPerson) was formally erected into the new town- 
ship of Snowden October 6, 1845. 

The first settler within the township as thus constituted was Oliver Miller, 
who is said to have made some improvements on a branch of Peter' s creek in 

1762. The first birth in the township was that of his son James, March 29, 

1763. The family was several times obliged to fly for safety to the forts on the 
Monongahela. The families of Wilson, Larmer, Logan, Kirkendall and Nye 
were also early represented. 

John M. Snowden, in whose hono? the township is named, was associate 
lay judge of the county from 1840 to 1845. He was born at Philadelphia, 
and after learning the trade of a printer, removed to Greensburg in 1798, 
where he established the Farmers^ Register, this being the second journalistic 
venture in Western Pennsylvania. He removed to Pittsburgh in 1811, where 
he published the Commonwealth and Mercury. He was mayor of the city at 
various times, county recorder, director of the Bank of Pittsburgh, and was 
widely known as a leading citizen of the county. He died suddenly Ajaril 2, 
1845, in the second term of his judicial incumbency. 

The population in 1860 was 1,367; in 1870, 1,258; in 1880, 1,259. These 
figui'es include the population in the present territory of Bethel. The Balti- 
more & Ohio Short Line railroad jiasses through the eastern part of Snow- 
den, but there is neither station, village, postoffice nor church within its limits. 



48 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

BETHEL TOWNSHIP. 

Bethel was the name suggested in 1802 for the upper end of St. Clair 
township, "that being the name of the meeting-house." More than three- 
quarters of a century, however, claijsed before the name was given political as 
■well as religious significance. The township of Bethel, the most recently 
formed subdivision of the county, was erected June 7, 1886, from that part of 
Snowden northwest of a line running 1,277| perches nearly due northeast from 
the Washington county line to the line of Baldwin township. This territory 
is almost identical with that taken from Upper St. Clair in 18-15 to form 
Snowden. 

James Miller was one of the earliest settlers in what is now Bethel town- 
ship. His sons were Alexander, John, Joseph and Thomas. Alexander 
Miller, a brother of James, came at the same time. He had sons, Oliver, and 
several others whose names are forgotten. Both these Millers and their sons 
are dead. Some of their descendants are still here. Robert McKee was 
among the lirst who came. His sons were John, William, James and Thomas. 
Two grandsons of the original Eobert reside on the old place. 

Daniel Long came very early. He had two sons, one of whom, Arthur, 
remained here till his death. Four of the sons of Arthur still reside in this 
vicinity. Robert Smith was another pioneer. Daniel and Robert were his 
sons. Robert emigrated many years since, but Daniel died here. John Laf- 
ferty came here early from Ireland. He died here some twenty-five years 
since, at the age of ninety-six. He had five sons — Daniel, Jackson, James, 
William and John. Of these, John is still living. James Foster came early. 
His son John K. lived and died here. Four other sons died young. Will- 
iam McCullough was another early immigrant who came fi'om east of the 
mountains and settled in this township. His sons were James, John, Thomas, 
Jesse, Josiah and William. Of these, Josiah is now living at the age of eighty- 
three. Gustave Mait and his son John are both dead. 

Joseph Higbee had sons James anfl Stephen. James still lives in the 
township. All these original settlers were here prior to the commencement of 
the present century, and some of their descendants still relate anecdotes of the 
part which they took in the affairs of the latter part of the eighteenth century. 
Some of them were "Tom the Tinker's" men, and were present at the burn- 
ing of Neville's house. Some were here prior to the erection of the block- 
house in Pittsburgh. This territory enjoyed railroad facilities during the 
short period that the Pittsburgh & Southern was in operation, and the names 
of Smithton, Upperman, Bethel, Cowan, Rockridge, Norwood and Library yet 
adorn the map. The postoffice at Library was estal)lished in 1842. The 
village is on the line of division between Snowden and Bethel, and possesses 
some importance as a local business center. 

Bethel Presbyterian Church, the oldest organization of that denomination 
in the county, was founded in 1778 by Rev. John McMillan. The first deed 



TOWNSHIPS ANP BOROUGHS. 49 

for property bears date 1780, and the second, 1826. Three churches have been 
erected, the first a log building and the others brick, the last of which was 
built in 1854. There have been only four pastors in the one hundred and ten 
years of its history: Revs. John Clark, 1781-96; William Woods, 1797-1831; 
George Marshall, D. D., 1833-72; C. W. WycofF, 1875-. The lirst-named 
three are buried in the cemetery adjoining. Peter's Creek Baptist Church, at 
Library, was organized November 10, 1773, and with one exception is the 
oldest chiu'ch in Western Pennsylvania. It has the finest church-edifice in the 
county outside the cities; membership three hundred, and a good Sunday- 
school. Rev. J. K. Cramer was pastor from 1879 till his removal recently to 
Pittsburgh. Among his predecessors were James Estej), William Shadrach and 
David Phillips. It is evident from the early organization of these churches 
that this region was settled at a miich earlier period than is commonly supposed. 



CHAPTER y. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
Lower St. Cl.mr (BELTznoovER— West Liberty— Knoxville)— Baldwin. 

AN account of the formation of St. Clair township, and of its division so 
■ far as definite information on that subject extends, has been given in the 
preceding chapter. The name was conferred in honor of Gen. St. Clair, with 
whom Justice Wallace was personally acquainted, a man well known in the 
county, and then at the zenith of his fortunes. 

Arthur St. Clair, a grandson of the earl of Roslyn, was born at Thurso, 
Scotland, in 1784. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh, studied 
medicine, inherited a large fortune from his mother, and entered the British 
army as ensign May 13, 1757. He came to America in the following year, and 
served under Amherst at Louisburg. He was promoted to a lieutenancy April 
11, 1759, and was with Wolfe at Quebec. In 1760 he married Phcebe Bay 
ard, of Boston, and in 1762, the French wars having closed, he resigned his 
commission. In 1764 he settled in Ligonier valley, Westmoreland county, 
where he erected mills and a fine residence. He was surveyor of the district 
of Cumberland in 1770, and subsequently justice of the quarter sessions and 
common pleas court, and member of the proprietary council. In 1771 he was 
made justice, recorder and prothonotary of Bedford county, and held similar 
offices in Westmoreland in 1773. In July, 1775, he was made colonel of mili- 
tia, and appointed colonel of the Second Pennsylvania regiment Januarj' 3, 
1776, in which capacity he accompanied Sullivan in his Indian expedition. He 



50 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

was commissionod brigadier- general August 9, 1776, and detailed to organize 
the New Jersey militia. He parfcicijiated in the movements which ended in the 
battle of Princeton. He was appointed major-general February 19, 1777, 
and succeeded Gates in command at Philadelphia. April 1, 1777, he took 
command at Ticondoroga; he was forced to evacuto this fort, lost prestige, and 
was retired from command almost at the moment of victory. He was court- 
martialed, but acquitted with honor in September, 1778. In March, 1780, he 
was appointed a commissioner to treat with the British at Amboy, and from 
that time to the close of the war he was in active cooperation with Washing- 
ton and Greene. He was a member of the house of censors of Pennsylvania 
in 1783; of the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1787, serving as president 
in the latter year. In February, 1788, he was appointed first governor of 
the Northwest territory. Two years later he named Cincinnati and fixed his 
seat of government there March 4, 1791, he became commander of an army 
for the pacification of Indian troubles in Ohio, and was defeated with great 
loss November 4, 1791. He was vindicated by a congressional committee, but 
resigned in 1792. He was removed from the office of governor in 1802 by 
Jefferson, and returned to his first residence in the western country, near 
Greensburg, where he passed the remainder of his days in straitened circum- 
stances, if not in poverty, dying August 31, 1818. 

LOWEH ST. CL.4IR TOWNSHIP.' 

Though formerly quite extensive. Lower St. Clair has become one of the 
smallest subdivisions of the county. It originally extended from Chartiers 
creek to Sti-eet's run, including all that part of Pittsburgh on the South 
Side, the boroughs of Knoxville, Beltzhoover, West Liberty and Green Tree, 
Chartiers and Union townships, and the larger part of Baldwin, in addition 
to its present area. The population in 1800 was 4,617; in 1870, 5,322; in 
1880, 2,329. 

The thickly settled district is known as Mount Oliver, in the northern and 
western part of the township. It is conveniently accessible by street railways 
and inclined planes. There are no manufactures of any importance, and the 
people find employment in the city. The extensive coal-works at Beck's run 
are owned by the estate of James H. Hays. Frederick Hampe, the first 
postmaster at Mount Oliver, was appointed in February, 1874. He was suc- 
ceeded by John Conrad in September, 1885. 

St. Joseph's German Catholic Church, Mount Oliver, was dedicated Novem- 
ber 20, 1870. The cornerstone was laid October 4, 1868, and the first move- 
ment-toward the building project was made July 12th preceding. The site 
was secured prior to the civil war, and fortified for the protection of the city. 
The membership was formerly connected with St. Michael's, and was sepa- 
rately organized by Father Luke. The cemetery of St. Peter" s Church is also- 
in this township. St. Paul's congregation is the only other religious body, 





^^, 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 53 

but neighboring churches of other denominations are largely represented by 
their membership. 

Belizhoover Borough. — This borough was incorporated June 9, 1875. It 
had previously been separated from Lower St. Clair, in 1869, to form part of 
Allentown borough, a portion of which was consolidated with the city of Pitts- 
burgh. Thus dismembered, the remaining f)ortion became a part of the town- 
shij) until separately organized as above stated. The name is that of a prom- 
inent family of the vicinity. The population was 564 in 1880, but has. largely 
increased since that date. There are no manufactures or other industries. 
The postoffice of Beltzhoover was established in September, 1882, by the 
apjDointment of Eliza Kicketts, who was succeeded by Elizabeth Ruckert in 
November, 1882, and Caroline Walters in September, 1885. The borough 
limits inclvide a small cemetery. 

West Liberty Borough. — This borough was incorporated March 7, 1876, 
from the western part of Lower St. Clair, Saw-Mill run being nearly identical 
with the eastern and northern boundaries. The village proper is a small ham- 
let on the old Pittsburgh and Washington road, but the adjacents of Mount 
W ashington and the country on the line of the Castle Shannon railroad are 
comparatively thickly settled. The population was 865 in 1880, and has since 
increased to some extent. A small Methodist Episcopal church is the only 
religious body. Fetterman postoffice has existed since June, 1876, excepting 
the period between February 27th and May, 1878. Mary Beltzhoover is the 
postmistress. 

Knoxville Borough. — This was incorporated September 7, 1877, from that 
part of Lower St. Clair adjoining Beltzhoover and Allentown. Jeremiah Knox 
became a resident here in the early part of this century, and established the 
Knox fruit-farm, one of the most widely and favorably known of its class for 
m any years. The strawberry known as ' ' No. 700 ' ' was originated here. From 
its location on the second range of hills inland from the river, this vicinity 
enjoys an immunity from the s-moke and fogs which frequently prove so disa- 
greeable to residents of Mount Washington, Mount Oliver and other suburbs. 
Mr. Knox disposed of a number of building-lots in the eastern part of the town 
as early as 1872, and in 1880 the borough had a population of 393. Its devel- 
opment from that time has been energetically fostered by the Knoxville Land 
Improvement company, incorporated in 1880 by F. Bausman, W. W. Knox, 
A. K. Mathews and W' . W. Knox, Jr. This corporation operates the Knoxville 
brickworks, stone-quarries, coal-mines and lumber-yards, employing 200 men. 
All the brick houses in the borough have been built since 1880, and the general 
appearance of the town is far superior to that of the surrounding built-up ter- 
ritory. The principal streets have been improved, and the Pittsburgh, Knox- 
ville & St. Clair Electric railroad renders it conveniently accessible from the 
city. Besides the establishments noted, the Success Engine-works, E. E. 
Carter & Co., and the Pittsburgh Shoe- works are in active operation, employ- 



54 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

ing several hundred operatives. The poptilation is estimated at 2,500. There 
are two churches, Presbyterian and Methodist Protestant. Rev. W. P. Brad- 
dock is pastor of the former and George W. Morris of the latter, which is 
being rebuilt as a brick edifice. 

BALDWIN TOWNSHIP. 

This township was originally (1788) included in St. Clair and Mifflin. 
June 20, 1843, Stephen Woods, James Scott and William Kerr were appointed 
by the court of quarter sessions to inquire into the advisability of forming a 
new township from portions of Jefferson, Mifflin, Upper and Lower St. Clair. 
The proposed territory (10,446 acres) was accordingly surveyed. It became a 
separate subdivision of the county by decree of court, February 24, 1844. 
Henry Baldwin, from whom the name is derived, was one of the most prom- 
inent of the early members of the Pittsburgh bar. 

There was a strong German element among the earl}- population, and this 
nationality predominates to the present. John Varner, Jacob Grady, John 
Stewart and William Wightman were among the earliest settlers. 

Of other early families in the township the following are remembered: 
Joseph Wilson and sons James, John and another; Harvey McDonough and 
sons James, Hiram H. and William; John Carr and son Samuel; David Ken- 
nedy and sons Isaac and David; Henry Beltzhoover and sons Melchor, John, 
William, Henry, Samuel and Daniel; William Kennedy and sons David and 

Samuel; John Martin and sons Samuel, James and John; Brawdy and 

sons John, Aaron and George; Alexander McCleary and son Alexander; James 
McCleary and son James; William Moore and sons James, William and 
Samuel; George Cunningham and sons David, Jesse and others; Francis 

Cooley and sons Robert, John, William, Francis and Samuel; Homing 

and sons John and Jacob; Henderson Whiteman and son Baldwin; Thomas 
Verner and son Melchor; Peter Catt; Joshua Long and sons William and 
Alexander; Robert Long, a brother of Joshua, and son John; Jacob Mait; 
John Kincaid. The following were residents prior to 1820, and some of them 
quite early: Matthew AVest, James H. Hays, Johnson Glass, Thomas Lewis, 
John Redman, Daniel Risher. 

Early in this century there were two gristmills in this township, both on 
Saw-Mill run, one at Castle Shannon and the other at Fairhaven. Both have 
gone to decay, and a steam mill has taken the place of the one at Fairhaven. 
A sawmill was located near each of these primitive gristmills. A fulling-mill 
stood a few hundred yards above the mill at Castle Shannon, and at an early 
day it was conducted by Thomas Roland, a son of John Roland, the owner of 
the gristmill. 

Beck's run. Street's run and Saw- Mill run are the most important streams. 
While the land is valuable for farming and gardening, the underlying strata 
of coal constitute the great source of wealth. The mines contiguous to the 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOKOUGHS. 55" 

Monongabela river are operated by J. D. Risher and the estate of James H. 
Hays, and in the valley of Saw-Mill run by the Pittsburgh & Castle Shannon 
Railroad company, John AV. Ortman, president; E. J. Reamer, secretai'y and 
treasurer; S. Kaufman, vice-president, and Alexander Patterson, superintendent. 
The company was incorporated September 18, 1871, and the road, extending 
from Pittsburgh to Castle Shannon, a distance of six miles, was opened Novem- 
ber 1, 1871. Of the other railroads in the township the Pittsburgh, Virginia & 
Charleston was opened in 1872, the Pittsburgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny 
November 19, 1883, and the Baltimore & Ohio short line in 1883. The latter 
was originally chartered July 3, 1876, as the Pittsburgh Southern railroad, and 
was opened to Washington as a continuation of the Castle Shannon road. The 
branch fi'om Glenwood to Finleyville, sixteen miles long, was built in 1883. 
The road was sold under foreclosure November 20, 1884, and purchased by the 
Baltimore & Ohio for fifty thousand dollars. It was subsequently reorganized 
under the present name. The portion of the old line between Castle Shannon 
and Finleyville, twelve miles long, has since been abandoned. 

The village of Castle Shannon is pleasantly situated in the extreme south- 
western part of the township. It comprises several hundred inhabitants, local 
stores and village industries, a recently completed Odd-Fellows' hall, and a 
Methodist church. Carrick postolSce has existed since December 23, 1858; 
Engleart glassworks are in the vicinity, and the hamlet at this place is some- 
times referred to as Engleartville. There are postoffices at Fairhaven and 
Redman Mills. Pine Grove is a rural hamlet on the Brownsville road, about 
the center of the township. There is a Methodist church at this place. 

North Zion German Lutheran Church was originally built in 1812. Con- 
cord Presbyterian Church was organized in 1832. Spencer Methodist Church 
is also an old organization, while the Roman Catholic church is of recent origin. 

There are several cemeteries, of which the latest, Zimmerman cemetery, 
comprises twelve acres. The population in 1860 was 2,746; in 1870, 3,104;^ 
in 1880, 4,373. 



CHAPTER VI. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
Chaetieks— Union (Green Tree)— Scott (Mansfield). 



CH.iRTIEKS TOWNSHIP. 



CHARTIERS township was erected by an act of assembly approved April 
12, 1851, section 4 of which, in describing its original boundaries, 
provides that "William Dilworth, William Perkins and P. H. Hastings, of 



56 HISTOIty OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Allegheny county, are hereby appointed commissioners to divide Lower St. 
Clair township, in said county, in manner following, to wit: Beginning on the 
line of Upper St. Clair township, at the farm of Col. William Espy; thence 
northwardly, as near as practicable, following the dividing ridge separating 
the waters of Little Saw-Mill and Plummer's runs, and from thence by the 
most approved route to High street, on the brow of Coal hill; thence by said 
High street to the line of Pittsburgh. That all that portion of said township 
lying westwardly of said line shall constitute a separate election and school 
district, and shall be known by the name of Chartiers township. ' ' This is tlje 
only instance in this county in which a township has been formed by any 
other authority than the court of quarter sessions. 

Peter Chartier was a half-breed and Indian trader. He lived at Philadel- 
phia in 1743, and was in the employ of the French as a spy. He was obliged 
to leave when the object of his mission became known, and was subsequently 
instrumental in winning the Shawanese over to the Delaware interest. His name 
was applied to the creek at an early date, and the location of his trading-post 
after his return to the frontier was presumably near its mouth. The impor- 
tance of that stream at the time when this section of the country was first set- 
tled may be inferred from the fact that an act of Congress was passed, about 
1808, declaring it navigable and a public highway forever. Notwithstanding 
the high authority thus invoked, there were those at the time who doubted 
whether the stream was navigable, and, in defiance of the power of the highest 
legislative body in the land, the same opinions are entertained to this day. 

No township in ttie couuty [remarks a recent writer] can boast a more interesting 
history. Its settlement was among tlie first, its prehistoric relics are tlie most wonderful, 
its Indian adventures the most thrilling, and its early log fortifications, barracks, etc., are 
of a peculiar and. we may add. a mysterious character. . . . On the bank of Char- 
tiers creek, a half mile or more from Brodhead [Crafton] postofiice, there lies a valley of 
unusual beauty. It contains, perhaps, a square mile. The creek meanders in a graceful 
ci;rve along its western bounds, and precipitous hills, rising on the east, and stretching 
for a short distance to the north and south, at length change their course at each extrem- 
ity of the range, and slope gradualh' to the margin of tlie water. It is thus com- 
pletely surrounded by hills and rapids, and a high bluff, towering above its neighbors 
on the southeast, overlooks and commands the whole. ... In 1825 and before, there 
stood near its center a very large log building, known as Hand's hospital. It was about 
one hundred feet in length, thirty in width, was two stories high, and had a porch extend- 
ing entirely around it. There were two doors, one on either side, but no windows, and 
two partitions divided it into three rooms above and below. Several small blockhouses 
surrounded it at some distance; statements differ as to the number, some placing it as 
high as fifteen, and others saying that there were not more than five. . . . The hos- 
pital was probably built bj' Gen. Hand, during his command at Fort Pitt, which was 
then an unhealthful place; and his sick soldiers were doubtless removed from the fort to 
that place, which was as favorable for their convalescence as any in the county. Whether 
the small circle of blockhouses were fortifications or not, we are unable to say, but think 
it extremely probable that they were; and this seems to be the opinion of the old inhab- 
itants. Nothing but the old hospital wells and several pieces of rotten wood now remain 
to mark where the buildings stood. Grapeshot, several twelve-pound cannon-shot. 




{^MVy. 



)// 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 59 

lancets and surgical instruments of various descriptions have been found scattered there 
in piofusioD. 

The earliest settlers were the Bell family. They lived four miles from 
Romney, Va. , on the south branch of the Potomac ; the father of those who 
removed here was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, and his wife at Edinburgh. 
He owned a inne 'orse named Drednot, which was generally regarded as swift 
and sure-footed, t' .)Ugh spirited and impetuous; but once while attempting to 
leap a brook, the saddle-girths burst, and Mr. Bell, Sr., was instantly killed. 
This unfortunate accident did not deter his sons from pursuing the occupation 
in which they were already engaged, that of stock-raising; and within a few 
years after their father's death the eldest two, James and John, set out from 
their home to seek more extended landed ownership in the region west of the 
mountains, which the formation of the "Ohio Company" and the French 
wars had rendered familiar to many in the older settlements. They passed 
through Washington county, and following the Chartiers creek to its mouth, 
reached a point just above the borough of Mansfield on an evening in October, 
1768. A bear had been killed during the day, and a large chip was ctit from 
a swamp-oak to afford means of cutting and preparing the meat. The vitality 
of the tree was not apparently impaired ; it survived several generations of the 
Bell family, and died of old age in October, 1873. 

In the following year (1769) the Bells returned. There were eight brothers 
— John, James, Samuel, Robert, Charles, David, Joseph and William. Not 
finding the locality as well adapted to stock-raising as they had anticipated, 
Robert, William, David and Joseph removed to Harrod's creek, Ky., and 
Samuel to Harrison county, Ind. John and James remained in Chartiers 
valley, the residence of the latter being situated upon land now owned by 
John Doolittle. Joseph Hall, David Steel and Jacob Day were also early 
settlers. A family of Stoops built a cabin near Hand's hospital, and planted 
a field of corn in the vicinity. During the Indian troubles of 1780 they were 
accustomed to leave their family at Fort Pitt, going out to the field in the morn- 
ing and returning at evening, but on one occasion they remained at the cabin 
at night, having with them one child, William by name. Upon awakening in 
the morning they found the house surrounded by Indians. There was one op- 
portunity of escape, however, and he thought that if no resistance were ofiPered 
his wife and child would be taken prisoners, while he would have time to make 
a diversion for their rescue. In this he was forestalled, however; the Indian 
party was proceeding on its way, the boy botind to a brave, and mounted on a 
horse, and Mrs. Stoops following on foot with a squaw, when Samuel Brady, 
of " Brady's Leap," on his return from a journey to Sandusky, observed their 
movements from a place of concealment, and, with the boldness for which he 
was celebrated, shot the Indian with whom William Stoops was riding, and 
rescued his mother. The boy remained in captivity three years. The grave 
of the Indian brave is still pointed oiit in Lawrence county. 



60 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Eobert Bell also had a narrow escajx; from death by the Indians. In com- 
pany with two other young men, named Vaughn and Scisson, he was in search 
of strayed horses , when the party wore surprised by an Indian ambuscade on 
a branch of Flaugherty run. Vaughn was killed outright; a savage threw his 
tomahawk at Bell, and it cut a severe gash in his thigh, passing through to 
the saddle-girths, which were much injured, as the event subsequently proved. 
Scisson turned on bis horse and fled; he was followed by Bell, but they had 
not gone more than a mile when Bell fell from his horse, and, thinking he was 
dead, Scisson did not wait to render any assistance. Bell's horse reached 
home before Scisson, and a party was at once formed to pursue the Indians 
and avenge his blood. The latter were overtaken while crossing the Ohio 
river, and when Scisson' s story was heard, Robert was given up as dead. 
Within a week, however, he was heard from at Fort Pitt. It seems that the 
Indians, satisfied with the death of Vaughn, and fearing pursuit when Scisson 
should have aroused the settlers, did not stop to follow Bell, but at once took 
flight; and after falling from his horse he had crawled in the bed of the stream 
for some distance, and there hid himself for the night. He was still unable to 
walk on the next morning, and was obliged to crawl on his hands and knees 
the entire distance to the fort, where his wound was dressed by Dr. Knight, 
who subsequently figured conspicuously at the burning of Crawford. 

Of those who came later "William McMacken settled near the mouth of the 
tunnel at Ingram station, about 1804. He died there at an advanced age. 
He had sons James, Joseph, William and John, none of whom reside in the 
township. At about the same time Andrew Robinson settled half a mile north- 
west from Ingram station, where he passed the remainder of his long life. His 
spns were John, Claudius, David, Andi-ew and James. Of these, John still 
resides in the township, at the age of eighty. Near to Mr. Robinson, and at 
about the same time, Owen McCabe settled. He was the father of Col. Robert 
McCabe, who resided near Mansfield. John F. Scully settled in the north- 
west part of the township in 1804. His sons were Dennis, Hemy, John, Will- 
iam, Alexander, Decatur, Cornelius and Edmund J. Cornelius still resides on 
the old place. 

James McDonald came in 1811, and located on Chartiers creek, half a mile 
below Grafton. His sons were Philip. William, James and John. He died, 
at an advanced age, on the farm where he settled. William McClelland set- 
tled near Sheridan, about 1812. His sons were Samuel, William and Alexan- 
der. Of these, William is still living. Francis Bailey settled at Sheridan 
station very early. His sons. Judge John and James, are both living. 

No remarkable events 'occurred in this section of the country after the 
Indian troubles subsided. When the county was organized it became part of 
St. Clair township, and was subsequently included in Lower St. Clair until 
separately erected. At the first census after that event (18G0) the population 
was 3,075; in 1870, owing to the formation of Union, it was reduced to 2,26U; 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOKOUGHS. 61 

in 18S0 it was 3, 346 ; and at the present time it is much larger, owing to the 
rapid growth of villages since that date. 

Although the Pan Handle railroad was opened through this section in 1865, 
there were few indications of village growth until some years later. Temper- 
anceville nominally extends beyond the city limits, and this portion of that 
town is probably the oldest in the township. 

Crafton derives its name and existence from Charles C. Craft. It com- 
prises that portion of the Gen. Edward Hand patent known by the Indian name 
of Killeman, which, after experiencing various changes of ownership, came 
into possession of James S. Craft in 1871. Upon his death the property (two 
hundred acres) passed to his son, Charles C. Craft. He laid ofP the town, 
in 1872, and recorded the plan under the name of Crafton February 24,, 
1873. At this time the railroad station was known as Brodhead, and there 
were about eight houses on the turnpike near by. Mr. Craft began the sale 
of lots in 1873, but the panic necessitated an immediate suspension, and within 
the limits of the town proper but one house was built in that year, the pres- 
ent residence of the proprietor. He at once began to build houses, disposing 
of them on monthly payments, but hardly a score were built in the first ten 
years. Sixteen were erected in 1882, and twenty-five within the year 1887. 
The number of houses at present is about one hundred and fifty, and the- 
estimated population four or five hundred. It is made up largely of persons- 
engaged in business in the city. There are no manufactures, and only the 
usual lines of merchandising. 

Brodhead post ofiicewas established in 1857; the name was changed to 
Crafton in 1881. It has been applied to the railroad station since 1873. 

St. Philip's Roman Catholic Church, Crafton, is the oldest in Chartiers 
township. It is so named in honor of Philip Smith, of Philadelphia, by whom 
the site was donated. The church is a brick building, forty feet long and 
twenty-five feet wide, and was dedicated by Bishop Kenrick July 25, 1839. 
The Catholic population of the surrounding country had previously attended 
the cathedral, and were visited by a priest from Pittsburgh. Rev. A. P. Gibb& 
was appointed pastor in 1840, Thomas McCullahin in 1844, John Ward in 1874,, 
and James Kenoy in 1877. At various times it has been attached to other 
churches, but is now a separate parish. A pastoral residence was built several 
years since, and a parochial school is conducted. 

The Church of the Nativity. Protestant Episcopal, Crafton, was organized) 
in September, 1872, with N. P. Ramsay, Charles C. Craft, Wilson McCandless,- 
John McCullough and William T. ChafFej', vestrymen. The cornerstone of 
the church-edifice was laid May 8, 1873, by Rev. John Scarborough, dean of" 
the diocese, and the first service was held therein October 19, 1873. The- 
parish was incorporated Maich 15, 1873. The first rector was Rev. Thomas, 
W. Martin, but for some years services were only conducted occasionally by the- 
rector of Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, or his assistant. Rev. Samuel P. Kelly- 
was rector previous to January, 1887. 



62 niSTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The Grafton Methodist Ej>iseoi>iil Chiii-ch was organized October 12, 1883. 
The church-edilice was dedicated in October, 1884. The Presbyterian Church 
is also an organization of recent origin. Itev. Philiji S. Jennings is the 
present jiastor. 

Chartiers Valley Lodge, No. 1885. R. A., was instituted June 8, 1885; 
Grafton Lodge, No. 48, Order of the Golden Chain, February 17, 1886: Graf- 
ton Lodge, No. 208, A. O. U. AV., October 29, 18sr). 

Idlewood is situated on the Pan Handle railroad, about seven miles from the 

city. The site of the town was originally claimed by Richmond, under 

a Virginia entry, and by Gohee Campbell, under a Pennsylvania warrant. 
Both claims were patented by Robert Bell in 18:^1, when he secured a patent 
fi'om the Pennsylvania landoffice. In 1872 the Homestead Bank and Life In- 
sui'ance company secured two hundred and forty acres from J. H. Bell, John 
Biggart, Neel Kirkpatrick, James Allen and John McClelland. A town was 
laid out under the name of Homestead Park, and lots were sold at fabulous 
prices. The company failed, with enormous liabilities, in 1873, when the land 
reverted to the former owners. There was but little building activity until 
1880, and the town comprises at present about a hundred houses. "Idlewood 
Cottages," a summer-resort in the vicinity, and a Methodist church, built in 
1884, add to the attractiveness of the place. The station was formerly known 
as Idlewild. Idlewood postofEce was established in 1S82. 

Sheridanville is largely in futuro, but under the energetic management of 
the ' ' Sheraden Land & Improvement Company, Limited, ' ' its future as a 
suburban village is apparently well assured. It is but four miles and a half 
from the city, and situated in a region of great natural beauty. A number of 
houses have been erected, and the grading of streets is in progi-ess. The town 
was originally laid out by N. P. Sawyer in 1872, under the name of Aschenaz, 
but the growth of the village was not remarkable until about foui- years since. 
A Methodist Protestant chui'ch was built in 1884. Sheridanville postoffice was 
established February 10, 1886. 

Ingram is situated on that part of Gen. Hand's patent known as the Mount 
Pleasant tract. The site of the town formed part of a tract of several hundred 
acres, purchased in 1823 by Thomas Ingram from Nathaniel Burt, of Phila- 
delphia. Ingram was from County Tyrone, Ireland. Thomas Ingram, de- 
scended in the third generation from the first proprietor of that name, opened 
the land to sale and improvement in 1880. The town proper comprises seven- 
teen houses, many of which are large, substantial and attractive in appearance. 
Chartiers Union chapel was built in 1885, and a United Presbyterian congrega- 
tion has been recently organized. Bonney postoffice was estalilished in 1883. 

Nimick station, about four miles from Pittsburgh, on the Pan Handle rail- 
road, is so named from W. H. Nimick. a former owner of land in that vicinity. 
The weigh-station of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis division of the 
Pennsylvania company's lines is located here. This place will doubtless gain 
in importance upon the completion of the Brunofs island bridge. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 63 

Lockton station, on the Pan Handle railroad, seven miles from the city and 
at the southern extremity of the township, was formerly known as Jacobus, 
irom a gentleman of that name who was interested in the manufacturing estab- 
lishment at this place. There is neither town nor village, but the extensive 
character of the industry that is here pursued renders the place more important 
in this respect than any other in the township. The " Variety Works," the 
original predecessor of the present establishment, were placed in operation in 
1855, by Jones, Wallingford & Co. The name was changed to "Jones & 
Nimick Manufacturing Company" in 1863; in 1872 it became "Jacobus & 
Nimick Manufacturing Company," and in 1882 it was changed to " Nimick- 
Brittan Manufacturing Company," the present style. The organization of the 
company is constituted as follows: President, Alexander Nimick; secretary, 
Glendy S. Graham; manager and treasurer, Arthur Brittan; superintendent, 
Philip Mathes. Common locks and novelty goods formed the exclusive product 
previous to 1882, when the facilities of the works were so increased as to 
include the entire range of builders' hardware, from the ordinary doorknob, 
latch or hinge to specialties designed by architects. The Novelty works of 
Moorhead, Adams & Co. (established by L. R. Livingston in 1833) were 
absorbed in 1872. The works comprise an area of seven acres, and employ 
three hundred operatives. The plant is valued at $140,000, and the anniial 
product at $250,000. 

The Pittsburgh, Chartiers & Youghiogheny railroad traverses the western 
part of the township, with stations at Scully's Springs and Duff's. 

The Chartiers cemetery, comprising thirty-five acres, is situated in the 
southern part of the township, near Idlewood. Art has assisted nature in ren- 
dering this one of the most beautiful places of interment in the county. The 
grounds are laid out with care and taste, and adorned with shrubbery of appro- 
priate varieties. The cemetery association was incorporated about twenty-four 
years since. 

UNION TOWNSHIP. 

This township formed part of Chartiers from 1851 to 1860. March 24, 
1860, a petition for the division of Chartiers having been presented to the 
court, John Young, Isaac Walker and Alexander McKee were appointed com- 
missioners to make inquiry as to the propriety of so doing. Their report was 
favorable, and at a special election, September 9, 1860, there was a large ma- 
jority in favor of the measure. September 29, 1860, the division as thus pro- 
posed was confirmed by the court, and the name ' ' Kirkpatrick ' ' conferred upon 
the new district. February 9, 1866, the impropriety of so large a name being 
affixed to so small a township was brought to the notice of the court, with the 
request that a shorter designation be substituted, and on the same day the 
name was changed to Union. 

Isaac Sellers came from Virginia in 1773, and settled within the present 
limits of Union township. He was probably the first settler. James Kearns 



■64 HISTOUV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

and William Chess, both from Ireland, settled on adjoining tracts in the town- 
ship, i)robably in 1774. All tho earliest settlers were subjected to frequent 
alai-ms by marauding Indians. 

The coal-mining interests are important. The Little Saw-Mill Run Railroad 
company was incorporated July 23, 1850, and tho road was opened in April, 
1853. It extends from the mouth of Saw-Mill run, at Temperanceville, to 
Banksville, a distance of three miles. John Havvorth is president of the com- 
pany; Charles S. Fetterman, secretary; Jacob Henrici, treasurer, and Thomas 
Hartley, general manager. Thousands of tons of coal are mined every year. 
Shipments are made both by rail and by water, and the sale of the product 
is controlled by Hartley & Marshall. 

The mining industry centers at Banksville, a town of three hundred or 
fonr hundi-ed inhabitants, the houses being owned principally by the coal- 
operators. There is a large and flourishing Methodist Episcopal church. 
The Baptist Church was organized in 1866, and a church-edifice was built in 
1870. The Christian Church was organized in 1882. The town was laid out 
by George S. Carnahan, on the Alexander Carnahan farm, and was so named 
from the Banks family, with which Mrs. Carnahan was connected. The po.st 
office was established in 1878. Isabella Bell is the postmistress. 

The population in 1870 was 1,968; in 1880, 2,367. 

Green Tree Borough. — This borough was formed from the western part of 
Union, July 14, 1885. It is an exclusively agricultural district, with subur- 
ban propensities. The Washington road has been macadamized, and other 
improvements are contemplated. The name was first applied to a hotel, and 
is still retained in that capacity. It became a postoffice May 10, 1844. There 
are three churches — Wesley Methodist, Mount Pisgah Presbyterian and Ger- 
man Lutheran. Rev. G. H. Schnorr, pastor of the latter, was the first bur- 
gess of the borough. Mount Pisgah was organized in 1830, and reorganized 
in 1869. Rev. Philip S. Jennings is pastor. 

SCOTT TOWNSHIP. 

At the October sessions, 1860, a jaetition for the division of Upper St. 
Clair was filed, and a commission appointed for its consideration. The meas- 
ure was carried, by a majority of forty-two, at an election held Ajn-il 23, 
1861. June 29, 1861, the division was confirmed by decree of court, when 
the new township received the name of Scott. It extends from Chartiers 
creek on the west to Baldwin township on the east, with an area of about ten 
square miles. The population was 1,807 in 1870, and 1.523 in 1880. 

The earliest permanent settlers were Alexander Long, Andrew McFarlane, 
John Henry and William Lea. Long was from York county. McFarlane emi- 
gfated from Ireland to Philadelphia in 1758. In 1774 he was a justice of the 
peace, probably the first in Scott township. Lea was a soldier, and rose to the 
xank of major. He had eons, William, Robert and Samuel. The sons of W'ill- 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOKOCGHS. 65 

iam were William Robert, Samuel, Lafayette and James W. ; of Robert, David 
N. and Thomas; of Samuel, John, William and Samuel. Hezekiah, William, 
Thomas and Samuel Nixon were the sons of Jane (Lea) Nixon, Isaac Williams 

and sons John, Isaac and Robert; John, William and Turner; Peter Ross 

and son Casey, John Ross and son Philif), William Glenn and sons James and 
William were also early residents. 

The township, in common with all this section of country, is rich in mineral 
resoui'ces. The first coal-mine on the Chartiers Valley railroad, south of Mans- 
field, is No. 2 of the Mansfield Coal and Coke company, opened in 1883. Five 
hundred men are employed, and 175 cars are required in the shipment of the 
product, which amounts to 600 tons daily, and 120,000 tons in the coiu'se of a 
year. Glendale colliery, 300 feet east of Glendale station, is operated by 
Gregg Brothers. The Nixon mines, 300 feet east of Leasdale station, were 
opened by the Chartiers Valley Coal company in 1878, and are now owned by 
W. A. Black; 75 men are employed. The daily output is 300 tons, for the 
shipment of which the proprietor uses 58 cars. The Diamond mines, 500 feet 
east of Leasdale station, and Leasdale mines, 600 feet east of Woodville station, 
are among the oldest on this line of railway. Summer Hill mines, at Wood- 
ville, were opened by Romer & Jones in 1875. Negley & Black .succeeded 
to their ownership in 1878, and Jessup & Co. in the same year, when (1879) the 
present proprietor, Frank Armstrong, assumed control. Six hundred tons are 
produced daily, employing 175 men, and requiring 96 cars. The old Bower 
Hill mines, 1 , 200 feet east of Bower Hill station, were reopened by the Imperial 
Coal company in 1887 after a long period of suspension. Bower Hill No. 2, 
1,500 feet east of the station of that name, has been operated since 1875 by 
A. J. Schulte. One hundred and twenty-five men are employed. 

The stations on the Chartiers Valley railroad in this county are Gleenis, 
Leasdale and Woodville. Glendale is an important suburb of Mansfield bor- 
ough. Leasdale derives its name from the Lea family, which was early repre- 
sented in the vicinity. The Leasdale Glass company, T. F. Hart, president; 
M. H. Hart, secretary; R. Brankston, manager, are the proprietors of the glass- 
works at this place, established in 1870 by Lindsay Brothers, and owned suc- 
cessively by the Lindsay Glass company, Robert Liddell and the Gallatin 
Glass company. The plant consists of a frame building 200 feet long and 
60 feet wide, one ten-pot furnace, and a corresponding number of lehrs and 
ovens; 50 men are employed, and 45 boys. Flint bottles constitute the ex- 
clusive product, which is valued at $55,000 annually. 

Long's, Arlington and Mount Lebanon were stations on the Pittsburgh & 
Southern railroad, in the eastern part of the township, before that road was 
abandoned. Mount Lebanon postofiice was established in 1855. It is the only 
post- village in the township. A small portion of Castle Shannon extends over 
the line of Baldwin and Scott. 

St. Clair United Presbyterian Church received its first pastor in the per- 



bO HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY' COUNTY. 

SOU of Rev. Joseph Kerr, who was installed at the house of Nathaniel Pium- 
mer in October, 1803. The first sermon had been preached in November of 
the previous year, by Rev. John Riddell. Mr. Kerr's pastorate also included 
Mifflin Church. Since his resignation, in 1825, the succession of pastors has 
been as follows: John Dickey, 1830-39; Alexander H. Wright, 1842—40; Jo- 
seph Clokey, 1848-55; J. C. Boyd, 1858 to the present. 

The Woodville Protestant Episcopal church was built in 1846, and replaced 
a log building of great age, one of the first places of worship in the Chartiers 
valley. The latter was erected at the time when a Book of Common Prayer was 
of little use unless supislemonted with a trusty gun. It is said that on one 
occasion when the worshipers had reached that part of the service known as the 
litany, and were giving one emphatic ' ' Good Lord, deliver us, ' ' an attack was 
made by the Indians, and within a few seconds every porthole had its glisten- 
ing rifle. No record of the pastors here has been preserved. After a long 
period of discontinuance, the church was reojiened for services October 24, 1886. 
Among those buried in the adjoining cemeteiy are Jane Williams, who died 
August 4, 1795, thirty-three years of age; Daniel S. Williams, May 4. 1825; 
Mary Richardson, January 1, 1806, aged seventy-seven; James Richardson, 
September 2, 1805, aged eighty-four; Daniel South, June 25, 1811; William 
Beaumont, September 19, 1813; Capt. David Steel, February 4, 1819; and an 
earlier generation of the Lea family, whose graves are unmarked. 

The following is quoted from the Pittsburgh Dispatch : 

It is a mooted question as to which is the oldest church and burial-place in the region 
of which Pittsburgh is the center. There is, however, little doubt that this distinction 
belongs to the Episcopal church and graveyard near Woodville, eight miles from the city. 
Maj. Lea, who accompanied the Forbes expedition to Fort Duquesne, settled at Leasdale 
prior to 1760. Being a Church-of-Bnglaad adherent, a church of that order was soon or- 
ganized, and Episcopal services were maintained, with more or less regularity, by the Leas 
and Nevilles at Woodville a number of years before Dr. McMillan began his work at 
Cannonsburg, and a quarter of a century before there was a church organization at Pitts- 
burgh. The present stone church is the third edifice on the site, the first having been a 
log building, which probably no one now can remember. 

In that log church was christened a daughter of Maj. Lea in 1774. On one of the 
headstones in the old burial-place is this inscription: "Jane Lea Nixon, born 1774, died 
1859, the first white child born in the Chartiers valley." 

Mansfield Borough. — This was incorporated September 6, 1872, from the 
northwestern part of Scott township. The town was laid out for Mansfield B. 
Brown, by J. B. Stilley, in August, 1870. At that time it was a hamlet, deriv- 
ing such importance as it possessed from its location on the Pan Handle railroad 
and Noblestowu plank-road. The site of the town was originally embraced in a 
tract of seven hundred acres owned by Philip Ross, one of the earliest settlers in 
the Chartiers valley. He was a resident of Maryland prior to his emigration to 
the west, and, in addition to his lands here, owned a tract of two thousand acres 
on Harrod's creek, Kentucky, ten miles inland from Louisville, to which four 




''^^:^^^c^ ^^'^^i-^ 



TOWN!<HIPS AND BOROUGHS. bU 

of his sons, Stephen, Philijj, Reuben and Benjamin subsequently removed. 
The residents in the present limits of the town and its vicinity in 1856 were 
Mansfield B. Brown, Col. J. B. Glenn, Richard Lea and Charles Bedell. 
In 1867 the houses in regular order on the east side of Main street, beginning 

at the bridge, were those of the late Mark Rowan; ■ Newell, on the site of J. 

C. Bedell's stable; D. Ward, where the opera-house stands; the general stores 
of Kennedy & Bedell and W. J. Ford & Co. ; the tollhouse on the plank-road, 
at the present location of Hardy's drugstore; the notion-store of Mrs Rich- 
ards; the house of J. M. Larimer; the blacksmith-shop of Orrie Carnahan; the 
shoeshop of John Rumpf ; the house and shop of Leonard Kearns, and the houses 

of Joshua Stephenson and Clingan. On the opposite side of the street were 

the Presbyterian church, the houses of Messrs. Betts, Roach, Carnahan, Walk- 
er, Bigham, Ewing, Mills and Evans, Mrs. McQuitty, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Hard 
and Mrs. McKain. On Washington avenue were the Methodist church, the 
brick house corner of Lincoln street, and the residence of 'Squire Rowland. 
The township schoolhouse was on Lydia street, and Rev. F. R. Wotring lived 
at the termini of Lydia and Hays. The present residences of Robert H. 
Brown, Mrs. M. B. Brown and S. Kennedy, with others on Chestnut hill and 
the bank of the creek, complete the list. 

A contributor to the Item of January, 1873, thus describes the town and 
its advantages at that time: 

Mansfield [including Chartiers] has now a population of about two thousand souls, 
and is favorably located in tbe rich valley of the Chartiers a short distance below the con- 
fluence of Chartiers creek and Robinson run, at and around the junction of the Pan Han- 
dle and Chartiers railroads, and at a distance from the courthouse in Pittsburgh of about 
five miles by land and about seven and three-fourths by rail. . . . Thus desirably 
situated at a convenient distance from the great center of the business interests and 
the religious influences of Western Pennsylvania, Mansfield is also favored with the most 
modern facilities of ingress and egress to and from all desirable points. ... In 
addition to outlet and ingress b}' railroads, county and township roads from every point 
of the compass center also in Mansfield. Nature, in fact, seems to have intended the ter- 
ritory upon which the town is located for the concentration of a large population and for 
a convenient center of business and trade for an extended community; and judging from 
the rapid increase in its population in the last 3'ear or two, we conclude that the time is 
not far in the future when this seeming intention will be made true by the existing facts. 

The article concludes with a flattering allusion to the beauty of the sur- 
rounding country, its religious and educational advantages, and the healthful- 
ness of the locality. 

It is problematical whether the town has realized its early indications as to 
future growth and importance. The opening of coal-mines in the vicinity 
stimulated its growth for some years, and this industry has continued to be the 
chief reliance of the population. It has been regarded favorably as a place of 
residence for persons engaged in business in the city, and the accession to its 
population from this class constitutes a large and desirable element. No man- 
ufactvu'es have been established within the borough limits, but its laboring 



70 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

classes are largely represented in the neighboriag iron- and lead-works. Main 
street is the principal business thoroughfaro, and every branch of mercantile 
pursuit is represented. The streets are graded, lighted with natural gas and 
provided with an adequate system of sewerage. The population in 1 880 was 
1,172, and at the present time is probably 2,000. A postoffice was established 
under the name of Rich Valley in October, 1853. The name was changed to 
Mansfield Valley in August, 1865. 

The educational interests of the borough are well sustained. The first 
school- building after the inaguration of the public-school system was built 
about 1840, on the Rowland property, northeast of Washington avenue. Among 
the teachers here were John Morrow and Mary Rogers. A new schoolhouse 
was built in 1859, and a third in 1865, the former nearly opposite the present 
location, the latter on Jane street. The town became a separate school dis- 
trict upon its incorporation in 1872, and the first board of directors consisted of 
F. R. Wotring, D. J. Rogers, G. K. Ormond, George Clark, W. V. Smith and 
R. Christy. The school term was seven months, and the first teachers were 
Misses Kate McElroy, Anna Rogers and others. The intelligent appreciation 
of the common schools by the general community is indicated by the large and 
commodious structure recently erected for educational purposes. It is built 
of brick, three stories high, ninety feet long and sixty feet wide, and sur- 
mounted by a belfry rising to a height of one hundred and thirty-eight feet. 
Four large schoolrooms occupy the first floor; the second is divided into an 
equal number and a director' s room, and the principal feature of the third is a 
lyceum hall. Every provision has been made for the comfort, convenience and 
healthfulness of the pupils. The aggregate cost was thirty-five thousand dollars. 

The first number of the Mansfield Item was issued on Tuesday, January 7, 
1873. It was a twenty-column folio, but has since been enlarged. The plant 
was completely destroyed by fire September 4, 1876, but the paper survived 
this loss and has become a valuable property. Mr. C. Knepper, by whom the 
enterprise was originated, is still proprietor. The Item has been in every sense 
a valuable local journal, and from its files, through the courtesy of the editor, 
many interesting data have been gleaned. Hoifie Neics and The Business Majt, 
established in 1872 and 1875 respectively, are published monthly from the 
Item office, and also the Mansfield Wochenshlatt, a monthly, established in 
September, 1885. 

The Mansfield Presbyterian Church as an organization under its present name 
dates from 1855, although virtually a continuation of Mount Pisgah Church. 
organized in 1830. The church-edifice was built in 1852, largely thi'ough the 
efforts of Mansfield B. Brown and Hugh Lee, and enlarged in 1883. Revs. 
John B. Graham and Robert McPherson successively preached at Mansfield in 
connection with Mount Pisgah, the latter resigning in April, 1868. Rev. F. 
R. Wotring was pastor from 1869 to 1878. and J. M. Duff, the present incum 
bent, was installed in 1880. The following is a list of elders, with dates of instal- 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOKODGHS. 71 

latiou: 1853, James Frew, William Foster; 1857, Mansfield B. Brown, Hugh 
Lee, S. Yourd, Thomas McMillen; 1885, Robert H. Brown, Alexander Patter- 
son. William Irvin, George Clark and G. B. Forsythe. 

The United Presbyterian congregation was organized in 1850, with twenty- 
live members. The first trustees were David Hill, Ebenezer Ramsay and J. 
K. Cabbage; the first elders, Alexander Boyd and J. B. Glenn. Rev. Alex- 
ander Calhoun was pastor from 1858 to 1861; George K. Ormond, 1870- 
73; Cyrus B. Hatch, 1876-79; T. C. Atchison was installed in 1881. and is in 
charge at present. A two-story brick church-edifice was built in 1858 at the 
present location. It was destroyed by fire in 1872, and the present stone 
building was erected in the following year. 

The first Methodist sermon in Mansfield was preached in 1855, by Rev. 
James L. Graham, in the "wool- house" on Main street. Rev. James Beacom, 
Robert Blackburn, M. D., Eli Edmundson, R. F. Smith and J. W. Cook met 
at the residence of Mr. Cook, on Washington avenue, on an evening in the 
summer of 1857, when the first action for building a church was taken. Until 
its completion, in 1859, the United Presbyterian church was occupied. Mr. 
Beacom has been succeeded as pastor by A. Scott, R. L. Miller, S. Crouse, Israel 
Dallas, D. L. Dempsey, S. Y. Kennedy, T. H. Wilkinson, Edward Birkett, 
James Hollingshead, N. G. Miller, W. D. Stevens, J. L. Deens, L. R. Bea- 
com, S. T. Mitchell and Lynch. There are also a Methodist Protestant 

and two African Methodist churches in the borough. 

The Baptist Church, Rev. J. B. Yeates, pastor, was organized in 1868, and 
worships in a recently dedicated frame edifice on Washington avenue. 



CHAPTER VII. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
Mifflin (Homestead)— Jefferson (West Elizabeth). 

MIFFLIN township. 

MIFFLIN. — "Beginning at the mouth of Street's run, thence up the 
Monongahela river to the line of the coiuity, and by the said line to 
the line of St. Clair township. " 

The above appears in the minutes of the court of quarter sessions at the 
first session after the formation of Allegheny county, and the township thus 
described is mentioned third in the list of seven erected at that time. Pitt, 
St. Clair and Moon were larger in extent, and also in population. The fol- 
lowing persons resided within the original limits of Mifflin, although it can not 



72 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

be authoritively stated that the list is com])lete, at the various periods meu- 
tioned: 

1794. Thomas B. Patterson, William Ellison, Andrew Finne}', Nathaniel Patterson, 
William Illigh, Neal McTray, .John Moor, John McRoberts, -John Montgomery, James 
Moor. Robert McRoberts, John Elliott, James Young, James Forsythe, Sr., Samuel 
Elliott. 

179.5. Francis McChirc, Jolin Wallace, AVilliam McClure, George Thompson, Robert 
White, Samuel Wylie, Adam Whitaker, James Patterson, Edward ^Vright. 

1798. Archibald Johnston, John Keel, Thomas Foreman, Alexander Snodgrass, Will- 
iam Christy, Henry Ilue_y, Matthew Calhoun, Abraham Whitaker, Thomas Mcllheuny. 

1811. John CTOrmly, Thomas McGee, Andrew Wall, Joel Ferrou, E. W. Rest, John 
Jlcllhenny, Thomas Young, Robert Lytle, William Robertson. John Mcllhenny. Ludwig 
Gossman, James Mcllheuny, Andrew Gardner, Zadok Wright, John Calhoun, Thomas 
Lowe, Alexander Calhoun, Samuel Mcllhenny, Thomas Black, John Fenton, Louis 
HufEman, B. McFarland, John Carey, .Jonathan Love. 

1812. Abner Bedell, John Jiajjsley. John Trumbo, John Barkley, Thomas Hope, 
Joseph Payne. John Stark, Robert McDonough, Cornelius Colviu, Enoch Hawkins, 
James Robinson, James Windman, Charles Patterson, Samuel Fleming, Aaron Foster, 
Ezekiel Wright, Arthur Morrow, Thomas Gorsuch, William Ferguson, Joseph Wilson, 
Alexander Martin, Abel Bentley, Matthew Morrow, Philip Heplan, Gabriel Peterson 
Joseph Erwin, Daniel Thompson, Hans Dunlop, John Wightman, John Young, John 
Gilmore, John McKinley, James McKnight, Ebenezer Gallagher, Daniel Bidwell, E. P. 
Wright, William Wilson, Elijah McDowell, John Kinkead, Jacob Stilley, Peter Coursen, 
Jo,seph Ferguson, John Shields, Henry Hill, John Ferguson, Robert Finley, Edward 
West, Michael Trumbo, Benjamin Custard, Samuel -Marling, Alexander McClure. 

Among the earliest settlers within the present limits of Mifflin was David 
Calhoun, a Scotchman from the Cumberland valley, in this state. He arrived 
in 1784. The Means family was first represented by Mrs. Martha Means, a 
widow, who removed from Harrisburg in 1799 with her household goods and 
a family of six children. The families of McAllister, McClure, West, Coch- 
ran, Finney, Cunningham, Whitaker, Patterson and Neel were also repre- 
sented at an early date. John Neel settled among the Indians. 

The following were residents of the territory now embraced in Mifflin 
township prior to 1830: 

Robert Brierly and son Thomas; George Crawford and son John; Samuel Cochran 
aud sons Samuel, John and William; David Calhoun and sons John, King and David; 
James Calhoun; Thomas Cunningham and sons John, Thomas, Samuel and .lames; 

George Fritzins; Ferguson and sous James and John, Benjamin, Joseph and Lewis 

Forsythe; Robert Hays and sons David and Robert; Abraham Hays and son Jacob, and 
grandsons James H. and Capt. Abraham; John Hull, Robert Hamilton; James Irwin and 
sons Joseph and Harvey; Charles H. Israel; John Irwin and sons Joseph, James, Pressly, 
John and William; Charles Kenny and son Thomas, and grandson Charles; David Ken- 
nedy; Archibald and William Livingston; John McClure and sons Johu, James, Will- 
iam, Matthew and Abdiel; William McClure and sons William and Alexander; Archibald 
McDowell and sons John, William, James and Alexander; John McKee; Judge Francis 
McClure and sons Francis and Andrew, and grandson Richard; James McKinney; 
Nathaniel Means and sons James and R. S.; John Means, James McRoberts. Esq., John 
McRoberts; Johu Neel and sons Col. John S., Archibald, William, Thomas, Samuel and 
James; James Neel aud sons John, Thomas. Harvev. Reubeu and Hiram; Hon. James 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 7 5 

Patterson and sons Capt. James and L. B.; Robert Patterson, Hon. James Riddle. John 
Ramsey, John C. Risher, James and Robert Roth. Frederick Rhodes. John Swartzwel- 
der and son Marshall; Alexander Snodgrass and sons Dr. James and Robert; Thomas 
Snodgrass and sons James and Isaac; John Snodgrass; James Stevenson and son Will- 
iam (tirst governor of West Virginia); Dr. William Thompson, Judge George Thompson, 
Charles Von Bonhorst, Thomas West, James Whitaker and son Aaron, Isaac Whitalter, 
James Whitaker, Abraham Whitaker, Esq., John Willock, Esq. 

Mifflin is one of the largest townships in the county. It borders on the 
MonoQgahela river from the mouth of Street's run to the mouth of Pine run, 
a distance of more than twelve miles. The surface is hilly, and deeply seamed 
by numerous streams, of which the most important are Street" s run and its 
branches. Reed ruh and Weir's run. West rrni, Whitaker run. Buttermilk 
run, Thompson's run and Pine run. 

The route of Braddock's army lay through this township, along the river 
between Braddock's upper and lower ripples. Traces of the road which was 
cut for the passage of this army are remembered by some who are now livitig. 

The Pittsburgh, Virginia & Charleston railroad follows the course of the 
river through the township, and a number of villages have come into existence 
along its line. Their history antedates the opening of this road, however, 
and begins with the first development of the coal interests. This occurred in 
1828, when James H. Hays began mining operations at the moiith of Street's 
run, the present location of Hays station. These works are still extensively 
operated by the descendants of James H. Hays. The village presents much 
the same appearance as other mining towns, and is popularly known as Six- 
Mile Ferry. 

James H. Hays was a native of Mifflin township, of Scotch and French 
extraction. He taught school and worked at the trade of cooper until twenty- 
eight years of age, when he embarked in the coal trade, in which he was one 
of the pioneers. His death occurred in March, 1876. His life and character 
are thus epitomized by his biographer: 

The good fortune which attended Mr. Hays in all his transactions was not in any 
sense accidental. It was a necessary consequence of untiring industry, good management 
of his interests, and above all, of a firm, uncompromising spirit of personal honor and in- 
tegrity. For this latter quality he was pre-eminently noted in the community in which he 
lived. . . . When he began trade, the speculative tendency which has so conspicu- 
ously marked the conduct of mercantile pursuits of late years was comparatively un- 
known; capital was limited, machinery relatively undeveloped, business principles few 
and simple, and the standard of individual rectitude severer than we find it in our day. 
Hard and persistent labor, diligence, punctuality in fulfilling engagements, and, to use a 
trite but expressive phrase, "square dealing," were then the prime, we might say the only. 
factors of success. These Mr. Hays possessed in a remarkable degree. His name was 
from the first and to the last continued a synonym for excellent judgment and sterling 
honesty. 

The principal operators besides the Hays estate are J. C Risher, Lysle, 
Bailey & Co., George Lysle & Sons, the Munhalls, W. J. Snodgrass and 
Thomas Faweett. 



76 HISTORY OF ALLKGHENY COUNTY. 

Dravosburg is so named from John F. Dravo, by whom the coal-mines were 
opened years ago. It is a town of suvoral hundred inhabitants, and is favor- 
ably situated. Amity is virtually included under the name. Duquesne has 
come into existence within the past few years, and has received an impetus by 
the location here of extensive steelworks. The Duquesne Tube-works are in. 
operation. Just below Braddock"s upper ripi)le a largo plate-glass factory is 
being constructed. In the near future a thriving town will probably spring 
up aroimd these establishments. 

Camden is a mining town above Dravosburg; Bull Run and Gormantown 
are inland villages. 

The postoffices are as follows: BeamviUe, Camden, Dravosburg, Hoj)e 
Church, Lebanon Church (changed to Cosgrove April 8, 1887) and Option. 
The population in 1860 was 4,434; in 1870, 5,058; in 1880, 6,483. 

Lebanon Presbyterian Church shared in the labors of Dr. McMillan, the 
founder of that denomination in this part of the state. Pastors : Revs. John 
Clark, AVilliam Woods, Thomas D. Baird, Samuel Henderson, William G. 
Johnston, John McConoiighy, O. H. Miller, A. O. Rockwell, Samuel S. Shri- 
ver, R. H. Fulton, George N. Johnston. Mifflin United Presbyterian Church 
was organized in 1803. Pastors: Rev. Joseph Kerr, 1804-18; Samuel Weir, 
1820-44; J. J. Buchanan, 1846-49; H. C. McFarland, 1853-57; J. D. Glenn, 
1859-61; Cyrus B. Hatch, 1871-75; J. C. Hunter, 1881-85; A. R. Van Fos- 
sen, 1888-. St. Agnes' Roman Catholic church. Bull Run, was dedicated 
August 1, 1869, as part of the parish of St. Peter's Church, McKeesport, Rev. 
John B. Smith, pastor. The first resident priest was Rev. J. Dofner. A 
chapel had been built at Green Springs some time previously. Amity Pres- 
byterian Church was organized in 1875. There is a German Lutheran church 
at Dravosburg. 

For particulars of the Pittsburgh city farm or almshouse, located in this 
tovmship. see page 702, Part I. 

Homestead Borough. — This place is pleasantly situated at a great bend of 
the Monongahela river, in the northwestern part of Mifflin township, seven miles 
from Pittsburgh. The site of the town is a triangular alluvial deposit, rising 
in terraces from the water's edge, but comparatively level. The first settler 
here, and probably in the township, was Sebastian Frederick. He was a 
squatter. A tract of several hundred acres embracing the town was secured 
by John McClure, from whom it was inherited by his son, Abdiel McClure, 
recently deceased. A part of the tract was purchased by the ' ' Homestead 
Bank and Insurance Company," under whose auspices the town plot was sur- 
veyed in August, 1871. The first sale of lots occiured in the following month, 
and was conducted in the manner customary at that time, music and junket- 
ing adding to the pleasures of the occasion. The Pittsburgh, Virginia & 
Charleston railway was opened in the following year, and several hundred 
houses were built before the panic of 1873 dissipated the prospects by which 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 77 

investments had been induced. The popnhition in 1880 was about five hun- 
dred; it is now estimated at seven thousand. 

This remarkable expansion is the result of the manufacturing interests 
established in the intervening period. The Homestead Glass-works, Bryce, 
Higbee & Co., were placed in operation in September, 1889, with one eleven- 
pot furnace and ninety operatives. An eight-pot furnace was added iu 1884. 
The constituent members of the firm are John Bryce, John B. Higbee and 
C. K. Bryce. This was the first industry of the town. 

The Homestead Steel- works, Carnegie, Phipp & Co., limited, proprietors, 
were built in 1881, by the Pittsburgh Bessemer company, for the manufacture 
of steel rails, and comprised a converting-mill 115 feet long and 72 feet wide; 
railmiJl, 600 feet long and 84 feet wide, with wings attached; blooming-mill, 
180 feet long and 72 feet wide. The manufacture of rails was discontinued in 
1887, in favor of structural or angle steel for buildings, bridges, etc. The 
platemill department, 1,000 feet long and 150 feet wide, was built in 1887. 
The mill is 119 inches wide, and the plant comprises a full complement of 
other requisite machinery, the shears being of unusual size and capacity. A. 
slabbing-mill is in course of erection. 

The Windsor Glass-works, comprising a thirteen-pot furnace with other ap- 
pliances requisite in making pressed goods, and employing 160 men, were 
built in 1886, burned in 1887, rebuilt and placed in operation September 2, 
of the same year. The Massillon Firebrick works, several brickyards and plan- 
ing-mills, and the great building activity now in progress also employ a large 
number of men. 

The borough was incorporated September 18, 1880, and organized with the 

election of C. C. Will as burgess; John Lowry, John Bryson, Fairchild, 

E. J. Atwood, A. Ackard, Thoriias Lloyd, councilmen. D. E. Jones is the 
present burgess. 

The first local newspaper, the Herald, was issued June 18, 1880, by Fred. 
H. Penney, and, after experiencing a succession of reverses, suspended August 
18, 1882. The Min-or was published from October, 1881, to August, 1882, 
by Frank M. Gessner, and appeared monthly. The People's Weekly, pub- 
lished by T. H. Galvin, was started August 15, 1885, by J. S. Hillman. The 
latest defunct journal, the Valley Echo, was first published October 25, 1885, by 
J. S. Hillman, but was discontinued within a few months. The Local Neivs was 
established by M. P. Schooley July 23, 1881, and has survived the majority of 
its less fortunate contemporaries. It was originally a four-column folio, but it 
has been enlarged to double that size. M. P. and J. R. Schooley are the 
present proprietors. 

The First National bank was organized November 25, 1887, with a capital 
of fifty thousand dollars; W. H. Watt, president; George Gladden, vice pres- 
ident; Louis Rott, cashier; J. B. Neel. teller. 

There are six church edifices. The Presbyterian Church was organized in 



78 HISTOHV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

1874, with Rev. Joseph G. Lyle as its first pastor. Thp Methodist church, 
Rev. A. J. Asho, pa.stor, was burned aud rebuilt in 1.S87. The Baptist Church, 
Rev. F. R. Scully, pastor, was organized in 1884, and the church built in 1887. 
Rev. J. J. Bullion is the Catholic pastor. The Lutheran and the African 
Methodist Episcopal churches complete the number. There are also United 
Presbyterian, Welsh Baptist, English Lutheran and other missions. 

The secret and benevolent societies number more than a score. The I. O. 
O. F., K. of P., O. U. A. M., K. G. E., A. O. U. W., K. of L. and A. A. I. 
& S. W. are among the orders represented. 

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 

Owing to the great extent of Mifflin township, many persons, as its popu- 
lation increased, were obliged to travel eight or nine miles to the place of 
election, and the work of road-making occasioned great inconvenience. At the 
April sessions, 1827, a petition for division having been tiled, John Behan, David 
Coon and Noble Calhoun were appointed to consider the advisability of effect- 
ing the change proposed. A favorable report having been sut^mitted, Jefferson 
was erected at January sessions, 1828, from the southern part of Mifflin and a 
small portion of St. Clair. Its area was 19,468 acres, and that of Mifflin was 
reduced to 17, 750 acres. In 1 832 the boundary line between the two was so 
changed as to take from Jefferson 202 acres in favor of Mifflin. In 1844 a 
small portion of Jefferson was united with contiguous portions of the adjoining 
township to form the new township of Baldwin, and in the following year 
about one-third of its territory became part of Snowden. The present area 
is about twelve thousand acres. The names are remembered of the following 
residents prior to 1830: 

James and Jesse Lobb, Jobu McNuU, James Greer. Washington Robinson. Thomas 
Robinson; Samuel Wylie and sons Patterson, Oliver, Thomas and William; James and 

Francis Blair; Adam, Robert, Samuel and Ferguson McElhency; McGogney aud 

sons David, William, Thomas and James; Reed and sons Walter aud John; Robert 

Curry and sons Ebeuezer and John; Hughey Kennedy; William Carroll and sons David 
and Joseph; Dr. James Stewart, John Wright (1800); Abuer Bedell and sous Daniel, 
Andrew and William; William Chambers, Zadoc Wright (1784), James Gray, Baptist 

McFarland; Calhoun and sons Noble and John; Thompson and sons Daniel, 

Patterson and Joseph; Thomas McElheney; McElhency and sons Robert, Samuel. 

David, Holdship and James; Samuel Heath, Esq,, and sons Henry, Samuel and .John: 

Custard (now Custer) aud sons Edward, Sampson and Gabriel (each of whom had 

sons); Michael Trumbo aud sons Presslej' and George; Peter Simmons and sons John, 

Peter and another; John Lowrie and sons William, Joseph aud John: Payne aud 

sons Benjamin, .James and .John; James Morrison and sons Robert, William, Tweed and 

John; Snee and sons Michael, Jeremiali, Thomas, William aud George: Beam 

and sons John, Elijah and Amos; Tobias Stilley, Jeremiah Stilley and sons William and 

Sampson; James Robinson and son John; Mowry and son Jacob: Joseph McCorUle; 

Ebenezer Gallagher and sons James and William; George Sickman and sons Jeremiah. 

George and Jonathan; Wilson and sons Robert and John; Jonathan Walker aud sons 

William and David; Henderson Whiteman; John Large and sons Samuel, Isaac. Henry, 




cA- 



■t^^^^ 



C'-T^ 



TO'n'NSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 81 

Thomas and Jouatlian; Thomas Patterson; Johu McElhene_y and son John Henry; James 
McKoberls; William McRoberts and son David; Jacob Aber and sons James and Josiah; 
Jonathan Low and sons Henry, John, William and Orr; Joel Ferree and sons Lewis, 
Harvey, Benjamin, Joel. Joshua and Isaac; William Lytle and sons David, Samuel and 
Gabriel; George Hughey aud sons John and Harvey; Benjamin Kirkeudall, James 
Gillum, John Nicbol and son Joshua; Wilson and sous John and David; Hoff- 
man and sons Lewis, William, Jacob and others; Johu Lapsley and sons Johu, William, 
Joseph and Robert; James Hindman aud son James; George Cochran and sons Joseph 
aud William; Amos Pierce and sons James aud Lewis; Peter Pearsol aud sons John and 
David; John Shepler and sons Henry, Phili]), Peter, James and Thomas; David Torrance; 
David Pollock and sous Joseph, Peter S., Silas and Alvah; Robert Richards. 

Peter's creek, a large and important affluent of the Monongahela, drains 
nearly the whole of the township. It is formed by the confluence of Fish 
run and Piney fork, and receives the waters of Lick run at the Snowden line. 
The principal tributary streams from the north in this township are Pierce' s 
riin, Beam's run and Lewis' run, and from the south, Scotia run and Dry run. 
The land is well adapted to farming and stock-raising. Coal and limestone 
are abundant, but the former is not developed to any extent except along the 
Monongahela river. 

Coal Valley is a mining town of some importance, at the mouth of Pine run, 
in the extreme northeastern part of the township. Lynn, Wood & Co. and E. 
M. Blackburn & Co. are the coal-operators at this place. Robert's run and 
Reed's run flow through the village, and a short distance inland on the former 
is the suburb of Frostburg, a place of about a dozen houses, owned by Lynn, 
Wood & Co. Coal Valley Lodge. No. 694, I. O. O. F., and a Methodist Epis- 
copal church are among the attractions of the place. The town is accessible 
by the Pittsburgh, Virginia & Charleston railroad. The next stations above 
are Wilson and Peter's creek. The former name is also applied to a school- 
house in the vicinity, and is that of a family by whom the land is owned some 
distance inland from the river. At Blair station, a short distance above the 
mouth of Peter's creek, the extensive works of the Monongahela Brick com- 
pany are located. Wylie station, the next in order, is so named from J. P. Wy lie. 
Between this place and West Elizabeth a noteworthy industrial feature is the 
works of the Monongahela Coke company, the only establishment of the kind 
in this section of the coal-regions. The works were placed in operation soon 
after the opening of the railroad. Coal from which the coke is ]^roduced is 
obtained at the works of John A. Wood & Son, on the opposite side of the 
river. There are no inland villages of any importance. Gill Hall, in the 
western part of the township, is a hamlet with the usual mechanics' shops, 
stores, and other features of towns of this character. There is a Methodist 
Episcopal church about a mile distant, and a United Presbyterian church in the 
village. The former was built in 1843 by William Snee; the latter is known 
as Jefferson church, and is connected with Monongahela presbytery. It was 
organized October 30, 1857. The following-named clergymen have been pas- 
tors: J. D. Glenn, 1859-61; J. W. McFarland, 1867-69; C. B. Hatch, 1872-73; 



82 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

B. B. Stewart, 1875-79; J. C. Hunter, 1881-85; T.W. Young, 1887-. There is 
also in the township a society of Latter-Day Saints, but although once impor- 
tant and influential, their numbers are no longer large. 

The population was 1,601 in 1800, 2,060 in 1870 and 3,227 in 1880. The 
postoiiices are Blair Station, Bronghton, Moss Side (changed to Coal Valley), 
Gill Hall and Jones' Station. 

West Elizabeth Borough. — This borough is situated on the west bank of 
the Monongahela river, twenty-two miles from Pittsburgh by railroad. At the 
lower end of the town the river hills trend obliquely from the bank, leaving a 
triangular level area, which gradually widens to a depth suiiicient for several 
streets. The advantages of the location for a town site were first appreciated 
by Gilbert Stevens, Erastus Percival, Andrew Craighead and Samuel Frew, by 
whom, in 1833, the town was laid out. The streets are numbered from First 
to Seventh in order from the river, and Ferry, Market, ^\'ayne. Mill, Washing- 
ton, Border, Sinclair and Grant in order fi-om the south. The first house was 
built in 1834: by John Keenan, at the corner of Second and Market streets. 
Elizalieth at that time was entering upon its period of greatest prosperity as a 
boat- building town, and the projectors of the place which shares in its name 
thought also to gain a share of the population attracted by that important 
industry. They also sought to foster independent manufacturing intei'ests. 
Gilbert Stevens and others began the building of Ijoats and bai-ges on an ex- 
tensive scale, and Eli Bentley established a sawmill on the site now occupied 
by a similar establishment operated by Joseph Walton & Co. Boat-building 
was discontinued about 1852. Coal-mining was begun in 1840, by Messrs. 
Prescott, McCurdy and Mcintosh, at the lower end of the town, and after the 
suspension of boat-building has become the princij^al business of the town. 
The coal-works of O' Neil & Co. were originally operated by Owens & Ihmsen, 
the first to mine on a large scale in this section of country. The mines were 
under the management of Mr. Owens, who resided at West Elizabeth, while 
Mr. Ihmsen lived at Pittsburgh, and a large part of the product was con.sumed 
at their works in that city. 

A great principle of the common law with reference to river navigation 
and the rights of riparian owners was virtually established in the case of 
Samuel Walker against this firm. Walker had built a boat of extraordinary size, 
and in launching it the weight of the boat and force of the current parted the 
cable. The boat descended with tremendous momentum, and passed under 
Owens & Ihmsen' s tipple, doing serious damage, for the recovery of which legal 
proceedings were instituted. Mr. Walker was advised by his counsel, George 
P. Hamilton, to enter cross-action for obstruction of the river. Both suits were 
withdi-awn, but the principle then advanced by Mr. Hamilton was substantially 
the same as enunciated by the court in the case of the borough of Elizabeth 
against the Brownsville Steam Packet line. 

The works of Owens & Ihmsen passed to James O'Neil, and then to W. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 83 

W. O'Neil, J. N. O'Neil, I. N. Large aud Hon. S. P. Large, constitueut 
members of the firm of J. O'Neill & Co., the present operators. James O'Neil, 
upon purchasing from Owens & Ihmsen, opened the incline leading throiigh 
Mill street, and subsequently transferred his interest in the mines thus de- 
veloped to Joseph AYalton, Peter Halserman and Isaac W. Burton. These 
works are now operated by Joseph Walton & Co. In conjunction with their 
mining interests, this iirm manufactures barges for use in the shipment of 
their coal. Their works were built in the autumn of 1871, and destroyed by 
fire January 29, 1872, but rebuilt at once on a larger scale. A number of 
men are constantly employed in this branch of the business, and the town is 
thus relieved from the condition usvially experienced in the summer months 
where the coal trade is the sole reliance. 

The borough was incorjiorated March 3, 1848. The first election was held 
in the following month, and resulted in the choice of William Coyan as bur 
gess, Ferguson Biggs, John B. McGrew, Isaac Hammett, Thomas F. Thomas, 
and David Lynch as members of the town council. Wellington D. Harper, 
William Youdan, James Donaldson and John P. Vance were respectively first 
borough clerk, treasurer, assessor and constable. The present organization 
is constituted as follows: Burgess, T. J. Wilson; council, James Arthurs, J. 
B. McGrew, Isaiah Phillips, W. E. Percival, Dennis White, Charles Percival. 
The population of the borough in 1860 was 394; in 1870, 590; in 1880, 839. 
The following secret and benevolent societies have been in existence at 
various times, several of which are still in a flourishing condition: Star Divis- 
ion, No. 442, Sons of Temperance, instituted April 29, 1850; William You- 
dan Lodge, No. 647, I. O. O. F., instituted September 17, 1868: Alfaretta 
Lodge, I. O. G. T., instituted July 20, 1870; West Elizabeth Encampment, 
No. 212, I. O. O. F., chartered May 23, 1872; the Cooperative Labor Asso- 
ciation, instituted August 17, 1875; a lodge of Knights of Pythias, organized 
May 6, 1875. 

The Presbyterian Church was organized November 9, 1841, with Carey 
Carroll, Frederick Eoads and Alexander Kerr, ruling elders, by a presbyterial 

commission of which Rev. • McMasters was chairman. The following 

clergymen served as stated supplies during the succeeding twenty-eight years: 
Revs. J. M. Smith, Adley Calhoun, William Edgar, B. M. Kerr, J. B. Strain, 
Nathaniel Lyon; and the following as pastors to the present: William Hanna, 
1869-73; William McCrea, 1874-79; Joseph E. Andrews, 1879-85; Robert 

Boyd, 1887-. Previous to the erection of a church, services were held in 

Parkinson's barn and in the drafting department of the boatyard. Several 
communion services were held in Mr. Robinson's orchard. A church-edifice 
was built in 1846 and a second in 1876, both of brick. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1858. A frame church- 
building was erected in 1867, and the present brick building in 1876. Pastors: 
T. N. Eaton, 1861-62: Brown, 1863-64; T. N. Bovle, 1865-66; 



84 HISTOltV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Jackson. 1867-68; N. P. Kerr, 1809-70; W. Smith, 1870-71: W. P. Black- 
bum, 1872-73; E. B. Griffin, 1874: Westlake, 1875-77: S. M. Bell, 

1878-80; T. Stover, 1881-83; F. F. Pcrshiiig, 1884-80; H. H. PersLiug, 
1886-. The African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1879. and 
forms part of Elizabeth circuit. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
Elizabeth (Elizabeth)— Forward— Lincoln (Revxoldton). 

OF the two currents of immigration to this section of country, one from 
Eastern Pennsylvania by way of the Cumberland valley, Fulton and Bed- 
ford counties and the Youghiogheny, the other from Virginia by way of the 
Potomac and Monongahela, the former contributed most largely to the early 
population of Allegheny county. From its geographical position, the south- 
eastern part of the county — the narrow peninsula between the Monongahela 
and Youghiogheny — was first marked by the presence of any considerable body 
of permanent settlers, and at the organization of the county, in 1788. the "Forks 
of Yough " settlement was the most populous within its limits, and one of the 
most important in the southwestern part of the state. The population of the 
"Forks" in 1796 may be safely estimated at six hundred. 

The following lists of early settlers are as nearly complete as it is practica- 
ble to make them. They are taken fi-om those prepared by Allen Wall for the 
Elizabeth Herald, and from other sources. The correct orthography of names 
is exceedingly difficult to preserve, and doubtless many of these are not cor- 
rectly spelled. Heads of families in 1790: 

Dauiel Applegate, George Applegate. Johu Applegate, Garret Applegate. Samuel 
Applegate. Benjamin Applegate, Sr.. Benjamin Applegate, -Jr.. .James Applegate, Richaifi 
Applegate, Robert Applegate, William Apjilcgate. Moses Allen, .John Amley [Imley], 
Adam Alexander, William Ailiod, David Boyd, Mary Boyd. Nathaniel Boyd, William 
Budd, Amos Bassett. John Bassett, Stephen Byard, Frederick Brown, Elias Brown. John 
Bonebam, Dunker Burgman, David Bartley, Joseph Beckett, John Burrell, James Baker, 
Samuel Biger, JaneBurney, Joseph Bedsworth, Hugh Brandy, James Canada, John Can- 
ada. Martin Canacia, William Canada, Hugh Canada, James Clark, John Chambers, Eliza- 
beth Coner, Marraaduke Cortis, Joseph Carroll, Edward Taylor Carroll, John Coughrau, 
Aatley Cohoon [probably Calhoun], Robert Craighead, David Carr, Walter Carr, Joseph 
Cornel, Samuel Costett [perhaps Custard], John Carrel, William Cannon, Jacob Cheaver, 
Moses Devore. Christopher Doty. Robert Doweney. William Downing, Thomas Drenen, 
John Drening, Ezekiel Dye, George Dyer [or Dyee], Edward Evans, William Fowler, 
George Fleming, Benjamin Fauster, John Fitch, Joseph Fitch, George Fitcher, David 
Finley, William Finney, James Finney, Robert Finney, David Gillmore, Elisha Gillford, 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 85 

Isaac Green, Nathaniel Green, John Greer, Patrick Haney. John Hood, Christopher 
Hatou, Rachel Baton, Elijaii Hatton, James Hatton, Ebenezer Heury, Benjamin Hill, 
Stephen Hall. Elijah Hart. Philip Hook. George Harthorn, Samuel Holladay, Leveu Hur- 
ley. Matthew Henderson, Samuel Hunt, Andrew Howell, Wallen Howell, Andrew John- 
ston, Richard Johnston, Solomon Johnston, William Johnson, Isaac Jobes, Robert Jobes- 
George Jameson. Robert Jameson, Robert Jackson, John Kelley. Hannah Ketcham, Will- 
iam Ketchum, Joshua Knasb, Samuel Knash, Hannah Kyle, Lewis Kinney, David Kill- 
well, William Lyles, Sr., William Lyles, Jr., George Lyles, John Lyles, Henry Lemon, 
Thomas Lemon. Samuel Lemon. Silas Long, Miuard Lafavour, Samuel Laramore, John 
Means. John Morten, Thomas Morton, William More, AVilliam More (2), Frank Muse, 
^Matthew Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, Jane Mitchell, Jane Mitchell (3), Hugh Murphey, 
James Munteeth, Matthew McKinney, Joseph McCracken, Adam McConnell, Robert 
McConnell, John McConnell, William McConnell, John McLain, William McLewer 
[McClure], William McLewer (3), Richard McLewer, Alexander McLewer, James McCord, 
Charles McManes. Samuel McMuUen, Patrick McKegg, James McKegg, Thomas 
McNight, John McDanaew [?], John Neal. Owen Newman. Thomas Owens, Charles 
O'Hara, Jeremiah Pettit, Ann Pettit, James Perry, William Pengburn, Jonathan Plum- 
mer, Allen Puttnem, Allen Portter, James Patterson, John Padison [probably Patterson]. 
Andrew Parce, Isaac Parce, John Parce, Lewis Parce, Joseph Parce, Sr., Joseph Parce, 
Jr., Andrew Perce, James Perce, James Perce (3), Stephen Perce, Sarah Perce, Moses- 
Quick, Cornelius Quick, William Rairdeu, John Rairden, Agnes Ross, Richard Roberts, 
Obediah Robins, David Rannels, William Ranking. James Rose, William Richey. David 
Robertson, George Ryley. Samuel Sincleer, John Synclear, Philip Smith, Ezekiel Storey, 
Thomas Storey, Henry Stephens, David Sutton, David Stout, Benjamin Sparks, Richard 
Sparks, Richard Sparks (3), Joseph Scott, Mathias Shavener, James Steward, Thomas 
Steward, John Stewart, George Shields, James Stephenson, William Thompson, Corne- 
lius Thompson, Daniel Thompson, Margaret Thompson, Edward Taillor, William Taylor, 
John Taylor, William Tendill, Isaac Underwood, Samuel Vankirk, Barnett Vitner, John 
Williams, Asher Williams, David Williams, Walter Wall, James Wall, Ezekiel Willsou. 
Isaac Willson, Thomas Willson, Thomas Willson (3), Robert Willson, Samuel Willson, 
James Willson, Aaron Willson, Hugh Willson, Hugh Willson (3), Dorcas Warner, Thomas 
Woods, Jonathan Whitear, John Wright, John Walker, George Wickman, Thomas 
Whight [White], John Whight, James Whight, William Weathers, Henry Westbey, Henry 
Wisbey, Jr., Patrick Wisbey, William Winkler. James Waddel, Daniel Waddel, Jonathan 
Woolluck, Henry Young, William Young. 

The iohabitants in 1793, not included in the foregoing, were as follows: 

Vincent Applegate, James Applegate, Samuel Brown, Caleb Brown, Samuel Becket, 
Walter Burrows, Frederick Brown, Solomon Cole, John Craighead, Joseph Downer, Sam- 
uel Devore, Cornelius Funk, Moses Funk, Christopher Hayden, Richard Johnson, William 
Kennan, Thomas Linning, Henrj' Linning, James Little, Hugh Murphj', Henry McKinney. 
Humphrey McCarthy, Stephen Pangburu. Elijah Sturgeon. Henry Stephens, Alexander 
Sutlon, Joseph Scott, Benjamin Spark, Daniel Thompson, James Thompson, John Trego, 
Joseph Van Kirk, William Wood, William Wall, James Wall, Walter Wall, Jonathan 
Wicoff, Walter Williams, Richard Y'oung. 

In 1796: David Alden. James Armstrong, John Beckett, Samuel Bayard, John Dren- 
nen. John Dunn. Joseph Fulton, John Fitch, James Gibson, Ebenezer Gill, Phineas 
Howell, Llewellyn Howell, Peter Hughey Matthew Jamison, Peter Kinney, Joshua Kyle, 
John Kyle, William LInnard, Hugh McDill, Patrick McCoyne, Henry McKenzie. John 
Miller, Henry Major, Robert McFarland, James Patterson, Robert Pearce, Joseph Rey- 
nolds, John Ritchey, John Scott, Daniel Taylor, Samuel Van Kirk, Joshua' Wilson 
Andrew Wiggins. John Woods. John Walker. Hugh Watt. 



86 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The following were residents in the early part of the present century, or 
prior to 1830: 

Isaac Adkinsou, Enoch Adkinson, John Anderson, Calvin Auston, Thomas Andertou, 
AVilUam P. Arden, Jacoh Ammon, Alexander Bell, Abel Bentley, William Bradley, James 
Bigam. Antlionj- Banning, George Birliliammer. James Bliss. William Brant, William 
Barrett. Robert Bailey, Samuel Bulger, John Berrj-, Daniel Bell, George Belix, Samuel 

Becket, Jr., John and Uichard Bailey, Billicks and son Alexander, John Boyd and 

sons Andrew and John; Isaac Cole, James Culbertson, Benjamin Courson, Peter Coursou, 
Elislia Crookham, Amzi Cbapin, William Colwell, John Callioun, Nathan Cliaflin, Will- 
iam Grain, John Crozer, John Clark, John Corey. Philip Campbell, Nicholas Crumb, 
William Chamber.s, John Caldwell. Esq.. William Caldwell, Iluey Crawford. Adley Cal- 
houn, Esq., and sons Adley, James and Alexander; Joseph Depue, Daniel Depue, Joseph 
Davis, David Drennen, George Dalzell, William Dilrumple, Jacob Dunn, Jesse Davis, 
Christopher Uouty, John Douty, Thomas Duncan, John Dearfield, Peter Dickens (colored), 
Lot Davis, John Dunning, Joseph Davidson, Thomas Douglass, Fergus Dimsej'; John, 
William and James Douglass, William Dravo, Thomas Eckles, David Edwards, Archibald 

Elliott, Peter Everly, Edmundson and sons Alexander and John; John Fautin, 

James Fulton, John Flower, Moses Flower, Moses Fell, Andrew Fife and sons William. 
John, Thomas, Andrew, Noah and Matthew; Benjamin Grifflth, Elias Green, John GuSey, 
William Gillaspy, James Gilmore, James Gillim, Samuel Grossman, Charles Givener, 
John Green, Jr.. David Green, David Green, Jr., Archibald Gorman, Charles Galliher, 
James Gant, Charles Gillaspy, John Gamble. Esq.. and sons Dr. James. John and Hiram; 
Isaac Greer, Adam Haleman. John HiUbrook, William Hooper, Samuel Hughes, Jacob 
Hopkins, Isaac Hodge, John Hendricks, James Hammond, John Hawthorn, Jesse Hall, 
Samuel Higley, William Hay den; Zerah Hayden and sons Zerah and David; Cooper 

Howell; Howell and sons Welland, John and James; Joseph Hutchinson and sous 

Ira, John, Josepli and Isaac; Elienezer Henderson, Matthew Henderson. Henry Irwin, 
Mack Jobs, Dennis Jones, Archibald Jolmston, Michael Jobs, Matthew Jameson. Moses 
Kerr, Jacob Kapp, Richard and Thomas Kelly. Joel Ketcbum, Isaac King, John Kidd. 
Elislia Kerr, Moses Lake, Abraham Lytic, John Louderback. John Lippincult, David 
Luker, Seth Loomis, William Lloyd, James Ludle, Joseph Logan, Elisha Lindscy, Isaac 
Lytle, James Leech; Cyrus Long (colored) and sons Elijah, Reuben, Benjamin and Cyrus; 

Isaac Lytle, Isaac Moor. James McGargle, Alexander James, John and William; 

Patterson and sous James, Tliomas and John; Patterson and sons Frank and Harvey; 

Thomas Patterson, John Patterson, Robert Patterson, John Rodgers, Samuel Rodgers. 
Andtew Richey, Thomas Robison. John Robison, Alexander Rodgers, William Reeves. 

Conrad Roads. William W. Robertson. Dr. Joseph Rose. James Rej'monds. Rankin. 

Samuel Rankin, William Rankin, David Rhodes, John Sampson. Henry Stewart. William 
Stewart, Peter Sole. Peter Simpkins, Stacy Storer, John Scott. James Scott. Peter Ship- 
lor. John Shields. Elijah Spencer, Aaron Sutton, John Shafer, George Shaffer. George 

Swartz, Daniel Schaiffer, Thomas Scott, Thomas Slaton, Dickinson Simpson, Smith 

and sons Robert and Joseph; John Sutton and sons Jo.seph and Lewis; Shrader and 

sons William and John; Henry Stoner, John Shields, Alexander Shields, Col. James Scott, 
Zaccheus Scott, Joseph Scott, James Thompson, John Teel, Jabez Teel. John Thompson. 
John Torrens. James Varner.Vjoseph Vankirk and sons William. Joseph, Asher, Samuel 
and John; Dr. Joel K. Vankirk (son of Joseph, Jr.). Samuel Vankirk and sous William, 
Thomas, Samuel and Joseph; Gideon AValker, Jesse Waddle, Charles Wilson. Peter 
Wilson, Levy Woods, Thomas Wills, David Woodard. Jonathan Wicoff, Jacob Williams, 
Joseph Willson, James Wright. William Wigham. Isaac McClane. Neal McNight. Will- 
iam Means, Josiah Means, James McClure, Robert Maxwell. John Maner. Daniel Mace, 
Patrick McCrosky. Simeon Martin. Joseph McConnell. William Moreland. Col. Thomas 
Morton. Hohert Moor. Abraham Jlessinger. Barney JIcMasters. Robert McMeaus. Jacob 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 87 

Miller. James McCoy, BeDJamin Morgan, Thomas Morehead, Lewis McFarlin, Joseph 
McClure, David Mathers, John Mace, Arthur MuUou, William McMillen, Thomas McAl- 
hany, Jr., John McCrove, William Moonejf, James McKinney; James, William and Har- 
vey McClure; James Meuown and sons Frank and James; William Menown and sons 
Thomas and William; John Mace, John Mace, Jr., Andrew McKinley and sons Andrew 

and George; McClure and sons George, William, John B. and Samuel; Robert 

McConnell and son Joseph; William Nixon, William Nickles, John Nash, George 

Neblack, Nichols and sons Henry, David and James; Asa Oltoway, Benjamin 

Pancake, Elisha Pearce, Samuel Pangburn, James Power, John Pinkerton, Benja- 
min Pinkerton. William Pearse, David Pollick. Aaron Pearse, David Porter, Ebe- 
nezer Power, James Price, John Patterson, Samuel Price, Edward Petty, John Perry, 
John Pollock and sons Samuel, William and Henry; Daniel Pierce, Elisha Pierce and 

sons Joseph and John; John Pierce. Wall, Andrew Wall, Thomas Warren, James 

Witherow, Brisbin Wall, James Wall, Capt. Thomas Warren, Warner and sons Rob- 
ert, Abraham and Harvey; James Woods, Weaver, Levi Weaver, Wycoff and 

sons Isaac and John; Henry Westbay, John Westbay. Joseph Weddell and sons Joseph, 

and Thomas; Richard Weddell, Weddell and sons Peter and George; Jeremiah 

Wilson, Samuel Wilson. Matthew Wilson, Thomas Young. David Young. 

ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP. 

Elizabeth was oae of the seven original subdivisions of the county, and 
was erected in 1788. Its present limits wore established in 1869. It borders 
upon the Monongahela river a distance of about a mile above the borough of 
Elizabeth, and upon the Youghiogheny about twelve miles. It also adjoins 
Westmoreland county. There are no streams of importance, and the general 
slope of the surface is northeast. The land is fertile and productive, though 
much of it has been under cultivation nearly a hundred years; and in addi- 
tion to its advantages as a farming section, there is an apparently inexhaust- 
ible deposit of coal extending through the entire township. 

The first discovery of coal in this part of the Youghiogheny valley was 
made by Robert Graham, who became a resident of the township in 1815. 
He located a vein in the hills opposite Alpsville, and first demonstrated that 
the mineral was combustible. Coalpits were opened in various places for local 
consumption, but as timber was abundant, and generally preferable for fuel, there 
was no great demand for the product. The development of the coal interests 
of the eastern part of the township received a great impetus in 1852, when 
slackwater navigation on the Youghiogheny was provided for by the construction 
of dams and sluices. Dr. John Kuhn, of Versailles township, built an abiitment 
and tipple at the place where Graham's first discovery was made before the 
river was actually open to navigation, and from ' ' Little Alps ' ' mines the first 
shipments through the locks on the Youghiogheny were made. In the same 
year (1852) Duncan, Cornell & Co. opened the mines at Duncan station, then 
known as Duncan's landing. The "William Dravo" mine, a short distance 
below Buena Vista, was opened in 1856 by William Dravo. A cooperative 
association of miners, under the name of Muse & Co. , began operations at 
Stringtown in 1856, and Miller & Maguire, on a small scale, at Industry in 



88 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

186-1-. Unfortunately for the interests of both the coal companies and the 
owners of coal-lands, the slnckwater navigation did not justify their expecta- 
tions. Dam No. 1 was injured by the ice-flood of 18G2, and repaired by the 
combined efforts of the navigation company and the coal companies; but in 
the winter of 1865-60 both No. 1 and No. 2 sustained injuries to such an 
extent as to necessitate their virtual reconstruction. Instead of being rebuilt 
they were abandoned. Coalmining on the Youghiogheny was thus prema- 
turely suspended, and not resumed until 1883, when the PittsVjurgh, McKees- 
port & Youghiogheny railroad was opened. The first shipments over this road 
were made from the mines of the Southwest Gas Coal company at Buena Vista. 
With the exception of the Lake Shore Gas Coal company's mine at Dravo, 
all the collieries on this line of railroad are owned and operated by the Youg- 
hiogheny River Coal company, of which Hon. William L. Scott is president, 
James Matthews, superintendent, and M. H. Taylor, secretary and treasurer, 
and in which the Vanderbilt estate is largely interested. The coalworks of this 
company in Elizabeth township are known, respectively, as Ocean Mines Nos. 
2, 3, 4, 5 (the Southwest Gas Coal company), Atlantic, Pacific and New Hop- 
kins. The operations of this company contribute in large measure to the bus- 
iness activity and prosperity of this section of country. The former rugged as- 
pect of the river valley has been subdued, and thriving towns afford additional 
evidence, if that were necessary, of the benefits and permanence of the change. 

Boston was so named by a brother of Mr. Duncan, of the firm of Duncan, 
Cornell & Co. , by whom the coalworks at this place were first established. Its 
previous history was not uneventful. A hundred and more years ago there 
stood upon the present site of the village a stockade or fortification, the tradi- 
tional location of which is known as "the fort field." The outline of the 
redoubt was clearly traceable forty years ago. This was the retreat of the in- 
habitants of the "Forks" in times of threatened danger during the French 
and Indian troubles, but nothing of a remarkable character seems to have 
occurred here. It is to be regretted that incidents in connection with pioneer 
experiences at this period have not been preserved. 

There is little in the appearance of Boston to indicate the most remote 
resemblance to ' ' The Hub ' ' of New England civilization. Although it presents 
few features other than those usually possessed by mining towns, the beauty of 
the surroiinding scenery, the generally substantial character of the buildings, 
and the effects of a favorable location, imjjroved upon by public-spirited citi- 
zens, render it an exception to the general rule. Its growth has not been 
rapid, and the population at the present time may be estimated at two or three 
himdred. Saltworks on a small scale were once in operation, but have long 
since been suspended. The mines are worked by W. H. Brown's sons, and 
employ the laboring class of the population. Shipments are made by water, 
this place Vjeing at the head of navigation on the Youghiogheny. It is a 
station on the Pittsburgh. McKeesport & Youghiogheny railroad. 




*•*»'' ^L-*"^ 




';!• -"AifA "« 



U^y£. "Z/^,^/^ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 91 

The Boston Methodist Episcopal church, a frame structiu-e on the principal 
street of the village, was built in 1879. The society originated in a revival 
held the previous winter by the pastor of Dravo charge, of which it forms 
part. Rev. F. F. Pershing was pastor from 1878 to 1881, R. S. Ross from 
1881 to 1884, and R. C. Wolf from 1884 to 1887. The First United Presby- 
terian Church was organized February 27, 1885, by Rev. D. M. Thorn, and 
the church- edifice, a frame building on the main road from Boston to Buena 
Vista, was built in 1884-85. J. D. Williams, T. P. Westbay and T. J. Will- 
iams constituted the first session, and Mr. Thorn was pastor fi'om 1885 to 1887. 
The first religious service in the village was held in 1866 at the sawmill of J. 
D. Williams, by Rev. Crow, then pastor of a United Presbyterian church at 
CouJtersville. 

Rankin Post, No. 127, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized May 
15, 1879. The hall, a large brick building at the traditional location of the 
fort, and one of the most attractive features of the village, was built in 1886. 
Lone Star Lodge, No. 51, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with organiza- 
tions of Knights of Labor and Knights of the Mystic Chain, are also in a flour- 
ishing condition. 

Greenoak was ushered into existence under the name Greenock, which was 
conferred at the suggestion of William Black, a native of the old Scotch bor- 
ough. The name was conferred by John K. Graham, by whom the town was 
laid out (if it may be said to have experienced that formality) ; its impropriety 
became apparent as the distinctively German character of the population was 
noticeable, and by a corruption of the name it became Greenoak, but is known 
as a postotfice under the name of Greenock. The town is situated in a great 
bend of the Youghiogheny river, on the line of the Pittsburgh, McKeesport & 
Youghiogheny railroad. It comprises an area of two or three hundred acres, 
and ocevipies part of a tract of land originally seated by Robert Wilson, who 
was among the earliest settlers of Elizabeth township. He lived for several 
years in a log cabin near the river, reduced a small portion of his tract to culti- 
vation, and married after passing several years in this bachelor fashion. After 
his death, in the early part of this century, the tract relapsed into its original 
condition, and was regarded as utterly worthless for farming purposes. The 
surface is comparatively level, however, and when the mines were opened, in 
1852, building sites were in demand. The farm was sold by John K. Graham 
and others in lots of from one to fifteen acres. The purchasers were princi- 
pally Germans, and their untiring industry has effectually removed the rocks 
and brush which once were here in such profusion. Houses were biiilt in styles 
and situations to suit individual preference, and hence the irregular appear- 
ance presented. The population is variously estimated at from six to eight 
hundred. Farming, gardening and mining are the principal occupations. 
There is a brickyard in operation, employing a number of men. 

The Methodist church was built in the 60' s. This society forms part of 



92 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Dravo charge. Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in 1850, with Christian 
Waegele, chairman; W. Wallauiu, seeretar)', and L. Merhof, trustee. Revs. 
Meyer and Tollar, of McKeesport, conducted the first services. H. Frieman, 
successor of the latter, took the first step.s in building the church, which was 
dedicated in 1858. Eev. M. Schweikert was pastor for a number of years. 
The society was incorporated April 1-1, 1863. Rev. F. L. Dietrich is the pres- 
ent pastor. St. Paul's Lutheran Church was organized by Eev. F. A. Hers 
berger September 8, 1872, with eighteen members. The cornerstone of the 
church-edifice was laid April 13, 1873, and the dedication occurred August 8, 
1873. The following clergymen have been pastors: F. A. Hersberger, E. 
Mahlberg, Jacob Wilhelm, C. F. Meyer, H. L. Schenck and F. H. Besel. 

Buena Vista was laid out by James B. McGrew, September "JO, 1849, for 
the heirs of Daniel Greenawalt. The streets are numbered from First to Fourth, 
in order from the river, and named Brown, Main, Vine, Wood, Penn and Queen, 
in order from the west. Ocean Mines Nos. 3, 4 and 5 are located in the im- 
mediate vicinity, and from its situation at a great bead in the river, it com- 
mands the trade of a rich farming section. The ruins of one of the dams 
in the river obstruct its channel at this place. Communication with Buena 
Vista station, on the Pittsburgh & Connellsville railroad, by ferry, and with dif- 
ferent points on the rivers by steam-packet, before the destruction of the dams, 
rendered the place a little more active than the generality of river towns, 
but its present importance has resulted from the opening of the railroad in 
1883. The old courthouse at Pittsburgh and the piers of the Steubenville 
bridge were built from materials obtained at the quarries near this place. 

The First United Presbyterian Church of Buena Vista was organized Janu- 
ary 8, 1867, fi'om the membership of Bethesda Church. The church-edifice 
was built in 1860. A Methodist society numbering fifty members was formed 
in the winter of 1885-86, by Rev. R. C. Wolf, and the erection of a church 
is under consideration. 

Industry is a thriving village of several hundi-ed inhabitants at Ocean 
Mine No. 2. This place has improved rapidly since the opening of the rail- 
road. A Baptist church has been recently organized, with Rev. E. C. W^eeks, 
pastor, and a place of worship is in course of erection. Douglass, so named 
from Col. William Douglass, is a station on the Pittsburgh, McKeesport & 
Youghiogheny railroad, and a place of about two hundred families. The 
Atlantic and Pacific mines are located here. Dravo station (popularly known 
as Stringtown) may be regarded as a village, though scarcely more than a 
scattered hamlet. The old Newlin Methodist Episcopal church, built in 1824 
and rebuilt about forty years later, is situated in the immediate vicinity. The 
land upon which it stands was donated by William Newlin. 

Lovedale is a mining village in the western part of Elizabeth township. 
The name is derived fi'om that of A. Love, by whom the coalworks were orig- 
inated. John A. Wood & Son are the present operators. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 93 

The postoffices in the township are Buena Vista, Boston, Greenock, Gam- 
ble's, Blythedale and Frank. The population in 1860 was 5,991; in 1870, 
2,937; in 1880, 3,361. 

Although numerous changes were made in the political organization of the 
surrounding territory, no effort was made to reduce the limits of Elizabeth 
until January, 1825, when Robert Beatty, John Walker and Hezekiah Douthitt 
were appointed by the court to report upon the advisability of annexing to 
Versailles that part of its territory north of a line beginning at Coon's mill, and 
thence by a straight course to the Monongahela river opposite the mouth of 
Peter's creek. It is not probable that the commissioners took favorable action; 
at all events the movement was barren of results. April 2, 1853, l)y order of 
court. Col. John Scott, William G. Hawkins and Joseph Miller were authorized 
to report a plan of division, and under date of May 26, 1854, they submitted a 
draft of Elizabeth, that portion since known as Forward being designated as 
Jersey, and the limits nearly identical. The next plan suggested was that 
finally adopted — the formation of this township from the original territory of 
Elizabeth. Youghiogheny, Elizabeth and Forward were the respective names 
proposed; but at the election, June 30, I860, the measure was defeated by a 
vote of 225 to 189. It was plain, however, that a division must inevitably 
occur. The great extent of Elizabeth may be inferred from the fact that it 
bordered upon the Monongahela a distance of nearly twenty miles, and upon 
the Youghiogheny a distance of seventeen miles. The number of voters in this 
territory in 1868 is said to have been one thousand, and the places of election 
were seven miles from certain points in the township, which was the largest in 
the county, and had been such for many years. The plan of division proposed in 
1860 was again agitated in 1868 ; and at the April sessions in that year William E. 
Harrison, J. McK. Snodgrass and J. B. Stilley were appointed as commissioners 
for the usual duties prescribed in such cases. They reported in favor of the 
measure which had been proposed and defeated eight years previously ; and at 
the following election, March 19, 1869, the former result was reversed by a 
majority of 69 in a total vote of 365. March 29, 1869, by decree of court. 
Forward and Lincoln townships was erected, and Elizabeth reduced to its pres- 
ent limits. 

FORWARD TOWNSHIP. 

Forward township is so named in honor of Hon. Walter Forward, the dis- 
tinguished jurist. He began his career in 1801 as editor of the Tree of Liberty, 
a democratic organ, and the second journalistic venture in Allegheny county. 
He was member of Congress two terms, first comptroller of the treasury under 
Harrison, secretary of the treasury under Tyler, charge d'affaires to Denmark 
under Taylor, and finally judge of the district court of Allegheny county, in 
which position he died in 1852. He sustained a high character for ability and 
integrity throughout his long public career, and enjoyed a national reputation. 

While Virginia exercised jurisdiction over the territory which included what 



94 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

is now Forward township, this part of that ten-itory was Yohogania county, 
and the courts were held at the house of Andrew Heath, who lived near the 
town of West Elizabeth, on the west side of the !Mononi^ahela. In the records of 
that court the names of Thomas Applegate, Daniel Applegate, James Wall and 
Joseph Becket appear as jurors, road-viewers, etc. They were residents in this 
territory, and had doubtless taken the oath of allegiance to Virginia. What 
is now Forward was a part of Rostraver township when Westmoreland county 
embraced this part of Allegheny. 

The first to locate permanently in Forward township were the Applegates 
and Walls, who came from New Jersey in 1766. They were followed by 
others from the same state, and hence, for about a century, the place where 
they settled was known as the ' ' Jersey Settlement, ' ' and the name ' ' Jersey' ' 
was first suggested for the township. The following are the probable years of 
settlement by many of the early immigrants : 

Thomas, William, Samuel and Benjamin Applegate. James and Walter Wall, 1766: 
Donald Munro, Hugh Davidson, James Halleday, James Teriy, Richard Parker, John 
Reed, Samuel Devore, Abraham Miller, William McClure. Philip Rodtrers. Robert Smith. 
Cornelius Thompson, Adam McConnell, James Wilson, 1TG8; William Meiley, Ale.xander 
Dunlap, Andrew Pearce, Joseph Warne, James Pearse, 1769; David Williams, Moses De- 
vore, 1770; Azariah Davis. Henry Liming, Joseph Liming, 1772; Robert Craighead, 177-3; 
Daniel Thompson, Joseph Beckett, 1774; Matthew McKinuey, Richard Sparks, John 
Imbly, 1777; Alexander Craig, 1778; Zaccheus Wilson, 1779. 

Surveys were made to the following parties, though the year of settlement 
is not known: Eedman Magner, Ezekiel Dye, Stephen Lowrey (warrant), 
William Hall, 1785; John Dye, Edward Taylor, John Cavit, Elijah Heydon. 
1786; Christopher Heydon, 1787. 

This region enjoyed peace and security during the long period of the Indian 
disturbances. 

The township borders upon the Monongahela river a distance of thirteen 
or foiirteen miles, and adjoins Westmoreland county on the east. Becket' s, 
Sunfish, Keller's, Pangburn's, Limestone and Fallen Timber runs are among 
the principal streams. The land is hilly, but fairly productive, and valuable 
deposits of coal measurably increase its value. William G. Alexander, a 
merchant of Pittsburgh, removed to Elizabeth about 1847, and established 
Locust Grove Coal-works about a half-mile above Lock No. 3, on the property 
of Hon. Thomas M. Howe. Mr. Alexander's operations were not financially 
successful, owing to frequent losses in shipments to southern waters. He dis- 
posed of the Locust Grove works to Archibald McLees. They have since been 
abandoned. Andrew Leech purchased coal-lands from the Morrison estate 
about a mile south of Lock No. 3, and opened the seam of coal at the mouth 
of the run passing down the valley at Leechburg. Becoming involved finan- 
cially through his southern and western connections, he transferred the works to 
his brother, James Leech, from whom they passed to the Wenona Coal com- 
pany, the present operators. In 1875 the coalworks in Forward township above 




^. ^, ^f^^^^>'7^?^^_ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 97 

Elizabeth, in consecutive order, were those of Blaine & Walker, the Wenona 
Coal company, McKnight & Co. (Bntler Coal-works), the Irvin Coal company, 
W. H. Brown & Co. (Old Eagle Coal-works), and Bobbins, Lynn & Co. Hon. 
James G. Blaine is the owner of a large tract of coal-land above Elizabeth. 

There are no churches in the township, and no villages of any importance. 
The population in 1870 was 1,300; in 1880, 1,740. Elkhorn postoffiee, so 
named from the paper-mills of that title, was established in 1875. 

Elizabeth Borough. — This borough, the oldest town on the Monongahela 
river above its mouth, and for many years the most important place on that 
stream, was founded in 1787, by Col. Stephen Bayard. The following adver- 
tisement in the Pennsylvania Journal of January 13, 1788, enumerates the 
advantages claimed for the location, and the considerations which influenced 
its selection: 

Elizabeth-Town, on the river Monongahela (where formerly the New Store stood). — 
This town is situated on the east side of said river, between Red Stone Old Port and Pitts- 
burgh, twenty miles above the latter by water and fifteen by land. 

The great roads from the lower counties lead directly through it to Washington and 
Wheeling. The best and most direct road over the hills is from Carlisle, called the old 
Pennsylvania road, beginning at Clerk's Gap, from thence to Bedford, thence to Lig- 
onier, thence to Greeuburg, thence to Brown's Ferry on Yough, and from thence to Eliza- 
beth-Town, and down the Monongahela viaMontmorin (or Logstown), a nearer and better 
circuit than Fort Pitt to Muskingum, Kentucky, etc. This road is now made so good that 
wagons carrying one ton and a half maj- pass without difficulty, and is by much the best 
from Philadelphia to the westward. Boats of everj' dimension may be had at Elizabeth- 
Town, in the course of next spring and summer, at as short notice and on as reasonable 
terms as at any place on said river. The situation of the town is attended with this sin- 
gular advantage, that there is water sufficient for boats to go down from it into the Ohio 
at any season of the year. It possesses, likewise, another advantage, from its being sur- 
rounded by a rich and thick-settled country, where provisions of all kinds may be had at 
a very cheap rate, particularly flour, there being no less than six gristmills within the cir- 
cumference of three or four miles. . . . 

Proposals will be received and attended to by Stephen Bayard at Philadelphia, and 
by Bayard & Mackay. proprietors, at Pittsburgh. 

Some account of the founder of the town may be appropriate in this con- 
nection: 

Stephen Bayard was born January 33, 1743. the son of Samuel and Franscina (Maiden) 
Bayard, at Bohemia manor, Cecil county, Md., the earliest home of the family in this 
country. The original patentee, Augustine Herman, derived his title from Cecilius Cal- 
vert, second Lord Baltimore, and proprietor of Maryland, in 1663, and was confirmed in 
its possession by the son and successor of that nobleman in 1683, May 34, 1684, he dis- 
posed of the manor to Peter Bayard, the greatgrandfather of Stephen, a man of position 
and wealth, and one of that large body of French Protestants whom the revocation of the 
edict of Nantes compelled to leave their country. The famil_y was early represented in 
Delaware, and has been identified with political movements in that state throughout its 
history. Thomas F. Bayard, the secretary of state under President Cleveland's adminis- 
tration, is descended from the same ancestry as the founder of Elizabeth. 

It is evident that Stephen Bayard passed his youth upon the manor, but what educa- 
tion he received does not appear. For several years preceding the revolutionary war he 



98 HISTOliY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

was associated with his cousin. Col. John Baj-ard, in mercantile pursuits at Philadelphia. 
Upon the first call for troops he relinquished his business to enter the American arinj' as 
a captain, raukini; from January 5, 17715, in tlie Third Pennsylvania regiment. He was 
promoted to major of the Eighth regiment March 12, 1777; appointed lieutenant-colonel 
September 23, 1777; transferred to the Si.xth regiment January, 1781; to the First regiment 
January 1, 1783. The last years of his military life were passed under Col. Daniel Brod- 
head and Brig.-Gen. William Irvine at Fort Pitt, on the frontier. With his usual sagacity 
he foresaw the future possibilities of the western country, and at the termination of the 
war (1783) he settled at Pittsburgh and formed a partnership with Maj. Isaac Craig in 
mercantile business. January 23, 1784, they p\ircl)ased three acres of ground from the 
Penns, this being the first sale of this character within the present limits of Pittsburgh. 
The agent of the Penns laid off the town four months later; at his instance. Bayard and 
Craig waived their right to the property previously acquired, and by deed bearing date 
December 31, 1784, received as compensation thirty-two lots on Penn and Liberty streets, 
between the Union depot and Allegheny river. This part of the city is still referred to 
as Baj'ardstown by old citizens, and so long as the name retains popular significance it 
is one of the few reminders of the people who figured prominently in the earl}' history 
of Pittsburgh. In June, 1784, Bayard and Craig formed a partnership with William 
Turnbull, Peter Marmie and John Holkar, merchants of Philadelphia, and engaged in 
the distilling business on an extensive scale. Bayard withdrew from the firm in the 
spring of 1788, having come into possession of Greenock, a large tract of land on 
the Monongahela river, originally secured in 1769 by Donald Monroe in warranty title. 
Here he laid out Elizabethtown, and devoted the best energies of his life from that lime 
forth in furthering its growth. He died at Pittsburgh December 13, 1815, at the age of 
seventy-two, and is burled in the gravej-ard of the First Presbyterian church. 

Elizabeth (Mackay) Bayard, from whom the town is named, was born 
December 22, 1767, at Fort Pitt, of which her father, Col. JEneas Mackay, 
was then in command. He was of Scotch descent, and formed his first 
acquaintance with this country in 1755 as captain of a company in Braddoek's 
expedition. 

The original town plot extended from the river to Turner's alley and from 
Bayard street to Park's alley, including Plum, Market and Mill streets. No 
interesting passages marked the first years of its history. The location was 
well known in the western country. As early as 1779 it is referred to as the 
" New Store," and from its position on the river and on one of the main high- 
■ ways of the region, it early attracted attention. Boat-building on a small 
scale was carried on, but when a full complement of local mechanics, store- 
keepers, innkeepers, ferrymen and barge -bi;ilders had collected, the popula- 
tion remained practically stationary. Rival towns came into existence. Central- 
izing tendencies were already apparent, and the trade that ought to have con- 
tinued with the "New Store" was diverted to the ambitious county seat. 
There were thirty-five houses in the town in 1819, and the population, estimated 
at one hundred and fifty, was distributed as follows; 

Water street: John Craighead. John Gibner; between Park's alley and Mill. Adam 
Laughlin, Gen. John Wilson, Garrett Guess, George A. Bayard; between Mill and Mar- 
ket, Samuel Pollock, James Brice, Maj. Walker; between Market and the terminus of 
the street. Samuel Walker. John Scott. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 99 

First street: The shop of a Mr. Hamilton on the west side at the corner of Mill; in 
the center of the street, Mr. Paul; Robert Getty, east side above Market. 

Second street, west side; Below Mill. James Stephenson, Thomas Mahaffey, Michael 
Harlan; between Mill and Market. William Gamble, Alexander Frew, Charles Hilliard; 
above Market, Samuel Doughty. .John Elliott; east side; Mrs. Brandt, below Mill; Mrs. 
Wilson, between Mill and Market; John Laughridge, Dr. Stewart, John Doughty, John 
Gibner, Peter Coursin, above Market. 

Third street, east side; Samuel Walker, Andrew Craighead, Mrs. Slaughter. 

Market street; Mrs. Loomis, between Third and Tanner's alley. Peter Croco and 

Hamilton lived on the outskirts of the town. 

The architectural style of the buildings in general was not pretentions in 
its character. George A. Bayard's house, in which Mrs. Elizabeth (Mackay) 
Bayard died, was two stories high and built of hewn logs. That of Samuel 
Walker, a two-story brick building, was probably the most substantial, and 
also one of the largest in the town. John Scott and his family lived in a two- 
story frame house. Mr. Getty, although one of the most successful business- 
men of the place, lived in a one-story frame house, and his store was of similar 
proportions. William Gamble's dwelling is described as a "double log," 
and Alexander Frew's as a "double frame," the latter being two stories high. 
John Elliott's residence, owned by John Craighead, was a two-story frame 
house, as was also that of Mrs. AVilson, owned by Thomas Reynolds. There 
were btit three brick houses in the town at that time — Dr. Stewart's residence, 
the schoolhouse, and the house of Samuel Walker, previously mentioned. A 
fourth was in course of construction by Maj. Walker; it has survived the 
majority of its neighbors at that time, and is widely and favorably known to 
the traveling public as the Sarver House. The bricks were made in Elizabeth 
township by Robert Simpson, and laid by Maj. Travilla, of Pittsburgh, after- 
ward sheriff of Allegheny county. 

The usual vocations of a village population were pursued. Dr. Stewart 
represented the medical profession, and Gen. John Wilson was a gentleman of 
military proclivities. No member of the legal fraternity was engaged in the 
active dtities of his profession at this time, but the juvenile element of the 
population numbered several embryo lawyers whose achievements reflect honor 
tipon the place of their birth — Judge William Laughridge, of Oskaloosa, 
Iowa, and Samuel Frew, of Pittsburgh. The merchants of the place were 
Samtiel Walker, Robert Getty and James Brice. Mr. Walker transacted a 
large general business, and in all the stores dry goods, groceries, hardware, 
boots and shoes and the whisky-barrel divided the attentions of the salesmen. 
There were two hotel-keepers — Charles Hilliard and Andrew Craighead. John 
Laughridge was a chairmaker; Thomas and David Wilson, blacksmiths; Alex- 
ander Frey, spinning-wheel maker; J. M. AVycoff and Isaac Wycoff, carpentei's; 
— — - Hamilton, shoemaker; John Scott, tailor; Thomas Mahaffey, plasterer; 
Samuel Pollock, cabinet-maker, and the remainder of the population found 
employment in the boatyards and tannery. The former were situated on the 



100 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

river bank bet woea Park's alley and Mill street, and the latter on the right side 
of the millrace opposite the dwelling of Peter Croco. There was also a distill- 
ery, the proprietors of which were Robert Getty and Smiley. 

The beginning of the boat- building industry was contemporary with the 
founding of the town. Under date of August 20, 1788, "Stephen Bayard, 
proprietor, on the premises," announced through the advertising columns of 
the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser (published at Philadelphia) 
that "At Elizabeth Town, on the Monongahela, may now be had Kentudn- 
boats of different dimensions; where, also, for the future boats of every con- 
struction and size may be had at as low a price as any on these waters. To 
prevent the detention of travelers, so frequent on the river for want of boats, 
the proprietor has erected a boatyard on the premises, where timber is plenty, 
and four of [the] best boat-builders from Philadelphia are constantly em- 
ployed." The boats here referred to were of that general class of river 
craft known as keelboats and barges, coriesponding to the Durham boats used 
in river navigation on the Delaware and Susquehanna at a corresponding 
period in the settlement of that part of the state. The fact that four boat- 
builders were ' ' constantly employed ' ' does not indicate an extensive estab- 
lishment; but it is greatly to the credit of Col. Bayard that he could foresee 
the possibilities of the industry. He not only founded the town, in the usual 
significance of that phrase, but he laid well the foundations of its future 
prosperity and importance. Harris' Directory of 1836 states that a company 
of ship-carpenters was brought out from Philadelphia in 1800, when the 
building of sailing-vessels was begun. " In the following year they built the 
schooner Monongahela Farmer, which was owned by the builders and farm- 
ers of the neighborhood, who loaded her with a cargo of flour, etc. . and sailed 
via New Orleans to the city of New York. In 1803 the brig Anne Jane, of 450 
tons, was built here for the Messrs. McFarlane, merchants, who loaded her 
with flour and whisky and sailed her to New York. This vessel was one of the 
fastest sailers of her day, and was run as a packet to New Orleans for some 
time." Maj. John Walker accompanied the Anne Jane in person, and disposed 
of both the brig and her cargo at New Y'ork. Two pirogues, used in Lewis 
and Clark's explorations of the Missouri river and the northwestern pent of the 
United States, were built here in 1803. 

Bayard and his associates were not suffered to monopolize the construction 
of vessels on the western waters, however. In 1801, before the Monongahela 
Farmer was launched, John A. Tarascon & Brothers, James Berthoud & Co. , 
began the construction at Pittsburgh of the schooner Amity, of 120 tons, 
thus beginning the boat-building industry of that place. The first steamboat 
to navigate the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, the New Orleans, was built at 
Pittsburgh in 1811; but as the practicability of ocean navigation by steam 
had not yet been demonstrated, ship-builders confined their attention to sail- 
ing-vessels for some years after that date. Only two steamboats were built 





^ /H^ J-^^^tc 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 103 

at Pittsburgh in 1822, although the number had reached eight in 1819. while 
sixteen were built in 1826. Harris' Directory states that the first steamboat 
was built at Elizabeth in that year; and it is not improbable that the increased 
demand for vessels of that character indicated by the figures above given in- 
fluenced the boat-builders at Elizabeth in making the innovation. There is 
also evidence that one steamboat, at least, was built prior to that time, the 
Western Navigator, a low-pi'essure boat, with one smokestack, four staterooms, 
and an uncovered paddle-wheel, launched May 10, 1815, byMaj. John Walker. 
The Walkers were identified with boat-building at Elizabeth throughout 
its continuance. Samuel Walker and Elizabeth (Springer), his wife, with a 
family of sis children, emigrated from Wilmington, Del., in the autumn of 
1785, and in October of that year reached McFarland' s ferry, two miles above 
Elizabeth. The company with which they traveled brought the first printing- 
press across the Allegheny mountains, the plant from which John Scull issued 
the first number of the Pittsburgh Gazette. Walker had previously been a 
member of the Delaware legislature; but he seems to have adapted himself 
without inconvenience to his new surroundings, and in November, 1794, 
ferried the whole of Morgan's army across the river. His son, Maj. John 
Walker, then (1785) a youth of nineteen, had been a spectator of the battle 
of the Brandywine. Among the ship-carpenters brought out by Bayard, 
the chief draftsman, John Scott, seems to have been a man of good pro- 
fessional ability. Walker was at this time proprietor of a sawmill in part- 
nership with John Craighead, and it was largely by the energy of these men 
that the Monongahela Farmer was built. When it is considered that they 
were without capital; that no sailing-vessel had yet traversed the Ohio and 
Mississippi; and that, in addition to the natural difficulties of the navigation, 
the hostility of Indians and Spaniards was to be feared, it is worthy of notice 
that the initial efFort in utilizing for commercial purposes the great water 
highways of the west should be undertaken by the farmers and mechanics 
of a feeble frontier settlement. A company was organized, and a schooner of 
two hundred and fifty tons begun in 1800. Having been completed in the fol- 
lowing spring. Walker was placed in command, with the following instructions : 

ELIZ.4BETHT0WN, May 11. 1801. 
Mr. John Walker: 

Sir — You being appointed master and supercargo of the schooner Monongahela 
Farmer and the cargo thereof by the Monongahela company, and as you have given bond 
and securit}' for the faithful performance of the duties belonging thereto, you are hereby 
directed to go on board and take charge of the said vessel and cargo (with the handsyou have 
engaged for that purpose), and proceed without unnecessary delay to the city of New 
Orleans, and then you are, if you find it necessar}-, to employ on commission Cochern & 
Wray, or any other house you in your judgment may think proper, to assist you in enter- 
ing and selling said vessel and cargo, which you will perform on the best and in as short 
a time as possible (at the same time exercising your judgment and acquiring every infor- 
mation in your power with respect to the probable rise or fall of the markets, on account of 
which it may be proper to delas'for some time). You are to keep a true account of the sales 



104 HISTOliY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

j'ou make and all the bills thereof; you are to produce vouchers, as also a true statement of 
the expenses or necessary outlays. Provided, nevertheless, that should the markets for 
flour be low at New Orleans, and the vessel appear to sell at disadvantage, you, in that case, 
have it in j'our power to sell a part of the cargo, to purchase rigging, fit out the vessel and 
employ hands to sail her to any of the islands you, in your judgment and to the best in- 
formation, may think best, and tliere make sale of the vessel and cargo. 

In either case you are, as soon as the sales are made, to return by the most advan- 
tageous route, in 3'our opinion, with tlie proceeds of the sales (after paying the necessary 
expenses), and put them into the hands of David Pollock and .lohn Robisou, trustees of 
the said companj', in order that a dividend be made to the owners agreeable to their inputs. 

We, for ourselves and in belialf of saidcompanj', wish you a prosperous voyage and a 
speedy return. Jacob Ferree. 

John Robison. 
David Poli>ock. 

Walker's best judgment, to which his principals referred with such confi- 
dence, having prompted the disposal of both vessel and cargo at New Orleans, 
a further voyage to the "islands" was rendered unnecessary. The construc- 
tion of the Anne Jane, a brig of 450 tons, for Robert and James McFarland, 
next engaged the attention of the Elizabeth boat-builders. The industiy 
seems to have become firmly established, and the particulars of its history 
from this time present little of striking interest. The date usually given for 
the commencement of steamboat- building is 1826, when the Stephen Decatur 
was built. Seventy-eight boats were built in the next ten years, with an aggre- 
gate capacity of 13,553 tons. But eight of these had a capacity of less than 
one hundred tons. The largest was the Leviathan, of 600 tons, and then, in 
order, the Constellation, of 500 tons; the Mediterranean, of the same 
capacity; the Uncle Sam, of 480 tons; the Corinthian, of 450 tons: the 
George Colyer, of 450 tons; the Moravian, of 440 tons: the Henry Clay, of 
400 tons; the Peru, of 350; the Chillicothe, Glasgow, Pennsylvania and 
North America, of 300 tons, the capacity of all the others but three being less 
than two hundred tons. The number of boats built prior to 1857 was 312. 

Upon the death of Maj. John Walker, his three sons, Robert C, Samuel 
and John, Jr. , succeeded to the various business interests with which he was 
connected. The proprietorship and management of the boatyards devolved 
eventually upon Samuel Walker, who inherited the energy and executive 
ability of his father. The business attained its largest proportions during 
his administration. There were three yards, one at the foot of Walnut street, 
another below Capt. Hendrickson's residence, and another, still in use by 
Horner & Roberts. It is probable Mr. Walker built a larger number of steam- 
boats than any other man of bis generation. The world-renowned J. M. 
White, whose record has never been lowered, was built here, and the first 
steamer that ever floated in California waters was constructed under his direc- 
tion for Capt. Mark Sterling. After being completed at the middle boatyard, 
the ship was transported in sections, bj' way of Cape Horn, and gave perfect 
satisfaction when rebuilt. Samuel Walker was succeeded bv his son-in law. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 105 

Gen. James A. Ekin, who conducted the business until the war-period. The 
growth of the railroad system of the country, the disappearance of the 
forests, and the demand for larger ships than could be conveniently floated 
gradually deprived the business of the prosperity it once so liberally enjoyed 
and bestowed. The larger boats were usually dropped over the dams in sea- 
sons of high water, but this was effectually prevented by the construction of 
the railroad bridge in 1865 at Dam No. 2. This was the beginning of the end, 
if not, in fact, the end, for but eight or ten boats have been built since. Four 
bargeyards, four coalboat siding-yards and four docking establishments, 
employing several hundred men, comprise the present status of an industry 
that will never, in the natural course of events, attain its former magnitude 
and relative importance. 

The village advanced its claims for local self government with the enter- 
prise that distinguished its early citizens. An act incorporating the borough 
was passed by the legislature April 2, 1834, and received executive sanction 
three days later. The boundaries were thus described: 

Beginning at the mouth of Smith's run; thence up said run to [the] spring whence it 
issues; thence a direct course to the house of Samuel Wallier, now occupied by David 
Jacobs, including the same; thence a direct course to the dam of Walker & Craighead's 
sawmill on Fallen Timber run; thence along the foot of the hill a direct course to the 
frame house of Dr. Pennimnn, including the same; thence by line of the front of said 
house to the eastern corner of Hugh Fergus' meadow-lot; thence by course of Fallen 
Timber run to Monongahela river; thence along the margin of said river at low-water 
mark to the place of beginning. 

The area thus included was the original plot of Bayard, and an addition 
thereto made in 1833 by Samuel and John Walker. The latter also laid off 
that part of the town bounded by Fifth and Bayard streets, which, with other 
territory, was annexed to the borough in 1876. At the first election Peter 
Wilson was chosen burgess; Samuel Frew, Francis C. Flannegan, Hugh Fer- 
gus, John F. Richards and James Stewart, councilmen; John R. Perry, high 
constable, with the added honors of street commissioner, assessor, collector and 
wagon -measurer. Hugh Fergus became burgess in 1835, John K. Shields in 
1836 and John Shugart in 1837. Various internal improvements were pro- 
jected during this period. September 24, 1836, the council appropriated one 
hundred and twenty dollars for the grading and curbing of Market street, 
■which was done under the direct supervision of the street commissioner. Au- 
gust 1, 1837, Jacob F. Wall contracted for the grading of Second street, and 
September 1, 1837, J. F. Richards agreed to improve Main street in a similar 
manner. 

The fire department was early a subject of consideration. An '"American 
hydraulic engine" was purchased in 1839; a trial of the machine resulted in 
complete failure, and the party by whom its purchase was agitated has never 
since been a factor in borough polities. The bucket-brigade has often been 



100 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

called iuto requisition, and usually proven equal to the situation. The market- 
house, a distinctivel\- borough institution, was situated at the corner of Walnut 
and Second streets, upon the lot now occupied by the borough hayscales. The 
building was about sixteen feet wide and sixty feet long; it was supported upon 
two brick columns about twelve feet high. The floor was paved with brick and 
divided into stalls, which were rented to butchers and farmers. The building 
ceased to afford sufficient revenue to provide necessary repairs, and its use for 
markets was finally discontinued. At present the only borough propei-ty 
■worthy of mention is a small brick ' ' lockup, ' ' but its tenants are very few, 
perhaps because local prohibition has been in force since !S72. 

The business and other features of the town are thus summarized Uy Harris 
in 1836, two years after the municipal government was established: 

Three steamboat-yards, Samuel Walker, 3, G. Stephens, 1; 3 steam sawmills, Samuel 
Walker; 1 steam merchant-mill, Samuel Walker: 1 water sawmill, J. Walker & Craig- 
head; 1 green-glass manufactorj-, B. Johnston; 1 woolen factori'. I. L. Morris: 1 distillery. 
G. W. Trimble; 1 tannery, Hugh Fergus: 6 blacksmith-shops; 3 hotels, John Holmes and 
W. Loomis: 1 inn, James Reynolds; 3 English dayschools: 1 Sabbath-school, with 100 
scholars: 3 churches, 1 Methodist, Rev. Mr. Reed; 1 Baptist, Dr. J. Estep; 1 Covenanter. 
Rev. Mr. Crozier; T merchants, Samuel Walker, John Walker, Jr., & Co., John McDon- 
ough, F. C. Flannegan, James Craighead, Baker Johnson, Frederick Kinkerly; 1 attorney 
at law, Samuel Frew, Esq.; 8 doctors. James Estep, William A. Peuniman, ,f. W. Biddle; 
2 justices of the peace. J. Craighead, J. F. Richards; population, about 1,100. 

The population was 1,196 in 1870, and 1,810 in 3880, and at the present 
time it is probably 3,000, including the closely built section just outside the 
borough lines, but properly a part of the town. The mineral re.soru-ces of the 
surrounding country have been developed rapidly since the decline of the boat- 
building industry. Eight of the largest mines in the bituminous coal-regions 
are situated within a radiiis of three miles from the town; and were the popu- 
lation thus employed concentrated, its busine.ss would be measurably increased. 
Such a result can hardly be anticipated while the "company store" continues 
to be a cherished institution, however. Improved railway facilities would 
doubtless confer a great advantage upon the place. The Pittsburgh, Vir- 
ginia & Charleston railroad was opened through West Elizabeth November 
11, 1872. The Elizabeth packet-line was established in 1849, and the steam 
ferry in 1873. The projected route of the Pittsburgli. Chartiers & Youghio- 
gheny, and of an extension of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie system, pass through 
the town. A bridge project is now under discussion. 

The earliest journalistic efFort in the Monongahela valley above Pittsburgh 
•was made in June, 182S, when Samuel Frew published at Elizabeth the Penn- 
sylvanian and Jackson Free Press. It was purely a campaign sheet, and did 
not survive the influences iinder which it originated. Mr. Frew established 
the Mononyahela Valley Messenger several years later, which shared the fate 
of its predecessor. The Advertiser was first issued January 28. 1871, by P. 
T. B. Shaffer, and appeared at irregtilar intervals until December 23. 1871, 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 107 

when, having acquired citizenship, it became the Elizabeth Advertiser, and 
thereafter was published semi-monthly until March 22, 1873. P. T. B. 
ShafFer and W. L. Penney established the Monongahela Valley Messenger 
August 2, 1S73, and from that time a weekly paper has been published con- 
tinuously. January 1, 1874, the name was changed to Black Diamond, which 
was retained for one year, when the present style, the Elizabeth Herald, was 
adopted. J. T. Weddell became proprietor September 12, 1874, and McGin- 
ley & Wiley, the present owners, in May, 1879. A most interesting feature of 
the paper during the last two years has been "Dr. Shaffer's Reminiscences," 
fi'om the pen of John E. Shaffer, M. D., a resident of the borough since 1845, 
and one of the oldest physicians of the county. November 4, 1887, a centen- 
nial edition of the Herald was issued, in honor of the htmdi'edth anniversary 
of the founding of the town, replete with valuable information relating to the 
history of the borough and surrounding country, and of great assistance in 
facilitating the preparation of this chapter. 

The first schoolhouse of the borough was a brick building, erected in 1818 
on the east side of Second street. The first teacher was Washington Robison. 
The first effort to establish a school of high grade was made in 1848 by a Miss 

McFarland, of Cannonsburg. She was followed by Williams, J. T. 

Power, I. H. Campbell and Miss S. S. Ingles. The latter was a lady of good 
administrative ability, and projected a school of more than local influence. 
The early public schools were conducted in the houses occupied by A. G. 
Lewis and George W. Wright. In June, 1849, there were 77 females and 73 
males in District No. 1; 74 females and 65 males in District No. 2; 80 females 
and 55 males in District No. 3 ; a total of 404. The construction of a new 
schoolhouse was begun in that year, and a second was erected several years 
since. 

The secret societies of the town were organized in the following order: 
Old Monongahela Lodge, No. 209, I. O. O. F., February 27, 1847; Monon- 
gahela Encampment, No. 109, I. O. O. F., October 19, 1851; Stephen Bayard 
Lodge, P. & A. M., September 3, 1872; Elizabeth Lodge, No. 444, K. of P., 
September 9, 1875; G. A. R. Post, December 16, 1878; O. U. A. M., Decem- 
ber 10, 1881; R. A., June 8, 1885. 

Round Hill Presbyterian Church was organized in 1778, by Rev. James 
Finley, who visited this region as early as 1772, and became pastor in 1785, 
continuing u^ntil his death in 1795. Rev. James Smith was pastor from 1797 
to 1803; William Wylie, 1805-17; Robert Johnston, 1818-31; N. H. Gillett, 
1884-41; William Eaton, 1841-44; A. Calhoun, 1845-48; Joseph Smith, 
1851-55; James Martin, 1857-63; J. L. Sample, 1864-66; W. L. Boyd, 
1867-71; J. B. Dickey, 1871-79; B. T. DeWitt, 1880-. The second church 
was built in 1819, and the third was dedicated June 24, 1885. The church at 
Elizabeth was built in 1851. Mount Vernon church was built in 1866. 

Bethesda United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1780. Rev. Mathew 



108 HISTORY OF ALLEOnENY COUNTY. 

Headerson was installed as its first pastor November 24, 1785. and continued 
until April 29, 1829; Matthew McKinstry succeeded him in 1830, and 
resigned in 1845; Samuel Jamison was pastor from 1848 to 1860, and D. H. 
Pollock, at present in charge, was installed in 1809. The second church, a 
brick building, was erected in 1818, and the church at Elizabeth in 1851. 

A Methodist church was built in 1838, and is still standing, in marked 
contrast with the beautiful structure recently built on the adjoining lot as its 
successor. Philip Smith was active in the first enterprise. In 1845 Elizabeth 
was part of a circuit which also included Fell's, Dravo and Concord. The 
present church-edifice was dedicated May 10, 1885. 

The First Baptist Church of Elizabeth was constituted September 17, 
1842, with sixty-five members. Rev. James Estep was the first pastor, and 
was followed by Isaac Wj'nn in April, 1843; Milton Sutton, in 1844; J. R. 
Hornish, in 1847; S. W. Foljambe, Richard R. Sutton, William Whitehead, 
J. K. Cramer, John Burke, J. W. Scott, I. C. Tuttle and A. B. Whitney, 
the present incumbent. The first place of worship was built in 1833, and 
that occupied at present was secured by purchase in 1803. 

St. Michael's Roman Catholic church was built in 1851, largely through 
the efforts of William Lambert, a devoted member of that communion, whose 
residence had been the place of worship for visiting clergymen for some 
years. The following clergymen have ofiiciated at St. Michael's: R. Phelan, 
"p. M. Garvey, 1855-00; Thomas Quinn, 1860-61; Dennis Kearney, 1861-67; 
W. F. Hayes, 1867-71; Martin J. Brezill, 1871-73; P. M. Garvey, 1873-77; 
Francis McCourt, 1877-. 

The Monongahela Covenanter congregation was originally composed of a 
membership residing at the preaching-places of Redstone, Mifiiin, Long run 
and Miller's run. The brick church in Elizabeth township, half a mile from 
the borough, was built in 1838, when Rev. John Crozier was pastor. The 
church at Elizabeth was built in 1865. 

The Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1803, and the church - 
edifice was built in 1864. The African Methodist church was dedicated July 
16, 1871. after remaining unfurnished for many years. Rev. J. J. Jones has 
recently organized a colored Baptist society. 

LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 

Lincoln township comprises the narrow peninsula at the junction of the 
Monongahela and Youghiogheny, bordering on the former seven miles and on 
the latter five, and ranging in breadth from eighty or a hundred rods on the 
north to two or three miles on the south. The name had previously been sug- 
gested for a township to be formed from Ross and Ohio, and on the faihire of 
that project it was appropriated by the admirers of the ' ' martyr president ' ' 
in the " Forks." 

The farm of the late Andrew MeClure was surveyed on a wan-ant applied 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 109 

for in the name of Mary Creigh, June 14, 1767. James Gray settled here as 
early as 1782, and in 1784 sold land to William Johnson, George Fockler, prior 
to 1788, and David Pollock in 1792. The lists of early settlers in Elizabeth . 
township include those of Lincoln, as the territory of the latter was embraced 
within the limits of the former. 

Many archaeological specimens have been found in this township, as well as 
in Elizabeth and Forward. At one place was an Indian cemetery, which gave 
evidence of having been used as a place of sepulture in widely difFerent periods, 
for implements belonging to both the stone and iron ages were found in the 
graves. Tradition relates that in the years following 1780 immense droves of 
wild hogs were found in the forests of this and the other townships in the 
peninsula between the Monongahela and the Youghiogheny. They differed in 
some respects fi'om domestic breeds, but it is a well-known fact that swine will 
in one or two generations lose the characteristics that they have acquired by 
domestication, and become, both in appearance and habits, wild. There were 
no native breeds, and these were probably the descendants of those that had 
been brought to this region, and. with the fecundity characteristic of these 
animals, had multiplied till the region was stocked with them. The mast which 
abounded in the forests here afforded them abundant subsistence. Their 
ferocity and courage rendered them formidable foes when aroused. 

Bellevue, a town of one hundred and fifty or two hundred inhabitants on 
the Monongahela river, is so named from the fine view commanded from a hill 
in the vicinity. There is one church, of the Methodist Protestant denomina- 
tion, built in 1873, in the town. The coalworks here were first oj)erated by 
William McCaslin. He sold the property about 1847 to James W. Edgar, 
who was succeeded by George Bradshaw. The works subsequently passed into 
possession of Hon. Thomas Mellon and Peter Binkey, and then to Farrow, 
Gumbert & Huey. Mr. Thomas Farrow died May 13, 1873, and the surviving 
partners have since operated the works under the style of Gumbert & Huey. 
The coal-lands of Capt. John Pollock, a short distance below, were first 
developed by Pollock, Dunseth & Co. Along the Youghiogheny river the 
Lynch Coal company, successors to J. Penney & Co., operate the Lynch Coal- 
works. The population of the township was 1,399 in 1870, and 1,646 in 1880. 

Reynoldton Borough. — This borough was incorporated December 11, 1886. 
The name is derived fi-om that of its founder, Thomas Reynolds, by whom a 
portion of the town plot was laid out about twenty years ago. Few indications 
of growth were apparent for some time. The place received an impetus in the 
prosperity of McKeesport, but, with no means of convenient communication, 
its improvement was necessarily retarded. The opening of the Pittsburgh, 
McKeesport & Youghiogheny railroad and of the Youghiogheny suspension 
bridge in 1883 completely obviated this disadvantage, and the growth of the 
town from that time has been rapid. It is pleasantly located on a g entle slope 
aX the foot of the river hills; the streets are regularly laid oat, and in many 



110 HISTOlty or ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

respects it is a desirable place of residence for persons engaged in business in 
the adjoining city. The only industrial establishment is a brickyard. 

A Methodist Episcopal society was formed in 1884, in connection with the 
First Methodist Episcopal Church of McKeesport. A separate organization 
was effected in 1886, with Rev. W. S. Davis as pastor. The church-building, 
a frame structure, on Sinclair street between Ann and Dale, was built in 1884- 
85. This is the only religious body in the town. Several secret societies are 
represented here. Hero postoffice was established December 29, 1886, with 
Michael Gross as postmaster. 



CHAPTER IX. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
Veksaille-s— North Versailles— .South Versailles. 

versailles township. 

THE boundaries of Versailles township are thus described in the order of 
court for its erection : ' ' Beginning at the mouth of the Youghiogheny 
river, thence up said river to the mouth of Crawford's run, thence by the line 
of the county to the mouth of Brush creek, thence down Turtle creek to the 
mouth thereof, thence up the Mouongahela river to the place of beginning. " 
Of the original subdivisions of the county, it was probably the smallest. The 
name is one of a very few French words that possess political significance in a 
region which has been rendered historic by the resistance and final defeat of 
that people. 

The following-named persons were residents of Versailles at the respective 
dates given: 

1790. James Plummer, George Strahan, Joseph Clark, John Long, Andrew McCul- 
lagh, John Neel, John Clark, David Boyle, Robert Hays, Hugh Caldwell, Hugh Black, 
John Whigany, William Thompson, Joseph McCuUagh, John Kizer, Robert George. 
Joseph Robinson, Robert Boggs, Thomas Plummer, Alexander Greer, John Culbertson, 
John Noble, Jacob Ludwig, John Crawford. 

1795. Thomas King, James Wallace, David Maxwell, John Heron, Alexander Howe, 
John Frederick, James Gill, Edward Queen, David Wallack, William Barber, Michael 
Hellman. William Wallace, Andrew McGowan, Alexander White, John Ekiu, David 
Shaw, William Shaw, David Carson. 

1796. Allan Anderson, James Faxon, James Irwin, R. Colhoon, Samuel Stoops, 
Adam Clugston, Jesse Nash, Andrew Irvine, William Johnston, Thomas Cunningham, 
David Kerr, William McDonough, Nathaniel Cunningham, Joseph Reed, James Reed, 
Robert George, Robert Logan, Josiah Woods, John McKee. Philip Miller, John 
Means. Peter Blue. Elisha Smith, James Robb, James McKee, James Wilson, William 
Rankin. James Breden, John William.':. James Montgomery, Andrew Johnston. Philip 
Key, William Ellrod. 





2.i^^y^^^>€/^^^ 



I 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOEOUGHS. 113 

The population was but sparse, and the settlements often very remote one 
from the other, exposing the inhabitants to all the hardships and deprivations 
of pioneer life. It is not easy to appreciate the difificiilties of those times amid 
the innumerable comforts and conveniences of the present. The region was 
separated from the Atlantic coast by vast mountain ranges. Salt, iron and all 
kinds of merchandise were transported from the east by the rudest manner of 
conveyance. No railroad, canal, turnpike or even carriage-road could be 
traced, and the bridle-paths were in many places rough and precipitous. The 
products of the coiintry were abundant, but it was with the greatest difficulty 
that the surplus could be disposed of to advantage. Money was exceedingly 
scarce, business was limited to exchange and barter on a very small scale, and 
even some of the necessaries of life could be procured only with the greatest 
difficulty. Besides the moral courage necessary in removing so far from the 
nearest settlements on the eastern slope of the mountains, the settlers were 
subjected to many annoyances from the hostile savages of the western country. 
The sudden invasions of this barbarous enemy were frequent sources of alarm 
and apprehension. It was not an unusual occurrence for the people to repair 
to the accustomed place of worship on the Sabbath armed with the rifle and 
other appendages as necessary as the Bible or Psalter, prepared to defend, if 
necessary, their pastor and fellow- worshipers. 

A family by the name of Keyser resided near the present borough of 
McKeesport. They were attacked by the Indians, and of eight all were killed 
but one, who escaped by swimming the river. A man named McNulty, two 
brothers Neal and a Mr. Cozens were, at different times, killed by the savages. 
No Indian outrages were committed subsequent to 1780. 

The population of that part of the county east of the Monongahela river 
between Tiirtle creek and the Youghiogheny was 5,293 by the census of 1860. 

The immediate cause of the division of Versailles was the growth of two 
villages, Port Perry and Coultersville, at the opposite extremes of its territory. 
In a petition for division presented at the April sessions, 1869, the following 
line was suggested : ' ' Beginning on Westmoreland county line near the 
house of John Ludwig, and running thence by the cross-roads near James 
Black's to the Monongahela river above Saltsburg. '' Robert Clugston, 
Thomas McMasters and Thomas Penney, to whom the matter was referred, re- 
ported favorably; and at the election, September 4, 1869, the measure received 
popular sanction by a vote of one hundred and eighteen to sixty-eight. The 
division was consummated finally by decree of coui't in September, 1869, erect- 
ing North and South Versailles, and for sixteen years the name of the original 
township was obliterated from the map of the county. 

July 3, 1875, by decree of court, the second precinct of South Versailles 
was erected into the township of Versailles. The sentiment in favor of sef)a- 
rate municipal organization in this precinct seems to have been practically 
unanimous. James D. Hilands, John B. Kelly and Levi Edmundson con- 



114 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

stituted the commission by whom the proceedings were conducted under the 
court. The population in 1880 was 727. 

The Baltimore & Ohio railroad passes through the southern part of the 
township, and at several places along this line villages have sprung up, notal)l_v 
Christy Park and Ellrod's. There are valuable coal -deposits, amply compen- 
sating for the rugged nature of the country and the unsatisfactory returns real- 
ized from agriculture. Natural gas has been developed to some extent. The 
streams are Long, Still and Jack's runs. 

There are no churches. The schools are five in number, and were sustained 
in 1885-80 at a cost of about eighteen hundred dollars. 

NORTH VERSAILLES TOWNSHIP. 

This township is bounded on the north by Turtle creek, on the west by the 
Monongahela river, on the south by South Versailles, and on the east by West- 
moreland county. It is traversed diagonally from northwest to southeast by 
the Pittsburgh & Greensbm-g turnpike, an important route of travel before 
the era of railroads. Its construction was completed in 1818. The Penn- 
sylvania railroad was opened in 1851, the Pittsburgh & Connellsville in 1857, 
and the Pittsbiirgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny in 1883. Village growth, 
however, received its early impetus in the development of the mineral resources 
of the region adjacent to the Monongahela river. Port Peny is situated at the 
mouth of Tui'tle creek, and is a comparatively old town. Its appearance has 
not improved with age. There is a fine Methodist church, built in 1883, a 
.schoolhouse, and a population of several hundred. A postoffice was established 
there in 1850. Saltsburg, midway Ijetween Port Perry and Demmler, is a 
straggling village of perhaps half a dozen houses. Wall, on the Pennsylvania 
railroad, fourteen miles from Pittsburgh, is the eastern terminus of suburban 
accommodation trains. The first postmaster, James Dempsey, was appointed 
February 19, 1885. There are also stations on this road at Turtle Creek. Wil- 
merding and Moss Side. The village of Turtle Creek is in Patton township. 
At Wilmerding, near Turtle Creek, very extensive works for the manufacture of 
the Westinghouse air-brake are in process of erection. When these are com- 
pleted and placed in operation, a thrifty manufacturing village, with its nec- 
essary adjuncts, will come into existence there. Moss Side became a postoffice 
under the name of Mossbank February 11, 1884, and William M. Jeffrey is 
postmaster. The main line of the Pennsylvania road is connected with the 
Monongahela division by a bridge across the river, the approaches on the 
eastern side passing over the town of Port Perrj' fi'om the mouth of a tunnel, 
and following Turtle creek to the station of that name. There is an old 
Methodist church in the extreme eastern part of the township, on the turnpike, 
commonly referred to as "Miller's church." The population in 1870 was 
2,461: in 1880, 3,051. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 115 

SOUTH VERSAILLES TOWNSHIP. 

This is the smallest township in the county. It comprises a peninsula 
nearly surrounded by the Youghiogheny river, with the county line as the east- 
ern boundary. The population in 1880 was 882; in 1870 (including Versailles), 
2. 194. 

There are three villages, Coultersville, Osceola and Aljisville." Coulters- 
ville was laid out for Miss Margaret Coulter, owner of the property, by Col. 
Richard Coulter, of Greensbiu'g, about 1852, and reached its present propor- 
tions before the panic of 1873. The population is composed almost entirely 
of miners. Grreenock Lodge, No. 284, K. of P., was instituted January 16,1871; 
Youghiogheny Valley Lodge, No. 555, I. O. O. F., November 15, 1859; Coop- 
erative Assembly, No. 6128, K. of L., August 5, 1886. The Baptist Church was 
organized in 1863, and the place of worship erected in 1873. Union chapel 
(Methodist Episcopal) was formerly a schoolhouse. The postoffice is known as 
Duncan. Postmasters: R. R. McQuistion, appointed 1864; George W. Rob- 
erts, Jr., 1869; Samuel Foster, 1870; J. K. Howell, 1872; J. C. Love, 1873; 
F. J. Penney, 1874; J. L. Penney, 1875; George Thompson, 1876: C. Shaner, 
1878; Joseph Snyder, 1884; John McElui-e, 1885. 

Osceola and Alpsville are virtually one village, and not very large even when 
so considered. There are important coal- and coke-works in the vicinity. St. 
Patrick's Catholic church was dedicated September 1, 1867, the cornerstone hav- 
ing been laid September 23d of the previous year. Pastors: Revs. P. M. Ward, 
Peter May, John Staub, James McTighe. Thomas McEurne, H. P. Counery. 



CHAPTER X. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continded). 
WiLKixs— Stekeett (Wilkinsbukg)— Braddock (Beaddock). 

WILKINS township. 

DECEMBER 16, 1788, at the first session of the court of quarter sessions 
for Allegheny county. Justice George Wallace presiding, the county 
was divided into seven townships, the most important of which received the name 
of Pitt, and was bounded as follows: " Beginning at the mouth of the Poke- 
ty's creek, thence up the Allegheny river and by the line of the county to the 
mouth of Flaherty's run, thence up the Ohio river to the mouth of the Monon- 
gahela river, thence up said river to the mouth of Turtle creek, thence up 
Turtle creek to the mouth of Brush creek, thence by the line of Plum township 
to the place of beginning. " September 6, 1792: " According to a petition made 



110 HISTOItY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

by a number of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, reiul at June sessions, 1792, and 
hiid over till September; 

•'Orderi'.d, That SO much of Pitt township as lies witliin the following boundaries, that 
is to say. beginning at the point or continence of the rivers Monongaliela and Allegheny, 
and turning up the margin of Monongaliela to the Two-Mile run. thence up said run to the 
head thereof, thence by a due north conrse to strike the Two-Mile run thai empties into 
Allegheny river, thence down the said Allegheny to the place of beginning, be and the 
same is erected into a new township called Pittsburgh township." 

This is the earliest mention of a reduction in the original area of Pitt town- 
ship. In 1796, by the erection of Pine and Deer, its territory was restricted 
to the triangle between the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers. Pittsburgh 
became a city in 1816, when a still farther encroachment was made upon the 
western border of Pitt; and five years later Wilkins was form-^ from its east- 
ern portion. Other subdivisions of its territory were made f "m time to time, 
until Pitt township, which once embraced half a score of cot nties, was oblit- 
erated from the map of Allegheny county. That part of its territory in l~y6 
not included in the city limits at the present time was erected into Wilkns 
township November 10, 1821, by decree of court confirming a line of division 
viewed by Robert Beatty, Joseph Reed and Dunning McNair. Of its present 
boundaries, that on the east was established in June, 1789, when Thompson's 
run instead of Brush creek became the line of division between Pitt and Plum; 
that on the north in 1850, when Penn was erected; that on the west in 1879, 
by the erection of Sterrett; and that on the south in 1885, by the erection of 
Braddock. 

Among the early families of this township the following are remembered: 
Charles T. Johnson, Nathaniel Montgomery and his son Nathaniel, Elliott 
Davis, Henry Chalfant, Christian Linheart, William Clark (three generations 
of the same name). Rev. James Graham, James McKelvy, John McKelvy, 
Robert Milligan, James Gilmore, James Swisshelm, John Henning and his 
son Samuel, Thomas Dickson, Peter Perchment, John Kelly and his sons 
James, John, Archibald, Thomas, William and Benjamin, Ephraim Smith, 
Adam Dougherty, James B. Linheart. 

James Kelly, long a citizen of Wilkins, was born in the eastern part of 
Allegheny county, on the 31st of October, 1794. His father, John Kelly, was 
a native of Ireland, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Johnson, 
was born in Pennsylvania. His childhood and j'outh were passed on his 
father's farm in what is now Penn township, in this county. Like most of the 
youths of this region, he received only a common-school education, but his 
acuteness of observation, his industry and his large fund of common-sense 
rendered this education available beyond that of many of the men of his time. 
When he was seventeen years of age his father died, and, being the eldest s'^n, 
the care of the farm devolved on him. He continued in charge of this farm. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 119 

till 1825, when he was married. He soon afterward engaged in the manufact- 
ure of lime, which he continued during many years. 

Early in his business career he commenced the purchase of real estate. 
From time to time he added tract after tract to his purchases, till he came to be 
the owner of many hundreds of acres in what are now the townships of Wil- 
kins, Penn and Sterrett, and the borough of Wilkinsburg. His revenues were 
derived from his lime business, from the mines that were opened on his lands 
and from the rents of his farms. He took a lively interest in the development 
of the Pennsylvania railroad, andvyas the contractor for a division of this road, 
which he sublet in sections. He also furnished many ties for this road. His 
distinguishing characteristics were benevolence and kindness, and so strong 
were these feelings that he was often imposed on by designing and unscrupu- 
lous persons. He donated freely of his real estate to churches and benevolent 
institutions in this vicinity, and many victims of adverse fortune are now en- 
joying the results of his benefactions. He thus erected to his memory monu- 
ments more enduring than marble. 

During his entire life he was a consistent Christian, and was strictly con- 
scientious in all his transactions. He was firm in the maintenance of what he 
believed to be his rights, and thus became involved in expensive litigations. 
As age crept on him, advantage was taken of his failing judgment, and the 
result was that he died a comparatively poor man, but his memory is not tar- 
nished by a single dishonorable action. His death occurred in 1832, at the 
age of eighty- eight. He had six childi-en, of whom three are now living. 

Of Hon. William Wilkins, from whom the township was named, mention is 
made in the chapter on Bench and Bar, at page 253, Part I, this work. 

The township is crossed from east to west by the Northern turnpike and 
by the Pittsburgh & Greensbui-g turnpike. December 7, 1817, Patrick Camp- 
bell, a contractor, was murdered by John Tiernan, a workman in his employ, 
at a cabin near Turtle creek, in this township. After robbing his victim. Tier- 
nan fled with his horse, and several days later appeared upon the streets of 
Pittsburgh. He was at once arrested. At the trial. Judges Samuel Roberts 
and Francis McClure presiding, the commonwealth was represented by Will- 
iam Wilkins and Richard Biddle, the prisoner by Walter Forward and Charles 
Shaler. The exectition occurred at Boyd's hill. This event was among the 
most important in the early criminal annals of the county. 

The coal interests of the township are important. The Hampton Coal 
company and the New York & Cleveland Gas Coal company are the princi- 
pal miners and shij^pers. Lateral railroads connect the mines with the main 
line, Pennsylvania railroad. The population of Wilkins in 1860 was 2,260; in 
1870, 3,435; in 1880, 4,426. 

Beulah Presbyterian Church, one of the oldest of that denomination in the 
county, received supplies as early as 1795, when it is referred to in the min- 
utes of Redstone presbytery as ' ' Pitt Township. ' ' The first pastor. Rev. 



120 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

James Graham, was installed in 1<S04. There are also Roman Catholic and 
Lutheran churches, the latter being known as Mount Carmel. Churchdale 
cemetery is in the eastern part of the township. 

STERRETT TOWNSHIP. 

Sterrett Township was formed from Wilkins, by decree of court, Septem- 
ber 13, 1879. The proceedings in this case were begun November 18, 1876. 
Under the act of 1871, the Pittsburgh city councils admitted a portion of 
Wilkins township into the city, as the Thirty-seventh ward, by ordinance of 
May 2, 1873. After protracted litigation the courts annulled this proceeding, 
and the annexed district again became part of Wilkins township, so continuing 
until erected into a separate township. The name was conferred in honor of 
■James P. Sterrett, eighth president judge of the common pleas court of the 
county, to which position he was appointed January 4, 1802, upon the death 
of Judge McClure. He was elected in 1862, re-elected in 1872, and resigned 
in 1877 to accept an appointment to the supreme court. 

Wilkinsburg Borough. — Under the earlier names of McNairsville and Eip- 
peysville. Wilkinsburg is one of the oldest towns in the county. Its early 
importance was derived fi-om the location on the turnpike leading to Pitts- 
burgh, one of the great arteries of travel between the east and west before the 
age of railroads. The oldest houses in the town are situated along Penn 
avenue and Nine-Mile run, indicating that village growth was restricted to the 
immediate vicinity of the turnpike. James Kelly became proprietor of a 
large tract of land adjoining the railroad station, and being of a conservative 
disposition, the growth of the village was not so rapid as that of other subur- 
ban points. There has been a rapid expansion and improvement within the 
last few years. The place is distinctively suburban in its character. 

At Wilkinsbiirg is located the Western Pennsylvania Institution for the 
Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, an account of which will be found on page 
416, Part I. The Women's Christian Association of Pittsburgh has estab- 
lished two charitable institutions at Wilkinsburg, a "Home for Aged Prot- 
estant Women " and a similar home for men. The former was organized June 
10, 1869, and incorporated March 25, 1871. The latter was opened in 1872, 
as ' ' The Sheltering Arms. ' ' The buildings in both instances are brick, and 
tive acres for each were donated by James Kelly. 

The Wilkinsburg Presbyterian Church was organized in Maj', 1866. Rev 
S. M. Henderson was installed as first pastor in 1867. The church-edifice 
was built in 1869 and rebuilt in 1887. Rev. Samuel H. Moore is the present 
pastor. 

St. James' Roman Catholic Church was dedicated November 29, 1869. 
The membership had previously been connected with SS. Peter and Paul con- 
gregation, East Liberty. Rev. Joseph Suhr was appointed pastor of Wilkins- 
burg and Verona in 1870. A. A. Lambing, the well-known historian, is the 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 121 

present pastor. The United Presbyterian Church was organized November 
21, 1882, and Rev. M. M. Patterson became pastor in 1882. The church waa 
built in 1883. The Reformed Presbyterian church was built in 1845; the 
Methodist, in 1843, and rebuilt in 1878. There are also Reformed, Lutheran 
and United Brethren churches. 

The Wilkinsburg Call, a local newspaper established February 3, 1887, is 
published weekly by A. H. Silvey. The East Ender was started some years 
ago, by \V. Eisenbise, but suspended after a brief career. 

Wilkinsburg was incorporated December 2, 1887, by decree of court. 

Brushton, the first station on the Pennsylvania railroad beyond the city 
limits, is a small subui'ban town. The works of the Phoenix Glass-Pot manu- 
factory are located here. 

BEADDOCK TOWNSHIP. 

This township was erected March 9, 1885. August 29, 1884, upon petition 
of a number of citizens of Wilkins for the division of that township, the court 
appointed as viewers of the proposed line Charles Davis, J. G. Weir and R. S. 
P. McCall, who reported favorably. When the question was submitted to 
popular vote, March 9, 1885, it was decided affirmatively by a majority of one 
hundred and four, and the name Braddock was given the preference by a plu- 
rality of one hundred and four. 

This region is pre-eminently rich in historic associations. The circum- 
stances of its settlement possess an interest not merely local, but impor- 
tant in the history of the county. The tirst white settler in the lower 
valley of the Monongahela, Lieut. John Frazier, was living at the mouth of 
Turtle creek in 1753, engaged in trading with the Indians. W^ashington re- 
mained with him over night, November 21, 1753,- on his journey to the French 
posts of Venango and Logstown. The locality was known as " Frazier' s 
Fields," and the house in which Frazier lived was still intact as late as 1804. 
He was the only resident of the township for many years. 

It is upon the memorable defeat of Braddock, however, rather than the 
experiences of the fi'ontier trader, that public interest centers. 

The trader Frazier is not again mentioned after this; and for some years no 
remarkable happening disturbed the quiet seclusion of the locality. After the 
Revolution, when the state militia organization was completed, the annual 
brigade muster was held here. A muster of an unusual character occurred 
August 1, 1794; it marked the culminating point in the progress of the 
"whisky insuiTection, " and in the far-reaching possibilities of its results takes 
equal rank with the memorable defeat of Braddock forty years before. 

The national excise law of 1791 was regarded with much disfavor by the 
people of Western Pennsylvania. Their opposition to its enforcement was 
expressed in unequivocal terms by the burning of Gen. Neville's house in July, 
1794, the meetings of the populace at Mingo creek and Parkinson's ferry, and 
the robbery of the United States mail. The information obtained from the 



122 HISTORY OF ALLKGHENY COUNTY. 

latter source was the iinniediate reason for the assemblage at Braddock' s 
Fields. The intercepted letters were found to contain opinions of the leaders 
of the popular party not agreeable to them, and a self -constituted committee of 
six, among whom were Parkinson and Bradford, forthwith issued at Cannons- 
burg a summons to the different colonels of militia throughout the survey to 
appear at the accustomed place of rendezvous with their respective commands. 
Their avowed purpose was the seizure of the magazine and fort, the capture of 
the offensive individuals and the United States marshal, and, if necessary, an 
attack upon the town of Pittsburgh. On Friday, August 1, 1794, the militia 
assembled to the number of several thousand. Bradford and Parkinson were 
there; the brother of James McFarlane, vcho had been killed in the attack on 
Neville's house; James Ross, United States senator, and subsequently one of 
the commissioners appointed by the president to oft'er amnesty to the insur- 
gents; John Scull, the pioneer journalist of the west; Gen. John Wilkins, 
Alexander McNickle, John McMasters and other prominent citizens of Pitts- 
burgh at that period; George Wallace, the first president judge of Allegheny 
county, and H. H. Brackenridge, the diplomat of the occasion, whose skill and 
tact, and his intricate knowledge of the men with whom he had to deal, per- 
formed their greatest triumph in diverting the strong current of popular indigna- 
tion from expending the force of its unrestrained and misdirected energy in acts of 
violence. The fort was not attacked; the town was not burned; the persons of 
those who had rendered themselves obnoxious were not molested — they had fled ; 
the "army" marched through the town, and, after having been regaled with 
whisky and refreshments, dispersed. A little less of tact on the part of certain 
individuals, and of moderation on the part of others, might have precipitated a 
sano'uinary civil conflict; but the threatened crisis had been averted, although 
the magnitude of its importance was not generally recognized. The pacifica- 
tion of the western country was not finally effected until the following year, 
and disorder was frequently manifested; but at no other period in the course 
of the insurrection was the gravity of the situation so apparent as during the 
few days that Braddock' s Fields were the encampment of seven thousand 
undisciplined men, patriotic at heart, but under control of a reckless and irre- 
sponsible leadership. 

It is worthy of note that the battle-ground was owned, at this time, by 
George Wallace, president judge at the first session of the courts after the 
erection of Allegheny county, December 16, 1788. He continued in that 
capacity until the reorganization of the judiciary, in 1790, and continued as 
associate lay judge until his death, in 1814. He was first appointed a justice 
of the peace for Westmoreland county in 1784. 

The next noteworthy occurrence was the visit of Lafayette, in June, 1825. 
After being sumptuously entertained at the house of Maj. John Walker, at 
Elizabeth, the marquis and his suite left that place in two batteaux. and thus 
proceeded to Braddock' s Field, where they were met by a delegation from 





ay^^i^ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOKOUGHS. 125 

Pittsburgh. The general was acoompanied on this occasion by his son, Gabriel 
Peterson, Joseph Markle, John Walker, James A. Stewart, James Pollock, 
Harvey Peterson and E. C. Stephens; Henry Stewart, Walter Loomis, Laban 
Turner, boatmen. 

Two years after this event the locality became the seat of Edgeworth Sem- 
inary, the first ladies' seminary west of the Allegheny mountains. This insti- 
tution was organized at Pittsburgh in 1825, by Mrs. Mary Gould Olver. The 
property in which the school was conducted atBraddock's Fields, a large stone 
biiilding near the Pennsylvania railroad depot, is yet standing. It was leased 
for ten years, and at the expiration of that period the seminary was removed 
to Sewickley, where it was continued under various auspices until 1865. Its 
patronage under Mrs. Giver's administration vyas derived from Cincinnati, 
Marietta and other cities of the west, as well as Pittsburgh and the immediate 
vicinity. 

The opening of the Pennsylvania railroad in October, 1851, and of the 
Pittsburgh & Connellsville (B. & O. ) several years later, with the improved 
navigation of the Monongahela river, conferred upon this locality unequaled 
advantages for manufacturing purposes, to which its present importance in this 
respect is directly traceable. The Edgar Thomson Steel- works rank first in 
importance among the present industrial establishments. The construction of 
these works was begun by Carnegie, McCandless & Co. , Andrew Carnegie, 
William Coleman, John Scott, David A. Stewart, Thomas M. Carnegie, Andrew 
Kloman, William P. Shinn, David McCandless and Henry Phipps, Jr., consti- 
tuting the firm, which was organized January 18, 1873. The Edgar Thomson 
Steel company, limited, was formed June 2, 1874, by the same parties, and 
the works were operated under this name until April 1, 1881, when the firm 
of Carnegie Brothers & Co. , limited, assumed control. Henry Phipps, Jr. , is 
chairman of this association; D. A. Stewart, vice-chairman and treasurer; S. 
E. Moore, secretary; the board of managers including, also, John Walker, 
George Lauder, Henry M. Curry, William L. Abbott and William H. Singer. 

The first purchase of ground, one hundred and six acres, was made from 
Robert and John McKinney. Ground was broken April 15, 1873, and the 
work of construction began five days later. Owing to delays incident to the 
panic, more than two years elapsed before the final completion. August 28, 
1875, at a quarter past 5 o'clock in the afternoon, the first "blow" was made; 
and the first rail was rolled at five minutes of 1 o'clock in the afternoon of 
September 1st. Capt. William R. Jones has been general superintendent of 
the works throughout their history, the difPerent superintendents being as fol- 
lows: James Gay ley, blast-furnace department; John Rinard, converting- 
works; Thomas Lapsley, railmill; Thomas James, machinery; F. L. Bridges, 
transportation; S. A. Ford is chemist, and C. C. Teeter, chief clerk. 

West of the borough are the Braddock Firebrick works; the nailmill of 
Chess, Cooke & Co., erected in 1887, and previously operated in Pittsburgh; 



126 HISTOKV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Duquesne forge, owned and operated by the Miller Forge company; a glass- 
factory, recently placed in operation, with a ten-pot furnace and full comple- 
ment of other appliances necessary in producing pressed ware; the tannery of 
Owen Sheeky & Co.; the works of the Braddock Wire company, William 
Edenborn, president, Wallace H. Howe, secretary and treasurer, Thomas W. 
Fitch, superintendent, removed from St. Louis in 1885-86, and comprising 
four trains of rolls, with an annual capacity of twenty thousand net tons No. 
5 iron and steel wire rods; Carrie furnace, operated by the Carrie Furnace 
company, James S. Brown, president, E. L. Clark, secretary, H. C. Fownes, 
treasurer, and W. C. Fownes, manager, removed from Ohio in 1883, and 
blown in February 29, 1884, there being one stack, eighty feet high and 
eighteen feet bosh, with a capacity of fifty thousand net tons mill, foundry 
and Bessemer pig-iron annually. The Union Switch & Signal company's 
works at Swissvale, and the recently abandoned car works at that place, com- 
plete the industrial features of the township. 

The villages are Swissvale, eight miles from Pittsburgh, on the Pennsyl- 
vania railroad; Copeland, North Braddock and Rankin, suburbs of Braddock 
borough; Brinton, Bessemer and Hawkins, stations on the Pennsylvania rail 
road. 

The Swissvale Presbyterian Church was organized in 1870, and received as 
its first pastor Kev. Samuel J. Fisher. Sole's chapel. United Brethren, of 
North Braddock, was built in 1875. The other places of worship are Wesley 
chapel and Mount Olive church. There are three cemeteries, Monongahela, 
Union and Braddock, a noticeable featui'e of the latter being the monument 
to deceased soldiers of the late war, dedicated in September, 1887. 

Braddock Borough. — This borough was incorporated Jxme 8, 1867, bj' de- 
cree of court, from the southern part of what was then Wilkins township. 

Mining was the principal occupation at the time of incorporation, and for 
some years thereafter. The industries previously described employ the prin- 
cipal part of the inhabitants, while others are engaged in various pursuits in 
the city and at other points. There are no manufactories of importance within 
the borough limits. The business interests are important, there being many 
local stores and two flourishing monetary institutions. The First National 
bank was organized October 19, 1882, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, 
since increased by half that sum. Jesse H. Lippincott is president; K. M. 
Holland, vice-president; W. H. Watt, cashier; H. C. Shallenberger, teller. 
Braddock National bank, R. E. Stewart, president; John G. Kelly, cashier; 
E. M. Brackemeyer, assistant cashier; U. G. Williams, bookkeeper; S. D. 
Hamilton, teller; George A. Todd, collection clerk; was organized November 
29, 1882, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. A siu-plus fund 
equal to one third of that sum has since accumulated. This institution is the 
successor of the Braddock Trust company, organized in 1873. 

The earliest journalistic venture was the Herald, published for several 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 127 

months in 1876 by Frederick Penney. The first issue of the Sim appeared in 
December, 1877, its projectors being F. E. Lewis and Alexander Hall, but 
the former withdrew before the second number was published. J. A. Wynne 
was proprietor from 1878 to 1881, and during 1880 a daily edition was issued, 
with F. E. Lewis as local editor. This was the first daily published in the 
town. T. J. Louis succeeded Mr. Wynne in 1881, and continued as pub- 
lisher until April 22, 1887, when F. E. Louis became sole proprietor. The pol- 
itics of the paper has changed with its successive managements, but it is now 
a consistent expounder of orthodox democracy. The Herald, a seven-column 
quarto, was established July 8, 1880, by A. H. Silvey, the present proprietor, 
a gentleman of republican proclivities. The Daily News, Charles Mills, pub- 
lisher, first appeared February 12, 1887, and in the following month absorbed 
the Evening Times, successor to the Daily Journal, originally established by 
Charles Lawry. This is the only daily in existence at present. The Tribune, 
Daniel McCarthy, proprietor, made its debut July 26, 1887. 

The various secret, benevolent and other organizations number forty-two. 
Among the most important may be mentioned Braddock's Field Lodge, No. 
510, A. Y. M; Braddock's Field Lodge, No. 529, I. O. O. F. ; McMasters 
Encampment, No. 239, I. O. O. F. ; Oak Hall Lodge, No. 31, K. of P. ; Mo- 
nongahela Council, No. 122, Jr. O. U. A. M. ; Edgar Thomson Council, No. 
51, E. A. 

The various religious denominations are nearly all represented. The first 
Methodist Episcopal society was organized in 1855 by B. F. Sawhill, whose 
circuit also included Port Perry and Wilkinsburg. The first services were held 
in a schoolhouse in North Braddock, and in 1859 Sellers chapel, the present 
place of worship, was erected, Rev. William H. Lauck being pastor at that 
time. Rev. T. N. Boyle is the present pastor. St. Thomas' Roman Catholic 
Church was organized by Rev. Thomas O' Farrel. The cornerstone was laid 
April 22, 1860; services were first held in the basement October 11, 1860, 
and the completed building was dedicated October 28, 1862. A large and 
commodious school- building was erected in 1883 by Very Rev. J. Hickey, the 
present pastor. St. Joseph's German Catholic Church was organized by Rev. 
Anthony Fisher in 1877. The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1873, 
with Rev. William F. Kean as its first pastor. The church edifice was built 
in 1875. Rev. J. B. Dickey is at present in charge. The United Presbyterian 
Church was organized July 27, 1861. Pastors: J. S. Easton, 1869-76; W. 
S. Fulton, 1877-78; S. J. Shaw, 1879-. The Church of Christ (Disciples), 
Rev. A. S. Bosworth, pastor, was built in 1874. It is a fine brick edifice. 
The Baptist Church, Rev. T. R. Taylor, pastor, was constituted in 1881. 

In addition to these there are African Methodist, English Lutheran, Con- 
gregational and Protestant Episcopal missions. 

The population at the first census after the formation of the boroiigh (1870) 
was 1,290; in 1880, 3,310. 



128 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XI. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (CoNTisnED). 
Plum— Patton— Penn (Veuoxa). 

plum township. 

PLUM. — "Beginning at the mouth of Brush creek, thence by a straight line 
to the mouth of Plum creek, on the Allegheny river, thence up the said 
river to the county line, thence by the said line to the place of beginning." 

The above is extracted from the minutes of the court of quarter sessions at 
its first session in 1788, and the township thus described was one of the orig- 
inal subdivisions of the county. In June, 1789, the boundary between Pitt 
and Plum was established as follows: " Beginning at the mouth of Thomp- 
son's run, thence up the said run to the Lick fork, thence up said fork to 
the head thereof, thence by a direct line to the mouth of Plum creek." 
Plum at this time was one of those regularly organized townships on the east- 
ern border of the county. It extended from Versailles to the Allegheny river; 
below Versailles was Elizabeth, and north of the Allegheny was a section of 
country as yet unmarked b}" the influence of civilization. 

The following is a partial list of residents in the original territory of Plum 
in 1808: 

Thomas McKee, John Ross, John Little. William Lusk, George Ross. William 
Loechner, Abraham Aber. .James Richey, Andrew McClintock, William Hawkles, George 
Sheimer, James Cochran, David Rankin, William Clugstun, William Porter, Philip Shook, 
Christopher Frederick, John Porter, Alexander Porter, Alexander Kay, Thomas Dun- 
more. Thomas McKewry, William White. James P. Mason, Alexander McCullagh, David 
Maxel, Henry Cowan, William Mylar, David Brown, Daniel Reed, Patrick Porter, James 
White, Simeon MoGraw, Joseph Hall, John Hury, William Scott. Alexander McMath, 
Samuel Magiunis. Matthew Simpson, David Herron, Alexander Logan, John Kerr, James 
Meholm, Jacob Dible, Robert Cunningham, David Caldwell, Abraham Paxon, Joseph 
McClintock, William McClelland, Asa Rowley, John Gray, Ebenezer Gill, Abraham Wil- 
son, William Johnston, William Holloway, Stewart Rowan, Stephen Hull, Daniel Long, 
James Logan. James Wilkes, David Black, Robert Baxter, James Wilson, James Osburn, 
William Folk, Thomas Charlton, Charles Carothers, Robert JIcElroy, Joseph Ritner, 
John Hall, William Crumpton. John Byerly, James McCoy, John Mines, Robert Dins- 
more, Thomas McKee, Jr,, Samuel Desmond, John Ross, Hugh Martin. Samuel Caldwell, 
Thomas Blackburn, James Mains, Robert McCullagh, Jacob Lane, William McLean, 
INathaniel Shaw, Gilbert Grimes, William S. Vigus, Abraham Bollinger, Samuel Coon. 
Thomas Carit, James Hall, Samuel Barber, James Sharp, Thomas Wright, Henry Bow- 
man, David Hunnel, Robert Adams. William McJunkin, John Heyl, Robert Baxter. 
John Black. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 129 

Of the above-named persons, William McJimkin is said to have been one of 
the earliest settlers within the present limits of Plum. The land upon which 
he lived was surveyed in 1773, under the name of "Greenfield," and is de- 
scribed as being ' ' two miles north of Forbes' old road. ' ' 

Plum had a population of 1,446 in 1860; 1,300 in 1870; 1,721 in 1880. 
Antrim, the first postoffice, was discontinued April 22, 1857, having existed 
since 1840 (except a short period of suspension), with the following appoint- 
ments: Samuel Koss, 1840; Robert Ross, 1843; Robert Mehaffey, 1845; Robert 
M. Ross, 1848; Henry Reister, 1856. There are no villages of imjiortance. 
New Texas is a hamlet situated about the geographical center of the township, 
comprising the usual mechanics, local stores, etc. The first postmaster, John 
A. Conner, was appointed in 1856. Henry R. Toner succeeded him in 1862; 
John A. Conner, 1866; James Dunn, 1868; Joseph D. Clark, 1869; James B. 
Duff, 1878; John Lamont, 1881. 

Logan's Ferry, on the Allegheny river and Allegheny Valley railroad, in the 
northeastern part of the township, derives its name from the Logan family. 
The earliest representative was Alexander Logan, mentioned in the foregoing 
list of residents. Gov. Mifflin commissioned him a captain of militia in 1793, 
and for some years he was justice of the peace. Hugh Logan was appointed 
postmaster June 10, 1844, and Hugh I. Logan April 11, 1871. 

In 1870 William Coleman, the Messrs. Carnegie and others purchased 
large tracts of coal-lands in Plum township, and by consolidating their interests 
with those of other individual owners formed the New York & Cleveland Gas 
Coal company, one of the largest mining corporations in Western Pennsyl- 
vania. Its lands embrace several thousand acres, extending from the Pennsyl- 
vania to the Allegheny Valley railroad, with shipping facilities upon both, the 
Plum Creek branch of the latter extending a distance of seven miles from 
Verona inland. 

The township sustains nine schools. There are five churches, of which the 
oldest is Plum Creek Presbyterian. Originally known as Ebenezer, this name 
was early relinquished in favor of Puckety, under which title it became part of 
Rev. Francis Laird' s charge in June, 1800, this relation continuing until 1831. 
Supplies were obtained as early as 1791. During the ministry of Rev. J. D. 
Moorhead (1865-72), the place of worship was transferred to New Texas, where 
a church and parsonage were built; but ten years later (April 18, 1876) a re- 
organization under the name of Laird's Church was effected, the dedication of 
the place of worship having occurred June 20, 1876. Unity United Presby- 
terian Church was organized April 2, 1833, with eleven members. A church- 
building was begun in 1834, and finished in 1836, and during this period serv- 
ices were conducted in private houses, barns, schoolhouses, and in the open 
air when the weather permitted. Pastors: William Conner, 1837-49; James 
Kelso, 1852-72; E. Z. Thomas, 1873-. The church has constituted a sepa- 
rate pastorate since 1864, and was connected with Bethel and Puckety and 



130 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Tarentum prior to that date. There is a Prost)ytoriaii churcli at I'aniassus 
(Logan's Forry), organized in 1842, and a Methodist church (Davidson chapel) 
in the southwestern part of the township. 

PATTON TOWNSHIP. 

At the April sessions, 1807, a number of the inhabitants of the upper end 
of Plum petitioned for a division of that township "by a line running east 
from where the Frankstown road enters said township on the west side, across 
the township, or nearly that direction. ' ' It seems that a new apportionment of 
militia was about to be made, and this was intended to facilitate the formation 
of companies. At the August sessions, 1808, a counter petition was filed, 
representing that the township was only eight or ten miles long and from 
three to five miles in breadth. The following graphic summary of local affairs 
is given: "Esquire Hall is living about two miles from the Allegheny river 
and Puckety creek, the line of Westmoreland county, on the north side of the 
Frankstown road; and Esquire McKee is living some distance on the south 
side of the Frankstown road. The election is held at the house of John Lit- 
tle, who lives on the Frankstown road as nearly in the center of the township 
as possible, so that there need be no complaint for the inconvenience of 
justice. The number of inhabitants north of the Frankstown road on their 
own lands are but few in number, and having selected two justices of the 
peace, two constables, two supervisors of the highways, two overseers of the 
poor, auditors for settling the township accounts, and appraisers of fences, 
there need not be a second election." Thomas Sampson, John 
Johnston and Alexander Thompson, commissioners, reported that a division at 
that time was "improper and unnecessary," and for nearly forty years there- 
after the question was not again agitated. 

At the March term, 18-17, a petition for the division of Plum was referred 
to the customary number of viewers, but for some reason they failed to give 
the matter any consideration. A second petition was filed at the June sessions, 
representing that the township was thirteen miles long and six miles wide; 
that the places of election were remote from many of the inhabitants: that 
there was not that identity of interest which should exist among the people of 
the same township ; and praying the court to appoint a second commission for 
its division. August 26, 1848, R. E. McGowen, N. Patterson and G. W. Haw- 
kins were appointed for that service. A favorable report was filed November 
4, 1848. March 4, 1849, by decree of court. Plum township was divided by 
a line "beginning where the Frankstown road crosses the division line of 
Wilkins township and said township [Plum], and following said road by its 
coui'ses and distances until it strikes the division line of Westmoreland 
county," the southern part receiving the name of Patton. 

This part of the county was popularly known at an early period by no 
other name than "Turtle Creek," and there is reason to believe its settlement 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. ] 31 

occurred at a comparatively early date. Between 1765 and 1785 the follow- 
ing were settlers in Patton township: William McElroy, William and Robert 
Johnson, Charles Duke, Christopher Striker, Joseph McClintock, Robert 
Beatty. Thomas McMullen, Robert Duff, John Irwin, William Scott, Robert 
Clugston, William Clugston, John McNulty, George Ellis. 

The oldest patent in the county is for land in this township. The tract is 
called the "Widow's Dower," and it was owned by Mrs. Martha Myers. 
Little is known of the history of this woman, but it is believed that she and 
her family were the first in Patton township. They probably settled soon 
after the English established their jurisdiction here. The following appears 
in Washington's journal of his tour in November, 1770: " 23d. After settling 
with the Indians and the people that attended me down the river, and defray- 
ing sundry expenses accruing at Pittsburgh, I set off on my return home; 
and after dining at the Widoio Mier's, on Turtle creek, reached Mr. John 
Stephenson's in the night." 

Near the line between Patton and Wilkins townships once stood a mill, in 
the wall of which was a stone marked " James Mires, 1783." The old mill 
has ceased to exist, but the stone was placed in the wall of another mill on the 
same site. This ' ' James Mires ' ' is supposed to have been a son of Mrs. 
Martha Myers. The following are known to have been residents of Patton 
township prior to 1830: Thomas Chalfant, Henry Chalfant, John McMaster, 
John Meyers, Eli Meyers, John McCully and sons John and Robert, Samuel 
Snodgrass, Samuel Shaw, Michael Walls; John, Robert and James McElroy; 
William Johnson and sons Robert and John; Robert Johnson and son John; 

Robert Beatty and sons William, Robert, Samuel, John and others; Hall 

and sons John, Samuel and James; Robert Clugston and sons William, Robert, 

Ebenezer and Calhoun; Caldwell, Daniel Spangler, James McGinley, 

James Jordan and son James; John McClellan, John Thompson, Aber 

and sons Zephaniah and John; Charles Carothers and sons Robert, Joseph, 
James, William and Charles; David Maxwell; Henry Dinsmore and son James; 
Ross Dinsmore. 

The northern turnpike crosses the township from east to west, and upon 
this thoroughfare, about six miles from Wilkinsburg, is situated the village of 
Monroeville. The name has no reference to President Monroe, however, as 
would naturally be inferred, but was conferred in honor of Joel Monroe, the 
first postmaster, appointed -January 23, 1851. The village is merely a strag- 
gling hamlet, and possesses no importance. 

Ti^rtle Creek, on the opposite side of the creek from the station of that 
name, on the Pennsylvania railroad, is an attractive suburban village. It is 
the terminus of a coal-railroad leading up Thompson's run. A portion of the 
town is in Wilkins township. The town came into existence after the construc- 
tion of the Greensburg turnpike. This was the first postofiice in this section 
of coiintry. 



132 HISTOHY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Turtle Creek United Presbyterian Church was organized in June, 1829, by- 
Rev. James Brown, with about thirty members, Samuel E. Shaw, David Dronnon 
and George Gray constituting the first session. The first communion was held 
at the house of John McMaster, Revs. Young and Mungo Dick officiating. 
Services had been conducted in a grove in this vicinity as early as 1820, by 
Rev. James Walker, pastor of Bethel Church, Westmoreland county. The 
first church -edifice was built in 1831, the second in 1858, the third 'in 1867. 
Pastors: Revs. Dick, Henderson, Kerr and Pressley were supplies from 
1829 to 1835; Joseph Osborne, 1836-51; J. G. Fulton, 1852-59; D. H. Pol- 
lock, 1860-69; S. A. Taggart, 1870-71; A. I. Young, 1872-85; R. A. Gilfil- 
lan, 1886. Four district congregations have been formed from the member- 
ship of this church in whole or in part — McKeesport, 1820; Braddoek, 1864; 
Monroe, Iowa, 186-; Westmoreland, 1869. Three presbyterial organizations 
have been effected here — Blairsville (A. R.), 1840: Westmoreland (A. R.), 
1855: and 1858, Westmoreland (U. P.), the Associate and A. R. Presbyterian 
churches having been united in May, 1858, as the United Presbyterian 
Church. 

A Presbyterian church was organized in Turtle Creek in May. 1887, with 
Rev. Dr. Wightman as pastor. Its membership is about fifty. Bethel United 
Presbyterian Church was organized in 1801 within the bounds of Chartiers 
Associate presbytery, and formed the pastorate of Rev. Ebenezer Henderson 
(with Pittsburgh and Turtle Creek) fi-om 1802 to 1804. A church was built 
in 1803, but there was no regular pastor until 1820, when Hugh Kirkland was 
called. John B. Dickey was in charge, 1834-35; William Galbrarth, 1836-47; 
James Kelso, 1852-65; T. F. Bo3'd, 1867-74. Cross Roads Presbyterian 
Church was organized in 1836. Rev. S. M. McClung was the first pastor. 
There are also Methodist and Reformed organizations at Turtle Creek. 

The population in 1860 was 957; in 1870, 1,193; in 1880, 1,730. 

PEXX TOWNSHIP. 

January 16, 1850, Robert Logan, Thomas Davison and Daniel Beeber were 
appointed by the court to view the boundaries of a new township to be formed 
from the northern part of Wilkins. July 8, 1850, by decree of court, a divis- 
ion of the latter was confirmed agreeably to their report, and the territory 
adjoining the Allegheny river erected into Adams township, the other portion 
retaining the name of Wilkins. August 31, 1850, the action of the court was 
reconsidered, and the name changed to McNair, but the records are silent as 
to the time when the present name was adopted. How often the name maj' 
have been changed in the meantime is matter of conjecture. 

Among the settlers here prior to the Revolution was Thomas Wilson. He 
secured a patent for four hundred acres under the name of Wilson's mount in 
1788, but had made his first residence here in 1770, removing to Fort Pitt in 
1776. Other early settlers were: 



rC^^% 




'^.tr...jjj.^ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 135 

Thomas Sampsou and sons John, James, William, Thomas, David and Alexander; 
John Johnson and sou James; John Duff and sons James, William, John, Alexander, 
David, George and Samuel (the last now living at the age of eighty-one); William Parks 
and sons James, John, David, William, Robert and Thomas; Alexander Damster and son 
James; William McQuay and sous John, Samuel and Thomas; Charles Johnson and sons 
John, James, William and Andrew; Henry Morrow and sons John, James, Henry and 
Hugh; Robert Donaldson and son Hugh; Samuel Ferguson and sons Enoch, Samuel. 
Isaac and James; Christ Snively and sons Henry and Emanuel; Frederick Stoner and 
sons Christ, John, David, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph and Frederick; Samuel Ewart and son 
Samuel; James McGregor and sons William, Robert and John; John McGill and sous Alex- 
ander and James; Christ Hershey and sons John and Christ; Jacob Hershey; Thomas 
Wilson, father of George, Francis and James; George Wilson and sons Francis, Morrow 
and Thomas; Francis Wilson (brother of George) and sons Thomas, Dr. John, George and 
Francis; James Wilson (another brother of George) and son Thomas; Rev. James Graham 
and sons Robert and James; Mrs. Stotlerand sons Emanuel, Henry and Jacob, and grand- 
sons Jacob, Henry B., David, Emanuel and Andrew. 

Christ Snively had a carding-mill, the power for which was known as a 
"tramp- wheel." With the growth of woolen -factories and the decline of 
domestic manufactures, it went down. 

The population in 1860 was 1,821; in 1870, 2,685; in 1880, 3,291. The 
village of Wildwood was laid out by James Boyd, on an elaborate plan, and it 
numbers about one hundred inhabitants. 

The coal interests of the township are extensive, and roads several miles in 
length lead from the Allegheny Valley railroad to the mines on Quigley's run 
and Sandy creek. There is a village upon the latter known as a postoffice iinder 
the name of White Ash. Negley postoffice was established in 1871, and Wild- 
wood in 1880. Milltown is a hamlet on the Plum Creek branch of the Alle- 
gheny Valley railroad. There is a church at this point. 

Hebron United Presbyterian Church was organized August 30, 1860. Pas- 
tors: H. C. McFarland, 1858-64; D. Barclay, 1867-. The chapel of the Sacred 
Heart was built in 1873. Mount Hope Baptist Church, Sandy Creek Method- 
ist Church and a German Lutheran church complete the number of religious 
organizations. 

Verona Borough. — Verona was incorporated May 10, 1871, by act of assem- 
bly, from Penn and Plum townships. It borders on the Allegheny river a dis- 
tance of two and one-half miles, extending inland a mile in the precinct north 
of Plum creek. The streets are wide and regular. There is no large part of 
the population belov? the railroad; that part of the towm has been overflowed 
by river freshets several times within the last score of years, and is conse- 
quently regarded with a degree of disfavor. The avenue above the railroad is 
lined with beautiful residences, while the ascending slope in the rear presents 
many specimens of tasteful suburban architecture. Taken as a whole, the town 
and its surroundings can not fail to impress the visitor favorably. 

The Allegheny Valley railroad was opened to Kittanning January 30, 1856, 
and the history of the town as such practically dates from that event. There 



136 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

are five stations within the borough limits: Hulton, Oakraont, Edgewater, 
Verona and lona. 

In 1769 George Croghan patented three hundred acres in the upper part of 
the borough. In 1776 he transferred the land to Thomas Girty, and he, in 
1800, to Col. Pressly Neville. In 1813 Neville conveyed it to Robert Elliott, 
and from him it was transferred to Michael Bright in 1816. It has since been 
divided and subdivided. Oakmont was the name by which a tract of six 
hundred acres, embracing much of that part of the borough above Plum creek, 
was patented to David Greer more than a hundred years ago. Jonathan Hul- 
ton settled very early in that part of the borough which boars his name. 

Caleb Lee, Sr. , was an early owner of about eleven hundred acres. Rich- 
ard Jones, Arthur Speer, Samuel Gray and Parker had tracts within what 

is now the borough. 

Very early James Verner laid out part of the land about Verona station, 
which was formerly known as Verner. This part of the town received an 
impetus when the railroad-shops were located here, soon after the road was 
opened. The Verona Tool- works, Metcalf, Paul & Co., proprietors, were 
established in 1873, burned and rebuilt in 1881, with largely increased capac- 
ity. The product consists of railway supplies exclusively. The Dexter Spring 
company manufactures the well-known "Dexter" spring, the "Fairy Fifth 
Wheel ' ' for reach vehicles, and other supplies used in the carriage trade. 
W. W. Grier is sole proprietor of the works, which were erected in 1874. 
Agnew & Co. 's glassworks were placed in operation June 13, 1870. There 
are two postoffices, Hulton and Verona. The population in 1880 was 1,599. 

There was no established place of worship in what is now Verona borough 
prior to 1857. The nearest regular preaching-points were the Associate Re- 
formed churches of Hebron and Unity, the former six and the latter five miles 
distant. The Associate Reformed congregation of Logan's Ferry was organ- 
ized in the year mentioned. North of the Allegheny river and a mile and a 
half distant from the ferry was the old Associate Reformed congregation of 
Deer creek, but the river prevented many from attending service there. The 
various denominations represented were the Associate Reformed, Baptist, 
Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian. There was a boat called the Chris- 
tian Friend, which was used to transport the devoutly inclined across the 
river, and clergymen of the different denominations occasionally conducted 
services in the schoolhouse. 

The United Presbyterian Church was organized with eleven members in 
1857, as the "Valley Chui-ch." The church-edifice was built in 1858-59. 
Pastors: Rev. H. K. Lusk (S. S.), 1858-61; R. H. Boyd, 1864-09: J. D. 
Irons. 1873-87. The Presbyterian Chm-ch was organized in February, 1871, 
and the church-edifice was built in 1876. Rev. John Kerr was the first pastor. 
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church originated in the beqiiest of Adam Wirtz 
of certain property for an orphan asylum. A chapel was built thereon, the 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 137 

cornerstone being laid July 23, 1866. It was replaced by a more pretentious 
brick edifice in 1887. Rev. Joseph Suhr was the first pastor. There are also 
Methodist and Protestant Episcopal societies. 

The following orders and societies were instituted on the respective dates : 
lona Lodge, No. 141, K. of P., September 22, 1886; Bright Post, No. 360, 
G. A. R., July 18, 1883; Emerald Beneficial Association, No. 65, October 12, 
1878; Loyal Orange Institute, No. 33, December 8, 1880; K. of M., Tent No. 
40, April 27, 1887; John A. Emrick Lodge. No. 123, I. O. O. F., August 17, 
1886. 



T 



CHAPTER XII. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 

West Deer — Kiciiland— Hampton. 

HAT part of Allegheny county north of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers 
was included in the comprehensive limits of Pitt township by action of the 
•court of quarter sessions in 1788, and so continued for eight years. Two 
townships were formed from this territory in 1796, known, respectively, as Deer 
and Pine, the line of Jones' and Cunningham's districts forming a mutual 
boundary. They were about equal in area, the difference, if any, being in 
favor of Pine. 

Deer, as thus erected, comprised the whole of Indiana, O'Hara, Harmar, 
Springdale, Fawn, Harrison, East and ^^'est Deer, and the larger portions of 
Shaler, Hampton and Richland. The population was sparse for years after other 
portions of the county were comparatively thickly settled. This may be explained 
from the fact that this territory was not opened to purchase and settlement 
until 1792, at which time that part of the county south of the Ohio and Alle- 
gheny rivers was already marked by many of the indications of prosperous and 
aggressive frontier life. It has been fovind impossible to ascertain the names 
of all the early residents, but the following list has been compOed from such 
sources as are now available: 

1803. John Haspend, David White, Felix Negley. Elias Davis, William Snively, 
William Brown, Benjamin White, John Lambdown, .Joseph Cos, Robert Carothers, Will- 
iam Lemon. Duncan Galbraith, Hugh Lemon, Alexander Patterson, James Karns, Peter 
Sweson, Malachi Rauch, Robert Henry, William Owen, Richard Clark, John Martin. 

1805. Henry Couch, Hugh Campbell, Elisha Brooks, John Nichols, William D. 
Hawkins, John Dougherty, Jacob Baus, William Staley, John Mann, Jacob Home, Esley 
Power, John Campbell, Henry Strouse, Jacob Shooks, Jacob Staley, James Power, Pat- 
irick O'Hara, Archibald Campbell, John Bedan, William-Crawford, William Galbraith. 



138 HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



WEST DEER TOWNSHIP. 

This township was foi-med in 1830, by the division of Deer. Its area had 
previously been considerably curtailed by the formation of Indiana in 1805. 
As thus reduced, Deer was a narrow, rectangular township extending about six- 
teen miles along the Butler county line, and about six miles wide. West Deer 
received the larger part of this territory, and its limits included portions of 
Hampton and Richland in addition to its present area. Within the territory 
now comprised in its limits, the first settler was Benjamin Paul, a "squatter," 
who made a clearing, built a cabin and planted an orchard prior to 1800, on 
land subsequently owned by the Hazletts, who came before 1800. There were 
two brothers, James and William Hazlett, from Ireland, as were many of the 
settlers in this region. The sons of James were William, George, James, 
John and Alexander; of William, James, John and William. Their descend- 
ants are still on the ancestral estates. 

Jeremiah Smith was the original owner of some of the land purchased by 
the Hazletts. He removed to Butler county. John Carnahan came prior to 
ISOO, and settled in the northeast part of the township, about a mile from the 
line of Butler county. He remained here till his death, in 1830. His sons 
were George, Samuel and John, the last still living on the old place. George- 
was a soldier under Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812. David Ferguson came 
at about the same time, and settled near Mr. Carnahan, where he also remained 
till his death. His sons were Samuel and William, both dead. Thomas 
Stewart was also a settler prior to the commencement of the present century, 
and passed his life here. His son William removed to the west, where he 
died. James Jack and his brother Andrew were also original settlers. The 
sons of Andrew were James, John, Leslie and Samuel. Robert Glasgow, the 
first blacksmith in the township, was an early settler. The property which he 
owned is still in possession of his descendants. Thomas McConnell, the first 
tavern-keeper, was here early, and had his hostelry on the Harmarville road. 
His sons were Hugh, George, John, Thomas and James. Nehemiah Bell was 
an early settler. His son Samuel is still on the place which he settled. William 
Leslie was an original settler. He had several sons, and his grandson James 
resides on the old homestead. Henry Kissick had sons James, Joseph, Samuel, 
Moses and Clark. His descendants are on the old place. 

In addition to these the following were early residents: William McClelland. 
Elias Thomas, Robert Porter, Robert Norris, John McCool, Robert Hemphill, 
Thomas Love, Alexander Black, Robert Caldwell, Henry Hultz, Robert and 
Hugh Cunningham. Michael Carlisle, John Donaldson, John McGowan, Robert 
Hague, James Fleming, James Boyd. Robert Thompson. John Thompson. 
James and Thomas Hamilton, William McAllister. 

Robert Thompson was an early owner, and proliably the builder, of a grist- 
mill on Deer creek, in the southwest part of the township. It long since went 




^^.£^z^^ .^i^<^ 'f^^^f-^f-^-^ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 141 

to decay. There were in the township several small mills, driven by horse- 
power. 

Deer creek, Little Deer creek. Bull creek and the Connoquenessing have 
their sources in this township, which is the largest in the northern part of tlie 
county, being about five miles square; and it is also one of the most fertile 
and wealthy. The population in 1860 was 1,865; in 1870, 1,299; in 1880, 
1, 438. Oil and gas have recently been discovered in West Deer, and pros- 
pecting is in active progress. Visions of great wealth in the near future arise 
in the imaginations of many, and the price of real estate is consequently 
enhanced. It is still too early for confident predictions. 

Of the three postoffices, Rural Ridge was first established in 1853. Cul- 
merville dates from January, 1854. Lewis was so named from Jane Lewis, 
who was appointed to the office in 1883. With the possible exception of Cul- 
merville, there is no village in the township. A murder was once committed 
near this place, which was afterward popularly called "Brimstone Corners," 
a name which is not yet quite obsolete. 

The first schoolhouse, on land of John Hazlett, was built prior to 1800. 
Six schools are now in operation. 

Bull Creek Presbyterian Church was organized in 1796. Rev. William 
A. Boyd was pastor in 1802-83. Revs. Samuel Caldwell, J. Johnston and 
Thomas W. Kerr were also among the earlier pastors. East Union United 
Presbyterian Church was organized June 3, 1850. Pastors: J. Given, 1854-57; 
W. Weir, 1866-69; J. A. Brandon, 1871-76; J. M. Witherspoon, 1877-82; 
W. F. Miller, 1884-. Deer Creek United Presbyterian Church was organized 
in 1802. Pastors: J. McConnell, 1811-45; A. G. Shafer, 1847-68; S. M. 
Hood, 1870-. There is also an old Covenanter church in the northeastern 
part of the township. 

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 

This township was erected June 7, 1860, by decree of court, from West 
Deer and Pine. The proceedings in this case were begun at March term, 
1859, when William McKendry, Thomas M. Shaw and Col. John Brown were 
appointed as viewers. Their report was filed July 16, 1859, and the elec- 
tion, held May 22, 1880, resulted in its indorsement by a unanimous vote. 
The name was suggested in the following manner: Charles Gibson was one of 
those most strongly in favor of the new township, and his father, Thomas 
Gibson, was equally strenuous in opposing the measure. While arguing the 
question on one occasion, the father asserted that all the rich land and rich 
men in both Pine and West Deer would be included in the proposed new dis- 
trict, and that its erection would be greatly to their detriment. The son 
acknowledged the compliment to the section of country for which he was 
endeavoring to secure political autonomy, and by his influence the name of 
" Richland " was conferred on it. 

The township is three miles five furlongs and eighteen perches wide, and 



142 HISTOHY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

varies iu li'ngth from three inilos seven furlongs and twenty [jcrches on th& 
east to four miles and thirty perches on the west. The area is about eight 
thousand acres. Both Deer creek and Pine creek, the principal affluents of 
the Allegheny river in this county, have their sources here. The resources of 
the township are of an exclusively agricultural character. The population in 
1870 was 707; in 1880, 700. 

This part of the county was one of the last to receive attention from actual 
settlers. The land was originally secured in large tracts by eastern capital- 
ists for speculative purposes. John Crawford is usually regarded as the first 
permanent settlor, and is supposed to have arrived about 1800. His first 
neighbors began to appear about 1820, but there was only a sparse population 
several decades after that. William Waddle, who kept a tavern on the Butler 
plank-road, John Ewalt, Isaac GriibVis and John Dickey may also pro[)erly be 
classed as early settlers. 

Other pioneers were Richard Morrow (many of whose descendants are still 
here), William and Robert Dickey, Hughey Douglass, J. W. Bougher, Dr. S. 
H. Allen, James Harbison, Thomas Waddle (a blacksmith), Jacob. William and 
John Waddle, John Dickson (his sons Samuel and David are still residents), 
John Sterling, Rev. James McGonnell, Rev. Thomas Guthrie. Archibald and 
Robert Glasgow, William Bricker, Thomas Baker, David Crummey, Thomas 
Richards, James Jones. 

The Pittsburgh & Western railroad crosses the township from north to 
south, with stations at Valencia, Bakerstown and Gibsonia. The latter is a 
postoifice, which was established in 18S0, and the present name was adopted 
in 1882. 

The village of Bakerstown, two miles from the station of that name, is a 
place of some local importance, derived from its position on the Butler plank- 
road. It was named from Thomas Baker, and in 1830 was nearly as large as 
at present. Its population is estimated at 130. It has three stores, a hotel, 
and the usual mechanic-shops. The Methodist church was biiilt in 1838. The 
Presbyterian Church was organized in 1870, by Rev. William G. Stewart, the 
tirst pastor. 

Recently, oil has been ' ' struck ' ' in Richland township, and several wells have 
since been drilled. One of these proved to be one of the most productive gas- 
wells that has been discovered. It is near the line between Richland and West 
Deer. Some of the wells that have been sunk have yielded no oil. and but 
little gas. 

HAMPTON TOWNSHIP. 

This township comprises territory originally included in McCandless, Indi- 
ana and West Deer. It is regular in outline, and nearly a perfect square, 
being in length abovit four miles and forty perches, and in breadth three miles 
and two hundred and eighteen perches. The movement for its erection began 
at the June term, 1860, when a petition with this end in view was referred to 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 143: 

the consideration of John Dickey, James Taylor and C. Sniveley. They sur- 
veyed the boundaries of the proposed territory, and made return thereof to the 
court under date of November 13, 1860. June 19,. 1861, the question was 
submitted to popular vote, when the action of the commissioners was ratified 
by a majority of one hundred and one, there being but twelve dissenting votes. 
The final decree of court erecting Hampton was issued February 16, 1861. 
The present eastern boundary was established at the April sessions, 1862, by 
the annexation of a narrow strip of territory from Indiana. Of Hon. Moses 
Hampton, LL. D., in whose honor the township is named, an account is 
given in the chapter on Bench and Bar, jjages 259, 260. 

John McCaslin is generally thought to have been the first settler. In 1794 
he secured the title to land still in possession of his descendants, but as a 
hunter the region was well known to him some years before. His fondness for 
the chase did not cease as the country became more thickly settled, and he 
often made long excursions to the wilds of what are now known as the oil- 
regions. 

Alexander McDonald was the first settler near Hardie's station. It is said 
of him that he was many yeais a farmer and never owned a wagon. Frank 
Black was a settler near Mr. McDonald. None of their descendants are here. 
Jacob Burkhardt and his son-in-law John McDonald were settlers in the south- 
east part of the township. Other early settlers (though the times of their set- 
tlement can not be learned) were Philip Mowry, Robert McCurdy, George 

Whitesell, Robert A. Sample, Robert Hardie, Miller, Henry Weaver, 

Samuel Hutchman, Samuel Brown, David and William Williams, William and 
Henry McCully, Charles Anderson, Samuel McCaslin, James and John Herron, 
John McNeal, Joseph Hart, George Somerwell, William Green, David Patton 
Ephraim Morrow. 

The first mill was built in 1808, by Philip Mowi'y. It was in the south 
western part of the township, on Pine creek. 

The population of Hampton in 1870 was 938; in 1880, 1,003. The princi 
pal streams of the township are Pine creek and its branches, Gourhead run 
McCaslin' s run, Crouse's run, Willow run and Montour' s run. "Gourhead 
Knob, ' ' at the confluence of the stream of that name and a smaller tributary 
is a striking feature of the topography. The old Butler turnpike and the Alle- 
gheny and Butler plank-road were among the first highways opened through 
this section of country. The village of Talley Cavey is situated upon the 
latter, about the center of the township. The name is that of a locality in the 
north of Ireland, and was suggested by one of the early settlers from that place. 
The usual stores and local mechanics are represented, while a Reformed Pres- 
byterian church adds to the attractiveness of the town. Its population is 
probably tiftj' or seventy-five persons. Unsuccessful search has been made in 
the township for oil. Some of the wells have yielded gas in considerable 
quantities. 



144 msTonY of Allegheny county. 

The stations on the I'ittsburgh it Western railroad in this township are 
Hardie's, AVildwood, Semple, Bryant and Eberhardt. John Cress became 
postmaster at Herron March 81, 188(1; Peter Heisel, November 2, 1882; Mary 
Heisel, December 10, 1883; Daniel K. Murray, at Wildwood, November 18, 
1880, and James Kelley, September 27, 1887. 

Pine Creek United Presbyterian Church originated aljout 1805 as a Reformed 
Presbyterian church, and as such was served by Rev. M. Williams as pastor 
until 1825; T. C. Guthrie, 1827-56, and T. Johnston, 1860-73. It became a 
United Presbyterian church in 1874, and Rev. N. E. Wade was pastor until 
1884, when R. H. Park succeeded him. St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church 
is the second German congregation in the county, l)eing the first formed from 
St. Philomena'fi. A church-edifice was built in 1841. The cornerstone of its 
successor was laid April 22, 1867, and its dedication occurred November 28th 
of that year. There are two other churches. Pine Creek Presbyterian and a 
United Brethren, in the western part of the township. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
East Deer (Tarextuji)— Fawn— Hakri-sox. 

east deer township. 

THE erection of Deer in 1796 has been spoken of. As formed in 1805 the 
northern boundary of Indiana extended eastward to the mouth of Bull 
creek. The territory of Deer, as thus reduced, was divided in 1836, under 
the respective names of East and West Deer. Later in the same year the 
former was enlarged by the annexation of that part of the present area south 
of the northern line of Indiana extended, including Springdale township. 
Fawn and Harrison were also comprised within its limits. 

It is believed that the first settler in East Deer was Ezekiel Daj-. He 
probably came in 1792, and in 1793 built a cabin and made some improvements. 
Day's run was named from him. Prior to 1804 Rev. Abraham Boyd purchased 
a tract from Mr. Day, and resided there many years. He was pastor of several 
churches in the vicinity. 

Joseph Crawford lived near the mouth of Crawford's run, which took its 
name from him. Of his descendants Mrs. Robert Kennedy still resides in the 
township. Robert Bailey settled on what is now known as Bailey's run, then 
called Day's run. Mr. Bailej', at the age of eighty-four, still resides on the 
place where he settled, surrounded by his children. James Humes was a settler 




I 6cyyiyyvUi//^^jL 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 147 

near the present line between East Deer and Tarenttim. The place is still 
known as the Humes farm, and several of the descendants reside in this vicinity. 
His wife was a daughter of Mr. Negley. Samuel and James Powell were 
squatters on adjoining farms near Crawford's run; none of their descendants 
are here. Lesley Hazlett and his son George were squatters near the Alle- 
gheny river. They were boatmen, and the father was drowned. Solomon 
Kelsey came prior to 1840, and settled near the Bailey property. James 

Robertson came to the same place soon afterward. Elias Davis and Stark 

resided some two miles up Bailey's run. They were followed by John Ross. 
Fred. Christ lived on a farm adjoining Mr. Bailey. The widow of his son 
Fred, now resides in Fawn township. Jesse Brown resided two miles up 
Bailey's run, on a portion of the stream which still retains the name of Day's 
run. The place is now owned by James Wilson. J. C. Brown, a son of Jesse, 
was prothonotary of Allegheny county during two terms. He now occupies 
a prominent position in the municipal government of the city. 

Derrick Peterson, a Virginian, was one of the original settlers in East Deer 
township. He took up large quantities of land here, for which he received 
patents from the state. Of his children the names are remembered of Lewis, 
Sr. , Peter, Ann (still living), Lydia, wife of Col. James Hite, of Jefferson 
county, Va. , and mother of P. Y. Hite, now of this township; Lewis Peterson, 

Jr. , was a mayor of Allegheny City. Sprole settled in the upper part of East 

Deer township, where he died. Samuel Kier succeeded Sprole on the same 
property. It is worthy of remark that the first petroleum in this region was 
discovered while drilling for salt on this property, and was accordingly called 
" Kier's Petroleum or Rock-Oil." 

P. Y. Hite, from whom the village of Hite is named, became a resident of 
this township in 1857, and engaged extensively in coal-mining and manufactur- 
ing salt. His saltworks, which were biu-ned in 1857, were located at the vil- 
lage of Hite. Ml'. Hite was also a pioneer oil producer and refiner. Hite is 
a station on the West Pennsylvania railroad, about one mile from Creighton, 
and two miles from Tarentum. Prior to 1'866 it was only a small hamlet. On 
the completion of the Pennsylvania railroad it assumed more importance, and 
now it has, probably, a population of 500. Mining was its principal industry, 
but since the discovery and utilization of natiu'al gas this has declined. 
There is a Methodist Episcopal church here. McFetridge Brothers have a 
brickyard at this place. 

Creighton station was established on ground that was a part of the origi- 
nal Peterson estate. It owes its existence to the erection of the plate-glass 
works there. Kennedy is a station at the lower end of Hite. It was the site 
of the Central Oil-refinery. The property was purchased from John Kennedy, 
Sr., in 1872, by a company in Pittsburgh. An extensive refinery was estab- 
lished there and conducted for several years. It was purchased by the 
Standard Oil company, and discontinued. 



148 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

In 1800 tho population of East Deer was 1,134; in 1870, 1,390; in 1880, 
1.253. 

Tarentum Borough. — This ranks third among the boroughs of the county 
in order of organization. To describe the location in precise mathematical 
terms, it is in latitude forty degrees thirty-seven seconds north, and in longi- 
tude four degrees thirty-nine seconds west, of the meridian of Philadelphia. 
The following description appears in an early prospectus of the town, and may 
convey a more intelligible idea to the ordinary reader; " The town is situated 
on the Allegheny river and Pennsylvania canal, at the aqueduct and locks near 
the mouth of Bull creek. It is distant from Pittsburgh twenty-one miles; from 
Kittanning, twenty-two miles; from Greensburg, twenty-three miles; from But- 
ler, nineteen miles; and on the cross-roads leading from the above places."' 

The principal features of the place are thus enumerated: " The neighbor- 
ing hills abound in coal. There is a steam gristmill, a sawmill and fulling- 
mills adjoining the town, also a valuable water-power at the locks. The situa- 
tion is favorable for the development of manufactures, and well suited for 
mechanics." 

Felix Negley was the lirst settler in Tarentum. He was of German origin, 
and arrived in 1796. In 1797 he erected a log cabin about forty rods below 
the mouth of Bull creek. He was then engaged in building a dam across the 
creek, and making preparations for building a sawmill and a gristmill. These 
were soon completed. Three or four years later he erected a larger log house 
a short distance from the first, on the opposite side of what is now Negley 
street. In 1812 James Lisley built a log house near where James Ashler's 
drugstore stands, on North Canal street, near the railroad station. This has 
been weather -boarded, and it still stands there. These were the only original 
houses of the olden time within the limits of the borough. Several log cabins 
stood near the mouth of the creek as early as 1800. They were occupied by 
Mr. Negley' s laborers, who were also hunters and fishermen. These were the 
principal dwellings in the place for the first twenty or thirty years, and the 
village had no importance beyond what Mr. Negley' s mills gave it. In 1821 
Mr. Negley built a carding-mill, and in 1824 placed it in operation, with Alex- 
ander McAllister as a partner. 

In 1828 water was first let into the canal here, and the place received an 
impetus. In that year James Miller built a steam sawmill at the mouth of 
the creek. He had built a house two years before, and he occupied it as a 
store and tavern during the constraction of the canal. In 1828 John Kennedy 
(now living) built a house near where the viaduct crosses the creek. It was 
to other persons than these,, however, that the town owes its origin. 

Hon. Henry M. Brackenridge, the founder of Tarentum, an account of 
whom will be found elsewhere in this work, was one of the most eminent law- 
yers of his day in this section of the country. The last years of his life were 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 149 

passed at his residence in Allegheny county. He acquired by marriage a 
landed estate of several thousand acres, including the site of Tarentum. 

The town was surveyed, under the direction of Mr. Brackem'idge, by W. 
Martin in November, 1829. The following streets are indicated upon the origi- 
nal plan: Canal, Randolph, Third and Fourth, above the canal and parallel 
with it, crossed at right angles by Wood and Lock streets and by Eoss street 
parallel with Bull creek; southeast of the canal and parallel with it, Kennedy 
and Water streets. The location of the public square is shown at the intersec- 
tion of Wood street with Third and Fourth, and a school-lot between Wood 
and Lock above Fourth. The width of Ross is given as fifty feet, that of Wood 
forty-nine and one- half feet, and of the others about forty feet. In 1857 the 
borough was regularly laid out between Kittanning street and the Allegheny 
river, eastward to Porter street. Below the railroad, in order from Bull creek, 
the streets extending northwest and southeast are known as Brackenridge, 
Ferry, Boyd, Adams, Wood, Lock, McKee, Worth and Gaines; above the 
railroad, in the same order, the names are Short, Butler, Ross, Mill, Wood, 
Lock, Dickey, Laworth, Corbet and Porter. Parallel with the railroad the 
streets north of it are known as Canal, Randolph, Third, Fourth and Kittan- 
ning; south of the railroad and extending in the same direction the names are 
South Canal, Kennedy, Vance and Water, the last-named three extending only 
to Lock, beyond which their continuations are known as Water, Taylor and 
Oberly streets. Within recent years the town plot has been extended east 
and west, within and beyond the borough limits. The jjopulatioa in 1860 was 
711; in 1870, 944; in 1880, 1,245; in 1884, 6,200. 

The rapid expansion noticeable in the last few years has resulted from the 
development of the natural gas of the immediate vicinity. Although known 
to exist as early as 1845, no attempt to utilize it as fuel was made until 1857, 
when Messrs. Irwin & Peterson applied it at their saltworks. In 1876 James 
E. Karns employed gas from old salt- wells in reducing ores, and in 1877 located 
the well of Graff, Bennett & Co., in West Tarentum. The advantage of a 
location at the source of supply has influenced a number of manufacturers to 
establish themselves here, the most important being the Pittsburgh Plate Glass 
company, ChaUinor, Taylor & Co., limited, Richards & Hartley Glass com- 
pany and C. L. Flaccus. . . . The first plate glass made in the United 
States was in 1848, at Lenox, Mass., but the enterprise was not a success. 
Some years since, about 1870-71, works were built at New Albany, Ind., by 
Messrs. Ford & De Pauw. In 1875 Mr. Ford withdrew and established works 
at Louisville. Attracted by the natural facilities of this section, he removed to 
Creighton in 1882-83. The works here comprise sixteen acres, and employ a 
thousand operatives, many of whom are Belgians. The works at Tarentum 
comprise twelve acres under roof, and were placed in operation in 1886. 
Tarentum Glass-works, C. L. Flaccus, proprietor, H. C. Barr, superintendent, 
were the first of the big manufacturing establishments that located at Tareu- 



150 HISTORV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

turn. Thpy were established in 1879, beginning with one seven pot hirnace, 
but tho increased demand for their line of goods has necessitated an enlarge- 
ment of the works, and they have now increased to two twelve-pot furnaces, 
giving employment to three hundred men and boys. These works make a 
specialty of manufacturing dint-glass bottles, jars and perfumers' stoppers, 
and make their own pots, boxes and molds in their factory. . . . The works 
of the Richards & Hartley Glass company, comprising a fourteen-pot furnace, 
were established at Pride and Locust streets, Pittsburgh, in 1801, and removed 
to Tarentum in 1884. One hundred and sixty-five operatives are employed, 
the product consisting of pressed goods. . . . The works of Challinor, 
Taylor & Co., limited, were established in 1884. There are two furnaces, 
sixteen and eighteen pots respectively, and three hundred and fifty men are 
employed. Pressed ware is manufactured. . . . The paper-mills of God- 
frey & Clark employ one hundred operatives. These works were formerly 
situated in Forward township, on the Monongahela river. Frederick Stevener 
is the proprietor of the Tarentum foundry, and Kennedy & Sons of the planing- 
mills. 

The Allegheny Valley Times was established by J. L. Bo.sh and P. F. 
Voight. the first number appearing April 1, 1881. S. G. Barnes became 
proprietor in 1883, "William Kennedy in 1884 and W. E. Kennedy in 1887. 
The Sun was established in 1884, by E. L. Thompson, publisher, and James 
H. Jack, editor. 

Methodism was planted in this section at an early period. A class of six 
members met at the house of Thomas Horton in 1810, with Henry Summer- 
ville as leader. The society numbered twent}' members in 1834. The place 
of worship was often changed for many years; the first church-edifice, begun 
in 1842, was dedicated October 27, 1844. The cornerstone of the present 
church- edifice was laid June 5, 1885, and the dedication occurred May 22, 
1887. The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1S32, with sixty membei-s. 
Pastors: Revs. Samuel Caldwell, James M. Smith, William G. Taylor, 
Samuel Ramsey, Marcus Wishart, George Scott, A. F. "Walker. The present 
church-edifice was built in 1881. The United Presbyterian Church was organ- 
ized in 1835. Pastors: J. G. Fulton, 1838-39: J. Gilmore, 1842-56; J. H. 
Timmons, 1860-84; D. R. McDonald, 1885-. The Reformed Presbyterian 
church was built in 1885; pastor. Rev. J. I. Means. 

The Lutheran Church was organized August 1, 1886, with sixteen members. 

Rev. Scheffer conducted the first services March 21, 1886. The Roman 

Catholic pastor is Rev. A. H. Farini. This is also a recent organization. 

The Tarentum Banking company, organized several years since, greatly 
facilitates local business transactions. It is a well-established financial 
institution. 

r.^WX TOWNSHIP. 

Fawn township was erected March 28, 1858. by decree of court. The 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 151 

proceediags ia this case were begun at. the October term, 1856, when C. 
Snively, Henry Chalfant and George G. Negley were appointed to report upon 
the advisability of dividing East Deer, which then extended a distance of four- 
teen miles along the Allegheny river. The division was confirmed agreeably 
to their recommendation. 

The earliest settler was Ezekiel Miller, a native of Cumberland county, 
who, in 1794, built a cabin at the village which bears his name. He was a 
lame man, and always traveled on horseback, to which circumstance he owed 
the preservation of his life when attacked by the Indians. He fled to Craw- 
ford's fort, a stockade on the south side of the Allegheny river above the 
mouth of Puckety creek, built by Col. William Crawford. In 1796 he returned 
to his former residence with his family. Three other settlers arrived in the 
same year— John Harbison, Daniel Howe and Benjamin Coe. They had pre- 
viously served as spies in St. Clair's army, and in return for this service were 
allowed four hundred acres each from the ' ' depreciation lands. ' ' Harbison 
entered the army in March, 1792, and was wounded at St. Clair's defeat. 
His family was also subjected to a most barbarous experience at the hands of 
the Indians. His wife and three children were living at the time near Free- 
port, Armstrong county. On the morning of May 22d, only two months after 
the departure of her husband, Mrs. Harbison was roused from sleep by the 
forcible entrance into her house of a party of savages, said to have been thirty- 
two in number. She was forcibly dragged from her bed, and compelled to 
leave the house with scarcely time to provide the necessary clothing. She 
carried the youngest child in her arms, and the eldest was placed upon a 
horse; but the other, a little boy of three years, cried and resisted, whereupon 
he was killed in a most inhuman manner before the eyes of his mother. The 
other child fell from his horse in descending the bank of the river, and when 
the party had crossed to the island upon which Preeport is built, his cries 
were speedily terminated by a blow from a tomahawk. The next day, as the 
brave was stretching the scalp over a hoop, Mrs. Harbison, horrified at the 
sight, attempted to kill him with his own tomahawk; but failing in the effort, 
she was severely punished. A favorable opportunity of escape was presented 
on the third day of her captivity. The party were all out hunting, leaving 
but one Indian to guard the prisoners. While he was asleep she removed the 
thongs from her wrists and ankles, and, taking her one remaining child in her 
arms, fled. After three days of wandering she was at length rescued. 

Of early families in what is now Fawn township the names are remembered 
of Painter, Martin, Gibson, McGoldrick, Gravatt, Donald, Smith, Maizland, 
Jillett, Hill, Thompson, Hunter, Young, McCall, Critchlow. 

Fawn is an exclusively agricultural township. There is a small hamlet in 
the western part, on Bull creek, which bears the name of Millerstown, but no 
villages of importance. Fawn postoflice existed from February, 1877, to 
July, 1879. 



152 niSTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

There are three churches — Cumberland Presbyterian and Methodist in the 
western part of the township, and Center Methodist Episcopal. The popula- 
tion in 1860 was 1,054; in 1870, 681, and in 1880, 636. 

HAUK1S0N TOWNSHIP. 

This township was formed from Fawn in 1863. " Mellen " was sug- 
gested as the name in a petition presented at the June sessions, 1862. C. 
Snively, Caleb Lee and Jacob Alter constituted the commission by which the pro- 
posed territory was surveyed. Popular sentiment was strongly in favor of the 
measure, and when the question was submitted at the polls, February 28, 1863, 
there were but two dissenting votes in a total of one hundred and fifty-two. This 
action by the people was formally confirmed by decree of court, February 7, 
1863. A noticeable occurrence in this connection was the payment of two 
hundred and fifty dollars by the tax-collectors of the new subdivision to the 
court for disbursement to the supervisors of Fawn, in lieu of an equal amount 
expended upon the opening of a road in the former just prior to the division. 

James Kerns, whose mother was one of the Jack family, was an early set- 
tler in Harrison township. He resided on the river bank about three miles 
above Tarentum. Several of his descendants are residents here. John Mill- 
er was also an early resident, about one mile from Freeport, near the Butler 
county line, on what was then called the Kittanningand Pittsburgh road. His 
son Nathaniel was a lifelong resident of the township. Asa Rowley settled 
early on the same road, about four miles from Tarentiim, where he remained 
till his death. Philip Burkner settled on Little Bull creek, about a mile from 
the Allegheny river, and there he died. His granddaughter, Mrs. Huey, 
resides on the place where he settled. William Owns, a Portuguese, was a 
squatter on the bottom-lands near where the Natrona Chemical works now 
are. He was on quite intimate terms with the Indians, and was an expert 
hunter. He died at that place many years since. 

A man named Derry was also a squatter at the same place, and a neighbor 
of Owns, with whom he was not on good terms. Just prior to the commence- 
ment of the present century the Indians surprised and murdered the family 
and burned their house. A son, named Jacob Derry. escaped by hiding in a 
hollow which the river had excavated under a beech stump. A grandson of 
Jacob now resides near Oil City. It was believed that this mui-der was 
instigated by Owns. 

In 1807 John and William Kennedy located in what is now Tarentum. In 
1810 they removed to what were knpwn as the "Bottoms," where they 
remained till 1817, when they removed to a place across the river. Many of 
their descendants are residents of this vicinity. John Kennedy, a son of Will- 
iam, and the father of John and James Kennedy, bankers in Tarentum, is still 
living at the age of eighty-four. The descendants of the original John have 
removed from this region. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 153 

Jacob Kroin came about 1807, and settled near John Miller, a mile from 
Freeport, on a place now owned by Henry Boyd. He and several of his chil- 
dren died at the place where he settled. About a year since his son, Isaac 
Krom, died, at the age of eighty-seven, in Tarentum. Several of the descend- 
ants reside in this vicinity. Near to Mr. Krom, and at about the same time, 
Mr. Washington Bale settled. His daughter, Mrs. Altor, still resides on the 
old place. Andrew McGinnis settled on the bottom about 1810, and remained 
some ten years. 

After the first decade of this century the region along the Allegheny river 
was rapidly settled. During twenty or thirty years, or till about 1835, the 
country back from the river was a wilderness. 

Natrona. — About 1853 the manufacture of salt was commenced at this 
place. At that time there was no village here. Several wells were sunk from 
which brine was obtained, and salt was made to some extent. This of itself 
had, however, no great importance. Works were at once erected for the man- 
ufacture of various chemical substances, and these works have since been 
steadily increased to the present day. The company which is engaged in these 
manufactures is chartered as the Pennsylvania Salt company, but the manu- 
facture of salt is only a small item. 

One of the first articles made here was caustic soda, from which concen- 
trated lye was prepared. To this were added bromine, chloroform, various acids, 
pure soda and its salts, aluminum and various other chemical substances. The 
products of these works are sold in all parts of the United States and Canada. 
The cryolite from which soda and aluminum are largely produced here is 
brought from Greenland, the only known place where deposits of it exist. 
The pyrites from which sulphuric acid is produced are brought from Spain. 
Copper as well as silver and gold is extracted from the materials used in the 
manufacture of chemicals here. 

The village of Natrona owes its existence to the establishment of these works. 
About six hundi-ed operatives are employed by the company, and the village 
has a population of about fifteen hundred. There are five church organizations 
in the place, viz. : Methodist, Catholic, German Lutheran, Presbyterian and 
English Lutheran. All except the last have tasteful and convenient houses of 
worship. 

The population of the township in 1870 was 1,870; in 1880, 2,352. There 
are small hamlets at Sligo and Karns stations. 



154 lUHTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XlV. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
Indiana— O'Hara (Siiarpsbukg). 

INDIANA township. 

INDIANA was the fourth towaship formed in the couuty north of the Ohio 
and Allegheny rivers. Its organization was preceded by that of Pine and 
Deer in 1796, and Ohio in 1803, all of which were originally included in Pitt 
township. At the June sessions, 1805, on petition of a number of citizens of 
Deer, praying for the formation of a new township from its territoi-y to be 
described as follows: "Beginning at the mouth of Pine creek, on Allegheny 
river, upon the line dividing Jones' district from Cunningham's district (which 
is also the division line between Deer and Pine townships), and extending 
along the line of Cunningham's district due north to the seven -mile tree in 
the said line, thence due east through Cunningham's district to Bull creek, 
thence down said creek to Allegheny river, thence down the Alleghenj- river to 
the place of beginning," the court appointed as commissioners James Sem- 
ple, Samuel Scott and James Robinson. December 26. 1805, their report, in 
which the bounds above described were recommended, was confirmed by the 
court, and the name of Indiana conferred upon the new district. The town- 
ship was triangular in shape. The political significance of " the line dividing 
Jones' district from Cunningham' s district ' ' has been obliterated by the 
formation of Hampton and Shaler, of which the former derived one-half and 
the latter one-third of its area from Indiana. Its area had previously been 
curtailed by the erection of East Deer, when the present eastern boundary was 
established; and in 1875, by the formation of O'Hara and Harmar, the town- 
ship was deprived of its former extended frontage upon the river. It is thus 
seen that as originally formed Indiana received fully one-half of the previous 
territory of Deer, and included within its limits, in addition to its present area, 
the whole of three townships and portions of an equal number of others. 

The earliest settlers were Jacob Huddle and Henry Strohm, brothers-in- 
law and native Germans. They are supposed to have arrived in 1798, although 
their deeds for lands transferred from Benjamin Herr are dated August 21, 
1805. The fir.st birth occurred in the family of Henry Strohm, but the child, a 
boy named Peter, died before attaining his majority. These two families are 
still numerously represented. Peter Weaver, Jacob Bave and Daniel Sweeney 
were also early settlers. 




■/tv 



'^^a^Ji^n^ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 157 

William Marshall, Robert Black, John McKee, James Pattersou, Samuel 
McClellan, James Quinett, Peter NefF, John Eward, George Snyder, Elijah 
Brooks, James Powell, David Stewart and Thomas McWilliams were residents 
prior to 1820. 

A grist- and saw- mill was built on Deer creek more than half a century since 
by Robert McCaslin. It has been torn away. Another gristmill was erected 
farther down the same stream, about forty years since, by Peter Wise. It is 
now owned and operated by Michael Yonker, who has added to it a sawmill. A 
grist- and saw-mill was built more recently by Henry Strohm. The population 
in 1860 was 2,505; in 1870, 2,808; in 1880, 1,189." 

The Kittanning road passes through the township. Deer, Little Deer and 
Cummings creeks are the principal streams. Dorseyville is a small hamlet 
which took its name from a man named Dorsey. It is the only village in the 
township. It has a postoffice, and some stores and mechanic-shops. Mon- 
tooth postoffice was established in 1882. The township has three churches — 
Walter chapel (Methodist Episcopal) in the northern part, a United Brethren 
society near Dorseyville, and a German Lutheran church in the same vicinity. 

o'hara township. 

This township was erected June 8, 1875, by decree of court. Its forma- 
tion was first agitated in 1872. The preliminary measures were siiccessfnlly 
accomplished, but the project failed to receive popular sanction at the polls. 
When, two years later, the agitation was resumed, with the added feature of 
two additional subdivisions instead of one, it was considered in a more favor- 
able manner, with the result as above stated. 

Col. James O'Hara, from whom the township is named, was the pioneer 
glass manufacturer of Western Pennsylvania. In conjunction with Maj. 
Isaac Craig he established the first glasshouse at Pittsburgh in 1798. As a 
soldier he participated in the various Indian expeditions terminating in Wayne's 
victories. He owned a large tract of land in this township. 

James Powers was the earliest settler, and purchased land in 1796, in part- 
nership with his brother Thomas, near Powers run, which took its name from 
him. He was probably a resident some time before he and his brother made their 
purchase. The tract which they bought was a part of lands appropriated for 
the redemption of depreciated certificates. It had been patented in 1789 to 
Joseph Mercier, but it had never lieen occupied. Mr. Powers came before the 
Indians had left this region, and it is said that he was often compelled to take 
his rifle with him to his work, and that on several occasions he was driven by the 
savages across the river. His nephew, Ashley Powers, was also an early resi- 
dent, and many of his descendants still reside here. 

William Preston, a Scotchman, settled in 1798 on Little Pine creek. 
Strohm and Huddle had preceded him in that vicinity in what is now Indiana 



158 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENV COUNTY. 

township. The descendants of Mr. Preston were in the war of ISl'i, the 
Mexican war, and on both sides in the hite civil war. 

The Ross tract, the purchase of James Ross, inchided about 2, 150 acres, 
lying along the river and extending about a mile and a half back. None of 
this land has been sold, but it is now the property of Mrs. Aspinwall and 
Mrs. Uelnlield, cousins of Mr. Ross. It is rented in parcels to different indi- 
viduals. 

William Hawkins, Esq. , was an early settler on Squaw run, where he died 
at the age of ninety-five. His grandson, John R. Hawkins, still resides on a 
part of the old farm. John Weichel, a German, settled on the Ross estate, 
not far from Ross station, about 1808. He remained on the farm which he 
cleared up till his death, about 1858, at the age of ninety-three. His son, 
Henry Weichel, now seventy-six years of age, occupies the same farm. Fran- 
cis Beatty came in 1809, and settled at Claremont, where his grandson, John 
B. Beatty, now a resident of O'Hara township, resided till 1887. 

John Neff was a resident of O'Hara township previous to 1812. He re- 
moved to what is now Indiana township, and died there. David Gable was a 
very early settler and his son Philip, now an octogenarian, resides in the 
township. 

The Galbraiths, the Jessups, Boyds. Cables, Cooks, Nobles, Millers, Wibles, 
Campbells, Crawfords, Brians, Lapsleys, Speerses, Loves and others were resi- 
dents early in the present century. Peter Wolf, several by the name of Staley, 
Bliss and many others were squatters along the river. 

The village of Montrose was laid out in 1872 by the " Modern Life Insur- 
ance and Improvement Trust Company,'' of Pittsburgh and Hoboken, by the 
" Hoboken Land Company." The former has not materialized to any extent. 
The latter is nine miles from Allegheny City by way of the Pennsylvania rail- 
road. The other stations are Powers run, Claremont, Ross, Guyasuta and 
Sumner. The Kittanning road crosses the northwestern part of the township. 
The population iu ISSO was 2,498. 

Several islands in the Allegheny river form part of this township. 

There is in the township one postofifice, Hoboken. The first postoffice, how- 
ever, was Houston, which was suspended from October 17 to November 27, 
1865; changed to Claremont March 28, 1871, and discontinued April 8, 1881. 

Pine Creek Presbyterian Church received supplies as early as 1802. Revs. 
Abraham Boyd, Robert Patterson and James Graham being among the first. 
Rev. Joseph Stockton, the first regular pastor, assumed charge in 1814, and in 
the following year an organization was effected with seven members. Hobo- 
ken Presbyterian Church was organized July 29, 1879, with thirty-three mem- 
bers, by Revs. E. E. Swift, D. D., and J. M. Shields. Pastors: Revs. D. V. 
Mays, May 17, 1887. Supplies: G. M. Potter, 1880: O. H. Miller, 1881: 
George Scott, 1882; G. W. Hazlett, 1882-83; G. W. Shaiffer, 1883-86. The 
Hoboken Methodist church was biiilt in 1881. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 159 

Allegheny County Workhouse and the Allegheny City Home are both in this 
tovynship, and an account of them will be found, of the former at page 422. 
Part I, and of the latter at page 703, Part I. 

Shaiysburg Borough. — This place derives its name from that of the founder. 
■James Sharp. Born near Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pa., February 
10, 1784, he removed to Pittsburgh at the early age of thirteen years, and to 
the region about the mouth of Pine creek in 1826. There were two log struct- 
ui;es on the ground he purchased, both of which were unoccupied at the time, 
and had probably been erected years before as dwelling-houses. The new 
proprietor built for himself a one-story-and-a-half log house, still standing at 
"the side of the hill, and visible fi'om Penn street, between Tenth and Clay. 
This is the oldest bnilding in the borough. The second building was used for 
school and church purposes. It stood at the corner of Fifteenth and South 
Canal streets. Another school -building was erected on the Coyle property, 
and both were sustained by the public-spirited proprietor. He also built and 
managed a temperance hotel, and was active in promoting the interests of the 
town in every way. The various religious bodies of the town were each in 
turn the recipients of his benefactions. His death occurred March 12, 1861. 
He was " essentially a gentleman of the old school, courteous in manner, affa- 
ble in disposition, and generous in hospitality. He was a man whom to know 
was to esteem. Ever indulgent to those who were under obligations to him; 
faithful and prudent in all trusts confided to his care; in commercial inter- 
course always just; the soul of honor — a man in whom integrity might see 
reflected her own image, undimmed by the breath of calumny, untainted by 
the base slanders of the age. His moral character was above reproach." 

The town received its first impetus in 1829, when the canal was opened, 
Philip Miller being the contractor for the locks at Pine creek and about a mile 
of the excavations above that point. About this time the first ironworks in 
Etna were established, and in the growth incident to the expansion of this 
industry in the adjoining borough Sharpsburg has largely shared. 

The Vesuvius Iron- and Nail-works, Moorhead, Brother & Co., proprietors, 
are the only manufactures in the borough at present. The original prede- 
cessor of the present firm was that of Lewis, O'Hara & Lewis, George Lewis, 
James O'Hara and J. C. Lewis, constituent members. Mr. O'Hara retired in 1847 
in favor of Robert Dalzell, when the style of the firm became Lewis, Dalzell & Co. , 
80 contimiing until 1878, when the works passed into possession of John Moor- 
head, Sr. Upon his death, in the following year, the firm of Moorhead, Brother 
& Co. was formed. The works were erected in 1846, the lumber being obtained 
some miles up the river and transported by ox-team and canal-boat. Operations 
were begun under the name of Gnyasuta Iron-works, with six puddling-fur- 
naees and three trains of rolls. The works were under the management of 
Lewis W. Lewis until 1878, when his son, George T. Lewis, succeeded him. 
The works have been successively enlarged and adapted to the changes which 



160 HISTOllY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

the industry has experienced. As reported to the American Iron and Steel 
Directory for 18S0, the plant consists of twenty-oight single puddling- furnaces, 
ten heating-furnaces, '^even trains of rolls (two eight, one fifteen, two eighteen, 
one twenty and one twenty-four inch), and fifty nail-machines; product, bar, 
skelp, sheet and plate iron and nails; annual capacity, one hundred and five 
thousand kegs of nails and twenty thousand net tons of rolled products. 

A short distance beyond the borough limits on the east are the works of 
Tibby Brothers, glass manufacturers, established in 1806, and comprising thr^e 
furnaces. Twin City Steam forge, McKini & Smith, proprietors, and the 
Guyasuta Clay-Pot factory, Duff, Walter & Co., may also be mentioned with 
propriety in this connection. 

There are two financial institutions, the Sharpsburg & Etna Savings bank 
and the Farmers' & Mechanics' bank: the former was incorporated in 1868, the 
latter in 1879, with George A. Chalfant, president; W. A. Gildenfenny, vice- 
president; Robert M. Coyle, cashier. The general business interests are well 
sustained. 

Joseph A. Rattigaa issued the first number of the Sharpsburg Herald 
December 16, 1878, and has continued as its editor and publisher from that 
time. Under his enterprising management this journal has become a valuable 
property, and an able advocate of borough interests. The Weekly Observer 
was established April 1, 1886, by Goshorn & Henry, who were succeeded by 
the Observer Publishing company November 1, 1887. H. Robison is man- 
aging editor. 

There are a niunber of secret and beneficiary societies, among the oldest 
being Sharpsburg Lodge, No. 752, I. O. O. F. ; Zeredatha Lodge, No. -1-18, 
F. &. A. M. ; Guyasuta Council, No. 847, R. A. ; Vesuvius Council, No. 110, 
Jr. O. U. A. M. 

The Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church was organized in 1838, with about 
sixty members. Pastors: Revs. James Campbell, 1838-41: J. W. Murray, 
1841-53; Alexander Shand, 1853-56; Alexander Sinclair, 1856-58; S. J. Wil- 
son. 1858-61; J. M. Smith, 1861-67; T. M. Wilson, 1807-70; W. C. Fal- 
coner, 1870-72; Thomas Lawrence. 1872-79; Joseph T. Gibson, 18S0-. 

St. Joseph's Catholic church, Sharpsburg, was dedicated April '29, 1849, 
the cornerstone having been laid June 25th of the previous year. The first 
baptism in the parish was performed by Father Gibbs November 21, 1847. 
The cornerstone of the present structure was laid May 4. 1S73, and its dedi- 
cation occurred July 9, 1874. Pastors: Revs. Gibbs, W. A. Nolan. P. 

Kerr. Dennis Kearney, G. S. Grace. 

St. Mary's (German) Catholic Church was organized by the Redemptorist 
Fathers of St. Philomena's parish. Pittsburgh, by whom the work was under- 
taken January 1, 1853. It was dedicated by the bishop June 18, 1854. It 
was completely destroyed by fire January 4, 1800. The cornerstone of the 
present edifice was laid May 27, lS()(j; it was dedicated June 10, 1867. 



TOWNSHIPS 'AND BOROUGHS. 163 

Union Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in ISBG. 
Rev. L. McGuire is pastor. The (German) Lutheran church. Rev. K. Walz, 
pastor, was built in 1863. The First Regular Baptist church was built in 
1800. Rev. Alexander MacArthnr is at present in charge. Congregational 
and (English) Lutheran organizations have recently been formed. 

The borough was incorporated December 14, 1841, and is the oldest in the 
county with a single exception. The jwpulation in 1S60 -was 1,426: in 1870, 
2,126; in 1880, 3,466. 



CHAPTER XV. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
Harmar— Springdale. 

harmar township. 

THE territory of Indiana, after being successively reduced by the erection 
of East Deer in 1836, Shaler in 1847 and Hampton in 1862; was divided 
into three separate townships in 1875, one of which received the name of Har- 
mar from Harmar Denny. The commissioners in this ease, J. B. Stilley, Jacob 
Coorde and Edward Saint, were appointed December 26, 1874; they reported 
under date of January 26, 1875; the election was held March 27, 1875, when 
three hundred and fourteen votes were cast in favor of division and one hundred 
and eighty-nine against, and the final decree of court was issued June 8, 1875. 

Daniel Sweeney, who settled on Barton's island in 1794. and removed to the 
northern bank of the river several years later, is generally regarded as the first 
settler. Mr. Sweeney was a squatter, who lived in a blockhouse on the south 
side of the river. He cultivated the island by day and retired to his block- 
house at night. An Indian town then occupied the present site of Harmar- 
ville. Although these Indians were then friendly, it was not always thought 
safe to trust them. 

About 1798 Mr. Sweeney sold his claim on the island to B. F. Brewster, 
Esq., who made his residence on it, and received for it a patent from the state. 
It is related that during his residence there, or about 1802, his ignorant neigh- 
bors brought a charge of witchcraft against a woman, and insisted on having 
her tried before Esquire Brewster. Mr. Brewster, who was an educated man, 
was, of course, not a believer in witchcraft, but pretended to try the woman 
in order to appease the clamors of the ignorant and excited crowd, not sup- 
posing any evidence against her could be adduced. Contrary to his expecta- 
tions, many witnesses came forward and testified, positively, that she was a 
witch, and related what to their ignorant minds were convincing proofs of the 



164 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

fact, and the crowd clamorod for bor doath. Mr. Browster affected ij^noraiice 
of the law, and asked for time to inform hiuiself. This was reluctantly granted, 
and in this time the woman was " spirited" away, so that when the time for 
passing judgment came she could not be produced. The indignation of the 
crowd was furious, and threats of violence to Mr. Brewster were freely uttered. 
Mr. Brewtter afterward went to Texas, and there an account which he wrot<' 
of the affair was read, some years since, by a citizen of Harmar. 

In 1835 Mr. Brewster sold the island to Robert Barton, and thus it 
acquired the name of Barton's island, though it is known to river- men as 
Twelve-Mile island. The ownershijj of the island is still in the Barton family. 
Fourteen-Mile island is also a part of the township. Its ownership has 
changed many times. 

Joseph and James Davis owned a large area of land at a verj- early day. 
Thomas Enoch, an Englishman, was an early owner of a large tract in the 
upper part of Harmar township. John Pillow was also a large landowner. 
James Henderson lived and died on a tract east of the Denny property. His 
sons William and John succeeded him in the ownership of this land, and also 
died there. Ebenezer Denny owned the land just above Harmar station, and 
his son Harmar, who was a son-in-law of James O'Hara, succeeded his father 
as owner of this tract. 

The land where Harmarville station now is was originally owned by Judge 
Young, of Westmoreland county, and afterward by his son-in-law, Henry W. 
Foster. Judge Young also owned a large tract in Harmar township, back 
fi-om the river. Samuel Alexander was the owner of a tract below Harmar- 
ville. On the hills back from the river was land owned by Thomas Fairman, 
and sold by him to Alexander Campbell. AVilliam Gwynn was an early tenant 
on this land. Among other early settlers on the high lands back fi'om the river 
were John McAfee and William McKee, brothers-in-law; Peter and Robert 
Barton, who purchased from William Arthur; John Clowes and William Hare. 

Squire Martin was the owner of a large tract in the northeastern corner 

of the township. Philip Huddle, Jacob Wise and Sampson Harrison are the 
present owners of this land. John, James and Ralph Nixon purchased and 
settled on a large tract. James and Ralph and the heirs of John still reside 
there. 

About half a century since, James Carson purchased and settled on land 
which is now owned by his son William. Robert Wilson, James Barton and 
Joseph Barton are lifelong residents of the township. 

The only mill m the township is the old Denny grist- and saw-mill. It is 
going to decay. The canal passed through the township, and its course can 
still be traced, though the construction of the railroad has nearly obliterated 
this early waterway. 

Harmarviller, thirteen miles above the mouth of the Allegheny river, came 
into existence during the prosperous period of the canal, and has not materi- 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 165 

ally changed. It comprises aboiit a dozen houses, scattered over a considerable 
area. One Hummel, an Irishman, built the first house, and John Speer 
opened the first tavern, in 1832. Deer creek, a large and important stream, 
empties into the river at this place. Guy's run empties into Deer creek just 
opposite Harmarville station. It v?as named from the Indian chief, Guya- 
sutha, who had a residence excavated in the bank near the mouth of this run. 
It is said by some that he died and was buried here. In 1880 the popula- 
tion was 490. 

There are two churches, Reformed Presbyterian and United Presbyterian. 
The former is situated in the northeastern part of the township, the latter on 
Deer creek, near Denny station. Rev. James Boyd preached in a log barn on 
the Denny farm as early as 1817, and a church was built in 1818, but no 
organization occurred until 1838. 

SPEINGDALE TOWNSHIP. 

This township was included in Pitt from 1788 to 1796, in Deer from 1796 
to 1805, in Indiana fi'om 1805 to 1836, in East Deer from 1836 io 1875. It 
has experienced a greater nirmber of changes than any other subdivision of 
the county. The erection of Springdale precinct into a township was favor- 
ably considered by commissioners to whom a petition for such action was 
referred at the December sessions, 1870, but the project failed to receive popu- 
lar sanction at the following election. Four years later the agitation was 
resumed. The village of Springdale had meanwhile increased in population, 
and the assessed valuation of the precinct was nearly half a million dollars, 
more than that of the remaining portion of East Deer township, although the 
area v?as much smaller. The advantages of separate municipal organization 
had also become more apparent. J. B. Stilley, William F. Evans and Joseph 
Miller were appointed commissioners at the June sessions, 1875, to consider a 
petition for the division of East Deer, and they reported in favor of the pro- 
posed change. The result of the previous election was reversed, and the 
division received final confirmation at the following term of court. 

The village of Springdale is situated at a great bend of the Allegheny 
river, sixteen and one-half miles from Allegheny City, by the Western Pennsyl- 
vania railroad. The site was originally patented by Edmund J. Hollingshead 
of Philadelphia. In 1820 John Keen purchased from Mr. Hollingshead a 
tract of three hundred and seventy acres. The village of Springdale is now 
on this tract. It was named Springdale Farm, about 1825, by Sarah A. Keen, 
a daughter of the owner. She selected this name because of the existence of 
several excellent springs on the farm. 

The Pennsylvania canal was completed in 1832. Prior to its completion 
Gen. Abner Laeoek, chief engineer of the western division, had his oifice 
here. This conferred a temporary activity upon this neighborhood, after 



166 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

which it rolapsed into the usual quiet which j>ervades a rural community, and 
for many years there was no disturbiuj^ element. 

In 1S74 the proprietors of Franklin Glue-works removed their plant from 
Butcher run, Allegheny City, to Bouquet station, a short distance above Hpring- 
dale, the alleged offensive odor produced by this manufacture having prompted 
the city authorities to compel their removal. In February, 18S4, the No. 2 
works at Springdale were placed in operation. This is the only glue-factory 
within a radius of six hundred miles. It was originally established by E. 
Hoeveler &Co., to whom the W. A. Hoevelcr company, limited, succeeded; this 
name is still retained, although the Hoevelers are no longer interested in the 
business. The officers of the comjjany are S. H. Keller, chairman: L. C. 
Haughey, general manager; S. McMann, treasurer. The general office is at 
Pine street, Allegheny; 110 operators are employed. 

The town received quite an impetus from the location of this enterprise in 
its midst, and has improved rapidly. There is now a population of five to six 
hundred. The local business intere.sts are prosperous, and property is appreci- 
ating in value. The public-school building is a handsome and commodious 
structure. The Methodist church, a substantial brick imilding, was erected in 
1881: the Roman Catholic, in 1887. The United Presbyterian Chui'ch was 
organized in November, 1878, and received Rev. W. G. Reed as first pastor. 
Rev. J. Welfby is pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. There is also a 
Methodist Protestant organization. 

Acmetonia (Cheswick), a town of recent origin, is finely situated on the line 
of Harmar and Springdale townships, principally within the latter. The Acme 
Tanning company, C. Mardorf, president; S. J. Mack, vice-president: W. 
H. Walter, secretary; J. G- Brant, treasurer, established an extensive factory 
here several years since for the -manufacture of leather by an improved process. 
The works, a three-story brick building, two hundred and fifty feet long and 
eighty feet wide, were destroyed by fire November 27, 1887, involving a loss 
of about ninety thousand dollars. The work of rebuilding was at once begun, 
and work has been resumed. The works of H. G. Hugus, manufacturer of pat- 
ent steel hollow-ware, were placed in operation in 18N7. This is another of 
the specialties for which the line of the Western Pennsylvania road has become 
noticeable. 

The postoffice was established in 1880 as Armstrong, and changed to 
Acmetonia in 1887. 

Springdale Presbyterian Church, near the village, was organized April 24, 

1873, with eleven members. The church-edifice was dedicated March 1, 

1874. Pastors: Revs. Aaron Williams, D. D., 1874-78: George Scott (S. S.), 
.1878-79: G. M. Potter, 1885-86: D. V. Mays. 1887-. This church is the 

successor of the old Deer Creek Church, of which Rev. Abraham Boyd was pas- 
tor for many years. 

The Springdale Record was established in September, 1887, by W, S. 
Hosick. It is a well-conducted seven-column weekly, Republican in politics. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 169 



CHAPTER XVI. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
Pine— McCandless. 

pine township. 

PINE township was erected in 1796, and included that part of the county 
north of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers and west of the boundary between 
Jones" and Cunningham's districts. Its original limits comprised the whole of 
eleven townships and parts of three others. After the erection of Ohio, in 
1803, it included so much of Jones' and Douglass' districts as were situated in 
Allegheny county, or the whole of Ross, Reserve, McCandless, Pine and Alle- 
gheny City, and parts of Richland, Hampton and Shaler. 

Among the residents upon this territory in 1808 were the following-named 
persons: 

John Fowler, Heury Thomas, Daniel Allfort. Heniy Baugher, Peter Zimmerman. 
John Guiton, Jacob Stoup, Hugh McGuiinegle, William Cochran, Jacob Sarmen, Andrew 
Wible, John Wallon, Abram Neely, Matthew Plowden, Francis Pearce, Samuel Beatty, 
Thomas Evans, James Willoughby, William Biuneman, John CroolvS, John Anderson, 
Jacob Grubbs, William Willoughby, George Wallon, Christopher Binneman, Abraham 
Kreider, Samuel Scott, John Sutton, John Fleming, Jacob Higgins, Jacob Wise, Robert 
Taylor, John Peebles, Hugh Blair, Alexander McCabe, Conrad Grubb, Alexander McDon- 
ald, John Sauner. Obadiah Beaver, Peter Bean, Rudolph Russ, James Sample, John 
Logan, Robert Anderson, Samuel Deake, James Stewart, William Davison, Robert Bow- 
ard, Thomas Reed, Thomas Gibson, Thomas Watt, William Robinson, JohnEmmitt, John 
Deer, Jacob Lumenfield, Joseph McKnight, Christopher Brennon, Andrew Boggs, Amos 
Mitchell, George Grubb, James Robinson, John Lefeber, David Johnston, Philip Gable, 
Hugh Carson, John Hastings, John Ashton, Andrew Jacli, Richard Herron, John Huey. 
Samuel Dilworth, Thomas Morrow, Hardy Randal, Erasmus Cooper, John Long, John 
Hilman, Isaac Richey, Robert Tackaberry, John Woods, James Skiles, Thomas Tacka- 
berry, William Robinson, James Deake, Samuel Scott, Samuel Flannagan, John Morrow, 
James Ludderd, John Farley, John Long, John Gibson, Dennis Denuej^ Aaron Goodwin, 
John Cassedj', James Guy, John Wright, Patrick O'Hara, Samuel Mann, Benjamin Herr, 
John Weand, John Mason, Andrew Means, Hugh Davis, William Carson, Robert Brown- 
field, John Davis, William Davis, John Holton, Samuel Neely, Caspar Reel, James Hilands, 
Robert Hilands. John Ellford. Amos Pierce, Balthazar Good, David Cohess, George 
Goshorn, Hugh Fleming. 

Thomas Rodgers has been generally regarded as the first settler within the 
present limits of Pine, and 1796 is given as the year of his arrival. His son 
was "William, and his grandsons were George, William and Thomas Rodgers. 
All these died here except the grandson, Thomas. Samuel Beatty was also a 
settler in this township. 



170 HISTOISY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

John McCord came in 1801, and settled near the present line of Butler 
county. He purchased the land that had been taken up by Samuel Beatty, 
who had settled several years previously and built a log cabin. Mr. McCord 
died hero at the age of ninety-one. He reared three sons: James, Archibald 
and Andrew J. The two latter are still living on the old place, at the ages of 
eighty-eight and eighty-three, respectively. William Roseberry preceded Mr. 
McCord a few years in the same neighborhood. Edmund Purvis was an early 
resident of the township, and died here. He had sons Oliver, Alexander. Sam- 
uel, Robert and William. All these are dead except W^illiam, who still resides 
on the old homestead. George Wallace had been a revolutionary soldier, and 
settled here prior to the commencement of the present century. He had sons 
George, John and Thomas, all of whom died on the old farm. None of their 
descendants are here. William Longhead was one of the first settlers. His 
sons were John, Thomas, William and Oliver; all are dead, and the family is 
not represented here. John Anderson was also one of the first settlers. His 
sons were John and James. His gi-andson John was the third of the same 
name in direct succession. The three Johns died on the old place. James 
removed west, where he died. 

Thomas Gibson, Esq. , was also an early resident. His sons were James, 
who died here, and Charles, now living at Gibsonia station, Richland town- 
ship. Samuel Marshall was an uncle of 'Squire Gibson, and resided near him. 
He had sons James, Samuel, Thomas, Henry, John and Abraham. None are 
left in the township. John Hilmau lived near Mr. Marshall. His sons were 
John, Joseph, Ezekiel, James and Mitchell. All have passed away. Near 
Hilman and Marshall was John Emmett. He had sons Alexander. John, Will- 
iam, Samuel, James, Hugh and Andrew. All died on the old farm except 
Samuel and Andi-ew, who still reside there. Robert Kidd was another early 
settler in the same vicinity. His sons were John, Robert, William, Hugh and 
James, all deceased. Hardie Reynolds had Reuben. John and James, all of 
whom died on the old homestead. 

AMlIiam McKinney kept a tavern in the township, on the old Harmony 
road, during the war of 1812. His sons were Joseph, William and John. 
The last removed to Kentucky; the others died on the old place. John Logan 
settled very early. He had five sons, James, John. Thomas, Samuel and Will 
iam, all of whom have passed away. William McMarlan came early. His 
sons were William, John and David. These are all deceased, but the family 
is still represented in the township. John Crawford had sons Thomas, John 
and Joseph, all deceased. His grandsons still reside here. Thomas ilattison 
was one of the first settlers. He had sons Thomas and Elijah, both gone. 
John Graham came in 1820, and settled in the northwest part of the township. 
Of his six sons, Speaker and Thomas are living on the place settled by their 
father. 

The old Franklin road was opened through the tow-nship at an early date. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 171 . 

and gave the first impetus to settlement. Wexford, one of the oldest post-vil- 
lages in this part of the county, was established in 1828. 

Pine creek. Little Pine creek and several branches of the Connoquenessing 
rise in the township. The farming land is o'f fair quality, and farming is the 
sole occupation. In 1860 the population was 1,021; in 1870, 718; in 1880, 
773. The extent of territory since the excision of McCandless is four miles 
square. 

Of the six churches of the township, Cross Roads Presbyterian, organized 
in 1827, is the oldest. Rev. John Moore was pastor from that time until 1834; 
L. R. McAboy, 1837-71; James D. Shanks, 1872-74; John W. Little, 1875-, 
and Robert B. Porter is the present inciimbent. 

The first house of worship was a log building. A brick church was erected 
about 1843, and rebuilt prior to 1860. 

West Union United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1842. Pastors: 
J. Given, 1854-57; J. G. Barnes, 1862-70; N. E. Wade. 1875-84; R. H. 
Park, 1855-. Far View Baptist Church was organized October 21, 1879: 
Rev. Isaac Banks was pastor from 1879 to 1881; Gideon Seymour, 1882; A. J. 
Adams, 1883; Samuel Mills, 1884; E. M. Pralert, 1885-86. The property is 
owned individually by Conrad Emriok, an active member. St. Alphonsius' Ro- 
man Catholic parish, Wexford, has existed as such since 1864, when Rev. S. T. 
Mollinger became resident pastor. J. Steger and A. Holdaffel have been 
among his successors. Salem Methodist Episcopal church and Mount Pleas- 
ant Presbyterian chiu'ch are also in this township, the former in the southern 
and the latter in the extreme northwestern part of its territory. 

Francis Deery was the first schoolteacher. The school was opened in 1800,. 
in his dwelling. There are four schools at present. 

MCCANDLESS TOWNSHIP. 

Proceedings for the erection of McCandless were first instituted August 4, 
1849, when a jaetition for the division of Pine was presented to the court of 
quarter sessions, and viewers were appointed for its consideration. A strong 
feeling of opposition was at once aroused. September 7, 1849, a public meet- 
ing was held at the house of Daniel Vogel, on the evening of the township 
election, Robert W' allace, Esq. , presiding. Resolutions were passed express- 
ive of determined hostility to the measure, and a remonstrance was signed by 
three hundred and twenty-one citizens before the adjournment of the meeting. 
The number of townships at this time was twenty- eight, and in the entire- 
county there were fifty two election districts. In view of the increased expense 
incident to the formation of new election districts and other attendant circum- 
stances, the court, in an oijinion on this case, pronoiinced further subdivision 
a matter of questionable utility; and although the commission returned a fa- 
vorable report, it was not confirmed, and for the time the opposition triumphed. 
But owing to some informality in the proceedings of the commissioners, it was 



172 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

iirgod that their report was not properly a, subject of judicial action; and ou 
motion of coiuisol for the petitioners, November lU, LS4U, leave was granted 
by the court for the filing of additional testimony. In a second petition for 
division (Sejjtember term, 1850), it is stated that the township (Pine) was eight 
miles long and six miles wide, with a voting po])ulation of three hundred. C 
Snively, John Magill and John K. Foster were appointed as viewers, October 
7, 1850; December lOth following they reported in favor of a division, the 
jiortion adjoining Ross tovmship to be called Taylor, and that adjoining Butler 
county to retain the name of Pine; the former to comprise 10,105 acres, the 
latter 16,208 acres. March 22, 1851, by decree of court, the division was con- 
firmed, the name of McCandless being substituted for that of Taylor as applied 
to the new township. 

Wilson McCandless, LL. D., of whom mention is made in the chapter on 
Bench and Bar, page 261, died in Pittsburgh June 30, 1882. In his sketch 
of " The Jiidiciary of Allegheny County," Judge White thus speaks of his life 
and character: 

Judge McCandless was a remarkable man. He was a natural orator; with a robust 
form and commanding personnel, he had a clear, musical voice, and fine flow of lan- 
guage, (juick, brilliant, witty, and admirable in repartee. He was often called ou by his 
fellow-citizens as the speaker for great public occasions, and on such occasions his 
addresses sparkled with the rarest gems of oratory. Few men equaled him in power 
before a jury in a criminal case. As the champion of the democracy of Western Penusji- 
vania his voice was always heard in the thickest of the fight, cheering his comrades on to 
victory, or rallying them, in defeat, for another battle. He never held a political ofiice, 
but was frequently in state and national conventions, helping to choose the standard- 
bearers of his party, and then entering the campaign with all his energies to secure their 
election. In private life he was genial, S3'mpathetic, sprightlj- and humorous; on the 
bench he maintained the dignitj' of his station with such uuaffccted urbauitj' that all the 
bar respected and loved him. 

Of the persons named in the preceding list, John Deer came to McCandless 
township in 1792, and remained on the farm where he settled till his death. 
His sons were John, George, Henry, Daniel, David and Jacob; all dead. John 
C. Deer, a sou of Daniel, resides on a part of the old homestead. William 
Willoughby, James Duff and James Amberson were settlers prior to 1800. 
Henry Moon came in 1796. He reared a large family, and three of his sons, 
John. Joseph and Miirdock, still reside on the old homestead. Robert Wallace 
came aboiit 1797. His son Robert died in 1881, in his eighty-eighth year. 
James and John Wallace, sons of Robert {2d), are residents on the old place. 
George and Wible Grubbs came about the first of this century. Both reared 
families, nearly all of whom have passed away. William, the youngest son of 
George, still lives where his father settled. Philip Sarver was an immigrant 
prior to 1800. By two wives he had twenty-four children, but one of whom, 
a daughter, survives. John Campbell came in 1809, and settled at the place 
where his son John now lives. Of his other sons that grew to manhood, Joseph 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 173 

died in 1845 and Samuel in 1880. Stout was here soon after the commence- 
ment of the present century. His sons were Daniel and John. William 
Hutchman came in 1811. His sons were Hanse, Samuel, Josiah and William, 
of whom Samuel only is living. William Huggins came prior to 1820. His 
son Jacob resided here till his death. George Cubbitt was here about 1807. 
His son George succeeded him on the farm where he settled, but removed in 
1861. 

Germans were numerous among the early population. Provision for relig- 
ious services was made as early as 1795, when a plot of ground was set apart 
for the purpose. St. John's German Liitheran Church was incorporated in 
1830, and a log church was built many years prior to that date. The English 
Lutheran Church, in the southern part of the township, is of more recent 
origin. 

There is neither postoffice nor village. The population in 1860 was 1,482;. 
in 1870, 957; in 1880, 1,010. The area is about ten thousand acres. 



CHAPTEE XVII. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
Ross (Bellevue)— Reserve (Spring Garden)— Shaler (Etna— Millvale), 

ROSS TOWNSHIP. 

AFTER the township of Ohio, Pine was sixteen miles in length and dis- 
proportionately narrow. It comprised Jones' and Douglass' districts, 
extending from the Ohio and Allegheny rivers to the Butler county line. Under 
date of November 15, 1808, about thirty of the residents in this territorj' peti- 
tioned the court to divide it for township purposes, " by a line from the eighth 
mile tree on the Franklin road, running due east and west." John McKnight, 
Benjamin Powers and George Brickie were appointed viewers. Jime 26, 1809, 
their report was filed, recommending a division by a line "beginning on the 
west side of said township between the lands of John Mason, Esq., and Will- 
iam Willoughby, running east between the lands of Baltzer Good and James 
and Robert Tackaberry, and running through John Hastings' and through 
James Keeps' land and through Robert Wallace' s land, and between Andrew 
Gruber's and Robert Campbell's land, and between John Carson's and Alexan- 
der Morrow's land to the east side of said township, six mUes in length.'' 

This line was confirmed at the November term, 1809, and the name Ross 
was conferred upon the new division, in honor of James Ross, an eminent lawyer 
of Pittsburgh. He was admitted to the bar at the first session of the courts 



174 niSTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

for Allegheny county, and for half a century was its acknowledged head. He 
was twice elected to the United States senate, was a member of the constitu- 
tional convention of 1790, and was three times candidate for governor of Penn- 
sylvania. 

The original area of Ross has been greatly curtailed by the erection of 
Reserve, Allegheny City and Bellevue. In 1860 the population was 1,798: in 
1870, 1,023; in 1880, 1,976. 

The Perrysville plank-road passes through some of the most l)eautiful scenery 
of the county. The Evergreen railway, a narrow-gauge road, ext(>nds from 
Bennett to Brookfield, a distance of four miles. 

Perrysville is one of the oldest post-villages in that part of Allegheny county 
north of the Ohio river. The first postmaster was Conrad Reel, but the date 
of his appointment is unknown. 

Casper Reel, mentioned in the list of early residents given in the preced- 
ing chapter, was the first permanent settler in the township, and built a cabin 
at the present location of Perrysville in 1794. He removed his family thither 
in the spring of the following year. He took a prominent part in the early 
affairs of the county. His sons were Casper, William, Conrad and David. 
Barnabas Hilands came from the lower side of the Allegheny in 1795, but died 
the same year. Robert Hilands had sons William, John, Alexander, James, 

Joseph, Robert and David. Kellar was a settler on the run that bears his 

name. Richard Morrow secured Kellar' s claim in 1790. Thomas Morrow 
had sons George, James, John, Samuel and JefFerson. John Morrow had 
sons Richard, Hilands and Robert. 

Baltzer Good opened a tavern near Perrysville in 1797. His sons were 
Baltzer, Henry, Anthony, Nicholas and John. His grandson, William Keown, 
still keeps a hotel at the. old stand. Other early settlers and families were 
John Mason, the first justice of the peace; William Cooper, Jacob Huggins 
and sons Asa, William, Jacob, Richard and John; James Keep and sons Rich- 
ard and James; Cable and sons John, Henry and William; Jacob White- 
sell and sons Jacob and George; Archibald Hazlet and sons Robert, John, 
Archibald and James; John McCrum and sons John and Samuel; Samuel 
Scott and son Samuel: John McKnight, Joseph McKuight and sou John; 
Jacob Saugree and sons John, James and Peter; Robert Anderson and sons 
James, Robert, John, William, Joseph, David, Charles and Irving. 

The town of Perrysville comprised three houses in 1815, and received its 
first merchant, at a somewhat later date, in the person of Alexander McElwaine. 
There is a driving-park near by, and among other attractions of the village are 
two churches, German Lutheran and Roman Catholic. The latter, known as 
St. Theresa's, was dedicated October 6, 1860, the cornerstone having been laid 
July 4th preceding. Rev. S. T. Mollinger was pastor at that time. 

Evergreen is a village on the railway leading from Bennett, in the eastern 
. part of the township. Timothy Davis settled here in 1801. The town was 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOKOUGHS. 175 

founded in 1853, by William Shinn, a Pittsburgh lawyer. Matthew Cridge 
subsequently became proprietor. The locality is noted for its picturesque 
scenery. The only religious feature is a Methodist church. The postoffice is 
known as Ross. West View is a small village on the Perrysville road, near 
the city line. It has existed as a postoifice since July 9, 1866. 

Hilands Presbyterian Church was organized in 1803, by Kev. N. R. Snow- 
den. Rev. Robert Patterson was also an early supply; his successor, Rev. 
Joseph Reed, took charge in 1836, as the first regular pastor. 

Bellevue Borough. — Bellevue was formed from the southwestern part of 
Ross township, September 7, 1867. It is separated from Allegheny City by 
Jack's run, and is about four mites from the business part of the city by the 
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago railway. The most thickly settled part 
of the borough is along the Beaver road, and is connected with the railway 
station by an electric road. The site combines healthfulness, accessibility 
and beautiful natural scenery. There are no manufactures, and the local busi- 
ness is very limited. It is a suburban village to the full extent of the term, and 
more convenient to the two cities than any other possessing equal advantages. 

The Methodist Episcopal church is one of the oldest outside of Pitts- 
burgh, ground for the site having been deeded by Zachariah Blackbu.rn June 
10, 1811. Rev. J. H. Miller is the jwesent pastor. The Methodist Protestant 
Church was organized by Revs. J. Robison and V. Lucas, with nine members, 
all of whom had previously been connected with the East Common Church, 

Allegheny. Pastors: W. Reeves, 1866-69; E. McGregor, 1869-71; Mc- 

Cracken, 1871-73; W. R. Cowel, 1877-82; C. E. Wilber, 1882-88; S. G. 
Applegate, 1883-85; C. F. Swift, 1885-. The church-edifice was built in 1866; 
enlarged and re-dedicated December 17, 1886. The Presbyterian Church was 
organized, with seven members, January 25, 1871, the first services having been 
held September 13, 1870. The church-edifice was built in 1872-73. Pastors: 
R. T. Price, 1873-74; S. H. Holliday, 1875-77; Newton Donaldson, 1887-. 
The United Presbyterian Church was organized May 21, 1872. Rev. S. H. 
Graham has been pastor since 1874. 

The original settlers upon the town site were Samuel Dil worth, Andrew 
Jack, Zachariah Blackburn and Erasmus Cooper. Jack was the proprietor of 
a ferry, hotel and mill, and a prominent man in his day in this locality. The 
schools of the borough are well sustained. A postoffice under the name of 
Bellevue has existed since April 16, 1887, having previously been known as 
Robella. The population was 384 in 1870; in 1880, 915. 

RESERVE TOWNSHIP. 

It is not known who was the first settler within the present limits of Reserve. 
A man named George Brickie was captured by the Indians here, while looking 
after his cows, prior to the commencement of this century. John Tom was a 



176 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

settler before 1800. John Wilson and George Myers, a deaf mute, were also 
early settlers. 

The township was erected at the October sessions, 1835. At the December 
sessions, 1834, a "memorial from the citizens of that part of the reserved tract 
embraced in the township of Ross ' ' was presented to the court, praying for a 
division of Ross by the north line of the reserved lands. Thomas Temple, 
James Anderson and William Lecky were appointed commissioners to inquire 
into the propriety of making the proposed change. A favorable report was 
tiled in March, 1835: it was "confirmed absolutely" in October following, the 
new division with great propriety receiving the name of Reserve. Its original 
territory has been encroached upon from Upe to time by the city limits, and 
corresponding changes in the line of Ross township have been made in its 
favor. 

The act of assembly of March 12, 1783, providing for the disposition of 
public lands in the northwestern j^art of the state, contained, among other 
restrictions, a clause ' ' reserving to the use of the state three thousand acres in 
an oblong of not less than one mile in depth from the Allegheny and Ohio 
rivers, and extending up and down the said rivers from opposite Fort Pitt so 
far as may be necessary to include the same." Alexander McClean made the 
survey in April, 1785. The northern boundary began on the right bank of the 
Ohio river opposite the mouth of Chartiers creek; thence "east 972 perches 
to a hickory-tree; north 80 perches to a sassafras; east 229i perches to a mul- 
berry; north 26 perches to a post and stones on the bank of Girty's run," and 
down the several courses thereof to the Allegheny river. David Redick was 
employed to subdivide the tract prior to its sale by the state, and in a let- 
ter to Benjamin Franklin, president of the supreme executive council, under 
date of February 19, 1788, makes mention of its characteristics, as they appeared 
to him, in the following terms : 

There is some pretly low ground on the rivers Ohio and Alleghenia, but there is but 
a small proportion of dry land which appears anyway valuable either for timber or soil, 
but especially for soil; it abounds with high hills, deep hollows, almost inaccessible to a 
surveyor. I am of opinion that if the inhabitants of the moon are capable of receiving 
the same advantages from the earth which we do from their world — I say, if it be so — this 
same far-famed tract of land would afford a variety of beautiful lunar spots not unworthy 
the eye of a philosopher. 

Although the undulating character of the township is undeniable, Ger- 
man thrift has done much to surmount the natural obstacles to successful 
farming, and market-gardening is pursued with better retiirns and more exten- 
sively than in any other part of the county. The population in 1860 was 8,030; 
in 1870, 1,600; in 1880, 1,786. 

Spring Garden Borough. — This borough was incorporated May 19, 1883. The 
village enjoys street-railway facilities in reaching the cities. There are several 




/t.K^ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 179 

local manufactures, and the usual business features. The borough and town- 
ship will in time, probably, be absorbed by the city of Allegheny. 

SHALER TOWNSHIP. 

Shaler township comprises portions of Jones' and Cunningham's districts. 
January 20, 1845, a petition for the erection of a new township from parts of 
Ross and Indiana was presented to the court of quarter sessions, whereupon 
Col. James A. Gibson, Alexander V. Brackenridge and John Murray were 
appointed as viewers. Under date of June 10, 1845, they reported in favor of 
the change proposed. March 20, 1847, the new township as thus recommended 
was confirmed by decree of court under the name of Marion; but on the same 
day the name was changed to Shaler. The individual thus honored was Judge 
Charles Shaler, of whom mention is made in the chapter on Bench and Bar, 
page 253. We quote: 

He was a wit, a scholar, an able judge, and an accomplished gentleman; probably 
the most industrious student ever at the bar. He rose about 4 o'clock in the morning, and 
devoted his time until court opened to carefully overhauling his cases, and was always 
ready at all points. When he resigned his judgeship, which he did on several occasions, 
he would be found the next morning at his office, and ready for all kinds of professional 
business. He retained his vivacity up to the age of seventy-five, when he became blind 
and had to retire from the bar. He died at the age of eighty-one. 

The earliest settler was James Sample, of Irish descent, born in the Cum- 
berland valley, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1756. He was a soldier in the rev- 
olutionary war, and at its close received payment for his services in land. His 
tract was located near the mouth of Girty's run, and he settled here in 1789 
or 1790. The following with reference to his son appeared in a newspaper 
some years since: 

Thomas Sample, son of James Sample, was born on Girty's run, Allegheny county, 
on the 7th of January, 1791, and was nearly eighty-six years old at the time of his death. 
He was the second male child born north and west of the Allegheny river, the late Gen. 
Robinson, of Allegheny, being the first, and born about one year before him. The mother 
of Mr. Sample and all her family were taken prisoners by the Indians two weeks after 
his birth, his father, who was captain of a company of minutemen, being out on a scout 
at the time. The entire family was rescued from captivity the same night, through the 
assistance of a squaw to whom Mr. Sample's mother had furnished clothing and other 
comforts the winter before. While the Indians were engaged in a war-dance around the 
scalps taken the day before, the squaw procured a light canoe, only large enough to carry 
one person safely, and taking the three oldest children, ferried them across the river 
through the floating ice one at a time; she then gave the canoe to the mother, who pad- 
dled to the other side, carrying her two-weeksold babe. That night the family staid 
with Mr. Ewalt, who owned the farm where the arsenal now stands, and the nest day 
they were put in Fort Duquesne. 

Not long after the arrival of the Samples a family of Dicks settled on the 
run since known by that name. The Indian party that took the Sample fam- 
ily captive stopped at their house on the same day. A man named Chapman, 
who worked for Mr. James Sample, had stojaped for dinner with the Dicks on 



180 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

his return from a visit to a relative living with Esley Powers at the present site 
of Sharpsburg; he had just seated himself at the table when the Indians en- 
tered, and he was at once killed. The entire family were taken prisoners, and 
they wore not so fortunate in making their escape as the Samples had been. 
After accompanying the Indians to their tribe in Ohio, they were exchanged 
at Detroit, and returned in about two years. So stealthy had the approach 
and departure of the savages been that the absence of the Dick family was not 
discovered until two days afterward. A party from the vicinity of Pittsburgh 
started in pursuit, but turned back after reaching the borders of the Indian 
country, to attempt to penetrate which would have been perilous at that time. 

John Shaw settled on Pine creek in 1803. He died in 1844, on the place 
where he first made his residence. His son, Thomas Wilson Shaw, now nine- 
ty-four years of age, lives on the old place. James Miller, a neighbor of Mr. 
Shaw, came afterward. James Sample settled early near the mouth of Girty's 
run. Benjamin Powers settled near the present borough of Etna. Jacob, 
Daniel and John Wise and Andrew Wible settled near the central part of the 

township. Jacob Huggins and Anderson settled in the same vicinity. 

Thomas Swords settled not far from Pine creek, near Glenshaw. Gen. Wil- 
kins owned a large tract of land in the township, and many of these settlers 
purchased their farms from him. 

The first mill in the townshijj. and probably the first north of the Alle- 
gheny river, was built by James Sample, and rebuilt in 1797. 

Girty's run, upon which it was situated, is so named from Simon Girty, 

The outlawed white man by Ohio's flood. 

Whose vengeance shamed the Indian's thirst for blood; 

Whose hellish arts surpassed the red man's far; 

Whose hate enljindled many a border war. 

Of which each grandame hath a tale, 

At which man's bosom burns and childhood's cheek grows pale. 

Born in one of the middle counties of Pennsylvania, he removed to the 
west at an early age. He was one of two spies intrusted with important duty 
by Gov. Dunmore in his western campaign, and early became familiar with 
Indian life. Upon the commencement of the Revolution he espoused the 
American cause with zeal and earnestness, but he was both ambitious and jeal- 
ous, and tired of duty as a common soldier when others of less ability were 
promoted to positions of responsibility. Chafing under the consciousness of 
injury, he deserted to the British, and in the high position to which he was at 
once promoted the vindictiveness of his spirit found ample opportunity to 
effect a fearful retribution. In 1778 he appeared before W^heeling in com- 
mand of a force of Indians, and demanded its surrender from Col. Zane; the 
attack was unsuccessful, as was also another, two years later, upon Col. Clarke 
at Chillicothe. This was fully compensated in 1782, when he had the satis- 
faction of opposing Col. William Crawford's expedition against the Sandusky 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 181 

Indians. Crawford was taken prisoner, and burned at the stake with all the 
•elements of torture the ferocity of his captors could inflict. The conduct of 
Girty upon this occasion was the masterpiece in a career of unparalleled 
infamy. His influence among the Indians was such that the melancholy event 
might have been averted by timely intervention; instead, he addressed the 
prisoner with a coarse jest, and in the same vein informed Dr. Knight that a 
similar fate was also in store for him. He led numerous expeditions against the 
settlements of Kentucky and Western Pennsylvania, in one of which Hannas- 
town was burned and plundered; on the march through what is now Alle- 
gheny county, he encamped at the stream which bears his name. He was 
among the victors at St. Clair's defeat in 1791, and was at the battle of Fallen 
Timbers in 1794, and met his death in 1814, by the side of Tecumseh, in 
Proctor's defeat. 

The township is traversed by the Butler plank-road, the Western Pennsyl- 
vania, Evergreen and Pittsburgh & Western railroads. The stations on the 
latter are known as Undercliff, Witmer, Glenshaw, Coaldale and Elfenwild. 
Glenshaw was formerly known as Shaw's Mills. The ironworks at Etna were 
formerly supplied with coal from this place, and the poi^ulation thus attracted 
forms a small village. A Presbyterian mission was established here in 1879. 
In 1886 a church was organized, and a tasteful house of worship has been 
erected. Bowerstown, a hamlet on the Evergreen railway, derives its name 
from that of the first settler, Jacob Bower. The only place of worship is a 
Lutheran church. There is also a church at Sample Farm, a thickly settled 
neighborhood adjoining Millvale borough on the north. The population in 
1860 was 2,474; in 1870, 1,473; in 1880, 1,928. 

Etna Borough. — Gen. Wilkins was the original owner of a large tract 
of land at the mouth of Pine creek, embracing the present site of Etna. His 
residence, a large frame structure, was the first house in what afterward became 
the town. David Anderson purchased the land from him, and laid it off in 
streets and lots. It early received the name of Stewartstown, from David 
Stewart, an active citizen, and one of the first after Wilkins. 

The manufacture of scythes and sickles was begun in 1820 upon the pres- 
ent site of Spang, Chalfant & Co. 's works. H. S. Spang purchased this 
primitive establishment in 1828, and adapted it to the rolling of bar-iron from 
blooms, employing fifty men. The present open-hearth steelworks were 
placed in operation in August, 1882. The plant consists of two twelve-gross- 
ton Siemens open-hearth furnaces; one twelve-pot crucible furnace, started in 
May, 1885; product, steel castings; annual capacity, eighteen thousand net tons. 
The Spang Steel & Iron company, limited, operates works built at 
Etna in 1880-81, consisting of three ten-gross-ton Siemens-Martin open-hearth 
furnaces, seven heating-furnaces, one hammer and four trains of rolls. The 
product consists of steel plates, and machinery and spring-steel, to the amount 
of eighteen thousand net tons annually . . . The Isabella furnaces were 



182 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

erected in 1872. The larger is seventy- five feet high and twenty feet bosh, the 
smaller sixty-five feet high and nineteen feet bosh, the combined annual 
capacity being one hundred and thirty thousand net tons. 

The borough had a population in 1870 of 1,447; in 1880, 2,334. Daniel 
Hieber, born in Wurtemburg in 1788, started th(i first wagon-mak(!r's shop in 
1835, having removed to Philadelphia in 1833. The borough was incorporated 
September 16, 1868. Henry Ochse, the first burgess, was born in Hesse- 
Cassel in 1820, and became a resident in 1841. The Etna Valley Record 
was first issued April 1, 1887, by H. H. Sallade, and is published weekly. 
The Labor Voice, established by A. L. Weihe in June, 1887, expired in the 
following September. 

The United Presbyterian Church was organized February 13, 1868. The 
pastor. Rev. A. H. Calvert, was installed in 1868. The German Evangelical 
Church, Rev. P. Korn, pastor, is the only other religious organization. 

Millvah Borough. — This place was incorporated by act of assembly Febru- 
ary 13, 1868, from a part of Shaler township and that part of the borough of 
Duquesne not included in the limits of Allegheny City by the act of consoli- 
dation of March 12, 1867. The latter was created by act of the legislature 
from Reserve township, April 5, 1849. 

The site of the town was originally owned by John Sample. September 23, 
1844, he sold one hundred and sixty-four acres twenty-eight perches of land to 
the poor-directors of Allegheny City, by whom it was converted into a farm for 
the care of the poor of the city. The necessity of providing accommodations 
for the increasing class of persons intended to be benefited influenced the 
directors to secure a location farther distant from the city, for which legislative 
sanction was secured in 1867. The farm was accordingly laid out into streets 
and lots, the first sale of which occurred September 4, 1867. The amount 
realized in this way has been about three hundi-ed thousand dollars, the fact 
that the investment was judicious being sufficiently indicated by reference to 
the price paid, which was a trifle less than twelve thousand dollars. The pop- 
ulation in 1870 was 668; in 1880, 1,824. 

The Millvale Rolling-mills, GrafF, Bennett &Co. , proprietors, were erected 
in 1863, burned December 11, 1881, rebuilt in 1882, and enlarged in 1887. 
As reported to the American Iron and Steel Directory for 1886, the plant com- 
prises ten Danks rotary puddling-furnaces, one double, one double-double and 
twenty-one single puddling-furnaces, eight trains of rolls and one hammer, 
the product consisting of bars, sheets, plates and nails, to the amount of 
thirty-five thousand net tons annually. These works employ the larger part 
of the working people of Millvale, and form the basis of its prosperity. 

The Bennett Star, W. S. Scott and G. R. Dorman, editors and proprietors, 
has entered upon its fifth volume. It is a six-column quarto, published weekly. 
The town enjoys railroad facilities by the Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh 




JcJ^ Jt,'t:to^^^^^ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 185 

& Western and Evergreen railways; it is known as a station under the name 
of Bennett, which is also the postoffice designation. 

The Presbyterian Church was organized in August, 1869. Rev. W. H. 
Knipe and W. R. Moore served as supplies until 1872. Pastors: McNary, 
Forsythe, J. M. Shields, A. D. Light. St. Anne's Roman Catholic church 
originated in the labors of Father Gibbs. The cornerstone was laid Septem- 
ber 24, 1874, and the dedication occurred May 2, 1875. 

St. Aubray's (German) Catholic church was dedicated November 6, 1887, 
Bishop Phelan presiding. The German school was opened in 1876. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
Onio—KiLBUCK— Aleppo (Glenfield— Osburx). 

OHIO TOWNSHIP. 

OHIO was the third township to be formed iij Allegheny county north of the 
Ohio river, and the first subdivision of Pine township. Its erection was 
agitated in December, 1802, when a petition was filed in the court of quarter 
sessions, representing that Pine extended twenty-three miles along the Ohio 
and Allegheny rivers, adjoining Butler and Beaver counties. The line of 
Nicholson's and Douglass' districts was suggested as the line of division, the 
western portion to include Neville's island and be called Ohio township. Gen. 
John Neville signed this petition. At the June sessions, 1803, a division 
was petitioned for by the Jack's ferry and Franklin roads. At this time there 
were but forty-seven miles of road in the whole of Pine township. It was 
averred that if the eastern boundary of Nicholson's district were made the 
line of division, thirteen miles of road would be included in the portion east 
of that line, and thirty-four miles in the portion west of it; but if the Frank- 
lin road were made the dividing line, the eastern division would include twenty- 
seven miles of road and the western division twenty. It was thought that the 
roads should be apportioned as equally as possible, as their repair was imposed 
upon each township separately; but it was also urged that the roads were an 
advantage to the territory they traversed, and that consideration seems to have 
contributed but little to the final result. At the Sej)tember term, 1803, the 
court confirmed absolutely a division by the line of Nicholson's and Douglass' 
districts, erecting the territory west of that line into Ohio township. It then 
included in addition to its present area the townships of Marshall, Franklin, 
Sewickley, Leet, Kilbuck and Aleppo. 



186 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

The taxable inhaljitiuitH of this territory in 1S14 were as follows: 

Philip Blown. Bptijaiiiiii ISntler, Henry Cresso. Patrick Brown, Patrick Bolan, William 
Courtney, .lames Brannon, .loliii Belwontl. Isaac Craig, Robert Baldwin, Thomas Backhouse. 
Benjamin Dilworth, Peter Bonhani, William Backhouse, Alexander DuflF, Elias Brener. 
Francis Boggs, David Duff, John Been, .John Bolan, David Dull (miller), Zachariah Bon- 
ham, Moses Cox, .James Duff, .Jr., Addy Beer, John Crill, William Duff. Jacob Brower, John 
Culbertson, James Duff, Sr., John Brower, Andrew Cres^^e, Hugh Duff, Michael Benin, 
William Cox, William Dixon, Right Brewer, John Cresse, Sr., David Dixon. Archibald 
Boyd. John Cresse, Jr., Joseph Dickson. Kosanna Brocooner. George Cresse, John Dick- 
■son, Robert Boyd, Samuel Cresse, Nancy Dunning, Andrew Emerigh, Matthew Ingram, 
Samuel Moore, David Eakins, William Ingram, William McLaughlin, Jesse Fisher, James 
Jones. Samuel Mcrriman, Sr.. John Frampton, John Jackson. EllisMoore. David Flones, 
Charles Jones, Eli Moore. John Fouser. William Jone.-^. Allen Maus. Jacob Fry. Barney 
Jackman. Thomas Maus, John Fowkr. Hugh Luster. John Moore, William Fowler, 
William Larrimore, John McMorton, John Gilland, Daniel Leet, Daniel Malson, 
Samuel Gunsaul, Abraham Larrimore, William McDonald, Hans Greer. 5Iatthew 
Logan. John Means. John Gibson, John Little, Thomas McClelland. Robert Gibson. 
Robert Linn. James Neely, Gideon Gibson, Jacob Long. Samuel Neely. Nicholas 
Grossman, John Mitchell. John Neely, William Grossman. Moses Modie, Sj'lvester 
Needham Andrew Gilland, John Moore, William Oliver, Benjauiin Gunsaul, Zechariah 
McPherson, John Oliver, Meshach Holt (negro), Nathan McPherson. Martin Oliver, Eliza- 
beth Hamilton. John McCreary. George Oliver. William Hamilton. Richard Jlerriman. 
Samuel Oliver. David Hamilton. Frederick Merriman. Thomas Oliver. Charles Hamilton, 
William Moore. James Owens. Thomas Holmes. Sr.. Jane Moore. Eleanor Pearcc. Joseph 
Holmes. James Moore, Sr.. Amos Pearce. McClelland Hood. Lewis Moore, Andrew Piuk- 
ertou. Eleanor Pearce, Abraham Ritchey, John Snider, John Pinkerton. Isaac Ritchey. 
Giles Stephens, John Phrazor. William Ritchey. Philip Snyder, James Park. Jacob 
Ritchey, John Scott, Robert Quaile, Abraham Ritchey, Sr.. John Smith, Robert Row- 
land, George Shannon, James Scott. Sr.. William Rowland. William Riley. Robert Scott. 
Margaret Right, Abel Starr, William Sutton, James Robinson, William Simms, Adam 
Scott, Jacob Sewer, George Shannon. John Way. Edward Sharp. George Shearer. William 
Wilkins. Isaac Skiles, William Trineary, James Wilkins. William Skiles, John Taylor^ 
John Wright, James Skiles, Henrj' Ullery. Thomas Waggoner. Felix Sigler. George 
Ullery. John White, Henry Shrum. Janus Updegrafl. Andrew White. Philip Young, 
John Young. Thomas Y^oung. 

Practically, Ohio has been rediiced to its present limits by the erection of 
Franklin in 1823, Sewiekley in 1854, and Kilbuck in 1869. No event of 
remarkable interest signalized its early settlement. Being situated on the 
■' Indian side" of the river, the first white inhabitants did not appear more 
than a few years prior to 1800, as this section of country was not open to set- 
tlement until 1792. Henry Wilson, a squatter, is said to have been the first 
settler. Of William Richey, who settled permanently in 1801, the following 
story is told: "He had been a soldier in Wayne's expedition. While the army 
was lying at Legionville, he was sent on some commission to Fort Pitt. When 
a short distance from camp he heard a wild tiirkey gobble near by. The 
sounds were repeated, and he followed them, but cautiously and behind the 
trees. At length, upon exposing a part of his body, he observed an Indian 
in the act of taking aim at him over a clump of bushes. He was standing on 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 187 

tiptoe to obtain a fair view, but Richey was too quick for him, and before the 
savage could tire he planted a bullet between his eyes. He then took his gun 
and tomahawk, hid them in a hollow tree, and went on. Years afterward he 
returned to the place and found the gun where he had left it; the barrel is still 
in possession of one of the family." The Duff family was first represented by 
James Duff and his two sous, who crossed the Ohio river in 1799 and located 
near that stream, removing farther inland in 1805. James Moore immigrated 
from Northumberland county with a large family about the same time. He 
owned a large tract of land. 

In addition to these, the Crawfords, who settled on Lowrie" s run, and have 
been numerously represented by their descendants, the Gillilands, the Ritchies, 
Shannons and others are remembered. 

Ohio is an agricultural township. Its farms and forests constitute its only 
resources. Within a recent time search has been prosecuted for oil, and gas 
has been discovered, though not in such quantities as in some other fields. 
There are in the township no manufactories and no villages. The population 
is sparse. In 1860 it was 1,350; in 1870, 685; in 1880, 737. There are two 
election precincts. ThB principal streams are Kilbuck run and Lowrie' s run. 

Methodism was introduced into the township by Rev. Thomas McClelland, 
a local preacher, who became a resident of Sewickley valley in 1808 or 1809. 
In 1811, through John Way, Sr. , Mr. McClelland, Matthew Ingram and Charles 
Hamilton purchased farms some distance inland from the river, and removed 
thither. He organized a Methodist society at his own home, which was also 
the place of worship. He also organized a class at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth 
Frazier. The place of preaching was removed to the schoolhouse on the farm 
of Jacob Fry some years later, and subsequently to the residence of Thomas 
Hamilton. A log church-building was erected on his farm prior to 1834, upon 
the site of the present ' ' Blackburn chapel. ' ' 

Mount Nebo United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1838. A church- 
building was erected two years later. The pastors have been as follows: W. 
Burnett, 1845-50; J. Greer, 1852-55; J. L. Fairley, 1856-69; D. R. Imbrie, 
1870-72; W. J. Cooper, 1874-77; D. R. Imbrie, 1878-. The first school- 
house was built in 1806, in the western part of the township. Four schools are 
sustained at this time. 

KILBUCK TOWNSHIP. 

This township was erected by a decree of court March 9, 1869. At that 
time Ohio township bordered upon the Ohio river a distance of nine miles, 
extending five miles inland, and its voting population was estimated at four 
hundred. At the September term, 1868, Moses Chess, Thomas M. Shaw and 
T. H. Nevin were constituted a commission to take the matter of its division 
into consideration, and the proceedings thus begun were concluded at the 
March term in the following year. Two voting precincts had previously been 
established in Ohio, and their boundary, a line running south sixty-five degrees 



188 HISTOIiY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

east eighteen hun<lred and seven perches was made the northern limit of 
Kilbuck. 

There were several Indian chiefs of this name. One of them received a 
liberal educaliom at Princeton College. An earlier member of the family, oth- 
erwise known as William Henry, is probably the personage honored in having 
the name attached to Kilbuck run and the township. While a resident of 
Washington county, Ohio, in 1803, he sold an island in the Ohio'river, opposite 
"the Point," John Heckewelder, the Indian antiquary and missionary, being 
among the witnesses to the deed. 

Of old families resident in what is now Kilbuck township the names are 
remembered of William Dickson, who came in 1796, and was probably the 
first settler. His sons were John, Joseph and David. William and David 
Courtney settled here in 1803. The sons of William were Thomas, Dickson 
and John John Cheney settled near Emsworth prior to 1802, and built there 
the first mill in the township. His successor was John Wilkin. William and 
Barnard Jackman were early settlers. William had sons Andrew, John, Will- 
iam and Thomas. John Taylor was also an early resident, and his sons were 
James, John, David, Alexander and Wilson. Hugh Duff, James Duff, Harvey 
and Bruce Backhouse and John Moore were also early citizens. 

The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad passes through the town- 
ship, with stations at Laurel, Emsworth. Clifton and Dixmont. The line of 
this road and of Beaver road is a continuous succession of villages and fine 
residences. Emsworth, at the mouth of Lowrie's run, was first known as 
Courtneyville, fi'om David and William Courtney, who settled in the vicinity 
in 1803. The first settler, however, was John Cheney, by whom the first mill 
was built. The town has grown rapidly within the last few years. 

The Presbyterian Church, of which Rev. Aaron Williams was the first pas- 
tor, was organized in 1860. The United Presbyterian Church was organized 
November, 1869. Rev. D. R. Imbrie became pastor in 1869, D. M. Thorn in 
1873, J. H. Veazey in 1877, D. R. Imbrie in 1884. 

Courtneyville postoffice existed from March, 1852, to March, 1860. John 
W. Moore was appointed postmaster March, 1852; William Courtney, July, 
1852; James Gilliland, June, 1858. Emsworth was established April, 1872, 
with John Shannon, postmaster. 

Clifton occupies an elevated situation eight miles from the city by rail. 
Its growth has occurred entirely within recent years. An electric railway gives 
easy access to the railroad station. There is an acid manufactory on Lowrie's 
run, in the rear of the town. 

The Western Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane at Dixmont, in this town- 
ship, is a branch of the Western Pennsylvania hospital, the history of which 
will be found at page 410, Part I. 

Dixmont postoffice was established Januarj' 30, 1<S61: it was discontinued 
from April 14 to April 27, 1863. and has received the following appointments: 




'sip rr-'^m.M 





TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 191 

Thomas Chess, January 30. 1861; Joseph Dean, March 15, 1869; John Steele, 
March 24, 1871; Joseph T. Richey, April 6, 1871; John Whitehead, January 
13, 1882; Martha J. Kunkel, March 28, 1882. 

The population of Kilbuck was 1,919 in 1870; in 1880, 1,432. 

West Bellevue Borough. — This place was incorj^orated from the eastern 
part of Kilbuck December 9, 1874, and had a population of 326 by the census 
of 1880. The station is known as Birmingham, and the postoffiee as Myler 
Noble J. Black, the first postmaster, was appointed in May, 1883, and John 
F. NiehauB, in August, 1887. There are two chm-ches, Methodist Ejiiscopal 
and Presbyterian. The population is principally made up of clerks and others 
engaged in the city, and their families. The Davis island dam is an object of 
interest. 

ALEPPO TOWNSHIP. 

This township was erected June 7, 1876, from the western part of Kilbuck. 
The proceedings in this case were begun at the December term, 1875, when 
George R. Stewart, H. Nevin and John Way, Jr., were appointed to the usual 
service of viewing the line proposed, and, upon the return of a favorable report, 
the confirmatory degree of court was granted. The population at the follow- 
ing census was 657. This is one of the smallest subdivisions of the county. 
Solomon Veal was the first settler. His cabin, which stood on the bank of 
the river, was long since washed away. John M. Wood and William Dawson 
are remembered as early residents in what is now this township. The Merri- 
mans, the Whites, the Parks and other families, the names of which are not 
recalled, were also here at an early day. Haysville, nine miles from the city 
by rail, is the only village, and is principally included in Glenfield borough. 
St. Mary's German Catholic chui'ch, built in 1853 by Father Stiebel, is the 
only religious body. In recent years it has usually been placed in charge of 
students from the diocesan college at Pittsburgh. 

Glenfield Borough. — This borough was incorporated December 4, 1875, 
from the southeastern part of Aleppo, under the name of Camden, which was 
changed to the present style March 9, 1876, by decree of court. The town 
proper occupies a narrow valley at the mouth of Kilbuck run, and was built up 
between 1868 and 1872, with the occasional addition of a building since that 
time. The population was 538 in 1880. The churches are Thorn chapel, 
Methodist Episcopal, built in 1874, and the Presbyterian, organized in 1876. 
William Raffley was appointed postmaster at Glenfield in January, 1876, and 
John A. Stewart at Burgunda (Haysville) in February, 1885. The original 
predecessor of the latter was Kilbuck, to which Patrick Slater was appointed 
in December, 1877, and Patrick Slattery in January, 1878. The name was 
changed to Haysville May 24, 1880, but the office was discontinued December 
26, 1882. 

Osboi-n Borough. — This borough was formed from the western part of 
Aleppo March 10, 1883, after a legal contest, in the course of which the 



192 HISTOUy OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

authority of the supreme court was invoked. The population is smaller than 
that of any other borough in the county. It adjoins Sewickley on the west, 
and in common with that place it is made up almost entirely of suburban 
residences. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Continued). 
Franklin— Marshall. 



FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP. 



PROCEEDINGS for the division of Ohio township were instituted at the 
January sessions, 1823, when Col. Dunning McNair, John Dickson and 
Richard Robinson were appointed commissioners to take the usual measures 
for ascertaining in what way the best interests of the people would be pro- 
moted. In the following August they reported in favor of division by a line 
running ' ' south from Big Sewickley creek [fifty degrees east twenty-two 
hiuidi'ed and fourteen perches] to a point on the line of the eastern boundary 
of Ohio ; that portion south of this line and adjoining the Ohio river to retain 
the name of Ohio township, and that portion back from the river and north of 
the line to be called Franklin township. ' ' It may fairly be presumed that this 
action on the part of the commission was prompted by a desire to ingraft upon 
the political nomenclature of the county the name of the first electrician of 
America, the author of "Poor Richard's Almanac, "' the originator of union 
among the colonies by a general congress, the wit, sage, statesman and diplo- 
mat of the American republic in the struggle to establish its existence — Ben- 
jamin Franklin. So common has this application of the name become, how- 
ever, that its mention seldom suggests the worth and public services of him 
whom it is meant to honor. 

As originally formed, the township extended along the line of Nicholson's 
district a little less than thirteen miles (4, 142 perches), adjoining Butler county 
a distance of 1,286 perches, and Beaver 1,316 perches. The area was 19,414 
acres 2 roods and 16 perches. The final decree of court erecting Franklin 
was issued in August, 1823. By the formation of Marshall, in 1863, its area 
has been reduced to about nine thousand acres. The shape is that of a 
triangle. The principal streams are Rippling and Fish runs, branches, respect- 
ively, of Big Sewickley and Pine creeks. The course of the former is west- 
ward and of the latter eastward, the line of Alexander's and Nicholson's 
districts coinciding with the watershed that defines their respective basins. 
Lowrie's run and Kilbuck run also rise in this township. The surface, though 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 193 

hilly, is better adapted to farming than that of the country southward to the 
river. The population was 1,391 in 1860, 760 in 1870, and 793 in 1880. 

The first settlers were William Jones and his brother-in-law, a German 
named Holman, who arrived about 1800. Benjamin Jones, the father of 
William, was a soldier in the Revolution and in Wayne's expedition. Upon; 
his retm-n from the latter, he settled opposite Pittsburgh, within the limits of 
'■ Allegheny Tovm. " Here he undertook to build a house, and, as the custom 
was, the neighbors assembled to assist. As usual on such occasions, whisky 
was fi'eely imbibed, and a member of the party became embroiled with an 
Indian who happened to be present. In the struggle that ensued, Jones and 
several others, among them an officer of the garrison at Fort Pitt, lost their 
lives; but the Indian by whom the tragedy was begun was found drunk in his- 
tent, dragged with a rope around his neck past the scene of the murder, and 
hanged in fi'ont of the fort across the river. 

John Fowler became a resident in 1808. He was of Irish descent. David' 
Duff purchased land in 1805, and removed thither from Westmoreland county in 
1812. He built the first mill in 1813, and in 1825 he was commissioned first 
justice of the peace. In 1811, through John Way, Sr. , of Sewickley, Thomas 
McClelland, Matthew Ingram and Charles Hamilton purchased farms in the 
western part of the township. The names of other early settlers are given ia 
the list in the preceding chapter. 

Fairmount Presbyterian church is the oldest in the township. The first 
church was built on a branch of Eippling run in 1822. The organization was- 
effected in the same year by Rev. John Andi-ews, and the first entry in th& 
session records occurs under date of September 8th. The last record of Mr. 
Andrews' labors is his administration of the Lord's supper in Jiine, 1831. 
Rev. John Moore labored here in connection with Plains and Cross Roads from 
1833 to 1836; Daniel E. Nevin, from 1837 to 1846; Robert McPherson, from 1847 
to 1850; George W. Shaiffer, from 1852 to 1855; Henry R. Wilson, from 1855 
to 1859; Aaron Williams, in 1859 and 1863; Edward Swift, in 1862; JohnW. 
Potter, from 1864 to 1866; Samuel R. Kerr was installed July 1, 1869, and 
Levi Risher July 2, 1870. 

Thomas McClelland, who settled in the township in 1811, was a local 
Methodist preacher, and introduced Methodism into this section of country. 
He died in 1820. He organized a society at his home, and his house was the 
place of worship. This was the origin of the church formerly known as 
" Ingram's," now as " Hopkins' Chapel." It is situated in the extreme west- 
ern part of the township. There is also a Methodist church of more recent 
date near the McCandless township line. Trinity Lutheran Church is a large 
and flourishing organization. The Franklin Baptist Church and Mount ITniou 
United Brethren Church complete the religious representation of the township. 

There are no villages, and but one postofifice, Bayne, established March 26, 
1884, with Henderson Sarver as postmaster. 



194 HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

MARSHALL TOWNSHIP. 

This townsliip is an almost perfect squiire, the leugth from east to west being 
1, 280 perches and from north to soutli 1 , 2f55 perches. The area is 10, 12() acres. 
Its existence as a township dates from June 3, 1863. This territory had pre- 
viously been formed into an election precinct as part of Franklin township. 
The name is that of T. M. Marshall, the attorney by whom the proceedings 
before the court were conducted. 

Big Sewickley creek and Brush creek, a branch of the Conoquenessing, 
rise in this township. The former flows south, the latter north. Being remote 
from the larger streams of which they are the affluents, this section of 
country is distinguished by the absence of hills of the height and prominence 
which add so much to the beauty of the river valleys, detracting, however, 
from their agricultural value in corresponding ratio. The northern part of 
Marshall is probably the largest extent of level country in the county. Farm- 
ing is the exclusive occupation, and the region is not thickly settled. The pop- 
ulation was 705 in 1870, and 748 in 1880. The German element predom- 
inates. 

It is generally supposed that John Curry was the lirst settler. John Fowler 
succeeded to his improvements on Brush creek about 1792. He had three sons, 
William, Robert M. and John D., all of whom are dead. John H. , Esq., 
Joseph D. and William were sons of Robert. Joseph D. was killed in the 
battle of the Wilderness; John H. and William are still residing in the town- 
ship. 

Joseph Compton located on a tract near the Butler county line in 1805. 
Samuel Neely settled in the central part of the township near the beginning 
of this century. His sons were Isaac, William, George and James, of whom 
the two latter still reside on portions of the old homestead. Robert Peters 
became a resident about 1815, and settled near the Fowlers, on Brush creek. 

He had no sons, and the family is not represented here. Pollock became 

a resident about 181fi; none of his family are here. Elijah Boyce came about 
1820, and located in the vicinity of the Fowlers. His sons were Stephen, John. 
George, Robert, Elijah, Thomas and James; all dead but Robert and James, 
who reside in the west. Robert Forsythe settled prior to 1820 in the vicinity 
of Boyce. He reared four sons — David, James, Robert and Alexander — all 
still living. Joseph Stinson came about 1826. and purchased land on Brush 
creek, near the line of Butler county. He is dead, but his family is still repre- 
sented here in the female line. 

George W. Warren was apprenticed to the elder Fowler in 1826. He con- 
tinued a resident of the township to the time of his death, in 1879. He was 
during many years the keeper of the hotel at Brush creek. At the time of his 
death he was a large landholder. Three sons and three daughters of Mr. W. 
still reside in this vicinity. David Caldwell came to this township prior to 1830, 
and passed the balance of his life here. His sons were Alexander, John, Will- 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 195 

iam, David, Lewis and Charles ; all dead. Some of his grandchildren are now 
residents here. William Ewart also came before 1830. His sons were Will- 
iam and David, both dead. John Eakin settled near the center of the township 
before 1820, and died there. His son David is also dead. 

The tirst gristmill in the township was built by David Caldwell, on Brush 
creek, not far from the Butler county line, between 1820 and 1830. It has 
gone down. Some years later another was erected on the same stream by John 
Fowler, Sr. It has also fallen into disuse. A sawmill was also built by Mr. 
Caldwell near his gristmill. A distillery was conducted by Elijah Boyce, but 
it has long since gone to decay. 

A hotel was established in 1845, by Jonathan Ransom, at Brush creek. 
It is still kept, but there have been many changes of landlords. 

The tirst search for oil was made in the valley of Brush creek, on the 
Warren property, by an association of farmers, in 1861. The drill was worked 
by horse-power, and a leaning tree was utilized for a derrick. After penetrat- 
ing to the depth of 190 feet the experiment was abandoned. The next attempt 
was made by the Thornhill Oil company, in 1884, also in the valley of Brush 
creek. Oil was found at a depth of 1,700 feet, but its mixture with brine 
rendered it valueless. No further attempts were made till 1887. On the 7th of 
October in that year oil was found by William Munhall and others at a depth 
of 1,455 feet. There are now (October, 1888) eight producing wells in the 
valley of this creek and its branches. It is worthy of remark that the best of 
these wells is within a few rods of the place where search was first made. 
Sufficient gas has been found here to run the engines at these wells. 

John Coulter established the first store in 1809. The Indian trail from 
Pittsburgh to the lakes passes diagonally across the township fi'om southeast 
to northwest. Its route is clearly indicated by arrowheads and other evi- 
dences of former Indian travel. 

There is one church in the township, a Methodist Episcopal society, organ- 
ized by Kev. Joshua Monroe . The place of worship is situated contiguous to 
the Butler county line, and was built in 1853. Blair postoffice was in exist- 
ence from February 23, 1864, to August 16, 1867. Thornhill was established 
March 29, 1872. 



19G HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XX. 

TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS (Conclddedj. 
Sewickley— Leet (Sewickley). 

sewickley township. 

THE township of Sewickley was erected January 28, 1854, by decree of 
conrt, fi-om that part of Ohio township west of the line of Alexander' s 
and Nicholson's districts. The name is of Indian origin, and is said to sig- 
nify " sweet water."' It occurs in the dialect of the Delawares, by whom this 
region was formerly occupied, and who conferred it upon various localities in 
the western part of Pennsylvania, notably Beaver and Westmoreland counties, 
where, as in the valleys of Big and Little Sewickley creeks, the sugar-maple 
abounds. The surface of the township is exceedingly hilly, and hence it was 
not settled until the surrounding territory was well populated. Its early settle- 
ment presents little of interest. 

The "McKean tract," comprising No.s. 107, 108, 109, 110. Ill, 112, 
11-1 and 115 of Breading' s district of depreciation lands, known respectively 
as "Richland," "Walnut Bottom," "The Meadow Land," "Belle-View," 
' ' Buck Hollow, " " Turkey Range, " " Sewickley Farm' ' and ' ' Cascade, ' ' 
and containing an aggregate area of 2,480.8 acres, was originally patented to 
Thomas McKean and Francis Johnson, under date of June 14, 1786. This 
tract comx^rised the southeastern part of Sewickley township, extending into the 
adjoining portions of Leet and Ohio. The fact that the first governor of the 
state was interested in its ownership is sufficient reason for this mention; but 
its after history is equally worthy of being chronicled. April 7, 1804, John- 
son relinquished his moiety in favor of Gov, McKean, and the latter con- 
ferred the property upon his daughter, Sarah Maria Theresa, Marchioness de 
Casa Yrujo, wife of the Marquis de Casa Yrujo, minister plenipotentiary and 
envoy extraordinary from Spain to the United States at the close of the Revo- 
lution. The marchioness bequeathed the property to her daughter. Narcisa 
Maria Louisa Martinez de Yrujo de Pierrard, the wife of Gen. Bias Santiago 
de Pierrard y Alcedar; and upon her death, in 1874, it was inherited by her 
nephews and nieces, from whom it was purchased in 1881 by Cochran Fleming, 
Esq. It is probably the largest individual holding in the county, and thus, 
after nearly a century of ownership by the descendants of Gov. McKean in 
the family of De Casa Yrnjo, the title to the property is again vested in an 
American citizen. 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 197 

There is neither postofQce, village nor church within the geographical limits 
of the township. 

The first settler is believed to have been Frederick Merriman, who located 
in the northeast part of the township about 1808. He' reared a family of sons, 
of whom the names of Frederick, Abraham, David, William, Ezekiel, Samuel 
and Davis are remembered. At about the same time, or soon afterward, came 
David and James Wilkin, Samuel Grunsalius, John Crees, Adam and Arthur 
Scott. William Eiley and John Gillen. In addition to these the following were 
early residents, and reared families in the township, though the precise time of 
their coming cannot be ascertained: Thomas Hamilton, whose sons were Will- 
iam and Thomas; Robert Lynn and sons Hugh, Thomas and Robert; Nathan 
McPherson, who reared sons named Nathan, James, John and others; John 
Means and sons Whiteson, Wiley and Joseph; Zachariah McPherson, who had 

two sons; Logan and his sons Samuel and John; and John Mitchell, who 

reared sons John, Wilson and Patterson. 

In jDroportion to the area the population is probably less than in any other 
part of the county. In 1860, at the first census after its formation, and while 
it included Leet and Sewickley borough, the population was 1.586; in 1870. 
443, and in 1880, 392. Farming is the .-jole occupation. Natural gas and 
petroleum have been discovered, and their development will doubtless effect 
material changes in the general condition of this region. 

LEET TOWNSHIP. 

This township was erected June 26, 1869, by decree of court, upon petition 
for a division of Sewickley by a line ' ' beginning at the northwest corner of 
tract mimbered eleven in Leet's district of depreciation lands, and thence along 
the back line of the river tracts in said district to the northeast corner of tract 
numbered four, and thence to a point where the public road crosses the Ohio 
township line. ' ' The line thus described was confirmed, and does not pursue 
a direct course, as is usually indicated upon the map. An effort to have it 
changed in this- respect was made in 1871, but without success. 

Jonathan Leet, for whom the township is named, was a surveyor in the 
employ of the state, and in that capacity he laid out the town of Beaver Falls. 
A portion of the depreciation lands was assigned to him, and bears the name of 
' ' Leet' s district. ' ' It adjoins the Ohio river in Beaver county, extending north- 
ward many miles. His brother, Maj. Daniel Leet, secured the rich and fertile 
Sewickley "bottom," comprising a large part of the township. This tract 
appears in history for the first time in 1779, when the chiefs of the Delaware 
Indians sought to confer it upon Col. George Morgan in appreciation of his 
services in their behalf while Indian agent at Fort Pitt during the Revolution. 
They thus described it: "It begins at the mouth of the run opposite the foot 
of Montour's island (in mean the lower end of the island), and extending down 
the river Ohio to the run next to Logstown — bounded by the said two runs and 



198 IIISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

the river Ohio, and extending back from the river Ohio to the tops of the highest 
hills — being, we suppose, about three miles in general in a direct line from the 
river to the tops of the said hills, and about six miles from run to run."" But 
Col. Morgan, foreseeing the consequences of such action on his part, declined 
the generous offer of his Indian friends, and nearly a score of years later 
Daniel Leet became the first owner of the tract under the land i-egiilations of 
the state. A large portion of this estate is still in possession of his descend- 
ants. There is reason to believe that the Indians did not leave this section of 
country until some time after 1800, and in 1796 it is said that there was a vil- 
lage comprising fourteen huts at the mouth of Little Sewickley creek. The 
English population at that time was of the class known as "squatters," and 
followed the occupation of ' ' keelboatmen, ' ' making long voyages to the lower 
waters of the Mississippi. Among the psrmanent settlers was William Leet, 
a brother of those of that name previously mentioned, who occupied the Leet 
estate as a tenant. His brother-in-law, John Bean, was also a settler as early as 
1796, and his primitive cabin, which stood on the bank of the river near Leets- 
dale, was long since washed away. His son John survived him. John Way 
located near the river at a very early day. His house is also gone. His sons 
were Nicholas, Abisha and James. Mr. Thomas Hoey was also an early settler. 
William Vickry and sons Philip and others; James Mann and sons Robert, 
James and William, and John Jackson and his sons John and James are 
remembered as early residents. 

A gristmill was in operation on Little Sewickley creek in 1797. Maj. 
William Leet did not remove to this region until 1827, three years before his 
death. 

The military road opened by G-en. Wayne in 1798 from Pittsburgh to 
Legionville was the first in this section of country. It was the principal 
highway of travel until the opening of the Beaver road, some years later. 
Both were largely instrumental in developing the agricultural re-sources of the 
region; but its present character is suburban rather than agricultural. Few 
localities in the vicinity of Pittsburgh present equal advantages in this respect. 
The region is famous for the beauty of its natural scenery, its healthfulness 
and salubrity, while the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad renders 
it accessible from all parts of the country. The stations of Fair Oaks. Leets- 
dale, Shields, Edgeworth, Quaker Valley, Koseburg and Sewickley are all 
within the limits of Leet township, and at each there is a village, while the 
Beaver road is virtually lined with handsome residences. Fair Oaks, at the 
western extremity of the township, is the location of a Baptist chui'ch. consti- 
tuted in 1877. The Leetsdale Presbyterian Church was organized August 1, 

1864, at Edgeworth Seminary. A chapel was erected by Mrs. Eliza Shields in 

1865, and the corner-stone of the church was laid Jime 23, 1868. Its dedica- 
tion occurred November 14, 1869. Mrs. Shields contributed eighteen thou- 
sand dollars toward this enterprise. Rev. James M. Piatt was pastor of this 




(zmA^cOt/tiArWoA. 




TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 201 

church from April 15, 1867, to August 9, 1869; Rev. R. S. Van Cleye, from 
May, 1870, to 1886, and Rev. Johnston, the present pastor, was installed in 
1887. 

The population of Leet township in 1870 was 629: in 1880, 890. The 
only postoffice of the township, Leetsdale, was established July 30, 1873. 

Seiviokley Borough. — This borough was incorporated July 6, 1853. The 
first house within the present borough limits was situated between Park Place 
hotel and the river, and was owned by George Ulery. When the railroad was 
opened there was also a group of houses along the Beaver road, several of 
which were used as hotels. Thomas Hoey owned a farm of three hundred 
acres, the eastern boundary of which was the present Division street of the 
borough, then known as "Graveyard lane." The triangular portion of this 
farm inclosed by Beaver, Division and Fife streets was sold to John R. Gar- 
rison, the first merchant of the borough, in 1837. He built several houses, 
and laid off that part of his land adjoining the Beaver road into lots, the sale 
of which was not rapid; but thus the growth of the town began. The Hoey 
estate was divided among the three children of Mr. Thomas Hoey — John Hoey, 
Mrs. Fife, and Mrs. Thorn, the wife of Rev. Charles Thorn. Messrs. Gray and 
Chadwick laid out the principal streets of the borough on that part of the 
property which came into possession of Mrs. Thorn (south of Beaver street 
and east of a small stream which flows through the borough). Their purchase 
fi'om Thorn resulted in legal complications, and was finally set aside, but the 
streets as laid out were confirmed. That portion of the town south of Beaver 
street and west of the stream referted to was sold by John Hoey to John H. 
Little, by whom it was subdivided. East of Division street the land was orig- 
inally owned by a Mr. Peebles, from whom it passed to Rev. Robert Hopkins, 
by whom it was laid out and subdivided into lots. It is not often that clergy- 
men have been identified with the interests of a town to the extent apparent in 
this instance. 

The growth of the town has been influenced solely by its advantages as a 
place of residence, it being one of the most delightful siiburban localities in 
the country. No effort has ever been made to introduce manufactures, and 
the local business interests are not extensive. A large proportion of the pop- 
ulation do business in the city, and during the day the town appears almost 
deserted. A different aspect is presented as the evening trains arrive. The 
general appearance of the town and its residences is indicative of wealth and 
culture. Many of the streets are wide, well shaded and macadamized, and the 
dwellings are generally of a character fitted to bear the closest scrutiny as to 
design, finish and surroundings. The hills in the background greatly enhance 
the attractiveness of the town as a whole. 

The comfort and convenience of the residents has been provided for in 
various ways. The question of an adequate water-supply began to be agitated 
in 1872. A public meeting was held in the schoolhouse in May of that year to 



202 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

consider the advantages of Peebles' run as a source of supply, but no definite 
action was taken. June 15, 1872, a second meeting was held, George H. 
Christy, Esq., presiding. The sense of the meeting was expressed in a series 
of resolutions, in which it was urged that water-works should be established 
under the auspices of the borough, and controlled by a "water commission,'" 
invested with full powers to provide the proposed system and regulate its 
operation. One hundred and eighty-eight citizens, a majority of the property- 
holders of the borough, indorsed this action. Thus fortified and encouraged 
by public sentiment, the town council, June 24, 1872, passed an ordinance 
appointing Theodore H. Nevin, D. N. White, Robert Watson, J. W. F. White 
and William Harbaugb commissioners for the erection of the Sewickley water 
works, authorizing them to take such measures as their judgment should 
approve. The commission organized July 6, 1872, with D. N. White as chair- 
man. It became an incorporated body by act of the legislature February 21, 
1873. No other source of supply was at first contemplated than the Ohio 
river. This was strongly objected to on account of alleged impui'ities from the 
cities above, and finally abandoned in favor of Peebles' run. Mr. John Bir- 
kenbine, a hydraulic engineer of some celebrity, was consulted in deciding 
upon a site for the reservoir, which was constructed agreeably to plans fur- 
nished by Messrs. Edeburn & Cooper, of Pittsburgh. The works were com- 
pleted and placed in operation in October, 1873. The rapid growth of the 
town has rendered the supply from Peebles' run inadequate during the summer 
months, and recourse to the river is thus rendered necessary, but the system is 
otherwise entirely satisfactory. 

The Sewickley Gas company was incorporated in 1871, and organized Sep- 
tember 23, 1872, with Robert Watson, president, and William Harbaugb. 
treasurer. Gas was supplied to consumers for the first time May 4, 1873. 
The "Ohio Valley Gas Company" was incorporated December 15, 1885, and 
organized with W. L. Standish, president; E. P. Young, secretary and treas- 
urer. This company supplies natural gas for heating purposes. The general 
office is at Sewickley, but its operations are not restricted to that locality. 

David Shields was commissioned postmaster at "Sewickley Bottom"' Jan- 
uary 9, 1824, continuing until September 1, 1857, when the postofiiee was 
discontinued. Meanwhile, August 26, 1851, John Way was appointed first 
postmaster at Sewickleyville, the name of which was changed to Sewickley 
April 14, 1871. Watson More was appointed April 2, 1857; William A. 
Ellis, March 1, 1859; James Ellis, December 24, 18(50; Baldwin Gray, March 
19, 1861; JohnAgne, August 24, 1869; John Thomas, September 25, 1871: 
Andrew W. Woods, August C, 1883; Charles T. Cooper, October 13, 1886. 

The educational interests of the borough are well sustained. The first 
sehoolhouse in Leet township was built in 1824 by David Shields, and was 
attended from this locality for some years. The borough schools rank among 
the best in this section of the state. The grounds extend from Broad to Chest- 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOROUGHS. 203 

Dut street, fronting upon Thorn, and the school-building, a brick structure of 
ample dimensions, is exceptionally well adapted to its requirements. The 
Sewickley academy was originally organized in 1838, by Prof. William Nevin 
and John B. Champ, and conducted by them about two years, when it sus- 
pended from lack of patronage. It was reopened in 1843, under the manage- 
ment of Rev. Joseph S. Travelli, and conducted with success for a number of 
jears in the building now known as Park Place hotel. Under Mr. Travelli" s 
management it was conducted as a boarding-school. Kev. S. G. Norcross suc- 
ceeded him, and continued the seminary as a day school. After his departure 
the institution experienced a succession of unfortunate changes, and was finally 
suspended in 1875. The present academy building was erected in 1877 by Mr. 
John Way, Jr., who has since conducted the school. It is largely attended, 
and may well be regarded as a most valuable feature of the town. Edgeworth 
Seminary was established by Mrs. Mary Olver in 1836, and destroyed by fire 
in 1865. 

With a population of 1,472 in 1870, and 2,053 in 1880, Sewickley has been 
a favorable point for the organization of secret societies. Sewickley Valley 
Lodge, No. 692, I. O. O. F., was instituted January 1, 1870, with John M. 
•CooiJer, N. G. , and James Douglass, V. G. The name originally was J. 
Sharpe McDowell, which was superseded by the present in 1875. Sewickley 
Lodge, No. 426, K. of P., was organized May 5, 1874, with F. A. Myer, P. 
C, G. M. Gray, C. C, and J. Robinson, V. C. Sewickley Lodge, No. 1105, 
K. of H. , was instituted September 17, 1879. The order of United American 
Mechanics is also rej)resented. 

The first religious services by regular appointment in Sewickley valley were 
conducted by Rev. Francis Reno, an Episcopal clergyman. For the year 
beginning May 1, 1798, Lis support was provided by subscriptions from John 
Bean, John Way, John Griffith, William Leet, James Fletcher, William 
McGlahlen, Arthur Frampton, John Stairs, William Laudimore, Joseph 
Oliver, John Vail, Sam Thomas Olliver, Hannah Heigus, William Cheney, 
Patrick Bolden, Jeremiah Wright, James Hutchinson, Solomon Vail, David 
Vail, George Harris, Benjamin Gunsalus, Samuel English, Joseph Fisher, John 
Olliver, Hugh Laudimore, John Bales, Sr. , Christian Martin, Jesse Fisher, 
Samuel Merriman, Frederick Merriman, Samuel Smith, H. Lee, Henry Ulery, 
Adam Patterson and William Sutton. This may be regarded as a fair index 
to the population of the vicinity. The aggregate amount subscribed was twenty- 
nine dollars and three cents, thirty-six and one-half bushels of corn, one bushel 
of wheat and an equal quantity of rye, the latter to be delivered at Daniel Leet's 
mill. The place of worship was the barn of John Way, Sr. , on Lot No. 2 in 
Leet's district. There is reason to believe that Mr. Reno continued to preach 
here until 1808 or 1809, but no organization of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
resulted in consequence. 

The history of Sewickley Presbyterian Chui'ch begins with the close of Mr. 



204 HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Reno's efforts. In 1808 " Sewickley Bottom " was reported to the synod of 
Pittsliurgh as a vacant church and unable to support a pastor. August 22, 
1810, Rev. Anch-ew McDonald was installed as pastor of the church of 
" White Oak Flats," Beaver county, and served as pastor at Sewickley in con- 
nection with that place until 1818. In 1812 the congregation was transferred 
from the presljytery of Erie to that of Ohio. June 1, 1822, Rev. John 
Andrews became stated supply at Sewickley and Duff's. The elders in 1821 
were James McLaughlin and Thomas Backhouse, and the membership num- 
bered eleven. It was thirty-two in 1826. After the retirement of Mr. An- 
drews, occasional services were conducted by Rev. S. C. Jennings for some 
time, but the organization seems to have become extinct. In 1837 Rev. Daniel 
E. Nevin preached at Edgeworth Seminary, and through the efforts of the prin- 
cipal, Mrs. Mary P. Olver, the church was reorganized Febnaary 17, 1838. with 
twenty members. Rev. Daniel Eagle Nevin was ordained and installed as first 
pastor in 1838, and resigned in 1847; his successor, Rev. James Allison, D. 
D., was pastor 1849-64; Rev Joseph B. Bittinger, D. D., 1864-85, and 
Rev. William O. Campbell, D. D. , the present incumbent, 1885-. At an early 
period in its history this congregation worshiped in barns and houses, and in 
the woods when the weather permitted. A church was built, in 1818 near a 
spring on the land of a Mr. Beers, now or lately owned by Mr. Robert Wat- 
son. The logs were roughly hewn and covered with clapboards, and the 
interior furnished with puncheon floor and seats. The first sermon in this 
chiu-ch was preached by Rev. Michael Law, pastor of the church at Montours. 
A new church -edifice was necessitated by the reorganization of 1838, and 
formal action in that direction was taken February 1, 1839, at a meeting over 
which David Shields presided. Two years elapsed before the church- building 
was completed. It was a brick structure, in the gothic style of architecture. 
The present church-edifice was dedicated December 15, 1861. It is a stone 
structure, fronting on Beaver street, and highly attractive in its appearance 
and surroundings. 

The first Methodist society in Sewickley valley was formed in 1809 by 
Thomas McClelland, a local preacher, who lived in a log cabin on the farm of 
John Way, Sr., and preached at the house of Jesse Fisher, a tenant of Daniel 
Leet. A frame building for religious meetings was built a few years later on a 
hill near the ' ' Shields mill, ' ' and still later, a brick house in the same neigh- 
borhood was occupied as a preaching-place. A Methodist society was formed 
at Sewickley in 1837 or 1838, John R. Garrison being the leader in this move- 
ment. In 1839, during the pastorate of Rev. John White, a frame church 
was built on the site of the present place of worship. The latter, a brick 
structure of imposing appearance, is situated on Broad street, and was built in 
1880-84, mainly through the munificence of Rev. Charles Thorn. The chapel 
was dedicated November 20, 1881, and the main edifice June 20, 1884. The 
chapel is forty by fifty-five feet; the main audience-room, sixty-two and one- 





^«^2<5<^^ 



TOWNSHIPS AND BOKOUGHS. 207 

half by eighty feet. Sewickley became a station in 1S5S, and has since received 
the following pastoral appointments: 1858-60, D. A. McCready; 1860-61, 
H. W. Baker; 1862-63, S. G. Kennedy; 1864-66, W. H. Locke; 1867-68, 
Joseph Horner; 1869-71, C. A. Holmes; 1872-74, J. B. Mills; 1875-76, A. 
L. Petty; 1877-78, W. B. Watkins; 1879-81, William Lynch; 1882-84, M. 
J. Sleppy; 1885-, J. W. Miles. 

The United Presbyterian Chiirch of Sewickley was organized May 3, 
1864. Rev. W. A. McKenzie was pastor 1865-71; D. S. Kennedy, 1872-78; 
W. L. Wallace, D. D., 1879-86; A. M. Campbell, 1888-. The church-edifice 
is a frame structure on Broad street. 

Two services agreeably to the ritual of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
were held at Sewickley in 1861, by Rev. Joseph P. Taylor, rector of Kennard 
School for Boys, New Brighton. In the following year Rev. William P. Ten- 
brook began to conduct regular services, and in 1863 he was regularly 
appointed to that duty by the diocesan convention. Rev. William Wilson 
officiated for the first time, as his successor, in 1865, and resigned in 1868. 
Rev. Samuel Earp was pastor 1869-70; S. B. Moore, 1871-73; George W. 
Easter, 1873-76; N. W. Camp, 1877-82; Edmund Burke, 1882-85; and 
Robert A. Benton, April 3, 1885-. 

The cornerstone of St. Stephen's church was laid October 10, 1863, Rev. 
David Cook Page, D. D. , officiating. The completed structure was consecrated 
May 20, 1864, Bi.shops Alonzo Potter and William B. Stevens, with seventeen 
clergymen, participating in the ceremonies. Messrs. George W. Cass and 
George Colhoun, and their families, were among those prominently identified 
with the history of this parish. 

St. James' Roman Catholic Church originated in the labors of Rev. James 
S. Reed, of Beaver, whose field embraced the territory now comprised in nine 
parishes. He traveled on horseback, and had a wide acquaintance. He pos- 
sessed in a remarkable degree the faculty of making converts and of gaining 
the cooperation of those beyond the pale of his church. He continued as 
pastor of Sewickley mission until his death, and was succeeded by Rev. J. D. 
Zwickert and J. Kunkle, when Sewickley and Glenfield were constituted a 
parish under the care of Father Zwickert. Rev. C. J. Coyne, the present 
pastor, assumed charge in 1884. A log church was built on Walnut street by 
Father Reed, and the present edifice, a brick structure, some years later. It 
had scarcely been accepted from the contractor's hands when- the roof collapsed, 
and the entire building was re-erected. 

The Sewickley cemetery is one of the most beautiful burial-grounds in all 
this section of country. The cemetery association was incorporated by act of 
the legislature approved April 11, 1859. The first interment took place 
October 12, 1860, and the formal dedication occurred November 1, 1860. 
The earliest place of bui-ial in the community was a plot of ground about half 
an acre in extent on what is now known as Division street, set apart for the 



208 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



purpose by the owners of adjoining farms. There was also a burial-ground 
in the rear of the Presbyterian Church. In 1807 and 1876, respectively, the 
bodies of persons Ijuried here were disinterred and removed to the cemetery. 
No effort has been spared to render the cemetery an appropriate ' ' last resting- 
place. ' ' 



,^^^^^t^!^' ;. 




GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY, 



DR. FELIX BHUNOT. Among the early 
physicians of Pittsburgh who are en- 
titled to a special notice in this work, because 
of the close relation which they sustained to 
the development of affairs, and on account 
of their high professional standing, was Dr. 
Felix Brunot. Born in the parish of Morey, 
France, January 9, 1752, member of an old 
Huguenot family, and a foster-brother of 
Gen. Lafayette, he was originally designed 
by his uncle, a Catholic bishop, for orders in 
the church, but, experiencing an aversion to 
this calling, he was permitted to enter upon 
the study of medicine. After graduation he 
joined Gen. Lafayette in his noble espousal 
of the patriot cause in America, and coming 
to this country in 1777 served as a surgeon in 
the army sf the Revolution. He participated 
in the battle of Brandywine and other im- 
portant engagements, and after the close of 
that eventful struggle, which established the 
independence of this nation, he located in 
the practice of his profession at Annapolis, 
Md., subsequently removing to Philadelphia, 
and finally, in 1797, settled in Pittsburgh, 
where he passed the remainder of his days, 
dying May 23, 1838, at the age of eighty-six 
years and five months. He resided on what 
is now known as Brunot's island, where he 
entertained Lafayette, Blennerhassett and 
other celebrated men. Later on he disposed 
of the island by sale, and resided on Liberty 
avenue, Pittsburgh, in a house which one of 
his sons, who died, had the building of. He 
was one of the noted physicians of his day, 
and enjoyed an extensive practice for many 
years, having an especial faith in the thera- 
peutic properties of electricity. As a public- 
spirited citizen he was always deeply inter- 
ested in the development of the city. He was 
a man of integrity and uprightness of char- 
acter, and his life was devoted to the per- 
formance of good deeds. The doctor was 
first married at Annapolis, by which union 
he had one child, who married, but died 
without issue. His second wife, whom he 
married December 17, 1789, was Miss Eliza- 
beth Krieder, of Philadelphia, by whom were 
born the following named children, six sons: 
Britain, Casper, Felix, Hilary, James M. and 
Sanson, and one daughter. Louisa. Mrs. 
Brunot died September's, 184.5, aged seventy- 
eight years. Two of the sons were educated 



as physicians, while others entered the legal 
profession, settling in different portions of 
the south. Sanson became a clergyman of 
the Episcopal Church, organized and officiated 
at a small church which his father built for 
him, on land which he also donated, and from 
which Christ Church, Allegheny, ultimately 
sprang. Afterward lie had a parish at 
Greensburg, and later at Blairsville. His 
health failing, lie went to Florida, organized 
an Episcopal church in Key West, which is 
now in a flourishing condition. 

HiL.\nT Brunot, son of Dr. Felix Brunot. 
was born in the city of Philadelphia, July 14, 
1795, in a house that is still standing on the 
banks of the Schuylkill. At an early age he 
entered the military academy at West Point, 
graduating in one of the first classes emanat- 
ing from that institution, and passing thence 
into the regular army. He served in the war 
of 1812, was wounded in the sortie at Fort 
Erie, and was afterward stationed at Fort 
Snelling, Mackinaw, Green Bay and New- 
port, Ky.. and later in the arsenal at Pitts- 
Ijurgh. He resigned his position in the army 
in 1825, and engaged successfully for many 
3'ears in the manufacture of white lead, occu- 
pying the whole square now covered by the 
Union depot, Pittsburgh. He retired from 
active business in 1850, and died March 26, 
1873. Mr. Brunot was a man of great forcit 
of character, an earnest Christian, one who 
led a blameless, upright life. He was promi- 
nent in religious and political circles, and 
served for many years as a member of coun- 
cil. Mr. Brunot married. May 6, 1819, Ann 
Tankard, daughter of Randell and Margaret 
Reville, of Newport, Ky., a family that early 
settled in Somerset county, Md. 

Mrs. Brunot was born Dec. 14, 1798, and 
died April 18, 1873. Eight children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Brunot, viz.: Felix R . 
Elizabeth M., Hilary J., Louisa, Ann, Melu- 
sina, Sophia and John. Of these Elizabeth 
M. became the wife of George Morgan, of 
Pittsburgh; Felix R. resides in Pittsburgh, 
and Hilary J. in Greensburg; all the others 
died in ear]3' life. 

Felix R. Brunot. In the van of promi- 
nent citizens in Pittsburgh stands this widely 
known, large-hearted philanthropist, whose 
name for over forty years has been intimately 
associated with the steel industry of that 



210 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



city. Ue was Ijorn Feb. 7. 1820, at the 
United States arsenal, Newport, Ky., and 
when an infant was l)ioiiglit by liis parents 
to Pitlsl)urgh. When foiulcen years of age 
he entered Jefferson College, at Cannons- 
burg, and at the close of bis collegiate cur- 
riculum he took up the profession of a civil 
engineer, which be followed until 1842. In 
that year he became interested in Mie milling 
business at Rock Island, 111., whither he 
removed, and in connection with the same he 
dealt in wheat and grain at Camden, on Hock 
river. Having accumulated a comfortable 
competence.he returned in 1847 to Pittsburgh, 
\yhere he permanently estal>lislied liimself, 
investinga portion of liis w-ealth in the steel- 
works founded in the following year by the 
firm of Singer, HartinanntV: Co., in which be 
became a silent partner, and he bas continued 
in connection with the same concern to the 
present day. An enthusiastic believer in the 
great value of education, and the importance 
of reading as a means of enlarging knowledge 
and strengthening character, Mr. Brunot 
became one of the chief movers in the work 
of founding the Mercantile librarj' in Pitts- 
burgh, an institution that, in an educational 
way, has accomplished a vast amount of 
good. During many years be was its presi- 
dent, and, apart from his labors in founding 
it, has aided very materially in its advance- 
ment during his long connection with its 
affairs. He was the projector of Library hall, 
and is still one of its managers. 

Mr. Brunot found more or less scope for 
the exercise of wise philanthropic effort, and 
at the opening of the war of the rebellion he 
bad already made for himself a name and 
fame, which, without another deed, would 
have long survived him. Though offered 
rank and militar}' command soon after the 
breaking out of hostilities, he declined tlie 
high honor tendered him, being conscious that 
lie could accomplish the greatest amount of 
good in the work of relieving the sick and 
wounded, a duty for which he was admirably 
fitted by nature and the training of his life, 
and the bloody battle of Shiloh became his 
first opportunity. From Pittsburgh to the 
field of carnage two relief-boats, laden with 
medicines and supplies, were sent, Mr. Bru- 
not being placed in command, a small army 
of nurses and surgeons accompanying him. 
At Pitt.sburgh Landing he began his noble 
work, and after rendering all possible aid 
returned witli the boats to Pittsburgh, having 
on board nearly four hundred sick and 
wounded. On this return trip he was him- 
self taken ill, being prostrated bj' his arduous 
labors, and suffering from blood-poisoning, 
which necessitated confinement to his home 
for several weeks. He was no sooner recov- 
ered, however, than he resumed with all bis 
soul and energy his self-appointed task. 
Wherever his services were In demand, thither 
with all speed would he proceed, heedless of 
danger and indifferent to personal inconven- 
ience. Early in the summer of 18G2 Mr. 
Brunot was placed at the head of a small 



corps of volunteer surgeons, medical cadets 
and othors, some twenty-five persons in all, 
and with them proceeded to the field. For 
several weeks they were engaged in their 
work of humanity at Savage station, when 
the battle of Gaines' Mills was fought. About 
this time McClellan's change of base had 
commenced. The Union troops, -with which 
were Mr. Brunot and his little band, were 
j ordered to retreat: and such was the suffer- 
ing among the wounded wlio had to be left 
behind, tliat Mr. Brunot had not the heart to 
abandon them, and so, with eleven of his 
faithful comrades, he remained and continued 
in his noble task. When the Union forces 
withdrew, the confederates took possession 
of the point where they were located at Sav- 
age station, and sliortly afterward the entire 
party were sent to Libby prison. Here Mr, 
Brunot was treated rather better than the 
others who were thrust into that awful pen, 
being permitted, as a ])hysician, to sleep in a 
room set aside for that class of prisoners. 
After an incarceration of some eight days he 
was exchanged at Savage station. During 
the remainder of the war his course was 
marked by unswerving devotion to the Union 
cause, and the termination of the struggle 
found him so debilitated by the arduous char 
acter of his services, and the effect of malarial 
poison, that he was ordered to give up every- 
thing and betake himself to Europe as the 
only chance of recovery. After traveling 
several months, attended by his devoted 
wife, he so far recovered as to be able to re- 
turn in the fall of 1865 to his native land. 

In 1868, w-hen President Grant, attempting 
to ameliorate the condition of the Indians, 
appointed the famous board of Indian com- 
missioners, he named Dr. Brunot first in the 
list, and he was cho.sen chairman of the board. 
Great good resulted from the investigations 
of the board, in the prosecution of which 
eminently philanthropic work Mr. Brunot 
took the most intense interest, and in spile of 
the many obstacles he had to contend against, 
brought about by conflicting interests at 
Washington, he was ever active, in season and 
out of season, in advocating the cause of the 
Indians, and apiiealing for justice for them. 
He visited the Indians in their homes, in 
Colorado. Wyoming, Montana, Oregon and 
Washington territories, counseling them the 
course to pursue for their best good, which 
advice the Indians were more disposed to 
follow when they found he was serving 
without compensation, and simph' in the 
interest of their welfare. 

Although working in such broad fields of 
philanthropy as those mentioned, Mr. Brunot 
has never been insensible to his obligations 
as a citizen of Pittsburgh, as is manifested l»y 
the hearty interest he has always taken in its 
affairs, and in the many valuable services he 
has rendered to the people and to the munici- 
pality. He is as active in business life as he 
was two decades ago, and holds directorship 
and trusteeshi]) in several leading corponi- 
tions, including the Bank of Pittsburgh, the 




I "/I" / 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



213 



Safe Deposit compauy, the Jlonongahela 
Navigation companj' and the Allegheny 
Cemetery Association. He is a prominent 
director of the Western Pennsylvania hos- 
pital and of the General Hospital of Alle- 
ghen}'; one of the managers of the Western 
University, and for many years has been an 
active member of St. Andrew's P. E. Church 
of Pittsburgh, of which he is senior warden. 
James Brown (deceased) was born at 
Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland, Feb. 10, 
1780. When seventeen j-ears old, having 
made three hundred pounds bj' trading in 
linen, lie .set out for America to purchase 
laud for a home for his father's family. He 
was attacked with ship fever on the way, and 
was put ashore on the Delaware, where he 
laj- ill for some time. Bj- the time he recov- 
ered his means were exhausted, and he pro- 
ceeded to Brooklj-n, N. Y., where he found 
employment in a confectionery-store. In 
1808 he came with his employer to Pitts- 
burgh, and became manager of the business 
to which he succeeded. His brothers hav- 
ing followed to America, they went into part- 
nership in the dry-goods business, which 
grew to be extensive, and was carried on by 
his sons in a wholesale way after his retire- 
ment. For fifty years Mr. Brown was a 
partner with James Varner (see his biog- 
raphy) in brewing ale. With George Mil- 
tenberger, the firm being Miltenberger &, 
Brown, he purchased the Wayne Iron- 
works, which were afterward operated by 
his sons, John H. and Joseph S., and now by 
sons of the former, J. Stewart and Henry. 
Mr. Brown was a large investor in real estate, 
much of which is still owned by his descend- 
ants. The borough of Mansfield stands on 
land which was owned by Mr. Brown, it 
being his summer home. He was one of the 
incorporators of the Bank of Pittsburgh, and 
was identified with numerous financial inter- 
ests, where his shrewd foresight came in 
demand. For nearly fifty years he dwelt on 
a lot purchased in Allegheny City in 1825, 
and here he died in November, 1874, in his 
ninety-fifth year. He was a member of the 
First Presbyterian Church of that city, and 
served in the borough and city councils. Al- 
though of a retiring disposition, he took 
great interest in the national welfare, and was 
an active supporter of the whig and subse- 
quent republican party. His wife, Mary, was 
a daughter of Mansfield Banton, a very early 
resident of Pittsburgh, and they had six 
sons: John, William, James, Mansfield, 
Henry and Jo.seph S., and several daughters, 
most of whom are now deceased. 

JiMES E. Breading (deceased), son of j 
Judge Nathaniel and Mary (Ewiug) Bread- 
ing, was born on Tower Hill farm, Luzerne i 
township, Fayette county. Pa., Oct. 19, 1789. I 
When quite young he entered upon his long i 
career as a merchant, at New Haven, in his 
native county, then the center of the largest 
and almost only iron interest west of the I 
mountains. He then removed to Browns- 
ville, where he pursued the same business 



until the death of his fatlier made it neces- 
sary for him to take charge of the Tower Hill 
farm, in 1821. In 1829 he removed to Pitts- 
burgh, where, in connection with his broth- 
er-in-law, George Hogg, and William Hogg 
(the uncle of George Hogg, both of Browns- 
ville), he embarked as a pioneer in the whole- 
sale trade in dry goods and groceries. This 
was the beginning in this county of a life of 
usefulness in the business enterprises of 
Pittsburgh and vicinity. Here, Ijy his recog- 
nized character for honesty and integrity, 
and his remarkable business capacity, he was 
eminently successful, securing the confidence 
I and respect of a large community with which 
he had business relations. He was for many 
years connected with a large mercantile 
establishment at St. Louis, as silent partner. 
i holding the leading position in the house. 
I Mr. Breading assisted Mr. Robert Dalzell in 
establishing the first iron-works at Sharps- 
burg, Pa., and was more or less connected 
with the iron interest here for many years. 
In connection with William and George 
Hogg he established Dalzell, Taylor & Co.. 
in the grocery business, in 1836, an enterprise 
that was successfully conducted for many 
years. In his earlier years Mr. Breading en 
gaged in merchandising at New Haveii, his 
partner being James Blaine, grandfather of 
James G. Blaine. He retired some years be- 
fore his death to enjoy that rest in the even- 
ing of his days to which his long life of 
activit}' entitled him. He was connected 
with the commissary department during 
Gen. (afterward President) William H. Har- 
rison's campaign against Tecumseh and his 
braves. 

He was married in 1820, and died without 
issue, in Allegheny City, Nov. 19, 1863, leav- 
ing to his wife his whole estate, which was 
quite large. His wife was Elizabeth Ewing, a 
daughter of William and Mary (Conwell) Sw- 
ing, natives of Luzerne township, Fayette 
county. Mrs. Breading was born Julj' 9, 
1799, and now resides at Emsworth, near 
Pittsburgh, passing her j'ears in domestic 
quiet, her life being now given, as her earlier 
days were, in a great measure, to literallj- 
doing good to others and proving herself 
a good Samaritan, providing a home for 
the poor of her household, and commanding 
the respect and affections of all who know 
her. Her father and her husband's father 
were gentlemen of great force of character, 
very prominent in the growth and common 
welfare of the countrj' in their days. 

Mrs. Breading was one of the originators 
of the Home of the Friendless in Allegheny 
City, Pa., which institution has been of great 
service in relieving the poor and friendless 
and providing a refuge for the many unfort- 
unate and homeless children, and those of 
our soldiers of the late war in particular. 

Thomas Shields Clarke, the subject of 
this sketch, was born at Cannonsburg, Pa., 
Jan. 18, 1801, and passed away at his home 
in Oakland, Pittsburgh, Oct. 19, 1867. 
Thomas Clarke, his grandfather, was born in 



214 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



County Aulriiu, Iielautl, iinil came lo Amei- 
ica in 1771. settling on a farm on Brandywine 
creelc, near Chadsford, and about six miles 
from Wilmington, Del. Here be resided 
daring the revolutionary war. At tbe battle 
of the Brandywine in 1777, which was so dis- 
astrous to the cause of American patriots, a 
brigade under the command of Gen. Proctor 
encamped on his farm, and Gen. Lafayette 
made his headcjuarters at his house for some 
weeks. Having joined Gen. Proctor's com- 
mand, he was made a prisoner by the British 
and held till after the retreat of the Amer- 
icans, when he was released. Soon after the 
war closed he sold his farm, taking conti- 
nental money in payment, mucii of which 
afterward became worthless, and is still in 
the possession of his descendants. A few 
j'ears after the revolutionary war he removed 
from Delaware to Washington county, Pa., 
where he died, his remains being deposited [ 
in tbe cemeter)- at Cbartiers Presbyterian , 
Church, Cannonsburg. Pa. His wife, nee 
Martha Stuart, a native of Lanarkshire, Scot- 
land, whom he married before coming to this i 
countrj-, preceded him to tbe same resting- 
place by a few years. Before coming to 
Western Pennsylvania they bad adhered to 
the Established t'hurch of England, but joined 
the Presbyterian Church, under Rev. John 
Jlcilillan, D. D., soon after making their ' 
home at Washington. Of their numerous 
children William, father of Thomas S., set- ! 
tied at Cannonsburg, where he engaged in I 
mercantile business and was the "village ] 
squire." His wife, nee Agnes Shields, was a 
daughter of Mathew Shields, of Chambers- | 
burg. Pa. In 1804 they removed to Beaver. 
Pa. 

After Thomas S. Clarke had completed 
his education at Jefferson College (Cannons- \ 
burg), he spent a short period as clerk with 
his uncle Robert at Brownsville, Pa., and in 
1819 went to Wheeling, Va., where he was 
employed in the forwarding-bouse of Knox 
& McKee, being on the great commercial 
highway of the olden time (the "National 
Pike") for transportation to the west, which 
held its supremacy over Pittsburgh until the 
completion of the Pennsylvania state works. 
He was sent with a bargeload of produce to 
New Orleans in 1824. and sailed thence to New 
York, arriving in time to learn that John 
Quincy Adams had been elected president by 
Congress. In 1825 he came to Pittsburgh 
and opened a branch house of Knox, McKee 
ifc Co., the style of firm being McKee, Clarke 
& Co. Soon after tbe opening of the canal, 
in 1833, Mr. Clarke became a member of the 
firm of D. Leech & Co., the first to operate 
through freight and passenger lines on the 
state works. In 1834, with Capt. John Van- 
dergrift, he put in operation the first stern- 
wheel steamer on the Ohio river, named the 
Beaver, and made daily trips between tbe 
village of that name and Pittsburgh. This 
line was subsequently extended to Wellsville, 
and a steamer beariug the name of that vil- 
lage was added. Mr. Clarke also became 



interested in a line of freight-boats to New 
Castle before tbe completion of the canal to 
Erie, thus nfacbing out for the northwest 
trade. In 1842, with his brother-in-law. Will- 
iam Thaw, he formed the firm of Clarke ifc 
Thaw, and in \>*i3 resumed operations cm the 
canal, establishing the Pennsylvania & Ohio 
line with bt)ats and cars on the slate works. 
This enterprise was profitable up to the year 
18o5, when the Pennsylvania railroad made 
inroads on the business. At this perioil Mr. 
Clarke a.ssoeiated him.self with a new firm 
under the old name of Leech & Co., his Pitts- 
burgh associate lieing George Black and his 
Philadelphia associates W. F. Leech and 
George W. Harris. At this period the Penn- 
sylvania railroad secured the services of 
this firm, with their vast transportation expe- 
rience, to take cliarge of its western fn-ight 
business to gather freight from all points in 
tbe west; also to transfer the same at Pitts- 
burgh. Other business engagements requir- 
ing Mr. Black's entire time and attention, at 
the end of nine months he retired from the 
firm, William Thaw becoming his successor. 
Prior to this connection with the Pennsyl- 
vania railroad the firm were large owners of 
steamboats on the western waters, among 
the most im]iortant being tbe palatial daily 
line of sidewheel boats between Pittsburgh 
and Cincinnati, extending to Louisville. St. 
Louis and New Orleans. The books of the 
firm contained the names of one hundred 
steamers in which the firm owned a partial or 
total interest. Through those interests Mr. 
Clarke made a comfortable fortune. 

While accumulating a competency. Mr. 
Clarke found means and time for many un- 
ostentatious acts of charity. He contributed 
liberally to the churches and to charitable 
societies, his gifts being freely offered; and 
when civil war swept over the land bis heart 
and purse were at the service of his countrx-. 
His kindly nature revealed itself to all with 
whom he came in social contact, and the 
duties of an active and laborious business 
never chilled or made indifferent his warm 
heart. To this rare trait were added quick 
perception, decision, integrity and untiring 
energy. On July 5. 1831. ilr.'Clarke married 
Eliza.daugbter of John Tbaw.awoman whose 
life-companionship was an ideal one in all the 
relations of wife and mother. Much to his 
sorrow, she was called away Aug. 11. 18(54. 
Two children survive him; Charles J., who 
was many years his father's partner, and 
Agnes Shields, wife of Ellas D. Kennedy, of 
Philadelphia. 

HoK. Harm.\r Denny. Mr. Denny was 
born at Pittsburgh, Pa., May 13. " 1794. 
He was the eldest son of Maj. Ebenezer 
Denny, a revolutionary patriot and first 
mayor of Pittsburgh. His mother, Nancy 
(Wilkins) Denny, was a daughter of Capt. 
John Wilkins. also of revolutionary fame, 
and a sister of William Wilkins. L'nited 
States senator, minister to Russia, and secre- 
tar}- of war. He was named for (^en. 
Harmar, a bosom friend and brother officer 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



215 



of the father. He was educated at Dickin- 
son College, where he ifraduated in 1813, and 
read law and was admitted to the bar in 
XoTcmber, 1816. He was subsequently 
taken into partnership with Henry Baldwin, 
with whom he had studied, and who after- 
ward became a jud^e of the United States ' 
supreme court. Mr. Denny soon attained a 
high rank as a lawyer, and was intrusted i 
with responsible positions in state and \ 
nation. He was elected to the state legisla- 
ture where he exercised a commanding 
influence. He was elected a member of the 
national Congress, in which body he serveci 
from Dec. 7, 1829, to March 3, 1837. In 183i 
he was elected a member of the convention \ 
called to revise the constitution of Pennsyl- 
vania and in that body, composed, as it 
was, of the ablest men in the state, he 
labored with untiring zeal and industry, and 
was gratified with seeing many of the 
provisions which he advocated incorporated 
in that instrument. Perceiving the necessity 
to the prosperity of his uativecily for en- 
larged means of communication with the 
seaboard, he strongly advocated the con- 
struction of the Pennsylvania railroad, and 
subsequently became president of the Pitts- 
buro-h & Steubenville railroad. He encour- 
aged the importation and improvement of 
farm-stock and the use of improved imple- 
ments in agriculture. The cause of education 
found in him an unwavering friend. He was 
a trustee of the Western University of 
Pennsylvania, and one of the board of 
examiners, as also a director of the Western 
Theological Seminary in Allegheny City. 
He was elected in 1848 a member of the 
American Philosophical society. In 1850 he 
was nominated to fill the unexpired term in 
Congress caused by the resi.^nation of Moses 
Hampton, but declined. He was a member 
of the electoral college which chose Gen. 
Harrison president in 1840. In early lite he 
became a member of the First Presbyterian 
Church of Pittsburgh, during the ministry 
of Rev. Dr. Herron, and being possessed of 
an ample fortune in addition to his eminent 
talents and piety, it rendered his church 
relation one of great usefulness. On April 
13, 1829, he was ordained a ruling elder, 
which position he held till the close of his 
life. In the church sessions and higher 
courts his deliverances, though modestly 
given, commanded great respect. At the 
inauguration of the Allegheny county aux- 
iliary of the American Bible society, in 1818, 
he was elected its first president. While a 
member of Congress he was iin active mem- 
ber of the congressional prayer-meeting. 

He married, Nov. 25, 1817. Miss Elizabeth 
F. O'Hara, daughter of Gen. James and 
Mary (Carson) O'Hara, and their children 
and several of their grandchildren have fol- 
lowed in the pious footsteps of their parents. 
Mr. Denny's life was not a long one, but 
an eminently active and useful one. After 
a lingering and painful illness he died, Jan. 
29 1853, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. 



The following paragraph from the " Pres- 
byterian Encyclopedia," from wliich many 
of the facts contained in this memoir have 
been drawn, may with propriety close this 
sketch; "His character was well established 
and symmetrical. No one ever questioned 
his rigid integrity, his profound sense of 
honor and honesty, the moral purity of his 
life or the perfect sincerity of hi.s religious 
professions. He was a person, too, of very 
prepossessing features, whose appearance, 
however, had become prematurely venerable. 
He was erect and gentlemanly in his bearing, 
and though somewhat reserved and dignified, 
yet a man of genuine modesty and amiability, 
entirely free from all pretension and eminently 
kind and affable. In the several spheres of 
life—domestic, social, civil and ecclesiastical 
—he was truly and impressively a good man, 
and his life was without reproach." 

Maj. Ebenezer Denny. Ebenezer Denny, 
an officer in the revolutionary war, in the 
expeditions of Harmar and St. Clair against 
the western Indians, and in the war 
of 1813, was born at Carlisle, Cumberland 
county, Pa., on the 11th of March, 1761. 
being the eldest son of William Denny and 
Agnes (Parker) Denny. The mother was 
possessed of marked energy and intelligence, 
and a devout Christian. She was accustomed 
to attribute the preservation of her son 
amid perils by sea and in the hour of battle 
' to a gracious providence, but her friends, to 
'■ the fervent prayers of that pious mother. 
' At the early age of thirteen he was intrusted 
with dispatches for the commandant at Fort 
Pitt, crossing the Alleghany mountains 
alone, lying out in the woods at niglit. He 
was described at this time as "a slender, fair, 
blue-eyed, red-haired boy." In two of these 
expeditions across the mountains he was 
i chased into Fort Loudon by the Indians. 
For a time he was employed in his father's 
store at Carlisle, but learning that a letter of 
marque was about to sail from Philadelphia 
for the West Indies,he shipped as a volunteer. 
; In the stirring encounters with the enemy he 
was always so brave and trustworthy that he 
was promoted to command the quarter-deck. 
He was about to ship for a second voyage 
when he received a commission as ensign in 
the 1st Pennsylvania regiment in the con- 
tinental arniv, which he promptly accepted, 
abandoning his purpose of further following 
the sea. The army was now on the march to 
shut up Cornwallis at Yorktown and work 
the beginning of the end of the Revolution. 
Near Williamsburg his regiment had an en- 
counter with the British partisan Simcoe. In 
his journal Denny says: "Here for the flr.st 
time saw wounded men; the sight sickened 
me " As the American army closes around 
the British, he says; "Army encamped on 
the bank of the James; part of French fleet 
in full view." On the 14th of September he 
says; "Gen. Washington arrived; our brigade 
was paraded to receive him. Officers all 
pay their respects. He stands in the door, 
takes every man by the hand; the officers all 



216 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



pass in receiving his salute and shake. This 
the first time I had seen the general." Siege- 
operations were at once commenced; the 
fighting became very warm on all sides, and 
the siegeworks were pushed with great 
vigor. "Easy digging," he says; "light sandy 
ground. A shell from one of the French 
mortars set fire to a British frigate; she 
burned to the water's edge and Itlcw up; 
made the earth shake." On the 17th, he says: 
" Had the pleasure of seeing a drummer 
mount the enemy's parapet, and heat a 
parley, and immediately an officer, holding 
up a white handkerchief, made his appear- 
ance. An officer from our lines ran and met 
the other, and tied the handkerchief over 
his eyes," and thus was that great event, the 
surrender of Cornwallis, soon accomplished. 
When the terms of capitulation were defi- 
nitely agreed on. Ensign Denny was desig- 
nated to plant the first American flag upon 
the British parapet. He was subsequently 
with Gen. St. Clair in the Caroliuas, and at 
Charleston during its investment and after 
its evacuation; but hostilities were now sub- 
stantially over, and the long, dreary revo- 
lutionary war was at an end. In the subse- 
quent campaigns against the western Indians, 
conducted by Clark, Harmar and St. Clair, 
Maj. Denny bore a conspicuous and at times 
confidential part, being adjutant to Harmar 
and aid-de-camp to St. Clair. In the signal 
and disastrous defeat of the army under 
Gen. St. Clair on the ^th of Xovember, 1791, 
Maj. Denny was everywhere in the midst of 
danger and death, but escaped unharmed. 
When all was over and the surviving rem- 
nants of the army had been brought oflf, 
Maj. Denny was dispatched to carry intelli- 
gence of the great disaster to Gen. Washing- 
ton, then president. The general was enter- 
taining a party at dinner that evenini;, and 
sent his secretary to receive the dispatcli, but 
the aid refused to deliver it to the hands of 
any but Washington in person, such being 
his orders. When the president had read 
far enough to discover the nature of the bad 
news he broke into a violent passion, and it 
is asserted that some very bad words escaped 
the lips of our Washington. In 1794 Denny 
Was commissioned captain, and dispatched 
in command of a detachment, to protect the 
commissioners in laying out the town of 
Presqu' Isle, now Erie; but he was turned 
back when arrived at Le Boeuf, on account 
of objections by representatives of the Six 
Nations to having this point occupied at that 
time. Maj. Denny had married, on the 1st 
of July, 1798, Miss Nancy Wilkins, a 
daughter of Capt. John Wilkins, Sr.. orig- 
inally of Carlisle, but now of Pittsburgh 
During the years 1795-96 he resided with his 
family on his farm, six miles from the city 
up the Monongahela river. While here he 
was a candidate for the legislature, but was 
defeated. In 1796 he was elected one of the 
commissioners of Allegheny county, when 
he returned to Pittsburgh, having disposed 
of Ins farm. In 1803 he was elected as the 



first treasurer of the county, and again in 
1808 In 1804 he was appointed a director of 
the branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania 
establisiied that year at Pittsburgh, the first 
bank west of the mountains. He was one of 
the original members of the Society of the Cin- 
cinnati. Maj. Denny was a prouiinent mem- 
ber of the I irst Presbyterian Chur.di of Pitts- 
burgh, was one of its trustees, was the first 
president of the " Moral Society," formed iu 
1809, was influential in securing the estab- 
lishment of the Western Theological school 
in Allegheny City, and Mrs." Kichbaum 
remembers Mr. Dennv and her father Mr 
Johnston, sitlingat the door of the church to 
receive the contributions of the worshii)ers as 
they entered, an old Scotch custom. On the 
1st of May, 1806. Mrs. Denny died, in her 
lil'.^Jy"'^''*' y^'"'' leaving three sons, Harmar 
\\ lUiam and St. Clair; and two daughters 
the youngest an infant, which survived 
but a few days. In the war of 1812 Maj 
Denny was commissary of purchases for 
troops on the Erie and , Niagara frontier 
pushing forward supplies in emergencies 
though at great personal pecuniary sacrifice' 
waiving the thirty days' limit allowed him 
by his contract. When the city of Pittsburgh 
was incorporated, on the 18th of March 
1816, he was elected its first maj'or In the 
summer of 1S3J, while on a visit with his 
only daughter to Niagara, he was taken ill 
and with difflcultv reached his home where 
he died on the 21st of July, 1822, in the 
sixty-first 3'ear of his age. 

William Eicub.^u.m. William Eichbaum 
one of the most jirominent of the early citi- 
zens of Pittsburgh, was born at Monte Cenis 
Burgundy, June 25. 1787. and died at his 
residence, 139 Wvlie street, on Sabbath 
morning, Dec. 30, 1866, in his eightieth year 
His father, William Peter Eichbaum came 
to the United States just before the French 
revolution. His life had been an eventful 
one. Born at Altenach, Saxcny, his wife an 
English woman, having eight children born 
to them, he had immigrated to Burgundy at 
the invitation of Louis XVI, to assist in estab- 
lishing glass-manufactories in that province 
Having immigrated to Philadelphia in 1793, 
he crossed the Alleghany mountains in 1797' 
and became a resident" of Pittsburgh and 
manager of the glassworks just then erected 
by O'Hara & Craig below Jones' ferry on 
the south bank of the Monongahela "river 
thus standing among the foremost of the 
pioneers, and notably of the German pio- 
neers of the immense business now carried on 
in Pittsburgh and vicinity in the manufact- 
ure of glass. The son, William, from being 
the first apprentice to the bookbinding busi- 
ness in Pittsburgh, in the establishment of 
Cramer & Spear, became a partner in tlie 
firm. Before steamboats were invented he 
voyaged with Mi: Cramer to Louisville in an 
open boat. The firm connected printiue; and 
book-publishing with the bindery, thus fur- 
nishing reading-matter to the new settlements. 
Tales, religious works and books of travel 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



217 



were among their publications, copies being 
still occasionally met with. Mr. Eichbaum 
was deeply concerned for the business pros- 
perit}' of his adopted city, and freelj- invested 
his means in enterprises which would bring 
to it commercial advantages, in the commis- 
sion business with S. F. Von Bonuhorst, in 
the Point Steam Mill Cracker Bakery, and 
in the foundry business with Mr. McHendry. 
He was also a stockholder in fire-insurance 
companies in Pittsburgh. 

But beyond question the most important 
of the business enterprises in which he was 
engaged was that of securing the slackwater 
navigation of the Monongahela river. With- 
out it.Pittsburgh could never have made such 
rapid strides in growth and business pros- 
perity as it has. It is in part the realization 
of that dream which Washington fondly in- 
dulged in, of uniting the navigation of the 
Potomac with that of the Ohio. As early as 
March 24, 1817, an act was passed author- 
izing tlie incorporation of a company. But 
the majority of the citizens, at that early 
day, regarded those who advocated such a 
scheme as little short of lunatics. But Mr. 
Eichbaum was one of those who never 
3'ielded in his devotion to an enterprise 
which he regarded as feasible, and which 
would prove useful to the public. Hence, he 
allowed no discouragement to daunt him in 
his efforts, and with his associates, Thomas 
and .John P. Bakewell, Morgan Robertson and 
Alfred Curling, he was unceasing in studying 
the methods of procedure, and in preparing 
for the public press skillfully devised para- 
graphs which should lead the minds of his 
fellow-citizens in its favor. Finally, afterthe 
lapse of twelve years, in 1839, a survey of the 
project was authorized, and seven years later, 
in 1836, the final act of incorporation was 
passed, and what at the outset had been re- 
garded as a wild and visionary scheme 
became a realitj', leading in its train pros- 
peritj' and riches untold. In recognition of 
his valuable services in bringing the enter- 
prise to a successful issue he was honored 
with the position of the first president of the 
company after its permanent organization. 

Mr. Eichbaum enjoyed the confidence and 
esteem of the public in a remarkable degree. 
He was of the committee appointed by the 
citizens for the reception of Lafayette on his 
visit to Pittsburgh in 1824, For many years 
he was the efficient head of the fire depart- 
ment. On the occasion of the centennial 
celebration of the birth of Washington he 
was made chairman of the committee to con- 
duct it. From 1833 to 1833 he held the posi- 
tion of postmaster of Pittsburgh, and it was 
while holding this office that his generous 
and accommodating disposition won for him 
that endearing esteem which he continued 
to enjoy through life, and which has been 
the theme of extravagant panegyric among 
those who recall his goodness of heart since 
his death. He was elected to and retained 
in each branch of the city councils as long as 
eligible, and then transferred, by the votes 



of the people, alternately for twenty-two 
consecutive years. In 1858 he was elected 
city treasurer, and held the office until his 
decease, in 1866, a period of eight years. To 
return to his business relations, in the great 
fire of April 10, 184.5, Mr. Eichbaum, who 
was now possessed of an ample fortune, was 
stricken with almost overpowering force, 
losing nearly everything he had. " He met 
the consequences, however," says a writer 
of the public press at the time of his death, 
"with fewer regrets than would be possible to 
most men. He had large resources in his 
conscious honor, in the esteem of his fellow- 
citizens, the companionship of his thoughts, 
books and friends, a mind stored with prin- 
ciples and facts, and trained to reflection, and 
large and practical views of divine provi- 
dence, which enabled him to discern bless- 
ings in the disguise of adversities. His 
experiences of Christianity were, though 
private, eminently devout. Accustomed to 
private devotion, and expressing his freedom 
from the fear of death, since Christ was such 
a Savior, he had been long accustomed to 
look on his dissolution with composure." 

Mr. Eichbaum displayed marked invent- 
ive genius. To his active brain is due 
the machine that supplied faint-rnled letter- 
paper in the west. At first he was unable to 
to prepare his ink properly to take the right 
effect. Befriending an expert bookbinder 
from the old world on his way to Louisville, 
who knew the secret, but who was bound by 
his profession to guard the knowledge, or 
only to impart it on payment of a stipulated 
extravagant price, he said to Mr. Eichbaum: 
" I can not reveal the secret, and 3'ou have 
not the money to pay for it; but you have 
acted the good Samaritan by me, and I will 
give 3'OU a hint. Mix with your ink a cer- 
tain small part of a very large animal." For 
many days his brain was racked to know 
what that "small part of a very large ani- 
mal " could be. Passing through the market 
one day he bethought him of oxgall. Pro- 
curing one and incorporating it with his Ink, 
it caused it to fly and be diffused over the 
paper. He finally had the secret. Mr. Eich- 
Ijaum also discovered the secret of manufact- 
uring Russia sheet-iron, and held the patent- 
right of the planished rolls, but, owing to 
his advanced age, never made use of the 
invention. In conjunction with Henry Mc- 
Carthj;, he introduced the exceedingly useful 
invention of patent locks, used in the Sault 
Ste. Marie ship-canal, the Monongahela 
slackwater, and the dams of Green and Duck 
rivers, Ky. 

In closing this brief notice we quote, from 
the writer above referred to, the following 
paragraph: "His venerable form has long 
been a landmark in our commuuity to a 
younger generation of citizens that have 
grown up around him. while so many of those 
who were his contemporaries, and who with 
him helped to create the history of these two 
cities, have passed awa)' before him. For 
sixty years of active manhood he has been 



218 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



idenlifiod with the wonderful developments 
of Pittsbui);h and its vicinity. He lived 
here, as boy and man, seventy years. lie 
came when ten years old. when Fort Pitt 
was a small outpost of civilization, contain- 
ing but ninety-seven houses. He .«:iw it 
expand inio a great and populous mart of 
civilization, commerce and manufactures. 
and was among the foremost of the men of 
his generation who helped by their intelli- 
gence and enterprise to make it such, and to 
create tlie wealth that employs and feeds 
these hundreds of thousands. Ijookingbaek 
over this long and eventful history, he could 
have said, with xEueas, 'Oiniiui vidi, purs 
fui.' " 

.Iosi.\H Copley was the fourth child of 
Samuel and Jane (Sibbet) Copley, and was 
born in Shippeusbnrg, Pa., Sept. 20, 1803. 
His grandfather was a woolen-manufacturer 
in Leeds, England, and a man of broad 
views, sympathizing with the colonies in 
their struggle against the mother-country. 
His four sons settled in this couutrj' while 
young, -the elder two, .John and Samuel, ar- 
riving in 1792. Samuel did business for a 
short time in Massachusetts, and went from 
there to Pittsburgh, Pa., purchasing prop- 
ertj' which is now in the heart of the citj'. 
Desiring to return to England, he sold out, 
but, changing his mind, he entered into the 
manufacture of textile fabrics with his 
brother .John, in Shippensburg, Pa., where 
he was married, his wife being a North-of- 
Irelaud Presbj'terian, and a woman of strong 
character, to whose teachings and example 
Josiah attributed much of his own religions 
nature. Sliorth' after the birth of Josiah 
his father engaged in the woolen-mauufact- 
ure in Blairsville. in which he was unsuc- 
cessful. This fact preyed upon his mind, 
and he died in 1813, in poverty. 

Josiah, in 1818. was bound out to John 
McCahan, of Indiana, Pa., who printed and 
published a small weekly journal called the 
American. The boy was at this time in his 
fifteenth year, and was bound to serve until 
he was twenty-one. For the first three years 
he was engaged to spend one-half his time in 
carrying the mail on horseback, bis employer 
being a mail-contractor as well as a printer. 
This work was sometimes dangerous, often 
disagreeable, owing to the furious storms, 
high water and similar characteristics of a 
wild country. The experience, however, 
was valuable to the young man, as it induced 
much of the meditative habit of thought and 
power of close observation which were marked 
cliaracteristics of Mr. Copley. In 1825 the 
young printerentered into business in Kittan- 
ning in partnership with John Croll, publish- 
ing the Kittanning Giizette. This he continued 
for eight years, the last four alone. During 
this period, in 1826, he was married to Mrs. 
Margaret Chadwick Haas, daughter of his 
uncle. Mr. Sibbet, and widow of a young ph)'- 
sician of Philadelphia. The Kittanning 
paper was a success from the start, and 
determined Mr. Coplej-'s career, and for the 



remainder of his life he was always con- 
nected with newspapers, l)oth secular and 
religious. He gained most prominence from 
his connection with the Pittsburgh Ouziltt. 
which began in Wix and lasted two years, 
when his liealth failed and he removed to 
Ai)pleby Manor. Here he superintended a 
fariu and a manufacturing cstal)lishment. but 
continued to write for various newspapers, 
and also issued a numl)er of pamphlets. At 
this time lie made a collection of his religious 
writings, under the title of '■Tbou2hls of 
Favored Hours." From 1830 to 18.52 he was 
again on the staff of the Pittsburgh Otizette, 
but ill health again compelled him to retire. 
In 1860 he again removed to Pittsburgh 

The rebellion now broke out, and Mr. 
Copley had four sons in the Union arnij-. 
One, .John Sibbet, fell at the battle of South 
Mountain, ild., in September, 1862: another 
son, Albert, was wounded at the battle of 
Stone river, Tennessee, taken prisoner, and 
died from exposure and privation duriugcap^ 

' tivity, and now lies in an unknown grave; 
yet another son was taken prisonerat Chicka- 
mauga in 1863. and went thltnugh the untold 

: horrors of Libliy prison and Castle Thunder. 
Danville and Andersonville, as well as pris- 
ons in North and South Carolina. 

i Meanwhile Mr. Coplej- had again begun 
work upon the Pittsburgh Giizttte staflf, win- 
ning a wide reputation as a clear and strong 

1 writer. He remained iu this position until 
advancing years compelled his retirement. 

j but even afterward he continued his contri- 
butions to the Gazette, as the spirit moved 
liini. He became better known, however, 
as a contributor to the religious press, writing 
much for the Presbyterian Banner. United 
Pz-e^i^^ma?; and other papers. He possessed 
a wonderful command of language, and 
though slow of speech could write rapidly 
and without needing correction, always 
employing the purest English. In politics, 
Mr. Copley was a conservative abolitionist 
before the war, and afterward a republican; 
he also took a strong interest in the temper- 
ance cause. In religious iielief he was a 
Presbyterian, uniting with that church in 
early life. He was not bigoted, however, 
but recognized the several evangelical de- 
nominations as oulj- other divisions of one 
grand army. 

So late as Christmas. 1884, Mr. Copley 
published in the United Presbyterian a paper 
entitled "A Crippled Translation." in which 
he set forth his belief that the 71st and 73d 
Psalms were revelations of both the resurrec- 
tion of the body and the consciousness of 
the everlasting existence of the soul. In 
1878 he published a volume entitled "Gath- 
erings in Beulah." Bunyan's "Pilgrim's 
Progress" seems to have been, next to the 
Bible, the book that Mr. Coplej' most loved 
and read. 

In November. 1884, after a life of more 
than fourscore j-ears, it was seen that the 
end was near. As his body failed his spirit 
seemed to grow stronger and his intelligence 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



219 



to shiue brighter. He died in the evening of 
March 3, 1885, his only fear being that he 
was too anxious for his release and for his 
entrance into that better -world be habitvially 
contemplated as his final home. In 188(5 a 
colled ion from Mr. Copley's writings was 
made, with an inti'oduction by Rev. S. H. 
Kellog!,'. D. D.. and published by A. D. F. 
Randolph, under the title " Gathered 
Sheaves." There are sixty-nine different 
articles in this work, most of them being of 
a religious character. Among those of a 
secular character is one entitled "Recollec- 
tions of Boyhood," in which Mr. Copley sets 
forth many of his peculiar experiences, going 
back as far as 1810. Other papers in the 
Tolume are somewhat singular for specula- 
tions and investigations into primeval and 
ancient history. An article on "Scriptural 
Revision," giving a historj' of the English 
Bible and of the work of translation in 
different hands, is important as setting forth 
Ills .iudgment concerning the great value of 
the revised interpretation of the Bible. Mr. 
Copley's mind was broad enough to enter- 
tain ideas upon a great variety of different 
subjects, and his intelligence shrewd enough 
to make his views on the subjects he chose 
of importance to the reading community. 
Taking him all in all, not many general 
writers for the press have gained so higl^ a 
reputation for dignified, conscientious and 
noble work as Josiah Cople\'. 

Hon. Thomas Mellon^ Thomas Mel- 
lon, one of the oldest and best-known citi- 
zens of Pittsburgh, was born Feb. 3, 
1813. in the Parish Cappigh, County Tyrone, 
Ireland. His ancestors on the father's side 
were from Scotland, and on the mother's 
side they were Hollanders, farmers on 
both sides, who emigrated to the north 
of Ireland in the times of Cromwell and 
the Prince of Orange. They were note- 
worthy only for their thrift, industrj^ and 
intelligence. Mr. Mellon's parents left Ire- 
land and arrived in the United States in 1818, 
when he was but five years of age, and set- 
tled on a farm near Murrysville, Westmore- 
land county, Pa. He learned to read at his 
mother's knee, and to her affectionate cai-e 
and wise counsels he attributes in great 
measure whatever success in life he has 
achieved. Until he reached the age of thir- 
teen the only schooling he had was about 
four months each winter in the country 
school, as was the custom of that day in the 
rural districts. In his thirteenth year, how- 
ever, his father allowed him a session at the 
Westmoreland county academy. Every 
county at that time had its academy, which 
then held the same relation to the common 
schools which the high-schools do now. The 
principal of the academy, Thomas Will, was 
a fine classical scholar, and instilled into his 
pupil higher aspirations than comported with 
the drudgery of the farm. And it was at 
the critical time when the important question 
— vitally important to every boj- — pressed on 
him, the question of occupation for life. 



His father was decidedly in favor of farming. 
He considered it the occupation of all others 
most honorable and independent, as well as 
most useful, and prided himself on being 
able to give each of his children a farm when 
the time should come for starting them out 
for themselves. It was therefore painful to 
him to find his oldest son averse to his favor- 
ite theory. The son was loth to disappoint 
his father, however, and it was not until in 
his seventeenth j-ear that a fixed determina 
lion was arrived at. 

In 1833 he entered the Latin school of Rev. 
Jonathan Gill, in his own neighborhood, his 
father having removed to Allegheny county. 
Here he prepared himself for college, but 
his time was divided between farm-labor and 
Latin grammar, committing to memory the 
rules of syntax while following the plow. 
And to this promiscuous kind of rugged 
mental and muscular training, which here- 
ceived from childhood till nearlj' tweut3'-five 
3'ears of age, he attributes his uniform 
good health threugh life and vigor of body 
and mind now in his old age. In 1834 he 
entered the Western University' of Penns.yl- 
vania, tlicn in the imposing stone edifice on 
Fourth avenue wliich was destroyed by the 
great fire of 1845. The institution was in its 
prime, under the government of the cele- 
brated scholar and educator. Robert Bruce. 
D. D. Here he soon found it so eas}' to keep 
up with his class that in order to gain time 
he entered as a law student in the office of 
Hon. Charles Shaler, the leading lawyer of 
the Pitt.sburgh bar at the time, and he was 
admitted to the practice of law shortly after 
he graduated from the college with the de- 

§ree of Bachelor of Arts. He graduated in 
eptember, 1837, and was admitted to the 
bar in December, 1838. His rise at the bar 
was rapid, and the character of his practice 
of the best and most lucrative sort. The best 
evidence of this was the stajing qualities of 
his clients. When he went on the bench 
twenty years afterward nearly all those of 
the business-men of the citj' who had become 
his clients were still such. 

In 1843 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Sarah J. Negley, the daughter of one 
of the earlj' pioneers of the East End. and 
with her acquired an important addition to 
his increasing wealth; but the far more val- 
uable fortune which she brought him were 
the sterling qualities of a good wife and 
mother. To union with her he attributes his 
great share of domestic happiness. The 
fruit of the marriage was eight children, 
four of whom are surviving, and among the 
most energetic and prosperous business-men 
of the city. 

In 1859 Mr. Mellon's law practice had 
become so onerous as to threaten his health, 
and his friends advised him to accept the 
nomination for judge of the common pleas 
court No. 1. He was nominated and elected, 
and took his seat on the bench on the 39th of 
December of that year. He filled tlie position 
with great satisfaction to the bar and the 



220 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



public to the end of the judicial term of ten 
years, and was urged to become a candidate 
for re-election, but he considered that to con- 
tinue in office for another term would be too 
great a sacrifice of his private interests. 
Possessed of considerable estate, acquired by 
care and industry and judicious invest- 
ments while at the bar, and the estate derived 
by his wife, he could not i,'ive his property 
the care and attention which it demanded so 
long as he remained on the bench, and besides 
he had now two sons fresh from school and 
verging into manhood who were urgent for 
employment in some regular business, and he 
desired to be with them. " their Mentor and 
Telemachus and ever-faithful friend." .So 
he declined a renomination. and left the 
bench Dec. 29. 1869. Upon his retirement, 
the bar treated him to a sumptuous banquet, 
an honor before that time not conferred on a 
retiring judge of the lower courts. He did 
not go back to the bar. though he occasion- 
ally joined in the trial of suits where his 
own or the interests of his particular friends 
were involved; and in 1870 he established the 
banking-house of T. Mellon & Sons, which 
is now one of the most substantial private 
banks of the city, and is under the manage- 
ment of his sons Andrew and Dick. 

It is said of Judge Mellon, what can be 
said of few others, that throughout his long 
life he has never failed of success in anj- 
enterprise he ever seriously undertook. 
There are others who became suddenly 
possessed of greater wealth, but his fortune 
is the slow and steady growth of well-di- 
rected _ enterprise. In politics he was a 
republican, but never a zealous partisan, 
always voting for the candidates he deemed 
most deserving, and ever a vigorous opposer 
of bossism or ring-rule. In religion a Pres- 
byterian, according to the faith of his fathers, 
but of rather more liberal views, holding 
the Bible in itspresent state to be incomplete; 
that the great first volume, the book of nature, 
is wanting and should be restored to its 
proper place in the estimation of the relig- 
ious world; that nature was the first and 
always present and infallible revelation of 
God to man. 

Notwithstanding his burdensome profes- 
sional and private labors, he was at all times 
a great reader, and keeps abreast of the 
times in philosophy and literature of every I 
substantial variety, and now, in his seventy- ! 
seventh year, is believed to be as energetic i 
and vigorous mentally and physically ami as 
sound of judgment as at any former period 
of his life. j 

RiCHAnD Edwards. A well-known and I 
prominent figure among the business-men of 
Pittsburgh subsequent to 1830 was Richard 
Edwards, who was born Jan. 1. 1803. at Bing- i 
hamton. N. Y.. where he spent his voutli. 
He came to Pittsburgh in June, 1824. and 
entered, as a clerk, the dry-goods house of 
William Bell, whose wife was a distant 
relative. His energy, good address and 
business tact brought him rapid advance- . 



ment. and in 1828 he became a partner ir> 
the house. The firm did a large and suc- 
cessful business in Western Pensvlvania. 
and after fourteen years, in 1842, lie with- 
drew, to engage in tite manufacture of iron 
and nails with James Wood and William and 
James McKnight, under firm name of Wood, 
Edwards & McKnights. After si.x years of 
prosperous business the firm was dissolved, 
and Mr. Edwards engaged in the mamifact- 
ure of locks, latches and platform scales 
with David A. Morris, under finn name of 
Edwards & Morris. He continued in this 
business, with some change of partners, 
until 18.56, when he removed with his family 
to Dubuque, Iowa, where he became a mem- 
ber of the firm of C'liislett. Buckley & Co., 
who carried on an extensive business in hard- 
ware and iron throughout Northern Iowa. 
In 1862 he returned to Pittsburgh, and em- 
barked in the insurance business, securing 
the agency of several of the largest com- 
panies of the countrj'. In conjunction with 
ids son. Ogden M. Edwards, under firm name 
of R. Edwards ifc Son, a large business was 
built up, in which he continued till his death. 
Mr. Edwards was universally respected for 
his energy, good business capacity, sound 
judgment and unswerving integrity. He had, 
in a remarkable degree, the confidence of all 
who knew him. 

But it was through the religious side of 
his character that his influence was most 
strongly felt. Descended from a long line 
of devout ancestors, being a great-grandson 
of Jonathan Edwards, the renowned theolo- 
gian, the religious element in his character 
was the controlling force in his life. He was 
one of the original members of the Third 
Presbyterian Church, organized in 1833, and 
its first officer, having been elected a ruling 
elder before a pastor'had been chosen. He 
was for many years superintendent of the 
Sundaj'-schooj, labored energetically in the 
church work, and contributed most liberally 
to its pecuniary support. Probalily no one, 
except the pastor, did more than he to make- 
this church the power which it speedily be- 
came. On settling in Dubuque he took an 
active part in organizing and building the 
Second Presbyterian Church there, and was 
chosen an elder. On his return to Pittsburgh 
in 1862 he resumed his connection with the 
Third Presbyterian Church, and was again 
chosen an elder. In May, 1873, on changing 
his residence to the suburbs of the city, he 
became a member of the Shady Side Presby- 
terian Church, and continued in that relation 
to his death. As a Christian man Mr. 
Edwards was marked by the unswerving 
steadfastness of his belief in the vital doc- 
trines of Christianity; by the governing of 
his life and conduct by its principles;" by 
untiring energy in its service; by an unusual 
liberalitj' in money subscriptions, guided 
not by impulse but by principle; and by a 
cheerful readiness to obey the call of duty at 
whatever cost. One who knew him well 
said: "I never knew him to hesitate in the 




"y^Cu (pA^ 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



223- 



performance of duty, howevei' hard. He 
never seemed to think of himself." 

In 1838 he married Catharine Pond May, 
a sister of the wife of William Bell, his 
partner in business. In her he had a help- 
meet worthy, as wife, mother and Christian, 
of all the affection and honor which husband 
and children could bestow. They reared a 
family of seven children, all of whom became 
members of the Presbyterian Church, and 
one, Maurice Dwight Edwards, entered the 
ministry. Naturally a leader, he was often 
appealed to for advice and assistance, and 
never in vain. Although profoundly relig- 
ious, he was no ascetic, but enjoyed keenly 
all the innocent pleasures of life. Especially 
did he delight in social gatherings, where 
his frank, cordial manner, strong sense of 
humor, and warm human s}'mpathies made 
his presence alwa}'s welcome. The bare 
facts of his life give very little idea of the 
influence for good which he exercised over 
others, due to an assemblage of qualities 
unusual in one person, combined with an 
intense earnestness, whicli affected power- 
fully all who knew him. Some of Pitts- 
burgh's most successful men of a later 
generation could cheerfully acknowledge 
how much they owe to the stimulus of liis 
example. He died on the 18th of September, 
1884, in the eighty-second year of his age. 
leaving a memory fragrant with Christian 
faith and righteous living. 

Rev. Fr.\ncis Herron. D. D. Francis 
Herron was born near Shippensburg, Cum- 
berland county, Pa., June 38, 1774. He was 
of Scotch-Irish descent, and received his 
early training from his pious parents and in 
the schools of the period. In due course he 
entered Dickinson College, then under the 
presidency of Rev. Dr. Nisbet, and grad- 
uated May 5, 1794. His heart had already 
been touched by the grace of God. He ac- 
cordingly studied theologj' under his pastor. 
Rev. Robert Cooper, and was licensed to preach 
by Carlisle presbytery Oct. 4, 1797. His first 
service for his divine Master was performed 
while on a tour into the then western wilds 
of Pennsylvania and Ohio, which extended 
as far as Chillicothe, Ohio. Stopping for the 
night at a tavern at Six-Mile run, and it be- 
ing known that he was a clergyman, he was 
prevailed on to tarry till the Sabbath. This 
he consented to do, and here, under the 
shades of an apple-tree, the young disciple 
dispensed the word of life to the few scat- 
tered pioneers and their families who could 
be gathered in. Two nights he encamped 
with the Indians, who had quite a numerous 
settlement at Marietta and vicinity. On his 
return he preached at Pittsburgh to a congre- 
gation of eighteen persons in a log structure 
which occupied the identical ground where 
the First Presbyterian church-edifice n iw 
stands, and so primitive was the house that 
the swallows, which had built in the eaves, 
invaded the premises, and sailed about the 
heads of his hearers. He a.ssisted Rev. John 
McMillan at Chartiers and Buffalo churches 



in revival services. At the latter the people 
would have prevailed upon him to become 
their pastor, but lie declined. Returning to- 
the Cumberland valley, he was settled over 
the Rocky Spring Church, having been or- 
dained and installed April 9, 1800. His serv- 
ices among the pioneers of the west, and in 
the revival services in conjunction with that 
devoted servant. Dr. McMillan, proved emi- 
nently useful to him. He systematized his 
labors, holding regular prayer-meetings, es- 
tablishing a bible-class and giving catechetical 
instruction. For tea years he labored here. 
In the meantime, by the death of Rev. Rob- 
ert Steel, the pulpit of the First Church had 
become vacant. On the occasion of a visit 
to Pittsburgh Mr. Herron was invited to con- 
duct the services here. His fervent style of 
preaching pleased the people, and they gave 
him a unanimous call to become their pastor, 
which he accepted, and was admitted to the 
Redstone Presbytery on June 18, 1811. 

Pittsburgh at this period was beginning 
to assume great commercial and manufactur- 
ing prosperity, but the spiritual life of its 
people was at a low ebb. The }'oung pastor 
attempted to establish a prayer-meeting, but, 
strange as it may seem, some of his congre- 
gation opposed it. To avoid seeming to 
disregard their wishes, the meetings were not 
held in the church, but in a schoolhouse. 
But this did not satisfy them, and he -sfas 
finally waited on and told that these meetings 
must stop. His reply was characteristic of 
the godly man. He said; " Gentlemen, these 
meetings will not stop; you are at liberty to 
do as you please, but I also have the liberty 
to worship God according to the dictates of 
my conscience, none daring to molest or 
make me afraid." From that day a greater 
degree of zeal and devotion marked the daily 
living of pastor and people. 

Mr. Herron was not only a devoted man, 
but a common-sense man of affairs. A 
heavy debt, for those days, hung over the 
church property. Finally, in December, 
1813, it was sold by the sheriff'. The young 
pastor bid it in, on his own account, for 
i3,819. He then sold a portion of the lot to 
the Bank of Pittsburgh for §3,000, and after 
paying the purchase-money turned over the 
balance, $180, to the church treasuiy. la 
1825 the general assembly of the Presbj'te- 
rian Church resolved on establishing a theo- 
logical seminary somewhere in the west. 
Dr. Herron advocated its location in Alle- 
gheny City, and was successful in his efforts. 
For its establishment and successful opera- 
tion a vast amount of labor and judiciously 
directed effort had to be endured. From this 
he did not shrink, and to none more than to- 
him is the success of this enterprise due. In 
1837 Dr. Herron was elected moderator of 
the general assembly at its session in Phila- 
delphia, an honor well deserved, for he was 
now in the full maturity of his powers and 
in the development of manly strength and 
beauty. And now, more than ever before, 
were hisministrationsblessed, as the revivals 



224 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



of 1833 and 183") amply allesl. Until 1850 
lie couliimed to laljor; but now, having 
attained the age of seventy-six, he felt that 
he should be relieved, and accordingly 
pressed his resignation upon his people. 
This they consented to grant, provided 
he would accept of one thousand dollars 
yearly as long as he lived. He died on Dec. 
<J. 1800, in the eighty-sixth year of his life. 

In the centennial volume of the church he 
so long served is the following summing up 
of his character, with which this sketch may 
properly be closed: " As preacher, careful in 
preparation, biblical, experimental and al- 
ways impressive. As pastor, affectionate, 
accessible, persuasive and progressive in 
methods. As presbyter, a born leader in 
presbytery and synod, and moderator of the 
general assembly in 1827. As president, 
directing the board of directors of the West- 
ern Tlieological Seminary from its first meet- 
ing till- his death. As citizen, devoted to the 
city's interest, .jealous of its morals, helpful 
in "extending its churches, founding the first 
' Moral Association,' and holding the first 
temperance meetings. Dr. Herron's piety 
was marked. It was early, tender, strong, 
equable, yet stimulated by revivals, charac- 
terized no less by prayer than by active zeal. 
He was pre-eminently a man to mold the 
times. ' There are but two things in Pitts- 
burgh,' was once said, ' Dr. Herron and the 
■devil, and the doctor seems to be getting the 
advantage.' In personal majesty of presence 
unequaled, in influence commanding and 
magnetic. Equal to emergencies in church 
or city, with pronounced convictions and 
well-matured opinions, sound judgment and 
warm sympathies, of remarkable courage, and 
great practical wisdom. When he died all 
moiuned as for a father. Business and 
even the courts were suspended in his honor. 
Tributes of everj- description were paid to his 
worth. The tablet erected by a grateful peo- 
ple in 1874, the centennial of his birth, bears 
these closing words: ' Revered by the church 
he served and the city he adorned. ' " 

William McCollt. Prominent among 
the old business-men of Pittsburgh, whose 
careers of usefulness and honor have now 
been brought to a close by death, appears 
the name of AVilliam McCuUy. He was born 
near Shane's Castle, County Antrim, Ireland, 
about the j'ear 1800. When a mere child he 
was brought to America by his parents, who 
settled in Chartiers township, near the house 
of Robert Woods, Shortly after the family 
removed to .Jack's run, where his father, 
Thomas McCully, died, and was buried in 
Trinity churchyard. Hie tombstone is still 
standing. 

William McCully received only the rudi- 
ments of an ordinary common-school educa- 
tion, and first began to learn the trade of a 
glass-blower with Thomas Bakewell. on the 
site of the present B. & O. R. R. depot, at 
the foot of Grant street, blowing flint-glass 
only. He learned to blow window-glass at 
the O'Hara works on the South Side, opposite 



the Point, In connection with Capt. -John 
Hay, he erected a flint-glass factory at the 
foot of Nineteenth street, on Railroad street, 
and continued there until the works were 
submerged in the flood of 1832, when he with- 
drew, and Capt. Hay continued to o])erate 
them alone. In 1833 he built the factory 
now standing at the corner of Sixteenth and 
Liberty streets, where he made green and 
black bottles. In 1S34 he became interested 
with William .lohnsen in a window-glass 
factory at Monongahela City, and in 1836 
the firm of William McCully it Co. was 
founded, consisting of William McCully and 
F. Lorenz, Thomas Wightman being ad- 
' mitted as a partner two years later, Subse- 
{ quently a dissolution took place, and in 1850 
I Mr. McCully liought of F. Lorenz the stone 
I factory known as the Sligo works, and in 
j 1851 he tore it down and erected the first 
brick factory in -Pittsburgh. The second 
was built in IS")-!. After the erection of the 
I new factory Mr. McCully admitted his only 
son, John J'. ilcCully, to partnership with 
him, under firm name of William McCully & 
Co. In 1852 Mark W. Watson became a 
member of the firm. .John M. King joined 
the concern as a partner in 1855. In 1809 
Mr. McCully died, and the business has since 
been successfully conducted by Messrs. Wat- 
son and King under the old firm name. 

Mr. McCully was one of the fathers of 
the glass interest, and to the development of 
I that industry devoted all of his energies. He 
I was the first one to build a seven-stone wheel 
I oven, for flattening glass, west of the Alle- 
ghany mountains. It was put up by a man 
named Klein, who was brought from New 
.Jersey for the purpose. Mr. McCully was 
possessed of a strong character, a decided 
individuality, and was a man of unblemished 
integrity. He was interested in many of the 
institutions of the city, serving as a director, 
I but took an especial interest in the Farmers' 
j Deposit & Exchange Bank. His kindly 
disposition endeared him to all with whom 
he came in contact, and the news of his de- 
mise inspired many hearts with the feeling 
of a personal loss. In his domestic relations 
j he was peculiarly happ3', and he did all that 
i he could to make his home life cheerful and 
lovable. He married Martha Zelley, a native 
of Mt. Holly, N. .1., and a representative of 
the good old Quaker families of Burlington 
county. Eight children were born to this 
union, of whom only four attained to years 
of maturit_v: John F was the only son; Mar- 
garet became the wife of Mark W. Watson; 
Jane L. is the wife of John M. King; Lavinia 
married Herbert Newton, of Newport, R. I.; 
Mrs. King alone survives. 
; William Frew, only son of Samuel and 
1 Elizabeth (McCullv) Frew, was bom Jan. 10, 
' 1826, in a house that stood until 1880 on the 
j corner of Liberty and Wood streets, Pitts- 
I burgh. He completed his education at the 
Western University of Pennsylvania, at Pitts- 
burgh, and was afterward emjiloyed in the 
wholesale grocerv-house of his uucle, .James 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



225 



!McCully, located on Wood street, between 
Liberty and Sixth avenue. Later he was 
taken into partnership and formed one of the 
firm of James McCully & Co. Aug. 4, 1853, 
he married Martha Elliott, second daughter 
of Joseph and Sarah A. Long, and niece of 
Reuben Miller, Jr. In 1859, when petroleum 
oil was first discovered in paying quantities, 
he aud Charles Lockbart. also connected 
with the McCullj' house, formed the partner- 
ship known tor the next twenl3'-one j'ears as 
Lockliart <fc Frew. This firm was among the 
pioneers in the production and refining of 
petroleum, and built the first Pittsburgh re- 
finery, the Brilliant Oil-v.'orks. A successful 
business was done for seventeen years, and 
when, iu 1876. the Standard Oil company was 
formed, the firm of Lockbart & Frew became 
part of that organization, Charles Lockbart 
being elected president of the Standard Oil 
company, of Pittsburgh, and William Frew 
vice-president. After a sickness of five weeks 
he died March 9, 1880. leaving a widow and 
one son. William N. Frew. 

At the time of his death he was a member 
of the firms of Lockbart & Frew, Warden, 
Frew & Co., Philadelphia, and Hubbard 
Bakewell & Co., Pittsburgh, besides being 
connected with many other business enter- 
prises. He was one of the earliest believers, 
in Pittsburgh, in the homeopathic method of 
treating disease, and for a number of years 
prior to his death had served as president of 
the board of trustees of the homeopathic 
hospital. In 1870, much against his will, he 
was nominated by the better class of citizens 
on a Reform Platform for Congress, but, de- 
clining to secure his election by what seemed 
to him questionable and undignified methods, 
was defeated by his opponent, Gen. James 
S. Negley. Prior to 18(50 he was captain of 
the Keystone Rifles, a military organization 
of Pittsburgh, and during the war was con- 
nected as major with the 15th regiment 
Pennsylvania state troops, into which the 
smaller organization had been merged. He 
was an exceedingly liberal and philanthropic 
man. giving freel3' to many religious, chari- 
table and educational objects; a valued sup- 
porter of the Christian and sanitary commis- 
sions during the war; a firm friend of the Y. 
M. C. A.; a prominent member of the board 
of trustees of the Pennsylvania Female 
College of Pittsburgh, and chairman of 
the investing committee of the Western 
Universitj' of Penns3dvauia. In business he 
was regarded as a man of excellent judgment 
and sterling integrity; andin theChamberof 
Commerce of Pittsburgh, of which he was a 
member, his advice and counsel were alwaj's 
recognized as carrying with them great 
weight. He was of "good address, a pleasing 
public speaker, and thoroughly posted on 
all the questions of the day. He was a great 
lover of literature and art, had traveled ex- 
tensively in the pauses of his bus)' life, in 
Europe and the far east, and had but just 
settled down to the enjoyment of well-earned 
rest when he was called away. As was said 



at the time, his death was a loss to his friends, 
to the cit3' of Pittsburgh, and to the causes of 
charity, religion and education. 

George Hogg, only son of John and Mary 
(Crisp) Hogg, was born June 32, 1784, in 
Cramlington, in the county of Northumber- 
land, England. When twent)' years of age 
(in 1804) he came to Brownsville, Pa., at the 
request of his uncle, William Ho.gg, where 
he established his home, and as a merchant 
created a very large and lucrative business. 
On March 7, 1811, he married Mary A., 
eldest daughter of Judge Nathaniel Bread- 
ing, of Tower Hill farm. Luzerne township. 
Payette county. Pa. To this marriage were 
born the following children; Mary. William, 
George Ewing, Nathaniel Breading, John 
Thomas, Marv Ann (who married Felix R. 
Brunot), Elizabeth Ewing (Mrs. William S. 
Bissell), and James Breading (lost Sept. 27. 
1854, near Cape Race, by the foundering of 
the steamer Arctic, which collided with a 
French vessel). 

By the integrity of his character and 
strict attention to business, George Hogg 
was eminently successful, and secured the 
esteem of the communities in which he lived. 
Though a great lover of his adopted country, 
he did not cease to be an Englishman, and 
always looked back with pleasure to the good 
old laws and institutions of his native land. 
In April. 1843, he removed to Alleghen3' 
City, Pa., and died there Dec. 5, 1849, in the 
sixty-fifth year of his age, on the propert)' 
and in the house which he had purchased in 
an unfinished state of Alexander Bracken - 
ridge, Esq.. which be completed, and wherein 
he spent the remainder of his years. 

During his business career he, with his 
uncle, William Hogg, of Brownsville, Pa. , es- 
tablished large business-houses in Pittsburgh 
as Breading & Hogg, in wholesale dry goods, 
and Dalzell, Taylor & Co., in wholesale 
groceries, and fifteen different establishments 
of merchandise- and commission-houses in 
Ohio, togetlier with a forwarding-house at 
Sandusky City, that state, with which was 
connected a number of vessels running on 
Lake Erie, and also a line of boats on the 
Ohio canal connected with their business 
houses at Newark, Ohio. Mr. Hogg, with 
the cooperation of others, aided materially 
in the building of the bridge over the Mouon- 
gahela river at Brownsville and Bridgeport, 
aud was one of the original stockholders and 
managers of the Mouongahela Navigation 
company (slackwater), through whose enter- 
prise tlie great body of the coal which is 
mined along the Mouongahela river and ex 
ported finds its way to the southern cities. 
New Orleans in particular. In 1828 he erect- 
ed the Brownsville Glassworks, and super- 
vised their operations for some years, ulti- 
mately disposing of them. 

He was one of the original corporators 
establishing the Allegheny Cemeter3- com- 
pan)', and a director in the Bank of Pitts- 
burgh, an institution in which bis uncle, Will- 
iam Hogg, was one of the original movers, 



226 



HISTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



establislied in 1810-14. Mr. Ilog^ was con- 
firmed in his youth according lo the usage 
of the Establislied Cliurch of England, and 
throui^h life was a con.sistent, devout and 
liberal member of that communion. By the 
record of Christ Church, Brownsville, we find 
the following: 

In the year 1813 Rev. Mr. Clay succeeded Hev 
Mr. Kemper, afterward Bisbop Kemper, as mbsionary 
of the Advanceiuent society in Western t'enn^ylvania. 
He assisted to build a church upon the lot of Krouud 
which they already had in possession. July 27, ]8i;j, 
twelve trustees were appointed: Jacob Bowman, Will- 
iam Hog^g, George llofi:p,Hobert Clarke, Charles Wheeler, 
John Wise, Basil Brasher, Basil Brown, Charlea Ford, 
Henry Stump, Thomas Brown and Henry B. Goe, The 
secretary chosen upun this occasion was George Hogg. 
In 1SJ3 the church-buildjug was completed, and 182-5 
was consecrated by Bishop White; soon after this a 
parsonage was erected. Mr. Hogg was warden of this 
church until be left Brownsville, in 1843. When he 
came to Pittsburgh he and his family were connected 
with St Andrew's Church, where he was warden until 
bis death. He was one of the incorporators of the West- 
ern Pennsylvania hospital, and his portrait, with that 
of his colleagues, hangs in the entrance-hall at Pixmont. 

A monument to his memory, executed 
iointly by the sculptor Henry K. Brown, of 
iNew York city, and the sculptor Piatti, a 
lofty plinth, mounted by a life-size figure of 
the Angel of the Resurrection, was erected in 
1851 by his family in Allegheny cemetery, 
now in the city of Pittsburgh. Located near 
b}' is a cenotaph by Piatti, memorial of 
James B. Hogg, the son of George Hogg, 
who was lost on the ocean steamer Arctic. 

Mr. Hogg, together with his uncle, and 
their successors, were instrumental in estab- 
lishing seventy-six business-houses in Penn- 
sylvania, Ohio and New York city. 

The successful business side of Mr. Hogg's 
character was not what impressed all who 
came in daily contact with him. but his 
beautiful, consistent Christian walk and con- 
versation. 

He seemed always to realize the omnis- 
cience and omnipresence of Lis God. and 
every action of his life indicated how gladly 
he chose to acknowledge the Lord in all his 
ways, and to give cheerfully back to him of 
that over which the Lord had made him the 
overseer. 

The poor were sure to tind in him a ready 
helper. At his death the universal feeling 
was, a holy and good man has been called 
from us to enter into a heavenly inheritance. 

William H. Brown, for many years the 
leading and most successful coal-operator in 
Western Pennsylvania, was born in North 
Huntington township, Westmoreland county, 
Pa.. Jan. 15, 1815. At an early age he 
started out in life for himself. He was first 
employed on the canal; worked for a time 
on a farm that is now in the corporate limits 
of Pittsburgh; dug coal in the winter; rose 
in a short time to the ownership of a horse 
and wagon, with which he delivered coal to 
his customers, and before long was employ- 
ing a number of men and teams for the 
supplying of coal to Pittsburgh furnaces. 
In 1845 or 1846, when the roads were in a 
bad condition between Pittsburgh and his 



source of supplies at Minersville, the thought 
came to him that coal might be floated down 
the Monongahelaat less cost and toil tlian to 
carry it in wagons. Not having the funds 
necessary to buy a boat, he borrowed the 
money and purchased a flat on credit. In a 
short time he was able to make a still greater 
venture, and in company with other Pitts- 
burgh parties purchased a mine in the sec- 
ond pool of the Monongahela river. A 
subsequent disagreement with his more 
conservative partners as to the management 
of the business caused an early dissolution, 
Mr. Brown selling out his interest in the 
enterprise. A local paper said of him: 

In 1848 Mr. Brown formed a connection with Messrs, 
Lloyd tt Black, owners of the Kensington Iron-works, 
located in Pittsburgh, on the Monongahela. They be- 
gan mining and operating in coal at the Nine-Mile rua 
on the Monongahela, and coking with four ovens. Mr. 
Brown had charge of the business, and managed it in 
accordance with his ideas as to when risks should be 
taken or not, and what lines of policy should lie pur- 
sued. The main portion of his trad"e was still with 
Pittsburgh, but when he had a surplus he disi>osed of 
it on his own plan, sending it down the river to Louis- 
ville and Cincinnati, and reaping a large success in that 
line of trade. His business and reputation grew apace, 
and by steady progress in his chosen line of activity 
soon found himself in the very front rank thereof, and 
recognized as oneof the master-spirits of the trade. In 
1^58 Mr. Brown ventured on still another exjieriment 
that the wisest of the coal-men were, in advance, moved 
to declare would be a failure. His n«w purpose was to 
send a tow of flats from Louisville to New Orleans. 



by steamers, but it wasdone with barges, a class of large 
keelboats, and the expense of the trips did away with 
the profits. Towing was accordingly in no favor among 
shippers of coal to the lower ports, even with the most 
substantial boats; and when Mr. Brown was about to 
send a tow of flatboats, or rather boxes, of light and 
shallow construction, be was considered to be wild." 

His "'wildness'' was that of successful inventors and 
pioneers in new paths nf usefulness since the world 
began. He made the venture, it proved a success, and 
others made haste to crowd into the new way he had 
opened. He sent twelve boats, carrying about :;30,000 
bushels of coal, with the steamer Grampus on oue side 
and the General Larimer on the other. His son, Capt. 
Sam Brown, was in charge. The trip was a success be- 
yond question. Tlie coal was disposed of at remunera- 
tive rates, and there was no loss to the cargo. Capt. 
Brown disposed of the flats, loaded bis steamers with 
sugar and molasses, and came home in triumph. The 
keen vision of \Villiam H. Brown had been justified by 
the results, and a new outlet to the growing coal trade 
of Pittsburgh was opened. 

With the widening of his business, Mr. Brown was 
compelled to increase his facilities. At first he hired 
his towing, but afterward purchased the General Lari- 
mer, which was the first towboat he pver owned. The 
first steamer built by him was the W. H. B-, and he 
afterward had the Bee constructed, and sent her on her 
journeyings up and down the river. At a later date he 
purchased the Collier and the Shark, which were added 
to his busy fleet. Every year that passed saw an in- 
crease in his operations. He soon became the acknowl- 
edged head of his department of the coal business, and 
his judgment was accepted without question on all 
matters connected with the trade. <>n the breaking 
out of the war he secured important contracts f - r the 
supplying of the government at Cairo and Memphis 
with coal for the Mississippi fleet. At about the same 
time he began to supply St. Louis with coal for her gas- 
works. It was not only a time of the most intense 
business activity with him, but one of close watchful- 
ness and severe responsibility. 

While delivering a cargoof coal for the use of Gen. 
Grant at Vicksbiirg, he was captured by the UoioD 
forces whileon his way back, and came near being ex- 
ecuted as a confederate spy. A dispatch from Gen. 
Buell, ihenin commaud at Louisville, Ky., saved him. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



227 



The exciting times of the war, the dangers of traflic in 
supplying fuel to the government forces within the 
lines of the enemy a considerable part of the time; 
supplying markets during a time and under conditions 
which rendered every cargo especially liable to capture, 
confiscation and destruction by armed forces, not only 
regular but guerrilla as well, to say nothing of the in- 
creased dangers to navigation itself, were a state of 
affairs entirely congenial to his spirit of enterprise. It 
was attended with risks that other men did not dare to 
venture, and he made it pay. The profits were propor- 
tionate to the risks. He was successful. "Lucky" was 
the verdict of some, but those who were closest to his 
confidence are not backward in their testimony that 
there was something more than mere luck in such suc- 
cess. He knew the dangers, he faced them with nerve, 
handled his aifairs with skill and in accordance with the 
ever-varying pha£es of the times; originator of his own 
plans, a copyist of none. 

So extensive did his business become during the 
war that the impression gained some foothold that all 
his wealth was made by supplying the government. 
That bv reason of his excellent manageuTent. tireless 
exertion and executive ability he made money from 
his government contracts can not be doubted — and 
these contracts were open to all persons in the business 
to bid for. Even if it were true, there would be nothing 
either disreputable or dishonorable in it. But it is not 
true. He was prosperous before the war. As an evi- 
dence of this it may be said that when Brown and Reis 
and Berger bought the rolling-mill at New Castle, Pa., 
a venture to which he paid no personal attention, he 
gave his check in payment for 8100,000. Such an amou nt 
in one outside venture leaves no room to question that 
at this period, 1858 and 1S59, he was justly accounted a 
wealthy man in the ordinary sense of that term, al- 
though of limited means compared with the accumula- 
tions he left at the time of his death, on October 12,1875. 

That William H. Brown was a remarka- 
ble man is well proven in the works he per- 
formed; and the great wealth of which he 
■died possessed wits the result of his own 
labor, sagacity and courage. He made the 
coal business a specialty, although in later 
3-ears his capital was invested in worthy en- 
terprises devoted to the development of the 
resources of Western Pennsylvania. Among 
the strong traits of his character were indus- 
try, untiring energy and a far-seeing busi- 
ness vision. That he had the nerve to take 
great risks is well demonstrated in what has 
gone before. His perseverance was a mar- 
vel, and his capacity for work seemed almost 
endless. 

Mr. Brown was married in Pittsburgh to 
a daughter of Mr. Samuel Smith, of Miners- 
ville, a lady of high education, reiinement 
and culture. She was a noble helper all 
through life, aiding him in many practical 
ways in his early struggles, and sharing with 
him in after years the fruits of their mutual 
toil. She passed away prior to her husband. 
Four sons and two daughters were the fruits 
of the marriage. Capt. James Brown died 
in July, 1882, and Samuel and Harry bought 
out the interest of Charles S., the other 
brother, and now carry on the business under 
firm name of W. H. Brown Sons. We quote: 

As an indication that the business has suffered no 
decline in the hands of the present firm, it may be 
noted that the shipments of coal from 1S69 to 1874, the 
lateryears of the life of W. H. Brown, were about 6,000,- 
000 to 7,0(X),000 bushels per annum; whereas in 1870, 
or four years after his death, the shipments were nearly 
9,000,000, and in 1S80 were over 12.000,000 bushels. These 
figures are not as large as those of 1S8:J, which were the 
largest in the history of the house. 

The present firm has five tugs and fourteen steam- 
boats to furnish the motive power for its fleet of over 



one thousand boats, barges and flats, instead of the 
small number owned and controlled by the founder of 
the house. Instead of the few rods of track runniutjfrom 
amine in the second pool, with which the late W H. 
Brown began business, the present firm owns no less 
than five coal-roads, all thoroughly equipped. 

John Thaw. John Thaw, late of Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., was born March 11, 1779, and died 
Sept. 3, 1866. The grandfather, John Thaw, 
was born in Philadelphia in 1710, where he 
lived to a ripe old age. dying in 1795. His 
bones now lie burieti near Philadelphia, in 
Abingdon churchyard. 

Benjamin, next in the line of succession, 
was born in Philadelphia In 1753, and mar- 
ried Hannah, daugliter of Joseph Engle, 
whose parents. Benjamin and Deborah 
Engle, were English Quakers who settled in 
Philadelphia late in the seventeenth century. 
Of the children of Benjamin and Hannah 
Thaw, the subject of this sketch, John Thaw, 
was the second son. On July 2, 1802, he 
married Elizabeth Thomas, daughter of a sea 
captain lost at sea some 3'ears previously. 

His early manhood was as adventurous and 
unsettled as his long subsequent career was 
uneventful and serene. Apprenticed early in 
life to Paul Beck, a Philadelphia shipping 
merchant, and from his calling having much 
to do with those that " did business in great 
waters," he acquired a fondness for a sea- 
faring life, which he soou was offered the 
opportunity to gratify. He was appointed 
supercargo of a vessel, which, upon its first 
West Indian voyage, was seized (under Napo- 
leon's Milan decree) and taken into Guade- 
loupe, whence, when at length released, he 
managed to return, only to l5e overtaken on 
the way, however, by a more serious distress, 
the yellow fever, that fell disease breaking 
out and striking down his crew, he, almost 
alone of all on board, escaping. 

Afterward, undertaking to trade on his 
own account, he sent a ship laden with such 
wares as were merchantable there to Senegal, 
Africa. The captain of the vessel, reaching 
his destination, disposed of his goods, bought 
slaves on his own account, and, returning, 
sold them in the West Indies and ran away 
witli the proceeds. (A curious memorial of 
this adventure is preserved in the office of 
Mr. W. L. Jones, agent of the Insurance 
Company of North America in Pittsburgh, 
being the policy of insurance issued to John 
Thaw in 1801 for this voyage to Africa, which 
was presented to Mr. Jones more than sixty 
years afterward, and is valued by him as an 
interesting evidence of the venerable stand- 
ing of his company.) The loss resulted in 
financial ruin to Mr. Thaw. He next sought 
and found service in the Bank of Pennsyl- 
vania at Philadelphia; was one of two sent 
out shortly after to establish a branch at 
Pittsburgh, in 1804, which, in 1817, was trans- 
ferred to the old United States Bank, he 
shifting v%h it to serve as its cashier until 
the doom decreed by President Jackson 
brought it to an end Dec. 31, 1836. 

Having acquired a comfortable compe- 
tency, he then retired from active busiuess. 



228 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



iiiid spent a scieue old nge, holding no posi- 
tion but Hint of secretary of the Monon- 
gahela SmithficUl Street Bridge eomjiany. 
He had tilled this little phice from the incor- 
l)oration of the company in 1816, and in his 
old age its light but systematic duties were 
so agreeable ^o him that only in 1864, after 
forty-eight years of service, did he consent 
to lay them down. 

His wife died in June, 186.'), and his own 
death followed Sept. 3, 1866 — a union un- 
broken for sixly-lhree years, sixty-one years 
sjient in Pittsburgh, during which a large 
famil.v sjirang up around them, marrying 
and uiultiplying to the fourth generation, so ! 
that in his last years he was the still living 
head of a numerous and widespread con- 
nection. Mr. Thaw's characteristics were 
marked. His straightforward business 
methods were upright and severe to the verge 
of austerity, but at heart he had a broad and ; 
comprehensive tolerance, and a practical 
regard for the welfare of all that made his 
daily life that of a good and kind as well as 
just man. { 

His extremely systematic habits are curi- 
ously illustrated by a continuous set of books 
of account found in his private desk after his 
death, and never before seen by his family, : 
in which his entire private business was con- 
ducted in the most precise forms of double- 
entry bookkeeping, balanced regularl}' every 
year, and covering the whole period from 
JIarch II. 1800, to March, 1864— two years I 
before his death. These books open with an i 
account of stock taken tlie day he was twenty- 
one. when little more than his personal outfit j 
constituted the items of this first entry in a 
set of books destined to have such a pro- 
longed, unbroken life. It is. however, as the 
pioneer banker that Mr. Thaw's biography 
appears in this publication, his career in that 
capacity, though a long one, having ended 
more than fifty years ago. 

William Thaw, One of the most im- 
portant factors in the prosperity of Pitts- 
burgh and Allegheny county has been the 
rapid and thorough development of trans- 
portation facilities connecting them with 
distant points, thereby furnishing markets 
for the immense natural wealth which has 
made Pittsburgh one of the foremost manu- 
facturing cities in the country, if not in the 
world. If the establishment of Fort Pitt at 
the confluence of the Allegheny and Monon- 
gahela was a military necessity in the infancy 
of our country, the erection of manufactur- 
ing establishments was no less a necessity in 
times of peace. The manufacturer, however, 
would be limited but for the facilities afforded 
for carrying the products of the mill and of 
the furnace and the forge to other parts of 
the country. The first medium of transpor- 
tation, of course, was by wagon, soon to be 
followed by the stagecoach, the canal-boat 
and the flatboat, and later l)y the railway, 
which could climb the mountains and descend 
to the valleys, almost annihilating distance, 
and bringing the producer and the consumer 



near together. Many have been witnesses to 
this development, though but few have been 
permitted to take part in it through its various 
stages. A prominent figure among these few 
is Mr. William Thaw, second vicepresideut 
of the Pennsylvania company, and manager 
of one of the great lines that go to make up 
that immense organization. His experience 
is an illustration of the rapidity of the evolu- 
tion from the wagon-train and stagecoach to 
the palace car and lightning express train. 

William Thaw was born in Pittsburgh, 
Oct. 12, 1818. He is of Scotch-Irish descent, 
tracing his lineage back to the time of Crom- 
well, with whom his ancestors, stern Cove- 
nanter.", were in hearty sympathy. His great- 
grandfather, .Tohn Thaw, was born in Phila- 
delphia in 1710; died in 179.1. and now lies 
buried in Abingdon churchyard. Benjamin, 
grandfather of William Thaw, was born in 
17.53, married Hannah, daughter of Joseph 
Engle. whose parents, Benjamin and Deborah 
Engle, were of an old Philadelphia Quaker 
family, and died in 1811. Of their children 
was John Thaw, a sketch of whom appears 
above. 

William Thaw was born fourteen years 
after his parents removed to Pittsburgh. His 
education began at the common schools and 
was finished in the Western University of 
Pennsylvania. He began business in 1884. as 
clerk in his father's bank, and Feb. 9, 1835, he 
entered the service of McKee, Clarke & Co., 
forwarding and commission merchants, as a 
clerk. In 1840 he formed a partnership with 
Thomas S. Clarke, as Clarke & Thaw, trans- 
porters and owners of steam- and canal-boats, 
which the}' continued until 18.5.5. During these 
j-ears the canal system was the great channel 
of communication between the east and the 
west. This had been suggested as early as 
179'2. but the links in the chain were not 
connected until the fall of 1834. when the 
Philadelphia and Columbia road an<l the 
Alleghen}' Portage road were completed, 
making, with the canal, a through line 
between Piiiladelphia and Pittsburgh. This 
gave a wonderful impetus to the latter city, 
and the business of furnishing transportation 
became one of the most important lines of 
enterprise. Clarke ■k Thaw owned and con- 
trolled the Pennsylvania & Ohio line, and 
held their own. The advent of steam worked 
a revolution in trade and commerce. The 
Pennsylvania railroad had its beginning 
April 13, 1846. The work of construction' 
began at Hanisburg in July. 1847. The last 
division was opened Feb. 1.5. 18.54. and the 
subsequent purchase of the Philadelphia & 
Columbia road gave the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road company through rail connection from 
Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and. of cotirse, 
put an end to the canals. The history of the 
subsequent growth of this great corporation 
is familiar to everj'one. By successive pur- 
chases or leases it has acquired control of 
and operates 3,211.2 miles of railway. As 
the railroad system of the country grew, the 
waterway lines gradually went out of exist- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



22» 



ence. Recognizing the inevitable result of ■ 
the contest, Mr. Thaw gave himself to the 
task of disposing of his transportation lines 
with the least possible loss, and then turned | 
his attention to the new system. In 1856 he j 
joined his former partner, Thomas S. Clarke, 
who had the previous year undertaken the 
conduct of the freight traffic of the Pennsyl- 
vania railroad between Pittsburgh and all ! 
points west. At this time there was no system ' 
of through bills of lading and through cars as ] 
now prevails, and each road worked "upon | 
its own hook." The whole business of 
freight transportation was in an almost 
chaotic state, and the expenses were tre- [ 
mendous. About 1864 the Pennsylvania ' 
Railroad company devised a system of 
through transportation over different lines, 
and the Star Union Line was the result. Of 
this Mr. Thaw had charge until 1873. Mr. i 
Thaw receives and is entitled to a large share ' 
of the credit of evolving this system, but he, 
with characteristic sincerity and modesty, 
disdains any special credit, and says that his 
labor was shared by many others, and that i 
the system grew of itself and out of the , 
necessities of the situation. The Penusyl- | 
vauia company was chartered April 7, 1870, 
for the purpose of managing, in the interest 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad company, | 
which owns all the stock of the former com- 
pany, the roads controlled by the latter west 
of Pittsburgh. The importance of this com- 
pany may be estimated when one looks at 
the list of lines concentrated under its sys- 
tem. Among them are the Pittsburgh, Fort ; 
Wavne & Chicago, the Erie & Pittsburgh, 
the "Cleveland & Pittsburgh and its branches, 1 
the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis (Pan 
Handle), the Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburgh, 
the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley, the 
Little Miami, the St. Louis, Vandalia & 
Terre Haute, the Grand Rapids & Indiana, 
and many more. Mr. Thaw is a director in 
the Pennsylvania Railroad company, second 
vice-president of the Pennsylvania company, 
and second vice-president of the P., C. & St. 
L. Ry., included in the above lines. Since 1873 
he has been relieved of most of the duties 
connected with the transportation depart- 
ment, and gives his attentiou to the internal 
and financial affairs of the company. 

Mr. Thaw has for many years been a mem- 
ber of the Third J'resbyteVian Church. He 
is a director in the Allegheny cemetery. He 
has been an earnest and generous friend of 
the Allegheny observatory, and to his liber- 
ality that institution is largely indebted for 
the financial help that has enabled it to prose- 
cute its work. It was through his aid that 
the expedition of Prof. Langley to Mt. 
Whitney, in Southern California, some years 
ago was made possible. 

Mr. Thaw has been twice married, and 
has a large family of children and grandchil- 
dren. Si-x sons and four daughters are liv- 
ing, of whom three are married. In his per- 
sonal relations Mr. Thaw is one of the most 
estimable men in Pittsburgh. His large 



fortune is used for the noblest of purposes. 
His donations to his alma mater, the Western 
University of Pennsylvania, for which he 
cherishes a warm affection, aggregate three 
or four hundred thousand dollars, while he 
has given liberally to other educational 
institutions, as Hanover, Oberlin, Wooster 
University, Geneva. Carroll (Wisconsin), the 
college at Maryville, Teun., the Western 
Theological Seminary and others. Charita- 
ble institutions of all kinds find in him a lib- 
eral and generous contributor. 

Mentally he is among the foremost men of 
the state, gifted with a high order of intel- 
lect, strengthened by liberal culture and 
years of study and observation. He is an 
excellent judge of men, and quick to detect 
any shams or pretenses. His reasonings, 
based upon his convictions of right and duty, 
are never degraded to the service of expedi- 
ency or mendacity. Impetuous and persist- 
ent, he is yet cautious in all that he does. 
Broad in his views, buoyant in disposition, 
honest, sincere and self-reliant, strictly 
upright in all his transactions, he has worthily 
won and as worthily holds a high position in 
the esteem and affection of all who know 
him. " His sj'mpathies and benefactions are 
bounded by no narrow lines of creed or preju- 
dice, and his large benefactions go in every 
direction in which good may be accomplished. 
When he shall have passed to his last 
account, it will be said of him that the 
world is better for his having lived. 

C.\SPER Reel, Sr. (deceased), the pioneer 
of Ross township, was born May 11, 1742, in 
Frankfort, Germany. Emigrating to America, 
he made his home in Lancaster county. Pa., 
and served in the Revolution under Gen. 
Washington, participating in the battle of 
Brandy wine and other engagements. His old 
watch and other interesting relics are yet irk 
possession of his granddaughter, Almatia 
L. Reel. He came to Allegheny county in 
1783, and was the first white settler in Ross 
township, where he built a cabin in 1792, and 
the same 3'ear planted mauy fruit seeds. 
The Indians, with whom he had many advent- 
ures, becoming too troublesome, he aban- 
d.oned his place, but returned with his family 
in 1795. He had taken up one thousand 
acres of the choicest land in Ross township, 
where he was a central figure until his death, 
which occurred Oct. 10, 1834. He was an ex- 
tensive trapper on Beaver river, and an, 
expert in dressing skins, thus making con- 
siderable money, even in those days. Once 
upon returning from his traps on the Beaver 
river, in company with his brother-in-law ,^ 
John Wise, he was accosted by a white mat» 
standing on the shore, who asked for some- 
thing to eat. Suspicious of his new acquaint- 
ance, he gradually headed his canoe toward 
the opposite shore and at the same time kept 
up a conversation by inquiring if there were 
any Indians about. Upon receiving the an- 
swer, " no, they are all gone to hell," his 
brother-in-law began to insist that they 
should go to his relief; but he was ordered to. 



230 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



lie down flat in the canoe. The Inilinns, 
now perceiving their device about spoiled, 
arose from their ambush and fired upon the 
canoe, but fortunatelj- the occupants e.<cai)ed 
•unharmed, though the canoe was hit in sev- 
eral places. It was Simon dirt). Previous 
to 17i)5 there was a gathering of a number of 
the settlers in what was then known as the 
Winebiddle farm, the object being tlie rais- 
ing of a l)uilding, and among the number 
was an lii(li;iii wlio pretended to be friendly 
to llic sillliTs. hut when he became somewhat 
under llu- inllucnce of "fire-water" his In- 
dian proclivities began to show themselves 
in such a manner that he became obnoxious. 
His bragging about the number of while 
scalps he had taken so exasperated Casper 
Keel, Sr., that he sprang upon the redskin 
and with one slash of his knife cut off the 
Indian's ear so quicklj' that he could recog- 
nize nothing but the man with the red jacket. 
He was also a good husbandman, and his 
love for horticultural pursuits has descended 
to his grandchildren, the old homestead 
bearing evidence of their thrift. He was the 
■first collector north of Allegheny' river, his 
territory extending to the lakes. March 2, 
1784, he married ElizabethWise, who was born 
Oct. 3, 1760, in Lancaster, Pa., and died Aug. 
20, 184:3. They had ten children: Mary, Jacob, 
John, Daniel. Uonrad, Casper, Jr., and David 
(twins), William and a twin sister, and Eliza- 
beth, The order of their deaths is as follows: 
In their younger ages — Daniel, Jacob, John 
-(who died in the war of 1812, at Fort Maumee 
rapids, April 6, 1813, aged twenty-three 
years), and William who was killed by being 
thrown from a fractious horse. The more 
recent deaths have been those of David, in 
his seventieth year; Conrad, in his seventy- 
sixth year; Alary (Mrs. Johnston), in her 
ninety-fifth year, and Casper, Jr. (or second), 
who was born Jan. 22, 1798, and died April 25, 
1887, He was an enterprising farmer, a mem- 
ber and liberal supporter of the Presbyterian 
■Church and most honorable in all transac- 
tions. Politically he was a life-long demo- 
crat, casting his first presidential vote, in 
1820, for Monroe, and his last, in 1884, for 
Cleveland. In 1830 there were forty-three 
votes polled in Ross township, which then 
extended to the Allegheny river, including 
what is now Allegheny City. Mr. Reel mar- 
ried Elizabeth Nesmith, daughter of Capt. 
James Miller, of Belfast.Me., a woman of in- 
telligence and great refinement. She died 
March 17. 1883, in the fullness of well-spent 
years, aged eighty-two. Five children ble.<sed 
this union: Mrs. Elizabeth M. Jackman; 
James Miller and Mary Crooks, who died in 
childhood; Casper, Jr. (or third), a faithful 
son, who died suddenly, Jan. 5, 1887, in the 
prime of manhood; he was educated at Jef- 
ferson College, was well-informed on matters 
at home and abroad, and was a citizen of 
sterling qualities; Almatia L. Reel, the 
youngest, who j-et resides at Reel's Hall, the 
old homestead. 

The youngest member of the family, Mrs. 



Elizabeth Quaill, is still living, and is near 
the close of her eiglity-sixth year. Her mind 
and memory are remarkably bright and reten- 
tive. Her jollity of temperament and affa- 
bility of manner make her the most precious 
jewel to l)e found in the homes of her chil- 
dren. She is the last link that connects the 
long past with the present, and to converse 
with her is to be carried back, as it were, to 
the living past, into all its varied steps of pro- 
gression, from the departure of the savage 
and his rude customs up the rugged road to 
the higher and grander times in which we now 
live and flourish as a nation and a people. 
The members of the old Reel family were 
strict Presbyterians. The older members 
were formerly of the Church pf England, and 
were attendants at the church located on 
Smithfield street, Pittsburgh. This is cor- 
roborated l)y a Bible and common-prayer 
book of the Church of England (now in the 
possession of Jacob G. Reel), which the old 
gentleman carried in his pocket throughout 
the revolutionarj- war, and which was once 
the means of saving his life by warding off a 
bullet that otherwise would have killed him. 
The book was published by Susannah Collins, 
in 1724, for the Companj' of Stationers, Lon- 
don. The Hiland Presbj'terian Church 
near Perrysville was located by Casper Reel, 
Sr. , and it was here the family subsequently 
became Presb3'terians, and remained such 
until separated by marriage, when three of 
them afterward became Methodists. The 
location of the Hiland Presb}-terian Church 
proved in after 3-ears to be a most central 
one, as it became a numerous body, and 
notwithstanding its passage by time into 
the third generation it is still a stanch body. 
A large burial ground attached to the church 
was the common burial-place for all, and in 
it shows where most of the former worship- 
ers lie. 

The first marriage that occurred in Ross 
township was at the farm residence of Casper 
Reel. It was the union of his employes,Chris- 
topher Rineman and Charlotte Zimmerman, 
in June, 179.i. The ceremonj' was performed 
by Squire Robinson, father of the late Gen. 
William Robinson, of Allegheny City. The 
presents were a panfull of cherries. 

Orlando Metcalf (deceased), in his life- 
time one of the most prominent members of 
the Pittsburgh bar, honored and respected in 
both public and private life as a lawyer, 
scholar and gentleman, was a lineal de- 
scendant of Michael Metcalf, a citizen of 
Norwich, England, born in 1.586, who emi- 
grated, with his wife, children and depend- 
ents, to America in April, 1637. settling at 
Dedham, JIass., in July, same year. Another 
ancestor, Roliert Williams, also a native of 
England, horn in 1.593, came in above-named 
j'ear from Norwich to Boston, Mass.; and 
still another English emigrant, William Hyde, 
from whom the subject of this memoir 
descended, landed at Newton, Mass., In 
1640, becoming in course of time the founder 
of Norwich, Conn, He was also a descend- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEArHY. 



231 



ant of William and Mnry (Seatou) Walworth, 
•who came from London, England, to New 
Loudon, Conn., in 16f<9. and was the founder 
of the town of Groton, in that state. 

Orlando Metcalf was born at Metcalf Hill, 
Otsego count}', N. Y.. Aug. 17, 1797, the 
second son of Hon. Arunah and Eunice 
{Williams) Metcalf, former born Feb. 14, 
1771, at Lebanon, Conn., and latter Feb. 
13, 1775, eldest daughter of Veach and Lucy 
(Walworth) Williams, of Lebanon. The 
intermarriage of Hon. Arunah Metcalf and 
Eunice Williams was one that linked together 
several families of note in the early history 
of Old England. One of the representatives 
of the Williams family was William Will- 
iams, a signer of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, whose wife was Mary, a daughter of 
Jonathan Trumbull, colonial governor of 
Connecticut, friend and comrade of Wash- 
ington; while Lucy, wife of Veach Williams, 
was sixth in lineal descent from Thomas 
Clinton, third earl of Lincoln, being grand- 
daughter of Susannah (Palmes) Avery, who 
was granddaughter of Lad}' Susan Clinton, 
a daughter of Thomas, Earl of Lincoln. 

Hon. Arunah Metcalf was educated at 
Lebanon, Conn., and in 1794 moved to Otsego 
county, N. Y., where for several years he 
served in various official positions of trust 
and responsibility; was sheriff of Otsego 
county, 1806-1810; was a member of the legis- 
lature of New York state, sessions 1814, 181.5, 
1816 and 1838; was a member of the house of 
representatives of the Xllth United States 
Congress, sessions 1811-1813. Subsequent- 
ly he removed to Cooperstown, N. Y., 
where he died Aug. 15, 1848, at the age of 
seventy-seven years; his wife died Feb. 28, 
1844. aged sixty-nine. 

Orlando Metcalf was educated at Union 
College, Schenectady, N. Y.. where he re- 
ceived the degree of A. B. in 1819. Moving 
to Kentucky, he there met Henry Clay, who 
induced him to become a member of his 
household, with the agreement that Mr. 
Metcalf should be tutor to Mr. Clay's daugh- 
ters and Mr. Clay should teach him law. 
Two years later our subject entered the law- 
offlce of Judge Gilbert, of Hebron, Conn. 
In 1826 he removed to Canton, Ohio, where 
he followed his profession until 1831, in 
which year he permanently settled in Pitts- 
burgh, where he practiced law, with high 
reputation. May 17, 1826, he married Mary 
Mehitabel, daughter of Charles Knap, of 
New Berlin, N. Y. She was of the same 
lineage as her husband. Mr. Metcalf died 
Sept. 4, 1850; his widow. May 1, 1876. She 
was a lady of superior intelligence and refine- 
ment, and in social life was highly admired 
and esteemed. 

The children of Orlando and Mary M. 
(Knap) Metcalf now living, and all born in 
Pittsburgh, are as follows: William, born 
Sept. 3, 1838. He graduated, C. E., at Rens- 
selaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., 
1858; was afterward in charge of the Fort 
Pitt Cannon-foundry, in Pittsburgh. Pa. 

48 



He is now a manufacturer of fine steel, and 
one of the owners of the Crescent Steel- 
works, of Pittsburgh. He was married Dec. 
1, 1864, to Christiana Dager Fries, and by her 
has six children living. He is a gentleman 
of great skill and ability in the branch of 
business which engages his time and talents, 
and he has recently written a treatise on 
steel, published by "The American Society 
of Civil Engineers," which took the annual 
prize for its merit. 

Orlando, born July 11, 1840. He married, 
Nov. 5, 1863, Agnes, daughter of James 
McElroy, of Pennsylvania, and lias seven 
children; six of these were born at Pittsburgh, 
and one, the youngest, at Colorado Springs. 
He is a successful manufacturer in Pittsburgh, 
but resides at Colorado Springs, Colo., where 
he is a leading citizen and greatly respected. 
Mary C, born Aug. 23, 1839, married, in 
April, 1865, Mr. Robert Bruce, a worthy mer- 
chant of Pittsburgh, and they have one son, 
Robert O. M., born July 7, 1871. 

Miss Emeline Eliza, born June 15, 1833, 
in Pittsburgh, where she resides. 

John Harper, president of the Bank of 
Pittsburgh, is remotely of English descent. 
From the reign of James I till the death of 
Robert Harper, the great-grandfather of 
John, in 1780, his ancestors were the owners 
of one of the townlands in County Tyrone, 
Ireland, and were men of high character. 
John Harper was born in County Donegal, 
Ireland, Dec. 5, 1811. At the age of nine (or 
in 1830) he came with his parents to Wash- 
ington. D. C, where he received a thorough 
practical education under the superintend- 
ence of a relative, Alexander McCormick, 
Esq., who is still living at the age of ninety. 
In his boyhood he was distinguished for the 
strength of his memory, as well as for his 
domestic tastes and habits. His father, Hugh 
Harper, died in 1831, and in 1826 his mother, 
with her children.moved to Jefferson county, 
Ohio (his brother, Lecky Harper, still living, 
has been a newspaper editor for more than 
fifty years, and is an ex-senator in that state). 
When fifteen years of age he took a subordi- 
nate position in a mercantile house at Steu- 
benville, and four years later he had become 
bookkeeper and confidential clerk. During 
his clerkship he was noted for his studious 
habits and the scholarly attainments he thus 
acquired. At this time Edwin M. Stanton 
was employed in a neighboring store, and 
between the two young men an intimacy 
sprang up that terminated only with the life 
of Mr. Stanton. In 1831 Mr. Harper became 
a bookkeeper in the house of M. & A. Leech, 
of Pittsburgh, and on Sept. 19, 1832, he was 
chosen, without his solicitation, to a position 
in the Bank of Pittsburgh, where he soon 
became principal clerk. In 1837 he was sent 
to Beaver as cashier in the branch bank at 
that place, but was soon recalled to become 
assistant cashier in the Bank of Pittsburgh. 
He was chosen cashier on the resignation of 
that office by Mr. John Snyder, and subse- 
quently succeeded Mr. John Graham as presi- 



232 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENV COUNTY. 



dent of the bank, which position he still 
occupies. It is jjropcr to remarli here that 
(luiini; his service of more tlian half a cent- 
ury the banlv lias passed safely throuu^h all 
the financial crises that have occurred; that 
there was never a defalcation in its accounts, 
or a misdemeanor by any of its ofiBcers in- 
volving the loss of a dollar. It has never 
repudiated its obligations, and never failed to 
pay a semiannual dividend. Mr. Harper 
has occupied many other responsible posi- 
tions. He has been president of the Pitts- 
burgh Clearing-house ever since its organiza- ] 
tion; is president of the Western Pennsylva- j 
nia hospital, of which he is one of the 
founders; president of the Pittsburgh <fc Alle- 
gheny Suspension Bridge Co.; a director 
in the Monongahela Navigation Co.; a 
trustee in the Western University of Penn- 
s}-lvania; a corporator and director of the 
Allegheny cemetery; a commissioner of the 
sinking fund of Allegheny county, and a 
member of other useful associations. 

Mr. Harper married, in June. 1836, Miss 
Lydia Electa, a daughter of Nathan W. 
Metcalf, of Otsego county, N. Y. Mrs. 
Harper's genealogy runs through an honored 
line to Michael Metcalf. who came from 
Norwich, England, to the colony of Massa- 
chusetts Ba}', in 1637, because of the I'elig- 
ious tyranny of Bishop Wren, of Norwich. 
They have had five sons and one daughter, 
and to all these who survived their childhood 
were given a collegiate education. The fam- 
ily record might end here, but a few words 
more may not be amiss. The issue of the 
subject of this sketch might suggest inquiry 
as to the quality of their fruit. Maj. Har- 
per, whose life-history follows this sketch, 
died unmarried. The only daughter, Lydia, 
married George B. Mallory, civil engineer, 
of New York, and died at the residence of 
her parents, Oct. 4, 1884, leaving a son, John 
Harper Mallory. John A. Harper, born June 
29, 1839, in Pittsburgh, married, Mav 30, 
1882, Flora, daughter of Col. Edward War- 
ner Sherburne, of St. Louis, Mo., and they 
have three daughters. Orlando M. Harper, 
born Sept. 17, 1846, in Pittsburgh, married. 
Nov. 32, 1887, Kathleen Theodora, daughter 
of John Livingston Ludlow, M. D., of 
Philadelphia, Pa. They have two daughters, 
and reside in New York. Charles S. Har- 
per, born March 5, 18.53, in Pittsburgh, 
married, Oct. 26, 1883, Julia, daughter of 
Gardner Bower Murfey, of Cleveland, Ohio; 
they have one daughter, and reside in New 
York. The subjects of this sketch, John 
Harper and Lydia Electa, his wife, cele- 
brated their "golden wedding." June 4, 1886, 
with mental powers unimpaired. Both are 
able to look back without regrets on long 
and well-spent lives. 

Albert Metcalf Harper was born in 
Pittsburgh, Pa., on April 32, 1843. He was 
the second son of John and Lydia Electa 
(Metcalf) Harper. On his father's side, the 
subject of this sketch was of Irish descent, 
and on that of his mother he was an Amer- 



ican of ten generations of New England an- 
cestry, inheriting from both parents a strong, 
vigorous constitution. During his childhood 
he developed those manly qualities which in 
after jears rendered him distinguished among 
his comrades at school, college, and in the 
army. His preparatory studies were pursued 
at Kenwood school, near New Brighton. Pa. ; 
and at the age of eighteen years he passed 
the examination and entered into the regular 
course of study at the Rensselaer Polytech- 
nic Institute of Troy, N. Y. During his 
summer vacation, in 1862, the second battle 
of Bull Run was fought and lost, which was 
followed by President Lincoln's call for more 
troops. Active, strong and healthy as he 
was, the appeal went straight to hi.s heart 
and determined his action, which was to 
abandon his collegiate course and enter the 
army. He secured the consent of his parents, 
immediately enlisted, and was mustered into 
service Aug. 25, 1862, joining the 139th P.V., 
just organized in Pittsburgh, and was chosen 
its adjutant. The regiment was ordered to- 
the front, and arriving at Washinston was 
assigned to the sad and trying duty of bury- 
ing the bodies of the slain that still lay ex- 
posed on the disastrous battlefield of second 
Bull Run. Thus began his initiation with 
the severest ordeal that could be imposed 
upon a young soldier fresh from home and a 
loving mother's arras. At the battle of An- 
tietam he received his " baptism of fire. ' and 
Sid5sequently passed unscathed through all 
the campaigns and battles his regiment was 
engaged in, until stricken down in the dread- 
ful carnage at the battle of the Wilderness. 
So severely was he wounded in this engage- 
ment that at first his life was despaired of.the 
surgeons considering his case beyond their 
power to relieve; but comprehending his 
condition, he demanded their assistance at 
the appearance of a favorable symptom, and 
by sheer force of will, aided by the surgeon's 
skill, his life was saved. Still no hopes were 
entertained of his ever being able to render 
further active service to his country. He 
was removed to Fredericksburg, and from 
there to Washington to the residence of a 
friend, where, with careful nursing and skill- 
ful treatment, his wounds began to heal, and 
he was enabled to proceed to his home. Hav- 
ing recovered sufficiently, by the fall of 18(54, 
to resume fresh duties, he was promoted, 
Aug. 17, 1864, to the rank of Captain and As- 
sistant Adjutant-General of U. S. volunteers 
by the Presiilent. and assigned to the Depart- 
ment of the Monongahela; was detailed by 
Gen. Couch to take charge of a force of in- 
fantry, cavalry and artiHery, in the mount- 
ains near Uniontown. during a threatened 
invasion of Pennsjdvania. Still unfit for 
field duty, in January. 1865, he was assigned 
to the staff of Gen. Cadwalader. Dejiarlment 
of Pennsylvania, headquarters in Philadel- 
phia, and was one of the guard of honor to 
President Lincoln, while his remains were 
in that city. May 21. 1865. he was breveted 
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General of U.S. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



233 



volunteers " for faithful and meritorious serv- 
ices and gallantry during tlie war." He was 
afterward transferred to the staff of Maj.- 
Gen. Weitzel. when aliout to proceed to Texas 
with his command; but was recalled by Sec- 
retary of War Stanton upon receiving a 
petition from his parents to allow their son 
to retire from the army, the war being prac- 
tically over, if, in the secretary's opinion, his 
services were no longer actually required. 
When he reported to the War Department he 
was tendered a commission in the regular 
army of the United States, but he declined, 
and was honorably discharged at his own re- 
quest, and mustered out .June 37, 1865, by 
special orders. 

Upon leaving the army, Maj. Harper re- 
turned to his home, and. after a brief visit, 
re-entered the Rensselaer Polytechnic Insti- 
tute, in Troy, N. Y., and resumed his studies 
where he had left them off three years be- 
fore, and graduated with honor in the class 
of 1867, a Civil Engineer. Subsequently, 
mercantile pursuits claiming his attention, 
he assisted in establishing the lirm of 
Dilwortli, Harper & Co., continuing a 
member of the house till his death from 
typhoid fever, Dec. 10, 1871. His loss was 
an irreparable one to his family, who will 
continue to miss till the end of life's journey 
the beloved, affectionate son and brother; to 
his country, who lost a true, ardent, zealous 
patriot; to his comrades, who bear testimony 
to his brave soldierly qualities in camp and 
field; and to society, who recognize in him a 
perfect gentleman and citizen, exemplifying 
always those traits of moralitj' and rectitude 
which mark the perfect man. On the ground 
where Gen. Braddock met his defeat in 1751, 
and where Gen. Washington engaged in his 
first battle, there was erected, in 1886, a noble 
granite shaft, overlooking that memorable 
field of bloody massacre, by the G. A. R. 
Post, No. 181, in memory ot comrades who 
have died; this column bears in letters of 
bold relief the name of their patron hero. 
Major A. M. Harper. But to those who knew 
and admired him no granite monolith is 
needed to impress upon their minds and 
hearts the memory of the one they loved. 
Yearly, on Decoration Day, his comrades of 
the post gather at his grave, and with 
solemn ceremony strew upon it rare and 
fragrant flowers emblematic of his character. 

Benjamin Franklin Jones, of Pitts- 
burgh, whose influence upon the progress not 
onlj- of his native state but of the country, 
has been none the less marked and determin- 
ing because, in the main, it has been quietly 
exerted, was born at Clay.sville, Washington 
county. Pa., Aug. 8, 1826. His ancestors for 
several generations were also of Pennsyl- 
vania birth. On his father's side he is of Welsh 
descent, his great-great-grandfather having 
emigrated to this country from London near 
the close of the seventeenth century, landing 
in Philadelphia the same year as Penn. His 
mother was from those sturdy people that 
have impressed themselves so decidedly upon 



the fortunes of this state— the Pennsylvania 
Dutch and the Scotch. His father, Jacob A. 
Jones, who died at Rochester, Pa., at the age 
of ninety-six, was born in Philadelphia in 
the same year that gave birth to the Decla- 
ration of Independence, and was by profession 
asurveyor. Hismother, ElizabeUi Goshorn, 
was born in Franklin county. Pa., and mar- 
ried there in 1813. In 1837. when eleven 
years old, the subject of this sketch removed 
with his father's family to New Brighton, 
Pa., where he remained until his seventeenth 
year, securing in the meantime a good aca- 
demic education at the New Brighton Acad- 
emy, much better, in fact, than boys at that 
date not specially designed for one of the so- 
called learned professions usually received. 
Young Jones was indeed offered a liberal ed- 
ucation, and such are some of his mental 
characteristics that, had he chosen a profes- 
sional career, he would have been eminently 
successful, but with a knowledge of his own 
abilities and possibilities he wisely chose the 
life in which he has been so successful, a 
success due to no sudden freak of fortune fol- 
lowing speculative ventures, but wrought 
out by the strength of his brain, the industry 
of his hands and his steady clearness of vis- 
ion. In 1843. when but seventeen years old, 
Mr. Jones left his home and came to Pitts- 
burgh to begin life on his own account. 
Pittsburgh was then, as it has been ever since 
the adventurous French descended the Alle- 
gheny to establish trade with the Indians and 
to secure control of the wonderful region that 
forms the great Mississippi valley, on the 
trail along which the commerce between the 
east and west came and went. The pack- 
train, the Conestoga wagon, the canal-boat 
and the railway-train have all in turn climbed 
the mountains and descended again into the 
valley, and deposited at Pittsburgh in ever- 
increasing amount and ever-growing value 
their burden of freight, either to be trans- 
formed into higher forms bj^ that magic we 
call production, or to be passed onward to 
meet the demandsof that magnificent empire 
that stretches westward. 

When young Jones, full of ambition, en- 
ergy and determination, came to Pittsburgh, 
it was the era of canal-boat transportation. 
The entire line of the Pennsylvania canal had 
been opened from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh 
nine years before, in 1834. The era of the 
railroad had not come, though even then it 
was fast approaching, and some of the press- 
ing problems of that day concerned the 
relation of the canal-boat and the railway- 
car. Mr. Jones' first employment was as 
assistant shipping-clerk, or perhaps better, 
as receiving-clerk, at no salary, in the Pitts- 
burgh ofiice of the Mechanics' line of boats, 
which ran on the canal between Pittsburgh 
and Philadelphia, with a tidewater branch 
to Havre de Grace, Md. Mr. Samuel M. 
Kier, the chief owner in this line, took a 
great interest in the young shipping-clerk, 
and encouraged him "in every way. The 
agitation at this time in favor of a continu- 



234 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ous line of railroad between the east ami west 
was widespread, and April Vi, 184(i, the 
Pennsylvania railroad was chartered, and 
the prolilem of the relation of the canal and 
railway liecame a present one to those who. 
throuiih the oanal, controlled the traffic be- 
tween the east ami west. Mr. Kier, nothing 
daunted, set about devising plans for utiliz- 
ing both methods of internal communication, 
and established the Independent Line of sec- 
tion-boats, one of the first of this class to be 
run between Pittsburgh. Philadelphia and 
Baltimore, and so constructed as to be 
adapted to both rail and canal. Within three 
years of his first appointment Sir. Jones, 
not yet twenty-one years of age, became 
manager of both lines of boats, at a salary at 
that time almost unprecedented. The canal- 
boat business also included a general commis- 
sion and forwarding business. In 18-17, 
shortly after the purchase of the furnace- 
property referred to below. Mr. .Jones be- 
came a" partner with Mr. Kier in the Inde- 
pendent Line and operated it until 18.54, 
when the Pennsylvania railroad superseded 
the old .system of state canals and railroads. 
Mr. .lones has never ceased to be connected 
with the transportation interest which fur- 
nished his first emplo3'ment. For man}' years 
he has been identified with the railroad inter- 
ests of Western Pennsylvania, and relative 
to railroad matters his advice is frequently 
sought and his judgment relied upon. At 
its first inception he was made a director of 
the Pittsburgh & Connellsville railroad. He 
has for many years (twenty at least) been a 
director of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh, and 
for a long period held a similar relation to 
the AUeghen}' Valley railroad. For some 
time, also, he was the president of what was 
formerly known as the Pittsburgh, Virginia 
& Charleston railroad, now styled the Monon- 
gahela division of the Pennsylvania railroad. 

His training in these early years was 
admirably adapted to develop those traits of 
character which have marked his whole 
business-life. The successful prosecution of 
the canal business demanded a combination 
of gifts that are somewhat rare, and it has 
more than once been remarked that those 
who were successful transporters in the old 
Pennsylvania canal days have been among 
our most successful business-men in later 
years. The canal business demanded great 
energy and push, prompt action, good judg- 
ment. The successful canal-transporter 
must be a merchant, a transporter, a good 
judge of men, wise to plan, quick to inspire 
his subordinates to action, and able to guide 
their acts. All of these traits Mr. Jones pos- 
sesses in the highest degree, and has mani- 
fested all through his business-life. 

It was in 1817, while still acting as manager 
of the canal-transportation line, that Mr. 
.Tones became connected with the great 
industry to whose development he has de- 
voted so large a portion of his life. In this 
year he purchased, in connection with Mr. 
Kier. an iron furnace and forges in the 



Alleghany mountains, near Armaugh, iu 
Westmoreland county. The time was not 
propitious. Under the influence of the tariff 
of 1812, prosperity had become general 
throughout the United States, and Pennsyl- 
vania had sliared it with others, but the 
fatal tariff of 184G, forced upon the country 
by the traitorous vote of a Pennsylvania 
vice-president, wrought disaster, and the 
furnace had shared the fate of so many 
others, and was idle at the time of its 
purchase by Mr. Jones and Mr. Kier. It is 
indicative of Mr. Jones' business ability 
that the furnace operation while under his 
management was without loss. In 18.51 he 
became connected with the works with 
which his hame has since been identified, 
and to whose upbuilding and extension he 
has devoted more than thirty-five of the 
best years of his lite. In that year he took 
an interest in the American Iron Works, 
which were being built by Mr. Bernard 
Lauth, the firm name being Jones, Lauth & 
Co. It was not until 1852, however, that 
Mr. Jones became actively engaged in the 
management of the works. In 18.54 Mr. 
James Laughlin came into the firm. The 
lirm name was changed to Jones & Laughlin 
in 1857, Mr. Lauth retiring. The interests 
in this firm remain to-daj- as at first, the 
only change having resulted from the death 
of partners. In 1853 the Monougahela Iron 
Works at Brownsville were purchased. These 
were run for a year and then dismantled, 
part of the machinery being removed to 
Pittsburgh. 

In the forty years that have passed since 
his first connection with Pittsburgh's iron 
trade, Mr. Jones has witnessed a marvelous 
growth. At that date there was not a blast- 
furnace in Allegheny countj', and conse- 
quently not a pound of pig-iron made, most 
of the pig-iron for the mills coming from the 
wooded regions of the Alleghany mountains 
and the banks of the Allegheny and Monou- 
gahela. In 1888 there were produced in 
Pittsburgh 890,569 tons, more than the entire 
productof the country in 1851. Indeed it was 
not until 18G0 that the production of the Unit- 
ed States reached 900.000 tons. In every other 
branch of the iron business there has been a 
corresponding increase. Rolling-mills turn- 
ing out 4.000 tons a year have given place 
to those of 100.000 tons capacity, the blister- 
steel and small cast-steel works to the steel- 
mill turning out 1,000 tons a day. The 
coke-product of the Connellsville region has 
grown from nothing to 5,000,000 tons annual- 
ly, and the coal output from a small product 
to 500,000.000 bushels annually. In this 
growth Mr. Joues has had a notable part. 
The building of the Eliza Furnaces in 1860, 
at that time the best of their st_vle, gave an 
impetus to the building of coke blast-furnaces 
in the west. These furnaces were among 
the first to use Lake Superior ores. His firm 
was also among the first, if not the actual, 
pioneers in buying coal-lands and making 
coke in the Couuelisville region. When coal 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



235 



was used as a fuel in the Pittsburgh mills 
they had oue of the most extensive mining 
operations in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh, 
and when natural gas became the fuel of uni- 
versal use the}' drilled their own wells and 
laid their own pipe-lines. 

Tlie center of Mr. Jones' iron operations 
is his American Iron Works, situated on the 
south bank of the Monongaliela, a works of 
sufficient importance to receive special and 
very complimentary mention in the ninth 
edition of the " Encyclopedia Britanuica." 
These include not only one of the most exten- 
sive iron-rolling-mills and merchant Bessemer- 
steel works in the country, but in connection 
with these are extensive operations whicli are 
usua'lly conducted as separate enterprises. 
Not only are there the necessary chemical and 
physical laboratories, as well as a mechanical 
engineering and mining staff, but machine- 
shops, brass- and iron-foundries, and various 
branches of business in which they re-work 
their own product. Their cold-rolled iron, 
especially shafting, is known throughout the 
world; their machine-shops and foundries 
are among the best appointed in the west. 
On the opposite side of the Monongahela 
from the rolling-mill, and connected with 
them by a railroad and railroad bridge of 
their own. are the four Kliza Furnaces, which 
are part of their plant, which also includes 
cokeworks in the Connellsville region and in 
Pittsburgh, iron-ore beds in Western Penn- 
sylvania and Lake Superior, their natural- 
gas wells and the coalworks near the rolling- 
mills for fuel, and limestone quarries for the 
supply of the furnaces. In a word, from the 
mines to the rolls the raw material used is 
largely from their own mines and works. In 
connection with their business they also 
at an early date, 18.57, established a large 
warehouse in Chicago, and the firm of Jones 
tt Laughlins. as jobbers of heavy iron and 
hardware, is among the best known and most 
extensive in the northwest. In all of these 
enterprises some five thousand people are 
given cmploj'ment, and there are no works in 
the country that run with greater regularity. 

It is almost needless to say that the policy 
of protection to which this great growth is 
due has had in all of these years no more 
ardent supporter, no more intelligent and 
influential advocate, than Mr. Jones. His 
advocacy of this principle, however, is 
based on broader grounds than those of 
mere personal advantage. His belief is that 
the whole country and all classes are bene- 
fited by protective tariffs, the lawyer and the 
doctor equally with the manufacturer; the 
farmer as well as the laborer. He has no 
sympathy with those so-called protectionists 
who desire protection for their products and 
low duties or free trade for their raw materi- 
als; and has always advocated and defended 
the interests and safety of the weakest as 
well as of those industries that have grown 
strong. 

In personal appearance Mr. Jones is five 
feet eleven inches in height, somewhat in- 



clined to fmbonpoint, but well knit, with a 
somewhat massive head, and with a brilliant, 
piercing eye. His whole appearance is that 
of quiet, reserved strength. As he comes of 
a long-lived race, preserving its vigor to the 
close of life, it may be taken for granted 
that he is in his prime. The combination of 
traits of character which have contributed 
so much to his success as a business-man and 
manufacturer is remarkable. Though he 
has no mechanical education, either theo- 
retical or practical, except such as he would 
naturally acquire in his business, he is a 
mechanician of no mean order. His organ- 
izing power — and it is upon a perfectly 
balanced organization, working without 
friction or waste, that the success of large 
manufacturing operations mainly depend — is 
of the highest, while his abilities as a mer- 
chant to dispose of his product, and as a 
financier to conserve his credit, all unite to 
form a combination of characteristics rarely 
met with. His chief mental characteristics 
are his saving common sense, and his rare 
judgment. He approaches a conclusion 
only after a careful consideration of all 
phases of the question before him. While 
deliberate, his mental processes are by no 
means sluggish, but on the other hand he is 
active, alert, and quick to grasp a subject 
presented. So well convinced are his asso- 
ciates of his good judgment and unswerving 
integrity and fairness, that he is often asked 
to serve as a referee or arbitrator in disputes 
involving immense interests, and is almost 
uniformly selected by both sides. While 
Mr. Jones has been all his life, except the 
first few months of his Pittsburgh experi- 
ence, an employer of labor and not an em- 
ploye, no Pittsburgh manufacturer stands 
higher in the esteem of all Pittsburgh work- 
men, and there is no one whose words as to 
the present, and whose forecast as to the 
future, is more eagerly listened to by the 
iron-workers, than his. His remarkable 
foresight lias made his opinion as to the 
future, at times, almost a prophecy. He has 
brought to the consideration of the relations 
of employer and employed a wealth cf 
experience, a soundness of judgment and 
a broadness of view that few men possess 
It is to his far-seeing wisdom and initiative 
that Pittsburgh and the world owe the sliding- 
scale, a method of paying wages that recog- 
nizes the true basis of wages, viz. : that 
wages are paid out of product, and should 
bear a certain relation to selling-price. It 
was Mr. Jones' foresight that recognized 
this at a time when almost the entire world 
held to the wage-fund theory, viz., that wages 
were paid out of capital. 

While, as it has ijeen stated. Mr. Jones did 
not secure a liberal education, he has a natu- 
ral taste for literature, and in conversation 
displays a wide acciuaintance with the best 
writers of the age. While not a writer or 
speaker in the sense these words are usually 
understood, he is by no means a tyro in these 
respects, as his article on "Protection" in the 



23(1 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Nvrlh Americnn Revuir aiui liis sjjeecli in 
callinp to order the republiciin national con- 
vention of 1888 attest. His object in writing 
or spciiUing is not, however, beauty of ex- 
pression or the graces of tlie rlietorician 
or onilor. but to convince and convict, to 
secure results. His thoughts are expressed 
in terse, vigorous, lucid English, while his 
style is a model of clearness. This clearness 
of speecli and word is the result of his habit 
of thought. In considering any question he 
examines it from all sides and thinks it out 
all through, so that when he begins to clothe 
in words his thoughts on any subject it is 
clearly before him in all its details. 

The manaMment of his l)usiness has been 
a most liberal one. He has not sought to 
build it up at the expense of rival works. He 
has always been ready, even at some sacrifice, 
to join with his fellow manufacturers in i 
adopting plans that promised to lienetit the 
trade at large, even though the methods sug- 
iresteil did not always commend themselves 
Jo Ills judgment. To his debtors he has been 
lenient, while there is no manufacturer in the 
country, certaiul}' not in the iron trade, who 
has the respect and confidence of his em- 
ployes in a higher degree than he. His work- 
men look up to him as a friend and freely 
seek Ins advice, which is as freely given. 

Prior to the war Mr. Jones was a democrat, 
but its first mutterings fouud him unflinch- 
ingly on the side of the Union. His 
influence and his writings, which appeared as 
editorials and communications in certain 
Pittsburgh papers without a knowledge as to 
their authorship, did much to influence jjublic 
sentiment at a vital formative period. In the 
organization and enrollment of troops he was 
especially active. The Pittsburgh Subsistence 
Committee, which gained such an enviable 
reputation during the war, was largely indebt- 
ed to him forits early impetus and much of its 
success. He saw far more clearly than most 
of those in places of power, even, the great 
demand the war would make upon our re- 
sources, and had a clearer perception than 
most men of what those resources and the 
basis of credit were. In 1861 and early in 
1862 he advocated, b}' formal letters to con- 
gressmen and anon3'mously through the 
press, the issuance of legal-tender treasury 
notes convertible into bonds. These letters 
on finance were admirable for their sensible, 
practical suggestions, the outgrowth of his 
own business experience. The close of the 
national republican convention of 1884 
found Mr. Jones the member of the national 
committee from Pennsjdvania, and upon its 
formal organization, much against his own 
wishes, he was elected chairman. It is doubt- 
ful if any other incumbent of this trying 
position ever had a tithe of the complications 
to contend with that confronted Mr. Jones — 
the open defection of valued partj' leaders; 
the lukewarmness or indifference of others; 
a large popular majority in the previous state 
elections against the party he was expected 
to lead to victory; the candidate he was to 



defeat, the chief executive of the pivotal state, 
elected but a short time previous by nearly 
20(t,000 majority — and yet so untiring was 
the energy, so wise the methods, so skill- 
ful the management Mr. Jones brought to 
this task that when the voles were tounled, 
the magnificent majority of lOii.OOO given the 
governor had fallen to a paltry thousand given 
the president, which but for an accident for 
which he was in no way responsible and 
could not have averted, would have been 
changed into a triumphant majorit3- for the 
candidate he favored. After the campaign 
was ended his position brought him no end 
of labor. There was much consideration to 
be given to the fuiure. many delicate ques- 
tions of party policy to decide. Largefj' by 
his tact and shrewdness during this period, 
animosities were allaj-ed. breaches closed up, 
the issues at stake clearly defined and when 
the contest was again joined the victory that 
was denied him was assured. 

In December, 1884, the American Iron and 
Steel Association elected Mr. Jones as its 
president, to succeed Hon. D. J. Morrell. 
This selection was pre-eminently a fit one. 
Not only had Mr. Jones come to be recognized 
as the leading iron-manufacturer of the 
counlrj-, but his efforts, sometimes known, 
more frequently not seen by the general pub- 
lic, in behalf of all measures that would inure 
to the benefit of the industry of which this 
association is the organized head, pointed 
him out as the one man to be its recognized 
leader. Mr.Jones was married on May 21,1850, 
to Miss Mary SIcMaster. daughterof John Mc- 
Master, Sr., one of the best-known citizens of 
Allegheny county. In his domestic relations 
he lias been as fortunate and happy as in his 
business career he has been successful. lu 
his personal relations with men he has been 
approachable, helpful and kindly to all. His 
life is an inspiration, and at the same time an 
example to young men. AYithout any of the 
adventitious circumstances in early life that 
promise success, he has achieved a large 
measure of it, and with his fame and wealth 
has also coiue a reputation for honor and up- 
rightness that, after all, is the highest attain- 
ment in any human career. 

Thomas' Varner (deceased) was born on 
a farm in Baldwin {then St. Clair) township, 
Aug. 12, 1799, and died on the same farm 
Aug. 22, 1883. His autograph, accompany- 
ing his portrait, to be found in this work, 
was written three days before his demise. 
His father, John Varner, came from Lancas- 
ter county. Pa. He was a soldier in the 
Revolution, and a gunsmith by trade, which 
fact saved his life during the" whisky insur- 
rection. When the insurgents burned Xeville's 
house, being opposed to theiu, Mr. Varner 
feared similar treatment; so, sending his 
family away, he loaded all his guns and 
awaited the" attack, which never came, his 
services in his trade being valued by the 
insurgents. He married Mary Free, and four 
children were born to them; Thomas, Sarah. 
Christina and Pho'be. John Varner died at 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



237 



the age of seventy-six; his wife passed away 
Nov. 38, 1814, aged forty-eight years. The 
family were reared under strict Quaker 
tenets, to which Thomas adhered through 
life. He was a liberal contributor to 
churches, but never joined any. His strict 
integrity was proverbial. He was commis- 
sioned a justice of the peace by Gov. .Shunk 
in 1830, and served continuously in that 
office the remainder of his life. No case 
was ever appealed to court from his office. 
Through his influence the township of Bald- 
win was erected. 

Observing the cruelties and neglect im- 
posed on paupers under the then existing 
system for their care, he set to work to secure 
the erection of a county home. He was 
president of the board that purchased the 
farm, superintended the erection of the home, 
and was man}' j'cars on the board of man- 
agers. Mr. Varner was fond of the chase, and 
always kept some hounds. On the 3od of 
March, 1824, he married Mary, daughter of 
Henry Beltzhoover, who came, with his 
fatlier, ^Melchior, from Hagerstown, Md., to 
Pittsburgh about the beginning of this cent- 
ury. Mrs. Varner died in 1831, leaving one 
child, Melchior, then two j-ears old. As her 
dowrv she received a slave-boy six years 
old, who now resides with the son in Pitts- 
burgh. He is supposed to be the only living 
representative of Pennsylvania slaver}-. 
Melchior Varner married Matilda, daughter 
of Joseph McClurg, and their only child, 
Thomas M., died, aged nine years. Mr. 
Varner was a soldier in the civil war, and is 
a member of the G. A. R. and of the A. F. & 
A. M. 

Joseph McClurq (deceased) was born in 
County Antrim, Ireland, and died in Pitts- 
burgh," Pa., Aug. 30, 1851, aged sixty-two 
years. His father. Thomas McClurg, was 
also a native of Count}' Antrim, of Scotch 
antecedents, and his mother, Elizabeth, was a 
sister of Sir William Montgomery, of that 
county. About one hundred years ago 
Thomas McClurg migrated to Pittsburgh 
and patented from the state six hundred acres 
of land in what is now the south side of 
the city. (The family mansion stood on the 
present site of the American Iron-works.) 
He was possessed of ample means, and left 
his family a handsome inheritance. He died 
Aug. i. 1829, aged over seventy years. He 
had three sons and two daughters; Joseph, 
John. Thomas, Martha and Margaret. Of 
these. Joseph took a theological course, but 
was never ordained in the ministry. He was 
a consistent member of the Covenanter, or 
Reformed Presbyterian, Church, and was a 
deep Bible student, spending most of his 
time, not taken up in the care of his large 
estate, in his library. He endeared himself 
by his mild and genial disposition to the few 
who were privileged to know him. In March, 
1817, he married Julia, daughter of James 
Fleming, descended from the houses of 
Fleming and MacDonald, of Scotland. Of 
their children only two are living; Miss Mary 



A. McClurg and Mrs. M. Varner (see sketch of 
Thos. Varner), who reside on the estate, and 
are known for their deeds of quiet charity. 
Mrs. McClurg died before her husband, in 
July, 184.5. The other children were Thomas 
B., Joseph, James, Marearet (Mrs. Millard), 
and Elizabeth J. (Mrs. Laterty). 

Thomas B.\rtholo.mew McCluru (de- 
ceased), eldest son of Joseph McClurg. was 
born in Pittsburgh, Nov. 6. 1819. His entire 
life was passed amid the advantages which 
wealth affords, and his education was re- 
ceived in the schools of his native city. On 
reaching manhood he relieved his father of 
the cares of his large estate, which he man- 
aged many years with the aid of his younger 
brother, Joseph, On the death of the latler 
he became sole trustee, and so well did he 
manage matters that after his decease no 
error was found in the accounts. He died 
March 15, 1873, leaving no male descendant 
of his father, two sisters and a grand-niece 
being the only near relatives that survive 
him. Because of his retired life, he was 
little known in the city; but the few who 
were so privileged prize his meinory. He 
never married, and therefore leaves no widow 
to mourn Ms loss. When he found his 
heavenly hmne, Pittsburgh lost an estimable 
citizen and upright Christian. 

Oliver Evans, Sr. (deceased), McKees 
port, was born in McKeesport Nov. 16, 1816, 
and is a son of James and Emily (Alexander) 
Evans. James Evans was born near Wil- 
mington, Del., where he was reared and edu- 
cated. He was a hatter by trade, settled in 
McKeesport in 1798, and later opened a store 
with a hatshop in connection. He was for 
many years magistrate, by appointment from 
the governor of the state, until the office 
became elective. He died in 1846. His wife 
was a daughter of William Alexander, of 
the Cumberland valley, and they had eight 
children; Ann M., Mrs. Dr. George Huej'; 
John; Emily, Mrs. Dr. Robt. McClellan; 
James; Hannah, Mrs. Hugh Roland; Harriet, 
Mrs. David King; Oliver and George. Oliver, 
the subject of this memoir, was reared and 
educated in McKeesport and studied the 
higher languages with his brother-in- law. 
Dr. Robert McClellan, of Mercer, Pa., with 
a view of taking up medicine as a profession, 
but on account of ill health abandoned it 
and was all his life a farmer. 

He married, Nov. 24, 1839, Mary A., 
daughter of Thomas and Ann (Kuhn) Samp- 
son, of Versailles township, by whom he 
had live children; James, Thomas S. (who 
died), Cadwallader, Anna M. (Mrs. J. W. 
Bailie), and Oliver, Jr. Mr. Evans was a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
was a democrat of the old school. He died 
at his residence on Capitol hill. Dec. 7, 1888. 

Although living in comparative retire- 
ment, he was known to all as a man of 
strong convictions, of strict integrity and 
decided views on all public questions. Of 
great energy and tireless activity in his daily 
pursuits, he was no less active mentally, and 



238 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



always foiiml time to indulge his early love 
for liteniture and to gnvtify bis desire for 
information on current events. Of a pioneer 
family, he saw the hamlet of his youth in a 
few j'ears hecome a busy manufacturing city 
of twenty thousand ])eople, and, with full 
faith in its future, he passed to his rest, after 
a long life, well spent, supported by the 
Christian's confident trust in his Savior and 
honored by all who knew him. 

C'AD\VAi,T,ADEi{ EvANS, M. D., general 
superintendent II. B. Scutt tfc Co., and mem- 
ber of llie Oliver A: Roberts Wire company, 
Pittsburgh, was born in McKecsport. this 
county, July -8. 1843, son of Oliver and Mary 
A. (Samiison) Evans. He attciulcil scliool at 
McKecsport. and graduated at A\'a.shiugton 
and Jcft'crson College. Cannonsburg, Pa., in 
\XW. and studied medicine, graduating at 
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., 
in 1868. He first located at Braddock; then, 
in 1869, in Ha/^elwood, Pittsburgh, where he 
successfull}' followed his profession until 
1882. In that year, acquiring an interest in 
the Oliver & Roberts Wire Co., he abandoned 
the practice of medicine, and has since been 
actively engaged in the wire-manufacturing 
industry. Dr. Evans has been prominent in 
political as well as in business and medical 
circles. For the past lifteen years he has 
continuously represented his ward in the city 
council, as member of the select branch. 
Dr. Evans was united in marriage, Oct. 1, 
1872, with Miss Maggie B. Oliver, a native 
of the city of Allegheny, second daughter of 
H. W., Sr., and Margaret (Brown) Oliver, 
and to this union were born eight children: 
Harry W., George, David O. (deceased), Bern, 
Cadwallader, Jr., Mary, Margie and Dorothj'. 
Dr. and Mrs. Evans are members of Hazel- 
wood Christian Church. The family have a 
beautiful residence in Hazelwood. 

Dr. John Dickson (deceased) was born 
in Cecil county, Md., April 24, 1812, the fifth 
John Dickson in line. Some of his ancestry 
fought with Wallace and Bruce in Scotland, 
and this was the cause of the family's removal 
to America. His life had been an example 
and a benediction. He was happy in the 
two factors which our later sciences assure 
largely determine the course of human life, 
race and environment. Of Scotch-Irish de- 
scent, the traditions and history of his fam- 
ily were connected with the records of his 
native state for more than five generations, 
and he was reared in that atmosphere of in- 
tellectual vigor and devout morality and 
piet}' characteristic of the race from which 
he sprang. His father and family removed 
to Clinton, Allegheny county, in 1821. At 
the age of sixteen young Dickson taught in 
the public .school at Clinton while engaged in 
his own studies; for the purpose of reciting 
he walked to Cannonsburg every Friday 
evening, and acquired a reputation for his 
knowledge of the classical course scarcely 
second to any in the regular classes. The 
keen eyes of" the venera'ble Rev. Matthew 
Brown, D. D., early recognized his ability. 



and he said to Mr. Boyd Emery (pointing to the 
young student): "There goes the most i)rom- 
ising young man I know; if he lives he will 
make a great name for himself." He began 
the study of medicine when seventeen years 
of age, reciting to Dr. Leatherman (at that 
time a leading physician of Cannonsburg), 
and subse(iuently attended lectures at the 
University of New York, from which institu- 
tion he received his degree. He was not 
twenty years old when he began to practice. 
He located at first in Sewickley. where he was 
well known; and so marked was the favor- 
able impression which his early life and 
alluinments had made upon the entire com- 
munity, that in spite of the great drawback 
of youth, he entered at once upon a large 
and most respectable connection. In 1837, 
together with Mr. John Shilds, Dr. Dickson 
made a trip to Europe for the purpose of 
attending lectures in Edinburgh, Scotland, 
and Dublin, Ireland. The two young men 
then made a pedestrian tour over the route 
which Goldsmith describes in his "Travels." 
When the two arrived at Rome, they found 
the cholera epidemic raging there, and with- 
out hesitation the young phj'sician went to- 
work to aid the sufferers. 

In 1838 he was married to Miss May Ann 
Way, and a family of eight children were 
born to them, all well known and greath- re- 
spected in this community. In 1843 Dr. 
Dickson removed to Allegheny, where he 
opened an office on the Diamond, afterward 
on Federal street, and finally on the corner 
of Penn and Ninth streets, Pittsburgh. He 
had previously, in 1851. established his resi- 
dence again in Sewickley. From his en- 
trance upon the work of his profession to the 
close of his life his ability and attainments 
commanded as large a clientage as perhaps 
any phj'sician in this portion of the state. 
His profession was his idol, and being a great 
reader of medical works, he was never 
weary of perfecting his knowledge in medi- 
cine and surgery. He kept in close fellow- 
ship with the leading physicians of his time, 
with all of whom he was on friendly terms 
or in friendly correspondence. 

Dr. John Dickson and Dr. McCook. after 
the battle of Pittsburg Landing, took charge 
of the two hospital-boats and with their re- 
spective staffs went down to transport the 
wounded to the hospitals here. Dr. Dickson's 
activity during the war closed with his serv- 
ices at Gett3'sburg, where he was one of the 
most diligent and respected surgeons. 

In the earnest desire tostrenglhen bis own 
knowledge and encourage the study of medi- 
cine, he established, when first settled in 
Alleghen)', a dissecting room, and had a large 
class of j-oung men, among whom were Dr. 
James B. Herrou and Dr. A. M. Pollock. No 
new remedy or mechanical invention lu'om- 
ising help and healing to the sick and injured 
escaped his notice, and it is no dis])aragemeut 
to others to say that he had no superior in his 
day as an anatomist and surgeon. His eye 
was as bright as the sunlight, his hand as. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGBAPHY. 



239 



steady as a rock, and bis knowledge and cour- 
age were at all times equal to any operation, 
capital ones being performed with distin- 
guished success. Dr. Gross, than whom there 
was no higher authority, said of him; 

He performed the operation of lithotomy, as far as 
he could learn, more frequently and with better results 
than any man in Pennsylvania. In 1866 he performed 
it eleven times, all the subjects recovering. The sciences 
adjunct to his profession especially he made himself 
familiar with, and in the judgment of competent per- 
sons there were few better chemists or botanists in this 
state. He nodded to the four thousand plants within 
our floral region as to familiar friends, and called them 
by their names as he would the members of his own 
family. In one word, he bad set before himself the 
highest ideal of his profession, and made it the work of 
his life to realize it in himself, with what splendid suc- 
cess and with what boundless blessing to his fellow-meu 
this whole community can attest. Uur sketch of Dr. 
Dickson as a medical man would be imperfect without 
recalling two qualities not so common among the suc- 
cessful and distinguished as we could desire, namely, 
his unfailing promptness and punctuality in all ap- 
pointments, whether to the high or low, and his friendly 
and almost fatherly help and kindness to young and 
struggling members of the profession. His powerful 
frame, perfect physical health and commanding pres- 
ence were environed with such an atmosphere of ten- 
derness and gentleness as made the sick-room take on 
an air of gentleness when he entered and hope when he 
departed. From the absorbing duties of his life he al- 
lowed himself but one rela.\ation. He was au ardent 
sportsman, a capital shot and a bold rider. It was not 
uncommon to hear the baying of his hounds, the herald 
of his approach on his daily rounds, and to see him 
sweep by in the glee and excitement of a boy. No doubt 
his early life amid the splendid hunting-grounds of 
Maryland laid the foundation of this taste; at any rate 
it never left him. He was one of the original members 
of the Kankakee club, and a regular visitant during the 
season, till age and increasing infirmities forbade any 
longer such enjoyments. 

Dr. Dickson, at the time of his death, was 
nearly seventy-four years of age, and for 
nearly fifty-flve years had been actively en- 
gaged in practice. Except wheu prevented 
by illness, he was in his office eveiy day 
until near his death. Up to the time of his 
death there were no signs of mental disability 
to mark that over half a century of most la- 
borious life had passed over him. Amid the 
cares and hourly demands of his large prac- 
tice he found lime to take a warm and active 
interest in every matter relating to the gen- 
eral welfare of his profession, and paid the 
most diligent attention to all new discoveries 
in his own and kindred sciences, and with 
such diligence, joined to an exceedingly re- 
tentive memory, it was not strange that he 
shotild have made a national reputation for 
his knowledge in all branches of science. Dr. 
Dickson could name and describe the life, 
growth and characteristics of the four thou- 
sand species of plants found in Pennsylvania, 
and was equally versed in zoology. He was 
a passionate sportsman, and during the early 
days of his practice, when he was compelled 
to make his visits on horseback through this 
and the neighboring counties, he was at all 
times accompanied by his fowling-piece and 
followed by a pack of thoroughbred hounds. 
Col. McKeIvy, in relating his first meeting 
with the deceased, in 1834, said he had never 
seen a more handsome man, under more fa- 
vorable circumstances. The doctor was espe- 



cially well known for his never being without 
resource iu any operation, fie was an expert 
in devising instruments for special occasions, 
and some stories of his surgical feats are 
among the medical records of the nation. 

Dr. John Dickson enjoyed, to a remarka- 
ble degree, the affectionate regard of all who 
knew him. Both socially and professionally 
he was venerated for his extensive knowl- 
edge, his eminent abilities, his long and val- 
uable services, his earnest integrity and the 
spotless purity of his moral character. 

Eight children who lived to maturity were 
born to Dr. John and Mary (Way) Dickson 
(seven of whom survive their father), all well 
known and greatly respected in the com- 
munity. Their names are as follows; Mary 
W.. wife of Alexander M. Watson, a leading 
attorney of Pitlslnirgh; Elizabeth S. DicksoiT; 
Agnes 0., wife of T. J. Graff, iron- and steel- 
manufacturer, Pittsburgh; John S., M. D. ; 
Joseph N., M. D., married to Hannah Wat- 
son; Sarah O., deceased wife of B. H. L. 
Dabbs, photographer. Pittshurgli; Birdie, 
wife of Herbert Johns, journalist on the Pitts- 
burgh Dispatch; Laura A., wife of Edward 
M. Godfrey, paper-manufacturer, Pittsburgh. 

John Shields Dickson, a leading and 
highly popular physician and surgeon of 
Pittsburgh, was born in the city of Alle- 
gheny, Pa., April 11, 1844, eldest son and 
fourth child of Dr. John and Mary (Way) 
Dickson. He was educated at Jefferson Col- 
lege, Washington county, Pa., until the out- 
break of the rebellion, when he enlisted in 
Co. G, 28th P. v.. Col. Geary commanding. 
For sixteen months he was with the regiment 
in all its engagements, was then discharged 
on account of disability, and following 
winter resumed his studies. Entering Jeffer- 
son Medical College at Philadelphia, from 
there he graduated in 1868. For one year 
he practiced medicine with his father, and in 
June, 1869, he went to Europe, where he 
attended medical lectures in Paris during the 
winter of 1869-70. In June of latter year he 
returned home to Pittsburgh, where" he has 
since been actively engaged in the practice of 
his profession. The doctor was married, 
Nov. 35, 1873, to Miss Sarah H. Caldwell, a 
native of Pittsburgh, daughter of James and 
Mary (Hannah) Caldwell, and by her has one 
child, Agnes Caldwell Dickson, born March 
10, 1874. 

Bishop Whitehead. Rt. Rev. Cort- 
landt Whitehead, D. D., second bishop of 
Pittsburgh (P. E. Church), was born in New 
York city. Oct. 30, 1843. He graduated from 
Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., in 18.59, 
from Yale College in 18C3. and from the 
Philadelphia Divinity School in 1867. He 
was ordered deacon by Bishop Odenheimer, 
of New Jersey, June 21, 1867, and during 
three years following was a missionary at 
Black Hawk and Georgetown, Colo. He was 
ordained priest Aug. 7, 1868. From Novem- 
ber. 1870. to his elevation to the episcopate, 
he was rector of the Church of the Nativity,, 
South Bethlehem, Pa. In 1880 he received 



240 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Ihe dcurt'c of D. D. from Union College, and 
ill 1888 that of S. T. D. from Holiarl Col- 
lege. He was consecrated second bishop of 
Pittsburph, in Trinity church of that city, 
Jan. 2.5, 188'.3. 

Rkv. Edmund Helfour, D. D., was born 
in Aisled, a suburb of Copenhagen, Den- 
mark. Aug. 9, 1833. His father, who was 
well educated, came to this country in 1839, 
and the family followed two years later in 
the sailing-vessel Isabella, which made the 
voyage to New York in nine weeks. Here 
the family settled. The boy Kdmund was 
the 3'ounge9t of seven children, and at the 
end of one year's residence in New York he 
began to work in order to aid in supporting 
the family. It was not until his sixteenth 
j'ear that he entered school, beginning at the 
very foundation. He expected to learn the 
machinist's trade, but his pastor. Rev. Dr. C, 
Martin, who confirmed him at this time in 
St. James' Lutheran Church, on Mulbeny 
street, advised him and urged him to study 
for the minislrj'. By studying daj- and 
night he succeeded at the end of nine months 
in passing the examination for admission to 
the College of the City of New York. 
He completed his course in the summer of 
18.54, and received medals for proficienc.y in 
moral science and oratory. In the fall of 
the same year he entered the Lutheran Theo- 
logical Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa. In the 
spring of 185? he became the pastor of St. 
Paul's Lutheran Church in Schoharie. N, Y., 
and the Associated Lutheran Church at 
Central Bridge, also serving the parish suc- 
cessfully for eleven years. At the end of 
that time he became pastor of St. John's 
Lutheran Church iu Easton, Pa., where he 
labored happilj' for neaiij- six years, when 
he was asked by the general council to go to 
Chicago to organize English Lutheran 
churches. He entered on this work Feb, 1, 
1874, and succeeded in founding two congre- 
gations, Trinity on the north side and 
Wicker Park on the west side. But the cli- 
mate bringing on a serious sickness, he 
accepted a call to the pastorate of the First 
English Evangelical Lutheran Church in 
Pittsburgh, and began his labors there Feb. 
1, 1880, having now held the position nine 
years. 

During his ministry the congregation 
built its magnificent church and chapel on 
Grant street. Dr. Belfour's ministry has 
been marked by persevering, conservative 
and successful labors, and has been singularly 
peaceful and happy. In his library are found 
books in eight or nine different languages. 
Twelve years ago he translated from the 
Danish " Pontoppidan's Explanation of 
Luther's Catechism," which is now in its 
tenth edition. 

Rev. Dr. Reid. William James Reid, 
D. D., was born Aug. 17. 1834, in South 
Argyle, Washington count3', N, Y, He 
graduated from Union in 185.5, and studied 
theology at Allegheny. He was licensed 
April 2, 1861. ordained April 7, 1863, and has 



been pastor of the First U. P. Church in 
Pittsburgh since his ordination. He was 
secretary of the Board of Home Missions 
from 1868 till 1872, chairman of the commit- 
tee to prepare the digest in 1870, principal 
clerk of the U. P, General Assembly since 
1875, and delegate to the Presbyterian coun- 
cil of 1884, His publications a"re; "Unseen 
Battles of Youth," a sermon; "Lectures on 
the Revelation," and "United Presbyte- 
rianism, " He is editor of the United Prfsby- 
terian. 

Rev. Dr. Woodburn. B. F. Woodburn 
is a descendant of early settlers in Allegheny 
county. James Woodburn, his grandfather, 
was the first permanent settler in CIrescent 
township, of which he and James O'Hara 
owned at one time nearly all the land, 
James Woodburn came to a tract adjoining 
Shoustown in 1794, B. F. Woodburn was 
born at the old homestead on the bank of the 
Ohio river, March 23,1832. In the adjoin- 
ing village many of the famous steamers of 
the olden time were built, and a river life 
had great attraction for the boys of that day. 
Young Woodburn, having secured a clerk- 
ship, embarked on a steamer for Fort Smith, 
Ark., and in that capacity, and as captain, 
he spent eight years on various steamers ply- 
ing the Ohio, Mississippi. Cumberland and 
other rivers. At the age of twenty-six years, 
having made a profession of religion, he 
entered on a seven j-ears' course of study, 
graduated at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, 
in 1862, and at the Western Theological 
Seminary, Alleghenv, iu 1865, He became 
pastor of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church 
immediately after completing his studies, 
and after four and one-half years' service 
accepted a call to the Sandusky Street Bap- 
tist Church, Allegheny, March" 1, 1870, He 
has been intimately associated with the work 
of the denomination, especially in the west- 
ern part of the state, and in 1881 he received 
the degree of D. D. from Lewisburg Univer- 
sity. He has also been interested in the 
educational and philanthropic enterprises of 
this region. He has served for a number of 
years as a member of the board of control- 
lers of Allegheny City, and has been presi 
dent of the Allegheny General hospital since 
its establishment in 1886. He is the author 
of the history of the Baptist denomination 
published in tliis work. 

James K, Moorhe.\d. Gen. James Ken- 
nedj' Moorhead was born in Dauphin county. 
Pa., iu 1806, and was the son of William 
Moorhead. who emigrated from the north of 
Ireland to this country in 1798. settling in 
Lancaster count}'. Pa., where he was mar- 
ried. In 1806 the senior Mr. Moorhead pur- 
chased a farm (m the Susquehanna, twenty 
miles above Harrisburg, long known as 
Moorliead's Ferry, where his son, James K., 
was born. Mr. Sloorhead was not onl)' an 
enthusiastic and successful farmer, but also 
a cultivated and refined gentleman. He was 
active in politics, and was by President 
Madison appointed a collector of internal 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



241 



revenue. In 1815 he removed to Harri3l)urg. 
■where he died two years later, leaving his 
■widow and six children nearl}- penniless. 
They removed to the old farm at Moorhead's 
Ferry. 

James K. Moorhead had no educational 
advantages, in the way of schools, after he 
was eleven years of age. At fourteen he 
had charge of the farm, and won quite a 
reputation in that capacity. He was appren- 
ticed to a tanner in Lancaster county, com- 
pleting his apprenticeship in September, 
18.26. He worked at his trade some time, 
and two years later took the contract to 
build the Susquehanna division of the Penn- 
sylvania canal, in which he was successful, 
and saved therefrom a capital of three or 
four hundred dollars. 

In December, 1829, he wag married to Miss 
Jane Logan, and removed to Huntingdon. 
Pa. For tlie next ten years he was engaged 
in work connected with the canal, especially 
4he Pioneer line of packet-boats, which 
proved a greater success than had been an- 
ticipated. In 1836 he removed to Pittsburgh, 
and three years later he became connected 
witli the Monongahela Navigation company, 
organized to construct dams and locks on the 
Monongahela river. This work was com- 
pleted in 1841. In May, 1846, Mr. Moorhead 
Tvas elected president of the company, and 
held the position for thirtj'-eight years con- 
secutively. He was engaged in the construc- 
tion of locks, dams, brid.ges, reservoirs and 
similar work in Pennsylvania, Indiana and 
Kentucky, and won a wide reputation for 
this class of work. In 1840 he united with 
■others in establishing the Union Cotton- 
factory in Allegheny City, of which he was 
chosen manager, and he settled with his 
family in that locality. He held the position 
of manager until the spring of 1849, when 
the factory was destroyed bj' fire, as was 
Oen. Moorhead's residence. The next year 
lie became a partner in the Novelty works, 
at Pittsburgh, and built himself a new house, 
which was burned to the ground in 1853. 
■Gen. Moorhead was among the first to be- 
come interested iu telegraphic communica- 
tion, and largely directed the construction of 
lines between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh 
and between Pittsburgh and Louisville, and 
was for some years president of the com- 
panies owning these lines. He was oue of 
the leading spirits in telegraphic enterprises 
in this country. From the beginning of his 
residence in Pittsburgh, Gen. Sloorhead took 
rank as a leading and public spirited citizen. 
In early life he was a democrat, but aided in 
the formation of the republican partj% being 
a strong protectionist. In 1858 he was elect- 
ed on the republican ticket member of the 
XXXVIth Congress. So well satisfied were 
his constituents that he was four times re- 
■elected and would have been chosen for the 
sixth term but for his positive declination. 
His large experience in business affairs, his 
thorough knowledge of public interests, his 
unswerving integrity, and his sterling good 



sense made Gen. Moorhead a valuable rep- 
resentative. He served three years as chair- 
man of the committee on manufactures, and 
was a member of the committees on ways 
and means and on naval affairs. Mucli of the 
complexion of our present tariff is due to 
what was known as the Moorhead tariff bill. 

Gen. Moorhead was at one time post- 
master at Pittsburgh and at another time 
state adjutant-general. Jeremiah S. Black 
owed his first appointment to the friendship 
of Gen. Moorhead, whose influence with Gov. 
Porter was very great. During the rebellion 
Gen. Moorhead's advice was frequently 
sought by Secretary Stanton, and even b_ 
President Lincoln. It is said that Mr. Moor 
head personally prevented the removal o 
arms from the Pittsburgli armory by Secre 
tary Floyd. He took an active and influen 
tiai part in politics, and in 1869 and in 1880 
was a prominent candidate for United States 
senator, and was also strongly recommended 
for an appointment in Gen. Grant's cabinet. 
He was chairman of the republican county 
committee in the Garfield campaign of 1880. 
Early in 1882. after a short visit to Wash- 
ington, Gen. Moorhead began to show signs 
of failin.g health, and took a brief trip to Old 
Point Comfort. He started in Ma}', to at- 
tend the meeting of the General Assembly of 
the Presbyterian Church at Saratoga, to 
which he had been a chosen delegate. He 
was unable to proceed farther than Philadel- 
phia, when his ph3'sician ordered his return 
liome. Here his health was very poor, con- 
fining him to his house the greater part of 
the time. The end graduaUy approached, 
and on the 6th of March, 1884, Gen. Moor- 
head breathed his last, in the seventy-eighth 
year of his age. 

At the time of his death he was president 
of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, 
president of the Monongahela Navigation 
company, chairman of the executive comit- 
tee of the Western Penns)'lvania Hospital, 
trustee in the Western University and in the 
Western Theological Seminary, president of 
the Obio River Commission, member of the 
board of trustees of the Pennsylvania Insti- 
tute for the Instruction of the Deaf and 
Dumb, trustee in the People's Savings Bank, 
etc. Gen. Moorhead was as prominent in 
religious as in temporal affairs, and for many 
years was a ruling elder in the Third Pres- 
byterian Church. His death was felt to be 
a great loss to the entire community. All 
the corporations and institutious with which 
he has been connected passed resolutions of 
regret and ccmdolence upon the event. His 
monument is found in many of the leading 
business industries of Pittsburgh with which 
he was identified. The Monongahela Repub- 
lican said of him: 

The breadih of Ills mind was only equaled by tlie 
breadth of his charity; the strength of bis judgment by 
the tenderness of his enioti )ns; the earnestness of his 
zeal by the warmth of his sympathies; the enerey of 
his will by the gentleness of his spirit; the taithfulneas 
wiih which he adhered to his own convictions by the 
tolerance which he accorded to those of others. 



242 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Dr. O. TV. S.\DhEB. Oron Winslow Sad- 
ler, SI. D.. of Pittsburgh, thoujrli compnra- 
tively aj'oiiDgman, is one of the most jiroin- 
iuent ami sueressful practitioners in hi.s line 
of practice in the Lnilcd States. Born of 
New Enulanil stock, in IJrcwerton, Ononda- 
ga county, N. Y., Jan. 2, 1848. he traces bis 
ancestry to .John Sadler, who emigruled from 
England and settled in Massachusctis early 
in the last centmy, while other members of 
the family came still earlier. Dr. Sadler has 
In his possession a number of heirlooms in 
which he takes considerable jiride, some of 
them dating back to the Mayflower. Dr. 
Sadler's grandfather, William Sadler, with 
three brothers, Scott, Giles and Arleus, set- 
tled in 1820 near Onondaga lake, near the 
city of Syracuse, then a small village, while 
the surrounding country was a wilderness. 
Of a sturdy and resolute race, they were not 
dismayed at the labors and hardships before 
them, but built for themselves homes in the 
new country. Dr. Sadler's father, William 
Dexter Sadler, grew up amid the surround- 
ings usual to pioneer homes, yet, through 
the efforts of his noble mother, he was en- 
abled to secure a fair education. When he 
was twenty live j'cars old he was married to 
Miss Nancy Spire, daughter of a neighboring 
farmer. William D. Sadler was not content 
to remain in the home of his birth, hut. when 
his son Oren W. was three years old, re- 
moved to Millburn, Lake county. 111, going 
via the Erie canal and the lakes to Kenosha, 
Wis. Here Mr. Sadler, by dint of persever- 
ing labor, built him a new liome and secured 
a competenc.v which enabled him to send bis 
two sons. Oren Winslow and Alphonso S., 
to college. Mr. Sadler, with his good wife, 
is still living in Marshalltown, Iowa. 

The oldest son, Oren Winslow, spent his 
boyhood on the home farm and in the pub- 
lic schools, developing not alone in body and 
mind, but in an ambition to make the best 
possible use of the powers God had given 
him. lie tried one year of business life. Imt 
that did not suit the bent of his inclinations. 
Believing that the medical profession was 
best suited to his tastes add abilities, be 
entered, April 1, 18C5, the office of D. B. 
Taylor, M. D., in whom he found a skillful 
practitioner and faithful instructor. Here 
the young man devoted from fourteen to 
sixteen hours of each day to study, and laid 
broad and deep the foundation of his future 
success. After a thorough summer's work 
he entered the University of Michigan, at 
Ann Arbor, where he attended every lecture, 
taking a full course of analytical chemistry 
in the laboratory, and receiving his diploma. 
After another year of office study he entered 
Chicago Jledical College, where he expected 
to carry out his own princiiile as to thorough- 
ness. At the same time he attended a course 
of clinical lectures on ophlhalmologj' at the 
Cook County hospital. This course was 
optional, and Dr. Sadler, though not neglect- 
ing other branches, gave many extra hours 
to the stud\' of the eye, passing a successful 



examination, and receiving, in addition to 
his regular M. D. diploma, one from Ihe 
chartered eye and ear infirmary. After his 
graduation Dr. Sadler settled in Dodge 
county, Minn., and was successful from the 
outset. He became a member of the Minne- 
sota State Medical society, and of the Dodge 
County Medical society, being chosen secre- 
tary of the latter botly. He at once took 
front rank in his profession, and here he won 
his first honors in surgery. After a diflioult 
and dangerous operation, in which he was 
assisted by a physician who had retired from 
active practice, the latter remarked, "he 
dare do anything." Dr. Sadler kept in 
practice his knowlege of eye surgerj'. which 
was more to his taste than any other branch 
of his profession. Being ambitious to find 
a larger tield for his chosen specialties and 
growing powers, he removed to the east in 
1872. and settled at Titusville, Pa., then the 
center of the great oil-regions. Being a 
stranger among strangers, the question how 
to obtain a practice recurred. A friend (Dr. 
Sibbet) suggested the use of the public press. 
The suggestion was acted upon, and modest 
and truthful announcements of his specialty 
appeared in the daily papers, resulting in the 
immediate building up of a large and lucra- 
tive practice. After two and a half years of 
successful labor in Titusville, and when the 
oil-fields began to decline. Dr. Sadler, deter- 
mining on a still larger scope of usefulness, 
removed to Pitt.sburgh, Feb. 18, 1874. and 
has since made that city his home. Here he 
won an almost unparalleled success. He has 
erected an eye and ear infirmary- in connection 
with his residence, in order to increase his 
facilities for doing business, and the better 
to accommodate his patients, who come from 
nearly every part of the United States, so 
widespread is his fame. 

Dr. Sadler was married at the age of 
twenty-four to Miss Josephine E., daughter 
of George W. Slocum, the latter now a resi- 
dent of Mantorville. Minn. Her father's 
family were among the first settlers of Rhode 
Island, and with her grandfathers were 
pioneers of Western Pennsylvania, settling 
near Conneautville, Crawford county. She 
has proven a helpmeet in ever}' sense of the 
word, and her husband invariably consults 
her before entering upon any new project, 
and to her iudgmenl he attributes much of his 
success. Dr. Sadler is yet a young man. but 
has achieved a success seldom met witli by 
those of nearly twice his years. He is old in 
experience, a close student and an untiring 
worker, and thousands owe to his skill their 
redemption from suffering lives of blindness 
or deafness. 

Wii.i.TAM Erwin ScH.MEnTZ, president 
Third National Bank of Pitt-sburgli. was 
born in Drieburg. Westphalia, Prussia, Mav 
24, 1826. His father, John Christian 
Schmertz. was collector of revenues for 
Baron von Sierslof, and his mother. Caroline 
(von WestphalenI was descended from a 
Saxon to whom Charlemagne granted the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



243 



province of Westphalia iu 803. In 1832 
William E. came with his parents to Amer- 
ica, and his father carried on business in 
Pittsburgh, from which he retired in 1846, 
dying in I860; his widow died in 1885. W. 
E. Schmertz attended the public schools of 
Pittsburgh until he was twelve years old, 
when he entered the shoestore of H. P. 
Cain. In 1848 he opened a retail shoestore, 
and within a few years embarked in the 
wholesale trade. In 1860 he became a trustee 
in the Dollar Savings Bank, of which he is 
now vice-president. He was one of the or- 
ganizers of the Third National Bank in 1863, 
and was elected president the following j'ear. 
He has served as president of the Pittsburgh 
Chamber of Commerce, is a director of 
Braddock National Bank, and chairman of 
the tinanee committee of the Chartiers Valley 
Gas Co. In 1882, Mr. Schmertz was placed 
by the Chamber of Commerce at the head 
of the committee, which, after a three years' 
fight, succeeded in ousting the " bond syndi- 
cate," whereb}- the city was saved nearlj- 
$2,000,000. Mr. Schmertz was also prominent 
in other reform measures for the good of the 
cit_Y. Politically, he is a republican. Dec. 
4, 1849, he married Amelia A., daughter of 
Rev. David Kammerer, who was fourteen 
years pastor of the Smithfield Street (Pitts- 
burgh) Evangelical Church. 

Rev. Dr. Boyd. John Carnahan Boyd, 
D. D., was born in Westmoreland county, 
Pa., Jan. 16, 1833. He graduated from Jeffer- 
son in 1854, and studied theology at Alle- 
gheny. He was licensed April 4, 1857, and 
was ordained April 14, 1858. He has been 
pastor of St. Clair, this county, ever since 
his ordination, and is corresponding secretary 
of the board of publication. He was a dele- 
gate to the first Pan-Presbyterian Council in 
1877, a professor and editor of the Evangeli- 
cal RepoHtory in 1881-85, and is now associ- 
ate editor of the United Presbyterian. His pub- 
lications have been: "An Anniversary Dis- 
course," "The History of the Synod of 
Pittsburgh," and the "History of the Second 
Associate Reformed Presbytery of Pennsyl- 
vania." He is the author of the history of 
the U. P. Church in Allegheny county 
published iu this work. 

Rev. E. M. Wood, A. M., D. D., has been 
a resident of Allegheny county the greater 
part of the past twenty-five years. He was 
born at Alliance, Ohio. Oct." 11, 1838. His 
father was an upright and intelligent farmer, 
highly respected wherever known. Dr. 
Wood is one of fourteen children and one of 
six brothers, all of whom grew up to honor- 
able manhood. He received such an educa- 
tion as was usually obtained in the common 
schools of his time, but as he grew up he 
realized the need of more advanced training 
to fit him for the great work for which he 
believed himself called. He entered Mount 
Union College, Alliance, Ohio, in 1858, and 
after working his way through a five 3'ears' 
course, mainl}' by teaching in the winter and 
laboring during the summer, he was gradu- 



ated in the classical course in 1868 with 
second highest honor in his class. As a min- 
ister he entered the Pittsburgh Conference of 
the M. E. Church the year of his graduation. 
His fidelity and ability were soon recognized, 
and hence he has, during the twenty-six years 
of his ministry, filled some of the most 
prominent churches of his denomination, 
and his labors have been attended with re- 
markable success. He has been a most ardent 
student all his life. He is widely recognized 
as a fine Hebrew, Greek and Latin scholar, 
as well as being thoroughly acquainted with 
natural science, mathematics and general 
literature. As an orator, especially iu the 
domain of theology, and on great public 
occasions, he has but few superiors in the 
country. His carefully prepared public lect- 
ures on various themes are often sought after 
and heard with great interest and profit. 

Dr. Wood has made a reputation both in 
the United States and Europe as a writer and 
author. His style is characterized by clear- 
ness, conciseness and an attractive imagery 
which holds the attention of the reader. It 
is known that he did most of the work on the 
"Cyclopedia of Methodism," in personal 
association with Bishop Simpson (1877). His 
other works are "Methodism and the Cen- 
tennial of American Independence" (1876); 
" How the Bible was Made " (1884); a poetical 
work entitled " A Splendid Wreck, and Other 
Poems " (1888). Besides these he has two 
other works of great interest about ready 
for the press. In 1885 Dr. Wood was elected 
professor in Curry University, Pittsburgh, 
and since that time he has been at the head 
of the department of natural science and 
logic. 

John Dalzell, member of Congress, Pitts- 
burgh, is an example of the success which 
attends well and intelligently directed indus- 
try. His parents, Samuel and Mary (Mc- 
Donnell) Dalzell, came from County Down. 
Ireland, to America about 1840. John Dal- 
zell was born in New York city April 19, 
1845, and came with his parents to Pittsburgh 
in 1847. He attended the common school 
and the University of Western Pennsylvania, 
and graduated from Yale College at the age 
of twenty. He read law with John H. 
Hampton, and was admitted to the bar in 
1867, at once beginning practice as partner 
with his preceptor. For twenty years he 
acted with him as attorney for the Pennsvl- 
vauia Railway company and its western 
leased lines, and was also solicitor for numer- 
ous corporations, among others for those in 
which George Westinghouse, Jr., was amov- 
ing spirit. Through an extensive practice, 
to which he gave his earnest attention and 
his best talents, he accumulated what is con- 
sidered a large fortune for a young attorney. 
He is a director of the Braddock National 
Bank, and is interested in other progressive 
and profitable institutions of the county. In 
1886 he was elected a member of the Lth Con- 
gress by the republicans, having previously 
taken no active part in politics. He at once 



244 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COCNTY. 



distinguished himself iu that body, aud in 
1888 was returned to the List Congress by a 
large majority. 

In 1807 Mr. Dalzell married Miss Mary L., 
(laughter of Peter Duff, the founder of the 
weli-known Duff's Uusinesss College. Mrs. 
Dalzell is a native of Pittshurgh. and is the 
mother of four living children; William 8., 
Bessie M., Samuel and Kobert D. Mr. Dal- 
zell resides with his family at Swissvale, 
where thev attend the Presbyterian church. 
A flourishing social and political club, called 
the Dalzell Republican club, is established 
in handsome quarters at this pleasant suburb 
of Pittsburgh. 

Hon. Rl'ssell Ekrett was born in the 
city of New York, Nov. 10, 1817. His father 
was a native of Wicklow, near Dublin, in 
Ireland, who came to this country in or about 
1810. shortly before the outbreak of the war 
of 1812. His mother was a native of Ports- 
mouth, England. His father served as clerk 
for Messrs. R. <& A. Stewart, who had lar.se 
interests in real estate in New York city, and 
he was in their service when he died in 182.5, 
at the earlj" age of thirty-seven. His mother 
remarried in 1827, with Robert Souter, a 
native of Scotland. 

There were no public schools in New York 
then, and Mr. Errett had been at a private 
school kept by Henry Edmunds for about 
two years when the necessities of the family, 
caused by the death of his father, drove him to 
serve as an errand-boy with Holmes & Samo, 
who carried on the business of gilding hat- 
linings. In 1827 his step father removed to 
a farm in Washington Valley, Somerset 
count}-, N. J., where the familv lived till 1829, 
when" Mr. Souter came to fitlsburgh and 
went in partnership with his brother-in-law, 
Robert M. Laren, who was then running the 
mill formerly belonging to West Elliott, in 
what is now Temperanceville, or the Thirty- 
sixth ward of the city. In 183.5 Mr. Souter 
purchased a farm in Robinson township, two- 
thirds of which is now embraced in the bor- 
ough of Chartiers, where he remained till 
1857. when he removed to Hancock county, 
W. Va. 

In 1832 Mr. Errett was apprenticed to 
Andrew Easton, a baker on Scotch Hill, for 
three j'ears. When his time had expired he 
went to Louisville. Ky., and thence to Tus- 
cumbia, Ala., where he worked for a time at 
his trade. He then returned to Louisville, 
and worked for two years with a Mr. Wool- 
ford, formerly of Pittsburgh. The panic of 
1837 having paralj'zed business in Louisville, 
he engaged in work on the slackwatering of 
Green river. Here he contracted the fever 
and ague, and was compelled to return home, 
arriving at the time when shinplasters were 
first issued in the hard time of 1837. He taught 
school for a while in Lower St. Clair (now 
Chartiers township) and in Robinson town- 
ship, then taught during nine months, in 1838, 
in Findlaj' township. In 1839 he obtained a 
clerkship with John M. Snowden, Jr.. then 
in the coal businessat the mouth of SawMill 



run. He remained tili 1842, when he was- 
appointed mayor's clerk by Alexander Hay, 
mayor of Pittsburgh, and continued till 1845. 
Prior to engaging in this service, or in No- 
vember.1841, Mr. Errett was married. During 
1842, '43 and '44 he edited the Daily S"i,. a 
small penny journal, issued in the days before 
the telegraph was known. In 1845 Dr. 
Lemoyne and other abolitionists of Wash- 
ington county established an anti slavery 
weekly paper in Washington, Pa., and Mr. 
Errett became its editor and publisher. His 
family that had remained in Pittsburgh were 
burned out in the great fire in 1845. and he 
removed them to Washington, where he re- 
sided till 18.53. His anti-slavery paper, the 
Waahinyton Pa^rw?, was published four years, 
when it died. From 1848 to 18.52 he worked 
at the printing business, first with Seth. T. 
Hurd, on the Ci»iiiii'in wealth, and afterward 
with White tV: Baasman on the Report/ r. In 
December, 1852. he accepted the place of 
mercantile reporter on the Pittsburgh Hazftte. 
and he has remained in and about the city 
ever since. From mercantile reporter he was 
promoted to assistant editor, and in 18.56 he 
united with Samuel Riddle and D. L. Eaton 
in purchasing the Oazttte from D. N. White. 
In 1865 the paper was sold to N. P. Reed &, 
Co.. the present owners. 

In 1856 he took an active part in forming 
the republican party, and that partj' having 
carried the lower house of the state legisla- 
ture in 1858, he became, on its meeting in 
18.59, a candidate for clerk of the house, but 
was unsuccessful. In 18.59 the same party 
carried the state senate, and he was elected 
clerk of that body when it met, in January, 
1860. In December, 1859, he had been nom- 
inated for city controller, having served for 
four years as member of the common council 
from "the old Sixth ward, and having been for 
two years president of that council; but the 
republican party having been in a distracted 
state when he was nominated for city con- 
troller, he concluded that he would not be 
elected, and went to Harrisburg to press his 
election as clerk of the senate. The election 
in Pittsburgh took place on the same da}' 
that the senate was organized, audit .so hap- 
pened that he was elected to both offices, 
contrarj' to his expectation. He was re- 
elected clerk of the senate in 1861, and the 
war of the rebellion breaking out soon after- 
ward, he was, in October. 1861, appointed 
paymaster in the U. S. army, in which capac- 
ity he served till July, lS66, when he was 
mustered out. 

In 1866 he bought a third interest in the 
job-printing business of Anderson. Errett & 
Co. In 1867 he offered himself as a candi- 
date for the state senate against Thomas 
J. Bigham, Esq.. aud was nominati'd and 
elected; his democratic opponent being James 
P. Barr, Esq.. of the Post. He resigned after 
two years' service, in 1869. and was in that 
year appointed U. S. assessor of internal 
revenue by President Grant, in which posi- 
tion he served till the office was abolished. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



245. 



In 1871, '73 and '73 and in 1874, he served | 
as chairman of the republican state commit- 
tee. In January, 1872, he was again chosen 
clerlj of the state senate, and served till the 
close of the session of 1875. 

In 1876 he entered into an active struggle 
for the congressional nomination with Gen. 
James S. Negley, and was successful. He 
was elected m November of that year by 
1,530 majority over Hon. James H. Hopkins. 
He was re- elected in 1878 by 1,.560 majority 
over David Kirk, greenbacker, the demo- 
cratic candidate being J. K. P. Duff, Esq. In 
1880 he was elected a third time by about 
5,000 majority. He was a candidate a fourth 
time, in 1883, but that was the year of the 
"independent republican" revolt, and the 
independent republicans having given then- 
votes to Hopkins, the latter was elected. 
In 1883, at the close of his congressional 
career, President Arthur appointed him U. 
S. pension-agent at Pittsburgh, which place 
he tilled until May, 1887. 

Mr. Errett is now in his seventy-second 
year, but hale, stout and hearty. He had 
live brothers and one sister. Of these three of 
the brothers, Henry, Joseph and John, are 
dead; the oldest, ^Villiam, is still living at 
Fort Laramie, Wyoming, and a younger 
brother, Isaac, editor of the Christian stand- 
ard, at Cincinnati, died last year. His sister, 
married to Joseph Johnson, is still living at 
Hazelwood. His mother died at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-three in 1877. 

The long editorial experience of Mr. 
Errett has enabled him to wield a ready pen, 
as is attested by his compilation of the his- 
tory of Pittsburgh in this volume. 

"John B. L.\rkin', postmaster, Pittsburgh, 
was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Nov. 35, 183§, a 
son of Michael and Margaret Larkin, natives 
of County Derry, Ireland, who came to Alle- 
gheny county in 1835, former of whom was 
a carpenter and builder. Like a majority of 
our prominent men, John B. Larkin is self- 
made. When quite a youth he was employed 
as errand-boy with Messrs Kean «& Keller, 
tin and sheet-iron manufacturers, remaining 
with them eleven years. In 1863 he located 
in Ironlon, Ohio, and was elected clerk of 
that city in 1867, succeeding Hon. C. B. 
Edgerton, judge of probate court. His lirst 
report of the financial condition of the city 
was instructive, and a comprehensive docu- 
ment, opening up to the people of the city 
and county a book that had been sealed to 
them. The report attracted the attention of 
the business interests and he was offered the 
clerksliip of the Olive Furnace compan}-, an 
extensive iron firm, whose senior member is 
one of the wealthiest men in Southern Ohio. 
While in their employ Mr. Larkin received 
the unsolicited nomination for auditor of the 
county. He squared up his books, resigned 
his position and led the party in its forlorn 
hope. Gen. Grant was making his first fight 
for the presidency that j^ear, sweeping the 
country, and Mr. Larkin, although leading 
his ticket, was beaten bv about three hundred 



votes. His old position was immediately 
offered him, but. declining it, he turned his 
face homeward and engaged in business for 
himself at 23 Diamond square. The place 
was abandoned, owing to a dispute about the 
lease of the property, and Mr. Larkin was 
employed by Fleming, Agnew & Co. Subse- 
quently hebecame juniormember of the firm 
of McCandless & Co. This firm and that of 
Graff, Hughes & Co. had a common interest, 
and Mr. Larkin traveled for both, only ceas- 
ing his connection at the death of Mr. Mc- 
Candless. He then accepted an office from 
Weldon & Kelly, resigning in 1883; was 
then appointed member of the Natural Gas 
company by Judge Stowe. 

April 2, 1885, he was appointed postmas- 
ter of Pittsburgh. Mr. Larkin has given his 
entire attention to the postoffice department, 
and the result is appreciated by the general 
public. He has over one hundred letters 
from leading citizens and business-men testi- 
fying to their appreciation of his improve- 
ments in facilitating the more perfect and 
prompt delivery of mail. This result has 
been obtained by careful study, careful ob- 
servation and hard work. Mr. Larkin devotes 
thirteen hours a day to his position, and is 
continually adding improvements that hasten 
the delivery of mail. He is well known all 
over the state through service to his party in 
the past twenty-five years. He began at the 
bottom, working his way up through the con- 
ventions, and represented Pittsburgh in the 
' national convention that nominated Hancock 
in 1880. Owing to his knowledge of gases 
and mechanics he was appointedone of the 
five persons selected by Judge Stowe to form 
a gas commission to determine the best and 
safest means for controlling and transporting 
natural gas, which proved a success, no seri- 
ous explosions having occurred since. 

Mr. Larkin was united in marriage, May 9, 
1873. to Miss Rose Canneviu, at Pittsburgh, 
daughter of Thomas Cannevin, and a sister of 
Revs. Regis and James Cannevin. Mr. and 
, Jlrs. Larkin have four children; Alice, John 
C, Regina and Naomi. 

Reuben Miller. Jr. Briefly narrating 
I the life of this highly honored old citizen of 
Pittsburgh is as the unrolling of a panorama 
of the present century's growth, and dis- 
! closing the changes that have been wrought 
in more than fourscore years of steady 
development. 

Reuben Miller, Jr., was born near Frank- 
ford, Pa., June 24, 1805, a son of Reuben 
and Hannah Miller, natives of Chester 
county, same state. In the fall of 1805 the 
family moved to Pittsburgh, and here young 
Reuben received his education. At tlie age 
of thirteen he commenced work in his 
father's iron business. In 1821 he made a 
trading trip as far as Louisville, Ky. ; then 
continued to 1834 in his father's employ. 
' when he opened a general provision-store in 
Pittsburgh. In course of time his business 
extended into Blair, Huntingdon and Centre 
counties. In another year he became inter- 



246 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



esteJ in a tobacco-factory. At this sta^e of 
life lie mariieil. the lnd_v of his choice being 
Ann L., the youngest (laughter of Peter anil 
Sarah Harvy. In 18:ifil\Ir. Miller bought out 
his partners, and contiiiuecl the entire bvisi- 
ness alone. In the same year he and others 
commenced and successfully carried on a 
foundry on the south side of the Mononga- 
hela river. In 1839 the firm of which Mr. 
Miller was a part built the first and only iron 
boat, the Valley Forge, that over navigated 
the western rivers. For fourteen years, com- 
mencing in 1840, Mr. Miller confined himself 
exclusively to his steamboat interests, and in 
18.54 he retired from the concern, transferring 
his interests to his sons. Of many public 
institutions in both city and country he has 
been director, president or manager, and has 
always kept his heart and hand interested in 
everything tending to the public good. 

Five sons and two daughters were born to 
him, both the latter of whom died in early 
childhood; one son was drowned in 1860 at 
the age of fifteen; the next youngest gave 
his services to his country, and on the third 
day at Gettysburg received his death-wound. 

.John H. Flagi.er, Esq. Among the 
•originators and foremost leaders of the vari- 
ous vast industries of this country, no one 
occupies a more prominent position than the 
subjectof thisbrief sketch, and Pennsylvania 
is especially proud in having had his energies 
more particularly devoted to her welfare in 
the iron-manufacturing business. Mr. Flag- 
ler was born at Cold Spring, X. Y., which is 
on the Hudson river opposite West Point, in 
1836. The famous West Point Foundry and 
Machine-shops are located at Cold Spring, 
and were in those days the largest in this 
countrjf. It was a question as to whether 
Mr. Flagler should be schooled for West 
Point or take an engineering course; his 
natural tastes favored the latter. He was 
therefore sent to the Patterson (N. Y.) 
Academy, where he graduated. He then 
was taken into the iron business with his 
uncles, Messrs. .John & .James H. Haldane, 
who owned and operated the Greenwich 
Iron-works of Connecticut. After gaining 
practical knowledge there, he was taken to 
their extensive iron-stores m New York cit}', 
where he remained for a period of years. 
He was then sent to Europe by the firm, for 
the purpose of studying the detailed methods 
of iron-tube making as pursued there, for the 
purpose of introducing the foreign system in 
this country; there being but two concerns 
in the United States then manufacturing 
pipe and tubes, large quantities being 
brought from abroad, of which the firm of 
Messrs. John & James H. Haldane were the 
largest importers. In 1860 Mr. Flagler was 
given the Boston branch of this iron firm as 
his interest, and in 18G3, when the war broke 
out, his knowledge of the question of heavy 
armor-jdates for our monitor service, and his 
experience and ability in iron matters, 
enabled him to obtain the iron contracts for 
several of the monitors which were built in 



the New England waters; a portion of the 
iron which came under his direction was also 
furnished to the Monitor which fought the 
Merrimac. In 1867 Mr. Flagler conceived 
the idea of making |)ipe and tubes in this 
country, on his own account, by improved 
processes over those used in Europe, and he 
consequently built his wrought-iron pipe and 
tube works, operating it under the firm 
name of J. H. Flagler & Co., afterward 
merging it into that of the National Tube- 
works company at East Boston, Mass. The 
National Tube-works company was, there- 
fore, incorporated in 1869. In that year 12.5 
men were employed at the P^ast Boston 
works. In 1872 he went toMcKeesport, Pa., 
and built additional works for the company, 
where to-day .5,800 men are employed. Mr. 
Flagler's energy and keen foresight, there- 
fore, have produced an establishment of 
such gigantic proportions that it can be prop- 
erly called the Krupji's of America; it is now 
the largest pipe- and tube-works in the world, 
recognized as such throughout this country 
and Europe. 

Mr. Flagler's opinion on mercantile and 
political questions is prominently recognized 
throughout Pennsylvania and New York, 
and his many duties connected with his 
interests have forced him to refuse many 
offers of political offices. As a friend and 
promoter of the workingmen's best interests, 
the feeling toward him was strongly evi- 
denced a short time ago upon his return 
from a European trip, at which time over 
five thousand of his employes turned out in 
a parade of welcome, and the event was cele- 
brated as a holiday in McKeesport. The 
great success of the National Tube-works 
company, and the close attachment between 
employer and employe evidence Mr. Flagler's 
ability and worth. Mr. Flagler today not 
only occupies the position as general man- 
aging director of the National Tube-works 
company, but is also president of other 
organizations representing, in the aggregate, 
over $70,000,000 of capital. 

George Hexry Meter, president of the 
German-American Insurance company, of 
Pittsburgh, was born near Osnabriick, Han- 
over, Prussia, .Sept. 5, 1829, and is a son of 
Christian and Katrina (Schumacher) Me.ver. 
He was reared on a farm, and received an 
ordinary German education. When seven- 
teen years old he came to Pittsburgh, and 
immediately commenced work, in order to 
earn a livelihood. After a time he learned 
the builder's trade, and meantime attended 
night school for four years. For twenty-five 
years he was engaged in contracting and 
building, and was ten years a partner, with 
six others, in the manufacture of glass. He 
also invested some of his means in an iron- 
manufacturing concern. Mr. Meyer was one 
of the original incorporators of the German- 
American Insurance company, in 1873. tak- 
ing the position of president from the start, 
and to his efforts is largely due the success 
of the institution. He is a stockholder in 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



247 



the Fifth avenue and Duquesne banks and 
the German Insurance company. He has 
represented the Sixth ward three times in the 
city council, and in the school board, and 
was several years a trustee in the G. L. 
Church, with which his famil.v is associated. 
He is a republican. Mr. Meyer was married, 
in 1853, to Eliza Gustvogel. who was born in 
the same locality as himself, and they have 
five living children: George, a liuilder; Fred- 
erick F.. a glass-presser; Elizabeth; Will- 
iam F., member of a wholesale grocery firm, 
and Mare;aret M. 

Rev."W. J. Holland, D. D.. Ph. D. On 
the paternal side, Dr. Holland is descended 
from Philemon Holland, the celebrated 
English translator and author. His father. 
Rev. F. R. Holland, a North Carolinian by 
birth, has held a prominent place in the 
ministry of the Unitas Fratrum ; on the 
maternal side he is a descendant of Rev. 
Francis Doughty, a Presbyterian clerg.yman, 
who. in 1643, preached tlie first sermon in 
the English language on Manhattan Island. 
He afterward preached to the Puritans in 
Maryland, of which colony his brother-in- 
law. Capt. William Stone, was governor, 
and there he died. His great-granddaughter. 
Mary Doughty, married Col. Timothy Hors- 
fleld. of Staten Island, one of the founders of 
the Moravian Church in New York, who 
subsequently removed to Northampton 
county. Pa., and became an active colonial 
officer. His son, Joseph Horstield, who was 
a member of the first Constitutional Con- 
vention of Pennsylvania, married a daughter 
of Daniel Benezet, and was the fatlier of 
Eliza Horsfield, who married Jacob Wolle. 
the son of a Moravian missionary in the 
West Indies. 

Jacob was sent when a child to be edu- 
cated in the United States, and made his 
home in Bethlehem, Pa., occupying his time 
during the latter half of his life mainl}' in 
the study of botany. It is from the Wolles 
and the Horsfields as well as from his father, 
who is a well-known conchologist, that Dr. 
Holland inherits his strong predilection for 
natural science. Dr. Thomas Horsfield. a 
descendant of Col. Timothy, was the natural- 
ist of Sir Stamford Raffles' expedition to the 
east, and for many years the Curator of the 
British Bast India Company's Museum in 
London, and a recognized authority on the 
botany and zoology .of the Indo-Malayan 
region. Rev. Francis Wolle. of Bethlehem, 
a cousin of Dr. Holland, is the highest living 
authority in America on microscopic botany. 
Dr. Holland's mother's maiden name was 
Augusta Wolle. 

The doctor was born Aug. 16, 1848, at 
Bethany, a mission station of the Moravian 
Church on the island ef Jamaica, where his 
father was then a missionary. He graduated 
at the Moravian College and Theological 
Seminary at Bethlehem in 1867, and at 
Amherst College in 1869. After two years' 
experience as a teacher in Massachusetts, he. 
entered the Princeton Theological Seminary. 

49 



whence he graduated in course in 1874. He 
immediately entered on the pastorate of 
Bellefield Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, 
where he has since remained. 

Dr. Holland was married in January. 1879. 
to Carrie, the youngest daughter of the late 
John Moorhead, of Pittsburgh. In 1877 he 
visited Europe as a delegate to the first 
Pan-Presbyterian Council, which met in Edin- 
burgh, and in 1879 he again visited Europe 
as a delegate to the meeting of the Evangeli- 
cal Alliance at Basle. In 1887 he went to 
Japan as the naturalist of the expedition 
sent by the National Academy of Science 
and the United States Navy Department to 
observe the total eclipse of the sun of that 
year. Several of his occasional lectures and 
discourses have been published; he has been 
a frequent contributor to the dailies, and has 
contributed many papers to the scientific 
journals, himself drawing and engraving 
most of the illustrations which accompany 
them. 

Dr. Holland is a member of the Academy 
of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, and of 
various other learned societies in this country. 
He is also a member of the Entomological 
Societies of London and France; is a mem- 
ber of the Historical Society of Pennsylva- 
nia, and has been led to make lengthy re- 
searches into local history; and at the re- 
quest of the Presbytery of Pittsburgh is 
engaged in the preparation of a histor3' of 
that venerable body, of which, for many 
years, he was the clerk. He is one of the trus- 
tees of the Pennsylvania Female College, and 
of the School of Design for Women , Vice-Pres- 
ident of the Board of Trustees of the Western 
Theological Seminary, and President of the 
Iron City Microscopical Society. He is also 
the historian of the Presbyterian Churches 
of Allegheny county in this work. 

Abraham Garrison, senior member of the 
firm of A. Garrison Foundry company, under 
whose management for over half a century 
the Pittsburgh foundry has won a national 
if not a world-wide reputation, was born in 
Orange county, N. Y., March 4, 1804. His 
paternal ancestors, who were of English 
descent, settled in what is now Putnam 
county, N. Y., in 1686. His father had prop- 
erty on the Hudson near West Point, and 
was owner and captain of a sloop which 
sailed between Albany and New York. The 
mother of Abraham was Catherine Kings- 
land, of English ancestry, who were among 
the early settlers of New Jersey. From the 
age of fourteen Mr. Garrison assisted his 
father in the navigation of his sloop. Gen. 
Pike, on the Hudson, and long before his 
twenty-first birthday he was captain of her. 
On reaching his majority, he, for a year, 
carried on the grocery business in New "fork. 
In 18;J6 he came to Pittsburgh, where he 
entered the office of Kingsland, Lightuer & 
Co., then proprietors of the Jackson and 
Eagle foundries. In 1830 he became foreman 
for Kingsland, Lightner & Cuddy, the then 
proprietors of the Pittsburgli foundry. In 



248 



HIHTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



1836 he obtained an interest in the business, 
which was carried on under various firm 
names until in 1865, when it developed into 
its present stj'le. our subject being in all 
these years an active partner. 

Mr. Garrison was married, Aug. 1, 1830, in 
Albany, N. Y., to Mary Clement. He is 
president of the Diamond National bank, the 
bafe Deposit company, of Pittsburgh, and 
the Birmingham Bridge company, as well as 
director in several other institutions. He 
has been a generous though unostentatious 
giver to the varied charities of Allegheny 
county, and to St. Andrew's Episcopal 
Church, of which he was an original projector. 

Edmdnd Coggswell Converse. One of 
the most brilliant and deservedly successful 
iron-masters in this great district is Assist- 
ant General Manager B. C. Converse, of the 
National Tube-works company. Mr. Con- 
verse was born Nov. 7, 1849, at No. 5 Mc- 
Lean street, Boston, Mass. His father was 
James C. Converse, Esq., now in good health 
at the age of eighty-two years, and president 
of the National Tube-works company, hav- 
ing preserved his faculties to a wonderful 
degree. His mother, who died some years 
ago, was Sarah Ann Peabody, of the New 
England branch of the Peabody family, the 
original members of which settled in America 
during the early period in the history of the 
country. On the Converse side his ancestors 
came over in the Mayflower with Miles 
Standish. and settled at Woburn, Mass. The 
family were of Norman origin, the name 
being spelled Conieres, then changed to 
Convers, and then Anally changed with the 
new class of family spelling to Converse. 
During the progress of the colonial days the 
family were always identified with military 
affairs, and during the Revolution took an 
active and crominent part. 

Mr. Converse was educated at and grad- 
uated from the Latin school of Boston, and 
afterward finished by an English course at 
the Boston English high-school, the mathe- 
matical branches of the latter being ranked 
with the best of colleges. He entered his 
father's dry-goods house in 1866, working for 
nothing as errand-boy. The firm name of 
the concern was then J. C. Converse, Blag- 
den & Co. He was afterward transferred to 
their New York branch ofllce, and put in 
charge of the receiving department in 1867. 
He remained there until 1873, at which time 
he applied to his brother-in-law. J. H. Fagler, 
the general manager, and to his father, the 
president of the National Tube-works com- 
pany, for a position at the new works of this 
concern then being located at McKeesport, 
Pa. Mr. Converse still has his letter of 
appointment, which offers him the position 
of storekeeper at f -150 per year, and which 
he accepted, entering the service of the com- 
pany in August, 1873. He inaugurated the 
system of rigid inspection of skelp-iron, 
which has ever since existed at this com- 
pany's works, and by close application made 
himself valuable in all mill departments. He 



rapidly gained detail knowledge of the busi- 
ness by the study of metallurgy and kindred 
matters pertaining to improved iron-working, 
oftentimes spending his evenings in welding, 
healing, and iicrforming other operations of 
work for pleasure, and to obtain a thorough 
practical knowledge of the business in all its 
inlricalc branches. From the position of 
storekeeper he was promoted to that of iron 
insi)ector, thence to general receiving clerk, 
thence to job clerk, thence to assistant cor- 
respondent, thence to correspondent, thence 
to order department, thence to cost clerk, 
thence to assistant superintendent, thence to 
private secretary to manager, thence to 
assistant to manager, thence to assistant 
general manager, and now he is one of the 
directors of the company. Mr. Converse is 
also chairman of the Republic Iron-works, 
limited, of Pittsburgh; president of the Edith 
Furnace company, vice chairman of the 
American Water Works & Guarantee com 
panj', limited, as well as a director in the 
American Bank Note company, several 
banks and other large organizations. 

As a young man Mr. Converse was noted 
for being the most successful pipe salesman 
in the United States, his ability in this direc- 
tion no doubt being the result of his thor- 
ough practical knowledge of his business 
and the different processes through which 
the material had to go, from the ore to the 
finished product. This knowledge, coupled 
with his keen mercantile experience and 
foresight, is shown by the very great success 
his company enjoys under his management 
of the sales of the National Tube-works 
company, the present tonnage of finished 
pipe, tubes, etc., amounting to from eight 
hundred to twelve hundred tons daily. It is 
a very rare exception to find, in the iron 
business especially, a master so thoroughly 
competent in both practical and mercantile 
knowledge as is Mr. Converse. He possesses 
a clear and original mechanical mind, with 
that of a shrewd business-man. His inven- 
tions are numerous, the most important of 
which is his Converse patent lock joint 
water and gas works system, the first pat- 
ents of which were taken out b}' him about 
1883. Up to that lime a perfect connection 
for wrought-iron pipe, without cutting 
threads, was unknown. After inventing the 
joint he perfected the system in all its details, 
and at this writing it is the only wrought- 
iron water and gas works system in the 
world. The sales from this department alone 
have amounted to millions of dollars; and 
thousands of miles of the pipe with this 
joint have been laid throughout this country 
during the past few years. 

The great development of the National 
Tube-works company has rendered it neces- 
sary for Mr. Converse to take up his head- 
quarters in New York city, where he is now 
permanenlly located, and from which point 
he manages the entire sales of the company, 
as well as conducting the operations of the 
New York branch house. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



249 



Dr. Jesse Spahi!, physician, Woodville. 
Pa., one of the oldest physicians in Alle- 
gheny county, was born in Cumberland 
county, Pa., Dec. 15. 1812. He is the son of 
Peter and Mary Elizabeth (Longsdorff) 
Spahr, who were both born in Cumberland 
county. Pa. Peter was by trade a wagon- 
builder, also a farmer; was born in 1784, and 
died in 1853. His wife was possessed of 
more than ordinary intellect, speakings; 
fluently the German and English languages, 
and died in 1865, aged seventy-eight years. 
Jesse was educated in the public schools. 
and at the Western University, Pittsburgh. 
He commenced the study of medicine when 
a young man, and since 1835 has practiced 
his profession in Washington county, 
Bridgeville, and at his present home. He 
married, in 1838, Abigail Green, daughter of 
Obed Green, of Brooke county. West Va. 
(formerly of Baltimore. Md.). Five children, 
three of whom are now living, were born to 
Dr. Spahr: Clarence, a practicing physician 
with his father; Edward, a farmer, and Cor- 
nelia (Mrs. Moorehead). The farm on which 
Dr. Spahr resides is of historic interest, be- 
ing near the site of the fighting-ground of 
the great whisky insurrection, and the re- 
mains of an ancient fort could, until 
recently, be seen on the farm. Dr. Spahr is 
conservative in politics. 

Rev. Andrew Arnold Lambing, son of 
Michael A. and Anne Lambing (nee Shields) 
was born at Manorville. Armstrong county, 
Pa., Feb. 1, 1843. His father was descended 
from an Alsatian family that emigrated to 
this country about a century and a half ago, 
and his mother from one that came over from 
County Donegal, Ireland, a few years later. 
His early life was spent on a farm and in 
public works, until he attained the years of 
manhood, when he entered St. Michael's 
Preparatory and Theological Seminary, 
Glenwood, Pittsburg, where he made his 
course in the classics and divinity, and was 
ordained to the priesthood Aug. 4, 1869.- 
After laboring on the mission in Cambria, 
Blair, Indiana and Armstrong counties he 
came to Pittsburg in the summer of 1873, 
and soon after took charge of the congrega- 
tion of St. Mary of Mercj', at the Point, from 
which he was transferred to Wilkinsburg in 
October, 1885, where he still remains. 

He is the author of "The Orphan's 
Friend " (1875), "The Sunday-school Teach- 
er's Manual" (1877), "A History of the 
Catholic Church in the Dioceses of Pittsburg 
and Allegheny " (1880), "The Register of 
Fort Duquesne" (1885, besides a number of 
religious pamphlets. He is a regular con- 
tributor to religious and histoi'ical periodi- 
cals, and for the past year has devoted his 
attention almost exclusively to local and re- 
ligious history. In the summer of 1884 he 
started "The Catholic Historical Researches," 
a quarterly periodical. and the first of its kind 
devoted to Catholic history in the United 
States. It was afterward transferred to a 
Philadelphia publisher by whom it is still 



continued. In June, 1886. the University of 
Notre Dame, Indiana, conferred on Mr. 
Lambing the degree of Doctor of Laws. 

William Sample, retired, Sharpsburg, 
the oldest citizen in the town, was born in 
Ross township, Allegheny count}'. Pa., July 
28, 1800. James Sample, his father, a native 
of Cumberland county, came to Allegheny 
county in 1790. He was a farmer and miller, 
and purchased four hundred acres of land in 
Ross township, which he owned until his 
death. This pioneer married Christine Tag- 
gan, of Northumberland county. Pa., and by 
her had fourteen children, eight of whom 
grew to be men and women. William was 
the youngest of this family. James was a 
prominent citizen in his day, being the sec- 
ond sheriff elected in the county. He died 
aged seventy-six years. Our subject is now 
the only surviving member of the family. 
He owned two hundred acres (which he sold 
in 1871) of the original tract of land purchased 
by his father, and for fifty-four years was 
engaged at farming. He married Jane, 
daughter of Robert Anderson, of this county, 
and eight children were born to their union, 
six of whom are living: James. Martha, Will- 
iam Hays, Margaret, David and Elizabeth. 
Since 1872 Mr: Sample has resided in Sharps- 
burg. where he is a highly respected citizen. 
For twenty-one years he was school director 
of his township. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and is a republican and 
voted for both the Harrisons for the presi- 
I dency. 

Rev. William F. Cowden. William F. 
I Cowden, A. M., was born June 23, 1834. at 
New Bedford, Lawrence county. Pa. At the 
I age of seventeen he commenced his academic 
education, which he continued, teaching at 
intervals till 1856. In the autumn of that year 
he entered Jefferson College at Cannonsburg, 
Pa., whence he graduated in 18.58. He then 
resumed teaching at Athens, Ivy., which he 
continued until 1861, when the civil war 
closed his school. While teaching he studied 
law during two years, but in 1860 he became 
a member of the Baptist Church, and aban- 
doned his purpose of entering the legal pro- 
fession. In the summer of 1863 he entered 
the theological department of the University 
at Lewisburg, Pa., whence he graduated 
with the degree of A. M. in 1864^ In that 
year he was ordained pastor of the Baptist 
Church at Jersey Shore, Lycoming county. 
Pa., and in 1871 he was called to the pastor- 
ate of the Baptist Church at New Castle. Pa. 
In 1871 a majority of his church withdrew 
and formed a union with the Disciples, or 
Christian Church, of New Castle, and Mr. 
Cowden was made pastor of the United 
Church. He remained in that relation till 
1881, when he was called to the pastorate of 
the Main Street Christian Church at Lexing- 
ton, Ky. Dec. 1, 1884, he became pastor of 
the First Christian Church in Allegheny, a 
position he still occupies. In his ministry he 
has always been successful. 

He was married June 29, 1859, to Miss 



250 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Mary J. Rice, of Polanrl. Ohio, aiullhey have 
two sons and two dausUlcrs, all of whom 
have attained to inaidiood and womanhood. 
He is the historian in this work of the Chris- 
tian Church in Allegheny county. 

Rt. Ri5V. RicHAiii) PnEL.\N, D. D.. bish- 
op of Cibyra and coadjutor of the bishop of 
Pillsburgh, was born in County Kilkenny, 
Ireland, .Ian. 1, 1828, the eld'ist of nine chil- 
dren, four of whom are dedicated to the serv- 
ice of God. His parents were Miidiael and 
Mary (Iveoghan) Phelan, natives of the neigh- 
l)orliood of his birthplace. He received his 
early instruction in the schools of liis native 
place and from private tutors. He pursued 
his classical studies in St. Kyran's Cullege, in 
the city of Kilkenny. In December, 1849, in 
re-u)onse to an invitation of lit. Rev. Dr. 
O'Connor, first bishop of Pittsburgh, for 
students for the then growing diocese, he 
sailed from Ireland and arrived in Pittsburgh 
the following month. He entered St. Mi- 
chael's Seminary in that city, but after a 
short time proceeded to St. Mary's Seminary, 
Baltimore, where he completed the study of 
theology, holy scrijiture, etc. Returning to 
Pittsburgh, he was ordained priest May 4, 
1854, by Bisliop O'Connor, and was imme- 
diately appointed to the charge of a congrega- 
tion in Indiana county. In the fall o^ that 
year the cholera raged in Pittsburgh, and, 
the clergy of the city being overworked. 
Father Phelan came to their assistance, and 
remained until the epidemic ceased. In 
February, 188.5, he was called by the bishop 
to be an assistant pastor at St. Paul's cathe- 
dral, where he remained until September, 
1858. He was then appointed to the pastoral 
charge of Freeport and Kittanning, Arm- 
strong county, with other missions attached, 
where four or five priests now find work. 
In 1868 Father Mullen, then pastor of the old 
St. Peter's church. Alleglieny, which was 
located where the Western Pennsylvania 
freight depot now stands, was appointed 
bishop of Erie. Father Phelan succeeded 
him in Allegheny, and under his guidance 
were built the beautiful new church and 
residence at the corner of Ohio street and 
Sherman avenue. 

In 1876 Allegheny was erected into a 
diocese and Bishop Doraenec, of Pittsburgh, 
placed in charge. In the following year 
Bishop Domenec went to Europe, where he 
died, leaving Father Phelan administrator of 
the diocise, in which capacity he continued 
until the diocese of Allegheny was reunited 
to that of Pittsburgh. In 1881 Bishop Tuigg 
made a journey to Europe, leaving Father 
Plielan administrator of the united dioceses 
during his absence, and on his return 
appointed him permanent Vicar-General. 
Bishop Phelan assisted at the last plenary 
council of Baltimore as the " procurator" of 
Bishop Tuigg. owing to the indisposition of 
the latter prelate. The illness of Bishop 
Tuigg— partial paralysis — continuing without 
much hope of immediate recovery. Father 
Phelan was appointed his coadjutor, with 



the " ri^ht of succession," and was conse- 
cr.ited bishop on the 'id of August. 188.5. in 
St. Paul's cathedral, Pittsburgh, by the Most 
Rev. Arclil)ishop Ryan, of Philalelphia. 

Cai'T. J. W. PoKTEK, iron-manufacturer, 
Sewickley. Robert and Isabella (Wilson) 
Porter, the grandparents of Capt. Porter, 
were sturdy Scotch farmers, whose ances- 
tors had fought for religious liberty. James 
Porter, the father of Capt. Porter, was born 
May i), 1797, in Forfarshire, Scotland, and 
immigrated to America in 1827. In New 
York city he was one of the contractors and 
builders of the Astor House and the City 
Hall. -In 1837 he came to Sewickley, Pa., 
where he was a farmer and horticulturist till 
old age demanded lighter toil, and he became 
a merchant, a vocation he has followed 
for over thirty years, being the oldest mer- 
chant in Western Pennsylvania. His many 
good traits of Scotch character have secured 
him a multitude of friends, who cheer the 
evening of his life. His wife, Helen (Grant), 
a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was 
possessed of great force of character, having 
those rare qualities of head and heart that 
make influence for good far reaching; and 
her son, Capt. J. W. Porter, attributes much 
of his success in business to the teachings 
and precept of this noble woman. She died 
Feb. 34, 1888, aged eighty-eight years. Of 
her nine children, si.\ reached maturity; Mrs. 
Ann F. Dickson, Capt. J. W. Porter. Capt. 
Robert Porter, Mrs. Margaret J. McClelland. 
David R. and Mary E. Porter. 

Of these Capt. "J. W. Porter, whose name 
heads this biographical memoir, is a native 
of New York city. He came to Allegheny 
county when, he was eight years old, and at 
the age of twentj- entered upon a successful 
career as riverman. He began at the bottom 
of the ladder, and soon became clerk and 
then captain. His first boat was the J. W. 
Hailman. He has furrowed all the princi- 
pal rivers in the Mississippi valley, and has 
led a stirring and eventful life, his knowledge 
of men and business being proverbial. He 
has been a successful man, and in the space 
of fifteen years of river life amassed a fort- 
une. He was in the government emplo.y in 
the civil war, carrying troops, ammunition, 
transport, etc. He was present at the battle 
of Pittsburgh Landing, capture of Fort Don- 
elson, Belmont, Island No. 10 and otiier en- 
gagements. At one time he carried Gen. 
Buckner (the present governor of Keutucky), 
with his staff and two hundred rebel prison- 
ers, from Fort Donelson, where they were 
captured, to Louisville, Ky., on their way to 
Fort Delaware, near Philadelphia. Witlihis 
boat he ran many rebel batteries, and had 
many narrow escapes. 

Since the war Capt. Porter has engaged 
e.xtensively in the iron business, the firm be- 
ing known as J. W. Porter & Co. The 
captain was married, in 1865. to Miss Martha 
L. Ebbert, who died Nov. 25, 1879, and this 
union was blessed with two sons, .lohn E. 
and J. W.. and two daughters, Mary Cre 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



251 



and Martha A. Tlie sons are associated with 
him ia business. It is but just to say of 
Capt. Porter that he is a self-made man in 
every respect, and has been the mainstay 
and support of his aged' parents for many 
years. He has been identified with Allegheny 
county for half a century, and few of its 
business-men are better or more favorably 
known than he. He is a director of banks 
and insurance companies, and one of the 
executive managersof the Western Pennsyl- 
vania Hospital. 

Judge Edwin H. Stowe was born Jan. 
2, 1826, in the town of Beaver, the eldest son 
of Hiram Stowe and Martha Darragh, a 
daughter of Maj. Robert Darragh. who at 
one time represented Beaver county in the 
state senate. The wife of Maj. Darragh was 
Deborah Hart, a granddaughter of John 
Hart, of New Jersey, one of the signers of 
the Declaration of Independence. The 
grandfather of Hiram Stowe was a soldier of 
the Revolution from Connecticut, and his 
father, having purchased a farm near Warren, 
Ohio, in the Western Reserve, removed there 
with his family in 1808. Hiram being a man 
of enterprise and having a taste for mer- 
cantile pursuits, when quite young left his 
father's home and removed to Beaver county, 
where, in 1823, he embarked in business in 
the town of Beaver. In 1827 he removed to 
a village on the west side of the Beaver river, 
now known as Bridgewater, and entered 
into partnership with Mr. Darragh, then 
engaged in merchandising at that place, the 
firm becoming H. Stowe & Co. The busi- 
ness, which prospered, was continued until 
1836. when Mr. Stowe, having been elected 
cashier of the Branch Bank of Pittsburgh, 
locatedin Beaver, retained that position until 
1839. when the branch was withdrawn. He 
was after that date not actively engaged in 
any business of his own, but interested in a 
number of enterprises, and at his death, in 
1877, was a director of the Western Insur- 
ance company, and the People's Savings 
Bank, of Pittsburgh, as also of the Little 
Saw-Mill Run R. R. Co. He was at one time 
director of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh R. R. 
Co. His widow still resides at New Brighton, 
at the ripe age of eighty-four years. Edwin 
H. Stowe was carefully nurtured, and en- 
joyed every advantage of education at com- 
mand. For a time he was a pupil of the 
academy at Beaver, but. becoming dissatis- 
fied, withdrew from it and recited to Samuel 
B. Coulter, a graduate of Jefferson College, 
and an accomplished scholar. In 1848 he 
entered Washington Colleee, from which he 
was graduated in 184.5. Removing to Pitts- 
burgh in the fall of 1846, he entered the office 
of the late Judge Hampton, then a member of 
Congress from Allegheny county, as a student 
of law. He was admitted lo the bar in 1849, 
and soon after opened an office as an attorney 
at law. Of a retiring disposition, he formed 
few acquaintances outside the profession, but 
upon the students and members of the bar he 
made a favorable impression. His progress 



was at first slow and discouraging; indeed, 
so much so, that at times he bitterly regretted 
his choice of a profession. But there was no 
retreat without distirace, and he resolved b}' 
patience and assiduous study to prepare for 
better days. In 18.55 he entered into partner- 
ship witli John H. Hampton, Esq., a former 
schoolmate and the son of his preceptor. 
Soon business came with unstinted measure 
lo the new firm, and the success of Stowe & 
Hampton was assured. In 1859 Judge Stowe's 
name was first mentioned for a judicial posi- 
tion among the members of the bar, and in 
1862 he was nominated by the republican 
party and elected judge of the common pleas 
court of Allegheny county. It required but a 
brief time to gain the confidence of the pub- 
lic as a judge both "competent and honest." 
In 1864 Judge Stowe married Miss Emma 
Vick, youngest daughter of Charles Vick, 
Esq., an English gentleman of culture and 
means, who came to this country and settled 
in Allegheu}' City. Their three sons were 
Charles H., who died in 1881 in his fifteenth 
year; Edwin Walford and Percy Van Deusen, 
born in 1870 and 1874, respectively. In 
1872 Judge Stowe was unanimously reelected 
a judge of the common pleas court, and in 
1882 the same flattering distinction was 
shown him. His experience on the liench for 
twenty-five years has extended through all 
branches of criminal and civil law, and his 
judicial career has met with public approval. 
One of the leading Pittsburgh journals thus 
speaks of him: 

A number of tbe raoat important case? recently tried 
in our courts have been tried before him. In the major- 
ity of these, of course, the most delicate questions were 
of a character to be appreciated only by tliose learned 
in the law. A few of these are interesting even to a lay 
mind, however. In the famous Clarke-McCully "Bond 
of Friendship" case, his ruling that Clarke was a com- 
petent witness, afterward upon re argument affirmed 
by the supreme court, by a divided court, won the case 
for him. What is known as the ''Rising Main Case" is a 
leading case on the power of the city councils to dis- 
crimiuate between bidders for puttlic work and award 
a contract to a bidder other than the lowest. In the 
Ortwein murder case, which was tried berore .Judge 
Stowe. the doctrine was laid down, for the first time in 
this state, that where the defense of insanity was set up 
against the charge of murder, the insanity must be 
proved to tbe satisfaction of the jury. It was not suf- 
ficient to merely raise a reasonable doubt in their 
minds. In this he was sustained by the supreme court, 
and it is now settled as law. He also presided at the tria 
of Lane, the poisoner, and Lenker, who murdered bis 
partner. Jlore recently he has held the scales in the 
contest of the rivermen with the Hostetter .Smithfield 
Bridge company, the protracted Oak .-\lley church 
wrangle, and the Lawrenceville graveyard case. 

To these may be added the case against 
James Nutt for the murder of Nicholas Ly- 
man Dukes, who had killed Null's father 
shortly before and been acquitted liy a 
jury, and in retaliation for which Nutt killed 
him. sent from Fayette countv, and in which 
"impulsive insanity" was relied upon as a 
defense; and the Commonwealth w. Riddle 
et al., president and director of the Penn 
Bank of Pittsburgh, for embezzlement. 

Thomas Wiohtman. Prominent among 
the leading glass-manufacturers of Pitts- 
burgh appears the name of Thomas Wight- 



252 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



man. He was one of the earliest of those 
BOW living to engage in this important 
industry, and is recognized as one of the 
fathers of the business. In 1(540. in connec- 
tion with tlie late William McCullj- and 
Frederick Loreuz. he engaged in operating 
Ihe Sligo Window-Glass works, established 
in 1824. and also th" old O'Hara works, on 
South Side or West End. Sul)se(iuently the 
firm separated, and in 1851 Messrs. Lorenz 
and Wiglilman organized another firm, under 
the style of horenz & Wightinan, retaining 
the OHara works. After the death of F. 
Lorenz Mr. Wightman withdrew, and the 
works were operated by F. Loreuz, Jr., for a 
few years. After his death they passed into 
possession, as lessL'es, of Fahnestock, Albree 
& Co., who operated thera for about two 
years in 1860, 1861 or 1862. Later on M. A. 
Lorenz, Tliomas Wightman and Ximick & 
Co. carried on the works under the name 
and style of Lorenz & Wightman until the 
demise of Mr. Lorenz. when the firm became 
Thomas Wightman & Co., and afterward 
put into a limited companj-. in 1883. which is 
the present business name. Mr. Wightman 
is engaged in the manufacture of window- 
glass and bottles, and is one of the leading 
manufacturers of Pittsburgh. 

.John Fleming Dr.wo was born at West 
Newton, Westmoreland county. Pa., Oct. 29, 
1819, and was reared near Elizabeth, in this 
county. He is the eldest of three children 
born to Michael and Mary (Fleming) Dravo, 
former of whom was for many years engaged 
in the coal business near McKeesport. this 
county; latter was of Scotch-Irish extraction. 
Anthony Dravo, grandfather of John F. , and 
a native of France, settled at Pittsburgh 
verv early in the history of that place. 

The subject of this biographical sketch 
was educated at the common schools and 
Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa., but was 
obliged, through ill health, to abandon the 
course at Meadville before its completion. 
He engaged in teaching schonl; and, being 
gifted with a ready flow of language, became 
a local jireacher in the Methodist Church, 
with which he has been identified since early 
youth. Being employed as his father's as- 
sistant, he became familiar with the details 
of Ihe coal business, and embarked on his 
own account in 1840. He founded the village 
of Dravosburg. on the Monongahela, and 
continued to operate in coal till 1868, when 
he sold out to engage in the coke business. 
He became treasurer and general manager 
of the Pittsburgh Gas-Coal & Coke Co., 
operating in the Connellsville region, and 
when he retire 1, in 1883, from its presidency 
the company was operating three hundred 
ovens, having begun with forty. For many 
years Mr. Dravo was president of the Pitts- 
burgh Coal Exchange; and as president of 
the Chamber of Commerce (of which he is a 
charter member) he has often appeared be- 
fore committes of Congress in the interest of 
measures affecting trade. He was appointed 
collector and surveyor of the port of Pitts- 



burgh by President Garfii Id in 1881, a posi- 
tion he held for four years. 

Mr. Dravo is a director of the Tr.adcsmen's 
National Bank and of the People's Insurance 
company; he is a trustee of Allegheny Col- 
lege, and |)resident of the board of trustees 
of Beaver College, to which he has coDtrib 
uted liberally. Indeed, it is said by those 
who know him best that he has given away 
more for charitable purposes than he now 
owns. While a resident of Allegheny county 
Mr. Dravo was four years a director and 
vice-president of the Pennsylvania Reform 
school; also served eight years as director of 
the AUeghenj' County Home. He purchased 
a fine home on the banks of the Ohio, in 
Beaver borough, where he has dwelt since 
1868. Mr. Dravo has ever been identified 
with movements tending to reform, being an 
earnest temperance worker and abolitionist 
He commenced political life as a Henry Clay 
w^hig. and in 184S was a candidate for legis- 
lature on tlie freesoil ticket. Since the 
republican organization he has given his 
efforts toward its success, stumping Western 
Penns3'lvania for all its presidential candi- 
dates, and was a delegate in the convention 
that nominated Abraham Lincoln. As an 
orator Capt. Dravo often rises to sublime 
eloquence. His address at the memorial 
services in Beaver Falls on the occasion of 
Gen. Grant's death is one of the finest and 
most beautiful contributions to a literature 
made rich by thousands of talented eulo- 
gists. In his political addresses he has given 
much attention to the tariff and financial 
questions, and his speeches are so interspersed 
with flashes of genial humor and convincing 
logic that his services are in constant demand 
during political campaigns. His public ad- 
dresses on various topics and for many 
objects have been made in the midst of an 
active business career, an evidence of a well- 
balanced and vigorous mind. In 1886 the 
people of Beaver elected him as their repre- 
sentative in the legislature, which position 
he continues to fill to their entire satisfac- 
tion, and was at once made secretary of the 
committee on ways and means. As chair- 
man of the committee on constitutional 
reform he introduced the prohibitory amend- 
ment, and during the session placed in nom- 
ination Senator M. S. Quay. 

Mr. Dravo is an original and independent 
thinker. In the realm of scieniific incjuiry 
he is fully up to modern thought While 
steadfasllj* holding to essential religiims doc- 
trines he refuses to accept much of former 
teachings. As a republican he seeks the 
best methods, stoutly contending for moral 
and political reform within the lines of party 
organization, to which he is ardently attached. 

Mr. Dravo married. Nov. 23. 1845^. Eliza .J., 
daughter of Robert and Margaret Clark, and 
of their nine children five survive, viz: 
Margaret (widow of Robert Wilson), Jose- 
phine (wife of .J. H. McCreery). John S. (a 
Pittsbiugh merchant). Lida and Eltie (at 
home). 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



253 



Hon. Thomas Penney, McKeesport, Pa., 
is now seventy-four years of age. He was 
born across the river, in the "Jersey settle- 
ment." His father's family came from the 
north of Ireland, and his mother's family 
from Scotland. His father's people moved 
here from New Jersey. His wife was a Miss 
Sill, and her people, coming to this valley, 
settled near Turtle Creek. His father moved 
from the Forks to McKeesport when Thomas 
was !)ut two years of age and where he has 
lived off and on at least fifty-six years of his 
life. Of his family all are dead save Mrs. 
Houghton. Three of his brothers practiced 
medicine, one was a lawyer, and served a 
term at Harrisburg as president of the senate; 
one was an officer in the regular army, and 
one died a few days after graduating at 
Jefferson College. 

Mr. Penney learned the tailor trade, 
tramped it awhile out west, but returned to 
McKeesport. He was one of those who 
formed the republican party, and has served 
the state as representative to the legislature 
from Allegheny county. He was one of the 
first to serve as burgess of McKeesport; he 
assisted to organize the First National Bank 
in that place, and was its first cashier. He 
now lives in an elegant home on Walnut 
street, and devotes much of his time to the 
interests and beautiflcation of Versailles 
cemetery, being president of its board. He 
has no active business interest, but lives to 
enjoy the fruits of a well-spent life. 

Henry I. Goorlky. Mr. Gourley was 
born Oct. 3, 1838, at Thompsontown, Juni- 
ata county. Pa. His father, Joseph Gourley, 
was a farmer, but in the prime of life was 
removed by death in 1843, leaving a widow, 
two sons and one daughter, the children 
aged, respectively, three, five and seven 
years. The family soon after removed to 
Pittsburgh, and Henry was placed under the 
care of a farmer in Pine township, Allegheny 
county, where for twelve years he labored 
diligently, and formed those habits of indus- 
try which have proven the groundwork of his 
success in life. Desirous of securing some- 
thing more of intellectual training than that 
afforded by the brief winter months of a 
country school, at the age of eighteen he 
earned by cutting cordwood. and b}' day 
labor upon the farm, sufficient funds to carrj' 
him through several months in AVilherspoon 
Institute, at Butler, Pa., and he subsequently 
completed a course at Duff's Commercial 
College, Pittsburgh, graduating in January, 
185T. 

Believing that a fortune was in store for 
him in the great west, he went to Dubuque, 
and subsequentl}- to Davenport, Iowa; but 
the business misfortunes of this year left 
little encouragement to the young stranger, 
and after a few months of bitter experience 
he returned to Pittsburgh. For a period of 
four years, from 1857 to 1861, Mr. Gourley 
gave himself to teaching and to stud}'. At 
the end of this time he was elected principal 
of Troy Hill, now Thirteenth ward, Alle- 



gheny, public school. After two years of 
faithful and successful labor here he was pro- 
moted to the principalship of the Third ward 
Grant school, of Pittsburgh, where he re- 
mained four years, conducting with eminent 
success an institution of sixteen hundred 
pupils, having a corps of sixteen teachers. 
For a time he presided over private schools 
at Shadyside, a suburb, and in the city of 
Pittsburgh; but failing health induced him 
to seek more active employment, and for a 
period of five years he represented the great 
publishing-house of Charles Scribner & Co. 
in Western Pennsylvania. Agaia he became 
principal of the Grant school, Pittsburgh, 
but at the end of two years he was induced 
to accept the superintendence of the agency 
department of the publishing-house of A. H. 
English & Co., Pittsburgh The unfortunate 
failure of this house after tTvo years of suc- 
cessful labor brought financial disaster to 
Mr. Gourley, as he was a creditor to a con- 
siderable amount. In 1879 he assumed the 
management of the publishing business of 
Messrs Taintor Bros., Merrill & Co., of New 
York, which position he still continues to 
hold, and in 1876-77 assisted Prof. M. B. 
Goff in the preparation of a series of arith- 
metics, which have been extensively used in 
Western Pennsylvania. In conjunction with 
Mr. J. N. Hunt he prepared, in 1881-82, 
" The Modern Series of Readers and Spellers," 
which are already widely circulated. In 
1864-65 Mr. Gourley commenced the study 
of the law, for which he had aptitude and 
special talent, and it has always been to him 
a source of regret that he did not follow up 
the practice. Of late he has taken an active 
and very prominent part in the government 
of the city. He was elected in 1876 to repre- 
sent the Seventh ward in the select council, 
which position he held till April, 1888, receiv- 
ing at three of these elections the unanimous 
vote. In 1879 he was chosen president of the 
select council, which position he held until 
he retired from the council. In but one 
decision was he ever overruled by the board, 
and in that the body subsequently reversed 
its own authority. Among the subjects of 
great importance to the city which have been 
legislated on during his administration have 
been the new water-works and the paving of 
the streets. Though involving a vast outlay, 
the expenditures have been judiciously 
ordered. At present the introduction of 
natural gas into the cit}' for healing purposes, 
and electricity, not only for public but for 
private illumination, is engaging the attention 
of the city government. In politics he is a 
republican", and has taken an active part in 
the canvass for several years past, doing 
yeoman's service. 

Mr. Gourley was married in 1867 to Miss 
Jennie Brenneman, of Pittsburgh. In an 
elaborate article published in the Magazine 
of Western History for June, 1886, it is said 
of Mr. Gourlej' that " even while deep in the 
cares of business he finds time to keep up 
with the current thought and literature of 



254 



Hiaxoav OF Allegheny county. 



the (lay. All educiitioiial matters lie close to 
his liearl. and any im'asure which has for its 
purpose the improvement of public schools 
finds in him an earnest friend. Viewed from 
all sides Mr. Gourley furnishcsus with as tine 
a specimen as could be found of the sureess- 
ful and self-made representative American." 

Du. Cdrtis G. Hussey. Any history of 
Allegheny county would beincomjilctc with- 
out mention of Dr. Hussej', one of its well- 
known and honored citizens. He has won 
sticcess in so many fields of labor, and has 
done so much as a businessman, manu- 
facturer aud developer of new fields of pulilic 
wealth, that it would be difflcull within these 
limits to enter into a detailed record of his 
life. In any mention, however, of industrial 
Pittsburgh, the name of Dr. Hussey stands 
prominent, for as the acknowledged pioneer 
of the Lake Superior copper region and as 
the first successful manufacturer in this 
country of fine qualities of crucible cast-steel, 
Pittsburgh owes much to him, and to his 
efforts aud perseverance may be accorded the 
successful establislimeut of two of her great 
branches of industry, copper and steel. 

Dr. Hussey was born on a farm near York, 
Pa., in August, 1803, and is a descendant of 
Christopher Hussey, one of the early settlers 
of Massachusetts. Christopher was born in 
Dorking, county of Surrey, England, about 
1597, and came to America in 1633, having 
married in England a daughter of Rev. 
Stephen Batcheller, who also came to Amer- 
ica. Christopher Hussey was a resident 
of Hampton, Mass., which town he repre- 
sented in the general assembly for several 
)-ears. He was also counselor of the prov- 
ince, and was active in the settlement of 
Haverhill. He was one of an association of 
ten persons, all Quakers, who during the 
winter of 16.58-.59 purchased the island of 
Nantucket, and soon after made it their 
home. This step was forced upon them by 
the persecutions of the Puritans, and in con- 
setiuence of a protest signed by Christopher 
Hussey and others, against an act of the gen- 
eral court of Massachusetts which made it a 
"misdemeanor for anyone to preach to the 
people on the Sabbath who was not a regu- 
larly ordained minister of the church." The 
court regarded this action as a grave insult to 
its dignity and authority, and threatened 
severe measures to all concerned. Many of 
the offenders came forward and made open 
apology, but not so Christopher Hussey and 
his companions, who were contending for a 
principle of vital importance to their individ- 
ual well-being and happiness, as well as for 
the liberties of tliose who should came after 
them. The persecutions of the Quakers were 
more or less actively continued, and in 16.i8 
a new and stringent law was passed against 
them, and several were executed. For these 
reasons Christopher Hussey and his company 
took up their abode among the Indians of 
Nantucket, and about a century and a half 
later we find his descendant, the father of 
the subject of this sketch, settled near York, 



Pa., where, as before stated. Dr. Hussey was- 
born. Soon after the family moved to Little 
Miami. Ohio, and in 1813 to a farm In th& 
vicinity of Mount Pleasant, JeHerson county, 
Ohio. The parents of Dr. Hussey were Chris- 
topher anil Lydia (Grubb) Hussey. The 
mother was also a Quaker, descended from a 
well-known English family. Her father, 
John Grubb. was a member of the Society of 
Friends in England, and came to this coun- 
try before the revolutionary war, settling 
near the jjresent city of Wilmington. Del., 
and where many of his descendants remain 
to the present day. 

The early years of Dr. Hussey were spent 
on the farm in Ohio, going to school as op- 
portunity allowed, and making the most of 
the educational advantages the day and 
neighborhood afforded. His choice was the 
medical profession, and he was fortunate in 
being able to study with a physician of 
prominence, then located at Mount Pleasant. 
After completing his course he removed to 
Morgan county, Ind., where he soon secured 
a successful and lucrative practice. He re- 
mained here for several years, giving close 
attention to his profession, and winning the 
respect and confidence of the general public. 
So large and remunerative had his practice 
become that in a few years he accumulated 
sufficient capital for embarking in mercantile 
pursuits, which he did in establishing several 
stores in adjoining counties, over all of 
which he exercised a general supervision as 
he traveled the country in following his 
professional calling. With keen insight and 
business ability of a high order, his ventures 
became large and his enterprises extended. 
He became a heav)- shipper of produce to 
New Orleans, and his business transactions 
at that place proved very profitable. With 
all of his cares and duties he ever had at 
heart the development and prosperity of his 
adopted state, and at twenty-seven years of 
age, in 1829. he was elected to the legisla- 
ture, serving one term, but declined a re- 
election on account of his varied Imsiness 
interests, which required his close i)ersouaI 
attention. Possessing natural intelligence of 
a high order, and a strong and well-ljalanced 
mind, it seems hardly possible for him to 
have failed in any undertaking or in any 
calling. As a professional and business man 
he was eminently successful, but it is as a 
miner and manufacturer that he stands pre- 
eminent, his reputation as such being well 
known throughout the country. 

In 1889 he married Rebecca, daughter of 
.James and Susana (Jackson) UpdegrafF, of the 
•well-known Ohio family of that name. James 
Updegraff, a man of enterprise and persever- 
ance, was one of the pioneers of JelTerson 
county, settling at Mount Pleasant, and 
making for himself a home in what was at 
that time almost a forest wilderness, and 
contributed greatly by his energy ami influ- 
ence, particularly in the educational line, 
toward the growth of that flourishing town. 
Mrs. Hussey, a woman of high principle and) 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



255 



more than ordinary mental attainments, is 
still living, and has been to her husband 
throughout their long married life not only 
an efficient helpmate but a truly congenial 
companion. They have had five children, 
two sons and three daughters. The youngest 
daughter (Mrs. E. B. Alsop) is the only one 
living, she and her husband residing at the 
present time with Dr. and Mrs. Hussey at 
their beautiful home — Shadyside — in the sub- 
urbs of the city. Upon occasion, however, 
the doctor aud his wife can gather around 
them a goodly number of descendants — one 
daughter and nine grandchildren. Shortly 
after his marriage Dr. Hussey settled iu 
Pittsburgh, and soon after engaged in those 
copper and steel enterprises which have not 
only contributed much to the prosperity of 
that city but have given him almost a na- 
tional reputation. 

From various sources came rumors of the 
existence of copper in the Lake Superior 
regions, but no effort to explore or develop 
was made until Dr. Hussey took steps in this 
direction. In 1843 he sent Mr. John Haj's, 
of Pittsburgh, to prospect and e.xplore. 
During his trip he purchased for Dr. Hus- 
sey a one-sixth interest in the first three per- 
mits for mining in that region ever granted 
by the United States. These permits were 
three miles square. One was located at 
Copper Harbor, one at Eagle River, and the 
other about three miles west of the latter. 
Based upon this and subsequent purchases, 
in the winter of 1843-44 the Pittsburgh & 
Boston Mining company was organized. Dr. 
Hussey being a large stockholder, aud after- 
ward its president until its winding up. In 
September, 1844, Dr. Hussey made a visit to 
these wild and unexplored re'cions, and 
joined at Copper Harbor Mr. Hays, Alfred 
Rudolph (a geologist) and the party of eight 
miners, all of whom he had sent out in the 
spring of 1844. Their discoveries were of 
such a character that he at once stopped all 
work at that place. The following year, 
1845, he transferred operations to Eagle 
River, where was soon discovered a wonder- 
fully rich vein of mass copper, which soon 
became known as the "Cliff Mine." This 
was the first mine'opeued in the Lake Su- 
perior country, and the first to yield pure or 
metallic copper, not only in this country, but 
probably in the world. Masses weighing 
from one to eighty tons were found. This 
mine, the famous " Cliff," cost its owners in 
assessments $110,000, produced nearly|8,000,- 
000 worth of copper, and paid them in divi- 
dends $2,280,000, truly a valuable as well as 
wonderful discovery. In this connection we 
quote from a publication of some years back: 
The "Old Cllr' is truly a historical mine. During 
the dark days that followed the excitement of 1846, and 
during other dark days which from time to time fell 
upon the copper rt-gion, the Clift was a sure and stead- 
fast reminder that copper-mining could be made protit- 
able in the upper peninsula. It was always a strong 
moral force, encouraging new hopes and enterprises. 
In the dark days it stood as a beacon-light to the de- 
spondent operators throughout the district; its failure 
would have been followed by general collapse, and the 



mineral wealth of Lake Superior would have been 
everywhere regarded as a punctured bubble. 

The " Cliff " was a great mine, and once 
found, here was a great opportunity — the first 
of its kind. How many are there who have 
the wisdom to make themost of their oppor- 
tunities? Only a favored and gifted few. It 
might, perhaps, be claimed that almost any 
man of average good business capacity, or 
any company made up of such men, having 
once found a cliff deposit, would have con- 
ducted it through a similar splendid and sat- 
isfactory career; but that by no means fol- 
lows. Mining so strongly stimulates the 
fancy, aud so powerfully appeals to the im- 
agination, that many engaging in it lose a 
large share of the common sense and prudence 
they are accustomed to exercise in their reg- 
ular and daily employments, especially when 
their ventures give early and tiatlering- 
promise. The company was fortunate in its 
first great discovery, but still more so in hav- 
ing at its head such a man as Dr. Hussey, 
who, by his careful and conservative man- 
agement, secured such brilliant results. As 
before mentioned, the product was found in 
huge masses, and the question arose how to 
smelt such masses. To cut them up would 
not pay. The furnaces of Boston, Baltimore 
and Detroit all failed and gave it up. It 
looked dark for Lake Superior copper. At 
this juncture Dr. Hussey solved the problem. 
It occurred to him to build a furnace with a 
movable top, and in spite of the incredulity 
of those around him, he had such a furnace 
built. The cover was lifted to one side, the 
masses of copper hoisted by a crane and let 
down into their bed upon the bottom. It was 
a success, and the first ingots cast were as 
good as those now made. This same princi- 
ple is in use at the present day. The only 
market for the copper mined and smelted 
was through a commission-house in New 
York. The manufacturing was all done in 
the east. This did not suit Dr. Hussey, so in 
1848 he conceived the idea of erecting a rail! 
for the manufacture of sheet copper, brass, 
etc., but met with no encouragement for a 
long time. All who were approached held 
back. The scheme, however, was too clearly 
developed and too firmly lodged in his mind 
to be in any danger of abandonment. After 
much persuasion he finally secured a partner 
to join him in the enteri)rlse, and the firm of 
C. G. Hussey & Co. was formed, a mill erected 
in 1849-50, and on July 1, 1850, manufactur- 
ing was commenced, and a warehouse opened 
for the sale of its products. It will be inter- 
esting in this connection to quote the follow- 
ing extract from a contribution to "A His- 
tory of American Manufacturers," by J. Le- 
ander Bishop, Vol. Ill, 1867: 

As the Pittsburgh Copper and Brass works was the 
first establishment projected for working excUisively 
American copper, and as the senior partner was one of 
the first successful explorers and adventurers in the cop- 
per regions of Lake Superior, his history is that of a 
pioneer in the development of what has become an im- 
ponant element of national wealth. The attention of 
Or. C. G. Hussey was attracted to the Lake Superior 
region in the summer of 1843, immediately following 



256 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



the consummation of the Chippewa treaty, wliicii extin- 

fuiHlied t lie possessory claims of llie numerous triljes of 
ndians kuowii by tliat name, and lie dispatched thereto, 
during thesame Besson,aHmalI party to make necessary 
examinaiions preliminary to the organization of a reg- 
*ilar mining (orce, if their report should prove lavorahle. 
In the summer of 18-44 be visited the region himself 
and under his direclioii was commenced the first mining 
shaft, which was sunk in the vicinity of what is now 
known as Copper Harbor, on a tract selected in pur- 
suance of the first permit to locate lands issued by the 
United States governmenl. In the following summer 
regular niiuiug operations were commenced by the com- 
pany originated by Hr. Huisey and known as the 
Pittsburgh & Boston Mining company of which he is 
now (1867t the president, on the seco'nd tract selected 
in that region, and upon which is located the celebrated 
ClifTniine. This mine was the first to give character to 
the section as a reliable and remunerative copper-pro- 
ducing district, and up to this time it has produced 
more than seven millions of dollars' worlh of copper, 
and paid to its stockholders a sum exceeding two mill- 
ions of dollars. The Pittsburgh Copper-works, it will 
thus be perceived, are the legitimate outgrowth of the 
extensive and pro6tab!e mining enterprises with which 
its proprietors have been long and intimately associated. 

The "Pittsburgh Copper and Brass Roll- 
iug-Mills, " as they are called, and the 
smeltiug-works, are located on the Monon- 
gahela river, a mile above town, and of these 
Dr. Hus.sey is now, and has been for several 
years, the sole owner. The mills have lately 
been largely increased in capacity, and are 
among the most active industries of Pitts- 
burgh. They used most of the product of 
the Cliff mine until that properly gave out. 
and since then have bought their stock from 
the mines still in operation. The products 
are put into market by the house of C. G. 
Hussey & Co., which has continued the 
business without intermission under the old 
firm name. In 1858-59 the present warehouse, 
at 49 Fifth avenue, was erected, and in the 
spring of 1859 they removed to it, and have 
continued to occupy it ever since. As 
already stated, Dr. Hussey was the first man 
in this country to successfully make crucible 
cast-steel in large quantities, and of the best 
tiuality. It seemed to him a reproach that in 
this great and growing country, with its 
natural resources, all the steel used should be 
of foreign make. He knew the experiment 
had been tried by others and had failed. He 
also had evidence in abundance th it the 
public had no faith in the attempt, and that, 
if he undertook it. it would be in the face of 
open and active hostility. His steel project 
was received even by his immediate friends 
with much the same doubt and coldness, 
amounting to positive opposition, that met 
his plans for a copper-mill ten years before. 
After many objections, and finding that he 
was fully determined to try the experiment 
of manufacturing cast-steel, his partner 
finally consented that the firm of C. G. 
Hussey & Co. might engage in it. He could 
not, however, refrain from accompanying 
his consent with the warning that several 
concerns in Pittsburgh, and many others in 
the United States, had utterly failed in the 
attempt. Of all the failures alluded to the 
doctor was well aware, but with a firm faith 
in himself, and indomitable energy, he per- 
severed without a halt. All opposition. 



warnings and prognostications of evil only 
served to stimulate him, and as difficulties 
arose his inflexible purpose only mounted 
tlie higher. Willi such convictioii, faith and 
purpose, but one result was possible — success. 
He decided to allow the experiment a fair 
trial up to the cxiienditure of fiKlO.OdO. and 
began in 1859 with llie purcliiisc of the old 
steel plant of Hlair A: Vo. The difiicullies 
he had looked fordid not fail him. England 
had, in her own interest, educated this 
country in the belief that the arlicle could 
not be produced here. Men laughed at the 
pioneer. endeavor. At first the blacksmiths 
would not use the new material; the public 
had no faith in it. But he kept on; he 
threw his Anglo-Saxon grit into the balance, 
and determined not to give up until everj' 
resource of courage and skill had been ex- 
hausted. He would never have undertaken 
to make cast-steel by the old English 
methods; he developed and perfected what 
is known as " the direct process," totally 
different from the English and all other 
known metliods. This " direct process " was 
attacked bitterly by the agents of English 
steel in New York and elsewhere, who 
declared that good steel could not be made 
in any such way. Nevertheless, after the 
Hussey Steel-works had been running for two 
or three j'ears. it was discovered that good 
steel could be made, and was being made in 
this country, and other works were started, 
they adopting, however, the old English 
cementation process. They all raised the 
hue and cry that Dr. Hussey could not 
make good steel by his direct process, which, 
of course, had its influence in prejudicing 
the people against the Hussej' make of steel; 
but in the face of all this opposition he 
meanwhile built up a good business, and 
established the success of his process, which 
has been universally adopted in this country 
and to a large extent in England. In 1862, 
feeling the need of rest after his three years' 
fight in establishing the crucible-steel" busi- 
ness, he made a trip to Europe. It appeared 
that his reputation in the steel business had 
already reached England, for while in that 
country he met Mr. Morgan, of the house of 
Peabody & Co., who solicited him to take an 
interest in the Bessemer patent for America, 
and asked him to go to Sheffield to see a 
"blow," which he did. He felt that the 
process had a great future, and so expressed 
himself to Mr. Bessemer's partner. He saw, 
however, that it was far from being perfect, 
and foresaw that its development would in- 
volve more risk and labor than he cared to 
assume, so the proposition was declined. 

Besides his original developments, Dr. 
Hussey made other valuable imjirovements 
in the manufacture of steel, the details of 
which we omit. From a recent publication 
referring to Dr. Hussey and his steel enter- 
prise, we quote: "The outcome of a small 
beginning and that to which it has led is 
best shown by a visit to the great steelworks 
founded by Dr. Hussey. which cover over 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



257 



five acres of Pittsburgh's most valuable 
lanil, which is filled with massive and costly 
machinery, which emplo3's a large number of 
men, which sends its products throughout 
all the country, and which has a name for 
good work and honorable dealing that is 
excelled by none." 

We can not close our mention of the steel 
business without mentioning the name of 
one of the staff most intimate!}' connected 
with the founder — his son, C. Curtis Hussey. 
He inherited great business ability, and grad- 
ually rose to the chief management of the 
business. This he retained with distinguished 
succes-; for many year.s, up to 1884. when his 
honorable and useful life ended. He was 
held in great respect and affection by all who 
knew him, and his loss was regarded as a 
calamity to the manufacturing enterprises of 
Pittsburgh. 

Ill addition to the copper and steel Dr. 
Hussey has also been at the head of several 
other successful manufacturing enterprises, 
but upon these we will not enlarge. We 
thus plainly see that Dr. Hussey was the pio- 
neer of the copper and steel industries of 
Pittsburgh— industries for which the city has 
a world-wide reputation. Through many 
dark and depressing times, his good judg- 
ment, tact and business ability served to 
stimulate and encourage those around him. 
In all of the extensive and successful mining 
and manufacturing enterprises with which 
his uame has been associated Dr. Hussey was 
the originator, and permanentlj' controlled 
and sustained them throughout their contin- 
uance; and while most of those connected 
vpith him have done well their part, and have 
been useful in their spheres, j'et there has 
been one source, one head from which the 
force and power have come. The history of 
the majority of similar successful undertak- 
ings always has been and always will be the 
historj' of one man, or of a limited number 
of men, possessing mental abilities and en- 
dowments far above the average inheritance 
of their fellow-creatures. 

Dr Hussej''s efforts and interests have 
not been confined to the concerns with which 
he was originally identified. He was a lead- 
ing factor in the development of the Aztec. 
Adventure, North American, Medora, Mass, 
Northwestern, National and other copper- 
mines. He was early in securing extensive 
tracts of iron-lands in the Michigan penin- 
sula. His explorations were among the first, 
in 1849, in California. Gold, silver and cop- 
per in Georgia. Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, 
Arizona, Nevada, British Columbia, Mexico 
and elsewhere have received his active atten- 
tion and have been sought for with free 
■expenditure. His knowledge of mines and 
mining had become so well known, and his 
opinions so valuable, that his advice was 
•constantly sought, and his active cooperation 
in various schemes often solicited: his office 
was the first place, for several years, to which 
these schemes were brought. Of course 
every man's mine was a "big thing," but he 



never took hold without a thorough examina- 
tion by an expert, and if the mine was worth 
attention the doctor was ready to take hold 
and spend enough to ascertain the probable 
true character of the propert}'. The expert 
referred to made at least a hundred such 
examinations. These dangerous traps were 
set for years, and great care and judgment 
were required to keep out of unworthy 
schemes, and considerable money was ex- 
pended, but it was a satisfaction to gratify 
his pioneering taste, and at the same time to 
assist in developing the wealth and resources 
of the country. Here it is worthy of remark 
that no man is of more patriotic nature, or 
appreciates and enjoys the institutions of his 
country and its innumerable benefits more 
than he does. He has alwa3-s been zealous 
and active in whatever may have been con- 
ducive to its prosperity. From early life to 
the present time Dr. Husse}' has been a firm 
believer in, and an ardeut advocate for, the 
doctrine of a protective tariff, steadil}' throw- 
ing the weight of his strong influence in its 
favor, and contributing liberally of his means 
for the wide dissemination of protection 
literature. He has a remarkable facultj' for 
divining the course of events. He forecasts 
the improbable and anticipates the unex- 
pected with an accuracy that is sometimes 
wonderful; but his conclusions are all arrived 
at only through the closest reasoning and 
most thorough analysis. If his lot had been 
cast in Wall street he would have been one 
of its kings. Dr. Hussey's business policy 
since coming to Pittsburgh has been some- 
what unusual in one respect, which is. that 
in his mining and manufacturing enterprises, 
and investments in property, he has never 
borrowed any money, and it has always been 
his custom to keep large cash reserves in 
his different concerns. It all business-men 
would follow the same policj' we should 
have no money inflations, depressions, panics, 
or widespread insolvency, and business fric- 
tion would be greatly reduced. 

Not alone in business and manufact- 
ures is Dr. Husse}' known in Pittsburgh 
and vicinity. He has been prominent 
in charitable, benevolent and educational 
undertakings. In Allegheny he. in 1860, 
took an active part in founding an observ- 
atory, purchasing a tract of laud now very 
valuable, and contributing liberally of his 
means and persona! attention, andhe became 
its president. It was erected and equipped 
with a fine telescope, and a good assortment 
of appurtenant instruments. For seven years 
he retained this official relation, when the 
entire property was consolidated with the 
Western University, of which latter he is 
one of the trustees. The observatory has a 
world-wide reputation, being headquarters of 
the well-known astronomer. Prof. S. P. 
Langley. Another noted Pittsburgh institu- 
tion claims him among its founders — the 
.School of Design for Women. The jiosition 
and needs of women have engaged his pro- 
found sympathies, and he has ever lieen on 



::o5 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



the nlert to give such sympathies practical 
expression. In 1864 Mr. Thomas W. Braid- 
woo<l. principal of the School of Design at 
Pliilailclphia. came to Pittsburgh for the 
purpose of establishing a similar institution 
in that city. He at once sought out Dr. 
Hussey. ami soon enlisted his sympatliics 
and activ<' roiiiierution. Their plans were 
made and prcsiiUed to others, and they were 
afterward joined by William Thaw. Charles 
.1. Clarke, and a number of other liberal- 
minded gentlemen. In January, 1865. the I 
organization was effected and worli begun. 
Dr. Hussey was the first president, and Miss 
Mary J. Greig, who had been Mr. Braid- 
wood's tirst assistant in Philadelphia, was the 
first principal, and remained such until her 
marriage with Mr. Nicholas Yeeder in 1866. 
After Miss Greig's resignation Dr. Hussey 
went to Philadelphia to secure her successor, 
and made arrangements for the coming of 
Miss Esther K. Hayhurst, a lady of rare 
qualifications, who occupied the position 
until her death, about four years later. 
About this time Dr. Hussey resigned the 
presidency, but though severing his active 
official connection he has always remained a 
liberal contributor. The school has always 
been a useful institution and has continued 
to flourish, and its patrons have the satisfac- 
tion of knowing that their efforts are yield- 
ing good and lasting results. 

Dr. Hussey, as previously stated, is of 
Quaker descent, and in religion, politics and 
social matters his views agree in the main 
with those of the Society of Friends. He is 
a strong opponent of war, and in accordance 
with the teachings of that body of Chris- 
tians, believes that wars are entirely unneces- 
sary, and that the principles of true Chris- 
tianity, if applied in practice, would cause 
them to be avoided. He is also a strong anti- 
slavery man — a friend of the negro, and 
before the war of the rebellion was outspoken 
in his views in regard to slavery. In regard 
to temperance, he is a strong advocate of 
total abstinence, and has done much to 
promote that cause, and his good health 
and the perfect preservation of his mental 
faculties at an advanced age attest the 
practical benefits arising from temperance 
in all things. He is thoroughly kind- 
hearted and sympathetic, and no one is 
more ready than he to extend a hand to alle- 
viate the suffering and distress of his fellows. 
His charities, while numerous and large, are 
always unobtrusive, and are generall}' be- 
stowed in such a way as to be known to few 
except the recipients. His interests and 
sympathies are largely in the line of educa- 
tional efforts, and many a struggling institu- 
tion owes to him its existence and support. 
His benefactiims in this line have been lib- 
eral and widely extended; schools in Tennes- 
see, in North Carolina, in Indian Territory, 
and notably one in Mexico (the Hussey 
School for Girls atMatamoras. built, equipped 
and largely supported by him, where between 
one and two hundred young girls are being 



educated) attest the practical interest fell by 
him in this line of philanthropy. The Wes- 
leyan College for Women, at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and Earlham College, in Indiana, both owe 
largely to his generous gifts their conlinu- 
ance and prosperity. An intelligent gentle- 
man who has had a long, intimate personal 
acquaintance with him says: 

In person Dr. Hussey is tall and of fine aifpeaninee, 
and would be marked in any assembly asadisi iuf.nii.shed- 
looking man. In disposition lie is (juiet and r. tiring, 
and although so widely known through his enterprises, 
heisseen and known but little in a social way. This 
seclusion is more of a loss to others than to himself, as 
tile few who meet him socially are well aware. .Many 
of hisquiet home hours have been given to the shaping 
of his enterprises; also many to the diligent perusal of 
the best authors, of whose choicest treasures his reten- 
tive memory has secured a rich supply. With such 
stores of rijie thought within liimself, he is never less 
alone titan when alone. His very modesty and difti- 
dence sometimes give an impression of austerity whicb 
a more intimate acquaintance would remove, for he is af- 
fable, considerate and easily approached. Though a good 
talker, and having an abundance of valuable informa- 
tion and sound views to impart, he is nevertheless a good 
listener, and will hear with attention and just apprecia- 
tion what the humblest individual may have to say. 
One might think that a man who has achieved such large 
success and enjoyed for so long a time the consideration 
and respect arising from it would have become some- 
what affected by such intluences, but, though dignified 
in his demeanor, there is no trace of hauteur in bis per- 
sonal intercourse with people, of any class. His sympa- 
thies are on the side ol the humble, the poor and the 
oppressed, and by those with whom he is in daily and 
familiar intercourse — his acquaintances, business associ- 
ates and employes — he is regarded with veneration and 
affection, and well may this be, for now in the evening of 
life, upon looking back over a long and laborious busi- 
ness career of more than si.\ty years, he can safely say 
that while he has benefited many he has injured none. 

Although advanced in years, and now at a 
period where most men who brave the storms 
and rigors of life feel the need of perfect rest 
and aljstinence from business cares, he still 
fills an important place in the world, giving 
daily attention to his immense interests, 
watching the jirogress of events with keen 
vision, giving aid and encouragement to- 
those about him, and looking over a long 
life that, although full of labor, has been 
crowned with splendid returns. He is held 
in the highest respect and esteem by the 
community in which he has produced such 
ample results, and bis name will always hold 
a high place in the list of the pioneer manu- 
facturers of the west. 

Gen. Alexander Hays (deceased) was 
born in Franklin, Pa.. July 8, 1819. He 
entered Allegheny College, Meadville. and 
later was appointed a cadet at West Point 
Military Academy. He was the fellow stu- 
dent of Grant and Hancock, and graduated 
in 1844. As a brevet second lieutenant he 
was assigned to the 4th infantry. This 
regiment was among the first to enter ^lex- 
ican territory, and Lieut. Hays, in conjunc- 
tion with Lieut. Woods, captured the first 
gun at the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca 
de la Palma. In this engagement he received' 
a wound in the leg, and for gallant services 
was promoted to first lieutenant in being 
transferred to the 8th infantry. While- 
recovering from his injury, he recruited a 
band of five hundred men from Westera 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



259 



Petinsylvauia, and rejoined the army at Vera 
Cruz. He was in twenty battles, ending at 
Zarualtipan. He resigned wlien peace was 
restored, and engaged in civil engineering. 

When Fort Sumter was attacked, he 
dropped his bridgework on the Allegheny 
Valley railroad, and joined a Pittsburgh 
militia company called the City Guard, being 
chosen its captain. When this company 
joined a three-mouths regiment he was 
commissioned major. At the close of this 
service, having declined a captaincy in the 
16th U. S. infantry, he set about recruiting a 
regiment for the war. His companions of 
the City Guard, whom he had made real sol- 
diers, joined him, and the regiment, of which 
he was made colonel, was designated the 
63(1 Pennsylvania. The history of this 
regiment is a bloody one. At the second 
battle of Bull run Col. Hays had a limb 
shattered while leading his regiment up a 
steep embankment. Before he had recov- 
ered from this injury he was assigned to the 
command of the 3d brigade of Casey's divis- 
ion, having been appointed and confirmed 
brigadier-general of volunteers and lieuten- 
ant-colonel in the regular army. For some 
time he had charge of the defenses about 
Washington. On the third day of the battle 
at Gettysburg Gen. Hays was opposed to his 
West Point classmates Hill and Pickett, 
whose charges he repelled and saved the 
day. Two horses were killed under him, and 
his brigade captured twenty banners and 
battle-flags, suffering fearful loss. In the 
subsequent engagements of the Army of the 
Potomac, Gen. Hays acted a no less brilliant 
part until the fatal 5th of May, 1864, the 
third day's fight in the Wilderness, when he 
was struck down by a bullet while leading 
his men in a desperate charge. 

At the time of his death he was commis- 
sioned brevet major-general. The following 
is a list of his battles in the great rebellion: 
Yorktown, Williamsburg. Fair Oaks, The Or- 
chard, Glendale, Malvern, Bristoe (August, 
1863), Bull run. Groveton, Gettysburg, Au- 
burn, Bristoe (October, 1863), Locust icirove. 
Mine run, Morton's Ford, Wilderness. 

Gen. Hays' father, Samuel Hays, came 
from the north of Ireland to America in 1795, 
being then a boy, and became a general, com- 
manding Pennsylvania troops in the war of 
1812. fle married Agnes Broadfoot. Their 
son. Gen. Alexander Hays, married Annie 
A., daughter of John B. McFadden, in 1846. 
Mrs. Hays' ancestiy is traced in a direct line 
from John and Priscilla Alden. of the Plym- 
outh colony. She still survives her hus- 
band, as do their seven children: Agnes 
(wife of George A. Gormly). Alden F., Ra- 
chel (Mrs. J. S. Sullivan), Gilbert A., Martha 
(Mrs. R. B. Black), Alfred Pearson and 
James McFadden. 

J. H. McClelland, M. D. Foremost in 
the van of the noble army of able, honored 
and successful medical men of Western 
Pennsylvania stands Dr. -J. H. McClelland, 
of Pittsburgh, than whom no one has ac- 



complished greater works in the same time, 
nor reached a higher position in the medical 
world at so early a period in life. He is a 
native of the city in which he resides, born 
May 20. 1845. His father, J. H. McClelland, 
Sr., who came of sturdy Scotch-Irish stock, 
emigrated in 1816 from the north of Ireland 
to this county, when his vigorous intellect 
soon made him famous as a writer of and 
speaker on several subjects of public inter- 
est, and as architect and contractor he 
erected many public buildings in Pittsburgh 
and vicinity. From 1867 to 1871 he served 
as postmaster of his adopted cit3'. The 
mother of the subject of this memoir was a 
daughter of Rev. John Black, D. D., of 
whom mention is made in the chapter on 
churches elsewhere in this work. 

Dr. McClelland at the age of seventeen 
had received an appointment to Annapolis, 
but was induced by the family physician. 
Dr. J. P. Dake, to take up the study of medi- 
cine. This he did, graduating from Hahne- 
mann Medical College, of Philadelphia, in 
1867, and on returning to Pittsburgh became 
identified with the Homeopathic Medical 
and Surgical ho.spital then being established. 
His aptitude for surgical work giving him an 
enviable prominence, he was at once ap- 
pointed to a position on the surgical staff of 
tlie new hospital, and performed the first 
capital operation in that institution, on the 
surgical staff of which he has ever since 
served. The doctor was for fifteen years 
secretary of the board of trustees, and for 
some years has been its chairman. 

Dr. McClelland achieved success in the 
line of his chosen profession from the very 
outstart, and rapidly built up an extensive 
practice, the constantly increasing demands 
of which have not kept his pen in idleness. 
He has contributed from time to time many 
able papers on surgery to various journals, 
and county, state and national societies, and 
as member of the surgical bureau of the 
American Institute of Homeopathy he has 
prepared many papers on a variety of surgi- 
cal subjects. The doctor organized the 
Anatomical Society of Allegheny County, of 
which he has been demonstrator and presi- 
dent, has also been president of the Allegheny 
County Medical society, and was president 
of the state medical society in 1881. At the 
world's convention of 1876, at Philadelphia, 
he, by special appointment, presented a 
paper on one of the surgical diseases, and at 
the world's convention of 1881, at London, 
he was by appointment one of the debaters. 
In 1876 and 1877 he filled the professor's chair 
of surgery in the Hahnemann Medical Col- 
lege of Philadelphia, hh nbnii mater, and was 
president of that college for the year 1886-87. 
Many other honors have been offered Dr. 
McClelland outside his native city, but he 
has invariably declined to leave his home. 
While he has already won eminence in his 
profession, the doctor has still found time to 
cultivate and enjoy the graces of social life, 
and has won a large circle of friends. He 



260 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



was married in 1884 to Miss Hucbel May, 
daughUT of the late John P. Pears, of Pitts- 
burfrh, 

David Hostetter, a distin.iruished busi- 
ness-iiian, financier and railroad ])rojector, 
of Pittsburgli, was born in Lancaster connty. 
Pa., Jan. 38, 1819. His father was a culti- 
vated physician of extensive practice, widely 
known and highly esteemed in that portion 
of the state. The boyhood of Mr. Hostetter 
was spent upon a farm owned and cultivated 
by his father, where the l)oy was free to 
devote hi.s time to reading and study. He 
obtained a thorough English education. At 
the age of si.xteeu, having couij>leted liis 
studies, he set out to "make his way in the 
world." His first employment away from 
home was in a dry-goods store in Lancaster, 
with Christopher Hager. where he remained 
seven years, beginning as a "boy " and end- 
ing as " chief clerk and manager." On leav- 
ing Mr. Hager's employ he entered into 
business for himself in Lancaster, and was 
engaged in that when the gold fever broke 
out in California, and he, like mau.y others, 
became possessed of the desire to seek his 
fortune in the new Eldorado; so in 1850 he 
sold out his stock, and on the 15th of April 
left Xew York for California. He reached 
the isthmus, crossed it on a mule, and after 
a dreary three months' wait at Panama for 
the steamer on which his passage was en- 
gaged, was carried to San Francisco. The 
trip to San Francisco occupied three weeks, 
and was made memorable by the death of 
seven of the passengers from the terrible 
isthmus fever. On his arrival at San Fran- 
cisco Mr. Hostetter invested his capital in the 
the grocery business. Here the prospect for 
the achievement of fortune seemed excellent, 
but within a month all that he possessed was 
swept away by one of those conflagrations 
for which San Francisco was then noted, and 
to which, from the combustible nature of its 
buildings, it was constantly exposed. Though 
left absolutely penniless, he did not despair. 
Failing to find a suitable opening in Califor- 
nia, he determined to return to his native 
state. With him to decide was to act, and 
within a month from making the determina- 
tion he was in Pennsylvania, returning by 
the way of the isthmus. He soon found 
employment as paymaster with McEvoy & 
Clark, contractors of the Pennsylvania rail- 
road at Horseshoe Bend. 

Two years later he determined to put in 
operation a project he had long entertained, 
but had delayed forlack of capital. This was 
no less than the manufacture of the world- 
famed "Hosteller's bitters," an article which 
has now become a staple in the trade. Mr. 
Hostetter obtained the formula for this tonic 
from his father, who had satisfied himself 
of its excellent qualities during a long prac- 
tice. Mr. Hostetter determined to put the 
article upon the market, and associated with 
him Mr. George W. Smith, a former resident 
of Lancaster, and who had been wiih him at 
Horseshoe Bend. They removed to Pittsburgh 



an<l founded tlie firm of Hostetter & Smith. 
The two made an excellent "team" for such 
an enterprise. Mr. Hostetler's tireless energy 
and push were just the elements neces.sary 
to lift it from the usual rut. and they were 
successful from the start. Within four years 
the business outgrew its original location, 
and new and enlarged quarters were found. 
Every legitimate means was employed to 
extend the saiesof their product, and the firm 
became widely known as among the most ex- 
tensive advertisers in the country. Hardly a 
newspaper could b(! found anywhere in the 
country that did not contain announcements 
of the virtues of " llostetter's bitters," while 
millions of almanacs were annually scattered 
broadcast to extol the tonic. The partner- 
ship continued until the death of Mr. Smith, 
in 1884, when the firm was succeeded by 
Hostetter &. Co., the i)resent organization. 

The manufacturing business was not suf- 
ficient to absorb all >ir. llostetter's energies, 
and he gave his attention to numerous en- 
terprises calculated to foster and i)r(>niOte 
the trade of Pittsburgh. He was one of the 
founders of the Fort Pitt National Bank, and 
for foui-teen years or more was its ju'es- 
ident. For sixteen years or over he was 
one of the directors of the Farmers' De- 
posit National Bank. He likewise took a 
prominent part in the inception and promo- 
tion of railroad enterprises. It was largely 
through his efforts, backed by subscription 
to its capital, that the Pittsburgh & Lake 
Erie lailroad was built, forming, with its 
connections, an air line to Cleveland, and a 
direct line to New York, Chicago and St. 
Louis. Mr. Hostetter was one of the direct- 
ors of the company from its organization, and 
for many years held its vice-presidency. 
He was also president of the Pittsburgh, 
McKeesport & Youghiogheuy Railroad com- 
pany, and was one of the prime movers and 
promoters for tlie building of the South 
Pennsylvania road, in which company he was 
a director. He was always ready, with cap- 
ital, experience and personal influence, to aid 
in forwarding any railroad enterprise that 
promised to be of any benefit to the trade of 
Pittsburgh. Mr. Hostetter was one of the 
first to take hold of the natural-gas problem, 
and invest freely of his money to aid in the 
development of this great source of wealth. 
For several years he had been president of 
the Pittsburgh Gas company; was interested 
in the Allegheny Gasworks, and was a di- 
rector in the East End Gas company, and 
Consolidated Gas company, of Pittsburgh. 
He subscribed forty per cent of the stockof 
the Fuel Gas company, of Allegheny county, 
and later became interested in the Penn Fuel 
company, afterward becoming proprietor of 
both companies, which he sold to the "Phila- 
delphia company, "of Pittsburgh, in which he 
owned one fourth of the stock, and in which 
he was a director. In common with many 
others. Mr. Hostetter was early interested in 
the oil business. In 1809 he made a venture 
in this direction which involved him in loss 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



261 



and litigation. In 1875 he engaged in the 
building of a pipe-line from Pittsburgh to 
Millerstown, a distance of thirty miles. In 
opening his line for business he encountered 
the opposition of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
company, then all-powerful in the legislature 
and the courts, and later of the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad company. Becoming dis- 
gusted, after a long struggle, Mr. Hostetter 
sold his interests to the Standard Oil company 
of Cleveland, in 1877, receiving therefor 
enough to m.ake good his previous losses in 
the oil business. Many more details might 
be given, if space would permit, to show Mr. 
Hobtetler's intense energy and activity. He 
was a gentleman of strong brain and will- 
power, possessing excellent administrative 
talent, and was a tireless worker and close 
thinker. His success in life was due to no 
accident, but was the result of his own energy 
and clear-sightedness. He was a republican 
and a believer in a protective tariff, and took 
a deep and abiding interest in the city of 
Pittsburgh and its prosperity. 

Mr. Hostetter was married July 13, 1854, 
to Miss Roselta, daughter of Randall Rickey, 
of Cincinnati, and four sons and one daugh- 
ter were born to this union. His eldest son, 
Harry Hostetter, entered Yale College in 
1874, but went to Europe in the following 
year to study the modern languages. In 
1876 he entered Heidelberg University, from 
which he graduated the following year. His 
father thought that a year of travel might 
be beneficial to him. and in company with 
his mother, sister and a younger brother, he 
visited many points of interest in England, 
France and Germany, and finally went to 
Rome. At Florence the sister was seized 
with Roman fever. When she became con- 
valescent Harry was stricken with the same 
disease. He died en route to Paris, whither 
he was being carried on a special car. Mr. 
Hostetter endeavored unsuccessfully to reach 
his son before his death. This blow was a 
terriblj' sad one to him, one of whose domi- 
nant traits of character was a deep love for 
his family. The loss of his third son a few 
years later was another great bereavement. 

During his active business life he enjoyed 
unusually good health, but within two years 
of his death he was suddenly stricken with a 
malady which caused him intense suffering. 
He traveled in Colorado and California, and 
visited various hot springs in other localities, 
seeking relief from his trouble, and finally, 
in the latter part of October, 1888, he went to 
New York for treatment. An operation was 
performed which promised good results for 
a time, but the reaction was too much for 
his strength, which had been worn out by 
constant suffering, and on the afternoon of 
Nov. 6, 1888, he passed peacefully away, 
surrounded by his stricken family. In the 
death of Dr. Hostetter the city of ipittsburgh 
lost one of its most influential citizens, and 
one who had ever sought for its welfare and 
prosperity. His acts of charitj' were many, 
and those in distress who sought him never 



left empty-handed. Though he made no dis- 
play of his good works he was identified with 
any movement looking to the relief of suffer- 
ing humanity, and his name will ever stand 
on record with his fellow-citizens as a bright 
and shining example. 

Calvin Wells was born in Genesee 
county, N. Y.. Dec. 26, 1827. He came of 
sturdy New England stock, from which he 
derived those sterling qualities which have 
distinguished him through life. His father 
and mother were both of ISfew England birth. 
His maternal grandfather, Rev. Samuel Tag- 
gart, a Presbyterian minister, was a man of 
mark in his day, wielding a strong influence 
upon the political as well as the religious 
affairs of the community. He represented 
the western district of Massachusetis in Con- 
gress for thirteen years. Mr. Wells' father's 
family was very prominent in Greenfield. His 
grandfather was Col. Daniel Wells, one of 
whose sons, Calvin Wells, father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, settled in Western New 
York, and bought a half interest in a mill, 
and also engaged in farming. Calvin Wells, 
Sr., was a justice of the peace for many years, 
and was an elder in the Congregational 
Church, and afterward of the Presbyterian 
Church. His wife was a woman of strong 
mental powers and deep religious convictions, 
and her teachings and influence did much to 
shape the future of her children. She died 
when her son Calvin was but fourteen years 
of age. In 1843 the latter entered the store 
of his brother-in-law, P. S. Church, a Detroit 
merchant, and two years later he went back 
to Batavia, N. Y., where he remained until 
1847. He had always wished for a better 
education than had been afforded him, and 
for this reason wrote to a brother in Pitts- 
burgh, Rev. Samuel Taggart Wells, a Pres- 
byterian clergyman, who responded with an 
invitation to come hither, and make a home 
with him and attend the Western University. 
Tliis invitation he gladly accepted, and, pack- 
ing his goods in a pine box, took a boat to 
Erie, Pa., going thence by canal to Beaver, 
and then by boat to Pittsburgh. Here he 
lauded Nov. 19. 1847, his worldly possessions 
being worth, probably, twenty-five dollars. 

Mr. Wells entered the Western University 
and remained there until the winter of 1848- 
49. Early in the latter year he entered the 
dry-goods store of Benjamin Glyde as book- 
keeper. _ The next year (1850) Mr. Wells was 
thrown into connection with Dr. C. G. Hus- 
sey. who had then commenced the copper 
business, having a mill and warehouse in 
Pittsburgh. Mr. Wells continued in this line 
until 1852, when Dr. Hussey started him in 
a bacon and pork business, the firm name 
being Hussey & Wells. This was continued 
until 1858 or 1859, when the firm became 
Hussey, Wells & Co., engaged iu the manu- 
facture of steel, and thus was laid the found- 
ation of one of the great industries that have 
done so much to build up the city of Pitts- 
burgh. Mr. Wells was made manager of the 
new business, and went east to learn all he 



262 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



could regarding the miinufacture of steel. 
On his return he gave liis entire attention to 
the enterprise, wliicli grew rapidly, reeeiving 
a wonderful impetus during tlic rel)cllion, 
and deuionstrati-d thai Kiiglaiul liad at last 
found a competitor in tlie manufacture of 
steel. Mr. Wells sold out his interest in 
this concern in 1S7(!. and thus ended his long 
connection with Dr. Hussey. In 1H6.5 Mr. 
Wells became interested in railway elliptic 
springs, and owned a half interest in the firm 
of A. French & Co., then engaged in their 
manufacture. This business was a success 
and grew to large proportions. On leaving 
the firm of Husscj', Wells & Co. Mr. Wells 
gave his entire attention for a year or two 
to the spring company. In January, 1878, 
he was chosen president and treasurer of the 
Pittsburgh Forge & Iron company, and yet 
holds these positions. In 1884 he sold out his 
interest in the firm of A. French it Co. In 
1877 Mr. Wells was induced to join in the 
purchase of the Philadelphia Press, founded 
by the late John W. Forney. At first he 
expected that his associates would manage 
the affairs of the concern, but a couple of 
years' experience convinced him of the 
necessit}' for a change, and he took hold of 
the paper with the same good judgment, 
business tact and energy that have distin- 
guished him in other enterprises. The result 
is that the Press is now not only one of the 
alilest but one of the strongest and most 
influential newspapers in the country. It is 
especially noteworthy for its advocacy of a 
protective tariff, for Mr. Wells is thoroughly 
convinced that protection is a great blessing 
to all parts of the country as well as to 
Pennsylvania. 

He has other interests engaging his at- 
tention. In 1868 he was led to investigate 
the subject of spelter. His practical knowl- 
edge of metals and his study of this branch 
of metallurgy led him to unite with some 
friends in the establishment of the Illinois 
Zinc company, at Peru, La Salle county. 111., 
■with a capital of 150,000. From the incep- 
tion of the enterprise Mr. Wells has been 
president and treasurer of the company, the 
capital of which has grown to $400,000". He 
has been for a number of years, and is now, 
a director in the Exchange National Bank 
of Pittsburgh. He was at one time a director 
in the Consolidated Gas company, and was 
also connected with the Chartiers Natural 
<5as company. 

All that Mr. Wells has and is are the 
product of his natural forces. He possesses 
special skill as an organizer, in systematic 
management, and in his ability to read and 
understand men and to put the right man 
in the right place. He is a man of strong 
will, resolute courage, and great tenacity 
of purpose, fertile in resources, alert to 
take advantage of circumstances as they 
occur. With all these advantages in business 
life, he has proven himself of kindly disposi- 
tion and generous purposes. Though keep- 
ing himself posted upon political questions. 



he has been too busy to take an active part 
in partisan politics or enter public life. His 
father was a Henry Clay whig, and the son 
is a consistent reimblican. 

Mr. Wells was married July 5, 1854, to 
Annie Glyde, daughter of Benjamin Glyde. 
She dicil in l!^.")!l. and in 1861 he was married 
to jMniy (lialTc-y, a sister of his first wife. 
Two sons .iiid two daughters have been born 
to him. His eldest son was born in 18()<5, 
and died in the same year. His two daugh- 
ters are marr|,ed, leaving him, his wife and 
his youngest sou to constitute the family. 
Mr. W^lls is a member of the Third Presby- 
terian Church, of which he has been a 
trustee for a number of years. 

Thomas M. Howe. Hon. Thomas M. 
Howe, one of the "strong men" who have 
done so much to advance the interests of • 
Pittsburgh, where he was a leading business- 
man, financier and capitalist, was born in 
Williamstown, Vt., in 1808. He was the 
sixth in descent from John Howe, of Sud- 
bury. Mass., one of the earliest immigrants 
from England to that colony, arriving previ- 
ous to 1638. His father, a merchant, re- 
moved to Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1817, 
and settled on a tract of land in Bloomfield 
township. Thomas left the farm before he 
reached his majority, and went to Pitts- 
burgh, where he engaged as a clerk in the 
dry-goods store of Mason & McDonough. 
Afterward he went to work, in the same 
line for S. Baird & Co. In 1830 he became 
a partner in the new firm of Leavitt & Co., 
hardware dealers. From this time on he 
made rapid advance. In 1839 he was made 
cashier of the Exchange Bank, of Pittsburgh. 
Here he showed that he possessed excep- 
tional ability as a financier, and in the crises 
of 1842 and 1845 he showed more than 
ordinary courage. These brought him into 
active participation in politics, though his 
inclinations were against a political career. 
He was a firm believer in and advocate of a 
protective tariff, deeming it to be for the 
benefit of the manufacturers of the country' 
at large. Being an enthusiastic whig, he 
labored zealously in the " log-cabin-and- 
hard-cider campaign" of 1840 for the elec- 
tion of Gen. Harrison to the presidenc}'. 
He became thoroughly conversant with the 
bearings of legislation upon the interests of 
his adopted state, and exercised a large infiu 
ence in this direction. In 18.5(1 he was elected 
to Congress from the Pittsburgh district, and 
was reelected in 1853. He impressed his 
views upon his colleagues, and much of the 
tariff legLslation of the period was shaped 
by his efforts. He was an earnest advocate 
of the principles which have since been em- 
bodied in the interstate commerce law. 

In 1851 Mr. Howe was elected president 
of the Excliange Bank, and held that posi- 
tion until other duties compelled him to re- 
linquish it. Upon the organization of the 
Chamber of Commerce, in which he took an 
active part, Mr. Howe wa^ elected its presi- 
dent, and held the office continuouslv until 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



263 



ills death in 1877. To him much of the suc- 
cess of that iustitution is due. As early as 
1840 Mr. Howe was identified with the Lake 
Superior copper-regions and their develop- 
ment, and visited the fields in persou. Upon 
his representations, and through his efforts, 
the Pittsburgh & Boston Mining company 
was formed, of which he became secretary 
and treasurer. This proved a very profitable 
enterprise, in which Mr. Howe retained his 
interest until the transfer of the compan}' to 
Boston parties, about 1871. He helped to 
organize the firm of C. G. Hussey & Co., 
extensive copper-manufacturers of Pitts- 
burgh, and remained a member of it until 
his death. He was also one of the original 
members of the firm of Hussey, Wells & 
Co.. afterward, on the retirement of Mr. 
Wells, Hussey, Howe & Co.. one of the 
heaviest steel-manufacturing firms in Pitts- 
burgh. Mr. Howe contributed freely of his 
capital to these enterprises, and to his cham- 
pionship of the now gigantic steel industry 
is due much of its wonderful advance. In 
1859 he was importuned to allow his name to 
be presented to the republican state conven- 
tion for the gubernatorial nomination. To 
this he reluctantly consented. When the 
cOQveQtion met, in 1860, Andrew G. Curtin 
was nominated, to the great relief of Mr. 
Howe, who cordially supported Mr. Curtin 
for election. When the great struggle of the 
rebellion began, Mr. Howe entered strongly 
into the support of the government. He was 
appointed assistant adjutant-general, on 
Ctov. Curtin's staff, and rendered right loyal 
and efHcient service, refusing all compensa- 
tion therefor. 

Mr. Howe was always ready to contribute 
of his capital and services in any enterprise 
tending to forward the interests of Pitts- 
burgh. He was largely instrumental in the 
building of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh rail- 
wa}'. He was one of the founders of the 
Allegheny cemetery, serving as president of 
its board of manager.? for thirty years. He 
was a presidential elector in 1860, casting his 
vote for Lincoln and Hamlin. In 1864 he 
was urged to accept the office of state treas- 
urer, but positively declined. In 1874 he was 
prominently mentioned for secretary of the 
treasury, but promptly withdrew his name. 
These declinations of public trusts arose from 
no selfish motives, but because of Mr. Howe's 
dislike of the turmoil and methods of the 
political campaigning of that period. In 
civil life he labored unceasingly and un- 
grudgingly in enterprises that were largely 
beneficial to the city, state and nation. In 
his religious life he was active and conscien- 
tious. He was for thirty years a vestryman 
in Trinity Church, and took an active part 
in the establishment of Calvary Church, of 
which he became a warden and vestryman. 
He was for a number of years a member of 
the diocesan standing committee, and was 
twice elected a deputy to the general con- 
vention. In his business affairs he was the 
soul of honor, carrying into his dealings the 

50 



teachings of the golden rule. In an unosten- 
tatious manner, not seeking the applause of 
men, he was a large contributor to charitable 
and benevolent work. 

Mr. Howe's death occurred on the 20th of 
July, 1877. It was everywhere regarded as 
a public calamity, and was widely expressed 
not only by individuals but by numerous 
bodies and corporations with which Mr. 
Howe had been connected. His memory 
was perpetuated by the Chamber of Com- 
merce by hanging his portrait upon the walls 
of its building. Notwithstanding the years 
that have elapsed since his decease, "he is 
still held in grateful remembrance as a model 
citizen. 

Hugh S. Fleming, late of Allegheny 
City, was born in a small frame house wliich 
stood on what is now Federal street, at the 
base of the hill, March 36, 1830. He was 
reared by his uncle, after whom he was 
named, and through whom he was afforded 
opportunities for securing a fair English edu- 
cation. When fifteen years of age he entered 
the drugstore of H. P. Schwartz, on Fed- 
eral street, with a view to learning the busi- 
ness. He remained there three years, and 
then embarked in the drug business on his 
own account, on Market slreet, Pittsburgh. 
He continued in active trade until 1841, when 
his store was burned out. By the death of 
his uncle, to whom he was deeply attached, 
he came into possession of quite an estate, 
and thenceforth devoted his attention to 
public affairs, and to various private enter- 
prises in which he was interested. When he 
had just reached his majority he was elected 
to represent the Third ward of Allegheny in 
the common council, and subsequently, in 
1842. and in 18.59. served two other terms as 
representative from the same portion of the 
city, in the latter year being president of the 
common council. In 1850 he was elected 
mayor of Allegheny, and held the office three 
terms. In 1853 he was elected treasurer of 
Allegheny county. In 1861 he recruited Co. 
K, 38th regiment, 9th P. R., and on May 4 
was mustered into service and given a com- 
mission as captain. He was forced to resign 
after one year's service, on account of poor 
health. 

Mr. Fleming was a member of Post 138, 
G. A. R., to which body he presented the 
first stand of colors it ever received. In 1870 
he was elected sheriff of Allegheny county 
to succeed S. B. Cluley. In 1873, upon trhe 
death of Mayor A. P. Gallon, of Allegheny 
City. Mr. Fleming was elected to serve the 
unexpired term, and generously donated the 
proceeds of the office to the widow of that 
gentleman. By his courage in enforcing city 
ordinances, <and the integrity and good judg- 
ment with which he administered municipal 
affairs, he secured a strong hold on the 
hearts of the people, and was uniformly re- 
spected and admired by all. He took great 
interest in all movements tending to beautify 
and develop the city of Allegheny, or that 
would in any way contribute to its material 



264 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



prosperity. In 1877 he was elected president 
of the Third National Bunk of Allegheny, and 
filled that position at his death, July o, 1887. 
He was also a memher of select council at 
the same time. By fortunate investments in 
real estate and other judicious speculations 
Mr. Fleming greatly enlarged his original 
estate, and left his family in very comfortable 
circumstances. He married Sliss Julia H., 
daughter of Louis Bollman, who survives I 
him with three children. 

NATn.\NiEi, Holmes, founder of the bank- 
ing-house of N. Holmes & Sons, was boru in 
County Antrim, Ireland, in March, 1782. He i 
married Eleanor Kerr, who was reared in the 
same locality, and together they came to 
Pittsburgh in 1807. After engaging in mer- 
cantile pursuits Mr. Holmes, in 1822, bought 
out an exchange-broker named Gilmore, and 
continued to transact a banking business till 
his death, in 1849: his wife died two years 
previously. They had three sons — Thomas 
Ridgway, Nathaniel and John Kerr; and two 
daughters— Mary (wife of W. W. Wallace), 
who died before her father, and Jane (widow 
of W. B. Pusey), who is still living. The 
two eldest sons became his associates in 
business, but the first retired in 1857, and 
died soon after without issue. John K. gave 
some attention to literature and painting; he 
died in 1874, leaving no offspring. Mr. 
Holmes was a member of the M. E. Church, 
and an opponent of the M. P. seceders. He 
was a stanch whig. 

Nathaniel, second son of the above, was 
born July 22, 1820, in Pittsburgh, and carried 
on the business established by his father until 
his death, in March, 1866. He was one of the 
incorporators of the Citizens' Passenger rail- 
way, the Pittsburgh & Birmingham railway 
and Western Insurance company. With his 
elder brotlier he continued the cotton-manu- 
factory firm of Blackstock, Bell & Co.. and 
later became head of the firm of Holmes, Bell 
& Co. (this being part of his father's estate). 
He married Susan, daughter of John and 
Mary Grier. ' Nathaniel, Jr.. had three sons 
and two daughters, who reside with their 
widowed mother in Pittsburgh. Their names 
are Jolin G., William R., Nathaniel, Mary 
G. and Eleanor K. 

Wii.lia.mMcCreeut, capitalist, is a grand- 
son of Hugh and Isabella (Graham) McCreery. 
who emigrated from Ireland to Washington 
county. Pa., before the opening of this cent- 
ury. His father. John McCreery, married 
Mary, daughter of Hugh and Rachel McCoy, 
also early settlers of that region. Hugh Mc- 
Coy was born in the north of Ireland and 
his wife in Carlisle, Pa. All were descended 
from Scotch ancestors. William. John and 
David Hoge, uncles of Mrs. Rachel (Reddick) 
McCoy, settled in Washington about 1760, 
and William was at the head of that village 
for many years after its incorporation. Their 
descent is traced from David Hume, who 
lived in England three hundred years ago. 

William, eldest child of John and Mary 
McCreery, was born in Washington county 



in 1828. His father died when our subject 
was a child, and he was reared by a good 
mother, who stnvived till Dec. 5, 1868. Soon 
after reaching his majority Mr. McCreery 
became a clerk in the Pittsburgh commission- 
house of Springer, Harbangh & Co. Two 
years later he went to Philadelphia and 
engaged as a wholesale dr3--goods salesman 
for two years. In 1856 he became a member 
of the grain and commission firm of Hitch- 
cock, McCreery & Co., continuing vintil 1883. 
In 1860 he became president of a company 
organized to liuild a grain elevator. This 
structure, which cost $240,000, was dest royed 
in the riot of 1877. From the beginning of 
his grain business Mr. McCreerj' became a 
member of the Board of Trade, and has been 
a director of the Citizens' Bank since 18.58. 
For seven years he was managing partner of 
the firm of McCreery, Bailey & Co.. which 
purchased and operated the Mahoning Iron- 
works. About this time he raised money for 
building the Lawrence railroad— now a part 
of tlie Pennsylvania system — and was seven 
years president of the corporation. He also 
organized the P., Y. & A. R. R. Co., of which 
he was president until its absorption by the 
Pennsylvania system. In 1874 he secured 
the cooperation of a few capitalists in organ- 
izing an independent company, and the con- 
struction of the P. & L. E. R. R., a strong 
competitor of the Pennsj-lvania in the lake 
trade, is the result. In 1878 Mr. McCreery 
built the Montour Run railroad, a branch of 
the P. & L. E. R. R., and is president of that 
company, as well as of the Imperial Coal 
compan}'. In 1874 he built and equipped the 
P., C. & T. R. R., now operated by the P. & 
W., and has built two street railways in 
Pittsburgh and Allegheny. 

While thus contributing to the material 
advancement of his home city, Mr. McCreery 
has built up a substantial fortune for himself, 
and has not spared of his time and means in 
charitable works. During the civil war he 
was chairman of the purchasing committee 
of the Pittsburgh Sanitary Commission, 
which raised large sums for the relief of the 
sick and wounded. In 1861 he married 
Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Dr. Rodgers. of 
Allegheny, and' she was his most active co- 
operator "in visiting and ministering to the 
soldiers at the front. At the close of the war 
the funds in the hands of Mr. McCreery 's 
committee amounted to |200.000. which were 
invested for the benefit of disabled soldiers in 
the Western Pennsylvania hospital. For 
thirty-five years Mr. McCreery has l)een a 
member of "the Second Presbyterian Cliurch. 
and is a democrat. 

ROBEKT PiTC.\iRN, general agent and 
superintendent of the Pittsburgh division of 
i the Pennsylvania railroad, was born May 6, 
1836. in the village of Johnstone, near Pais- 
ley. Scotland. Xhe son of John (now deceased) 
arid Agues Pitcairn. His father and mother 
early "in their married life immigrated to 
America, but returned to Scotland. In 1846 
they again came to America, settling m 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



265 



Pittsburgh. Robert received the usual com- 
mou-school education, partly in Scotland 
and partly in America, and from force of 
circumstances he was obliged to earn his own 
living from almost his start in life. His first 
regular position was in a variety-store, in 
1848. Afterward he secured the position of 
messenger-boy in the office of the Atlantic 
<fc Ohio Telegraph company, at Pittsburgh, 
where, taking advantage of "the opportunity, 
he began the study of telegraphy, and, being 
associated with other bright, hard-work- 
ing, ambitious boys, put forth e-xtra exertion 
to keep pace with them. Soon perfecting 
himself as an operator, he became one of the 
first to read by sound. When the railroad 
west of Steubenville. Ohio, was started, he 
was sent to that place as assistant operator 
and telegraph-line repair-man. He was next 
promoted to operator at Pittsburgh on the 
Cleveland line, when the old Ohio & Penn- 
sylvania (now the Pennsylvania, Fort Wayne 
& Chicago) railway was started, and after- 
ward as operator at Pittsburgh on the Atlantic 
& Ohio (a line from Pittsburgh to Philadel- 
phia) when the Pennsylvania railroad was 
Hearing completion. The railroad business 
having an attraction for him, and desiring to 
become connected with it, in 18.53 or 1853 he 
secured a position with the Pennsylvania 
Railroad company as telegraph operator and 
assistant ticket-agent at the Mountain House, 
neai HoUidaysburg, while the road was still 
using the old Portage road, with its inclined 
planes over the mountains. In February, 
1854, the company completed its own track. 
over the mountain, and Mr. Pitcairu was 
transferred to the general superintendent's 
office at Altoona, where he remained, filling 
different positions, until 1861, excepting for 
about a year, when he was sent by the Penn- 
sylvania railroad to the Western division of 
the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago. 
while the roao was being completed between 
Plymouth and Chicago. In 1861, Mr. Pit- 
cairn, having served as acting division super- 
intendent in previous years, was regularly 
appointed superintendent of tlie Middle di- 
vision, embracing that part of the line between 
Conemaugh and Mifllin. Soon after his ap- 
pointment the road was divided into three 
instead of four divisions, and Mr. Pitcairn. 
being the last appointed, was left without a 
division. A new department, however, was 
created and he was put in charge with the 
title of "Superintendent of Transportation," 
and while filling this position organized the 
car-record, a system of car-mileage and 
other matters pertaining to that department 
as they are now conducted. After the out- 
break of the war of the rebellion, in addition 
to the extra labor necessitated by the trans- 
portation of large bodies of troops and sup- 
plies, particularly in 1862, he had charge as 
superintendent of the Middle division, be- 
tween Harrisburg and Altoona. and as super- 
intendent of the Pittsburgh division, between 
Altoona and Pittsburgh. Though as super- 
intendent of transportation his chances of 



promotion were better, yet his early ambi- 
tion and desire were so strong that in 1865 
he sought and .secured the object of his 
highest ambition— that of superintendent of 
the Pittsburgh division, returning to Pitts- 
burgh. In 1875 the general agency of the 
road at Pittsburgh was added to the position 
Mr. Pitcairn was holding. 

July 26. 18.56, he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth E., daughter of John Rigg, a resi- 
dent of Altoona, formerly of Lewiston, Pa., 
and of this marriage there have been born 
three daughters and one son. 

While in no sense a politician, Mr. Pit- 
cairn has been a stanch and unwavering 
republican from the organization of the 
party. In religion he is a Presbyterian. He 
has long been a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and is past grand coranianfler of 
the Knights Templar of Penn.sylvania. In 
addition to his railroad duties. Mr. Pitcairn is 
active in other fields, being interested in 
many of theleadingindustriesof the country. 
He has been a director of the Masonic Bank 
since its organization ; is now a director of the 
Citizens' I^ational Bank, of Pittsburgh; di- 
rector of the First National Bank of Greens- 
burg; director of the Western Pennsylvania 
Expositiou, and resident vice-president and 
director of the American Surety company. 
Becoming acquainted with George Westing- 
house, Jr., years ago, when that" gentleman 
started his world-known and celebrated air- 
brake, Mr. Pitcairn assisted in the organiza- 
tion and introduction of the same, and is now 
vice-president and director of the company; 
is also a director in the Philadelphia Natural 
Gas company, as well as other companies 
known as the Westinghouse plants, together 
with other institutions of Pittsburgh" lioth 
local and general. 

Thomas Dorkmus Messler was boin at 
Somerville. Somerset county, N. J., May 9, 
1833. His father. Rev. Abraham Messier, D. 
D., was the beloved pastor of the first Dutch 
Reformed Church of that place from 1832 
until 1879. and was recognized throughout 
the state as one of the most successful and 
influential clergymen in that wealthy and 
popular denomination. He manifested a 
warm interest in the local history of New 
Jersey, and contributed to the archives of the 
State Historical society much valuable ma- 
terial on the early history of the Hollanders 
in New Jersey, and of the Dutch Reformed 
Church, and kindred topics. Mr. Messler's 
mother was Elma Doremus, daughter of 
Cornelius T. and Eleanor (Mandeville) Dore- 
mus,and a representative of one of the oldest 
and most highly respectable families of New 
York and New Jersey. Prof. R. Ogden 
Doremus is one of the principal representa- 
tives in New York. 

The genealogy of the Messier family can 
be traced to an early period in the history of 
our country. The name was originally 
spelled De Metselaer, and so it appears in the 
early records at Albany, N. Y. The original 
ancestor in this country was Tennis Tennis- 



266 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



sen Metselaer, who emigrated from Holland 
and landed in New York in 1641, and after- 
ward settled on the manor lands of the 
Patroon Van Rensselaer, known as Rensse- 
laerwyck, near Albany, N. Y., and the site of 
old Fort Orange. Since that remote period 
of time the family can be accurately traced 
for eight generations down to the present 
time. About the year 1700, .Johannes Met- 
selaer. the .great-great-grandfather of our 
subject, removed from New York to New 
Jersey, and from him descended the present 
family of that state. 

Mr. Thomas D. Messier has recently 
become, by virtue of his ancient lineage, a 
member of the Holland society of New 
Y'ork, one of the conditions precedent to 
membership in that body being that the 
applicant shall be able to trace his ancestry, 
in the direct male line, back to a Hollander, 
or a son of a Hollander, who was a resident 
of New York, or one of the other American 
colonies prior to 1675. The Doremus family 
were also of Holland extraction, the ancestor 
in this country having emigrated from Hol- 
land to New York about tiie middle of the 
seventeenth century, and settled in Passaic 
county. N. J. Mr. Messler's maternal^rand- 
mother, Eleanor Mandeville, was of French 
descent. Giles Jansen de Mandeville. her 
ancestor, who introduced the name into this 
country, was a Huguenot who fled from 
Normandy to Holland as a refugee in 1610, 
in the days of Roman Catholic persecution, 
whence he immigrated to New York in 16.)9, 
in the same ship with the famous Gov. Stuy- 
vesant, who afterward became much inter- 
ested in his welfare. De Mandeville also 
settled in Passaic county, N. J., where many 
of his descendants still reside. Mr. Messuer's 
paternal grandmother was Maria Stryker, a 
descendant of Jan Van Strycker. who was 
born in Holland and immigrated to New 
York in 16o2, remaining there a little more 
than a year, and settling in 16.54 at what is 
now known as Flatbush. L. I. He was a man 
of prominence and influence in secular and 
religious matters, and died in 1697, full of 
the honors which the early American col- 
onies could bestow. Pieter Strycker, born in 
170.5, his great-graudson, and great-grand- 
father of Maria Strvker, removed to Som- 
erset county, N. J.." in 1730. He was the 
ancestor of the New Jersey families of that 
name. The Strycker family is of remote 
antiquity in Holland, and has become very 
numerous and of extended influence in New 
York and New Jersey. 

The early education of Mr. Messier was 
received at the Somerville (N. J.) Academy, 
and at comparatively an early age (185'.?) he 
entered into the employ of the old New York 
& Erie Railroad company, in New York 
city. In 18,56 he came to Pittsburgh, at the re- 
quest of Moran Brothers, prominent bankers 
of New York, and beeame the secretary and 
auditor of the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. Co., which 
hail been organized in that year by the consol- 
idation of the O. &. P., O. & I. and Ft. W. & 



C. R. R. Cos. In 1862 Mr. Messier became 
comptroller of the company, and in \8W 
assistant to the president. The road was after- 
ward leased to the Pennsylvania company, 
which was organized in 1871 in the interest 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad company. He 
was also at this time made comptroller of 
the P. & C. R. R. Co., which is controlled 
by the Pennsylvania company. In May, 
1876, he was elected third vice-president of 
these two corporations; also in that year 
president of the St. L., V. & T. H. R. R. 
Co., and from time to time afterward, presi- 
dent of the C. & M. V. Ry. Co., N. W. O. 
Ry. Co., E. St. L. & C. Ry. Co., C. &. R. R, 
R. Co., Ohio Connecting Railroad company. 
W. & W. R. R. Co., Newport & Cincinnati 
Bridge company, and chairman of the execu- 
tive committee of the G. R. & I. R. R. Co., 
all these companies being auxiliary corpora- 
tions of the Pennsylvania company. He has 
passed rapidi}' through all these various 
grades of advancement because of his apti- 
tude in the direction of railroad science and 
special genius for the successful solution of 
such financial questions as naturally arise 
in so vast and extensive a railway system as 
the Pennsylvania; and he is recognized as 
one of the most valuable officials in the 
employ of the company. He is a gentleman 
of fine literary and artistic tastes, and also 
takes an active part in social, financial and 
educational matters; is a director of the 
Merchants' and Manufacturers' National 
Bank, of Pittsburgh, and of other corpora- 
tions of that city in which he is interested, 
and is one of the trustees of Shadyside 
Academy, an institution which is having a 
most successful career, designed to prepare 
pupils for admission to anj- of the first- 
class colleges of the country. He has ac- 
quired wealth, and occupies a fine residence 
at Shadyside, in the east end of the city, 
where, with his estimable wife, nee Maria 
Remsen Varick. a descendant of the old 
Knickerbocker family of that name in New 
York, he entertains his friends in a hospita- 
ble and elegant manner. His son. Mr. 
Remsen Varick Messier, is one of the rising 
younger members of the Allegheny county 
bar. Hisonly other child — Eugene Lawrence 
Messier — is a student at the Shadyside Acad- 
emy, and will enter Yale College in another 
year. 

Samcjel R. Johnston was born in Pitts- 
burgh July 26, 1797, in a house on Front 
street, now First avenue, which his father 
erected two years previously, and which was 
the third brick edifice built in the borough. 
He was of Scotch-Irish descent, his ancestors 
having been driven by the persecutions of 
Charles II from Scotland into the north of 
Ireland. His grandfather. Robert Johnston, 
came to America from Castle Derg, County 
Antrim. Ireland, in 1769. and settled in the 
Cumberland valley, near Shippensburg. Pa. 
He was by profession a physician, and upon 
the breaking out of the revolutionary war 
he entered the army as a surgeon, and served 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



267 



for three years, when he died in an array 
hospital. An elder son, Robert, and a son- 
in-law, Benson Lecky, also enlisted in the 
same army, and served throughout the war. 
The son, Robert, was amonji those who suf- 
fered such cruelty in the British prison-ships 
in New York harbor after the battle of Long 
Island, and at a later period was couuected 
with the ill-starred expedition against the 
Indians in which Col Crawford and other 
prisoners were massacred. He. too, was a 
prisoner, but effected his escape to Detroit, 
and returned to Fort Pitt. 

The third and youngest of the sons of 
Robert Johnston, St., was John Johnston, 
the father of Samuel R. Johnston. John 
was in his fourth year when, with his father's 
family, he came to America. Upon the death 
of his father the family removed to Cham- 
bersburg, where the children could secure 
proper education. Here John learned the 
business of watch- and clock-making. His 
employer, a Mr. Scott, was a superior 
mechanic, and his apprentices were taught 
by him other branches of mechanics. While 
yet a journeyman, John and his skillful 
employer erected a paper-mill ; they also built 
machinery for making wire. 

In 1787 .lohn Johnston marriedMary Reed, 
in Chambersburg, and in the same year they 
removed to and established their home in 
Pittsburgh. A number of the near relatives 
of John's wife participated in the revolution- 
ary war; one was an officer of distinction. 

In his new home, in all matters of public 
interest John Johnston became identified. 
The records of the First Presbyterian Church 
mention him as among its earliest trustees. 
The oldest minutes preserved bear date 
"Meeting-house, April 27, 1801," and the 
trustees are thus mentioned: "Isaac Craig, 
John Johnston, John Wilkins, Ebenezer 
Denny, James B. Clow, Alexander Addison. 
George Stevenson, Andrew Mclntyre and 
John Reed." It was during his trusteeship 
that the old brick church which succeeded 
the log house was built; and when the legis- 
lature authorized the congregation to estali- 
lisli a lottery to pay the debts of the church 
he was associated with John Wilkins in the 
commission to control the drawing. With 
Ebenezer Denny's cooperation he estab- 
lished in 1809 a Sabbath-school in the court- 
house ou Market street. It was solely for 
the benefit of the poor, particularly for the 
children of Roman Catholic families who 
were found running at large on the streets. 
In 1813 he was among the promoters of a 
"humane society," established to relieve the 
necessities of the poor. These were war 
times, and much distress prevailed. For 
eighteen years he was postmaster, having 
been appointed by Jefferson in 1804, and 
serving also through the administration of 
Madison and Monroe. He died in 1827, his 
widow in 1839. Their children were Rebecca, 
who became the wife of William Eichbaum, 
and Samuel R. Johnston, the subject of this 
sketch. 



Samuel R. received an excellent academic 
education, and then acquired a knowledge of 
the printing business in the house of Cramer 
& Spear. In 1818 this pioneer establishment 
passed into the control of Mr. Johnston and 
his brother-in-law, the tirm being Eichbaum 
& Johnston. From 1819 until 1822 they were 
the publishers of the Pittsburgh (jazctte, 
then a weekly paper. About the same period 
they established a newspaper in St. Louis, 
Mo., caljed the St. Louis Register. Subse- 
quently its place of publication was changed 
to Kaskaskia, then the capital of Illinois, 
when its title was the Republican Advocate. 
From these adventures they obtained more 
experience than profit. In 1824 the interest 
of Mr. Eichbaum was transferred to Mr. R. 
C. Stockton, the firm name changing to 
Johnston & Stockton. This house did a 
large business, extending over the west and 
south. They published books extensively, 
both school and miscellaneous, their cata- 
log comprising many hundreds of volumes. 
The first power-press west of the Alleghanies 
was set up by them, and was moved by 
steam. They also for many years manufact- 
ured paper at Fallston. Beaver county. Pa. 
Among other enterprises outside of his reg- 
ular business, Mr. Johnston was the principal 
owner of a line of stage-coaches running 
between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. 

In 1839 and the year following Mr. John- 
ton was treasurer of the city. In 1841 he 
was elected treasurer of Allegheny county, 
and served the term of two years. Again in 
1846 he was city treasurer, and, excepting for 
a few months in 1847, he held this position 
continually until the close of 18.51. At the 
first organization of public schools (1835) he 
became a director of the First ward schools, 
and held the position many years, serving as 
secretary most of the lime. He declined a 
nomination for mayor tendered him in 1843, 
when his election was well assured, the 
position being altogether unsuited to his 
taste. In politics he was a whig; in 1824 he 
voted for John Quincy Adams, while his 
father, an old-time democrat, espoused the 
cause of Jackson. When, in 1829. his brother- 
in-law, Mr. Eichbaum, took an active part 
with Harmar Denny, Edward Simpson and 
others in forming the anti masonic party. 
Mr. Johnston also fell in with this movement, 
and it was as a candidate of this party that 
he was elected treasurer in 1841. Commis- 
sioned in 1821 captain of the Pittsburgh 
Blues.hefor anumber of years was associated 
with that historic company. During the 
last twelve years of his life he was a trustee 
of the First Presbyterian Church, and in 
much of this time he occupied the double 
position of secretary and treasurer. During 
the erection of the present church-editice he 
was treasurer of the building fund, and was 
among its liberal contributors. 

He married, in 1824. Mary Xelson. a niece 
of the late Maj. William "Graham, Jr.. in 
whose residence from childhood she had 
been an inmate. His wife died April 24, 



268 



HISTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



1839; Ilia death occurred Sept. 17, 1854. 
Tlieir children are two daughters, Valeria 
Collins and Mary Oliver, and one son, William 
Graham, who, as the head of the priming- and 
stationery-house of William G. Johnston it 
Co., has since 1857 conducted that business, 
while lie has also filled numerous other posi- 
tions of promin''nce, among Ihem president 
of tlieCiti/.i'iis' Insinaiici' conipauy, president 
of the I)in|iii'Mir N.iiiniLil Bank, president of 
the PIttslmrttli Si.tI Cusling company, and 
president of tlie llainsworth Steel company. 
WiM.i.\.\i Anueuson. grandfather of 
William A. Ilerrou, and one of tiie pioneers 
of the notable Pittsburgh family, was 
born in Ireland about the middle of the 
eighteenth century. He came to America 
when the cry of liberty had lately arisen 
among the colonists, and with all a young 
man's ardor he entered heartily inlo the rev- 
olutionary spirit of the age. It was between 
1775 and 17811 when he first put his foot upon 
the soil of the country that was so soon to 
shake off the thrall of the tyrant of the old 
world. He first settled in Carlisle, Pa., but 
soon joined the army under Gen. Washing- 
ton, taking the rank of major, and serving 
with distinction throughout the war. At its 
close he was awarded the contract for build- 
ing the presidential mansion (the White 
House). The structure, still in splendid con- 
dition after a hundred years of use, is a last- 
ing monument to the excellence of Mr. Ander- 
son's material and tlie judgment with which 
it was employed. The brick- and stone-work 
will to-day bear the closest inspection. He 
was a living example of a sound mind in a 
sound body. Stout, hearty and vigorous, he 
possessetl remarkable executive ability, and 
was honored with the friendship of some of 
the greatest men of his time, including Wash- 
ington himself. As an instance of his phys- 
ical strength as well as his determined will, 
it is related that at one time, on account of 
sickness in his family, he walked from Wash- 
ington to Carlisle in twenty-four hours. In 
1795 he left Carlisle, and after stopping sev- 
eral months in Huntingdon and Bedford, Pa,, 
putting up public buildings in both places, 
he arrived in Pittsburgh in 1797. His first 
place of residence was on the north side of 
Penn street, between Fourth street (formerly 
Pitt street) and Evans alley, about where j. 
II. Slioenlierger's residence now stands. The 
house was built of logs. The orchard was 
between the house and the Allegheny river, 
and the horse- and cow-pasture between Penn 
and Liberty streets. 

Mr. Anderson built the first steam saw- 
mill and gristmill west of the Allegheny 
mountains. He bought his logs of the Indians, 
and did a large business in lumber. His grist- 
mill was the second one erected in Pittsburgh, 
and during a part of each year was running 
day and night to supply the demands upon 
it. In dry seasons farmers, who came in 
from many miles around, were often com- 
pelled to wait several days for their turn to 
get their grain through the mill. He also 



owned a large brickyard, and built a number 
of public edifices, besides business-houses 
and residences, employing a large number of 
workmen. Among the more notable build- 
ings erected by him may be mentioned the 
First Presbyterian church, on Wood street. 
The new church was built over the old log 
edifice, the logs being taken out of the win- 
dows of the new church. In 1810 he built a 
two-story brick residence on the corner of 
Penn street and Irwin's alley (now Kighth 
street) for himself and son James, which is 
still standing, immediately in front of his 
sawmill. John Herron afterward purchased 
this property on Penn street, with the house 
and mills, from Maj. Anderson (his father- 
in-law) between Maddock's alle}' and McCor- 
mtck's alley, where he carried on the business 
for many years, but afterward confined him- 
self entirely to his coal operations. Mr. 
Anderson was a close friend of Col. O'Hara, 
and was very active in all public enterprises 
in Pittsburgh's early days. 

He united with the Presbyterian Church 
in Ireland, bringing his certificate of member- 
ship and good standing with him to America. 
On his arrival in this country he joined a 
church at or near Carlisle, and later he and 
his wife became members of the First Pres- 
byterian Church in Pittsburgh. He was a 
prominent member thereof until 1830, when 
he removed to Mercer county, near Mercer 
city, where he owned a fine tract of land 
that he intended to improve. He was not 
able to carry out his intentions, however, for 
in 1831 he was attacked by an illness that 
proved fatal within a few days. His bod}' 
was taken to Pittsburgh and buried in the 
First Presbyterian churchyard, beside that of 
his wife, who had passed away about 1816. 
She was Mary Ann Canu, born in Carlisle, 
Pa., and. becoming an orphan, lived in the 
family of her guardian. Rev. Dr. DufBeld, 
pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Car- 
lisle, of which she was a member. 

John Heukon, who did so much in his 
lifetime to mold the character, business and 
religious sentiments of the earlj' and pioneer 
days of Pittsburgh that he will always be a 
prominent figure in the city's history, de- 
scended from Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. 
He came of good stock physfcally, intellectu- 
ally, morally and religiously, and he showed 
the excellence of his breedina' in every act of 
his life. His grandfather, Francis Herron, > 
was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and 
came to this country in 1734, settling eleven 
years thereafter on a creek now known as 
Herron's branch, in Franklin county. Pa. 
He had two sous: John, father of Rev. Fran- 
cis Herron, D. D., of the First Presbyterian 
Church,Pittsl)urgh,and Jaraes.fatberof John, 
thesubject proper of this sketch. Maj. James 
Herron was born in 1754, married Nancy 
Davidson, and died April 24, 1839. at Ship- 
pensburg. Pa. He was a man of fine phy- 
sique, and was honored for his consistent and 
active Christian life and his many charitable 
works. He had four sons and two daughters: 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



269 



Jolin, Nancy (wife of John Criswell). Will- 
iam, James, Sarah (wife of Robert Mclalyre) 
and Samuel D. 

Johu Herron was born April 3, 1793, on 
Herron's branch. He received as good an 
education as was obtainable in those days, 
and in 1812 went to Pittsburgh. Here he 
starte I his business life on tlie lowest round 
of the financial ladder, but his natural abili- 
ties proved a fountain of wealth that never 
ran dry. His first position was as clerk for 
Ephraim Blaine in the lumber business. In 
a few years the young man bought Mr. 
Blaine's interest and ran it for a time with 
great success. Afterward he and Col. James 
Anderson purchased the steam saw- and grist- 
mill of Maj. William Anderson, on what is 
now Eighth street, below Penn street, put- 
ting therein what was said to be the second 
steam engine west of the mountains. Later 
Mr. Herron bought out Col. Anderson. To 
his other interests he added a brickyard, and 
conducted an extensive business in contract- 
ing and building. He then purcliaseda large 
farm of coal-land at Minersville (now a part 
of Pittsburgh), and engaged in coal-mining 
and farming. Besides using some of the coal 
for his own works he supplied large quantities 
of it to other consumers, the combined busi- 
ness requiring the employment of a great 
number of men and horses. His next pur- 
chase was a large sawmill and property, an 
entire square, of John Irwin, the mill being 
on the opposite square from his grist- and 
saw-mill. Mr. Herron gave his personal at- 
tention to all of his ventures, and particu- 
larly interested himself in the welfare of his 
army of employes. He knew most of the 
children in Minersville bj' name, and he was 
loved and respected equally by them and by 
their parents. His charities were numerous 
and unostentatious, and his hand was ever 
ready to succor the needy and unfortunate. 

In 1817 Mr. Herron married Clarissa, 
daughter of Maj. William and Nancy (Cann) 
Anderson. To this union were born nine 
children; James A. (deceased July 4, 1843, 
in his twenty fifth year), William A. (sketch 
of whom follows), John D. (married to Em- 
ma, daughter of Samuel Thompson), Richard 
/G. (a colonel in tlie war of the rebellion, 
••married to Annette Tomlinson). Francis J. 
(the youngest general in the Union service 
during the civil war), David R. (lieutenant 
of an Iowa battery), Mary Ann (nrarried to 
Rev. George A. Lyon, D. D.. of Erie. Pa.), 
Eliza (married to Richard Sill, also of Erie) 
and Margaret D. (married to William C. 
Friend, of Pittsburgh). 

The family moved from Pittsburgh, where 
Mr. Herron owned a great deal of propert.y, 
to Minersville in 1833, on account of his 
health. Here he built a Presbyterian church, 
taking the active interest in all religious work 
that he had in Pittsburgh. He was an elder 
in the church, and was a zealous promoter 
of the interests of the Sunday-school. He 
brought an honored and usefid life to a close 
at his home in Minersville in May, 1868, 



regretted by thousands of people who had 
profited by his benevolence and admired his 
exemplary career throughout Western Penn- 
sylvania. His wife died in May, 1873. 

William Anderson Herron, son of 
John Herron, comes of old revolutionary 
stock, and is fo-day one of Pittsburgh's most 
honored citizens. Within gunshot of the 
handsome residence in which he now lives 
he was born, on the 7th of August, 
1831. The house in which he first saw the 
light still stands at the corner of Eighth 
street and Penn avenue. He received a good 
education, principally in the Western Univer- 
sity. He commenced his business career in 
the dry -goods store of A. Way & Co., but 
the confinement did not agree with him and 
he soon joined his father in his extensive 
coal interests, which embraced a number of 
mines in what is now the Thirteenth ward of 
Pittsburgh, but which is still called Miners- 
ville. It was a very productive tract, and 
though coal was taken from it in large quan- 
tities for many years, it is not yet e.xhau.-^ted. 
In 1846 he and his father, with W. 11. Brown, 
purchased a coal-farm on the Moiiongahela 
river at Turtle Creek, with which they did a 
large business under the firm name of 
Herron, Brown & Co. They floated their 
coal in flatboats to Cincinnati, Louisville, 
Cairo and New Orleans. They supphed the 
iron- and gas-works in Pittsburgh. Mr. 
Herron's health failing at this period, 
he sold out his interest in the business and 
devoted two years to traveling, etc., until he 
regained his usual robust condition. Then 
he went into the lumber trade with his 
brother-in-law, Richard Sill. At the same 
time Mr. Herron was a partner in a brass- 
foundry, and had an interest in a cotton- 
batting factory and a glassworks, but be- 
stowed only a small part of his attention 
upon the practical management of these 
establishments. He was also part owner of 
a large tract of coal-land on Pine run on the 
Monongahela, the firm being Herron, Black- 
burn & Co. .They built a coal-railroad and 
did a large business. Mr. Herron and Mr. 
Hercules O'Connor, under the firm name of 
Herron & O'Connor, now purchased the 
steamboat George Albree and some model 
barges. Then they took a contract to supply 
the gasworks at St. Louis by running the 
coal to Cairo in flatboats and reloading in 
model barges to tow up to St. Louis. In 1855 
Mr. Herron opened a banking-office at the 
corner of Wood and Sixth streets, continuing 
in the business until 1860, when he assisted 
in the establishment of the German Bank. 
He was also one of the founders of the Iron 
City Trust company(no w the Second National 
Bank), and was one of the original stock- 
holders of the Third National Bank and 
the Mechanics' Bank. 

In 1860 he was elected, by a large majority, 
clerk of the courts of Allegheny county, 
serving until 1866 with credit to himself and 
satisfaction to his fellow-citizens. His health 
compelled him to relinquish tlie office after 



270 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



six years' service, though he could have been 
easily re-elected had he desired it. In 1863 
he, with two otliers, secured a charter for 
tlie People's Savintirs Biinli, and organized it 
under the laws of the state, Mr. Iferron being 
the first president. The bank is now one of 
most successful savings institutions in the 
city. On leaving the clerk of courts' office 
he went into tlie real-estate business, which 
is now conducted by his sons, Kufus II. and 
John W.. who are bright young business- 
men, the latter being vice-president of the 
Commercial National Bank. 

Mr. Herron united with the Presbyterian 
Church in 1836, when only fifteen years of 
age. and has been a consistent member ever 
since. He has held the offices of elder and 
trustee for many years, besides taking an 
active part in Sabbath-school work. He 
WHS superintendent of the school at Miners- 
ville for some years. He has always been 
prominent in philanthropic enterprises. He 
was elected a director in the Western Penn- 
S3'lvania hospital in 1863, and is one of 
the most energetic members of the board. 
He is a memlier of the executive com- 
mittee of Dixmont A.sylum for the Insane, 
vice-president of the Homeopathic hos- 
pital, a director of the Blind Asylum 
of Western Pennsylvania, a director of 
the Young Men's Home, and a member of 
the Young Men's Christian Association. He 
was a delegate to the Centennial General 
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, held 
in Philadelphia in 1888, and has been dele- 

fate to synod and presbytery from the Third 
'resbyterian Church, of Pittsburgh. 
Mrs. Herron has always taken an active 
part in charitable work in Pittsburgh, and is 
known throughout the state as a lady of 
great executive ability, as well as of a benev- 
olent disposition. She was elected the first 
president of the Woman's Christian Associa- 
tion, of Pittsburgh, after assisting in its 
organization. To her must be credited the 
conception of the present system of manage- 
ment of the Association for the Improvement 
of the Poor. By her own indefatigable 
energy and the assistance of a few friends 
she was enabled to carry out her plan, and 
the society is now rendering assistance to 
thousands of unfortunate people annually. 
She has been its president since 1875. She is 
the personal friend of every needy familj' in 
the city. 

Mr. Herron is in the full vigor of ripe 
manhood. His sixty-odd years sit lightly 
upon him, and have not yet succeeded in 
bending his shoulders or weakening his 
sturdy frame. He is as straight as an arrow, 
and though he leaves his large real-estate 
business partially in the hands of his sons, 
he can be found in hisprivate office through- 
out the long business days, attending to the 
many interests that he yet retains. He has 
the kindly manners characteristic of the 
Herron family, and has probably more 
friends to the square mile than any other 
man in Western Pennsylvania. He is proud 



of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh is prouil of 
liini. 

William A. Herron was married Oct. 23. 
1843, to Miss Louisa .1. Hills, daughter of 
Hnfus Hills, of Erii-, Pa. She is a native of 
Amesbury, Mass., where she lived until she 
was thirteen years of age. Seven children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Herron, of whom 
four are living: .lames A. (married in 1867 to 
Isda Green, and both now deceased), Hufus 
11. (married in 1872 to .lennie Shusart, of 
Titusville, Pa.), Sarah (nianicd in 1868 to 
Ogden M. Edwards); .biljii W (living), Louisa 
J., Fannie D. and Williuni (deceased). 

William Backhousk Neoley, attorney, 
Pittsburgh. The first Negley of which we 
have record settled at or near Frankfort, 
Germany, having fled from Switzerland after 
the death of the reformer Zwingle. whose 
firm supporter he was. As layman and dea- 
con, he labored to disseminate the new doc- 
trine in Germany. The record is next found 
in 1734, when Jacob Negley married. Five 
years later he set out for America with his 
wife, Elizabeth, and three children — Alexan- 
der, Casper and Elizabeth. He died at sea; 
his family settled in Bucks county. Pa. .Alex- 
ander, tlie eldest, born in 173.5, married 
Mary Ann Burkstresser in 1762, and had ten 
children. He was a blacksmith and came to 
Pittsburgh in 1778. settling as a farmer where 
the Hiland avenue reservoir now is, where 
he died Nov. 3, 1809; his widow, born in 
Bucks county, June 20, 1741, died June 17, 
1829. With forty-one others Alexander Neg- 
ley established the First German U. E. 
Church congregation, the first church in 

1 Pittsburgh, in 1782. Felix, his eldest child, 
settled on the present site of Tarentum. and 
married Ruth Horton in 1798. Jacob, the 
second son. born Aug. 28. 1766, married, 
June 19. 1795. Barbara Ann, daughter of 
Conrad Winebiddle. She was born Sept 15, 
1778, and dii-d May 10, 1867. Jacob Negley 
was a farmer, and founder of the East Liberty 
Presbyterian Church. He died March 18, 
1827. His twelve children were named, in 
order of birth, John, Elizabeth. Jacob. Dan- 

' iel, Mary Ann. George G.. Catharine R., 
Margaret, William. Sarah Jane, Alexander 
and "Isabella M. Daniel married, Jan. 15, 
1824, Jane, daughter of James and Jane 
(Moore) Backhouse. Jane Negley's father 
was a cabinet maker, and was an elder in the 
East Liberty Presbyterian Church. She died 
Feb. 21, 1834. and Mr. Negley afterward 
married Keziah Peebles Cox. His first wife 
bore him six children and the second seven. 
Daniel Negley was a merchant, and a large 
property holder in East End. He was a 
Presbyterian, and was elected to the state 
legislature in 1858 by the republican party. 
He died Dec. 4, 1867. But four of his chil- 

I dren are now living. 

William B., the third and only living child 
of Jane Negley. was born in Pittst)urgh, 
June 5, 1828. He was educated in Western 
Pennsylvania, read law with Hon. Thomas 
Melloii, and graduated from the law college 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



271 



of Princeton University, with the degree of 
LL. B., in June. 1849, and followinK Novem- 
ber he was admitted to the bar. From 1851 
to 1855 he was a member of the law firm of 
Mellon & Negley. and from 1857 to 1886 was 
associated with D. D. Bruce, as junior of 
Bruce & Negley. At the outbreak of the 
civil war he was appointed chief of staff of 
Gen. James S. Negley, with rank of major, 
and served in that capacity during the 
service of that general with the Army of the 
Potomac. In 1864 he was a delegate to the 
national republican convention at Baltimore. 
He was elected to the lower branch of the 
city councils in 1870. and served in that body 
twelve years.being its president half the time. 
In 1875 he was appointed trustee in bank- 
ruptcj', without bonds, of the famous 
"Nation Trust Co. Bank;" became a 
director in the Western Theological Semi- 
nary in 1883. and two years later, in the 
Citizens' National Bank, which positions he 
now holds. Since May. 1884. he has been 
president of the Allegheny Bar association. 
Mr. Neglej' was one of the founders of the 
Shadyside Presbyterian Church, in which he 
is a ruling elder; was a delegate from the 
general assembly of the Presbyterian Church 
in the IT. S. of A. to the general alliance 
of the Reformed churches holding the pres- 
byterian form of government, at Edinburgh, 
Scotland, in 1877, and again to a like alliance 
in London, England, 1888, and was a com- 
missioner to the general assembly in 1883. 
from the presbytery of Pittsburgh. May 17. 
1853. he married Joanna, daughter of the late 
Rev. Robert Bruce, D. D. 

Milton Browning Gopp, chancellor of 
the University of Western Pennsylvania, is 
a native of Pittsburgh, born Dec. 17, 1831, 
to Philo and Prudence (Brown) Goff. His 
paternal ancestor, Joshua McGoff, lived at 
Drumsill, County Armagh, Ireland, prior to 
1801, and from that date to 1807 at Dublin, 
where he died in 1817 or 1818. In 1801 John, 
son of Joshua McGoff, set sail for America, 
and, dropping the Mc in his name, located in 
that year six miles nortti of Portland, Me., 
at a place now called Goffstown ; but removed 
thence, with his si.x sons, to Allegheny coun- 
ty in 1820. He soon after located at Sewick- 
ley. where he died May 11, 1837. Philo, his 
son, a carpenter by trade, was married in 
Allegheny (his wife being a native of Vir- 
ginia and sister of Benj. N. Brown, of 
the Baltimore Conference), removed to 
Sewickley in 1835, and was accidentally 
killed there in 1852. Up to twelve years 
of age Milton B. Goff remained in Sewick- 
ley. attending the public school and Rev. 
J. S. Travelli's academy. He took 
his degree of A. B. in 1855, from Allegheny 
College, at Meadville. and was elected the 
same year professor of mathematics and 
natural science at Madison College, Union- 
town, where he remained two years; was 
principal of the North Illinois University, at 
Henry, 111., for three years, and principal of 
the academy at Sharpsburg, Pa., and of the 



Third ward school, Allegheny, four years 
all together. Jan. 1, 1865, he took the chair 
of mathematics at the Western University of 
Pennsylvania, and held this position seven- 
teen years, being pro tent, chancellor in 1881. 
In 1882 he went to Allegheny College as pro- 
fessor of mathematics and astronomy, re- 
maining two years, and since 1884 has held 
his present position. Prof. Goff has pub- 
lished six text-books on arithmetic, and 
frequently contributes essays on astronomy 
and kindred topics to the periodicals. He has 
received the following degrees from his alma 
mater: A. M., in 1858, Ph. D.. in 1881; LL. D., 
in 1884. He is now preparing to add new 
technical featuies to the course of the univer- 
sity, and otherwise enlarge its scope. He is 
a thorough republican. His only civil service 
was as school director and burgess of Sewick- 
ley, where he dwelt from 1867 to 1888 In 
the M. E. Church Prof. Goff has tilled every 
office. In 1856 he married Emily Virginia, 
daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Ann Locke, 
of Baltimore, and they have following-named 
children: Edward Locke. Ella, Anna Mary 
and Virginia Mrs. Goff is a sister to Rev. 
W. H. Locke. D. D., whose grandfather, 
Nathaniel Locke, was for many years a 
merchant in the Barbados. 

Charles Frederick Spang, the subject 
of this sketch, was born in Berks county.Pa., 
in 1809, His great-grandfather, the progen- 
itor of the family in this country, was Hans 
George Spang, who emigrated in 1751 from 
Rotterdam. Holland, to America, and settled 
in Greenwich township, Berks county. Pa. 
Of Hans' six sons, Leonard and George served 
in the war of independence; the former died 
a prisoner of war in Treuton, N. J. ; the other 
went to Europe with Gen. Kuyphausen. who 
had commanded the Hessians, and became 
a resident of Bremen, where he acquired 
a large fortune, and died without immedi- 
ate heirs, in 1826. A portion of his distant 
relations in America are now claimants 
of tie estate. Another son. Frederick Spang, 
became the owner of the Oley furnaces at 
Semple, Pa., one of the oldestvvorks of the 
kind in the United States, having been erect- 
ed in 1772. He left this property to his son, 
Henry S. Spang, the father of the gentleman 
whose name heads this article. Mr. Spang's 
father, Henry S. Spang, afterward removed 
to Huntingdon county. Pa., where he estab- 
lished iron-works. The Pennsylvania canal 
was opened about this time to Huntingdon, 
tlius offering a market in Pittsburgh for their 
products. 

Charles Frederick Spang, the junior mem- 
ber of the firm, came with his father to 
Huntingdon, and was an active assistant in 
the conduct of the business. In the prosecu- 
tion of this he visited Pittsburgh frequently, 
and with characteristic intelligence and fore- 
thought discovered the advantages its loca- 
tion afforded, and its prospective importance 
as a manufacturing center. The result was 
the formation of the firm of H. S. Spang & 
Son, and the erection of the Etna Iron- works 



^72 



HISTOIiV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



■on the site of a sickle-factory that had 
beeu built at Etna in 1817. The firm was 
destined to take a prominent place amonj; 
the manufacturers of the west. The son. 
now nineteen years of age, became the linsi- 
nessmana>;er and a resident here. On the 
death of H. S. Spans, 'he firm became Spang 
& Co. (Charles F. Spang and James Mc- 
Auley). The business was conducteii under 
this style till \>^'>H, when the present firm of 
Spang, (Jhalfant & Co. was formed, consist- 
ing of Charles H. Spang, John W. Chalfant, 
C. B. Herron and George A. Chalfant. In 
1878 the Spang Steel & Iron company 
■{limitecl) was organized as a branch of the 
above. Its officers are Campbell B. Herron, 
president; John C. Porter, treasurer, and 
George A. Chalfant, general manager. 

In the year 18.58 Mr. Spang removed to 
Nice. France, where he has since resided, 
making occasional visits to his native coun- 
try. He was a pioneer in the iron business 
here, and was the first manufacturer of iron 
tubing west of the Allegheny mountains. 
He was one of the early directors of the 
Bank of Pittsburgh, one of the founders of 
the Western Pennsylvania hospital, a corpo- 
rator of the Allegheny cemetery, and a 
vestryman of Trinity Church. 

Charles H. Spang, son of C. F. Spang, 
and a member of the firm of Spang, Chalfant 
■& Co., was born in Pittsburgh. He was 
educated in this city, and succeeded his 
father in the business. Norman Spang, the 
second son, who is connected with the busi- 
ness, resides in Pittsburgh. 

Thomas Liggett was born in County 
Tyrone, Ireland, Jan. 17, 1779, one of a 
family of two boys and four girls. The 
family immigrated to America in 1791, and 
settled in Carlisle, Pa., where the father 
died one year later. Thomas was then 
apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, 
which he mastered, and in 1803 moved to 
Pittsburgh, where he began building opera- 
tions. Aug. 31, 1809, he married Elizabeth 
McPherson, and to them were born eight 
children: James, Thomas, William G., Sarah, 
John and Joseph (twins), James and Joseph. 
The first James and both Josephs died in 
childliood; Thomas practiced law at the 
Allegheny county bar, and died Nov. 8, 
1851, aged thirty-nine years; William G. 
died at Pensacola, Fla., Jan. 4, 1837, aged 
twenty-one; James the second died June' 
4, 1848, aged twenty-five years, leaving as 
survivors John and Sarah, who are still 
residents of Pittsburgh. 

Thomas Liggett continued actively in the 
contracting business for many years. In the 
meantime, having faith in the future of 
Pittsburgh, he invested his savings in realty, 
most of which yet remains in the family, 
notably the block on Smithfield street from 
Fifth avenue to Diamond alley, partlv oc- 
cupied by tlie Kaufmann building. This 
Thomas I.,iggett bought in 1837, from Alex- 
ander Miller and John Thaw for |3,800, 
•being about $15 per foot front, and after- 



ward used as a lumber-yard. In 1836 he 
bought of Joseph McFarland twenty acres 
in Wilkins township (now Twentieth ward 
of I'iltsburgli). He called the place " Spring- 
wood," built a countrj- residence and moved 
there in 1839. The old homestead is still 
occupied b\' John Liggett, having been his 
home for fifty years. Thomas Liggett served 
as prothonoiary of this county, and died at 
Springwood, Dec. 15, 1854, ageil seventy- 
five years. His wife survived him (living 
with John at the old homestead) until Nov. 

10, 1861. The onl3' then surviving members 
of the family were Sarah and John. The 
former is the wife of L. P. Hitchcock, and 
she is now living on Fayette street, Alle- 
gheny. 

John Liggett married. June 7, 1853, Fran- 
ces B., daugliter of John Kelly, for many 
years the most prominent mathematician and 
schoolteacher of the county. (See sketch of 

11. H. Kelly.) Mr. and Mrs. Liggett took 
up their residence at Springwood, where 
they still live. Owing to an infirmity in his 
hearing, he has never engaged in active 
business. To them were born six sous and 
two daughters, two of whom — one son and 
one daughter— died in infancy, and all the 
rest, save one, reside with their parents. 
Their names are Elizabeth, Thomas (who 
has been prominently identified with the 
real-estate business of Pittsburgh for the 
last ten years, married to Anna G. Say, of 
Oil City, Pa,, and with their three children, 
Thomas, Lawrence S. and Dorothy F., are 
living within a short distance of the old 
homestead), John, Jr., and Frank R. (asso- 
ciated with Thomas in the real-estate busi- 
ness), Augustus G. (fitting himself to become 
an architect) and William G. (attending 
Shadyside Academy in preparation for a col- 
legiate course). 

James Verner, retired, was born Aug. 
30, 1818, at Monongahela City (then called 
Williamsport). Pa., and is the 3'oungest child 
and only son of James and Elizabeth (Doyle) 
Verner. His grandmother died at Verner's 
Bridge, County Armagh, Ireland, where she 
lived nearly a hundred j'ears, and where her 
husband had died many years before her. 
Their ancestors were of Scotch origin. 
James and Elizabeth Verner came from Ire- 
land to Pennsylvania in 1806, and after a 
brief stay at Pittsburgh moved to Williams- 
port. About 1830 they settled permanently 
in Pittsburgh, where Mr. Verner engaged in 
the brewing and lumber business with 
James Brown, the firm being known as 
Brown & Verner. He died in 1854, aged 
seventy-one; his wife survived him and 
died two years later at the same age. The 
family consisted of three daughters and one 
son. Their eldest daughter, Elizabeth (Mrs. 
Samuel Morrison) died in 1887, aged eighty- 
two. Ellen Holmes, widow of Bishop Simp- 
son of the M. E. Church, now resides in 
Philadelphia; Mary died many years since, 
unmarried. 

James Verner has lived nearly all his life 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



273 



in the Fourth ward of Pittsburgh. He 
attended a private school kept by John 
Kelly in Alleglieny, and Allegheny College, 
Meadville, Pa. He married Anna, a daughter 
of Gen. James Murry, of Murrj-sville, Pa., 
and settled on a farm of four hundred acres 
at the site of the present borough of Verona, 
which was formerly called Verner's Station. 
Mr. Verner cleared and fenced the farm and < 
added to it. After the completion of the 
Allegheny Valley railroad he formed a com- 
pany to lay out a village, which now consti- 
tutes the !^irst ward of Verona borough, and 
secured the location of the A. V. R. R. shops ] 
there. Returning to Pittslnirgh, Mr. Verner ; 
became a partner in the brewing firm of 
George W. Smith & Co., in which he con- 
tinued several years. He then became inter- 
ested in and operated the Excelsior Omnibus 
company, which transferred passengers and 
baggage from the Pennsylvania railroad to 
tlie Ft. Waj-ne radroad. Selling out this, 
Mr. Verner applied for and obtained a chjuter 
for the Citizens'Passenger Railway company, 
which was put in operation in \S')9, the first 
street railway operated west of the Alleghanj- 
mountains. This road is now consolidated 
with the Transverse road in the Citizens' 
Traction railway. Mr. Verner afterward 
organized the Pittsburgli Forge and Iron 
company, of which he was for four years its 
president, and is still a director. 

He served several years as member of 
council from the Fourth ward, and has 
always been a whig and republican. He has 
always been noted for his love of field sports, 
and has the reputation of being the oldest 
•■ wingshot" in Western Pennsylvania. He 
was one of the first to interest himself and 
others in the improvement in the breeding 
of hunting-dogs, and was one of the organiz- 
ers of the Sportmen's Association of Western 
Pennsylvania, an association organized for 
the protection of game and fish, and now 
numl)ering over three hundred membership 
of the best citizens. Many years ago he pur- 
chased the ground, organized a company and 
laid out what now comprises the larger 
portion of what constitutes the present Ninth 
ward, Alleghen}'; the railroad station was 
then and is still called Verner's Station, on 
the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. He attends the 
M. E. Church, in which his mother was an 
■active member. In April, 1881, Mr. Verner 
was deprived by death of his faithful help- 
meet, her age being fifty-seven years. There 
were five sons and five daughters, one-half 
of whom grew to maturity: Priscilla, Mrs. 
Charles C. Scaife, of Pittsburgh; Amelia, 
Mrs. Arthur Malcom, of Philadelphia; 
James K., secretary Pittsburgh Forge and 
Iron company; Murry, superintendent of the 
■Citizens' Traction railway, and M. Scott, 
mechanical engineer. 

Andukw Bkown Stevenson, banker, 
Pittsburgh, was born in Peebles township 
(now part of the Twenty-third ward of Pitts- 
burgh), Dec. 30, 18n. His grandfather, 
Andrew Stevenson, died at Wilmington, Del.. 



while in pursuit of a person for whom he 
stood bail in Ireland. James, son of -Andrew, 
born in Count}' Donegal, Ireland, eloped 
with and married Elizabeth Jane, a daughter 
of William Erskine, of County Down, Ire- 
land. Mr. Erskine pursued and found them 
when about to sail for America, and finding 
they were married, he threw one hundred 
guineas in his daughter's lap, bidding her 
farewell. They arrived in Pittsburgh in 1817. 
and Mr. Stevenson became a postoffice clerk 
under David Lynch. He was tax-collector 
for the South (now Second ward) at the time 
of his death, which occurred June 15, 1836. 
He had five sons and three daughters, as fol- 
lows: Andrew B. ; William Erskine, who, 
after serving in the Pennsylvania house 
of representatives, went to Virginia and 
helped organize the stal e of West Virginia (he 
served in both houses of the legislature of 
that state, and was elected governor; for 
many years he edited the State Journal, a 
leading paper of that state, and is now de- 
ceased; he was a member of the convention 
which first nominated Lincoln for president, 
and was persecuted for his opinions on set- 
tling in Virginia); John Armstrong, residing 
near Iowa City, Iowa; Elizabeth Jane, widow 
of Alexander Cimimings, residing at New 
Brighton, Pa. ; James Haramil, who died in 
Pittsburgh; Tliomas J., residing in Pitts- 
burgh; Ruth, widow of Robert H. Beatty, 
in (Joultersville, 111., and Margaret, deceased, 
wife of Robert Brewer. 

Andrew B. Stevenson was educated in 
private schools, and when about fourteen 
years old was apprenticed for seven years to 
a cabinet-maker. He carried on pattern - 
making, served fifteen years as justice of the 
peace, and was twenty years in the insurance 
business. For many years he has been a di- 
rector of the First National Bank of Birmmg- 
ham, and for part of the time president. 
He was an abolitionist, and is now an inde- 
pendent republican. Before the incorpora- 
tion of Birmingham borough with Pittsburgh 
he served as burgess of the town. He is a 
Royal Arch Mason, a member of the I. O. O. 
F., and supports the Presbyterian Church. 
In 18-13 he married Catherine Cameron, who 
died leaving four children; Jolin C, Eliza- 
beth C, wife of D. C. Ripley; Ruth Emma, 
Mrs. Geo. Barker; and Matilda A., living at 
j home. For his second wife, Mr. Stevenson 
: married Cynthia, widow of Thomas H. 
] Douglass. 

John F. Jennings. The men who laid 
\ the foundations of manufacturing and com- 
i mercial strength on which Pittsburgh was 
: built are rapidly passing away, and those 
who remain should be made to feel that the 
I new generation has an appreciation of the 
past, and is willing to give a full meed of 
praise when it is due. John Fleninken Jen- 
nings was one of this hard-working body of 
pioneers, and he well earned the comfort and 
ease in which his declining j-ears were spent. 
His life was a useful and bus^ one. He was 
born in Waynesburg, Greene county. Pa., 



274 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Oct. 28. 1807. hi.s ancestors coming originally 
from New .Jersey. His maternal grandfather, 
John Fleninken, while a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, was for many j-ears a citizen of North 
Carolina, where he remained all tlirough the 
revolutionary war, serving gallantly as a 
member of that band that has passed into 
history as Gen. Marion's minutemen. He 
was a delegate to the Mechlenburg conven- 
tion, which adopted the famous Mechlenburg 
declaration of independence in 177"), and 
was one of the signers of that immortal pa- 
per. He was a man of high standing and 
great influence in the south. When the war 
was over, his wife having in the meantime 
died, he returned to Pennsylvania, bringing 
with him two fhildreu, a sou and daughter, 
the latter becoming afterward the wife of 
Benjamin .Jennings and the mother of the 
subject of this sketch. On Mr. Fleninkeu's 
return to the north, he was appointed one of 
the first associate judges of Greeue counti", 
and served with honor in that position. 

Mr. .Jennings' paternal grandfather, .Jacob 
.Jennings, was a resident of Morris county, 
N. J., and came to Pennsylvania, settling on 
a farm on the west side of the Monongahela 
river, in Greene county. His son, Benjamin 
Jennings, learned the trade of a carpenter, 
and went to Waynesburg, the county seat of 
Greene county, which had previously been 
taken from Washington county. The town 
at that time did not contain a dozen houses. 
He assisted in building the first courthouse 
of that county, which was constructed of 
logs, and within it court was held until re- 
placed with a new brick building. In this 
all the offices necessary for public Imsiness 
were included, and connected therewith was 
that very uecessary appendage for a back- 
woods town — a county jail. This county 
was named for Gen. Greene, the bosom friend 
and military companion of Gens. Washing- 
ton and Lafayette, and thus Western Penn- 
sylvania honors those three heroes of the 
revolutionary war by naming for them the 
three adjoining counties of Washington, 
Fayette and Greene. When Benjamin Jen- 
nings married Dorcas Fleninken he could 
find no house in Waynesburg in which to 
live save a small one of logs that stood on 
the farm from which the town was laid out. 
He purchased two lots on Main street and 
built two frame houses, a portion of the tim- 
ber therein being cut from the main street of 
the town and the remainder from what is 
now called the Park, then known as the 
"Common. " 

The subject of this sketch ■ was born 
during the progress of the above, in the little 
log house tliat stood on what is now Greene 
street. This building was demolished only a 
few years since to make room for the prog- 
ress of improvements in that enterprising 
town. Mr. Jennings' opportunities for edu- 
cation were very limited. When about fifteen 
years of age he served for a time in a village 
store, but in a few months entered a printing- 
office to learn the trade of a printer. He 



earnestly applied himself to study, attending 
a grammar class at night, and soon became 
an e.tpert in that difficult science. After 
completing his apprenticeship he was offered 
a position in the largest general store of the 
town, wliich he accepted, and remained there 
almost three years, receiving the rudiments 
of a business education wliich served him 
well in after life. By reason of close confine- 
ment his health began to fail, and he decided 
to leave the store and resume his trade as a 
printer. In 1^30 he went to Ohio, and in St. 
Clairsville found an old office-mate who had 
learned his trade at the side of Mr. Jennings; 
this was Col. W. Mauypenny. who afterward 
became s distinguished citizen of Ohio, and 
held many important positions, both state 
and national; he is Mt present a resident of 
Washington, D.C. Col. Many penny had just 
|>urchased a newspaper and desired Mr. .Jen- 
nings to remain with him until the paper was 
established; this he did and remained forone 
year, when he went to Columbus, devoting 
part of his time to his trade and part to re- 
porting the proceedings of the general assem- 
l)ly. There were no steam presses at that 
lime and there were but two men in the office 
who could run a hand press. Mr. Jennings was 
one of the two, and being an e.xpert in all 
branches was soon materiallj' advanced in 
the matter of wages. He hail made himself 
useful in so many ways and worked with 
such industry and intelligent understanding 
of what was required of him that when he 
decided to leave he was offered the foreman- 
ship if he would remain; but having other 
purposes in view he declined. He returned 
to St. Clairsville, where he remained unt il the 
following spring, and in 1833 removed to 
Pittsburgh, with forty-five dollars in his 
pocket, the sum total of his worldly wealth. 
Here he followed his trade, and in ISSo be- 
came foreman of one of the offices. In 
March, 1837 Mr. Jennings was offered the 
position of bookkeeper and general manager 
of the Eagle Cotton-works, one of the larg- 
est in that line in Allegheny, where all tlie 
factories of that section were localed and 
doing an immense business. To-day there is 
not one in operation. The machinery and 
business were sold a few years since and re- 
moved to Madison. Ind. Mr. .Jennings re- 
mained with the Eagle Cotton-works six 
years, and Feb. 1. 1848, he and James W. 
Hailman formed the firm of Hailman, Jen- 
nings & Co., for the conduct of the grocery 
liusiness, their store being on Wood street, 
between First and Second streets (now First 
and Second avenues). 

April 10. 181-5, occurred the disastrous 
fire which destro3'ed the greater portion of 
the business section of the city. Their store, 
together with a large stock of groceries, was 
burned, and thej' were left several thousand 
dollars in debt. Jan. 1. 1846. Mr. Jennings, 
in connection with William Coleman and his 
former partner, James W. Hailman, formed 
the partnership of Coleman, Hailman & Co.. 
for the purpose of manufacturing springs and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



275 



axles for carriages and wagons; also steel. 
(Tbis was one of the very first attempts at 
steel-making in Pittsburgh.) And while they 
exercised the best judgment, their methods 
were to some extent crude, and their ma- 
chinery ill adapted for the work required. 
Some matters connected with the conduct of 
the business were not congenial, and Mr. 
Jennings offered his interest for sale, which 
was purchased by the then banking firm of 
Krahmer & Rahm. After the business had 
been in operation about one year, Mr. Jen- 
nings became impressed so strongly with the 
prospects for the sleel business that he at 
once set about to organize a new firm, in 
which after a time he was successful, and 
resulted in establishing the Sheffield Steel- 
works, which to-day is the largest merchant 
steel-manufacturing establishment in Pitts- 
burgh, and possibly in the United States. 
This firm, as originally organized, was com- 
posed of the following gentlemen: John F. 
Jennings, A. M. Walliugford, John F. Singer. 
Abraham S. Nicholson. Alexander Nimick 
and William K. Nimick, the firm name being 
Singer, Nicholson & Co. Before the works 
were completed and ready for operation, 
Hon. Felix R. Brunot was admitted to part- 
nership in the firm, which was organized for 
the purpose of manufacture and sale of "steel, 
anvils, vises, springs, axles, and such other 
articles of a similar character as may be 
deemed advisable." Mr. Nicholson remained 
in the business but a short time, and his in- 
terest was purchased by ^Mr. Samuel H. Hart- 
man, the firm name being then changed to 
Singer, Hartman & Co. One of the princi- 
pal articles of manufacture at the start was 
"German" plowsteel slabs, being rolled from 
cemented or blister-bar. A large demand 
having arisen for steel plows, and this mill 
having been constructed with an especial view 
to rolling such steel of a good quality, it met 
with a read3' sale at remunerative prices, 
and for over two years thej- had a monopoly 
of the business. At the present time they 
hold the largest trade in plow-steel in tliis 
country. The method used in making steel 
was the old English one of cementation or 
conversion, since which time the whole 
method of manufacture of steel has changed, 
and comparatively little blister-bar is made, 
plow-steel now being of a different character 
and made by other methods. 

Mr. Jennings was the originator of a sys- 
tem that is now universally adopted by the 
steel-manufacturers, i. e., of cutting for plow- 
makers their shares, moldboards, etc., to 
shape, thus saving to the plowmakersthe ex- 
pense of cutting these shapes by hand as was 
the custom at that time. The Sheffield Steel- 
works being provided with power shears 
could cut the shapes and make an additional 
profit for themselves and save a good per- 
centage of expense to the consumer of the 
steel. Aug, 1, 1862, Mr. Jennings sold his 
interest in the business to his partners and 
retired from active business pursuits, but 
remained connected with banking and insur- 



ance companies, being elected vice-president 
of the Cash Insurance company on its organ- 
ization, a position he retained until his death. 

No record of his life, however much in 
outline, would be complete were no mention 
made of his patriotic course during the war 
of the rebellion. His heart and soul were in 
the Union cause, and he was not the man to 
stand by and see all the work done and the 
burdens borne by others. He turned with 
all his indomitable energy to aid in sending 
soldiers into the field, and his services in 
that direction were successful in a high 
degree. His eldest son, Benjamin F., then 
twenty-three years of age, and at that time 
employed in the office of the Sheffield works, 
was determined to enlist. With the assist- 
ance and encouragement of his father he 
recruited a number of men, and by uniting 
with others who were recruiting was 
formed a full company which was known 
during the service as Co. B, 155th P. V. I. 
Benjamin P. Jennings was elected and com- 
missioned second lieutenant, and before his 
term of service expired won the captaincy of 
the company. When Lee Invaded Mary- 
land the governor of Pennsylvania called for 
50,000 emergency-men; with other patriotic 
citizens all through the state, Mr. Jennings 
went to work and promptly raised a company 
in Allegheny City. Many of the citizens had 
allowed their sons to enlist expecting Mr. 
Jennings to take command, and in order to 
make this misunderstanding good he decided 
to unofficially accompany the boys to the 
front. They arrived at Hagerstown immedi- 
ately after the battle of Antietam, where 
they remained for two weeks until all dan- 
ger of further invasion of the north was at 
an end. Mr. Jennings devoted his entire 
time in aid of the Union cause, and was 
prominent in keeping Western Pennsylvania 
fully alive to her duty in those trying hours. 
He was constantly in correspondence with 
tbe military authorities in Washington, and 
was frequently called to that city on busi- 
ness connected with military affairs. He was 
a prominent member of the city, state and 
national Union League, and one of its fore- 
most workers. Mr. Jenningswas an honored 
and consistent member of the Second Pres- 
byterian Church of Pittsburgh for more 
than forty years, and served for a number of 
years on the board of trustees. On several 
occasions when elections were held for elders 
of the church he was requested to serve in 
that position, but always declined. 

He was married March 29, 1836, to Eliza- 
beth B. Fitzgerald, youngest daughter of 
Michael Fitzgerald, at thattime a prominent 
silversmith of Pittsburgli. There were born 
to this union three sons and two daughters, 
all of whom, with the exception of the 
youngest daughter, who died in infancy, are 
still living. The mother died Feb. 5, 1883. 

Mr. Jennings died peacefully at his home 
in Allegheny City, March 8, 1888, having 
passed fourscore years of an honorable and 
useful life, leaving to his children the proud 



276 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, 



heritageof an unsullied life. ThePiUsbuigh 
Commercial Gazelle of March 9, 1888. says: 

In the death of John F. Jennings his family loses 
a kind and thoughtful father.the community one of the 
most enterprising and Intelligent men who ever aided 
in its development, and the national government one of 
the most untiring patriots who ever stood by it in its 
hour of need. 

In politics he was a republican, and was 
one of the founders of that party, it having its 
origin in Lafayette Ilall in Pittsburgh, and 
although several times tendered public office, 
both state and national, and on two separate 
occasions being tendered the unanimous 
nomination for state senator, he steadily 
declined and never held an office. 

Prof. John Davis, minister, educator, 
author, inventor and manufacturer, sprang 
from a Welsh and Irish ancestrj', whose 
sympathies and services were identified with 
those of the father of our country in securing 
the liberties we now enjoy. William Davis 
and James Johnston, his paternal and mater- 
nal grandfathers, were Presbyterians by birth 
and profession, and entered the colonial army 
in the early history of the American Revolu- 
tion, serving officially therein till peace was 
declared, after which they settled in Western 
Pennsylvania, where the former died, aged 
eighty-five years, and the latter aged one 
hundred and five, and Isabella Scott, wife of 
the former, aged seventy-five years, and Mary 
McClelland, wife of the latter, at the age of 
eighty-five. Henry Davis, the eldest son of 
William, and father of John, was born in 
1787, and acquired early in life a classical 
and mathematical education. With the spirit 
and loyalty of his father to our flag he entered 
the American army in 1812, and remained as 
an oflicer therein till the troops were dis- 
banded. He was for many years eminent in 
his profession as land-surveyor and civil 
engineer, and at various times" held offices of 
public interest in both church and state. He 
was a man of vigorous intellect, stein in- 
tegrity and unfaltering fidelity in the dis- 
charge of both private and public duties. 
At the age of twentj-four he married Jane 
Johnston, a lady of sterling qualities, and 
resident of Beaver county. Pa., where the 
subject of this sketch. John Davis, was born 
in 1831, and where his father died, aged 
seventy-four j'ears, and his mother, aged 
eighiy. 

The mental trails of the father being in- 
herited by the son, he was put early in life 
under the tuition of a private instructor. 
Having advanced in his studies sufficiently 
to enter regular academic classes, he enjoyed 
the advantages of several of the best educa- 
tional institutions of our country. 

Minisler. Choosing the gospel ministry 
as a profession, he was graduated from the 
Western Theological Seminary in 1848, and 
while a post-graduate, the following year, in 
Princeton Theological Seminary, was unan- 
imously elected pastor of a large and flour- 
ishing congregation in West Virginia. But 
his health being somewhat impaired by a long 
course of study, he declined this pastorate, 



and by medical advice retired from public 
duly for a time to recuperate. In I his interim 
two pastoral calls were tendereil him. one of 
which he acce))ted, and was ordained in 18,il. 
The strain incident to public speaking in a 
few months induced him to resign his charge 
and enter upon the teacher's profession, in 
which he labored for about thirty years. In 
IS.iS he was married to Emeline llays, a lady 
of culture and refinement, and fourth daugh- 
ter of James H. Hays, many years identified 
with the coal interests of Pittsburgh. Re- 
sulting from this marriage was one daughter, 
Eva Hays Davis, a lady of liberal attain- 
ments and wife of William S. Huselton. 
M. D., one of the leading physicians and 
surgeons of Allegheny City. 

Educator. Marked success crowned the 
efforts of Prof. Davis as an organizer, admin- 
istrator and instructor in the higher depart- 
ments of education, as well as in the manage- 
ment and supervision of pultlic instruction in 
Allegheny City, and the imprint of his 
scholarly attainments and tact is reflected by 
manj- of her citizens and others who now 
adorn the learned professions and other hon- 
orable pursuits. 

Author. Eminent as he was as an educator, 
he was equally so as an author. Being a 
zealous student of the natural sciences, their 
rich treasures were unfolded to his view, 
which took both form and expression in the 
various works which fell from his pen. 
The}' are fundamental in their character, 
dealing more with principle than with detail, 
and are used mainly as students' textbooks 
in our educational institutions, and also in 
similar institutions of some foreign countries, 
in acquiring a knowledge of mathematical 
geography and astronomy. 

Inventor. And to economize both time 
and labor, in acquiring a knowledge of math- 
ematical geography and astronomy, he in- 
vented a series of instriunents, now in prac- 
tical use, wherebj' these sciences are illus- 
trated with fidelity, and may be compre- 
hended by the youthful mind at a glance. 
The largest of the series represents more 
than eighty movements of the principal 
bodies belonging to the solar system, anil is 
the only one of its kind in existence. 

Besides these educational improvements he 
has made manj' others, by applying science to 
the industries, which are now being manufact- 
ured under patent protection with profit, in 
various localities of our country, and several 
more of equal or still greater utility will 
ere long be brought into public use. 

C.\PT. Charles W. Batchelor was born 
in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1833, and received 
his early education at private schools in his 
native town. His father was Joseph S. Batch- 
elor, who moved from Philadelphia lo Steu- 
benville, in 1810. and engaged in the 
manufacture of furniture. In 1841 Capt. 
Batchelor apprenliced himself to Capt, Henry 
Mason, of Wheeling, on steamer Tioga, to 
learn to be a pilot. In 184.") he became "a full 
pilot, and in 1849 he bought the interest of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



27T 



Capt. Johu Klinefelter in the steamer Hi- 
bernia No. 2, of the Pittsburgh and Cincin- 
nati Packet line, and assumed command. In 
1863 he took command of the famous Alle- 
ghen\'. in the same Hue. In 1854 he sold his 
interest in the Allegheny, and built the 
Americus for the Pittsburgh and Nashville 
trade. In 1805 the Americus burned, and he 
left the river to become the active vice-pres- 
ident of the Eureka Insurance company, of 
Pittsburgh, and he acted as the general agent 
in settling marine losses. In 1861 he was 
appointed by President Lincoln surveyor of 
the port and United States depository at 
Pittsburgh, where he remained until Septem- 
ber. 1866, when he was removed by President 
Johnson because he would not become a 
Johnson man. During his connection with 
the latter office he disbursed over one hun- 
dred million dollars, and wound up with the 
government in his debt. In 1867 he became 
president of the Eagle Cotton Mills company 
of Pittsburgh, in which he continued until 
1873. In 1868 he was made president of the 
Masonic Bank of Pittsburgh, where he con- 
tinued until 1884, when he resigned to become 
acting vice-president of the Keystone Bank 
and president of the Pittsburgh Petroleum 
Exchange. He continues his connection 
witb the Keystone Bank, but resigned the 
presidency of the Oil Exchange. He is now 
president of the Manufacturers'& Merchants' 
Insurance company, and the Natural Gas 
company of West Virginia, furnishing gas to 
the city of Wheeling; and secretar}' and 
treasurer of the Natural Gas company, 
limited, of Pittsburgh, the first gas company 
that ever handled natural gas for manufact- 
uring purposes, which was in 1875. During 
his steamboat career he owned in and built 
the most of the following steamers; Hibernia 
No. 3, Allegheny, Americus, W. I. Maclay, 
Eunice, Lucy Gwin, Paragon, Mary E. 
Forsyth, George W. Graham, W. R. Arthur, 
Emma Duncan, Darlins, Norman, Guidon, 
P. Y. Batchelor, and "the Lac La Bell, of 
Cleveland, Ohio. 

In 1885 he was made chairman of the 
committee of arrangements, and commodore 
of the fleet, for the celebration of the open- 
ing of Davis Island dam, at Pittsburgh. 
Capt. Batchelor has been a prominent Mason 
for years, he having received the highest 
degree that can be conferred, and was grand 
commander of Knights Templar of Pennsyl- 
vania. He is one of nature's noblemen, and 
is respected far and wide. — Marine Journal, 
New York, Jan. 22. 1SS7 . 

William B. Scaipe (deceased) was born 
in the First ward, Pittsburgh, Sept. 5, 1812. 
His parents, Jeffery and Lydia (Barrett) 
Scaife, came from Yorkshire, England, to 
Pittsburgh about the beginning of the present 
century, and in 1803 Jeffery Scaife engaged 
in the manufacture of tin and sheet-iron ware. 
The latter died in 1846. William B., his only 
surviving son, succeeded to the business. 
Jeffery Scaife's father was a tea-merchant, 
who died and was buried at Barbados. The 



family is of Danish origin, and has been 
traced back to the year 1653. 

In 1833 the subject of these lines organ- 
ized the firm of W. B. Scaife & Co., which 
engaged quite extensively in the manufacture 
of tin, sheet-iron and copper ware, and five 
years later he became sole proprietor. Id 
1867 the firm became William B. Scaife «& 
Sons. Mr. Scaife died in 1876. He was a 
lifelong member of the M. E. Church, and 
was a whig and republican. His wife, Mary, 
was a daughter of Ephraim Frisbee, of Scho- 
harie county, N. Y., and was born in Pitts- 
burgh. They have six sons; Oliver P., 
Charles C, Laureston L., William Lucieii, 
Marvin F. and Walter B. Oliver P. is a 
civil engineer, member of the firm, and 
identified with a number of Pittsburgh enter- 
prises. Charles Cooke was educated at the 
Pittsburgh high-school, and entered his. 
father's office when seventeen years of age. 
Laureston graduated at the Pittsburgh high- 
school in 1866, at Yale in 1870 and Harvard 
Law School in 1873. He was admitted to the 
Boston bar, where he now resides ami prac- 
tices his profession. William L. graduated 
at Pittsburgh high-school, 1868; Yale, 1873, 
and at the Freiburg School of Mines, Sax- 
ony, Germany, 1875. Two years latei- he be- 
came an honorary member of the Paris 
Schools of Mining and Engineering. He is a 
chairman of the Scaife Foundry & Machine 
Co., in which all the brothers are interested. 
Walter B., the youngest member of th& 
family, received the appointment to Vienna, 
Austria, of United States vice consul-gen- 
eral, where he has since resided. 

Rev. John B. Dofpner, rector of St. 
Peter's German Catholic Church, Pittsburgh 
(South Side), was born June 19, 1843, at 
Schoenenbach, Baden, Germany. He com- 
menced his studies in Switzerland, and came 
to the United States in October, 1867, where 
he completed them. He was ord;iined for 
the diocese of Pittsburgh Jan. 35. 1868, and 
is the founder of St. Peter's (South Side) con- 
gregation, which he has tended eighteen 
years — ever since the first mass was cele- 
brated. 

The German Catholic St. Peter's (South 
Side) congregation is in that part of the city 
of Pittsburgh of which is said the houses 
grow out of the soil as by magic. In 
November, 1871, the present rector of the- 
church. Rev. John B. Duffner, was ordered 
by Rt. Rev. Bishop Domener to this, at that 
time, thinly .settled place, then known by 
the name of Ormsby borough, to see if a, 
congregation could be started. A storeroom 
called Wolf's halle was engaged and fitted 
out for church and school purposes as could 
best be done. The number of the farailie.s. 
was then fifty, scholars twenty-eight. This 
room was only for temporary use. In 1872 
a larger church was built, large enough to- 
accommodate two hundred families, and a 
separate school-building, in which two hun- 
dred children could be instructed. The 
school was then under the direction ot 



27« 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Stephen Sclimill, teacher, and who is still 
with the <:ongiej;alion as organist. IJutsoon 
these buildings i)n)ved loo small, and in 
1873 another chureh edifice was commenced 
and was finished and dedicated in Novem- 
ber following year. Tlie building is 175 
feet long by 72 wide; at the same time the 
old church" was changed into a two-story 
schoolbuiding. with four large schoolrooms. 
Two large additions have been built since to 
the schoolhouse, also a tine residence of 
twelve rooms for the priest; a convent for 
the sisters has also been completed. Lately 
the congregation bought a tract of land, six 
acres, which serves as a ceraeierj- and is 
nicely laid out in lots. This congregation is 
at present in the southeast part of the city of 
Pittsburgh (South Side), has over seven hun- 
dred families, five hundred pupils at school 
and nine teachers. 

Ad.\.m Mercer Brown, attorney, is a 
grandson of Adam Brown, of Cumberland 
county. Pa., a soldier in Washington's army 
in the revolutionary war. About the begin- 
ning of the century his grandfather removed 
to Butler county, Pa., where he built the tirst 
gristmill, in the vicinity of what has since 
been known as Brownsdale. His progenitors 
were among the early residents of Eastern 
Pennsylvania. 

Joseph Brown, the third son of Adam 
Brown, married Mary, a daughter of James 
Marshall, who, with his family, had come 
from Londonderry, Ireland, to Pittsburgh, in 
1822, whence he soon removed to Butler 
county. James Marshall was also the father 
of Judge Marshall, of Butler county; Hon. 
Thomas M. Marshall, and A. M. Marshall, of 
Pittsburgh. Joseph Brown spent most of 
his life on a farm near Brownsdale, where he 
died, in 1883; Mary Marshall, his wife, died 
in 1877, at the age of seventy-nine years. Of 
their children, Adam Mercer (the subject of 
this sketch), Jane, Esther, William and Sarah 
are yet living. 

Adam Mercer Brown, their second child, 
was born Aug. 3, 1830. He received the most 
liberal training afforded by the schools of his 
native county, and finished his education at 
private schools in Pittsburgh. He read law 
with his uncle, Thomas M. Marshall, being 
admitted to the bar in 1853. For twelve 
j'ears he was a member of the firm of Mar- 
shall & Brown, but since 1865 he has prac- 
ticed for himself. He is recognized as a 
leading member of the Allegheny county bar, 
and has achieved many forensic triumphs. 
Although his practice isalmost entirely in the 
civil courts, he occasionally, and for special 
causes, consents to appear in important crim- 
inal cases, in the trial of which he exhibits 
the same conspic\ious energj' and ability 
which have invarialily characterized his pro- 
fessional work in all otlier courts aud cases. 
Among his many celebrated cases his suc- 
cessful defense and acquittal of James Nutt, 
in the famous trial for the murder of C'apt. 
Dukes, in 1884, added no little to his profes- 
sional reputation, and won popular favor. 



Mr. Brown has been a lifelong supporter c)f 
the republican party. He was a member of 
the select council of Pittsburgh for three 
years; a delegate to the national convention 
that nominated Abraham Lincoln for presi- 
dent, in 18H4, and to that which nominated 
(jrant and Colfax, in 18fi8. He has m-ver 
sought or desired public office. altlioui;]i often 
urged to become a candidate for high ollicial 
positions. Energetic and efficient upon all 
occasions of public emergency; patriotic and 
public-spirited, he enjoys the thorough re- 
spect and confidence of allwho know him. 
lie is an active member of the First U. P. 
Church, of Pittsburgh. He was prominent 
in the organization of the Anchor Savings 
Bank in 1873, of which he has ever since 
been president. He is also a director in the 
Cash Insurance company and Odd Fellows' 
Savings Bank. 

In 1851 Mr. Brown was married to Lu- 
cette, the daughter of Adam Turney, of 
Greensburg. Westmoreland county. Pa. Mr. 
Turney was of Scotch-Irish lineage, and his 
wife, Hannah, was a daughter of Rev. John 
William Weber, founder of the G. R. U. E. 
Church, at the corner of Sixth avenue and 
Smithfleld street, the earliest church in Pitts- 
burgh. The following are the children of 
Mr. Brown, in the order of birth; Marshall 
(a Pittsburgh attorney), Sarah M. (wife of Dr. 
T. G. Herrun, of Allegheny). Carrie A. (Mrs. 
John II. Herron), William John, Thomas M. 
and John Dean. 

H. H. HoFM.ANN, M. D. Prominent 
among the physicians of Pittsburgh is the 
subject of this sketch. He was born at 
Roetha. near Leipsic, Germany, Dec. 21. 
1821, his father being a physician of that 
town. When he was about twelve years old 
his father died, leaving a large family in very 
moderate circumstances. Of this family six 
were sons, who all became physicians. Her- 
man, the fourth son, after completing a 
common-school education, entered the Gym- 
nasium of St. Thomas (an institution cor- 
responding here to a literary college). After 
finishing here he received his medical educa- 
tion at the University at Leipsic, and came 
to the United States in 1849. Although he 
had seen the application of the principles of 
homeopathy in Leipsic. he was not con- 
vinced as to its merits. After coming to 
Pittsburgh he was induced to investigate 
homeopathy by Dr. Reichhelm, the first 
homeopathic physician west of the Alle- 
ghany mountains. The success of this 
school of practice in the treatment of cholera 
in 1849 finally convinced him, and he became 
a firm adherent to it. Appreciating the need 
of a homeopathic hospital, he, with Dr. M. 
Cote, now ileceased, and Dr. J. C. Burgher, 
in IHlit) purchased a building, aud soon after 
the Homeopathic hospital of Pittsburgh was 
incorporated. This old building was torn 
down some years ago to make room for a 
new hospital, the finest institution of its 
class in the city. He has not for some time 
been activelj' engaged in hospital work, but 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



279 



as consulting membei' of the obstetrical staff 
of the Homeopathic Medical and Surgical 
Hospital and Dispensar3' of Pittsburgh, and 
is the oldest horaeopalhlc physician in Pitts- 
burgh. Dr. Hofmann was married at Leip- 
sic, Germany, in 1848, to Miss Mary Erd- 
mann, and their children are Eliza ("wife of 
C. P. Seip, M. D., of Pittsburgh). William 
P. (now deceased, of the firm of Heeren 
Bros. & Co., wholesale jewelers, of Pitts- 
burgh), Adella (wife of Otto Heeren, of the 
same firm) and Charles H., M. D., Pitts- 
burgh. He is a graduate of Pittsburgh high- 
school and the Western University. In 
1878 he graduated from the Pulte Medical 
College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated 
from the New York City in 1879, and then 
spent one year in Ward's Island Homeo- 
pathic College, when he went to Europe, and 
spent two years in Leipsic, Vienna and Ber- 
lin. He is a member of the Homeopathic 
Medical Society of Pennsylvania and Alle- 
gheny, and of the American Institute of 
Homeopathy, and one of the surgeons of 
Ihe Homeopathic College, Pittsburgh. 
Charles H. married, in 1887, Miss Mary Rob- 
inson, daughter of George T. Robinson, of 
Robinson, Ruj' & Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Abdibl McClure. Esq. (deceased). 
Among the prominent citizens of Allegheny 
■county there is none more worthy of mention 
than the subject of this sketch. He was de- 
scended from that hardy Scotch-Irish Pres- 
byterian stock so prominent in the history 
of Pennsylvania. The McClure family first 
settled east of the mountains. John McClure, 
Sr., grandfather of our subject, was one of 
the early settlers of Allegheny county, and 
he located on and purchased the land where 
Homestead now stands, which tract of laud 
was called "Amity," and consisted of 329i 
acres. The original patents, granted to him 
May 19, 1786. are still in the posession of his 
■descendants, and it is a fact worthy of men- 
tion that tills land has continued in their un- 
interrupted possession for four generations, 
covering a period of more than a century. 
John McClure, Sr., was fond of the chase, 
and kept a pack of hounds. He traveled 
over Western Pennsylvania, but found no 
land that suited him so well as his "Home- 
stead." He married Martha Denny. His 
son, .John McClure, lived a life resembling 
that of his father. He took great interest 
in politics and was a prominent whig. He 
married Agnes Topping, a native of West- 
moreland county. Pa. They were members 
of the Lebanon Presbyterian Church, and 
reared a family of ten children: John, 
Robert, James, Matthew, William, Abdiel, 
Mrs. Martha McCrea, Mrs. Jane Whitaker, 
Mrs. Nancy D. Risber and Pollie McClure. 
Of these, Abdiel married Anne W., a daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Sarah C. (Cready) Risher. 
Mrs. McClure was born in this county, Dec. 
14, 1818, and is the mother of eight children, 
five now living, viz. : Sarah R., wife of C. W. 
Taylor, of Taylor & Bullock, Liberty street, 
Pittsburgh; Matthew L. ; Miss Martha D., re- 



siding at Homestead with hermother; Daniel 
R. and J. Henry. 

Abdiel McClure was a man of unusual 
ability. His influence was felt in religious 
and business matters, and he was universally 
loved and respected. In political circles 
he was recognized as an upright, honest 
gentleman. He was a republican, and held 
the office of county recorder from 1863 to 
1866. In the latter part of his life he became 
identified with temperance reform and was 
an earnest worker and supporter of that 
cause. After his term of office as recorder 
expired, he farmed the "Homestead," and 
also became interested in a wholesale busi- 
ness in Pittsburgli. When he sold 113 acres 
of land to the Homestead Bank and Life 
Insurance company, of which he was a mem- 
ber, he very wisely set apart building-lots 
for churches and schools. He was a con- 
tractor and builder, and established the 
Homestead planing-mill, which he conducted 
until his death. His life was an example 
worthy of emulation. He was a quiet and 
thoughtful man. of a just and peaceful dis- 
position, honest and equitable in the ex- 
treme. He was justice of the peace a num- 
ber of times, and he was often cliosen to 
settle estates. He was an earnest Christian 
and a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. 

Matthew L. McClure was born at Home- 
stead, Dec. 34, 1841, where he received his 
education and learned the trade of carpenter. 
In September, 1863, he enlisted in Co. H, 
14th P. C, and served with his regiment 
under Gens. Hunter, Averill and Sheridan 
in the Army of Western Virginia. At the 
close of the war he returned home, and was 
clerk for his father in the county recorder's 
office; then engaged in the lumber business 
in Pittsburgh some three years; then worked 
at his trade in Erie county until 1874, when 
he returned to Pittsburgh and kept books for 
a wholesale grocery until 1879^ and since 
then has been engaged at his trade, and in 
the planing-mill at Homestead. He was 
married Sept. 13. 1866. to Miss Hannah S.. a 
daughter of Rev. James F. Read, of 
Union City, Erie county. Pa. Mr. and Mrs. 
McClure are members of the First Presbyte- 
rian Church, Homestead, and have two chil- 
dren, Abdiel R. and Florence L. Mr. 
McClure is one of the administrators of his 
father's estate, and has been councilman and 
assessor of Homestead. 

Daniel R. McClure was born at Home- 
stead, Oct. 17, 1846; is a graduate of Duff's 
College. He also attended the Penn Insti- 
tute. He was deputy county recorder two 
years. After traveling for his health he ac- 
cepted the position of bookkeeper for the old 
Fort Pitt Bank. He ranks among the lead- 
ing business-men of Homestead, has taken 
an active interest in anything that is of ben- 
efit to that town, and has been councilman 
four years. Mr. McClure is a director of the 
First National Bank, and president of the 
Homestead Building & Loan association. 
He was also appointed one of the adminis- 



280 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



trators of his father's estate. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary E. Gleadall, Feb. 22, 1876. 
and this union has been blessed with tliree 
children: Daniel K., Mary G. and Robert M. 
Mr. and Mrs. MeClure are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

J. H. McCi.UKB, bookkeeper, Homestead, 
was born .Ian. ~G, 1852, on the old homestead, 
a son of Squire Abdiel McClure. He was 
reared in Homestead, and educated in his 
native county. He clerked for his father in 
Pittsburgh for a number of years, and has 
been more or less identified with his father's 
business. He has been twice married ; first 
to Jennie, daughter of Joseph Ramsey, and 
granddaughter of Maj. N. Patterson. She 
died leaving three children: J. Harry, Anna 
R. and Joseph R. His present wife is Mary 
H., daughter of Aaron M. Work, and they 
have one child, Mary Ada. Mr. and Mrs. 
McClure are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
and A. O. U. W., and is a republican. 

B. L. H. Dabbs, whose name now has 
such a familiar sound in Pennsylvania, was 
born in London in 1839, and while he was 
still a child his parents came to this coun- 
try. His father. George Dabbs, was one of 
the pioneers of the trade in photographic 
materials in America, being first a member 
of the firm of L. Chapman & Co., of New 
York city, and in 1856 moved to Philadel- 
phia, where he manufactured photographic 
goods under firm name of George Dabbs & 
o. Thus young B. L. H. Dabbs early be- 
came conversant with the detailsof the busi- 
ness in which he has since taken such a high 
place. Mr. Dabbs came to Pittsburgh in 
April, 1861, and opened a store for the sale 
of ambrotype and photographic supplies. It 
did not take long for Mr. Dabbs to build up 
a larger establishment in this line than 
Pittsburgh had ever seen before. In the 
same year, 1861, he became interested in the 
taking of photographs, by the purchase of the 
gallery of a Mr. Borah, "Jvos. 90 and 92 Fed- 
eral street, Allegheny City. From this day 
Mr. Dabbs gradually abandoned the purely 
mercantile, and attached himself to the 
artistic side of the photographic business. 
His work was a revelation to Pittsburgh and 
the adjoining country, and from the very 
first it was heartily appreciated. In 1864 
Mr. Dabbs found that his standing as an 
artistic photographer necessitated his re- 
moval to Pittsburgh, and accordingly, in 
1864, he established the largest photograph 

§allery in the state, at 46 and 48 Si.xth street. 
o rapidly did the demand for his photo- 
graphs increase that in 1869 he sold out his 
business as a dealer in photographic mate- 
rials. Since then he has devoted all his 
time and talents to the taking of portraits, 
and tlie development of the science of pho- 
tography. 

In 1876 be removed to his present quarters, 
602 Liberty street, and around him he has 
gathered a corps of operators and auxiliary 
artists which has no superior in the country 



to-day, and has always enabled Mr. Dabbs to 
turn out more striking, truthful and sin- 
gularly artistic pictures than can t)e made 
elsewhere in the two cities. His reputation 
has had a steady and substantial growth from 
the first. Mr. Dabbs has always been eager 
to adopt the latest inventions, and experi- 
mental study has always received his closest 
attention. Among photographers, as with 
the public, Mr. Dabbs stands in excellent 
repute, and as his energy is unabated, even 
better results may be expected from his 
studio; and his business, already large, is 
steadily increasing. 

Mr. Dabbs resides with his family in a 
handsome residence on Hiland avenue. East 
Side, where he has one of the finest art 
libraries in the city. 

Thomas M. Morrow, proprietor of livery, 
Allegheny, was born in Richland township, 
this count}', in 1831. a son of Richard and 
Mary(Miller) Morrow, and has always resided 
in the county. He was married in 1872, to 
Margaret B., daughter of James and Mar- 
garet Kendall, of Fulton county. Pa. He 
was reared a farmer, but has been in the liv- 
erj' business since 1861 in Allegheny. 

Thom-\s Reynolds (deceased), late of 
Reynoldton, this coimty, was born in Coun- 
ty Derry, Ireland, Aug. 22, 1806. and was 
descended from the Rejnoldses of Cornwall. 
England. He was a son of George and 
Isabella (Leslie) Reynolds, Presbyterians, 
former of whom was a farmer, and died in 
Ireland. In 1836 Thomas Reynolds, with his 
mother, three brothers and two sisters, came 
to Pittsburgh. Pa., and, three years later, 
Thomas, with his mother and two sisters, 
went to New Lisbon, Ohio. Here Thomas, 
in partnership with James Starr, engaged 
in the manufacture of thrashing-machines, 
fanmills and general farm implements, until 
1848, when he purchased a large tract of 
land where Reynoldton, this county, now is, 
and which town he founded. He was a 
natural mechanic, and a man of more than 
ordinary ability. He was a great reader, 
plain and unassuming in his manner, one 
who made hosts of friends, and enjoj'ed the 
confidence and respect of all. He was a mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church; was elected justice 
of the peace of his township, but never 
sought office. He died in November, 1887. 
In 1874 he sent for his nephew, Thomas Rey- 
nolds. Jr., to assist him in bis business, and 
in 1882 conveyed all his land to his nephew. 

Thomas Kevnolds, Jr., was born in 
Galena, 111.. Jan. 29. 1854. son of Robert 
and Martha J. (Pugh) Reynolds, the former 
of whom was born in County Derry, Ireland, 
and the latter in Virginia. They are numbers 
of the Disciples' Church. Soon after coming 
to Pittsburgh from Ireland, Robert Reynolds 
went to New Orleans, thence to Davenport. 
Iowa, thence to (Jalena. 111., where he en- 
gaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1869 
he moved to Missouri, where he carried on 
farming until 1882, in which year he came to 
McKeesport, where he and his wife still 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



281 



reside. Mr. Robert Reynolds is president 
and half owner of the McKeesport and 
Youghiogheny bridge and owner of real 
estate. Thomas Reynolds, Jr., laid out the 
town of Reynoldton, and was the first bur- 
gess. It was he who suggested the build- 
ing of the McKeesport and Youghiogheny 
bridge, in the construction of which he was 
the principal mover, and was president of 
the bridge company and chief stockholder 
until April, 1888. He is still a stockholder in 
the bridge company, stockholder and director 
in the People's Bank, McKeesport Gas com- 
pany, and McKeesport Light company; he 
is school director and councilman of Rej'- 
noldton, and is a member of the M. E. 
Church. Mr. Reynolds was united in mar- 
riage, Oct. 4, 1888, with Miss Anna B. 
Woods, a native of McKeesport, daughter of 
Theodore Woods, civil engineer and a prom- 
inent business-man of McKeesport. 

John Bernard Lutz, bank president, 
Pittsburgh, was born in Herolz, now in 
Prussia, May 11, 1823. His father, Valentine 
Lutz, was an architect and builder in the 
government employ. John B. attended 
school till sixteen years of age, when he 
came to America and located in Pittsburgh, 
Pa. Here he attended private schools and 
prepared himself for the profession of civil 
engineer. In 1841 he became attached to 
the United States engineer corps, and was 
employed on survej-s in Michigan, Wisconsin 
and Minnesota. On the outbreak of the 
Mexican war he went with his corps to the 
front, and received a shot in the arm at the 
battle of Cerro Gordo, which caused hia dis- 
charge, and he still carries the bullet in his 
arm. After his recovery he was employed 
on the construction of the P. & O. R. R. , now 
a part of the P., Ft. W. & C. road, and on its 
completion he settled in what is now the South 
Side of Pittsburgh. He laid out the borough 
of Ormsby, and was its first burgess. For 
many years he kept hotel. He was one of 
the organizers of the German Savings and 
Deposit Bank, and has been four j'ears its 
president; is a director of the Birmingham 
Insurance company, and president of the 
German Roman Catholic Press company. 
He is a member of St. Peter's R. C. Church, 
and has alwaj's been a democrat. In October, 
1847, Mr. Lutz married Katharine Keeling, 
a native of Youngstown, Pa., daughter of 
Joseph Keeling, of Prussia, and following 
are the names of their children; Mary (wife 
of William Trimbure, of Niles, Ohio), John, 
Frank J., Maggie (widow of John May), 
William and Henry. All save the eldest are 
residents of Pittsburgh, the last two named 
being with their parents. 

James J. Booth, contractor, Pittsburgh, 
was born in Duckinfield, Cheshire, England, 
in June, 1836, and is a son of Jonathan and 
Ellen Booth, who were also bred in the same 
locality. In early life he was placed to work 
in a cotton-mill, but his ambition was not satis- 
fied with this sort of life. Being anxious to 
become a bricklayer, and being denied the 



privilege of learning the trade, he ran away 
from home in 1854, "and came to Pittsburgh. 
He first found employment on the river, but 
soon found an opportunity to gratifj' his 
long-cherished wish. After working "inde- 
pendently and as a journeyman bricklaver, he 
began, in 1869, to take contracts for" street 
construction and buildings. In 1878, the 
firm of Booth & Flinn was established, and 
five years later they began the manufacture 
of brick. Many of the finest streets in Pitts- 
burgh were built by this firm, such as Wine- 
biddle, Linden and Simon avenues, and Mc- 
Pherson and Barton streets. They also 
paved Penn, Liberty and Second avenues 
with Belgian blocks. In 1888, they built the 
Citizens' Traction railway, and following 
year the Central. 

Mr. Booth is a useful member of Trinity 
P. E. Church; is identified with the I. O. O. 
F., and is a Past Master of Freemasons, and a 
Knight Templar. Politically he is a repub- 
lican. In 1861 he married Priscilla Jane, 
daughter of Samuel Turbot, of Irish extrac- 
tion, and following are the names of their 
children; Ellen (widow of Harry E. Bray), 
Ulrich Dahlgren, Carrie, Ethel May and 
Blanche Olive. 

John B. Ingham, contractor and builder, 
Allegheny, was born in Dublin, Ireland. .Ian. 
15, 1813, a son of Humphrej' J. and Mary 
(Borbridge) Ingham. He came with his par- 
ents to America in 1816, and they first located 
in Philadelphia, Pa. After a residence of 
seven years there, they moved to Luzerne 
county. Pa., where the mother died in 1826, 
at the age of forty-five years. The father 
remained in Luzerne county until 1864, when 
he came to live with his son, John B., in 
Allegheny City, only for two years, how- 
ever, as he departed this life Oct. 15, 1866, at 
the age of eighty-five. He had been twice 
married; by first marriage there were seven 
daughters and two sons, of whom John B. 
and Charles F. are the only ones now living; 
by second marriage there were three children, 
Emily, now Mrs. Davenport, residing in 
Luzerne county. Pa., being the survivor. 

John B. Ingham, the subject of this 
sketch, came to this county Jan. 24, 1833, and 
has since resided in Allegheny. His first 
marriage occurred July 3, 1835, with Mary 
McClure, and by this union there was one 
child, which died in infancy, its mother only 
surviving its birth a few days, dying Jan. 1, 
1837. Mr. Ingham's second marriage oc- 
curred June 12. 1838, with Mary Hobsou, by 
whom there were four children, two yet liv- 
ing; Charles F., present partner with his 
father in business, and Emma, wife of 
George Vance, of Connellsville. Pa. This 
wife died Feb. 26, 1848, and Mr. Ingham next 
married, March 6, 1849, Anna C. Neeb. who 
bore him eight children; William K. ; Martha 
K.. wife of Norman Hobson, an attorney in 
Iowa; Mary C. (deceased); Jean E. and Flor- 
ence A. (twins); John B., Jr.; Ida M., wife 
of Frank Neeb, of Lancaster, Ohio, and 
Louis N. Mrs. Ingham died, Aug. 1, 1871, 



282 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COCNTY. 



ased forty-eight years, and Jan. 31. 1872. 
Mr. Ingham married Mrs. Elizabeth McBride, 
nee Ilobson, of Newarli. X. J., sister of his 
second wife; she had live sons by Mr. 
McBride, two of whom are ministers in the 
M. E. Church. 

Mr. Ingliam has been a contractor and 
builder in Allegheny for over fifty years, 
and has erected some of the most substantial 
Structures in this county, among them, in 
Allegheny, being the old Arch Street M. E. 
church, the North Avenue M. E. church, the 
Avery institute for colored people and 
Arbuekle's block on Liberty avenue, Pitts- 
burgh. He has been a member of the M. E. 
Church for over fifty years. 

.I.\MEs Cij.vi{k WiLLfAMS, A. M., president 
of Curry University, is a native of Allegheny 
county. He was born and spent the first 
seventeen years of his life on the old home- 
stead farm, near Bakerstown. where his 
grandfather. Rev. Matthew Williams, one of 
the first Covenanter preachers in Western 
Pennsylvania, settled about the year 1800. 

The four years after leaving the farm 
were spent in collegiate studies, which he 
commenced under the private tuition of the 
great astronomer and teacher, Prof. Bradley 
(the founder of the Allegheny Observatory), 
and were continued at Westminister College, 
Lawrence county. Pa. In 1873 he became 
the junior member of the firm of Garber & 
Williams, successors to Higby Cust & Co., 
importers and dealers in queensware and ' 
fine china, 189 Liberty street, Pittsburgh. In 
1874, having disposed of his interests in that 
firm to advantage, he embarked in the real- 
estate business. Shortly after he purchased 
large fiouring-mill interests, which, by energy 
and good business management, were made 
very profitable. 

Five years later, the mills having been 
destroj'ed by fire, he associated himself with 
Curry Institute, after which he became 
principal in 1880, and with his brother, the 
late Harmon D. Williams, built up the in- 
stitution in the face of most discouraging 
circumstances, attaining an almost unpar- 
alleled success. 

The September term of 1880 was begun 
with less than a dozen pupils, while the en- 
rollment last year (1888) was 1,403 students, 
under a faculty of thirty teachers who are 
giving instruction in the full course of uni- 
versity studies. In recognition of his 
scholarly attainments the degree of Master 
of Arts was conferred upon him by Lafay- 
ette College, Easton, Pa., in 1883. 

He has been careful to have associated 
with him in the faculty of the university only 
Christian ladies and gentlemen. And while 
the university is thoroughly non-sectarian, 
yet it is also known as a thoroughly Christian 
institution, where a high standard of moral- 
ality and Christian influence is always rec- 
ognized. 

Mr. Williams is a regular attendant at 
the Third Presbyterian Church, where he has 
been a member for about sixteen years, and 



devotes much of his lime to helping young 
people in needy circumstances to better their 
condition. 

President Williams is a man of tireless 
energy, of abundant resources in manage- 
ment, strict, j-et kind in discipline, and tne 
large institution which he has built up in so 
short a time is both an honor to himself and 
to the county in which he was born. 

S1.M0N Beymek, white lead manufacturer, 
Pittsburgh, was born near Somerset, Perry 
county, Ohio, in April, 1839. His grand- 
father, Simon Beymer, was born in Somerset 
county, Pa., in 1782, and was descended 
from the early German settlers of Eastern 
Pennsylvania. His wife, Ann Clark, was 
born in the same localitj' {top of Laurel liill) 
in 1779, and came of Scotch lineage. In 1805 
this couple went to Guernsey county, Ohio, 
and founded Bej'merstown (now ^^ashing- 
ton), where Simon Beymer and his brother 
Henry were the first settlers. Simon built a 
hotel which was called the " Black Bear." in 
1805, and lived there till his death, in 1848. 
He raised a company for the war of 1812, 
and was elected captain. After the war he 
was made a general of militia. His widow 
continued to conduct the hotel with the aid 
of her son John, and after the death of the 
latter he was succeeded bj' another son, 
Conrad. Mrs. Beymer died in 1874. The 
family, which included seven sons and two 
daughters, associated with the Lutheran 
Church. The third son, George, tharried 
Nancy A. Clark, a native of Washington 
county, Pa., and settled on a farm in Perrj' 
county, Ohio. He died in Williamsburg, 
Ohio, in 1844, aged forty-two years. Nanc}' 
Beymer's parents were of Scotch descent, 
and were born on the same day and died in 
the same building on the same day, making 
her an orphan at an early age. She is now 
living, in her eighty-fourth year. Her chil- 
dren number four sons and four daughters, 
the name of the third heading this sketch. 

The earlj' education of the subject of 
this memoir was secured at the public school, 
and was finished by a private tutor He 
began life when seventeen years old, as a 
drug clerk. While thus employed he made 
a thorough study of the science of medicine, 
but never took up its practice. In 1853 he 
came to Pittsburgh, and took employment 
with the wholesale drughouse of 'B. A. 
Fahnestock & Co., which firm was engaged 
in the manufacture of white-lead. At the 
end of five j-ears he became a partner with 
B. L. Fahnestock in the wholesale drug 
business, and later engaged in the manu- 
facture of white-lead. In 1867 the firm of 
Beymer. Baviman & Co., was formed, and 
established white-lead works, and on the 
death of Reuben F. Bauman, in December, 
1885, Mr. Beymer bought the interest of his 
estate, and organized the Beymer-Bauman 
Lead company, of which he is president, 
his eldest son, Hervey W. Beymer, being 
manager. Mr. Beymer sustains the church 
of his parents and family, the Presbyterian, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



283 



and follows the political precedents of bis 
ancestry, whig and republican. He is an 
active member of the Masonic fraternity, 
having attained the thirty-second degree. In 
1855 Mr. Beymer married Annie C. daughter 
of George and Fanny L. Fracker, all of 
Massachusetts birth. Mrs. Beymer passed 
from earth Dec. 30. 1883, in her forty-eighth 
year. Of her seven children, the eldest 
three are associated in business with their 
father, and the fourth is a bookkeeper in 
the Keystone National Bank. Following are 
their names in order of birth: Hervey W., 
George H., Charles F., Albert S., Clara, 
Helen and Harry C. 

Graham Scott. The parents of Graham 
Scott, James and Mary (Graham) Scott, were 
born in County Tyrone, Ireland. They re- 
moved to this country about 1802, and located 
in Lancaster county. Pa,, for a few years; 
then removed to near the town of Mercer, 
Mercer county, same state, where the sub- 
iect of this notice, Graham Scott, was born. 
While he was quite young thej' removed to 
a farm adjoining Smith's Ferry, Beaver 
county. Pa. The house afforded a splendid 
view of the Ohio river and the village of 
Georgetown, on the opposite side. Mr. 
Scott's mother died Feb. 11, 1832, and his 
father, March 25, 1838, leaving six sons and 
two daughters, three sons having preceded 
them to the better land, Graham being the 
youngest but one. These, all but the sub- 
ject of this notice, have since gone to that 
bourne whence no traveler returns, he being 
left the last of eleven. 

Graham Scott attended such schools as 
were to be found in those days, until he 
secured a fair common-school education. 
He lived among his friends in Beaver county 
until April, 1836, when he came to Pitts- 
burgh, where he has ever since resided. He 
tirst engaged in the house- and sign-painting 
trade, having served an apprenticeship of 
four years with Andrew Beggs. After some 
sixteen years spent in this business, on 
account of its not agreeing with him, he 
abandoned it, and took a situation with 
William Dilworth, Jr., in the lumber busi- 
ness, plauing-mill and sash and door factory. 
Upon the death of Mr. Dilworth, in 187- (he 
having been appointed to settle up his estate), 
he turned his attention to settling estates, 
notary public, real-estate and insurance busi- 
ness, and may be found at 151 Fourth ave 
nue, Pittsburgh, almost any time during 
business hours. His residence for the last 
twenty-five years has been Craft avenue, 
Oakland, Fourteenth ward, Pittsburgh. He 
was married Feb. 1, 1844, to Miss Anna T., 
daughter of James and Eleanor Jane Brown, 
who also came from County Tyrone, Ire- 
land. They lived together happily thirty- 
six years She died April 16, 1880, leaving 
no children. Graham Scott has been a mem- 
ber of the Second U. P. Church of Pitts- 
burgh, for near fifty years; has filled the 
office of school director for some sixteen 
years; has never taken any special partisan- 



ship in politics, but has been a consistant 
member of the republican party since its 
formation. 

William Richakd Jones. Capi. Will- 
iam Richard Jones, now manager of the 
Edgar Thomson Steel-works, was born in 
Luzerne county. Pa., Feb. 23, 1839. He is 
of Welsh descent, his father. Rev. John G. 
Jones, having, with his wife and two chil- 
dren, emigrated from Wales to America in 
1832, and first settled in Pittsburgh. Pa. 
The family removed from Pittsburgh to 
Scranton, Pa., and later to Hazelton and 
Wilkesbarre, and finally to Catasauqua, Pa. 
Owing to his father's ill health, he was com- 
pelled to commence work when quite young, 
and hence was deprived of any but the most 
limited early educational advantages. When 
at the age of only ten, he was apprenticed to 
the Ciane Iron company, of Catasauqua. 
Pa., in the foundry department, and later 
was placed in the machine-shop of that com- 
pany, then under the supervision of Mr. 
Hopkin Thomas, whom Capt. Jones considers 
one of the brightest mechanics of his day. 
Hopkin Thomas was noted for his develop- 
ment of youthful minds, and it was his boast 
that he never produced a bad mechanic, jnd 
in the later 3'ears of his life, pointed with 
pride to the men who occupied leading posi- 
tions in the mechanical and metallurgical 
world, who were formerly apprentices under 
hisdirection. In the list we find Philip Ho- 
facher, master mechanic Lehigh Valley rail- 
road, at Waverly, Pa.; William Thomas, 
superintendent Crane Iron-works, Catasau- 
qua, Pa.; James Thomas and George Davis, 
founders and machinists, Catasauqua; Owen 
Leibert, assist.int superintendent Bethlehem 
Iron-works; Samuel Davis, superintendent 
Port Oram mines, Dover, N. J. ; D.aniel N. 
Jones, general superintendent Colorado 
Coal & Iron company, Pueblo, Colo. 

By the time he had arrived at the age of 
fourteen he had made such progress that 
he was receiving the full wages of a regular 
journeyman machinist. About this time he 
entered the employment of Williaiu Millens, 
and went to work in his machine-shop at 
Janesville. Luzerne county, Pa. In 1856 he 
moved to Philadelphia, and worked at his 
trade as a machinist in the shops of I. P. 
Morris & Co. Tlie panic of 1857 de- 
prived him of work, and compelled him to 
endure many privations. In the search for 
employment he reached Tyrone, Pa., where 
he engaged himself to a lumberman by the 
name of Evans, and went with him to Clear- 
field county. Pa. He remained with Mr. 
Evans, as a farm hand, lumberman and 
raftsman, until the spring of 1858, when he 
entered the employ of a farmer named 
Ricketts. He then was employed as an en- 
gineer by the firm of Gibson Bros., near 
Glen Hope, Clearfield county. Pa., and later 
in the same capacity for William Levis, at 
Beccaria Mills. In the spring of 1859 he re- 
removed to Johnstown, Pa., and worked as 
machinist for the Cambria Iron company, un- 



284 



HISTOUV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



der John Fiilz, then general superinteudent 
of that company. After working there three 
months he was oITit.mI the |) )silion of master- 
mechanic b3' (Jilcs Kilwanls. wlio wasenfjaged 
to buihl a blastfurnace al Ch ittanooga. Teiin. 
He accepted the offer and removed to Chatta- 
noiS'i' where he remained until the lireakini; 
out of the war, when he was compelled to fly 
north with his young bride haviuic been mar- 
ried April 14.181)1, toMijS Harriet Lloyd, lead- 
ing Cliattanooga the night that Lieut. Jones 
burned and destroyed the government works 
at Harper's Ferry. 

Returning to Johnstown. Pa., in 1801. he 
was again employed by the Cambria Iron 
company as a machinist. In the following 
year, July ai, he enlisted as a private in 
Co. A, 18.id 1'. v., and was promoted to cor- 
poral. The regiment was hurried forward 
to the seat of war. and was placed in the de- 
fenses of Washington during the second Bull 
run campaign, when it was incorporated 
into the 5th army corps, and served with 
the Army of the Potomac until it was mus- 
tered out of servici.'. a few weeks before the 
Gettysburg campaign. At the battle of 
Fredericksburg the 133d and 1.53lh P. V. 
formed the first assaulting column of Gen. A. 
A. Humphries' 3d division. 5th army corps, 
and the famous assault on St. Mary's Heights 
was made about 4.30 P. M. The regiments 
were formed in front of the canal, the 133d 
having the right, and after slinging knap- 
sacks, the column moved forward with great 
determination and loud cheers, as they ap- 
proached the stone wall under a perfect 
storm of shell and bullets; the officer of the 
2d army corps ordered them to stop and 
lie down. 'What had been a compact col- 
umn had by the enemy's terrific tire been 
badlj' broken, and although a desultory tire 
was maintained for some time, the charge had 
been bloodily repulsed. Company F, of the 
133d regiment, was almost annihilated. This 
company for a time refused to listen to the 
order to cease firing and lie down, but con- 
tinued to fight with great gallantry, and kept 
pouring a galling fire at the stone wall, and 
there is no doubt that the heavy and steady 
fire of this brave body of men resulted in the 
death of the rebel, Gen. Cobb, who was in 
command of the rebel forces defending the 
stone wall. Company F started with the 
assaulting column with fifty-two men, rank 
and file, and lost fifty-five per cent of its 
numbers, having thirteen men killed outright 
and sixteen wounded. 

At the battle of Chancellorsville these 
same regiments performed gallant service 
uider the command of that efficient and 
brave officer. Col. Peter AUabach, who was 
ordered to send two regiments to cover the 
withdrawal of the army to the new line be- 
ing formed near Bullock's clearing, which 
duty they performed in the face of a superior 
and exultant enemj'. In both of these en- 
gagements Corporal Jones distinguished him- 
self by personal bravery. Prior to the 
battle he was badly injured at the crossing 



of the Rapidan, but refused to leave the reg- 
iment, and maintained his place in line, 
although suffering severely. Upon the ex- 
piration of his term of service he returned to 
Johnstown, and, as skilled workmen were 
becoming very scarce, was induced by George 
Fritz, the general superintendent of the 
works, to again enter the employ of the 
Catnbria Iron company. Becoming dissat- 
isfied wfth remaining at home, and impelled 
by his patriotic impulses, he organized Co. 
F, 194th P. v., and was mustered in as cap- 
tain of this company July 20, 1864. In ac- 
cordance with circular order No. 58, adju- 
tant-general's office, he was mustered out as 
captain of that organization and remustered 
as captain of an independent company, 
which was formed of members of the 193d 
and 194th P. V. Capt. Jones' company was 
assigned to provost duty in Baltimore, Md., 
under Col. J. Wooley. provost-marslial. that 
city being in the middle department, com- 
manded b)' Maj Gen. Lew. Wallace, whose 
headquarters were in Baltimore. 

While acting as commander of the pro- 
vost guard of Baltimore, Capt. Jones was 
called upon to perform many duties requir- 
ing both tact and personal courage, as well 
as to exert the qualities of a strict disciplin- 
arian. So well did he and his command 
acquit themselves that the/ not only pos- 
sessed the confidence of their superior officers 
but were publicly complimented by Gen. 
Wallace. Capt. Jones was honorably mus- 
tered out June 17. 1865, following the close 
of the war, when he returned to Johnstown, 
Pa., and again entered the employ of the 
Cambria Iron company as assistant to George 
Fritz, the company's general superintendent 
and chief engineer, and as such assisted in 
the construction of the Cambria Iron com- 
pany's Bessemer steel-converting and bloom- 
ing-mill plants. Upon the death of George 
Fritz, in August, 1873, he resigned his posi- 
tion at the Cambria Iron-works, and was 
soon afterward engaged as master-mechanic 
by the Edgar Thomson Steel company, of 
Pittsburgh, to help erect their steelworks 
and railmill. then building at Bessemer. Alle- 
gheny count}', and which were designed 
from plans by that eminent American en- 
gineer, A. L. Holly. 

Upon the completion of the works, Capt. 
Jones was made the general superintendent, 
and afterward given the full charge of the 
engineering department, as well as the gen- 
eral management of the estaldishment. Al- 
though this plant, when erected, was per- 
haps the most perfect one in the United 
States, the rapid advances in the art of steel- 
making soon made it desirable to completely 
remodel it, which was done under his direc- 
tion, a new blooming-mill beingbuilt in 1881, 
and the converting-works rebuilt in 1883. 
The blooming-mill is one of the most jierfect 
mills yet designed, and after eight years' con- 
stant service, it remains a perfect mill, and 
as Capt. Jones says, "I can't improve it." 
Herbert Spencer, who visited the works a 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



289 



who lived to be eighty-two years of age. 
They reared a family of eleven children, one 
daughter dying at the age of thirteen years; 
the other ten are still living, viz: Martha J. 
(Mrs. O. A. Lee, of Atchison, Kansas). Eliza- 
beth A. (Mrs. P.F. Marvin, of Andover.Ohio), 
Rev. D. H., J. A.(ot Oregon), Esther C. (Mrs. 
John Patterson, of Elizabeth, this county), 
Nancy J. (Mrs. Rev. P. H. Dieniuan, of Paw- 
nee City, Neb.), Samuel G. (on the home- 
stead), H. G. (of Elizabeth), W. C. (farmer, of 
McKeesport), and Rev. M. M. (of Fairfax, 
Iowa). 

The subject of this sketch was born on 
the homestead, Sept. 6, 1833, and is the third 
child. He was educated at the Western Uni- 
versity, of Pittsburgh, and graduated from 
the Theological Seminary, of Allegheny, in 
18-16, He received license to preach in 1S16, 
has since followed the profession, and has 
had charge of churches in Fayette and West- 
moreland counties, and for the last twent}' 
years of the U. P. Church, of Elizabeth. He 
married, in 1850, Elizabeth, daughter of John 
and Margaret (Espey) McMillan, of Fayette 
county, who died in 18o3, leaving one child, 
Elizabeth C, now Mrs. Alexander Sharrard, 
of Fayette county. He next married, in 
1861. Kate, daughter of Rev. David Kirk- 
patrick, D. D., and a sister of Judge Kirk- 
patrick. She died in 1867, leaving three 
children: D. Kirk Pollock, now owner of a 
ranch in Kansas; John F., a clerk in Omaha, 
Neb., and Mary C, at present attending the 
Conservatory of Music, at Boston. 

John Taggart, retired, Allegheny, son of 
Andrew and Sarah (Wilson) Taggart. was 
born in County Antrim, Ireland, in March, 
1799, and came with his parents to this coun- 
try and county in 1819. His father, who 
was a farmer, purchased one hundred acres 
of land in West Deer township, on which he 
settled and resided until a short time prior 
to his decease, which occurred at the home 
of his son, John, Jan. 9, 1849, when he was 
eighty seven years old. His widow died March 
8, 1855, at the age of eighty-seven years; thej- 
were members of the Seceders' Church. The}' 
had a family of eight children: Elizabeth 
(wife of Francis Hare, both deceased), John, 
Matthew (deceased), Agnes (a widow), Mary 
(wife of William Hare), Margaret (wife of 
- Alexander Hare), Sarah (wife of Alexander 
P Glasgow, of Iowa) and Andrew (deceased). 

John Taggart, the subject of this sketch, 
was twice married, first in 1824 to Anna 
Hare, whom, after an absence of about five 
years, he returned to Ireland to wed. She 
died at the birth of their first child, about 
eighteen months after their marriage, the 
child surviving its mother only one day. 
Mr. Taggarl's second marriage was March 
14. 1828, with Jane, daughter of Robert and 
Elizabeth Porter, of this county, and the 
fruits of this union were eight children: Eliza 
A. (widow of John Brown, Jr.), Andrew C , 
Robert, Sarah A. (wife of John Hopkins), 
Jane M. (widow of Alexander Brown), John 
and Joseph. Mr. Taggart's first effort in life 



was to clear his father's farm of a mortgage 
of f 123, which he succeeded in doing by hard 
work at very small pay. Soon after his first 
marriage he formed a partnership with his 
brother-in-law and embarked in a butcher- 
ing business in Pittsburgh. Finding it difli- 
cult to dispose of his hides, he took another 
partner, a Mr. McClure. and commenced a 
tannery, which he carried on manj' 3'ears in 
connection with numerous other interests. 
His first purchase of real estate was about 
1825, when he bought a lot in Pittsburgh for 
|200, on which he built a house. This he 
sold in 1829 for $1,200, and he then purchased 
two and one-half acres of land, and here 
erected the house in which he now resides, 
on Irwin avenue, Allegheny. From that 
time forward he became an extensive and 
successful dealer in real estate. Mr. Taggart's 
life has been a long and earnest one of suc- 
cessful lab ir, and still, at the age of fourscore 
and ten years, he is hale and hearty. His wife 
was spared to share his labor and success for 
about threescore years, having departed this 
life Jan. 12, 1888, in her ninetieth year. 
They were both members of the tf. P. 
Church for many 5'ears, and cherished an 
abiding trust in him who is " the resurrec- 
tion and the life." 

George W. Roberts, Sr. , coal-operator, 
postoffice Elizabeth, was born in Wales, 
Feb. 4, 1811; he emigrated to America in 
1830, taking passage on the ship Cambridge, 
and was eight weeks in crossing the ocean. 
He located in Pottsville, Schuylkill county. 
He was a carpenter b}' trade, which he fol- 
lowed for a number of 3'ears. In 1832 he 
moved to Philadelphia, and helped to build 
the hospital and asylum at West Philadelphia. 
In 1835 he moved to Pittsburgh, and built 
many of the inclined planes used in the sur- 
rounding mines. He also acted as general 
superintendent of the mines owned by Kirk 
Lewis. In 1859 he formed a copartnership 
with Simpson Horner, of Pittsbursh, and en- 
gaged in mining coal, locating their mines at 
Elizabeth and adjoining country. This 
partnership still exists, and the firm of 
Horner & Roberts is one of the largest and 
most prosperous, as well as one of the pio- 
neer, coal firms of the county. They ship 
the most of their coal to New Orleans by the 
river on barges, which they built for that 
purpose. They own and operate large saw- 
mills in connection with their coal interests, 
and also have a large general store at Eliza- 
beth, which was established in 1877 and is 
under the supervision of Samuel S. Roberts, 
the junior member of the firm. 

George W. Roberts, Sr., was married in 
1832 to Ruth, daughter of Samuel Toms, a 
native of England, who settled in Pottsville, 
Pa., in 1830. He was a Baptist minister, and 
afterward supplied churches in Pittsburgh 
and surrounding towns. They have had 
eight children: Edwin, the eldest son, killed 
at Saw-Mill run at the age of ten years; 
Mary, Mrs. Noah Pangburn, who died in 
1873; two others who died in infancy; the 



290 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



living are: S. Ann, Mrs. J. Hcdman; Samuel 
S.: Sarah J.. Mrs. Edwin Lewis; and George 
W., Jr.. who all live in Elizabeth. Mrs. Kulh 
(Toms) Roberts died in 1870. Mr. Roberts 
has held several borough offices. He and 
family are members of the Baptist Church, 
in which he held the office of deacon for 
for about thirty years. £ii 1ST4 he, in 
company with his daughter. Mrs. Redman, 
paid a visit to his native country, remaining 
several months, and visiting tlie principal 
cities in England, Scotland and Wales. 

Samdel S. Roberts, the eldest son of G. 
W. Roberts, Sr. , was born at Saw-Mill run 
in 1838, and was raised in that vicinity. He 
was educated at the public schools and grad- 
uated at the Commercial College of Pitts- 
burgh. In 1871 he purchased an interest in 
the firm of Horner & Roberts, at Elizabeth, 
where he has since remained. In 1860 he 
married Belinda, daughter of Samuel Donley, 
of Pittsburgh, and tiiey have four children: 
Annie, Ida, and Samuel and Linnie (twins). 

George W. Roberts, Jr., the youngest 
son of G. W. Roberts, Sr. , was born at Saw- 
Mill run, in 1846, where lie was reared. He 
received his education at the Baptist Uni- 
versity of Lewisburg, and is a graduate of 
Iron City Commercial College. Since 1863 
he has been engaged as general superintend- 
ent of the loading and shipping of the coal for 
Horner it Roberts. In 1868 he married Anna 
M., daughter of Dr. Jesse Penney, of Eliza- 
beth, and he has two sons, George P. and 
Jesse G. He is a member in good standing of 
the F. & A. M., K. of P., O. U. A. M., and sev- 
eral other societies; also liolds the office of 
burgess of the liorough of Elizabeth. 

Col. Joseph Brown (deceased), a na- 
tive of Ireland, was brought to Pittsburgh 
when a child, and there received the benefits 
of the public schools. At the age of four- 
teen he was clerk in a hardware-store, 
attending night schools, and later Duff's 
Business College. At the age of twenty 
years (in 1850) he went to Australia, where 
he won the esteem and confidence of distin- 
guished people, serving on the queen's 
bench, and in the employ of the government, 
carrying gold from Bendigo to Melbourne. 
In 18.52 he returned to Pittsburgh, via South 
America, in which country he traveled ex- 
tensively. In Pittsburgh he engaged in the 
transportation business, and later on in the 
oil trade in Lawrence county. At the break- 
ing out of the war he recruited Co. C, of the 
old 13th regiment, as first lieutenant Co. E, 
now 102d; was promoted to adjutant, then 
to major; was wounded at Fair Oaks; re- 
signed, but rejoined Ind. Artillery as captain 
of Battery B. which was for three months' 
service, and after, as lieutenant-colonel of the 
5th, serving till the close of tlie war, when he 
was breveted brigadier-general. On his 
return to Alleghenj' county the people hon- 
ored him by electing him clerk of the court, 
which office he tilled with ability three years. 
He was also commander of a brigade of 
National Guards for three years. Col. Brown 



was at one time a popular druggist, and later 
was in the hardware business. He died July 
25, 1886, aged fifty-seven years, at the home of 
his devoted sister, Mrs. W. C. Gray. Col. 
Brown's military career was a brilliant one. 
and Gen. J. L. Peck makes special and lion 
orable mention of him in his official ripm t. 
Col. Brown was a man of sterling soldierly 
qualities. He would never push himself for- 
ward, hence did not receive the reward and 
promotions due him. He was a lover of 
humanity and justice. 

Petkr Praoeu, Sharpsburg, Allegheny 
county. Pa., is a native of Hersbruck, Bava- 
ria, Germany, born in 1832. His father, 
John George Prager, was a soldier under 
Bonaparte, participated in the expedition to 
Russia, the hardships and intense suffering 
of which are too well known in history to 
call for mention here. He was a farmer and 
married Elizabeth Wild, who bore him eight 
children. In 1848 he immigrated to America, 
landing in Philadelphia; coming thence la 
Pittsburgh, and in the following spring jmr- 
chased a farm in O'Hara township, where he 
resided until his death, which occurred when 
he was eighty-three years old. Only three 
of his sons now survive. 

Peter Prager, the subject of this sketch, 
followed farming for many 3'ears, and wa& 
also engaged at other occupations. He mar- 
ried, in 1852, Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob 
Judy, who was an early settler in this county 
and for many years a gardener on what is- 
now the site of Allegheii}' Citj". Nine chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Prager: G. 
H., Lizzie B., William J., Carrie L., George 
J., Louisa. Herman Ed., Charles and Emma 
M. Mr. Prager and family are members of 
the German Lutheran Church; politically- he 
is a republican. 

H. J. Heinz. Among the prominent t>usi- 
ness-men of Pittsburgh is Mr. Henry J. 
Heinz, who was born in that cit}' Oct. 11,. 
1844, the eldest of nine children. At the 
early age of eight j'cars he was engaged in 
selling the surplus products of his parents' 
garden in the village of Sharpsburg; when 
only sixteen he was practically managing 
the brick business in which his father was 
engaged, keeping the accounts, making con- 
tracts and looking after the trade generally; 
and when nineteen his father sent him away 
from home to represent him in the ice busi- 
ness, continuing, however, the manufacture 
of brick and the sale of garden products. 
When at the age of twenty-one he had a half 
interest with his father in the brick business, 
to which were soon added building and con- 
tracting. His taste, however, seems to be 
inclined to the development of that industry, 
at which he now stands as the recognized 
head in America — the pickling and preserv- 
ing of fruits and vegetables. He started the 
business in a small way about 1867. and soon 
recognized the fact that it was possible to so 
improve the mauufaclure of pickles and 
other condiments that they might attain 
to a higher standard, and be equal if not 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



291 



superior to any furnished anywhere. To 
excel in whatever he undertook was his 
motto, and having patience, energy, perse- 
verance and faith in his enterprise, he never 
wearied of his work, and has been recog- 
nized for some time as the founder of this 
great industry in Pittsburgh. 

His energy and usefulness as a business- 
man have been recognized in many depart- 
ments of interest in that city. He is one of 
the founders of the Exposition Society of 
AVestern Pennsylvania, and is connected with 
many commercial, educational and charitable 
institutions. In his moral and religious life 
he has been recognized as a useful and up- 
right man. There is no position in the church, 
in which he has been long a member, which 
he has not filled with fidelity and success. 
His principal qualities as a business-man are 
a quick perception, -promptness of action 
and an inexhaustible store of energy, never 
yieldingto difficulties, which, under ordinary 
circumstances, would overmaster other men. 
Having faith in the triumph of right princi- 
ples, he has steadily pursued an even way 
through panic and disasters, winning his way 
into the confidence and support of the men 
with whom he has been associated. 

Mr. Heinz is very fortunate in his social 
and home life. He was married Sept. 23, 
1869, to Miss Sallie Sloan Young, a very 
estimable lady. Mr. Heinz considers all 
time and money spent in the care and im- 
provement of his home, in the comfort and 
interest of his family, as money well spent, 
and while his discipline is decided, it is 
always tempered with a sincere love and 
good will; hence his home is always a place 
of pleasure, not only for his family but for 
his friends. Mr. Heinz has added to his 
native ability as a business-man by his ex- 
tensive travels and observations, both in 
this country and in Europe, having an eye 
to business as well as to pleasure. It is but 
a just part of his biography to give a brief 
outline of the channels in which his energy 
has been at work, and the lines in which his 
industry have been extended. 

The firm of which he is the recognized 
founder and head use the annual product of 
over two thousand acres of land in the manu- 
facture of their products, five hundred acres of 
which they cultivate themselves, while they 
grow and furnish seed to farmers who grow 
the stock for pickles for them near their 
salting-houses. They employ regularly 
from six hundred to one thousand hands, 
while during the picking and preserving 
season a large additional force is required, 
and own and work ninety-three draft horses. 
They have agencies or branch houses in all 
the principal cities in this country. The 
skill, taste and energy of Mr, Heinz have 
been often rewarded by the reception of 
numerous medals in the various exhibitions 
where their goods have been displayed. 
Among these was the reception of four gold 
medals at the world's exposition at New 
Orleans in 1884-85, where their industries 



came in competition with similar ones from 
England and all pans of the world. 

William Addison Tomlinson, retired, 
postoffice Hulton, was born in December, 
1833, in Pittsburgh, Pa., a son of Joseph and 
Jane (Wherry) Tomlinson. natives of Phila- 
delphia. Joseph came to Pittsburgh in 1816, 
with his father, Enoch, who built the stone- 
work of the first bridge across the Mononga- 
hela river at Pittsburgh. Enoch Tomlinson 's 
wife was Rachel G. Joseph Tomlinson was 
the father of four boys and four girls, and 
died in February, 1887; his widow still lives 
in Pittsburgh. The children were Ann R., 
Mary Jane, William A., Sarah, Albert (de- 
ceased), Rachel G., Alexanders. and Harry H. 
William A. received his education in the 
Pittsburgh schools and Pittsburgh Univer- 
sity, from which he graduated in 1850. In 
18.54 he joined his father in the machine and 
foundry business, under firm name of J. Tom- 
linson & Son, continuing until 1871. For 
the next five years he was president of the 
Pittsburgh common council. For four years 
he was treasurer of the Allegheny Valley 
railroad; then moved to Verona, became first 
burgess and has served as such seven years, 
though not continuously. In April, 1861, he 
enlisted in Co. G, 13th P. V. I., in which he 
served four months. He is a member of 
Tancred Commaudery, No. 48, K. T., and 
the G. A. R. In 1856 he was united in mar- 
riage with Lizzie H. Bell, of Bridgeport, Pa., 
daughter of Thomas and Charlotte H. (Har- 
vey) Bell, the former a well-known commis- 
sion-merchant of Pittsburgh. Two children 
were born to this union: Lotta, who died in 
1871, and William Arthur, at home. The 
family are members of Verona Episcopal 
Church. 

William Harbaugh, retired, Sewickley 
was born March 23, 1818, in New Lisbon, 
Ohio, son of William and Sarah (Springer) 
Harbaugh, old settlers of Uniontown, Fayette 
county. Pa. He was reared in New Lisbon, 
Ohio, and followed farming up to bis twenty- 
seventh year, when he came to Pittsburgh 
and here entered upon the produce and 
commission business; subsequently he em- 
barked in the pork and wool business. He 
now lives retired; is a republican, and has 
served frequently as councilman and after- 
ward as burgess. Mr. and Mrs. Harbaugh 
are the parents of six children: Charles 
Thorn, Mrs. Caroline Moore (deceased), Mrs, 
Sophronia Nevin, Sarah Springer, Roxa B. 
and Mrs. Annie Strobel. The Harbaugh 
family are all members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Mrs. Harbaugh (Sophia Thorn) is the 
granddaughter of Thomas Hoey, who moved 
in 1810 to a farm of 320 acres on the Ohio 
river where Sewickley now stands. The 
Indians at that time often robbed his corn- 
field. Thomas Hoey was a native of Ireland, 
of Scotch descent, born in County Down, 
where he was reared and became a merchant. 
He married there, and was the father of two 
daughters and one son, when he came to 



292 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



America in 1800 anil settled on a farm near 
Brownsville. Pa. iMr. Hovy died in 1836, 
aged seventy-four years. The Hoej- family 
were Episcopalians. His daughter, So- 
pbronia, married Charles Thorn, aM. E. min- 
ister and missionary worlvcr, who. traveling 
for many years, settled in Sewicklcy with 
his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Ilarbaugh 
and Mrs. Wliite. 

Anuhew Burns, retired, Sewicklcy. was 
born Oct. 18, 1818, on Montour's run, at 
Headwaters, Pa. Grandfather Alexander 
Burns, a native of Scotland, came to America 
at an early day and settled on Montour's 
run, where he subsequently owned a large 
tract of land. He was the father of ten 
children: John, George, William, Thomas. 
James, Kobert, Samuel. Henry, Mrs. Henry 
Crooks and Mrs. John Byers. The sons 
were all farmers except Samuel, who was a 
saddler; all reared large families and were 
members of the Presbyterian Church. John 
Burns was born Oct". 30, 1776, and died 
March 20, 18.5-1, on the old homestead; he 
was a farmer and an elder in the Presbyte- 
rian Church. His wife. Jane Crooks, was 
born May 4, 1781, in Washington county. 
Pa., and died Sept. 29, 1865. They were the 
parents of ten children: Alexander. Henry, 
Jolm, William, Andrew, George, Nancy. 
Jane. Polly and Margaret. Of these Nancy. 
Polly. Margaret and Andrew and George (the 
youngest in the family) are living, Mrs. 
Nancy Nichols being ninety years old. 

Andrew was reared on the farm and fol- 
lowed farming some ten years. He then 
removed to New Cumberland, W. Va., where 
he operated a sawmill two years and subse- 
quently traded for a large country store, 
which he removed into Washington county. 
In the spring of 1835 he came to Pittsburgh, 
■where he engaged in real-estate business. 
He became vice-president of the Smilhfield 
National Bank. In the spring of 1875 he 
came to Sewicklcy, where he now resides. 
Mr. Burns was married Nov. 3, 18-12. to Miss 
Sarah A., daughter of Josiah and Margaret 
(Stewart) Guy. of Findlay township, this 
count}'. Mrs. Burns is a lad}' of considerable 
ability. 

Gen. George W. Cass, the third in the 
line of presidents of the Northern Pacific 
Railroad company, was born in Muskingum 
county, Ohio, March 12, 1810. of New En- 
gland parents. Owing to the schools in that 
then new region beingof the most elementary 
character, he was sent to Detroit, in 1824, 
for the purpose of being educated at the De- 
troit Academy, a most excellent school, then 
under the charge of Rev. Ashbcl Wells. Dur- 
ing his residence in Detroit (1824-27). he was 
a member of the famil}' of his uncle, Gen. 
Lewis Cass, at that time governor of the ter- 
ritory of Michigan. Having obtained an 
appointment from his native state, he en- 
tered as a cadet the United States Military 
Academy, at West Point, N. Y. . where he 
graduated in 1832 with such honor that he 
was appointed to the department of topo- 



graphical engineers. After serving in this 
dep;[rtnient si.v months lie was transferred 
to the department of military engineers. He 
resigned from the army in 1836, and was thco 
appointed bv President Jackson civil engi- 
neer on the J^ational road, in which capacity 
he continued until the completion of the 
road in the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania 
and Virginia, and its reception by the gov- 
ernors of those states, respectively. During 
this service he erected the first cast-iron bridge 
ever built in the United States, over Dunlap's 
creek, a tributary of the Monongahela river. 
As engineer for the improvement of this 
river he made the survey and located and 
superintended the construction of Locks Nos. 
3 and 4. 

On the completion of the Monongahela 
improvement to Brownsville, Pa., he organ- 
ized the first steamboat line, and also the first 
fast transportation line across the mountains, 
by relays of teams similar to stage lines, 
thus building up a great carrying-trade 
between the east and west via the Mononga- 
hela river and Pittsburgh. In 1849 he estab- 
lished the Adams Ex|iress across the mount- 
ains from Baltimore; effected the consoli- 
dation of all the Adams Express lines 
between Boston and St. Louis, and south to 
Richmond, in 1854. and the year following 
was elected president of the consolidated 
company. Having moved his home from 
Brownsville to Pittsburgh, Mr. Cass was 
elected, in January. 185(5, president of the 
Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad company, 
which was afterward consolidated with the 
Ohio & Indiana and Ft. Waj-ne it Chicago 
Railroad companies, which is now known as 
the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Rail- 
way company. Mr. Cass became the first 
president of the consolidated company and 
held the position until 1881, when he resigned 
the office of president, though he continued 
to be a director and trustee of the cfjmpany 
until the time of his death. He also became, 
in 1867, largely interested in the Northern 
Pacific enterprise, and in 1872 succeeded to 
the presidency of that company, resigning 
in 1875 to accept the office of receiver of the 
same, to which he was appointed by the 
United States circuit court. In connection 
with Benjamin P. Cheney, of Boston, Mr. 
Cass opened the large pioneer wheat-farm 
near Casselton. in the Red River valley, Da- 
kota, known from the name of its manager 
as the Dalrymple farm. Mr. Cass, after re- 
signing the presidency of the Ft. Wayne com- 
panj'. retired from active pursuits. From 
1852 to 1863. he lived in Allegheny, Pa., and 
from 1863 to 1873, in the borough "of Osborn. 
where he built a fine residence. He lived 
the latter years of his life in New York city, 
where he died, March 21, 1888. He was al- 
ways a stanch democrat. At the time of his 
death, and for some years prior, he was senior 
warden of Christ Church, New York city. 
Mr. Cass leaves a wife, one son. and six 
daughters, one of them. Sophia, being the 
widow of the late F. M. Hutchinson, of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



293 



Sewickle}', a sketch of whom appears be- 
low, 

F. M. Hutchinson (deceased) was bora 
in Philadelphia June 19, 1837. His parents, 
Francis Martin and Mary (Neely) Hutchin- 
son, were of Scotch and Scotch-Irish descent, 
Episcopalians and Presbyterians. The sub- 
ject of this memoir was educated in Philadel- 
phia. His first employment was as an assistant 
to Gen. Dan Tayler in the enlargement of the 
Morris canal; this position he left to take 
that of engineer, under JIaj. Moor, on the 
N. Y. & E. R. R., on the completion of 
which he served a short time on the Central 
Railroad of New Jersey. In 1850, then in 
his twenty-third year, he became assistant 
engineer of the O. & P. R. R., under Sol- 
omon W. Robert, remaining with that com- 
pany until 1857. At the instance of promi- 
nent democratic leaders he became assistant 
clerk of the state senate, a position he filled 
from 1858 to 1861, " winning golden opinions 
by his devotion to his arduous duties, and 
the ability and accuracy with which he per- 
formed them. He was always at his post, 
and no more competent officer ever filled it 
or enjoyed a larger share of confidence and 
popularity among the senators, without re- 
gard to parties." In 18.59 he vvas appointed 
engineer of the Lawrenceville Passenger rail- 
way. After completing that with speed and 
satisfaction he was appointed engineer for 
the Manchester Passenger railway, between 
Pittsburgh and Allegheny. 

In 1863 he entered the service of the P., 
Ft. W. & C. Railroad company. In 1865 the 
board appointed him secretary and treasurer 
of the company; was also secretary and 
treasurer of the M. & C. R. R. from its organ- 
ization until his death (thirteen years), and 
of the Lawrence R. R. Co. Each one sent a 
handsome memorial, stamped with the com- 
pany's seal, to his family as a testimonj' of 
their appreciation of his services. His health 
began to fail during the winter of 1883. The 
board of directors, at their annual meeting, 
voted him a leave of absence for three 
months, hoping that a trip to Europe would 
restore it. He left New York on the City of 
Rome, July 3, but finding the weather cold 
and damp, and that he was growing worse 
instead of better, returned, reaching New 
York August 18, and with his family around 
him, passed to the rest of Paradise on the 
morning of the 33d. The funeral services 
were held in the Church of the Beloved Dis- 
ciple, Philadelphia, the impressive service of 
the church being read by hisown rector. Dr. 
N. W. Camp, and Dr. Newlin, and he was 
laid to rest beside his parents, in Laurel Hill. 

Mr. Hutchinson had many fine qualities 
of head and heart; was open, frank and 
generous. Although engrossed with the 
affairs of the railroad companies, he still 
found time to attend to his home duties; was 
a loving husband and father, a sympathetic 
and kind neighbor. A churchman from con- 
viclion, as well as inheritance, he ever con- 
sidered it his privilege to contribute toward 



her support. He was senior warden of St. 
Stephen's for some years before his death; 
politically he was a stanch democrat, taking 
an active part in the conventions. In 187.5 
he was a candidate for state treasurer, and 
though defeated by Robert W. Mackey (re- 
publican), the close vote showed his pop- 
ularity. 

Mr. Hutchinson was married at ' Cassella" 
(near Sewickley), Feb. 8, 1866, to Sophia 
Lord, eldest child of Gen. George W. Cass, 
and four children blessed this union: Mary 
Louise, Francis Martin, George Cass and 
Ella Dawson. Mr. Hutchinson bought a 
comfortable home and settled in Sewickley 
the following Juue, where his widow and 
three remaining children continue to live. 

Joseph Keer Cass, paper manufacturer 
and dealer, was born Oct. 10, 18-18, in Co- 
shocton, Ohio. His great-grandfather, Maj. 
Jonathan Cass, located after the Revolution 
on what is known as the Cass section, in 
Muskingum county, Ohio, where he left a 
large property. He came from Exeter, N. 
H., the family being originally from the 
south of England. Jonathan Cass liad three 
sons: Lewis, Charles and George W. The 
first named was the democratic opponent of 
Gen. Taylor in the presidential contest of 
1848. The youngest passed his days on his 
inheritance, and had four sons and two 
daughters. The eldest of these was Gen. 
George W. Cass, whose sketch appears 
above. The fourth, Abner L. , graduated at 
Jefferson Medical University of Philadelphia, 
and practiced his profession for twenty-five- 
years in Coshocton. He came to Pittsburgh 
in 1878 and soon after went to Chicago, 
where he died in 1886. His wife, Margaret, 
was a daughter of Rev. .loseph Kerr, one of 
the founders of the U. P. Seminary in Alle- 
gheny. They had five children, three of 
whom grew up. The name of the eldest 
heads this sketch; George W., the second, is 
an attorney in Chicago; Mary Agnes resides, 
with her brother in Pittsburgh. 

Joseph K. Cass graduated from Kenyon 
College at Gambler, Ohio, in 1868, and com- 
menced engineering. He was emploj'ed in 
locating various western railroads till 1874, 
when he came to Pittsburgh and took em- 
plo3'ment in the offices of the Pan Handle 
railroad. Two years later he became inter- 
ested in his present business in the firm of 
Morrison, Bare & Cass, now Morrison, Cass 
& Co. The paper-mills at Tyrone are the 
property of Morrison & Cass. Mr. Cass is a 
trustee in Point Breeze Presbyterian Church; 
in politics he is independent. In 1878 he 
married Sarah M., daughter of Dr. John 
and Annie (Stevenson) Anderson, of Scotch- 
Irish and English extraction. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cass have the following children: Charles 
Anderson, Margaret Kerr, Joseph K. and 
Annie. 

Hon. John F. Cox, attorney. Homestead, 
was born Oct. 6, 18.53, in Mifflin township, a 
son of William and Ann Co.x. He spent his. 
early life on a farm, and received a commoa- 



294 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENV COUNTY. 



school education. In 1870 he enti'red West- 
minster College. New Wilmington, Pa., 
where he was a student for four years; then 
entered Union College, Alliance, Ohio, whore 
he graduated in the class of IHiri, and for 
three years he taught school at Homestead 
and Camden, in his native township. He 
read law with Maj. W. C. Moreland and John 
H. Kerr, of Pittsburgh, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1880. 

Mr. Cox has his office in Pittsburgh and 
resides in Homestead, where he has served as 
burgess for two terms, and has taken an 
active part in promoting the prosperit}' of 
the town. He is an ardent republican, and 
in 1884 was elected to the legislature, and re- 
elected ill 1886. lie served in the committees 
judiciary, general and local, and was chair- 
man of the committee on retrenchment and 
reform. While in the legislature Mr.' Cox 
devoted himself specially to legislation in 
the interest of the laboring classes. His bill to 
modify the conspiracy laws of Pennsylvania 
was one of the most important measures be- 
fore that body in the interest of the working- 
men. He secured its passage in the house 
without a dissenting vote, but it was defeated 
in the senate by a tie vote. Mr. Cox has a 
ver}' large and growing practice as a lawyer, 
especially for one so young in the practice of 
that profession, and bids fair to become a 
prominent figure at the Allegheny county bar. 

LowRT H. West, Homestead. This gen- 
tleman was born on the old home farm of his 
father and grandfather, in what is now Home- 
stead borough, Feb. 19, 1836. His great- 
grandfather, Edward West, came from Vir- 
ginia and settled in Washington county. His 
son, Joseph, married Mrs. Mary Hay, a widow 
with two sons, Lowry and John Hay, who 
went west and purchased a large stock-farm, 
on which they laid out the town of Shawnee- 
town. 111., and where Lowry was killed. 
Joseph and Mary (Hay) West had the follow- 
ing-named children: Alexander, Edward, 
Joseph and Matthew. Joseph married Sarah 
Whittaker(both were natives of Mifflin town- 
ship, Allegheny county), and had ten chil- 
dren: Martha, Mary A., Aaron, Lowry H., 
Joseph, Sarah, Margaret, Matthew, Alexan- 
der and Edward. Lowry H. and three 
brothers inherited the old homestead, which 
they farmed until 1870, when they sold the 
farm to the Homestead Improvement com- 
pany. 

Lowry H. West married, Oct. 30, 1851, 
Miss Eliza J. Snyder, who was born in Pitts- 
burgh, adaughter of Jacob and Jane(Wilson) 
Snyder, the former of whom was born in 
Switzerland, and came, in August, 1807, with 
his parents to America, where they purchased 
a farm in Mifflin township, this county. 
Jacob Snyder was a great reader, and was 
well educated; he and his wife were Presby- 
terians. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry H. AVest have 
four sons and tiiree daughters: Xorth West. 
of N. West & Co., paper-manufacturers, 114 
and 115 Water street, ranks among the leading 
business-men of Pittsburgh; was married to 



Miss Martha Walker, June 1, 1876; and they 
have one daughter. Marguerite Allison West. 
They are membctrs of the North Presbyterian 
Church, Allegheny City, and Mr, West of 
the Americus club and the R. A. C. Lowry 
II. West, Jr., married Miss Anna BallanI, 
of Lake City, Minn. He is engaged in 
fruit-growing at San Buenaventura, Gal. 
Joseph Aaron West, brick-manufacturer; 
dealer in real estate, coal, hay, grain and 
mill-feed; mortgage-broker and insurance. 
Homestead, married Miss Ada B. Hargrave 
of Latrobe, Pa. Jacob S. West, born Jan. 
34, 1858, dealer in hay, grain and cattle, 
married Miss Fannie Evans, of Ohio; Laura 
West, wife of Rev. Wm. Evans, of Grand 
Junction, Iowa; Ida B. West died in infancy; 
Miss Martha E., residing at home with her 
parents, 

Mr. West was named after his relative. 
Col. Alexander Lowry, who came from the 
north of Ireland to Lancaster count j'. Pa., in 
1729. As senior colonel he commanded the 
Lancaster militia company at the battle of 
Brandywine; for 1775, 1776, 1778, 1779, 1780. 
1785, 1787 and 1788 he was a member of the 
general assembly, and in 1791 was elected 
state senator. He died .Tan. 31, 1806, one of 
the greatest men Pennsylvania ever pro- 
duced. Mr. Lowry II. West ranks among 
the leading citizens as an upright, honorable 
gentleman and adesceudant of prominent old 
families of Allegeheny county. He is an 
elder in the Presbyterian Church, of which 
he and his wife are members. He is presi- 
dent of the Homestead cemetery, and engaged 
in real estate, owning considerable property 
in Homestead and the western states. 

Thomas J. Kenny, retired, Homestead. 
was born Nov. 8, 1803, in Chester county. 
Pa. His father, Charles Henry, was born 
Nov. 1, 1760, in County Donegal, Ireland; 
immigrated to America in 1791 and settled in 
Chester county, Pa. With nothing but 
native energy he raised himself in a short 
time loan enviable position as merchant and 
county official, being justice of the peace a 
long term and register and recorder nine 
years. He died July 39, 1845. He married 
Mary, a daughter of Michael Jenkins, of 
Welsh descent, whose ancestors came to 
America with Lord Baltimore. The pro- 
genitor of the Jenkins family was Ap 
Jenkins, whose son William, born in 1634, 
married Mary, daughter of Lieut. Thomas 
Courtney, of the English navy, both families 
having a roat of arms. Mrs. Mary Kenny- 
was the mother of five children: Anthony 
H. (a Catholic priest), Thomas J., Charity A.. 
Charles W. and Mary. Of these Charity A. 
was the wife of William B. Conway, who 
organized Iowa as a territory and became its 
first secretary of state; Charles W. joined 
the Jesuits at St. Stanislaus, Mo., where he is 
superintendent. 

In 1818 Thomas J. walked from his native 
county to Mifflin township, where his father 
bought two hundred and seventy-five acres 
of land, which is still in possession of our sub- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



295 



.iect. For thirty j'eiirs he has beea engaged 
in miuing coal under his own and other 
farms, and as a farmer and coal-merchant 
has been one of the most successful men in 
that business. Since 1883 he has resided in 
Homestead. Mr. Kenny married twice, his 
first wife, Hannah Curran, dying young. His 
second wife, Ann Maginn, died Aug. 11, 1885, 
aged seventy-eight 3'ears; they had ten 
children, of whom six are yet living: Charles, 
Antony H., Thomas J., Ann E. (now Mother 
Bernai'd, of Cincinnati, where she is supe- 
rioress), Agnns G. (wife of J. G. Kelly, cashier 
at Braddock), and William F. Mr. Kenny 
is a member of the Catholic Church, for 
which he has done much, and Las built a 
brick church on his farm himself. 

Alexander McClurg. The name of 
McClurg is a prominent and honored one in 
the early history of Pittsburgh. The most 
widely known representative of tliat name 
was Alexander McClurg, the subject of this 
sketch. He was closely identihed with the 
earliest efforts to found and foster the 
manufacturing industries of Western Penn- 
sylvania, and later to place them on a firm 
and sure foundation. Like many of the 
leading men and families of Pittsburgh. 
Mr. McClurg sprang from a Scotch-Irish 
source. His father was Joseph McClurg, of 
Colerain, in the north of Ireland, where 
Alexander was born in 1788. Joseph Mc- 
Clurg, the father, was filled with that love of 
liberty and progress which was just then 
awaking in the hearts of men, and he be- 
came one of the ai'dent and active patriots 
of his time and country. He was a leader in 
the movement of the " United Irishmen " in 
1798, and like so many other Irishmen who 
liave loved their country, he incurred the 
bitter hatred of the English government. 
On the failure of the efforts of the patriots, 
bis arrest was ordered, and he was compelled 
hastily to fly from the countrj' he loved. He 
sought concealment on a small vessel which 
was about to sail for the United States, and 
though the vessel was twice searched for 
him before she put to sea, he escaped, and 
finally arrived safely, but alone, in Philadel- 
phia. He immediately made arrangements 
for his young wife and children to join him 
there, but when they arrived the yellow 
fever was raging so severely in that city that 
he pushed on farther west with them, and 
settled in the then young city of Pittsburgh. 

It is interesting now to think what a beau- 
tiful spot this region must have been, situated 
as it was at the junction of two mighty and 
beautiful rivers, and surrounded with lofty 
hills which were still clad with primeval 
forests. Used to the life of a country gentle- 
man. Mr. McClurg selected for his home a 
beautiful spot on the south bank of the Mo- 
non.gahela, at some distance from the then 
small city, a site now shorn of its rural beau- 
ties, and embraced in the Twenty-fourth 
ward of Pittsburgh. Here Joseph McClurg 
built what was at that time a capacious and 
comfortable old-style mansion, and, true to his 

S2 



love of the freedom in whose cause he had 
suffered, he named it " Liberty Hall." Some of 
the older citizens will still recall it as it stood 
in its later days, fallen into ruin and neglect, 
and surrounded by mills and furnaces. It was 
not finally swept away until about 1845. 

Before his death, which occurred in 1835, 
Joseph McClurg, in connection with his en- 
terprising young son, Alexander, had erected 
and operated the first foundry built in Pitts- 
burgh, and indeed the first foundry west of 
the Alleghany mountains. This foundry 
stood upon the ground now occupied by the 
postoflice building, and maj' properly be con- 
sidered to have been the first step in found- 
ing the important industry which has since 
( given wealth and prosperit}- to a great city, 
and indeed to all of AVestern Pennsylvania. 
Alexander McClurg was the active spirit of 
this enterprise, and from this start he rapidly 
pushed forward in the development of all in- 
dustries connected with the manufacture of 
iron, until before many years he was the 
owner and operator of various foundries, 
rolling-mills and blast-furnaces in the vicinity 
of what was rapidly becoming known as the 
"Smoky City." Perhaps the best known of 
these industries was the great "Fort Pitt 
Works." This noted establishment was 
, founded by Alexander McClurg. It grow to 
; great proportions, and afterward, as will be 
remembered, during our civil war it supplied 
to the government great quantities of ord- 
nance-stores and guns of the very largest 
dimensions. 

In 1817 Alexander McClurg was married 
i to Miss Sarah Trevor, daughter of an English 
i gentleman who had settled at Connellsville, 
Fayette county. Pa., and in 1835 the rapid 
development of hismanj' manufacturing and 
commercial enterprises caused him to remove 
to Philadelphia, where he was already largely 
interested in the wholesale dry-goods busi- 
ness. The next ten years were, with him, 
years of great activity. He not only carried 
on his many enterprises connected with the 
manufacture of iron, but he established 
branches of his Philadelphia dry-goods 
house in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Louis- 
ville, aud also carried on very extensively 
the wholesale hardware business. He was 
the leading spirit in many firms, such as 
McClurg, Denniston & Co., McClurg, Wade 
& Co., McClurg, Trevor & Co., McClurg, 
Darlington & Co. and others, and for years 
his business enterprises everywhere were 
aggressive and successful. When, however, 
the financial crisis of 1837 came, owing 
rather to misplaced confidence in some of his 
partners than to want of business skill and 
prudence, many of his ventures were over- 
taken with disaster, and once more he re- 
turned to Pittsburgh to save what he could 
from the wreck of his fortune, and here he 
spent the remainder of his very active life. 
Mr. McClurg's first wife died in Allegheny 
City in 1840, and in 1845 he was again mar- 
ried to Margaret Caskey, who survived him. 
He died in Allegheny City April 6, 1873, 



296 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



leaving six children by bis first wife. Alex- 
ander McClurg was always a public-spirited 
citizen, and an ardent and fearless champion 
of the political opinions which he espoused. 
He was one of the early advocates of the' 
abolition of human slavery, and it was a 
matter of great pride with him that he 
erected and owned Lafayette hall, at the 
corner of Wood and Fourth street.s, in the 
City of Pittsburgh, where, on the 33d of 
February, 1856, the national convention was 
held which inaugurated the republican 
party, a party which was so soon to carry 
the country through a great civil war, and 
finally to free it from the curse of negro 
slavery. 

Mr. McClurg was until his death a strong 
supporter of republican principles, and an 
opponent of every form of public wrong 
and tyranny; but it will be as a far-sighted 
and enterprising business-man that he will 
be chiefly remembered. It is not a little dis- 
tinction to have been the first to found and 
foster, as it is believed he was, the Industry 
by which the city of Pittsburgh has grown 
into its great prosperity. The projector and 
builder of the first foundry in Pittsburgh is 
entitled to a lasting place in the memory of 
its citizens. 

Of the six children left by Mr. McClurg. 
Trevor, the eldest, became an artist of con- 
siderable distinction, living abroad for many 
years, and now residing in Philadelphia; 
Sarah Anne, the eldest daughter, became the 
wife of George Hogg, Esq., of Tower Hill, 
near Brownsville, Pa.; William A., who 
married a daughter of the late Chief Justice 
Walter H. Lowrie, was for many years 
prominent in business affairs in Pittsburgh, 
and now lives in Meadville, Pa. ; Caroline 
M., married Hon. E. F. Drake, formerly 
speaker of the Ohio house of representatives 
and now an influential citizen of St. Paul. 
Minn. ; Mary Frances remained unmarried, 
and lives with her sister, Mrs. Drake, in St. 
Paul; while Alexander C, the youngest, 
served with distinction in the war of the 
rebellion, rising to the grade of a general 
officer, and is now a successful bookseller 
and publisher in Chicago. 

John McRoberts, retired, postofBce 
Homestead, was born May 12, 1806, near 
Lebanon church, in Mifflin township, a son 
of James McRoberts. The latter was born 
in Franklin county. Pa., where his parents 
were pioneers, and where his two brothers 
and three .sisters were captured by In- 
dians, in a sehoolhouse; the girls were mur- 
dered, but the boj's were held prisoners, and, 
having been adopted into the tribes, they 
refused all inducements to return to their 
parents. JamesMcRoberts,who wasa farmer, 
came to this county in 1799, and married 
Nancy Wishart. of Scotch descent, by whom 
he had six children: James, John, Jane, Ann. 
Mary and Elizabeth. John learned the 
blacksmith's trade with his uncle, Henry 
Baird, a brother of Rev. Thomas Baird, and 
later in life farmed successfully. In the fall 



of 1874 he came to Homestead, where be has 
lived a retired life. He married Jane, daugh- 
ter of Samuel McCutclicM. whu wiis driven 
off by the Indians and 11(.m1 in Franklin ((unity, 
where he became a blaiksniitli. .Mr. .McRob 
erts is the father of the following-named 
children: James II. (a civil engineer). Will- 
iam (a farmer), Mrs. Nancy A. Smith. Mrs. 
Mary Willock, Mrs. Gussie Nolan, Emily and 
Margaret. Mrs. McRoberts died over thirty 
years ago. The old people were members of 
the Presbyterian Church, and were stanch 
democrats. 

Rev. Levi Risher, postofflce Dravos- 
burg, was born May 18, 1836, near the old 
Risher homestead. The family is of German 
descent and his ancestors settled in the Cum- 
berland valley, being among the pioneers. 
One of their descendants, Daniel Risher, 
born near Chambersburg. was a playmate of 
Simon Girty before the latter turned rene- 
gade, and who afterward saved his life by 
warning him of an Indian attack. Risher 
in turn warned the settlers, and thus saved 
their lives. He was also in Braddock's army 
in 17.55. He was twice married, and reared 
a large family. He at one time owned land 
at Cochran Station. Ills son. John Risher. 
settled near Whitehall, in Baldwin township, 
this county, but went to Missouri later in 
life, and died there. His son, Daniel, the 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
was born June 21. 1792, in Baldwin township, 
where he died Dec. 31. 1880. He owned 
about seven hundred acres of land, and did 
much to develop the resources of this county. 
He was a miller and distiller, and his brand 
of flour commanded a special price in Phila- 
delphia for man}' years. He was a man of 
iron will and constitution; was a whig, but 
voted for Gen. Jackson, and later was a repub- 
lican. He was a United Presbyterian in 
early life, but later a Presbyterian; his an- 
cestors were Lutherans. His wife. Sarah 
Cready (formerly spelled Kriite). was of 
Lutheran parentage, and was a thorough 
German home woman, earnest and strict, 
teaching the catechism to her children. She 
died May 11, 1875. aged eighty-four years 
and four days. Her children are John C. 
Maria, Ann, Susan, Elizabeth, Sarah, Amanda, 
Louisa and Ithamar D. Of these John C. 
was born Sept. 14. 1815, in Mifflin township. 
He married Nancy D., daughter of John Mc- 
Clure, and they had five children: Levi, 
Mrs. Agnes M. Crump, Daniel, Mrs. Sarah 
C. Snodgrass and John M. John C. Risher 
developed his father's coal-land at Dravos- 
burg, which had been leased, and was one of 
the leading coal-men on the river, and died 
in Allegheny City. Jan. 39, 1889. The capac- 
ity of .1. C. Risher & Co.'s works is sixteen 
thousand bushels per day. They build their 
own boats and barges and ship to New Or- 
leans and other points. 

Levi Risher graduated at the Jefferson 
College in 1859. and at the Theological Sem- 
inary in 1863, and was pastor of Montour's 
Run church for two years. From 1865 to 1869 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



297 



he was a member of the firm of J, C. Risher 
& Co. From 1869 to 1876 he preached at 
Fairmount and Plains churches, nearSewick- 
ley; from 1876 to 1883 he was pastor at 
Dravosburg, and from 1882 to 1886 at Mar- 
tinsburg, his labors being blessed at each 
place. He married Elmira P., a daughter of 
Maj. H. Alexander, of Clarion county, Pa., 
and granddaughter of Jacob Hays, and they 
have five children: Alviu D., Alary A., John 
H., Percy A. and Frank O. 

Gamble Weir, Pittsburgh, born Aug. 13, 
1849, in Couuty Derrj', Ireland, came to this 
country in 1865, and settled in Pittsburgh, 
where he learned the blacksmith business, 
and then went into the manufacture of 
wagons, trucks, etc., with his brother, James 
G. Weir, under the firm name of James G. 
Weir & Brothers. In that business he re- 
mained until the fall of 1880, when he 
entered the Alleghenj' county sheriff's oflice, 
under Sheriff William McCallin, remaining 
during that sheriff's time of office, and also 
two years under his successor. Col. Jos. H. 
Gra3'. Retiring from that office, Mr. Weir 
associated himself with Mayor William 
McCallin as chief of the detective service, 
and continued in that capacity until the 
organization of the city government under 
the new city charter, when he was called by 
J. O. Brown, chief of the department of 
public safety, to the superintendeucy of the 
bureau of police, which position he has 
filled with credit to himself and satisfaction 
of the city. Mr. Weir has served three suc- 
cessive terms in the common council, repre- 
senting the Fourth ward of Pittsburgh, 
where he was on important committees, 
being chairman of some of them. Mr. Weir 
has been an active politician in the city since 
1872, and has at all times and under all cir- 
cumstances Ijeen an ardent republican. 

Harvey B. Cochran, retired farmer, Du- 
quesne, was born in March, 1831, in Mifflin 
townsliip. His grandfather, Samuel Coch- 
ran, a native of Ireland and of Scotch descent, 
first settled in Dauphin county. Pa., and then 
came to Mifflin township, this county, where 
he bought 330 acres of land, which property 
has been in the possession of his family until 
lately. He married Mary Shearer, a native 
of Chester county, Pa. Jolin Cochran, the 
last of the children, died in 1873, after divid- 
ing the farm, giving a part lo Robert Patter- 
son and a part to Joseph Keneday. Each 
one sold a part of the land on which is now 
erected Allegheny Bessemer Steel-works, a 
monster building constructed of iron, erected 
partly on historical ground, being that of 
the military road over which Braddock. Col. 
Washington and the ill-fated army passed 
on the 9th of July, 1755. They are now fill- 
ing a ravine through which the troops defiled 
on their way to thecrossing, which is (or was 
before the dams were built), known as Brad- 
dock's Lower Ripple. His Upper Ripple is a 
short distance above the Cochran farm, the 
lower one just opposite the Edgar Thomson 
Steel-works, through which the army passed. 



marching into an Indian ambuscade. Fnizier 
afterward came in possession of the battle- 
field, aud before tilling the soil gathered up 
the bleached bones and buried them. When 
Mr. H. B. Cochran built here, in sinking a 
foundation for one of the stacks, a mason 
came upon a mass of human bones which no 
doubt were the bones of the slaughtered sol- 
diers, which were dumped into the filling. 
The father of Col. John Neel crossed the 
mountains in 1779 or 1780, and settled on a 
farm, back of McKeesport some three or four 
miles, in Versailles township, the same farm 
now occupied by John Muse. In 1781 two 
uncles of Mr. Cochran's mother, Adam and 
William Neel, followed him, on horsehack, 
armed with rifles. They landed at the broth- 
er's in the evening and turned their horses 
into the woods. In the morning, being 
warned of the Indians, they took their rifles 
and started on the hunt for their horses, in- 
tending to cross the Monongahela river at 
Braddock's Upper Ripple, in order to look at 
some land on the south side. They had 
only proceeded a few rods from the log cabin, 
however,when the brother, who was with his 
family eating breakfast, heard the report of 
two rifles. Taking his own, he went up a 
little rise in the ground and saw Indians tak- 
ing the scalps off the brothers. Turning to- 
ward the cabin he shouted: " Come on 

boys, here's the yellow d s!" and then 

raised his rifle (which was a flintlock) to 
shoot, but one of the savages was the quiclier 
of the two, and fired first, the ball knocking 
the pan off Neel's gun. The Indians then 
fled into the wilderness, and it was the last 
raid they ever made along the Monongahela 
river. Samuel Cochran died aged eighty 
years; his wife when aged fifty-one. They 
had twelve children: Robert, Samuel, Joseph, 
John, William, Mary, Sarah, Jane, Eliza- 
beth, Margaret, Rachel and Ann. Of the 
sons, Samuel bought a farm and married 
Grizella, daughter of James and Rachel 
(McClure) Neel. Samuel Cochran, Jr. and 
Sr., were elders in Lebanon Presbyterian 
Church; Samuel, Jr., died in 1845, aged sixty 
years; his widow Jan. 10, 1875, aged eighty- 
seven years. They had five children: Louisa, 
Myra, Harvey Byron, Melissa and Theresa. 

Tlie subject of this memoir has been a 
farmer all his life, aud has inherited many 
of the sterling qualities of his parents. He 
yet owns 170 acres of the old homestead. In 
1886 he built a handsome residence in Du- 
quesne, where he now resides. He has always 
taken a deep interest in political matters; has 
been identified witli the democratic party, 
and has filled various offices in his township. 

William Cox, retired farmer. Homestead, 
was born in 1807, in Northamptonshire, En- 
gland, a son of William and Catharine Cox. 
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Cox 
married, in England. Hannah Ford, and soon 
after they immigrated to America with a 
view of bettering their condition. In Alle- 
gheny county. Pa., Mr. Cox found suitable 
land for saltworks, and located opposite 



298 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Homestead, where he operated several years. 
He then came to MifHiu township, and by 
industry and frugality became a wealthy 
man. Since 1878 he has resided in Home 
stead, where he lives a retired life. He has 
five farms, four of which are located in 
Lawrence county and one near Homestead, 
on all of whicli his children reside. His 
first wife died many years a,i<o. leaving eight 
children: Sarah. Catharine. Joseph, Thomas, 
Elizabeth, William, George and Asa. Mr. 
Co.\ married for his second wife Mrs. Anna 
Whitaker, a daughter of Christian and Anna 
(Forney) Dellenbaugh. all natives of Switzer- 
land, Mrs. Cox being eleven j'ears old when 
she came to America. She is the mother of 
the following children by her first husband: 
Mrs. Martha Hope, Christopher, Mrs. Eliza 
West, Elijah, Mrs. Fannie Adams and Wil- 
ber Whitaker. By her last marriage she 
has one child. Hon. John F. Cox. The sub- 
ject of tliis sketch is a republican: is a 
member of the M. E. Churcli. in which he 
was steward and class-leader for many 
years. 

C.\pr. William B. Andeuson, retired 
captain and boat-owner, postoffice Shous- 
town, was born in Washington county. Pa., 
Oct. 10, 1823, a son of Hon. Robert and 
Jemima (Taylor) Anderson. Hon. Robert 
Anderson was a native of Pennsylvania, a 
gold- and silver-beater by trade, and while a 
young man established a pack-line to carry 
salt from Pliiladelphia to Washington, Pa. 
He purchasetl land adjoining the town of 
Washington, and later engaged in farming. 
He represented Allegheny county in the 
legislature, and died at the age of sixty-three 
years. He was twice married; first to a 
Miss Agnew, of Washington county. Pa., 
who bore him four children, all now de- 
ceased: Samuel A., Robert S.; Eliza, wife of 
Samuel C. Cole (also deceased), and Brice 
Clark. After his first wife's death Mr. Ander- 
son married Widow Swearingen, of Wash- 
ington county. Pa., who had one son, Joseph 
C. (now deceased). By this marriage Mr. 
Anderson became the father of eight chil- 
dren; Margaret (widow of Samuel C. Young), 
James (deceased), who married Elizabeth 
Onstolt; Julia, who married Nathan Porter 
(both deceased); Hettie Ann (who died un- 
married), Capt. William B., David S., John 
C. married to Rosa Hinton; and Mary Jane, 
who married Rev. James Allison, publisher 
of tlie Pnnbi/teriaii Bdiiner. (They had one 
daughter, and afterward Mrs. Allison died; 
the daughter, Lizzie Taylor, still lives, and is 
married to a Mr. Rinehart.) 

William B. Anderson, at the age of eleven 
years, went to live with his brother Roberts, 
and go to school, and did attend school six 
months, and then went in his store, and con- 
tinued clerking until April, 1813; then started 
a grocery himself in Pittsburgh, and contin- 
ued it until the fire of 18-15, and after the 
great fire of April 10. 184.5, he was left 
penniless. He next took a position as clerk 
on the steamer Lake Erie, under Gen. Charles 



M. Reed, of Erie, Pa.; clerked on that boat 
and on the Michigan No. 2 and the Beaver, 
three years. Next he took a clerkship on the 
Clipper Xo. 2, one of the seven daily packets 
making weekly trips between Pittsburgh and 
Cincinnati, Ohio, making 138 round trips on 
that boat. Then he formed a partuershi]) 
with Capt. Samuel C. Young and others and 
built various passenger and freight boats to 
run on low water between Pittsburgh and 
Cincinnati; they built some twenty passenger 
and freight boats, and generally sold them to 
run on small rivers in the south. In 1860 
Capt. Young died. At that time they were 
running four packets from Pittsburgh to 
Mempliis, Tenn. In the spring of 1862 Capt. 
Anderson built a light-water packet, the 
Gliile, a very fast boat, and was that fall 
employed by the government to carry dis- 
patches to the several gunboats in and about 
Cincinnati, and towed all the barges for the 
pontoon bridge at Cincinnati, the time Kirby 
Smith was expected to attack that city. 
Sept. 27, 1862, Capt. Anderson was sent with 
his boat and crew, a cannon crew, cannon 
and sharpshooters, to Augusta, Ky., to de- 
fend that town. Subsequently he was again 
employed carrying soldiers, dispatches and 
government supplies for Cox's army on the 
Big Kanawha river, until winter, when the 
government bought this boat. He immedi- 
ately had Glide No. 2 built at Murrays- 
ville. W. Va., and carried iron from Ports- 
mouth to Eads' shipyard, St. Louis, Mo., a 
few trips; then carried government and sut- 
, lers' supplies from Cincinnati to Nashville, 
I Tenn., until just before the fight between 
i Hood and Thomas, when the government 
took charge of the boat, and soon after pur- 
chased it. Capt. Anderson then contracted 
at Freedom, Beaver count}'. Pa., and built 
Glide No. 3, a full-cabin passenger boat, 
which he ran on the Ohio until the close of 
the war. and afterward between Memphis 
and Little Rock. Ark., and from New Orleans 
up the Red river, where the vessel was sunk. 
Having wrecked her and rebuilt, for the ma- 
chinery, the steamer R. C. Gray, he four 
years later sold her at Louisville, Ky. At 
one time he was in partnership with Capt. 
R. C. Gray, and together they built the 
steamer Denmark, the first packet for the 
Northern Line company, from St. Louis to 
St. Paul. 

September 15, 1853, at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
Capt. Anderson married Louisa Fischgeus, a 
native of Pittsburgh and a daughter of Jo- 
seph L. and Ann (Woolslayer) Fischgens. 
Her father was born in Cologne, Prussia, 
and her mother in Pittsburgh. Capt. and 
Mrs. Anderson have five children: WilliamY., 
married to Nancy C. McKinle}' and residing 
inShoustown; Anna M., married July 3, 1888, 
to Edward A. Hart, of Shoustown, Pa.; John 
L.. Robert and Harry C. reside on the home- 
stead. The homestead is where the family 
still reside and have resided since Aug. 1, 
1855. 

The length of time employed by Capt. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



299 



W. B. Anderson in the boating business was 
twenty-five years, and during all that time 
there never was an accident of any kind 
causing loss of life happened, although he 
made many narrow escapes. On the last trip 
of the Kenton, the Memphis packet that he 
was on, he had presented to him a pass from 
Mempliis to Charleston with a view of going 
from Charleston to New York by coast, and 
from there to Pittsburgh by rail and be at 
Pittsburgh in time to meet his boat, but 
through tlie persuasion of Capt. Crooks and 
other personal friends, of Memphis, he did not 
take that route, but continued on the boat, 
and that very day commenced the firing into 
Fort Sumter, and as they went up the river 
things began to appear lively, but they made 
the trip safely and concluded to lay up at 
Pittsburgh till they saw more about what 
was to happen, and they did see a great deal 
of it before it was all over. 

A. Inskeep, lumberman, McKeesport, is a 
native of Belmont county, Ohio, where he 
was reared and educated. He was a soldier 
in the civil war, enlisting in May, 1861, in 
Co. H, 7th O. V. I., and participating in the 
first battle of Winchester, Port Republic, 
Cedar Mountain and other engagements; at 
the battle of Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1863, 
he lost his right arm. He was honorably 
discharged Oct. 28, same year. After the 
war he located in Pittsburgh, but lalermoved 
to Monongahela City. He settled in Mc- 
Keesport in 1870, engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness, and since 1876 has been in partnership 
with John Shoup, of Allegheny, under firm 
name of John Shoup & Co. 

In 1866 he married Anna A., daughter of 
Capt. C. Harvey, of Monongahela City, and 
has five children, one son and four daughters. 
Mr. Inskeep is a director of the Youghio- 
gheny lee companj'. He has served four 
terms as a member of the borough council, 
and three terms as burgess; in politics he is 
a stanch republican. 

DoMiNicK O. Cunningham, glass-manu- 
facturer, Pittsburgh. The successful glass- 
manufacturing business of which the subject 
of this sketch is the head was originally es- 
tablished in 1849 as the Pittsburgh City Glass- 
works bj' Wilson Cunningham, his two 
brothers and George Duncan. In 1865 the 
firm became Cunningham & Ihmsen, and in 
1878 the interest of Dominick Ihmsen was 
purchased, and the firm became Cunningh.am 
<fc Co., composed of Messrs Wilson, Roiiert 
and D. O. Cunningham. Two years later D. 
O. Cunningham, son of Wilson Cunningham, 
became the sole owner of the business. This 
embraced two extensive plants for the manu- 
facture of window glass, bottles and fruit- 
.iars, one at Twenty-second and the other at 
Twenty-sixth street, on Jane street, South 
Side. The works were recognized as among 
the representative in the city, 

D. O. Cunningham was born in Allegheny 
county, in 1834. was educated in the glass 
business from his youth, and is a thoroughly 
practical and experienced glassmaker. He 



is also the senior member of the large lumber 
firm of Schuette & Co., a member of the 
Chamber of Commerce, a director of the City 
Insurance company, and is identified with all 
improvements tending to develop the best 
interests of the city. His political affiliations 
are with the protection wing of the deiuo- 
cratic party, and he is strongly opposed to 
all legislation having a tendency to control 
the individual in his rights to utilize as food 
or drink those blessings which nature has so 
bountifull}' provided. 

Daniel Bu.shnell. The career of this 
gentleman, one of the most enterprising rep- 
resentative business-men of the countj', and 
substantial citizens of Pittsburgh, affords a 
lyjiical illustration of the manner in which 
success may be achieved almost purely by 
individual exertion. He is a native of "New 
York city, born in 1808. His grandfather 
Bushnell was born in Hartland, Conn., early 
m the last century, and about the year 1796 
he and his large family of married children re- 
moved to Ohio, on the Western Beseive, 
called New Connecticut. Tlie father of 
Daniel Bushnell was the only member of 
the family who did not proceed to Ohio, he 
having wandered off in his younger days, 
for a short time living on the east end of 
Long Island. N. Y. Here he married Sarah 
Wells, a native of that part of the island, 
and commenced the trade of a ship-rarpen- 
ter. His family consisted of five sons and 
five daughters, all now deceased except two 
sons — John, aged eighty-four, a resident of 
Indianapolis, Ind., and Daniel, the subject 
of this biographical memoir, now eighty-one 
years old. After a few years' residence on 
Long Island the father removed with his 
family to New York city, and here found 
employment at his trade in the same ship- 
yards where Robert Fulton built his first 
steamboats. Earl}' in 1813, when Daniel 
Bushnell (who well remembers the occur- 
rence)was five years old, Fulton sent several 
ship-carpenters to Pittsburgh for the purpose 
of building steamboats for transpi ration 
business on the western waters, and Mr. Bush- 
nell, being one of the party, conveyed his 
family to their new home on the first day of 
May, 1813. 

Mr. Daniel Bushnell was twice married; 
first in December, 1832, to Eleanor Gray, 
who died in July, 1854, the mother of four- 
teen children; and in 1856 Mr. Bushnell 
took, for his second wife, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Hill, widow of Rev. T. Hill, and by her had 
one son, Charles C, and two daughters, 
Maggie and Mary, both now deceased. 

Some time in 1839 Mr. Bushnell decided to 
embark in the coal business on the Mononga- 
hela river, some six miles above Pittsburgh, 
with the idea of supplying coal to the cit}'; and 
the trials and experiences of the pioneer coal- 
operators are graphically described by Mr. 
Bushnell. It was manifest to him thattheold 
coalbanks around the city were nearly ex- 
hausted, and that coal-dealers would soon be 
obliged to go up the Monongahela river. Mr. 



300 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Biislint'll, therefore, selerted ii Iracl in Ibe 
first pool of the Mononirahulii iiiiproveiueiit, 
containing one hundred aeres of coal, ami took 
a contract to furni.oli coal to the Pittsburgh 
Waterworks and Anderson's Ironworks, now 
Zugg's mill. The old coal dealers said it 
might succeed in mild weather, but not in 
winter. The first winter gave the enterprise 
a fair trial. On Nov. 28 of that year the 
pools froze up. and stopped all business on 
the river. Mr. Bushnell's party then went to 
work to break tlie ire with their lowboat, 
which they succeeded in doing, and after get- 
ting one boat through the locks, they, on the 
following morning, went on the ice, which 
they found to be four inches thick, and strong 
enough to carry the largest horse in the 
county. They went to work, however, and 
in about four hours had a track made up to 
their landing-place. Thej' then cut their 
boat out and got it into tlie track, and with 
little trouble proceeded down to the lock. 
Ne.\t morning they took their boat into the 
track, which they widened, cracked up the 
ice. took hold of two flats of coal, and got 
down to the locks all right, depositing the 
coal the following morning at the place of 
delivery. From tliat on they worked in this 
manner until the latter part of January, when 
the ice broke up, and they got to their work 
in the regular way. This struggle did them 
a great deal of good, as it proved not only 
that they could get coal down at any time, 
but that the wisest plan for consumers was 
to lay in enough coal in the fall to carry them 
through the winter. However, it silenced all 
arguments against the feasibility of getting 
coal through the "pools" in the winter, if 
necessar}-. About this time Mr. Bushnell 
began to look into the matter of towing coal 
down to ports on tlie Ohio river. He sug- 
gested that it might be done by steamboats, 
but nobody would approve of the scheme. 
They argued that " it would take all the coal 
yon could take down tobriugj'ou back," etc. 
Nothing daunted, however, Mr. Bushnell 
made up his mind to try the experiment on a 
small scale, and in the mouth of .June, 1845, 
he prepared three coal-flats b}- putting an 
extra gunwale on the boats, so that the three 
flats could carry about ten thousand bushels 
of coal. He took the old towboat Walter 
Forward, went on board himself, and started 
for Cincinnati, got through all right, had the 
coal unloaded in one day and started back. 
This trip at least proved that it did not take 
all the coal they took doxon to bring the boats 
back; and at the same time it convinced him 
that some day coal would be towed to ports 
below. Nothing more was done in this line 
until about 1851, when Mr. Bushnell built 
tlie towboat Black Diamond, and Smith & 
Sons bought the old Wheeling packet Erie, 
which company were enabled to make two 
trips before Mr. Bushnell got liis new boat 
ready. Few persons have any idea of the 
trouble the pioneers in towing had in getting 
into full operation. One difficulty they en- 
countered was the getting pilots to think it 



safe to put lioats ahead, in front of the tow- 
boats, and Mr. Bushnell was the first to suc- 
ceed in this matter. The Lake Erie com- 
pany could not be prevailed on to do it, but 
would take two boats on each side with noth- 
ing in front. Capt. .J. J.Vandergrift was the 
first one to take the lead in the matter of 
putting boats in ahead. In their first trip with 
the Black Diamond the ('aplain. N. .1. Bigley, 
was an interested party in the company, and 
after making one trip it was found necessary 
to have him take charge of their new coal- 
yard in Cincinnati, and then the important 
question came up as to who should take his 
place as captain of the Black Diamond. The 
captain told Mr. Bushnell he knew a young 
man who had been on the river for a long 
time, and had advanced from one step to 
another until he was at that time mate of a 
steamboat. The 'yoniig man" was soon 
found, and on trial was given the responsible 
position. lie is now an honored, valuable 
citizen of Pittsburgh, and well known in the 
business world— Capt. ,J. .J. Vandergrift. 

In 1861 Mr. Bushnell abandoned coal op- 
erations, and embarked in the oil trade on 
the Allegheny river In connection with 
Capt. .J. J. Vandergrift he commenced trad- 
ing in crude oil. buying it at the Venango 
wells, and boating it in bulk down Ihe river 
to Pittsburgh. Up to this time the oil had 
been handled in liarrels altogether, but Mr. 
Bushnell and his partner conceived the idea 
of putting it in bulkboats, under deck, and 
floating or towing it down to market. The 
scheme worked wonderfully well, and re- 
sulted in their making a good deal of money, 
and Mr. Bushnell has since then stuck to the 
oil trade, though he does not give it his 
time, as old age admonishes him to leave the 
management to younger hands. 

Capt. .Jacob Jay Vandergrift. a well- 
known business-man and capitalist of Pitts- 
burgh, one of the pioneers in the develop- 
ment of the great petroleum and natural-gas 
interests of Pennsylvania and neighboring 
states, with which he has been actively and 
prominenlly identified since their discovery, 
and to-day probably the foremost man in 
the broad and prolific region of natural 
wealth known as the "oil country," was born 
in the city named, April 10, 1837. He is a 
grandson of the late Jacob Vandergrift, of 
Frankford, Philadelphia countv. Pa., who 
married. Dec. 2y, 1791, Mary Hart, of the 
same township. The children of Jacob and 
Mary Vandergrift were Samuel, born in 
179-1; John, born in 1796; Benjamin B., born 
in 1798; Sarah, born in 1801; Joseph, born in 
1803; William K, born in 1805; George, born 
in 1807; Elizabeth, born in 1809; James, 
born in 1811; Martha, born in 1813. and Jacob 
M., born in 1816. William K. Vandergrift, 
the father of the subject of this sketch, mar- 
ried, in April, 1835. Miss Sophia Sarver, born 
July 5, 1804, near Perrysville, about seven 
miles from Pittsburgh. The children of this 
marriage were Elizabeth (now Mrs. Kelly). 
Jacob Jay- (the subject of this sketch), Rachel 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



801 



(who died ia infancy), William Knowles 
(who died at Jamestown, N. Y., in 1888), 
Rachel (now Mrs. Blackstone), Benjamin 
(who died of swamp-fever contracted at 
Cairo, 111., in 18(33-63, while in the service 
of the United States as commander of the 
steamboat Red Fox), Caroline (now Mrs. 
Bishop), George (who was drowned in the 
Allegheny river) and Theophilus J. (who is 
a producer of oil and lives at Jamestown, N. 
Y.). Mr. Vandergrift's parents spent the 
first si.x months of their wedded life at 
Wood's run, and from there removed to Man- 
chester, now part of Allegheny Cit}', where 
they were living when the great flood of 1832 
occurred. In April, 1833, they removed to 
Pittsburgh, and resided about five years on 
Water street, between Wood and Smithfield 
streets, and also for five years near what is 
now the head of Fourth avenue, where they 
were when the great fire of 184,5 worked such 
terrible devastation. Driven from their home 
by this calamity, they removed to Birming- 
ham, now South Side, Pittsburgh, where they 
lived thereafter. The subject of this sketch 
began his education at the age of six years 
in a school conducted by Mrs. Demars, on 
Third avenue, near the site of the Dollar 
Savings bank. A year later he was sent to 
the Second Ward school, conducted by Mr. J. 
B. Meeds. This was the first public school 
opened in Pittsburgh, and was in the old 
cotton-factor}^ on the bank of the Mononga- 
hela river, on the site now occupied b)' the 
Monongahela House. At the age of thirteen 
the young pupil was placed in a school on 
Fourth avenue (where the front of the Dollar 
Savings bank now stands), the principal of 
which was 'Squire Thomas Steele, familiarly 
called "Tommie Steel" — a noted politician 
in his day, and quite a " character," under 
whose tuition he sat two years. He then en- 
tered upon the career in which he subse- 
quently achieved both fame and fortune, as 
cabin-boy aboard the steamboat Bridgewater, 
commanded by Capt. Washington Ebbert. 
At the end of the season he engaged as cabin- 
boy with his uncle, John Vandergrift, who 
was a boat-builder and owner of the small 
steamer Pinta, which ran between Pitts- 
burgh and Sunfish, Ohio. In 1844 he made 
several trips down the river on coalboats. 
which were floated like a raft, and in 1845 
engaged on the steamboat Herald, running 
from Pittsburgh to St. Louis, Mo. He reached 
Pittsburgh on his return from this trip a few 
days after the disastrous fire of that year. 
and had great difficulty to find his people, 
who, as previously stated, had been driven 
from their home by the conflagration. 

Jacob's next engagement was as mate of 
his uncle John Vandergrift's steamboat Prai- 
rie Bird, which was shortly afterward sold to 
Levi Miller, of Wheeling, W. Va., in whose 
employment he continued as her mate 
for about two years. From this vessel he 
went to the steamboat Rhode Island (under 
Capt. David Green), which he rebuilt and re- 
named Hail Columbia, After running this 



boat for some time between Pittsburgh and 
Lafayette, on the Wabash river, he sold her 
for her owner, Capt. Green, and then accepted 
the position of mate on a large steamer com- 
manded by Capt. Jabez Smith, plying be- 
tween Pittsburgh and St. Louis. After leav- 
ing this boat he served in the same capacity 
on several others, and then went into the 
packet trade on the steamboat Allegheny, 
under Capt C. W. Batchelor, who had mar- 
ried his cousin, a daughter of his uncle John 
Vandergrift. He left this vessel in 1853 to 
take command of the steamboat Black Dia- 
mond, a sidewheeler, 150 feet long, built at 
New Albanj', Ind.. the year previous, by 
Messrs. Daniel Bushnell and N. J. Bigley, 
exclusively to tow coal to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
being the first constructed solely for that 
purpose. This boat had been run by Capt. 
Bigley the first year, Mr. Bushnell attending 
to the mines; but the firm's business grew so 
large that Capt. Bigley was at length com- 
pelled to go to Cincinnati to live, in order to 
give it the attention it required. Until this 
time coal-barges in tow were placed only on 
both sides of the towboat, the space at the 
front not being utilized. Finally it occurred 
to Mr. Bushnell that this space could be ad- 
vantageously occupied by coal-barges, with 
additional safety to the fleet and a decrease 
in the cost of transportation of coal. To 
test his theory he built si.x barges to be towed 
ahead of the boat exclusively. Although 
this method is common now — in fact the only 
one used in transporting coal down the river 
— it was unknown then, and when the idea 
was mentioned it was characterized as /" ab- 
surd," "impossible," etc. There were not 
lacking mathematicians capable of demon- 
strating the utter impossibility of carrying 
out this plan, but then, as ever, pushing, 
practical men paid little heed to mere theo- 
rists, and the attempt was made, although 
not without opposition and delay. Many old 
steamboat captains, prudent and conservative, 
regarded the idea as a "crazj' notion," and 
no one among them could be found to risk 
his reputation in attempting to put it into 
execution. At last Capt. Bigley recom- 
mended Mr. Bushnell to engage Vandergrift, 
assuring him that the young captain would 
carry out his orders to the letter even if it 
sunk the fleet. Barges at the present day 
generally hold about ten thousand bushels of 
coal, but at that time the usual load was from 
five to six thousand bushels. Capt. Vander- 
grift, being engaged for the service, assumed 
command of the Black Diamond, and on the 
initial trip took four barges of coal down the 
river. At first only a small amount of coal 
was taken, but afterward the quantity was 
increased to 150,000 bushels each trip. On 
the second trip an ugly smashup occurred 
at Beaver Shoals, and two barges were lost; 
but it is worthy of record that in the follow- 
ing seven years the firm lost only one more. 
This progressive method of transporting coal 
proved a complete success, and to Mr. Bush- 
nell belongs the great credit of having con- 



302 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 



ceived it. while Ciipt. Vandergri ft enjoys the 
distinctiiin of being the tirst one with suf- 
ficient courage and address to put it in prac- 
tice. After running one season as captain 
young Vandergrift. tlien but twenty-five 
years of age. added to his duties those of 
pilot, and in this double capacity served for 
several years. In IH.^S he purcliaseil one third 
interest in the steamboat Red Fo.\, and shortly 
afterward one-quarter interest in the steam- 
boat Conestoga. of which Mr. D. Buslinell 
was part owner. Placing Capt. Briggs in 
charge of the former, he himself look com- 
mand of the latter, wliich until the opening 
of the civil war was engaged in towing coal 
from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. 

At the close of about two years' service 
on the Conestoga, his interest in the oil busi- 
ness was awakened by the glowing news- 
paper accounts which fell under his notice, 
and, hiring a competent person to act as cap- 
tain in Lis place, he went into West Virginia 
and began operations in the petroleum dis- 
trict. He had been thus engaged but a short 
time when his plant fell a prej' to the military 
operations of the confederate forces, causing 
him to abandon the field. He then returned 
to Pittsburgh and sold the Conestoga and his 
barges to the national government. After 
its sale he took the steamboat to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and superintended her transformation 
into a gunboat. He then took her to New 
Albany, Ind., where he put armor aboard of 
her and turned her over to Commodore Foote. 
U. S. navy. Returning again to Pittsburgh, 
he bought out the other owners of the Red Fox 
and put the vessel into the oil trade between 
that city and Oil City. This steamboat's tirst 
work In the oil trade was in November, 1861, 
towing two large coalboat bottoms from 
Pittsburgh to Oil City, with four thousand 
empty barrels in them as freight, consigned 
to various oil-operators. When delivering 
these barrels to the consignees Capt. Vander- 
grift bought five thousand barrels of crude 
oil from the Maple Grove Oil company, on 
Blood farm, to be delivered at buyer's op- 
tion by July 1st following. The problem 
which presented itself was how to get the oil 
to Pittsburgh. Capt. Vandergrift returned 
home and formed a connection with Mr. 
Daniel Bushnell. While the two partners 
were figuring to get barrels to bring the oil 
to market, the first bulkboat ever run (owned 
by Richard Clyde) arrived from Oil City. 
Inspection at Allegheny City convinced the 
partners that this was the cheapest and most 
feasible method of transporting oil, as it had 
all to come by water at that time. Capt. 
Vandergrift then e.vplained the plan to an 
intimate friend, a boatbuilder named .John 
Redman, and the latter agreed to build for 
the partneis twelve of the " flats " or " bulk- 
boats," eighty feet long, fourteen feet wide 
and three feet deep, with an individual capac- 
ity of about four hundred barrels, at a cost 
approximating to two hundred dollars each. 
After construction, in the spring of 1861, 
these boats were taken up to Oil City, and by 



July of the same year they had more than 
paid for themselves, and proved to be the 
beginning of a very profitable Inisiness. As 
an example, one fleet of oil purclm.sed at 
point of production in 1863 at one dollar per 
barrel was sold a little later in the same year 
at Pittsburgh for twelve dollars per barrel, 
at a profit of seventy thousand dollars. After 
running the Red Fox to Oil City for a year 
Capt. Vandergrift put Ids brother Benjamin 
aboard of her as captain, and sent him with 
a tow of coal to Nashville, Tenn. As the 
Red Fox was returning to Pittsburgh the 
United States quartermaster at Sinithland 
pressed the vessel into the government serv- 
ice, and directed her commander to report 
with boat and crew to the quartermaster at 
Paducah, Ky., for orders. Arriving at this 
point, the vessel was placed at work for two 
months towing forage and provisions to Pitts- 
burg Landing, and was then ordered t» 
Cairo, where the post quartermaster era- 
ployed her in towing coal to the fleet of gun 
boats at Island No. 10. After making sev- 
eral trips to the fieet, the boat was ordered 
back to Cairo, and Capt. Benjamin Vander- 
grift and his crew, being mustered out of the 
service, returned to Pittsburgh. Shortly 
after this the government authorities again 
took possession of the Red Fox. and manned 
her with an independent crew. On her sec- 
ond trip, while making a landing, the vessel 
struck a sunken barge in the river at Cairo, 
and sank, becoming a total loss. Up to this 
writing no indemnity has been awarded the 
owners for her loss. About this time Capt. 
Vandergrift began to acquire interests in oil- 
producing " up Oil Creek." As his partner, 
Mr. Bushnell, preferred to confine his opera- 
tions to the less hazardous business of trans- 
portation, the two separated, Mr. Bushnell 
then taking as associate his son Joseph. 
Capt. Vandergrift now took up his residence 
at Oil Cit}'. and threw himself with vigor 
into the work of producing oil, and develop- 
ing the oil country. Associated with Mr. 
W. H. Ewing, of Pittsburgh, in 1863 and 
1864 he formed one or two companies for 
producing oil. which met with moderate suc- 
cess. His next important enterprises were 
in connection with a railroad and a pipeline. 
The first pipeline for oil transportation was 
laid in 1865 by an operator named Van Sickle, 
and extendeci between Pithole and Shafer 
farm, a distance of about six miles. The Oil 
City & Pithole railroad, organized in 1869 by 
a number of capitalists in Oil City and Pitts- 
burgh, proved unsuccessful by the Pennsyl- 
vania railroad taking possession of the road- 
bed from Oil City to Oleopolis, and was jilaced 
in [the hands of Mr. George V. Fornian. as 
receiver. In partnership with this gentleman 
Capt. Vandergrift equipped and ran a line of 
tank-cars, called the Star Tank-line, carrying 
oil from Pithole to Oil City. In order to 
secure business for the road, in which Capt. 
Vandergrift was a heavy stockholder, the 
firm of Vandergrift & Fornian laid a pipe- 
line from West Pithole to Pithole, a distance 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



303 



of about four miles. This line, which was 
named the Star Pipe-line, was the real com- 
mencement of the gigantic sj'Stem which now 
prevails under the name of the National 
Transit company. In 1871 the firm of Van- 
dergrift & Forman, of which Mr. John Pit- 
cairn. Jr., of Philadelphia, had recently be- 
come a member, laid another pipe-line, four 
miles in length, from Fagundas to the Warren 
& Franklin" railroad, on Allegheny river, at 
a point named Trunkeyville. This line, first 
known as the Trunkeyville, was afterward 
named the Commonwealth Pipe-line. The 
firm ne.xt laid the Sandy Pipe-line, twelve 
miles in length, from Oil City to East Sandy, 
and followed it by the Milton Pipe-line, four 
miles long, from the Milton farm, or Bredens- 
burg. to Oil City. Later constructions by 
the firm were the Western Pipe-line, from 
Shaw farm to the new Imperial refinery above 
Oil City about three miles; and also the 
Franklin Pipe-line, for collecting oil from 
the district around Franklin. The Imperial 
refinery, having a capacity of two thousand 
barrels per day, and considered a huge enter- 
prise at that time, was built by Capt. Vander- 
grift and his partners. Another enterprise 
which Capt. Vandergrift was prominent in 
organizing was the 0"il City Trust company, 
the capital of which was $120,000. Mr. For- 
man was president of this company, which 
had its l)ank and oflices in Love's block. 
Centre street. Oil City, and Mr. Vandergrift 
and a number of other leading oil-men and 
merchants were directors and stockholders. 
The next enterprise of Capt. Vandergrift was 
the organization of pipe-line systems in 
Butler and Venango counties, severally 
named the Fairview Pipe-line, Raymilton 
Pipe-line, Cleveland Pipe-line and Millers- 
town Pipe-line, all controlled by Vandergrift, 
Forman & Co. When perfected these lines 
were united as one general system under the 
name of the "United Pipe-Lines of Vander- 
grift, Forman & Co.." and this system was, 
in April, 1887. consolidated with sundry other 
pipe-lines, and incorporated under the title 
of the United Pipe-lines. This company 
gradually absorbed all the remaining compet- 
ing lines in the lower oil-regions, and shortly 
after the first development of oil at Bradford 
entered that district also, and became its 
great S3-stem. A recent writer on the sub- 
ject refers to Capt. Vandergrift's connection 
with this company in the following words: 

Of the United Pipe lines Capt. Vandergrift has al- 
ways be^n president, and to him, therefore, is attribut- 
able a very large share of the unbounded and well- 
merited confidence the company has alwiiys possessed, 
from not only the producers and holders of oil, but also 
the banking institutions of the country. The Latter are 
accustomed to accept its certificates for petroleum for 
collateral as readily as government bonds. In fact, the 
United Pipe-lines have been considered as "above sus- 
picion." In compliance with the demands of some 
dissatisfied producers, on two occasions, "the doors were 
flung wide open " for investigation; the affairs and 
every tank of the company were most thoroughly ex- 
amined by these opponents and their agents, without 
restriction of any kind, and from the inquiry the repu- 
tation of the company came, if possible, even more un- 
tarnished than ever. To illustrate the unsullied in- 



tegrity of this company in its trust as storers of oil it is 
sufiicient to add that at its own original suggestion, in 
order that the storing of oil should always be set abovit 
with the utmost safeguards to the public, and to prevent 
unscrupulous people engaging in the business, there is 
an act of assembly in Pennsylvania, that at the ioslance 
of any holder of certiticates for ten thousand barrels of 
oil, any pipe-line company's affairs can beat any time 
thoroughly investigated and every tank of oil gauged, 
to ascertain the exact quantity on hand. 

At the incorporation of the company, Mr. 
John R. Campbell, of Oil Cit)', became its 
treasurer, and in that capacity has continued 
to the present time, proving a most efficient 
assistant to the president in the company's 
affairs. To his remarkable skill as an ac- 
countant the company owes its present ad- 
mirable system of records, checks and 
counter-checks, which ma}' he said to render 
fraud impossible. The vice-president of the 
company is Mr. Daniel O'Day, of Buffalo, 
N. Y., a gentleman whose wonderful adiuin- 
istrative and executive abilities have been 
exerted in its service with the most brilliant 
results. Although still maintaining its own 
organization, the United Pipe-line company 
was, in 1884. merged into and made a division 
of the enormous system represented by the 
National Transit company, the capital of 
which is S30,000,000. At the time this union 
was effected the reasons for it were fully and 
satisfactorily explained. In the producing 
of petroleum, " now the third staple of the 
world," Capt. Vandergrift has for many 
years been specially prominent. In 1873 he 
was one of several capitalists organizing the 
firm of H. L. Taylor & Co., for the develop- 
ment of oil-lands in Butler and Armstrong 
counties. Pa., and also the Argyle Savings 
bank, at Petrolia, Butler county. Both these 
enterprises were highly successful. The first 
named eventually gave birth to the Union 
Oil company, with its immense business in- 
terests. The bank, during its existence, was 
honored by the public confidence to an ex- 
tent which was truly remarkable, at the same 
time extremely complimentary to its incor- 
porators, for notwithstanding that its capital 
was but $50,000 its deposits at times reached 
the enormous aggregate of a million and a 
half. In 1876 the firm of Vandergrift, For- 
man & Co. was dissolved, Mr. Forman with- 
drawing. Its successor, organized at once, 
was the firm of Vandergrift. Pitcairn & Co., 
of which Messrs. Edward Hopkins, J. R. 
Campbell and W. J. Young (the last named 
now president of the Oil City Trust Co.) 
constituted the "company." Mr. Pitcairn 
withdrew subsequently, and the remaining 
members of the firm re-organized under the 
style of Vandergrift, Young & Co. Capt. 
Vandergrift was the prime mover in the or- 
ganization of the Forest Oil company (capi- 
tal $1,300,000), of which he has been presi- 
dent since its incorporation. His associates 
in the management of this great oil-produc- 
ing corporation are Mr. W. J. Young, vice- 
president, Mr. J. R. Campbell, treasurer, who, 
with Mr. Joseph Bushnell, compose the 
executive committee. Prominent among 
other companies in which he is heavily inter- 



304 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ested are llie Anchor Oil company and the 
Associated Producers' company, eacli with a 
■capital of one million dollars. He is also a 
lar^e individual producer of oil. 

In 1881 Capt. Vandergrift removed from 
Oil City, where he had lived many years, to 
his present larjje and beautiful property on 
the bluff skirting Fifth avenue extension. 
East Liberty, about five miles from the bu i- 
ness portion of Pittsburgh. This removal 
was tlie result of his growing manufacturing 
interests. In tlie development of natural 
gas, fraught with such astounding changes 
and benefits to tlie industrial world of Pitts- 
burgh, Capt. Vandergrift is entitled to rank 
as a pioneer aud arch promoter. As early as 
1875, in association with John Pitcairn, Jr., 
and Capt. C. W. Batchelor, of Pittsburgh, 
and others, under the name of the Natural 
Gas company, limited, lie laid the first nat- 
ural-gas line of any importance, connecting, 
by a si.\-inch pipe, gas-wells near Saxonburg 
with the great iron-mills of Spang, Chalfant 
& Co. and Graff, Bennett & Co., thus prac- 
tically demonstrating to the manufacturing 
world the great value of this wonderful 
natural product. About the same time, in 
association with Mr. Pilcairn and Mr. A. C 
Beeson. he constructed and operated success- 
fully the Butler Gas-lines. With his re- 
moval to Pittsburgh his interest in natural 
gas received additional impetus, for, per- 
ceiving at once the magnificent possiliilities 
of this wonderful product, he then became 
one of the foremost advocates of its general 
employment for industrial and fuel purposes, 
and proceeded in a more effective manner to 
place it conveniently at the disposal of the 
public. Through his active initiative or co- 
operation were formed the Penn Fuel com- 
pany, the Fuel Gas company, the Bridge- 
water Gas company, the Natural Gas com- 
pany of West Virginia, and the Chartiers 
Natural Gas company, all corporations of 
large capital and extensive connections, and 
in each of which he became a leading di- 
rector. Had he rendered no other service to 
the business interests of the state of Penn- 
sylvania, his activity and enterprise in this 
direction alone would entitle him to distin- 
guished consideration. Of his multitudi- 
nous business enterprises in Oil City and 
Pittsburgh, a volume might be written. In 
both places he has the reputation of being 
one of tlie most alert and active of business- 
men. He was among the projectors of the 
Oil City and Petroleum bridge and the Ve- 
nango bridge, both of which span the Alle- 
gheny river, the former connecting North 
and South Oil City, and the latter West and 
South Oil City. He was for some time presi- 
dent of both companies. Another of his 
enterprises, in which his partners were Mr. 
O'Day and Mr. M. Geary, was the Oil City 
Boiler-works, prol)ably the largest industrial 
institution in the oil country. These works 
have already constructed iron tankage to a 
capacity of nearly thirteen million barrels, 
and also an enormous number of engines and 



boilers. Soon after arriving in Pittsburgh he 
was associated with Mr. Joshua Rhodes and 
others in establishing the Pennsylvania 
Tube-works,capilal $1,200,000. Having been 
a member of the oil exchanges at Oil City 
and Titusville, he quite naturally joined 
that at Pittsburgh. With rare business per- 
ception he saw that this organization was 
weak, and therefore resolved to strengthen 
it. Meeting with no assistance from the 
members, lie concluded to found a new ex- 
change, and in 1883 he obtained a charter for 
one from the local court. He then selected 
a site on Fourth avenue, opposite the Dollar 
Savings bank, and erected thereon a mag- 
nificent building, which cost, together with 
th« site, $1.50.000. While it was being con- 
structed he organized the Pittsburgh Petro- 
leum Exchange, and in spite of the most vir- 
ulent opposition and abuse from interested 
members of the old exchange, he finally per- 
fected it. In April, 18f<4, the new exchange 
went into operation, bv purchasing the new 
building, paying Mr. Vandergrift for it in 
cash. Besides the banking institutions 
already named, Capt. Vandergrift has aided 
in founding and organizing others, including 
the Seaboard National Bank of New York 
and the Keystone Bank of Pittsburgh. He 
is president of the last named. In the Alle- 
gheny National Bank of Pittsburgh. also, he 
was at one time a director. His name is like- 
wise connected with various iron enterprises 
in Pittsburgh, and of course is intimately 
associated with the Standard Oil company, 
of which he early became a member by 
taking stock in the company for his Imperial 
refinery near Oil City, and for several years 
was a director. In natural gas, in addition 
to companies named, he has been the promot- 
ing spirit in organizing the United Oil and 
Gas trust, of which he is president; the 
Toledo Natural Gas company, capital |3.000,- 
000, and the Washington Oil company, and 
in extending the Pennsylvania Tube-works 
and the Apollo Iron and Steel ompany, 
equipping the latter with open-hearth fur- 
naces and extensive galvanizing-works, and 
increasing the general capacity to rank with 
the largest sheet-iron manufacturers in the 
j United States. As may be inferred from 
j this account, Capt. Vandergrift is a man of 
extraordiuaiy vigor and energy. In physique 
being rather short and stout, he shows his 
] capacity for hard work and concentrated 
I thought. He may be said to have grappled 
j successfully with nearly every prolilem that 
: has confronted him. His slirevvdness and 
I good judgment in business transactions are 
I exceptionall}- excellent, and they have been 
so carefully and eflicientlj' called into play 
that almost everj' enterprise their possessor 
has entered upon seems to have yielded 
golden returns. 

In all his business relations Capt. Vander- 
grift is a model of uprightness and honor. 
His kindness of heart is something remarka- 
ble, and to those who know him intimately it 
seems as if he would never weary of doing 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



305 



good, alUiough the greater number of his | 
phihiDthropic and kindly acts have, through 
his natural modesty, never been heralded to 
the public. It may be said that no really 
deserving applicants for assistance have ever 
been dismissed unaided. The claims of 
strangers as well as friends are deemed valid, 
and neitlier race nor creed debars from his 
sympathy. In the cause of religion he is and 
always has been generous to a fault. Some 
of liis acts in aid of the church have been 
princely. One, the gift of a number of thou- 
sand dollars (over half its cost) to the First 
Presbyterian Church of Oil City, toward the 
construction of the edifice in which it now 
worships, was of this character. Through 
Mr, Vandergrift's inuhificence the congrega- 
tion is out of debt, and worships God in a 
free church, to which all, rich and poor alike, 
are welcome. Capt. Vandergrift is generally 
somewhat reserved in manner, but in the 
company of friends or in society he is most 
agreeable and entertaining, more especially 
when interested, and at times "jovial and 
the life of the party." He is a good friend, 
but, like most men of positive character, is 
, strong in liis dislikes. 

Capt. Vandergrift has been singularly 
happy in his home life. He has been twice 
married. His first wife, to whom he was 
united Dec. 39, 18.53, was Miss Henrietta Vir- 
ginia Morrow. The following children were 
born to this marriage: Kate Virginia, now 
Mrs. Bingham, of New York city; Benja- 
min Wallace, a resident of Pittsburgh; fte- 
becca Blanche, who died in childhood; Jacob 
Jay, who died in 1887; Daniel Bushnell, who 
died in cliildhood; Henrietta Virginia, now 
Mrs. Johnston, of West Point, N. Y. ; Mar- 
garet Frances, now Mrs. T. E. Murphy; 
bamuel Henry and Joseph Bushnell, both 
residents of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Vandergrift 
was a lady of most exemplar}' life and con- 
versation. A sincere Christian, she delighted 
in doing good both "in season and out of 
season," and in reflecting upon others who 
stood in need of a generous share of the 
prosperity she enjoyed, and which she ad- 
ministered with a full consciousness of the 
responsibility its possession entailed. Her 
interest in the young was marked. At Oil 
City the many young men who had left their 
homes for employment, and who were ex- 
posed there to the excitements and tempta- 
tions which beset life in all newly opened 
fields of enterprise, were objects of the deep- 
est solicitude to her. A profound believer in 
the saving influence of home life, she unhes- 
itatingly opened her home to them, and gave 
them at all times a kindly and maternal 
welcome. Her moral influence over them 
was very great and the effect still remains. 
Mrs. Vandergrift died at Pittsburgh Dec. 2.5, 
1881. She was profoundly esteemed during 
life, and sincerely mourned at death. On 
Dec. 4, 1883, Capt. Vandergrift married Mrs. 
Frances G. Hartley, nee Anshutz, who is now 
the sharer of his busy career, and in every 
sense of the term a worthy helpmeet. — £«- 



ryclopcedia of Contemporary Biography of 
Pennsylrania. 

Theophilus J. Vandergript. In the 
very front rank of pioneer oil-producers 
and well-known, enterprising business-men 
of the country, stands the gentleman whose 
n;ime heads this brief memoir. Born Nov. 
2D, 1846, in Pittsburgh, Pa., he is the young- 
est in the family of five sons and five daugh- 
ters born to William K. and Sophia (Sarver) 
Vandergrift, former a native of Frankford, 
Philadelphia county. Pa., and latter of Alle- 
gheny county. He was educated in his 
native city, and early in life embarked in the 
oil-producing industry, m which his sagac- 
ity, reliability, practical knowledge and 
study of the oil-rocks have caused him to 
be regarded as high authority on the pro- 
duction of oil and natural gas, and placed 
him second to none among successful pro- 
ducers. He is engaged at present in the pro- 
duction of oil and gas in Pennsylvania, 
Ohio and West Virginia, and in the manu- 
facturing business at Jamestown, N. Y., 
where he now resides. 

Mr. Vandergrift was united in marriage, 
Dec. 38, 1869, with Miss Ellen, daughter of 
James and Mary O'Donnell, of Pittsburgh, 
and by her has three sons and one daughter. 
Mr. Vandergrift has given much time and 
study to the science of geology and topog- 
raphy. The chapter on the geology and 
topography of Allegheny county, together 
with the "Columnar Section" accompanying 
it, in Part I of this work, is from the pen of 
Mr. T. J. Vandergrift. 

Benjamin B. Coursin, McKeesport, was 
born in East Elizabeth, Allegheny county. 
Pa., Feb. 33, 1837, a son of Benjamin and 
Christian (Rhodes) Coursin. His paternal 
grandparents were Peter and Hannah ( Wynn) 
Coursin. The former was a native of New 
.Jersey, and with his parents came to this 
county shortly after the Revolution. Benja- 
min B. removed with his parents to Reynold- 
ton, opposite McKeesport, in 1849. He re- 
ceived a common-school education and spent 
two terms at Waynesburg College. After 
leaving college he served two years' appren- 
ticeship at the printing trade, and for four 
years thereafter followed the occupation of 
a steamboat engineer on western rivers. He 
then embarked in the coal business, and was 
the proprietor of and operated the Alliquippa 
mines for five years. In 1864 he located in 
McKeesport, after disposing of his coal inter- 
ests, and for the succeeding seven years was 
engaged in buying and improving property 
within the borough and building dwelling- 
houses. For several }'ears he was proprietor 
of a steam job-printing oflSce, the best ap- 
pointed job-printing office ever in McKees- 
port, furnishing all the jobwork for Alle- 
gheny county for three years in addition to 
the local work for the borough. He was the 
founder of the McKeesport Times, which for 
a time he successfully conducted. In 1875 he 
was appointed one of the commissiouers on 
the enlargement of McKeesport borough, to 



306 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 



eslnlilisli lines nnd procure a cliarter from the 
legislature for and to exleiid the borouf;li 
limits to tlie present boundaries. He was a 
charter member and procured tlie cliarler at 
Hanisburg for the P. V. & C. H. K. Co.. 
and has always taken an active part in every- 
thing tending to promote the growth and de- 
velopment of McKeesport. In 1886 he 
formed the McKeesport & Youghiogheny Ice 
company, of which he was manager the first 
year. In the fall of 1887 he erected the Crys- 
tal Ice-house, with a capacity of 4.500 tons, 
which he is at present managing. He has 
erected over one hundicil dwelling-houses 
and three business blocks in JlcKeesport. 

June 1, 1859. Mr. Coursin married Sarah 
P.. daughter of John and Sarah (Lewis) 
Haney, of McKeesport, and by her has seven 
children living; Virginia M., Benjamin, Ed- 
ward S., Charles E., Blanche, Clyde C. and 
Nellie. Mr. Coursin deserves much credit for 
his assistance in securing the borough water- 
works as a borough investment at a time 
rt hen a private company liad secured a char- 
ter and was attempting to supersede the t 
borough in owning and erecting the water- 
works. He has served two terms as council- 
man of the borough, and two terms as bur- 
gess. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a 
member of the I. O. O. P., K. of H. and 
Heptasophs. In politics be is a republican. 

JoHK Nixon O'Neil. We seek to record 
in brief words the history of one who acted 
so well his part in the drama of life as to 
make that life a benediction to all who were 
fortunate enough to have personal knowl- 
edge of his nobilit5' of character or felt the 
inspiring touch of his personality. Alle- 
gheny county is noted for marvelous activi- 
ties, gigantic enterprises and boundless 
resources. Within its boundaries giants in 
the numerous industrial avocations struggle 
for the mastery; brains and skill crowd the 
arena of competition for the victor's crown. 
A young man, ill equipped by the fortunes 
of the luckily born, seeking for a place to 
commence the race of active life, might well 
shrink from such a contest. Not so, however, 
the subject of these lines. Made of sterner 
material, with endowments and equipments 
not born of college or wealth, he accepted 
the challenge of these mighty forces, entered 
the arena of heroic toilers, and came out 
winner. 

John Nixon O'Neil was born on Aug. 6, 
1828, at Six-Mile Ferry, Allegheny county. 
Pa. His ancestry may be traced far back in 
the generations of the past. The traditional 
and historical records show that the O'Neil 
family not only sprang from the Emerald 
Isle, but that they descended from the illus- 
trious family of that isle, their founder, the 
Earl of Tyrone, the brave Hueh O'Neil, rul- 
ing in Ireland in its palmiest days. The story 
of the active life of John N. O'Neil is well 
told in the "Pittsburgh Coal Exchange," of 
which he was the honored president, in the 
following appreciative words: 

At the age of twelve years, cast upou his own re- 



sources, be began his business career as a minerof coal, 
which occupalioD he lollowed until he reached his 
twentieth year, when he adopted the btisiness of pilot- 
ing floating vessels from Pittsburgh to I^ouisville, Ky. 
In 1H.'>8 he formed a partnership with his brother, \v, 
W. O'Neil, lor the purpose of mining and shipping 
coal, which firm purchaj»cd the Enterijrise Coal-wurks, 
opposite Elizabeth, Pa., and operated the same until 
186G, when the jiresent firm of O'Neil A Co., consisting 
of the brothers J. N. and W. W. O'Neil, and S. P. and 
1 N. Large, was coostiluted- 

The history of J. N. O'Neil is the history of the 
coal trade of the Slonongahela valley. Filling the hum. 
ble position of a miner in ls4n, when l he business wasio 
its infancy, he grew will) its growth and strengthened 
with its strengtli to the day when cut down by the in- 
evitable hand of death. He stood a giant in a business 
which in some of its features has no parallel in the 
annals of commerce, the proud possessor of a name 
loved and honored from the Monongahela to the gulf. 
At the time of his death Mr. O'Neil was, and for some 
eighteen months i)rior thereto had been, the acting 
president of this exchange, and no man among its 
members was more worthy, by rea.son of his mental 
grasp and unselfish devotion to the general interests of 
the trade, to stand at the head of an association de- 
voted to its advancement. Heat all times came to the 
front, with his time, his means and talent, lo prosecute 
any measure toward the furtherance of the general iu- 
terests of the triide. Mr. O'Neil was twice married, 
tlis first wife was Nancy McClure, to whom he was 
married Aug. 19, 185*2, by whom he had two chiMren, 
one of whom is now living. His second wife, who 
survives him, was Harriet K. Stevenson. They were 
married Oct. 2.S, ISfiO, and have born to them si.x chil- 
dren, five of whom are living. Asa husband and father 
he was atfectionate and tender, though not weakly in- 
dulgent; his home was a sanctuary wliere the cares and 
vexations of business were not permitted to ca>t their 
shadows. As to his personal characteristics, >Ir. O'Neil 
was noted for his firmness, directness, courage and C'>n- 
sistency; he never vacillated or temporized, but followed 
the place he had chosen lo the end. He was firm and 
persistent in the maintenance of hi.s rights, but just and 
tolerant toward others. He never sought to attain an 
end or ajccomplish a purpose by indirect or crooked 
methods. He faced danger and difficulty without 
shrinking, and stood ready to do what he deemed his 
duty, and to be right at any risk of consequences to 
himself, adhering firmly to the post of duty, even 
though it was the post of danger The friends be h»d 
tried, and the business methods he had proven, he 
clung to with singular tenacity. In looking at what be 
achieved, it may Ite said he has left a monument of his 
industry and genius of which his friends may well be 
proud. He went down to the mansions of thedead, notr 
from thedecreptitudeof age,but wascutoffin amoment, 
when his faculties were unimpaired and the triumphs of 
his life fresh upon him. 

Of like high testimony, more enduring 
than pillars of marble, were the personal 
letters of numerous associates in commercial 
and social circles. Mr. O'Neil at the time of 
his death was superintendent of the Eliza- 
beth M. E. Sabbath-school, president of the 
Elizabeth school board, and an active worker 
in temperance societies, all of which organ- 
izations passed resolutions expressive of 
their warm appreciation of services rendered, 
and their profound sense of loss sustained by 
his death. He died, as he had lived, a Chris- 
tian gentleman, honored and respected by all, 
his death occurring April 29, 1884, caused by 
being thrown from a buggy while outdriving 
with one of his daughters. 

William D. O'Neil. coal-dealer, Eliza- 
beth, is a son of J. N. and Harriet R. (.Ste- 
venson) O'Neil, of Elizabeth, and was born 
in 1864 in that borough. He was educated 
at the public schools, the Western University 
and a mercantile college in Pittsburgh. He 
has been in the office of O'Neil & Co., at 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



307 



Pittsburgh, for the past six years. He was 
m.-irried, in 1886, to Miss Martha, daughter 
of Thomas Fergus, of the borough of Eliza- 
beth. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neil are members 
of the M. E. Church of Elizabeth. 

E. M. HuKiLL, If " history is philosophy 
teaching by example," then that branch of 
history which we call biography, which 
records the efforts and achievements of the 
individual, is the best teacher of the majority 
of young men who are mapping out their 
plans for the future. Our simple purpose in 
this brief sketch is not to eulogize one who, 
less than tifty years of age, is still making 
history, and who would shrink from mere 
personal adulation, but rather to encourage 
that large class of young men who, in the 
midst of apparently untoward circumstances, 
are longing to build characters and achieve 
results which will honor the communities in 
which they live, and benelit their fellows. 
Many of the best men of to-day — men richly 
endowed by nature and capable of grand 
achievements in almost any position — have 
never filled the chair of state, or occupied a 
seat in legislative halls. They have pre- 
ferred less conspicuous but equally hon- 
orable positions. As scientists, or mer- 
chants, or manufacturers, or developers 
of the resources of the state, they have 
given evidence of both strength and grasp of 
intellect, and accomplished results of far 
greater benefit to the country at large than 
nineteen-twentieths of the men who have 
devoted their time to schemes for personal 
notoriety and the attainment of mere official 
position. One of the encouraging signs of 
the times is found in the fact that these real 
benefactors of their race are held in increas- 
ingly higher esteem, and are becoming more 
and more the models after which the most 
intelligent young men are seeking to pattern. 
With all the scramble for office and greed 
for gain that characterize too many to-day. 
there is a growing regard for those whose 
characters, acquirements and achievements 
would confer honor on official positions, 
rather than that other classwho are honored 
by the office, and who sink out of sight the 
moment they are compelled to vacate and 
take their places in the ranks. Pennsylvania 
owes much of its proud position among the 
sisterhood of states to this better class to 
which we have referred. Among those who 
have done much to develop its resources is 
the subject of this sketch. 

Mr. Hukill lacks a year of the time of 
celebrating his fiftieth birthday, and, owing 
to his active mental and physical life, both of 
which are essential to the greatest longevity, 
and his temperate habits, looks as though he 
had a fair lease of many years to come. He 
was born in New Castle county, Del., in 1840, 
and is one of a family of ten children, sons 
and daughters of Gideon E. and Susanna 
(McMurphy) Hukill. The first half of his life 
was spent on the paternal homestead, a large 
farm, where pure air and daily exercise aid- 
ed in building up a vigorous constitution. 



At the early age of sixteen, owing to the 
death of his father in 18.56. there devolved 
on him, in conjunction with an older brother, 
who retired soon thereafter, the duty of 
overseeing the farm and caring for his mother 
and the other members of the household. 
Notwithstanding all these cares he found 
time for study and improvement, and began 
to long for wider fields of effort and emolu- 
ment than those afforded by the quiet life of 
a farmer. In 1864, eight years after the 
death of his .father, he removed his mother 
and her family to tlie neighboring village of 
Odessa, and then started out into the world 
to carve fame and fortune for liimself . Phil- 
adelphia, the largest city in the neighboring 
state of Pennsylvania, naturally attracted 
his attention, and thither he went in search 
of employment. Not content to remain idle, 
and without the means to embark in business 
for himself, he accepted a position with a 
merchant largely engaged in the commission 
business. But the routine character of his 
new-found occupation was no more compati- 
ble with his active temperament and his 
laudable ambition than was the farm life so 
recently left behind. While faithfully meet- 
ing his daily duties he was on the alert for 
information which would open up a broader 
field and bring better financial results than 
were possible to one occtipying a mere cleri- 
cal position. 

The existence of petroleum, or "rock oil." 
was known for many years in Pennsylvania, 
Ohio, West Virginia and other localities, but. 
as in the case of many other articles of great 
commercial value, its real worth was for a 
long time hidden from the eyes of men. The 
histor}' of the methods of its production in 
large quantities, its utilization, the fortunes 
often made in an hour and as quickly lost, 
and the important place it holds in the home 
and foreign trade of the country, reads more 
like pages from Aladdin and his lamp than 
a sober record of actual facts. For a time 
it was sold in bottles as a medicine, but late 
in the 50's Mr. Samuel M. Kier, of Pitts- 
burgh, learned the art of refining it so that 
it could be used as an illuminant. About 
the same time Drake's patience and perse- 
verance in boring for it were rewarded with 
success, and the result was an interest and 
excitement unequaled in the history of 
Pennsylvania. The "find" was on Oil 
creek, in Venango county. Thousands of 
men in every pursuit and position in life, 
young men and old men as well, capitalists 
and laborers, were attracted to the new and 
wonderful El Dorado. Young Hukill saw 
his opportunit}', and with faith in himself 
and his future, though possessed of scarcely 
more than enough money to pay his wa}' 
thither, resigned his position and "turned his 
face toward the western part of the state. 
Early in November, 1864, we find him in 
Venango county, the then seat and center of 
the oil business. His scant capital of seven 
and a lialf dollars allowed no time for delay, 
and he first found and accepted a position as 



308 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



a day-laborer, and later on as an attache of 
a surveyor's corps, but employing liis spare 
time and every available doAar in outside 
ventures, so that within a month of his 
arrival in the new country he had established 
himself as a dealer in lumber and oil in a 
small way. He gradually but steadily in- 
creased his ventures, and soon became 
known as one of the largest and boldest 
operators in the region. From dealing to 
production was but a short step for a man 
possessing the nerve, enterprise and energy 
of Mr. Uukill; and. the transition completed, 
it was not long before he ranked as one of 
the most adventurous and successful pro- 
ducers of the entire region, which reputation 
he has always maintained, and does to-day 
in all his operations. The year 1869 marked 
an important epoch in his history. During 
that year he was married to Mattie E. Lyday, 
a native of Washington county, Md., but at 
the time of her marriage a resident of Jasper 
county, Iowa. Four children — Edwin M.. Jr., 
Lydaj' Maj', Ralph Vincent and Grace Wat- 
kins — blessed their union, and still live to 
share the comforts and pleasures of a Chris- 
tian home. 

During 18T0 and 1871 Mr. Hukill con- 
tinued his producing operations, but in the 
latter year removed to Uil Citj', and. with J. 
B, Reynolds and S. U. Lamberton as part- 
ners, established the banking-house of 
Reynolds, Hukill & Co. Banking business, 
alwaysmore or less hazardous, was especially 
so at that time, owing to the downward 
tendencj' in the price of oil. the depression 
in all branches of business — and which 
finally culminated in the terrible panic of 
1873— and the large risks so common among 
men in the oil business. To bank success- 
fullj' required keen insight, prompt decision, 
a knowledge of men an<l a knowledge of 
"affairs in general " as well. Mr. Uukill's ver- 
satility made him equally at home in the role 
of a banker as in that of a farmer, a clerk, 
a day-laborer, or a producer of oil and gen- 
eral dealer, and he continued an active 
partner until 1876. Though successful as a 
banker, the duties and requirements of the 
position were of such a nature as to repress 
and hold in subjection his innate spirit of 
activit}-, and he accordingly abandoned 
banking for the more congenial and active 
life of a prospector for and producer of oil. 
Five years more were spent in this way, 1877 
and 1878 in the neighborhood of Oil City, 
and 1879, issoand issi in the Bradford field, 
which had atliacted wide attention. 

One of Mr. Uukill's marked characteris- 
tics is his keen perception of the "utilities" 
of everything with which he is brought into 
contact, and his independence in making 
investigations and marking out lines of 
action. While not rash, he is progressive. 
With him to determine is to act. Once con- 
vinced that a given course will bring good 
results to himself and others, he throws into 
it the ardor of his wliole being, and spares 
neither time nor effort nor expense until a 



demonstration is reached on the one side or 
the other. And this remark suggests another 
field of operation in which Mr. Hukill has 
figured very prominently. Natural gas had 
been found in larger or smaller amount in 
nearly every oil-field, and as a matter of 
curiosity or a necessary economy, owing to 
the decreasing price of oil, had been utilized 
as a fuel for pumping the wells, and, to a 
limited extent, for household purposes. 
Could it not be found in larger quantities 
and be more widely introduced? Was it not 
pre-eminently the fuel for the manufacture 
of iron, steel and glass? Mr. Hukill answered 
these questions to himself affirmatively, and 
with the conviction that all this was possible 
came .schemes for its production and utiliza- 
tion on a large scale. As the solving of this 
problem has had so much to do with the 
industries in which natural gas is now used 
as a fuel, and has added so much to the 
wealth of Pittsburgh and other localities, 
Mr. Hukill's part in solving the problem can 
not well be omitted. This part of his history 
is so well told by another* that we incor- 
porate it in this sketch. 

Since tlie discovery of petroleum the oil-meD had not 
failed to appreciate the value of natural gas as a fuel, 
and it was continually utilized by them in tbfir de- 
veloping and production of oil. as also for domestic and 
general use in the towns add sections of country where 
it was produced ; but as gas-wells obtained contiguous to 
oil-wells were subject to the same law of rapid decline 
and sliort life as the oil-wells, it deterred capital from 
any attempt to pipe it to larger markets. The Hay- 
maker brothers, with the aid of others, after an arduous 
task drilling in search of oil at Murrysville, in Franklin 
township, Westmoreland county , obtained instead of 
oil, a monstrous gas-well, in November, 1878; this well 
was allowed to flow into the air and waste for years, 
until the public became impressed that that was pecul- 
iarly a gas district, and of permanence to warrant 
piping it a distance of eighteen miles to the great 
fuel mart of Pittsburgh ; but it required the adventurous 
oil-mau to carry the belief into practice. In November, 
18H1. while sitting in the office of a friend in the city of 
Bradford perusing the report of the late geological 
survey of Pennsylvania, Mr. Hukill discovered a chart 
representing Pittsburgh as the center of a series of 
anticlinals. Coupling I he theory then slightly prevalent 
among oil-producers, that territory covering anticlinals 
was more likely to produce gas tliau oil, with the fact 
that gas existed in immense quantities eighteen miles 
frnm l*ittsburgh, the result was a faith in the possibility 
of finding gas nearer the city, and the conception of a 
scheme to prospect by drilling these anticlinals with 
such purpose in view. Pursuantly he. with others, 
made publication in December of thai year of their 
intention to apply to the L-overnor (Hoyi) on the 
twenty-fir...l day of January, 188:;, or as soon thereafter 
as the' department would bear them, for a charter to 
engage in the business of supplyinggas — either nianu- 
faciured or natural — for fuel in the "city of Pittsburgh, 
the first regularly legal publication for such a purpose 
made by anyone, a copy of which was sent to the de- 
partment of 'state. ButJIr. Hukill was surprised by an 
announcement in the Pittsburgh jiapers of the twenty- 
second of January ttiat a charier had been granted the 
day previous to other parties for the purpose of sup- 
plying natural gas for fuel in the city of Pittsburgh; 
how a rusty publication made for another pun>08e some 
six months anterior could be modified and polished up 
to meet the requiiements of the granting power has 
never been explained to .\lr. HukUl, but remains the 
patent of shrewd manipulators. 

IJvidently Ibe move on the part of Mr. Hukill and 
bis .tsaociates bad aroused the dormant spirits of Pitts- 
burgh, for notwithstanding the intense desire for nat- 



* F. A. Layman. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



309 



ural-sas fuel and the immense waste from the Haymak- 
er well Pittsburgh capital could not be induced to aid 
in bringing it in ; and with the exception ot a small 
pipe-line— for gas— laid by several manufacturers in 
18T4, from the Saxonburg gas-well, in Butler county, to 
the Spang, Chalfant & Company Iron-works at Sharps- 
burg nothing had been done in all these years to for- 
ward the great enterprise which has since become the 
boom and boast of the great manufacturing city. How- 
belt the sequel proved the folly of the strategy which 
resulted in the grant at Harrisburg on January 31, and 
the charter found its level with similar grants subse- 
ouently obtained, for the doctrine then held by some 
leading lawyers, of exclusive rights under priority ot 
grant was exploded by the higher courts. The charter 
Spplied for by Mr. Hukill and his associates was ob- 
tained within reasonable time, but was never used by 
them and expired by limitation, owing to the indisposi- 
tion on the part of the associates lo cooperate in carry- 
ing out the proposed scheme. Most of the year 18S2 
w£ consumed by Mr. Hukill in an elTorl to introduce 
the " Strong process" of manufacturing gas for fuel into 
the iron manufactories of Pittsburgh, on the proposi- 
tion that the capital requisite for piping the gas from a 
distance would much more than build the Strong plants, 
locating them wherever needed and rendering the sup- 
ply of gas for fuel cheap and reliably independent; but 
the result of this years labor was to discover that man- 
ufacturers were very loth to give up the use of coal and 
accept a process of manufacturing fuel not yet demon- 
strated beyond a question. But their faith was easy in 
the economy and utility of natural gas, and he became 
convinced that a manufactured gas for fuel might ulti- 
mately prevail, but not when and where natural gas 
abounded. Hence the abandonment by him of further 
effort in that direction, and the turning of attention to 
development for natural gas. In the meantime, and by 
the end of the year 1K83, others, to wit. Pew and Emer- 
son, had entered this promising field, had drilled a gas- 
well in the vicinity of Murrysville, Irom which they 
had laid a pipe-line lo Pittsburgh, ami the natural-gas 
fuel business was now an accomplished fact in the 
Smoky City. Once inaugurated, it had but to yield to 
the universal eager demand, and King Coal must seek 
another market. , , . , , . 

In March 1883, Mr. Hukill took up his abode in 
Pittsburgh, and through the services of Prof. John K 
Carll, of the geological survey of the state, began the 
work of ascertaining for his own guide the definite 
location of the aniiclinals on either side of the city. 
There is but little reason to doubt that this was the first 
enterprise conducted on the anticlinal theory, though 
such a mode of search for gas was popular for a year or 
two following, and more stress was laid upon it then 
than in recent years. Owing to Mr. Hukill's reticence 
however his plan of procedure was advertised but 
little vet what follows will show that his action 
supported his belief. He located three test-wells, the 
&Tst upon the Brady's Bend anticlinal in Shaler town- 
ship Allegheny county, west of the city, the second on 
the Waynesburg anticlinal, east of the city, on the line 
of the Pennsylvania railroad at Carpenter (now Adarra) 
Station; the third on the same anticlinal about 
two miles north of No. 2 well. The first and second 
wells proved to be. Instead of gas, large water-wells in 
the stratum that should have produced gas,owing to the 
rapid dip of the rock toward the south, which placed it 
below the gas horizon and into the water-vein. Ihe 
third well was far enough north to find the gas strata 
above the water-level and was a good gasser. This and 
other gas-wells drilled near it by him fixed the south 
limit of the now famous Murrysville gas-belt. Mean- 
while he assumed the probable course of the gas-belt 
yet to he developed, sympathizing with the course of 
the anticlinal. He located and drilled a well on laud 
leased for the purpose, about ten miles north and thirty 
degrees east of north from the original Haymaker well, 
which resulted in a good gasser, and fixed the north 
limit of said Murrysville belt, in length about filteen 
miles, and at the time of this writing contains over one 
hundred wells, supplying gas for Pittsburgh and adja- 

Apropos, let us remark that as some may chance to 
read this who are unfamiliar with oil and gas phraseol- 
ogy it may be well to add that where development has 
fixed the limit and dimensions of oil and gas districts 
thev are found to lie in a nortneast and southwest 
direction, varying from a north and south line, trom 



twenty degrees to forty-seven degrees, and in the great 
majority of cases the length is several times the width, 
so that the term belt is usually applied to a producing 
district. In the rase of the Murrysville gas-belt, devel- 
opments have proved it to be about fifteen miles in 
length and varying in width from perhaps two thousand 
feet to two miles, while the general direction of iis 
length is about thirty degrees east of north and west of 
south Ironi a north and south line. The limits and 
bearings of these belts can only be determined by drill- 
ing of wells, and the first prospectors— who are com- 
monly called " wild-catters "—in any seciion taking up 
land and opening up a line of developments must as- 
sume a bearing and venture upon it until they can be 
guided by the results of drilling. 

As the subject of this sketch has figured prominent- 
ly as a pioneer or " wild-catter," his mode of procedure 
has been to assume a bearing upon conclusions arrived 
at in various ways, survey an air line for a distance 
across the country, and lease land on either side of that 
line and follow with the drill. Several thousand acres 
of land thus acquired and tested by Mr. Hukill on 
the Murrysville belt, passed, in October, 1884, into 
the possession of the Carpenter Natural-(ias com- 
pany, the organization of which company was at 
that time consummated under a charter granted 
January, 1884, Mr. Hukill becoming its president and 
general manager, and its capital of 92oiJ,flint was a 
few months later increased to J45u,000. This com- 
pany in tne fall of 1884 laid a pipe-line from the Jturrvs- 
ville field to the city of Pittsburgh, with a branch line 
running into McKeesporl, on the Monongahela river. 
The enterprise was a prosperous and successful one up 
to Sept. 1,1885, when it passed into the possession of 
George Westinghouse, Jr., Robert Pitcairn et al.. and 
Mr. Hukill retired from the company. The next en- 
terprise which engaged the attention and services of 
Mr. Hukill exceeds, in many respects, anything in the 
history of petroleum developments, and is notorious as 
" Hukill's Greene countv scheme." In the early part of 
1885 he discovered that one of his subordinates in the 
Carpenter Xatural-Gas company, Mr. J. F. Thompson, 
was a pioneer in earlv days in (ireene county. Pa. ,a 
field that had never "given much return for the labor 
and money expended, and at this time h:id been aban- 
doned by all operators. Sundry consultations about 
the inducements this now neglected field oflTered result- 
ed in the forming of a trio of E. M. and George P. 
Hukill and W. H. Schackleton, and assigning Mr. 
Thompson the duty of taking up a considerable body ot 
land there, and putting down one or more wells a little 
outside of former developments. 

Accordingly, Mr. Thompson within a month or two 
reported to his emplovers the successful eompleti'-n of 
a good well. This well caused a ripple of exci ement 
and brought into the field a number of other operators. 
Several wells were started, aud Greene county was once 
more the point of attraction for two or three months; 
but by this time operators became impressed with the 
belief that good wells were scarce in that delu-ive 
region, and they were reshipping their machinery to 
other and more promising fields, while Mr. Hukill bad 
bought the interests of both his partners that they 
might escape the hazard of further venture. Up to 
this time the only oil-producing rock in Greene county 
was known as the Dunkard sand, owing lo the fact, 
doubtless, that the first discovery of this stratum was in 
a well drilled near Dunkard creek, a stream that flows 
through that dunty and empties into the Monongahela 
river. This stratum lies about seven hundred feet below 
the surface, varies greatly in thickness and quality of 
sand, and is very unreliable as an oil-producer; so much 
so that it does not justify operators in drilling it. Alter 
the stampede of operators in 1885, and Mr. Hukill was 
left to hoe the row alone, he resolved upon deeper drill- 
ing to ascertain what producing strata there might be 
below, and upon a wider range of development. Ac- 
cordingly, he had a line surveyed south, varying some- 
thing like thirty degrees west of south, ihrough Greene 
county, crossing the state line into West Virginia, 
across Monongalia county, thence across Marion county, 
and to the border of Harrison county in West \ irginia, 
nominallv fortv-five miles, and leased land on either 
sideof this line'until forty or fifty thousand acres had 
been acquired. Upon these lands four or five wells 
were drilled, some distance apart, to the depths ot 
twenty-five hundred, twenty-six hundred and twenty- 
eight hundred feet, to prove what sand-rocks existed. 



3iU 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



their position, tbeircliiiracler and which was the prob- 
able oil-saiid. This was the work ol'soiuetliing like two 
and a balf years, and oidinarily a work oi »>ix months, 
an exceedingly difficult task, attended with innumerable 
mishaps and delays, and aggregating a very heavy 
eXKCuditure, all before there w.is any return In'tbe wav 
01' production. Hut tlie nut w:is Anally cracketl, and he 
was permitted to taste the sweets of the kernel, finding 
the oil in a lower stratum. A victory Irnd now liecu 
achieved in solving the ditlicull problem of how mauy 
strata of sand-rock there are, anil which one produces 
oil. And this, the most extensive individual enterprise 
in the long list of oil oj>erations, bids fair to i)e a very 

Srolilie one. The perseverance and tenacity of nurpose 
isplayed in this scheme of prospecting astonisties the 
boldest operator, for the faiih that has prompted this 
untiring and unvielding elfort has received no sym- 
pathy or encouragement whatever during the tedious 
ordeal, from either the scieutilic or practical oliserver.* 
ihe latest enterprise undertaken by Mr. Hukill has 
proven equally successful and profitable with his previ- 
ous undertakings. Early in the year 18.SG Mr. Hukill 
secured several thousand acres of land in Washington 
township, Westmoreland county, Pa., on the north por- 
tion of the Murrysville gas-belt, and organized the Hne 
Run G.1S company, Mr. Hukill becoming its president, 
for the purpose of supplying with fuel-gas the boroughs 
of Apollo and Leechburg, on the KiskiminetHS river, 
and Kreeport, on the Allegheny river, includiug lour 
large iron-works and numerous small manufactories at 
these places. The apparent prospects for the company 
did not attract investors, and as a consequence Mr. 
Hukill and his associates were obliged to assume nearly 
all of the stock, the former taking over three-fourths of 
it; but the success of the enterprise has exceeded their 
highest calculations. The capital was subsequeutly in- 
creased, and the pipe-liue extended from Freeport to 
Natrona, on the.lllegheny river, tosuppiv the very ex- 
tensive plant of the Pennsylvania Salt- .Manufacturing 
company — chemical and acid works— and the Pine Run 
Gas company is now a prospeious and growing institu- 
tion, yielding large dividends to its stockholders. 

Though the limits allowed to this sketch 
will not permit fuller details, the sketch 
itself would be incomplete without at least a 
brief reference to those high moral traits 
which have marked Mr. Hukill's personal 
life, his home, and all his business trans- 
actions with his fellow-men. Carrj'ing with 
him through all the years of his life, and in 
all his dealings with others, the wholesome ( 
lessons instilled in his childhood, his record 
has been one of great pride to his many 
friends. Physically he would be a man of 
mark in any assembly. Tall, well formed, 
graceful in all his movements, affable and 
courteous, he makes friends wherever he i 

foes, and holds them as with hooks of steel, 
ugenuous, large hearted and tender, men are 
naturally attracted to him. Tlie soul of 
honor and uprightness in his dealings, those 
who know him best trust him most implicitly. 
" The governing law throughout his entire 
career has been a deep religious principle, a 
firm belief in an all-wise, directing Provi- 
dence, to which he ascribes all his success." 
Though never parading his religious princi- 
ples and convictions before the public, they 
are never hidden away to secure some end, 

♦Definite information just received. April '.;7, 18S9, 
confirms Mr. Hukill's theories with regard lo this field, j 
A new well, five miles in advanceof present production, 
has just been struck, establishing it beyond question as 
territory seldom excelled, and makes Mr. Hukill the 
controller of the largest amount of lucrative territory 
in the entire oil and gas business, whether in the past 
or at present: nor Is this one of those " happy acci- 
dents," as men call them, I>ut the result of thought, 
pluck, patience and unconquerable purpose. 



or for some timeserving purpose. These 
deep religious principles, stipplemented by a 
strong will, great physical vitality, thorough 
system and marked punctuality in meeting 
all engagements, account for the success 
that has crowned his efforts in all his under- 
takings. Apropos, we may adil that while 
Mr. Hukill is an adept in originating broad 
plans, and has the ability to execute rapidly, 
he has a dislike for the small economics of 
everyday life. To use his own words— 
" thej- seem to dwarf every element of his 
nature." All benevolent objects, and all the 
interests of the M. E. Church, of which for 
many years he has been an honored member, 
lie near his heart, and the open hand which 
has so often laid large offerings upon the 
altar, testifies that the interests of the 
Master's kingdom lie not only near to his 
heart but deep down in its very core. — /. 
C. Perithiny. 

Abraham Patterson (deceased) was born 
in Ireland in 1809. a son of David and Mary 
Patterson, and came with his parents to 
America in 1833. Thev settled in Mercer 
county. Pa., but in 1829 came to Allegheny 
county, where they afterward resided. Abrti- 
ham Patterson was married Xov. 21, 1837. 
to Elizabeth Y., daughter of Alexander and 
Elizabeth Young, of Allegheny county (she 
was a native of Scotland), and" to them were 
born thirteen children, eight now living: 
Alexander P., David L., Elizabeth (wife of 
John G. Stephenson), Agnes M. (wife of A. 
McClure), Isaac N., Thomas H.. Lillian and 
Frank P. Mr. Patterson was a contractor 
and builder; he and his brother Isaac, under 
firm name of I. & A. Patterson, were for 
many years among the most prominent con- 
tractors and builders in Allegheny county. 
Abraham Patterson died .July U, 1865, aged 
fifty-seven years. He was a" member of the 
U. P. Church, and was highly esteemed by 
all who knew him; his widow is still living, 
in excellent health, at the advanced age of 
seventy-two years. Their son, Alexander 
P., was married Dec. 20. 1870, to Isabel Clark, 
of Fremont, Ohio, and they had one child, a 
daughter,whodied at the age of eleven years. 
David L. Patterson was married Sept. 26, 
1866, to Duinnie, daughter of Samuel and 
Sophia (Stevens) Dean, and they have had 
seven children; Samuel D. (deceased), Alex- 
ander A., May S.. David L,. Edna E., Agnes 
and Stewart Y. 

Alexander King Stevenson, lawyer. 
Pittsburgh, was horn March 14, 18.17, in 
Pittsburgh. He was reared a jeweler, and 
was educated in the public schools of his 
native city, and at the Western University. 
At the age of twenty-eight he commenced 
the study of law in the ofl3ce of .John Barton, 
Pittsburgh, and on the completion of his 
studies he became his partner, continuing 
till Mr. Barton's death, in February. 1888. 
He is now in practice alone. Mr. Stevenson 
was married, in 1869. to Ada A., daughter of 
John Barton, and they have two children, 
Rebie and Johil Barton Stevenson. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



311 



Capt. William Dunshee, retired coal- 
dealer, McKeesport, was born near Pitts- 
burgh, A.ugust 22, 1820, a son of Andrew T. 
and Margaret (Short) I)unshee. His pater- 
nal grandfather, William Dunshee, a native 
of County Down, Ireland, was a pioneer 
farmer of Allegheny county, where he resided 
many years. His children were William, 
Andrew T. and Jane. Of these Andrew T. 
was a coal-merchant and contractor, and re- 
sided in Mifflin township, Alleghenj' county, 
for many j-ears. His children were William, 
Margaret, Joseph, Sarah J., Susan, Benjamin 
and Joan. Our subject removed with his par- 
ents to Mifflin township in 1838, and in 1859 
located in McKeesport, where he has since 
resided. In 1842 he succeeded his father in 
the coal business, in which he was interested 
up to 1874, when he retired. He operated the 
first incline on which flanged wheels were 
used, and in 1856 built the first marine- 
ways on the Monongahela river. He was 
quick to catch the steamboat idea, and was 
interested in the building of several steamers. 
Just before the war he built the twins V. F. 
Wilson and Ike Hammitt. They were em- 
ployed by the government to bring the 
navy out of the Mississippi river, were used 
as dispatch-boats, and afterward as supply- 
boats, by the United States. In 1848 Capt. 
Dunshee married Mary A., daughter of Ben- 
jamin Adams, of Pittsburgh, and had seven 
children: William A., Margaret L., Johnson 
F., Louisa K., Virginia V., Marshall P. and 
Edith. Capt. Dunshee is a prominent citizen. 
In politics he is a republican. 

John Spencer, architect, postotfice Ve- 
rona, was born on the River St. Lawrence 
July 8. 1843, and was reared on a farm near 
Toronto. Upper Canada. His grandfather, 
John Spencer, emigrated from the Scotch 
Highlands to Ireland, where his parents. 
John and Ellen (Glendon) Spencer, were 
born. John Spencer, the father of our sub- 
ject, emigrated to the United States in the 
summer of 1835, where he worked through 
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Isl- 
and, for seven years and seven months, go- 
ing back lo Ireland in the fall of 1842, where 
he married Ellen Glendon, and then returned 
the spring after and settled on a farm near 
Toronto, Ontario, where he still resides. Our 
subject received a limited education, and 
went to learn the carpenter's trade of house- 
building and framing when he was seven- 
teen. Remaining only a short time at the 
trade, and wishing to better himself, he spent 
two years rambling through a portion of 
Canada and three or four of our western 
states, working at whatever came in his way, 
landing in Pittsburgh in the fall of 1863. 
Here he finished his trade, and then followed 
house-building in Pittsburgh, Allegheny 
City, Birmingham and the suburbs until 1869, 
when he became a resident in the vicinity of 
Verona, and erected buildings by contract 
in and about the borough for eleven 3-ears. 
In 1880 he was employed as engine-carpenter, 
and the following year became cab-builder in 



the Allegheny Valley shops. In March, 1887. 
he lost his thumb and the forefinger of his left 
hand on a circular-saw. He is now an en- 
gine-carpenter, and gives his leisure time to 
the planning and superintending of build- 
ings. He purchased ground and erected his 
present residence on First avenue in 1873, 
where he still resides. Mr. Spencer is now 
serving his fourth year as First Ward princi- 
pal assessor. He is also one of the board of 
directors of the Verona Building & Loan 
association. He is a republican, and a mem- 
ber of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1869 
he married Caroline Augusta Schumacher, 
born in Pittsburgh in 1851. Her parents, 
William August and Julia Caroline (Fees) 
Schumacher, were of German birth. Follow- 
ing are the names of the living children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Spencer: Celia Eleanor, Ellen 
Loretta, Elizabeth Augusta, Mary Marce- 
deus and John Glendon. Caroline and 
Maggie B. died in infancy. 

James Shasp (deceased) was born in 
Franklin county. Pa., in 1784, of Scotch- 
Irish descent, the youngest of the three chil- 
dren born to Matthew and Eliza (Lindsay) 
Sharp. As early as 1794, or when James was 
but ten 3'ears old, he left home in Franklin 
county, and came to Pittsburgh, where for 
many j'ears he lived with his half-sister, Mrs. 
Hancock. In 1826 he purchased nearly a 
thousand acres of land, in two tracts, on the 
Allegheny river, originally the property of 
Gen. Wilkes. Not until the building of a 
canal through this tract of land did Mr. 
Sharp conceive the idea of building a town, 
for the land was valuable, part being a beau- 
tiful sugar-camp and the balance well 
adapted to farming. With an enterprising 
spirit, however, he commenced to build the 
town which is now honored b}' his name. 
He was liberal, and the ground-space on 
which nearly all the churches and schools in 
the borough are located was given through 
his generosity. He built and paid for the 
first two schoolhouses erected in the bor- 
ough, and paid the salaries of the teachers. 
He married Isabella L. Stockman, a kind and 
noble lady of great energy and perseverance, 
a daughter of Nathan Stockman and grand- 
daughter of Rev. John Roan, a very prom- 
inent minister of Harrisburg, Pa. Six chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sharp, of 
whom only Mrs. Eliza Lindsay Clark now re- 
mains. These children were named as fol- 
lows: James S., who died at Cannonsburg, 
Pa., the bright particular star of the family; 
Mary Roan (Mrs. Lloyd), Annie (who died in 
infancy), Jane B., John Roan Stockman, a 
promising .young man of high character and 
intellect, who died in his twenty-second year, 
at Cannonsburg, Pa., while in his junior 
year at Jefferson College, and of whom Prof. 
Orr said, " To a clear and vigorous intellect 
he united a fine imagination and elegant 
taste," and Mrs. Clark. The last mentioned, 
an intelligent and refined lady, resides at the 
homestead, and looks with pride on the old 
home and the great achievements of her kind 



312 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



and noble father. Mr. Sharp died in 18C1, 
and his widow in 1873. aged seventy-live 
years. The family are all members of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

Ezra P. Youno, Sewickley, is a great- 
griindson of Samuel C. and Dorcas Clarke, of 
Clarkcsville, Greene county. Pa. Samuel C. . 
the grandson of Samuel Clarke, came to 
Shou.setown when a lad, and was apprenticed 
to old Peter Sliouse to learn the boat-builder's 
trade, soon earning a wide reputation as an 
excellent mechanic. He built the following 
boats: Clipper No. 2, Rescue. Advance, Re- 
liance, Sam Young, Challenge, Denmark, 
Hawkcye Slate, Kenton, etc. He built many 
light boats for the southern trade. Later in life 
he went to West Virginia and drilled for oil. 
He died November 13, 1861, aged forty-six 
years. He took an active interest in church 
work, and helped to build the Union church 
at Shousetown. He married Margaret C. An- 
derson, daughter of Squire Robert Anderson, 
an earlj' settler of Sewickley valley, who sur- 
vives him. Of their children, Ezra P. was 
born in Shousetown, and educated in a private 
school and at the university at Pittsburgh. 
At an early age he was assistant teller in the 
Citizens' National bank of Pittsburgh, then 
styled Citizens' bank, after which he followed 
the river for seven years as clerk, and in the 
last year of the civil war was in the United 
States government employ, on the steamer 
John S. Hall, on the Tennessee and Cumber- 
land rivers. Afterward he was clerk on the 
steamer R. C. Gray. From 1869 to 1877 he 
was cashier of the People's Savings bank of 
Allegheny. Then was cashier and general 
manager of the Pittsburgh exposition till 1883, 
whenlhe exposition buildings burned. Since 
then he has had charge of three large ' ' Thom- 
as concerts," and helped to establish the Ohio 
Valley Gas companj', of which he is now 
treasurer, and has been secretary and general 
manager. He is also interested in the coal 
and steamboat business in Pittsburgh. Since 
1860 he has resided in Edgeworth, Leet town- 
ship, near Sewickley, where he has consider- 
able land, and has done much to further the 
interest and beauty of that town by building 
houses. 

William M. Brinkeu, merchant, Wil- 
Idnsburg, was born in Limestone township. 
Clarion county, Pa., June 17, 1843. His 
grandfather, John Brinker, was one of the 
earliest settlers of Clarion county, and a very 
extensive farmer, coming from the eastern 
part of the state; he died since the civil war. 
His son Jacob married Sarah Mohney, and 
settled on a farm in Limestone township. 
Clarion count_y, where his son William was 
reared. During the civil war, and while his 
son William was in the service, be l)onght 
the Mohney homestead, in Red Bank town- 
ship, where he now resides. William Jl. at- 
tended the common schools and Rimersburg 
Collegiate Institute. August 29, 1861, he en- 
listed in Company C, Seventy-eighth Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers, and for nearly two years 
was private orderly to Gen. Negley. He 



served all through the term of that regiment 
in the Army of the Cumberland, and partici- 
pated in every battle and march. After leav- 
ing the army he took a course at Iron City 
Commercial College, and went into business 
in Armstrong county. In 1877 he came to 
Pittsburgh and took charge of the business 
interests of the State Grange, Patrons of 
Husbandry, in Western Pennsylvania. This 
he continued several years, and the connec- 
tion is not yet wholly severed. For some 
time he was engaged in the wholesale grocery 
trade in Pittsburgh, but removed to Wilkins- 
burg in 1885, erected the three-story brick 
building which he occupies, doing a large 
wholesale and retail business, and he is now 
building a handsome residence adjoining. 
He also has a large interest in the milling 
business of Messrs. Brinker & Sloan, Mill- 
ville, Clarion countj', Pa.; also owns part of 
the Mohney homestead. Is one of the origi- 
nal charter members of the Peun Water 
company, and took an active interest in 
the incorporation of the borough and the 
improvement and progress of the town. Mr. 
Brinker was reared in the Reformed Church; 
politically he is a democrat. In March, 1873, 
lie wedded Mary Scott, who was born in 
Clearfield county, a daughter of John and 
Sarah (Draucker) Scott, of Scotch and Ger- 
man descent. Four children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Brinker: Lula Blanche, 
Sarah Labelle. William Earle and Elizabeth. 
W. S. Abbott, editor and proprietor of 
the McKeesport Times, was born on Third 
avenue, McKeesport, just east of Market 
street, in 1855. His parents, John C. and 
Jane (Thomas) Abbott, settled in that city in 
1835. His father was a member of the firm of 
Patton & Abbott, who kept the largest gen- 
eral store in the county at that time. At the 
age of fifteen W. S. entered the office of the 
McKeesport Puragon to learn the printing 
business, and on the completion of his trade 
went to Pittsburgh, expecting to follow print- 
ing, but secured a position in the Pittsburgh 
branch of R. G. Dun & Co.'s mercantile 
agency, in whose employ he remamed four- 
teen years. He opened a branch nf that es- 
tablishment in Wheeling, W. Va.. April 1, 
1886, and remained there until July 1, 1887. 
His penchant for newspaper-work led him to 
keep up a newspaper connection all these 
years, which schooled his natural inclina- 
tions, and in July, 1887, he deserted the 
agency for the journalistic field, having pur- 
chased the plant and goodwill of the 
McKeesport Times. Since his advent that 
paper has made wonderful progress, and to- 
day it stands at the head of McKeesport 
journalism. It is the official paper of McKees- 
port and the borough of Reynoldton, and 
under Mr. Abbott's management is con- 
stantly growing in influence and circulation. 
The job printing annex of the Times, also 
owned by Mr. At)bott, has a national reputa- 
tion for its extra fine work, ranking with the 
verv best offices in the largest cities of the 
United States. The Times building is an im- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



313 



posing three-story pressed-brick edifice, Nos. 
622 and 624 Walnut street, and ttie plant is 
the most extensive and perfect in the county 
outside of Pittsburgh. 

Mr. Abbott is well and favorably known 
in the community, publishes a clean, bright, 
local newspaper, is alive to the best interests 
of the city, possesses the confidence of the 
business public to a remarkable degree, and 
is recognized as one of the live, pushing and 
enterprising young men of the city. He has 
tilled the otHces of president of the McKees- 
port Press Club and second vice-president of 
the Mendelssohn Club, and is one of the 
charter members of tlie original McKeesport 
Library; is an A. F. & A. M., and politically 
is an uncompromising stalwart republican. 

James L. Deveknt, editor and proprietor 
of tlie McKeesport Daily j^etcs, is a native 
of Washington county. Pa. At the age of 
eight he came to McKeesport, and was edu- 
cated in the high-school of that city, from 
which he graduated in 1876 with the medal 
of his class. The succeeding eight years he 
was clerk in a Pittsburgh store, but in 1884 
he returned to McKeesport, and became local 
editor of the 2\fews, a position which he cred- 
itably filled until 1886. He then purcliased 
the newspaper-plant from Dravo Brothers, 
becoming its editor and proprietor, since 
when the News, under his management, has 
had a wonderful increase in circulation and 
patronage. Mr. Devenny, though but twenty- 
two years old, and probably the youngest 
editor in the state, has proved his ability to 
conduct a first-class newspaper, and has made 
the N(ws one of the brightest and newsiest 
dailies in Western Pennsylvania. 

Franklin OsBtJRN, retired, Sewickley, is 
a native of Loudoun county, Va. The Osburn 
family are descended from an old English 
faniil}', who came to America long before the 
revolutionary war, and settled on Long Isl- 
and and in and about New York. The an- 
cestors of the Virginia branch, John and 
Nicholas Osburn, emigrated from Chester 
count}', Pa., about 1730, and settled in the 
Shenandoah valley, Va., in tlie present county 
of Clarke, but were driven across the Blue 
Ridge in 1756, b}- the French and Indians, 
locating at the foot of the mountain on the 
east side. Here and in the adjacent country 
the name has been continuous since, and has 
been honorablj' known in the legislative halls 
of the state and in state conventions, notably 
that which passed the ordinance of secession 
on the 17th day of April, 1861. It is proper 
to note that the member from Jefferson county 
resisted the secession movement throughout. 
Richard Osburn. the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, and the latter's parents, were born in 
Loudoun county. Va. Franklin Osburn was 
educated in his native state, and early engaged 
in teaching; was then in mercantile line; then 
in the lumber business in Allegheny, and also 
in farming in the Shenandoah valjey, in Vir- 
ginia, the latter twentj' years, and in cotton- 
manufacturing in Steubenville, Ohio, three 
years. He married Henrietta W., a daughter 



of Griswold E. Warner, a citizen of this 
count}', better known as Judge Warner. Ten 
children have blessed this union, eight of 
whom are now living: James W., Frank C, 
Jennie M. Olmsted, Mary E., Harry 6., Robert 
D., William W. and Chara Louise W. Politic- 
ally Mr. Osburn was a whig before the recon- 
struction policy of the dominant pai ty after 
the war became known. Has since been an 
independent democrat. The adjoining bor- 
ough of Osboru was named after our subject. 

John Way, Jr., superintendent of Se- 
wickley Academy. His grandfather, John' 
Way, came to Allegheny county in 1797, 
from Chester county, this state, where his- 
parents and grandparents had lived and. 
were farmers, to occupy a tract of land pur- 
chased by his father, Caleb Way, from the 
state in 1785. This tract is called in the 
patent "Way's Desire," and contained two- 
hundred acres. He built and occupied a log 
house on the bank of. the Ohio river, and aft- 
erward, in 1810, a brick house on the Pitts- 
burgh and Beaver road. This brick house 
was, for man}' years, used as a tavern; it 
still stands, and is in good condition. John 
Way was a surveyor and agent for several 
eastern land-owners. He was the first jus- 
tice of the peace in Allegheny county, west 
of Pittsburgh, holding the office for somt 
twenty years, until his death, in 1835, in his- 
fifty-ninth year. He had a wife, Mary 
Clark, and four children: Abishai, Rebekah, 
Nicholas and James. 

Abishai Way was born in Cheater county, 
received a business education in Philadelphia, 
and became a wholesale and retail merchant 
in Pittsburgh. He was for years agent for 
the Harmony society at Economy, Pa., 
handling large quantities of wool and other 
produce for that community. He was a 
prominent and highly respected citizen, 
closely identified with many public measures 
and improvements that marked the early his- 
tory of Pittsburgh. He died in 1837, aged 
forty-four, leaving a wife, Mary Anderson, 
who died in 1881, and several children, of 
whom three are now living: Mary, Anne and 
John. On Abishai's death his family re- 
moved to the Way farm in Sewickley valley, 
where they have since remained. John Way, 
Jr. , was educated at Sewickley Academy, and 
engaged in managing the farm and in vari^ 
ous business enterprises till 1877, when he- 
reorganized the Sewickley Academy, built a 
large and handsome house for its use on hl& 
own property, and by years of persistent ef- 
fort and self-denial, and large pecuniary 
outlay, made it one of the best academic in- 
stitutions in the state. He has been promi- 
nent in other movements that have advanced 
the welfare of the community, notably the 
passage of a special legislative enactment 
assuring this and adjacent townships a pro- 
hibitory liquor law, and another doing away 
with the running at large of cattle upon th& 
I public roads. His interest in publrc educa- 
j tion is attested by nineteen years' service on 
1 the township school board. He has been for 



314 



HISTOItY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



some forly years connected with the Sewick- 
ley Presbyterian Church, doing much for its 
interest and advancement, it being largely 
due to his exertions that its tine location and 
handsome stone edifice were secured, lie 
was for some years a trustee of this church, 
and is now and ha* been for some twenty 
years an elder in it. He has been several 
times re elected justice of the peace in Liet 
township. He has a wife, Catherine Wilson, 
jind three sons: William, Predericli and 
John. 

Bruce L. Calhoun, M. D., Verona, is a 
grandson of William Calhoun, who was born 
in Lancaster county, Pa. The father of Will- 
iam Calhoun was a soldier in the revolution- 
ary war, and lived for many years with a sil- 
ver pbite in his skull, where he was injured 
in battle during that war. The family is of 
Jrish descent. James, son of William Cal- 
houn, married Nancy, daughter of John Rob- 
inson, of Scotch descent, an early resident of 
Indiaua county. James Calhoun was born 
August 16, 1801, and still resides on his farm 
in Indiana county. For over fifty years he 
has been an elder in the United Presbyterian 
Church, and one of his sons, J. Smith, now 
fills the same position. He was one of the 
original whigs, and has been a republican 
since the organization of that party. Nancy 
Calhoun died in 1880, aged seventy-one. B. 
L. Calhoun is her seventh and youngest sou, 
and was born April 21, 1844. He was reared 
on his native, farm and received an academic 
education. After attending a course of med- 
ical lectures in Cleveland, he graduated in 
1876 from the Cincinnati College of Medicine 
and Surgery. On account of weakness of the 
eyes he has not been able to practice all of 
the time. He practiced for some time at 
Clarksburg and Unity, and about seven years 
at Parnassus, where he established a drug- 
store. He opened a similar store at Verona 
in 1886, and employs a competent druggist, 
giving his attention chiefly to his patients. 
He is an active member of the United Presby- 
terian Church, and a republican in politics. 
In 1869 Dr. Calhoun was united in marriage 
to Mary N. McLain, born in Westmoreland 
county, daughter of David and Rebecca (An- 
derson) McLain, of Scotch descent. Of their 
children the following five are living: Amelia 
Fanny, William Magee, Mary Lillian, Jessie 
Rebecca and Nellie Elnora. Harvey John- 
son and Robert Bruce died in infancy. 

Du. S.;W. DiNSMOUE, physician and sur- 
geon, Sharpsburg, was born in Armstrong 
county, Pa., in 18.50, a son of Robert and 
Mary Reed (Johnson) Dinsmore, the former 
a prominent merchant. Our subject received 
an academic education at Reed's Institute, 
Clarion county. Pa., and the University of 
Lewishurg. He commenced the study of 
medicine in 1872, and after graduating prac- 
ticed one year in Camden, N. J., but since 
1877 has resided in Sharpsburg. He graduated 
at the Homeopathic College. Philadelphia, 
in 1876, and holds a diploma from the General 
hospital of Vienna, Austria, where he was a 



student three months; also a paper showing 
his ability in the treatment of diseases of the 
nose and throat. He married, in 1878. Emma, 
daughter of Lewis W. Lewis, who was a 
prominent citizen of Sharpsburg, and two 
children have been born to this union; Win- 
field C. and Marion H. Dr. Dinsmore is a 
Mason, a member of the Baptist Church, and 
politically a republican. 

George Lucky Lee, real-estate dealei, 
postofflce Hulton, a son of Caleb and Mar- 
garet (Skelton) Lee, was born in Pittsburgh 
in June, 1837. He is the youngest living son, 
and received his early education while at- 
tending the Pittsburgh schools until fifteen 
years of age. After marriage, however, he 
continued to study privatelj-, and completed a 
collegiate course. His father bought a large 
farm at the lime George L. was born, and 
when the latter was fifteen years old he be- 
gan work thereon, and afterward became 
manager of the twelve hundred acres, and 
followed the plow until he was thirty -five 
years of age. After his father's death he 
left the large farm, which was divided up 
among the heirs, but he continued to work his 
own farm four years longer. In 1884 he en- 
gaged in the real-estate business in Pitts- 
burgh, under the firm name of Alexander & 
Lee, which has become one of the leading 
firms of the citj". Mr. Lee enlisted in July, 
1803, in Company E, First Battalion Pennsyl 
vania Cavalry, served as second sergeant, 
and did scouting duty on the Cuml)erland 
boundary most of the time, and was mus- 
tered out December 28. 1865. He was in 
delicate health at the time of enlistment, but 
in six months was in perfect condition. He 
was the first justice of Verona, and served 
five years; was first assessor and second clerk 
of the council, serving in that capacity seven 
years. 

He married, in 1858, Rebecca G. McClung. 
daughter of Rev. S. M. McClung, pastor of 
the Presbyterian Church of Plum township, 
where Mrs. Lee was born in 1838. Her 
father died in August, 1869, and her mother, 
Nancy C. Gilchrist, December 5, 1875. Ten 
children have been born to our subject and 
Mrs. Lee. as follows; Ida (Mrs. Dr. J. M. 
Hamilton); Caleb C, a graduate of Pitts- 
burgh High-school of the class of 1879, 
studied law in the office of Robb «& McClung, 
of Pittsburgh, and was admitted to the bar 
in January, 18S5; Elizabeth R., at home; 
Samuel McC, telegraph-operator and clerk 
at the Lucv furnace; Anna, a teacher in 
Verona schools; Cora. Alfred McC, Nancy 
M., Margaret S. and Rebecca McC. The 
family are all members of the Presbyterian 
Church of Verona, where Mr. Lee has l)een 
ruling elder for many years. He is a member 
of the G. A. R., and politically is a repub- 
lican. 

Thomas TrLBROOK, real-estate auctioneer, 
McKeesport. was born in Allegheny county, 
June 9. 18:W. He was educated in the 
schools of Westmoreland county, and spent 
his boyhood on the farm. Arriving at the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAl'HV. 



315 



years of m'lturity, he became a stock-dealer, 
in which business he came into that knowl- 
edge of the world which has since made 
him so efEective in whatever he undertook. 
August 9. 1863. he enlisted in Company H, 
One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, and served until the close of his 
term of enlistment as sergeant, participating 
in the battle of Fredericksburg, in the five- 
days battle at Chancellorsville, and in other 
contests. In 1864 he first came to McKees- 
port, and his occupation since that time has 
for the most part been that of a real-estate 
auctioneer. May 1, 1881. he was elected 
alderman, in which office be served the peo- 
ple with satisfaction until May 1, 1886. In 
1883 he was elected chief magistrate of Mc- 
Keesport, and was re-elected in 1884, serving 
the people two successive terras with honor, 
and refusing to be a candidate for the third 
term. Mr. Tilbrook has always been inter- 
ested in questions of public import, and 
naturally political questions attracted his at- 
tention." Believing from the first that the 
principles of the republican parly are fun- 
damental to a republican form of govern- 
ment, he cast his first vote for Abraham 
Lincoln for president, and during his life he 
has been consistently and ardently repub- 
lican. 

Robert Patterson, of the Presbyterian 
Banner, Pittsburgh, was born in Pittsburgh, 
October 17, 1831. His grandfather, Joseph 
Patterson, was born in Ireland, March 30, 
1752; was married there to JaneMoak, March 
37, 1773. They emigrated to America, ar- 
riving at Philadelphia early in 1773, and set- 
tled in Saratoga county, N. Y., where their 
son Robert was born April 1,1773. Return- 
ing to Philadelphia, Mr. Patterson taught 
school near Germantown; was present at the 
first public reading of the Declaration of In- 
dependence at the door of the statehouse; 
dismissed his school and served as a private 
soldier during the campaigns of 1776-77, 
part of the time under Lafayette, who, upon 
visiting Pittsburgh in 183.5, recognized his 
old companion in arms. In 1777 he removed 
to York county. Pa,, resuming the occupa- 
tion of a teacher; in 1779 removed to Wash- 
ington county and engaged in teaching and 
farming; in 1785 commenced a course of 
studies for the ministry under the direction 
of Rev. Joseph Smith; was licensed August 
13, 1788; ordained and installed pastor of 
Raccoon and Montour's Run churches No- 
vember 10, 1789; in 1816 he resigned his pas- 
toral charge on account of infirm health, 
and removed to Pittsburgh, where he con- 
tinued to preach as opportunity offered and 
strength permitted, laboring also as a Bible 
and tract distributor until his death, Febru- 
ary 4, 1832, 

Robert Patterson, Sr., son of the above, 
was born not far from where the battles of 
Stillwater were fought four years later. He 
entered the Cannonsburg Academy at its com- 
mencement in 1790. reciting the first lesson 
under tlie shade of some trees, no building 



havingyet been obtained. In 1794hecniereci 
the junior class of the University of Penn- 
sylvania, at Philadelphia, where his uncle, 
Robert Patterson, was the professor of math- 
ematics. He graduated there in 179G, and 
remained as a tutor four years longer, at the 
same time studying theology. He was licensed 
in 1801, and August 37, 1801, was married to 
Jane Canon, daughter of Col. John Canon, 
the founder of Cannonsburg. Mr. Patterson 
was pastor of two churches near Erie. Pa., 
for six years; in 1807 removed to Pittsburgh, 
and took charge of tlie Pittsburgh Academy 
(now the Western L'niversity of Pennsyl- 
vania) until 1810. From that date until 1836 
he was engaged in bookselling, and part of 
the time in publishing and in the manufacture 
of paper. He also supplied the pulpit of 
Hiland Church, seven miles north of Pitts- 
burgh, from 1807 to 1883. In 1840 he removed 
to the country, about three miles south of 
Pittsburgh, where he died September 5, 1854. 
Mrs, Patterson died in 1856. 

Robert P.\tterson, son of the above, 
graduated at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, 
in September, 1840; read law for three years in 
the office of Hon. Thomas H.Baird; was admit- 
ted to the bar of Allegheny county in October, 
1848; practiced with Judge Baird until 1845; 
was engaged in teaching in different acade- 
miesuntil August, 18o0,wheu he was elected to 
the professorship of mathematics in Jefferson 
College, Pennsylvania, from which lie was 
chosen to the same chair in Oakland College, 
Mississippi, in November, 1854; from this to 
the same chair in Centre College, Danville, 
Ky., in 18.58, which last position he left in 
1864 to become associated with Rev. Dr. 
James Allison in conducting the Presbyterian 
Banner^ He was married, August 27, 1851, 
to Eliza, daughter of Hon. T. H.^Baird. They 
have one son, Thomas, a member of the Pitts- 
burgh bar, and two daughters, Jane and 
Elizabeth. 

James S. Kuhn, cashier First National 
bank. McKeesport, was born in Pittsburgh, 
Pa., October 3, 1852, a son of Dr. John S. 
and Mary E. (Speer) Kuhn. His paternal 
grandfather, Adam Kuhn, a native of East- 
ern Pennsylvania, was a pioneer of Versailles 
township, Allegheny countj% where he 
built a flourmill, and carried on the business 
of a miller and a farmer. The first coal ever 
run on the Youghiogheny river was said to 
have been mined on his farm. The maternal 
grandfather of James S. was Dr. James R. 
Speer, the well-known oculist of Pittsburgh. 
Dr. John S. Kuhnwasa prominent phj'sician 
of his day, for many years practiced liis pro- 
fession in McKeesport and Pittsburgh, and 
was one of the pioneer coal-operators on the 
Youghiogheny river. The subject of this 
sketch was reared in Pittsburgh and McKees- 
port. and educated in the public schools. At 
the ase of fifteen he was employed in the 
First National bank of I'ittsburgh, where he 
remained for seven years, and has now passed 
twenty-one years in the banking business. 
In 1874 he came to McKeesport, and for the 



316 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



past fourUjen years has been in the service of 
the First Nulional bank of this city in va- 
rious capacities, his present position being 
that of casliler, to whicli he was ajjpointed in 
18S4. His experience has enabled him to 
recognize antl seize upon every circumstance 
that might contribute to the advancement of 
the interests in his charge, and the First 
National lias now very few superiors in West- 
ern F'ennsylvania. and much of its success can 
he attributed to the energetic efforts of Mr. 
Kuhn. He has been a director of the liank five 
years, is secretary and treasurer of llie Ameri- 
can \V .-iter- works company, of McKeesporlan 
organization with a paid up capital of half a 
million dollars. He is president of the Kus- 
sell Manufacturing company, and was one 
of I lie projectors of the Youghiogheny 
bridge, of which he is half-owner, and is 
secrrlary and treasurer of the company. 
He is vice-president of the New Enterprise 
Building & Loan association, and for several 
3'ears has been city treasurer. He has the 
reputation of being a successful and wide- 
awake business man. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church ; politically a republican. 
Mr. Kuhn married, in 1880, Ella, daughter of 
Janiis and Eliza (Berry) O'Neil, of this 
<;ity. 

Tn()M-is A. Mii.L.\R, broker, McKeesport, 
was born in Baltimore, Md., February 5, 
1832, son of Alexander and Amelia I. (Coal) 
Millar. His paternal grandfather, Alexan- 
der Millar, a native of Ireland, settled in 
Philadelphia at an early day, and was a son 
of Alexander Millar, wliose father came from 
the Netherlands to Ireland with the Prince 
of Orange. On his maternal side Mr. Millar 
is of Scotch descent. His parents settled in 
Pittsburgh in 1833, where for a time his 
father was engaged as clerk for Robert Gal- 
loway, a groceryman. and later for Robinson 
& Minis; he was for ten years alderman in 
that city. In 1848 he catiie to McKeesport, 
and engaged in the coal business, and was 
one of the largest coal-operators in the citj' 
until the outbreak of the war. He served 
two terms in the Pennsylvania legislature, 
and was a director of the first railroad built 
in McKeesport, now the Baltimore & Ohio. 
He was father of five children: Alexander, 
William .1., Samuel A.. Thomas A., and 
Alfred B.. who died in infancy. Our subject 
■was reared and educated in "Pittsburgh, set- 
tled in McKeesport in 1848, and embarked in 
the coal business, with which he was con- 
nected ten 3'ears, and twelve years after- 
ward was engaged in stock-farming in Mis- 
souri, since when he has resided at McKees- 
port, and for two years has followed his 
present business. Sir. Millar married, in 
18.59, Olie P., daughter of Hiram B. and 
Sarah .J. (Cunningham) Sinclair, of McKees- 
port, and by her iias six children: Harr}' S., 
(Virginia M. (Mrs. N. G. Ransom). Sarah .1. 
Mrs. S. G. Miller). Anna M., Charles A. and 
Alfred B. Mr. Millar has held many local 
offices in the borough; in politics he is a 
democrat. 



Rev. CfiARi.ES W, Sunn, A, M., D. D.. 
Wilkinsburg, is a native of Fayette county. 
Pa., born .Ian. 30, 1840. His father. Rev. Wes- 
ley Smith, was for fifty-five years a minister of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church in Western 
Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Eastern 
Ohio, and a resident of Allegheny county for 
twenty-six years, until his death, which oc- 
curred at Sharpsburg the last of October, 
1888. Dr. Smith spent his youth in school 
until he approached the j'ears of manhood, 
when he went into business for one year. In 
October, IS-IH, he received license to preach, 
and the following April (18.59) was admitted 
into the Pittsburgh conference of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. His first appoint- 
ment was to Centerville, Somerset county. 
Pa., and his second tq Carmichaels. Greene 
county, Pa. He served, subsequently, three 
churches in Fayette count}'; Bridgeport, Con- 
nellsville and Uniontown. All the remainder 
of his ministerial life has been spent in Pitts- 
burgh and Allegheny City, except one term 
in Canton. Oliio, and one in McKeesport. 
Allegheny county. In these cities he served 
Carson Street, Arch Street and Smithfield 
Street churches, and four years as presiding 
elder of the Pittsburgh district. During his 
service in the district a great work was ac 
complished, through an organization called 
the Pittsburgh Church Union, in freeing cer- 
tain churches from old and troublesome debts. 
The union was organized for this purpose, 
and, through the encouragement and assist- 
ance it gave, five churches were relieved and 
Methodism thus practically freed from debt 
in the entire city. Whenbut thirty-six years 
of age he was elected a delegate to the gen- 
eral conference (of 1876), an unusual honor for 
one so young. Pour years later he was the 
first reserve delegate, and in 1884 was elected 
a delegate again. During this conference he 
was elected editor of thePittsburgh C/)riMi(in 
Adtocate. and entered upon the duties of that 
office the 1st of June in that year. In 1888 
he was again elected a delegate to the general 
conference, and by that bodj' was re-elected 
editor of the Admcate. He received the de- 
gree of Master of Arts from Allegheny Col- 
lege in 1871, and that of Doctor of Divinity 
from Scio College, in 1880. The doctor ha"s 
spent a verj' busy life in the ministrj'. Since 
he was appointed to the pastorate of the Arch 
Street Church, in 1870, his charges have been 
large and responsible, requiring both hard 
labor and great skill. But he has met the 
requirements in every case, and b}' fidelity in 
one station has wori promotion to another. 
In I860 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Carrie L., daughter of Dr. Lutellus Lindley, 
of Connellsyille. Pa., and they have three 
children, the eldest, Charles Lindley, being 
a minister, just admitted to the Pittsburgh 
conference; the others are Edna Miller and 
Lutellus Wesley. 

Wii,i.i.\M Watson Grier, manufacturer, 
postoftice Hulton, the only living child of 
.lohn Fennel and Isabella (Watson) Grier, 
was born in Pittsburgh in 1834. His grand-' 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



317 



father, David Grier, of Irish descent, very 
early secured a tract of six hundred acres In 
what is the Second ward of Verona, lying on 
Plum creek and the river. He died in 1856, 
and on the day of his death destroyed his 
will, leaving one-sixteenth of his estate to 
our subject. He had been twice married; his 
first wife left ten children and his second six. 
John F., the eldest son, born in Pittsburgh, 
engaged in the manufacture of engines where 
the Monongahela House now stands, and 
afterward changed his product to hollow- 
ware, but lost everj'thing by the sudden 
closing of the United States bank. He bor- 
rowed eight hundred dollars of an uncle, 
with which he built a canal-boat and en- 
gaged in transportation on the Allegheny 
and Kiskirainetas rivers. In the spring of 
1835, being then twenty-six years old, he was 
drowned at Blairsville dam by a freshet, 
leaving his widow and infant sou with a debt 
and no resources. William AVatson, father 
of Isabella Grier, was born in Scotland in 
1777, and died in Pittsburgh at the age of 
fifty. He kept a stoneyard on Water street, 
and engaged in mason-building. 

W. W. Grier attended the Second Ward 
school and a private school taught by Dr. 
Holmes, of Pittsburgh, and Joseph S. Tra- 
velli's academy at Sewickley. On reaching 
manhood he engaged in farming on his pat- 
rimony at Verona. Having a mechanical 
turn of mind, he made improvements on a 
buggy-spring known as the "Dexter." and 
began its manufacture in 1875. The Dexter 
Spring-works, of which Mr. Grier is sole 
owner, is a successful institution, employing 
man}- people. He was one of the first re- 
finers of petroleum oil. engaging, with part- 
ners, near Verona. During the war he sunk 
an oil-well in West Virginia, which proved 
to be a bounteous one, but his machinery and 
other properly were destroyed by rebel 
raiders, and he sold out at a great sacrifice. 
Notwithstanding this and other misfortunes, 
he persevered, and is now in comfortable 
circumstances. He was formerly a repub- 
lican, bu,tfor the last sixteen years has voted 
the prohibition ticket, voting that ticket 
alone for five years. Through the efforts of 
Mr. Grier and his mother a United Presby- 
terian church was established here, in which 
he is n member of sessions. In 1855 he 
married Susan V., daughter of William 
Miller, of Mercer county. She died in 1881, 
leaving two daughters — Mary Eva and Jean 
B The first borii, Watson Miller, died when 
five j'ears old. In 1888 Mr. Grier wedded 
Fanny Svvartwood, of Waverly, N. Y. 

Dr. G. R. B. Robison, physician and sur- 
geon, and the oldest member of the medical 
profession in Sharpsburg, was born in Mor- 
gantown. W. Va., in 1832, the youngest of 
the twelve children of James Robison, a 
prominent farmer of West Virginia. He re- 
ceived his parly education in the public 
schools of his native town, and in 1850 com- 
menced the study of medicine; entered the 
■College of Medicine and Surgery, Ohio, in 



1851, graduated in 1853, and at once com- 
menced the practice of his profession. In 
1863 he located in Sharpsburg, where he has 
since continually practiced, with the excep- 
tion of his service during the war, when for 
two years he was associate surgeon for the 
Seventy-first Pennsylvania regiment and at 
Herwood hospital. He married Anna W., 
daughter of Hebi-ou Robinson, of Lawrence- 
burg. Pa., and three children blessed their 
union, two of whom are living: Hebron and 
Mary. Mrs. Robison died in 1873, and the 
doctor afterward married Virginia H., 
daughter of Jonathan Hagan, of Alleghen}' 
county. Dr. Robison has a large and lucra- 
tive practice in town and surrounding coun- 
try. He and f amil}- are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church; politically he is a repub- 
lican. 

J. W. BoisoL, dentist, Sharpsburg, was 
born in Allegheny county. Pa.. October 36, 
1856, a son of Dr. Daniel Boisol, a native of 
Allegheny City, and a prominent dentist of 
the county. Daniel married Elizabeth S. 
Welsh, of Pittsburgh, and they became the 
parents of one child, the subject of this 
memoir. In 1862 Dr. Boisol enlisted in Com- 
pany G, One Hundred and Twenty-third 
regiment, and served as captain; was wound- 
ed at the battle of Fredericksburg, Decem- 
ber 13th, and died in the hospital at George- 
town, December 33, 1863. Joseph W. was 
educated at the Western University, and com- 
menced ihe study of dentistry in 1874, gradu- 
ating from the Pennsylvania College of Den- 
tal Surgery, Philadelphia, February 38, 1877. 
He commenced the practice of his profession 
in Ohio, where he remained until 1^83, at 
which date he located at Sharpsburg, and 
here he has since resided, being the only den- 
tist in tlie town. He is a member of the 
Episcopal Church, of the J. O. A. M., Sons of 
Veterans and Knights of Pythias. Politic- 
ally he is a republican. 

Thomas C. Jones, attorney at law, Mc- 
Keesport, was born in Pittsburgh, September 
2, 1860, a son of David and Elizabeth J. (Con- 
way) Jones. His paternal grandfather was 
William Jones, a native of Wales, and his 
maternal grandfather was Thomas Conway, 
a native of Ireland, both of whom were 
among the pioneers of Pittsburgh. Thomas 
C. Jones was reared in MeKeesport, and edu- 
cated at the academy and Waynesburg Col- 
lege. He began the study of law in 1882, at 
the University of Michigan, Ann Arljor, and 
graduated in "March, 1884. He then studied 
(me year in the office of James Evan, Esq., of 
MeKeesport; was admitted to the bar April 
20. 1885. and has since been in active practice, 
with offices in MeKeesport and Pittsburgh. 
He is a member of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church; was elected a member of the 
city council in February, 1888; politically he 
is a republican. 

Sylvester C. Ritchey, merchant, Se- 
wickley. Abraham Ritchey, thegreatgrand- 
father of Sylvester C, and a native of Ger- 
many, came to America, settling in Allegheny 



318 



HISTORY OF ALLEGFIENY COUNTY. 



county, in an earlj' day, and died here, aged 
one hundreil and seven years. He partici- 
pated in tlie revolutionary war. His son, 
William Ritcliey, who was born east of the 
mountains, came to tliis county and joined 
Gen. Anthony Wayne in his campaign against 
the Indians, camping at Logslown. lie was 
married to Mary, a daughter of Col. A. Greg 
Pinkerton, of revolutionary fame, who died 
aged one hundred and five years. William 
Ritchey and wife farmed in this county, and 
died aged ninety-two and ninety-eight years, 
respectivel}-. Iler brother John attained the 
age of one hundred and three years. Mr. and 
Mrs. William Ritchey were the parents of 
twelve children, all of whom attained ma- 
turity except one. 

A. G. P. Ritchey, the father of S. C, was a 
carpenter, following farming at the same time, 
and in 188.5 retired from active life. He was 
married to Mahala J. Holdsinger, and they 
had seven children. The subject of this sketch 
was born and educated in this count}-, and his 
early life was spent on a farm in Sewickley 
township. In 1871 he engaged as clerk 
with Chamberlin & Co., remainin_g with them 
until 1883, when he commenced business for 
himself. He keeps a general store, except 
dry goods, and has built up a good business. 
Politically he is a republican, and is a mem- 
ber of the K. of P. and K. of H., and of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Petek Patterson, general superintendent 
National Tube-works company, McKees- 
port, is a native of Jedburgh. Roxburgh- 
shire, Scotland. At an early age his mechan- 
ical tastes induced him to learn the trade of 
machinist, and the thorough training of^his 
country, coupled with unusual genius in 
mechanical and engineering matters, soon 
placed him at the head of his trade. He came 
to this country in May, 1866, and found em- 
ployment with the Union Machine company, 
and later with the firm of Campbell, Hall & 
Co., Norwich, Conn. He moved to New 
York in December of the same year, where 
he accepted a position at the Secor Iron- 
works. In 1809 he went to the extensive ma- 
chine-shops of James L. Jackson & Brother, 
where he remained until December, 1871. At 
that time the National Tube-works com- 
pany, at East Boston, Mass., with a view to 
securing the best skill to carry on the work 
of designing and constructing the special 
machinery for the erection of their projected 
McKeesport mill, secured the services of Mr. 
Patterson as constructing-engineer. In this 
capacity, and as assistant engineer, he came 
to McKeesport in June, 1873, and took charge 
of erecting the mills which have grown under 
his supervision to such magnitude. In 1880 
the company appointed him general super- 
intendent, which position he has since filled. 
Mr. Patterson is a thoroughly practical man, 
a systematic, cool-headed mill-manager, pos- 
sessed of rare inventive talent. He has in- 
vented several important patents which are 
in constant and successful operation. He 
takes a deep interest in local matters, and is 



a representative citizen. He is a member of 
the United Presbyterian Church, in politics 
a stanch republican. 

RoiiEUT C. McKee. retired, Wilkinsburg, 
was born near Newry, Ireland, in 1821. His 
parents, Joseph and Sarah (McCuUough) Mc- 
Kee. emigrated to America in 1828. and 
settled on a farm in Westmoreland county, 
one mile from Freeport. There the father 
died in 1802, aged seventy, and the motlier 
soon thereafter, at about the same age. They 
had seven sons and six daughters, Robert C. 
being the fourth son. He passed his early 
life on the farm, attending the common school; 
taught school several terms, and then opened 
a store on the Greensburg road, near Freei)ort. 
He soon removed to Pittsburgh, and later, to 
Londonderry, Ohio, where he continued in 
business six years. In 1804 he came to Wilkins- 
burg, and soon afterward moved his store to 
Elizabeth,where he remained three years, and 
then to Beaver Falls for a like period. He 
was successful in business, and sold out to 
return to Wilkinsburg for family reasons. He 
subsequently dwelt in Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny City, and came again to Wilkinsburg 
in 1878. He now resides in the third house 
he has built here. After leaving the store 
he became interested in a stove-foundry at 
Beaver Falls, and traveled several years, "sell- 
ing its output. He also represented the 
Beaver Falls cutlery for a time, and at va- 
rious periods sold goods for three hardware 
firms in Pittsburgh. While at Beaver Falls 
he originated the movement which led to the 
organization of a Covenanters' church. Mr. 
McKee has been twice married, first in 1849, 
to Rachel Jane, daughter of Samuel Henry, 
of Ireland, who passed his last days at Wil- 
kinsburg. Mrs. McKee was born in Pitts- 
burgh, and died September 30, 1880, aged 
fift3'-nine, the mother of two children: Myra, 
who died in Alabama while assisting her 
husband, Rev. William McKinney, in mis- 
sionarj' work among the negroes, and Samuel 
Henry, a resident here. In April, 1888, Jlr. 
McKee married ]Martha J., daughterof Robert 
McKnight. of Pittsburgh. 

Charles E. Manby, chemist. National 
Tube-works companj", McKeesport, was born 
in 1853, at Jlorecambe. Lancashire, England, 
the second sou of the late Rev. E. F. Manby, 
B. A., of Cambridge University, and vicar of 
Morecambe parish for thirty-three j'ears. He 
was educated at Lancaster and Barrow, was a 
student of chemistry with Prof. Richards, F. 
I. C, and after completing his course was 
appointed chemist to the steel- and wagon- 
works, Barrow. In 1880 he was appointed 
manager of the Lincolnshire Iron-Smelting 
companj', near Brigg. Lincolnshire. He came 
to America in 1.^82, with letters of introduc- 
tion to Prof. Eggleston, of Columbia College, 
New York, and others; to Mr. Ssvank, of 
Philadelphia, Capt. Jones, of Braddock Steel- 
works, W. D. Weeks, of Pittsburgh, and sev- 
eral others. During his connection with the 
National Tube-works company, as chemist, 
he has taken out several patents for coating 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



319 



iron pipe, one of which is familiarly kuown 
as Silveriin Kalameiu, and which durable 
coating has proved a great success, and in 
1888 he introduced a new method for reduc- 
ing the wasted oxides of the Kalamein metal- 
lic alloy, and secured a patent for the same. 
In ISTT he was made secretary to the Barrow 
Naturalists' Field Club, during which time he 
had the honor of introducing a new mineral, 
which he discovered in some kind of granite 
rock found in certain clay-beds on "W'alney 
island, and which he named vermicellite 
mica. In 1886 -Mr. Manby married Miss 
Master, of Norwich, daughter of Dr. Master, 
F. R. C. S., London. Mr. Manby has three 
brothers in New Mexico, proprietors of a 
very successful cattle ranch near Raton. Mr. 
Manby is interested ki a new enterprise with 
the Union Encaustic Tile companj', limited, 
and of which he is the chairman. 

Stanley Gakdner. mill secretary Nation- 
al Tube-works company, McKeesport, was 
born in Llewellyn Park, Orange, Essex coun- 
ty. N. .J.. February 6, 1859, a son of Edward 
and Miriam (Bloomfield) Gardner. His pa- 
ternal grandfather was Edward Gardner, a 
member of the firm of Gardner Brothers, the 
famous ship-builders of England, who settled 
in New York in the present century. The tirst 
of our subject's maternal ancestors to come to 
America was one of the early Dutch settlers, 
and the first governor of the colonies now con- 
stituting the state of New .Jersey. Edward 
Gardner, father of Stanley, is an eastern 
journalist of prominence, having founded 
and owned the Orange Journal, which he 
conducted over eighteen years; also the 
Brooklyn Daily J^ttcs; owned the Wdshiiigton 
Vountji (N. Y.) Post. Baj'oune Times, and 
others, and was for a long time on the edito- 
rial staff of the Brooktyn Daily Eagle. He 
served many times as president of both the 
New York and New .Jersey state editorial 
associations, and has now been in the news- 
paper business fifty-two years. 

Stanle)- Gardner, at an early age, gradu- 
ated from the Ashton High-school at Orange, 
N. .J., and in addition took first prize at the 
competitive declamation exercises; also grad- 
uated from Thompson's Business College 
at New York city. He learned the trade of 
a printer in his father's offices, and then took 
a position as reporter on the Jersey City 
Argus, Jersey City Journal and New York 
Times, respectively. In the meantime he 
mastered the art of shorthand writing, so 
necessary for city newspaper work, and, after 
working as special reporter in New York, 
received the appointment of United States 
court reporter in New York city. The close 
application of a court stenographer prompted 
him to adopt mercantile business, and he ac- 
cepted a position with the Valentine Varnish 
company, and later, when but nineteen j'ears 
old. purchased the Cornwall Mirror, at Corn- 
wall-on-Hudson. N. Y., which he edited for a 
time, and afterward sold to advantage. He 
then became teller for the Corbin Banking 
compan}-, of New York citj-, and later was 



private secretary to Austin Corbin, Esq., the 
railroad magnate. January 36, 1880, he en- 
tered the employ of the National Tube-works 
company, McKeesport, as stenographer and 
correspondent, in which position he has be- 
come expert in all matters pertaining to the 
business, and now holds a responsible position 
at their McKeesport works. He has been 
secretary of the Wrought-Iron Pipe associa- 
tion of the United States, and treasurer of 
the Giant Hydraulic Jack company (limited), 
of which he owned the majority of stock, and 
sold the patents and business some time ago.. 
In his capacity of newspaper correspondent 
he witnessed the execution of Charles J. Gui- 
teau at Washington, D. C, January 30, 1883, 
and signed his death-warrant, as one of the 
death-warrant jury, and has interesting relics 
of the execution. Mr. Gardner is a shrewd 
pipe salesman and able correspondent. He 
takes great interest in local politics, and is a 
quiet but effective worker, regardless of par- 
ty difference; otherwise is a straight protect- 
ive-tariS republican. He married, October 
15, 1884, Virginia V., daughter of Capt. Will- 
iam and Mary (Adams) Dunshee, of Mclvees- 
port. and has one daughter, Miriam B. 

Henry Morrow Johnston, surveyor, 
Wilkinsburg, was born in Wilkins township, 
March 8, 1838. His grandfather, Charles 
Johnston (whose biography appears else- 
where), came from Ireland, and settled in the 
southern part of this county, in the latter 
part of the eighteenth century, moving to 
Wilkins some twenty years later. Henry M. 
Johnston lived nearly all his life in what is 
now Penn township; attended the common 
school, and studied civil engineering with 
Dr. Stillej-, of Cannonsburg. When seven- 
teen years old he was apprenticed to the 
carpenter's trade, at which he worked for 
thirteen years; then was engaged in tilling 
the farm which he still owns, in Penn town- 
ship. In October, 1861, he joined Company 
A, One Hundred and First Pennsylvania 
Volunteer Infantry, and served through Mc- 
Clellan's peninsular campaign, taking part in 
the battles of Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Will- 
iamsburg, etc. The regiment was then sent 
to North Carolina, and Company A remained 
for a year on Roanoke island. April 20, 
1864, they were made prisoners at Plymouth, 
and kept in Andersonville and Florence 
prisons till March 1, 1865. Since the war 
Mr. Johnston has engaged in surveying, tak- 
ing up his residence at Wilkinsburg in 1884. 
He is a member of the G. A. R., and is a F. 
& A. M. He is a member of the United 
Presbyterian Church; politically a democrat. 
January 13, 1870, he married Sarah, daughter 
of John and Sarah (Brown) Long, of En- 
glish descent, and they had a son who died at 
the age of three months. 

Rev. George S. Gr.\ce, clergyman, 
Sharpsburg, was born in Pittsburgh", Pa., 
November 13, 1845, a son of Capt. R. J. 
Grace, a native of Maryland, and who came 
to Allegheny county at an early day. Capt. 
Grace, who was a prominent river and in- 



320 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUKTY. 



surance man, married Miss Mary Elizabeth 
Singer, daughter of George Singer, of Ger- 
man extraction, and seven children were 
boru to them, George S. being the third child, 
lie was e.iucated al the St. Michael's Semi- 
nary. Pittsburgh, commenced to study for the 
prie-thood in 1861, was ordained February 
24, 1870, at Columbus, Ohio, and for si.\ i 
years was vice-rector of St. Paul's cathedral 
and secretary and chancellor of the diocese j 
of Pittsburgh. His first pastoral charge was 
at Freeport. and August 30. 1876, he assumed 
charge of St. Josei)h's church at Sharps- 
burf£. where he has since remaiued. 

X.iTHAN H. V.\N FossEN, assistant gen- 
eral inspector National Tube-works com- 
pany, McKeesport, is a native of Harrisburg, 
Pa. He was educated in the common schools 
and Cumberland Valley Institute, Mechan- 
icsbuig. Pa. He then learned telegraphy, 
and was in the employ of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad company at its offices at Harris- 
burg and vicinity for three years. In 1867 he 
entered the employ of the Norway Iron & 
Tack company at Wheeling. W. Va., as 
clerk, and soon after was promoted to assist- 
ant superintendent, and later to superintend- 
ent of the tack department, which position 
he held for five years. The works changing 
hands, he was appointed superintendent by 
the new firm, and occupied that position four 
years, then engaged in the oil business, and 
in 1876 settled in McKeesport, where he be- 
came manager of the offices of the Western 
Union Telegraph company, which position 
he still holds. Since 1878 he has also been in 
the employ of the National Tube-works com- 
pany, in various capacities, and in March, 
1888, was appointed assistant general inspect- 
or of their works. He is a member of the 
Episcopal Church; politically, a republican. 
J. H. Mueller, attorney at law. Glen- 
field, was born January 1.5,18-45, in Springfield, 
Ohio, son of H. P. Mueller, a native of 
RheinPrussia, and who came to America at 
the age of twenty years, in 1837. H. P. 
Mueller was a student in the Ohio Synod; 
was a professor in Washington College, and 
as a Lutheran minister preached eloquently 
in Allegheny and elsewhere. He eventuallj- 
became editor of the Penn.ii/h-ania .S7a((^«- 
zeilung. which was merged into the Ffeihcitz 
Frennd. He was admitted to the bar in 
1852, read law under Hampton & Stowe.with 
whom he was in partnership in the Law. He 
died in 1873, aged fifty-six years. Politically 
he was a republican. He married Miss Anna 
Hofmeister. a native of Ohio. Their son J. 
H., whose name heads this sketch, was edu- 
cated in Pittsburgh Western University, and 
spent three years in Europe, in order to com- 
plete his education. He read law in Pitts 
burgh, was admitted to tlie bar in 1869, and 
has since followed his profession, residing in 
Glenficld. Mr. Mueller is interested in the 
production of natural gas; is president of the 
Bellevue & Glenfield Natural Gas company, 
and is an extensive oil-producer. Politically 
he is a republican. 



James B. Mcrray, chief of order depart- 
ment National Tube-works company, Mc- 
Keesport, is a native of Scotland, born in 1842, 
and was reared and educated in Glasgow, 
graduating from the high-school of that city. 
In 1871 he came to America, located in Boston, 
Mass., and entered the emploj- of the National 
Tube-works company as storekeeper; came 
to McKeesport in 1874, where he accepted the 
position of receiving-clerk forsame company; 
was promoted assistant to J. B. Converse, 
then chief of order department, and at the 
death of the latter, in 1882, Mr. Murray be- 
came his successor. Hewasoneof the organ- 
izers of Union Savings Fund ifc Loan associ- 
ation. Union Savings Fund &. Loan associa- 
tion No. 2, and Home Security Building «fc 
Loan association, and is the vice-president of 
three corporations; is also a director of the 
Bank of McKeesport. and a stockholder in the 
Republic Iron-works. Pittsburgh. He is a 
member of the K. of P. and of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church; in politics he is a 
republican. 

William Fisher, proprietor of machine- 
shops and foundry, was born December 22, 
1821, in Paisley. Scotland, son of David and 
Janet (Greeg) Fisher, natives of above-named 
place. William was educated in his native 
land, and there learned the satin-weaver's 
trade. Coming to America in the spring of 
1845, he spent one year in Canton. Ohio, and 
then came to Pittsburgh, where he learned 
the machinist's trade with James Reese & Co.. 
and. having served his time, he was promoted 
to the position of foreman. In 1857 he bought 
one-fourth interest in a concern, and soon 
monopolized the entire business, which he has 
successfully conducted. He emplo3's over 
fifty men, some of whom he has retained over 
twenty years, and the industry is one of the 
largest machine-shops and foundries in the 
city. Mr. Fisher came to the L'nited States 
almost penniless, but he soon made for himself 
a place in the business world of Pittsburgh. 
Of his sons, one is in Australia, and is an able 
mechanic. Another son, Andrew, is an attor- 
ney in Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are 
members of the Presbj'terian Church, of 
which he is an elder and a pillar. He is an 
uncompromising prohibitionist. 

Richard Bibbt, jeweler. Wilkinsburg. son 
of John and Mary (Yates) Bibby. was born 
I in 1837. in Over-Dsjrwen. Lancashire, En- 
gland, and reared in Chorley, same county 
When seven years old he was put to work in 
the coal-mines, and his education has been 
obtained by his individual effort and perse- 
j verance. In 18G3 he began to devote his 
leisure hours to watchmaking, and left the 
mines to give his entire time to that occupa- 
j tion. He married Elizabeth Southworth, who 
1 was reared in the same village as himself, 
and they set sail for America in 1869. For 
eight 3'ears they dwelt at Swissvale, Jlr. 
Bibby being foreman of the Swissvale mines 
most of the time. In 1876 he began the study 
of medicine with a homeopathic physician 
at Braddock, but was obliged to abandon it 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



321 



•on account of the ill-health of his wife. By 
his careful nursing the life of the latter was 
prolonged, but she died of Briglit's disease, 
April 30, 1888, aged forty-seven. Mr. Bibby 
•established hia residence and present business 
in Wiikinsburg in 1877, and has a large trade. 
He is associated with the United Brethren 
•Church, and is a republican, with prohibition 
sj'mpathies. 

William A. Iles, auditor National Tube- 
works, McKeesport, was born in the Isle of 
Wight. England, in 1830, a son of William 
Hurfoi-d and Lucy lies. His father was an 
officer in the imperial custom-house, first in 
Halilax, Nova Scotia, and afterward at 
Jamaica, West Indies. William A. attended 
■the public schools of Halifax, and at the age 
of thirteen entered the office of a merchant 
•of that city. When fifteen years old he went 
to Jamaica, West Indies, and there spent 
three years ou a sugar plantation, and eight 
years in a mercantile house in Kingston. In 
1856 he left Jamaica, and was employed by a 
Boston, Mass., business-house until 1862, in 
tlie meantime traveling a }-ear in Europe for 
the house; was in business on his own ac- 
count in Boston until 1873. Later, business 
called him to Cuba for a time. In 1876 he 
came to McKeesport, and accepted the posi- 
tion of chief clerk of the National Tube- 
works company, and steadily and satisfac- 
torily discharged the duties of that responsible 
situation until 1887, when he was appointed 
auditor of the company, which position he 
still liolds. Mr. lies has manifested much 
interest in McKeesport Free Library, of which 
he is president, and to him raucli of the credit 
is due for making it and the reading-room 
what they are. He is much interested iu 
church-work, and is senior warden of St. 
Stephen's Episcopal Church of the city. 

S.^MUEi, McElroy, druggist, Wiikinsburg, 
was born in Pittsburgh. Pa., September 2.5, 
1834. His parents, Samuel and Anna(Beara- 
ish) McElroy, natives of the North of Ireland, 
were married and lived afterward in that city. 
Tlie father, who was a nailer by trade, and 
started t he first nail-macliine in Western Penn- 
sylvania, at Shoenberger's mill, died in 1876, 
aged eighty-tliree years; his wife died in 1878, 
aged eighty-two years. The subject of this 
memoir attended the public schools of the 
city till sixteen years of age, and then com- 
menced the machinist's trade. During the 
civil war he was night foreman of Mcintosh 
& Hemphill's mills, engaged in casting can- 
non. For eight years he dealt in sand (for 
building purposes) which was found on his 
propL'rty. He made a study of pharmacy, 
and in 1878 bought his present drugstore in 
Wiikinsburg. and iu March, 1880, he received 
a diploma frcnu tlie Pittsburgh College of 
Pharmacy. He is a Freemason and member 
of K. of P. While iu Pittshurgli he was twice 
elected by his fellow-republicans to represent 
them in the state legislature, and has been six 
years school director of Wiikinsburg. Mr. 
McElroy has been twice married, first'in 1861, 
to Martha A., daughter of James and Mary 



(Allen) Kerr, and second, in 1867, to Maggie 
G., daughter of David Duff, of Penn town- 
ship, all being of Irish descent. The first 
wife died in 1865, leaving three children, 
of whom Samuel, the second born, died soon 
after his mother; the others are Anna Mary 
and Martha Ann, at home. Three children 
were born to Mr. McElroy 's second marriage: 
Elizabeth Hastings.DavidD. and Oliver Duff. 
The family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

James L. De Long, real-estate dealer, and 
vice-president of the Board of Underwriters, 
McKeesport, was born at Macksburg, Wash- 
ington count)'. Ohio, January 10,1845. He 
worked at home with his father, Isaac H. De 
Long, who was afarmer and tanner, until the 
age of eighteen years, when he enlisted in 
Company B. Seventy-seventh Ohio Veteran 
Volunteer Infantry, and served his country for 
two years, until the close of the war, when, 
returning home, he found his father and 
mother both dead and the farm gone. At 
Lowell, Ohio, he worked in a flourmill, .and 
October 4, 1866, was married to Miss Mary E. 
Hendricks. In 1868 he went into merchan- 
dising with Henry Wolf. In 1871 they closed 
out the store, and Mr. Wolf having bought 
an interest in a flourmill and farm near Win 
Chester, Va., Mr. De Long migrated with him 
to that place, and managed the mill for one 
year, when on account of ill health he was 
compelled to abandon the business. The mill 
was sold, and the two friends removed to Bal- 
timore, where they enga.ged in the mercantile 
Inisiness on Pennsylvania avenue. In 1873. 
at the su.ggestion of J. G. Leezer, Mr. Wolf 
came to McKeesport, and, as before. Mr. De 
Long came with him. They bought the stock 
of goods of John McConuell, and opened their 
store in the Hartnian block, corner of Fifth 
and Walnut streets. Thej' continued in bus 
iness under the firm name of Wolf & De Long 
until October 2, 1877. at which time they were 
burnt out; and they again began business iu 
the "Red Front," ou Market street. In 1878 
they moved to their own building on Fifth 
avenue, where they continued in business 
until September 15, 1884, when they sold out. 
In November of the same year Mr. De Long 
opened a real-estate and insurance office in 
the People's Bank building, and there, up to 
the present time, has conducted a very suc- 
cessful business. He has served a three'-3'ears 
term as school director; has been notary pub- 
lic since 1877; is a director of the People's 
bank; is an Odd-Fellow, and politicallj- a 
democrat. 

Hdgh Kennedy, superintendent Isabella 
Furnace company, Sharpsburg. was born in 
Ohio in 18.58. He is a grandson of Joseph 
and .Jane (Reed) Kennedy, wlio were among 
the earh"" pioneers of Mahoning county, Ohio. 
Among their ten children was T. W. Ken- 
nedy, born in Ohio, who married Margaret 
Trusdale, who bore him eight children. He 
was a practical iron-man. being a designer 
and builder of furnaces. Hugh, histhirdson, 
in 188! entered upon the duties of his present 



322 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



position as supcrintciulcut of tbc Isabella 
Furnace compan}^ He manied, in 1879, 
Lizzie, ilaughter of Gcori^e Sinith, of Ohio, 
and Ihey have five childieii: Koy C4., .Julia 
T., Georse W., Margaret ami Paul K. Jlr. 
and Jlrs. Kennedy are members of the United 
Presbyteriari Church; politically he is are- 
publican. 

James Evans, attorney and real-estate 
dealer, McKeesport, was born iu that city 
November 24, ls-40, a son of Oliver and Mary 
A. (Sampson) Evans. He was reared in Mc- 
Keesport, and educated in .Jefferson College, 
Caniionsburg, Pa., from which he graduated 
in 1801. He began the study of law in 1803, 
with .James I. Jiuhn, of Pittsburgh; was ad- 
mitted to tlie bar in 180.5. and has since had 
an office in McKeesport. In 1887 he was in- 
strumental in starting the Bank of McKees- 
port, of which he is president, since when he 
has given his attention to his banking and 
real-estate interests, and is not now actively 
engaged in the practice of law. In 1886, with 
other parlies, he purchased the McKeesport 
Gristmills, formed the McKeesport Milling 
compau}'. and made extensive improvements 
in the property by enlarging it and fitting 
the same with all modern improvements in 
machinery, etc., and increasing its capacity 
from fifty to two hundred barrels per daj'. 
The mills were successfully conducted by this 
company until December 9, 1887, when they 
were completely destroyed by fire. Mr. 
Evans has always taken an active interest in 
the improvement of McKeesport real estate, 
and, in connection with the many improve- 
ments he has made, has recently laid out a 
tract of fifty-six acres iu lots in the Third 
ward, known as East Park, which lots are 
now on the market, being considered as be- 
ing among the most valuable allotments in 
the city. He married, in .January. 1874, Re- 
becca E., daughter of David and Eleanor 
(Mellon) Stotler, of Penn township, this 
county, and has five children; Thomas M., 
.John K., Alan S., .James and Eleanor, Mr. 
Evans is a member of the First Presbyterian 
Church; in politics, a republican. 

.John Dick JIcCune, real-estate agent, 
Wilkinsburg, was born near Glenarm, in 
County Antrim, Ireland, October 11, 1838, a 
son of James and Agnes (Peters) McCune, 
former of whom died in February, 1854, 
aged fifty-sis years. In the fall of 1854 the 
widow set out for America with her eight 
children, and she now resides in Hampton 
township, this county. John was early put 
to work on the canal, and attended school in 
Indiana county for a few months during 
winter. Resolved to secure an education, he 
applied to the Iron City Commercial College 
in 1859, and having but ten dollars in 
money, the treasurer accepted his note for 
the remainder (twenty-five dollars) to com- 
plete the tuition fee. He graduated in 1860, 
and paid the note out of his earnings as 
salesman with A. Lyons & Co. For nearly 
twenty years he was employed as book 
keeper by James Marshall & Co., and in 1883 



he established a real-estate business in com- 
pany with A. C. Coulter, in Pittsburgh. Mr. 
McCune built a fine brick residence, corner 
of Ross and West streets, in 1H87, and now 
occupies it. lie is a member of the Reformed 
Presbyterian Church; in politics, a repub- 
lican. His wife, who was .Miss Elizal)eth, 
daughter of John and Margaret Lindsay, was 
born in Allegheny City. The family "are of 
Scotch descent. She was we<lded to Mr. Mc- 
Cune February 2. 1871, and is the mother of 
four children: James, Margaret Smith and 
Samuel R. W., living, and Sarah Agnes, 
who died when eight months old. 

George L. Good, of the firm of Good & 
Edie, druggists, McKeesport. was born in 
Pittsburgh. Pa.. June 28, 1847, son of Louis 
N. and Kate (Kircher) Good, natives of 
Strasbourg, France, who came to Amrrica 
about 1830, and settled in Allegheny City, 
where the father (who was a stonecutter) 
lived until 1840. when he removed to Pitts- 
burgh, and there resided until his death. 
Louis N. Good had ten children: Louis. An- 
drew, John, Mary (Jlrs. John Snyder). Pldlo- 
mena (Mrs. Charles Engle), Joseph. George 
L., Albert, Barbara (Mrs. Louis Irdler) and 
Albert R. Of these George L. was reared 
and educated in Pittsburgh, and learned his 
trade, that of a heater, in Line & .Slioup's 
iron-works; served an apprenticeship of two 
years, and has worked as a journej'man since. 
He came to McKeesport in 1876, and for five 
years was in the employ of W. D. Wood & 
Co.; since 1881 he has been in the employ 
of the N. T. W. Co. He is the senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Good & Edie, druggists, 
which house was established in 1880. Mr. 
Good married, in 1871, Alice A., daughter of 
Michael and Betty (O'Neil) Ward, of Pitts- 
burgh, and has five children living: Jlichael 
W., Nellie, Mercedes, George and Bessie. 
Mr. Good has erected several dwellings in 
McKeesport, as well as the business block 
now occupied bj' Good & Edie. He is a mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church; in politics, a 
democrat. 

W. C. Meter, of Sharpsburg, was bora 
March 28, 1844, on Chestnut street, Allegheny 
City, where his father lived. His father, 
William Meyer, emigrated from Germany to 
Allegheny, where our subject lived lintil 
1851, when his parents moved to McCaudless 
township, near Pine Creek. There his father 
died in 1850. The family then moved back 
to Allegheny, and W. C. went to work in the 
Banner Cotton-factory; from there to the 
old Hope and Penn Cotton-mills; from there 
to McCully's glasshouse, corner of Sixteenth 
and Liberty streets, Pittsburgh; from there 
to McClintock's keg-factory, on Sixteenth 
street, and from there to Hide's cotton-fac- 
tory, in the lower part of Allegheny. In the 
latter part of the year 1858 our subject went 
to Knapp & Wood's nut- and bolt-factory, ou 
the south side of Pittsburgh, and worked 
there until 1800 under Robert Lewis, after- 
ward firm of Lewis, Oliver & Phillips. Then 
went to learn the carpenter's trade with Jlr. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



328 



Happy, of Lawreuceville, and was working 
at the corner of Thirty-eigbtb street and 
Penn avenue, on the round-corner building, 
laying floor, wbeu the arsenal exploded. Mr. 
Meyer witnessed the last two explosions. 
From there he went to McKinnej^'s sash 
and door-factory, remaiuing from 1863 to 
1864; then did carpenter jobwork until the 
day of Lincoln's assassination. During this 
entire time be lived in Allegheny, and was a 
member of the old Columbia Hose company, 
then located on River avenue. From there 
he went to learn the dry-goods business with 
his brother H. H., at 164 East Ohio street, 
Allegheny. Mr. Meyer was married June 6, 
1867, and in December following moved to 
Sharpsburg, where he started a dry-goods 
store in the building on corner of Main and 
Eighth streets; moved from there in 1872 to 
the house across the street, owned by P. 
Prager. In the same year he organized the 
Sharpsburg Hook and Ladder company. In 
1877 he built the storehouse corner of South 
Main and Fifth streets. In 1881 purchased 
the plot of ground opposite his store, and 
built a large dwelling. In 1878 Mr. Meyer 
was elected to council and school board, and 
in 1879 was elected burgess; in 1886 he was 
elected chief of the Sharpsburg volunteer 
fire-department, and became a member of 
the National Association of Fire Engineers 
of the United States. 

Zachariah Wiceham Cabmack, steam- 
boat agent, Wilkinsburg, was born in St. 
Clair, Bedford county, Pa., September 22, 
1823, and is a son of Abraham and Susan- 
nah (Wickham) Carmack, of Maryland. His 
grandfather, Peter Carmack, was a native of 
Frederick county, Md., of Scotch and Irish 
ancestry. Abraham Carmack, who came to 
Bedford county early in this century, was a 
blacksmith, and later followed bricklaying. 
Zachariah W. passed his early j-ears there, 
and attended the common school. Foreleven 
j'cars he was associated with his father and 
brother in a foundry at Monongahela City, 
under firm name A. Carmack & Sons. In 
1856 he went to Brownsville, where he en- 
gaged in the tobacco trade, and in 1859 he 
entered the employ of the Brownsville Packet 
company as chief clerk on the steamer Tele- 
graph. He afterward became captain, and 
in 1877 was appointed agent of the company 
at Pittsburgh. In 1884 he opened a feed- 
store in the city. In 1885 he took up his res- 
idence at AVilkinsburg. and next year built 
his home on Rebecca street. In June, 1851, 
Mr. Carmack was married to Mary Wall, of 
Elizabeth township, this county, daughter of 
Garrett and Mary (Watson) Wall, early resi- 
dents of Elizabeth, and of English and Irish 
extraction. Mr. Wall was justice of the 
peace for fortj' years. Anneti, the first-born 
of Mr. and Mrs. Carmack, died at the age of 
seventeen; the others are Ida May aud Nora, 
at home; Frank Sidney, a bookkeeper in 
Nashville, Tenn.; Harry Edgar, employed 
in the Interior department, Washington, D. 
C. Mr. Carmack attends the Presbyterian 



Church, of which his wife and daughters are 
members. Politically he is a democrat, and 
at one time his father's family included seven 
democratic voters. 

Rev. George Rogers, rector of St. 
Thomas' Episcopal Church. Verona, was 
born in 1851, in Loudou, England, eldest son 
of George aud Phyllis (Shakespeare) Rogers. 
His father was born on the familj' estate, in 
Western England, and in early life was taken 
to London, where he now resides. His 
mother, now deceased, was the daughter of 
Joseph Shakespeare, a prominent Loudon de- 
signer of artistic iron- and woodwork. Ac- 
cording to the custom, Mr. Rogers was 
taken from school at the age of foiirteen, and 
began his legal education. For several years 
he applied himself closelj' to the study of 
law. and for the greater part of his time was 
in the lawoffice of the well-known firm of 
Skilbeck & Griffith. In 1872, having a desire 
for a change and rest, he came to America. 
He traveled in the United States until 1878, 
when he decided to study for the ministry, 
and entered the theological seminary at 
Gambler, Ohio. In June, 1879, he was or- 
dained a deacon in the Episcopal Church. 
Leaving the seminar}' in March, 1880, he 
went into the diocese of Kentucky, and in 
May following was ordained a presbyter in 
Grace Church, Louisville. Ky. He labored 
two years in missionar}' work, and in 1882 
was called to the rectorship of Grace Church 
at Paducah, Ky., where he labored very 
hard for three years. Owing to the climate 
his health failed, and, being desirous of 
rest, he took a small charge in Mercer, 
Pa., from May, 1885, to April, 1886. He 
was then called to St. John's Episcopal 
Church, Pittsburgh. In May, 1887, he was 
called to St. Thomas' Church at Verona, 
taking charge May 22d. June 21, 1887, he 
was united in marriage with Capitola Edua 
Wilson, a lady of culture and refinement, 
educated in Pittsburgh Central high-school. 
She is a daughter of the late James P. Wil- 
son, a native of Pittsburgh, who was a car- 
riage-manufacturer there in early days. He 
retired from business iu 1867, and died No- 
vember 11,1886. Mrs. Rogers' mother is a 
descendant of Gen. Gates, and her great- 
grandfather was associated with the first 
glasshouse of Pittsburgh. 

Capt. William C. Gray, retired, Sewick- 
ley, was born October 4, 1829. in Belmont 
count}', Ohio, son of Francis and Anna (Car- 
roll) Gray, who were both Pennsylvanians 
and farmers. Francis Gray was born near 
Carlisle, Pa., and came to Allegheny county 
when a boy, eventually becoming a stone- 
contractor, and helped to build the old pen- 
itentiary; he died in 1847, aged forty-seven 
years. The paternal grandparents of Capt. 
W. C. Gray, Samuel and Elizabeth Gray, were 
natives of Ireland and Scotland, respectively. 
Mrs. Anna (Carroll) Gray was a granddaugh- 
ter of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, of En- 
glish descent, and one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence; his son William 



324 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



(Mrs. Gra3''s fatlier) took part in the revolu- 
tionary war, and her brother John was in 
the war of 1813. Capt. William C. Gray, the 
subject of this memoir, was reared on the 
farm; at the age of sixteen he learned blaeU- 
smithing. In l^'4i) he went on the river.aiul ran 
on theUpper Mississippi as engineer ten years. 
Subsequenll}- he supcriiilemled the l)uild- 
ingof a number of towboals, (he Iron Mount- 
ain, Ironside and Hover. Subsequently he 
ran on the Lower Mississippi and Ohio rivers. 
Since 1884 lie has been living a retired life. 
Capt. Gray was married to Miss Rosalie M. . 
ISrownc, a sister of Col. .Joseph IJmwne. The 
captain is identified with the lepublicuu party; 
he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., 'S2d 
degree. 

.ToHN Sheldon Stevenson, merchant, 
Wilkinsburg.wasborn in Worthingtnn, Arm- 
strong county, Pa., Sc|>ic-niluT if). is;^l. His 
parents, William and Mary (Sheldon) Steven- 
son, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch 
and German descent, located on a farm near 
Tarentum in 1837. John S. passed his early 
years on the farm there, and when thirty- 
eight years old took employment at the 
Duquesne Coal-works, where he was su- 
perintendent for over a year. In 1861 
he enlisted, serving three months in 
the " Scotch Legion." He then joined Com- 
pany B, Si.xty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer 
Infantry, and was discharged at the end 
of three years' service as first lieutenant. He 
served with the Army of the Potomac in the 
battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, the sev- 
en days' fight, Antietam, Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Spottsylvauia, 
Cold Harbor and around Petersburg. After 
leaving the army he returned to the coal- 
mines, and in 1867 began his present busi- 
ness. He afterward bought the store he oc- 
cupies, and does the largest retail business in 
the borough. Mr. Stevenson is now serving 
his thirteenth year as school director. Polit- 
ically he is a republican. He is a Thirty-sec- 
ond degree Freemason, and a member of the 
I. O. d. F., A. O. U. W. and R. A. With his 
family he is associated with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. In 1867 Mr. Stevenson 
married Miss Zelous Fogle, sister of Mrs. S. 
Creelman. Their living children are Mary 
Lottie. Harry Sheldon and John Wilbur. Will- 
iam Walter died when six years old and 
Charles HoUister when four. 

Joseph Douglas, retired, McKeesport, 
was born in Ohio township, October 29, 
1811, a son of AVilliam and Martha (Craf- 
ford) Douglas. His parents, natives of Ire- 
land, settled in Pittsburgh in 1806; soon 
after removed to Ohio township, and thence 
to Franklin township, where they resided 
until their deaths. Their children were Mary 
A., Joseph, William and John. Joseph was 
reared in Ohio township; at sixteen years of 
age was apprenticed at the blacksmith's 
trade, and for several years worked as a 
journeyman in Pittsburgh and Allegheny. In 
183.3 he started a shop of his own In Franklin 
township, and in 183.5 located in Baldwin, 



where he conducted a shop for nine years. 
In 1846 he located in MifHin township, re- 
maining there until 1867, when he removed 
to McKeesport, went into the livery l)usines» 
with W. W. Hunter, and remained three 
years. He married, in 1833. Eliza, daughter 
of John and Sarah Miller, of Baldwin, Alle- 
gheny county, and to them were born twelve 
children, of whom six grew to mulurity: 
William, John (killed at the battle of Look- 
out Mountain in the civil war), Joseph C, 
Samuel, Mary A. and Sarah J. (Mrs. W. W. 
Hunter, now deceased). Mr. Douglas is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, in poli- 
tics a repid)lican. 

Roheut p. Nevin, writer, Sewickley, be- 
longs to a family whose ancestors were 
Scotch. Grandfather Daniel Nevin was born 
August 28. 1744, in Cumberland county. Pa. 
In 1770 he married Margaret Williamson, a 
sister of John Williamson, LL. D., of Penn- 
S3-lvania, a prominent member of the consti- 
tutional (federal) convention, and, with other 
works, a\ithor of the well-known history of 
South Carolina. The parents of our sub- 
ject were John and Martha Nevin, by occu- 
pation farmers, but the father had a classical 
education, and the mother was talented, and 
assisted in the education of her children. 
Robert P. was educated in Chillicothe, 
Ohio, Sewickley Academy, and Jefferson 
College, where he graduated in the class of 
1843. He then came to Pittsburgh, Pa., 
where he, in partnership with his brother, 
Theodore H., conducted a drag business till 
1870, when he sold his interest to his brother. 
In the meantime, having a taste for literary 
pursuits, he wrote for his personal friend, 
Robert M. Riddle, editor of the Pitt.sburgb 
Coniiiiercial Joiinid!, and others. Also wrote 
for the Knickerbocker, Atliintic and Lippin- 
cott magazines. He bought the t^iinrhti/ 
Leader, and established in connection with 
it the Evening Leader (dailj-), which has 
been a very successful paper. In 1880 he 
started the "Pittsburgh Times, which he sold 
out after conducting it successfully for four 
years. While traveling in Europe he wrote 
for his paper ■' Tracks of a Traveler," a 
series of letters which were read and copied 
far and wide. In 1873 his "Black-Robes" 
appeared, and pronounced a success. In 
February, 1888, his " Les Trois Rois " ap- 
peared, creating surprise and pleasure in the 
literary world. Mr. Nevin is a slow but 
painstaking writer, and every page of his 
manuscript gives the reader a glimpse of the 
author's unselfish soul. 

Alexander Christy Duncan was born 
in Pittsburgh. Pa., April 19, 1845. His 
grandfather. Johu Duncan, was an Irishman 
of Scotch descent, who narrowly escaped be- 
ing beheaded during the Irish rebellion. 
Thomas John, son of the latter, enlisted as a 
private in the British army, in which he 
served eighteen years, the greater part of the 
time in the East Indies, rising to the rank of 
captain of the Royal Scots. His adventures 
were mauj' and interesting. A sword which 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



325 



is still preserved iu the familj- was presented 
to him by Douna Isabella, queen of Spain. 
On his I'eturu from the Indies, at the age of 
ihirty-tive, his company was quartered in the 
barracks at Edinburgh Castle. There he met 
the youngest daughter of Col. Alex. C. Ding- 
wall, who had been major of the Scots Greys 
at the battle of Waterloo, aud was at that 
time keeper of the crown of Scotland. Capt. 
John Duncan aud Clarinda Dingwall were 
married, and after years of travel they came 
to America iu 1833. Capt. Duncan was for 
years a well-known merchant of Pittsburgh, 
where he died in 1882, aged eighty years. 
His widow died at the home of her son Alex- 
ander, in Wilkinsburg, in July, 1888, aged 
seventy-three. They left five sous and one 
daughter. Alexander C. Duncan was reared 
and educated in the citj'; served eight years 
as a law clerk for the well known attorneys, 
Kennedy & Dot}'; established the Merchants' 
Law and Collection Bureau in 187."), after- 
ward known as Duncan Bros. , and in 1887 sold 
an interest to Henry King, the firm being now 
Duncan & King. The Merchants' Law and 
Collection Bureau is now a well-known 
institution of Pittsburgh, and has a world- 
wide reputation for its efflciencj'. In 1887 
Mr. Duncan bought a residence in Wilkins- 
burg. The family is identified with the Epis- 
copal Church, and Mr. Duncan is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity. In May, 1866, he 
married Miss Hattie V. Kennedy, of Alle- 
gheny, a daughter of Samuel Kennedy, a 
Baltimorean, and Elenore Kennedy, of Irish 
birth. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are parents of 
four children: Alexander C, Nellie B., Don- 
ald Dingwall and Hattie V. Mr. Duncan 
was a member of the One Hundred and 
Thirty-sixth regiment during its nine months' 
service under Col. Thomas Bayne, and took 
part in the battles of Fredericksburg and 
Chancellorsville. 

Samuel Fields, justice of the peace, 
McKeesport, was born in Cambria county. 
Pa., May 1.5. 1832, a son of Felix and Sarah 
(McBride) Fields. Felix was a native of 
Ireland, a blacksmith by trade, and settled in 
Pittsburgh in 1824, where he worked at' his 
trade as .a journeyman in the first glass- 
house erected in Birmingham, and resided 
there until his death. He had ten children: 
Margaret, Hannah, MarJ^ Robert, John, 
George, George (second), William, Samuel 
and Ellen. Our subject was reared in Pitts- 
burgh from two years of age; is a carpenter 
by trade, and for a number of years was a 
member of the carpenter firm of McKee & 
Fields, and had a shop on Diamond street, 
near the old courthouse. He came to 
McKeesport in 1852. where he carried on a 
shop until the breaking out of the war of the 
rebellion. In 1861 he enlisted in Company 
I, Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer In- 
fantry, participated in several engagements, 
and was honorably discharged on account of 
disability after two years' service. After 
his return home he resumed business, in 
which he was engaged until 1881, when he 



was elected justice of the peace, and is now 
serving his second term. He was married, in 
1849, to Ann M., daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth (Muse) Harrison, of McKeesport. and 
has seven children living; William. Harry. 
Sarah E., Martha, Anna Bell. Ettie and 
Sterling. Mr. Fields has served as justice of 
the peace of McKeesport, and one term as 
burgess. He is a member of Samuel Black 
Post, No. 59, 6. A. R., and the I. O. O. F.; iu 
politics he is a reoublican. 

James O'Neil, retired, McKeesport. was 
born in Mifflin township, this county, Sep- 
tember 15, 1815, a son of John and Sarah 
(Robinson) O'Neil. His paternal grand- 
father, Charles O'Neil. a native of Ireland, 
a pioneer of Carlisle, Pa., was a farmer, and 
settled in Miffliu township, Allegheny county, 
prior to the Revolution. His maternal 
grandfather was Samuel Roliinsou. also a 
native of Ireland, and pioneer of Mifflin town- 
ship, who paid for three farms iu that town- 
ship by packing iron on horses over the 
mountains to Pittsburgh. He had three 
daughters, and at his death left each of them 
a farm. John O'Neil, a farmer, fatherofthe 
subject of this sketch, and a native of Car- 
lisle, Pa , was drafted from this county, in 
the Revolution, and while on his way to join 
the Federal forces was dismissed, as the war 
had closed. He reared a family of six chil- 
dren: Denny, Elizabeth (Mrs. William Rapp), 
Polly (Mrs. Samuel Hamilton), Samuel. 
James and John. Of these James was 
reared in Mifflin township, and began work 
in the coal-mines when twelve 3'ears of age. 
Soon after attaining his majority he man- 
aged mines for Robert McLure. In 1847 
he embarked in business for himself at Fort 
Perry, later at Dravosburg. and located in 
McKeesport in 1850. where he was activel}' 
engaged in the coal business until 1888, when 
he retired. He married, in 1849, Eliza J., 
daughter of Daniel Berry, of Mifflin town- 
ship, this county, and had seven children: 
Melissa J. (Mrs. Marcks Murphey, deceased), 
Harvey, John. Ella (Mrs. J. S. Eiuhu), Anna, 
Caroline and James. Mr. O'Neil is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 
politics he is a republican. 

J. Renwick Smith, Sewickley. was born in 
the city of Allegheny, Pa., son of Thomas 
Smith, a native of Ireland, who came to 
America at the age of nineteen years. In 
Allegheny he engaged in the coal busine.ss 
with different partners, having previously 
worked at his trade. He was director of the 
National Bank of Pittsburgh, also director of 
several insurance companies, and was es- 
teemed and valued as a keen and enterpris- 
ing business-man. Politically he was identi- 
fied with the republican part}'; was a mem- 
ber of the common and select councils and 
school boards, serving six years in each, and 
was an active member of the Reformed 
Presbyterian Church. 

Daniel Carhart, teacher, Wilkinsburg, 
was born in Clinton. Hunterdon county, N. J., 
January 28, 1839. His earliest known ancestor 



326 



HISTOIty or \LLEGHENY COUNTY. 



WHS Thomas Carhurta, mentioned in records 
of 1-120 as of Saxon origin, and residing in 
Cornwall. The earliesl of the family in 
Aniirica was Thomas Carhart, who came in 
His:( lis secretary to Col. Thomas Dongan, an 
English colonial governor. This Thomas was 
a son of Anthony Carhart, a Cornwall genlle- 
man, who used a crest and coat of arms. A 
pedigree of the family from 1550 is said to be 
in possession of a Cornwall clergyman. In 
1691 Thomas Carhart married Mary Lord. 
Their son Robert had a son Cornelius who 
was a major in the revolutionary war, and a 
son of the latter, born in New .Jersey, and 
bearing the same name, was the grandfather 
of the suliject of this sketch. His wife was 
Sarah Dunham. His son Charles, born in 
Clinton, married Christiana (/<ef Bird), widow 
of his brother Daniel, and settled on a farm 
of 345 acres opposite his father's homestead, 
which he brought to a high state of cultiva- 
tion. He was active in the Presbj-terian 
Church, and died in 1863, in his seventy- 
-seventh year; his widow survived until 1881, 
dying in her eighty-fourth j'ear. They had 
seven children, of whom Daniel is theyoling- 
est. Another son, Samuel, commanded a com- 
pany in a New Jersey regiment during the 
civil war. Prof. Carhart was reared ou a 
farm, and graduated from the Philadelphia 
Polytechnic College in 1859. For some years 
he was employed in civil engineering, part of 
his labors being in the construction of the 
Union Pacific railroad. In 1868 he took a 
position as teacher of civil engineering in the 
college from which he graduated, and re- 
mained there nine years. In 1882 he took the 
same professorship in the Western Univer- 
sity, where he has since remained, his home 
being in W^ilkinsburg, where he built a hand- 
some residence in 1888. 

Prof. Carhart supports republican princi- 
ples; in religion he is a Presbyterian; he is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1867 
he married Josephine Stoy, a native of New 
Jersey, daughter of Charles and Eleanor 
(Reeves) Stoy, of Welsh and French extrac- 
tion, respectively. By this marriage there 
were five children, of whom the third. Helen 
Josephine, died when five years old. The 
others are Charles Forest, Elnore Christine, 
Anna Florence and Thomas Chase. In 1888 
a college text-book on plane surveying from 
the pen of Prof. Carhart was published, and 
is now used in the Western University, and 
is highly recommended by prominent educa- 
tional institutions. 

John B. Edib, druggist, McKeesport, is 
a native of Warren county. 111., and a son of 
Rev. Joseph A. and Sarah A. (hodgens) Edie, 
former of whom was a native of Allegheny 
county, and a son of Guyan Edie. a pioneer 
of Pittsburgh. John B. was reared and edu- 
cated in Monmouth and Quincy, 111., and 
studied his profession at Hot Springs, Ark., 
and Allegheny, Pa. In 1883 he embarked in 
the drug business in Allegheny Cit3', which 
he continued for three years. In April, 1886, 
became to McKeesport, managed the market- 



house drugstore one year, and in April, 1887, 
embarked in businessou South Walnut street, 
which has filled a want occasioned by the 
rapid growtli of that section of the city. Mr. 
Edie is among the prominent young business- 
men of the city, and this business venture has 
been a success from the start, the trade con- 
stantly increasing. January 1, 1889, a branch 
store was started at Christy Park, one of Mc- 
Keesport's lovely sulmrbs, and Mr. Edie re- 
ceived the apjiointment of postmaster. The 
office was estalilished December 21. 1888. 

WiLt.tAM Anderson, editor, Wilkinsburg, 
was born in Moon township, March 6. 1828. 
His ancestors removed about A. D. 1700 from 
Scotland to County Down, Ireland, where his 
great-grandfather, William, was born in 
1722. William's son, Andrew, was a manu- 
facturer of and dealer in linen cloth, and 
owned a small farm, whereon he lived, and 
died in 1831. He married Elizabeth Glass, 
and became the father of eleven children. 
The sixth of these, William, born in 1784, 
married Margaret Iladden, who bore him two 
children, and died of consumption, the ' 
younger child soon following. The other, 
Mary Ann (Cornelius), came with her father 
from Ballykelly to America in 1816. They 
were three weeks traveling from Baltimore 
to Pittsburgh b3- wagon. William Anderson 
settled on a farm in Moon township, and 
married Nancy Arnold, a native of the same 
locality as himself. Thej-had eight children, 
of whom William Anderson, our subject, is 
the fourth and only son. In 1839 the family 
moved to Allegheny Citj', where the father 
died in 1858. He was a democrat, and an act- 
ive worker in the Washingtonian temperance 
movement, also in the Associate Reformed 
(now the United Presbj-terian) Church. Nan- 
cy Anderson died in 1843, aged forty-nine 
years. 

When twelve years old the subject of this 
sketch was emploj-ed as roller-boy in the office 
of the Confireni'e Journal, and two j'ears 
later went into the Gazette office, where he 
remained seven years. He was employed as 
compositor ou the Christian AiJmcate and 
other papers, and again on the Gazette. After 
twelve years at the case he began reporting 
on the Gazette. He was on the writing staff 
of the Daily Union and True Press, and re- 
turned to the Gazette as reporter, and then be- 
came city editor. After reporting a year for 
the Dispatch he took the position of city 
editor on the Cmnniereinl in 1867. and so con- 
tinued until its consolidation with the Gazette 
in 1877. After doing special work for a year 
he was employed as editor-in-chief, which 
position he now holds. For several years he 
was part owner of the GazcMe job-office. He 
built a residence in 1866 at Edgewood, and in 
1883 erected his present residence in Wilkins- 
burg. The family is identified with the 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Anderson has been 
twice married, the first time in 18.")0. the bride 
being Malazena, daughter of Robert Wallace, 
Esq., of Lawrenceville. where she was born. 
She died in 1877, aged forty-three years, the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



327 



mother of eight children, all of whom reside 
within a mile of the parental home. Their 
names are William Wallace, Ada (Mrs. R. W. 
Haven), James B., Edwin C, Anna Cora 
(wife of B. F. Haven), Joseph Kerr, Jennie 
Glass and Grace Woods. The last two and 
Edwin are at home. Mr. Anderson's second 
wife is Caroline A., daughter of John Nimon, 
deceased. 

Jambs B. Andehson, plumber, Wilkins- 
burg, sou of William Anderson (whose sketch 
appears above), was born in Allegheny City 
November 2. 1856. He attended the city 
schools until fifteen years of age, and then 
began carpenter-work. At the end of two 
years he abandoned this trade, and engaged 
in the stud}- of civil engineering for three 
years. He then went on the Pennsylvania 
xailroad as fireman, and after four years' 
service was given a locomotive, which he ran 
for three years. At one time, while running 
through "" Packsaddle Hollow," his loco- 
motive struck a rock that had fallen on the 
track, and, "jumping," miraculously alighted 
on the rails, thus escaping a fall of one hun- 
dred feet into the river below. In 1884 Mr. 
Anderson came to Wilkinsburg and engaged 
in the hardware trade with a brother; they 
have since turned their attention to plumb- 
ing, and are doing a successful business. Mr, 
Anderson attends the service of the Presby- 
terian Church; in politics he is a republican, 
and he is a member of the I. O. O. P. In 
January, 1880, he married Miss M. J. McKel- 
vey, a native of Allegheny City, and daugh- 
ter of Ephraim Wallace and Eliza (Anderson) 
McKelvey, both of Irish descent. Mr. and 
Mrs. Anderson have the following-named 
children: Florence Martha, Lou McKelvej' 
and Mary Semple. 

Robert Wakdrop, manufacttirer, Pitts- 
burgh, is a sou of James Wardrop, who was 
born June It, 1811, in Ayrshire, Scotland, 
near Louden Castle, son of William and Mary 
Wardrop. James Wardrop was educated in 
his native home, and there learned horti- 
culture. He came to America in 1833, and 
spent one year with his brother, Capt. War- 
drop, on a vessel. He came to Pittsburgh, 
Pa., the following year, and here followed 
his vocation. He had the first greenhouse at 
Manchester (now Allegheny), in partnership 
with Ben. Bakewell, of glasshouse fame. In 
18.59 Mr. Wardrop came to Sewickley, subse- 
quently took a trip to Europe, where he had 
procured a stock for a new and large nursery 
to be conducted in company with Thomas L, 
Shields. Mr. Wardrop retired from business 
in 1885. Robert Wardrop was born and edu- 
-cated in this county. He was initiated into 
his father's business, but did not pursue it 
long. At the age of nineteen he engaged in 
the banking business with the firm of Ira 
B. McVay & Co. : remained with them four 
years, and five years with the Tradesmen's 
National bank as paying-teller. During the 
last eleven years has been treasurer of the 
Pennsylvania Lead company, of Pittsburgh, 
Pa. Has also been connected with the Char- 



tiers Block Coal company, Pittsburgh, Char- 
tiers & Youghiogheny railroad and the Miller 
Forge compan3^ of Pittsburgh. He has been 
a resident of Sewickley for thirty years. 

J. Sharp McDonald, oil and gas producer, 
Sewicklc}'. Rev. McDonald, grandfather of 
J. S. McDonald, was one of the pioneers at 
Logstown, Pa. A century ago he preached 
as a local Presbyterian minister near Sewick- 
ley valley and at Logstown, whisky and 
corn chiefly constituting his salary. His son, 
Capt. John McDonald, was a native of Hope- 
well township, Beaver county. Pa., and was 
one of the early keelboatmen who took boats 
from New Orleans to Pittsburgh; afterward 
he was a pilot, and captain of several boats. 
He also built and owned the Pickaway, Sligo 
and Palo Alto, passenger packets, later the 
Youghiogheny, doing a large towing business 
from tlie Beaver canal to Pittsburgh, where 
he later engaged in the coal business. His 
wife, nee Rachel Oliver, was the mother of 
the following-named children: Capt. John V., 
Josh, David A., Marshall. W^illiam, Joseph, 
J. Sharp, Elizabeth, Phcebe, Anna and Mat- 
tie. At the age of seventeen years he en- 
gaged in the coal business, and during the 
war furnished coal to the government at 
New Orleans, Vicksburg and other points. 
He also was one of the contractors who fur- 
nished the stones for the jetties. He was 
formerly interested in the railroad business, 
but is now engaged in the production of 
natural gas. His wife, a daughter of Will- 
iam Colville, an ex-soldier, is one of the 
most noted singers in the state, her style of 
music being oratorical and dramatic. She 
has been identified with everj' good cause in 
Pittsburgh and vicinity, and has aided by the 
music of her voice and talent many churches, 
the poor and many benevolent societies, be- 
ing a great favorite with the G. A. R. all 
over the country, the G. A. R. Post No. 3. of 
Pittsburgh, in recognition of her many kind 
acts, having elected her unanimously, and 
made her by a special act of the commander 
a member of the post, August 29, 1881, and 
presented her with a gold badge, being the 
only one in existence in the United States. 

Samuel Hays Thompson, assistant train- 
master, Wilkinsburg, was born in North 
Huntingdon (now Penn) township, West- 
moreland county. Pa., June 28, 1844. His 
father, John Thompson, left his native 
county, Armagh, Ireland, in 1811, and re- 
mained for some years in Lancaster county, 
Pa., where he married Lucinda Hays. He 
settled on a farm in Westmoreland county, 
on which he was instantly killed in 18.57, in 
his sixty-fifth year, by liis clothing catching 
on the tumbling-shaft of a thrashing-machine; 
his widow died ten years later, at the same 
age. They had six sons and three daughters, 
of whom Samuel is the youngest. John 
Thompson was a prominent democrat, and 
attended the United Presbyterian Church, of 
which his wife was a consistent member. 
Samuel H. Thompson was reared on a farm 
and attended the common schools. When 



328 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



nineteen years old he became a freight brake- 
man on tiie Pittsburgh division of the Penn- 
sylvania niilroad. and continued fourteen 
months, leaving the road to take a course in 
Iron City Commercial College of Pittsburgh, 
from which he graduated. In lbO.5 he re- 
turned to his former position, and vras soon 
given charge of a train. On the 1st of May, 
1874. he became train-dispatcher, and May 
16, 1885, was appointed assistant trainmaster 
in charge of the passenger-train service of 
the Pittsburgh division, licad(|uarters at 
Union station, Pittsburgh. lie took \ip his 
residence in Wilkinsburg in June. 1874, and 
ten years after built his present residence, cor- 
ner of Hay and Rebecca streets. He is a 
member of the Presbylerian Church, the I. 
O. O. F., K. A., A, O. U. W. and Sovereigns 
of Industry; politically he is a democrat. 
November 16. 1869. Mr. Thompson married 
Anna M. Hebrank, who was born in Adams- 
burg, Westmoreland county. Pa., April 6, 
1847, daughter of Benjamin E. Hebrank. a 
native of Hesse Cassel. Germany. Mrs. 
Thompson died April 11, 1878, leaving three 
children: Mildred M., Morris L. and Benja- 
min E. Mr. Thompson married for his 
second wife. June 5, 1883, Julia E. Hebrank, 
half-sister of his first wife, and who died in 
her twenty-seventh year. 

Wilson McLean," lumber-dealer, Wilkins- 
burg, was born in Peters township, Washing- 
ton county, Pa., in 1843. son of William John 
and Margaret Jane (McWhinney) McLean, 
who were natives of the Counties Donegal and 
Derry, Ireland, respectively. They married 
in 1842, and at once set sail for America. 
The father, who was a carpenter, worked for 
a few days after his arrival in Pittsburgh, but 
finally settled permanently on his land iu 
Peters township in 184.5. He died in 1886, at 
the age of sixt} -six, and at the time was owner 
of two farms. He was identified with the 
United Presbyterian Church; in politics he 
was a democrat; his widow resides on the old 
homestead. They had three sons and five 
daughters; Wilson, Eliza Jane, Sarah Martha 
Bryan (now deceased), James Herron, Sam- 
uel Neil, Henrietta (Williams), Mary Euphe- 
mia and Zilla May Balfe. The last two died 
when about twenty years old. Wilson Mc- 
Lean spent his early life on the farm, attend- 
ing the common school, and when fourteen 
years old liegan work with his father, thus 
acquiring his trade. He went to Pittsburgh 
in 1867, and worked as journeyman till the 
end of 1871, when he came to Wilkinsburg 
and established himself as contractor. In 
1886 he bought out a lumber-yard on Penn 
avenue, and has since confined himself ex- 
clusively to the sale of lumber. lie is a mem- 
ber of the United Presbyterian Church in 
Wilkinsburg, of the R.. A., and in politics is 
independent. In 1863 Mr. McLean married 
Annie McNary. wIjo was born on the same 
farm where her father, who now resides in 
Nottingham township, adjoining Peters, was 
born. Her grandfather, James McNary, came 
from Ireland, and was an early settler there. 



Her parents, James and Belle McNan', were- 
born in that township an(i West Virginia, 
respectivelv. Mr. and Mrs. McLean's eldest 
child. Faniiy Belle, is the wife of Dr. J. R. 
Vincent, residing in Wilkinsburg; William 
Wilson, the third, died when three years old; 
the others, Ida Jane, Minnie May, Frank 
Wilson, Samuel Oliver, Sadie Burchfield and 
James Clyde, are at home. 

BEN.JAMIN E. Pritchakd, druggist, Mc- 
Keesport, was born in Pittsburgh, November 
30, 1848, a son ot Arthur and Ann (Pickett) 
Pritchard, natives respectively of George- 
town, D. C, and Meadville, Pa. Arthur 
Pritchard was reared in his native city, and 
was a carpenter and pattern-maker b}' trade. 
In early life he located in Warren. Ohio, 
where he married and worked at his trade 
for several j'ears. In 1845 he removed to 
Pittsburgh, and for a number of years was in 
the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
company. He was a prominent Slason, and 
for fifteen years was the etlicient officer of the 
masonic building at Pittsburgh. He died in 
1866, at the age of sixt_y-four years. Benja- 
min E. was reared in bis native cit}', and edu- 
cated in the old Third Ward public school. In 
1861 he became an olfice-boy in the employ of 
J\idge J. M. Kirkpatrick, and in October, 
1863, was apprenticed to the drug business, 
every department of which he thoroughly 
learned. For eight years of his early life he 
spent a part of each day as a newsboy. In 1867 
he came toMcKecsport, and was clerk iu the 
drugstores of that city until April 1, 18S0, 
when he embarked in business for himself, 
which he has since successfully continued. 
June 13, 1879, be married Malinda, daughter 
of Charles and AbigaiK Good) Rice, of Green- 
ville, Pa. Mr. Pritchard is one of the live 
and enterprising young business-men of !JIc- 
Keesport; is an active member of the First 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is 
secretary. He is a prominent Royal Arca- 
num man; politically a republican. 

William Stanton, retired, Sewicklej', 
was born iu Salem, Ohio. His father. Dr. 
Benjamin Stanton, was one of the pioneers 
and a prominent citizen of that place, and 
was uncle to Hon. Edwin M. Stanton. Mr. 
Stanton practiced law in Cincinnati for six- 
teen years, and was one of the representa- 
tives from that citv in the Ohio legislature 
from 1862 to 18(iS. " Hp retired from the prac- 
tice of law in 1875, and removed to the vicin- 
ity ot Pittsburgh. Mrs. Stanton's grand- 
father was Capt Nathaniel Irish, who was 
well known in the early days of Pittsburgh. 
He was a son of Nathaniel Irish, Sr., a native 
of the Island of Montserrat,West Indies, who 
died in 1748 at Union Furnace. Hunterdon 
county, N. J. Capt. Irish was born May 8, 
1737, in Saucou, Bucks county. Pa., and 
served in the revolutionary war as quarter- 
master, with rank of captain, rendering val- 
uable service, in recognition of which he 
received a land-grant of five hundred acres 
near New Castle, Pa: He bought property 
in Pittsburgh of the Penn heirs in 1786, which. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



329 



is still in the possession of his descendants. 
He was one of the first councilmeu of the 
borough of Pittsburgh, in 1792; he died there 
September 11. 1816. His son, William B., 
was born August 33, 1773, in Philadelphia. 
He came to Pittsburgh with his father. He 
was deputy marshal of the United States 
during the administration of President Mon- 
roe, and as such was often emploj'cd in car- 
rying specie across the mountains. He was 
a fearless oflicer, ever ready to do his duty. 
He finally moved to Ohio, where he died 
March 33, 18.50. 

WiLLtAM Lloyd Standish, manufacturer, 
Pittsburgh. Miles Standish, the grandfather 
of William Lloyd, whose name heads this 
sketch, was one of the pioneers of the South 
Side, in Beaver count3',not far from Frankfort 
Springs. Pa. He was a direct descendant of 
Capt. Miles Standish, captain of ihe colon}' 
of Plymouth, and the hero of the " Court- 
ship of Miles Standish," immortalized by 
Longfellow. His son, William Lloyd Stand- 
ish, Sr.. was a native of Beaver county. Pa., 
and a millwright by occupation. William 
Lloyd Standish, .Jr., learned his father's oc- 
cupation, and followed it about seven years, 
traveling over a greater portion of the west- 
ern and southern states. When he relin- 
quished his trade he became interested in the 
firm of Armstrong, Brother & Co., Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., of which he is a member; they 
manufacture machine cut corks and com- 
pressed poplar bungs, and do a large busi- 
ness, employing over seven hundred hands, 
having agencies in Spain and Portugal, where 
the raw material is prepared. Mr. Standish 
is also interested in other large enterprises. 

William Richards Stephens, physician, 
Wilkinsburg, was born in Armstrong county. 
Pa., December 17, 1858. His grandfather, 
Paul Stephens, came from England to this 
state about 1840, and at once contracted to 
construct the Spruce creek and other tunnels 
on the Pennsylvania railroad. He com- 
manded a Pennsylvania regiment during the 
civil war, as did also his stepson, L. R. 
Davis, and died in 1879, aged eighty-six 
years. His son. William Paul Stephens, born 
in Cornwall, England, married Sarah A. 
Williams, of Swansea, Wales. He was iden- 
tified with the Brady's Bend Iron-works, in 
which he lost his capital, and is now en- 
gaged in iron and steel manufacturing at Bell- 
aire, Ohio. When eight years old our sub- 
ject went with his parents to Alliance, Ohio, 
where he attended the public schools, and 
also took a course at the Irou City Commer- 
cial College. When eighteen he entered a 
drugstore, where he remained eleven years, 
and read medicine under the allopathic 
school. In 1886 he graduated from the 
Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, and 
at once began the practice of homeopathic 
medicine in Wilkinsburg, where he has been 
successful. In 1887 he built his present resi- 
dence and office on Wood street. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and of 
the Mystic Chain and I. O. H. ; politically he 



is a republican. September 29, 1881, he 
married Angle, daughter of Cyrus Riley, of 
Johnstown. Mrs. Stephens was of German 
descent, and died in September, 1883, leaving 
two children, Ida Angle and Claude. The 
latter died eight months after his mother, 
that period representing his age. The doc- 
tor was again married, August 38. 1888, to 
i Laura G. O'Rourke, a lady of Irish German 
parentage, and born in Columbiana couutv, 
Ohio, in 1861. 

Noble Gerwin Miller, clergyman, post- 
office Wilkinsburg, a son of Martin L and 
Hannah Miller, of Western Pennsylvania, 
was born in Blairsville, Indiana count_v, in 
April, 1837. His grandfather, Samuel G. 
Miller, came from County Antrim, Ireland, 
with his wife and two children, to Western 
Pennsylvania in 1798. He was a farmer, and 
resided most of the time in Indiana county. 
He had eight sons and five daughters, and 
died about 1860, aged eighty years. Andrew 
Simpson, maternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was another early settler of Indiana 
county, and was of Irish descent. He was 
many years engaged in freighting by wagon to 
Baltimore and Cumberland, and then retired 
to a farm, dying at the age of seventy-eight, 
irartin L. Miller learned the weaver's trade, 
then taught school in Blairsville. opened a 
general store there, and later went into the 
drug business, which led him to study med- 
icine. He graduated from Franklin Medical 
College, and began practice at Blairsville, 
where he still remains. He has two sons; 
the eldest, James Simpson, is now practicing 
medicine at Derry. 

Rev. N. G. Miller was reared in Blairsville, 
attended Elder's Ridge Academy, and later a 
similar institution at home, which was estab- 
lished largely through the influence of his 
father. He entered the sophomore class at 
Allegheny College, Meadville, and graduated 
in 1861. He began preaching in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church as supply on the 
Mechanicsburg circuit, within fourteen miles 
from home. He was admitted to conference 
on trial in 1863, and next year was located at 
Marchand. He has since preached at Red- 
stone, Irwin, Kittanning, Mansfield, Sharps- 
burg, again at Irwin, Oakland and Wilkins- 
burg. For the last four years he has been 
presiding elder of McKeesport district, con- 
tinuing his residence here. He was a mem- 
ber of the general conference of 1888, one of 
the most noteworthy in the history of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Miller is 
a straight republican in politics. In 1864 he 
married Sarah Jane, daughter of Robert and 
Maria (Rahm) Johnston, of Pittsburgh, of 
Scotch-Irish and German descent. Three 
children bless the home of Mr. Miller: Maria 
Louise, James Francis and Robert Johnston. 
William Galbraith Stewart, attorney, 
Wilkinsburg, was born in West Middletown, 
Washington county. Pa., January ."5. 18.56. 
His grandfather. Galbraith Stewart, of Scotch 
aucestrj', came from Carlisle to West Middle- 
town over a hundred years ago. His son, 



330 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



bearing tho same name, married Plioebe Mc- 
Keever. and engaged in farming in early life. 
Afterward he dealt in wool, and did a private 
banking business at West Middletown. He 
moved in June, 1874, to Washington, Pa., 
where he resided at the time of his death; he 
died September 13. 1877, aged sixty-four 
years; his widow now resides in Washington. 
Four of their children grew up and one died 
in infancy. The eldest, .Tannic (Ache-son), 
resides inWashington, Pa.; W. G. is the sec- 
ond; Kli/.abeth Scott is unmarried, and re- 
sides in Washington, and Thomas A. Is un- 
married, and resides in Toronto. Ohio. Will- 
lam G. Stewart was educated at Washington 
and Jefferson College, and admitted to the 
bar of Washington county in September, IS80. 
He soon came to Pittsburgh, and was admit- 
ted to the Allegheny county bar in January, 
1881. With >[r. T." S. Brown he formed the 
firm of Brown & Stewart. He is an adherent 
of the republican party, and a member of the 
Presbyterian Church in Wilkinsburg, where 
he has dwelt for the past four years. 

Martin Horn, furniture-dealer and un- 
dertaker, McKeesport, was born in Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany, June 10, 183.5, a son of 
Michael and Laura (Wolf) Horn. He was 
reared and educated in his native place, where 
he served an apprenticeship of three years at 
the cabinet-maker's trade. In 18.53 he came to 
America, and located at Baltimore, Md., 
where he worked at his trade as a journey- 
man until 1859. He then came to McKees- 
port, and in 1860 embarked in business at 
Dravosburg, Allegheny count}', where he re- 
mained two 3'ears. In 1802 he purchased the 
site in McKeesport where he is now located, 
and where he has been in active business 
since. September 2, 1863, he married Louisa, 
daughter of William and Catherine (Shaler) 
Nicholas, natives of Germany, who settled in 
McKeesport in 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Horn are 
members of the German Lutheran Church. 
He was one of the active promoters in building 
the McKeesport street railway, and is one of 
its directors and charter members. He is an 
F. and A. M.; in politics a republican. 

William W. Huktek, funeral director 
and liveryman, McKeesport, was born in this 
county December 12. 1836, a son of James 
and .iane (Wilson) Hunter. His paternal 
grandfather, James Hunter, a native of Ire- 
land, was a pioneer farmer near Library, 
Allegheny county, but in later life removed 
to Ohio, and died there. He had ten children : 
Thomas, James, John, William, George, 
Sally, Mary, Nancy, Jane and Kliza. Of 
these James, a native of this county, and a 
blacksmith by trade, died in 1837. Of his 
four children two survive; Ann (Mrs. George 
Phillips) and William W. William and Sarah 
(f^arr) Wilson, the maternal grandparents of 
William W.. were pioneers of Snowden 
township, this county. The subject of this 
sketch was reared and educated in Snowden 
township, and at the age of seventeen years 
went to Library, where he served an appren- 
ticeship of three years at the cabinet-maker's 



trade, after which he worked as a journey- 
man one year. He then embarked in busi- 
ness in Ijibrary, but after five years removed 
to Mitllin lownsliip, where, for a period, he 
carried on farming and undertaking. In 1866 
he came to McKeesport, and embarked in his 
present business, in which he has since suc- 
cessfullj' continued. His only son, O. M. 
Hunter, was admitted as a partner in 188.5. 
Mr. Hunter has been three times married; 
his first wife, Sarah A., daughter of Thomas 
and Jane (Woods) Kiddoo, of Snowden 
township, bore him two children — Orlanda 
M. and Sarah A. (died in infancy); his sec- 
ond wife was Sarah J. Douglass, and his 
present wife Susan N. Findley. Mr. Hunter 
is one of the leading and ])rominent citizens 
of McKeesport; is a director and stockholder 
of the People's bank, and a member of the 
McKeesport Building & Loan association. 
He has served as burgess of McKeesport one 
term; is a member of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church; in politics a republican. 

J. F. J. Allison, broker, Sewickley post- 
oftice, was born in Beaver county. Pa., and 
was educated in Beaver. He came to Pitts- 
burgh in 1850. and clerked a few years with 
the firm of George P. Smith & Co., later 
with Wilson, McElroy & Co. In 1857 he left 
the city; returning in 1860, engaged with 
Shacklett, McLain «.t Co. .wholesale dry-goods 
merchants. In 1868 the firm was changed 
to McLain, Andiiy & Allison; later it was 
again changed to "Anday, Myler & Allison, 
and eventual!}' the firm became Anday & 
Allison. In 1875 the firm retired from busi- 
ness, and Mr. Allison was employed as gen- 
eral bookkeeper in the People's National 
Bank of Pittsburgh, till November, 1887, 
when he resigned; since then has been a 
broker. His paternal grandfather, James 
Allison, was an eminent lawyer, and one of 
the organizers of the Beavercounty bar, of 
which he was an honored member for fifty 
ye.ars, at the end of which time he retired 
from the practice of his profession. 

Henry M. Lono, broker, Pittsburgh, is a 
native of that city, born in 1836. His pater- 
nal grandfather was a native of Chambers- 
burg, Pa., of Scotch-Irish descent, and in 1742 
he located near Cannonsburg, Washington 
county. Pa. From that date until about A. 
D. 1800 he farmed the "Long farm," now 
known as a part of the Morganza farm. His 
son Joseph, father of Henry M., was born in 
1790, and was the youngest of thirteen chil- 
dren. He had only six months' schooling, 
and worked on the farm until sixteen years 
of age; then was apprenticed to a country 
smith till twenty-one years of age, when he 
entered the United States army in the war 
of 1812, serving in the Pittsburgh Blues, 
Second company, Capt. Cooper; after the 
war he became a machinist, and carried on a 
large establishment in Pittsburgh, fitting out 
ships and steamboats, and supplying heavy 
iron-work for the Sault Ste. JIarie canal, 
connecting Lake Superior and Lake ilichi- 
gan. and other public improvements. He 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGLAPHV. 



331 



did the largest business iu the wi-stein part 
of the state ia his line, and from 1830 to 1850 
lie was an extensive steamboat owner. He 
died from injuries sustained by a fall January 
17, 1863. He was a whig, abolitionist, repub- 
licau and a Presbyterian. He was married in 
181.5 to Sarah, daughter of Keulien Jliller. an 
old pioneer, a native of Philadelphia. Pa., 
descended from a family of English Quakers, 
who came to America in 1712 and settled in 
New Garden township, Chester county. Pa. 

Henry M. Long, who is one of nine chil-, 
dren, was educated iu Chester count}'. Pa., ■ 
and Morgantown, W. Va. In 185(). at the 
age of twenty years, he went west, steam- 
boated on the western rivers till 1861, when 
he returned to Pittsburgh, Pa., where. he en- 
gaged principally in the oil business, pro- 
ducing and manufacturing. Eventually he 
became one of the editors and proprietors of 
the Pittsburgh Gazette, continuing from 1870, 
to 1876, and has been doing more or less 
newspaper- work up to the present time. 
Politically he is a republican. In 1874 and 
1880 he was elected to the legislature, serv- 
ing as speaker of the house for two years'. 
Mr. Long is at present a broker in stocks', 
and contributes to the home papers and New 
York periodicals. 

John Edwin Rigg, physician, Wilkins- 
burg, was born in Washington county. Pa., 
October 13, 18.55. His father, Newton Rigg, 
was born and reared in Washington county, 
where he engaged in farming, and died in 
1879, aged sixty-eight years. He was a very 
active supporter o1' the government during 
the civil war. He was twice married, and 
had three children by his first wife. His 
second wife, mother of Dr. Rigg, was Mar- 
garet Jennings, nee Winnett, and also had 
three children by her first husband. She 
now resides in Washington county. They 
had two sons and two daughters: Ella, John 
E., Laura and Jlark Allison. The last named 
is a Methodist Episcopal clergyman, now in 
Jamestown. N. Y. Mrs. Rigg is a grand- 
daughter of William Wallace, who deserted 
the British army to join the American, and 
distinguished himself iu the latter seryice. 
Gens. Lew and W. H. Wallace, who were 
prominent figures in the war of the rebellion, 
were his grandsons. When thirteen years 
old John E. Rigg went witli his father to 
Illinois; after spending nearly a year there, 
entered a store at New Salem, Fayette count}'. 
Pa. In 1874 he secured a small interest in a 
drugstore at Belle Vernon, which he managed, 
and became interested in the study of medi- 
cine. After pursuing a course at Long Island 
Medical College and at the College of Phy- 
sicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, he began 
practice in 1879 at Stoneville. Westmoreland 
county. He located in Wilkinsburg in 
October. 1886, immediately after taking a 
post-graduate course under the Polyclinic 
College in the Philadelphia hospitals. In 
1888 he built the haudsome residence and 
office on Wood street which he occupies. 
He is a member of the county, state and 



American Medical associations, of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, I. O. O. F., R. A. 
and O. C. F., and is a thorough republican. 
In 1878 he married Ida Belle, daughter of 
John and Eliza Weaver, and has three chil- 
dren: Lida Carrie, Carl Hazlett and Laura 
Belle. 

James Alexander Wilson, builder, Wil- 
kinsburg, was born at Glade Mills, Butler 
county. Pa., January 25, 1852. His grand- 
father, John Wilson, of County Donegal, 
Ireland, visited America when a young man, 
returned home, married Rose Gibson, and 
remained there until all his children, one 
daughter and six sons, were born. In 1833 
he settled on a farm within a mile of 
Centreville. Butler county, where he died 
at the age of seventy-five. His children 
were Bethia (who died unmarried), Charles, 
Ezekiel, Samuel, William, Joseph and John. 
Joseph, who was born in 1814, kept a 
store at Glade Mills, and bought a farm 
near there, which he cultivated several 
years. When a young man he worked ten 
years on the canal, and was four years em- 
ployed as driver and clerk by a Pittsburgh 
merchant. Since 1886 he has dwelt in Wil- 
kinsburg. He has always been in religion 
a Jlelhodist, and in politics a democrat. In 
1849 he married Sarah Umstead, who was 
born near Harrisburg, of Dutch descent. She 
died in November. 1884, aged fifty-two years. 
Alfred, the eldest child, resides iu Butler, 
and the others, J. A., Margaret (Mrs. James 
Wike), Maria, Joseph and Samuel D., in 
Wilkinsburg. 

James A. Wilson was reared on a farm, 
and received a common-school education. 
When seventeen years old he began work as 
a carpenter, and in 1876 began contracting 
at Butler. Three years later he came to 
Wilkinsburg, and in 1885 opened a lumber- 
yard, and deals in all kinds of carpenter's 
supplies. He is now a member of the bor- 
ough council. He is a republican, a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Decem- 
ber 30, 1873, he married vSamantha Ada, 
daughter of Malcomb Graham, of Scotch 
descent. Mrs. Wilson died in December, 
1887, at the age of thirty-two, leaving a 
daughter, Luella May, born May 9, 1876. In 
1889. Mr. Wilson married Miss Margaret J., 
daughter of John Hamnett. Jr., a prominent 
leather-dealer of Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Capt. D. S. H.Gilmork. Among the early 
pioneers leaving their homes in Massachu- 
setts to settle on the frontier, as Ohio was 
then considered, was the father of D. S. H. 
(lilmore. In making his selection of a home, 
his choice rested on a portion of Meigs coun- 
ty, near the village of Pomeroy. Here he 
located, and the subject of our sketch was 
born August 18, 1818. Capt. Gilmore was 
educated in Marietta. Ohio. When quite a 
young man he concluded to commence busi- 
ness on the river, as he was not very robust, 
thinking that life out of doors would be 
most conducive to his health. Coming to 
Pittsburgh, he was introduced to the firm 



332 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



of Scaifl, Atkinson & Oakley, by his friend 
J. B. Ilorlon, Esq., one of the most promi- 
nent business-men of Meigs county. One of 
the lumts owned Ijy tliis firm was commanded 
by C'ajit. Charles Frisbee, with whom Capt. 
Gilmore took charge of the offlce. In a few 
years, by his sterling qualities, fine business 
eapaoity, undaunted courage and unquestion- 
able integrity', he made for himself a name 
and place in the great work of transportation. 
He built a number of boats, amongthem two 
Kew Yorks, Salem, Rochester, Hudson, Ar- 
kansas, J. R. Gilmore and several others. 
Later lie was largely interested in the Mis- 
souri Transportation company, and was a 
membiM- of Uie firm of Evans, Dallas & Gil- 
more, of Pittsburgh. 

In 1873 Capt. Gilmore moved from Alle- 
gheny lo the beautiful suburb of Sewickley, 
situated about twelve miles below the city 
on the Ohio river, having retired from active 
business some twenty-five years previously. 
He enjoyed his home life, had the sincere 
respect of the community, and passed (|uietly 
away on December 38, l887, deeply lamented 
by all who knew him. 

R. T. Carotiiers, proprietor of the Na- 
tional House, McKeesport, is a native of 
Sewickley township, Westmoreland county. 
Pa., and was born and reared on a farm. He 
followed agricultural pursuits until 1883, 
when lie embarked in the livery business in 
McKeesport. In Maj-, 1883, he purchased 
the leading livery establishment in the bor- 
ough, and has since done a large and success- 
ful business in tliatline. In February, 1884, 
he lea.scd the National House, the principal 
hotel in the city, which lie has since success- 
fully conducted, and which he has made the 
most popular hostelry in McKeesport. The 
uniform courtesy with which Mr. Carothers 
entertains his guests has placed him in high 
esteem with the traveling public, and the 
hearty welcome the weary traveler always 
receives at the National makes him at once 
feel at home. Mr. Carothers is an active, 
public-spirited and enterprising citizen, and 
is identified with various other business in- 
terests besides the above mentioned. Polit- 
ical!}' he is a stanch republican. 

James Gardiner Coffin (deceased) was 
born February 16, 1816, in New Lisbon, Ohio, 
son of Nathan Emery and Eunice (Coffin) Cof- 
fin, natives of Nantucket, R. I., and descend- 
ants of Tristam Coffin, one of the oldest 
families in New England. The Coffin fam- 
ily is one of the ancient aristocratic families 
of England. Mr. CoHin came to Pittsburgh 
when a j'oung man, and tilled the position 
of bookkepper for McVay & Co. for a num- 
ber of years. After that he accepted the 
agency of the Franklin Fire Insurance 
company, of Philadelphia, which he retained 
until his death. He was appointed general 
agent of the same company in Philadelphia 
for several years following the Chicago fire; 
during that time he temporarily resided in 
Philadelphia. In 1853 he built a beautiful 
home on Bid well street, Allegheny City, now 



occupied by Joseph Home, Esq., where he 
lived with his family until 1870. In that year 
he built the homestead at Leetsdale, "film- 
ridge," where he lived until his death, which 
occurred January 0, 1887. He was a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and was a 
man of sound judgment and strict integrity 
of character. Mr. Coffin was married to Isa- 
bella C. Anderson, of Somerset, Pa., by whom 
he had si.x children. 

Rev. Samuel Henderson Mooke. Wil- 
kinsburg, son of John C. and .Vbii/ail .Moore, 
was born near Butler, Octiibi I- ,■>. ls,")."i. His 
mother was born in the same hnusi- as liim- 
self. and his father near by. .Samuel N. 
Moore, grandfather of Samuel H., was a 
schoolteacher, and came from Westmore- 
land county to Butler county in 1833; he was 
an abolitionist, and did all in his power to 
aid fleeing slaves, as did his son. The 
United Presbyterian Church represents their 
religious associations. Mrs. Abigail Moore 
was a daughter of Col. William IMcJunkiu, 
and died in 1860 at the age of twenty- four 
years, Samuel H. being her only child. John 
C. has since married, and has four daughters 
and a son by his second wife. He taught 
twenty-four terms in one schoolhouse, and 
has always lived on the same farm. Samuel 
H. Moore attended the public schools and 
spent three years under the tutelage of Prof. 
AV. I. Brugh and Rev. J. W Hamilton, at 
Witherspoon Institute in Butler. He entered 
the sophomore class of Westminster Col- 
lege at New Wilmington in 1873, and gradu- 
ated three j'ears later. He then took a 
three years' course at Alleglieny United 
Presbyterian Theological Seminary, gradu- 
' ating in 1878, and during the second j'ear 
1 taught the Greenville High-school, keeping 
I up with his class. 

I He was licensed by the U. P Presby- 
I tery to preach, but preferring the ordinances 
of the Presbyterian Church, he wasordained 
in 1879 by the Mahoning presbytery of that 
church, and took charge of a church at 
Poland, Ohio, October 1, 1879. He went 
from there to Imperial, and from that church 
came to Wilkiusburg, February 1. 188.5. 
During one j'ear of his labor at Poland he 
received over ninety members, and since 
coming to this place the church has grown 
from 188 to 430 communicants. This is part- 
ly owing to the rapid growth of the borough, 
and to the strength and labors of the pastor. 
He is a ^yorker for prohibition, but still 
gives his political allegiance to the repub- 
lican party. May 17, 1877, he wedded Carrie 
S., daughter of D. F. and Zenesta McCready. 
of New Wilmington, and they have three 
daughters; Abigail and Zenesta, born Jlav 
37. 1878, and Mary, born January 31. 1886. 
All the people mentioned in this sketch are 
of Scotch-Irish descent. 

Robert M. Cotle, cashier of the Farm- 
ers' tt Mechanics' Bank, Sharpsburg, was 
born in that town. August 1, 1839. His 
father, Samuel Coyle. a native of Logan's 
Ferry, of Irish extraction, was a tanner by 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



333 



trade, and as early as 1833 came to Sharpsburg. 
Here he built a small place on North Canal 
and Fifteenth streets and carried on business 
for many years. He married Nancy McEl- 
heny, a native of Allegheny county, who 
bore him two children, Robert being "the eld- 
er. He received his education at the first 
public school of Sharpsburg, and at an early 
age learned the trade of tanner and currier. 
This he followed until 1857, when he was 
employed as clerk by Lewis, Dalzell & Co., 
and in 1867 he was appointed manager of the 
company's store until 1878. when he resigned 
to accept his present position. Mr. Coyle is 
a republican; was burgess of the town in 
1882. and has held other positions of trust. 
He married, in 1863, Sarah McMasters, who 
died in 1873, the mother of four children, 
three of whom are living: Mary, Sarah and 
Robert, Jr. Mr. Coyle's second wife is Annie, 
daughter of Eph. Love, an earl}' settler in this 
community. Mr. and Mrs. Coyle have one 
child, George. They are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

A. B. Starr, superintendent Pittsburgh, 
Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad, Sewickley, 
is a native of New York city, where his 
father, Henry B. Starr, was a pi-ominent 
merchant. Mr. Starr was educated in the 
New Haven schools till his seventeenth 
year, when he entered the Polytechnic Insti- 
tute at Troy, and here graduated at the age 
of twenty-one, in the class of 1869. For a 
.short time he was employed on the New 
York city survey. In February, 1870, he 
went to Erie, where he was assistant engin- 
eer of the Philadelphia and Erie division of 
the Pennsylvania railroad. He was soon 
promoted to the position of engineer, and 
finally to superintendent of the Sunbury 
division. December 1, 1881, he was ap- 
pointed superintendent of the Eastern divis- 
ion of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chi- 
cago railroad, which position he now occu- 
pies with ability. 

Frank Semple, private secretary, Sewick- 
ley. William Semple, grandfather of our 
subject, was born in 1771, near Dublin, Ire- 
land, came to America in 1795, and at Tren- 
ton, N. J., learned architecture. He came to 
Pittsburgh about the year 1800, and worked 
on the old courthouse on the Diamond. He 
followed his trade till the latter pan of his 
life, when he kept a hardware store. He died 
in 1829. He married Anna, daughter of 
Charles Bonner, who fought iu all the prin- 
cipal battles of the Revolution, and they had 
nine children: Nancy, Alexander B., William 
M., Samuel W., Mary C, Charles, Ellen, 
John B. and Frank. Of these, Samuel W. 
was a retail dry-goods merchant in Louisville, 
and later was in the iron business in the 
Pennsylvania mountains. Another son, John 
B. Semple, the father of Prank, was born in 
Pittsburgh, where he was in the wholesale 
dry goods business, and afterward, and at the 
time of his death, a member of the firm of 
Semple & Jones, bankers. He married Mary 
J. Blair, of Washington, Pa., and they became 



the parents of three children: Mrs. Louisa 
Clarke, Frank and Mrs. Mary Sharpe. At his 
death, in 1873, his son Frank continued the 
banking business, and in 1881 his partner, 
John B. Jones, sold his interest, the firm then 
being known as Semple & Thompson, who 
conducted the business till 1888, when our 
subject sold his interest to Mr. Thompson, 
and has since then been engaged in the rail- 
road and coal business. He was educated in 
Pittsburgh, clerked in a dry-goods store, and 
later in a bank, after which lie entered Yale 
College. Later he accompanied Prof. Benj. 
Silliman, of Yale College, as private secre- 
tary, inspecting the mines of California. At 
present he is attending to the private business 
of William Thaw. 

Frank S. Pershing, physician, Wilkius- 
burg, was born in Wheatfield township, In- 
diana county. Pa,, July 30, 1854. His pater- 
nal greatgrandfather came from Alsace, 
Germany, iu 1745. His grandfather Frederice 
settled in Indiana county about 1775. He 
died in 1832. Daniel, his oldest souTnow in 
his~eighty^fourth year, has always lived on 
the farm where his father settled. In 1835 
he married Eliza Hice, who became the 
mother of ten children; she died in 1848. 
In 1850 he married Martha Fisher, and she 
was the mother of three sons. The eldest is 
a Methodist Episcopal clergyman, now lo- 
cated in Mount Pleasant, Pa., and Daniel, 
the youngest, is a prosperous merchant at 
New Florence, Pa. Two sons of the first 
family, Joseph N. and H. H., are Methodist 
ministers. Dr. Pershing was reared on the 
farm, and attended Mount Union College, 
Ohio. He graduated from Jefferson Medical 
College, Philadelphia, in the class of 1878-79, 
and at once began to practice at Wilkinsburg. 
He came here without means, and by his 
skill and energy has achieved uncommon 
success. He is now building a fine brick 
residence on Penn avenue, and owns other 
property in the borough. He is chairman of 
Barnes Brothers Laundry company, limited, 
which employs over a hundred people in 
Pittsburgh. He is a republican in politics 
and a Methodist in churchmanship. Septem- 
ber 3, 1885, he wedded Kate Lillian, daughter 
of Adam Endly. of Mansfield, Ohio. 

Rev. Jesse Franklin Core, pastor of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Wilkins- 
burg, was born at Scenery Hill, Washington 
county. Pa., September 15, 1846. His grand- 
father, .John Christian Core, was a native of 
Maryland, and a pioneer of Monongalia 
county, that state. His father, Christian, 
was of German descent, and lived in the old 
red hotel on the National pike, just outside 
Hagerstown. He hauled in the liberty-pole 
that was set up in Hagerstown at the out- 
break of the Revolution, and served as a 
soldier in that struggle. Jesse, son of J. C. 
Core, was born in Virginia, and married Mary 
Michael, of the same state. David, father of 
Mary Michael, was a soldier in the war of 
1813, as was also David, son of J. G. Core. 
Jesse F. Core settled in Washington county. 



334 



HISTOltV 01' ALLEGHEXY CUL'XTY. 



where his son, Rev. Jesse F., wiis born. In 
eai'lj' life the latter worked on a farm and 
attended the common schools. In 1863 he 
ran away and tried to join the Ringgold cav- 
alry, but was rejected on acconnl of his 
youth. Subsequently his father gave consent 
to his enlistment, and he joined Companj' F, 
Fourteenth P. C. This was a jiarl of Sheri- 
dan s force, and young Core shared in all its 
dangers and hardships. During one of its 
raids he was wounded in the face at Block 
Gap. aud at the battle of Winchester received 
an injury in the right foot which laid him 
up in the hospital at York, Pa., for two 
months. After recovering he returned to 
and remained with the regiment until it was 
mustered out at Braddock, September o. iSOo. 
At the time of his discharge he was ([uarter- 
mastersergeaut. After leaving the army he 
finished his education at the Methodist col- 
lege of Miller.sburg. Ky., and was licensed to 
preach by the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
South, shortly after returning to Pennsyl- 
vania. After spending a year as supply on 
the Cambria mission, he joined the Pitts- 
burgh conference in 1868, and was stationed 
on the Elderton circuit. He subsequently 
preached at Leechburg, Butler, Dayton, 
Greeusburg, Blairsville, .Smithfield Street 
(Pittsburgh), First Church (Johnstown), and 
was appointed to Wilkinsburgiu 1887, having 
just previously served fouryears as presiding 
elder of Blairsville district; was a member of 
the general conference that met in New York 
in May, 1888. Politically Mr. Core acts with 
the republican party; is a member of the I. 
O.O. F., G. A. R. and Masonic fraternity. He 
is a Union League temperance worker, and 
has nearly always been connected with some 
order devoted to temperance, such as K. of 
H., etc. March 8, 1871, Mr. Core married 
Sarah Kathrine, daughter of Daniel B. 
Heiner, Esq., and Mary (Graham) Heiner, of 
Kittanning. Of the children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Core six are living, viz.: Loreua G., 
Paul A. A., Karl L. W., Daniel H. St. Cyr, 
Birdie F. and Sarah K. N. Mary A. L. is 
deceased. Mr. Core had in his possession 
many testimonials from distinguished gen- 
erals of the army, attesting his gallantry as a 
soldier and the esteem and confidence in 
which he was held by those under whom he 
served. He comes of a family of soldiers, 
and is justly proud of their military record. 
Elisha p. Douglass, attorney at law, 
McKeesport, was born in Elizabeth town- 
ship, this county. February 33, 1849, a son of 
Thomas and Lydia C. (Peairs) Douglass. His 
paternal grandfather, James Douglass, was 
a native of this county, and his parents were 
among the pioneers of Elizabeth township. 
He had five brothers: Thomas, Samuel, 
Andrew. John and William. His wife was 
Mary E. Drenen. by whom he had seven 
children: Robert. John. Thomas, Mary E. 
(Mrs. William Caldwell). David. William and 
James. He was a carpenter, and Thomas, 
his third son, Ijy occupation a farmer, is now 
a resident of Elizabeth township. He 



(Thomas) married Lydia C. daughter of 
Elisha and Sarah (Wycoff) Peairs. early set- 
tlers of Elizabeth township, aud bj' her had 
five children: Elisha P.. Mary E., Sarah J. 
(Mrs. J. B. Billick), James D. (deceased) 
and David P. 

Elisha P. Douglass was reared in Eliza- 
beth township, and educated at the Univer- 
sity of Wooster, Ohio. He began the study 
of law in November. 1878, with Maj. R. E. 
Stewart, of Pittsburgh: was admitted to the 
Allegheny county bar February 30, 1880, and 
in November of the same year located in 
McKeesport. where he has since resided, with 
offices both in tbat liorough and Pittsburgh. 
Mr. Douglass married. August 24. 1880. 
Elvira P.. daughter of Peter and Elizabeth 
(McClellan) Weddell. of Elizabeth township, 
and has two sons, Howard Weddell and 
Earle Le Roy. Mr. Douglass is a member of 
the United Presbyterian Church; has just 
served a term as councilman of his ward in 
McKeesport, of which body he was elected 
chairman in 1888. He is a" member of the 
board of directors of the People's bank of 
McKeesport; is solicitor for that institution, 
and also assistant solicitor for the McKees- 
port ifc Belle Vernon Railroad company. In 
politics he is a democrat. 

Hiram B. Sinclaiu, president of the 
First National bank. McKeesport, was born 
in Elizabeth township, Allegheny county, 
August 8, 1815, a son of Samuel and Eliza- 
beth (McKee) Sinclair. His paternal grand- 
father, Samuel Sinclair, a native of Maryland, 
and of Irish descent, settled in Elizabeth 
soon after the Revolution, and cleared and 
improved a farm where Reynoldton now 
stands, and there died. He had but one 
child. Samuel, who succeeded to the home- 
stead, residing there until his death. The 
wife of the latter was Elizabeth, a daughter 
of Robert McKee, a native of Ireland, and a 
pioneer of Versailles township, whose father, 
Robert McKee, built the first courthouse in 
Allegheny county, on the site of the present 
market-house in Pittsburgh. Samuel and 
Elizabeth Sinclair had children as follows: 
Jane (Mrs. William Bdmundson), Rebecca 
(Mrs. Isaac Edmundson). Mar}' (Mrs. John 
Peoples), Nancy (Mrs. John A. Robin.son), 
Robert, Louisa (Mrs. Samuel M. Rose), 
Elizabeth (Mrs. J. W. Edgar), Presley and 
Hiram B., who is the only survivor of the 
family. 

Hiram B. Sinclair was reared on his 
father's farm, and is now the only survivor 
the famih'. At the age of twenty -one he 
located in McKee-sport, and embarked in 
steamboating and the coal trade, in which he 
was engaged until 186.5. For upward of 
fifty years he has owned the ferry between 
McKeesport and Elizabeth (now Lincoln 
township). He was one of the organizers of 
the First National Bank of McKeesport, and 
is now (1888) serving his third year as presi- 
dent of the same. In 1840 he married Sarah 
J., daughter of .John and Eliza (Work) Cun- 
ningham, of Mifflin township, by whom he- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



335 



has one daughter. Oleau F. (Mrs. T. A. 
Miller). Mr. Sinclair is a prominent and 
enterprising citizen, and lias held various 
local offices. In politics he is a democrat. 

T. D. Gardner, assistant cashier People's 
hank, McKeesport, was born in that citv, 
March 10, 1857, a son of Fred J. and Ellen 
(Hughes) Gardner. His father was a native 
of Manchester, England, and his mother of 
Dublin, Ireland. They came to America early 
in the 'oO's and located in Pittsburgh, and 
soon after in McKeesport, where his father, 
a baker by trade, carried on a bakery until 
his death, in 1865, and which was afterward 
carried on by his widow in 187i. Their chil- 
dren were Sadie (Mrs. A. M. Kennedy), Car- 
rie (Mrs. Isaac Reager), Mary (Mrs. Benjamin 
Shellenberger), Fred J. and Thomas D., our 
subject. The last named was reared and 
educated in McKeesport; at the age of six- 
teen entered the office of the National Tube- 
works company as office-boy, and later 
worked at the carpenter's trade three years. 
He then served as a clerk in the Baltimore 
& Ohio railroad office three and a half 
years, and in July, 1880, was appointed teller 
of the People's bank; in 1883 was elected 
assistant cashier of the same, which position 
he has since creditably tilled. In June, 1881, 
he married Nellie, daughter of Isaac N. and 
Jennie (Thompson) Downs, of West Newton, 
Pa., and has two children, Edmund H. and 
Harry C. Mr. Gardner is a member of the 
First Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
he is a steward. He is treasurer of the Royal 
Arcanum; politically he is a republican. 

R. J. Murray, M. D., Sewickley, was 
born June 13, 1845, in Pittsburgh, Pa. His 
paternal grandfather, John Murray, was of 
Scotch descent, and a merchant of County 
Armagh. Ireland, his native county; he mar- 
ried a Mrs. Campbell, and they reared a large 
family, of which Capt. John Murray was one, 
born in 1810, and died early in the year 1889. 
He came to America in 1828, and settled in 
this county; lived in Pittsburgh many years. 
When still a boy he went on the river as a 
steward on the Home during a great flood; 
he steamboated about thirty years; was em- 
ployed by the firm of Stone & Bros, twenty- 
five years as engineer. He owns two hundred 
acres of land in Ohio township, where he re- 
sides. He was married to Jliss Eliza, daugh- 
ter of James Graham, and they have five 
children: Dr. Robert J. (our subject), Albert 
W.. William G., Rev. John F. and Mrs. 
Millie J. Watson. Mr. Murray has been an 
active member of the Blackburn IMethodist 
Episcopal Church for thirty years; politically 
he is a republican; he is a member of the 1. 
O. O. F. The subject of this memoir was 
educated at the Pittsburgh and Sewicklej- 
academies; subsequently read medicine with 
Dr. McCready, of Sewickley, and Dr. F. 
Maury, of Philadelphia. He graduated from 
.lefferson Medical College in class of 1867, 
and located at Sewickley, where he has an 
extensive practice. He was married to Miss 
Ellen S.. youngest daughter of Rev. Rob- 



ert Hopkins; she died July 25, 1886, leaving 
five children; Lydia M., Charles S., Eugene, 
Raymond and "Jessie. A medical work on 
hygiene and his European letters to the press 
bear evidence of Dr. Murray's literary abili- 
ties. Politically he is a republican. 

George L. Walter, lumber-manufact- 
urer, posloffice Sharpsburg. Peter Walter, 
a native of Darmstadt, Germany, born in 
1805, a shoemaker by trade, immigrated to 
America in 1834, and located in Pittsburgh in 
1830, where for a number of 3-ears he was 
engaged in the retail shoe business. His 
wife, Anna B. Neiderhiser, was born m 
Switzerland in 1815, came to America with 
her parents when eighteen years of age, and 
was married to Mr. Walter at Pittsburgh in 
1834. Ten children blessed their union7nine 
of whom are living, George L. being the 
youngest. He was educated at the public 
schools in Allegheny City and the Western 
University of PTttsburgh. At the age of six- 
teen he entered the Workingman's Savings 
bank of Allegheny as messenger-boy, in 
which institution he remained ten years, 
filling every position from messenger-boy to 
cashier. In 1880 he came to Sharpsburg and 
commenced the sawmill business, operating 
the Kelly mill in partnership with James R. 
Darragh. In 1884 he entered into partner- 
ship with James G. Saint in the planing-miU 
and lumber business. In 1885. owing to the 
sickness of his partner, Mr. Waller became 
sole owner of the business, which he ha» 
successfully conducted with increased facili- 
ties. He married, in 1884. Bella S. Kelly, of 
Saltsburg, Pa. Mr. Walter is a Knight 
Templar, a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, secretary and treasurer of the Alle- 
gheny County Lumber-Dealers' association; 
politically he is a republican, and has filled 
the position of borough treasurer. 

Abraham Stonbr, merchant, Wilkins- 
burg. is a brother of Joseph Stoner, and was 
born on a farm in the fall of 1811. He re- 
mained on the farm until 1839, when he opened 
a store in Wilkinsburg. In 1840 he was 
appointed postmaster by Martin Van Buren, 
and continued to attend to the duties of that 
office until he removed to Pittsburgh, five 
years later. In the fall of 1846 he went to 
Jacksonville, Westmoreland county, and was 
postmaster four years there. He returned to- 
Wilkinsburg in 18.53, was again appointed 
postmaster in 1864, and held the office twenty 
years. He and family are associated with 
the Presbyterian Church, in which his son is 
an elder, and this represents his faith. Mr. 
Stoner is a republican, and has been treasurer 
of Sterrett township since 1881. He married, 
in 1848, Rebecca, daughter of David and 
Christina (Stattenfield) Little, of Scotch-Irish 
and German descent. When they (her par- 
ents) first came to Wilkinsburg, in 1807, the 
entire district was woodland. Mrs. Stoner 
was born and reared in Wilkinsburg. and is 
the mother of six children, of whom two 
died in infancy. James Whitmore died at 
the age of thirty; Alvin Frederick assists his- 



336 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



father in business; Eulalia Anna, the eldest 
■(wife of Jonas Johnston), resides in Wilkins- 
burg, and Lillian Margaret is with her 
parents. 

Dr. Cyrus R. Stockslaqer. cashier 
People's banlt. IMcKeesport. was born in 
Fiiyette count}-. l*a.. February 27, 182i), a son 
of Charles and Susan (Robinson) Stu('kslager, 
natives of Lancastercounty, Pa.. and pioneers 
of Fayette county. He was reared on a farm 
in liis native county, and his early education 
was acquired in the common scliools. In 18.')3 
he graduated with honors of the Greek salu- 
tatory from Allegheny College, Meadville, 
Pa.; tlie same year went south, and taught 
school in Sduthcrn and Middle Tennessee, 
and in the meantime studied medicine, and 
attended his first course of lectures at the 
University of Nashville in 18.54. He took a 
second course at Jefferson Medical College, 
Philadelphia. Pa., and graduated from that 
institution in 18.56. That year he began the 
practice of his profession in FayetteCit3-.Pa., 
and in 18.57 married Martha C. daughter of 
Jacob and Delilah (Corson) Strawn, of Penn- 
sylvania, and removed to Kansas, where he 
was in active practice until 1862. He tlien 
entered the Union army as surgeon, serving 
until the close of the war, and during that 
time was captured and held a prisoner two 
months. When the struggle was ended he 
located in Monongahela City, Pa., where he 
practiced his profession seven years. In 1872 
he came to McKeesport, and for the past six- 
teen years his time has been given to financial 
pursuits, in his position as the efficient cashier 
of the People's bank. The doctor had three 
children: Lidu, who died January 16, 1889 
(Mrs. E. S. Thomas). Harry and Florence. 
Mrs. Martha C. Stuckslager died November 
1, 1885, and the doctor married, November 
1.5, 1888, Miss Ella Huffman, schoolteacher 
of McKeesport. He is an active member of 
the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
for fifteen years has been the superintend- 
ent of the Sabbath-school, of eight hundred 
scholars. He is an enterprising and public- 
spirited citizen; politically a republican. 

James H. Berky, justice of the peace, 
McKeesport. was born in Mifflin township, 
Allegheny county. Pa., August 3, 1815, a son 
of Daniel and Ellen (McNeeland) Berry. His 
father, a native of Maryland, and a tailor, 
settled, about 1812, in Mifflin township, where 
he worked at his trade a number of j'cars, 
and in 1848 located in McKeesport, residing 
there until his death, in 1854. He (Daniel) 
had seven children: James H.. Caroline (de- 
ceased), Eliza J. (Mrs. James O'Neil). Mary 
A. (Mrs. Robert Healey), Oliver P. (deceased). 
Ellen M. (Jlrs. S. P. Ludwick. deceased) and 
Daniel W. (deceased). Mrs. Ellen Berry was 
born in this county, in 1790, a daughter of 
William McNeeland. a native of Ireland, and 
a pioneer of Mifflin township, this county. 
James H. was reared in Mifflin township, and 
worked at tlie tailor's trade until thirtj'-five 
years of age. He then engaged in the grocery 
.business for a number of years. In 1859 he 



located in McKeesport, and in 1863 was 
elected justice of the peace of that town, 
which olllce he has held for twenty-five years. 
His wife was Jane, a daughter of Robert and 
Anna (Crawford) Morrow, of Robinson town- 
ship, Allegheny county, by whom he has 
two children, Anna E. (Mrs. E. F. Woods) 
and Jennie M. (Mrs. J. C. .Smith). Mr. Berry 
has been burgess of McKeesport one term. 
He is a member of the Presb3'terian Church; 
politically a republican. 

J. C. Anderson, farmer, Sewickley, is a 
son of Hon. Robert Anderson, who was born 
March 23, 1776, in Lancaster county. Pa., 
where his ancestors were counted among the 
pioneers, being of Scotch-Irish extraction. 
Early in life he went to Washington county, 
where he farmed, and soon became a leading 
spirit in every good enterprise. In 1808 he 
was elected sheriff of that county, and served 
three jears. In 1811 he was elected to the 
house of representatives, and re-elected the 
following year. He took an active part in 
the work at home during the war of 1812. 
He was identified with the democratic party, 
and was its recognized leader in his county. 
In 1825 he came to Leet township. Allegheny 
county, and was justice of the peace here 
for many years, residing on the old Leet 
farm. He afterward bought the farm where 
our subject now resides, and on which he met 
his death by accident. November 11, 1836, 
while doing an act of charity, hauling a load 
of wood to a poor widow, and on going down 
hill the ox-cart upset witji him and broke his 
neck. Hon. Robert Anderson was twice 
married. His first wife, ««« Elizabeth Ague w, 
died, leaving four children: Samuel, Robert, 
Eliza and Bryce C. His second wife, nee 
Jemima Taylor, was born February 4, 1787; 
she died September 4, 1864. Eight children 
blessed this union: Margaret, James, Julia, 
Hattie, AVilliam, David, John and Mary. Of 
these, David has lived on the homestead since 
1851. 

Our subject was born in 1828 in Leetsdale. 
He farmed till 1849. when he joined Capt. 
Ancrum's Pittsburgh and California Enter- 
prise company, numljering over three hun- 
dred persons. " They crossed the plains, and 
he mined for gold a short time in California, 
where he afterward owned a large stock- 
ranch. In 1851 he returned to this county, 
where he followed the river for twenty years. 
Since 1865 he has made his home on his 
Iiomestcad. He was married in Cincinnati to 
Miss Rose llinton. a native of Pittsburgh, 
and eight children have been born to them: 
Elizabeth (wife of Rev. F. Peters). Robert, 
John, Mrs. Julia Fleming. Mrs. Hattie Varro. 
David, William and Samuel Anderson. 

John Fleming, deceased, was born in 
Philadelphia. Pa.. September 22. 1819. He 
received his education in Pittsburgh, and 
engaged in the wholesale and retail drug bus- 
iness with the firm of Holms & Kidd. who 
were also proprietors of Dr. .McLane's cele- 
brated vermifuire and liver pills. At the 
death of Mr, Kidd John Fleming sold the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



337 



drug business and devoted his entire attention 
to the patent medicine, which is still carried 
on b}' Cochran Fleming, a brother, under the 
firm of Fleming Brothers. 34 Wood street, 
Pittsburgh. John Fleming exhibited tact 
and enterprise, and has been eminently suc- 
cessful in business. Mr. Fleming came to 
Sewickley in 1853, making it his home, and 
became identified with the growth of the 
place. Politically he was a whig and a 
republican. He died November 3. 1870. 

John Semplb, physician, Wilkinsburg, 
was l)orn in McCandless (then Pine) town- 
ship. February 16, 183.3. His grandfather. 
James Semple, a native of Cumberland 
county, came to Allegheny couutj^ in 1789, 
and owned a large tract, now the site of Ho- 
boken, where he lived and died. He was the 
second sherifl of Allegheny county, and was 
twice a member of the assembly. Soon after 
locating he was obliged to leave his land on 
account of the Indians, and while a resident 
at East Liberty a son was born and named 
Robert A. The latter married Mary Simpson, 
a native of Chester county, and settled in 
1816 on the farm where he died, near Wild- 
wood station. He passed away in 1836, aged 
ninety-three years, his helpmate having pre- 
ceded him by one year, in her eighty-eighth 
year. They" had lived together sixty j^ears. 
For sixty years he was an elder in the Cross 
Roads Presbyterian Church, and during fifty- 
four years was never absent from session. 
He was an anti-masonic whig, afterward a 
republican. Of his eight children, seven 
grew to maturity: James, John, Eliza (Huch- 
man, decensed), Mary (deceased at the age of 
eighteen),Robert, Sarah (Ferguson) and Silas. 
Dr. Semple was reared on the farm, and at 
the age of eighteen commenced under the 
in.struclion of Rev. Dr. Guthrie at Bakers- 
town ; afterward he attended a boarding-school 
at Mt. Pleasant. Washington county, and 
Jefferson College, Cannonsburg. He read 
medicine with Drs. Speer and Brooks in Pitts- 
burgh, and graduated in the spring of 1848 
from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. 

After practicing a year in Alleghenj'City, 
Dr. Semple located in Wilkinsburg, where he 
has since remained, and has built up an ex- 
tensive practice; he has given free attention 
to the County farm. Old Ladies' home and 
Mute school. He is ameraberof the County. 
State. American and International Medical 
societies, the Masonic fraternity and the Pres- 
byterian Church, in which he has been thirty- 
eight years a member of session. He is active 
in supporting schools, and sustains the repub- 
lican party. In 1848 he married Isabella 
Russell Smith, who died in 1852, leaving a 
daughter, Mary I. R. S., now resident with 
her father. In 1854 the doctor married Nancy 
Thompson, whose only child. Maggie Jane 
Sidney, died in 1885, the wife of Morris Scott. 

Dk. James E. Huey (deceased; was 
born in McKeesport. May 9, 1833. a son of 
George and Maria (Evans) Huey. His pater- 
nal grandfather, Samuel Huey, a native of 
Ireland, settled in McKeesport in 1804, and 



was a prominent physician in his day. George, 
father of James E., born in the United 
States in 1789, was a physician of promi- 
nence, and practiced his profession in 
McKeesport all his life. James E. Huey 
graduated from Jefferson Medical College, 
Philadelphia, in 1846, and practiced his pro- 
fession in McKeesport until his death, in 
1878. He never took part in political 
affairs, but was public spirited, and was in- 
terested in all matters tending toward the 
growth and development of his native town. 
He married, in 1843, Isabella, daughter of 
John and Catherine (Gordon) Frich. of Som- 
erset, Pa., and had eight children, of whom 
three survive: James, Anna M. (Mrs. J. P. 
Coursin) and Rosalind W., the latter of whom 
married, in 1877, D. George, son of Henry and 
Ruth (Hill) Becket, of Wolverhampton, 
England. Mr. Becket was reared and edu- 
cated in his native town, came to America in 
1873 and settled in McKeesport in 1875, where 
he has since been in the employ of the 
National Tube-works company. He is a 
member of the K. of H. and Heptasophs; in 
politics a republican. Mr. and Mrs. Becket 
have one son. Charles F., and both are mem- 
bers of the Episcopal Church. 

MiCHAKL Bright, Sr., was born Septem- 
ber 10, 1763, in Lancaster county. Pa. He 
located in the vicinity of Pittsburgh in the 
year 1814, on what was then known as Coal 
hill. Here he lived two years, and then 
moved twelve ndles up the Allegheny river, 
where he purchased a tract of land com- 
posed of about three hundred acres, running 
from the river back three-quarters of a mile. 
There were no improvements when he came 
here, except a log house. Mr. Bright built a 
new and comfortable log house at once, and 
afterward a small brick residence, in which 
he lived until the time of his death; this lit 
tie brick house is still standing and in good 
repair. He married Barbara Winters, of 
Lancaster count}', Pa., and the following- 
named children were born to them; John, 
Jacob. Catherine, Margaret, Michael, Jr., 
Henry, Sarah Elizabeth, Barbara, George, 
David, Samuel, William, Mary, Peter, Adam. 
Mrs. Bright died August 38, 1833, and Mr. 
Bright's second wife was Mrs. Margaret 
Beamer. He died in March, 1847. They 
were by profession Lutherans. At the 
death of his father Peter took the farm. 

Petek Bright, born in Lancaster county, 
Pa., January 6, 1805. He was a potter by 
trade, having served his apprenticeship in 
Greensburg, Pa., but made a business of farm- 
ing after the death of his father. He always 
took an active part in township affairs; was 
a member of school board, and held other 
offices in the township. He gave the lot on 
which the United Presbyterian church is 
built. He erected a fine residence on the 
bank of the river, where his daughters now 
reside. He was married to Margaret V. Par- 
sell, of Plum township, this county, and to 
them were born eleven children, as follows: 
Harriet (Mrs. McNickle, deceased). Margaret 



338 



H18T011V OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



(Mrs. Samuel FuUerten). Adam (married to 
Elizabeth ITulton; he died at Anderson ville 
in 1«()8, liavins; served two years in the army), 
Charles R. (enliste<l in the army in October, 
W)]. passed llironsh tlie battle of (iettys- 
burg, and was killed July 10. ISIilJ. near 
Boonesboro, Mo.), Sarah IJ. (Mrs. Kernaly), 
Michael (who died in infancy), Salina (Mrs. 
William Anderson). Peter Winters (who 
died in March. 1868), Rachel K.. Eliza A., 
Mary J., at the old home. Peter Hri;jlil died 
November 19. 1858; his wife Mari^aret died 
July 2. 1872; she was a member of the United 
Presbyterian Church. 

Geouge E. IIuey, receiving clerk Na- 
tional Rolling iiiill, MrKeesport, was born in 
that city August ■.'■"). 184:'. a son of Samuel C. 
and Susan (CraigluM(l) lluey. and a grandson 
of George Huey. Samuel C. Huej' was a 
Scotch-Irishman, w'lio came to America in 
178-1, and located in Gettysburg, removing in 
1796 to Westmoreland county, and in 1804 to 
McKeesport; he was a prominent physician 
of his day, and reared a family of three sons 
— Samuel, George and Daniel— and three 
daughters. Of tlie sons George was a physi- 
cian, and practiced in McKeesport for many 
years; was a surgeon in the war of 1812, in 
which his brother Daniel participated as a 
soldier. His children were Samuel C... lames, 
George, Coleman, Alexander, Eleanor (Mrs. 
Robert Sampson). Anna (Mrs. Theodore 
Marvin) and Emily. Of these, Samuel C, 
who was a tanner, established the first tannery 
in McKeesport, and for many years kept a 
general store. His wife was a daughter of 
John Craighead, a native of Elizabeth, 
Allegheny county, and their children were 
George E. and Oliveretta (deceased). The 
subject of this sketch was reared in McKees- 
port; is a druggist by profession, and carried 
on a drugstore in McKeesport manj' years. 
He married Leonora, daughter of Samuel 
and Isabella (Cook) McClure, of McKeesport, 
and has four children: Samuel, George, John 
and Robert. Mr. Huey has been in the em- 
plo}- of the National Tube-works company 
in his present capacity six years. In politics 
he is a democrat. 

James C. Campbell, farmer, postofBce 
Sharpsburg, was born in O'Hara (then Indi- 
ana) townsliip in 1832, a son of Thomas and 
Mary (Crawford) Campbell. Thomas, who 
was a native of Countj' Derry, Ireland, im- 
migrated to America about 1828, and two 
years after his arrival he married. Four 
children were .born to him, two of whom are 
living. Thomas was always a farmer, and 
died in 1848, aged forty-two years; his widow 
lived to the ripe age of eight}--six years. 
James C. was born and reared on the farm 
where he now resides. lie married Mary, 
daughter of Samuel Borland, to whom were 
born four children, whose names are Annie 
E., Crawford, :\Iary C. and Sadie M. The 
mother of these chiiilrpii died, and Mr. Camp- 
bell then married Is.iliclhi, daughter of Alex- 
ander and Isabella .Marshall. Three children 
are the result of this marriage: William ()., 



Laura B. and Martha Jane. The only mem- 
bers of Mr. Campbells family not at home 
are Annie E. (married to 'i'homas E. Miller, 
and they have one son. Howard, and on& 
daughter, Edna Bell) and Crawford (married 
to Anna Mary Wragg. and lliey have one 
son, George C.). Mr. Campbell has alwaj's 
followed farming and now owns one-half of 
the 120 acres purchased bv his great grand- 
father. James Crawford, tic has held many 
township offices and positions of trust. Hfe 
and family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church; politically he is a republican. 

The Meineijt Family. Since 184() this 
family has been rejiresented in Allegheny 
county. Pa. In that year John Meinert, a 
native of Prussia, came to America and lo- 
cated in Allegheny county. He purchased, 
in 18(iO, fifty acres of land in Indiana town- 
ship (now O'Hara), afterward making addi- 
tional purchases of sixty acres. He married 
Frances Lengler, of Bavaria, Germany, and 
eight children were born to them, seven of 
whom are living, three sons and four daugh- 
ters. John died in 1881, aged sixty-three 
years; his widow survives him. John Adam, 
who now resides on part of the homestead 
tract, was born in Sharpsburg in 18-")0. and 
when two years of age was brought by his 
parents to O'Hara township. He now owns 
thirty acres of his father's farm. In 1S76 he- 
married Kate, daughter of Henry Myers, and 
six children have blessed their union : Mary, 
Annie, Rosa, Birdie, John and Michael. 

M. G. Meinert was born iu O'Hara town- 
ship in 18.j4. the fourth child of John and 
Frances (Lengler) Meinert. He was educated 
at the public schools and the school of the 
German Catholics at Sharpsburg, and has 
always been a farmer. He now resides on the 
homestead, and owns forty acres of the old 
homestead farm. He married, in 1878, Annie, 
daughter of George Gloss, and four sons and 
two daughters have blessed their union, viz.-- 
J. Ambrosius, N. Edward, C. Rachel. M. " 
Martha, L. Henry and M. George. Mr. Mein- 
ert is a member of St. Mary's Church iu 
Sharpsburg; politically he is a democrat. 

James P. Learn, dry-goods merchant, 
McKeesport, was born in Bell township, 
Westmoreland county. Pa., in 181.5. a son of' 
Andrew and Fanny (Piper) Learn, his par- 
ents having been among the pioneers of 
Westmoreland count}'. Our subject was- 
reared on a farm and educated in the common 
schools. He settled, in 18.J8, in McKeesport, 
where for six years he served as clerk in a 
general store. In 1864 he embarked in trade 
for himself at Camden station, and soon 
thereafter engaged in business in ]M(Kees- 
port, in partnership with several others, 
continuing until 188.5, since which time he 
has been conducting a successful drj-goods 
business by himself. His wife was Rachel 
King, daughter of James King, a prominent 
coal-dealer of this county in his day. Mr. 
Learn is an active member of the First Pres- 
byterian Church, and has been superintend- 
ent of the Sabbath-school seventeen years 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY 



339 



He is a member of the McKeesport school 
board and a director of the People's bank; 
in politics he is a republican, 

Andrew Howard, glass-manufacturer, 
Wilkinsburg, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa,, 
September 5, 1837, the eldest child of John 
and Eliza (Kellj-) Howard. His grandfather, 
John Howard, came from the north of Ire- 
land to Pittsburgh when our sul).iect's father 
was a child. The latter died tliere in 1885, 
aged seventy-nine; .his widow now resides in 
Wilkinsburg, aged seventy. They had seven 
children, all yet living, and all save one, 
Joseph, who lives in Chicago, residents of 
within fifty miles of Pittsburgh. Andrew 
attended the city schools, and was also in- 
structed by a private tutor. When eighteen 
years old he was a bookkeeper in a grocery- 
store; later he was employed by Clarke & Co., 
being at the same time their assistant cashier, 
agent of the Allentown Fast Freight line 
and assistant treasurer of the Star Union 
line. He afterward became cashier of the 
Union Line railroad. In 1881 he organized 
the Phcenix Glass company, at Pittsburgh, 
of which he has been president ever since. 
In 1873 Mr, Howard became a resident of 
Wilkinsburg, having purchased a home on 
South street, February 9, 1863, he married 
Margaret, daughter of Amos and Elizabeth 
(Sampej') Potter, residents of Fayette county, 
where all were born. The family are of Irish 
descent. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have five 
children: Annie, Bessie, Charles E., Jose- 
phine and Thomas. The family attend the 
Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Howard 
is a republican. 

M.^^TTHEW C.Crawford, farmer, postoffice 
Sharpsburg. This family dates its connec- 
tion with Pennsylvania as far back as 1784, 
when James Crawford emigrated from his 
home in Count}' Derry, Ireland, and settled 
in Indiana count}'. Pa,, and purchased or 
took up a tract of land. He married Sarah 
Campbell, and six children were born to 
them. In 1808 James purchased 130 acres of 
land in O'Hara township, originally the 
property of Judge Young, of Greensburg, 
Westmoreland county, Pa, ; in the spring of 
1809 moved with his family to this property, 
where he remained until his death. Matthew, 
the only one of his sons who grew to matu- 
rity, was born in Blairsville, Indiana county, 
Pa., in 1787, and at the death of his father be- 
came owner of the land. He married Cathe- 
rine Beham.of Westmoreland county. and five 
children blessed their union, three of whom 
grew to be men and women. Matthew fol- 
lowed farming all his life, and died Decem- 
ber 26, 1868. His wife died in 1870, aged 
about seventy-eight years. The old home- 
stead is now owned by Matthew C, our sub- 
ject, and a maiden sister, who reside together 
on the property. All of Ihe 120 acres are yet 
in the family, one-half being now owned by 
a married sister, Mrs. James Campbell. The 
famih'have always been faithful members of 
the Presbyterian Church, and in politics 
whigs and republicans. 



Chris. H. Wernke, carriage manufact 
urer.McKeesport, was born in Pittsburgh.Pa., 
Aug. 5, 1858, a son of John F. and Anna M. 
(Bonnen) Wernke, natives of Germany, who 
have been residents of Allegheny county up- 
ward of forty years. John F.. a stone-mason 
by trade, has been a resident of Pittsburgh 
since he first settled in the counly; was em- 
ployed in one planing-milltweuty-eightyears, 
and retired from business in 1878. He has 
three children living: Mary E. (Mrs. H. W. 
Wilker), F. William and Christian H. The 
last named was reared in Pittsburgh, and 
educated in the public schools and Western 
University. He served an apprenticeship of 
three years at carriage-painting, which trade 
he has followed since fourteen years of age. 
He located in McKeesport in 1878, and in 
May, 1885, embarked in carriage-manufactur- 
ing with his brother, P, William, under firm 
name of Wernke Brothers, Mr. Wernke was 
married in 1883 to Emma C, daughter of 
George W. and Mary (Henry) Byerly, of Mc 
Keesport. and they have three children; 
Mame, Fred and Erma. Mr, Wernke is 
known as the pioneer musician of McKees- 
port. He is business-manager and director 
of the Electric orchestra. Politically he is 
a republican. 

Rev. Joseph S. Travelli (deceased) was 
a native of Philadelphia, Pa., born April 21, 
1809, to Frances and Abigail (Munday) Tra- 
velli, former a native of Genoa, Italy, and 
latter of England. His early school- training 
was meager, and at the age of eleven he was 
apprenticed to a scrivener and lawyer, whose 
death, after a time, released the lad from a 
calling distasteful to him. At the age of fif- 
teen he made a confession of faith in the Sec- 
ond Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. 
Afterward he attended school at Abingdon, 
near Philadelphia; taught an academy at 
Churchville. Md., and in 1831 entered Jeffer- 
son College, of Penns3dvania, from which he 
graduated in the class of 1833. In the fall of 
that year he entered the Western Theological 
Seminary, and soon thereafter was superin- 
tendent of the Sabbath- school of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Allegheny, and in 
1834 of the Sunday-school of the Third Pres- 
byterian Church of Pittsburgh. He was li- 
censed by the presbytery of Philadelphia in 
October, 1835, and ordained by the same 
presbytery in April, 1830. In 1836 he was 
married to Susan, daughter of John Irwin, 
of Allegheny, and the same year sailed for 
Singapore. where both he and his wife entered 
upon their labors. In a few years tliey re- 
turned home with impaired health, and in 
1843 they revived the academy at Sewickley, 
where they devoted themselves assiduously 
to the instruction and care of the many com- 
mitted to their charge. After retiring from 
this academy Mr. Travelli devoted himself to 
works of philanthropy. Several years after 
the death of his first wife, he married Miss 
Jane Irwin. He died, leaving two daughters 
and two sons. One sou, James D., gave his 
life for his country at the battle of Antietam. 



340 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Chahles SciiOEi.i.Eit. renl estate dealer. 
McKeesport. wasboni in Elizabeth townsliip. 
Allegheny county, June 26, 1847. a son of 
Michael and Caroline (Weitzel) Sehoeller, 
natives of Frankfort. Germany, who settled 
in Elizabeth township in 1S45. There Mi- 
chael, who was a farmer, resided until his 
death, which occurred February 22. \i<'>\. 
He was a i)rominent citizen, a stockholder 
in the Youghiogheny Navigation company, 
and was a successful farmer and business 
man. His children were .1. Frederick. .John 
L. (killed at second battle of Bull run), A. 
Ernest, .J. William. ,J. Michael (deceased), 
Caroline F. (deceased). Charles and Henry 
L.. all of whom were born in Germany ex- 
cept the last two. The subject of this sketch 
was reared in McKeesport from four years of 
age. and was educated in the public schools. 
In 1867 he embarked in business as a book 
and news dealer on Market street, in which 
he was successfully engaged until 1884. since 
which time he has been attending to his real- 
estate business. October 4. 1883, he married 
Agnes A., daughter of Augustus and Dorcas 
(Bennett) Ihnasen. who were descendants 
of pioneers in the window-glass manufacture 
of Allegheny county. By this union there 
are two children. IJ. Paul and Lulu. Mr. 
Schoeller is a member of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church; in politics he is inde- 
pendent. 

Robert Watson, retired. Sewickley. was 
born January 25, 1814. in Pittsburgh, Pa., 
son of William and Hannah (Baldwin) Wat- 
son, The father w.ns a native of Dumbarton- 
shire, Scotland, and came to America in 1800, 
settling in Pittsburgh. In the year following 
his arrival he started in the stone-cutting 
business for himself, next door lo the Mo- 
nongahela House. He made two trips to 
his native home for the benefit of his health, 
and died in 1827; politically he was a whig. 
The mother died aged eighty-four 3-ears; she 
was a native of this county, and daughter of 
John and Jane (West) Baldwin. They were 
the parents of three children: Mrs. Isabella 
Grier, Robert and Mrs. Jean Birmingham. 
Robert Watson learned the marble-cutter's 
trade in Allegheny, and followed it with 
marked success till within twenty-five years 
ago, when he retired from business, and has 
lived a quiet life in Sewickley. Politically 
he is a republican. He married Margaret 
Arbuckle, a native of Scotland, who died 
October 15. 1881, aged seventy years. This 
union was blessed with seven children. 

Isaac Terrell, superintendent of the 
Allegheny City farm, postoffice Hoboken. 
was born in Allegheny county. Pa., in 18ol, 
a son of Jolin and Anna J. (Saint) Terrell, of 
England, who settled in Western Pennsylva- 
nia at an earlj' da^-. Isaac was reared on a 
farm, and received his education in the com- 
mon schools of O'Hara township and the 
high-schools of Pittsburgh and Allegheny. 
He married, in 1883. Eliza, daughter of An- 
drew Morton, ex-justice of the peace of 
Sharpsburg, and an old resident. Mr. Ter- 



rell has followed farming as an occupation,, 
and in February, 1887, was appointed super- 
intendent of the farm of the Allegheny City 
Poorhouse; was re-appointed in~18.S8. and 
now holds the position. He and family are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Polit- 
ically he is a republican. 

Edward Cable, farmer, postoffice Hobo- 
ken, was born in England in 1(-21, and with 
his parents emigrated to America in 1831. 
John Cable, his father, who was a farmer, 
purchased 266 acres of land in what is now 
O'Hara township. Allegheny county. He 
married Sarah .Swain, who bore him six 
children. Edward being the fifth. John Cable 
died in 18,56. Since twelve years of age Ed- 
ward has resided on the farm, and has fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits. He received bis 
education at the log schoolhouse. and in 
1846 married Sophia Kane, who bore hint 
twelve children, six of whom are now living. 
Of the original tract of land purchased by 
John Cable, our subject now owns 133 acres, 
and the present town of Hoboken stands on 
the tract of land purchased by John Cable, 
the earl}' pioneer ot Indiana township. Like 
his father before him, Mr. Cable is a demo- 
crat. 

Jerome B. Anjer, Sewickley, was born 
in Ontario county, K. Y., son of Lyman and 
Ruth (AVheelock) Anjer. The Anjer family 
were French Huguenots, and a leading 
family in New England. The subject of this 
sketch was educated at Erie, Pa., early in 
life becoming a clerk in the mming district 
of Allegheny county. Subsequently he en- 
gaged in the transportation business with 
Clarke & Thaw; later he was in the flour, 
grain, commission and produce trade, in 
which he continued twenty-one years, when 
he embarked in a stove-foundry in Pitts- 
burgh. Since 1886 he has resided in Sewick- 
ley, and not in active business. Mr. Anjer 
married Matilda, daughter of Joseph Marlatt. 
an old Pittsburgh business-man, and they 
have one daughter. They are members of 
the Presbyterian Church; politically Mr. 
Anjer is a republican. 

George M. Leppig. proprietor of the 
Fifth Avenue hotel, McKeesport, was born 
in Bavaria. Germanj'. September 29. 1849. a 
son of George and Barbara (Bfeuffer) Leppig. 
and was reared and educated in his native 
land. He there served three years' appren- 
ticeship at the cabinet-maker's trade and two 
years in Pittsburgh, where he settled in 1871. 
In 1873 he became connected with the music- 
house of Mellorit Hone, of Pittsburgh, with 
whom he was engaged ten years. In 18,:>3 he 
embarked in the liquor business in Pitts- 
liurgh. and March 16. 1887, located in Mc- 
Keesport. where he became proprietor of the 
Fifth Avenue hotel, which he has success- 
fully conducted since. In 1873 he married 
Frederica M., daughter of Frederick Abel, of 
Pittsburgh, and has two children living: 
Katie and Minnie. Mr. Leppig is a promi- 
nent member of the German Catholic Church, 
St. Mary's Catholic association, the Lieder- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



341 



kranz. Turners and the Central Liquor asso- 
ciation, of Pittsburgh; in politics he is 
independent. 

W. T. MiLLKit, physician, McKeesport, 
was born in Indiana county. Pa., August 1, 
18.54, a son of William and Elizabeth (Cole- 
mao) Miller. He was educated at the Nor- 
mal school and Memorial Institute of his 
native county, and began the study of medi- 
cine in 1877, with Dr. 31. R. Banks, of Liver- 
more, Westmoreland county. Pa. He entered 
Wooster Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, in 
1878; vvas graduated in 1881, and immediate- 
ly began the practice of his profession at 
Burgettstown, Washington couutj', Pa.; and 
in 1884 he located at McKeesport, where he 
has since had a large and successful practice. 
In October, 1881, he married Mary E. Mc- 
Cormick, a graduate of Beaver College, and 
a daughter of the late William McCormick, 
of Washington county. Pa., a victim of 
Andersonville prison during the civil war. 
Dr. Miller is one of the prominent physicians 
of McKeesport; politically he is a lepublican. 

George Kinzenbach, retired, McKees- 
port, was born in Prussia, May 10, 1819, son 
of Anton and Elizabeth (Arnold) Kinzenbach. 
He was reared in his native country, and 
served an apprenticeship at the stone-mason's 
trade, though he never followed the business. 
In 1837 he" came to America, and settled in 
McKeesport, where he worked in the coal- 
mines eleven j-ears. In 1849 he went to Cali- 
fornia, where he mined for gold fourteen 
months, with varied success; then returned 
to McKeesport and engaged in butchering a 
year and a half; revisited California in 1858, 
"and came back in 1858 to McKeesport, where 
he has since resided. In 1858 he embarked 
in the lumber business, in which he was suc- 
cessfully engaged until 1885, having accumu- 
lated sufficient to invest in considerable real 
estate, from which he derives a handsome in- 
come. Mr. Kinzenbach was married in 1844, 
to Elizabeth, daughter of .John and Marga- 
retta (Hach) Allenbrand, of Pittsburgh, and 
by her has three children: Mary (Mrs. Henry 
Hartman), Matilda F. (Mrs. Gustave Smith) 
and Annie. Mr. Kinzenbach is a member of 
the German Lutheran Church and the I. O. 
O. F. He has served one term as a member 
of the council; in politics he is a democrat. 

D. P. White (deceased) was born in Bos- 
ton, Mass. He resided in Philadelphia. Pa., 
where he was engaged in the iron business 
for other parties. A Pittsburgh firm buying 
out his interest, Mr. White removed to Pitts- 
burgh, where he became identified with the 
firm of Smith & Co. for a number of years; 
eventually, on account of impaired health, 
be retired from business, removed to Sewick- 
ley in 1857, and purchased property there 
which is still largely in the possession of his 
widow. Mr. White died January 8, 1877, in 
the east, much beloved and esteemed. He 
was an attendant of the Baptist Church, and 
one whom nature had endowed with fine.gen- 
erous qualities of head and heart. He was 
married to Miss Mary Jane Davis Ricker, a 



native of Pittsburgh, but reared and educated 
in Philadelphia. 

Charles Chauncey Mellor, music- 
dealer, Pittsburgh, was born in Pittsburgh, 
Pa., September 26, 1836, and is a grandson 
of James Mellor, who came from near Man- 
chester, England, in 1818. John H., son of 
James Mellor, settled in Pittsburgh in 1829, 
and in 1831 he established the music business^ 
now conducted by his son, the oldest of the 
kind in the city, and was organist of Trinity 
Church for twenty-seven years. He died in 
1863, aged fifty-six; his widow still resides in- 
Pittsburgh, aged eighty. Her eldest daugh- 
ter, Louise P., resides with her, and the 
second, Mrs. Annie M. Sheib, is in Canton, 
Ohio. Charles C. has always been a student 
of music, and a leader in musical enterprises 
in the city, and for twenty-one years was 
organist of the First Presbyterian Church, of 
Pittsburgh. In 1867 he married Laura 
Reinhart, a native of Pittsburgh, daughter 
of Aaron G. and Catherine Reinhart. Mrs. 
Mellor is one of the leading local singers, and 
sang many years in the choir of the First 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Mellor has been 
for four years president of the Microscopical 
society, and is identified with the musical, 
botanical and photographic societies of Pitts- 
burgh. Politically he is a republican. The 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Mellor are Walter 
Chauncey, George Edward and Arthur Dud- 
lej-. Mr. and Mrs. Mellor are members of 
the First Presbyterian Church of Pitlsburgh. 

Thompson Ltsle, coal - operator (de- 
ceased), was born in Pittsburgh, a son of 
George and Margaret (McElwain) Lysle, 
early settlers of that city. He was reared, 
and educated in Pittsburgh, and for many 
years was a member of the firm of George 
Lysle & Sons, coal- operators at Camden, 
AUeghenj' county. October 6, 1863, he mar- 
ried Salina, daughter of William and Mary A. 
(Shields) Whigham, of McKeesport, and by 
her had three children, one of whom survives, 
George H. Mr. Lysle died December 9, 
1872, at San Diego, Cal. William Whigham, 
father of Mrs. Lysle, was a native of this- 
county, and a son of Thomas Whigham, a 
pioneer of Mifflin township. He was for 
manj'j'ears engaged in the coal business, and 
was president of the First National Bank of 
McKeesport several years. His wife, Mary 
A., was a daughter of James and Frances 
(Perry) Shields, natives of County Tyrone, 
Ireland, who settled in Pittsburgh in 1811. 
Mr. Whigham reared a family of five children: 
James, Hiram. Salina (Mrs. Thompson L3sle), 
Virginia (Mrs. Dr. T. R. Van Kirk) and 
Mary A. 

S.\M R. Welser, retired, McKeesport, 
was born in Philadelphia, April 15, 1816, and 
is of American extraction. When twelve 
years of age, he joined, as a juggler and 
tumbler, Raymond & Waring's circus, with 
which and other principal shows he traveled 
in this country until 1848. He then went to 
South America as clown for the circus of 
Banks, Archer & Rockwell, returning by 



342 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



way of llic West Indies. Archer died at 
Matanzas. Cuba, May 34, 1850, and the show 
disbanded in Charleston, S. C, soon after- 
ward. The same year Mr. Welser joined 
Dan Rice's show, as clown, traveling with 
him from .July, 1850, until March, 1851. He 
was afterward engased with various leading 
companies until 18(J4, his last two seasons 
being with S. O. Wheeler & Co., Boston, 
In 1860 Mr. Welser was the first and only 
man to drive four geese liilched to a common 
tub three feet in diameter down the Monon- 
gahela river from Brownsville to McKees- 
port. In 1854 he Ciime to McKeesport to 
train horses for Taylor & Wolf's circus, and 
in 1857 he here married Mrs. .Julia Stacy, a 
widow of means, who died February 7, 1886, 
leaving our subject all her fortune, which 
included cash, bank-stock and eight houses 
•on Diamond square and Market street. Mr. 
Welser retired from the circus-ring in 1864, 
and has been a resident of McKeesport since 
18.54. He is a prominent member of the I. 
O. O. F. and encampment, with which he 
has been identified thirty years; politically 
he is a republican. 

John McElwain, of the firm of .John 
McElwain & Co., merchants, Sewickley, was 
born October 4, 1840, in Bakerstown, Butler 
county. Pa., son of Alex. McElwain, a native 
•of Philadelphia. The paternal grandfather, 
who was a Scotch Presbyterian and a native 
of Ireland, came to America in 1809. The 
father, Alex. McElwain, taught school in 
Bakerstown, to which place he came in an 
early day. Some time afterward he was a 
merchant in Perrysville, and later removed to 
2elienople, where he engaged in business. 
Coming to Sewickley in 1851, he hei'e carried 
on merchandising until his death, which 
occurred September 7, 1865. He was one 
of the original members of the United 
Presbyterian Church, and was an ear- 
nest and energetic churchman. Politically 
he was a republican, and for manj; years 
school director. Mr. Alex. McElwain was 
married to Mary A. Ague, and by her had 
five children: of these John and William A. 
are conducting an extensive general store in 
■Sewickley. 

VVUiLiAM Franklin Gardner, secretary 
and treasurer People's Insurance company, 
Pittsburgli, is a native of Baltimore, Md., 
born August 1, 1835. His grandfather. Isaac 
Gardner, came from Ireland to Philadelphia 
county, afterward went to Kent county, Md., 
where Isaac D., the father of our subject, 
was born. The latter married Susannah 
Marshall, whose father, Israel Marshall, was 
born in Dorchester county, Md., where his 
daughter Susannah was born. This couple 
now reside in the Thirteenth ward of Pitts- 
burgh, both being seventy-seven years of age. 
I. D. Gardner followed shoemaking till old 
age compelled him to retire. They have four 
sons and one daughter (Marietta Stauffer) all 
residing near their parents. William F., the 
eldest, was a year old when the family came 
to Pittsburgh, and received his education in 



the public schools. When thirteen years old 
he was employed in a hatstore, where he re- 
mained three years; then entered Ihcemploj' 
of the Citizens' Insurance company, and 
remained with that institution fifteen years. 
rising to the position of bookkeeper. In 
1863 he organized the People's Insurance 
company, of which he has ever since been 
secretary and treasurer. In 1867 he purchased 
his present home at Edgewood. .September 
6, 1859. Mr. Gardner married Anna Margaret 
Hastings, a native of Pittsburgh, born 
February 8, 1840, daughter of Abel and 
Margaret (Lee) Hastings, of Irish and En- 
glish descent. Mr. Hastings. now aged eighty- 
six, is still a resident of the Thirteenth ward, 
Pittsburgh, where he was engaged in the 
tailoring^business for many years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gardner are members of Shady Avenue 
Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, and he is identi- 
fied with the republican party. Their children 
yet living are: William M., a resident of 
Allegheny City (he married a Miss Bertha 
Schneider); Maggie Lee (Mrs. Waller -N. 
Haslett), in Allegheny; Elizabeth Howard, 
John Semple and Henry Black, at home. 
Hastings (the first-born). James Miller (the 
fourth), Tempy Copper (the fifth), Fulton 
Arbuckle (the eighth), Hattie Farrell (the 
ninth). Bertha May (the tenth), and an infant 
daughter unnamed are deceased. 

John N. Hautman, merchant, McKees- 
port, was born in Elizabeth township, this 
county, October 19, 1847, a son of William 
and Catherine (Steiuman) Hartmau. He was 
reared in McKeesport, educated in the public 
schools, and learned shoemaking with his 
father, which trade he followed until twenty- 
four years of age. He then opened a 
billiard parlor in McKeesport. which, with 
Charles Caldabaugh, he conducted for six 
years. For two years thereafter he was em- 
ployed in 'the National Tube-works, and in 
1880 he embarked in his present general hard- 
ware business with his brother William E., 
under the firm name of J. N. it W. E. Hart- 
man. The members of this firm are live and 
progressive business-men. and from a small 
beginning have built up a large and constantly 
increasing trade. Our subject was married 
October 24, 1877, to Anna, daughter of Joseph 
and Eliza (Miller) Douglas, of McKeesport, 
and by her has had six children, all boys. 
Three children are living: Harrj' B. (twin). 
Willie F. and John N. (triplet). Jlr. Hart- 
man is a member of the German Lutheran 
Church, of the A. O. U. W. and McKeesport 
Board of "Trade; in politics he is a democrat. 

Charles I. Wade, bank cashier. Pitts- 
burgh, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Febru- 
ary 9. 1838. His earliest ancestor in this 
country was Samuel Wade, who, with his 
wife Ann, left North Britain in 1653. and set- 
tled in New Jersey. His eldest sou, Robert, 
had a son Robert who was engaged in the 
defense of Oswego in 1756, and was captured 
by Montcalm. His sou Nehemiah had a son 
Isaac, born in 1763, who married Lois Os- 
borne in 1786. Their vouugest son, Isaac E., 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



343 



born in 1807 in New Jersey, married Susan 
Ann Okely, a native of Baltimore, and living 
at that time in Harmony, Butler county. Pa. 
Isaac E. Wade engaged in business in Pitts- 
burgh in 1835, being a member of the firm of 
McClurg, Wade & Co., one of the earliest 
iron-founders of that city. He died in Texas 
at the early age of forty-one, having gone 
there for his health. Maj. William Wade, of 
Pittsburgh, was a brother of the deceased. 
Mrs. Susan Ann Wade, who was born in 1814, 
resides with her daughter, Lois Amelia, at 
New Brighton. Charles I. and Isaac E., her 
sons, are in business in Pittsburgh. The 
eldest was educated at Irvington Institute, 
New Jersey, and entered the employ of 
George E. Arnold, banker, at an early age. 
For a short time he took charge of a branch 
banking-house of John T. Hogg at Browns- 
ville, and then engaged with S. Jones & Co., 
Pittsburgh. On the organization of the Pitts- 
burgh National Bank of Commerce, 1864, 
he entered the institution as bookkeeper, 
was promoted to the tellership, and for the 
past ten years has been its cashier. In 1885 
he took up his residence in the mansion built 
by him at Edgewood. Politically he is a 
republican. 

June 23, 1864, Mr. Wade imarried Miss 
Elizabeth Angiis Wilkinson, a native of 
Northumberland county, England. In l-'JSe 
John Angus, ancestor of Mrs. Wade, left 
Scotland and settled in Northumberland 
county. The line of descent includes many 
famous writers, such as Robert Hall, John 
Forster and Dr. Joseph Angus, of Regent's 
College, London. Mrs. Wade's parents, John 
and Jane (Wailes) Wilkinson, emigrated to 
America when she was a child. In 1876 she 
was employed as assistant principal of the 
Ralston School in Pittsburgh, and afterward 
became principal. For a few years she was 
editor of the ISducational Voice of that cit)'; 
was one of the founders, and is president of 
the Woman's Club. Since 1871 she has been 
a regular contributor to the Leader, and fre- 
quently writes for the Dispatch, Ohronicle 
and other publications, over the nom de plume 
of "Bessie Bramble." Mrs. Wade is the 
mother of two children, the eldest of whom, 
Charles Wilkinson, is employed in the busi- 
ness office of the bispatch. The daughter, 
Elizabeth Lois, graduated in 1888. at the head 
of her class, from the normal department of 
the Pittsburgh High-school. 

Robert B. McMaster, P. O. Sewickley, 
was born August 30, 1851, in Pittsburgh. His 
grandfather, Hugh, was a native of County 
Antrim, Ireland, and came to America in 
1811, settling in Pittsburgh with his wife, 
?!«« Eleanor Barr, and their three children; 
Margaret, John and James; two other chil- 
dren were born to them in Pittsburgh, Hugh 
and Andrew. Hugh McMaster, Sr., kept a 
grocery-store, and owned property where the 
Adams Express company's building now 
stands. He died in 1843, his wife in 1839. 
Politically he was a whig. Andrew McMas- 
ter, the father of Robert B., was born De- 



cember 25, 1818, in Pittsburgh; graduated 
from the Western University in the class of 
1837. Andrew was a lawyer and alderman; 
represented the Third ward; politically a re- 
publican. He died December 4, 1863. His 
wife was Grace, daughter of Andrew and 
Margaret (Barr) Barclay, and their two sons 
were Robert B. and Joseph R. The former 
graduated from the Western University, class 
of 1872, and engaged in fruit-growing on the 
farm. He married Mary I. Cotton, and they 
have one son, Hugh A. 

Samuel Creelman, justice of the peace, 
Wilkinsburg, is a native of that borough, 
born February 14, 1843. His father, William 
Creelman, was a native of County Donegal, 
Ireland, and came to this country when a 
young man. He married Petheua Demmett, 
a native of Plum township, this county, who 
bore him six children, Samuel being the sec- 
ond. For many years the father kept a store 
in Wilkinsburg, and died in 1870, aged sixty- 
eight; his widow died in 1874, at the age of 
fifty-six. William Creelman was a weaver 
by trade; a zealous whig and republican, thus 
being barred out of the Covenanter Church, 
of which his wife was a member. Samuel 
Creelman has spent all his life here. In 
1861 he joined the 101st regiment P. V., Com- 
pany A. This regiment served with the Army 
of the Potomac, participating in its marches 
and engagements till the evacuation of the 
Peninsula, when it was detached for duty 
along the North Carolina coast. Mr. Creel- 
man was made a prisoner at Plymouth April 
20, 1864, and remained nearl}' a year at An- 
dersonville and other southern prisons. He 
was discharged in 1865, and afterward took a 
course at Duff's Business College at Pitts- 
burgh. For eight years he kept a store, and 
is now in real-estate and hotel business. He 
has served as town clerk, etc. ; was elected 
justice of the peace in 1884, and re-elected 
February 19, 1889, for a term of five years. 
Politically he is a republican. March 11, 
1869, Mr. Creelman married Isabella Fogle, a 
native of Wilkinsburg, and daughter of Louis 
and Betsey Fogle_, who were of German ex- 
traction. Following are the names of Mr. 
and Mrs. Creelman's children: Calvin L., 
Mary Agnes, Edwin Page and Leonidas J. 
Mr. Creelman brought the first printing-press 
to Wilkinsburg, and taught himself the print- 
ing business. He is an ardent admirer of 
natural law, and, having stored his mind with 
ancient history, finds delight in comparing 
and contrasting the present with the past. 

John Irwin (deceased) was born July 1, 
1787, in the citj' of Pittsburgh. His father, 
Maj. John Irwin, was a native of Ireland, and 
in 1776, when a young man, he emigrated to 
America; enlisted in the colonial forces, 
fought under Gen. Wayne, and was in the 
Paoli massacre, where he was nearly killed. 
He was under Maj. Arnold in the expedition 
to Quebec; participated in Gen. Wayne's 
campaign, and was with Gen. Washington at 
the taking of Yorktown. He was lieutenant 
and captain, and later was breveted major. 



344 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Subseiiuent to the war be lived in Pittsburgh, 
where he died in 1808. Mr. Irwin was mar- 
ried to Mary Pattison, wlio became the 
motlier of four children: Mrs. Margaret 
George, Mrs. Eliza Scrapie, Dr. W. F. Irwin 
and .lohu, who was a ro|ie-manufacturer, and 
made the rigging for Perry's fleet in the war 
of 1813. He married Hannah, daughter of 
Rev. John Taylor, the first rector of Trinity 
Church, Pittsburgh, and this union was 
blessed with twelve children. Mr. Irwin died 
in 18G3, aged seventy-six j'cars. He had 
identified himself with the growth of the 
city generallj', and at one time he owned ten 
acres of ground near West Park. lie was a 
member of the First Presbyterian Church; 
was first burgess of the borough of Allegheny, 
and held various ofiices of trust and respon- 
sibility. 

James L. Penkey, physician, McKees- 
port, was born at Library, Allegheny county. 
Pa., March 7, 1838, a son of William and 
Sarah (Lowrey) Penney. His paternal grand- 
parents were James and Jane (Sill) Penney, 
the former a son of John Penney, a native of 
County Down, Ireland, and one of the first 
settlers of Elizabeth. William Penney was 
reared on a farm in Versailles; was a clergy- 
man in the Baptist Church, also a prominent 
physician, and practiced his profession in 
McKeesport for many years; he was an ar- 
dent supporter of the republican party, and 
died in 1863, aged fifty-one years. He had 
three children, Flavins J.. James L. and 
Irene J., by his first wife, and by his second 
wife, nee Elizabeth Gilbert, also three chil- 
dren: William H., Sarah J. and Josephine F. 
William H. was an engineer of a gunboat 
during the rebellion, and enlisted in the 
service at the age of seventeen. 

James L. was reared in McKeesport. In 
18.56 he began the study of medicine in the 
office of his father, attended Cleveland Med- 
ical College, and in 1859 began the practice 
of his profession in McKeesport. In April, 
1861, he was commissioned by Gov. Curtin as- 
sistant surgeon of Pennsylvania volunteers; 
was sent from the army at Harrison's landing, 
after the seven daj's' fight before Richmond, 
to Washington city in charge of five hundred 
sick and wounded, and thence to Baptist 
Church hospital at Alexandria. He resigned 
in 1863 on account of ill health, and returned 
to McKeesport, where he has been in active 
practice since. He married, in 1860. Sarah 
J., daughter of David and Minerva Allen, of 
Green Oak. this count}', and has two chil- 
dren, Luella J. and Janies L. He is a mem- 
ber of Allegheny County Medical society, is 
a F. & A. M.; in politics a republican. 

John E wing Speer, attorney at law, office 
157 Fourth avenue, Pittsburgh, residence Mc- 
Keesport, was born in San Francisco, Cal., 
Februarj' 23, 1853, a son of Rev. William and 
Elizabeth B. (Ewing) Speer. His paternal 
grandfather, James R. Speer, was a promi- 
nent ph}'sician of Pittsburgh, and also secre- 
tary and treasurer of the Allegheny cemetery 
of Pittsburgh. Our subject's great-great- 



grandfather. James Speer. a farmer, was a 
nativeof Ireland, and immigrated to America 
in 1760. settling in llie Peach Bottom, in 
Cumberland valle3'. Pa., where he lived and 
died. Several of his sons participated in the 
Revolution. Another son, William, was a 
distinguished divine of the Presbyterian 
Churcii. and was pastor of the first f'resby- 
terian church organized at Greensburg, one 
hundred years ago. The maternal grand- 
father of subject was Hon. John H. Ewing, 
of Washington, Pa., a son of William Ewing, 
one of the earliest Scotch-Irish settlers in 
Fayette county, three of whose descendants 
have been judges of county courts. Rev. 
William Speer was one of the earlj- mission- 
aries of the Presbyterian Church to China, 
and the first missionary to the Chinese of the 
Pacific coast, and was afterward secretary of 
the Presbyterian Board of Education of 
Philadelphia; is now engaged in literary 
work at Washington, Pa., and is the author 
of " The Oldest and Newest Empire, or China 
and the United States." 

The subject of this memoir was educated 
at the University of Pennsylvania, at Phila- 
delphia, and Princeton College, graduating 
from the latter in 1873. In that year he be- 
gan the study of law in Philadelphia, and 
took a partial course at the universitj- law 
school of that city. In 1875 he removed to 
Pittsburgh, and was admitted to the Alle- 
gheny county bar in March, 1876. He was 
associated for more than two years in busi- 
ness with Malcolm Hay, late assistant post- 
master-general. On September 1. 1876, he 
took up his residence in McKeesport, but 
still retains his office in Pittsburgh, wliere he 
has a large and growing practice. He has 
taken some interest in politics; was secretary 
of the state convention in 1874, and is a 
stanch high-tariff republican. 

Robert L. Kiggs, real-estate dealer, Mc- 
Keesport, was born August 26, 1838, a son of 
John and Mary (Phillips) Riggs. His pater- 
nal grandfather, Edward Riggs, a native of 
New Jersey, of German and Welsh descent, 
was a pioneer of Snowden townshi]i. where 
he cleared and improved a farm, on which he 
lived and died. He had four children: Ed- 
ward, John, Joseph and Mary (Mrs. Elijah 
Townsend). The maternal grandfather was 
Joseph Phillips, the first Baptist minister to 
locate in Western Pennsylvania; he organized 
the first Baptist Church at Peters Corner. Pa., 
the centennial anniversary of which was 
celebrated in 1875. John Riggs, father of 
our subject, was a native of Snowden town- 
ship, and at his father's death succeeded to 
the homestead, and resided there until his 
death. His children were David, Sarah (Mrs. 
Samuel Murray), Edward, Josiah, Lewis, 
Joseph, John, Robert L., William. Obadiah 
and Isaac. Of these, John served three years 
in the rebellion and David occupies the old 
Riggs homestead. 

Robert L. Riggs was reared in Snowden. 
and was educated in the common schools and 
Bethel Academy. He began life as a teacher 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



345 



in the public schools of Jefferson ami Mifflin 
townships, came to McKeesport in 1864, and 
was principal of the public schools two years. 
He then embarked in the drug business with 
Jesse Sill, the partnership existing until the 
death of Mr. Sill, in 1878, when our subject 
succeeded to the business, which he conducted 
until 1880. He then engaged in tlie lumber 
and planing-mill business with James R. 
Gemmill and J. A. Lucas for five years, and 
since 1885 has been engaged in the real-estate 
business. He married, April 19, 1864, Cordelia 
C. B., daughter of John and Margaret (Cun- 
ningham) Whigham, of Mifflin township.and 
has six children: Effie W., Jessie J., Thomas 
A., Viola. Clifford and Walter. Mr. Riggsis 
president of the board of education, of which 
he has been a member most of the time since 
1867. He is a member of the Baptist Church ; 
in politics a republican. 

Rev. Joseph Hunter, A. M. (deceased), 
was born August 2.5, 1816. in Freeport, Ann- 
strong county. Pa., and died January 6, 
1884. His father, Alexander Hunter, came 
from Ireland when twent3'-two years old, 
married Elizabeth Anderson, of Franklin 
county, and settled on a farm in Burrell, 
Westmoreland county; they were earnest 
Covenanters. Joseph Hunter was a studious 
youth, and engaged early in teaching. After 
taking a course in the Western University he 
studied theology under Dr. Wilson at Cincin- 
nati. After ordination he spent a year in 
mission work, and became the first pastor of 
the Reformed Presbyterian Church at Wil- 
kinsburg in 1853. For a time he preached al- 
ternately at Deer Creek and New Texas. He 
continued in charge at Wilkinsburgtill about 
a year before his death, and preached a ser- 
mon three weeks previous to tljat event. He 
enjoj'ed the confidence of all the brethren of 
his denomination. His large heart and kind- 
ly manner made him an etilcient pastor; and 
although beginning with a very small band of 
worshipers, by faithful and zealous work he 
succeeded in building up a large and prosper- 
ous church. He left a widow and two daugh- 
ters, Elizabeth and LfEtitia. the latter being 
the wife of Prof. Alex. S. Hunter, Ph. D., a 
Presbyterian clergyman now residing in Han- 
over, Ind., where he fills the chair of physics 
and astronomy in Hanover College. June 
27, 1853, were united in marriage Rev. J. 
Hunter and Mary A. Denison, a native of 
Uniontown, Pa., and daughter of Samuel 
and Lsetitia Denison, the former a native of 
Greencastleand the latter of Pittsburgh, both 
of Irish descent. Jeremiah Sturgeon, the 
father of Mrs. Laetitia Denison, and who 
was a revolutionary soldier of York, Pa., 
came to Pittsburgh with the army. Being 
well pleased with the location, he brought 
his bride there at the close of the war. 

George Bossart, city clerk, McKeesport, 
was born in Youngstown. Pa., December 29, 
1859, a son of John and Susan (Shirey) Bos- 
sart, and is of German descent. He was 
reared in his native town and educated at 
Ligonier and Greensburg academies; also 



took a commercial course at the Iron City 
Business College, Pittsburgh, thus fitting 
himself thoroughly for positions of responsi- 
bility. He taught school for a period of 
three years, beginning at seventeen years of 
ao;e. In the fall of 1881 he located in Mc- 
Keesport, and for five years was bookkeeper 
for the hardware firm of J. F. Ryan & Son, 
in which position his ability to fill positions 
was so admirably shown that in 1885 he was 
elected borough clerk and cleric of the water 
department, and is now (1888) serving his 
third consecutive term in that capacity. He 
married, November 15, 1887, Lizzie, daughter 
of Wendal and Mary Daub, of Pittsburgh. 
Mrs. Bossart is one of the proprietors of tlie 
leading millinery establishment of McKees- 
port. Mr. Bossart is a stockholder in the 
New Enterprise Building & Loan associa- 
tion, of which he has been secretary since its 
organization in August, 1887, He' is an en- 
terprising and public-spirited citizen. In 
politics lie is a republican. 

H. J. MnKDOCH, one of the proprietors 
and business-manager of the United Prtsby- 
terian, has been a resident of Sewickley. Al- 
legheny county. Pa., for over twenty years; 
is a native of Belfast, in the north of Ireland, 
of Scotch-Irish parentage; received an aca- 
demic education and acquired alimited knowl- 
edge of the printing business before leaving 
his native land, which, however, was after- 
ward completed in the printing and publish- 
ing establishment of W. S. Young, Esq., 
Philadelphia, Pa., where he had for his com- 
panions and fellow-workmen such distin- 
guished journalists and printers as John 
•Russell Young, John Blakely, proprietor of 
the Evening Star, and James M. and George 
S. Ferguson, all of Philadelphia. Mr. Mur- 
doch came to this country when a mere boy, 
and after spending a few years with relatives 
and friends in Norristown and Philadelphia, 
was induced to go to Westminster College, 
New Wilmington, Pa., with the intention of 
studying for the ministry, but was so infatu- 
ated with journalism that he soon abandoned 
his original intention, and became connected 
with the Westminster Herald, a religious 
newspaper, as its publisher. Under his able 
and etBcienl management this paper was 
very successful, but was soon afterward con- 
solidated with the United Presbyterian, as 
was, also, at a later period, mainly through 
his influence, the Presbyterian Witness, of 
Cincinnati, Ohio, With these additions, 
which gave the paper a much greater influ- 
ence and largely increased circulation, his 
aim and purpose now being to make it, if 
possible, one of the ablest and best religious 
newspapers in the country, and although 
ably assisted by Rev. D. R. Kerr, D. D., as 
editor-in-chief, its financial success and pros- 
perity are largely due to the shrewd and care- 
ful management of Mr. Murdoch, wlio now 
has the proud satisfaction of being one of the 
proprietors of a paper that can justly claim 
to have the largest circulation of any paper 
outside of New York city. 



346 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



The printing of the impel- isilone by J[ur- 
doch, KeiTifc Co. .book and jol) printers, who 
also print the Ghfisdan AilroraU, Mdhmlut 
Reconhr, Ecangdii-al l{,p<ii<itori/. Thi' Wurk- 
mitn, all religious j)erii>dieals; Amiriniii Mini- 
■iifaelurer. Labor Trihuin. Knnt Kiid liuUitin. 
American, and all the publicaliiiiis of llie 
boards of the United Presbyterian and Meth- 
odist Protestant churches, besides carrying 
on a very extensive and general printing 
business. He was also at one time, and for 
many years, associated with Ferguson Broth- 
ers & Co.. one of the largest and most com- 
pleteelectrotypingestablisliments in Philadel- 
phia. Though Mr. Murdoch has been for 
many years, and is still, alaliorious and hard- 
working man, he has lost none of his vigor, 
being still in the prime of life. He is highly 
esteemed in the United Presbyterian Church, 
being a consistent member of it since the 
union in 1858, and in the community where 
he resides, as a man of undeviating probity 
and sterling qualities. In his business rela- 
tions be is prompt and decided, and has the 
peculi;v knack of making many friends, and, 
when once made, has the happy faculty of 
knowing how to retain them. 

Robert C. Rankin, attorney, was born in 
Elizabeth township. Allegheny county, Sep- 
tember 25. 1854, a son of Samuel C. and Re- 
becca (Williamson) Rankin. His paternal 
grandparents, Robert and Margaret (Culbert) 
llankin, natives of Londonderry, Ireland, 
emigrated to America in 1839, settled in 
Elizabeth township, this county, and engaged 
in farming; they reared eight children: John, 
Jr.. Alexander, "Samuel C, David. William, 
Catherine (Mrs. Andrew Kelley ), Eliza (Mrs.* 
J. K. Graham) and JIargaret. Of these 
Samuel C. is a farmer and well-known citi- 
zen of Elizabeth township, and has served 
one term as director of the poor of this 
county. His wife, Rebecca, was a daughter 
of Samuel and Martha (McCombs) William- 
sou, of Washington county. By her he had 
five children; Robert C, John W., Mary, 
Samuel H. and JIaggie. Of these Robert C. 
was reared on his father's farm and was pre- 
pared for college at Elizabeth Academy-, after 
which he entered the University of ^\ ooster, 
from which he was graduated in 1878. For 
two years thereafter he was principal of the 
public schools at Orrville. Ohio. He then 
registered with R. E. Stewart, of Pittsburgh, 
as a law student, and was admitted to prac- 
tice at the Allegheny county bar. in October, 
1882. In December, 1883, he came to Mc- 
Keesport, where he has since been known as 
an able attorney, and has held the office of 
borough solicitor since May, 1886, his term 
expiring April 1. 1891. Mr. Rankin married 
in July, 1884, Jennie F., daughter of Rev. J. 
K. and Belle (Hill) Melhorn. of Pittsburgh, 
and has one son, Raymond S. 

William Boyd, retired. Wilkinsburg, was 
born in the County Down, near Belfast. Ire- 
land, November 23, 1816. Six years later his 
parents, DavidandMary(Bryson)Boyd, came 
to America, and settled on a farm in that part 



of Indiana township which now constitutes 
O'Hara. There the father died at the age of 
seventy-seven, and the mother when eighty- 
six. They had six sons and one daughter; 
John, Alex., David. Hugh. James, William 
and Jane (Mrs. Dr. John AVadsworth;. Will- 
iam, who is the youngest and only one liv- 
ing, remained on the home farm till eighteen 
years old, when he went to Pittsburgh and 
learned the molder's trade. With two part- 
ners he started a foundry at Johnstown in 
1836, and continued to operate it nine years. 
He came to Wilkinsburg in 1845, and dealt in 
cattle and stock fourteen years; bought a 
farm in Indiana township, which he culti- 
vated till 1873, when he returned to Wilkins- 
burg, and is here extensively interested in 
real estate. He and his family are connected 
with the Covenanters' Church, of which his 
parents were members. Mr. Boyd is an act- 
ive democrat, and came within a few votes 
of being made burgess in 1888. although the 
borough is overwhelmingly republican. In 
1859 he married Louise M.. "daughter of Will- 
iam and Mary (JIarkle) Miller, of Westmore- 
land county. Pa., of German descent. Mrs. 
Louise M. Boyd is a niece of the late Gen. 
Joseph Markle. of Mill Grove. Mr. and Mrs. 
Boyd have two daughters, Mary and Jennie, 
at home. 

Capt. a. B. Campbell, general insur- 
ance agent. McKeesport. was born in New 
Lisbon, Ohio, October 23, 1837. a son of 
Jacob and Eliza (Allen) Campbell. Jacob 
was a native of Chester county. Pa., of 
Scotch descent, a captain in the war of 1812, 
and one of the early settlers of Pittsburgh. 
He was a carpenter, and helped construct 
the first bridge across the Allegheny river 
between Pittsburgh and Allegheny; also as- 
sisted in building the first inclined coal-road 
on the Monongahela river, and assisted 
in erecting Schoenberger Iron-works, one 
of the first iron-mills in Pittsburgh. He 
afterward engaged in business in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, as a contractor for a number of j^ears; 
thence went to Wheeling (now in West Vir- 
ginia), where he formed the acquaintance of 
Eliza Allen, his second wife, a daughter of 
David Allen, one of the first settlers of Eliza- 
beth township. Allegheny county. He then 
removed to New Lisbon, Ohio, where he fol- 
lowed contracting and building for several 
years. In 1845 he settled permanently in 
"Elizabeth township, Allegheny county, and 
carried on farming until his death. 

The subject of this memoir was reared in 
Elizabeth township from the age of eight 
years, and received a common-school educa- 
tion. On the breaking out of the rebellion, in 
1861, he joined Company M, 100th (Round- 
head) regiment P. V. I., as second lieu- 
tenant, and was elected captain of the com- 
pany after three months' service. He accom- 
panied the first expedition that went south 
under Gen. Sherman to Hilton Head, partic- 
ipating in the taking of Forts Walker and 
Beauregard, and was among the first troops 
to occupy Beaufort, S. C. He was in the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



347 



battle of Port Royal Ferry, S. C, and from 
Beaufort went to James island, aud partic- 
ipated in the fight of Secessionville fort. He 
was then sent with his regiment to Newport 
News, Va., and from there to Slaughter's 
Mountain as reinforcement to Gen. Pope. 
Soon after he took part in the battles of 
second Bull run and Chantilly, and was 
there driven back to Washington city by the 
enemy; afterward was engaged in the bat- 
tles of South Mountain, Antietam and Fred- 
ericksburg, and was honorably discharged 
from the service in January, 1863. In 1864, 
with a party of five, he visited Virginia City, 
and in the fall of the same year (1864), with 
a party of sixty-five, proceeded from there to 
the headwaters of the Yellowstone river 
(they being the first parti' known to make 
the trip), thence to the mouth of the Yellow- 
stone at Fort Union, where it empties into 
the Missouri river. In 1865 he returned to 
his father's farm, in Elizabeth township, 
Allegheny county, and in 1866 married Eliza, 
daughter of Asher and Eliza (Manown) Van- 
kirk, of Elizabeth township, by whom he has 
five children living: Hattie M.. Lillian, Will- 
iam, Maggie and Anson. In 1866 Mr. 
Campbell engaged in the general insurance 
business. He has served as a member of the 
school board thirteen consecutive terms and 
two terras in the legislature, 1879-80, 1881-83. 
He is a member of the G. A. R. ; in politics is 
a republican. 

James Thomson, sou of Archibald Thom- 
son, was born in Franklin countj', Pa., in 
December, 1790. His grandfather, Alexander 
Thomson, of Glasgow, Scotland, came to this 
country with his family in 1771, and settled 
in the Cumberland valley in the neighbor- 
hood of Chambersburg, Pa., where man}- of 
his descendants still reside. The subject of 
this sketch came west in 1812, at the age of 
twenty-two, and settled in Pittsburgh, where 
he continued to reside during the remainder 
of his life. He married Elizabeth Watson, a 
native of Pittsburgh, daughter of William 
Watson. From 1813 until 1835 he carried on 
the watchmaking and jewelry business on 
Market street. He soon after entered into 
partnership with Samuel Stackhouse in the 
business of engine-building, which they car- 
ried on on Short street, under the name of 
Stackhouse & Thomson, until the dissolu- 
tion of the firm in 1839 or 1840. In 1840 he 
was elected mayor of Pittsburgh, which office 
he filled during the year 1841, the official 
term being limited to one year. 

After the expiration of his term of office 
he entered into partnership with Joseph 
Tomlinson, and for some time they carried on 
the business of engine-building on property 
adjoining the old Pittsburgh Gasworks, now 
occupied by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad 
company, where they built several iron steam- 
ships for the United States. They afterward 
moved their shops to Duquesne way, in the 
Fourth ward, Pittsburgh, where they carried 
on the manufacture of railroad freight-cars 
for some time. After the dissolution of the 



firm of Tomlinson & Co. he was, in 1853, 
elected engineer of the Pittsburgh Gas com- 
panj', which position he held until 1871, when 
failing health compelled him to resign. The 
company, however.continued him as consult- 
ing engineer until the spring of 1875. He died 
in August, 1876, in the eighty-sixth year of 
his age,respected and esteemed by his fellow- 
citizens. 

Joseph Ecofp, superintendent of water- 
works, McKeesport, was born in East Fair- 
field township, Columbiana county, Ohio, 
February 20,1838, a son of William audMaria 
(Boughman) Ecoff, natives of Chester county, 
Pa., who settled in Columbiana county, Ohio, 
in 1837, and who, in 1847, removed to New 
Castle county. Del. After attaining the age 
of fourteen he, for a period of nine years, 
employed himself in the various branches of 
sheet-iron manufacture for C. & J. Marshall 
& Co., extensive sheet-iron manufacturers of 
Wilmington, Del., and Philadelphia. In 1866 
he located in McKeesport, and was in the 
employ of W. D. Wood & Co., as a roller of 
fine Russia iron, from April 5, 1866, until 
September 13, 1883, and was then elected 
superintendent of the McKeesport water- 
works, in which position he has satisfactorily 
served the public six years. Mr. Ecoff mar- 
ried, July 3, 1863, Susan B., daughter of 
Ephraim and Elizabeth (Springer) Yarnall, of 
Wilmington, Del., and has four childien: 
Anna (Mrs. William England). William, 
George and Elizabeth. In 1877 Mr. Ecoff 
was elected a member of the borough council, 
and took an active part in the establishment 
of the water-works, and during his five years 
of service in the council gave complete satis- 
faction to his constituents. He has been 
vice-president of the Mutual Building & 
Loan association and president of the Enter- 
prise Building & Loan association, and is 
now president of the New Enterprise Build- 
ing it Loan association. He is a member of 
the Royal Arcanum; in politics an independ- 
ent democrat. 

AViLLiAM Heakes, Episcopal clergyman, 
W^ilkinsburg, was born September 29. 1851, 
in Toronto, Canada. His parents, Samuel 
and Mariha Louisa (Payn) Heakes, were born 
and bred in London, England, where Mr. 
Heakes was a member of the choir in Row- 
land Hill's church, both during and after its 
connection with the mother Church of 
England. In 1848 they visited Pittsburgh, 
and after spending a short time in New 
Orleans, settled at Toronto, where the 
mother died in October, 1851. Tlie father 
afterward married again. He was engaged 
in a mercantile business, from which he has 
recently retired. William Heakes attended 
private schools on Staten island and Trinity 
Church school, New York city. He 
graduated, from St. Stephen's College at 
Annandale, N. Y., in 1877, and entered the 
General Theological Seminary of New York 
city. After two years of successful study 
he abandoned the course on account of fail- 
ing health. A year's rest enabled him to 



348 



niSTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



engage in teadiiiig at Si. Jolm's Military 
Academy at Iladdoufiekl, N. J., aud wliile 
there he finished his course in theology, and 
was or(lained in 1882; was rector of Trinity 
Church, Cranford, N. .1.. for live years, 
during the last three of wliicli he also min- 
istered to tlic parish of Westtield. He went 
to Trenton in January, 1H8T. and remained a 
year, taking charge, in 1H88, of St. Stephen's 
chapel, under the auspices of Calvary Prot- 
estant Episcopal Church, East Liberty. 

Geohck \V. Baoyk, wholesale grocer, 
Wilkinsburg, was horn in Fallowfleld town- 
ship. Washington county. Pa., February 16, 
1843. His grandfather, who was of German 
birth, and the son of a Frenchman, came 
and settled in Washington county in the 
latter part of the eighteenth century. He 
had sixteen children, all born here, the 
youngest of whom, Simon, married Catharine, 
daughter of Peter Yohe, who settled in 
what is now Somerset township, Washington 
county. Pa., in 1791. They had eight sons 
(of wbom George W. is the fourth) and 
seven daughters. Simon Eagye was killed 
by a runaway team in 1860, iu his si.xtieth 
year; his widow died in 1886, aged seventy- 
five. The early years of our subject were 
passed on the home farm, and August 19, 
1861, he enlisted in an independent cavalry 
company attaclied to the Ringgold cavalry, 
which afterward became Company D of the 
Twenty -fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He 
served' with Sheridan till the close of the war, 
participating in all the engagements and raids 
of that general. At Lost River Gap, W. 
Va., his horse was shot from under him, but 
he never received a wound. For two years 
after the war Mr. Eagye kept a store at 
Upper Middletowu, Fayette county. Pa., and 
in 1867 he engaged in the wholesale grocery 
trade at Pittsburgh, the firm being known as 
Smith, .Johnson & Colvin. It is now Johnson, 
E.agye & Earl, aud the annual sales have 
grown from $140,000 to a million. December 
14, 1865, Mr. Eagye married Eliza M. Win- 
nett, a native of "Wasliington county, and 
daughter of Rev. Hiram and Nancy (Mitchell) 
AVinnett, of English descent, and the result 
of this union are the following-named chil- 
dren: Leet M., Luthella B., Perie Almeda. 
Nellie C. and Edna J. ; Charles Sullivan and 
Oertrude died iu infancy. The family are 
identified with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. In April, 1884, Mr. Eagye brought 
his familj- to Wilkinsburg, occupying the 
handsome house lie had built on Franklin 
street. He is a member of the borough council, 
and is a republican with strong prohibition 
sympathies; is a member of the I. O. G. T. 
and I. O. O. F. 

Eduard p. Muiu'iiEY, music-dealer, Mc- 
Keesport, was born in Connellsville. Pa., 
February 17, 18.59, a son of Ross M. and 
Margaret A.(McCormick) Murphey, natives of 
Fayette county, and of Irish descent. He 
came with his mother to McKeesportiu 1860, 
and was there reared and educated. At the 
flge of fourteen he entered the office of the 



McKeesport Times (when Hartley Campbell 
was editor), where he was employed two and 
a half years. At eighteen years of age he 
entered tlie employ of the National Tube- 
works. Ijeing one of the first clerks employed 
by that company, and rem;iiiied until 1883. 
lie then embarked in the music biisiness, his 
tastes having led him in that direction, and 
his leisure hours from earl}' youth having 
been devoted to the study and practice of 
music. It was, therefore, natural to expect 
lliat he would become tlie manager of the 
largest music-house in the city, doing an im- 
mense business, and that he would be at the 
head of all musical events of merit. He was 
the director of the choral union for three 
years, giving fine musical festivals of mam- 
moth proportions, aud in each case every 
detail was considered with such care and ex- 
ecuted with such consummate ability that the 
quality of the performance was in everj' 
respect equal to the quantity, three hundred 
well-trained voices composing tlie chorus. 
Mr. Murphey is an accomplislied organist. and 
is the possessor of a bass voice of wonderful 
depth and power. He is a member of the 
First Methodist Episcopal Church, and is the 
financial secretary of this immense congre- 
gation. His prominence and activity in 
business circles have made him a member of 
the McKeesport Board of Trade, of which he 
is the present efficient secretary. He is a 
member of the Royal Templars of Temper- 
ance, Ro3'al Arcanum and I. O. O. F.; in 
politics he is a republican. Six years ago 
Mr. Murphey married one of McKeesport's 
popular society ladies, Anna M. Fehr, and 
two children were the result of their marriage 
relation, one having died, the other, a prom- 
ising boy, Edward P., Jr., still living. Mr. 
Murphey resides in a beautiful suburban resi- 
dence, on the banks of the Monongahela 
river, one mile above McKeesport. 

John F. Davitt, secretary' and treasurer 
McKeesport Gas company, was born in 
Pittsburgh, Pa., February 2, 1845, a son of 
John C. and Mary C. (Carothers) Davitt. His 
grandparents, James Davitt and Mary (Car- 
uahan) Davitt, natives, respectively, of 
Ireland and of Westmoreland county, Pa., 
were among the pioneers of Mercer county. 
Pa. John C. Davitt was a native of Mercer, 
Pa., where he was reared and educated; in 
early life he settled in Pittsburgh, and for 
many years engaged in the furniture business, 
from" which he retired in 1858. He was 
treasurer of Pittsburgh two terms. He reared 
a familv of five children: James W., Thomas 
C, Alfred B.. John F. and Elizabeth H. (Mrs. 
Samuel S. Holland). His three youngest 
sons participated in the rebellion, and Thomas 
C. died of starvation in the rebel prison at 
Millen, Ga. 

Onr subject was reared and educated in 
Pi ttsburj;h;' located in McKeesport in 1866. 
and entered the employ of W. D. Wood & 
Co., as shipping-clerk; in 1869 was appointed 
chief clerk, and has held that position to the 
present time. He was one of the projectors 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



349 



of the McKeesport Gas company, organized 
in 1871, and since 1872 has been its efl5cient 
secretary and treasurer. In 1878 he married 
Emma, daughter of Rev. Edward Small, of 
Mercer. Pa. Mr. Davitt is a member of the 
First Presbyterian Church; was borough 
treasurer one year, and member of council 
one year. He is a prominent Knight Templar; 
in politics he is a stanch republican. 

Alfred G. Loyd, paymaster of the Spang 
Steel & Iron company, Sharpsburg, was born 
in Etna. Allegheny county. Pa., January 19, 
1860. a son of Alfred G. Lnyd, who was a 
practical iron-man, and for mauy years 
superintendent of the Etna Iron-works, now 
known as Spang, Chalfant & Co. Alfred, 
Sr. , entered the employ of that company in 
the capacity of clerk, and rose to the position 
of superintendent by his knowledge of the 
iron business. He married Julia Fitzgerald, 
who bore him two sons and two daughters. 
No man in his day was probably more widely 
known in Allegheny county than Mr. Loyd. 
He was for a number of years revenue col- 
lector, and was regimental quartermaster of 
the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsyl- 
vania regiment. Alfred G., 2d, was educated 
at the schools of Massachusetts, and took up 
a preparatory course at Harvard, but on 
account of ill-health abandoned his studies. 
In 1881 he entered the employ of the Spang 
Steel & Iron company at Sharpsburg, as 
clerk at the works at that place, which posi- 
tion he now holds. He married, in 1884, 
Bertha A. Petereins, and has one daughter 
and one .son. Mr. Loyd is a member of St. 
Peter's Episcopal Church; is a member of 
the Jr. O. U. A. M., S. V., A. O. K. of M. C. 
and K. O. T. M. He was elected school 
director in 1888; politically he is a democrat. 

Augustus W. Smith, carriage-manufact- 
urer, McKeesport, is a native of Butler 
county. Pa., where he was reared and edu- 
cated. He served four years' apprenticeship 
at the carriage-maker's trade in Pittsburgh, 
and in 1871 embarked in business in Mc- 
Keesport, at the corner of Fourth avenue 
and Walnut street. Thoroughly posted in 
all the details of his business, his trade in- 
creased so rapidly that he was compelled to 
enlarge his facilities in 1872, and in 1874 he 
erected the large three story building which 
was purchased by the Pittsburgh, McKees- 
port & Youghiogheny Railroad company in 
1884, and is new occupied by that corporation 
as a freight depot. In 1880 he added the 
manufacture of harness to his already ex- 
tensive business, and in 1884 erected his 
present complete mammoth works, at Nos. 
561, .563, 56.5, 567 and .569 Fifth avenue, which 
he now occupies, and which are conceded to 
be one of the finest and most complete car- 
riage-works in Western Pennsylvania. 'The 
works are one of McKeesport's reliable in- 
dustries, and turn out any style of vehicle 
desired. Mr. Smith gives personal supervis- 
ion to his custom-made work, and connected 
with his establishment is a large repository, 
•which is constantly kept filled with his own 



work and that of other manufacturers, of 
different grades, and his harness department 
is one of the most complete in the city. It 
is particularly worthy of note that his estab- 
lishment has never been idle a day since it was 
started, seventeen years ago. 

Mr. Smith has been vice-president of the 
McKeesport Building & Loan association 
since its organization, which position he has 
filled with credit to himself and profit to the 
association. He is a prominent member of 
the Board of Trade, and takes a lively inter- 
est in all matters of public interest. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; 
of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P.; in politics 
he is a republican, and a stanch advocate of 
protection to American industries. He is a 
director of the McKeesport Oil company, of 
McKeesport Board of Trade and McK. & B. 
Bridge company. 

Jacob B. Shale, postmaster, McKees- 
port, was born in Ligonier valley, July 9, 
1855, a son of John P. (deceased) and Re- 
becca Shale, who still lives at the old home- 
stead with John P. Shale, Jr. Mr. Shale 
lived on the farm with his parents until the 
death of his father in 1866, when he and John 
P., his brother, and his mother and sister 
moved to a farm on Chestnut ridge left to 
them by the father. Here he remained until 
June, 1872, when he accepted an agency with 
the Grover & Baker Sewing-Machine com- 
pany. This business he followed until the 
panic of 1873, when he closed out his stock, 
settled with the company and resigned his 
position. Afterward he turned his attention 
to the carpenter's trade, which he followed 
until December 18, 1877, when he came to 
McKeesport and embarked in the grocery 
business, at No. 21 Market street. Here he 
remained one year and three months, and 
then bought the grocery-store of John Res. 
No. 80 Fifth avenue, at which stand he 
carried on business for six months. Then 
buying the dry -goods and grocery business 
and stock of J. B. Manning, in the Bowman 
block, he took his brother, John P., into 
partnership. Under the name of Shale Bros, 
they worked together one year, when John 
P. sold his interest to J. B. and returned to 
the farm. J. B. then managed the business 
for himself until October, 1882, when he 
again sold a half-interest, this time to W. J. 
Sharpies, who at present continues to be his 
partner, and Mr Shale erected the Second 
Ward planing-mill, which he operated up to 
the date of his appointment as postmaster of 
McKeesport, December 4, 1885. since which 
time he has given his time and attention to 
the postal service, and has made a good record 
as a public man. When he took charge of 
the office the revenue was about $8,000 per 
year, the office assigned to the third class, 
the salary only SI, 900 with .$300 allowance 
for rent, light, fuel and furniture. At pres- 
ent writing, the revenue is about 513,000 per 
year, the office assigned to the second class. 
the salary $2,300 with $575 allowance for 
rent, light, fuel and furniture, and SI, 300 



350 



HISTOKV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



for clerk hire. The office has been moved to 
more convenient quarters, and on the 1st of 
April. 1888, after a long, hard struggle, the 
postmaster succeeded in having the free 
delivery of mail established at this oflice. 

Mr. Shale, at the age of fourteen, con- 
nected himself with the Metliodist Episcopal 
Church, and has been a consistent member 
since, and also one of the trustees of the First 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Die borough 
for man}' 3-ears. He has dealt considerably in 
real estate, and is at present president of the 
McKeesport Building it Loan association. 
He is a prominent member of the Masonic 
fraternity, the Board of Trade, the board of 
directors of Versailles Cemetery, and the 
board of directors of the Young Men's 
Christian association. In politics he is a 
democrat, and was prominently mentioned 
as a candidate for Congress in 1888 from the 
twenty-fourth district. 

Ale.kander Watson Cadman. manufact- 
urer. Pittsburgh, and with one exception the 
oldest established brass-founder in the ciU', 
was born in Allegheny, Pa., Feb. 16, 1847. His 
father, Samson Cadman, a native of Man- 
chester, England, came to Pittsburgh when 
nineteen years old; he was a machinist, and 
for several years was engineer on the Ohio 
river; later he became captain, and com- 
manded the Latrobe, Mansfield and Clara 
Dean. At the outbreak of the civil war he 
was in the government transport service; in 
1863 he was in the Mississippi squadron. 
Afterward he established a brass-foundry on 
Duquesne way, Pittsburgh, which he oper- 
ated till his death; he died in 1877. He was a 
democrat. He was married to Mary Watson 
of Highland-Scotch birth, and their only liv- 
ing children are Alexander and Josephine 
(wife of .James H. Orr, of Edgewood). This 
wife dying in 18.54, Mr. Cadman afterward 
married Mrs. Matilda Sproat. who survives 
him. A. W. Cadman attended the public 
schools of Allegheny and Prof. Davis' acad- 
emy. When sixteen years old he was em- 
ployed by his uncle in a boiler-3'ai'd, and soon 
went into his father's office, succeeding to 
the business. Mr. Cadman is the second old- 
est resident of Edgewood. Samson Cadman 
bought land and built a house here in 1868. 
and brought his family, and A. W. Cadman 
built Ids present residence, adjoining his 
father's, in 1876. He was married in 1874 to 
Henrietta McWhiuney, a native of the city 
of AUeghen}', daughter of Matthew and Sarah 
McWhinncy, of Ireland, and their children 
are Matthew McW., Ralph Watson and Mary 
Emma. The family attend the Wilkins- 
burg Presbyterian Church. Mr. Cadman is 
a F. & A. M. He was a democrat until 1884, 
and then became a republican. 

George Hetzel, artist, Pittsburgh, was 
born in the village of Ilangviller, Alsace, 
Germany, January 17, 1826. His parents, 
George and Catherine (Siegrist) Hetzel, came 
to America in 1828, and settled at Pittsburgh, 
where the father worked at tailoring for 
some time, and was twenty-five years toll- 



keeper at Mechanic street bridge. George 
attended the public school until sixteen j'ears 
of age, when he was apprenticed to a house 
and sign painter. This he followed till of 
age, and then proceeded to Dusseldorf. Ger- 
many, where lie studied the art of painting 
over two years. Ever since then liis brush 
has been his capital. For a few years he 
gave attention to portrait- work, but now de- 
votes his entire time to landscape-iiainling, 
and finds a ready sale for his productions in 
New York, Philadelphia, Wilmington and 
other eastern cities, as well as at home. In 
1870 he took up his residence at Edgewood. 
where he built his present home. In 1883. 
Mr. Hetzel established the Pittsburgh Art 
school, in company with Mr. Jolin Beatty, 
and is still connected with that institution as 
teacher. He is a member of the Stockton 
Avenue Lutheran Church, Allegheny City, 
and in politics is a republican. In 1860 jfr. 
Hetzel married Miss Louise Siegrist. who 
was born in Mifflin, Juniata county. Pa.^ 
daughter of George and Mar)- Magdalene 
(Kaetzel) Siegrist, who came from the same 
locality as Mr. Hetzel. The children of Mr. 
and Mrs. Hetzel were James. Charles. Ella, 
Frank and Lila. The eldest three were in 
the Twenty-eighth street railroad accident in 
1880, in which Charles and Ella were killed. 

William N. HouniNS, coal-operator, Mc- 
Keesport, was born in North Huntingdon 
township, Westmoreland county. Pa., June 
30, 1828, a son of Moses and Rebecca ( Woods) 
Robbins. His paternal grandfather was 
Brintnell Robbins, a native of Connecticut, 
who served as lieutenant and commander of 
a company throughout the Revolution, and 
afterward engaged in commerce between 
New London, Conn., and the West Indies 
and Cuba. After being engaged in that busi- 
ness several years he lost his vessel and cargo 
off Cape Hatteras, and to retrieve his fortunes 
emigrated with an ox-team and cart over the 
mountains to Conuellsville, Westmoreland 
county. Pa., in 1790, where for a time he 
worked for the first furnace west of the mount- 
ains, on Jacob's creek, as a digger of ore, and 
later as a teamster. The furnace company 
failed, owing him considerable money, and he 
took his pay in pots and kettles, which he after- 
ward exchanged as part paj'ment for a farm 
near Port Royal. From there he removed to 
Long run, Allegheny county, where he oper- 
ated a mill on the property now known as 
Sampson's mills, where he remained one 
year. In 1793 he purchased a farm of 290 
acres in Westmoreland county, and moved to 
it; with the assistance of his neighbors, cut 
the timljer, erected a house, and danced in it 
the same night. He increased his farm to 
700 acres by purchasing adjoining lands. 

He moved to Pittsburgh in 1803 or 1804. 
and purchased a large tract of land on Plum 
creek, where he built two ships, one of which 
he loaded with flour and whisky and sent to 
New Orleans. She sailed for Cuba under the 
Spanish flag, and was never heard of after- 
ward; the other was stranded on Wheeling 



GENEALOGY AND BlOGEAPHY. 



351 



island, and was sold. He built the boats for 
carrying Gen. Scott's troops across the 
Niagara into Canada during the war of 1812, 
and failed to recover payment for his serv- 
ices. He was an active businessman, pushing 
and enterprising, and a slave-owner. In 
later life he returned to his farm in West- 
moreland county, which he afterward dis- 
posed of to his sons, and died near Greensburg, 
Pa., in 1837. His children were Archibald. 
Hezekiah, Moses, David, William, Polly, Ke- 
ziah, Rachel and Elizabeth. Of these Moses 
always lived in Westmoreland county, en- 
gaged in farming, milling and distilling, and 
was one of the earlj- pioneers in running coal 
on flatboats from the coal-region to Louis- 
ville. His wife was a daughter of James 
Woods, a pioneer of Westmoreland count}', 
by whom he had six children : Marj' J., Ra- 
chel, Loren, James, AVilliam and Elizabeth. 
Our subject was reared on the old homestead 
in Westmoreland county, and engaged in 
business as a coal-operator in 1856, which he 
has since followed. He has been a resident 
of McKeesport since 1883. His wife (now 
deceased) was Flavia Clara, a daughter of 
Rev. Leroy Woods, of Tennessee, and of 
Puritan stock. Mr. Robbins has four chil- 
dren: Elizabeth Mosetta, William, Loren 
and Lutullus. 

H. C. Bradeen, president of Duquesne 
Tube-works compan}', and vice-president of 
People's bank, McKeesport, was born in York 
county. Me., in 1839, where he was reared 
and educated. In 1868 he moved to Cleve- 
land, Ohio, and there worked at the machin- 
ist's trade for four years. From 1873 to 1874 
he was in Boston, Mass., then came to Mc- 
Keesport, and entered the employ of the 
National Tube-works company as foreman 
of their welding department, which position 
he held for thirteen years. May 30, 1887, he 
resigned bis position, and became one of the 
organizers of the Duquesne Tube-works 
compan}', of which he is president, and which 
commenced business January 1. 1888, under 
favorable auspices. He has been connected 
with the People's bank of McKeesport since 
1876; was a director for several j'ears, and 
was elected vice-president of the same in 
1883, which office he has since held continu- 
ously. He has been a member of the First 
Methodist Episcopal Church five years, and 
is one of its trustees; is a F. & A. M.; in 
politics he has always been a republican. 

Edward .J. Taylor, civil and mining-en- 
gineer, McKeesport, was born in Mifflin 
township, Allegheny county, in July, 1854, 
a son of Edward and Elizabeth J. (Calhoun) 
Taylor. His father was a native of York- 
shire, England, a geologist by profession; 
came to America in 1830, and was the pio- 
neer geologist of the copper and iron regions 
In Marquette and Houghton counties, Mich. 
He settled in Mifflin township. Allegheny 
county, Pa., about 1850, and in 1863 removed 
to what is now the Twenty-second ward, 
Pittsburgh, where he resided until his death, 
in 1884. He reared a family of four sons: 



Charles Z., Edward J., John G. and William 
K. The maternal grandfather of our subject 
was of Scotch-Irish descent, and a pioneer 
of Mifflin township. Mr. Taylor was reared 
in Mifflin township, and was educated at the 
Western University of Pennsylvania, Pitts- 
burgh, from which he was graduated in 1876 
as a civil and mining engineer. In August, 
of the same year, he located in McKeesport, 
where he has since resided, and since 1877. 
with the exception of one year, has held the 
position of city engineer; from 1877 to 1885 
Mr. S. J. Hatch was associated in business 
with him, under the firm name of Hatch & 
Taylor. Since 1885 the firm has been Taylor 
& Romine. 

The first public improvement in McKees- 
port was the sewerage system, designed and 
constructed by Hatch & Taylor, the first 
sewer being constructed in 1878; the next 
was the designing and construction of the 
borough water-works, and the next the street 
improvements, Walnut street being paved 
with Belgian block for one mile, under the 
supervision of Mr. Taj-lor, and he has thus 
far superintended over five hundred thousand 
dollars' worth of work on public improve- 
ments for the borough. In his capacitj' of 
mining engineer, Mr. Taylor, with his part- 
ners, has also superintended the opening of 
many of the coal-mines of this region, and 
also designed and superintended the erection 
of several coke-plants in the Connellsville 
region. In 1883 he married Luvie O.. daugh- 
ter of Ernest and Anna (Peder) Succop, of 
Pittsburgh, and has two children, Charles 
E. and Ernest S. 

Col. Akchibald Blakelet, of Quaker 
Valley, was born July 34, 1837, on the farm 
now owned by his brother Andrew, on Glade 
run, in Butler county, Pa. His father, 
Lewis, was born at the "Forks of Yough," 
in Allegheny county. His grandfather, 
Joseph, removed from Chester count}' to the 
"Forks of Yough" in 1790, and engaged in 
distilling.but owing to the disturbance known 
as the Whisky B03' Insurrection, he removed 
to what is now Forward township, Butler 
county, in the latter part of the Last century. 
His great-grandfather, a brother of Commo- 
dore Johnston Blakely, of the United States 
navy, emigrated from Ireland to Chester 
county before the revolutionary war, and 
was killed at the battle of Brandywine. His 
mother, Jane McAllister, was a daughter of 
Archibald and Hannah McAllister, early set- 
tlers on the south side of Connoquenessing, 
in Forward township, Butler county. Lewis 
Blakeley spent the greater part of his life in 
distilling, but died comparatively young, 
leaving a wife and twelve children in limited 
circumstances. Archibald was the sixth, 
and early set out to get an education which 
he completed at Marshall Academy. Virginia. 
He then read law with Hon. George W. Smith, 
of Butler, Pa., and was admitted to the But- 
ler county bar the 9lh of November, 1853, 
In 1853 was elected district attorney of But- 
ler county on the whig ticket, and served 



352 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



three years. In tlie war of the rebellion five 
of the brothers entered the service in the 
Union army, Arcliibalil being commissioned 
lieutenant-colonel of the Seventy-eighth ref,'i- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers; went with 
bis regiment to Kentucky in the fall of 1861, 
and w-^as assigned to the organization after- 
ward known as tlie Army of the Cumlierland. 
After ihc lialllc of Pittsburg Landing he 
was drUiilcd by Gen. Buell. the commander 
of the dcpartinent of the Cumberland, to 
serve as the president of a general court-mar- 
tial and military commission ordered to sit 
in the state capitol at Nashville. He was en- 
gaged in this service when the retreat of 
Buell in August, 1863, left Nashville in a 
state of siege, and he and other detached 
officers and soldiers were organized by An- 
drew .lohnson, then military governor of 
Tennessee, to aid the regular military forces 
in the defense of the capitol. This force 
mostly spent the night at the capitol, ready 
for quick movement to any threatened point. 
A historian of and participant in that siege 
has written: 

While besieged in this city affairs wore a gloomy 
aspect. Shut out trom the world, with no news for 
moDths from the army or from home, surrounded by a 
vindictive enemy resolutely determined to capture the 
capitol with the executive members of the government, 
compelled to fight for every mouthful of food we ate, the 
coudiliou of the garrison became every day more crit- 
ical Yet no one was discouraged, and all were deter- 
mined to stand by the city, with full faith that under 
the gallant (lens. Palmer and Negley it would be suc- 
cessfully held. Our expectations were not disappointed, 
and on the morning of the 26th of October we saw from 
our fortifications the victorious legions of Rosecrans 
approaching the city. 

Soon after the battle of Stone river, Col. 
Blakeley was placed in charge of his regi- 
ment, and commanded it with marked skill 
and courage through the cani])aigns of Tulla- 
homa and Chickamauga, with their engage- 
ments and battles. In the night movement 
from Chickamauga to Chattanooga he com- 
manded his brigade, and at da3'break formed 
the first battle-line for the defense of Chatta- 
nooga. The siege and investment of Chatta- 
nooga lasted two months, when the great 
battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary 
Ridge drove the enemy from his stronghold's 
around Chattanooga. On the day after these 
battles Col. Blakeley was placed in command 
of the forces on the mountain. Being several 
hours from reinforcements, he laid out and 
constructed a line of earthworks across the 
mountain, and maintained the position in se- 
curity until the following spring, when, on 
account of sickness in his family, e.xpected to 
be fatal, his resignation was reluctantly ac- 
cepted by Gen. Thomas, and he returned 
home. On his departure from Lookout 
Mountain the officers of his regiment adopted 
and tendered him a series of complimentary 
resolutions. 

Since the war he has devoted himself to 
the practice of his profession, principally 
in Pittsburgh. President Andrew Johnson 
nominated him brevet brigadier-general of 
volunteers for gallant and meritorious serv- 



ices in Tennessee, but owing to a disagree- 
ment between the president and the senate, 
this nomination, with manj" others, was 
"hungup" and not acted on. When Gen. 
.John W. Geary was elected governor of 
Pennsylvania in 1866, he tendered Col. Blake- 
ley the office of adjutant-general of Ihi- state. 
which he declined because of important busi- 
ness engagements then on hand. In 18.')4 he 
was married to Miss Susan Drum, daughter 
of Hon. Jacob Mcchling and Jane (Thomp- 
son) Mechling, at Butler, Pa. Three sons 
constitute the familv: Frederick Jacob, of 
Toledo, Ohio; Archibald Mechling. of the 
city of New York, and William Augustus, 
a student at law in the home at Quaker 
Valley. 

W. E. Koch, superintendent Spang Steel 
& Iron company. Sharpsburg. was born in 
London, England, in 18-48, the eldest son of 
Edward Koch, a banker of that city. He 
was educated at the University of Cambridge, 
England, at the school of mines in Freiberg, 
Saxony, Germany, and since the age of twent}' 
has been prominently identified with the 
manufacture of steel. He emigrated to 
America in 1883, and traveled through all 
parts of the United States, having previously 
traveled through Europe and Australia. In 
1886 he entered the employ of the Spang 
Steel & Iron companj-, as superintendent 
of the works at Sharpsburg, which position 
he still holds. Mr. Koch is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church and of the Y. M. C. A. 
of Sharpsburg; politically he is a republican. 

Col. J. L. Lotd. clerk of Isabella fur- 
nace, P. O. Sharpsburg, is a native of Alle- 
gheny county, Pa., and was born in 1826, a 
son of Alfred G. Lord, of New York, who 
came to Pittsburgh in an early day. The 
pioneer was by occupation a saddler, and 
was the father of eight children, of whom 
Col. J. L. is among the youngest. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was educated in the public 
schools of this county, was for many j-ears 
employed by Spang, Chalfant & Co., and for 
nine years has been employed as clerk in the 
office of the Isabella Furnace company. 
Since 1843 Mr. Loyd has been a resident of 
Etna and Sharpsburg. He is a member of 
the I. O. O. F., Mystic Chain and K. of P. 
fraternities; politicallv he is a republican. 

James K. Spangler, J. P., McKeesport. 
was born in Somerset county. Pa.. December 
4, 1844. a son of Lewis and Mary (Shank) 
Spangler, and is of English and German e.\- 
traction. His grandfather, Maj. Stoy. a pio- 
neer of Somerset county. Pa., and the founder 
of Stoystown. was a celebrated Indian fighter, 
and participated in the war of 1812. James 
K. Spangler was reared in his native county, 
and was a soldier in the civil war, enlisting 
September 18, 1861, for three years, in Com- 
pany B, .54th P. v.; was captured three 
times, and retained two months in Libby 
prison as a hostage. He re-enlisted as a vet- 
eran in 1864. was a prisoner of Gen. Lee at 
the time of his surrender, and was honorably 
discharged June 15, 1865. He then located in 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



353 



McKeesport.where he worked as spannerman 
and heater in Wood's rolling-mill (Russian 
department), graduated from Mount Union 
College. Ohio, June, 1870. and for eight years 
thereafter taught music. He was elected 
justice of the peace in 1881. He is a member 
of the Second Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and leader of the choir; is a member of the 
G. A. R., Royal Templars of Temperance 
and K. of P.; politically he is an advocate of 
prohibition. 

Pr.\nk Semple Bissell, manufacturer, 
Pittsburgh, was born in that city. .January 
38, 1883. His father, John Bissell, was a 
native of Connecticut, and a pioneer in the 
rolling-mill business in Pittsburgh; his 
mother, Nancy Semple, was born in that 
cit}'. Frank S. graduated at Williams College, 
Massachusetts, in 18.54, and two years later 
embarked in the manufacture of stoves, in 
company with his brother Charles, now of 
Cleveland, as successors of Paine, Lee & Co., 
on the rolling-mill site, Allegheny City. For 
the last twenty jears he has been sole pro- 
prietor, and the business is largely conducted 
by his eldest son. In 1884 he bought the 
house in Wilkinsburg built by Henry Har- 
baugh in 1843, and now resides here. The 
grounds extend on Penn avenue from West 
to Alfred streets. Mr. Bissell is a vestryman 
in St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal Church 
of Pittsburgh; a member of the executive 
committee of Dixmont hospital, and one of 
the board of managers of the Exchange 
National bank, Pittsburgh; politically he is 
a republican. His first wife, Martha H., 
daughter of Dr. Thomas Miller, bore him 
one son. Harry M. His present wife, Annie 
M., daughter of George W. Jackson, of Pitts- 
burgh, is the mother of two sons, George W. 
J. and John B. 

John Gemmill Brown, D. D., Wilkins- 
burg, was born in Pittsburgh, January 14. 
1824. His earliest paternal ancestor in this 
country came from Scotland in 1707. His 
grandfather, John Brown (who when a lad 
was with his father at the battle of Brandy- 
wine), passed most of his life on the Juniata, 
in Huntingdon county. He came to Plum 
township, this count}', early in the present 
century. Allen, his son, operated a tannery 
for a time near East Liberty. He married 
Mrs. Catharine (Kellar) Whiteside, and in 
1823 moved his tannery to the site now 
occupied by the Homeopathic hospital. 
Four years later he came to Wilkinsburg, and 
engaged in burning lime; afterward kept a 
store at East Liberty. For many j'ears he 
kept one of the largejt and most popular 
hotels in the city of Pittsburgh. He died in 
1863. 

Jithn G. Brown graduated from the West- 
ern University in 1842, and then for four 
years attended the United Presbyterian 
Theological Seminary in AUeghen}' City. Li 
184.5 he was licensed to preach, and the 
following year became pastor of the congre- 
gation now known as the Third United 
Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, with 



which he remained twentj'-flve years, the 
present church-ediflce being erected during 
his pastorate. He was then elected corre- 
sponding secretary of the board of home 
missions of the United Presbyterian Church, 
being the real executive otflcer of that body 
for fourteen years. In 1864 the Western 
University conferred on him the degree of 
D. D., and in 1874 he was moderator of the 
general assembly at Monmouth, 111. In 1869 
he organized a day school for deaf-mutes in 
Pittsburgh, which afterward became, by his 
efforts, the Western Pennsylvania Institute 
for the Deaf and Dumb. By his individual 
efforts he obtained in subscriptions $76,000 
for this object, and with the aid of others 
secured its organization in 1876, when he 
was made president of the board of trustees 
and chairman of the executive committee. On 
the resignation of the principal in 1885, Dr. 
Brown was unanimously elected b}' his col- 
leagues to the head of this institution. Dr. 
Brown was married in 1847 to Caroline E. 
Fisk, a native of Lawrenceville, and daughter 
of Alba and Fanny (Knelan) Fisk, of New 
England stock'. All of their children reside 
in Lawrenceville; Fanny F. (Murphy), Alba 
Fisk, general manager Keystone Bridge- 
works, and Caroline F. (Graham). The 
fourth child, a daughter, died when two 
years old. Dr. Brown is a republican in 
politics. 

Edward C. Kearney, physician, Mc- 
Kcesport, was born in Mouongahela City, 
Pa., April 80, 1844, and is a son of Edward 
and Jane (Fleming) Kearney. His father 
was a native of Berkeley county, now West 
Virginia, a farmer by occupation, and about 
1816 settled with his parents, James and 
Margaret Kearney, in Monongahela City. 
His wife was a daughter of David Fleming, 
a pioneer of Washington county. Pa. Our 
subject was reared in his native city, and 
graduated from Monongahela City academy. 
In 1860 he began the study of medicine with 
Dr. William H. King, and later with Dr. C. 
R. Stuckslager, and graduated from Western 
Reserve college, Cleveland, Ohio. He began 
the practice of his profession in 1866, in his 
native city. In 1868 he located at Dravos- 
burg, Allegheny county, where he had a large 
and successful practice for seventeen years. 
In 1885 he came to McKeesport, where he has 
been in active practice since. He recently 
erected a fine residence on Shaw avenue, and 
in 1887-88 built the fine building known as 
the Kearney block, corner of Walnut street 
and Shaw avenue, one of the finest business 
blocks in the citj'. Dr, Kearney married, in 
1873, Mary, daughter of William Stone, of 
Dravosburg, and has three children: Edward. 
William A. and Charles AV. 

Samuel F. Finlet, dry-goods merchant. 
McKeesport, was born in Elizabeth, this 
county. May 23, 1856, a son of Abraham and 
Jane C. (Seamon) Finlev, who settled in 
Elizabeth about 1842. His father, a boat- 
builder by trade, followed that vocation for 
years, and during the civil war was in the 



354 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



(juartermftster's department under Gen. 
James A. Ekin. Shortly after the close of 
the war he died at his home in Elizabi'th. 
His familj' consisted of seven children: Lidie 
S. (Mrs. Charles A. Smith), Marj' A. (Mrs. 
John W. Overena), Lizzie J., Lottie B., 
Robert S., Samuel F. and Annie C. (Mrs. 
Rev. R. C. Wolf). Samuel F. was reared 
and educated in Elizabeth, and also took a 
courseat Duff's Business College, Pittsburgh. 
After reaching his majority he engaged as a 
clerk in the store of W. K. Ilobson, near 
Parker City, for two years, and later was with 
James A. Reed. Allegbenj-, for over a year. 
In September. 1879, he came to McKees'port, 
and was one year a clerk in the grocery-store 
of W. G. Gleason. In September, 1880, he 
embarked in the dry-goods trade, in which 
he has since continued, and has built up a 
large and successful business, that is growing 
every year, and he is conceded to be one of 
McKeesport's most successful merchants. 
He married, March 2.5, 188-t, Sonoma S., 
daughter of Rev. Dr. J. A. and Sarah A. 
(Archibald) Swaney. of this count}-, and by 
her has two children, Phebe L. and Paul K. 
Mr. Finley is an active member of the First 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and a strong 
advocate of prohibition. 

Capt. Willi.^m Cunningham (deceased) 
was born in the city of Pittsburgh, June 3, 
1837, near the spot where the county court- 
house is now located. Early in life he 
became engaged in the coal business, and 
assumed command of a steamer plying the 
Monongahela. He became widely known as 
a capable and efficient commander. Later in 
life he commanded several of the largest 
steamers running between Pittsburgh and 
Louisville, in which capacity he was engaged 
up to the time of his death, which occurred 
March 11, 1878. From 1871 to the time of his 
death he was a resident of Sewicklej', Pa., 
and during those years a worthj' and consist- 
ent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. His vrife.nee Miss Eliza J. Mcintosh, 
was a native of Pittsburgh. They were the 
parents of eight children, of whom Samuel 
R. was educated in this county, and is now a 
corresponding clerk in the Marine National 
bank, a position he has held since October, 
1884. 

Charles Atwell, railroad president, 
Sewickley, was born February 8, 1821, in 
County Fermanagh, Ireland. His ancestors 
were lEnglish people who moved to Ireland 
during the revolution of 1690, when they 
were soldiers in the Protestant army. They 
received land-grants as bounties for their 
services, some of which yet remain with the 
family. Charles Atwell, accompanied bj* 
his parents. John and Jane (Fawcett) Atwell, 
came to America in 1837, and settled in 
Carroll county. Ohio, where the parents died. 
On his arrival in Ohio Charles became a 
clerk in a mercantile establishment in Colum- 
biana county, where he secured many friends. 
Beginning in 1841, he carried on business for 
himself until 18.5.5, when he came to Pitts- 



burgh, where he established a wholesale 
grocery-house, which he conducted success- 
fully until his son, Charles A., took charge 
in 1878. He was from its inception iulerested 
in the Pittsburgh, Allegheny & Manchester 
Passenger railwa}', of which he has been 
president the past five years. Mr. Atwell has 
filled other positions of trust, and has always 
merited the confidence reposed in him. For 
ten years he was president of the People's 
Savings bank of Allegheny, and has also been 
and still remains a director of the Union 
National Bank of Pittsburgh, and connected 
with the management of other institutions. 
In 1865 he made his permanent family home 
in the beautiful suburban village of Sewick- 
lej', Pa. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church of this place, and president of its 
board of trustees. Politically he is a repub- 
lican. 

G. W. TrLGHM.iN, merchant, Sharpsburg, 
was born in Howard county, Md., in 1842. 
John O. Tilghman. the grandfather of G. W. 
Tilghman. of German origin, at an earlj' 
date emigrated to the Eastern Shore of ilary- 
land, and was engaged in farming. IIi~ son, 
John O. Tilghman. Jr., went to Baltimore, 
learned the blacksmith trade, married Ellen 
Conyer, and they became the parents of si.^ 
sons and six daughters, among whom G. W. 
is ne.vt to the youngest son. When a young 
man the latter left home, and was emjiloyed 
in iron-mills. In 1865 he came to Allegheny 
county, and followed iron business until 1879. 
when he engaged in business at his present 
place, where he has since continued. Mr. 
Tilghman married, in 1866. Lizzie, daughter 
of William Cupps. and one son, John, has 
been born to them. Mr, Tilghman next mar- 
ried Miss Mayhew, of O'Hara township, and 
two children have blessed their union. Jessie 
and George. Mr. Tilghman was in the army 
eight months, having enlisted in 1863 as 
cavalryman. He is a member of the A. O. 
U. W. and G. A. R., and of the Methodist 
Protestant Church; politically he is a repub- 
lican. 

Hamilton S. Jatcox (deceased) was born 
at Cold Spring, N. T., March 10, 1836. and 
was educated at Patterson and Amenia, N. 
Y. In 1853 he was apprenticed as a machin- 
ist at West Point foundry, Cold Spriusr. N. 
Y. In the fall of 1859 he went to Cuba, 
where he served as engineer on sugar-estates 
until the summer of 1870. He then entered 
the employ of the National Tube-works 
companj'. East Boston, Mass., as a macliin- 
ist, and after the company had moved its 
works to McKeesport, he was, in 1874. trans- 
ferred to this city, and given the position of 
foreman of the threading department, and 
afterward made general inspector, which 
office he filled up to the time of his death. 
At an earl}- age Mr. Jaycox developed a 
natural taste for music, and under the in- 
structions of a brother became so proficient 
that at the age of ten years he could read 
music readily. He had charge of the Re- 
formed and Methodist Church choirs at Cold, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



355 



Spring, N. Y., and after locating in East 
Boston tooli charge of the choir of the First 
Presbyterian Church, and was tlie organizer 
and director of the Maverick Male quartet, 
which ranlied among the first in that vicin-^ 
ity. He was director of the East Boston 
chorus, which took sucli a prominent part 
in the World's Peace jubilee at Boston, 
Mass.. in 1872, and conducted rehearsals for 
that occasion in the First Presbyterian 
church of East Boston, having, at that time, 
the direction of over seven hundred voices. 

After locating in McKeesport, he had 
charge of the First Presbyterian choir, and 
afterward had charge of St. Peter's choir 
for seven years. He was celebrated as a 
manager of concerts, and many such enter- 
tainments were prepared by him and brought 
successfully before the public. He was or- 
ganizer and director at different times of the 
Apollo club, McKeesport Operatic company, 
Alliquippa quartet, and, at the time of his 
death, was leader and director of the Alpine 
quartet. He was also the organizer and 
conductor of Blue Ribbon chora! union, 
composed of one hundred members, by whom 
lie had produced one successful concert, and 
died on the eve of the culmination of one of 
bis most cherished hopes, a concert to be 
given by the "Union" on March 10, 1888 (his 
fifty-second birthday). He died March 5, 
1888, honored and respected by all who knew 
him. 

Thomas Wilson McCdne, retired, Wil- 
kinsburg, was born in Elizabeth township, 
this county, in 1837, the eldest of eight 
children born to John B. and Mary (Wilson) 
McCune, of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, 
Thomas McCune, was of Scotch-Irish par- 
entage; settled on a farm near Buena Vista, 
where he died. He had seven sons and two 
daughters, of whom John B. was the second. 
He was a boat-builder and afterward a farmer; 
he served several years as a road commis- 
sioner. Mary Wilson McCune died in her 
forty-fourth year, and Mr. McCune afterward 
married Mary Weddle, who bore him seven 
children. He died in 1876. 

T. W. McCune was educated in the com- 
mon schools, and when nineteen years old 
became associated with an uncle, supplj-ing 
timber to the Yougliiogheny Slackwater Nav- 
igation company. He continued in the lum- 
ber business for sis years, and then kept a 
general, store at Buena Vista till the outbreak 
of the civil war. In July, 1861, he enlisted 
in Company F, 28th P. V. I., and served in 
the Army of the Potomac nearly two years, 
becoming sergeant-major. After leaving the 
military service he followed contracting, and 
for one year he was mine-manager for 
Laughlin & Co. and seven years manager of 
the Eliza furnaces. In 1872 he went to 
Scottdale, and managed a furnace there 
seven years, at the end of which time he 
removed to Wheeling. After rebuilding the 
Belmont furnace, he removed to Hunting- 
don, Huntingdon county, and took charge of 
R. H. Powell's plant at Saxton as general 



manager, and later was general superintend- 
ent for three years of the Glamorgan Iron 
company, at Lewistown, Mifflin county. 
He now devotes his attention to real estate. 
He came to Wilkinsburg in 188.5, and built 
his handsome residence on Edgewood avenue. 
While at Scottdale, a part of which borough 
he laid out, he was school director and a 
member of the borough council, and he is 
now on the Wilkinsburg council. He is a 
republican, a member of Wilkinslmrg Presby- 
terian Church, and a K. T. In 18.50 he mar- 
ried Sarah H., daughter of Peter Patterson, 
and by her had two sons, John Harvey, who 
died when twelve years old, and one that 
died in infancy, unnamed. Mrs. McCune 
died in 1878, and in 1879 Mr. McCuue mar- 
ried Emma, nee Balfe, widow of Robert Ra}-. 

George M. Teegarden, teacher, Wil- 
kinsburg, was born at Jefferson, Greene 
count}'. Pa., March 11. 1853. His paternal 
ancestors came originally from Germany to 
Pliiladelphia, thence moving westward. His 
great-grandfather, George Teegardeu, settled 
and made the first improvements on the 
Monongahela river, near the mouth of Ten- 
Mile creek, in what is now Greene county. 
Pa. He had twelve children, nine being 
boys. The youngest son, Thomas, grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, lived near 
Clarksville, Greene county. Pa., and reared 
a large family. He was a farmer, as were 
most of his ancestors, and afterward moved 
to Ohio. George Teegarden, father of George 
M., spent the early part of his life in Jeffer- 
son, Greene county, engaged in farming and 
carpentering. The mother of our subject 
was of Scotch extraction, and herancestr}' in 
this country first settled in New England. 

Levi Ludden, teacher, Wilkinsburg, was 
born in Peru, Me., March 21, 1833. His 
great-grandfather, Joseph Ludden, came from 
Wales, settled in Turner, Me., and was one 
of the historical "Boston tea party." His 
son, Levi, was born in Turner, cleared a farm 
in Peru, and died in Dixfield. Remember, 
wife of the latter, was Miss Soule, a descend- 
ant of George Soule, who came over in the 
Maytlower. Timothy, son of this couple, 
born in Peru, married Bethiah Fobes, a native 
of Maine, and became a prominent attorney. 
When Levi, our subject, was a lad, he (Tim- 
othy) moved to Turner, and later to Lewis- 
ton, where he died in March, 1859, judge of 
probate for Androscoggin county and re- 
porter of decisions for the state. Levi 
Ludden fitted himself for college at Hebron 
Academy, and graduated from Colby Univer- 
sity at Waterville in 1859. He followed 
teaching till 1863, when he joined a band of 
five hundred who ^went from Maine to join 
the D. C. cavalry. He served in Gen. Wil- 
son's raid along the Weldon railroad, in the 
siege of Petersburg, being among the first to 
enter that place, and at Appomattox, After 
the latter engagement he was commissioned 
lieutenant in the Forty-first regiment United 
Stales colored troops, and sent to Texas, 
where he did provost duty till December, 



356 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



1865, when he was discharged, lie came at 
once lo Wilkinsburg, where he look charge 
of the academy, assisted by his wife. For 
the last twent}' years Prof. Ludden hns been 
principal of the preparatory department of 
the 'Western University. He is an elder in 
the Willsiiisburi,' Presbyterian Churcb, and 
an active repiii)licaii. In Septeml)er, 1859, 
he married Sarah Williams Dudley, of IJos- 
ton, Mass.. daughter of Samuel and Sally 
(White) Dudley, natives of that slate, and of 
English descent. Gertrude Virginia, eldest 
child of Prof. Ludden, is llie wife of Charles 
D. Armstrong.and resides in Wilkinsburg, as 
does Clarence Dexter, the other child. 

Anton IIokman, retired, McKeesport, 
was born in Baden, Germany, April 6. 1834, 
a son of Michael and Margaret (Kuhn) 
Hofman. He was reared and educated in his 
native country, and served an apprenticeshiji 
of three years at the shoemaker's trade. He 
came to this country in November, 18.54, and 
settled in Pittsburgh, where he followed his 
trade, as a journeyman, until July, 1855, 
when he came to McKeesport, and worked 
for William Ilartman until February 1, 1858. 
He then embarked in business for himself, 
and carried on a shop until 1868, when he 
opened a shoestore, which he conducted suc- 
cessfully until 188(5, when he retired from 
business. He has been married twice. His 
first wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Peter 
Snj'der, of McKeesport, and formerly of 
Hesse-Darmstadt, Germanj', by whom he had 
seven children: Adolph, Annie (Mrs. Gustave 
Kunz), Charles, George, Lizzie, John 
(deceased) and Anton. His second wife was 
Mary, daughter of John Maser, of Wurtem- 
berg, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Hofman are 
members of the Evangelical Protestant 
Church. He is a director of the Xew Enter- 
prise Building & Loan association; is a F.'& 
A. M.. and a member of the I. O. O. F. and 
A. O. U. W. ; in politics he is a democrat. 

W. J. Denny, McKeesport, successor to 
Denny Bros., wholesale and retail liquor- 
dealers, was born in London, England, De- 
cember 34, 1858, and with his mother and 
brother came to America in 1870, locating in 
Pittsburgh. In 1873 they removed to Mc- 
Keesport, where Eugene and W. J. Denny 
bought the homestead, embarked in the retail 
liquor trade, which they conducted five years, 
when the wholesale business was added; 
they also built a large establishment on Fifth 
avenue. The firm was known as Denny 
Bros, until 1886. when W. J. purchased the 
interest of his brothers and has since con- 
ducted the business alone. Mr. Denny is a 
young man of much energy and business 
abilit}', and bj- his upright and honorable 
dealing has made hosts of friends; he not 
only has an extensive local trade, but has 
built up a substantial business, extending to 
all points in Pennsylvania and adjoining 
states. He is public-spirited and enterpris- 
ing, and worthy of the confidence and esteem 
in which he is held as a business-man and a 
gentleman. 



Chulstian Rott, glass-manufacturer. 
Wilkinsburg, was born in Ihe village of 
Baden Hansen. Brunswick, Germany, Octo- 
ber 29, 1843. His grandfather was Christian 
Kott. In 1850 his parents, Christian (a hlack- 
smith by trade) and Elizabeth (Ileisecke) 
Rolf, came to America and settled at Pitts- 
burgh. The father died in 1875; the mother 
is still living. There were three sons, of 
whom Frederick, the eldest, resides at Pitts- 
burgh, and Louis, the youngest, at Home- 
stead. Christian attended the common and 
high schools of the city till sixteen years old; 
then spent twoyears in a shovelfactor3'. B.v 
a fall through a skylight both liis arms were 
broken, and the right never recovered its 
strength. Later he kept books for a soap- 
factory, and afterward he took the |)lace of 
the foreman, and made soap for four years. 
In 1878 he became a partner in the firm of 
George A. McBcath & Co., the largest manu- 
facturers of lamp-chimuej'S in the world. In 
March, 1884, he moved into the residence 
which he had built in Wilkinsburg, and com- 
menced to beautify the grounds. lie is quite 
as successful at horticulture as in his other 
undertakings. He frequently visits Europe, 
and gets all the points ou glass-manufacture 
that are obtainable. He is a member of the 
Swedenborgian Church in Allegheny City, 
and of the L. of H., R. A. and A. O" U. W. 
He is a republican with free-trade tendencies; 
was a member of the Pittsburgh city council 
one year, and was active in procuring a 
borough organization for Wilkinsburg; is 
now secretary of three building and loan 
associations. In June, 1871, he married 
Sarah, daughterof C. C. Johnson, of Monon- 
gahela City, and she has borne him three 
children : William Frederick, Cora and Walter 
Christian. 

Wesley C. Soles, real-estate broker. Mc- 
Keesport, was born in that cil}' March 30, 
1848, a son of Lewis and Catherine (Caven) 
Soles. His paternal grandparents were George 
and Margaret (Ritchie) Soles, the former a 
son of Jacob Soles, a pioneer of McKeesport. 
Lewis Soles was a native of McKeesport. a 
carpenter by trade, which he followed all his 
life, and died in 1878, aged sixty-four years. 
His wife, Catherine (Caven), was a daughter 
of Benjamin and Fanny (Wilson), of Irish 
descent, who were among the early settlers 
of this count)-. Lewis was the father of 
i eleven children, eight of whom survive: Mar- 
garet (Mrs. Thomas Mulhollandi. Martha 
(Mrs. Andrew Hunter), George. Eveline (Mrs. 
Wilton Miller), Mary A. (Mrs. William S(ew- 
art), Wesley C, Edwin and Howard. Wes- 
ley C. was reared in McKeesport. and edu- 
cated in the public schools. He learned the 
trade of house-carpenter, and later liecame a 
contractor, a calling that gave him every 
opportunity to acquire a full knowlege of 
land, houses, buildings of all kinds, and fitted 
him for the real-estate business, which has 
had his time and attention for many j'ears, 
and which he still carries on. He has been 
twice married; first to Jennie Miller, and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



35'; 



second to Emma, daughter of Thomas and 
Cynthia (McGravv) Smith, by whom he has 
three children: Franli, E valine and Scott A. 
For three years Mr. Soles was a member of 
McKeesport's city council, and was one of 
the committee on water-works construction. 
He is a director of the Banli of McKeesport, 
and of three building and loan associations. 
He is a member of the F. & A. M. ; politically 
a republican. 

John F. Pbaqer, farmer. postofBce 
Sharpsburg, was born in Germany, in 1831, 
the third of seven children of John and Bar- 
bara (Wilt) Prager. In 1846 he immigrated 
to America, and for a time worked at cabinet- 
making in Philadelphia; came to Allegheny 
county in 1848, and purchased his present 
farm in O'Hara township in 18.53. He mar- 
ried, in 1848, Catherine Samstag, who is the 
mother of five children, three sons and two 
daughters. Mr. Prager has through his own 
hard work succeeded in a financial way, own- 
ing now about 100 acres of land in the town- 
ship where he resides. He has served as 
school director, is a member of the Catholic 
Church, and politically is a republican. 

Luke Babe DAVisoN,retired,Wilkinsburg, 
was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., October 29, 1819. 
His father, Thomas Davison, was a native of 
County Down, Ireland, and married Ann 
Babe, of the city of Belfast. He was a teacher, 
and after spending a few weeks in Pittsburgh 
settled in the fall of 1819 in Wilkins town- 
ship, where he taught school; shortly after- 
ward he opened a store, which his wife at- 
tended, and later he abandoned teaching to give 
his entire attention to the store. His wife 
died in 1828, and Mr. Davison soon after sold 
out and moved to East Libert)-, where he 
served twenty-seven years as justice of the 
peace. In 1833 he married Rebecca Turner, 
who now resides in East Liberty, and she 
bore him two sons and five daughters. Mr. 
Davison was a stanch republican, and for 
many years was an elder in the Presbyterian 
Church; he died May 7, 1877. Luke B. 
Davison was the onlj' child left by his mother. 
He attended the common schools at Wilkins- 
burg and East Liberty, and spent two years 
at the Western University. When fifteen 
years old he began work in his father's store, 
and there remained till he was twenty-eight, 
when he bought out the business. During 
President Fillmore's administration he wa^ 
postmaster there, and was for thirteen years 
school director. He came to Wilkinsburg in 
1858, and continued business; he is a repub- 
lican; was postmaster four years from 1861; 
was three years school director, fifteen years 
justice of the peace (elected without party 
nomination), and notary public six years. He 
is one of the seven original members of the 
Presbyterian Church now resident here. 
December 13, 1850, Mr. Davison married 
Nancy Jane McCosh, a native of Washington 
county, and a daughter of Samuel and Eliza- 
beth (Allison) McCosh, who were of Scotch 
and English descent, respectively. Three 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Davison survive: 



John Milton, Mary Elizabeth and Clara 
Carey. Thomas, the eldest, and Samuel Mc- 
Cosh, the youngest, died in infancy. 

Wn.LiA.M Woods, M. D. (deceased), was 
born in 1804 in this county, and died in 1885. 
He was the son of William Woods, a native 
of America, of Scotch descent, and a clergy- 
man of the Presbyterian Church of Lebanon 
district. The subject of this memoir read med- 
icine with Dr. William Church, of Pittsburgh, 
and graduated from the Jefferson Medical 
College, of Philadelphia. He located in Pitts- 
burgh, and distinguished himself during the 
epidemic of cholera in 1883. In 1858 he 
removed to Sewickley and continued his 
practice. Dr. Woods was married twice, his 
first wife being Mary, daughter of AVilliam 
Sample, and by her he had three sons. After 
the death of tlie second wife, nee Sarah Wil- 
son, by whom he had three sons and one 
daughter, Dr. Woods retired from his 
profession and removed to the home of his 
daughter, Mrs. Mary F. McDonald, in Beaver 
county, Pa., where he died. He was a good 
physician, highly esteemed, and trusted; dis- 
eases of children were his specialty. Of his 
children, William S. Woods, M. D., was a 
surgeon in the arm}' during the late war, and 
had charge of a hospital in Harrisburg, Pa., 
also of the Benton barracks, at St. Louis, 
Mo. He died wliile in the service among the 
Indians. He was a distinguished surgeon in 
his day. Previous to the war he was located 
in Birmingham, where he had a practice 
to the extent of JSIO.OOO per annum. 

R. D. Jones, grocer, McKeesport, was born 
in Newtown. Montgomeryshire. North Wales, 
and is a son of Rowland D. and Marj- (Henry) 
Jones. He was reared in Wales, England and 
Scotland, and is an iron-worker by trade. He 
came to America in 1853, located in Pitts- 
burgh, and for twenty-one years work d at 
his trade in that vicinity and elsewhere. For 
five years he was foreman of Everson & Pres- 
ton's mills. In 1869 he became a member of 
the firm of Wright, Griffltt & Co., who oper- 
ated the galvanized-iron works on Gist street, 
Pittsburgh, several years, and superintended 
the construction of their new works at Iron- 
dale. When the latter were completed our 
subject sold his interest, after five 3'ears' con 
nection with the firm, and managed the mills 
of Harbaugh, Mathias & Owen, at Wood 
Run, five years. He was also manager of a 
mill at Paducah, Ky., forsi.x months, and for 
two years was foreman of the Lochiel Iron- 
works, at Harrisburg, Pa. In 1874 he settled 
at Demmler, now a part of McKeesport. 
erected the first dwelling at that place, and 
was one of the original stockholders of the 
V. S. Tin-Plate works. He has been in the 
mercantile business since 1874. In 1852 he 
married Elizabeth, daughter of John Jones, 
of South Wales, and has one son, Isaac L. 
Mr. Jones is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, of the I. O. O. F. and K. of P. 
He held the office of justice of the peace five 
years, and politically is a republican. He 
was president of the school board for twO' 



358 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



years in the Niuth ward, AUeghenj' City, when 
the new scboolliouse was built; also a mem- 
ber of the board of health from said ward; 
and represented the Eighth ward, Pitts- 
burgh, in council one year. 

WiLLi.\M Bhown. farmer, postofflce 
Sharpsburg, a prominent and successful 
farmer of O'Hara township, is a native of 
Oallowayshire. Scotland, born in 1827. His 
father, .lohu Brown, a farmer, immigrated 
to America in 1834, located first in Washing- 
ton county. Pa., but later moved to Alle- 
gheny county, where he lived on a farm in 
Indiana township until his death. John 
married Mary Houston, a native of Scotland. 
They became the parents of nine children, 
and died, he in 1870, aged seventy years, and 
his wife in 1853, aged fifty-four years. Will- 
iam Brown was reared and educated in Indi- 
ana township, and followed farming through 
life. In 1851 he married Elizabeth, daughter 
of Jacob Hodil, a member of one of the earli- 
est families in the township. Five children, 
all of whom are living, have blessed this 
union: Homer, William R., Alfred, Walter 
and Minnie. It can be said, in justice to the 
subject of this sketch, that by his own per- 
sonal efforts and fair dealings he ranks 
among O'Hara'smost well-to-do and respect- 
ed citizens. He served his township for a 
number of years as member of the school 
board, and has also filled other positions. 
He and family are members of the United 
Brethren Church; politically he is a dem- 
ocrat. 

Pkanklin J. Phillips, grocer, McKees- 
port, was born in what is now Lincoln town- 
ship, this county, December 25, 1839, a son 
of John and Mary (Edmundson) Phillips. 
His paternal grandfather, John Phillips, and 
maternal grandfather, William Edmundson, 
were pioneers of Lincoln township. John 
Phillips, St., had four children: John. Rebec- 
ca (Mrs. James Leech), Ezra and Jane (Mrs. 
Abel AValker). Of these John was a farmer, 
and lived and died in Lincoln township, in 
the house in which he was born and reared. 
He had four children: Eliza J., Franklin J., 
Adeline (Mrs. ZeraMcGrew) and William P., 
of whom the last mentioned was reared on 
the old homestead. Franklin J. was reared 
and educated in his native township, and in 
early life followed farming, later conducting 
a dairy business for ten years. He located 
in McKeesport in 1884, and since 1886 has 
been engaged in the grocery trade. In 1865 
he married Deborah A., daughter of Nathan 
and Pliebe C. (Hayden) McGrew, and has 
four children: Katie M., Mary J., Bertie B. 
and Nathan F. Mr. Phillips "is a member of 
the Baptist Church and Royal Arcanum; 
politically he.is a prohibitionist. 

John B. Be.vtty, retired, postofflce Ho- 
boken, was born in Allegheny county. Pa., 
in 1821. The original spelling of the family 
name was Beattie. Francis Beatty.the pioneer 
of the family, as early as 1808 le"ft his native 
home in the'eastern part of New York state, 
and came to Allegheny county. He was a 



farmer, and purchased three hundred acres of 
land in Indiana township, where he remained 
until his death. He married a Miss Hall, a 
native of the state of New York, and they 
became the parents of four sons and three 
daughters. Of these Francis, Jr., was among 
the youngest. He was born in 1795, and at 
an early date learned the hatter's trade, which, 
however, he abandoned on account of ill- 
health, and commenced farming. He married 
Sarah Black, of Scotch-Irish parentage, but 
a native of South Carolina, and five sons and 
four daughters were the result of this union, 
John B. being the eldest. Francis Beattj', 
Jr., died in 1871, aged seventy-si.x years, his 
wife in 1852, aged fifty-four years. John B. 
Beatty was educated at the common schools, 
and has followed farming, but taught school 
in his j-ounger days. He married, in- 1«45, 
Sarah, daughter of Andrew and Mary 
(Stewart) Erwin, and five children blessed 
their union, four yet living: Harry, at home: 
Minnie E. (Mrs. Graham), Ella E. (Mrs. 
Thursby) and May E. (Mrs. Dr. Kelley. of 
Wheeling, W.Va). Mr. Beatty has taken an 
active part in the advancement of his town- 
ship, and for twenty-five years was school 
director; during the war was enrolling ofticer, 
and took the census in his township in 1880. 
He is a member of the United Presbj-teriau 
Church, politically a republican. He owned 
one hundred and twenty-two acres of his 
grandfather's tract, the balance being pur- 
chased by the city and county of Allegheny. 

JouN W. Morgan, contractor, McKees- 
port, was born in Napanee. Upper Canada, 
February 15, 1841, a sou of Richard and Mary 
(Hope) Morgan. His parents were natives of 
Ireland and Canada, respectively, and settled 
in Elizabeth township, this county, in 1871. 
John W. was reared and educated in his 
native land, where he learned the carpenter's 
trade. In 1865 he came to the United States, 
and located in Monongahela City, Pa., where 
he worked as journeyman until 1866. He 
then settled in Elizabeth, this county, where 
he was engaged in business as a contractor 
and builder up to 1876. Since that year he 
has been a resident of McKeesport, where he 
has since done a successful business, having 
erected some of the finest residences and busi- 
ness blocks in the city. He married Mary .J . , 
daughter of William Oldham, of Washington 
county. Pa., formerly of England. Mr. Mor- 
gan is" a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church; served one term as councilman; in 
politics he is a republican. 

Henhy Stonek, assistant superintendent 
Adams E.xpress. Wilkinsburg, was born in 
Washington, Lancaster county. Pa., in 1830. 
His parents. Christian and M"artha (Correll) 
Stoner, were natives of that county, as was 
his grandfather, Abram Stoner, and all were 
of German e.xtraction. Christian Stoner was 
born in 1800; was a miller bv trade, and 
moved in 1831 to McVeytown, Mifflin county, 
where he died in 1859; his widow died in 
1881, aged seventy-eight. Henry Stoner is 
the third of six children born to his parents, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



359 



and the only son living, his only brother 
having been drowned when five years old. 
Our subject received a common-school train- 
ing, and went to Philadelphia when sixteen 
years old. to earn his living. After being 
variously employed for five j'ears, he became 
clerk for an uncle who was furnishing 
supplies to contractors on the construction 
of the Pennsylvania railroad over the Alle- 
gheny mountains. In 1855 he came to Pitts- 
burgh, and drove for a time a wagon for the 
Adams E.xpress company; subse(iuently he 
became messenger, was made route-agent in 

1865, later general route-agent, and since 
March, 1885, has filled his present position. 
He attends the Presbyterian Cliurch, of 
which his wife is a member, and has been an 
ardent republican since the outbreak of the 
civil war. Mr. Stoner was married June 6, 

1866. to Miss Elizabeth Maquilken, a native 
of Uniontown, and daughter of William and 
Theresa Maquilken, both natives of Fayette 
county, of Scotch and Quaker descent, 
respectively. In 1888 Mr. Stoner built his 
handsome residence on Rebecca street, where 
reside with him his three children: Belle 
Therese. Edward H. and Elizabeth Rheem. 
Guj' Christian, the second child, died when 
three years old. 

Wesley J. Walker, wholesale gi-ocer, 
McKeesport, was born in that city, October 
24, 1850, a son of A. E. and Jane (Phillips) 
Walker. His father, a native of Carlisle, Pa., 
settled in McKeesport in 1848, where he has 
since resided. He is a carpenter by trade, 
but kept a grocery for a time in that city. 
The maternal grandfather of subject was 
John Phillips, a pioneer of what is now 
Lincoln township. Wesley J. was reared 
and educated in McKeesport, and during the 
last twenty years has most of the time been 
engaged in the grocery line. In 1885 he 
embarked in the wholesale grocery business 
in that city, and has built up a successful 
trade. In 1875 he married Ellen A., daughter 
of Rev. P. H. Thomas, of Frederick county, 
Md., and has two children living: Jesse A. 
and Daisy H. Mr. Walker is a prominent 
business-man, is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and in politics is an advo- 
cate of prohibition 

F. McK. White, physician and surgeon, 
postoffice Hoboken, Pa., was born in Sewick- 
ley, Allegheny county, Pa., in 1858, a son of 
Judge White, of that county. He was edu- 
cated in the common schools and academies 
of Allegheny county, and at Allegheny Col- 
lege, Meadville, Pa., and in 1881 commenced 
the study of medicine with Dr. Lashell, of 
.Crawford county, graduating at the Western 
Reserve University at Cleveland, Ohio, Feb- 
ruary 37. 1883, and taking a post-graduate 
course at the University of Pennsylvania in 
June, 1884. He commenced the practice of 
his profession in Alleghen}- City on May 19. 
1885; was elected bj' the managers of the 
Allegheny Count}' Workhouse ph3''sician and 
surgeon of that institution, which position 
he now holds. The doctor is numbered 



among the rising young men of his profes- 
sion in the county. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and J. O. U. A. M. In religion he 
is a Methodist, in politics a republican. 

Louis Adam Raisig, architect, Wilkins- 
burg, son of Rev. John and Catharine (Graf) 
Raisig, was born in Clarion county. Pa., May 
9, 1858. His father, now pastor of the Lu- 
theran Church at Plumer, Venango county, 
was born at Heilbronn, Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, and his mother is a native of Caun- 
stadt, Germany. Louis A. was reared in 
Plumer, attending the public schools till 
twenty j^ears old; then went to Oleau. N. Y.. 
to learn the carpenter's-trade, and while fol- 
lowing this occupation he made a study of 
architectural drawing. He came to Wilkius- 
burg in 1883. and three years later became 
head of the contracting firm of L. A. Raisig 
& Co. They have built up an extensive bus- 
iness; have just rebuilt shops destroyed by 
fire on Penn avenue, adjoining the railroad, 
and have added a stock of lumber for retail 
trade. The designing is under the charge of 
Mr. Raisig. He is a supporter of the Pres- 
b3'terian Church, in politics a democrat. 

John Nash, retired, Sewickley, was born 
July 1, 1817, in Wiltshire, England, sou of 
John and Mary (Pierce) Nash, who descended 
from an old familj', and were farmers. John, 
their son, worked on the London & Birming- 
ham and Great Western railroads, also on 
the Lancashire & Yorkshire railroad in En- 
gland, and in 1851 he came to America, locat- 
ing on the Big Kanawha for a time, but 
afterward removed to New Brighton, Pa., 
where he secured work on the Pittsburgh it 
Ft. Wayne railroad. Afterward he came to 
Sewicklej', continuing in the employment of 
the same company for many years, and 
never had an accident on his section. He 
now lives retired in Sewickle}-, a member of 
the Episcopal Church. He was married in 
England to Sarah Green, who died leaving 
three children: Mary McPherson, Henry and 
Allen. Mr. Nash's present wife was Marga- 
ret Buckley, a native of Beaver county. Pa., 
and she is the mother of three children: John 
F., Anna and Laura M. Politically Mr. Nash 
is a democrat, and was councilman three 
years. 

Joseph Williams, manufacturing chem- 
ist, Sharpsburg, was born in Worcestershire, 
England, in 1834. a son of Richard and 
Hannah (Holloway) Williams, the latter a 
native of Tipton, England. To these parents 
nine children were born, of whom Joseph is 
the fourth child. He was educated at the 
public schools of his native land, and since 
early youth has made the studj' of chemicals 
a specialty, and was, until twenty-eight years 
of age. employed in some of the large chem- 
ical works of England. At that age he came 
to America, and located in Pittsburgh, where 
he was engaged as engineer and master 
mechanic for a number of iron manufactur- 
ers, as well as in Ohio. He was sent for, to 
superintend the erection of lai'ge chemical- 
works in New Jersey, returned to Pittsburgh 



360 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



in 1869, ami two years later introJuced his 
first compound chemical preparation. "Tal- 
lowine," a hot and cola neck rolling-mill 
grease. In 1870 he brought before the public 
"Williams' Soluble Thymol," an invaluable 
deodorizer and disinfectant. Mr. Williams 
married, in 1856, Mary Ann, daughter of 
James Waterhousc, of Worcestershire, En- 
gland, and eleven children were born to ihem, 
live of whom are now living: George H.. 
.Joseph, .lames O.. William II. and Edward 
K. Mr. Williams is a member of Ihe I. O. O. 
F. and the Legion of Honor; politically he 
is a republican. 

AViLLiAM O'Bryon, insurance agent, Mc- 
Keesport, was born in Garrett county, Md., 
March 26, 1853, of Iri.sh and German descent. 
At the age of ten he was thrown on his 
own resources, and became an errand-boy in 
a store in his native state. At the age of 
twelve he came to McKeesport, and engaged 
as a scrap-pounder in an iron-mill, at twenty- 
five cents per day. In 1867 he entered the 
store of J. P. Learn & Co., in a subordinate 
capacity. In 1869 he became a salesman 
in this store, and remained until 1871, 
when he began business as a merchant 
on his own acccount. In 1874 he left 
the mercantile business and became an 
insurance agent in McKeesport. In 1876 he 
became the general manager, in Pittsburgh, 
of an eastern life- and accident-insurance 
company, which position he still occupies. 
Mr. O'Bryon married, June 22, 1870, Minnie 
Van Kirk, of McKeesport, and they have 
had live children, of whom four are living. 

S. y. Anderson, machiuist, Sewickley, 
is a native of this county, born March 5, 
1845, and is a grandson of 'Robert Anderson, 
Esq. His father, James Anderson, was born 
in Washington county, brought to this county 
when a boy, and was educated here. He 
was a farmer, and one of the first members 
of the Presbyterian Church; politically he 
was a democrat. He married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Davis) On- 
slott. and they had one son. Samuel Y. The 
father died June 2, 1850, when thirty seven 
years of age. The subject of this sketch was 
a machinist with Hartupee & Co., and sub- 
sequently for the Pennsylvania company in 
the Pitts Locomotive-works. He afterward 
engaged with the Morgan Engineering com- 
pany, of Alliance, Ohio. In 1881 he returned 
to Sewickley, and erected the Roseburgh 
mills, which he has conducted successfully. 

James H. Arnold, hardware-merchant, 
McKeesport, was born uear Olivet, Armstrong 
county. Pa., April 8, 1857, a son of R. J. and 
Mary (Shirley) Arnold. His father is a native 
of Devonshire, England, a son of William 
Arnold, and a tinner by trade, but is now 
engaged in farming in Indiana county. Pa. 
The maternal grandfather of James H. was 
Joseph Shirley, a pioneer of Armstrong 
county, who lived to the great age of one 
hundred and three years. The subject of 
these lines was reared in Indiana county, 
where be received a common-school educa- 



tion, learned the tinner's trade under his 
father, and for a number of years worked as 
a journeyman. He came to McKeesport in 
the spring of 1884, and was in the employ of 
J. N. it W. E. Ilartman one year. In the 
spring of 1885 he embarked in the hardware 
business at 1216 Walnut street, where he has 
built up a successful trade. In 1881 he mar- 
ried Carrie Keppel, of Armstrong county. 
Pa., and has twochildren living; Earl J. and 
Mary. Jlr. Arnold is a member of the U. P. 
Church, the Roj'al Arcanum and the R. T. of 
T. ; politically he is a democrat. 

Albert Oscar Laufman, druggist, Wil- 
kinsburg, was born near Chambersburg. Pa., 
December 27, 1833. His grandfather. Philip 
Laufman, resided in Cumberland county, 
where David, father of Allien Oscar, was 
born. He (David) married Susan Harrington, 
of Chambersburg, Pa., and died in Franklin 
county. Pa., in 1834; he filled the office of 
sheriff and other public positions; he had 
four sons, and one daughter who died in in- 
fancy. Philip Harrington, the eldest, came 
to Pittsburgh in 1840; William resides at 
Apollo, and David near St. Paul, Minn; Albert 
O., the youngest, came to Pittsburgh when 
thirteen years old, and took emplovmeul in 
his brother's hardware-store. Mr. Laufman 
crossed the plains with Gen. Floyd's army in 
1858, when that army was sent out to figlit 
the Mormons; from there he made his way 
westward to California. He was a reporter 
on the San Joaquin Republican, and in 1860 
joined a surveying party occupied in locat- 
ing the eastern boundarj-'of the stale. Fol- 
lowing year he returned to Pittsburgh, and 
enlisted in Company A, 63d P. V. I., serving 
nearly two years with the Army of the Polo- 
mac; he was discharged on account of in- 
jured e3'esiglit, being at time of his discharge 
first lieutenant in command of his company. 
Returning to Pittsburgh, he. here engaged in 
the drug business, and later at McKeesport. 
In 1883 he built three stores in Wilkinsburg, 
which were Imrned down three years later, 
but he at once rebuilt. Mr. Laufman is 
identified with the M. E. Church, is a Free- 
mason, a member of the G. A. R. and R. A., 
and in politics is a republican. In 1865 he 
married Julia Forsyth, widow of James T. 
Brown, a sister-in-law of Gov. Porter, of 
Indianapolis, Ind.. and daughter of William 
and Margaret (Foster) Forsyth, of Pitts- 
burgh, Pa. Three children have blessed this 
union; Susan H., wife of C. H. Hamilton; 
Margaret Adelaide and Albert Walker Lauf- 
man. 

J. L. RoLSHOUSE, superintendent of Alle- 
gheny City Home, at Claremont, postoffice 
Hoboken. was born Februarys, 1841, in Alle- 
gheny City. His father, J. G. Rolshouse, 
came from Germany to America when sev- 
enteen years of age, located in Alleghenj' 
City, Pa., and engaged in farming and other 
business. He is still living. He married 
Margaret, daughter of Robert Frazier. of 
Gettysburg, Pa., and ten children were born 
to them. J. L., the eldest, was educated in 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



361 



the public schools, and engaged in farming 
and merchandising. He has been identified 
with the Allegheny City Home since 1881, at 
which time he was superintendent of the 
farming, and was appointed to his present 
position in 1886. Mr. Rolshouse married, in 
1866, Isabella Heaslet, and six children have 
been born to them: Amelia, Jennie, John, 
Annie, Tillie and Maggie. Mr. RoLshouse 
enlisted in 1864, in Company I, 61st P. V., and 
served until the close of the war. He is a 
member of the A. O. U. W. and of the 
Presbyterian Church; politically he is a re- 
publican. 

Henry Warner, superintendent of Alle- 
gheny County Workhouse, postoffice Hobo- 
ken, was born in Allegheny county, in 1838, 
a son of Henry Warner, Sr., who immigrated 
to America from his native city, Dublin, 
Ireland, about 1833. Henrj', Sr., was a 
bookkeeper, an occupation he followed in 
America. His wife was Mary Riddle, also of 
Ireland, and they were the parents of four 
children, of whom Henry, Jr., is the youngest. 
Having attended the public schools of 
Allegheny City until fifteen years of age, 
our subject was employed for three years as 
clerk, and then engaged one year as book- 
keeper in a flouring-mill. At the end of that 
time he became a partner in the firm of John 
Taggart & Co. In 1863 he enlisted as private 
in Independent Battery G; was promoted 
September 1, 1863, to dutj'-sergeant; to quar- 
termaster-sergeant in December, 1863; April, 
1863, to first sergeant; September, 1863, to 
junior second lieutenant; October, 1864, to 
post-adjutant at Fort Delaware. In Decem- 
ber, 1864, he commanded a ten-gun battery 
at Reedy Point, and was discharged in 186.5 at 
the close of the war. After the war he located 
in Oil City and engaged in a general mer- 
chandise business under the firm name of 
Warner, Lewis & Co., a partnership which 
lasted one year. He then returned to Alle- 
gheny City, and for four years was emplo}'ed 
as bookkeeper for Mr. Alexander Patterson, 
during which time he was elected member of 
the common council of that city; was re- 
elected in 1868, 1869 and 1870, and elected 
president of the council in January of that 
year. In 1870 he was nominated by the 
republicans and elected to the legislature. 
In 1871 he was elected comptroller of Alle- 
gheny county, entering upon the duties of 
his office in 1873; was re-elected to that posi- 
tion and served until 1878, in which year he 
was defeated for renomination. During the 
first years of his term in office he was manager 
of the Morganza Reform school. In 1879 he 
was elected general manager and first vice- 
president of the Pittsburgh & Southern Rail- 
road company, which position he filled until 
April 15 of the same }'ear, when he resigned, 
having been appointed by the courts of com- 
mon pleas, Nos. 1 and 3, county commissioner 
to settle the losses incurred by the railroad 
riot of 1877. He was nominated and elected 
by the people in 1881 to the office of county 
commissioner, but never served, being ap- 



pointed superintendent of the Allegheny 
County Workhouse, which position he fills 
at date. 

Mr. Warner married, in 1866, Annie L. 
Little, daughter of JohnH. Little, of Sewick- 
ley, Allegheny county. Five children have 
blessed this union, three of whom are living: 
Elizabeth Patterson (now at Pennsylvania 
Female College), Edward Little and Anna 
Isabella. During the public career of Mr. 
Warner he has filled fifty- four offices, and the 
high esteem in which he is held by those who 
know him is the best guarantee of the ability 
and honesty of the man. He is a member of 
the G. A. R., also of the Sixth U. P. Church, 
of Allegheny City; politically he is a repub- 
lican. 

Daniel S. Duncan, superintendent of 
Sharpsburg water-works, was born in Ashta- 
bula county, Ohio, in 1861, a son of Warren 
Duncan, a prominent contract carpenter of 
Cleveland, Ohio. Daniel was educated in the 
public schools of Painesville, Ohio, and fol- 
lowed the machinist's trade several years, in 
which he was successful, having had charge 
of several places. In 1886 he came to Penn- 
sylvania, and followed a commercial life. In 

1887 he took charge of Sharpsburg water- 
works, which he has done successful!}'. In 

1888 he married Miss Swindells, a teacher in 
the public school, and a daughter of William 
Swindells, an old resident of Sharpsburg, Mr. 
Duncan, in all his undertakings in life, has 
met with success. 

James Henderson Dupp, M. D., died at 
his residence in Pittsburgh, Dec. 33, 1884. 
He was a native of Franklin township, 
Westmoreland county, born in 1834, and was 
of Scotch-Irish descent. Both he and his 
father, John, were born on the farm where 
his grandfather, John Duff, had settled, 
shortly after the revolutionary war. Dr. 
Duff attended school near his father's home, 
and finished his preparatory education under 
various private instructors, his brother. Rev. 
John Duff, one of the founders of West- 
minster College, being among the number. 
After the completion of his medical studies 
at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 
in 1848, he passed an examination for the 
Uniteid States navy, and began the practice 
of his profession at his native home, where 
he at once entered upon a large practice. He 
removed to Pittsburgh, South Side, in 1866, 
where he very soon acquired a large and 
lucrative practice, and took a front rank 
among her leading physicians. He was a 
strong abolitionist, and was among the first 
to offer his services to the govcrnnient in the 
late civil war. He served for a time in the 
hospitals about Washington, and afterward 
organized a company of emergency-men, 
which he refused to leave for the colonelcy 
of a regiment, which was offered him. Dr. 
Duff was a man of large build and com- 
manding appearance, modest and unassum- 
ing, of sound, deliberative judgment, and 
quiet but forcible dignity. He was the friend 
of all who knew him, and his professional 



362 



HISTORV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



skill, as well as his purse, were alwa^'s ready- 
to meet the case of the needy. In 184.S he 
married Susan T., daui,'hter "of Joseph and 
Mary Miller, of Newliiisburg, Westmoreland 
county. His family consisted of si.\ chil- 
dren: Dr. John Milton Duff, a physician of 
Pittsburgh, and professor of ob.stetrics in 
the AVestern Pennsylvania Medical College: 
Anna M., deceased"in 18S3, married to Rev. 
J. C. Elv; Rev. Joseph M.. pastor of Mans- 
field P'resbyterian Church; Rev. Albert 
James, deceased in 188G, then pastor of 
Knoxville Presbyterian Church; Alfred Will- 
iam, an attorney at the Pittsburgh bar, and 
Sue T., at home vfith her mother in Wil- 
kinsburg. 

W. W. Waters, manager Presbyterian 
bookstore, Pittsburgh, was born in 1838, in 
Allegheny county, Pa. His paternal great- 
grandfather was a native! of England, 
and came to America in an early day, 
settling in Stoughton, Mass. Asa Waters, 
grandfather of W. W., was a captain in the 
revolutionary war. (A brave woman, who was 
a near relative, served also in the army, and 
was pensioned.) His son, Oren Waters, , the 
father of W. W., was a manufaclurer in 
Massachusetts. He came to Pittsburgh in 
1824:. opened a shop in partnership with his 
brother Asa, and manufactured the first 
shovels and axes made in Pittsburgh. Later 
he removed to Chartiers creek, where he 
established himself, and subsequently re- 
moved to New Brighton. His wife was Juliet 
Harris, of an old Butler family. The subject 
of this sketch received his educa.ion in New 
Brighton, and came to Pittsburgh in 1851, 
where he was employed in an office. In 
18,56 he engaged as clerk with J. S. Davison, 
a dealer in books, and in 18T3 he took charge 
of the Presbyterian bookstore, of which he 
is now the manager. He has resided in 
Sewickley since 1S7.J. Mr. Waters married 
a daughter of Rev. B. C. Critchlow, of the 
Presbyterian Church, pastor of the New 
Brighton Church for thirty-three years. Mr. 
and Mrs. Waters are members of the Presby- 
terian Church of Sewickley, of which he is 
an elder; politically he is a republican. 

Theophilos R. Van Kirk, physician, 
McKeesport, was born in Elizabeth township, 
Allegheny county, July 11. 1840, a son of 
Joseph and Elizabeth (Hutchinson) Van Kirk. 
His grandfather, Joseph Van Kirk, a native 
of New Jersey, and a son of William Van 
Kirk, of Holland-Dutch descent, had seven 
sons and two daughters. Fifteen members 
of the Van Kirk family participated in the 
revolutionary' war. The widow of William 
Van Kirk married a Mr. Canaun. and settled 
in Elizabeth township in 1783, with her 
children. Joseph Van Kirk was a surveyor 
by occupation, and lived and died in Eliza- 
beth township. He was the father of eight 
children, of whom Joseph. Jr., father of our 
subject, was the fourtli child and second son. 
He was a farmer, and now resides in Eliza- 
beth township, in his eighty-seventh year. 
He had eight children who grew to maturity: 



Joel K. (a physician of Elizabeth). Ann (Mrs. 
B. H. Newlin), Isaac. Mary J. (Mrs. Samuel 
Beazell). Theophilus R., Bennett H. (a physi- 
cian of West Newton), William K. ( a physi- 
cian of McKeesport) and Hannah (Mrs. Jonas 
Ray, deceased). Theophilus R. was reared 
in this and Westmoreland counties, and 
began the study of medicine in 1860, in the 
office of his brother, J. K. Van Kirk, of 
Elizabeth. April 19, 1861, he enlisted in the 
13th P. v., and was honorably discharged 
after three months' service, fn the fall of 
1863 he entered Jefferson Medical College. 
Philadelphia, from which he graduated in the 
spring of 1864. September 1, same year, 
he joined the 209th regiment P. V., as 
assistant surgeon, and served until June 1, 
186.5, and was honorably discharged. He 
located in McKeesport in 1867, where he has 
since resided, in the active practice of his 
profession. He married in October, 1871, Vir- 
ginia, daughter of William and Marj- A. 
(Shields) Whigham, of McKeesport, and by 
her had three children; Corinne, Herbert 
S. and Virginia. Dr. Van Kirk, with one 
exception, is the oldest established pM'sician 
in McKeesport. He is a member of the 
Allegheny County Medical society, Medical 
Society of the State of Pennsylvania and 
American Medical association. In politics 
he is a republican. 

H. S. Newlin, physician. McKeesport, 
is a native of Westmoreland count_v, Pa., and 
was reared and educated from seven years of 
age in Elizabeth, Alleghen}- county. He 
began the study of medicine in 1879, with 
Drs. J. K. andT. R. Van Kirk. of this county; 
entered the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons, Baltimore. Md.. in the fall of 1881, 
and graduated in the spring of 1883. He 
immediately began the practice of his pro- 
fession in Elizabeth, and in November of the 
same j-ear located in McKeesport. 

Robert W. Gordon, manufacturer, Mc- 
Keesport, sou of Robert and Susan (Mackay) 
Gordon, natives of Aberdeen. Scotland, is a 
native of Canada, born near Montreal, where 
he was reared and educated. In 1869. when 
twenty-one j-ears of age, he located at Mont- 
pelier, Vt., where after a short time he became 
assistant manager of the stock-farm of J. H. 
Flagler and remained three years. In 1872 he 
came to McKeesport, and has since had chrage 
of the stock and teaming department of the 
National Tube-works company. During his 
long service with this firm he applied himself 
diligently- to his occupation, soon became an 
efficient veterinary surgeon and an excellent 
judge in treating the ailments so common to 
horses and cattle, and during the sixteen years 
he has been here has lost but one case out of 
hundreds that have been under his care. For 
several jears Mr. Gordon has been using 
remedies of his own manufacture, and so 
great has been the demand for his horse and 
cattle powder and hoof ointment that he has 
been obliged to give his almost exclusive 
attention to the manufacture and shipment 
of his remedies. His business is destined to 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



363 



become one of Ihe lending industries of Mc- i 
Keespoi't. Mr. Gordon married, in ISTS.Mattie 
A., claughter of Daniel Gould, of McKees- 
port. and has four rhildren; Nellie, Robert, 
Edith and Earl H. He is a member of the C. 
P. Church; also a member of the A. O. U. 
W. and Heptasophs, and in politics is a 
repid]lican. 

W. H. Smith, secretary Duquesne Forge 
company, Pittsburgh, is a native of Alle- 
gheny county, horn in 1834. Thomas Smith, 
his father, came to America in 1799, and in 
1813 located in Allegheny City. He was a 
silversmith by occupation, and previous to 
his death lived retired. He married Margaret 
H.. daughter of Robert Stewart, who came 
from Juniata couuty to Allegheny county in 
1810. Mr. Stewart married Maiy Wilson, 
and was for manj' years ferryman where the 
Sixth street bridge now stands. Born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Smith were six children, five of 
whom are now living. W. H. was educated 
at the common schools in Allegheny City, 
and for many years was employed as hook- 
keeper, and afterward was in the banking 
business. He married Eliza TV. Burford, 
and has two children, Llewellyn M. and 
Fred E. For the past two and a half years 
Mr. Smith has been connected with the Twin 
City forge. He is a member of the U. P. 
Church; politically he is a republican. 

H. W. HiTZROT, physician, McKeesport, 
is a native of Prussia, and received a class- 
ical education at the University of Berlin. 
In 1867 he came to America, and located in 
Johnstown, Pa., where he secured a position 
as clerk in a drugstore, and was afterward 
employed in the offices of the Cambria Iron 
company. In the fall of 1871 he located in 
McKeesport. where he engaged in the drug 
business, in which he continued up to 1878. 
In the meantime he had read medicine, and 
in 1880 graduated from the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md. In 
the spring of the same year he began the prac- 
tice of his profession in McKeesport, where 
he has built up a large and lucrative practice. 
Dr. Hitzrot has always taken an active in- 
terest in the advancement of McKeesport and 
its citizens. He is president of the Union 
Savings Fund & Loan association, of which 
he was the founder, and is also a director of 
the Bank of McKeesport. He is surgeon of 
the National Tube-works and Rolling-mills, 
a member of the American Medical associa- 
tion and Allegheny County Medical society. 
In politics he is a democrat. 

Louis D. Radzinskt, physician, McKees- 
port, was born in Geneva. Switzerland. April 
13, 183.5. a son of Alexander Julius and Char- 
lotte (De Lisle) Radzinsky, former of whom ' 
is a grandson of Gen. Count Johannes Paul 
Radzinsky (originally, in 176-t. spelled Rat- 
chintzky, and modified to Radzinsky during 
the general's exile), of Poland, one of the na- 
tional leaders with Kosciusko. The parents of 
Louis D. emigrated to America in 1848, lo- 
cated in New York city, and in 1856 removed 
to Orange, N. J. The subject of this sketch i 



received a classical education at St. An- 
thony's College, Geneva, and after a thor- 
ough course of instruction in medicine in 
New York city, graduated from the medical 
department of the University of the City of 
New York in 18.59. He immediately began 
the practice of his profession in the same 
city. At the outbreak of the rebellion he 
was appointed assistant surgeon to the 
Thirty-sixth regiment N. Y. V., and resign- 
ing in December, 1861, passed the medical 
examination for regular army corps. He 
was A. A. surgeon U. S. Army from 1863 to 
18G4, and assistant surgeon of the Fifty- 
fourlh Massachusetts Volunteers from 1864 
to 1865; was surgeon of the 104th U. S. Col- 
ored regiment. 1865-66; A. A. surgeon U. S. 
Army 1868, and city physician of health dis- 
trict No. 4, Charleston, S. C, in 1869, and 
was in practice in that city until 1870. In 
1871 he began practice in Brooklyn. N. Y., 
and has been a member of the Kings County 
(N. Y.) Medical society since 1873. He lo- 
cated in McKeesport in 1875, where he has 
since been in active practice. He has been a 
member of the G. A. R. since 1868; in poli- 
tics he is a democrat. 

Chaeles Riethmiller. grocer. Sharps- 
burg, was horn in Alleghen5' county. Pa., in 
18.57. a son of Conrad Riethmiller, Sr., a 
prominent business-man of Sharpsburg. 
Charles was educated at the public schools, 
and has followed the grocery business all his 
life. He married, in 1881, Miss Wagener, 
daughter of Adam Wagener, an old resident of 
Pittsburgh, and three children have been born 
to them: Mary Elizabeth, Charles C. and 
Walter John. In 1880 Mr. Riethmiller estab- 
lished his present business on the corner of 
Eighteentli and Main streets, and in 1886 
erected his present building, a three-story 
brick, 20x73. the largest and most commo- 
dious storeroom in the borough. Mr. Rieth- 
miller has been very successful in his business 
career, which fact is entirel j' due to his energy 
and perseverance. He and family are mem- 
bers of St. John's German Evangelical 
Lutheran Church, of which he is a trustee. 
He was elected to a three-years term in 
borough council in February of the year 
1888, and has served one year at present. 
Politicallj' he is a republican. 

Nicholas J. H. Gerwig, merchant, Wil- 
kinsburg, was born in Ross township, this 
county, November 14, 1846. His parents, 
Henry and Mary (Voegtly) Gerwig, now re- 
side in the city of Allegheny; the former was 
born in Alsace, Germany, in 1822. and the lat- 
ter in Allegheny in 1826. Henry Gerwig came 
to this countv in 1836, and established a rope- 
factory in Pittsburgh, which is now suc- 
ceeded by Bentley & Gerwig, of New Brigh- 
ton. Beaver county, in which he is still inter- 
ested. Nicholas j. H. Gerwig was reared in 
the city, attended the German Evangelical 
school three years, and the public school four 
years. After a course at Penn Institute, he, 
in 1861, set about learning the trade of rope- 
making, at which he labored five years. He 



364 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



was tlien employed in liis father's warehouse 
as bookkeeper and salesman, and Jan. 1, 
1871, became a partner in the business. The 
firm is now IT. Gerwig & Sons, dealing 
extensively in ropes and cordage; our subject 
is also interested in the New Hriglitoii factory. 
lie ownssi.vteeii houses in WilkiiislHiri;, four 
in Pittsburgh and four in Mansfiiilii. He 
attends the Presbyterian Church, and in 
politics is a republican. Jan. 8. 1874, he 
married Anna Mary, daughter of Frederick 
and Elizabeth (Hui) Beckevt. natives of 
Alsace, now residing in Reserve township, 
where Mrs. G.;rwig was born. Mr. and Mrs. 
Beckert were married Nov. 7, 1836. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gerwig's living children are Frederick 
H. N., Clara Mary, Alma, Theodore Charles 
and Lucy Anna; three died in infancy. 

Ai.,EXANDEK McKiM. manufacturer. P. O. 
Sharpsburg, is a native of Scotland, born in 
1845. His parents, James and Elizabeth 
(Cahoon) McKim. bad a family of six sons 
and one daughter, of whom Alexander is tlie 
third child. At nine years of age he was left 
an orphan by the death of his father, and in 
1863 came with his mother ami brother to 
America. He commenced to work in iron at 
an early age, learning the trade of hammer- 
man, which he followed for twenty-six years. 
In 188.5 he came to Sharpsburg and com- 
menced his present business, being engaged in 
the manufacture of iron and steel forgings. 
He married, in 1871, Jennie McKinuey, of 
Brooklyn, N. Y., and six children have 
blessed their union: Robert, Matthew, Sam- 
uel J., James Henry, Mary Jane and Eliza- 
beth L. Mr. McKim has been a successful 
operator in the iron business. He is a mem- 
ber of the U. P. Church at Braddock, in 
which he is an elder; politically he is a 
republican. 

John Porter, Jr., M. D., 614 Market 
street, McKecsport. No more active and 
trying a life, in the cause of the welfare of 
his fellow-man, can be referred to than that 
of the physician. Toil of the most arduous 
nature to mind and body is his lot; and, 
although frequently unrequited, we find him 
always ready and willing to risk his own 
health and life for others. The subject of 
this sketch is the second son of the late John 
and Eliza J. Porter, of Penu township, born 
in Allegheny City Aug. 3, 185-. When al)out 
four years of age the family removed to Penn 
township, where a part still reside. During 
his boyhijod days John was sent to the dis- 
trict school (Quincy) and to the Fifth Ward 
and high-schools of Pittsburgh. Having 
chosen Dr. D. Alter, of Parnassus, Pa., his 
medical preceptor, he afterward attended the 
scientific and medical college at Keokuk, 
Iowa, gra luating in June, 1877, being also 
a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College. 
Philadelphia, and of the eye, ear and throat 
department of the Philadelphia Polyclinic, 
locating in, this city in January, 1831. Com- 
missioned by Gov.Pattison. in April, 1884, sec- 
ond lieutenant, and in December, 188.5, first 
lieutenant of Co. K, Eighteenth regiment 



N. G. P. Afterward, finding that the duties 
of the soldier conflicted with those of the 
physician, he resigned his commission. On 
Dec. 25, 1884, he married Miss Mairgie F. 
Moreland. daughter of Mr. Thomas B. More- 
land, of East End, Pittsburgh. Tliis \inJon 
has been blessed by a little Ian called Thomas 
B. Moreland. Jr. Dr. Porter was the only 
McKeesport member of the ninth interna- 
tional medical congress, convened in Wash- 
ington, D. C, in Septemb'-r. 1887; is also 
a director of the Union Savings Fimd & 
Loan association, and a member of the 
Allegheny Count)' Medical society. Bj- close 
application the doctor has built up a success- 
ful practice, and is now giving a part of his 
time to the treatment of the eye, ear. nose 
and throat, being the first McKeesport ph)-- 
sician to perform Von Grafe's cataract oper- 
ation. 

E. R. Kr.imeu. cashier. First National 
Bank of Allegheny, is a son of John P. 
Kramer, and was born in Greensboro, 
Greene county. Pa. His paternal grandfather, 
Baltzer Kramer, came from Germany, settled 
in Greenshoro, Greene county, where he 
built a glassworks, the earliest establishment 
west of the mountains. John P. Kramer, 
father of E. R., came here about 1840. and 
commenced in the general grocery business 
in Sewickley, which he conducted success- 
fully for some j-ears, after which he engaged 
in the banking business in the employ of the 
banking-house of Kramer & Rahm. as book- 
keeper, remaining tweaty-tive years. In 
1864 he was elected cashier of the First Na- 
tional Bank of AUeghen)' where he remained 
until his resignation, in 1878. He died Dec. 
1, 1884. Politically he was identified with 
the republican party. E. R. Kramer was 
educated in Sewicklej', and became an em- 
ploye of the above-named bank in 1878; sub- 
sequently be was promoted to the position of 
cashier. He had previously been employed 
for two years by the first collector in the 
Twenty-third Revenue district. 

Geokoe H. Christy, attorney. Pitts- 
burgh, is a native of Trunibull county. Ohio, 
and was educated in Western Reserve Col- 
lege, where he graduated in the class of 
1859. The same year he came to Pittsburgh. 
where subsequently he read law with Judge 
Veech. Shortly after the breaking cmt of 
the war he volunteered in the three-months 
service, and was quartermaster sergeant in 
Knapp's battalion, P. V. Afterw'ard he 
re-enlisted, and became lieutenant and ad- 
jutant of the 23il regiment U. S. colored 
troops, serving in the 18th and later in tlie 
2jth Army Corps. Previous to the war Mr. 
Christy was assistant editor of the Ri-ening 
Olirotnele. and later was one of the propri- 
etors and editors of the Commercial ./■turnal. 
For six moaths he was clerk in the postofflce 
at Pittsburgh, and for two years was pro- 
fessor of mUhematicsin the Western Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania. In 1866 Mr. Christy 
was admitted to the Allegheny county bar, 
and for ten years was a member of the law 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



365 



tirm of Bakewell, Christy & Kerr, in patent- 
law practice, and in wliich latter branch of 
the law he has been engaged ever since. 

J. M. TnoRNE, physician and surgeon, 
McKeesport, is a native of Hastings, Minn., 
where he was reared and educated, and 
for five years was engaged in the drug 
business. He began tTie study of med- 
icine in 1883, with his uncle. Dr. Will- 
iam Thorne, of Hastings; entered Jeffer- 
son Medical College, Philadelphia, in the 
fall of 1883, and graduated in the spring 
of 1886. He was then appointed resident 
ph}-sician at AVest Pennsylvania hospital, 
Pittsburgh, Pa., where he remained one 
year. In the spring of 1887 he located in 
McKeesport, where he has a lucrative prac- 
tice, and is the surgeon of the B. & O. It. R. 
Co., Pittsburgh division. Dr. Thorne is a 
member of the American Medical associa- 
tion, the Medical Society of the State of 
Pennsylvania, the Allegheny County Medical 
society and the National Association of 
Railroad Surgeons. 

S. L. Wiggins, physician, McKeesport, is 
a native of Indiana county, Pa., where he 
was reared and educated, in 1870 he began 
the study of medicine with Dr. T. J. Marlin, 
of Indiana, Pa.; entered .Jefferson College. 
Philadelphia, in October, 1871, and graduated 
in March, 1873. He began the practice of 
his profession in Liverraore, Westmoreland 
county; in 1875 located in Black Lick, 
Indiana county, and in 1885 was pension 
examining surgeon for that county. He 
attended a course of lectures in Philadelphia 
same year, and in 1886 located in McKees- 
port, where he has since had a large and 
successful practice. He is a member of the 
Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania. 

Elliott D.wis, retired, Wilkiusburg, 
was born in Elizabeth township, this county, 
April 15, 1803, the youngest of twelve chil- 
dren born to Francis Davis, and the sixth 
child by Sarah Elliott, liis father's second 
wife. She was a native of Maryland, and her 
husband of Pennsylvania, both being of 
Scotch-Irish extraction. The fatherof Fran- 
cis Davis settled in this county before the 
beginning of this century, and died here 
when over one hundred years old. With the 
■exception of six years spent in Pittsburgh, 
Francis Davis lived in Wilkins township after 
the birth of our subject, and died in 1820, 
aged seventy-two; his widow passed away 
soon after, at the same age. Elliott Davis has 
always been a farmer, and settled on the 
place which he still owns, in Wilkins town- 
ship, in 1839. He attends the M. E. Church, 
and in politics is a republican. He was twice 
married, the first wife being Elizabeth Stager, 
who became the mother of three children, 
viz.: John (deceased), Francis (a resident of 
Bloomfield), Sarah (Mrs. Jobn Mitchell, in 
Wilkinsburg). The second wife, Ruth, 
daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth Clelanil, 
died in 1883. Thomas, her first child, is de- 
ceased, and David, the third, died in the arm}'. 
The others reside as follows: Rachel, widow 



of Peter Kenyon, in Turtle Creek; Elliott, on 
the homestead; Theodore, in Braddock; John, 
in Washington territory. Since his wife's 
decease Mr. Davis has been boarding in Wil- 
kinsburg. 

Sanford C. Clabk coal-operator, Mc- 
Keesport, was born in Mifflin township, Alle- 
gheny county. Pa., Sept. 3,1835, a son of 
Robert Clark and Margaret (Moore) Clark, 
the former a native of Ohio and the latter of 
Ireland. They located in Pittsburgh about 
the year 1818, and resided in different sections 
of Allegheny county for many years. Robert 
Clark was a prominent coal-operator of his 
time, and among the first to float coal from 
the Pittsburgh coal-fields to Cincinnati and 
Louisville. He reared a family of seven 
children: Samuel, Thomas, Eliza (Mrs. John 
F. Dravo), David, Oliver, Margaret (Mrs. 
Augustus Leonard) and Sanford C. The last 
named was reared in or near McKeesport, 
and in the year 1857 and up to 1864 acted as 
agent for different parties, selling coal at 
Cincinnati, Louisville, Vicksburg and New 
Orleans. In the year 1865-66 was shipping 
oil from Oil City to Pittsburgh in bulk-boats, 
and in 1867 embarked in the coal business as 
shipper. In 1869 he began operating acoal- 
worlis opposite McKeesport, and since 1875 
has been operating a coalworks at Coal Val- 
\ey. Mr. Clark married, in September, 1870, 
Harriet D., daughter of James and Margaret 
M. Clark, of McKeesport. and has six children: 
Milnor P., Edgar I., Maggie E., Effle M., 
George N. and Samuel W. Mr. Clark has 
been a permanent resident of McKeesport 
since 1865. In politics he is a republican. 

M. J. Schramm, grocer, postoffice Sharps- 
burg, was born in Allegheny county. Pa., in 
18.54, a son of Michael Schramm, now a prom- 
inent farmer of O'Hara township. He was 
educated at St. Mary's school of Sharpsburg, 
and until eighteen years of age resided with 
his father on the farm. Three years after- 
ward he was employed in the dairy business, 
and then clerked in a grocery for a short 
time. Subsequently he was a student in the 
Iron City College, from which, after gradu- 
ating, he came to Sbarpsburg in 1878, and 
commenced his present business. He married, 
in 1878, Catherine, daughter of Lawrence 
Winschal, of this county, and five children 
bless their union: Mamie, Laura, Edward, 
Clarence and William. Mrs. Schramm died 
in 1888. Mr. Schramm is a highly respected 
citizen; is a member of St. Mary's Catholic 
Church, and politically is a democrat. 

W. Y. M. Taylor, physician, McKeesport, 
was born in East Bethlehem township, Wash- 
ington county. Pa., June 10. 1849, a son of 
Caleb and Mary (Gillis) Taylor. His paternal 
grandfather, Bryah Taylor, a native of New 
jersey, and a blacksmith bj' trade, was fir.st 
lieutenant of a company in the war of 1813; 
settled in McKeesport in 1846. and there died 
at the age of eighty-eight years. He was a 
son of Bryah Taylor, a pioneer of Fayette 
county. Pa. The maternal grandfather of 
our subject was Robert Gillis, a native of 



366 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Ireland, and npioneer of Washington county, 
Pa. Dr. W. V. M. Taylor was reared in bis 
native township and eihicated at the Mills- 
born Xoiinal school. In 18G9 he read niedi- 
eine with Dr. William G. Cotlnn. of East 
Bethlehem; entered .lefTerson Medical Col- 
leiie. Philadelphia, in 1871, and graduated in 
1ST3. In April of the same year he located in 
MfKeeiport, where he has since been in active 
prac'licl. Dr. Taylor is a prominent member 
of llic/neilical fraternity. He is serving a 
seeoyf term as member of the scliool board; 
politically he is a democrat. 

.JonN K. II.^MMiTT.raerchant.McKeesport, 
was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug. 20, 1828, a 
son of Isaac and iSIary( Augustine) Hammitt, 
who were among the early settlers of Alleghe- 
ny county.coming from Philadelphia. Isaac 
was a ship-builder, served an apprenticeship 
of eleven years in Philadelphia, and was 
among the pioneer ship-builders of the 
county; for many years resided in Pittsburgh 
and Elizabeth, though the last twenty years 
of his life were passed in Belle Vernon, Pa. 
His children were Samuel, Isaac, Jackson, 
John K., Richard, Jane and Mary. John K. 
was reared in Elizabeth, this county, and 
settled in McKeesport in 18o3. For many 
years he followed his occupation of sawyer, 
and for nineteen years has been engaged in 
the mercantile business. He married, Dec. 
23, 1855, Rebecca W., daughter of John and 
Sarah (Lewis) Haney, early settlers of Mc- 
Kee.sport.and has had four children : Courtney 
C. (deceased), J. Lewis, Sadie (deceased) and 
Eva C. Of these Courtney C, who married 
Mellie Hemingray, left one son, Courtney C. 
Mr. Hammitt has for manj' years been an 
active memlier of the Baptist Church, of 
which ho is a deacon. He has held the ofBces 
of councilman and school director of the 
borough; in politics he is a republican. 

James Stephenson, broker, Pittsburgh, 
was born in Burgettstown, Pa., March 6, 
1836. His paternal ancestors came over with 
Lord Berkelej', and settled in the historical 
" Buckskin " region. His grandfather, James 
Stephenson, received from the government 
a grant of one thousand acres in Cherrj' Val- 
ley, Pa., on which he settled immediately 
after the Revolution. He died there in 1814, 
and the laud is now mostly in the possession 
of his descendants. He was a half-brother 
of Col. Crawford, who was killed by Indians 
at the battle of Sandusky. He was a Free- 
mason, and a member of the Episcopal 
Church, though united with the Seceders 
of Washington county. His son John, born 
in 1803. married Susan, daughter of Edward 
Shipley, a soldier of 1812, whose ancestors 
came over with Lord Baltimore. For thirty 
years he kept a tailor-shop at Burgettstown, 
later a hotel on the Steubenville pike, and 
now resides at George station, on the Penn- 
sylvania railroad. His wife died in 1857, the 
mother of eleven children. James being the 
eldest; nine reached maturity, and si.\ are 
now living. 

When of age, James Stephenson traveled 



considerably in the west. In 1861 he enlisted 
at Pittsburgh, in the Duquesne Greys, and 
afterward helped to organize Battery C, 
Thompson's independent artillerj'. He rose 
to the rank of senior first lieutenant, com- 
manding for some time Hampton's battery, 
which was attached to his own after the 
death of its brave commander. He served in 
all the engagements of the Army of the Poto- 
mac till 1864, when he resigned. At the 
second battle of Bull run he was twice shot 
through the right leg, at Chancellorsvillc the 
drum of his left ear was broken bj' concussion, 
and at Gettysburg he was slightly wounded. 
After leaving the service he established what 
is now the E.xcelsior Coffin-factory, which he 
sold after operating it a year. For eight 
years he was assistant general superintendent 
of the Centriil Transportation company, and 
since 1882 has been a partner in the merchan- 
dise brokerage firm of R. S. Stephenson & 
Co. Mr. Stephenson was married in 1869 to 
Margaret Read Taylor, and came to reside at 
Edgewood five years later. Mrs. Stephenson 
is a daughter of Edward and Sarah (Robin- 
son) Taylor, of English and Irish ancestry, 
respectively, and her children are Charles E., 
Bird. Maud, India and Don. Mr. Stephenson 
is a democrat. 

WiLLi.vM Craig, grocer, McKeesport, was 
born in Westmoreland county. Pa., Nov. 10, 
1823, a son of George and Maiy (Thomas) 
Craig, the former a native of Irehmd and the 
latter of Chester county. Pa. They settled 
in North Versailles township, this county, 
in 1827, and removed to Butler county, Pa., 
in 1844, where thej- resided until their deaths. 
They reared a family of twelve children: 
Joseph. Matilda(Mrs. John Ludwick), Louisa 
(Mrs. William Taylor), John, Mary (Mrs. 
Andrew Hafer), Martha (Mrs. Thomas 
McGill), Julia A. (Mrs. David McKee), Will- 
iam, Rachel. Stacy, Eliza J. (Mrs. John 
Boyle) and Emily (Mrs. Thomas Chandler). 
Our subject was reared in Westmoreland and 
Allegheny counties, and removed with his 
parents to Butler county in 1.844. where he 
was engaged in farming until 1871. He then 
came to McKeesport, where he has since 
resided, and for a number of years has been 
engaged in the dairy business. In the spring 
of 1883 he embarked in the grocery business, 
in which he is still engaged. He married, in 
1872. Ruth, daughter of Samuel Elliott, of 
McKeesport, and has five children: William, 
Charles, Clifford, Linnie and Mary. Mr. 
Craig is a member of the M. E. Church; 
politicall}- he is a democrat. 

G. D. HIcJIonuAN, assistant teller in the 
Merchants' it JIanufacturers' National Bank 
of Pittsburgh, residence Sharpsburg. was born 
in Allegheny county, in 18.54. a son of Alex- 
ander McMorran. latter of whom immigrated 
to America from County Down. Ireland, at 
an early day. He was a farmer by occupation 
and married Catherine Moore, who became 
the mother of eight children. Among the 
youngest of these was our subject, who was 
educated at the public schools in the county 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



367 



and an academy. He was employed at teach- 
ing school for some time, but for the past 
seven years has been connected with the 
bank, part of the time in bis present position. 
Mr. JIcMorran married, in 1882, Sadie M. 
Brickell, of Allegheny county, Pa., and one 
child has blessed their union, named Eva. 
For the past seven j'ears Mr. McMorran has 
resided in Sharpsburg. He is a member of 
the U. P. Church; politically he is a 
republican. 

John Serena, coal-operator, McKeesport, 
was born in Westmoreland countjr, Pa., Jan. 
13, 1830, a son of Jacob and Mary (Norris) 
Serena, Jacob Serena for some years con- 
ducted a sawmill, and lived and died in 
Westmoreland county. His family consisted 
of twelve children: George (deceased), Sophia 
(Mrs. Robert Snyder), David, Barbara (Mrs. 
David McRoberts), Eliza J. (Mrs. James 
Means), John, Samuel (deceased), Mary A. 
(Mrs. William F. Mullen), Archibald, Jacob, 
Sarah (Mrs. K. Long) and Joseph. John 
Serena was reared in Westmoreland county 
until seventeen years of age, when he came 
to McKeesport with his widowed mother in 
1849, and was the mainstaj- of the family. 
He was in the employ of William Neel. a 
large coal-operator, for twenty-five years. 
Beginning at the foot of the ladder as a miner, 
he worked his way until he became superin- 
tendent of the works, which position he held 
for many years. In 1878 he embarked in 
business for himself as a coal merchant and 
operator in McKeesport, and has succeeded 
in building up a large and growing business. 
He married, in 1854, Maria J., daughter of 
James and Isabella White, of Plum township, 
this count)', and has five children living: Isa- 
bella, Anna V., J. Franklin, J. Elmer E. and 
Ida (Mrs. F. M. Rhodes). Mr. Serena is a 
member of the C. P. Church and K. of P. ; 
in politics he is a republican. 

David O. Shaver, master mechanic, 
Pittsburgh, was born in 1831 in Herkimer 
county, N. Y. His father, George Shaver, 
was descended from the early residents of 
Albany, as was also his mother, Nancy, 
daughter of Thomas Zielley. Both parents 
were natives of Herkimer county. In 1833 
they removed to Geneva, N. Y., and five 
years after lo the vicinity of Aurora, 111., 
where Mrs. Shaver and theyoungest son died 
in 1842. They had nine children, David O. 
being the sixth, and with them the father 
returned to Geneva. He died in Detroit, 
Mich., in 1849. Maria, Margaret, Catherine 
and Eleanor died in 1816. Archibald G., an 
artist, who was the eldest son, died in Geneva 
in 1866. Elizabeth N. (McDonald) resides at 
Adrian, Mich., and Martin V. B., near Lake- 
view, same state. David O., early in life 
worked on a farm, drove team and carried 
the hod. September 29, 1848, he was appren- 
ticed to John Daggett & Son, manufacturers 
of woolen machinery, at Newark, N. Y. 
After serving three years with them, he 
worked nearly a year in a stationary-engine 
factory at Peun Yan. He then perfected him- 



self in locomotive-building, and worked for 
short periods in the Rochester & Syracuse, 
New York & Erie, Michigan Central and 
Galena & Chicago Union shops. In 18.54 he 
went into the Lake Shore & Michigan 
Southern shops at Adrian, Mich., and was 
foreman of an erecting gang for four years. 
For three years he was foreman of the Louis- 
ville, New Albany & Chicago shops at 
New Albany, Ind., and resigned to take the 
same position with the .Ieffersonville,Madison 
& Indianapolis at North Madison. 

March 1, 1867. he resigned and took his 
present position with the Pennsylvania rail- 
road. Since 1868 he has resided at Edgewood 
station. He is a republican; attends the 
Presbyterian Church. In 18.56 Mr. Shaver 
married Harriet S. Wadsworth, of Adrian, 
Mich., who was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 
183.5. Her father. Walter M., son of Joseph 
and Dorcas Wadsworth, was born in Hartford, 
Conn., in 1801, and died in 1875. Her mother, 
Sarah (Guy), was born of French and English, 
ancestry in Dunham, Canada, in 1810, and 
died in 1887. The Wadsworth ancestors 
came from Wales over two hundred jears ago, 
and located in New England. George Walter, 
only son of David O. Shaver, born in Adrian, 
in 1857. is farming near Burlington, Kan. 
Frank Gray, the daughter, was born Feb. 14, 
1874. 

Daniel Fell, street commissioner, Mc- 
Keesport. was born in Wurtemberg. Ger- 
many, Jan. 11, 1832, a son of Michael and 
Dorothea (Treftz) Fell, who came to America 
in 1849 and settled in Pittsburgh. His father, 
a wagon-maker by trade, died in August, 1884, 
at the age of eighty-four years; his wife died 
in 1879. Their children were Christiana (Mrs. 
William Breitenriter), Caroline (Mrs. .lohn 
Raymond), Daniel, Magdalena (Mrs. Jacob 
Treftz) and Doi'othea (Mrs. John Wyant). 
Our subject came to America with his parents 
in 1849, and most of his life has been engaged 
in farming. He settled in McKeesport in 
1872, and has held the oflice of street com- 
missioner seven years. He married, in 
18.56, Eliza Frazer, a native of Ireland, and 
daughter of Robert and Eliza (Robinson) 
Frazer, by whom he has six children: Caro- 
line (Mrs. W. G. Gray), Anna, Charles, Daniel, 
William B. and Jennie. Mr. Fell is a mem- 
bor of the German Lutheran Church; in poli- 
tics he is a democrat. 

Lyman Tuayek Childs (deceased) was 
born in Upton, Mass., July 14, 1809. His an- 
cestors emigrated with the Plymouth colony 
to New England, and his parents. Col. Asa 
and Clarissa (Partridge) Childs, came to Pitts- 
burgh when he was eleven years old, and 
here he passed the balance of his life. Col. 
Asa Childs was engaged in the manufacture 
of shoes in Pittsburgh, and continued in. 
same till his retirement on account of old 
age. He died Jan. 9, 18.50, in his eighty-third 
year, his wife having preceded him on the- 
4th of November previous, in her seventy- 
fifth year. Both were Congregationalists, 
and united with the Second Presbyteriaa 



368 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Church of Pittsburgh. On the retirement of 
Ci>l. Asa Childs liis sons. Harvey, Asa and 
Lymau T., eslablislied tlie wholesale slioe 
business, now continued l)y liis grandson, 
Harvey. Lyman Thayer retired on account 
of ill-health in 1851, and boucrht liftytwo 
acres wliere Homestead now is. Here he 
died Nov. 3. 1856. a Presbyterian in faith. 
All the family were whigs and republicans. 
In 1839 Mr. Cliilds married Annie, daughter 
of Evan and Gwen Laugher, aud liorn in 
1821, near Swansea, Wales. In 1837, his 
wife having died, Mr. Laugher came to Pitts- 
burgh, where he started the first coke-ovens 
established there, and continued the manu- 
facture many y^ears. He died in Iowa, at the 
residence of his son David, in his eighty-fifth 
year. 

Chahles M. Bailey, river pilot, McKees- 
port. was born in that city Nov. 21. 183.5, son 
of .Toseph M. and Nancy (Whigham) Bailey. 
His father, a native of Norristown, Pa., a 
shoemaker by trade, was among the early 
settlers of McKecsport, where be embarked 
in business as a coal-operator with his 
brother, Madison Bailey, and William Whig- 
ham, in which he successfully continued until 
his death, in December, 1850. He had follow- 
ing-named children; William M., Charles M.. 
Caroline (Mrs. .James Whitaker). Thomas 
Melvin (who died Sept. 30, 1848). Orphalena 
V. and Sarah A. (Mrs. Oliver P. Fritz). The 
maternal grandfather of our subject was 
Thomas Whigham, a pioneer farmer of MitBin 
township. Charles M. Bailey was reared in 
McKeesport, aud received a limited education 
in the common schools. At the age of four- 
teen he went ou the river as a deck-hand, 
and worked his way up to the positions of 
mate, captain and pilot, and since 1854 has 
followed towing in those capacities between 
Pittsburgh. Cincinnati. Louisville, New Or- 
leans and other points. In October, 1860, he 
married Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew 
Coleman, of Mifflin township, and has one 
son, William McClelan. During the civil 
war Mr. Bailey was of considerable service to 
the United States government in towing boats 
through southern rivers. He has been iden- 
tified with the First National Bank of Mc- 
Keesport since its organization; is a member 
of the C. P. Church, and one of the charter 
members of Alliquippa Lodge, F. & A. M., 
No. 3'i'5; is a member of the Steamboat Offi- 
cers' Protective association, and has served 
one term as member of the city council. 
Politicall}' he is a democrat. 

Vankiuk Scott, civil engineer, McKees- 
port, was born in Elizabeth township, this 
county, Jan. 2, 1861. His father was John 
W., son of Joseph and Ruth (Vankirk) Scott, 
and grandson of James and Mary (Pearson) 
Scott on paternal side, and Samuel and Mary 
<Price) Vankirk on maternal side. His 
mother was Rachel (Humphreys) Scott, 
daughter of Thomas and Frances (Clenden- 
ning) Huniphreys.of Upper St. Clairtowuship. 
this county, and granddaughter of William 
and Leah (Gamble) Humphreys on paternal 



side, and Charles and Frances (Hamilton) 
Clendenningon maternal side. James Scott, 
great-grandfather of subject, emigrated from 
Londonderrv. Ireland, to America in 1780; 
settled in Klizabeth township. Allegheny 
count}', in 1780, and married Mary Pearson, 
who had escaped the Indian massacre at Ilan- 
nastown. lie hadtlireesons; James. Zucche- 
us and Jo.seph. who served throuL'h the war 
of 1812. He died in 1825. Samuel Vankirk. 

freatgrandfather of subject, came from New 
ersey to this county shortly after the Revo- 
tion, and settled in Elizabeth township. He 
served throiigb the revolutionar}- war, carried 
the colors at the battle of Long Island, was 
present at the surrender of Cornwallis at 
Vorktown. His wife was Mary Price, of 
New Jersey. Both died in 1834. Joseph 
Scott, grandfather of subject, was a farmer 
bj" occupation, and lived and died on the 
farm .settled bj- his father. 

John W. Scott, father of our subject, was 
born in Elizabeth township, May 31, 1819. 
He is a stair-builder by occupation, and 
resides in McKeesport. Ho was for many 
years a member of the board of education, 
chairman of that body, also treasurer of the 
school fund. He has been a member of 
council, borough treasurer, justice of the 
peace, and served two terms as burgess. 
The subject of this sketch was reared in 
McKeesport. received his education in the 
common schools, and follows the occupation 
of a civil engineer. 

George Harrison Deeds, contractor, 
Allegheny, was born in the Quaker settle- 
ment, Westmoreland county. Pa., Oct. 10, 
1840. His ancestors were German, and his 
parents. George and Drusilla. and his grand- 
father. John Deeds (a .son of Jacob Deeds), 
were born in Pennsylvania. George Kesler, 
father of Drusilla Deeds, was also of German 
extraction. His wife, nee Elizabeth McMil- 
len. came of a Scotch-Irish family that 
settled in Donegal. Pa., about the close of 
the Revolution. George Deeds was killed in 
1846 bj' the kick of a horse. George H. is 
the fourth of seven children, was reared on 
a farm by Enoch Stahl, and when eighteen 
years old beiran the carpenter's trade. In 
1861 he joined Company B, 28th P. V. I., 
serving over three year.^. Previous to the 
battle of Gettysburg, this body was with the 
Army of the Potomac, and then joined the 
Western arm}-. Mr. Deeds was in the 
battles of Autietam, Chancellorsville. Look- 
out Mountain, and many minor engagements. 
Returning to Pittsburgh, he finished his trade 
at McKeesport. In 1871 became to Wilkins- 
burg and began contracting. Since 1880 he 
has operated in Pittsburgh in partnership 
with his brother. James A. Mr. Deeds 
erected his present residence at Edgewood 
in 1876; also built the following: Mc- 
Candless building. Wood street; Duquesne 
Bank building. Smithfield street; Singer 
buildin.g. Fourth avenue; Hofstott building. 
Liberty street; J. E. Schwartz's residence. 
Pennsylvania avenue; John Caldwell's resi- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



369 



dence, Edgewood, Pennsylvania Railroad; 
Safe Deposit building. Fourth avenue, and 
many other fine buildings. Mr. Deeds is a 
member of tlie Veteran Legion, G. A. R., and 
I. O. O. F. In August, 1873, he married Min- 
nie Borland, a native of Port Perry, Pa., 
daughter of Henry and Jaue (Kier) Borland, 
of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and to this union 
have been born five children: .Jennie May, 
William Henry, Thomas A., Martha lantha, 
and an infant, died unnamed. 

THOxrAS H. Gallagher, burgess. Sharps- 
burg, is a native of Pittsburgh, born in 1843. 
His father, James Gallagher, a native of 
County Tyrone, Ireland, immigrated to 
America at an early period, located in Balti- 
more, and in 183.5 came to Pittsburgh. He 
was an apothecary and drug,gist, and married 
Mary Drum, also of Ireland, who bore him 
nine" children, five living. Thomas H. was 
among the older children; was educated at 
the public schools of the county and under 
private instructors, and learned the .glass- 
blowing trade, which he followed. Since 
1873 he lias held the position of manager of 
the glassworks of Tibby Bros., of Sharps- 
bui-g. Mr. Gallagher married, in 1877, Miss 
Jones, of Maryland, and two children bless 
their union: Lauretta Bell and Mary Ala- 
bama. Mr. Gallagher has always been a 
public-spirited citizen; was six years in the 
town council, and in January, 1888, was 
elected burgess of Sharpsburg. He is a mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church, politically a 
democrat. 

J. C. George, architect, Sharpsburg, was 
born in Plum township, Allegheny county. 
Pa., in 1830, a son of John and Sarah 
(Cochran) George, both of Irish extraction. 
J. C. was reared in Plum township until 
nineteen years of age. He then learned the 
trade of carpenter, which he has since 
followed, but for the last few years has been 
engaged in drawing and architectural work, 
and has resided in Sharpsburg since 1851. 
His wife is Margaret, nee Nesbitt, of Kittan- 
ning, and the}' have had five children; two 
living: William and Sara. Mr. George and 
family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church; politically he is a republican. 

Daniel B. Brown, contractor and builder, 
McKeesport, was born near Reading, Berks 
county, England, April 3,5, 1846, a son of 
George and Maria (Bailey) Brown. Ho was 
reared in his native county, educated at the 
"Blue-Coat School," and served an ap- 
prenticeship at the carpenter's and joiner's 
trade in the city of London, during which 
time he attended, in the evening, the art 
drawing-school attached to South" Kensing- 
ton Museum, where he made a special studj' 
of architectural drawing. He then engaged 
in business in Hertfordshire two years. In 
1873 he came to America, and settled in 
McKeesport, where he has since been activelj' 
and successfully engaged as a contractor and 
builder. In 1868, at St. Jude's church. Chel- 
sea. London, he was married to Emily, 
daughter of Henry and Amelia (Grey) God- 



den, of Hampshire, England, and the}- have 
six children: Amelia O. L., Charles A., 
George W., Daniel F., Bertha E. and Edwin 
G. Mr. Brown is a member of the Episcopal 
Church, of which he has been a vestryman 
many years; in politics he is a republican. 

John R. Rcxiike. civil engineer, McKees- 
port, is a native of New Jersey, where he 
was reared and educated. He began the 
study of his profession in 1870, and for 
fifteen years was actively engaged in rail- 
road surveying in different parts of the 
United States. He located in McKeesport 
in 1885, and embarked in business with E. 
J. Taylor, under firm name of Taylor & 
Romine, civil and mining engineers; they are 
also city engineers. Mr. Romine is a mem- 
ber of the K. of H.; politically a democrat. 

John D. Anderson, teacher, Wilkins- 
burg, was born in West Deer township, this 
county, in May, 1848. His father, Elias An- 
derson, was born on the same farm in that 
township, and died there. His grandfather, 
Robert Anderson, who was a native of New 
England, descended from the Plymouth col- 
ony, and settled, about 1806, in West Deer, 
where he died in 1846. aged about sixtjf. 
Elias died in April, 1887, aged seventy-six. 
His wife, Jane, who died in 1878, at the age 
of fifty-seven, was a daughter of Samuel 
Haslett, a native of Ireland, now a resident 
of West Deer, aged over one hundred years. 
They had two sons and two daughters," John 
D. being the second son and third child. He 
remained on the farm and attended the public 
and select schools till eighteen years old. In 
1876 he took charge of the" Wilkinsburg 
schools, and now fills the position of super- 
intendent. He is a member of the Wilkins- 
burg U. P. Church; in politics he is inde- 
pendent. Dec. 34, 1879, Prof. Anderson 
married Miss Ida E. O'Rourke, a native of 
Monongahela City, daughter of James and 
Hannah (Meyer) O'Rourke, who were of Irish 
and German descent, respectivelj-. Mrs. 
Anderson was many years a teacher, being- 
assistant principal in the Wilkinsburg school 
for six years. 

William Herold, retired, was born in 
Germany Nov. 15, 1830, a son of William and 
Barbara (Reisel) Herold. When seventeen 
years of age he came to America, located in 
Pittsburgh, and worked in a rolling-mill 
until 1850. He then came to McKeesport, 
and worked as a coal-miner for nine years, 
and for thirteen years thereafter as a coal- 
tippler. In 1870, with George Kingenback 
as partner, he built a sawmill in the Third 
ward.whichheconducted up to January, 1888. 
In 1887 he erected the fine business-block 
known as the Herold block, one of the finest 
business structures in the city. Mr. Herold 
was married, in 1859, to Augusta, daughter 
of John and Margaret (Roscher) Klcinlogel, 
natives of Germany, who settled in Pittsburgh 
in 18.54. The issue of this marriage was five 
children: William, George, and Kalherine, 
born Dec. 5. 18.59, died Nov. 6, 1879, was 
married to George Lang in October, 1877, and 



370 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



the issue of this marriage was two children, 
Anton and William; Margaret, born Nov, 4, 
1803, died Sept. 30, 187'J; John Nicholas, born 
Dec. 19, 1860, died Aug. 10, 1863. Mr. Herold 
and wife are members of the German Prot- 
estant Church, lie is an Odd-Fellow, polit- 
ically a democrat. 

IIuGU C. Skelley, of the firm of H. C. it 
.1. K. Skelley, dry-goods merchants, and 
Skelley Brothers, books and stationery. Mc- 
Kee-ipmi, was liorn in Latrobe, Pa., Dec. 2.5, 
18.")9, a sou of Michael and MaryA. (Henry) 
Skelley. His paternal grandfather was Hugh 
Skelley, a native of Cambria county, and his 
maternal grandfather was Conrad Henry, a 
native of Berks county, Pa., and a veteran 
of the war of 1813. Our subject was reared 
in his native town and educated in the com- 
mon schools. He settled in McKeesport in 
1871, and for a number of years served in the 
capacity of clerk of the principal stores of 
the city. In 1878 he embarked in the book 
and stationery business; in 1880 he took his 
brother into partnership, and the firm until 
1886 was known as H. C Skelley & Brother, 
and since as Skelley Brothers. In 1886 he 
embarked in the dry-goods business under 
the firm name of .Skelley & Reiber, and in 
.January. 1887, he and his brother bought out 
Reiber's interest, and the firm has since been 
known as H. C. & J. K. Skelley, and is the 
leading dry-goods house in the city. Hugh 
C. Skelley married, April 38, 188.5," Mary .J., 
daughter of Edward and Ann (Holmes) 
Mauley, of Allegany county, Md., and by 
this union there is one son, Hugh .J. Mr. 
Skelley is one of the directors of the Building 
& Loan association; is a member of the 
Board of Trade, of which he is on the exec- 
utive and printing committees; is vice-presi- 
dent of the McKeesport & Duquesne Bridge 
company, and a director in the McKeesport 
Light company. In religion he is a Roman 
Catholic; in politics a democrat. 

John K. Skelley, of the firm of Skelley 
Bros, and H. C. & J. K. Skelley, McKeesport, 
was born in Latrobe, Pa., April 9, 1862, and 
is a son of Michael and Mary A. (Henry) 
Skelley. He was reared and educated in 
his native town, and began his business 
career in McKeesport in 1871, where he acted 
as a clerk in different stores in the city for 
five years. In 1876 he embarked in the book 
and stationery business with his brother, H. 
C. Skelley, in which he has since been en- 
gaged, and in 1886 became a partner with his 
brother, Hugh C, in the dry-goods business, 
and has one of the leading establishments of 
its kind in the city. He married, Oct. 18, 
1887, Lizzie, daughter of .lames M. and Mary 
(Crow) Kane, of Ft. Wayne, Ind. Mr. Skelley 
is a wide-awake,stcrlingyoungbusiness-niau. 
He is a member of the Catholic Church; po- 
litically he is a democrat. 

.Joseph A. Skelley, real-estate and insur- 
ance agent, McKeesport. was born near 
Latrobe, Pa., March 28. 18.53. and is a son of 
Michael and Mary A. (Henry) Skelley. He 
was educated at the public and normal 



schools of Latrobe, learned telegraphy, and 
in 1871 went to Ohiopyle, on the Pittsburgh, 
Washington & Baltimore railroad, as agent 
and operator for that road. In 1873 he locat- 
ed in McKeesport. and was freight, baggage 
and ticket agent for a number of years at that 
place, where he has since resided, and was 
for two terms city clerk. In 1884 he was 
unanimously nominated (without solicitation) 
for clerk of court of Allegheny county; his 
party Ijeing in the minority, however, he was 
defeated, but his popularity- in his party was 
shown by the fact that he polled 2,000 votes 
more than the Cleveland electors did in the 
same county. He has always been an active 
democrat, and prominent in the councils of 
his party. He formerly conducted a drug- 
store in McKeesport, and later was wiih 
Skelley Bros. In the spring of 1888 he em- 
barked in business as a real-estate and insur- 
ance agent. In 1881 he married Miss Ella 
Kane, of Ft. Wayne, Ind. Mr. Skelley is one 
of the auditors of the New Enterprise Build- 
ing it Loan association, a member of the 
Board of Trade, on the executive and trans- 
portation committees, and one of the trust- 
ees of the grand council of the Catholic 
Mutual Benefit association, and district dep- 
uty of the same. 

James Allison, D. D., Pittsburgh, is a 
native of Pittsburgh, Pa., born Sept. 2"7, 1823. 
James Allison. Sr., his father, was born in 
1793, in the Cumberland valley, and was of 
old Scotch Presbyterian stock. He came to 
Pittsburgh in 1811, and was married there to 
Elizabeth, daughter of George and Lydia 
Brickell. The Brickell family settled in 
Pittsburgh in 1760, and owned and fanned a 
large amount of property in Birmingham. 
James Allison was a tanner, and later in life 
a farmer in Deer (now Richland) township, 
Allegheny county. Pa., where he died aged 
seventy-five years. Politically he was iden- 
tified with the whig and afterward with the 
republican' part3-. Dr. Allison graduated at 
Jefferson College, class of 1845, and at the 
Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, 
in 1848, after which he was pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church at Sewickley for sixteen 
years, and for several years was connected 
with the late Rev. Dr. McKinney as editor 
of the Presbyterian Banner. Dr. Allison, in 
1864, along with Robert Patterson, bought 
the Presbyterian Banner, which they have 
published and edited ever since, and its cir- 
culation has been quadrupled under their 
management. Dr. Allison is a director of 
the Western Theological Seminary; trustee 
of Washington and Jefferson College; one of 
the mana.gers of the Pennsylvania Reform 
.School at Morganza. which position he has 
filled fourteen years. He has been a member 
of the Presbyterian General Assembly seven 
times; from 1865 to the present time he has 
been a member of the Presbyterian Board of 
Missions for Freedmeu; has been a member 
of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce for 
several years, and has always taken an active 
part in public movements in church and state. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



371 



He hiis been twice married; first, Aug. 30, 
1851, to Miss Mary Auderson, of Sewicklej', 
Pa., and second, Xov. 6, 1856, to Miss Caro- 
line Snowden, of Pittsburgli. His only son, 
John M. S. Allison, seven years connected 
with liim in the Banner, a young man of 
great abilitj' and high promise, died of ty- 
phoid fever Dec. 37, 1887. His only daugh- 
ter now resides in Boston, the wife of S. W. 
Reinhart, general auditor of the Atchison, 
Topeka & Santa Fci railroad. 

A. M. Bauton, M. D. . the first physician 
who ]iermanently located in Homestead, was 
born in Bedford county, Pa.. March 5, 1849. 
His ancestors were early settlers in the state 
of New Jersey, several of whom were soldiers 
in the Revolution. His great-grandparents 
removed from New Jersey to Bedford county 
shortly after the Revolution, where he resid- 
ed until his death. He died at an extreme 
age. His grandfather also died at the age of 
ninety-four. The doctor was educated in 
his native county, where he taught school 
several years. Studied medicine with Drs. 
Schooley, of Braddock.and attended lectures 
in Louisville, Ky. He located in Homestead 
in 1875, where he has since practiced medi- 
cine successfully. The doctor married Mary 
E. , daughter of Matthew and Ann West, of 
Homestead, and they haveone child, Matthew 
Claude. Dr. Barton has been a member of 
the school board for a number of years; po- 
litically he is a democrat. 

Rev. Robekt Addison Gilfillan, P. 0. 
Turtle Creek, is of Scotch-Irish descent. 
John Gilfillan and Robert Brewster, his 
grandfathers, came from Ireland to this 
country. James G., son of John Giltillan, 
was prominently identified with the U. P. 
Church, and was among the first abolitionists 
and proliibitionists. He married Mary A. 
Brewster, and settled on a farm in Libert}- 
township, Mercer county. Pa., where, in Jau- 
uary.1844, Robert Addison was born. The lat- 
ter was educated at the common schools, and 
before the age of nineteen joined Companj' K, 
100th P. V. v., and participated in nineteen 
battles. This regiment was part of the Ninth 
Army Corps,was with the Army of the Poto- 
mac, and took part in the siege of Vicksburg 
and battles of Jackson, Kuoxville, Campbell 
Farm and Raytown. Mr. Gilfillan never lost 
an hour through sickness or wounds, his only 
injury being a slight cut in the cheek by a 
minie-ball. Returning home after his dis- 
charge in June, 1865, his first active temper- 
ance work was to oust a liquor-seller who 
was operating in his native town in defiance 
of law. After attending New Castle Acade- 
my, he entered Westminster College, at Wil- 
mington, Pa., whence he graduated in 1874. 
His final preparation for the ministry was 
made at the U. P. Theological Seminarj- in 
Allegheny, and his first charge was near 
North Washington, Butler county. Pa. After 
two years at Calcutta and one at Wooster, 
Ohio, he came to Turtle Creek in 1886. Here 
he is president of the school board, and his 
influence is powerfully felt in the cause of 



temperance. In 1879 Mr. Gilfillan married 
Lucy, daughter of Charles and Lucinda 
(FoUno) Rogers. Mrs. Gilfillan was for ten 
years a teacher in the Fifth Ward school of 
Allegheny, in which city she was reared. 
Mr. Gilfillan was also a teacher, having put 
in sixty months of service while perfecting 
his education. One child has been born to 
them, Charles Addison. 

Richard Brankstone, manager of glass- 
works, P, O. Crafton, is a sou of Richard 
and Ellen Brankstone, and was born in Cam- 
bridge, near Boston, Mass., June 15, 184L 
He came with his parents from New York 
city in 1853, and settled in Pittsburgh, Pa,, 
where he was engaged as a glass-wo'rker. 
His parents had six children: James (de- 
ceased), Robert (deceased), William (de- 
ceased), ' George (deceased), Jenett (wife of 
R. T. McClure, who is engaged in the wood- 
en ware business at Erie, Pa.) and Richard. 
Richard, Sr., died of cholera in 18.52; his 
widow is still living in the city of Erie, Pa., 
at the age of seventy-three years. 

Our subject married in June, 1873, Jennie 
A., daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth Hamilton 
Adams, and they have two children living — 
Robert and Hugh. Mr. Brankstone, like his 
father, has devoted his life to the glass 
business, and is at present managing for 
Maing, Hart & Co. Glass-works, at Leasdale 
station, on the Pan Handle railroad. He is 
a member of the society of United Workmen; 
politically he is a republican, and voted for 
Harrison and Morton. 

TiiOJiAS Chalmers Robinson, physician, 
postoffice Turtle Creek, is a native of West- 
moreland county, Pa., born Sept. 20, 1836. 
His parents, James and Eliza (Curry) Robin- 
son, were born respectively in Elizabeth and 
Wilkins townships, Alleghen}^ county. John, 
father of James, was also a-native of Western 
Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish lineage. 
When Thomas C. was twelve years old his 
father moved to a farm in Patton town- 
ship. The classical education of the future 
physician was completed in Franklin College, 
New Athens, Ohio, and after reading med- 
icine with Dr. James H. Duff he entered 
Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, 
from which he graduated in 1868, and at 
once became the successor in practice of his 
former preceptor, Dr. Duff. Four years later 
he moved to Turtle Creek, where a successful 
practice fully occupies his time. Tlie doctor 
possesses some fine property, which includes 
two dwellings, and he is reckoned among 
the progressive citizens of the village. In 
November, 1870, he married Mary Jane, 
daughter of William and Mary (Eakin) 
Skinner, members of one of the oldest 
families of Franklin county, Pa. She is the 
mother of seven children, named as follows: 
Wilberforce Howard, William, Irene, Annie 
Eakin, James Rush, Adelia Helena and 
Edward Doyle. Dr. Robinson is a member 
of the county medical society and, with his 
family, of the U. P. Church, Politically he 
was a republican, but is uow a prohibitionist. 



372 



HISTOIJY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



lie enlistetl, in 1862, in Company E, 123(1 
P. v., and took part in Ibc battles of 
Anlieliim, Cbancellorsville auti Fredericks- 
burg. At the close of h js term of enlistment, 
nine months, he remained at home for a 
short time, then entered the 15th Penn- 
sylvania Cavalry, known as the Anderson 
Troop, with which he served in the Army 
of the South, being active in the battles of 
Nashville, Cbickamauga and Knoxville; was 
one of 120 Ihat captured 1.500 of Hood's men, 
destroyed their arms and marched them into 
Huntsville. After sharing in Sherman's raid 
and destroying railroads to prevent Lee's 
retreat from Richmond, they were sent to 
pursue Jeff Davis and other refugees, and 
spent three months in the mountain regions 
of Tennessee, the Carolinas and Georgia, 
living off the country as they traveled, and 
were discharged at Nashville, in June, 1865. 

'William Mooue, farmer, postoffice Sur- 
geon's Hall, was born May 23, 1819, on the 
old homestead. His father, William Moore, 
a native of County Antrim, Ireland, came to 
America during the government troubles in 
1790, which induced many to emigrate lO 
America, and settled first in Lebanon, Del., 
but later removed to Pennsylvania. In his 
native home he had been steward on a noble- 
man's estate, and on coming to America he 
found employment in Allegheny county, and 
here married Nanc}', daughter of Samuel 
Wallace. He died aged eighty-one years, 
and his wife at the age of seventy-two, both 
members of the U. P. Church; politically he 
was a democrat and whig. His children were 
Hannah, James, Mary, Jane. Samuel. Eliza, 
William and Sarah. Of these William is 
self-educated, and now owns over fifty acres 
of the old homestead. He has been twice 
married; first to Mrs. Margaret Wilson, nee 
Cowan, and after her death to Mary Gutelius, 
a wortliy lady, a daughter of Rev. Gutelius, 
of Philadelphia. Politically Mr. Moore has 
been a whig and republican, but now votes 
only for the most worthy men. He has been 
school director for fifteen years, and has held 
other offices. 

Robert B. and George S. C'arnahan. 
The representatives of this family now living 
in Allegheny county are descendants of the 
Lowland Scotch on the paternal side, and 
the Highland Scotch on the maternal. The 
original pioneer of the family who came to 
America was David Carnahan. who was 
born near Shane's Castle, County Antrim, 
Ireland, of Scotch descent. It was about 
17T0, or earlier, that he migrated to America. 
David was in the revolutionary army, in the 
light artillery, in those days known as the 
"Flying Artillery," and was present at the 
battle of Brandywine and in other engage- 
ments. An older brother, James, was a 
midshipman in the British navy during I hat 
war. and his descendants now reside in differ- | 
ent parts of the United States. Tradition 
has it that a private interview was once held 
between these two brothers, during the w-ar, 
permitted by an American officer on one side 



and a British officer on the other. David mar- 
ried Agnes McGahey, and to them were born 
a numerous family of children. Twoof these 
children were born in Carlisle, Pa., where 
David had first settled. David came to Alle- 
gheny (then Washington) county, and pur- 
chased a tract of 400 acres of land, called 
"The E.xperimcnt," which was located three 
and one-half miles south of Pittsburgh, on the 
waters of Saw-Mill run. This purchase was 
made in 1784 from Isaac Sellers. David was 
a farmer by occupation, and having sold some 
of his land, at the lime of his death the re- 
maining 250 acres were divided between his 
three sons, William, Alexander and Joseph. 
William was born in 1780. and was twice mar- 
ried. His first wife was Massey Cain, of New 
Hampshire ancestry. His second wife was 
Mary Brovrn, of Pittsburgh. William was 
a farmer, an occupation he followed during 
his life. 

Robert B., his youngest surviving son, 
was born near Pittsburgh, April 23. 1826; 
was reared on a farm, and received his edu- 
cation at the public schools at Pittsburgh, and 
graduated from the Western University of 
Pennsylvania in 1845. He commenced the 
study of law with Hon. Walter Forward, 
ex-6ecretar3' of the treasury under President 
Tyler, and in 1848 he was admitted to the 
bar in Alleghenj- county, since which time 
he has practiced his profession continuously 
in Pittsburgh, ranking among the leading 
lawyers of the county, Mr. Carnahan has 
been twice married; first to Eliza Dowing- 
ton, who bore him three children: Thomas 
D. (now practicing law with his father). 
Agues and Eliza. His second marriage was 
with Mrs. Kate A. Butler, a lady frouT Ohio, 
and they have two children, Kate and Robert 
B., the latter a student at the Western Uni- 
versity. Mr. Carnahan has always been a 
public-spirited man; was for nine years U. S. 
district attorney, appointed in 1861 by Presi- 
dent Lincoln, and served under Johnson and 
Gen. Grant. lie has been solicitor for Alle- 
gheny county, member of the common coun- 
cil, and served on the school board for 
twenty one years. His family are members 
of the L'. P. Churcli; politically Mr. Carna- 
han is a firm believer in the principles of the 
republican parly. 

George S. Carnahan was horn in Union 
township (now West Liberty borough) ir» 
1817, ton of Alexander Carnahan, who was 
the third son born to David, in 1789. Alex- 
ander was a farmer, and inherited one hun- 
dred acres of the four hundred jjurchased by 
his father. He married Nancy Smith, daugh- 
ter of George Smith, of Westmoreland county. 
Pa., and to them were born four sons, of 
whom but two remain. His wife died in 
1847, a.ged fifty-six jears. His second wife. 
Mrs. Banks, still survives. Alexander died 
in 1879 at the homestead farm, where he had 
always lived. George S., our subject, was 
educated at the common schools of his town- 
sliip. and has always been a farmer. He 
married Jane, daughter of Andrew GilfiUan. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



37a 



and they have two daughters and one son: 
A. S. (now a resident of Kansas City, engaged 
in real estate). E. M. (Mrs. Dr. JlcCaslin. of 
Allegheny) and Miss Agnes (an accomplished 
iady. at home). Mr. Carnahan now owns 
over seventy acres of land, all of which is 
part of the tract purchased by his grand- 
father. He and his family are members of 
the U. P. Church, and politically he is a 
strong democrat, as were his father and 
grandfather. 

Maj. James Postlethwaite Speek, 
retired, postoflice Pittsburgh, was born in 
Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1825, and is a grandson of 
Rev. William Speer, a Presbyterian clergy- 
man, who came from Chambersburg to 
Westmoreland county. Pa., whence he 
removed 10 Chillicolhe, Ohio. The father 
of our subject. Dr. James Ramsey Speer, 
who was liorn in Chambersburg, and is now 
living in Pittsburgh at the age of ninety-two, 
has been prominently identified with the 
medical fraternity of Allegheny county. He 
married Hettie, daughter of Paul Morrow 
(first prothonotary of Armstrong county, Pa.), 
and she died in 1887 at the age of eighty- 
five, the mother of eight children, of whom 
Maj. Speer is the third in order of birth. 
President James Buchanan's mother was a 
sister of Rev. William Speer. The subject 
of this memoir, preferring a business life to 
a professional one, instead of attending 
college, as his father desired, entered, when 
sixteen years old, the office of a rolling-mill, 
at Portsmouth, Uhio. After mastering the iron 
business he became interested in a furnace in 
Westmoreland county, which he left in 1849 
to try his fortune in the California gold- 
fields. After many failures and successes, 
including a trip to Australia, he returned in 
1859 to Pennsylvania, and became one of the 
incorporators of the Kiskiminetas Iron 
companj'. in Armstrong county. At the 
outbreak of 1 be civil war he raised a company 
which was attached under his command to 
the 11th P. R.. and became a part of the 
Army of the Potomac. At the battle of 
Gaines' Mills Capt. Speer was shot through 
the left shoulder (the ball grazing the jugufar 
vein) and right thigh (the femoral artery 
narrowly escaping), and was left on the field 
for dead. Being picked up by the enemy, he 
was sent to Libby prison, but at once paroled 
for exchange. In the course of three 
months he so far recovered from his wounds 
as to be able to rejoin his regiment, and was 
shortly promoted to major. At the battle of 
Fredericksburg he received a bullet- wound in 
the arm. On recovering from this he was 
made assistant inspector-general on Gen. 
Crawford's staff. After the battle of Gettys- 
burg he participated in the principal en- 
gagements of the Army of the Potomac, and 
was mustered out of the service on account 
of disability. On his return to Pittsburgh 
he was associated with Hannah, Hart & Co. 
in the bunking business. After spending two 
years in the Idaho gold-region, be became, 
in 1870, one of the organizers of the Freehold 



bank, of which he is vice-president, begin- 
ning as cashier. In 1880 he took up a perma- 
nent residence on his farm of eighty acres at 
Edgewater station, and now gives his atten- 
tion largely to the breeding of Jersey cattle, 
etc. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, the G. A. R., and is a Freemason. 
He has always been a republican, and served 
several years in the Allegheny City councils. 
In 1873 Maj. Speer was married to Anna, 
daughter of Gen. William Robinson, Jr., and 
widow of Mr. J. C. Blair, by whom she has 
one son and one daughter, W. R. Blair, 
attorney, and Mrs. Mary Burgwin, of Pitts- 
burgh. 

J. B. McDoNOUGH, postofflce Castle Shan- 
non, was born June 3, 1834, in this county. 
His grandfather, Patrick McDonough, a na- 
tive of Ireland, came to the United States 
with his two brothers, one of whom settled 
in Maryland and the other in Louisiana. 
Patrick took out his naturalization papers in 
October, 1807, and settled in Snowden town- 
ship, this county, on the Brownsville road. 
He married Mary McClelland, and they were 
members of the Seceders' Church. Their 
children were James, Harvey, John, Mary 
and Mrs. Sarah Kern. Of these Harvey, 
born in 1803, was a farmer, and died April 3, 
1884. He was a justice of the peace, and a well- 
known and highly esteemed man. He mar- 
ried Ann, daughter of Leonard Boyer, and 
their children are Mrs. Mary J. Hughley, 
James B., Hiram H. and William H. James 
B. was educated here, and reared on the 
farm. Twelve 3'ears ago he was appointed 
deputy sheriff, and served for three years 
under R. H. Fife; later he had charge of an 
office at the East Liberty stockyards, and 
spent three years with the Berkshire Life 
Insurance company. He was appointed 
deputy sheriff under Col. Joseph Gray, and 
is at present clerk with County Treasurer 
William Hill. He married, in this county, 
Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Sliuw. Mr. 
and Mrs. McDonough are members of the 
U. P. Church. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F.; politically a republican. 

John F. McEnultt, oil-producer, resi- 
dence at Crafton, a son of Joseph and Eliza- 
beth McEuulty, was born in Huntingdon 
count}'. Pa., in 1845. He came to this county 
with his parents in 1854, and settled in Pitts- 
burgh. They had seven children: Helen 
(deceased), Charles, Joseph. John F., Thomas 
J., William B. and Jennie (deceased). Their 
father was a cabinet-maker, but spent eighteen 
years of his life in the English navy, and died 
in 1859, at the age of fifty-four years. His 
widow is still living, at the age of sixty-nine 
years. John F. McEnult}' married, in 1873, 
Annie, daughter of George R. and Mary 
Pearson, and by this union there are two 
children. Jennie and John F. Mr. McEnul- 
ty has been a bookkeeper in the American 
Bank of Pittsburgh for eigliteen years, but 
has recently engaged in the oil-producing 
business. He has built an elegant residence 
in the beautiful village of Crafton. His 



374 



niSTOUY OF ALLEGHENl- COUNTY. 



brother Charles served over three years iu 
the civil war; was in the One IliinUreil and 
Second regiment, and was in nearly all the 
hard-fought battles of the war in the east. 

WiLiJAXt Amuhosic Diamond, lumber- 
dealer, postoHice HuUoD, was born in Pitts- 
burgh in 1854. son of Henry and Bridget 
(Sweeney) Diamond. His father was born in 
Lawrence county. Pa. ; was a railroad engin- 
eer, and employed for seven years on the 
Pittsburgh & Ft. Wayne railroad; he was 
a molder by trade; he enlisted in Co. K, 7th 
Iowa Cav., from McGregor. Iowa, and served 
during the war. Mr. Diamond wa.-; educated 
at McGregor, Iowa, wliere liis parents moved 
when he was four years old. and returned to 
this count}' about fifteen years later. In the 
fall of 1873 Mr. Diamond came to Verona 
borough and engaged in the timber business 
in Allegheny, Westmoreland and Armstrong 
counties, handling railroad ties and coal- 
bank timber. In 1883. in partnership with 
George and Thomas Heilman, he started a 
sawmill in Jefferson countj', Mr. Diamond 
having cliarge of the sales. He now has a 
yard at Hulton, and carries a full supply of 
lumber, sash, doors, etc. He was appointed 
postmaster of Hulton in February, 1887. Mr. 
Diamond was married in 1879 to Maggie 
Morrison, of Erie, Pa., and four children 
were born to them: William A.. Mary Agnes, 
Margaret Annie and Clarra Regina. all at 
home. Mr. Diamond is a democrat, and the 
family, a.s well as his parents, are members 
of the Catholic Church. 

Jacob Haudenshield (deceased) was born 
in 1825, son of Samuel Haudenshield. Jacob 
was one of the representative farmers of 
Green Tree borough, and, starting in life 
comparatively poor, rose to comfortable cir- 
cumstances, simply through his own personal 
industry and ingenuity. He married Louisa, 
daughter of John and Catharine (Tressler) 
Goss, and to them were born the following- 
named seven children: Caroline, Emma, 
Laura, Matilda, Annie, Bertha and Charles. 
Mr. Haudenshield, at the time of his death, 
owned 200 acres of rich farming and mineral 
land, beautifully located. In this elegant 
home his widow and children still reside, 
feeling keenly the death of a kind husband 
and father. 

John J. McCormick. steamship and rail- 
road agent, postoffice Bonney, Pa., a son of 
Thomas and Elizabeth McCormick, was born 
in Brooklyn, N. Y.,in 1834. Thomas was born 
in Ireland, came to this country in 1820. and 
settled in New York, wliere he married Eliza- 
beth Grogan, by whom he had nine children: 
John J., Mary (deceased), James, Julia (wife 
of Laurence Brown), Elizabeth (wife of John 
W. Hawkins, of Connecticut), Catherine, 
Margaret. Thomas F. and Mary. John J. 
came to this county iu 1865. and here he has 
since resided. In 1864 he married, in Coving- 
ton, Ky., Martha E. Vandergrift, formerly of 
this county, and five children Lave been born 
to them: Sarah E. (wife of James P. Dun- 
levey), John V.. William P., Edward C. and 



Mary E. (deceased). Mr. McCormick, in 
addition to otlier educational advantages, 
spent si.ii years in college, but at the age of 
twenty-seven enlisted in the U. S. navy, 
where he remained four years and held the 
position of assistant purchasing paymaster. 
At the expiration of his service in flic navj- 
he came to Pittsburgh, Pa., and was two 
years in the coal trade, but for the past twenty 
years has been in his present business of 
steamsliip. e.\ehange and railroad agent, 
having the agency of thirty-two companies, 
which have steamers plying between this 
country and Europe. He is also the city 
agent for tlie Pittsburgh & Lake Erie rail- 
road, and order agent for the Pennsylvania 
railroad. He is said to be the leading steam- 
ship agent in the United States. 

William Drayton HouonTELiN, justice 
of the peace. Hulton. was born in Penn 
townsliip. this county. Aug. 5, 1842, a son of 
Hezekiali and Mary JIagdalen (Headgrass) 
Houghtelin, both of whom were of German 
descent, and natives of Adams county. Pa., 
and Columbiana county. Ohio, resiiective!}-. 
Hezekiali Houghtelin. who was thirty years 
a teacher iu this and Westmoreland counties, 
Pa., died Sept, .3, 1874. He lived in Verona 
(then Penn township) after he married, and 
later on a farm in Penn township, where 
our subject received his education, and 
worked until he enlisted. Sept. 20. 1861, in 
Company B, 77th regiment P. V. I. This 
command was sent to Louisville, Ky., and 
participated in the battles of Shiloh, siege of 
Corinth, the invasion of Kentucky, battle of 
Liberty Gap, Stone river. Chickamauga and 
other engagements. Mr. Houghtelin re- 
enlisted as a veteran Jan. 4, 1864. and was 
promoted to sergeant. He participated in 
the battles of Resaca, Adairsville. Cassville. 
Newhope Church, Kenesaw. Atlanta. Jones- 
boro, Lovejoy Station. Franklin (Tenn.) and 
Nashville (Tenn.), and was discharged with 
the rest of his company Dec. 6, 1865, at Vic- 
toria, Lavaca county, Tex., and paid off in 
Philadelphia. Pa., Jan. 18, 1866. Returning 
to Penn township, our subject learned the 
wagon-maker's trade, carried on a shop iu 
Sandy Creek in 1871-72, and moved to Verona 
in April, 1873. and carried on a shop there 
until he was burned out in 1885. Politically 
he is a republican, always voting the straight 
ticket. He was elected justice of the peace 
March 11, 1876. serving continuously; has also 
been school director, assessor for twelve 
years, and has held many other town offices. 
He is a member of iheG. A. R.. being past 
commander, and of the I, O. O. F.. being the 
oldest past grand of Verona; is also a P. C. 
in the K. of P.. lona Lodge Xo. 141: also 
belongs to Encampment No. 1. Union Veteran 
Legion. Our suliject was married in 1872 to 
Hannah H., daughter of John H. and Mar- 
garet (Bell) Pollitt. natives of Pittsburgh and 
Baltimore. Md. Her father, who is a gun- 
smith in the Thirty-first ward. Pittsburgh, is 
a native of Derbyshire. England, and came 
here when seven years ojd. Six children 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



375 



liave been born to Mr. and Mrs. Houghtelin, 
two of whom are living: Atlanta Sherman, 
aged fifteen years, and Elmer Ellsworth, aged 
ten years. Those deceased are Mary L., 
James Garfield, who died at the age of 
eighteen months; Perciva) Drayton, who died 
when aged seven months, and John Morton, 
when nine years of age. Mr. and Mrs, 
Houghtelin are members of the Baptist 
Church. 

Edward D, Smith, division passenger 
agent Baltimore & Ohio railroad, P, O, 
Bonney, a son of John C. and Eliza A. Smith, 
was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., April 11, IS.'jg, 
John C. was born in Westmoreland county. 
Pa., in 1809, and came from Greensburg to 
this county in 1839. He married, in 1832, 
Eliza A. Day, and they were blessed with ten 
children, of whom the living are William, 
Percy, Ella, Lyda, Catherine (wife of W. P. 
Fullmer) and Edward D. John C. liad learned 
the trade of tinner, and for three or four 
years he earned his living with the soldering- 
iron. When the mayor's court was started 
in the old city hall he was appointed watch- 
man, and from that day until now he has 
heen actively identified with the courts of 
Pittsburgh, and is probably the oldest oflicial 
in the state, if not in the United States. He 
is blessed with a wonderful memory, and can 
give the details of all the noted trials that 
liave come up in the courts of Pittsburgh dur- 
ing the past fifty-six years. He remembers 
well how disheartened the people were in 
this county in 1833 when Jackson vetoed the 
United States bank bill, and in 1845 when the 
great fire nearly wiped tlie city out of exist- 
ence, and again in 1854 during the cholera 
scourge. It was feared the city would never 
recover from these terrible disasters, but in 
the language of the old gentleman, " the city 
came up all right, and to-da}' I guess it's 
hard to beat." Mr. Smith was one of the 
number invited to the opening of the Penn- 
sylvania railroad to Greensburg, July 15, 
1832, whicli he represents as a big event in 
the history of Pittsburgh Among the posi- 
tions he held in Pittsburgh in an early day 
was that of councilman when there were onfy 
five wards in the city. He is still hale and 
hearty. 

Edward D. Smith, the subject of this 
memoir, married, Dec, 6, 18T7, Anna N., 
daughter of Rev. L. R. and Jane Norton, of 
Pittsburgh, Pa., and their children are Lilian 
F., Helen N. and Lindsay N. (deceased). 
Mr. Smith has been in the employ of the 
Burlington & Ohio railroad for twentj' years, 
and for many years has held the position of 
division passenger agent. 

William J. and JohnShedden, residents 
of Green Tree liorough, are the surviving 
sons of Capt. Thomas Shedden, who was 
born in the town of Beith, Scotland, and 
who entered the English army at the break- 
ing out of the war between that country and 
France. He was sent to Spain, where he 
remained until the close of the war, having 
followed the fortunes of the "Iron Duke" 



from Corunna to Toulouse. After the battle 
of Waterloo, when peace was declared, his 
regiment, the 68th, was ordered on home 
duty, and during his stay at home he became 
acquainted with Miss Mary Doolau, of the 
County Down, Ireland, whom he married. 
The chances of promotion in the army after 
the war being small, he sold his commission 
and retired from the army. Shortly after he 
emigrated to Upper Canada, aud purchased 
a farm near Toronto, where he died. He 
was buried at Oakville, on the shore of Lake 
Ontario, with military honors, and in charge 
of the Masonic fraternity, having been a Mas- 
ter Mason and a member of St. John's Lodge, 
No. 309, in the Grand Lodge of Scotland. After 
his death his widow and family emigrated 
to Pennsylvania, and settled in Alleghenj' 
county. Mrs. Shedden was a lady of superior 
education, and maintained her familj' by 
giving lessons in the French and Italian 
languages. She was on the widows' pension- 
list of the British army for over half a 
century. 

W. J. Shedden, the eldest son, learned 
the trade of machinist and steamboat 
engineer, which he followed on the western 
rivers for over forty years. He retired from 
active service in 1886. In 1851 lie was 
married to Ann Ford, daughter of John 
Ford, of Allegheny City. John Shedden, the 
second son, like his brother, also learned the 
trade of engineer, and for over twenty years 
followed the river as clerk and engineer, 
when he retired and devoted his attention to 
tlie cultivation of fruit. John was married 
twice; first to Hannah, eldest daughter of 
Peter Bates, of Troy Hill, by whom he had 
seven children; the second lime, in 1867, to 
Sarah, second daughter of James Carter, 
who emigrated from England about eighty 
years ago, and built one of the first brick 
houses on the south side of the river, in 
which John Shedden and family still con- 
tinue to reside. 

John A. Maktin, farmer, postofflce 
Castle Shannon, was born Sept. 20, 1834, on 
the Martin homestead, a son of John Martin. 
a native of County Down, Ireland, and of 
Scotch descent. In 1833 the father emigrated 
to America, and settled in Allegheny county, 
where he purchased the old David Kennedy 
farm of fifty acres,now consisting of one hun- 
dred acres, with many improvements. He 
married, in Ireland, Mary Chambers, also a 
native of that count3^ They were Presby- 
terians, and became members of the Union 
Church in this county, and afterward of the 
U. P. Church. John Martin died in 1847, aged 
nearly seventy years; his widow died March 
16, 1866, aged seventy-five years. Politicallj' 
he was a whig. His children are Samuel, 
James, Robert, Mary J., John A., Sarah and 
Margaret. Of these only James and John A. 
are now living. The latter was educated in 
this county, and married here Adaline Irwin, 
who died leaving two children, Charley and 
Ella. His present wife is Martha J., daughter 
of Alexander Long, a pioneer of Allegheny 



376 



HISTOIIY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



county. She is the mother of three children; 
Maggie M. (wife of William 13. Benton, of 
Kno.wille), .John C. and Robert Alexander. 
Mr. Martin has been a successful man; is 
popular and esteemed. He and his wife are 
members of the U. P. Church. He has been 
identified witli the republican party, but is 
now, with his son, a stanch prohibitionist. 

William Cuoucn, farmer, postofflce 
Castle Shannon, was born August ly, 1828, 
in the city of Allegheny. The family is of 
French descent. William Crouch was born 
in 17T6in Nottingham township. Washington 
county, Pa., where his father had been a 
pioneer. lie married Elizabeth Mcllvain, 
and reared a large family, as follows: George, 
Sarah, Robert, .John. Eliza, .Joseph, Watson, 
Mary and Dr. Daniel. The parents were 
members of old Dr. McMillin's church. Of 
their children George. Robert and .John came 
to Allegheny county. George, who still lives 
in Ohio, was born January 2, 1804, and was 
a schoolteacher and farmer; he married Mary 
Van Wye, who died in 1848 in Washington 
county," and their children were Arthur V., 
William, Elizabeth, Mary, John, Adeline, 
Katie and Anna. His second wife, nee 
Rachel Hamilton, was the mother of three 
children. William Crouch, the subject of this 
sketch, married Ellen Cooley, and their 
children were Samuel C. (who died aged 
twenty-six), Mary E., George and Nancy 
(who died at the age of eight years). Mr. 
and Mrs. Crouch and daughter are members 
of Mount Washington Presbyterian Church. 
He is a democrat; a member of the I. O. O. 
F., Castle Shannon Lodge, which he joined 
in 1849. 

Capt. John A. Wood, coal-merchant, 
Pittsburgh, a son of Jonathan H. and Wilhel- 
mina VVood, was born in Allegheny county, 
Pa., in 1831. His grandfather, Abiua Wood, 
came from New Jersey and settled in Alle- 
gheny county, Pa., in 1822. He and his wife 
were parents of fourteen children, three of 
whom are living: Elizabeth (Folk), Susan 
(Ainsworth) and William. Their father died 
in l^iSS, aged seventy-four years, and their 
mother in 1856, at the age of seventy-three 
years. Jonathan H. Wood was born in 1809, 
and learned the trade of ship-carpenter, 
which he followed through life. He married 
Wilheimina Ihmsen, and became the father 
of nine children : John A. .Fredrick (deceased), 
Catherine (deceased). Burrows D.. David, 
Jonathan, Mina (wife of Alexander McDavid), 
William M. and James. The father of this 
family died of cholera in 1849; the mother 
is still living, aged seventy-three years. John 
A. very early in life commenced to work with 
his father constructing boats, and at the age 
of thirteen j'ears was engaged as a full boat- 
hand on a trip to Louisville, Ky.. since when 
he has been engaged in boating in some 
capacity or other. He owns at this time 
fifteen or sixteen steamboats and lugs, which 
are used in his coal business between Pills- 
burgh and New Orleans. In 18.50 he married 
Lydia Gildersleeve, daughter of John and 



Ellison Gildersleeve, of W^ashington county. 
Pa., and tlicir children are Samuel L., Ella 
(wife of Rev. R. T. Miller, of the M. E. 
Church),Mina(wifeof Rev. Charles E. Locke, 
of the M. E. Church), Lydia (wife of Homer 
S. Bodley), John A., .Jr., James B., Simpson 
IL, Lula M., and an adopted daughter, Millie 
Wood. Mr. Wood owns about one thousand 
acres of coal-land, works three extensive 
coal-mines and employs about twelve hundred 
men in his business. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, the \. O. O. F., and of 
the M. E. Church. 

William H. Hamilton (deceased) was 
born in Pittsburgh in 1834, the sou of Samuel 
and Esther (Morrow) Hamilton, who came to 
Pittsburgh in 1812 from County Down, ire- 
land. His father was born in 1806 and his 
mother in 1810, and they died at the ages of 
seventy-six and seventy-two years, respect- 
ively. Samuel Hamilton was a stone-con- 
traclor here in the early days, and one of the 
most prominent at that time. He was a mem- 
ber of the Associate Reformed Church, and 
later of the United Presbyterian, anil in poli- 
tics was a supporter of the whig and repub- 
lican parties. WMlliam H. was educated at 
the Pittsburgh common schools and the 
Western University, and began life as a glass- 
blower. In 186.3 "he established the glass- 
works which are still operated under style of 
W. H. Hamilton & Co. He was very suc- 
cessful in the management of tliese works, 
and built up a good business. In 1870 he 
married Ellen J., daughter of Ellas and 
Susanna (Wallace) Radcliffe, of Pittsburgh, 
who were members of the U. P. Church. 
Three children have blessed this union, viz.: 
Francis Albert, Emma and Elmer Wallace. 
Mr. Hamilton moved to Bellevue in 1873, 
where he erected a home. He and Mrs. Ham- 
ilton were members of the U. P. Church , of 
which he was an elder for about thirty years. 

Samuel Cooley, farmer, iioslotfice Castle 
Shannon, was born July 16, 1807, on the old 
homestead in Baldwin township, wheie his 
father, Francis Cooley, settled in 18it.5. His 
grandfather, ;William Cooley, a native of 
England,settledinNew York state before the 
revolutionary war, and took an active part in 
the struggles for liberty. He was aid-de- 
camp under Gen. Wayne; participated in 
many battles and minor engagements, and 
was a noted man in his day. His home was 
ransacked liy the British at various times. 
He reared a family of three sons: William, 
Rev. Joseph and Francis. Tlie last named 
was born^in New York, where he learned to 
be a silversmith. He married Eleanor Van- 
divoit. who became the mother of eight chil- 
dren: Robert, John, William, Francis, Sanuiel, 
Harrison, Elizabeth and JIary. Francis 
Cooley was a prosperous farmer; took a lively 
interest in church-work, hauling Ihe timber 
for the first church built in his neighborhood. 
In politics he was a democrat For many 
years he conducted a stillhouse. He died at 
the home of our subject. May 21, 1842. and 
there his widow also died, Feb. 19, 18.53. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



377 



Samuel is also a prosperous farmer, owning 
130 acres. He married, in this county, Mrs. 
Nancy Kennedy, daughter of Henry and 
Elizabeth (Bell) Beltzhoover, old settlers. 
Her grandfather, John Bell, was the first civ- 
ilized settler on Chartiers creek. Mrs. Cooley 
died Sept. 39, 1883, aged eighty -one years, the 
mother of twojchildren, Mrs. Eleanor Crouch 
and Sam B. She was a member of the Seced- 
ers' Church, of which her liusband is also a 
member. He is a democrat, and was one of 
the grand jurors who voted for the erection 
of the new courthouse. His son, Samuel B. , 
married Jane Hultz, daughter of Preston and 
Jane (Williams) Hultz, and they have five 
children: Etta M., Mary E., Francis, James 
J. and William B. 

M.VRTiN Pfeiffer, retired, P. O. Hulton, 
was born in Germany in 1824, a son of Joseph 
and Catherine (Reidensberger) Pfeiffer, who 
emigrated to Pittsburgh May 1, 1847. His 
father was a wine-gardener and farmer, and 
died in 18.54; his mother died in Pittsburgh in 
1877. Martin was educated in Germany, and 
after coming to Pittsburgh he carried briclc 
for twenty-two brick houses. In 1849 he 
entered the rolling-mills at seventy-five cents 
per day. The mills shutdown, and he began 
farming in Lower St. Clair township. He 
was married in June, 1848,'to Juditha Acker- 
man, a native of Germany, a daughter of 
Aloes and Elizabeth (Wealbuyer) Ackerman. 
After remaining on the farm for five years 
Mr. Pfeiffer returned to Pittsburgh, where he 
opened a flour- and feed-store, wliich he con- 
tinued successfully from 1853 till 1863. He 
then moved to Verona, where he bought 
property, and built a hou.?e in 1857. Politic- 
ally he is a democrat. The family are mem- 
bers of the Verona Catholic Church. 

S L. BoGGS, coal operator, postofEce 
Pittsburgh. Pa., is descended from an old 
family of Allegheny county. Two brothers, 
David and William Boggs, natives of Ireland, 
immigrated to America in 1787, and located 
in Allegheny county. Pa., where they became 
very successful business-men, and owned over 
2,600 acres of land where the towns of Boggs- 
ville, Mt. Washington and a portion of the 
city of Pittsburgh now stand; they also 
owned a large tract of land in Washington 
county. Pa. Together they operated coal- 
mines and worked at the sawmill and grist- 
mill business and farming, and made their 
labors very profitable. William was a bach- 
elor, and at his death left his property to 
David's children. David married Mary Mor- 
ton, who came to this country from Ireland 
with her parents when seven years old. Ten 
children were born to David and his wife, 
nine of whom grew to be men and women, 
foursonsand flvedaughters: William, Agnes 
(Mrs. Harvey Chess). Margaret (Mrs. Samuel 
Giffen). Emily (Mrs. David Smith), David, 
Maria (Mrs. Caleb Foster). Harriet (Mrs. 
William Peeples), John and Samuel S. Will- 
iam was a farmer and real-estate dealer, and 
was an associate judge of the county. He 
was married three times; his first wife, Mar- 



garet Magee, was a sister of Christian Magee; 
his second wife was Mary Ann Benton, and 
his third was Elizabeth Holmes. John was 
for a ntimber of years engaged in farming, 
and has also dealt in real estate. He married 
Elizabeth Wilson, and to him were born 
three children: Mary, Samuel W. and 
George C. 

Samuel S. , the youngest child of David and 
Mary (Morton) Boggs, was born in 1817, and 
was for a number of years extensively en- 
gaged in the coal and land business; he was 
twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth 
Bennett, daughter of William Bennett of 
Franklin. Pa. To Samuel S. and his wife 
four children were born, three sons and one 
daughter.two of whom reached their majority. 
James B. was born in 1854. and S. L. in 1862. 
James B. now resides in Denver, Col., and is 
extensively engaged in the mining business. 
S. L. resides in Pittsburgh, Pa., and is engaged 
in the coal business, and also deals in real 
estate. Samuel S. Boggs married his second 
wife, Sarah, in 1867, who was a daughter of 
Benjamin Bennett, of Meadville. Pa., who 
was a prominent man in his time. Mr. Boggs 
died Jan. 3, 1879, and his widow now resides 
with her son, S. L., a bright j'oung man, 
engaged in the coal business. The family are 
members of the Methodist and Episcopal 
churches, and are republicans. 

James Madison Balph, architect, of the 
city of Allegheny, Pa., the third child of 
George and Mary (Shaner) Balph, was born 
in Sharpsburg, Allegheny county, Pa.. Jan. 
33, 1839. His father and mother were both 
born in Butler county. Pa., the former in 
1809 and the latter in 1808, where they were 
married, and resided until 1836, when they 
moved to Sharpsburg, and removed to 
Allegheny in 1843, when our subject was 
four years old. His grandfather, James 
Balph, was a farmer, and he and his grand- 
mother, Mary (King) Balph, were also born 
in Butler county, where they lived to an 
advanced age. Mr. Balph's parents and 
grandparents were members of the U. P., 
formei-ly the A. R. Church, and in politics 
were whig and republican. His father was, 
for many years, a contractor and builder, 
and, in his time, erected a large number of 
the best buildings in Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny. He died at the age of seventy-one 
years, and his mother a few years later, aged 
eighty years. J. M. Balph received his 
education mainly in the Third Ward public 
schools of Allegheny, and evincing as a boy 
some aptitude in the direction of architecture, 
he afterward spent four or five years with his 
father in acquiring a practical knowledge of 
building, which was invaluable in after-life, 
and then devoted almost four years to tbe 
study of architecture with Charles Bartberger, 
Sr.. architect, of Pittsburgh, one of the most 
eiuinent in his profession. He opened an 
office for himself in Allegheny in 1860. and 
has practiced ever since, nearly thirty years, 
in but two different locations, having occu- 
pied his present ofHce since 1867, over twenty- 



378 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



two }-ears. During his practice he has 
designed and constructed many of the finest 
public and private buildiugs in Pittsburgh, 
Alleirheny and vicinity, comprising churches 
of all denominations, school-buildings, 
theaters, hotels, store-buildings, manufac- 
tories, city and country residences, etc. He 
was married in October. IfSTO, to Amanda 
M. A. Bavnc. daughter of Andrew and Mary 
A. (Mathews) 15ayne. of Bellevue, where he 
built a home and has resided since. His 
wife's father. Hon. Andrew Bayne, was born 
in 1794, in Fayette county. Pa., was a mem- 
ber of the legislature of Pennsylvania for 
two terms, and sheriff of Allegheny county 
one term, and died in 1881, aged eighty-seven 
j'ears. Her brother. Hon. T. M. Bayne, one 
of the ablest lawyers of Allegheny county, 
is now, as is well known, filling his seventh 
term in the House of Representatives at 
Washington, from the Twenty-third district 
of Penn.sylvania. In politics Mr. Balph has 
always been a republican. 

Jacob H.ws (deceased) was born Jan. 3, 
1812, in York countv. Pa., and died in this 
county, April 20, 1874. At the age of ten 
years he went to Westmoreland county, 
where he grew to manhood. After a few 
attempts at several trades, he finally decided 
to learn carpentering, and, finding it more to 
his taste, followed it the greater part of his 
life. He was a member of the firm of J. & 
A. Hays, lumbermen of South Side, at the 
time of his death. He was a Baptist, but 
after moving to Baldwin township attended 
the Presbj'terian Church. He was twice 
married. His first wife, Jane Updegraff, 
was the mother of four children: Mrs. Jennie 
H. Reamer. Albert C, Milton D. and Minerva 
(wife of Dr. George G. Rauhauser). Mrs. 
Jennie H. Reamer's husband, Josiah Reamer, 
came to this county in 184.5. For some 
years he was a dry-goods merchant, afterward 
an iron-broker in Pittsburgh, but later in 
life was interested in western stock-ranches. 
He was a man of sterling qualities, and a 
friend in the hour of affliction. He died June 
17, 1887. Milton D. Hays married Miss 
Laura V. Redman, daughter of John Redman, 
and she died in March, 1883, leaving two 
daughters. Harriet R. and Florence M. 
Milton D. Hays has been an active business- 
man in this county. He and J. Reamer 
organized the Castle Shannon Railroad 
company, and laid out the town of Castle 
Shannon. At present he is a ranchman in 
the west. 

Robert Hamerton Kellet. Sr. , retired, 
postoffice Hulton, was born in Franklin, 
Venango county. Pa.. Feb. 13. 1823. a son of 
John and Frances (Hamerton) Kellej', natives 
of County Derry, Ireland, born in 1783 and 
1793, and died at the ages of eiirhty-three and 
ninety years, respectivel}\ They came to 
America in 1816, settling in Erie county. Pa., 
and two years later moved to Waterford, 
Crawford county, and later on. down the 
French creek in an Indian canoe. Here John 
Kelley became professor of the Franklin 



schools. Before the commencement of public 
schools he had taught private schools. In 
1828, at the solicitation of Rev. Joseph 
Stockton, he moved to Allegheny City, and 
began teaching in the academy, boarding at 
the same time with Esquire Hannon, who 
was warden of the penitentiary. In 18.">.5 he 
withdrew from the public schools. He was 
an advanced professor of his age. and after 
teaching thirty years in the Allegheny schools 
he moved to Mississippi, and later to St. 
Louis, where he died March 27, 1867. The 
subject of these lines received his education 
from his father in Allegheny City, and in 
1835 he embarked for himself as clerk on the 
steamer Ontario, running from Pittsburgh to 
St. Louis, and also on the steamer Oswego, 
serving three years on each boat. In 1841 
he began teaching in Upper St. Clair town- 
ship, this county, and taught school contin- 
uously until 1888, except during the time he 
served in the Mexican and civil wars. In 
the spring of 1846 he was elected assistant 
principal in the Third Ward school, Allegheny 
City, where he taught until the breaking out 
of the Mexican war. In January, 1347, he en- 
listed in Company I, 2d regiment P. I., served 
all tiirough the war, and was discharged in 
July, 1848. On returning home he was at 
once appointed teacher in what is now the 
Thirty-sixth ward of Pittsburgh, continuing 
in the same until 18.52. He was then elected 
principal of the Eighth Ward school, Pitts- 
burgh, filling the incumbency five j'ears. In 
1857 he moved to Temperanceville, where he 
taught until 1861. when he again enlisted, 
July 1, 1861, in Companj' G, "Twentj'-eighth 
regiment P. I. In October the regiment was 
transferred to Kuapp's Pennsylvania battery, 
and served at the battles of Gedar Mountain. 
Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg. Gettysburg 
and many others. In September, 1863, he was 
transferred from the Arm_v of the Potomac 
to the Armj- of the Southwest. Afterward 
he participated in the battles of Lookout 
Mountain and Ringgold. Mr. Kelley than 
veteranized in the same company, and, after 
a month's leave of absence, he rejoined his 
regiment, and was with Sherman in the re- 
mainder of his campaign, and in the march to 
the sea. Our subject was never wounded. 
He was discharged at Goldsboro April 5. 
1865, and returning home was again appointed 
principal of the Washington school. After 
tilling this position three years he moved to 
Woodville. where he built a normal school, 
which he conducted ten years. In 1878 he 
was appointed principal of the Tweutj'-third 
Ward school of Pittsburgh, and two mouths 
later a committee of the schools requested 
him to take charge of the Bayard school, 
which he accepted. Here he labored for 
nine years, and then resigned, his health not 
permitting of his taking charge of three 
large schools. 

Mr. Kelley was married May 22, 1845, to 
Elizabeth Gamble, a native of Pittsburgh, 
and a daughter of William and Mary (Mc- 
Pherson) Gamble, and two children have 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



379 



been born to thetn: Edward and Robert H. 
(see sketch following). Edward enlisted in 
Company K, Sixt3f-third regiment P. V. I., 
and was killed at the battle of Yorktown, 
Mav 7, 1862. The mother died March 11, 
1884. They were members of the M. E. 
Church. Mr. Kelley is a republican; a mem- 
ber of the teachers' institute, the academy of 
teachers of Pittsburgh, and the Academic 
guild. He received from the state of Penn- 
sylvania a permanent certificate for teaching, 
and was also a member of the committee for 
granting such certificates. He was the best 
bugler in the army, and was highly recom- 
mended by Gen. John W. Geary, with whom 
he had been through both wars. In June, 
1877, Mr. Kelley went to H.arrisburg with 
Francis Murphy, and labored nearly a year 
and a half at that and other places in the 
temperance- work. 

Robert Hamekton Kelley, Jr., deco- 
rator and paper-hanger, P. O. Hulton. one 
of Verona's stirring 3'oung business-men, is a 
son of R. H. Kelley, Sr. (whose sketch ap- 
pears above), and was born September 35, 
1847, in Pittsburgh . His father was desirous 
of giving hira a good education, but when a 
young boy he paid his aunt in St. Louis a 
visit, and while there he took a liking to his 
present business, so in 1866, instead" of re- 
turning home, he commenced his first year at 
his trade. In 1867. the firm he was with fail- 
ing to come up to agreement, he went to 
New York city, and was given a good situ- 
ation by a former member of the firm. In 
1870 he returned to his home in Pittsburgh, 
and was six months in the employ of W. P. 
Marshall; since then he has been identified 
with Joseph R. Hughes, of Pittsburgh. Mr. 
Kelley was married Aug. 7, 1881, to Margaret 
Winstein, a native of Woodville, Pa., and a 
daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Dedolph) 
Winstcin, who were born, the former in 
France in 1801, and the latter in Germany in 
1835. Six children grace the home circle of 
our subject and wife: William, Margaret, 
Kate, Thomas, Isabella and Elizabeth. Mr. 
Kelley was two years a member of the Verona 
council; is a member of the Royal Arcanum, 
and trustee of the Presbyterian Church, 
where his wife is a member; in politics he is 
a republican. Mr. Kelley since coming to 
Verona has built up a nice home and a large 
business, and has won the respect of all who 
know him. 

IIuGHEY. Prominent among the remain- 
ing pioneer families of Allegheny county are 
the Hugheys, who now reside at the old 
homestead, a valuable property purchased by 
their grandfather, Ephraim Hughey, as early 
as 1785. This tract originally contained 700 
acres, and was at the time of its purchase the 
property of Joseph McDermott. a revolution- 
ary soldier, the price paid being S3 per acre. 
Ephraim. with his wife and two children, 
came from Lancaster county. Pa., to Alle- 
gheny, then Washington, county. His wife 
was Dorcas Nieled. and the}' had seven 
children, all of whom grew to maturity: 



Josejih, the eldest, born in 1780; Jane (Mrs. 
Hayes); John, who died in Mercer county; 
Willison, who was a physician, and met his 
death on a steamship; Rachel (Mrs. Shaw): 
Washington, who was drowned in the Gulf 
of Mexico, and Joseph, the mechanic of the 
family, who remained with his father on Ihe 
farm, and at the death of the former the farm 
of 100 acres was equall_v divided between him 
and John, the former finally purchasing the 
share of the latter. Joseph was liorn in 1790; 
he married Jane, daughter of William and 
Ann (Strowbridge) Kennedy, and a family of 
children were born to them; Mary, Ephraim, 
William. Dorcas, Joseph, David, Willison, 
Ann (Mrs. Edwards, of Virginia) and George 
W.. of whom four eons and two daughters 
remain. Joseph, the father, was sixty-four 
years old when he died; his wife died in 1842, 
aged forty-nine years. 

Joseph Hugiiey was born in 1823, aud now 
resides near the farm where his early child- 
hood was spent. He was educated at Ihe 
common schools, and when seventeen years 
of age learned the trade of wagon-making, 
which he has followed through life. He was 
married in 1853 to Mary Jane, daughter of 
Harvey McDonough, of this county, and they 
have three children: H. Julia, Charles H. and 
George W. 

Charles Kinq (deceased) was born in 
Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1804, second 
eldest son of .John King, a farmer of that 
county. Charles for a time was employed on 
the farm, then went on the river as an 
engineer, which business he followed for 
thirty years. He was married in 1831 to 
Barbara, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth 
King, and they had no children of their own, 
but adopted four daughters, all of whom are 
now married. Their names are Harriet, 
Mary Elizabeth, Harriet Levina <ind Barbara 
Fleming. Mr. King died in 1887; he had 
many years before retired from river life, 
and was enjoying his declining years at his 
liome farm, which he had purchased as early 
as 1831. Mrs. King survives him, now a lady 
of bright intellect, in the eighty-fifth year of 
her age. The family are members of the 
Methodist Church; politically Mr. King was 
a democrat. Mrs. Kinc's grandfathers fought 
imder Gen. Washington in the revolutionary 
war, and were paid with continental money. 
Mr. King's father fought in the war of 1813, 
under Gen. Harrison, and suffered a long 
time from the effects of that^war, receiving 
a small pittance of six dollars a month. 

Thomas Dawson, retired, Bellevue,. was 
born in Ohio township. Beaver county. Pa., 
Dec. 39, 1815, and is the son of Michael and 
Rachel (Porter) Dawson, former of whom 
was born in Maryland, and became one of 
the first settlers in Ohio township, where 
large tracts of land were taken up by the 
Dawsons. The mother died in 1818, and the 
father about ten years later, leaving Thomas 
four hundred acres of land along Island run, 
supposed to be of little value, but afterward 
sold at high prices for oil-wells, thus leaving 



380 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Mr. Dnwson wealthy. Our subject passed 
bis early lifu on Islaud run, aud from 1845 
until 1864 carried on farming there. He then 
moved to Glasgow, and two years later to 
Rochester, retiring from l)usiness altogether 
and leaving the n-mainiug part of the farm 
in charge of his son George B. He moved 
from Horhesler to Allegheny City, and five 
jears later exchanged property tliere for liis 
present liome at West Bellevue, where he 
has lived since 1872. He married in 1»45, 
and his wife, Mrs. Nancy Dawson, had three 
children, now living, viz.: Elizabeth. George 
B. and Nicholas. She died in 18.56, and in 
1867 he married a native of this county. 
Ml', and Mrs. Elizabeth Dawson have five 
children living, viz. ; Thomas, Edith, Cath- 
erine, Porter and Elmer Ellsworth. The 
family are members of the M. E. Church. 

James H. GK.i^ii.\M, justice of the peace. 
Elizabeth, is a son of Jesse and Eliza 
(Burnett) Graham, of Westmoreland countv. 
Pa. In 1836 his father moved to Elizabeth 
borough. He was a ship-carpenter, and at 
one time the part owner of a trading-boat, 
which he pliedjDn the Ohio and Mississippi 
rivers. He died in 1872, but his widow is 
still living. They had six children: Martha 
J., wife of George W. Wiley, of Pittsburgh; 
David P., who was killed at the battle of 
Antietam Sept. 17, 1862; Mary E., wife of 
David Kimes, of Elizabeth; Electra, who 
died at the age of three years; Thomas 
W., of Elizabeth borough, and James 
H., who was born in Elizabeth bor- 
ough Aug. 11, 1843. He was educated 
at the public schools here and at col- 
lege in Washington, D. C. In 1858 he en- 
gaged in steamboating, which he followed 
for two years. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. 
I. 9th P. R., and was honorably discharged 
in 1863. After that he was engaged in 
the quartermaster's department under Gen. 
James A. Ekin, at Washington, D. C, aud 
Louisville, Ky., and served until 1865. In 
1872 he was married to Amanda, daughter of 
David aud Charlotte Morgan, of West Eliz- 
abeth, Pa. They have eight children living: 
Jessie, James, Lottie, Martha. Nettie, Harry, 
David, and Amanda, an infant. In 1883 Mr. 
Graham was elected a member of the school 
board of the borough, and has since acted 
as secretary of the board; has been clerk of 
the council for the past three years; has also 
been clerk, inspector and judge of elections 
for ten years. Mr. Graham is a republican, 
and is the representative of his party at all 
conventions. He was elected justice of the 
peace Feb. 21, 1888, for a term of tive years. 
He is a member of J. W. Stephens Post, No. 
Ill, G. A. R. The famil}- are members of 
the M. E. Church. 

Capt. Alfred Br.\upp, retired, Elizabeth, 
is a son of Jacob Brauff, a native of Virginia, 
who came to this state at a very early day 
and settled near Brownsville. Fa3'ette county. 
His wife was Rebecca Nixon, of Virginia, 
and survived him many years. Capt. BraufE 
was born March 3, 1814, at Brownsville, and 



was but one year old when his father died. 
As soon as he was old enough, he assisted 
in caring for the family, and worked at 
various occupations, but the principal one 
was following tlie river. He was captain of 
the Davy Crockett, tlie first towboat ever 
pliiced upon the Monongahela. He afterward 
built and was the owner of several boats 
pl3Mng on the river, amoni; them the Hunter, 
Robert Lee, Alfred Raub, etc. In 1870 he 
retired from boating, and purchased a home 
in this borough, wliere he has since resided. 
The captain was never married, and his 
widowed sister, Mrs. O'Neill, lives with him. 
He has held various borough offices, aud is a 
member of the M. E. Church. 

Samuel A. Duff, ice-merchant, postottice 
Chartiers, was born in 1834 on the place where 
he now resides, in Charliers township, this 
county, and is a son of Samuel and Isabella 
L. Duff. The father was born in Ireland, 
immigrated to this country in 1818. and 
located in Philadelphia, where he remained 
until 1832,following the business of carpenter 
and contractor. In 1831 he came to this 
countj', where he purchased 175 acres of land 
in Chartiers township at eighteen dollars per 
acre, and the following jear moved from 
Philadelphia in a covered wagon to his new 
home in Chartiers township, wliere he resided 
the remainder of his life, improving his farm. 
The tract of land he purchased in 1831 is said 
to be wo'i'th at the present time SI. 500 per 
acre. He married Isabella, daughter of Joseph 
and Agnes Calderwood Lawson, and their 
childreu were Matilda (Mrs. Scully), Mary, 
Joseph L.. John L., Samuel A., William G.. 
Thomas McKee (deceased), James K. P. and 
Thomas L. (deceased). The father died in 
1863, at the age of sixty-eight years, and the 
mother in 1886, at the age of eiirhty-four 
j-ears, both members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. DuS received his naturaliza- 
tion papers in 1825, which are still in posses- 
siou of his son Samuel A. He was assessor 
in 1844, before Chartiers township was 
divided. 

Samuel A., whose name heads this sketch, 
married, in 1863. Matilda M., daughter of 
Rev. Samuel Lawson, of Westmoreland 
(Countv, Pa., and their children were William 
H. (deceased). Edward E. (in the People's 
Savings Bank of Pittsburgh). James K. (hold- 
inir a position in the same bank). Catherine. 
Samuel L.. Matilda S. and Mary D. (twins), 
Ella, Henry D. and Clara. Mr. D'uff has been 
assessor aiid school director six years, and 
has held various offices in Chartiers township 
He owns twentj' acres of the old homestead, 
and is engaged in the ice business in Wash- 
ington county, where he has an ice-plant 
with stowing "capacity of 20,000 tons. 

William L.u{rMER DouoLASS, Esq., real- 
estate dealer. Boston, is a son of Col. Will- 
iam and Margaret (Howell) Douglass. Col. 
William Douglass was the second son of 
Thomas Douglass.a native of Elizabeth town- 
ship. He was a farmer and a public man, 
being a prominent leader in the republican 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



381 



party, and represented bis county in the leg- 
islature. He died Feb. 6, 1876, and his wife 
in 1857. They had ten children, seven of 
whom are living; Thomas C, on the home- 
stead; Philip H., of Wellsville, Mo.; Frances, 
now Mrs. David Rankin, of this township; 
Mary C., now Mrs. William McClure, of 
Ellrod's; Helen M., Mrs. .James Manstield, of 
this township; Nancy. Mrs. William Weddle, 
of Buena Vista, and William L., who was 
born May 19, 1849. on the homestead. He 
was educated at the common schools, attended 
the Elder's Ridge Academy. and subsequently 
graduated from the law department of the 
Chicago University. Mr. Douglass is also a 
civil engineer, and has been engaged in that 
business for some years. He was married, in 
1876, to Kate I., daughter of Andrew and 
Jane (Cornell) Werling, of this township, 
and by their marriage they have one child, 
Jane W., who resides with her parents. In 

1882 Mr. Douglass was appointed justice of 
the peace by Gov. Henry M. Hoyt, and in 

1883 was elected b}' the people, and still holds 
the office. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. E, 6th 
P. H. A., at the age of fifteen years, and 
served until the close of tlie war. He and 
Mrs. Douglass are members of the Presby- 
terian Church of Mount Vernon. He is "a 
member of Rankin Post, No. 137. department 
of Pennsylvania, G. A. R.. and was instru- 
mental in forming the association that erected 
the magnificent Grand Army hall at Boston, 
Pa., which is located on the fort field, where 
his ancestors battled with the American 
Indians. He is active, energetic and deter- 
mined; is of Scotch descent, and is as spirited 
as the name is historical. 

Robert Snodgrass. One of the first 
settlers in Allegheny county was Robert 
Snodgrass. He was born in Lancaster county. 
Pa., in 17.58, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and 
remained under the parental roof until he 
attained his majority, when he came to 
Allegheny county. During this same year, 
1779, he bought of John Penn, Sr., and John 
Penn, Jr., for £313 gold or silver, five hundred 
acres of land in said Allegheny county, lying 
south of Coal Hill, principally between what 
are now known as Saw-Mill run and Little 
Saw-Mill run, and adjoining farms of William 
Boggs, Abraham Kirkpatrick, John Wood 
and George Wallace. After having cleared 
a small space and erected a rude log cabin, 
hereturned to visit the home of his childhood, 
where, Sept. 13, 1780, he married Miss Jean 
White. In company with his newly chosen 
companion he now turned his face toward 
his log cabin in the forest across the mountains, 
which he had left the previous j^ear, to begin 
the life of a pioneer. His attitude toward 
the Indians was that of brother toward 
brother. The Indians ate at his table, and 
brought him game from the forest, small 
baskets and trinkets of their own handiwork; 
they smoked the pipe of peace, and he thus 
secured for himself and family safety from 
the tomahawk and scalping-knife, and many 
other advantages. 



Robert Snodgrass was a man of industrious 
habits, sterling honesty and unusual mechan- 
ical ability. He built his own wagons, plows 
and other farming implements, besides 
manufacturing many household articles. He 
cleared the laud during the winter and spring, 
and farmed during the summer, while every 
fall he made a trip east over the mountains, 
on horseback, for salt to use during the 
coming year, the trip requiring from one to 
two months. He was without greed or any 
desire to retain what belonged to another, as 
the following incident will show: During his 
last illness he reminded two friends who 
were standing at his bedside that he owed a 
neighbor two shillings ninepence, and directed 
them to pay it. Among other good traits of 
his character was his benevolence to the 
" fatherless and widows," as was shown by 
his maintaining a widowed sister, and also 
making provision for the children of other 
widowed sisters. Surely some will " rise up 
and call him blessed! " After a brief illness 
he passed away Aug. 26, 1796, leaving eight 
children, the eldest fifteen years old. His 
remains were laid to rest in Bethel churchyard. 
His widow, Jean Snodgrass, with the help of 
the eldest boy, continued the cultivation of 
the farm, and succeeded in making the final 
payment. After five years she was called 
home July 28. 1802, having been a faithful 
wife and mother, a generous friend, and a 
true Christian. Each of their children had a 
share of the farm, and for the most part lived 
and died on their portion. The youngest 
sou, bearing his father's name, built a lumber- 
mill, and was for many years a prosperous 
and respected citizen. The only descendants 
now owning parts of the original tract are 
Mrs. Bulford, Mrs. Simmons. Mrs. Hubbard 
and M. E. Crane, grandchildren, and H. J. 
Milholland, great-grandson. 

Daniel Bolford, farmer, post-office 
Banksville, is a native of Pittsburgh, where 
he was born in 1837. He married Margaret 
Snodgrass in 1867, and to them were born 
five cliildren, of whom but two sons are now 
living, Roberts, and Ralph Emerson. Sarah 
Elmira. the eldest daughter, was born in 
1871, and died in 1884, her death being a sad 
loss to her parents. The family are members 
of the Presbyterian Church; politically, 
formerly whigs, now republicans. 

William M. Black, M. D., Boston, is a 
grandson of James Black, one of the early 
settlers of Allegheny county, who located at 
Crooked Run. where he still resides. Six of 
his children are yet living. William Black, 
Sr., the father of our subject, was the oldest, 
and was born where the grandfather now 
lives. He followed farming and mining, and 
died ^April 10, 1873. He was the first settler 
up the Youghiogheny river, and finally 
located in Coultersville. His wife was 
Hannah, daughter of James Brown, of this 
county, and is still living. They reared ten 
children: James B., M. D.. of Coultersville; 
Jennie, wife of Alexander Thompson, of 
Milesville; Sarah, wife of Richard Sneddew, 



382 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



of Coultersville; Mary, at home: Victoria, 
wife of James Tliomas, of Coultersville; A. 
L., M. D.. of Pittsburgh; Caroline C. and 
Ilauuab, both rejjistend druggists of Coul- 
tersville, and Miirgiirut A. and our subject, 
who was born in 1S(;0. at Coultersville, and 
educated at the public schools. He graduated 
from .Jefferson Medical College ot Pliihidel- 
phia in 18S4. and located at Boston, and 
opened a drugstore in connection with his 
practice. .Vt the present time he is assistant 
postmaster at Boston. 

Addison H. Simmons, postoflice Banks- 
ville. This family are originally from 
Eastern New York state. Samuel married 
Elizabeth Matthew,", and by her had three 
cliildren, one son and two daughters. 
William, the second child, and a carpenter, 
was married in 1837, to Margaret, daughter 
of .James Henry, one of the oldest families 
in this part of tlie county. They had seven 
children, Addison II. being the second son. 
He was married, in 1870, to Hannah G. 
Snodgrass, and they have had three children 
(two living): Walter Glenn, Lizzie Alma and 
Emma Edna. The family arc members of 
the Presbyterian Church; Mr. Simmons is a 
republican. 

Zacchehs Scott, farmer, postoffice 
Blythedale, is a descendant of James Scott, 
Sr. His father was Zaccheus, the second 
son of James, and was born on the pl.ice 
now owned by our subject, in 1787. He was 
a farmer by occupation, a soldier in the war 
of 1813, lield the commission of captain 
of his company, and was the officer in charge 
of prisoners at Fort Duquesne. After the 
close of the war he returned to farming, 
and in 1828 married Catherine, daughter of 
Jeremiali Andrews, of Burgettstown, W^ash- 
ington county. They both died in 1870. 
They had four daughters: Mary, now Mrs. 
James L. Gufiy, of Forward township: Eliza 
Jane, now Mrs. Alexander Thompson, of 
Westmoreland county: Catherine, now Mrs. 
Allen Williams, of Westmoreland county, 
all living, and Lucinda, who was the wife 
of Josiah P. Johnson, and died in 1868. 
Zaccheus Scott was the only sou. and was 
born May 12, 1840, on his present farm, and 
received his education at the scliools of his 
township and at Elizabeth Academy. After 
finishing his education he engaged in 
teaching school in this, Fayette and West- 
moreland counties for six years, and since 
that time has followed farming as an 
occupation. In 1871 he was married to 
Eliza Jane, daughter of Joseph and Jane 
(Neel) Hutchinson, of this township. They 
have four children living: Catherine, Maud, 
Jessie May. Milton and Zaccheus Roscoe, 
iill living at home. Mr. Scott and his 
wife are members of the U. P. Church of 
Bethesda. 

James M. Esler, druggist, Tarentum, son 
of John and Martha J. Esler, was born in 
Fawn township. Allegheny county, Pa., in 
18-")4. His grandfather, James Esler, came 
from Washington county. Pa., and located 



in Fawn township in 1836, on the farm 
now owned by his heirs. The father of our 
subject died in November, 1883; the mother is 
now a resident of Tarentum. They reared a 
family of eight children, five of whom are 
living: James M., Robert. Harry, Annie and 
John; Elizabeth, W. .Scott and George are 
deceased. James M., after pursuing a course 
of study at the public schools, attended 
school at Oakdale, becoming a graduate of 
California Normal school, and taught several 
terms. In 1881 he became establislied in his 
present drug Imsiness at Tarentum. and in 
1882 he married Katie It., daughter of James 
Thompson, of Hawkins, Allegheny county. 
Pa. By this union have been born three 
children: Alice M. and Mabel S. (both <ie- 
ceased), and John R. Mr. and Mrs. Esler 
are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

E. L. Tho.mpsox is publisher and pro- 
prietor of the Wetkhj bun of Tarentum. a 
paper established Sept. 5. 1884. having a 
circulationof eleven hundred, and constantly 
growing. It contains four pa.ses. is 26x40 
inches in size, and is printed on the only 
steam-power printing-press in Tarentum. 
The paper is all home print, and as sudi is 
said to be the only one outside of the city. 
Mr. James H. Jack is editor. 

John Mackin, retired, postoflice Ingram, 
a .son of James and Margaret Mackin, was 
born in Ireland April 2, 1812, and came to 
this countrj- in 1825, locating in New York, 
where he remained until 1836. He then came 
to Pittsburgh, and here followed the bakery 
business until 1850, during which time he 
was appointed flour-inspector, first by Gov. 
Porter and later by Gov. Packer. After 1850 
he became a contractor, taking large con- 
tracts on the Chartiers Valley railroad, 
and continued in that connection until 1876. 
He built the Pennsylvania Railroad office in 
Pittsburgh, the retaining-wall along the Alle- 
gheny river on Tenth street, for the railroad; 
the Pan Handle railroad bridge, the Pitts- 
burgh city hall, and other public works too 
numerous to mention. In 1876 he accidentally 
broke his hip, which caused him to give up 
contracting. He has been for several years 
a partner in the Franklin Glue-factory, in 
Pittsburgh. About 1866 he purchased eighty- 
five acres of land in Chartiers township, upon 
which he has since resided. He has been 
twice married; first in New York, in 1836. to 
Ann McDonald, who bore him ten children, 
of whom the living are James, Charles, 
Lizzie (wife of Bernard Bannon) and Mary 
A. (wife of William Colbert). Mrs. Mackin 
died March 9, 1883. at the age of seventy-one 
years, and Mr. Mackin married, March 10, 
1883, Mary L. Harper. He has been a mem- 
ber of both the common and select councils 
for several years. During tlie civil war, 
though not a soldier, he was present at the 
battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellors- 
ville. His son .lohn enlisted in Co. F, l."").")th 
P. v., for three years, and was wounded in 
the battle of the Wilderness, which resulted 
in his death some time afterward at Wasldng- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



383 



ton, D. C. Mr. Mackin has one of the most 
beautiful homes in Chartiers township, and 
a large amount of other valuable property in 
that and Robinson townships, aud in Pitts- 
burgh . 

WiLWAM Butler Clement, teller of the 
Real Estate Savings Bank of Pittsburgh, was 
born in Cincinnati. Ohio, in Ma}', 1817, a son 
of Ephraira S. and Sarah Clement, and grand- 
son of William Butler. His p.ivents moved 
to Cincinnati in 1806. and opened the flrst 
grocery on Fifth street, that cit.y. Ephraim 
P. Clement died in 1827, aged forty-one j'ears; 
his widow in 1829, aged forty; both were 
natives of Massachusetts. In 1876 the sub- 
ject of this memoir came to Verona, Alle- 
gheny county. Pa., where his family had 
moved five years before, and has since been 
teller of the Real Estate Savings Bank of 
Pittsburgh. He married, in 1843, Eliza Jane 
Meeds, a native of Baltimore, Md. They 
have one son living — Stephen B. Mr. and 
Mrs. Clement are members of the First M. P. 
Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

James J. East, merchant, Bellevue, was 
born in Birmingham, England, in 1826. His 
father was a glass-manufacturer in Birming- 
ham, owning, with a partner, three furnaces, 
twenty-seven pots, known as the Phoenix 
Glass-works. His mother was a niece of Dr. 
Davenport, rector of Stratford-on-Avon. His 
paternal ancestors left France with a party 
of Huguenots about the middle of the sev- 
enteenth century, and on their settlement in 
England affiliated with the Puritans; his ma- 
ternal ancestors belonged to the tory or high- 
church party. During the latter part of his 
ninth year, after passing a successful exam- 
ination, he was admitted a student of the 
Latin and commercial departments in King 
Edward VI Collegiate Institution in Birming- 
ham, England. Here he remained until Mr. 
R. Cooper, his brother in-law, opened an 
academy or high-school in a village named 
Smethwick, near Birmingham, and was a 
diligent student for two years. At the end 
of that time, however, circumstances required 
that his scholastic career should close, and 
that he should mingle in the "battle of life." 
In the fall of 1848 he came to this country, 
locating in Allegheny, where for several 
years he contributed under the nom deplume 
of "Excelsior" to Mrs. Swisshelm's Weekly 
Visitor, Purviand's Newm and the Alleghen}' 
Enterprise. In 18.52 he opened with a small 
capital a book- and wallpaper-store in Alle- 
gheny. By close application to business and 
by strict integrity the venture was made an 
eminently successful one, and his career as a 
tradesman was pleasant and profitable. At 
the commencement of his business enterprise 
he married Miss Rose T. Hughes, daughter 
of Mr. Hughes, a confectioner of Pittsburgh. 
The happiness which this marriage brought 
was, however, of short duration. The young 
and lovely wife was soon to pass away. The 
grim destroyer, consumption, had early 
marked her for one of his victims, aud within 
two years from the wedding-day the gentle 



mother with her two babes was borne in sol- 
emn sadness to the cold embrace of the tomb. 
In 185.5 the young merchant was again 
married, this time to Miss Annie Hunnings. 
sister of Marsh Hunnings, now cashier of the 
Pittsburgh Central Bank, and Frank Hun- 
nings, of the firm of Hunnings it Wilson, 
surveyors, Pittsburgh. Toward the close of 
the war, business continuing to prosper and 
his health declining, he removed his residence 
from Allegheny City to the southern part of 
Ross township. Being near to I he city and a 
very healthy locality, there were many citi- 
zens from Pittsburgh and Allegheny in the 
settlement, who, finding the local government 
was crude and inefficient, desired that a bor- 
ough be organized. A meeting of the leading 
taxpayers, among whom was Hon. T. M. 
Bayne. W. Roscburgh, cashier of the Bank 
of Pittsburgh, Hugh and Samuel Clancy and 
many others, was held in the parlors of J. J. 
East, a committee was appointed and the 
necessary measures were adopted, and as a 
result the organization of a borough named 
Bellevue was effected, and a large and hand- 
some school-building was erected. Since 
that period, as his health would permit, for 
five terms (fifteen years) he has been elected 
a school director; has also served as secretary 
of the board and treasurer of the borough 
and school district. The surviving children 
(two having died in their infancy) of J. J. 
East and Annie East are Fred A. East, book- 
keeper and organist; George G. and James 
M., partners in the store in Alleghenj'; Will 
J., architect with J. Anglin, Esq.; Frank T., 
engraver at the jewehy establishment of 
Roberts & Sons, and Florence C, the only 
daughter, who is now and for several years 
has been a student at the Pittsburgh School 
of Design. 

During the agitation on the slavery 
question J. J. East published two pamphlets, 
"The Signs of the Times" and " Shall Kansas 
be a Free or a Slave State?" both of which, 
in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, had a large 
circulation. At the formation of the repub- 
lican party he gave it his indorsement, and 
has ever since been one of its most ardent 
adherents. At the recent election connected 
with " constitutional prohibition," his vote 
was given against the influence of the 
saloon. His religious proclivities may be 
inferred from the fact that since its organiza- 
tion, twenty-odd years ago, he has been a 
member and trustee of the M. P. Church of 
Bellevue. He believes that God is not only 
the author but that he is also the ruler of the 
universe, and that " in him we live and 
move and have our being." 

Samdel Lock Riddle, farmer, postoffice 
Hulton, was born in 1814, in Pittsburgh, a 
son of Charles R. and Elizabeth (Lock). 
Riddle. His parents were natives of Balti- 
more, Md.. and came to Pittsburgh in wagons 
about 1810. Charles Riddle was a chairmaker 
and painter on Smithfleld street, Pittsburgh, 
but sold out aud bought property in Indiana 
township, opposite Hulton station. When 



384 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Samuel I-, was quite small his father died, | 
and the familj' was left with but little of this 
world's goods. Our subject early learned to 
toil, has built up a tine property" and enjoys 
a good home. Ilis mother died in 1^70. in her 
ciHhtyfifth year. In IHH,") he started for him- 
self on a farm in Lower St. Clair township, 
and in 1843 came to Plum township. After 
eleven years he moved to Pairview, Butler 
county, and remained twenty-one years, in 
which lime he bought three good farms. He 
then sold two of them, and, coming again to 
Plum towusliip, purchased ten acres just out- 
side of the borough of Verona, east of Hul- 
ton station, where he has a fine home in which 
to spend his latter days. He married, in 
1835, Mary Ann Schroder, born May 8, 1816, 
in Maryland, daughter of Henry and Kath- 
arine (Faik) Schroder, natives, respectively, 
of Holland and Little York. Pa. Her mother 
died in 1852; her father came to this country 
before the Revolution; was a tailor, and died 
in this county about 1832. Three boys and 
one girl have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Riddle: William Henry Harrison, an attorney 
in Butler county. Pa.: Samuel L., in Law- 
rence county; Ovington, in Lawrence county, 
and Margaret (now married). Mr. Riddle is 
a republican, and he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the U. P. Church. 

Peter D. Devlin, a native of County 
Tyrone, Ireland, came to America shortly 
after his marriage with Martha McClarning, 
and settled in lialdwin township, where he 
farmed until his death in November, 1866, 
when he was seventy-three years of age. His 
wife died later, at about the same age. They 
were prominent members of the Catholic 
Church, and were the parents of fourteen 
children, viz.: Ellen(who was born in Ireland 
and died on the ocean), James (who was at 
New Orleans during the rebellion, but has 
never been heard from since, and is supposed 
to have been killed). .John F. (who still 
survives), Isabella (who died in 1864), Mary 
(known in religion as Sister Philomena, was 
the founder of the house of the Sisters of 
Mercy, Buffalo, N. Y.). Therese (known in 
religion as Sister Regiua, and still resides in 
Buffalo. N. Y.), Peter (who is deceased), 
Joseph F. (who married Selina, daughter of 
James Bennett; she died in May, 1873, aged 
twentj'-seven years, and of whom five chil- 
dren survived, viz. : William V., Mark P., 
Martha M., Mary A., Mary Pauline, deceased), 
Peter C. (a civil engineer, who died aged 
about forty years, had e.xplored in the west 
with geological expedition, and was very 
popular), Annie M., Daniel (who was edu- 
cated at St. Charles College, Maryland) and 
Mark (who was educated at St. Michael's 
Seminary, Pa.); both Daniel and Mark were 
ordained priests and attached to the diocese 
of Pittsburgh; Luke and Martha. 

William Henry Sem.\ikns, merchant, 
postoffice Turtle Creek, was born at St. Just, 
Cornwall, England, June 4, 18.54, and came 
with his parents to America the next year. 
His grandfather and father, both named 



William, were copper-miners, and located 
among the mines of that metal in Northern 
Michigan. William, .Sr. , came in 1887 to 
Wilkins. where he died five years later, aged 
seventy-two years. His widow, Grace, nee 
Ancell, died in April. 1888. William. Jr.. now 
resides near his son. His wife. Elizabeth, 
born in Anguinn, died in 1884, at the age of 
tifty-tliree years. When eight years old 
William H. was set to work in a stampmill, 
picking particles of silver from the copper 
ore. When twelve years old he was placed 
at school for a year, and then returned to 
the mill. In the spring of 1869 he came to 
this county with his parents, and was era- 
ployed for some time in the coal-mines and 
a steelmill. In 1882, in company with 
another, he established the mercantile firm 
of Morgan & Semmens at Turtle Creek, and 
five years later became the sole owner. He 
owns several houses and carries a large stock 
of goods. On the day he was twenty-nine 
years old he was appointed justice of the 
peace by Gov. Pattison, and the next j'ear 
was elected to that position for five years. 
He is an active republican. In 1879 he 
married Nannie Colgan, who died ten months 
after, leaving an infant, since deceased. On 
the 21st of December, 1886, Mr. Semmens 
wedded Jennie Hunter, a native of Allegheny 
City, daughter of ,Samuel and Rebecca Hun- 
ter, of Ireland. Mrs. Semmens taught school 
three years in Patton and Wilkins. They 
have one son. William Heniy. Mr. Semmens 
is a jirominent member of the M. E. Church. 
HuoH Forrester, late of Bellevue, was 
born in Scotland, where he received his 
education, and on reaching manhood he 
sailed to America, residing two years in 
Baltimore. In 1826 he came to Allegheny 
county, via the B. & O. R. R. as far as it was 
built, walking thence to Pittsburgh, where 
he soon formed a partnership with his 
brothers, John, Robert and James, in 
stone-contracting. A few years later they 
dissolved partnership, and he, with his 
brother James, continued the business until 
the death of the latter, about 18.59. when 
Mr. Forrester took John Megraw into 
partnership, which continued until the 
retirement of the former in 1871. Mr. 
Forrester was one of the heaviest contractors 
at that time, and constructed many large 
buildings, among which were St. Andrew's 
church, and the stonework of the first 
bridge over the Allegheny river, and the 
old penitentiary. In 1853 he moved to 
Bellevue and bought twenty acres of land, 
being the first sold off in town lots. Here 
he resided until his death, which occurred 
Dec. 26, 1885. when he was seventy-nine 
years of age, having amassed a large 
fortune. He was married, in 1834, to Nancy 
Ferguson, of Armstrong county, and to 
them were born six children. She died in 
1843, and two years later Jlr, Forrester 
married Mary Rbdgers, who bore him ten 
children, eight of whom are yet living. She 
died in 1871. and he then married, m 1873, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



385 



Ellen Henry, of Ohio, who now resides on the 
old homestead at Bellevuc. Mr. Forrester 
was a member of the Sixth U. P. Church of 
Allegheny; he was well known and highly 
respected throughout the country. 

Thom.\s Haktlet, superintendent of the 
Little Saw-Mill Run railroad, was born in 
England in 1846, son of William .Hartley, 
now a resident of Banksville, a brother 
of Roger Hartley. William came to this 
county from England in 18.54, with his wife 
and two children, and located in Banks- 
ville. He was a stonecutter, and during the 
building of the Little Saw-Mill Run railroad 
he found a steady and lucrative position at 
his trade. He was for some time enga.ged 
in the construction of the First Presbyterian 
church of Pittsburgh; from 18.57 to 1864 he 
resided in Illinois, and afterward was over- 
seer of a coalpit for Hartley & Marshall. 
William married Mary Hazen, and to them 
were born four children, three of whom are 
still living. Thomas was eight years of age 
when he came to America with his parents, 
and he left school at an early year to engage 
in the practical pursuits of life, and his 
many years' association with the coal busi- 
ness has made him a practical operator in 
that line. He was for ten years employed 
as clerk for the L. S. M. R. R. R. company, 
and in 1882 was appointed to his present 
position. He married Miss Frances A. 
Stevens, and to them have been born seven 
children, five of whom are living: William 
S., Myra May, Amanda, Charlotte Hazen 
and Frances Irene. Mr. Hartley is a repub- 
lican, a Freemason, member of the K. of P., 
Sons of St. George and the Methodist Church. 

RoGKK Hartley, coal-operator, postofflce 
Banksville, was born in 1839 in the county 
of Durham, England, son of Richard Hart- 
ley, a native of Lancashire, England, who 
married Ann Gray, of the count}- of Durham, 
and by her had five children, of whom Roger 
is the youngest. Roger received his educa- 
tion in England, at the night schools, and 
in 18.51 immigrated to America, immediately 
coming to Saw-Mill run, where he was em- 
ployed as assistant engineer; this was during 
the building of the Little Saw-Mill Run 
railroad, after which he was locomotive- 
engineer for some time pfterward, working 
for tlie Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne road until 
1856, when he moved to Madison county. 111., 
and there superintended the coal-mines and 
railroads of the Madison County Coal com- 
pany, continuing in same six years. At the 
expiration of that time he returned east, and 
leased the coal-lands of his present works, 
then owned by the Saw-Mill Run Coal 
company, where up to the present time he 
has been activelj- engaged. He was a part- 
ner with the late George Marshall. Mr. 
Hartlej' was married in 1855 to Miss Marga- 
ret, daughter of Robert Marshall, of England, 
and following-named five children were born 
to them: Beecher M., now assistant super- 
intendent of the coalworks; Charles, em- 
ployed in his father's office in the city; Sadie, 



at home, and Lillie and Maggie, at school. 
Few men in the county have been more 
successful in business than Mr. Hartley. He 
and family are members of the Methodist 
Church; he is a republican. 

William Conner Shaw, physician and 
surgeon, Pittsburgh, was born in Versailles 
township, this county, Feb. 7, 1846, son of 
William A. and Sarah Y. (Conner) Shaw, 
former of whom was born on the same farm 
July 6, 1809, the latter in Washington county, 
Pa." David and Jane Shaw, the grandparents 
of our subject, were uatives of County An- 
trim, Ireland, and York count}', Pa., respect- 
ively. David came to America when twelve 
years old with his parents, Samuel and Sarah 
(Lowery) Shaw, settling in Versailles town- 
ship on a farm; here David and his wife 
lived and died, the former in 1834, aged 
seveQt}--three years, and the latter in 1866, 
aged one hundred and two years and twelve 
days. William A. Shaw was the youngest 
of six boys and three girls, and he and Mrs. 
Robert Carothers, of Patton township, are 
the only ones surviving. Rev. William, a 
United {"resbjlerian minister, and Margaret 
(Murdock) Conner were the maternal grand- 
parents of Dr. Shaw. The subject of this 
memoir attended school in Versailles town- 
ship and at Newell Institute. He then 
entered the sophomore class at Wasliington 
and Jefferson College in Septembi-r, 1866, 
.graduating in 1.S69; then read medicine with 
Dr. W. R. Hamilton, and entered Bellevue 
Hospital Medical College, New York City, 
where he graduated in 1873; then studied 
six months with a private tutor, passed the 
competitive examination, and entered Belle- 
vue hospital as ambulance-surgeon, being 
advanced each six mouths until he became 
house-surgeon of the hospital. Leaving there 
in 1874, he accepted the position of clinical 
assistant to Prof. Stephen Smith, of the 
medical department of the Universitj' of 
New York, but changing his plans he re- 
signed the same and located, Nov. 5. 1874, 
on Wylie avenue, Pittsburgh, where he has 
built lip a liirge practice. He was physician 
to the Pittsburgh Free Dispensary from 
1876 to 1883, becoming thereby a life 
member; physician to Mercj' hospital from 
1876 to 1878, inclusive; surgeon alternate 
to the Pennsylvania railroad from Jan. 
1, 1877, to Jan. 1. 1880, and the same to 
the P., C. & St. L. R. R. 1876 to 1881; surgeon 
to Mercy hospital, 1878 to 1887, and at pres- 
ent is examining physician for six insurance 
companies, carries seventy-two thousand 
dollars life and ten thousand accident in- 
surance. Dr. Shaw is a member of the 
Allegheny County and State Medical socie- 
ties, and a fellow of the American Academy 
of Medicine and Society of Alumni of Belle- 
vue hospital, of New York. Is a member of 
the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, and 
has two life memberships in the Western 
Pennsylvania Exposition society. 

Dr. Shaw married, Nov. 1, 1877, Martha 
M.. daughter of J. C. Lewis (whose sketch 



386 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



appears elsewhere), and they had three 
children: Sadie L., Jennie E., and James 
Lewis, who died Oct. 11. 1883. Mrs. Shaw 
died suddenly of heart disease Oct. 24. 1887; 
her ailment "was due to a severe attack of 
rheumatisTu when a schoolgirl, caused by 
falling through the ice on the old canal at 
Sharpsburg, tlien going to school with lier 
wet clothes on and remaining there all day. 
She was a member of the First U. P. Church 
of Pittsburgh. The doctor is a member of 
the same church, and of its session since 
1878. He is a republican, very active and 
useful to the party, lie has written many 
articles for medical journals and local papers. 
Dr. Shaw, in an article to the Pittsburgh 
Commerniil Gazette, dated May 19. and pub- 
lished May 20, 1887, first called public atten- 
tion to the propriety of celebrating the 
centennial of the county in September of 
the following year, and a few months later 
(October, 1887) the idea was advanced in the 
Chamber of Commerce by Mr. Morrison 
Foster, and adopted by thechamber. 

Chaisles Schmitt, postmaster and mer- 
chant, Homestead, was born Jan. \n, DfoQ. in 
Baldwin township, this county, a son of 
Fred and Frances Schmitt. His parents 
were natives of Hessen, Germany, and had 
a family of seven children: John F., Rev. 
Joseph J., Charles. Frank, Ferdinand, Peter 
J. and Mary E. The family came to Home- 
stead in 1879. Charles was reared and edu- 
cated in Baldwin township, and early in life 
worked at mining, being for a short time em- 
ployed in the Homestead steelmill. Later he 
engaged in the grocery business with Albert 
Mahler, whom he bought out in 188.5, and has 
since conducted the business successfully. 
In January, 1886, he was appointed post- 
master at Homestead, and he fills the office 
with abilit}-. Politically he is a democrat. 
Mv. Schmitt married, in May, 1888. Sophia 
Schmid, a sister to Mark Schmid, a highly 
educated attorney at law of Pittsburgh. 

James Pollock Jack, retired, Bellevue, 
was born in that borough March 14, 1814, a 
son of James and Margaret (Pollock) Jack, 
who were born in Butler and Westmoreland 
counties, respectiveh*. Andrew Jack, grand- 
father of .lames P., came from east of the 
mountainsduring the early part of the present 
century, settling at Jack's run, which was 
named after him, and here he built a gristmill 
and a stone house. He was pilot of the 
steamer New Orleans (the first steamer on 
the Ohio, or built at Pittsburgh), which made 
her first voyage to New Orleans in 1811; he 
continued on the river formanj'years.making 
many trips to New Orleans and returning on 
foot. He died at Natchez, Miss., of yellow 
fever. James Jack, Sr. , was in the dry-goods 
business for many years in Pittsburgh with 
Judge Davis. On one of his trips to New 
Orleans to buy goods he took his wife and 
child (our subject being then one year old) 
with him on a keelboat, but on arriving at 
New Orleans, just after the battle of Jan. 
8, 1815, the English fleet held the river mouth 



and he was obliged to return to Pittsburgh. 
He, too, died of yellow fever on the lower 
Mississippi, when James P. was about five 
years old. The subject of these lines received a 
common school education, and in 1832 went 
on the river as ship-carpenter. Me then 
learned jiiloting and followed the river from 
Pitlsl)urgh to St. Louis for twenty-four years. 
He was married to Sarah Kerr Graham, of 
Allegheny. Mr. Jack was a whig, voting for 
William Henry Harrison, and has since been 
a republican; he is a member of Kinlcv 
Lodge, No. 318. V. & A. M., R. B. Rol)ert"s 
Lodge, No. .JSO, I. O. O. F., and represented 
them at the grand lodge for about six years. 
Mr. Jack has a fine home and property, and 
is the oldest settler in Bellevue borough. 

D.^viD GiLMOKB and W. Ross Foster. 
physicians, are sons of David and Elizabeth 
Foster. Their grandfather, Alexander Foster, 
came from Ireland in 1790, locating in Wash- 
ington county. Pa., and in 1832 came to this 
county, settling "near McKeesport, where he 
resided until his death, which occurred in 
1854. His widow survived him ten years. 
The}' liad six sons and one daughter. The 
living are Alexander, Walter, William and 
David. David Foster was born in Washing- 
ton count}-. Pa., in 1820, and came with his 
parents to this county in 1832. He was a 
carpenter by trade, which he followed until 
18.')0, when he purchased a farm and turned 
his attention to agriculture. In 1887 he sold 
his entire real estate, and retired from active 
business. He married, in 184.5, Elizabeth, 
daughter of Capt. Peter Ross (who was a son 
of Philip Ross, a captain in Washington's 
army in the Revolution and first settler of 
Mansfield, Pa.) and Matilda (Elliott) Ross, 
and their children are Ross, who died in in- 
fancv; Matilda, wife of John A. Bell; David 
G.; 6eorge W. M.; Sarah E., wife of Rev. 
Cyrus W. Hatch; Maudeline. wife of W. H. 
Bailey; Casev Alexander. Walter Ross, and 
Mary E.. wife of John S. Robb. Jr. Their 
parents are both living in Mansfield, Alle- 
gheny county, are members of the U. P. 
Church and among the most substantial and 
respected citizens of Mansfield. 

Dr. David Gilmore Fosterwasborn in this 
county in 1852. He attended the Mansfield 
and Tuscarora academies, and is a graduate 
of the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadel- 
phia. Pa. He received his diploma in 1873, 
settled in Crafton the same year and has since 
been a successful practitioner. He has been 
twice married; first in 1874 to Phoebe, daugh- 
ter of Thaddeus and Phcebe Paul. By this 
union there was one child, Gilmore David, 
now fourteen years of age. Mrs. Foster died 
in 1879 at the age of twenty-six years The 
doctor married, in 1881, Harriet, daughter of 
George R. and Mary Elliott Pearson, of 
Pittsburgh, Pa., and by this marriage two 
children have been born. Annie Elliott and 
Elizabeth Ross, who died Jan. 1. 1889. Dr. 
Foster has been a member of the Masonic 
fraternity since 1875; is a member of Alle- 
gheny County Medical society; has been a 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



387 



member of the AUegheuy county republican 
committee for fifteen years, and was a dele- 
gate to the state convention that nominated 
Geu. Beaver for governor; has been member 
of the republican state committee for three 
years; a delegate to the national convention, 
held in New York in 1887. that formed the 
republican clubs of the National League; 
delegate to the national republican conven- 
tion at Chicago, 1888; is a' member of the R. 
A., the Golden Chain, the A. O. U. W., 
Heptasophs, the Jr. O. U. A. M., theYoung 
Men's Tariff club of Pittsburgh, the Ameri- 
cus club of Pittsburgh, the Edwin Stanton 
club of Mansfield, and is surgeon for the 
Philadelphia Gas company, and consulting 
physician and surgeon of the Allegheny 
County Ilome; surgeon to 14th regiment N. 
G. Pa. He is a member of the Episcopal 
Church. His brother. Dr. W. Ross Foster, 
is a graduate of Jefferson Jledical College, of 
Philadelphia, and is a partner with his 
brother in the practice of medicine in Crafton. 
He is a member of the Allegheny County 
Medical society. Golden Chain, Heptasophs, 
Jr. O. U. A. "M., Young Men's Tariff club, 
the Americus Republican club. He is a very 
promising young physician. 

J. B. Neel, assistant cashier and teller 
First National Bank, Homestead, was born 
Dec. 11, 1857, in Mifflin township, a sou of 
John F. Neel, whose grandfather, James, 
was a Scotchman, and one of the pioneers of 
this county, and who and his wife Rachel 
(McClure) were members of Lebanon Presby- 
terian Church, and parents of nine children, 
viz.; Dorcas (born in 1775), John F. . Jane, 
Thomas, Harvey J., Grizella, Reuben, Rachel 
and Hiram (born in 1799). Of these Harvey 
J., the grandfather of James B., was born 
Sept. 30, 1785, and was well known as a 
farmer, boatman, merchant and stockman. 
He was a stanch democrat, and was postmas- 
ter in Mifflin township for twenty-five years. 
He married Elizabeth Brierly, who became 
the mother of the following-named children: 
Jane J., John F., Robert B. and Hiram M. 
Of these John F. married Susannah K. 
Forsythe, who became the mother of James 
B., and died young. The subject of this 
sketch was educated in the public schools, 
attended St. Vincent's College a short time. 
and graduated at Duff's Commercial College 
in the class of 1878. He was teller in the 
First National Bank of McKeesport, for five 
years, and since Jan. 1, 1888, has been assist- 
ant cashier and teller in the First National 
Bank, Homestead. He married Sarah C. 
Risher, and has one child, S. Rebecca. 

Christian Trdnkk was born in Germany 
about 1770, and came to America at the age 
of twenty, settling in Allegheny count_y. Pa. 
Here he married Elizabeth Benny, and Ijy her 
had eleven children: Elizabeth, Henry, James, 
Jane Eichbauu, Benny. Williarn, John, 
Joseph, Nancy, Margaret, Mary. He con- 
tinued to reside near Pittsburgh during his 
entire life, and died Jul}- 16, 1844, a man of 
quiet disposition and gentle manners. He 



was in early life employed at glassmaking, 
and was one of the first in that business at the 
O'Hara Glass-works, at soutli end of Point 
bridge. His children were examples of 
industr}- and simple habits. Five of his sons 
are j'et living and active, all ranging between 
eighty and ninety-two years of age. Their 
mother was of Scotch-Irish parentage, and 
was endowed with great energy and force of 
will. She was the daughter of an officer in 
the English army, came to America in her 
youth, and received but little education. 
Her mother dying, her father again married 
and had a large family. One of his daughters 
married John Obey, a gentleman who was 
noted as a keeper of a popular house of 
entertainment at south end of Smithfield 
street bridge. She became the mother of 
the well-known Obey family. Mrs. Tru- 
nick, in her girlhood days, took an ax and 
cleared five acres of timber-land, and re- 
ceived as pay for this work two tow-linen 
aprons. This was near Robinson's run, 
where her father took up some land, and 
continued to reside until his death, as did 
also Mrs. Trunick. The latter's account of 
men and manners in those early days of 
deprivation and self-denial were very inter- 
esting. One of her daughters, Jane, married 
a gentleman named Reese, and by this union 
a large number of children were born, two of 
whom, James and Reuben, married two 
sisters, daughters of Mrs. John Obey, and 
reside at this date upon the old homestead of 
the Obey family, and are noted as men of 
force, energy and enterprise. 

The descendants of tliese Trunicks are 
generous and hospitable, and as a family their 
lives have been evenly balanced and useful 
in the community, exceptionally free from 
criminalit}' and viciousnesa, not one of them 
having ever been incarcerated for crime, or 
rendered himself a nuisance to the community. 
In the language of scripture, the descendants 
of the Trunick family rise up and call their 
grandmother and mother blessed — a tribute 
alike to her sterling integrity, moral worth, 
common sense and kindness of heart. 

James R. Mullett, captain and editor. 
Homestead, was born in Kent, England, the 
son of William and Charlotte (Harvej') Mul- 
lett, natives of the above-named county. 
They removed to Adelaide. Australia, and 
there James R. was reared. He had no edu- 
cational advantages, and began his business 
career by selling newspapers, then clerked 
for four years, and at the age of eighteen 
went to sea, coasting near Australia ; then 
sailed between England and Australia, and 
later went to San Francisco, where he located 
in 1877. There he bought a vessel and began 
the capture of marine and other animals for 
show purposes, at which he was very suc- 
cessful. In 1882 he went to Manitoba, where 
he speculated in land, embarked in the hotel 
business and lost a fortune. In 1884 he came 
to Allegheny City, where he attempted to 
establish a zoological garden, which, how- 
ever, proved a failure. The following year 



388 



HISTOliY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



he built three skating-rinks, two in Pitts- 
burglj and one in Allegheny City, and en- 
gaged also in auctioneering. Through his 
untiring efforts a postofflce was established 
on the South Side. Pittsburgh, and one in 
Temperanccville, Pittsburgh, and also nu- 
merous stamp sale stations, which are a great 
accommodation to the public. In .July, 1886. 
he came to Homestead, where he ciii^agcd 
e.xtensively in the real-estate business, and 
now' edits the Eni/li', a spicj' weekly. C'a[)t. 
Mullett married, in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Margaret 
Foulkes, nee Tweddle, a native of England. 
He is a member of the I. O. H.. and was for- 
merly an active member of many other 
friendly societies, including the Freemasons. 
Odd-Fellows and Foresters. 

TnoM.\s H. IIalev, retired. postoflSce 
Cbartiers. son of Thomas H. Haley. Sr.. was 
born in Ireland in 1819. came with his parents 
to America in 1820, and they settled in this 
county. His parents had eleven cbildren, 
two of whom died in Ireland ; his mother 
died on the way to this country. The chil- 
dren that came to this country were Patience 
(deceased). William O.. .Jane (deceased). 
George (deceased). Mary. Catharine. Francis. 
Amelia, Elizabeth and Thomas H. The father 
of these children died in 18.54 on the place 
where Thomas H. and his three maiden sis- 
ters reside, in Stowe township. They have 
a very desirable home, having seven and a 
half acres of land. Their parents were mem- 
bers of the Episcopal Church, but the family 
are at this lime members of the Presbyterian 
Church, in which Thomas H. is an elder. 

D. R. Jones. Esq., postofflce Homestead. 
Pa., was born on a farm, near the city of 
SwanscSi. Wales, on March 17, 1853. He came 
to tbis count}- when a mere lad, worked in 
and about the anthracite mines at Wilkes- 
barre, Pa., first as laborer, then 'as under- 
ground hoisting-engineer. In 1874 he left 
the mines and entered Mount Union College. 
Stark coiraty, Ohio, supjsorting himself there 
with what money he had saved from his 
earnings, and bj- teaching school in winter. 
He graduated in 1878. came to Pittsburgh to 
stud}' law; served four years Jis the chief 
executive officer of the "Pittsburgh Miners' 
association; was admitted to the Allegheny 
county (Pa.) bar in 1882, and has since been 
practicing law there. He was elected bur- 
gess of Homestead two terms, and on Nov. 
6, 1888. was elected a member of the house 
of representatives of Pennsylvania from the 
Sixth district of AUeghen}- count}'. 

Boyd P.\tterson, farmer, postofflce Dra- 
vosburg, is a great-grandson of Xathaniel 
Patterson, of Scotch-Irish descent, who came 
from Campbell county. Va., married Eliza- 
beth Bell, and. removing to this county, set- 
tled in Mifflin township. They attended 
Lebanon Church, and there both lie buried. 
Their children are Andrew, Thomas B., Hon. 
.James, and Ellen, who married Samuel Cun- 
ningham, the father of 'Squire Cunningham. 
Of these Hon. James Patterson was born in 
Virginia, and married Catharine, a daughter 



of Joseph and Mary A. (McConneley) Liv- 
ingston, nativesof Ireland. He came to Alle- 
gheny county, where he farmed, but returned 
to Virginia on account of the Indians. He 
was a prohibitionist and a democrat; was 
revenue collector of the Seventeenth district 
from 1814 to 1825. In 1826 was a member of 
the legislature; in 1828 was re elected, and 
for several years was colonel of the militia; 
was justice^ of the peace, and filled 'Jther 
township offices, and was a member of Leba- 
non Church. His cljildren were James T., 
Hon. Livingston B., Cornelius D., Mary. 
Eliza (who died young) and Elinor, wife of 
Dr. J. F. Wilson, who was a native of this 
county, but is now deceased. Hon. Liv- 
ingston B. was educated here, and became a 
civil engineer. In the winter of 1S.5.5-.56 he 
was elected to the legislature, and tilled the 
office of justice of the peace for thirty vcars, 
until his^death. He was a member of Leba- 
non Presbyterian Church. His wife was 
Mary J., daughter of Benjamin Buttler, and 
their union was blessed with one son, Boyd 
Patterson, who was born Dec. 25, 1856. He 
was educated at the State Normal school, and 
married Emma, daughter of William Buttler. 
They have two children, Robert and Mary J. 
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are members of" the 
Presbyterian Church; he is a democrat. He 
now occupies the old farm. 

LotJisLENKNER, retired, Brushton station, 
was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1816. 
He learned ropemaking, and when twenty- 
four years old came to Pittsburgh. Some time 
thereafter his parents, George and Margaret 
(Hut) Lenkner. followed him to that cit}', 
where they died. Two years after his arrival 
Mr. Lenkner established a rope-factory in 
Pittsburgh, which he operated successfully 
for thirty years, but had to abandon it in 1872, 
owing to a stroke of paralysis which disabled 
his left hand. He took up his residence at 
Brushton, where he put up a house, before 
the Pennsylvania railroad was built, and 
has seen a thrifty village grow up around 
him. He is a member of the Lutheran 
Church at East Liberty ;''politically a repub- 
lican. Mr. Lenkuer has been twice married. 
His first wife, net: .Jeanette Obermarm, was 
the mother of six children, 'three of whom 
are living; George, living near Allegheny 
City ; Sophie (Mrs. John Rabb), in Pittsbureh ; 
and Josephine. The second wife, nee Ka- 
trina Vockel, is also the mother of six chil- 
dren: Annie (wife of Mas Rasch). and Mina 
(Mrs. Charles Paul), who reside in the east 
end of Pittsburgh, and Charles, Louise, Her- 
man and Katie, at home. Charles is estab- 
lished at Brushton in the grocery business, 
which he opened out Aug. 1, 1888. 

Thom.\s H.Dkennen. retired, postofflce 
Elizabeth, is a grandson of Thomas Drennen. 
a native of Ireland, who came to America 
about 1770, and settled in what is now Eliza- 
beth township, in this county. His wife was 
Isabella Moore, a native of Southern Penn- 
sylvania. He followed agricultural pursuits, 
and lived on the farm where he first settled 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



389- 



until his death, in 1840. He left a family of 
two sons and five daughters, all of whom are 
dead. William Moore Drennen was the 
3'oungest of the family and the father of our 
subject. He was born in 1803, on the home- 
stead, which he inherited at his father's death, 
and where he was reared and lived the life 
of a farmer until his death, in 1857. In 1837 
he was married to Margaret, daughter of 
David and Martha (Wisbev) Polloclj, of this 
township, who died Oct. 7. 1883. They left 
four daughters and one- son: Martha, Isa- 
bella J. (Mrs. Thomas Fergus), of this town; 
Esther M. (Mrs. David Pierce), of Crawford 
county; Emily D., a maiden lady living on 
the homestead, and Thomas H., who was the 
second child, and who was born Dec. 17, 
1830, on the homestead, where he was reared 
and where he received the benefit of the pub- 
lic schools. Mr. Drennen has alwa}-s lived 
at the homestead until about three years ago, 
when he purchased the gristmill in the bor- 
ough, and after being engaged there about 
two years he sold the same and lived a retired 
life, still retaining his farm, which he 
manages. In 1876 he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth J., daughter of John and Isabella 
(Lisle) White, of Washington county. He is 
a member of the U. P. Church of this bor- 
ough, and his wife is a member of the O. S. 
P. Church. They have no children. 

James West, retired, East Liberty, is a 
native of Killalee, County Down, Ireland, 
and came to Alleghenj' county when seven- 
teen years old. His parents, Thomas and 
Jane (Dunn) West, lived on a farm, and gave 
the son a good common-school education. 
Three brothers besides himself are residents 
of this county, and all are prosperous. An- 
other brother is a resident of Liverpool, 
England. The subject of this memoir was 
employed for a time at farm labor, and kept 
store two years in Allegheny City. He then 
bought a farm near Latrobe, and tilled it for 
eighteen years with marked success. In 
April, 1876. he took up his residence at 
Brushton, where by building and purchasing 
he has become the owner of twelve houses 
and other property. In 1853 Mr. West mar- 
ried ilary Jane Fleming, who died in 1860, 
leaving a daughter, Marj' Jane, now wife of 
Albert Herron, a dairyman near Bucyrus, 
Ohio. In 1863 Mr. West married Susan, nee 
Forbes, who is also the mother of one 
daughter, Maggie, wife of Oscar Mowery, a 
ticket-examiner. Union station, Pittsburgh, 
and a resident of Brushton. Mr. and Mrs. 
West attend theM. E. Church'at Home wood; 
he is a republican. 

Andrew Fife (deceased) was ~boru in 
Upper St. Clair township, in this county, 
July 1, 1790. His ancestors were among the 
earlj- pioneers of the count}' The grand- 
father settled on the farm where Andrew and 
his father were born. Andrew was a soldier 
in the war of 1813. In 1814 he was married 
to Sarah Henry, who died a few years later, 
leaving two children — William and Sarah, 
both of whom are dead. His second marriage 



occurred in 1819, with .Sarah, daughter of 
Thomas and Margaret (Patterson) Robinson, 
of Westmoreland county. He died October 
8, 1879, and his widow on Christmas day,. 
1880. They raised eleven children, six of 
whom are deceased; Elizabeth (Mrs. William 
Peterson), of West Elizabeth township; 
Martha (Mrs. Andrew McKinley). of this 
township; Mary (Mrs. Levi Edmondson), of 
Lincoln township; John and Matthew D. 
The living are Andrew, of California; Samuel 
R., M. D., of West Elizabeth; Rev. N. H. G., 
of Sterling. 111.; Margaret (Mrs. Joseph 
Peairs), of this township, and Clara, who has 
lived in the borough since the death of her 
father. Mr, Fife held the office of elder in 
the Presbyterian Church over sixty years. 

Andrew McKinley, farmer, postoffice 
Elizabeth, is a son of Andrew and Barbara 
(Reed) McKinley, natives of Ireland, who- 
immigrated to this country in 1792, and first 
settled in Chester county, Md. After two 
years' residence there they removed to this 
county, locating in what is now Forward 
township, and from there removed to what is 
now Lincoln township, near McKeesport. In 
1817 the)' purchased the farm now owned by 
our subject, where they lived until their 
deaths. The mother died in 1843, and the 
father in 1844. They had six daughters and 
three sons, all of whom are dead except 
Andrew, Jr., who was the youngest of the 
family, and was born in 1811, on what is now 
known as the Calhoun farm, above McKees- 
port. He was educated at the public schools 
of the county. In 1837 he was married to 
Maria, daughter of Zachary Wilson, of this 
county. She died in 1847, leaving four chil- 
dren, one of whom is still living, Andrew, of 
Forward township. Mr. McKinley's second 
wife was Martha J., daughter of Andrew 
Fife, of Elizabeth township. She died May 
10, 1863, leaving four children: John G.. a 
merchant of Monongahela Citj'; George, at 
liome; Clara M.. now Mrs. Frank Hauey, of 
McKeesport; Xoah F. ; Belle, now Mrs. 
Charles Wiley, of McKeesport. The third 
wife of Mr. McKinley is Mary E., daughter 
of Michael Ventress, of Elizabeth. Jlr.Mc- 
Kinley held the office of auditor of the 
township for many years, and was engaged 
as general agent for D. M. Osborne & Co., 
of Auburn, N. Y., for Western Penn- 
sylvania, Ohio and West Virginia for many 
vears; also tor George L. Squiers & Co., of 
Buffalo. N. Y. He is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church of West Elizabeth. 

F. N. Humes, gas-driller, Tarentum, a 
son of James and May (Negley) Humes, was 
born in what is now West Tarentum, in 1834. 
His grandfather Humes was a resident of 
Westmoreland county. Pa., and a soldier in 
the war of the Revolution. His grandfather 
Xegley was one of the first settlers in this 
part of Allegheny county. James Humes, 
father of F. N., was a native of Westmore- 
land county, and May Humes, the mother of 
our subject, of Allegheny county. After 
their marriage the parents located on second 



390 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



farm below Bull cruck, in what is now 
Tarentum boiough. They, however, sold 
tlie farm and purchased a place on the hill- 
side above the creek, where lliey bolli died. 
James was twice married, and his first wife 
died leaving two children: John V. of West 
Tarentum. and May, the late Mrs. Powers. 
The cliildren of Jiimes and May (Negley) 
Humes were F. N, Christian, now Mrs. 
Welling Marvin, of Tarentum; Thomas and 
Alexander (twins), the latter now deceased; 
James, now in Iowa; George, near New 
Castle; Robert, at West Newton; William 
H., in West Tarentum; RutbE.. now Mrs. Mc- 
Conncll, of Alleghenv Cily; Nancy Jane, now 
Mrs. E. C. Miller, of Ohio; Frank V., of Alle- 
gheny Cily, and Smith K.. of Beaver Falls. 

The subject of this memoir made bis 
father's bouse liis home until bis marriage 
with May A., daughter of George Wllhelm, 
of Armstrong county. Pa., after which they 
located on a farm near Tarentum, where 
they remained three years, when they re- 
moved to Iowa. Continued malarial attacks, 
Iiowever, occasioned their return to Taren- 
tum, when Mr. Humes engaged in drilling 
saltwells, which be continued until his re- 
moval to Ohio, in 1860. Returning to Taren- 
tum in 1863. he embarked in the oil business, 
and is now employed in drilling gaswells, 
his residence being in Tarentum. Mr. and 
Mrs. Humes have reared a family of four 
children, viz.: Harry K., Minnie, now Mrs. 
Prof. O. H. Phillips, of Sewickley; Annie, 
now Mrs. Mooder, of New Castle, and Fronia 
V. The parents are members of the M. E. 
Church. 

GiLBREATH B. WiLSON, assessor. Char- 
tiers, son of George and Elizabeth Wilson, 
was born inPittsburgh,Pa.,in 1816. Hisgrand- 
father, Gilbreath VVilson. a revolutionary 
soldier, was a native of Ireland, and was the 
first of the Wilson family to come to America, 
and his son, George Wilson, was born in this 
county, and died when his son Gilbreath B. 
(our subject) was six years old; the widow of 
George VVilson died at the age of seventy 
years. Their cliildren were Gilbreath B., 
John (deceased) and Jane. Mr. Wilson spent 
most of his life in mining coal. He married, 
in 18.39, .Jane, daughter of Richard and Isa- 
bella Desart, of this county; they bad three 
children: Isabella (wife of Philander Wyble. 
of Chartiers township), Elizabeth (deceased) 
and Anna. Mrs. Wilson died in July, 1885, at 
the age of seventy years. Mr. Wilson was jus- 
tice of the peace five years, and has been 
assessor of Chartiers township for ten years. 
He owns a comfortable home in Chartiers 
township, and is one of its oldest citizens. In 
the Pittsburgh PoH of October 26, 1886. is 
given a historical sketch of the meeting of 
Gen. Lafayette and Gilbreath Wilson, Sr., in 
1824,on the occasion of the general's last visit 
to Pittsburgh. Wilson had rescued the general 
in battle when he was wounded, and carried 
him on his back to a place of safety. He had 
not seen him since until they met on the 
wharf where the veterans were drawn up in 



line to receive him. On meeting with the man 
who saved his life the general was very much 
pleased, got out of his carriage and embraced 
him. 

CoHNEi.ius Scully, farmer, postofflce 
Piltslnirgh, was born on the farm where he 
now resides. Dec. 9, 1817, a sou of John S. 
and .Mary .Scully. John S. Scully came from 
Ireland in \Wi, spent one year in Marietta, 
Ohio, but in consequence of malaria in that 
section left there and settled in this county. 
He purchased S.jO- acres oc' land from Gen. 
Hand, which has remained in the Scully 
family since, and upon which is the (luite 
noted Scully mineral spring. He married 
Mary Donivan, by whom he had lifteen 
children, of whom Cornelius is the only sur- 
vivor. Mr. Scully, the elder, served as justice 
of the peace over thirty years, and died in 
1837. ati the age of seventy years, a member 
of the Episcopal Church; his widow died in 
1839, at the age of sixty-eight years, a mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church. Cornelius Scully 
married. Oct. 28. 1842, Matilda, daughteV 
of .Samuel and Isabella Duff, of this county, 
and to them were born John S.. now cashier 
of the Diamond National Bank, Pittsburgh: 
William J.. Mary (wife of Amos Petrie). 
Samuel D., Isabella (wife of JohnT. Negleyl, 
Henry D., Almira, Cornelius. Julia (de- 
ceased), Ellen (deceased), Louisa and James 
B. Mr. Scully owns seventy-five acres of the 
old homestead, which is in a very high state 
of cultivation, some twent)' acres being in 
choice fruit. He has a very fine collection of 
Indian relics found on his farm. He has 
served as school director over thirty years, 
and is one of Chartiers township's most 
respected citizens. 

Rev. George N. Johnston, postofflce 
Camden, was born March 31. 1835. in Han- 
cock count}', W. Va. The Johnston family 
are descended from Oliver Cromwell. 'The 
Protector, " through his eldest daughter. 
Bridget, wife of Gen. Fleetwood, and from 
that country the great-great-grandfather 
Johnston emigrated to New Jersey-, after- 
ward settling in the Juniata valley. In 1792 
the family came to the vicinity of Pittsburgh, 
eight 3'cars later removed to Beaver county, 
and in 1828 they settled in West 'Virginia. 
James Johnston! a son of Robert, and grand- 
father of our subject, married Sarah Burns, 
and became the' father of eight children; 
Isabel, Jane, Smiley, George B., Rev. 
Robert, Eliza, Margaret and Rev. Mervin. 
Of these George B. married Evelyn Shannon, 
and they had ten children, viz.: Caroline. 
Sarah, Watson, Rev. George N.. Col. Robert. 
Eliza. Harriet. Laurinda. Minerva and Ella. 
Rev. George N. .Johnston was educated in 
the academies of Richmond and Wellsville. 
Ohio, graduated at Washington College in 
1858, attended the Northwestern Seminary. 
Chicago, and Western Theological Seminary, 
graduating from the latter in the class of 
1861. He was ordained hx the Beaver pres- 
bytery (now Mahoning), and preached with 
marked success at Knowille, 111.. New Lis- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



391 



bon and Steubenville, Ohio, and McKees- 
port. Pa. In 1884 he came to Lebanon Church, 
where his labors are duly appreciated. 
He has done much evangelistic work in con- 
nection with the pastoral office, and has 
preached over five thousand sermons in 
twenty-seven years. He married. April 17, 
1861, Emma, daughter of Dr. J. D. Coffin, of 
Beaver Falls; and they have seven living 
children: Eliza J., Evelyn L., Alice V., 
George C, Gertrude E., William W. and 
Helen. Mr. Johnston is esteemed, among 
the ministers of the Pitt.sburgh presbytery 
and the congregations he has served, as an 
able preacher, uncompromising in his defense 
of the faith, bold in his denunciations of sin, 
and 10 him his church is greatly attached. 
Col. Johnston, brother of Rev. George N., 
at the beginning of the rebellion raised a 
company In Pittsburgh, served through the 
war, and was promoted for gallant conduct 
again and again. Politically the Johnstons 
have been ardent republicans, and were 
prominently identified with the underground 
railroads in West Virginia. 

James Means, farmer, P.O. Hope Church, 
was born March 3, 1833, on the old homestead, 
where his father, Nathan, located in 1809. 
The latter, who was a son of John and 
Martha (Ramsey) Means, was born in Dau- 
phin county, Pa., in 1784; came to Alleglieny 
county with his mother, and died in 1881. 
John Means died at Paxton, Dauphin (-ounty, 
and his widow, a woman of much ability. 
and of Scotch-Irish descent, came west with 
her six children — Nancy, Jane, Nathan, John, 
James and Joseph M. Mrs. Means died in 
1851, aged sixty-nine years. Her son Nathan 
learned the tanner's trade east of the mount- 
ains, and followed it until 1833, since when 
he has farmed. He married Elizabeth Coch- 
ran, and to them were born seven children, 
viz.: John A., Samuel C. Andrew S., Elvira 
A., Martha M.. James and Robert S. Of 
these James married JIargaret G., daughter 
of Henry Fulton, and tliey have six children 
— Henry F., Nathan A., William C, Martha 
J. and Nannie E. and Maggie L. (twins). 
Henry F. graduated at Washington College 
and Allegheny Seminary in the class of 1887, 
and is now preaching in West Fairfield, Pa. 
Nathan A. graduated at Washington College 
in the class of 1885, and is now practicing law 
in Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Means are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, of 
which he is a member of session; politically 
he is a republican. 

Robert L. Kirkwood, merchant, McKee's 
Rocks, son of Robert and Hannah B. Kirk- 
wood, was born in Iowa in 1858. His grand- 
father, Andrew Kirkwood, came from Pais- 
ley, Scotland, to America in 1817. He was 
the first Kirkwood to cross the mountains of 
Pennsylvania, and settled in Pittsburgh. 
where he resided the rest of his life engaged 
in keeping a boatstore. He died in 1864. at 
the age of seventy-seven j'ears. leaving nine 
children, only one of whom is now living, 
Ann Kirkwood. His son Robert was born 



Aug. 30, 1834, in Pittsburgh; was educated 
for an artist and followed that profession 
through life, painting portraits and land- 
scapes. He married, in IS.")!. Hannah E. 
Betker, of Baltimore, Md.. and their children 
were Andrew B. (deceased). John McClelland. 
William J., Robert L., Eliza T. (wife of R. 
H. Brown) and Annie R. The father died 
March 28, 1883, aged fifty-eight years; the 
mother in 1860 at the age of thirty-eight. 
Their son, Robert L , was married Feb. 38, 
1885, to Marie E., daughter of Robert and 
Eleanor Thompson, of Allegheny City, and 
two children have been born to them — Elinor 
S. and Robert B. Mr. Kirlcwood has always 
been in the hardware business, and in April. 
1888, he commenced in that line for himself 
at McKee's Rocks, where he has a full stock 
of hardware and house-furnishing goods. 

Miles Brtan, justice of the peace, post- 
office McKee's Rocks, son of James and 
Mary A. Bryan, was Ijorn in 1858, in Stowc 
town.ship. this county. His father, a native 
of Ireland, came to this country in 1850. and 
engaged in peddling in Allegheny and Beaver 
counties for four 3'ears. During that time 
he saved sufficient to purchase a little home 
and start a grocery and country tavern, in 
which business he continued until his death 
in 1877, when he was fifty-six years of age; 
his widow still continues the business and 
keeps the Chartiers postoffice. His first 
stock of goods was stolen from him almost 
as soon as he put it in the store, by robbers, 
who, at night, loaded up the goods and 
hauled them away without ever being de- 
tected; but he borrowed money, laid in a 
new stock, and went on with the business. 
At that time his was the only store and 
tavern between Pittsburgh and Beaver. Mr. 
and Mrs. Bryan were parents of ten children, 
of whom those living are Miles, John, James, 
Frank. Thomas, Mary, Laurence and Jane. 
Miles Bryan was married May 12, 1887, to 
Laura Kirsch, of Ross township. He was 
elected justice of the peace in 1883, and re- 
elected in 1887, and was the youngest justice 
in the county. He also holds a position in 
the office of the clerk of courts. 

Caleb Lee, Jr., retired, postoffice Plum, 
a son of Caleb and Margaret W. (Skelton) 
Lee, was born in Pittsburgh in 1827. He at- 
tended the public schools and the olduniver- 
sit3' of his native city, and at the age of 
fifteen entered his father's store and learned 
the tailor's trade. He was then employed in 
the store until his father retired, in iSSl, at 
which time he and his brother John suc- 
ceeded him in the business under the firm 
name of John S. & C. Lee, Jr. Five years 
later, owing to Mr. Lee's failing health, he 
was obliged to move to the ccmntry. and 
came to Plum township, where he farmed 
fifteen years. He then removed to hi'j 
present home at Hulton station. He has 
been a member of the Veroua council, but 
his health prevents his taking part in any 
active business life. In 1852 he wedded 
Mary, daughter of Robert Knox, the well- 



392 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



known confectioner of Pittsburgh, wlio died 
a few months after marriage. Mrs. Lee was 
born in 1832, in Pittslnirirli, and lived most 
of the time on Fourth avfuue. Two chil- 
dren blessed this union— Kobert Knox, who 
died in 1879. and Jennie, wife of Harry 
Paul, of llulton station. 

.I.\MES Graham (deceased). It was prior 
to the Revolution that the Graham faniil}' 
emigrated from Ireland and settled in 
Eastern and Southern Pennsylvania. Rev. 
.James Graham, a graduate of Dickinson 
College, came to Allegheny county in 1804, 
and became the owner of 390 acres of land. 
He succeeded Rev. Samuel Barr, who was 
the first pastor of the Beulah Presbyterian 
Church, in Wilkins township, and tlie first 
church in Pittsburgh. Rev. Graham con- 
tinued in charge of Beulah Church forty 
years. He married Elizabeth Martin, of 
Juniata county. Pa., and six children were 
born to them. She died when her chil- 
dren were young, and he married Rachel 
Glen, and after her death married Martha 
McCullough, of Turtle Creek, who had 
two daughters. James was among the 
youngest of this family, and was born in 
1812 on the farm purchased by his father, 
and where he lived and died. James, Jr., 
was a farmer, and the property, being richly 
underlaid with limestone, was called and 
is now known as Lime hill. For six years 
he was engaged in burning lime, which was 
a profitable occupation. He owned 200 
acres ef the original tract. He married 
Eliza Macfarlane, daughter of John F. 
Jilacfarlane, of Adams county, Pa., and 
great-granddaughter of Andrew Macfarlane, 
who died in the revolutionary war. Four 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James 
Graham, whose names are Martha, Eliza- 
beth, Evaline and Margaretta. In politics 
Mr. Graham was a whig. He died seven 
3'ears after he was married, and for forty 
years his widow has managed the farm and 
business to the best advantage for her 
family. They have been lifelong members 
of the Presbyterian Church. 

EL.MER E. BRKiGS, M. D., postoffice 
Pittsburgh, was born June 11, 1861. His 
grandparents, William and Ann (Indie) 
Briggs, were natives of Yorkshire. England, 
and came to America in an early daj'. 
William was a man of means and education, 
and of a well-known family in England. 
He crossed the Atlantic seven times. He 
owned the old McClurgfarm at Brownstown, 
and died at Webster, aged over eighty years. 
He was the father of five children: Thomas, 
Charles, John, Frederick and Martin. Of 
these John and Charles were pilots, and 
both were drowned. Martin Briggs was a 
carpenter by trade, but engaged in the coal 
business, and represented the southern coal 
trade in Xew Orleans. He married Caroline 
S., daughter of Nicholas Snyder, a native 
of German}-. She was born in Wilkesbarre, 
Pa., and has borne her husband four 
children; Jlrs. Julia A. Painter, of San 



Francisco, Cal.; William H., Elmer E.. M. 
D., and Herron G., M. D. Elmer E. 
received his primary education in the schools 
of Pittsburgh, graduated at the Western 
University, and took the degree of Ph. M. 
He read medicine with Dr. John C. Burgher, 
and attended one course of lectures in the 
medical department at the Universitj- of 
Michigan, and two courses of lectures at the 
homeopathic college. New York, graduat- 
ing in the class of 1883. He located in 
Pittsburgh, and practiced one year; then for 
one year was resident phj'sician and surgeon 
of the homeopathic hospital of that city, 
where he has since practiced. Dr. Briggs 
married, in the year 188.5, Florence Taylor, 
only daughter of Col. S. B. Taylor, of 62d 
regiment Ohio Volunteers, who was killed 
during the late rebellion, and they have one 
daughter. Hazel Frances, born June 22, 1887. 
Dr. Herron G. Briggs was born Nov. 

11, 1864, received the degree of Ph. M. at 
Western Universitj-, and afterward took a 
course in medicine at Hahnemann College, 
Chicago; then entered the homeopathic 
hospital at Pittsburgh as resident physician 
and surgeon, where he remained one year; 
afterward, in fall of 1888, he located in the 
Thirty-second ward, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

William M. Grace, retired, 194 Steuben 
street, Thirt}' sixth ward. Pittsbui^h, is a 
son of Nimrod B. and Marj^ A. (JlcCulley) 
Grace, born in 1819, in Pittsburgh, Pa. His 
grandfather, John Grace, came from Mary- 
land to this county about the j'ear 1800, and 
settled at Squirrel Hill. His children were 
as follows; Nimrod B., born Feb. 9, 1789; 
William, born Jan. 7, 1791; John, born July 

12, 1793; Nancy, born Oct. 5, 179-5; Bennett, 
born Nov. 17, 1797; Elizabeth, born April 14, 
1800; Priscilla, born July 6, 1802; Burchfleld, 
born Dec. 1, 1804; Aquilla. born Aug. 18. 
1807, and Milcah, born Oct. 8. 1809. all de- 
ceased except Elizabeth, who now resides in 
Mercer county. Pa. Nimrod B. Grace and 
Mary A. McCulley were married Nov. 11, 
1813. and were blessed with following named 
children; Rebecca. John B.. Priscilla B.. 
William M.. Mary A., Ellen B.. Martha Z.. 
James B., George E.. Catherine M.. Nelson 
K., Charles W.and Samuel H. The father 
died Nov. 1, 1831, and the mother July 7, 
1877. He served in the war of 1812 under 
Gen. Harrison; was wounded, and drew a 
pension from 1836 until his decease. William 
M. Grace has been twice married; first. Nov. 
3, 1853, to Olivia Daft, who bore him one 
child, which died in infancy; this wife died 
Nov. 26. 1854. and Mr. Grace next married, 
March 22, 1859, Mrs. Mary E. Lorenz. who 
also bore him one child. Mary Frances, who 
died at the age of fifteen months. 

Mr. Grace learned glassblowing. which he 
followed seven years. In 1844 he took charge 
of the glass firm of William McCulley & Co.. 
and from 18.")1 to 1860 was with the firm (Mc- 
Culley) at the Sligo Glass-works. In the fall 
of 18G0 he becarue a partner of B. L. Fahne- 
stock and Robert C. Albree. in which he con- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



393 



tinued until 1872. In 1874 he went to St. 
Louis, built a glass-factory for the St. Louis 
French Window-Glass Co., and with them 
• he remained one year, when, in consequence 
of ill health, he retired from business and re- 
turned to the old Lorenz homestead, in Char- 
tiers township, which he had purchased in 
1863. He served as school director and sec- 
retary of the school board, and is now justice 
of the peace. Mr. Grace's father and grand- 
mother McCuUey came from Ireland to this 
country in 1800. The}' crossed the mount- 
ains in an ox-cart, and on the journej', one of 
the oxen dying, they put a cow in its place 
and came on. The grandmother was noted 
as a spinner of flax and maker of linen, and 
by her industry and economy saved money 
enough to purchase five hundred acres of 
land, at Jack's run, called the Three Bullets, 
and the}- hold the patent. 

John Schmid, retired, postoffice McKee's 
Rocks, son of George and Barbara Schmid, 
was born in Germany in 1828; came to this 
count r}' in 1851, locating in AUeghen}-, but 
in 1853 moved to Kenton, Ohio, and in 1854 
returned to Allegheny. He was twice mar- 
ried; first, in Germany, in 1850, to Mary 
Fetzer, and their children were Margaret 
and Mary; this wife died in 1854, and in 
1855 Mr. Schmid married Mary Brown, of 
Allegheny City, and by tbis marriage there 
have been born thirteen children: William 
G., John George, Aunie (deceased), Paulina 
(wife of James Calp), John, Albert, Mary, 
Henry, Katie, Charlie (deceased), Daniel, 
Edward (deceased) and Carrie (deceased). 
Mr. Sclimid came to this country with a 
little fortune of twenty-four hundred dollars, 
but the years 1853 and 1854 were times of 
trial and financial loss.on account of sickness 
in his family and the death of his wife, his 
removal to Ohio and his subsequent return 
to AUeghenj'. On his marriage with his 
second wife "he started without a dollar, but 
by the most rigid economy soon secured a 
home, paying the first ten dollars he could 
possibly spare on a lot, on which he soon 
erected a house. One of his friends owning 
a lot adjoining proposed to trade a part of 
his for a part of Mr. Schmid's. The latter, 
seeing it would give a better place to erect 
another building, was willing to trade, but 
his friend also wauled some money, which 
Mr. Schmid did not have. After some parley 
he traded, giving a loaf of bread to boot. 
Mr. Schmidisnow the owner of one hundred 
acres of valuable land in Stowe township 
and eight acres at McKee's Rocks, for which 
he paid twelve thousand dollars; is selling 
some ofE in building-lots. On this property 
he has a very fine stone-quarry. He also 
owns a business-house on Chartiers avenue, 
Stowe township, and seven dwelling-houses 
in Chartiers townsliip. 

Hon. Henkt L.\rge, retired, postoffice 
Cosgrove, was born Dec. 26. 1798. in St. 
Clair township. Allegheny county. Pa. His 
paternal grandfather, a native of Xew Jer- 
sey, and of French descent, was an enthusi- 



astic patriot, and aided the colonies. He 
was a shoemaker, but also owned a farm, 
which he sold for four thousand dollars in 
continental money, which was worthless. 
He had three children: Jonathan, John and 
Mrs. Tracy. He located in Elizabeth town- 
ship, and died there; his widow then came 
to her sou, John Large, and died there aged 
one hundred and two years. John Large 
married Nancy, daughter of Henry Low, and 
in 1810 came to Mifflin township, where he 
bought a farm which now contains 167 acres. 
He and his wife had eight children, viz.: 
Jonathan, Samuel. Henry, Isaac. Thomas, 
Mrs. Hannah Livingston, Mrs. Nancy Liv- 
ingston and Mrs. Margaret Patterson. Of 
these Henry, who now owns the farm, mar- 
ried Jane, daughter of Col. Joel Ferree, who 
fought under Gen. Harrison in the war of 
1812. Mrs. Large died March 28, 1885, aged 
over eighty years, the mother of seven 
children: John (who was captain in Co. C, 
102d P. v., and was killed at the battle of 
Salem Heights), Mrs. Christina Hays, Joel F., 
Mrs. Amanda Davidson. Mrs. Nancy J. 
Forsythe, Henry L. and Elizabeth (widow of 
John Gordon, who died March 30, 1888). 
Mrs. Gordon has six children: Mrs. Jennie 
McGowan, David B.. .lohn L., Willie H., 
Ella H. and Charlie A. The subject of this 
memoir learned the sickle- and scythe-maker's 
trade with Adam Coon, and in 1824 he had 
225 dozen on hand, which were of little value, 
yet constituted all his wealtli. He is a 
natural mechanic, and made boilers, engines 
for distilleries and mills, in Williamsport and 
Mifflin townsliip. Politically he is a repub- 
lican; for two years he was justice of the 
peace, and was elected to the bouse of 
representatives in 1848. He passed several 
important measures through the house, and 
won distinction for his able addresses. In 1849 
he was re-elected, serving both years on the 
committee of claims. For fourteen years he 
was captain of the Union Artillerj' company. 
He has been an elder of the Lebanon Presby- 
terian Church for many years. 

Samuel Henning, farmer, postoffice Wil- 
kinsburg, was born in Allegheny county, in 
1811. His father, John Henning, came to 
Allegheny county from Ireland in 1801, pur- 
chased 147 acres of land in Wilkins township, 
and there resided until his death, in 1843, at 
tlie age of seventy-two. He was Ijy trade a 
linen-weaver, which he followed in Ireland. 
This pioneer married Matilda Gill, and two 
children blessed their union. Mrs. Henning 
died April 8, 1813. Our subject is the only 
member of the family now living, was edu- 
cated at the common schools, and has always 
followed farming. He married, in 18-14, 
Elizabeth Ann Dodds, of Butler county. Pa. 
Ten children, nine living, were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Henning: Matilda Jane, John D., 
Ann E.. Matthew Henry. Mary Margaret, 
Josiah Francis. Melissa Bell (married), Olivia 
Martha and Emaline. Of these John D. is 
married and has two children; Ann E.. mar- 
ried, has five children, and Matthew Henry, 



394 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



married, has three children. The family are 
members of the R. P. Church; Mr. Heuning 
is a republican. 

P. S. Pollock, retired, jjostofflce Carriclc, 
was born in February, 1835, in Pittsburgh, 
Pa. His paternal jifraiidfatlier. a native of 
New Jersey, settled on IJeaver river, in 
Heaver county, Pa., and became a wealthy 
farmer. Here David Pollock, the father of 
P. S.. was bora; he was a gunsmith by trade. 
but later in life a miller for forty years in 
the John Brawdy mill, on Saw-Mill run. 
When his children had grown to maturity he 
sold the property; he died in New Castle, 
Pa., a leading member of the Concord Church, 
politically a whig. His wife, nee Elizabeth 
Barkley. bore hira six children; Joseph, 
John, Peter S., Sihn, Alvev and Mary. P. 
S. Pollock learned the millwright's trade, 
and followed it for fifteen years. He married 
Mrs. Agnes Brawdy, nee Aber, a daughter of 
Jacob Aber, an old settler. Mr. and Mrs. 
Pollock are members- of the Presbyterian 
Church; he is a republican. 
^ Robert S. SrEWiar. M. D., Buena Vista, 
is a native of Washington county. Pa. His 
parents were Jolin W. and Jane (McCall) 
Stewart. He was born in 1837, reared in 
Washington county, and received his educa- 
tion at Ann Arbor University, and graduated 
from the medical department of the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania in 1839. He commenced 
the practice of his profession at West Mid- 
dletowu, Washington county, and in 1871 
located at Buena Vista, where he has since 
resided. His wife was Harriet A., daughter 
of Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Wiley) Davis, of 
Washington county. They have uo children. 
In 186.5 he enlisted in tlie 3M P. C, Co. C, 
and served until the close of the war. He has 
held several local offices. He and wife are 
members of the U. P. Church of Buena Vista. 
A. H. BuRKET, pliysician, postofBce Mc- 
Kee's Rocks, son of David and Elizabeth 
Burket, was born in Washington county. Pa., 
in 1847. In that county David passed most 
of his life in farming, teaching and survejang. 
He married Elizabeth Hess, of that county. 
and their children were John H. (a physician 
of twenty years' practice), A. H., Lydia (who 
married, in 1870, James Provost, of tliis 
county; she died in 187'3, lier husl)and about 
two years afterward), Mary A., wife of Har- 
vey Williams; slie died leaving a son. who 
resides in Monongahela City. Pa., and a 
daughter, Lizzie Rose Etta, who died at the 
age of four years, and an infant daughter 
unnamed. The father of this family died 
Nov. 23, 1883. at the age of eighty years; 
his widow now resides with Dr. Burket, in 
Stowe township, aged seventy-eight years. 
Dr. Burket was reared on a farm, but 
determined early in life to obtain an educa- 
tion. In addition to the common schools he 
attended llngc'sSurnmil and other academies, 
studied nicdicinr and li'raduated at the Miami 
Medical Collrnc of Ciniinnati. Ohio, in 1877. 
He thence came to Stowe township, where 
he has since continued to practice his profes- 



sion, and has made an enviable reputntiou as 
a practitioner. He married, Oct. 11, 1878, 
Mary J., daughter of Henry and Martha 
Bruce, of this county, and tliey liave one. 
child — Blanclie E. The <l()Ctor is a member 
of the Allegheny County Medical society; he 
is an adherent of the M. E. Clmrch. 

WrLLi.\M Wilcox, mining engineer, P. O. 
Putnam, was born in England in 1830, a son 
of John and Margaret (Bailej')Wilcox. also of 
England. Joliii Wilcox, who was a railroad 
laborer, died in 1832, aged twenty-eight years. 
Born to him and his wife- were seven chil- 
dren, of whom William is the youngest. He 
was edupated at the common schools of En- 
gland, and in 185S came to America and located 
in Kentucky, wlicre lie remained two years 
as superiulendenl of the Reverdy Coal com- 
pany. In 1860 he came to Pittsburgh, and 
same year returned to England, where lie re- 
mained three years, engaged as mine super- 
intendent. Mr. Wilcox is a practical miner, 
being thoroughlj' familiar with bituminous 
coal-fields. He was for a number of years 
employed by the government as mine in- 
spector for seven counties in Pennsylvania. 
His wliole life has been spent in this work, 
and the many prominent positions of trust 
held by him from the many important coal 
and coke companies indicate conclusivel}' 
that he is competent and skilled in that ca- 
pacity. He has resided in Chartiers borough 
for several years, and has held many of the 
borough ofBces. He is a Mason, a member 
of the Sovereigns of Industry, also of the 
Presbyterian Church; he is a republican. 

John M. Byers, civil engineer, P, O. 
Pittsburgh, was born in Selin's Grove. Sn}'- 
der county. Pa. His father, Joseph Byers. 
was born "at Lewes. Del., in 1808, and was 
the son of John and Harriet (Webb) Byers. 
of Lewes. Del., and grandson of Dr. John 

and (Edwards) Byers, of Pennsylvania. 

John A. B_yers, lirother of Joseph Bikers, was 
born at Lewes, Del.. Sept. 15, 1806. John A. 
Byers and Joseph Byers were civil engineers, 
and were engaged .as early as 18'36 in the most 
important inland navigation works in Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland and Virginia. The last 
work of importance performed bj' John A. 
Bj'ers was the surveys of the James River 
and Kanawha canal. The books which con- 
tained his surveys of this improvement were 
so remarkably accurate that copies of them 
were purchased after his death by the U. 
S. goyerninent, for the further prosecution 
of the work. Joseph Byers, for a number 
of years, was in charge of important engin- 
eering work on the Pennsylvania railroad; 
died Dec. 16, 1854. Sons of Joseph Byers 
were as follows; 

John M. Byers. since 1848. has been 
connected with railroad building in Penn- 
sylvania. In A|iril, 1871, he was appointed 
chief engineer of the Pittsburgh, Virginia & 
Charleston railway, and was engineer and 
superintendent of it until completed, in 1881. 
Since then he has been in charge of locating 
and constructing work for the Pennsylvania 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



395 



railroad up to this time. Charles E. Byers 
was the valued chief engineer of the Reading 
railroad until his death. Joseph B3'ers, Jr., 
was an engineer of much experience; died 
"in the United States of Colombia, S. A. 
Ellwood B3'ers is in tlie service of the 
Reading railroad; Robert Byers died in the 
three-mouths service of the Union army; 
Walter P. Byers is in the service of the 
Reading railroad; Henry W. Byeis is en- 
gineer of maintenance-ofway. Pennsylvania 
company, at Lawrence Junction. 

Our subject married Carrie Mann Lewis, 
who has borne him three children, viz.: 
Morton Lewis Byers, Mary E. and Maxwell. 
Of these the eldest is a graduate of Lehigh 
University, class of 1888, and is now an 
assistant engineer in the service of the 
Pennsylvania company. The mother of 
John M. Byers, Jane (Peplow) Byers, died 
Oct. 13. 1888. in her seventy-sixth year. 

John F. Humes, real-estate and collection 
agent, Tarentum, a son of John and Eliza- 
beth Humes, was born in Westmoreland 
county. Pa., in 1831, of which county his 
parents were also natives. Their children 
were William P. (deceased), James G.. John 
F., Thomas M., Mary Jane and Jeremiah W. 
(deceased). John F. remained at home until 
nearl}- fifteen years of age, when he became 
engaged as teacher at Riddle's schoolhouse, 
on the northern turnpike, one and a half 
miles west of New Salem, Westmoreland 
county. He taught during summers and at- 
tended school winters for a time, eventually 
reversing the order by teaching in winter and 
studying in summer. He received his edu- 
cation at Elder's Ridge, New Derry and La- 
trobe academies, finally graduating at Duff's 
Commercial College. In 1803 Mr. Humes 
married Rachel M. Shields, of New Salem, 
Westmoreland county, who died in 1884, 
after a lingering illness of ten years. Mr. 
Humes, after his marriage, came to Taren- 
tum, where he engaged in the drug trade for 
a period of ten years, and upon the organiza- 
tion of the Tarentum bank, in 1871, he was 
chosen its cashier, and also cashier of the 
First National Bank of Tarentum until 188.5, 
in which year it went into voluntary liquida- 
tion. He then became identified with the 
business interests of the borough as real- 
estate and collection agent, which he still 
follows. Mr. Humes enjoys the confidence 
of the citizens of Tarentum, and has, from 
time to time, been called upon to accept posi- 
tions of honor and trust. In 1886 he married 
Jennie \V. Woodrow, of Pawn township. 
He has an adopted son named Harry S. 

Leon.\rd Kearns. retired, posteffice 
Mansfield Valley, was born in Temperance- 
ville borough. Allegheuv county. Pa., in 
1813. His grandfather, James Kearns, came 
from Ireland to America about 1780, locating 
in Allegheny county, Pa., purchased two 
hundred acres of land, and followed farming. 
He had eleven children, three sons and eight 
daughters. Thomas, the second sou, was 
born in 1783, and died in 1867. He married 



Rebecca C'alle}', and by her had fifteen chil- 
dren. He was a farmer, and owned a part 
of the property which his father purchased. 
Leonard Kearns, his eldest child, was born 
and reared on a farm. At the age of seven- 
teen years he learned the trade of lilacksmith, 
which he followed all his life. He came to 
Mansfield, and worked at one place for 
thirty-three years. In 1843 he married Ro- 
sanna, daughter of James and Elizabeth 
(Farley) Bell, and they have two children: 
Elizabeth, now Mrs. S. H. Patterson, and 
Thomas J., who married Lizzie Waker, of 
Ireland. Mr. Kearns has retired fiom active 
work at the anvil, and his son now takes 
charge of the place where his father labored 
for thirty three years. Mr. Kearns is a mem- 
ber of the town council; of tlie Presbj'terian 
Church; politically a republican. 

Thomas McCoy, farmer, postoflice Char- 
tiers, son of Thomas and Elizabeth McCoy, 
was born in 1841, on a part of the old family 
homestead, formerly owned by his grand- 
father, John McCoy, who came to Allegheny 
county. Pa., p:ior to 1800; owned and left to 
his children at his deaih 700 acres of land; 
was married to Sarah King, by whom he 
had five children — Mary, Elizabeth, William, 
Sarah and Thomas (all now deceased), and 
died from the effects of a kick of a horse; his 
widow died in 1831. Their son, Thomas, Sr., 
was born on the homestead in Stowe town- 
ship, in 1808. He inherited one share of the 
farm, and followed agricultural pursuits all 
his life. He married, in 1837, Elizabeth 
(daughter of John and Mary Wilson), of this 
county, and they had eight children: Sarah 
K., John W., Robert, Nancy, William, Mary, 
Thomas and Jane; all living except Robert 
and Jane. William was in the 1st Maryland 
Cavalrj' during the civil war, Thomas 
McCoy, Sr.. assisted in building the Union 
U. P. Cliurch. of which he and his wife 
were members. He died in 1850, at the age 
of forty-two years; his widow is living with 
her son Thomas, still active and vigorous, at 
the advanced age of eighty-six years. 
Thomas McCoy, Jr., was reared on the old 
homestead, and received a good common- 
school education. He was married in 1875, 
to Isabella Cornwith, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 
daughter of Andrew and Margaret Cornwith, 
and he and his wife are members of the 
U. P. Church, Rev. J. A. Douthet, minister. 
They had four children: Bessie A., William 
J.. Sarah J. (deceased) audi Thomas W. 
Mr. McCoy has been school director fifteen 
years; was elected justice of the peace in 
1884, for five years, and is at present assessor 
of Stowe township. He owns sixt3'-two 
acres of the old homestead, a house and lot 
at Chartiers, and some stock in Point bridge. 
He is a republican. 

W. B. McCrea, farmer, postotfice Wilkins- 
burg, was born in 1840. His greatgrand- 
father, William McCrea. in 176!) purchased 
some 400 acres of land in Allegheny county, 
and his son settled ou it about 1780. He was 
of Irish parentage, a farmer, and erected. 



39G 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



in 1807, tlie stoiic house wliich is yet 
stauilini; ia a good stale of preservntibn. 
He married Susan Bryson. of Cuinl)erlaiid 
Valley, and liecame the father of eight 
children. William, among the eldest, was 
born, in 179>. on the farm purchased by his 
father, where he was reared. Like his father, 
he was a farmer and general merchant. He 
married Fjiberty McKinnev-, of Franklin 
county. Pa., daughter of David McKinney, 
and three children were born to them, two 
of whom irrew to maturity: Eleanor (Mrs. 
.lohn \V. (Jhalfant) and W. B. The latter 
was educated at Wilkinsburg Academy. He 
married, in 1867, Elizabeth Beatty, daughter 
of Samuel Beatly, of Washington county. 
Pa., anil si.i; children bless their union, four 
living: William B.. Jr.. Samuel B.. Liberty 
McKinney ami Nellie Chalfant. Our subject 
has always followed farming as an occupa- 
tion. All the famUy are Presbyterians, and 
Mr. Mcf'rea is a republican. 

R. WoODFOKU. retired, postofflce Carrick, 
was born July 20. 1835. His father, William 
Woodford, a native of England, was born 
March 23, 1792, and died May 12, 1877. He 
emigrated to America in 1822, and settled in 
Baldwin township, this county, where he 
farmed. He married Mrs. Jane Carr, nee 
Hockenberry. who died in 1871. He was an 
elder in the Concord Presbyterian Church; 
politically a republican. H. Woodford was 
educated in this county, and Dec. 10, 1858, 
married Mary A., daughter of George Bur- 
gess, a native of England. They have four 
children: George B.. Walter L.. Harvey E. 
and Laura L. Mr. and Mrs. Woodford are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. 

William Osborne. M. D,, Frank, is a son 
of John and Sarah (Abernathy) Osborne, of 
England. The father came to this country 
in 1861. and settled near Irwin station, in 
Westmoreland county, and remained until 
1882, when he removed to Homestead, and 
has since resided there, retiring from the 
coal and mercantile business. Dr. Osborne 
was born in England in 1847, came to this 
country' in 1862, and first worked as a coal- 
miner, but afterward entered the Bennett 
Medical College, of Chicago, from which he 
graduated in 1882, aud commenced the 
practice of his profession at Turtle Creek, 
but in the same year moved to his present 
location, and now enjoys a very lucrative 
practice. In 1868 he was married to Mary 
J. Percy, daughter of John and Margaret 
(Miller) Percy, natives of England, who 
located in Westmoreland county. They have 
six children living: Sara, Maggie, Francis 
A., Lizzie G., William and Edgar J. Dr. 
Osborne and family are members of the M. 
E. Church at Scott Haven. He is a member 
of Alliquippa Lodge, No. 375, F. ifc A. M. 

Matthew T. McFadden. farmer, post- 
offlce Chartiers, is a son of John and Rachel 
McFadden. and was born in 1852 on his fath- 
er's hom'istead, in Stowe township. John Mc- 
Fadden was born in Stowe township in 1812, 
and married, Dec. 19, 1837, Rachel, daughter 



of William McCormick, of Allegheny county 
He inherited his father's farm of four hun- 
dred acres, and at his death willed it to bis 
widow, and at her death it was divided 
among the children. John and Rachel Mc- 
Fadden had ten children, si.\ of whom are 
now living, viz.: William M., Mary A. (wife 
of Rev. Jonathan Tombes), Lewis A., John 
W., Matthew T. and .Sarah J. (wife of Alexis 
Pendleton), now a resident of California. 
John McFadden died in 1873, at the ajre 
of flfty-six years, a member of the U. P. 
Church, as was also his wife. Matthew T. 
McFadden was married May 29, 1879. to 
Luella, daughter of Ackley A. and Orilla 
Johnson, of Mason county, W^. Va.. and 
they have five children, viz.: Walter T.. 
Charles W., Ada M., Ora R. and Jo.seph W. 
Joseph D. McFadden. a brothei- of Matthew 
T., was killed in the railroad disaster at 
Chatsworth. 111., Aug. 10, 1887, at the age of 
forty-six j'ears. 

RoBEiiT A. EwiNO, farmer, postollice Mc- 
Kee's Rocki, oon of Daniel and Jane Ewing, 
was born In 1856, on the farm where he now 
resides, in Stowe township. His grandfather, 
Moses Ewing, came from east of the mount- 
ains and settled in this county about 1794. 
He (Moses) and his wife, Sophia, had the fol- 
lowing-named children: James, Samuel, 
Henr3', John, Daniel. Leah and Ellen. Moses 
died about 1831. His wife was robbed and 
then murdered, because she assured the robber 
she would know him If she ever saw him 
again. Daniel Ewing was born on the old 
homestead, in Stowe township, in 1807; was 
a farmer, and married Jane, daughter of 
James and Mary Speer. Tliey had four chil- 
dren: Elwilila M., James H.. ij. O. (deceased) 
and Robert A. Daniel died Sept. 20. 1880, at 
the age of seventy-three years; his widow 
died January 3, 1886, at the age of sixty- 
eight years. They were members of the U. 
P. Church; he was a republican. Robert A. 
married, in June. 1887. Ida L., daughter of 
John and Elizabeth Fulton, of Washington 
county. Pa. 

John JI. Risher, coal merchant and pro- 
ducer, Dravosburg, was born Sept. 16. 1849, 
at Six-Mile Ferrj-. this county, a son of Jolm 
C. Risher. He was educated at the Western 
University, and the Polytechnic Institute. 
Brooklyn, N. Y. After leaving school he was 
clerk in the banking-house of S. McLean & 
Co., Fourth street. Pittsburgh, for one year, 
and then went to a position with the Fort Pitt 
Banking compan}-. Pittsburgh, filling the 
same witli ability three years, when he re- 
signed to accept the position of bookkeeper 
and superintendent in the coal business of 
J. C. Risher «fe Co., retaining his residence In 
Dravosburg. In the fall of 1878, in part- 
nership with James H. Gamble, he bought 
the coalfield at White Mills. In Washington 
county, known as the Penney tract, and 
which he operated successfullj". In Fel)ru- 
ary, 1884,he purchased Mr. Gamble's Interest, 
and has now in operation two coalbanks, 
with a capacity of 15.000 bushels per day 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



39-; 



His dealings with tlie miners liave been sucli 
as to benefit them, and Rood feeling exists 
between employer and employed. Mr. Risher 
married Mary J., daughter of Robert and 
Priscilla Patterson, and five children have 
blessed them; Robert P.. Eva A., Bessie G., 
who died aged seven years; Mary J. and 
Fannie M. Mr. and Mrs. Risher are members 
of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member 
of the Jr. O. U. A. M.. and a republican. 

William M. Galbraith, attorney at law, 
residence Chartiers borough, was born in 
Coshocton county, Ohio, in March, 1856, to 
Matthew W. and Pho!l)e (Keys) G.ilbraith. 
William Galbraith, his grandfather, emigrat- 
ed from County Antrim, Ireland, to America 
in 1818, and located on Raccoon creek, near 
Burgettstown, Washington county, Pa. He 
followed farming, and was one of the most 
prominent men in the community. William 
M. received a common-school education, 
■supplemented by a few terms at the Sewickley 
Academy. He was associate principal of the 
public schools in McKeesport; principal of 
Oakdale Academy four years; of the Pitts- 
burgh Academy two years, and recently prin- 
cipal of Chartiers borough public schools 
two years. He studied law under Judge 
Magee and Henry A Davis, and was admit- 
ted to the Allegheny county bar June 30, 
1886. He is a member of the Royal Arca- 
num; politically a republican. 

Matthew Gill Eower, merchant, post- 
otHce Verona, was born at New Texas, Plum 
township, Allegheny county, in 1841, and is a 
grandson of John Euwer, a native of Ireland, 
who settled in Plum township about the 
beginning of the present century. The 
latter was a descendant of the Scotch Cov- 
enanters, and an active worker in that sect. 
His son, Archibald, was born in Plum town- 
ship, and married Mary Gill, a native of 
what is now Patton township. They had 
four sons, all of whom are living. Archibald, 
the youngest, who was a posthumous child, 
and went^into the army when eigliteen years 
old and served throughout the civil war. now 
resides near Washington, Iowa. The otliers, 
John, Ebenezer and Matthew, reside in Par- 
nassus, Westmoreland county. Pa. Archi- 
bald Euwer, Sr., died in 1843, aged forty -five, 
and his widow passed away in 18.56, at the 
age of fifty-three. Matthew Euwer was 
reared on a" farm, and when sixteen years 
old began teaching school, which profession 
he followed five years. For many years he 
was engaged in mercantile business in Alle- 
gheny City, and in 1886 he opened a store in 
partnership with his brother at Verona. 
May 1, 1888, James B. Meeds became a part- 
ner, and the firm is now Euwer Brothers & 
Co. Mr. Euwer, as is the entire family, is a 
tireless worker in the church of the Cove- 
nanters, and was one of the organizers of 
the Eighth Street Church, Pittsburgh, in 
which he was the first deacon elected. Since 
engaging in business here, he has taken up 
his residence in Parnassus in order to rear 
his family in the church of his fathers. 



March '), 1868, Mr. Euwer was united in 
marriage with Mary Elizabeth Logan, a 
granddaughter of James Logan, first pro- 
thonotary of Allegheny county. Her parents, 
Robert Fulton and Nancy (Stotler) Logan, 
were born in Plum and Penn townships, 
respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Euwer's first- 
born cbild died in infancy. The others are 
named, in order of age, William Fulton, 
Mary Wilson, Bertha Stotler, Theodosia 
Helen, Norman Logan and Nancy Catharine. 
Capt. a. D. Reno, postoffi.'.e Putnam, 
captain and pilot on the Ohio, is of French 
origin, his ancestors having left their native 
land and settled in Virginia about the year 
1710. Three brothers were the pioneers of 
this family in America, and from one of 
these. Louis Reno, the subject of this sketch 
is descended. Louis Reno had a son named 
John, who had a son named Benjamin. Ben- 
jamin came to Allegheny county about the 
year 1T6.5. and settled on the right bank of 
Chartiers creek, opposite to what Is now 
called Bower hill, where he took up some 
four hundred acres of land, on which he lived 
until his death, wbich occurred about the 
year 1803. There were born to Benjamin 
and his wife Jane {nee Bell) six sons and one 
daughter, viz. : William, Robert, Zachariah, 
Benjamin, Charles, Louis and Susannah, 
who married Benjamin Jackson. The third 
son, Zachariah, was born on the farm, on 
the banks of Chartiers creek, in the year 
1776, and became a coal-dealer, having had 
some land underlaid with rich coal-veins. 
Burn to Zachariah and his wife, Martha, 
were seven sons — Louis, Benjamin, John, 
Francis, Samuel, Henry and Alfred, and two 
daughters— Amanda (married to Christopher 
L. Magee, who for many years was engaged 
in the hat and fur trade, and during the war 
was sutler in the army) and Minerva (mar- 
ried to Samuel Clarke, who was a pilot on 
the Ohio river). Louis, the oldest son of 
Zachariah and father of the subject of this 
memoir, was also born near the banks of 
Chartiers creek, in the year 1798. 

He married Anna E. Frisbee, daughter of 
Ephraim Frisbee, who started, in 1808, the 
first boatyard at what is called the Point, in 
Pittsburgh. Louis, like his father Zachariah, 
was also engaged in the coal business, they 
being the first parties engaged in running 
coal in boats to Cincinnati and Louisville. 
There were born to Louis and Anna B. 
eleven children, six of whom are living, viz.: 
Amanda J. (wife of Capt. R. M. Boles). 
Cornelia B. (wife of Col. W. L. Foulk. of 
the United States army). Capt. John L., 
Louis A.. Alfred D. and William S. Alfred 
D., the fifth son of Louis, was born in Alle- 
gheny Citj', and is now living in Chartiers 
borough, near Mansfield, Allegheny county. 
Pa. ; was educated under the tutorship of 
John Kelley, of Allegheny City, and at Duff's 
College, Pittsburgh, Pa. From early life he 
has been steamboating, having been_ a pilot 
! for twenty-one years. He married, in 1869, 
Alice Wilson, daughter of James P. Wilson. 



398 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



of Pittsburgh, and tlit-y have a family uf 
four chihlreii; Alice, Charles. Stella and 
James. Capt. Reno is a member of the H. 
A., of the A. O. U. W., and of the Presby- 
terian Church. Me is a republican. 

Matthew P. Scuoolky. editor of the 
Local Nitr.i, Homestead. The ancestors of 
the old Schooley family came from Lor- 
raine. France (now Germany), and spelled 
their name I)e Scholie. They settled in New 
Jersey, near Sclioolcy's mountain. One of 
their descendants, Isaac Schooley, moved to 
Loudoun county, Va., and was a cabinet- 
maker near Leesburg. He married Rachel 
Crossen. and had four sons — Augustus, John, 
Thomas and Samuel. Samuel was also a 
cabinet-maker and furniture-dealer, and died 
in 18G2 in Everett. Bedford county. Pa. He 
married Harriet Hedges, who bore him five 
children: Mrs. Florence Nuzum. Matthew P., 
John R., Jennie C. and James C. Of these 
Matthew P. and John R. are editors of the 
Local News, a bright and newsy weekly, clear 
cut, neat and clean, the champion of every 
good virtue, reflecting the character of its 
master-spirits, the editors. 

Rev. Cyrus B. Hatch, postoifice Dravos- 
burg, was born April 25. 1848, near Franklin. 
Venango county. Pa. The progenitor of this 
family was Col. Joseph Hatch, from the 
county of Kent. England, who came with 
Gov. Winthropandtheone thousand families 
and settled the city of Boston, Mass. His 
descendants are to be found in many states of 
the Union, and many of them have won dis- 
tinction in political, commercial or military 
life. His great-grandson, Ebenezer, a me- 
chanic, resided at Falmouth. Mass., and 
married Statira Blanchard. The progenitor 
of the Blanchard family was Thomas, a native 
of England, who settled in North Yarmouth, 
Mass., where his large progeny became 
wealthy shipbuilders and commanders of 
vessels. Of his three sons — Solomon. John and 
David — Solomon married Elizabeth Loring 
and had four sons: Solomon, Nathaniel, 
David and Joseph. Of these Nathaniel was 
the father of Statira, who was a remarkably 
intelligent woman. She had three sisters: 
Mrs. Mary True, Mrs. Betty Buxton and 
Mrs. Alice Kenny. Statira Hatch had five 
children: Eunice, Elizabeth, Joseph, Davis 
P. and Nathaniel. The last named married 
Jane L. Kingan, a daughter of John Kingan, 
of County Down, Ireland. Nathaniel was an 
esteemed member of the Pittsburgh bar, and 
died April 2.5, 1879, aged sixty-three years. 
His widow died May 5, 1885, aged seventy- 
eight years. Their only son, the subject of 
this sketch, is a graduate of the Western 
University, class of 1869, also of the Alle- 
gheny U. P. Theological Seminar}', class of 
1872. For a period of three years each was 
pastor of the Mifflin U. P. Church, Mansfield 
and Irwin station. His talent as an organ- 
izer was recognized by the L'. P. Board of 
Missions, who sent him to Denver, Col., 
where in less than two years he secured a 
valuable church properly and an organization 



of seventy members, besides a flourishing 
Sabbath-.school. Returning to Dravosburg. 
he took charge of the church there of forty- 
five members; his work was blessed abun 
dantly, and within a year the church num- 
bered two hundred members. Mr. Hatch 
married Agnes S., daughter of Uezekiah and 
Rosannah (Frew) Ni.\on, former of whom 
was one of the first elders of the Firsi U. P. 
Church of Allegheny, also first mayor of that 
city, serving two terras, and afterward was 
recorder of the county; his daughter, who 
was remarkably well qualified for the position 
of a pastor's wife, died March 20, 1873. Mr. 
Hatch's present wife is Bessie S.. a daughter 
of David and Elizabeth (Ross) Foster, of 
Mansfield, Pa. To her devoted and untiring 
cooperation is to lie attributed much of Mr. 
Hatch's success in later years. Of Mr. 
Hatch's children only two survive: Blanchard 
Ross Foster, born June 5. 1881, and Bessie 
Eunice, born June 27, 1888. 

Thomas Barrett, retired, Emsworth. was 
born in Cork, Ireland, a son of Edmond and 
Mary (Clarkl Barrett, natives of County 
Kerry and the suliurbs of Cork, respectively. 
The ifather died in 1863. the mother in I860. 
At the age of fifteen Thomas Barrett visited 
France, and about five months later sailed 
for New York, landing in 1847; his voyage 
was continued to New Orleans, where he 
arrived in 1848, and there heard the cannon 
salute in honor of Ta3'lor's election to the 
presidency. Mr. Barrett learned shoemak- 
ing, and in 18.50 came to Pittsburgh, where 
he followed his trade for about thirteen 
years. In 1865 he embarked in the coal 
business on the Allegheny river. In 1869 he 
moved to Kilbuck township and purchased 
ten acres of land, where he built two fine 
houses and has since lived. He has valuable 
property in Pittsburgh, which he rents. Mr. 
Barrett returned to Ireland in 1874, and 
while there married Maria Teresa, daughter 
of Valentine Griffin McSwiney, Esq.. and 
Kathrine Savage McSwiney. of Church View, 
Killarney, Countj- Kerry. Mr. and Mrs. 
Barrett have three children, viz.: Mary, Ed- 
ward Valentine and Thomas Mc. The fam- 
ily are members of the Catholic Church. 

A. W. LoOMis, who was a resident of Pitts- 
burgh in its early history', was educated at 
LTnion College, New York, and became an 
attorney of great ability. He was a partner 
in the practice of his profession with 3Ir. 
Metcalf. In 1837 he was a representative to 
Congress. 

George M. Getze, physician, Tarentum, 
son of J. M. Getze, a pioneer resident of 
Tarentum, and at present engaged in the 
boot and shoe trade, was born in Tarentum 
in 1855, and received his literary education 
in Pittsburgh and at Jlount Union College, 
Ohio. He is a graduate of the Hahnemann 
Medical College, of Philadelphia, and he be- 
gan the practice of medicine in Tarentum in 
1877. In 187S he married Sadie, daughter of 
John Kennedy. Esq., of Tarentum, and three 
children were born to them: Liuna-us, their 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



399- 



first-born (deceased), Amarilla L. and George 
Wilbur. Tbie doctor is a Mason, mem- 
ber of Lodge No. 503 of Tarentum. of the 
R. A.. No. 910. and of tlie A. O. H. He is a 
member of the borough council, of the 
Methodist Church, of the Homeopathic State 
Medical Society of Peuusylvania. and Alle- 
gheny County Medical society. 

Matthew Hodkinson, for many years a 
resident of Pittsburgh in early times, came 
from England about 1830, and settled in 
Bedford county. Pa., on a farm. About the 
year 1835 he came to Pittsburgh, where he 
engaged in the queensware business, and in 
the great fire there, in 1845, he was burned 
out. During the oil excitement Mr. Hod- 
kinson moved to Zanesville, Ohio. 

John Speer, farmer, postofBce Chartiers, 
a son ef James and Mary Speer, was born on 
the homestead of his father and grandfather, 
in Stowe township. His grandfather. James 
Speer, Sr.i came from Scotland about 1750, 
and located in Maryland, and about 1764 
came to what is now" Allegheny county. Pa., 
where he bought the above-mentioned farm. 
He died leaving four sons and three daugh- 
ters, all living in this county except one son, 
who settled in Kentucky. James, Jr., son 
of James, Sr., was born in Maryland in 18.54, 
and came with his parents to this county 
when about ten years old. He married Mary, 
daughter of Roly and Nancy Boyd, and by 
her had thirteen children, only three of whom 
are now living: Agnes (wife of John Richie), 
Robert (who married Sarah K. Sampson) and 
John. The parents were members of the 
Presbyterian Church; the father died in 
1847 at the age of eighty-two, and the mother 
in 1859 at the age of eighty-four. John 
Speer was married June 9. 1853, to Sarah K., 
daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth McCoy, 
of this county, and their children are Vianua 
M, (wife of George Magues), Elvader K. and 
Wilson B. Mr. Speer has held positions of 
trust in Stowe township. He and his family 
are members and earnest supporters of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

James B. Linhart, farmer, postofflce 
Turtle Creek. His grandfather. Christian 
Linhart, immigrated to America at a very 
early day, settled in Wilkins township, and 
purchased some three hundred or four 
hundred acres of land. He was a farmer by 
occupation, and had a family of si.t sons 
and five daughters. Of these Michael was 
among the oldest, being born in the town- 
ship in 1770. Like his father, he was a farm- 
er, and lived and died in the township 
where he was born. He married Julia 
Hawk, of Westmoreland county. Pa., who 
bore him four sons and three daughters, of 
whom James B. is the only survivor. Mrs. 
Linhart lived to a ripe old age, and died in 
1870. aged ninety-four years. James B. was 
born and reared on the farm he now owns, 
and on which he has always resided. He 
was educated at the common schools, and has 
followed farming through life; he is a repub- 
lican. 



John V. Scott, farmer, postofflce Eliz- 
abeth, is the son of James Scott, Jr., and 
Mary (Van Kirk) Scott. James Scott, Sr. . 
the grandfather of our subject, was a native 
of Ireland, and was amimg the earliest 
settlers of this county, being identified with 
the Indian troubles in those times. The 
father of John V. Scott was born in this town- 
ship, on the farm now owned by Zaccheus 
Scott. He participated in the war of 1812, 
and held a commission as captain, and was 
afterward colonel of a militia regiment. In 
1833-34 he represented this county in the 
house of representatives. He died in 1868, 
and his wife in 1863. Nine of their children 
are still living, as follows: Diana, Mrs. James 
Wycoff, of Uniontown; Susan, living with 
John v.; Mary, Mrs. Samuel Van Kirk; 
Sarah, Mrs. Matthew Taylor; Samuel and 
Joseph, of Indiana; Harvey, of Iowa; William 
and John V., of this town. John V. Scott 
was born in 1830, on his present farm. In 
1850 he was married to Nancy A., daughter 
of James and Rebecca (Devore) Nicholls. of 
this county. They have seven children 
living, as follows: James H., an attorney in 
Burlington, Iowa; Joel F., a physician in 
Coal Valley; Lizzie R., Mary J., William D.. 
Nannie L. and John K., all at home. Mr. 
Scott and family are members of the Presby- 
terian Church of Round Hill, behaving been 
an elder in that church for thirty-four years. 
Abijah Hays, Jr., retired, postofflce 
Carrick, was born Aug. 6, 1818, in Franklin 
county. Pa., a grandson of James Hays and 
a son of Aljijah Hays, Sr., a stonemason and 
bricklayer by trade. The last named married 
Margaret Updegraff, a fine specimen of the 
woman of that period, and to them were 
born eleven children: Rebecca, Jacob, Will 
iam B., Marj% Abijah, Maria, Eliza, Cath- 
erine, James, Ann and George. The family 
settled in this county in 1830, in Plum Creek 
township, but finally went to Westmoreland 
county, where the parents died. Abijah 
Hays, Jr., whose name heads this sketch, 
returned to this county, where he married 
Elizabeth Fagg, who bore him two children, 
both sons. Cyrus and Charles. His second 
wife, nee jane A. Sands, was the mother of 
three children: James, Mary and Edward. 
His present wife, nee Juliette A. Steck, is 
the mother of following-named children: 
Grant W., Lizzie, Walter'L. and Howard S. 
Mr. Hays has led an active life. He was a 
carpenter and builder, and had a planing- 
mill on the South Side for over twenty 
years. He is a republican, and cast his first 
vote for W. H. Harrison. 

William Pierce (deceased) was a sou of 
John and Margaret (Scott) Pierce, of this 
county. John Pierce, Sr., grandfather of 
William, was a native of Ireland, came to thi.'> 
country over one hundred years ago, and 
settled' on the farm now occupied by Mrs. 
William Pierce, purchasing 3.50 acres for 
twenty-three dollars. The father of William 
was born on this farm, reared a family of 
eleven children, and died in 1853. The 



400 



IIISTOltV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



subject of this memoir, the uext to the 
youngest in tlie family, was t)orii in 1810. on 
the homestead, where he always lived. Feb. 
12, 1856. he was married to Hannah J. 
Yaw. of Ohio, and their family consists 
of five children, as follows: John {on 
the homestead), David (a physician in Mc- 
Keesportl. Mattie E. (Mrs. Prank G. Cope- 
land, in Irvin, Westmoreland couaty). Maiigie 
(widow of Cliarles Craighead, in Elizabeth 
borough ) and Josie B. (at home) Tlie family 
are members of the U. P. Church of Eliza- 
beth. William Pierce died in 1881. 

Andrew Soles (deceased) was born in 
Brownsville. Pa., in 1797, a son of Peter and 
Mary (.Vndersou) Soles. His father, a shoe- 
maker liy trade, and a native of Germany, set- 
tled ill iSicKeesport in 1798, where he followed 
his trade, and was also engaged in business as 
a butcher. He reared a family of nine 
■children: John, Peter, Jacob, Henry, Eliza 
beth (Mrs. Heckswelder), George. David, 
Mary (Mrs. Jacob Zeigler) and Andrew. Our 
subject was reared in McKeesport from the 
age of si.x months, and resided there until his 
death, which occurred Jan. 14, 1887, and was 
successively engaged in business as a river- 
man, storekeeper and farmer. He was twice 
married, his first wife being Sarah Sinclair, 
by whom he had one daughter, Mary A. 
(deceased), who married Joel Crawford; his 
second wife was Mrs. Catherine Moffett, nee 
Dunn, daughter of Walter and Ellen 
(Brownlee) Dunn, of Beaver county. Pa., 
formerly of Scotland, by whom he had eight 
children; Anderson, Nellie. Sarah A.. Will- 
iam, John, Robert, David and Catherine. 
Mr. Soles was one of the prominent citizens 
of McKeesport. He was street commissioner 
of the borough for several years, and super- 
intended the grading of its lirst streets. He 
was a member of the First M. E. Church; in 
politics a democrat. 

J. W. Le,\ (deceased) was born in Alle- 
gheny county. Pa., in 1834, a grandson of 
William Lea, the pioneer His father. Col. 
William Lea. married Lizzie Simcos, and by 
her had five sons and five daughters, of whom 
J. W. was the youngest. He was born and 
reared on a farm, and educated at the public 
schools of the county. Later he engaged in 
mercantile business, which he successfully 
pursued until his death. He married, in 186(5, 
Miss S. Belinda, daughter of Jacob Doolittle, 
of an old and respected familj' of the couuty. 
Two children were born to their union: Jacob 
D. (deceased) and F. Eugene, who was edu- 
uated at Duff's College, and is now a 
traveling salesman for a Pittsburgh firm. 
Mrs. Lea survives her husband, mourning her 
loss, but comforted by a loving son, who 
makes his home with her. They are members 
of the Methodist Cliurch. 

S.^MQEt, Moses R.w.moxd. attorney at 
law, Pittsburgh, was born in Hampshire 
county, Va. (now West Virginia). Aug. 18, 
1841, son of Moses and Sarah (Walker) Ray- 
mond. His father was born in Connecticut 
in 1799, and died at the age of seventv-six 



years; he was educated at Yale College, aud 
for forty years was pastor of Presbyterian 
churches at Springfield, Va.. and other towns 
near there; his wife was born the same year 
in Virginia, and died at the age of seventv- 
eighl years. Samuel M. Raymond was edu- 
cated at W.sshington College. Washington, 
Pa., graduatingin 1861, aud went to Altoona, 
Pa., where he taught school for a short time. 
Soon afterward he entered the quartermas- 
ter's department at Columbus, Ohio, where 
he remained till the close of the war. In 
1866 he came to Pittsburgh, stvidied law 
with David Reed, aud was admitted to the 
bar in 1867. March 9. 186.5. Mr. Raymond 
married Lucy Clark, of Washington, Pa., 
daughter of David and Adeline (Adams) 
Clark, natives of that county, and two 
daughters— Grace Clark and Addie Burr — 
have blessed this union. The family are con- 
nected with the Presbyterian Church at 
Emsworth, where they have resided since 
1880. 

W. H. McCdllough. M. D.. Tarentum, 
was born at Fairview, Butler count}'. Pa., 
in 1849. He received his school-training at 
Witteuburg College. Springfield. Ohio, and 
his medical education at the College of Phj'- 
sicians and Surgeons, Cincinnati, Ohio, of 
which institution he is a graduate. He also 
attended two full courses of lectures at 
Cleveland, Ohio, and one course at Cincin- 
nati. In 1876 he married Miss L. J. Black, 
of Millerstovvn, Butler county. Pa., and in 
1878 located at Tarentum. where he prac- 
ticed medicine with marked success. Dr. and 
Mrs. McCuUough have two children — Viv- 
ian D. Miles and AVilliam Roy. The doc- 
tor was elected to the Pennsylvania State 
legislature in 1888-89. 

John Carothers Hatmaker. attorney 
at law, Pittsburgh, son of William X. and 
Mary Haymaker, of Turtle Creek (see his 
sketch), was born September 2, 1853. in Pat- 
ton township, this county. He remained at 
home on the farm, and attended Laird In- 
stitute at Murrysville. Pa., until he began to 
read law with his brother, J. S. Haymaker, 
in 1872. He was admitted to the bar of 
Pittsburgh in 1875, and was elected assistant 
district attoruej' by the republican party in 
the fall of 1887. taking his seat Januarj' 1, 
1888. Mr. Haymaker was married November 
18, 1880, to Anna M. McKnight. of Alle- 
gheny, daughter of John and Jane McKnight, 
and three children have been born to them: 
Marguerite McKnight, Mar}- Simpson and 
Louise Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Haymaker are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. 

John Muniiall, coal-operator, postoflice 
Munhall. Pa., was born Nov. 16, 1833. in 
Schuylkill county. Pa., aud came to Pitts- 
burgh ia 1834. His early life was one of 
hardship and toil, but by honest labor he 
raised himself to his present position. Left 
an orphan at the age of ten years, he found 
work in the coal-mines, aud saved one 
hundred dollars the last year. At the age 
of seventeen years he began a mercantile 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



401 



business at Elizabetli, which he followed 
six years, but the panic of 1857 found him 
stranded, his entire capital, and much more, 
being trusted to th'- miners, [u 1858, with 
his brothers Michael and William, he built 
the steamboat J. S. Cosgrove, with his broth- 
er William cutting and hauling the timber 
out of the forest a few miles back from the 
Monongahela river, and loaned to him by 
a friend as part of his capital. After several 
reverses, the fall found him with a fully 
equipped steamboat, and ready to do any- 
thing that was offered. By never taking 
advantage of persons in distress, he soon 
had the confidence of the public as well 
as a full share of the work, and in two years 
he was able to pa}' his mercantile debts with 
interest; his creditors were ver}' lenient, 
never doubting his intentions to pay their 
claims. The year 1881 found him with the 
■steamboat Grey Eagle pl3'iug on the Alle- 
gheny river, connected with King & Pen- 
nock, and shortly afterward he and his broth- 
ers .ioined withlVia.i. William Frew and Charles 
Lockhart, of Pittsburgh, built tlie steam- 
boats Brilliant aud Albion, which proved 
a great success in the oil-carrying trade; he 
also engaged largely in the production of oil 
on Oil creek, and afterward in Butler 
■county. Retiring in 1876. Mr. Munhall re- 
moved to Munhall from Oil City, where he 
had resided eight years; he again, with his 
brothers, embarked in the coal business in 
1880, being the owner of a large coal-tract, 
known as the Bellwood mines, at Munhall, 
where he resides. Having sold part of his 
farm and river-front to Carnegie, Phipps & 
Co., they have erected on it a large steel- 
plate mill and other mills, aud are about 
erecting the largest beam-mill here in the 
United States. The land has proved to be one 
-of the finest locations in the valley, being 
situated twenty-five feet above high-water 
mark, Mr, Munhall has had many hundred 
men in his employ, and the kindest of 
feeling has ever existed between employer 
and employes. He has always encouraged 
and assisted his employes to save part of 
their earnings and secure homes for them- 
selves and families — always ready to help 
those who help themselves. He has been 
twice married; his first wife, Hettie Cun- 
ningham, died, leaving six children; William, 
George, Harry, Albert, Otis and Essie. His 
present wife, )iee Maggie McKelvy, is the 
mother of Lida R., Llewella E. and John 
R. Mr. Munhall is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church, of the Royal Arcanum; po- 
litically he is a republican. 

WiLLiA.M Knodbrer, Superintendent of 
farm of the West Pennsylvania Hospital for 
Insane, at Dixmont, wasborn in Alsace, France 
(now Germany), and came here with his 
parents. Christian and Margaret S. (Wagner) 
Kno lerer, vvhen young. His father was 
captain in Xapoleon's army for seventeen 
years and in the Russian campaign he went 
in with 336 men, and came out with five 
besides himself. He was an able swordsman. 



and was severely wounded in a hand-to-hand 
contest with three men armed with sabers. 
He came to this count}' in 1844, and purchased 
a farm of 106 acres in Ohio Township, where 
his widow, who was born in 1804, still 
resides. He was born in 1792, and died at 
the age of eighty-five years. William Kno- 
derer attended the schools of the township. 
He was married, at the age of twenty-one, 
to Margaret A. Merriman, of Ohio Township, 
this county, daughter of Samuel and Sarah 
(Merriman) Merriman, and they had four 
children, two of whom died when small. 
Those living are Emma, now transcriber in 
recorder's office, Pittsburgh, and Margaret 
Sarah, at home. After marriage. Mr. Kuo- 
derer followed the Ohio River a short lime, 
but gave most of his time to the farm. 
In 1864 he began work at the Dixmont 
Hospital for the Insane, as general carpenter, 
and in eight years was made superintendent 
of the farm and all outside building. Mr. 
Knoderer has been delegate to county con- 
ventions and member of the county executive 
committee. He served two terms as street 
commissioner, and is now filling his second 
term as justice of the peace of Kilbuck 
township. Mr. Knoderer is a 33- Mason, 
and a K. T.; he is a republican. 

J.\MES GiLMORB, Sr., retired farmer, post- 
office Turtle Creek, is probably one of the 
oldest citizens in Wilkins townsliip. He was 
born in Count}' Down, Ireland, in 1807, a sou 
of James and Mary (McKee) Gil more, also 
natives of Ireland, who were the parents of 
seven children, our subject being the only 
survivor. In 1832 five of this family with 
their widowed mother emigrated to America, 
and settled in Pittsburgh, where they re- 
mained one year. James was the oldest sou; 
in 1834 purchased the farm where he now re- 
sides, at that time containing one hundred 
acres, and the property of John McKelvy. 
Mr. Gilmore married, in 1830, Ann Jane 
Waugh, also a native of Ireland. Seven cliil- 
dren have been born to this marriage, four of 
whom are living; David W., James, William 
John and Flora (Mrs. Demster). Mr. Gilmore 
is a respected citizen, and has always taken 
an active interest in the welfare of his town- 
ship. He was nine years school director, 
and his son is now a member of the board. 
They are members of the U. P. Church, 
Turtle Creek, and republicans. 

Walter Espy Ct.ENDENEN, postmaster. 
Turtle Creek, is a native of Fayette county, 
boru Feb. 3, 18-18. His parents, James and 
Ann Jane (McMicljael) Clendenen, were 
of Scotch and Irish descent, and the former 
now resides in Mount Pleasant, Westmore- 
land county, aged eighty-six. The latter 
died in 1870. William, father of James, set- 
tled on a farm at Mendon, Westmoreland 
county. James was a carpenter and mill- 
wright, and built many mills "from the 
woods." He had seven children. six of whom 
are living, viz.: Mary Jane (Myers). W. E., 
Elizabeth (Shaffer). Ann H. (Patterson), 
Joseph H. and Florence L. (Rahl), Both the 



402 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



sons reside here. Maggie, the youngest child, 
died when three years old. Walter E. was 
reared in Mount Pleasant, and attended the 
public school there. He ussistfd his father 
at carpenter-work, and when uij^htcen years 
oldbesnii blarksmithing. Thisoccupied him 
until ills nppointiuent as postmaster, in Janu- 
ary. iss.".. In 1ST:! he began businessforliinisolf 
in Braddock, and two years later came to 
Turtle Creek. He still owns a shop and two 
dwellings on the Wilkins side of the village. 
Being a very strong man, he was a famous 
horscshoer, and once, in Oil City, carried 
five hundred pounds of iron ou his back, as a 
test.' In 1873 Mr. Cleudenen married Lydia 
M. McGuire, a native of Derry township, 
Westmoreland county. Her parents, .John 
and Eliza .Jane McGuire, were born in Unity 
township, Westmoreland county, of Irish 
parentage. Mr. Clendeneu has always been a 
democrat. His children are Harry James, 
Albert Marshall and Frank Roy. The family 
are associated with the Presbyterian Cliurch. 
Henht Richakd CiiAt.PAN'r (deceased) 
was descended from French ancestry. At an 
early period two brothers left France and 
came to Eastern PennS3dvauia, where they 
settled and reared families. Henry Chalfant, 
a son of one of these brothers, came with his 
brother to Allegheny county, Pa., in 1827, 
and settled in Turtle Creek, where he pur- 
chased a few acres. Henry married Isabella 
C. Weakley, daughter of f?amuel and Hester 
Weakley, of Cumberland county. Pa. Ten 
cliildren were born to this union, eight of 
whom grew to maturity, and seven are now 
living: John W., Sidney A., AnnaR., James 
T., George A., William L , Albert M. Our 
subject, tlie third child, was born in 1837 on 
the farm in Wilkins township, and was edu- 
cated at tlie common schools and academy. 
He married, in 1868, Evaline R. Graham, a 
daughter of James Graham, and granddaugh- 
ter of Rev. .James Graham. Born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Chalfant were eiglit children, seven liv- 
ing: James Graham, Mar^', Maud, Sidney, 
Henry R., Frederick B. and Eva M. Mr. 
Chalfant was a highly respected citizen of 
Wilkins township, and his occupation was 
that of a farmer. He was director of the 
county poor of Allegheny county, and di- 
■ rector and vice-president of the Braddock 
National Bank. He was a member of the 
Presbj'terian Church, of which his family are 
members, and politically was a republican. 
He died Sept. 30, 1887. 

AaousT Miller, contractor, Homestead, 
was born May 1.5, 1845, in Godelhauseu, 
Bavaria, Germany, a son of Conrad and Mary 
Miller. He came to America at the age of 
thirteen years, and his first work was in the 
glass-factory of Fred McKee & Brothers, of 
Pittsburgh, Pa., working four days a week 
for much less wages than his board cost, but 
worked at carpentering the other two days to 
make both ends meet. Being a bright lad. he 
was soon promoted, and earned fair wages. 
Afterward he learned the wagon-maker's 
trade. In 1864 he went to Springfield, Tenn. , 



to work for the United States government, 
and was promoted to foreman before he 
reached his twentieth year. After returning 
to Pittsburgh he learned the carpenter's and 
builder's trade, which he has followed suc- 
cessfully ever since. In 1871 he built the 
first house in Homestead, in the midst of a 
cornfield. Since that time he has been iden- 
tified with Homestead, where he has erected 
many fine structures. Mr. Miller spent time 
and money to learn his trade thoroughlj'. 
hence his success. In 1870 he was married to 
Mary F. Young, a Pittsburgh lady, and they 
had three sons and one daughter, Adele V. 
being the only child living. Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller are both Presbyterians. 

Capt. J. H. WrLLi.i.MS, manufacturer, post- 
office Homestead, was born Jul}' 21, 1839, in 
Boston, Mass., a descendant of one of the 
old New England families. His father. John 
Williams, a wholesale clothier of Boston, 
married Elizabeth R., daughter of Joshua 
Griffin, whose wife was a descendant of the 
old Le Bosquet family, so well known in 
Boston, and six children were born to them; 
J. Harry, Mary E., Carrie O., Jessie S, Howard 
B. and Charles M. J. H. Williams was edu- 
cated in Boston, and for many years was a 
clerk in the old Suffolk bank. He belonged 
to the militia, and when Fort Sumter was 
fired upon was among the first troops to 
reach Washington; later he became second 
lieutenant of a coiupany, which he recruited 
for the 33d M. V. I., and after a service of 
two years and nine months resigned on 
account of disability. He fought at Gettys- 
burg and Antietam; was promoted to first 
lieutenant at Chancellorsville, and was 
wounded at Resaca, Ga. He recruited another 
company for the 62d M. V. I., of which he 
became captain. After the war Capt. Will- 
iams engaged in the brick business in and 
near Pitlsburgli, and since Homestead was 
established has been connected therewith. 
He married, in Boston, in 1864, Rebecca L., 
daughter of Herman and Mary E. (Le Bos- 
quet) Ilolfe, and they have four children: 
Jessie H., Edward R., Fannie and Harr}- L. 
Williams. The captain is a member of the 
F. & A. M. and G. A. R. ; he is a republican. 

Rev. John J. Bullion, Homestead, was 
born in 18.56, in Sharpsburg. Pa. His parents, 
John and Catharine (Ruttiger) Bullion. 
natives of Bavaria, in their youth immigrated 
to America, and are now living in Sliarps- 
burg, where the former is employed in the 
iron-mill. The subject of this sketch entered 
St. Michael's Seminary in 1869, at the age of 
thirteen years, and after seven years of dili- 
gent study entered the Grand Seminary at 
Slontreal, where two years later he was or- 
dained with forty-five others to the priesthood 
by Bishop Fabre. He was first stationed at 
Duriley, Pa., but soon afterward became 
assistant in St. Peter's pro-cathedral. Alle- 
gheny City. In February, 1881, he came to 
Homestead, where he held services for nearly 
one year in Schuchman's hall. In the fall 
of the same year the first church was dedi- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



403 



cated, the sealingcapacity being 300. Owing 
to the growth of the town and the earnest, 
diligent eflEorts of Father Bullion, the con- 
gregation soon grew beyond the capacity of 
the little church, and in 1888 a building was 
erected with a seating capacity of 700, the 
lower part of which is occupied as a parochial 
school, and will be used as a church until a 
handsome brick structure can be erected. 
The congregation has increased from twenty- 
five to two hundred families. 

John Huston, merchant, Tarentum, son 
of William and Bett}' Huston, was born in 
County Derry, Ireland, in 1836, and immi- 
grated to this country, locating in Alle- 
gheny City June 9, 1848. He learned the 
trade of chairmakiiigin Pittsburgh, and with 
the exception of about five years his time 
was passed in those two cities until his re- 
moval, in 1874, to Tarentum. Mr. Huston 
married, Nov. 4, 1851, Mar}' Hawlks, of 
Pittsburgh, of which city she was a native, 
and their children were Lizzie H , Nancy J., 
William C. and Johnston F. (deceased), and 
Joseph W., Emma J., Johnston C. and John 
D. (living). Johnston C. married Clara Mar- 
shall, and resides in Ford City. Mrs. Huston 
died, and Mr. Huston ne.\t married. Nov. 4, 
1869, Esther English, of Allegheny City, who 
bore him two children, William E. and Mag- 
gie E. Inl874Mr. Huston establishedachair- 
factory in Tarentum, which he continued 
for six or seven years, his goods being sold 
in this portion of the state. Deciding to dis- 
continue his factory in Tarentum, he is now 
solely dealing in household furniture. 

Archibald Dickey, retired, Tarentum, 
is a sou of Archibald and Isabella (Magrew) 
Dickey, and was born in Armstrong county, 
near Kittanning, Pa., in 1817. He remained 
with his parents on their farm until 1835, when 
he removed to Tarentum,where he learned the 
trade of carpenter, and afterward engaged in 
business as a builder and contractor. He put 
up many of the residences of Tarentum, and 
the one now owned by him, corner of Wood 
and Kennedy streets, was the tirst house 
built on Wood street. In 1872 Mr. Dickey 
married Catherine Ferguson, a native of 
Brookfield, Pa, who, after a lingering sick- 
ness, died in 1876, leaving one child. Thomas 
S., now receiving his education in Tarentum. 
Mr. Dickey has witnessed the growth and 
prosperity of Tarentum, and in his old age is 
enjoying the fruits of his earlier labors. 

John S. Walker. The first of the 
Walker familj- to settle in this county was 
Samuel, with his wife, Elizabeth (Springer) 
Walker. They were natives of Wilmington, 
Del., and assisted in bringing the first print- 
ing-press west of the Alleghenies, which was 
used in the office of the Pittsburgh Qazette. 
Their eldest son was Maj. John, who was a 
youth of seventeen years when he came 
with them to this borough, where he spent 
tlie remainder of his life, and died at the age 
of eighty- six years. He was a boat-builder, 
and constructed many of the tirst boats used 
on the river. He built the pirogues used in 



the Lewis and Clarke expedition to the 
northwest, and also the first steamboat built 
west of the Allegheny mountains. He also 
was engaged in hotel-keeping for many 
years. His wife was Diana, daughter of 
Robert and Mary (Davidson) Craighead; 
the former was born in Virginia, the latter 
in this borough. John Walker participated 
in the war of 1813, and gained the rank of 
major. His family consisted of three sons 
and five daughters, only two of whom are 
living; John, of Denver, Col., and Maj. 
Robert C. Walker, of Helena, Montana, who 
married a sister of Hon. James G. Blaine. 
The deceased are Samuel, Mary (Mrs. Sol- 
omon Speers), of Belle Vernon; Matilda (Mrs. 
William K. Van Kirk), of this borough; 
Diana (Mrs. Samuel Frew), Sarah (Mrs. Will- 
iam Penniman) and Julia B. (Mrs. John 
McDonough). Samuel, the eldest son of 
Maj. John Walker, was born in 1798, in this 
town, and engaged in mercantile business, 
and also built many boats (over three hun- 
dred), among the number being the celebrated 
J. M. White. He was also the first post- 
master in Elizabeth. In 1819 he was mar- 
ried to Nancy, daughter of Noah and Nancy 
(Frey) Speer, of Belle Vernon, and in 1869 
they celebrated their golden wedding. They 
reared ten children, seven of whom are 
living; Lucinda (Mrs. R. P. Voorhees), of 
California; William B., of Missouri; Diana 
(Mrs. Gen. Ekiu), of Louisville, Ky. ; Noah, 
of Colorado, Tex.; Samuel, .Jr., a merchant 
of this borough; Nancy L. (Mrs. Pope), of 
Macon City, Mo.; Mary (Mrs. Barnes), of 
East End. The deceased are Thomas P., 
James S. and John S., all of whom were 
natives of this borough. Mr. Walker died 
in 1876. 

John S. Walker, a son of Samuel, Sr., was 
born in the Mansion House, of Elizabeth, 
Sept. 30, 1839. He was reared here, and edu- 
cated at the public schools. He was a mer- 
chant here until 1857, when he removed to 
Minneapolis. Minn., engaged in the boot and 
shoe blisiness, and there remained until his 
death, in 1874. He was treasurer of Henne- 
pin county, Minn., two terms. He was mar- 
ried, in 1850. to Angeline G., daughter of 
William K. and Matilda (Walker) Van Kirk. 
They have one son, by adoption — Albert J., 
an attorney at law in the law-oflice of Miller 
& McBride, of Pittsburgh. John S. was a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, I. O. O. 
F. and K. of P., and his funeral was con- 
ducted by these societies. After his death 
his widow and son returned here, where they 
have since resided. 

Dr. Andrew Smith, postoffice Putnam, 
was born in Allegheny county, in 1838. His 
father, Robert Smith, ai farmer, came from 
Ireland to America in 1833. He married 
Catherine McFarland, and Dr. Andrew is 
now the only remaining member of his fam- 
ily. Robert Smith died in 1875, aged eighty- 
two years; his widow died in 1881, aged 
seventy-six years. The subject of theselines 
was educated at the public schools in this 



404 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



county, and at tlie Curry Institute of Pitts- 
burgh. In lyflli he commenced the studj' of 
medicine with Dr. J, H. Dick, of Indiana 
county. Pa., received his medical education 
at Jefferson Medical College, Philade]])hia, 
and began practice at Walker's Mill in 1^70, 
where he remained four years. In 1M74 lie 
came to Chartiers borough, where lie has 
since remained engaged in successful practice. 
Dr. Smith was married, in 1882, to Lizzie M. 
Hoffman, daughter of Daniel Hoffman, of 
Wasliington county, Pa., and they have had 
one child, Clyde, now deceased. Dr. Smith 
is a democrat. 

Alexander Pattehson, postoffice Put- 
nam, was born in 1829, of Scotch-Irish 
descent, in Carroll county, Ohio. His grand- 
father, Samuel, was born in Washington 
county. Pa., where he followed farming. 
Alexander was reared on a farm in Car- 
roll county, and was educated at Rich- 
mond College, where he graduated in class- 
ics. From early life he has been identified 
with coal-mining. In 1857 he married Eliz- 
abeth Benner. In 1869 he came to Allegheny 
county, where, since 1872, he has been con- 
stantly connected with his present business, 
and has met with success. He enlisted in 
1862 in the 126th O. V. I., and was lieutenant 
on the quartermaster's staff, serving three 
years. Of his family of four children — tliree 
sons and a daughler^his wife and two oldest 
sons are deceased. Mr, Patterson is one of 
Chartiers borough's most prominent citizens, 
unassuming in manner and respecter! by all 
who know him. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church; politically a repub- 
lican. 

James Wallace, justice of the peace and 
farmer, postoffice Carrick, was born Jan. 1, 
1806, in Baldwin township. His parents, 
Samuel and Mary (Barton) Wallace, were 
natives of County Antrim, Ireland, and were 
of the same family as Sir William Wallace. 
They came to America with their daughter 
Nancy; their other children. Robert, .John, 
Mary, William and David (twins), Samuel, 
Margaret, Betsey, Rosannah and James, 
were born in this county. The subject of 
this memoir has been a farmer al! his life. 
and owns the homestead of two hundred 
acres. He married, Feb. 1.5, 1838, Jane, 
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Huey) 
Irwin, whose father, .Joseph Irwin, was 
twice driven back by Indians from his set- 
tlement. 'Squire Wallace has three chil- 
dren, two sons, Samuel and John I., both 
farmers, and both living on the homestead, 
and one daughter, Leliza J., married to Alex- 
ander Speer, of Cannonsburg. Washington 
county. Pa., where they reside. Of these 
Samuel was educated in this countv. and 
married, Nov. 18. 187:!. Margaret McGibbeny, 
dauehter of Capt. James and Sarah (Stewart) 
McGibbeny; they have three children: James 
E., Jennie and Sadie J. John I. AVallace 
married Jane M., daughter of James Rath, 
and thev have five children: Harrv J., Lillie 
B., Melvin E., John D. and Rachel A. 



Squire Wallace and his sons are republicans. 
He has been a justice of the peace for ten 
years, and has tilled other offices. In his 
younger days he was lieutenant of a volun- 
teer company of cavalry for many years. 

Jesse Cl'NNIngiia.m (deceased) was boru 
July 29, 1809, in Baldwin township, and died, 
after a useful and well-spent life, Jan. 25, 
1887. His father, George Cunningham, was 
born east of the mountains, and after coming 
west lived a short time in Beaver counly, 
Pa., but as early as 1804 came to this county, 
where he bought 218 acres of land. He 
married Jane Moore (who died in 1844). and 
they were the parents of twelve children: 
Daniel, Jane, Eliza, AVilliam, Margaret, Jesse, 
Ruth, George. David, Sarah, John and 
Maria. Of these, Jesse farmed the home 
place, and earl}- in life evinced those traits 
of manhood and Christian character which 
made him so universally esteemed wherever 
he was known, his sense of honor and justice 
being one of his leading characteristics. 
Oct. 29, 1837, he married Rachel, daughter 
of David and Margaret (Thompson) Cowan, 
and seven children blessed this union, viz.: 
Mrs. Mary J. Bryant, Mrs. Rachel L. Rhodes, 
George H., Robert P., Mrs. Caroline Hays. 
Mrs. Salina L. Doyle and Melissa M. (wife of 
Dr. C. Stilley). In religious matters the 
Cunningham family have always identified 
themselves with the Presbyterian Church. 

John T. Penney, McKeesport, was born 
Sept. 4, 1856. William Penney, his grand- 
father, was born March 20, 1772. He was a 
brother of James, the father of Thomas Pen- 
ney, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Will- 
iam's wife was Martha, daughter of Jesse 
Gill, and their son John, the father of John 
T., was born ilarch 30, 1808. He was mar- 
ried first to Ruth Carothers, who bore him 
William. Samuel E. and James E. ; then to 
Rebecca Culler, the mother of bis sons John 
T. and Adam C. John Penney, Sr., was a 
mine operator, which business he followed 
successfullj' till the panic of 1873. 

After passing through the junior} ear at 
college, John 't. Penney went (in 1879) to 
Florida and engaged in the lumber business. 
On the failure of his health, in 1882, he re- 
turned to McKeesport, and was a bookkeeper 
in a maiuifacturing-house in Pittsburgh till 
1885, when lie became one of the firm of 
Penney, Jlilholland & Co., founders and 
machinists. In November of that year he 
and his brother, A. C. Penney, purchased 
Milholland's interest in the firm, and they 
are still engaged in the business. 

J. D. "O^EiL, merchant. McKeesport, 
was born in Elizabeth, this county. May 15, 
1867, a son of Alfred B. and Fanny (Ste- 
phens) O'Xeil. His paternal grandparents 
were Denny and Sarah (Brauff) O'Neil, for- 
mer of whom was a native of this county, 
and most of his life was engaged as superin- 
tendent of coalworks; he was a son of John 
and Sarah (Robinson) O'Neil, and John was 
a son of Charles O'Neil, a native of Ireland, 
a farmer bj' occupation, and a pioneer of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



405 



Mifflin townsliip, tliis county. The mater- 
nal grandfatlier of tlie subject of tliis slietch 
wasR.C. Stephens, Esq., of Elizabeth. Alfred 
B. O'Neills a native of Mifflin township, where 
he was reared and educated. He followed 
the river for twenty- Ave years as boatman, 
pilot and captain. For a number of years 
he was in mercantile business at Elizabeth, 
and since 188.5 has been a resident of Mc- 
Keesport, where he has large real-estate in- 
terests, and where he has contributed much 
to the growth and development of the city 
by erecting several substantial business 
blocks and numerous dwellings. The sub- 
ject of this sketch removed to McKeesport 
in 1884, and same year opened a department- 
store, stocked with novelties of every de- 
scription, which he has since successfully con- 
ducted. In January of the present year, in 
partnership with bis brother, he also embarked 
in the dry-goods trade, and at present is 
doing a very nice business. He is a public- 
spirited and enterprising young merchant, 
and worthy of the confidence of the public 
and of the esteem in wliich he is held. 

Frederick Schuchman, merchant. Home- 
stead, was born Aug. 10, 1848, in Pittsburgh. 
His father, Frederick Schuchman, Sr., was 
born and educated near Darmstadt, Germany, 
served for six years in the Germany army, 
and was a man of nerve and courage. He 
emigrated to America, and in Allegheny, Pa., 
married Elizabeth Myer. also a native of 
Germany, who became the mother of five 
children. In Pittsburgh he becatic a well- 
known business man, and died in 1855. Mrs. 
Elizabeth Schuchman secured an education 
for her children, and our subject believes 
that in a great measure his success is due to 
her early teaching. He graduated at the 
Iron City Business College, and immediately 
took charge of a set of books for F. Schild. 
At the age of twenty he opened a grocery- 
store with his elder brother as partner, but 
after three years he became sole owner of the 
business. In 1880 he came to Homestead, 
where he built a large, handsome residence 
and store, in which he carries on a general 
grocery business, dealing also in builders' 
hardware, feed, etc., and employing fifteen 
assistants. He has also an extensive ice- 
house and livery-slable. Mr. Schuchman 
married Virginia C, daughter of Jacob and 
Elizabeth Roth, and three children have been 
born to them; Walter R., Bertram F. and an 
infant daughter. Mr. Schuchman is a repub- 
lican, and has filled the office of councilman. 
He is a member of the R. A., Orion Council 
244, of Pittsburgli. 

Jacob Doolittle was born in Monon- 
galia county. W. Va., in 1809. Moses, his 
grandfather, by trade a hatter, removed from 
New England to Brownsville, Pa., at an 
early date. On a farm at this place Moses. Jr. , 
was born, who afterward removed to West 
Virginia, where he married a Miss Susan Mill- 
er, and bj' her had eleven children, four sons 
and seven daughters, of whom .Jacob was the 
third son. He was a captain of militia, and 



followed farming for a great many years. 
Susan, his wife, dying when aged forty-five, 
he married a Miss Riggs, by whom he had 
one child (now deceased). He died in 1845. 

Jacob, the subject of this sketch, received 
his education in a log schoolhouse, and at 
the age of fifteen years learned the trade of 
bricklaying, served an apprenticeship of 
three years, after which he removed to 
Birmingham, Pittsburgh, where he followed 
his occupation for eight years, mostly in 
the line of contracting, etc. In the summer 
of 1845 he came to what is now Mansfield, 
in Chartiers borough. Allegheny county, 
and being on the line of P., C. & St. L. R. R. 
Mr. Doolittle, upon his arrival at the above- 
named place, purchased sixty-seven acres of 
the Cubbage property, which was originally 
a portion of the tract of Col. John Campbell, 
of Kentucky, who in 1764 laid out the 
ground around Port Duquesne, the embryo^ 
of the present city of Pittsburgh. After 
the original purchase, Mr. Doolittle con- 
tinued buying and selling property, and 
has owned the land where Chartiers borough 
proper is now located. He married, in 1834, 
a Miss Sarah Cubbage, daughter of George 
and Nancy Cubbage, of this county, and eight 
children were born to them, three of whom 
are dead. The living are Susan Belinda 
(now Mrs. J. W. Lea), Martha E. (now Mrs. 
W. J. Glenn), Augusta (now Mrs. A. S. 
Rowland), Sadie (now Mrs. W. M. Kirby). 
Mrs. Sarah Doolittle died in 1851, and Mr. 
Doolittle married, in 1864, Mary E., daughter 
of Peter Spahr. originally from Carlisle, 
Pa, The second Mrs. Doolittle died Aug. 3, 
1880, aged fifty-four years, one child surviv- 
ing her, — Jacob Miller. Mr. Doolittle has 
retired from active life, although he still 
manages his own business affairs. He is a 
republican. 

John Scott Robb, attorney, Pillsburgh, 
was born April 80, 18.39, in North Fayette 
township, this county, son of Mark and Jane 
(Donaldson) Robb, who were born in this and 
Washington counties, in 1807 and 1817, re- 
spectively; they celebrated the fiftieth anni- 
versary of their marriage May 3], 1888; they 
are membeis of the U. P. Church. Mr. 
Robb's great-grandfather, John Robb, came 
from Lancaster county, in 1777, to Fayette 
township, where he lived. Mark Robb's 
father came here in 1775. and served in the 
revolutionary war in 1776. John S. Robb 
graduated at Jefferson College in 1864; studied 
law under James I. Kuhn, and was admitted 
to the bar of Pittsburgh in 1866. He served 
in the legislature in the session of 1869-70. and 
was district attorney from 1878 until 1884. 
In 1879 he prosecuted Samuel McClain for 
the murder of little Samuel Hunter. In 1882^ 
he prosecuted John Gordon, James Geary 
and Albert Crusan for robbery of people 
near Turtle Creek; the first named was sen- 
tenced to twenty-five years, and the other 
two to twenty years each. Two other prom- 
inent cases were the prosecution of Ward 
McConkey for murder (convicted and hanged) 



4U0 



IIISTUUY OF ALLEOllENV COUNTV. 



■and that of Tlioiiias WhiUaker for libel (sen- 
tenced to eij;bt years, the longest sentence 
given for libel). Mr. Kobb was married, April 
7, 1859, to Mary A. A. Ueminj;ray, of this 
■county, dauf^hter of AVilliam and .lane 
(O'Uara) Lleniinirray (both decea.sed). Nine 
children have blessed this union, viz.; John 
S., Jr. (who was admitted to lliebar in March, 
1888), .Jane Donaldson, Elizabeth B., MagKie 
A. Y., Mary Evans, Marli Andrew. Camilla 
Styue, Joseph Allen and Grace Belle. The 
family attend Emsworlh U. P. Church. Mr. 
Robb is a Freemason, and member of the 
I. O. O. F., K. of P., Jr. O. U. A. M. and 
A. O. U.W., also college society Kappa Phi 
Lambda. He has resided at Emsworth for 
seventeen years,an(l owns one of the prettiest 
and best places in that village, which is known 
as "The Turkey- fool Kock " property-. 

J. .s. McCaktnev, M. D., Tarentum, is a 
son of Jacob McCartney, and was born in 
Apollo, Armstrong county. Pa., in 1833. He 
received his literary training at dillerent 
academic institutions, and his medical edu- 
■calion at Jefferson Medical College of Phila- 
delphia, graduating in 1856, and commenc- 
ing the practice of medicine at Tarentum 
in December. 1857. Dr. McCartney has 
practiced continuously at Tarentum since 
locating there, and has been prominently 
identified with many of the local enter- 
prises of the place. The first bank started 
here was an individual concern, but it 
soon developed into a national bank, in 
which the doctor was president and largely 
interested, and was one of the three trustees 
who started the first glassworks there. The 
doctor invested largely in real estate in 
Tarentum, and holds considerable interests in 
Chicago and Cook county. 111. His real and 
personal estate amounts to over one hundred 
thousand dollars. His principal business now 
is of a financial character — investing in 
bonds, and loaning money on mortgages and 
real estate and collateral securities, and car- 
ing for his estate. 

Thomas Galbraith, M. D., Tarentum. 
.sou of George and Isabel (Gilkerson) Gal- 
braith. was born at Baruet, Vt., in 181G. His 
parents, who were natives of Scotland, came 
from there to Vermont, where they lived and 
died. Thomas received his literary education 
in Vermont and his medical training in Penn- 
sylvania, having studied with Dr. David 
Alter, of Freeport, Armstrong county. Pa., 
and gnidiiated at Jefferson Medical College, 
of PhibuUl]>hia, in 18.53. He attended the. 
first course <hiriiig the winter of 1847-48, and 
in 184!) he with others went to California, 
where he engaged in mining until his return 
in 18,i3. His success there enabled him to 
complete his education, purchase a library, 
instruments, horse, etc., and immediately 
following his graduation he began the prac- 
tice of his profession in Tarentum, where he 
has since been identified with many of its 
local enterprises. In 1860 Dr. Galbraith 
married Martha Jane, daughter of Robert 
and Nancy Gilliford. of Tarentum, and their 



children were Nannie Belle (deceased), Mar- 

faret Marion, Helen Maria, Annie Martha, 
osephine Mary (now Mrs. O. C. Camp, of 
Taniituini. Emily May, Genie Elizabeth. 
Almira Gilliford, Caroline Stewart, Thomas 
Edward, Missouri Hague. Dr. and Mrs. 
Galbraith are members of the U. P. Church. 
Fife. The Fife family is numbered 
among the oldest and most prominent fami- 
lies of Upper St. Clair township. In 1756 
John Fife, a native of Ireland, immigrated 
to America and settled at Winchester, Va., 
where for ten years he was engaged in 
tailoring; later he came west, and look up 
one thousand acres of land in what is now 
Upper St. Clair township, Allegheny county. 
His brother William came to America "in 
1770, located in the vicinity of Philadelphia, 
and six years later joined his brother in Alle- 
gheny county, taking up a tract of 386 acres. 
A large number of descendants of these two 
brothers is scattered all over the United 
States. John Fife married Margaret Wright, 
also of Ireland, and by her had five children. 
John, the eldest child, was born in 17,56, and 
was ten years of age when his parents came 
to Allegheny county. He married Isabella 
Thompson, who bore him three sons and five 
daughters. Maj. John Fife, now living, be- 
ing the eldest son of this family. William 
Fife, brother of the pioneer, married and be- 
came the father of six children, three of 
whom were sons. James, the second son, 
married Jane McCown, and by her had 
eleven children. 

Ma.i. John Fife was born in this county 
in 1801. He is a son of John and Isabella 
(Thompson) Fife, the former of whom died 
in 1814, aged fifty-eight years, and the latter 
in 18.5-i, aged ninety-two years. Maj. Fife 
was born and reared on the farm where he 
now resides. He has followed agricultural 
pursuits through life, and owns one hundred 
and ten acres of the original one-tbousand- 
acre tract purchased by his grandfather. 
Maj. Fife married, in 1824, Margaret Spark, 
who became the mother of seven children, 
as follows; Sarah Ann (deceased), Isabella 
(deceased). Elizabeth, Margaret, Hannah, 
John T. and Mary Jane. Jolin T. was born 
in 1837 on his father's farm: was educated at 
the public schools, and, like his ancestors, 
has followed farming. He enlisted in 1861 
in Co. H, 62d P. R., and served three years, 
the last two years as third sergeant; was 
wounded at Spottsylvania May 12, 1864, 
and soon afterward returned home. He 
married, in 1866. Jane, daughter of William 
and Ruth Morton, and five children were 
born to them; i\Iaggie E.. Lula A.. Anna R., 
J. Pearl and John M., all living. This fam- 
ily are ineniliers of the Presbyterian Church. 
Politi.:-alIv Jiihn T. is a republican. 

Thomas Fife, son of James and Margaret 
Jane (McCown) Fife, and grandson of Will- 
iam Fife, was born in this county in 1805. 
and is the last member of his generation liv- 
ing. He was born and reared on his present 
farm, which was formerly his father's part of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



407 



the tract purchased by his grandfather, Will- 
iam. He married, iii 1833, Jane McCown, 
and three sons have blessed their union: 
James, Robert and Thomas M. Thomas Fife 
owns 110 acres of land, and has Ions; since 
retired from active work, but his wishes are 
respected in the management of the farm. 
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and, like his father before him, votes the 
democratic ticket. 

Nathaniel Fife, a son of Xathaniel and 
Isabella Fife, and grandson of William and 
Margaret (Boyd) Fife, and a direct descend- 
ant from John Fife, the pioneer, was born in 
1S37. He.was educated in the public schools, 
and has always been a farmer. He married, 
in October, 1864, Elizabeth Ann Jordon, 
daughter of Jacob and Ann (Hickman) Jor- 
don, and four children were born to them, 
of whom but one son now remains. Mr. 
Fife has always followed farming; is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church; politically 
a republican. 

William T. Fife was born on his present 
farm in 1842, the third sou and fifth child of 
Thompson and Margaret (Espy) Fife, and 
grandson of John Fife, Thompson has 
always been a farmer, and died in 1860, aged 
fifty-four years. William T. was educated 
at the public schools in his township, and 
has alwaj'S followed farming. He first 
married, in 1864, Caroline, daughter of Rob- 
ert Fife, and two children were born to them: 
Thompson J. E. and Robert Howard. His 
second marriage was with Belle E., daughter 
of William Sterrett, M. D.. of Butler county, 
and four children were the result of this 
union, three now living: Carrie M., William 
S. and Sarah E. Mr. Fife is a republican, 
and has held township offices; he is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. 

William J. Fife was born in this county 
in 1841, the son of John Fife, who is a direct 
descendant of William Fife, the pioneer. 
John Fife married Mary P. Adams, daughter 
of Johnson Adams, of this county, and of 
the eleven children born te this union nine 
are living. John was born in 1815, a son of 
William and Elizabeth McCormick. William 
J., the eldest son born to his parents, was 
educated at the public schools, and has fol- 
lowed the pursuits of the farm, with the 
exception of the time passed in the service of 
his country He enlisted, in 1861, in Co. H, 
62d regiment, and served three 5'ears. He 
married, in 1867, Mary C, daughter of Will- 
iam and Rebecca (McMillan) Caldwell, and 
granddaughter of John McMillan, the found- 
er of Jeffersen College. The children born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Fife are as follows: J. 
Frank, William C, Samuel M., Rebecca and 
Alice. Mr. Fife has lived for eight years on 
his present farm, which was formerly the 
Caldwell property. He has been elder of 
the Presbylerian Church for twelve years. 

James Fife, Jr.. was born in 1838, a 
direct descendant of William Fife, one of the 
pioneer Fife brothers, and is the son of 
Robert (a farmer) and Mary (McCormick) 

59 



Fife, the former a son of James and Mary 
(McCown) Fife, Robert Fife was father of 
five children, and died in 1867, aged si.xty- 
seven years; his widow died in 1881. aged 
seventy-three years. Robert, at his death, 
owned one hundred acres of land. James 
Fife, Jr., was educated at the common 
schools and Bethel Academy, and was mar- 
ried, in 1870, to Miss Margaret Ann. daugh- 
ter of James and Eliza (Hindman) Morgan. 
Three children, Mary E., Sadie Mabel and 
James Morgan, have blessed their union. 
Mr. Fife is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church; in politics a democrat. 

Dr. S. R. Kiddoo, Bridpeville, is a native 
of this county, born in 1850. His father, 
Samuel Kiddoo, a farmer, was born and 
reared in this county, and married to Marga- 
ret, daughter of Rev, Samuel Ralston, of 
Washington county. Pa., and by her had 
seven children; he died in 1850, aged forty- 
five years. The subject of this memoir, the 
youngest of the family, received a public- 
school education, and was a student at 
Bethel Academy and at Friendship, N. Y. 
He commenced the study of medicine under 
Dr. Wilson, of Mount Washington, in 1878, 
and entered Jefferson Medical College, of 
Philadelphia, in 1874, graduating in 1876. 
He commenced the practice of his profession 
at Hill's station, Washington county, and 
there remained until 1884, when he removed 
to Bridgeville, and has since practiced here. 
Dr. Kiddoo married, in 1874, Miss Cham- 
plain, of New York, and two children bless 
their union: Carrie B. and Maggie R. The 
doctor is a member of the R. A., and of the 
Presbyterian Church; he is a republican. 

C. "B. Sciikeinkr, M. D., Mount Lebanon, 
was born in this county in 1852. His parents. 
Dr. Samuel and Lucinda(McClurkin) Schrei- 
ner, had a family of five children, two of 
whom are now living. Dr. Samuel was for 
twenty-two years a practicing physician in 
Plum township. He was born in Lawrence- 
ville, graduated at the University of Pitts- 
burgh, and died in 1865, aged forty-seven 
3'ears. The subject of this memoir was 
educated at the public schools and academy, 
and was a student at Jefferson College. He 
commenced the study of medicine in 1874 at 
Philadelphia, Dr. Stewart being his pre- 
ceptor, and graduated in 1877 at Long 
Island College hospital, and immediately 
commenced the practice of his profession in 
Mount Lebanon. He married, in 1878, Myrtle, 
daughter of G. P. Reed, of Indiana, Indiana 
county. Pa., and five children were born to 
them, all of whom are living: Hallie, Sam- 
uel, Carrie, Adella and an infant. The doc- 
tor is a member of the U. P. Church; polit- 
ically a republican. 

W. A. Herriott, farmer, postofBce Fed- 
eral, was born in tliis county in 1836, His 
great-grandfather, Thomas Herriott, came to 
America from Edinburgh, Scotland, some time 
prior to the revolutionary war, and settled in 
Maryland. He was a sickle-maker by trade, 
a good mechanic, and in 1786 came lo AUe- 



408 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



gheny comity with his son .lames, tlifti eiKlil 
yesu-.s old, settled on Cluutiers crefk. and 
pui-chased a small tract of land. James grew 
to manhood and learned the milling trade, 
but later in life followed farming. In 1812 
he purchased a farm in South Fayette town- 
ship known as " Hunter's camp." He mar- 
ried a daughter of David Gil more, and by 
her had si.\ sons and two daughters. Ofthese 
David, the second son, born in 1809, married 
Isabella Fryer, and to them seven children 
were born, si.x of whom grew to manhood. 
David was a carpenter by trade; was also an 
extensive farmer, owning some 275 acres of 
land at his death, which occurred in 1853. 
W. A., the subject of this sketch, a son of 
David and Isabella llorriott, received a 
common school education in youth, and waa 
reared on his present farm. He married, in 
18.i8, Kate VVatson, daughter of Thomas 
Watson, of Washington county, and seven 
children, all living, were born to them: Ed- 
ward, George, Emma Jane, Charles. William, 
Frank and Walter. Mr. Herriott is resident 
director of the Chartiers Block Coal company. 
Politically he is a republican, and was dele- 
gate to the state republican convention. He 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

James Heuuiott, farmer, postoffice 
Bridgeville. was born in 18.52, a sou of 
David and Isabella (Fryer) Herriott. He was 
educated at the public schools, and with the 
exception of two years has always lived in 
South Fayette township. He married, in 
1876. Euphemia, daughter of Goodman Y. 
Coulter, and has five children: Lillie I., Eu- 
retta J., Maggie C, Goodman Coulter and 
Ella Rebecca. Mr. Herriott has resided on 
his present farm since 1882. It contains 150 
acres under a good state of cultivation, and 
beautifully located. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church ; politically a republican. 
James Bigham, M. D.. postoffice Clinton, 
has been identified with Clinton as a physi- 
cian and surgeon since 18.59. He was born 
at Emmitsburg, Md., Jan. 27, 1833, a son 
of Hon. Charles W. and Margaret (Agnew) 
Bigham, Presbyterians. The former was born 
in Adams county. Pa., April 11, 1789; was a 
merchant and hotel-proprietor at Emmits- 
burg; was justice of the peace a number of 
years, and was elected democratic represent- 
ative to the state legislature of Maryland. 
He afterward moved to Smithsburg, Md., 
where he died. He and his wife had five 
sons and five daughters, of whom James, 
the subject of this memoir, the seventh 
child, was educated at Smithsb\irg. Md. Dr. 
Bigham and Elizabeth J. Pollock were united 
in marriage in October, 1862. She was born 
at Clinton, in the house in which she and her 
husband reside, and is a daughter of Dr. 
John and Elizabeth (McCandless) Pollock. 
Mrs. Pollock was born in Washington coun- 
ty. Pa.. Dr. Pollock in Lancaster county. Pa., 
in 1796; he graduated in medicine, and locat- 
ed in Washington county. Pa.; located in 
Clinton in 1825, and there died. Dr. Bigham 
owns a store at Clinton, and was appointed 



postmaster at that place in 1884. He and 
Mrs. Bigham have five children; Charles P. 
and James C, in charge of their father's 
store at Clinton; Stella Mc, Lulu M. and 
Wenzel A. Dr. Bigham is a member of the 
A. O. U. W., and he and Mrs. Bigham are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. 

Ja.wes C. Latham, physician, postoffice 
Wliite Ash, was born near the center of 
Penn township, June 12, 1849. and is the son 
of Abraham (a gardener) and Margaret (Crump- 
ton) Latham, who came from Lancashire, 
England, to Pennsylvania in 1838. The 
father took an active interest in politics, and 
espoused the cause of the republican party: 
he died in 1887. aged seventy-six years, a mem- 
ber of Beulah Presbyterian Church; his wid- 
ow, aged seventy-four, resides in Penn town- 
ship. Their children were Margaret, who died 
at the age of twelve years; James C; Ellen 
(Moore), a resident of Elizabeth, X. J.;Kachel, 
widow of Rev. William W. Cunningham, 
Blairsville; Mary (Barker), for manj' years a 
missionary to India, and afterward among the 
Oneida Indians in the New York reservation, 
now in Blairsville, and Jane. Dr. Latham 
graduated in the spring of 1874 from the Jeffer- 
son Medical College, of Philaik-lpliia, and at 
once began practice at White Ash. He bought 
property on high ground overlooking the 
village and Sand}' Creek valley, and has 
made of it a ver}- pleasant home He is an 
elder in Beulah Presbyterian Church; in 
politics a republican. On Christmas day, 1878, 
he married Elviua, daughter of James Aber, 
of Penn township, and they liave one son, 
James Leonidas, born May 1, 1883. 

Joseph Stoner, farmer, postoffice White 
Ash, was born on the farm he now occupies 
in 1807. His parents. Frederick and Barbara 
(Whitmore) Stoner, were of German slock, 
' born in Lancaster and Franklin counties, 
respectively. In 1796 Frederick bought this 
farm, and the following year settled thereon. 
He brotight here two children. Christian and 
John, now d ceased. Those born in Penn 
township were: Martha (Stotler), now de- 
ceased; Jacob, who died in Mercer couuty; 
Joseph: David, deceased; Susan (Bush), who 
died in Wooster. Ohio; Abram. who resides 
j in Wilkinsburg; Frederick (the third) died in 
I Franklin count}-. The parents were Men- 
nonites. Frederick Stoner was a blacksmith, 
but gave up the trade soon after settling here. 
He died in 183-5. aged sixty-six years, his 
widow in 1861. aged eighty-six. Jf)Seph 
Stoner married, in 1841, Xancy, daughter of 
Rudolph Stotler, a revolutionary soldier, 
who settled here before the Stoners. She 
was born in Penn township, and died of 
cancer in 1861. aged fifty-six years. Rudolph, 
her second child, died of typhoid fe%'er 
within three monthsof joining tlie 136th P. V. 
The other children are Frederick Whitmore 
and Joseph, on the home farm; Frances 
(Mrs. Emanuel Snively), at lola, Kan.: and 
Ella (Mrs. Hugh Wilson), in Allegheny City. 
Mr. Stoner has served as school director and 
supervisor, and is a republican. Joseph 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



409 



Sloner, Jr., was boiu Ju\ <» IT, 1845, and 
married Lillie, daughter of Kubert and Mary 
McDade. Mrs. Stoner was boru iu Penn 
township, and is a member of the U. P. 
■Church, which her husband also attends. 
He is a member of the R. A. and I. O. O. F. He 
is a republican, and has been school director 
and auditor. He served one hundred days 
during the civil war in tlie first battalion en- 
listed for that period. His children are Clara, 
Albert, Parker, Frank, Maud and Earl. 

Henuy Snively, farmer, postofBce Ve- 
rona, was born in 1828, on the farm where he 
now resides, and on which Christopher 
Snively, his father, was born in 1802. The 
latter married Mary Stotler, who "was born 
in 1802, in Penn township. Henry, fatlier 
of Christopher, was the son of a Switzer, who 
was born in Franklin county, and settled on 
the farm in 1797. Christopher died in 1879, 
his widow in 1887. They had eleven chil- 
dren: Joseph, David, Elizabeth (Mitchell), 
Henry, Emanuel, Martha (Frew), deceased; 
John, Mary (deceased), Nancy (Hallett), 
Christopher (an attorney, who served three 
years in the 77th P. V. in the southwest) and 
Whitmore, M. D. Henry Snively was edu- 
cated at tlie public schools, and has always 
remained on the farm. He enlisted in 18fi2 
iu Co. F, 136th P. v., and served through 
the nine months of the regiment, sharing in 
the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancel- 
lorsville. In 1863 he married Mary Margaret, 
daughter of Alexander and Mary (Bright) 
Duff. Mrs. Snively was born in Penn town- 
ship, and became the mother of two sons: 
Albert Duff and Joseph (deceased). The 
family attend the Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Snively is a member of the G. A. R. ; in pol- 
itics he is a republican, and has served in 
various town offices. 

J. W. Nesbit, farmer, postofflce Beech- 
raont, was born in Allegheny county. Pa., in 
1840. His grandfather, John Nesbit, came 
to this country from Ireland about 1890, 
having previously married Hannah Kirk- 
patrick. He was a farmer, settled in Alle- 
gheny county soon after coming to America, 
reared a family of ten children, and lived to 
the age of ninety years. , James McCounell 
Nesbit, the father of the subject of this 
sketch, was the youngest of this family, born 
in 1810. He married Ann Eliza, daughter of 
Stephen Woods, in the year 1839, and lived 
on the farm inherited from his father, now 
in Collier township, Allegheny county. Their 
family consisted of eight children, six of 
whom are now living. He died May 17,1878. 
J. W. is the eldest of this family, and was 
educated in the public schools; enlisted in 
1862, in Co. D, 149th P. V., and served until 
the close of the war; took part in all the bat- 
tles in which his regiment was engaged, 
prominent among which may be mentioned 
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, 
Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, Petersburg and 
Hatcher's run. Oct. 20, 1870, he married 
Jennie, daughter of Benjamin Chubbic. of 
Washington county. Pa., and has three chil- 



dren: Harry J., Charles B. and Frank W.. all 
of whom are now living and at home. 

Mr. Nesbit, since his return from the 
army, has been actively identified with the 
business and political interests of the county; 
is a member of the Presb3'terian Church, a 
member of the G. A. R. ; has been a commis- 
sioned ofllcer (captain of Co. C, 14tb regi- 
ment) in the National Guard of Pennsyl- 
vania since Aug. 14, 1875. Politically he is a 
republican, and was elected to the legisla- 
ture from the Sixth district, Allegheny 
county, in 1880; re-elected in 1882, and 
elected again in 1888. He is now engaged in 
farming, building and contracting, burning 
and manufacturing lime, and in the insurance 
and real-estate business. 

R. W. Nesbit, surveyor and farmer, post- 
office Beechmont, was born Jan. 7, 1842, in 
Allegheny county. Pa., a son of James and 
Eliza (Wood) Nesbit. He received his edu- 
cation at the public schools in Collier town- 
ship, and was iu early life fond of the idea of 
becoming a surveyor. His grandfather hav- 
ing been familiar with that art. Mr. Nesbit 
learned it, and has followed it in connection 
with farming since 1860. He has been a 
teacher in the public schools of his township, 
and has been school director for twelve j'ears; 
politically he is a republican. He owns over 
one hundred acres of land, which was the 
property of his father. 

Dr. J. L. Srodes, physician, postoffice 
Woodville, is a native of Allegheny county. 
Pa., born in 1862, a son of Capt. William Q. 
and Caroline (Scott) Srodes. John M., 
grandfather of Dr. Srodes, came from Beaver 
count}'; was a steamboat captain for man}' 
years, and was employed during the war in 
the transportation service. William Q. 
Srodes was born in Beaver county. Pa., and 
was for many years a steamboat captain; lie 
died in 1883, aged fifty-two; his wife died in 
1878, aged forty-five. They were the parents 
of seven children, of whom Dr. J. L., the 
third son, was educated at the public schools, 
Woodlawn Academy and the Indiana Slate 
Normal, and was a teacher for two years. He 
commenced the study of medicine when 
seventeen years of age, under Dr. S. Jen- 
nings, entered the Kentucky School of Med- 
icine in 1886, and graduated from Western 
Pennsylvania Medical College in 1887. He 
is a member of the I. O. O. F.; in religion a 
Presbyterian, iu politics a republican. 

J. W. Stkes, M. D.. residence at Osborn 
borough, was born in Clinton, N. Y.. son of 

' Orrin and Nancy (Catlin) Sykes, the latter of 
whom was descended from an old New En- 
gland family. Mr. Sykes' ancestors came to 

I America in "1630 with Gov. Winthrop. Dr. 

I J. W. Sykes graduated in 18.50 at Hamilton 

' College, Clinton, N. Y. He read medicine 
in New York city with Dr. Fitch, and at- 
tended lectures in the New York Universit}'. 
In 18.55 he graduated from the Hahnemann 

1 College of Philadelphia, and located in Buf- 
falo; then after one year's practice there he 
removed to Chicago, 111., and the following 



410 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



year (1858) located in Pitlsburgb, where lie 
has since been established. His specialty is 
chronic diseases, in tlie treatment of which 
he has been very successful. 

James Dawson, farmer, postnffice Glen- 
field, was born June 21. 1811, in Pittsburgh. 
Pa., son of James Dawson, who was born in 
1777, in the barracks of Fort Duqucsne. of 
Scotch descent. The paternal grandfather 
was a specially commissioned spy, with the 
rank of captain, in company with Sam Smith 
and Sam Brady. James Dawson. Sr., was 
reared in the fort; he learned the trade of 
stonecutter, and followed it all of his life. 
He was foreman in the quarry and setting 
department of the old penitentiary, now torn 
down. He was married to Faithie Reed, of 
Ireland, and to them were born seven chil- 
dren; James B., Martha H., Isabella S., 
James, John. Harry and Eliza. James Daw- 
son was a Seceder.and died in Ohio township. 
James Dawson, Jr., is the only one now- 
living. He is a carpenter by trade, and fol- 
lowed it until 1851, when he was taken ill, 
and has been an invalid ever since. He was 
elected supervisor and collector in 1855, and 
held the office off and on until 1858. He was 
married to Fannie Barr, of Huntingdon 
county, Pa., and she died in 1861, aged forty- 
nine years. She was the mother of the fol- 
lowing-named children; James, a soldier in 
the late war, who .died about four years ago; 
John, who was three years in the army as 
second lieutenant; Harry, William, Thomas, 
who died aged twenty-four years; Mrs. Eliza 
Morrow, Mrs. Mary Woods and Jennie. Mr. 
Dawson owns seventy-three acres of land in 
Ohio township, where he has lived since 1847. 
Politically he is a republican. He walked 
si.xleen miles to vote for Henry Clay, and 
dined with him afterward. 

Alex.\nder C.u.HOtJN, farmer, P. O. 
Elizabeth, a son of John and Margaret Cal- 
houn, was born on the farm he now owns, in 
Lincoln (then Elizabeth) township, in 1839. 
His grandfather, Adly Calhoun, a native of 
Ireland, emigrated to Pennsylvania, and 
about the year 1775 settled in Elizabeth 
township. He took out a patent for a large 
tract of land, and lived thereon until his 
death. His children were Jane, Nancy. Mary. 
Margaret and John. John was reared and 
educated in Elizabeth township; married 
Margaret Calhoun, a second cousin, and to 
them were born eight children ; Adly, Mary 
A., John. Nancy and James (deceased), and 
Thomas, Moses and Alexander (living). Alex- 
ander was reared at home, and received bis 
education in the schools of the county. In 
1862 he married Sarah, daughter of Francis 
McClure, of Elizabeth township, located on 
the old family homestead and engager! in 
farming. Thev reared a family of live chil- 
dren: John t"rancis, Edward Alexander, 
Robert Calvin, Joseph Walter and Sarah Bell. 
Mr. Calhoun h.'is been officially identified 
with Lincoln township since ils formation 
from Elizabeth township, and has been sec- 
retary of the school board for twenty years. 



He is a democrat. He and Mrs. Calhoun are- 
members of the Presbyterian Church of 
Elizabeth. 

Samoel D.widson. farmer, P. O. New 
Texas, was born in Plum township, this 
county, in April, 1831, a son of Ellas and 
Martha (Meanor) Davidson, natives of Frank- 
lin county. Pa. Elias settled here about one 
hundred years ago, and died when Samuel 
was about twelve years of age. His grand- 
father. Col. Hugh Davidson, settled at the- 
same place about ten years later with his 
wife, Katharine. He served in the Revolu- 
tion, and wasa trader when he came to Plum 
township. Samuel Davidson received a com- 
mon-school education, and about 1864 began 
farming for himself. He enlisted Aug. 4, 
1861, in Co. G, 136th P. V. I., assigned to the 
Army of the Potomac. At the battle of 
Fredericksburg he was wounded by a shell 
in the foot, and was in hospital one month. 
He then obtained a sixt}- days' furlough, came 
home, and was discharged May 3(1, l862. He 
married, in September, 1874, Susanna Wright, 
born in Franklin township, this county. May 
29, 1855, a daughter of William and Eva 
(Sarver) Wright, also natives of this county. 
Four children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. ^Davidson; Eva Anna, Samuel James, 
Abram Garfield and Elias Bedford. Thej' 
are members of the M. E. Church, Mr. Da- 
vidson of the G. A. R. He has been very suc- 
cessful and has a fine farm. 

William Collikgwood, insurance agent, 
postofflce Swissvale, is a native of Somerset 
county. Pa., born in 1812, a son of Thomas 
(a contractor) and Jane (Robinson) Colling- 
wood, both natives of Londonderry, IrelancL 
former of whom emigrated to America in 
1812, going first to Somerset, thence to Pitts- 
burgh, where he died. They had eight chil- 
dren, seven of whom were born in America. 
The subject of this memoir was educated at 
the common schools, and for the nu)St part 
was engaged in commercial pursuits, as l)ook- 
keeper, etc.. and for the past thirty-six years 
has been prominently identified with the 
insurance business. He served as director 
in Franklin school. Seventh ward, Pitts- 
burgh, and was chief engineer of the Pitts- 
burgh volunteer fire department. Mr. Col- 
lingwood has been married four times: 
first, in 1845, to Miss Sarah, daughter of 
John White, who bore him one child, now- 
deceased; second, to Miss Sarah .V. Hall.w-ho 
bore him tw-o children. Ella J. and Sarah E. ; 
third, to Miss Harriet Wilson, by whom 
there are no children; fourth, to Maria L., 
daughter of David A. Foulk, and ten chil- 
dren were born to this union, viz. : David 
F., Louis W.. Fannie R., Robert L., Clemens 
B., George J., Anna Duff, Mary Louisa, 
Howard iJrucksand Loy Hartman. Of these 
Louis W. married E. B'. Haslett, and Fannie 
R. married W. AV. Cotton, attorney for the 
U. P. R. R. at Omaha. Mr. Collingwood 
lost one child by each of his first three wives. 
He was one of the thirteen original founders 
of the Presbvterian Church at Swissvale; 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



411 



■was chosen elder of the same at the time, and 
for a long period was its only elder; he is 
now a member of the Wilkinsburg Presbyte- 
rian Church. In politics he is a republican. 

CnRiSTOrHEK M. Graham, retired farmer, 
postoffice Stewart's station, was born near 
Belfast, Ireland, in Januarj', 1808, a son of 
John Graham, who came to America in 1828, 
bringing four sons with him. James, the 
eldest, died in Pittsburgh; William, John and 
Cliristopher became citizens of Pattou town- 
ship, this county. John, Sr., became pos- 
sessed of a tract of land in that township, 
■on which he settled in 1830, and died during 
the same year at the age of fifty-tjve. 
His wife, Ann (Morrow) Graham, lived to 
the age of seventy-five. Christopher Graham 
was employed in an iron-foundrj^ at Pitts- 
burgh, and took charge of his father's estate 
at the death of the latter. In 1833 he married 
Susannah Shaw, who was born within two 
miles of his birthplace, October, 1812, daugh- 
ter of Patrick Shaw, who died in Penn town- 
ship, Westmoreland county, Pa. The family 
is connected with the U. P. Church; Mr. 
Graham has always been a democrat, and 
•was active in support of the government 
during the civil war, and in establishing the 
free schools. The following are the names 
of his children: Susannah, deceased wife of 
Samuel Ramsey; Nancy, deceased wife of 
George Brown; .John C, in Patton township; 
Belle, with her father; Mary M., deceased; 
■Christopher, an infant, deceased; Christo- 
pher M., residing at Wall, in North Versailles; 
Elizabeth, wife of Robert Shiiw, in Bloom- 
field, and David P., on hie father's farm. 

Robert E. Stewart, president Braddock 
National Bank, and attorney at law. North 
Braddock,was born in Westmoreland county, 
at the place now known as Stewart's station, 
in 1841, the youngest of nine children, seven 
of whom grew to maturity, born to John and 
Margaret (Shaw) Stewart. The family is of 
Scotch-Irish descent, the great-grandfather, 
John Stewart, having come from Ireland to 
America at an early date, and settled in 
Elizabeth township, Allegheny county. Pa. 
David Shaw, maternal grandfather of Robert 
E. Stewart, was an earh' settler and prom- 
inent farmer in Versailles township, tliis 
county, and John Stewart, father of Robert 
E., was a farmer, and died in 1865, aged 
■sixty-nine years; his wife died in 1858, aged 
fifty-nine years. Tlie subject of this memoir 
was reared on a farm, educated at the com- 
mon schools, attended an academy at Turtle 
Creek two and a half years, five months at 
Madison College. Ohio, one year at Jackson- 
ville, Indiana county, and entered the junior 
class of Jefferson College in 18.58, graduating 
in 1860. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. E, 123d 
P. v., and was mustered out at the expiration 
of the term of enlistment, with rank of first 
lieutenant. He was afterward commissioned 
major, and assigned to the 24th regiment U. 
S. colored troops, and was in command of 
the regiment when mustered out, in 1865. In 
that year he commenced the study of law 



under Hon. J. P. Sterrett, and in 1866 entered 
the oflice of Hon. W. G. Hawkins. Jr.. and 
the late Hon. J. P. Penney as a student, and 
was admitted to the bar Ma}' 9, 1867. Since 
then he has practiced his profession at the 
several courts of Allegheny county. In 1873 
the Braddock Trust compan)- was organized, 
and Mr. Stewart was elected vice-president. 
This organization existed until 1882, when a 
majority of its stockholders organized the 
Braddock National Bank, of which Mr. 
Stewart was elected president. 

Our subject married, in 1868, Caroline 
Markle McMasters, daughter of John and 
Leonora (Markle) McMasters, and eight 
children were born to them; Margaret, John 
McMasters, Harry, Robert E.. Jr., Leonora, 
James Sterrett, Caroline and David, all of 
whom are living except David, who died in 
infancy. Since 1873 Mr. Stewart has resided 
at North Braddock. He has always taken 
an active part in the public welfare of the 
community, being a leader in all educational 
and religious work. He is president of the 
Allegheny County School Directors' associa- 
tion. He and his family are members of the 
U. P. Church; politically he is a republican. 

Frank F. Sneathen, attorney at law. 
Braddock. John B. Sneathen. father of this 
gentleman, is a native of Dauphin county, 
Pa., born in 1832, his parents having come 
from Scotland at an early date to Eastern 
Pennsylvania. When twelve 3'ears of age he 
accompanied his mother to Allegheny county 
for the purpose of acquiring a thorough edu- 
cation, and on attaining manhood's estate 
became engaged in various business enter- 
prises, prominently those of commission mer- 
chant and coal-shipper on the Oliio. He 
married a Miss Keefer, an Ohio lady, who 
bore him five sons and four daughters; Frank 
F., the second son, was educated at the Penn- 
sylvania Military Academy at Chester, and 
became lieutenant- colonel of the 18th regi- 
ment; entered Harvard College in 1877, grad- 
uating in 1879; commenced the study of law 
under the preceptorship of Marcus W. Ache- 
son, and was admitted to the bar in 1880, 
since when he has practiced his profession at 
the bar of Allegheny county. In 1885 he 
removed to Braddock. He married, in 1886, 
Emma C, daughter of George A. Kim, a 
prominent glass-manufacturer of Pittsburgh. 
Mr. Sneathen is a member of the Methodist 
Church; in politics a republican. 

W. E. Johnston, M. D.. Etna, was born 
Aug. 6, 18.54, in Butler county. Pa., where 
his grandfather, Ben. .Johnston, a farmer, of 
Scotch-Irish descent, settled. The parents of 
W. E., William and Sarah A. (Pierce) Johns- 
ton are natives of Butler county, and now 
reside in Etna with Dr. Johnston. Tlie 
primary education of this gentleman was re- 
ceived at the academy and normal school of 
his native count}-. He read medicine with 
Dr. E. Crawford, and attended lectures at 
Starling Medical College, Columbus. Ohio, 
graduating in the class of 1882. He located 
at once in Etna, and entered into partner- 



412 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ship with William I. Purvis, the lending 
phvsicinn of Etna and Sharpsbuig. wliich 
partnership lasted until the death of Dr. 
Purvis. Dr. Johnston has built up an excel- 
lent practice. lie is a member of the Alle- 
gheny County Medical society, the American 
Medical association and the ninth Interna- 
tional Medical Congress. He is a Freemason. 
D.wtu S. Dickson, justice of the peace 
and farmer. postofBce Bakerstown, is a 
son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Dickson. 
John Dickson, a native of County Down. 
Ireland, came to America about 1814, first 
locating in Pittsburgh, where he engaged in 
the manufacture of brick on the Mononga- 
hela river, and here remained fourteen years. 
He then moved to Richland township, lo- 
cated on the farm now owned by David S., 
and here lived until his death, in 1^67; his 
widow died in 1888. Five of their children 
still live: Samuel, a farmer in Richland town- 
ship; John, in Hoboken, xillegheny county; 
Mar}', wife of Robert B. Dickey, in Richland 
towusliip; Nancy B., wife of George Wal- 
lace, in Pine township, and David S. The 
last named was born on the homestead in 
184.J, educated at the public schools of the 
township, and has always followed farming. 
In 1868 he married Mary, daughter of James 
S. and Mary Jane (Wallace) Crawford, and 
they have two living children— Andrew L. and 
George S. Mr. Dickson was elected justice 
of the peace of Richland township in 1881, 
.which office he still holds; has also held all 
the important offices of the township, and at 
present is president of the Bakerstown Mu- 
tual Fire Insurance compan)'. He !ind 
family are members of the U. P. Church 
of West Union. 

James L. Gardner, merchant, postoffice 
Bennett, was born March 4, 18.58, in Butler 
county. Pa., sou of George and Marj- Gard- 
ner, the former a native of Pennsylvania, 
the latter of England. .James L. was reared 
on the farm in Butler county. In 187.5 he 
came to Pittsburgh, where he clerked four 
years for C. W. Roberts, In 1880 his old 
employer opened a small grocery-store in 
Millvale. which James conducted eight 
months; then bought the store and enlarged 
it, starting with one clerk, and now employ- 
ing ten. The business is in a flourishing con- 
diiion. and is the largest store in Millvale; 
he has started a branch store in the upper 
part of the town; also has half interest in the 
shoestore, imder firm name of F. C. & J. L. 
Gardner, former being his brother. Mr. 
Gardner married Minnie Breiner. of Millvale. 
They are both members of the Presbyterian 
Church; Mr. Gardner is a republican. 

Silas Sample, farmer, postoffice Wild- 
wood, is a son of Robert A. and Mary (Simp- 
son) Sample. James Sample, the grand- 
father, was a native of Northumberland 
county. Pa., and located on Girty run, in 
what is now Shaler township, this county, 
some time previous to 1780. There he resided 
until his death, in 1830. He was the father of 
eight children, all of whom are deceased 



except William, who resides at Sharpsburg. 
Robert, the father of Silas, was the fifth 
child, and was born Dec. 10, 1793, at East 
Liberty. In 181!) he located on the farm now 
owned by Silas and his brother Robert, where 
he lived until his death, in 1880. Ilis wife 
died July 12, 188-5. They had nine children, 
five of whom are still living: James, a farmer 
of McCandless township; John, a physician 
,of Wilkinshurg; Sarah, wife of Robert Fer- 
guson, of Hampton township; Robert and 
Silas, on the homestead. Our subject was 
born January 5, 1839, and has always resided 
on the homestead. In 18()2 he enlisted in 
Co. D, 139th P. v.. and was woundeii in May, 
1863, at the second battle of Fredericksburg, 
after which he was honorably discharged. 
In 1869 he married Kliza J., daughter of 
Andrew C. and Mary Ann (Steen) Stewart, of 
Butler county, and they have seven children 
living: David A., Robert F. , Mary E., Su- 
sanna S., William G., Harriet G. and an in- 
fant, all at home. Mr. Sample has held the 
office of auditor of the township, and is a 
member of Col. Clarke Post, No. 162. G. A. 
R., of Allegheny. He and his wife are 
members of Cross Roads Presbyterian 
Church, of which he is an elder. 
I Robert S.wiple, farmer, postoffice Wild- 
I wood, is the fourth living son of Robert A. 
and Mary (Simpson) Sample, and was boro 
July 14, 1835. At an early age he learned the 
I carpenter-trade, and at present is engaged in 
farming a part of the homestead, which he 
inherited at the death of his father. In 
1864 he enlisted in Co. C, 312th P. V., and 
served until the close of the war. In 18.55 
1 he married Harriet, daughter of Jacob and 
j Catherine (Shaefer) Meyers, of this county. 
They have six children living; Isabella, wife 
of David Lemon, of Harrison township; 
Catherine A., wife of Thomas Morrow, of 
Richland township; Robert M., Jacob, 
William W^ade and John S., at home. 

Samuel G. Pollock, farmer. postoffice Mc- 
Keesport, a son of John and Eliza (Gormley) 
Pollock, was born on the farm he now owns, 
in Lincoln township, this county, in 1832. 
His paternal grandfather was one of the 
first settlers of what is now Lincoln town- 
ship, and was killed in 1802 while felling a 
tree on the place now owned by Samuel G.; 
he built the first courthouse at Greensburg. 
His parents lived and died in Lincoln town- 
ship. Their children were Martha Jane (Mrs. 
Lee), Elizabeth A. (Mrs. Marvin), David H., 
John A., Esther C. (Mrs. Patterson), Nancy I. 
(Mrs. Drennan), S. G.. Henry G., Violet 
(deceased). William C. and "Matthew M. 
Samuel G. lived with his parents until their 
death, his father having died March 16, 
1871, and his mother in April, 1881. Oct. 22, 
1863. Samuel G. married Nannie R., daughter 
of John .Sill, of Versailles township, and 
located on the old homestead in Lincoln, 
engaged in farming. He has three children 
living: Ella L., Emma M. and Susie F. ; and 
had three deceased: Maggie S.. Harry and 
Samuel T. Mr. and Mrs. Pollock are members 



\!' 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



413 



of tbe U. P. Church of McKeesport; he is a 
republican. 

William Kikg Abjistrong, farmer, post- 
office New Texas, was born in Plum town- 
ship, in 1828. a son of Thomas and Nancy 
(King) Armstrong. Thomas was born in 
1796; was one of the first in Plum township 
to support religion and temperance; was a 
strong abolitionist, and was for many years 
elderin the Presbyterian Church; he died at 
the age of seventy -six years; his wife died in 
1840, aged thirty-six years. Seven children 
were born to them: William K., Elizabeth. 
.John. Robert, Nancy, .James and Newton 
(deceased when aged nineteen years). Of 
these William K. receive<l his schooling here 
and in Summit count}', Ohio, and at twenty- 
eight years of age started for himself on'a 
rented farm. In 1863 he bought his present 
farm at orphans' court sale, and has placed 
it in line condition. He married, in 1858, 
Susan Alter, a daughter of Jacob and Jane 
Alter, natives of Plum township. They 
died, the father in 1883. aged eighty-twe 
years, the mother in 1880, aged seventy- 
seven. Eight children, five of whom are 
living, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Arm- 
strong; Emma (Mrs. Harry Reiter. residing 
at East End), Jennie; Newton, a graduate of 
Washington and Jefferson College, class of 
1888, is preparing for the Presbyterian 
ministry; Samuel, now a student at Duff's 
Jlercantile College, Pittsburgh, Pa., and 
Lucinda, at home; Hugh died when aged 
fourteen j'ears, Allen at the age of two years, 
and one died in infancy. The family are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Armstrong was a republican, but is now a 
prohibitionist. His grandfather, James Arm- 
strong, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and his 
maternal grandfather, Robert King, was an 
elder in the Presbyterian Church, and died 
in 1849, aged eighty years; his wife was 
Nancy Davidson. 

John Hughey, farmer, postofflce Mon- 
roeville. is the only son living of William 
and Jane Ann (Cavett) Hughey, and was 
born on his present farm in 1837. a 
grandson of John Hughej', who was 
born in February. 17.52. in Lancaster county. 
Pa., and came to the farm above mentioned 
about 1780. AVilliam Hughey was born on 
the same farm in 1792, and died there May 
26. 1869. His wife was a native of Westmore- 
land county, and died in 1859, aged fifty-one 
years. John, the subject of this sketch, 
received his education in the common 
schools of Patton township, and remained 
on the farm with his father until the latter 
died, when he became owner of the farm. 
In 1870 he married Mary Jane Katz. born in 
1846 in Patton township, a daughter of 
Prestley and Margaret (McDowell) Katz. 
Her grandfather. Alexander McDowell, was 
a very early settler here, and was in the war 
of 1812. "Three children bless the union of 
Mr. and Mrs Hughey: Margaret Ann, Lavina 
Lucinda and Harriet Cavett. The family are 
members of the Murrysville Presbyterian 



Church. Mr. Hughey had one brother, 
William, who died in 1843. 

Geoege T. Milled, retired, postoffice 
Port Perry, a son of Col. William L. and 
Jane (Torrence) Miller, was born in Fa3'ette 
count}'. Pa., in 1825. The Milleis are de- 
scendants of revolutionary slock on both 
sides. Col. Miller was born in New Jersey in 
1793, and moved in 1800 to Fayette county, 
where he was brought up as a carpenter and 
builder. There he married, and was largely 
interested in the iron business, having built 
the Breakneck Furnace near Conuellsville. 
In 1837, having made an advantageous dispo- 
sition of his interests, he removed to Port 
Perr}-, where he purchased an extensive 
tract" of coal-land. Port Peny was laid out 
and plotted in 1793, by John Perry, its found- 
er, from whom it derives its name, but on 
(completion of Philadelphia pike the village 
was deserted. Col. Miller resurvcytd it and 
laid it out anew in 1848. This was at one 
time the head of navigation, and an old 
Indian trail led to the mouth of Turtle creek, 
where stood a large storehouse. The patent 
to the colonel's purchase was taken out by 
John Frazier. who lived near, on the ground 
afterward Braddock's battle-ground, and was 
with the English in the fight. Washing- 
ton stopped and rested with Frazier when on 
a secret mission to French creek. Col. Miller 
was one of the prominent men of the state, 
and in addition to his furnace near Connells- 
ville had a lumber-mill, paper-mill and saw- 
mill, and found leisure to serve his constitu- 
ency in the convention held to revise the 
state constitution, and was one of the young- 
est members of that body. His children 
were George T., Mary P., now Mrs. Dr. 
Knox, of McKeesport; Phebe Ann, now Mrs. 
Daniel F. Cooper, of McKeesport, and Albert 
G.. who occupies and owns the old home- 
stead. George T. Miller married, in 1851. 
Mary Jane, daughter of Samuel Craig, of 
Washington county. Mr. Miller has been 
extensively engaged in business, owning 
valuable lumber- andflouring-mills for thirty- 
five years, and also valuable coal properties. 
He resides on the banks of the Monongahela 
river, a delightful location, at Port Perry. 
Mr. and Mrs. Miller have four children: Will- 
iam S. , a clergyman at Washington. D. C. ; 
Mortimer C, at Turtle Creek, a member of 
the Pittsburgh bar; John T., at Edgewood. 
with the Philadelphia Gas com))au3'. and 
Joseph T.. now being educated. Mr. Miller 
is one of the representative men of this portion 
of Allegheny county, but having sold out his 
coal and lumlier interests is not actively en- 
gaged at the present. 

William McKinnet. About the year 
1822 this pioneer emigrated to America from 
County Derry, Ireland, and for a time resided 
in Pittsburgh, Pa., whence he removed to 
Braddock. and purchased 200 acres and its 
allowances, originally the Frazier properly, 
bounded by the Monongahela river and 
Turtle creek, a spot rendered historic as 
having been the retreat of Gens. Wash- 



414 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ington and Bi-aildofk after the defeat of the 
latter, Mr. Mclvinne}' was married in Ire- 
land, and Ix'came the fatlier of five chil- 
dren: .John, Robert, Sarah, Mary and Nanry. 
The father, who was by occupation a farmer 
at time of his death, owned a large tract of 
land, which was then divided between his 
two sous, Robert and John. Robert McKiii- 
ney was born in 1812; was a farmer by 
occupation; was married to Mary Dick, who 
died leavinir him one child, \V. .T. McKin- 
ney; was afterward married to Catherine 
Lannou. who bore him nine children, live of 
whom are living; Samuel, Harvey, Catherine, 
Sarah and Eleanor A. He departed this life 
July 1-t, 1887, aged seventy-four. 

SAMaEi/ Nkei,y (deceased) was born in 
what is now Robinson tiwnship, Allegheny 
couuty. Pa. In early life he was engaged 
in the manufacture of salt, but afterward in 
the manufacture of plows at Pittsburgh, Pa. 
In 1828 lie purchased a farm of 170 acres, 
which is now in tlie Ijorough of Coraopolis. 
He married Sarah McCormick, who was born 
in Westmoreland countj', Pa., a daughter of 
William and Elizabeth (Wilkinson) McCor- 
mick. He died Feb. 7. 187.5. aged eighty- 
three, and she in 188."), aged seventy-eight 
years; both members of the Presbyterian 
Church. William McCormick was born in 
Ireland, and was but five years old when he 
eame with his parents to Pennsylvania. He 
was a soldier in the war of 1813. and for 
several years kept a public house; also owned 
a farm on the Steubenville road, about si.v 
miles from Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel 
Neely had si.\ children. One of his daugh- 
ters, Martha Neely, resides at C'oraopolis,"on 
the old farm; another daughter. Mrs. E. J. 
Riter, who died recently at her residence in 
Coraopolis, was the widow of the late James 
M. Riter. manufacturer, of Pittsburgh. Mrs. 
Riter had one son. Samuel N.. residing at 
Coraojtolis. 

Wii,UAM EwiNG. Jr., miller and postmas- 
ter at Ewing's Mills, was born where he now 
resides, July 15, 1830. His paternal grand- 
father, William Ewing, came to what is now 
Ewing's Mills, Moon and Robinson town- 
ships, and purchased si.\ hundred acres on 
both sides of Montour creek. He was a 
millwright, and built a grist- and saw-mill 
near where the present mill stands. He 
afterward put up and operated a woolen- and 
saw-mill on the present site of the coke- 
works. He married Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, 
and both were members of the Presbyterian 
Church, of which he was an elder. He died 
aged eighty five years. They had four sons 
and two daughters, who lived to be men and 
women. Their eldest son. David K., born at 
Ewing's Mills in 1795, died of cholera in 
1845. He l)uilt the present mill at Ewing's 
Mills postoffice; was married to Prances M. 
Woods, daughter of Rev. William Woods, 
and had four sons, of whom William is the 
only one living. The latter married. May 
22, 18,52, Elizabeth, daugliter of Capt. John 
and Hannah (Scott) Ymuig. of Robinson 



township. Mr. and Mrs. William Ewing 
have seven children living: David K., mar- 
ried to Laura Allen, and residing in Denver. 
Colo.; J. Y., who owns the store at Ewing's 
Mills, married to Jennie Harbison; Sarah W.. 
wife of Matthew Phillips, of Moon township; 
Hannah, wife of Frank Woods, in Bethel 
township: T. M. and Lizzie, at home, and 
Edwin E., assistant miller with his father. 
The parents are members of the Forest 
Grove Presbyterian Church. 

John Vance, retired. postofBce West Eliz- 
abeth, a son of Isaac and Nancy (Thompson) 
Vance, was born in Washington county, in 
1821. His parents were also natives of thai 
county, his mother having been born in 
1797 and his father in 1800.' Aug. 26, 1846, 
the subject of these lines married Hannah 
Grimes, who died in 1884, and their children 
are Jane, now Mrs. Jeremy Moran. of West 
Elizabeth; Ann, now wife of John Carney, 
of Allegheny count}'; Katherine. married, 
and a resident of Kentucky; Caroline, now 
Mrs. Angelo Houseman, in Dravosburg; 
Tillie. now Mrs. Charles Penn. in West 
Elizabeth; William P.. who was killed in 
Walton's pit. and Joseph P.. a clerk in 
Walton's store. Mr. Vance has been an 
extensive traveler, especially through the 
southern states. He is a republican, and 
has been prominently identified with his 
townshi]! offleiallj'. 

HiciiMAN Family. This family is one of 
the oldest in South Fayetie township. About 
the year 1750 Nicholas Hickman came from 
German}' to x\merica. and located at Fred- 
erick, Md. He was the father of three chil- 
dren; Adam. Elizabeth and Peter. Peter 
was the only member of the family who came 
to this county, moving here in 1772. He 
married Abigal FauciU, and to them seven 
sous and three daughters were born, 
viz.: Joseph, in 1797; John, in 1799; Benja- 
min, in 1801; Daniel, in 1803; Stewart, in 
1805; Moses, in 1807; Elizabeth (Mrs. Espy), 
in 18i>9; Nicholas, in 1811 : Ann (Mrs. Jordan), 
in 1814; and Abigal. in 1816. But two of his 
family now remain. Mrs. Espy and Mrs. 
Jordan. Peter Hickman followed farming 
all his life; was a hard-W(irking and indus- 
trious man. with a remarkaljje run^titution. 
He started in life in humble circumstances, 
and by his own industry and perseverance 
became the owner of a vast amount of land, 
besides other wealth. 

Moses Hickman, farmer, postoffice Cecil, 
Washington county, is a son of Slewart Hick- 
man. Sr.. who was born in 1805. the fifth son 
of Peter and Abigal (Fancitt) Hickman. 
Stewart, Sr., married, in 1844, Nancy Alex- 
ander, daughter of Samuel and Margaret 
(Fife) Alexander, and they became the par- 
ents of five children, four of whom are living: 
Moses, Abigal. Isabella and John Alexander. 
Stewart was a farmer, and died in 1871, aged 
sixty-six years. His widow, now sixty-eight 
years old. resides with her son Moses. Moses 
Hickman was born in 1845; educated at the 
common schools, and. like his ancestors, has 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



415 



followed farming. He married, iu 1880, Es- 
ther McNary, an estimable lady, and a 
daughter of Joseph and Jennie (Allison) Mc- 
Nary. Mr. Hickman now owns 170 acres of 
the tract left him hy his father. He is a 
membtT of the Presbyterian Church, in poli- 
tics a republican. 

John At^esander Hickm.^n, farmer, post- 
office Herriottsville, was born in 1853, the 
youngest child born to Stewart, Sr., and 
Nancy (Alexander) Hickman. He lives on 
the farm adjoining ihe one he was reared on, 
and was educated at the common schools of 
his district. He married, in 1887, Rebecca 
Lesnett, daughter of Francis and Christina 
(Neil) Lesnett, of this county. Mr. Hickman 
is now serving as auditor of South Fayette 
township. In politics he is a republican, and 
he and Mrs. Hickman are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

Mrs. Mary E. Smith, druggist. West 
Elizabeth, daugliter of William Bradford and 
■Sarah A. (McQiiaid) Sprague. was born in 
Jacksonville, Westmoreland county. Pa. Her 
father, a native of Vermont, came to West- 
moreland county when about twenty-two 
years of age, and engaged in business as a 
tailor. There he married Sarah A., daughter 
of James McQuaid, one of the old families of 
Westmoreland count}'. They removed to 
Saltsburg, Indiana county, Pa., where thej' 
remained for some years, liut eventually re- 
turned to Elizalieth, where be embarked iu 
the drug trade, and afterward came to West 
Elizabeth, where he continued tlie business 
of druggist. They reared a family of four 
children: James M. (in Pittsburgh), Nannie 
E. (now Mrs. McKee, of Glenfield, Allegheny 
county), Ida (now Mrs. G, W. Conrad, of 
Uniontown, Fayette county) and Mary E., 
who, in 1870, married John H. Smith, of 
Elizabeth township; at first they resided in 
Allegheny, but soon on account of ill health 
Mr. Smith was obliged to travel. He re- 
ceived no permanent benefit, however, and 
■died in 1874. Mrs. Smith returned to West 
Elizabeth, and is now engaged in the drug 
business. Mr. Smith left one child, now the 
wife of R. L. Roller, of West Elizabeth. 

David Coli,ins, farmer, P. O. Wilkins- 
burg, was born in Lower Chanceford, York 
county. Pa., in 1808, the fourth son of David 
and Dorcas (Neel) Collins, of Lancaster 
county, of Scotch-Irish descent. The father 
was a blacksmith, and a member of the light- 
horse company in the war of 1812; in early 
life was a member of the U. P. Church and 
later an elder in the Presbyterian; he died in 
York county, aged sixty-two, and his widow 
in Lancaster count}' at the age of ninety- 
eight. David when nineteen j'ears old began 
work as a stonemason, which trade he fol- 
lowed four years. He came to Allegheny 
county in 1835, and ran coal to New Orleans 
sixteen years. In 1850 he bought the farm 
ou whicli he resides, built a house and barn, 
and moved thereon tlic same fall, and has al- 
ways been successful as a farmer. Since the 
-age of eighteen he has been connected with 



the Presbyterian Church, as are all his family 
except the youngest son. Politically Mr. Col- 
lins was an abolitionist, and is now a repub- 
lican; was count}' commissioner three years 
during the civil war. In 1836 he married Mary 
Manifold, a native of Hopewell, York coun- 
ty, and a daughter of Henty and Elizabeth 
(Turner) Manifold. Josepli. father of Henry 
Manifold, was a Presbyterian elder, and his 
wife, Eleanor Cogle.was a Quaker preacher, 
who walked forty miles to Baltimore to yearly 
meeting when she was eighty years old. Mr. 
Collins'four eldest sons were in Co. A. 101st 
P. v., during the war, the youngest running 
away to join when sixteen. David Henry 
died of disease contracted in the service, at 
the age of twenty-one; George Washington 
died in Florence prison in his twenty-rtrst 
year. The other children are Dorcas Roselma 
(Mrs. J. L. McDowell), Elizabeth Grizella, 
Cassius Clay, Joseph, Mary Emma, Ralph, 
Helen Manifold (Mrs. S. M. Brinton) and 
Robert Arthurs. 

Rev. Jonas K. Cramer, pastor Thirty- 
seventh Street Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, 
was born July 8, 1825, in Hagerstown, Md., 
a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Keller) Cramer, 
natives of Germany. Peter was a school- 
teacher in early life, but later a farmer, aud 
died in West Virginia at the age of seventy- 
one years; his wife died at the age of eighty 
years. Jonas K. attended school at Peters- 
burg, Md., and the academy at Connellsville, 
Pa. His father moved to Preston county, 
W. Va. , when our subject was a year old, 
and there the latter lived twenty-four j'ears. 
In 1850 he went to Connellsville. resided five 
years, and then removed to Westmoreland 
county. Pa. He was licensed to preach by 
Big Crossing Church, in Maryland, and 
ordained at Connellsville, Pa., in May, 1858. 
His first charge was at what is now Fayette 
City, and later he went to Salem Church. 
Westmoreland county, where he spent twelve 
years. His next charge was at Elizabeth, 
this county, where he remained twelve and a 
half years; then he moved to Library, aud 
was pastor of Peter's Creek Cliurch from Feb- 
ruary, 18'}'9, till his recent appointment to the 
Thirtyseventh Street Baptist Church, Pitts- 
burgh. Mr. Cramer married, Dec. 20, 1843, 
Susanna Ham'pstead, who was born Sept. 18, 
1836, in Preston county, W. Va., a daughter 
of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (King) Hampstead, 
natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and 
New Jersey. Twelve children have blessed 
this union: Amelia Elizabeth, nuirried to 
Charles Oliver, in Elizabeth; Corbin Amos 
Gilbert, in Ohio; William King, in Kansas; 
Mary Ann, married to Hays B:_'ll, in Finle}'- 
ville; Francis Wavland, a feaptist minister at 
Mount Gilead, Ohio; Caroline A., who died 
Aug. 36, 1861; Sallie Marcle, married to Isaac 
Wall, living near Elizabeth, Pa. ; Harry El- 
mer, married, and residing in Elizabeth; 
Emma Troth, wife of Thomas Battey, pro- 
prietor of Keystone House, Pittsl)urgh; Lo- 
rena Blanch, Linnie Ma}' and Ida Bell are 
at home. While at Library Mr. Cramer's 



416 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



house was destroyed by ftre, but fortunately 
all his effects were saved. 

.James Aber (deceased) was born iu 1817, 
in Jefferson township, Allegheny county. 
Pa., a son of Jacob and Jane (Elliott) Aber. 
His parents settled here about the beginning 
of the nineteenth century, living for some 
time in a log hut. Our subject was educated 
at the schools of Jefferson township, and in 
1S39 married Kezia, daughter of John and 
Betsy iBciiin) McMullen, who was born June 
29, I.>1S, in Snowden township, of which her 
mother was a native. .Seven sons and one 
daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Aber, 
viz. ; William, now residing at Homestead, in 
this county; Ilythamen, in Cambria county; 
Elliott, in Jefferson township; John (de- 
ceased); Samuel, in AVashington county; 
Jacob, at home, and Elizabeth, wife of Will- 
iam Brogan, residing a short distance from 
the old homestead, in Snowden township; 
they have two children, Charles and Xanny. 
The seventh boy died in infancy. Mr. Aber 
settled on his farm in Snowden township 
about 1868, and built up a comfortable home, 
flis death occurred Dec. 29, 1887. Jacob 
Aber, the youngest living son, was boru in 
Jefferson township in 18.50, and is one of the 
sturdy and industrious young men of Snow- 
den. He had charge of his father's farm for 
some years before his death, and continues 
to successfully conduct the old homestead. 

Dr. G. R. Griffith, physician, postofBce 
Federal, is a native of West Virginia, born 
in 1847, a son of Benjamin, of AVelsh ances- 
try, who settled in West Virginia at an early 
date, and was married to Margaret Knox. 
Their eldest son, Dr. G. R. Griffith, was edu- 
cated at the public schools, and reared on a 
farm. He commenced the study of medicine 
in 1869, Dr. Bradley, of Burgettstown, Pa., 
being his preceptor. He attended medical 
lectures at Columbus, Ohio, and has practiced 
his profession since 1871. Oncoming to this 
county he located at Oakdale, where he re- 
mained four years; thence went to Venice, 
Washington county, but again returned to 
Oakdale, remaining two 3'ears and a half, and 
iu 1886 he located in his present place. In 
1874 the doctor married Mollie J. Turner, 
who died in 1877. the mother of one cliild. 
Charles R.. and he next married, Sept. 19, 
1880, Ella R., daughter of John Anderson, of 
this county, and three children bless their 
union: J. 6., G. M. and M. E. Dr. and Mrs. 
Griffith are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. He is a democrat. 

GooDM.\N Y. Coulter, retired farmer, 
postotfice Bridgeville, one of the oldest citi- 
zens of South Fayette township, was boru 
in 1804, the third youngest son of eight chil- 
dren born to Moses and Margery (Faucit) 
Coulter,and now the only survivor of the fam- 
ily. Moses Coulter settled in Fayette town- 
ship in an early day, and was during active 
life among the most prominent of its citi- 
zens; was an extensive farmer, and erected a 
mill, which he successfully operated for many 
j-ears. He was a religious man, and took a 



prominent part in the founding of Bethany 
Church. lie died in 182."), at the age of sixty 
years, owning at his death some four hundred 
acres of land, which was equally dividerl 
among his children. Goodman Y. was bi)rn 
and reared on a farm, and educated at a log 
school. His first business venture was the 
management of his father's gristmill, which 
he successfully carried on for over twenty- 
five years, also in the meantime farming. Mr. 
Coulter was first married, in 1825, to Eu- 
phemia Middleswath, daughter of Moses 
Middleswath, an early pioneer of Allegheny 
county, and to this union were born eight 
children, viz.; Olivia (Mrs. Hays), Moses, 
Goodman. Elizabeth (Mrs. Roach), Margery, 
Cynthia, Mary Jane and John; all deceased 
except Elizal)eth (Mrs. Roach), who is now 
living in Holmes count}', Ohio. His second 
marriage was with Julia, daughterof Samuel 
McKown, one of the earliest settlers of this 
part of Alleghenj- count}'. To this second 
union three children were born: Maggie (Mrs. 
Nesbitt), Euphemia(Mrs. Herriolt) and Anna 
(Mrs. Fryer). Mr. Coulter was elected to the 
office of treasurer of the county by the repub- 
lican party; served also as director of the 
county poor, and was director of a prominent 
bank in Pittsburgh. He is not a memlier of 
any religious denomination, but has always 
been a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian 
Churcli. He now owns three hundred acres 
of land, which is worked under his manage- 
ment. He has been afflicted for some years 
with failing sight, and has become nearly 
blind. Politically he is a prohibitionist. 

John Stonkr Stotler, farmer, postoffice 
Negley, was born on the farm where he now 
resides, in 1843. His parents, Andrew and. 
Elizabeth (Bush) Stotler, were also born in 
Peun townshiji; his father on the same farm. 
Henry, father of .Vndrew, came from Frank- 
lin cimnty in 1790, and died iu 18.52, in his 
seventy-third year. Abram Bush, father of 
Elizabeth, was an early resident of Sandy 
Creek. Andrew Stotler died in February, 
1859, a^ed fifty years, and his widow in 1886, 
aged nearly seventy-three. They had fol- 
lowing-named children, all save two being 
residents of Peun: Henry H., killed at 
the first battle of Fredericksburg; Abra- 
ham B., John S., Levia Anna i,W'lson), Sam- 
uel R., Andrew P., Martha E. (Pahlman), 
David, George B., Archibald L., Alexander 
S. J. S. Stotler received a common-school 
education, and has always been a farmer. In 
December. 1882, be married Fanny Rebecca 
Lerena Kistler, who was born in 1862 in West- 
moreland county, a daughter of Samuel and 
Eve Susannah Ivisller, of German descent. 
Two children bless the home of Mr. Stotler; 
Olive May and James Edwin. The familj' 
is united with the U. P. Church. Mr. Stot- 
ler, like all of that name, is a republican, 
and has been school director and supervisor. 

Andrew Perkins Stotler, farmer, post- 
office Negley, was born on the farm where 
J. S. Stotler" resides, Jan. 11, 1848. which has 
always been his home. March 23, 1882, he- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



417 



was united in marriage with Margaret E. 
Pahlmau. and tliey have one child, Alice 
Barbara. They have also talieii a child from 
the Alli'gheny Orphan Asylum to rear, 
named Mary Grossman. Mr. and >Irs. Stot- 
ler are members of the Unity U. P. Church. 
Joseph Higbee Maits, farmer, postoffice 
Broughton, was born Dec. 20, 1833, on his 
present farm, a sou of John and Elizabeth 
(Higbee) Maits, former a farmer, born on 
the same place March 14, 1800, and died June 
26, 1876; latter born one mile west of her 
son'spresent place, Feb. 14, 1810. His grand- 
father, Casper Maits, was born east of the 
mountain, and settled here in the beginning 
of the eighteenth century; his wife was 
Catherine Ann Spesserd. Joseph H. spent 
his early youth with his father on the farm, 
and attended the public schools. In 1856 he 
began farming for himself; in 1874, with his 
brother, erected a sawmill, and two years 
later they added a gristmill to it, which they 
operated five years, when Joseph H. sold 
out. May 14, 18.57, he married Rebecca Jane 
Phillips, born Nov. 29, 1840, in Butler county. 
Pa., a daughter of John C. and Elizabeth 
(Smith) PhOlips; former born July 7, 1812, 
and died Nov. 9, 1886; latter died when Mrs. 
Maits was very young. Three children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Maits; John Will- 
iam (married Nov. 9, 1882, to Sadie Buckley, 
of Pittsburgh; they have one child, Charles 
Bucklev; live at home and work the place), 
Sarah E. (died March 20, 1868) and Milton 
Howard (at home). All are members of the 
Baptist Church. In September. 1887, Mr. 
Maits had his leg amputated, and was a great 
sufferer for several months. 

Charles Washington Clendenning. 
farmer, Bakerstown, is supposed to be the 
oldest resident of Allegheny county, and 
having celebrated his centennial anniversary 
in May, 1888, was invited .by the board of 
county commissioners to attend the anniver- 
sary of Allegheny county. He was born 
May 20, 1788, in County Westmeath, Ireland, 
son of Arthur and Margaret (Watson) Clen- 
denning. natives of County Donegal, Ireland. 
Mr. Clendenning was the oldest of eight chil- 
dren, and at the age of twent}'-two he 
moved to Meadville, Crawford counts'. Pa., 
where he thrashed buckwheat. He was a 
weaver in the old country, and did some 
work in that line in Meadville during his 
first winter here. Six months later he came 
to this county, and for six years distilled 
whisky for Robert Porter. Mr'. Clendenning 
married, Dec. 30, 1822, Martha Ross Porter, 
who was born in York county, April 7. 1795, 
and died aged sixty seven years. Her parents, 
Robert and Elizabeth Porter, came here 
in an early day from Eastern Pennsylvania. 
Mr. Clendenning had six children; John, 
Robert Porter, William Ross, Eliza Jane, 
Arthur, and Margaret Ellen, who died Aug. 
4, 1852, aged seventeen. John and Robert 
manage the old home farm. Robert was 
married March 12, 1866, to Catherine Bomin, 
a native of Germanv. who came to this 



country when three years of age. Their 
children are Martha Ann, Charles Watson, 
William John, Margaret Ellen, Ross Porter, 
Andrew Harper and Robert Hood, all at 
home. The family are members of Hood's 
M. P. Church, and all of the Clendennings are 
republicans. Mr. Clendenning settled on his 
present farm in 1826. clearing it from woods. 
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and for four years was town supervisor. He 
is a great lover of bees, and at his advanced 
age of one hundred years continues to care 
for them. He still retains an e.^icellent 
memory. He is respected by all who know 
him, and has ever striven to maintain the 
right, and to uphold the true dignity of labor. 
William Reese, retired, Etna, was born 
May 25, 1821, in Allegheny county, Pa., a 
sou of William and Jane (Truniok) Reese, 
former of whom was a native of Wales, and 
bj' trade an iron-refiner; the latter was a 
native of this county, of Scotch and German 
descent. The subject of these lines was em- 
ployed for fifty years in the iron-mills in 
Etna (now Spang's mill), beginning in the old 
sheetmill at ten years of age, but since 1884 
he has retired from business. His wife is 
Sarah A., daughter of Benjamin and Aud 
(Crawford) Powers. Benjamin Powers' 
father came to this county from Greenbrier 
settlement, Va . , at the close of the Revolution. 
He had been a soldier in that struggle, and 
was paid in continental money. He pur- 
chased two hundred acres near Etna, and 
paid for it with farm product. His five 
brothers were also soldiers in the Revolution, 
and all settled in this county except one. 
The family were among the oldest settlers in 
the county. Mr. Reese is in possession of 
sixteen acres of the old home farm. He has 
a family of six children; Anderson, Ben- 
jamin F., Wesley J., Francis, Annie E. and 
Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. Reese and family are 
members of the Methodist Church; he is a 
republican. 

S. H. Allen, M. D., postoffice Bakers- 
town, is a son of Rev. Moses and Catherine 
(McMillan) Allen, of New Jersej'.who settled 
in Washington county. Pa., in 1815. They 
had ten children, two of whom, besides S. H., 
still live, viz. ; Moses Coe, of Jefferson coun- 
ty, Ohio, and Catherine, widow of Thomas 
Morgan, of Belmont county, Ohio S. H, is. 
the fifth child, and was born in Greene 
county. Pa., Feb. 6, 1815; was taken to Wash- 
ington county when an infant, and was there 
reared and educated at the public schools. 
He then attended Jefferson College.Cannons- 
burg, Pa., graduating from the medical de- 
partment in 1838. He commenced the practice 
of his profession in Moon township, Alle- 
gheny county, where he remained seven 
years, and in 1846 came to his present loca- 
tion. April 26, 1838, the doctor married 
Mary, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth 
(Ilankins) Wallace, of this county, and they 
have three children living; Eliza Jane, 
widow of Thomas Gibson; Kate A. and Le- 
land M.,at home, the latter a lawyer, of Alle- 



418 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



iffheuy. Dr. Allen has held the offices of school 
•clirector and auditor of the township. Me 
and family are members of the Presbyterian 
■Church of Baker.stown. 

Tho.mas M. Fife, physician, postofTice 
Bennett, was born March 24, 1849, in Upper 
St. Clair township, son of Thomas and Jane 
(McGoun) Fife, latter of whom is of Scotch 
birth. The jirogi-nitors of the Fife famil_v in 
America were Vv illiam and John, natives of 
Ireland, wlio in an early day came to this coun- 
try. The palornal grandfather, James Fife, was 
a native of Ireland, coming to America when 
he was three years old. The}' were all farmers 
by occupation, and Presbyterians. James 
farmed and married here, and reared a fam- 
ily of eleven children. Of these, Thomas, 
aged now eighty-four years, is the only one 
living; his wife is also living, and they are 
the parents of three children: James. Rob- 
€rl and Thomas JI. The subject of this 
sketch was educated at Bethel Academy, and 
subsequently attended Washington and Jef- 
ferson College; after the division in the col- 
lege, in 1868, he read medicine with Dr. D. 
Donaldson, and in the spring of 1871 gradvi- 
ated from the Cleveland College, located in 
Noblestown, Pa. After five years he came 
to Millvale, where he has a fine practice. 
The doctor was married Sept. 4, 1873, to 
Isabella G. Elliott, and they are the parents 
of four children: Morgan E.. Jessie I., 
Thomas M. and Walter G. Dr. Fife is a 
democrat, and is a member of the A. O. U.W. 

S. Hakper Smith, physician and surgeon, 
Reynoldton, P. O. Hero, a son of John M 
and Mary (Moore) Smith, was born in 185.5, 
in Cannonsburg, Washington county. Pa., 
where he lived until he was nine years of 
age. From that time until past the age of 
seventeen his home was on the farm. By his 
■own efforts he acquired a scientific educa- 
tion, read medicine with Dr. J.W. Alexander, 
of Cannonsburg, and graduated at the Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, 
Md., in 1881. He first began the practice of 
his profession at Greenoak, Pa., April 18. 
1881, and June 2d of same year married Mary 
N., daughter of John W. Westbay, of Eliza- 
beth. Pa., and continued to practice at Green- 
oak until 1887. He then removed to Rey- 
noldton, this county, where he established 
the first drugstore. He was the first resi- 
dent physician of the borough, and with his 
nephew, A. Clark Smith, he established the 
first printing-office there. 

James B. McCukdy, farmer, P. O. Talley 
Cavey, is a son of Robert andRosanna (Bole) 
McCurdy. John McCnrdy, his grandfather, 
who was a native of Ireland, emigrated to 
America some time before the Revolution, lo- 
cated in the eastern part of the state, and 
afterward returned to Ireland. Some years 
later he again came to America, and settled 
in this county, on what is known as the 
Scott farm, in Shaler township, and finally 
settled in Hampton township, on the farm 
now owned bj- Frank Poff. where he lived 
until hisdeath, in 1825. Robert, the father of 



James B., was b'/rn in Ireland in 1783, and 
was brought by his parents when an infant 
to this country, where he was reared and fol- 
lowed farming. He died in 1804. He was 
father of four children, all of whom are de- 
ceased except James B.. who was horn Oct. 
81, 1833, and received his education in the 
schoolsof the township. In Fel)ruarv.l865.he 
enlisted in Co. I, 61st P. V., and served until 
the close of the war. after which he enganed 
in mercantile business at Talley Cavey for 
fourteen years, and has since followed farm- 
ing. In 1858 he married Mary A., daughter 
of John and Grace (Holmes) Porter, of this 
county, and they have seven children living: 
William, of Tarentum; Harry, of Butler 
county; James A. and Ida G., keepers of the 
toUgate in Hampton township. M. Blanche, 
wife of Charles A. Smith, of Sharpsburg; 
Robert P. and Walter F., at home. At pres- 
ent Mr. McCurdy is one of the supervisors of 
the township. He and his wife are members 
of the U. P. Church of Talley Cavey. 

HoGH Davidson, retired, postofhce Sar- 
dis. was born on his present farm Jan. 27. 
1820, a son of Elias and JIartha Davidson. 
His parents were born in Franklin county. 
Pa., and died in 1840. aged fifty-eight and 
forty-eight years, respectively. Mr. David- 
son's grandfather, Hugh Davidson, was 
judge of Franklin county, and held many 
offices in Plum towii-.hip after coming to 
Plum. He died in 1821. aged si.\ty-si.\' 3'ears. 
his wife, Katharine, having preceded h'm. 
Elias Davidson bought the old farm in Plum 
township about 1813, and then his father 
came to live with him from Franklin coimty. 
The subject of this memoir received his 
schooling here, worked on the farm, and at 
his father's death he and his brother carried 
it on for some time. He now has 125 acres 
of the old homestead. He has been assessor; 
is a member of tlie M. E. Church. 

Abraham Overiiolt Tinst.m.\n, dealer 
in coke and coal-lands, postofflce Turtle 
Creek, was born Sept. 13. 1834, in East Hunt- 
ingdon township, Westmoreland county, and 
was reared on the farm where the Emma Mine 
Coke-works are now located. He received a 
common school education, and remained on 
the farmnutil twenty five years of age. when 
he went to Broad f'ord, Fayette countj", to 
take charge of the mill, distillery and lands 
of his maternal grandfather, Abraham Over- 
holt. The latter was of German descent, 
born in Bucks countj', in 1784. and about 
1800 settled on a farm where the village of 
West Overton is now located, in East Hunt- 
ingdon. His wife was Maria Stauffer. of 
Fayette county. Their daughter Anna, born 
in 1812, married John Tiustman in 1830. and 
died in 1866. She was the mother of ten 
children, of whom our subject is the third. 
John Tinstman was the fourth of ten children, 
and was born in 1807 in East Huntingdon, 
where he died at the age of .seventy years. 
His father. Jacob, was born in Bucks countj' 
in 1773. and the mother, Anna Fox, was a 
native of Chester county. The father of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGBAPHY. 



419 



Jacob was a German, who settled in Bucks 
county and removed to Westmoreland very 
early in the history of the latter region. In 
1864 A. O. Tinstman became a partner with 
his grandfather, and continued to manage the 
business until the death of the latter, in 1870. 
Five years previous to this event, Mr. 
Tinstman and Joseph Rist had bought sis 
hundred acres of coal-land near Broad Ford, 
and in 1868, in partnership with A. S. M. 
Morgan, they opened what is now called the 
"Morgan Mines " and engaged extensively in 
making coke. Morgan & Co. then controlled 
almost the entire coke business of this region, 
and built a mile of railroad to secure an out- 
let for I heir product. Mr. Tinstman was 
among the organizers of the ^It. Pleasant 
& Broad Ford Railroad companj^ in 1870, and 
remained its president until the line was sold 
to the B. & O. six years later. In 1871 he 
became associated with Messrs. Frick and 
Rist (as H. C. Frick & Co.), and this firm 
built two Imudred coke-ovens, now known 
as the '■ Novelty " and '"Henry Clay" works. 
In 1873 Morgan & Co. bought four hundred 
acres of coal-lands at Latrobe, and Mr. 
Tinstman also made extensive purchases of 
other coal-tracts, which led to the loss of his 
entire possessions in the panic of 1873. He 
set bravely to work to retrieve his losses, and 
in 1878 and 1880 was enabled to purchase 
options on coal-lands in the Connellsville 
region. In the last-named year he sold 
thirty-five hundred acres at a good profit, 
and soon bought a half interest in the "Ris- 
ing Sun " Coke-works, About this time he 
established the firm of A. O. Tinstman & Co. 
in Pittsburgh, and was highly successful in 
his operations. In 1881 he acquired Mt. 
Braddock & Pennsville Coke-works, and 
three }'ears after sold all his coke interests. 
For the last four years he has engaged iu the 
purchase and sale of coal-lauds, and has made 
some large deals. 

In Januaiy, 1876, Mr. Tinstman began 
housekeeping in Turtle Creek, having been 
married on the 1st of July previous to Miss 
Harriet Cornelia, daughter of Gen. C. P. 
Markle, of Westmoreland county. They 
have one son, Cyrus Painter Markle. The 
family is connected with the Presbyterian 
Church of Turtle Creek. Iu 1879 was built 
the fine mansion which Mr. Tinstman and 
family now occupy. The grounds include 
the site of a pioneercabin, once the home of 
Mrs. Myers, and which gave shelter to 
George Washington after his raft had cap- 
sized in the Allegheny on one of his explor- 
ing expeditions. 

J. S. McKelvy, farmer, postoffice Wilkins 
burg. Among the early settlers of Wilkins 
township, Alleghen)- county, was James Mc- 
Kelvy, who emigrated to Western Penn- 
sylvania from County Down. Ireland, and 
settled near the present town of Wilkinsburg, 
where he lived the rest of his days. He had 
seven children, of whom James, Jr., the eld- 
est, born in 1800, came to Wilkinsburg with 
his father, and always lived there; followed 



agriculture, being owner of some five hun- 
dred acres of valuable farm- and coal-lauds 
situated in Braddock township. He married 
Rosanna, daughter of John Swisshelm, of 
this county, and four sons and two daughters 
have blessed their uuion, five of whom are 
living; John S., W. H., W. F., Elizabeth 
(Mrs. Hager) and Martha J. (Mrs, Winter- 
smith). The father died in May, 18S8, being 
at the time the oldest citizen of Braddock 
township. The subject of this sketch was 
educated at the public schools, Wilkinsburg 
Academy and Allegheny College, and has 
made farming his lifework. He married, 
in 1864, Ella, daughter of John Horner, and 
by her had seven children, six of whom are 
now living; James, Rose, Elizabeth, Mary, 
Ella and John. 

CoL. Joseph McCullough Kinkead, sta- 
tion agent, postoffice Turtle Crei-k, was born 
in Pittsburgh, May 7, 1825. His maternal 
great-grandfather, JohnMcCullougli. located 
on the land now including Turtle Creek 
station when it was still held iu reserve for 
the benefit of the Indians, and the consider- 
ation mentioned in the patent for 200 acres 
is five pounds sterling. The estate was. 
called "Armagh," after his native county 
in Ireland. His son of the same name suc- 
ceeded liimin its possession, and his youngest 
son, Joseph, a carpenter, engaged in house- 
building at Pittsburgh, where he died in 
1841, being upward of ninety years old. 
Joseph was a member of the First Presby- 
terian Church of that city, and he and his 
wife helped organize the Second, in which, 
he was an elder. Their daughter, Jane, 
married David Kinkead, a native of Hunt- 
ingdon county, a son of Robert Kiukead, of 
Irish stock. Both Joseph McCullough and 
Robert Kinkead were members of the 4tb 
regiment of the Pennsylvania Line during 
the Revolution. Joseph McC. Kinkead is- 
the eldest of six children, and the only one 
now living, born to David Kinkead. He 
was reared in Pittsburgh, and fini.shed his, 
education at the Western University of 
Pennsylvania. He learned the trade of 
printer, which he followed until 1876. He- 
was a member of an independent military 
company, on whose roll his name is still 
carried, known as the " Duquesne Greys," 
and with other members joined the 1st 
regiment P. V.. in 1846, and entered the 
Mexican war as corporal. After assisting 
in the bombardment of Vera Cruz, he was- 
prostrated by the climate on the march 
toward Cerro Gordo, and remained in 
hospital at Vera Cruz until July, 1847, 
when he was sent to New Orleans, and there 
discharged in December of the same year. 
In 1861 he again responded to the call of his 
country, going out with the first body of 
men from Pittsburgh; was made adjutant 
of thel3thP. v., with "Patterson's Column." 
This body marched from Chambersburg to- 
oppose Gen. Joseph Johnston, crossed the 
Potomac at Williamsport, Md., and took 
part in skirmishes at Falling Waters and 



420 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Bunker Hill AfUr Bull run llicy ix- 
treated aiul trussed at Harpers Ferry iu the 
niglit. l!.v that time the three-months enlist- 
ment of the regiment expired, and Adjt. 
Kinkead lielped'to reorganize it, going out 
as lieutenant colonel, its number now being 
102d, Serving in the Army of the Potomac, 
the regiment participated in the battles of 
Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, seven 
days' tight, Antietam. Malvern Hill and 
both engagements at Fredericksburg. In 
January, 1«63, Mr. Kinkead became colonel, 
and led the regiment until his resignation in 
May of that year. 

In 1860 our subject bought a part of the 
■'Armagh" estate, which has since been his 
home. In 1876 ho became the agent of the 
Pennsylvania railroad at Turtle Creek, which 
position he continues to fill to the satisfac- 
tion of the company and the people. He 
assisted at the organization of the republican 
party in La Fayette Hall. Pittsburgh, and 
has never changed his allegiance to its 
principles. In 18.57 he married Catlierine 
Keeper, a native of Pittsburgh, and daughter 
of William and Catherine Neeper, natives of 
Ireland. Three daughters have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Kinkead: Mary Jane (wife 
of John S. Stewart, weighmaster at Hampton 
Coal-works, North Versailles), Belle Uow- 
ley (wife of Homer L. Castle, attorney, Pitts- 
burgh), and Nellie (Mrs. Thomas Reniers, 
of Pittsburgh). 

W. A. Sasdles, M. D.. Braddock, is a 
native of Saltsburg, Pa., born in 1846, a son 
of William and Maria (Marshall) Sandles, 
former a farmer, latter a daughter of Scott 
Marshall, a native of Scotland. William 
Sandles carried on a general store in Salts- 
burg, Indiana county, Pa., for a time, and 
finally followed farming. The suljject of 
these" lines was educated at Saltsburg and 
Elder's Ridge academies. In 1865 he com- 
menced the study of medicine in Westmore- 
land county. Pa., and entered Jefferson Medi- 
cal College, of Philadelphia, in 1866, grad- 
uating from same in 1868. He at ouce com- 
menced the practice of his profession in 
Braddock. where, with the exception of two 
years, he has since continued. In 1863 the 
doctor enlisted in Co. C, 4th P. C, and for 
three years was in active service with his 
regiment. He is a member of the G. A. R. ; 
in politics a republican. 

John Swisshklm. retired. P. O. Monroe- 
ville, was born at Swissvale, in 1830. a son of 
John and ^Matilda (Swallow) Swisshelm. the 
latter of Welsh parentage. His grandfather, 
John Swisshelm, came from Germany, and 
secured a large tract of laud in Wilkins town- 
ship, Swissvale being named after him. His 
son, the second .John, sold out his interest in 
the estate in 1856, and moved to Stark county, 
Ohio, where he died in 1875, aged about seven- 
ty-five years. He had five children: John, 
Eliza, Mrs. Thomas Smith, of Anthony, Kan. ; 
Jeremiah, in Swissvale; Isaiah, in New Phila- 
delphia, Ohio, and Joseph, in Malvern, Ohio. 
When small our subject was bound out until 



he was sixteen years old. when he learned the 
blacksmith's trade. He bought a farm in 
Penn township, but later sold out and pur- 
chased one hundred acres where he resides, 
in Patton. Here he carried on wagon-work 
until he received a stroke of paralysis which 
disabled his right side. He has always been 
a democrat. He married, in 1S45, Jane, a 
native of Philadelphia, and a daughter of 
Robert and Mary (McVicker) Ilasley, of Irish 
birth. Of the twelve children born to Jlr. 
and Mrs. Swisshelm, eight are living; Mary 
Jane (Cyphers), in East Liberty; Robert 
Hasley, iu Penn township; Sarah Jeannelta. 
first married to a Mr. Gill, secondly to a Mr. 
Porter, in East Liberty; Jeremiah DeKnight; 
Harry Walker, at home; John Morrow Wil- 
son, at Turtle Creek; Eva Minnie, Luella 
Matilda, with parents. William John, the 
firstborn, died at the age of five years; Laura, 
at seventeen, and two in infanc}'. The • 
family are united with Hebron U. P. Church. 
Benjamin Crowtiier, retired, Etna, was 
born Sept. 39, 1836, in Staffordshire, En- 
gland, where he was educated. He emigrated 
to the United .States in 1844. with his father 
and brothers, and the}- settled in Morgan- 
town, W. Va., where the}' purchased a 
furnace property. In the course of two 
j'ears his father, brothers and himself re- 
moved to Brady's Bend. Pa., where he erected 
the furnace for the Brady's Bend Iron-works. 
In 1848 his father went to Lowell. Ohio, 
where he " blowed " the Lowell furnace, 
the first furnace in the United States to use 
the raw bituminous coal. In the same year 
our subject took charge of this furnace, and 
remained there ten years. In 1861 he went 
to Pittsburgh, and erected two furnaces at 
Manchester. At this point he continued 
until 1871. when he took charge of the 
construction of the Isabella furnace at Etna, 
of which he was superintendent until 1878. 
when he resigned on account of ill health. 
Since then he has retained his interest with 
the firm, and attends to some little business, 
but lives a quiet and retired life most of the 
time. He married, in 1846. Mary J. Hill, of 
Staffordshire. England, and their children are 
Mrs. Mary J. Stanton, Harperless. Mrs. AdaC. 
Shupe. -Mrs. Isabella Ranson and Benjamin 
H. Mr. and Mrs. Crowther are members of 
the Baptist Church; politically he is a repub- 
lican; he is a member of the A. F. & A. M. 

Dr. W. B. Kroesbn, Etna, was born Aug, 
17. 1839. in Allegheny-City, Pa. His father, 
John Kroesen, a native ofMartinsburg, Va,, 
came to this county with his father. Isaiah 
Kroesen, when he was but fifteen years old. 
John, a cooper b}' trade, married Anna 
Otterson, and eight children blessed their 
union. The subject of this memoir was 
educated in his native town; read medicine 
with Dr. Oldshoe and Dr. Jacoby. and took 
his first course of lectures at the Eclectic 
Pennsylvania Medical College, graduating 
in 1865. After practicing at Talley Cavey 
a number of years, he took a post-graduate 
course in the Medical College of Physicians 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKArHY. 



421 



and Surgeons, Cincinnati, sraduatius in the 
class of 1873. He then located in Etna. 
where he now enjoys a liberal patronage. 
He married Jane "V\'iggins. and has two 
children: Cora J. and George T. Dr. Kroesen 
enlisted in April, 1861, in the three-monlhs 
service, and on the expiration of his term 
re-enlisted in Co. D, 103d regiment, for 
three years. He was promoted to second 
lieutenant of Co. K, and participated in 
all the engagements of his regiment until 
wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks. He 
served three terms as school director, and in 
1888 organized the fire department, of which 
he Is chief. He organized Q. A. R. Post No. 
38, and is past medical director of the 
G, A. R. of Pennsylvania. He is also a 
member of the A. F. & A. M., A. O. U. W., 
I. O. O. F., G. A. R., U. V. L., A. O. of H. 
and R. A. ; he has represented the I. O. 0. F., 
R. xV. and G. A. R. in national encamp- 
ments, and erected two councils of the R. A. 

Rev. John C. Pric?:, Natrona, was born 
of Irish parents, in New York city, July 3, 
1852. In 1854 his family removed to Alle- 
gheny county. Pa, , and In 1854 he commenced 
study in the public school in Williamsburg, 
a suburb of Pittsburgh. In 1869 he entered 
St. Michael's Seminary, Glenwood, Pa., com- 
pleted preparatory course, and began phi- 
losophy and theology in 1874. He received 
the first tonsure May 30, 1874. Upon the 
closing up of St. Michael's Seminary he was 
sent to Baltimore, where he finished his 
divinities in St. Mary's of St. Sulpice. He 
was ordained to the priesthood Aug. 17, 1877, 
and spent two years as assistant pastor of St. 
Mary's, Forty-fifth street, Pittsburgh, Pa, 
He was then transferred to the pastorate of 
St. James' Church, Sewickley, Pa., which 
office he held five years, and in June, 1884, 
was appointed in charge of St. Joseph's 
Church. Natrona, his present mission. During 
his four years' administration of an exten- 
sive and nationally diversified parish he has 
erected St. Alphusius Church, Springdale, 
Pa., and St. Peter's. Tarentum, Pa, A fine 
tract of land has also been purchased for 
church purposes in Natrona, and a beautiful 
pastoral residence has been erected thereon. 

Rev. Constaktine M. Hegerich, rector 
of St. Joseph's R. C. Church. Verona, was 
born in Lancaster, Pa., in 1857. His parents, 
Michael and IMagdalen Hegerich, came from 
Germany in 1844, and settled in Lancaster 
six years later, and are now deceased. The 
father was a weaver and tailor, and plied his 
trades for six years in Philadelphia. Father 
Hegerich was educated at St. Vincent's Col- 
lege and Seminary at Latrobe, whence he 
graduated in 1881. After nearly a year as 
assistant pastor of St. Peter's Church at Mo- 
Keesport, he was appointed to the charge of 
St. Joseph's in September. 1882. Under his 
ministry the debt of the parish has been de- 
creased S2,000, and a flue new brick church 
86x44 feet in dimensions erected, which, when 
completed, will cost $13,000. The school 
under his personal care is flourishing, and has 



an average attendance of sixty pupils. He 
is a young man of euerg}- and ability, and in 
him the church lias a faithful servant. 

William Lightcap Hunter, physician, 
postofBce Turtle Creek, was born Feb, 8, 
1844, and is a grandson of Samuel Hunter, 
whose father was a pioneer settler in Unity 
township, Westmoreland county, Pa. Sam- 
uel, his son James and the subject of this 
sketch were born on the same farm. James 
married Annice Lightcap, a lady of Scotch 
descent, as are also the Hunters. After 
attending the academy at Elder's Ridge, our 
subject read medicine with Dr. James 
McCouaughy at Mt. Pleasant, and at the 
age of twenty-four entered on a course in 
chemistry and toxicology at Bellevue Hos- 
pital Medical College, New York. After com- 
pleting that course he attended Dr. Richard- 
son's school of pharmacy in Philadelphia, 
and then entered Jefferson Medical College 
of the latter city, from which he graduated 
in 1868. In the spring of the same year he 
began to practice in Turtle Creek, and now 
has a large and lucrative patronage. The 
doctor has also recently established a fine 
livery-stable for the benefit of his townsmen 
With his family he is associated with the U. 
P. Church. Politicallj' he is a republican. 
In 1870 Dr. Hunter was united in marriage 
with Rachel, daughter of John and Leonora 
McMasters. Her father owned and kept the 
Eagle hotel in Pittsburgh. Dr. Hunter's chil- 
dren are Leonora and Annice Gale. 

E. W.Dean.M, D.. Braddock. is a native of 
Ohio, born in 1849. eldest sou of Henry and El- 
len (Armour) Dean, who were the parents of 
ten children, five of whom are deceased. Hen- 
ry Dean was a well-known merchant, doing an 
extensive business in St. Louis and Pitts- 
burgh. Our subject was educated until 
fifteen years of age by Miss Sarah Wallace, 
as private tutor, in bt. Louis, graduated at 
AVilkinsbnrg (Pa.) Academy and studied at 
Greenville College, Pennsylvnia. In 1869 he 
commenced the study of medicine under the 
preceptorship of Dr. David Cowley, and in 
1873 entered the Hahnemann Medical College, 
where he graduated in 1875. The doctor 
has practiced his profession continuously in 
Braddock since 1876, and has secured the 
confidence of the general public. In 1876 he 
married Helen D., daughter of James An- 
derson, of Pittsburgh, and they have had six 
children, five of whom are living; Cecil, 
Howard, Charles, Nettie and Harvey. Clif- 
ford (third child) died, aged four and one- 
half years. Dr. Dean is a Freemason, a 
member of the I. O. O. F.; in politics a 
I'epublican. 

Emanuel Stotlkk, farmer, postolHce 
Negley, was born on the farm where he now 
resides, June 6, 1819. His grandfather, Jacob 
Stoller, probably from Germany, died in 
Franklin county. Pa. His widow came to 
Penn township in 1790 with four sons and 
two daughters: Emanuel, Henry, .John, 
.Jacob, Elizabeth (Reamer) and Martha 
(Coon). Of these Emanuel was thirteen 



•422 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



vcars old when they came here. lie married 
tlizabelh Bowiuau, of Lancaster countj-, 
and lived and died on this farm, passing 
away in lt<GS. His wife died four years prior, 
in her eighty-seventh year. Her jjarents, 
Henry and "Barbara (Hockinan) Bowman, 
were early settlers here, and came of (ierman 
blood. Emanuel and Elizabeth Sloller had 
lliirteen children: Jacob, Mary (.Snively), 
Eliznliilh (Stoner), Barbara (Brjglil), Henry 
B., David, Ann (Alter), JIarIha (deceased), 
Margaret (Coon), Emanuel. Nancy ( Logan), 
Eve'(Alteri and Catherine (Conn). Of these 
Emanuel always remained on the home farm; 
served as school director, assessor and col- 
lector, and politically was a republican, as 
was his father, who was first a whig. Mr. 
Stotler's family is associated with Plum 
Creek Presbyteiiau Church, but his ancestors 
were connected with the German Reformed. 
In 1851 Emanuel Stotler married Nancy 
Alter, a native of Plum township, and 
daughter of .lacob and Jane (Bratton) Alter, 
of German and Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. 
and Jlrs. Stotler's children are David R.. 
Elizabeth Jane, Theodosia Emma (Mrs. T. 
B. DeArmit). Lucinda Alter, Sarah Minerva, 
Ada B. and Harvey K. Mary Elvira (the fifth) 
and Lily Eve (the youngest) are deceased. 

David GiLMOHE,retired. postofliceBridge- 
ville, was born in Fayette (now South Fay- 
ette) township, in 1819. James Gilmore, his 
grandfather, came from the north of Ireland 
to America previous to the revolutionary 
war. and settled in Chester county. Pa. ; he 
married Elizabeth Lawhead, daughter of 
Robert Lawhead, a wealtbx' farmer of Lan- 
casiercounty, and soon after marriage, which 
was againstthe wishes of >Ir. Lawhead, Mr. 
and Mrs. Gilmore came to Fayette township, 
this county, and purchased three hundred 
acres of laud, here remaining until his 
death, which occurred when he was eighty 
years of age. Three sons and five daughters 
were born to him. AVilliam. the eldest, was 
born in 1783, and died aliout 182ri. He was a 
miller, and owned a whisl-;j' distillery, which 
he successfully operated until 181'.?. when he 
purchased a farm of one luindrcd and eighty 
acies. He mariied Mary, daughter of 
William Denniston, of Ireland, and five sons 
and two daughteis weie born to them. 
David, the fourth child, is now the only sur- 
viving member of this family. He was 
educa(ed at the common schools, and re- 
mained on liis father's farm until he was 
iweuly-one years old, when he purchased the 
home farm from his father's heirs, and after- 
ward engaged in the milling business, which 
he successfull}' carried on for twenty years, 
operating the Allegheny City Flouringmills 
from 1861 to 18TT. For five years of that 
period he was also extensively engaged in the 
brewing business in Allegheny City. Mr. 
Gilmore married, in 1846, Sarah Johnson, 
daughter of Robert and Jennie Moss. Mr. 
Gilmore returned to Bridgcville in 1878. and 
purchased his present linme, where he and 
his wife have since resiiled He was a di- 



rector and vice-jjresident of the Anchor Sav- 
ings Bank, of Pittsburgh, for several years 
was a member of the common and select 
councils of that city; was director of the 
Armenia Insurance companj-, Allegheny City; 
justice of the peace in Soutli Fayette town- 
ship; treasurer of school board, and is a mem- 
ber of the Second U. P. Church of Allegheny. 

Dk. Wii.LiA.M J. GiLMORK, Bridgevillc, is 
a native of this countj'. born in 1828. He is 
the second in the family of James and Mary 
(Cook) Gilmore, who had six children, two 
of whom are now living. James was a farm- 
er, and owned 280 acres of land in South 
Fayette township. He died at the age of 
forty-one years, his wife at the age of thirty- 
eight. The grandfather. James, a farmer, 
came from Europe to America at an earlj- 
dale, settled in this county, and purchased 
the tract of land afterward owned by his son 
James. The subject of this sketch was edu- 
cated at the common schools, and was a 
student at Duquesne and Jefferson colleges. 
He commenced the study of medicine in 
1847, under Drs. Hays and Hickman, of this 
county. He then entered Jefferson Medical 
College at Philadelphia, from which he 
graduated in 18.50, since which date he has 
been a practicing physician at Bridgeville. 
He married, iu 1852, Jane, daughter of 
Thomas Alexander, of this county. The 
doctor has taken an active part in the move- 
ments of the republican party, and has been 
a delegate to its conventions on several occa- 
sions. He was for eight years pension exam- 
iner. 

Pi;OF. James Dickson, Pn. D., es county 
superintendent of public schools and late 
prof( ssor of Pittsburgh Academy, postoffice 
Clinton, was born in Findlay township, 
Allegheny county. Pa.. Sept. 29. 1834, a son 
of Joseph and Slaiy (Moody) Dickson, of 
Cecil county, Md.. and Washington county. 
Pa., respectively. Joseph was a carpenter, 
and a son of John and Catherine (Mood^-) 
Dickson, the latter a native of Ireland. 
John Dickson was a native of Cecil counlj-, 
Md., and a son of John and Nancy (Thomp- 
son) Dickson, who were born and married in 
Ireland and came to Maryland prior to the 
Revolution. They had but one child, John, 
Jr. Joseph Dickson came to Allegheny 
county wlien a young man, and reared a 
family of five daughters and one son. The 
latter, the subject of this biography, received 
his earlj- education at the public schools, and 
at thirteen began the stud}' of Latin with 
George Jardine. a graduate of Belfast Col- 
lege. IrelaDd. Later he entered the academy 
at Murdocksville. Washington county. Pa., 
and was graduated at Mount Union College, 
near Alliance, Ohio. During that time he 
also taught in the public schools of Alleglieny 
and Washington counties. In 1805 he asso- 
ciated with James A. Dunbar and established 
the Linniean Academy and Normal Seminary 
at Clinton, which, for want of suitable 
buildings, was removed in 1867 to Mansfield. 
Pa. In 1869 he and Mr. Dunbar were elect- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



423 



€d principals of the Cannonsburg Academy. 
Washington county, Pa., and in 1872 Prof. 
Dickson was elected principal of the Sewicli- 
ley (Pa.) Academy. In 1865 he was elected 
county superintendent of public schools of 
Allegheny county, served six years and 
refused a re-election. At the solicitation of 
the leading citizens of Allegheny City and 
Pittsburgh, and realizing the importance of 
a high-grade academy, he associated with 
him "Prof. J. W. Caldwell, A. M.. LL. B.. 
and organized the Pittsburgh Academy Nov. 
1. 1880. Owing to ill heaUh, Prof. Dickson 
was compelled to resign in 1883 and remove 
to his farm in Findlav township, where he 
has since resided. lie was united in mar- 
riage, July 2, 1866, at Creagerstowu. Md. . to 
Martha C. Zimmerman, A. M., a graduate of 
Mount Union College, class of 1862. and 
daughter of John and Miranda (Myers) Zim- 
merman. She taught in Illinois and Mary- 
land prior to her marriage, and since that 
event has been closely associated with her 
husband as an assistant teacher. They have 
one child, Joseph Z., born at Mansfield. Pa.. 
Feb. 3, 1868; he attended school in Washing- 
ton county. Pa., and was admitted as a 
student to the Western University of Penn- 
sylvania. Prof, and Mrs. Dickson are mem- 
bers of the U. P. Church. 

John R. Marshall, postmaster, and 
manager of Montour store. Imperial, was 
born in Guernsej- county, Ohio, March 5, 
1856, a son of William and Dorcas (Reed) 
Marshall, former of whom was a son of Robert 
and Elinor (Hayes) Marshall, of Washington 
county. Pa. Dorcas (Reed) Marshall was born 
in Allegheny county. Pa., a daughter of John 
and Lilly (McCracken) Ueeii. both Pennsyl- 
vaniaus, and members of the Presbyterian 
Church. John Reed was a native of West- 
moreland county. Pa., and died in Mercer 
county. Pa., aged fifty-eight }'ears; Lilly 
(McCracken) Reed was a native of Lancaster 
county. Pa., and died at West Salem. La 
Crosse county. Wis., aged ninety-six j'ears; 
she was a daughter of Alexander and Mar- 
garet (Marshall) McCracken, of County Ar- 
magh, Ireland, who came to America in 1780, 
and settled in Allegheny county. Pa. ; he 
died in Guernsey county, C)hio, at the advanced 
age of one hundred years, his wife in Mont- 
gomery count}', Ohio, when sixty-five years 
old. William and Dorcas (Reed)Marshall were 
members of the Presbyterian Church; they 
had one child, John R. In 1859 the father 
died, at the age of flfty-seven, and the motli- 
er then came to Allegheny (jity, where she 
joined her sisters; she died in West Salem. 
Wis., at the age of sixty-six. The subject of 
this sketch attended school in Allegheny 
until ten years of age, when he commenced 
for himself. He worked in the bookstore of 
Mrs. M. J. Arnold, Allegheny City, three 
years; then clerked for a like period for a 
merchant tailor at Pittsburgh, and in 1872,. 
with his mother, opened a grocery-store in 
Allegheny, Pa. Two j-ears later he sold out 
and took a course in telegraph}' and book- 



keeping in Oberliu College, Oberlin, Ohio. 
Subsequently he returned to Allegheny Citj' 
and clerked in a grocery-store until December, 
1879, when he came to Imperial as clerk in 
the Montour store, of which he was appoint- 
ed manager in 1881. That same year he was 
appointed postmaster bj' Postmaster-General 
James. Mr. Marshall married. Oct. 6, 1881, 
Mary E. Crawford, a native of Allegheny 
City, and a daughter of Andrew I. and Mar- 
tha J. E. (Knox) Crawford, natives, respect- 
ively, of Allegheny and Juniata counties. 
Mr. Marshall is a member of Royal Arcanum 
Lodge 100. Allegheny City, and he and his 
wife are members of the Presbyterian Church 
at Imperial. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have 
two children, Elnetta M. and John K. 

Gilbert M. McM.\stbr, attorney, post- 
olHce Broughton. was born in 1833 at Sche- 
nectady, K.Y., a son of Rev. John McMastei', 
D. D.. and Joannetta Maria McMaster. His 
father was born in Countv Antrim, Ireland, 
March 1, 1808, the eldest son of Hugh and 
Ellen (Barr) McJIaster, and came with his 
father to Pittsburgh in 1811. He graduated 
from the Western University of Pennsylvania 
in 1827; following year began to study for 
the ministry, and was licensed to preach 
April 8, 1830. He died June 11, 1864. The 
mother of our subject died Jan. 28, 1840, 
aged twentj'-seven years; she was a daugh- 
ter of Rev. Gilbert McMaster, D. D., a Cov- 
enanter minister, a native of Ireland, and 
one of the early graduates of Jefferson Col- 
lege; he married Jane Brown, of Cannons- 
burg, and a daughter of Benjamin Brown, 
who was ordained an elder Feb. 2-1. 1771. at 
Paxtou, Pa. CTilbert M. McMaster attended 
Miami University, Oxford. Ohio, at the 
time his uncle, the late E. D. McMaster. D. 
D., LL. D., was president of that institution; 
came to Pittsburgh in 1858, studied law with 
David Reed, late United States district at- 
torney, was admitted to the bar in 1857, and 
practiced in Pittsburgh until 1876. He mar- 
ried. Nov. 30,1865, Margaret Thompson, who 
was born June 17, 1832, near Pitt.sburgh, a 
daughter of Robert and Margaret (JIcMaster) 
Thompson. Her mother was a daughter of 
Hugh and Eleanor McMaster, and died Feb. 
21, 1877. Her father, Robert, was born in 
County Down. Ireland. Sept. 7, 1803. and 
came to this country in 1831. In 1841 he set- 
tled on the farm where Mr. McMaster now 
lives, and died Dec. 16, 1877. leaving the farm 
to Mrs. McMaster and her sister. Miss Ellen 
Thompson. 

Mr. and Mrs. McMaster have five sons and 
two daughters: Erasmus Darwin and Rob- 
ert Thompson (twins), born Oct. 11, 1866, 
former deceased; John M.. a clerk in Pitts- 
burgh; Margaret Thompson, Andrew Bar- 
clay, Gilbert Clement and Joaunelta Maria. 
Mr". McMaster retired from active practice of 
the law in 1876, and has since spent the 
greater part of his time lecturing on temper- 
ance in various states of the Union, and was 
one of the early advocates of "constitutional 
amendment " as the best means of destroying 



424 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



the power of the "liquor crime." He was 
led to this view of the subject by the very 
able arguments of the late distinguished law- 
yer and statesman, B. Gratz Brown, of Mis- 
souri. 

John II. Alex.\ndeu, P. O. Bridgeville, 
was iDorn in Allegheny county, Pa., in 1821, 
and is descended from Irish ancestry. 
Thomas Alexander came from Maryland to 
Allegheny county with his mother and 
brother, and was a teamster in the army dur- 
ing the Revolution. He and his brother v)ur- 
chased 400 acres of land ou Millers run. 
followed farming and remained ou this prop- 
erty until their deaths. Thomas married 
Hilary Murray and became the father of six 
children, and died aged eighty-six years. His 
wife died at the age of ninety-six. Thomas, 
Jr., was born in 179-5 on the -liJO acres of land 
purchased by his father and uncle. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Hanua, daughter of John 
Hanua, and four sons and four daughters 
were born to them. Thomas died in 1886, 
aged ninety-one years. Of his children, 
John H.. oiir siibject, was born and reared 
ou a farm, the pursuits of which he has fol- 
lowed on this place for thirty years. He 
learned the trade of a carpenter, which he 
followed for thirteen years. He married, in 
1856, Mary Nesbitt, daughter of Ebenezer 
and Margaret Nesbitt, and twelve children 
were born to them, nine of whom are living: 
Maggie J. (Mrs. Poelett), Lizzie H. (Mrs. 
Vance), George M., Sadie, Levina Mary 
(now Mrs. jfoore), Matilda B.. Annie C, 
Salina F. and Ella C. Mr. Alexander is a 
school director; is a member of the M. E. 
Church, iu politics a republican. 

Tho.mas Alexander, P. O. Bridgeville, 
was born in 1823, the second son of Thomas 
and Elizabeth (Hannah) Alexander. Hewas 
born and reared on a farm and educated at 
the public schools. He married Elizabeth 
Jane Morrison, daughterof Benjamin Park- 
inson and Rebecca (Rea) Morrison, of Wash- 
ington county, and six children have been 
lioru to them (five now living): Laura (de- 
ceased), AVilliam Gilmore. Laurina Mary, 
Minnetta Belle, Carrie Lizzie and Joseph 
Morrison. Mr. Alexander followed railroad- 
ing for a number of years; was employed as 
clerk in the county treasurer's office, but has 
lived ou his present farm since 1872. He and 
family are members of the M. E. Church; 
politically he is a republican. 

S.\MUEL Alexander, P. O. Bridgeville, 
was born in 1838, the j'oungest son of Thomas 
and Elizabeth (Hanna) Alexander, and named 
in honor of his uncle. He was born and 
reared on a farm, and received his education 
at the public schools and at the normal 
school of Mansfield. From Aug. 22, 1862, 
until the close of the rebellion, Mr. Alexander 
was a soldier in the service of his coimtry. 
He enlisted in Co. D, 149th P. V. I., and was 
in the principal battles in which his regiment 
participated, among which may be mentioned 
Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilder- 
ness, etc. Mr. Alexander married, in 1866, 



Martha L., daughter of Ebenezer and Marj^u- 
ret (Brown ) Nesbitt. Mr. Alexander is recog- 
nized as one of South Fayette's representa- 
tive citizens. He has been a lifelong member 
of the Presbyterian Church; politically he i» 
a republican. 

Hon. Alexander H. Burns, farmer, P.O. 
Imperial, was born on the old homestead of 
his father and grandfather, near Imperial, 
Findlay township, this county, Aug. 15, 1813, 
a son of Thomas and Catherine (Bevington> 
Burns, the latter a native of Washington 
county. Pa. Thomas Burns was born Id 
Findlay township, Allegheny county, a son 
of Alexander and Nancy (Barnes) Burns, 
former of whom, a native of Scotland, and 
by trade a cooper, settled ou the old farm in 
Findlay township prior to the Revolution; 
he was one of the earliest settlers of what is 
now Findlay township, and was a great 
hunter. His wife was born in Maryland. 
Thomas aud Catherine Burns settled on the 
old farm in Findlay township, where they 
both died in the faith of the Presbyterian 
Church, in which they had lived. They had 
three sons and four daughters. Alexander 
H. married, in 1840, Jane JefEery, of North 
Fayette township, a daughter of Samuel and 
Margaret (Jordan) Jeffery. Mrs. Burns died 
in 1844. the mother of one daughter. Louisa 
J., now the wife of Mark Gregg, of Findlay 
township. In May. 1848, Mr. Burns married 
Nancy Armor, of I'^indlay township, daughter 
of William and Nancy (McClellan) Armor. 
Mrs. Burns died in May, 1851, the mother of 
two children: Charles A., who died aged ten 
years, and Maria, at home. Mr. Burns mar- 
ried, iu 18o4.Mrs. Mary King, of Findlay town- 
ship, a daughter of Nicholas Swearingen. 
Mrs. Burns is a member of the L'. P. Churcb 
at Clinton. Mr. Burns has held various local 
offices of trust in his township. In 1859 he 
was elected representative to the legislature 
of Pennsylvania on the republican ticket. 
He is a leading farmer and citizen, respected 
by all. 

William Hill, county treasurer, P. O. 
Mansfield Valley, is a native of County 
Down. Ireland, born Dec. 3, 1837. His father, 
David, came to America in 1841, and settled 
in Allegheny county. He was a school- 
teacher, a profession he followed in his 
native country, but after teaching several 
years in this county he became a traveling 
merchant. He married Elizabeth Dickson, 
who bore him four children: William, 
Margaret A, (at home), Elizabeth (now Mrs. 
David S. Given) and Ellen (now Mrs. A. W. 
Ewing). The father died in 1866, aged sixtv- 
two years, and the mother survived him until 
1879. when she died, aged sixty-five years. 
William Hill was educated at the jmblic 
schools, leaving them to embark in the prac- 
tical concerns of life. Up to 1867 he was 
principally engaged in farming, after that in 
contracting and lumbering, and was also 
interested in the manufacture of brick, which 
he still carries on. . He was elected to the 
legislature from this county, serving the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGBAPHY. 



425 



people from 1876 to 1880. He was elected 
county treasurer b^ the republican party, 
and is the present incumbent. In 1887 he 
married Lizzie A. , daughter of William Boyd, 
of an old and prominent family of Allegheny 
county. Mr. Hill has held many positions of 
trust, serving his constituents faithfully, and 
is one of the prominent citizens of the 
county. He is a member of theU. P. Church; 
politically a republican. 

Samuel D. Jennings, M. D., postofflce 
Beers, "was born in the Thirtj'-sixth ward, 
Pittsburgh, Pa.. June 11. 1844. a sou of Rev. 
Samuel C. and Emma Marie (Passavant) 
Jennings. He attended school in Moon 
township and Shousetown Academy, and at 
sixteen entered Jefferson College, Cannons- 
burg, Pa., from which he graduated in 1864. 
He read medicine with Dr. Porter at 
Rostraver, Pa., one year, and in the fall of 
1865 entered Jefferson Medical College, 
Philadelphia, where he graduated in March, 
1868. He practiced at Perrysville. Pa., until 
November, 1870, when he located in Moon 
township, where he has a large praci ice. Dr. 
Jennings married. May 26, 1870, Juliet E. 
McAboy, a daughter of Rev. Leland R. and 
Mary A. (Christy) McAboy. Her father was 
a Presbj'terian minister, a native of Virginia, 
and a son of Rev. James McAboy, who in 
early life was a noted evangelist in the Bap- 
tist Church, but in later years became a 
Presbyterian minister. Dr. Jennings and 
wife have had seven children, four of whom 
are living: Samuel D., Jr., Juliet McA., 
Emma M. and Virginia P. The parents are 
members of the Presbyterian Church at 
Sharon. The doctor is a member of Dexter 
Lodge, No. 723, L O. O. F.. and of the Jr. 
O. U. A. M. 

James McCormick, retired farmer, post- 
office Ewing's Mills, was born in Moon 
township, Feb. 13, 1813, on the old homestead 
farm, a part of which he resides on. He is a 
son of Hugh and Marg,aret (Nichle) McCor- 
mick. The former was born in Maryland, 
and when a boj' came with his parents to 
what is now Moon township. Allegheny 
county. He was a son of Benjamin and 
Ann (Brown) McCormick, Scotch-Irish Pres- 
b3'terians, who were among the first settlers 
of Moon township. Hugh McCormick died 
on the homestead in 1853, aged eighty-six 
years. He and his wife had four sons and 
one daughter: Benjamin (deceased), John 
(deceased), Mary (widow of Joseph Scott), 
James and Hugh. James married, March 24. 
1842, Mary, daughter of John and Rachel 
(Shaffer) Stonecipher. Mr. and Mrs. McCor- 
mick had ten children: A. Margaret, wife of 
Henry Knopf; Rachel A., wife of Nathaniel 
MulhoUand; Mary E., wife of William Mc- 
Clinton; Eliza J., wife of John Wilson; John 
married Anna Knopf; Joseph Scott manages 
the farm for his father; Emma M., at home; 
Kate L. M., wife of Joseph A. McCurdy; 
James I., deceased at twenty-two, and Elmer 
A., at home. Mrs. McCormick died July 29, 
1886, aged sixty-four years. She and her 



husband early united with the U. P. Church. 
Our subject is one of the oldest residents in 
the township. He has always voted the 
whig and republican tickets. 

Susan Payne, retired. West Elizabeth, 
is a daughter of James and Hannah (Allisoaj 
Payne, and was born in Jefferson township, 
this county, in 1821. Her grandparents were 
among the pioneers of Western Pennsylvania. 
Her parents owned a large tr.act of land, and 
reared a family of tive children: WilliamA., 
Joseph A. and James, farmers in Jefferson 
township; Eliza, who died Sept. 2, 1851, 
at the age of nineteen, and Susan. The 
father died Jan. 27, 1868, and the mother 
Feb. 28, 1874. Susan Payne is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church. 

Samuel R. Fife, physician, postoffice 
West Elizabeth, is a son of Andrew and Sarah 
(Robinson) Fife; was born in Elizabeth town- 
ship, in 1833. John Fife and his brother at a 
very early date settled in Upper St. Clair 
township, where they purchased a tract of 
land from the Indians. Upon this place the 
grandfather of S. R. Fife was born, and 
there also the birth of his father, Andrew, 
occurred, in 1790. Andrew died in 1879, and 
his wife, who was born in 1795, died in 1881. 
They had a family of eleven children; John 
(deceased), Margaret, Thomas (deceased), 
Martha (deceased). Mary (deceased), Andrew, 
Elizabeth (deceased), Clara, Matthew (de- 
ceased), Noah H. G. and Samuel R. 

Samuel R. received his early education in 
the schools of Allegheny and Washington 
counties, and his medical education at the 
Cleveland (Ohio) Medical School, from which 
(he graduated in 1862. He began the practice 
of his profession in West Elizabeth, in 18(53, 
and during that year married Amanda, 
daughter of William Linn, of West Newton, 
Westmoreland county. Pa. They have six 
children, all of whom reside with their 
parents: Mabel, who ably assists her father 
in the discharge of his duties as postmaster; 
George L., Lizzie. Grace, Ollie and Earl. 

William F. Knox, physician, McKees- 
port, was born at Connellsville, Pa., March 
30, 1831, a son of David S. and Sarah B. 
(Franciss) Knox. His paternal grandfather. 
Rev. William Knox, a native of County 
Tyrone, Ireland, emigrated to America in 
1797; was received into the Baltimore con- 
ference in 1800, and, settling in Ohio, was 
successively a member of the Baltimore, 
Ohio and Pittsburgh conferences. He died 
June 16. 1851. The maternal grandfather of 
our subject, James Franciss, a native of the 
north of Ireland, was a physician; served in 
the Revolution, and was a pioneer of Con- 
nellsville, Pa. David S. Knox, father of 
William F., was a native of Connellsville, 
Fayette county. Pa., a printer by trade, and 
early in life followed teaching, mercantile 
and manufacturing pursuits, and later en- 
gaged in banking business for thirty-six 
years. He was an officer of the Monongahela 
bank of Brownsville, Pa. ; was six years 
teller and thirty years cashier. This bank 



426 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



was famous as one of the few that never 
siispeiided. David S. Knox died Oct. IT. 
1S72. aj;ed si.\tyseven years. The subject 
of this sltetch was reared in Brownsville and 
educated in the public schools of that town, 
and Allegheny CoUese, Meadville, Pa. He 
read medicine" with Dr. W. L. Lafferty, of 
Brownsville, and in October, 1852, entered 
the medical department of the University of 
Pennsylvania, at Pliiladelphia, graduating 
April 1, 18.54, In July of the saine year he 
began the practice of "medicine in Snowden 
township, AlleifUeny county, and in Decem- 
ber, 1855, located in McKeesport, where he 
has since l)een in active practice. The 
doctor has been twice married. His first 
■wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and 
Jane (Wood) Kiddoo, of Snowden township, 
bore him »\x children, three of whom, 
Jennie. William J. and Sarah F., are living. 
His present wife, Mary Paull, is a daughter 
of Col. William L. and Jane (Torrence) 
Miller, of Port Perry, this county. Dr. Knox 
is a successful physician, and the oldest 
practitioner in McKeesport. He is a member 
of the American Medical association, the 
Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania 
and the Allegheny County Medical society. 
He is a member of the First M. E. Church; 
politically, he was formerly a republican, 
and is now a prohibitionist. 

David Foster, farmer, postofBoe Mans- 
field Valley, was born in Washington county, 
Pa., in 1830. In 1791 his father. Alexander 
Foster, immigrated to America from Ireland, 
and soon after his arrival came to Pittsburgh, 
but later moved to Washington county, where 
he engaged in farming. He married Sarah 
Davisrand by her had ten children, of whom 
the above is the youngest. Alexander died 
in 18-19, aged seventy-six years; his wife died 
at the age of eight.y-four 3'ears. David, 
whose name heads this sketch, was educated 
at the common schools and reared on a farm. 
At the age of fifteen he commenced to learn 
the carpenter's trade, which he followed for 
forty years. He married, in 1845, Elizabeth 
Ross, daughter of Peter and granddaughter 
of Philip Ross. Born to this union were ten 
children, one of whom, Peter Ross, is de- 
ceased; the living are Matilda (Mrs. John 
A. Bell), Dr. David Gilmore, George, Bessie 
(Mrs. Rev. Cyrus B. Hatch), Casey Alex- 
ander, Maudaline (now Mrs. W. F. Bailey), 
Emmaliue and Dr. Ross (twins), former of 
whom is intermarried with John S. Robb, 
Jr., Esq. Mr. and Mrs. Foster now reside 
on tbe farm purchased by Philip Ross, and 
are highly respected by all their acquaint- 
ances. Thev have both for many years been 
faithful members of the U. P. Church. Mr. 
Foster is a republican, and was a very warm 
supporter of Gen. Benjamin Harrison. 

D.\NiEL Shawuan (deceased) was born 
near Pittsburgh in 1797, and died in 1881. 
He married, in 1833, Margaret, daughter of 
William and Martha (Montgomery) Caldwell, 
and they had eight children, of wliom four 
daughters are now living, viz.: Imogeue, 



Georgia, Willie and Robbie. The Shawhan 
family originally came from Kentucky: Dan- 
iel, the pioneer, took up a section of land 
near where Mount Lebanon Church now 
stands. His sou Robert married Marj' Will- 
iams, and by her had four daughters and five 
sons. Robert was a farmer, and owned the 
land purchased by his father; he died aged 
sixty-seven .years. Daniel, the subject of 
this sketch, was the eldest son born to Robert 
and Mary Shawhan. He followed farming, 
but was at one time engaged in the coal busi- 
ness, having had coal on his land. Mrs. 
Shawhan, now aged seventy-five years, re- 
sides on the homestead with her youngest 
daughter, Robbie; both are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

Hezekiah Houghtelin (deceased) was 
born July 27, 1806, near Gettysburg, a son of 
Hezekiah and Charity Houglitelin, of Dutch 
and Huguenot descent, respectively. For 
about thirty years he taught school in this and 
Westmoreland counties, coming here when 
twenty years of age. Sept. 15, 1840, he mar- 
ried Maiy Magdalen Hedgrass, who was born 
in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Maj- 10, 1821, 
and is a dauirhter of Henrv and Catherine 
(Baker) Hedgrass. In 1843 "Mr. Houghtelin 
Ijought the farm in Penn township now occu- 
pied b}' his widow, where he died Sept. 3, 
1874. " He served as school director and 
supervisor, and politically was a republican. 
He was a member of the U. P. Church; his 
widow is connected with the Baptist Church. 
Their children are William D., Matlie 
(Walters), Elizabeth (Donbolm), Annie 
(Hodel), Louise (Richey), Henry Lott, 
Charles Sumner, John. Milton, Sadie Eleanor, 
Alfred; James Hamiuel (the third) died when 
eighteen years old at Nashville, Teun., while 
a member of Co. B. 77th P. V. I. 

Andrew McMillan, farmer, P. O. White 
Ash, was born in the parish of Ballarona, 
County Down, Ireland, in 1851. His parents. 
Andrew and Margaret (Hart) McMillan, are 
still living there. Thej' reared a family of 
nine sons, all of whom" received a good edu- 
cation. Two are in Ireland, one of whom is 
practicing medicine in Belfast; two reside in 
Australia, three in America, and two are de- 
ceased. Andrew is the third son, and in 
1869, being then eighteen years old, be emi- 
grated to America to make his fortune, and 
by working his own way has nearly accom- 
plished the mission. Por four years he 
weighed coal at the Armstrong mines, spent 
a year in a commission-store at Pittsburgh, 
and a year with the N. Y. & C. Gas-coal 
company. He managed a store for Arm- 
strong. Dickson & Co., and after a visit to his 
native home, in 1877, conducted a store three 
years for the Standard Oil company. In 1882 
he bought a farm of 100 acres situated near 
the PiUsburgh line, which he is engaged in 
managing. He has always been a republican, 
and in religion favors the U. P. Church. In 
1883 he married Emma Kane, an ambitious 
] young lady, who won her education mainly 
through her own Efforts, preparator3' to 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



427 



teaching school, previous to her marriage, her 
mother having died when she was but three 
j'ears old. She is a daughter of Charles and 
Catharine (Kemaley) Kane, of Allegheny 
county. Pa., now residing in Plum, where 
Mrs. McMillan was born. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- 
Millan's children are William Eugene, John 
Andrew and Floyd Othello. 

William R. -Justus, retired, postofflce 
Manptield Valley, was born in Washington 
county. Pa., in 1807. The fiist of the family 
to come to America was Isaac Justus, a 
native of Ireland. He was for a number of 
years engaged in transporting goods over 
the mountains by means of '•pack-saddles," 
but later in life was a farmer. He married 
a daughter of William Reddick, who, it is 
said, kept the first public house in Pittsburgh. 
Isaac was the father of fifteen children, of 
whom James, born in 1780, was among the 
eldest. Isaac died aged sixty-one years. 
James Justus was by profession a school- 
teacher, which he followed for nineteen 
years. He was also a trader, carrying goods 
by boat down the Allegheny river, and 
disposing of them in exchange for other 
products. He married, in 1840, Christianna 
McLeod, and by her had seven children, viz. : 
William R., Mary, Daniel. James Madison, 
Joseph M., John Ross and Isaac Newton. 
The father died in 1838, and the mother in 
1831, aged fifty-one years. 

The subject of this memoir remained in 
Washington county until he was sixteen 
years of age; then came to Allegheny county, 
learned the millwright's trade, serving an 
apprenticeship of four j'ears, and has built 
in his time some seventeen flourmills, saw- 
mills, etc. In 1862 he was employed in the 
iron rolling-mills, where he remained until 
1881, when he retired. He married, in 1846, 
Mary Jane Bell, daughter of James and 
Elizabeth Bell, of this county. Three chil- 
dren were born to this union: Elizabeth 
Anna, Mary Amanda and Agnes Morrow, 
all at home. Washington Bell married, in 
1867. Catherine Kibe, daughter of Henry and 
Elizabeth Kibe, of Germany, and one child 
was born to this union — Robert Henry. 
Washington died in 1869 and his wife in 1867. 
Robert Henry Bell (Justus) has been with 
Mr. Justus and family since he was two 
weeks old. Mr. Justus is the patentee of a 
horseshoe-machine that has been a success, 
and has netted him profitable returns. He is 
an elder in the Presbyterian Church; politic- 
ally a republican. 

John C. Morrow (deceased) was born in 
Lancaster count}'. Pa., in 1799, and died at 
Mansfield in 1886. He was the eldest of the 
six children of Robert and Ann (Crawford) 
Morrow, former of whom, a farmer, came to 
Alleghenj' countj- in 1806, settling in Robin- 
son township, and purchasing 130 acres of 
land, where he remained until his death. 
John C. was born and reared on the farm, 
and educated at the public schools. He 
married Agnes M. Bell, eldest daughter of 
James and Elizabeth (Fairly) Bell. Mr. 



Morrow retired from active life in 1861. 
His widow is still living, enjoying good 
health, in her seventy-fifth year, and residing 
on the spot where her grandfather settled; 
the house that he built, and in which he 
died, is still standing, showing signs of 
decay, but is being preserved by his grand- 
daughter, who looks upon the old relic with 
great pride. Mrs. Morrow is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Morrow 
was also a member; he was a republican. 

George Y. McKee, count}' commissioner 
and farmer, is a son of George McKee, a 
farmer, who came from the north of Ireland 
to America about 1799, and located for a few 
months in Cumberland county. Pa.; then 
immigrated to Allegheny county, and on the 
north branch of Robinson's run, now North 
Fayette township, by purchase and entry 
acciuired a tract of land, where be remained 
until his death, in 1839. He married, in Ire- 
land, Jane Ball, who bore him eight children, 
all of whom save one grew to maturity. 
His second wife was Deborah McKee, whom 
he married in 1828, a daughter of James 
McKee, who resided at Logstown, Beaver 
county. Pa. To this marriage two sons were 
born: George Y. and James Y. The latter, 
a graduate of Jefferson College, is now a pro- 
fessor in Pennsylvania State College. George 
Y. was born and reared on the farm where 
he now resides, and owns 165 of the original 
four hundred acres. He was educated at the 
public schools. Farming was in early life 
his principal occupation, and during the last 
twenty years he has been engaged in farming 
and business pursuits. He has taken an 
active part in the politics of the country, and 
was three times elected to the legislature, 
serving in the sessions of 1865, 1866 and 1867. 
In 1881 he was appointed to the office of 
commissioner of the county to fill a vacancy; 
was elected to that office in 1884. and re- 
elected in 1887. During his term as commis- 
sioner a new courthouse and county prison 
has been erected, which, for its kind, is not 
excelled in the state, and, in justice to the 
men who shared the responsibility, it can 
be said that the people's money has always 
been carefully guarded in awarding contracts. 
Mr, McKee married, in 1852, Elizabeth A., 
daughter of Andrew Johnston, of Jeffrej^s- 
town, Allegheny county. Pa. , and two chil- 
dren blessed their union : Charles H., attorney 
at law, Pittsburgh, and Louisa C. (Mrs. Dr. 
R. Morrison). Mr. McKee and family are 
members of the Presbyterian Church; polit- 
ically he is a republican. 

■William T. Philips, M. D.. postoffice 
Library, was born on the old Philips home- 
stead, near Library, July 16, 1842, a son of 
Nelson Philips, born in Bethel township, this 
county, April 7, 1814. and Elizabeth (Dixon) 
Philips, born in Washington county, in Octo- 
ber, 1824. Nelson Philips was a son of David 
and Nancy (Richardson) Philips, and was a 
carpenter by trade, btit followed farming. 
David was a farmer, and came to this place 
with his father, Rev. David Philips, in 1780, 



428 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COCKTY. 



settling in what is now Bethel township. 
Rev. David Philips wasljorn March 20. 174i2; 
was a captain in the Revolution, a sou of 
Joseph Philips, who was born in Wales, in 
1710, and m.irried to a Welsh lady who was 
born in 1710. .loseph came to America in 
K.w with his three sons. David, John and 
Josiah. Rev. David Philips had a great gift 
of pulpit and pastoral work. He was called 
to Peter's Creelv Baptist Church, at Library. 
April 7, 1781. ordained May 1st of the same 
year, and tliere labored forty years. Rev. 
David Philips was a true patriot as well as a 
Christian. When the whisliy rebellion was 
at its height, he mounted a stump, amid 
cries of "Shoot him," and urged the pay- 
ment of the excise, while his friends expected 
every moment to see him fall. He died 
March 5. 1829. and his widow, Mary Thomas, 
Oct. 31, 1840. Our subject received his 
schooling at Bethel Academy and Curry 
Institute, from which he graduated in 1877. 
He afterward spent three "yeai'^ '^^ Michigan 
University, at Ann Arbor, graduating from 
the medical department in 1884. He enlisted 
Oct. 17, 1801, in Co. G. 101st P. V. I., and 
was discharged in March. 1803; re-enlisted 
in August, 1803. in Co. G.2dISr. J. C; was pro- 
moted" to second lieutenant, and at a battle 
south of Nashville, in December, 1804, was 
wounded and taken prisoner. The command 
iug officer in his report made honoralile men- 
tion of Mr. Philips and his company for 
gallantry in action. He was mustered out 
May 15.' 1865. He then taught school near 
home until 1880. Since returning from the 
medical college he has practiced medicine at 
Library. The doctor married. Nov. 4. 1809, 
Olivia M. Boyer, born Feb. 24. 1849. a daugh- 
ter of James and Emily (Ivans) Boyer. and 
four children have blessed this union: Lucy 
E., Harry B., James H. and Rosette. Mr. 
and Mrs. Philips are members of the Baptist 
Church, of which he is a deacon, and was 
for seven 3-ears superintendent of the Sunday- 
school. 

James Gailey Mdrray was born June 
22, 1821, in Peters township, Washington 
county. Pa. His grandfather. George Mur- 
ray, although of Scotch parentage and birth, 
was reared in Ireland, and intermarried with 
Sarah Ray, by whom he had three sous. 
About 1798 he came to America, locating in 
Lancaster county, Pa., where he remained 
for ten years, and thence removed to Pitts- 
burgh, where he spent the remainder of his 
life. William, the eldest of his three sons, 
although by trade a carpenter, followed, later 
in life, farming in Washington county. He 
married Jane Gailey, of Ea'stou; their farnily 
of four children are all now living. William 
died in Snowden township. Allegheny county, 
in 1871. Of his children James G. is the 
eldest. He was born in Peters township. 
Washington county, June 22, 1821, but, his 
parents ^'emoving to Allegheny City while he 
was a lad. was educated at the public and 
other schools and academies. Leaving school, 
he assisted his father, who was then in the 



bakery business, and drove the first bread- 
wagon in Allegheny City. In 1848 he married 
Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Boyer, of 
Snowden township, and seven children, two 
deceased, were born to them. Mrs. Murray 
died April 1^?. 1885. Of the five children 
surviving her. Albert B. is a merchant at 
Bridgeville; J. Frank is a broker, and resides 
in Oakland. Pittsburgh; George Piersol is a 
member of Allegheny county bar: Annie M. 
resides with her father, and Clysses Grant is 
au iron and sleel ius|)ector. Jlr. Murray has 
been active in ]iolitics. being intimately con- 
nected with the management of the republican 
party of Western Pennsylvania. He has 
held office continuously since 18.53. in greater 
part, however, offices of confidence and 
honor. Mr. Murray was. when a young man. 
postmaster at Ujiper St. Clair, one of the 
largest distributing country offices in the 
state: he then filled, successively, the offices 
of director of the poor of Allegheny county, 
for fourteen years; member of the prison 
board of Allegheny county; member of the 
board of managersot the Western Peuusvl- 
vania Reform School; commissioner of tlie 
countj'of Allegheny for two terms: treasurer 
of Allegheny county, while for years he has 
been justice of the peace and school director 
of his township. While not a church mem- 
ber. Mr. Murray attends the Presbyterian 
Church, of which his familv are members. 

The Botce Family. Richard Boyce, a 
Quaker, and a native of Ireland, a farnier by 
occupation, emigrated to America, landing 
in Philadelphia, afterward locatina in Vir- 
ginia for a short time. He then moved to 
Kentucky, where he engaged in farming, but 
later returned to Virginia and settled in the 
Shenandoah valley. It is supposed that his 
constant change of place was due purely to 
his religious views, not wishing to oppose the 
Indians. In 1793 he came to Allegheny coun- 
ty, and purchased from one Joseph Shipper, 
Jr.. four hundred acres of land ou the west 
side of Chartiers creek, where he remained 
until his death, which occurred when he was 
one hundred and four years old. He married 
Margaret Lesuett, whose people were earl}' 
settlers iu this county. 

Capt. Willia.m Boyce. postoffice Her- 
riottsville. was born in Allegheny county. 
Pa., in 1832, a son of Isaic Boyce. who was 
the eldest child born to Richard and Marga- 
ret (Lesuett) Bo3-ce. Isaac was a farmer and 
miller, and married Sarah, daughter of Will- 
iam Deunistou. of Allegheny county, and 
eight children were born to this union, six 
of whom are living. Isaac owned 125 acres 
of land: he died at the age of ninety-three 
years. Capt. William Boyce was born and 
reared near his present home; has followed 
farming all his life, and for twenty-one years 
operated a gristmill formerly carried on by 
his father. " He married, iu 1851. Mary, 
daughter of Andrew Griffin, and eight chil- 
dren have been born to them, of whom are 
living; Margaret. Isaac L . William J., 
Thomas S.. Mary M., Sarah and Bessie. In 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



429 



1861 Mr. Boyce raised a company for the 1st 
P. R. C. . and was made captain of the same, 
serving five months. He is a member of the 
G. A. R., and politicall}' a repulilican. 

RoBEKT Boyce, postofflce Herriottsville, 
■was born in 1830, and is the eldest son now 
living born to John and Nancy (McCabe) 
Boyce, and grandson of Richard Boyce. 
John Bovce was born in 1796, and died in 
1884. Mary McCabe was born in 1804, and 
died in 1853. John was a farmer; was justice 
of the peace for many years, and at his death 
owned 2.50 acres of land. He was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church. Robert, our 
subject, now owns 192 acres of the original 
purchase made by his grandfather, and resides 
■on the old homestead. He married, in 1880, 
Gertrude Ross, who has borne him two chil 
dren, John Richard and Eva Mabel. Mr. 
Boyce was a soldier in the rebellion for 
three years; enlisted in 1861 in Co. K, 1st P 
•C., returned home in 1864, and with the 
exception of a year and a half spent in Cal 
ifornia, has always lived on his present farm. 
He is a republican. 

Joseph Boyce, farmer, postotfice Herriotts 
ville, was born in South Fayette township, in 
1838, and was reared on the farm. For 
twenty years he followed carpentering, hav- 
ing learned the trade in early life. He is a 
son of Isaac and Sarah (Denniston) Boyce. 
Joseph was educated in the schools of his 
township, and married, in 1847, Sarah J. 
Young, daughter of William Young, of this 
count}'. Seven children, five living, were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyce: Isaac, a mis- 
sionary to Mexico; James Y., William, Jen- 
nett S, and Annie S, Mr. Boyce enlisted, in 
1861, in Co. K, 1st P. C, and was honorably 
discharged in February, 1862. He owns a 
pleasant home and farm of 120 acres, forty 
■of which he received from his father; the 
balance he earned by his own exertions, and 
assisted by a faithful wife and sons. He and 
family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. He is a republican, and a member 
of the G. A. R. 

Hon. J. M. Boyce, postofflce Herriotts- 
ville, born in South Fayette township in 
1841, is a grandson of Richard Boj'ce, the 
•original pioneer of this family, and the 
youngest son born to John and Mary (Mc- 
Cabe) Boyce. Mr. Boyce was educated at 
the public schools and at Bethel Acad- 
emy, and for some time was a student at 
Jefferson College. Like his ancestors he has 
made farming his principal occupation. In 
1861 he enlisted in Co. K, 1st P. C. and 
served for three years and sis mouths. He 
received a severe wound in the thigh, near 
New Hope Church; was talien prisoner near 
Richmond, and was retained for five months 
at Libby, Belle Isle, Lynchburg, Anderson- 
ville and Miller prisons. He was exchanged 
Nov. 31, 1864, and honorably dischargecT in 
1865. In 1868 he married Emma S. Wallace, 
daughter of David Wallace, of this county, 
and six children, all living, were born to 
them; Edna L., Harry B., Jessie May, Mar- 



garet E., JohnF. and Bayard D. With the 
exception of twelve years' residence in Wash- 
ington count}' and three years and a half in 
the service of his country, Mr. Boyce has 
always resided in Allegheny county. In 
1880 he was elected to the legislature from 
Washington county by the republican party, 
of which he is a member and served two 
years, or one term. Since 1884 he has 
resided on his present farm of one hundred 
acres. He is school director for Upper St. 
Clair township. He is a meml)er of the 
Masonic and G. A. R. fraternities, and of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

Rev. F. A. Hutchinson, postofBce Nobles- 
town, is a native of Chester county. Pa., 
born in 1830. Fulton Hutchinson, his' father, 
married Ellen Fulton, and by her had eleven 
children. F. A., the subject of this slsetch, 
the third son. was born and reared in Chester 
county, and educated at the common schools 
and New London Academy. When twenty- 
one years of age he came to Washington 
county and entered Washington Ojllege.from 
which he graduated in 1844. He was licensed 
at Smyrna. Lancaster county, in 1848, and or- 
dained to the full office of the ministry in the 
State of Indiana in 1849. There he remained 
one year, and in 1850 was installed minister 
of the U. P. Church at Noblestowu, of which 
he was pastor nineteen years; after that he 
was engaged in general services for the 
church in New York and Philadelphia, and 
was two years at Dayton, Ohio. Since that 
time he has been engaged in missionary 
work as afforded by general vacancies 
throughout the church. He married, in 1850, 
Martha, daughter of Nathaniel Buchanan. 
Esq., and to them were born six children, 
three yet living: Ellen C. N. L. Mary and 
Fulton. Mr. Hutchinson has. during his 
pastoral duties, been actively engaged in 
literary work, and most prominent among 
his writings may be mentioned "Work of the 
Ministry." "Necessity for Literary Culture," 
"Instrumental Music in Worship." He has 
been correspondent for various religious 
journals, and has also been engaged as pub- 
lic lecturer, his principal subjects being 
"Woman Suffrage and its Various Aspects." 
"The Model Farmer," and various other sub- 
jects of public interest. 

Henry Morrow, farmer, postofflce 
White Ash, was born Oct. 17. 1819, near the 
residence of C. J. Morrow. When eighteen 
years old he went to live with a childless 
uncle, whose name he bears, in what is now 
Penn township, and remained with him until 
his death, becoming his heir. His uncle was 
born in 1789, and died in 1863; he married 
Mary Johnston, who died in 1873, aged sev- 
enty-seven. In 1867 Mr. Morrow bought his 
present residence, near Hebron church. He 
is an elder in Beulah Presbyterian Church, 
and has always been a democrat. In 1864 he 
married Caroline Robinson, born in Wilkins 
township, daughter of John and Mary Rob- 
inson, of Connecticut and Ireland, respect- 
ively. They have one son, Harry Semple, 



430 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



born in March, 1865. When twenty-three 
years old he graduated from the Lehigh Uni- 
versity, founded by Asa Packer, at South 
Bethlehem, Pa. 

C'liAULEs .Johnston Mokkow, farmer, 
postofflcc White Ash, was born Oct. 18, 1829, 
on the farm where he now resides, a grand- 
son of Henry Morrow, who came from Ireland, 
and settled in Penn township about 179.5. He 
died in his eighty-fourth year, the father of 
ten children; Ann (Fisher), Mary (Wilson), 
William, Kli/.aljcth (Morrow), Henry, .John, 
James, Ibmh, Sarah (.Johnston) and Jane 
(DulT). The filth child, John, born in 1791 in 
Franklin ccnuity. married Jane Johnston, born 
in Wilkinsiu 17'i)7. He died in 1873, his widow 
In her seventy-ninth year. He was a mem- 
ber of liculah Presbyterian Church, and after- 
ward an elder in Hebron U. P. Church; an 
anti-masonic whig, and a republican; served 
as school director and overseer of the poor. 
He had three sons and three daughters; 
Henry, Eliza Jane (Mrs. Benjamin Kelley), 
Sarali B. (wife of John Dufif), Mary 51. (Wil- 
son), Charles J. and John Hanna. The 
second and sixth are deceased, and the others 
dwell in Penn township. On his death Mr. 
Morrow left his farm to his two youngest 
sons. Charles' portion consists of ninety- 
tive acres, on which he has always resided. 
In 1871 he married Isabella Miller, born in 
Wilkins, a daughter of William and Sarah 
Miller, of Ireland. Three of Mr. Morrow's 
children died in infancy, and he has one son 
living, named Hugh W ilsou. Mr. Morrow is 
an eider in the U. P. Church; politically a 
republican with prohibition tendencies. In 
October, 1885, he had a cancer successfully 
removed from the left side of his upper lip. 

Henky McDowell Morrow, farmer, 
postofflce Wilkinsburg, is a grandson of 
Henry Morrow, who came from Ireland and 
settled in Penn township in 1795. James, a 
son of Henry, was born in 1794 in Cumber- 
land county, married Sarah Morrow, a cousin, 
and a native of this county, and remained on 
bis father's farm, where John Morrow now 
lives, and here Henry McDowell was born 
Feb. 14, 1824. Henry Morrow died in 1841 
and James in 1874; the latter's wife died in 
1860 in her si.xtieth year. Their children 
were H. McD., Sarah Hannah, Mary Jane, 
James, John and Harriet. Elizabeth died in 
infancy, and all the daughters are now de- 
ceased. The sons reside in Penn township. 
.James Morrow was an elder in Beulah Pres- 
byterian Church, and helped establish He- 
bron U. P. Church, in which he was an elder 
until his death. He was a republican, and 
collected the taxes when Wilkins included 
Penn. Henry McDowell Morrow remained 
at home until 18.54. when he bought the farm 
whereon he now resides; he has seventy 
acres, and follows general farming. In 18.54 
he married Hebecca Long, who was born in 
Penn. a daughter of John and Sarah (Brown) 
Long, of English parentage. The family is 
connected with Hebron U. P. Church. Mr. 
Morrow is a republican, and was school 



director nine years. His children are Sarah 
Anna, at home; Elizabeth Emma (Telford), 
in Penn township; James L., in Chicago; 
Mary II,, Lavenia Ella and John H.. at home. 

John Moruow, farmer, postoffice White 
Ash, was born March 25, 1839, on the farm 
where he now dwells, and is a brother of H. 
McDowell Morrow. In 1871 he married 
Sarah Mitchell, a native of Ireland, and a 
daughter of William and Elizabeth Mitchell, 
who came to America when she was a small 
child. Their living children are Harriet 
Leslie, Elizabeth Ida, James Albert. Henry 
Wilson, Norman Lee, John Nelson and Floyd 
Mitchell. Marion Frances. Eva Jane and 
Susannah Mary died in infancy. Mr. Morrow 
is a member of the U. P. Church; he is a 
republican, and was treasurer of the school 
board three years. 

Prop. John Scott Johnston (deceased) 
was born in Fayetteville, Allegheny county, 
Pa.. Aug. 13. 1851, and was the second son 
of John L. and Rebecca (Scott) Johnston. 
His father was a native of Allegheny county, 
and was by occupation a farmer. At the 
age of seventeen the subject of this sketch 
bade adieu to farm life, and became a student 
in the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. 
After remaining in this school for some 
time he entered Adrian College, Michigan. 
Having completed his school course, he be- 
came a teacher in the public schools of 
Fayette county, and served, as assistant 
principal in the schools of Connellsville, Pa. 
In 1876he was elected principal of the schools 
of Braddock, Pa., which position he filled 
for five years. In June, 1877, he married 
Alice E., daughter of Daniel and Maria 
(Veazey) McCain, and three children were 
born to them; Carrie L., J. Linville and Guy 
Scott. In 1881 Mr. Johnston was elected 
superintendent of the public schools of Alle- 
gheny county, which position he occupied 
for almost six years, when he resigned to 
engage in other business. He died March 
23. 1888. an earnest Christian and an active 
member in the First Presbyterian Church of 
Braddock. 

William Johnston, farmer, po.stofBc& 
box 225, Turtle Creek, is a grandson of 
William Johnston, who came to what is now 
Patton township prior to the Revolution. 
He was of Scotch descent, and reared in 
Franklin county. Pa.; served under Anthony 
Wayne at Stony Point, and through the 
Revolution, returning here at the close; he 
died in 1825, and had been all his life a wheel- 
wright and farmer; his wife, Polly (Clug- 
ston) Johnston, died in 1796. Capt. Rol)ert 
Johnston, a brother of William, also served 
in the Revolution under Gen. Greene, and 
settled in Patton township, where he died in 
1828. William Scott, maternal grandfather 
of our subject, was reared in Pennsylvania, 
and served as an Indian scout during the 
Revolution. He died in Patton, in 1833, 
aged over eighty years. At one time h& 
owned part of the "present site of Allegheny 
City, and afterward part of Cincinnati, but 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



iSl 



was not satisfied with either for farming 
purposes, and came to Patton. Robert, son 
of William Johnston, married Martha Scott, 
was always a resident of Patton, filling many 
local oflices; he was a whig and later a 
republican, and a member of the U. P. 
Church. He reared four sons and three 
daughters. William, the eldest, was born in 
182.5, and married Sarah Jane McCuUy. in 
1851, who died in 1871, aged thirty-nine. 
Mrs. Johnston's parents, Robert and Sarah 
(Young) McCully, were early residents of 
Patton township, and were of Irish descent. 
Mr. McCully's father, John JlcCully, bought 
the farm now occupied by Mr. .lohnston. in 
1790. Of the ten children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Johnston, si.\ are now living, three with 
their father: Sarah Ann (wife of Alexander 
McGuire, in Newtown), Martha Emma (wife 
of W. H. Beswick, at Nonhfield, Kan.), 
William A. (in Patton township), George C, 
John F. and Minnie J. Tlie family are asso- 
ciated with the U. P. Church. Mr. Johnston 
is a republican, and has served as assessor 
and school director. 

WiLLi.\M GiFFiN, miller and farmer, P.O. 
Clinton, was born near Cannonsburg, Wash- 
ington county. Pa., .Tuly 34, 1831, son of An- 
drew and Mary (Young) Giflln. Andrew was 
born in Washington county, Pa. ; was in 
early life a carpenter, but later a miller, and 
now resides in Scott township, this county. 
He is a son of William and Esther (Wilson) 
Giffin, natives, respectively, of Washington 
county, Pa., and Ireland. Andrew and Mary 
(Young) Giffin had but one child, William. 
The latter when five years old was brought 
by his parents to Pittsburgh, where his 
father worked putting cabins on steamboats. 
William learned milling, at which he worked 
in Washington and Allegheny counties until 
1860, when he purchased a flourmill in 
Venice, Washington county, but sold out three 
years later and bought another at North Star, 
Robinson township, Washington county; 
two years later he again sold out and opened 
a store in Allegheny City, where he remained 
until 1868, when he purchased the Clinton 
mill, at Clinton, Allegheny county, which be 
still owns, and now resides on his farm near 
Clinton, He married. May 16, 1854, Nancy 
J. Thompson, a native of Fairhaven, Alle- 

fheny county, and daughter of John and 
ane (McCormick) Thompson, natives of 
Ireland, and Scotch Presbyterians. Mr. and 
Mrs. Giffin have two sons and two daughters; 
Mary J., wife of Washington .Jackson, re- 
siding on their farm in Moon township; Ade- 
line, at home; W^illiam G., learning milling 
at Stevenson's mills. Moon, and Edwin S.. as- 
sisting his father on the farm. Mrs. Giffin is 
a member of the U. P. CLurch at Clinton. 

William Cr.\i« Ch.4pltn (deceased) was 
born April 10, 1810, in Pittsburgh, son of 
John Huntington and Harriet (Craig) Chap- 
lin, William was one of Pittsburgh's illus- 
trious men, and belongs to a family whose 
ancestry upon both sides were of the army 
and navy and among men of marked ability. 



His father, John H. Chaplin, was a prom- 
inent attorney, admitted to the bar of Pitts- 
burgh, Allegheny and Washington counties 
in l.SOS. He went to Florida and was ap- 
pointed judge of the supreme bench there, 
where he died of yellow fever. His great- 
uncle, Samuel Huntington, was one of the 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 
William Craig Chaplin's mother was a sister 
of the well-known Neville B. ' Craig, born 
Dec. 26, 1785, and died May 6, 1867. His 
sister, Amelia Neville Chaplin, was born 
Dec. 1, 1812, and married Thomas L. Shields, 
Oct, 8, 1833, a prominent attorney of Sewick- 
ley — a beautiful suburb near Pittsburgh — 
who died March 9, 1879. Mr. Chaplin's ma- 
ternal grandfather, Major Isaac Craig, was 
in the II. S. army. William graduated at 
Annapolis, Md., and entered tlie service of 
the U. S. navy Nov. 1, 1826. He was mar- 
ried to Sarah J. Crossan, born in Pittsburgh 
Jan. 14, 1813, daughter of James and Nauc}' 
(Morrow) Crossan. Her father was a dry- 
goods merchant in Pittsburgh, and after- 
ward proprietor of the Monongahela House. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Chaplin were born six boys 
and two girls; James Crossan, Amelia Ne- 
ville (deceased), Annie C, William Hunting- 
ton, Presley Neville, John M., Melchior B. 
and William Wilson. James was a graduate- 
of Annapolis, Md., and during the rebellion 
was lieutenant-commander of the sloop of 
war Monocacy. He entered the service of 
the naval department in 18.50, and was one 
of the most gallant officers, receiving many 
compliments from the department at Wash- 
ington for his bravery. He died soon after 
the close of the war. 

William H. Chaplin is employed in the 
office of the Pennsylvania Railroad company. 
John M. Chaplin was born Jan. 5, 1849. He 
received his education under private tutora 
in Pittsburgh and at the academy at Tus- 
carora, Academia, Pa., graduating in 1867. 
He then became confidential clerk for Col. 
James M. Cooper, and, leaving his employer, 
three years later became discount and bills- 
of-exchange clerk in the Bank of Pittsburgh. 
After ten years of successful work here he 
attained to his present position, manager of 
the Pittsburgh clearing-house, where he has 
been for nine years. His mother lives with 
him in his beautiful home on Neville island, 
where he has a fine house, greenhouses and 
beautiful grounds. He is a member of the 
Episcopal Church; politically a republican. 
M. B. Chaplin is of the firm of Chaplin & 
Fulton, brass-founders, of Pittsburgh; Will- 
iam Wilson Chaplin is manager of the Petro- 
leum Exchange Clearing- House. 

George Springer, farmer and stock- 
raiser, postoffice Moon, was born on the old 
homestead of his father, in Fiudlay town- 
ship, June 28, 1841, a son of Joseph and 
Nancy (McMurtry) Springer, former of whom 
was born on the old homestead farm where- 
his father settled in 1795, and died in 1861; 
his widow died in 1887, aged eighty-two. 
years; both were mgmbers of the tl. P. 



432 



HISTOnV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Church at Clinton. She was a daughter of 
John McMurtry, who married, in Philadelphia, 

Miss Shippcn. Jcihu McMurtr}^ was a hotel- 
keeper in Philadelphia, and settled on a farm 
in Fiudlay township. AIle,u:henv count}-, 
where he and his wife died. They were 
members of the U. P. Church. Joseph 
Springer was a son of Matthias Springer, a 
native of Germany, who became one of the 
pioneers of what is now Findlay township. 
Joseph Springer and wife had six sons 
and four daughters, all of whom lived to be 
men and women. Of these. George, the 
fourth son and seventh child, is now liv- 
ing on the farm adjoining the old home- 
stead in Findlay township. He was united 
in marriage, June 24, 1^66, with Eliza J. 
Bruce, who was born near Shef53eld, Beaver 
county. Pa., daughter of Jacob and Jane 
<Johnson) Bruce. Mr. and i[rs. Springer are 
members of the Presbyterian Church at 
Sharon. They have had six children. four sons 
living; J. Bruce, Charles A.. Alouzo G. and 
Sidney C, all of whom reside on the farm 
with their parents except Charles A., who is 
a telegraph operator at Los Angeles. Cal. 
Mr. Springer ranks among the leading 
farmers, and is a representative of two of 
the oldest families in Alleghenj- county. 

Rev. Cornelius Willi.^mWtcofp, pas- 
tor of Bethel Presbyterian Church, postolBce 
Upper St, Clair, was born Oct. 14. 183T. in 
Carroll county, Ohio, a son of Isaac and 
Katherine (Frye) Wycoff, born, respectively, 
Dec. 7. 1814. in West Virginia, and March 3. 
1818, in Maryland. His paternal grandfather. 
Cornelius Wycoff. was born in New Jersey. 
Dec. 16. 1787. a descendant of Cornelissin 
Wycoff, who came from Holland in 1636, and 
settled on Manhattan island. His paternal 
grandmother, Leah (Critser) Wycoff, was 
born March 1, 17.S9; his maternal graud- 
.parents, John and Elizabeth Frye, were 
Germans. The subject of this sketch spent 
his youth in Ohio, and attended the New 
Hagerstown Academy. In 1861 he entered 
Washington College of Washington county. 
Pa., and graduated in 1862. The September 
following he entered the Western Theolog- 
ical Seminary at Allegheny, graduating in 
1865. In May of that year he took charge of 
the Bacon Ridge and East Springfield 
churches, Ohio, and remained until Novem- 
ber, 1873, when he resigned to take his pres- 
ent charge at Bethel, being the fourth pastor 
■of that church, which was one hundred 
years old in 1878. He married, Dec. 19, 186.5. 
Martha B. Jlorrison. born Nov. 25. 1839, at 
New Hagerstown, Ohio, daughter of Alexan- 
der and Sarah (Johnson) Morrison, horn, re- 
spectively, in Pennsylvania in 1808 and in 
Ireland September SI," 1811. Rev. and Mrs. 
Wycoff had following-named children; Mary 
K.. John (died Jan. fO, 1876). William Alex- 
ander. Anna. Hany E. and Frank Isaac. 

Andrew Tidb.\ll. farmer, postotHee 
Remington, a well-to-do citizen of Robinson 
township, was born in 1838. His grand- 
father, Thomas Tidball, a native of Mary- 



land and a blacksmith by trade, came to Snow 
den township and purchased three hundred 
acres of land about 1776. (Bethel Presbyterian 
church and cemetery grounds are located on 
this property.) Of his five sons. William, the 
youngest, was born in 1796, and married 
Elizabeth Nicholson, of Washington county, 
who bore him fourteen children. William 
purchased one hundred acres of land, in 
183.1, from Samuel Scott, Sr.. and resided on 
that place until he died, in 18.84. Andrew, 
the ninth child, was born and reared on this 
place, and inherited the property after his 
father's death. He has always been a 
farmer. He married, in 1801. Anna Eliza, 
daughter of James and Amelia (McMichael) 
Neelj-, and seven children were born to them, 
four living: James E., Carrie Emma, William 
F. and Maud Estella. Mr. Tidball and family 
are members of the Presbyterian Churcii, 
and are highly respected; he is a reiiublican. 
F. W. Kelly was born in Westmore- 
land county. Pa., in 1866, a son of I. M. 
Kelly, a native of Fayette county. Pa., now 
a resident of Washington territory. Our 
subject was educated at the public" schools 
of Westmoreland county, and for eight 
years was identified with the Imperial C^al 

j & Coke company, in Allegheny county. 

i one year and a half of which time he was 
superintendent of their cokeworks. Sept. 

1 20. 1888, Mr. Kelly moved from Robinson 
township to Wilkeson. W. T.. where he is en 
gaged in hotel business. He married, in 1887. 
Maggie L., daughter of William B. Phillips, 
a prominent citTzen of Moon township, Alle- 
gheny county, and they had one child, which 
died Sept. 6." 1888. Mr. Kelly is a member of 
the Jr. O. U. A. M., in religion a Presb\'- 
terian, politically a democrat. 

William H. Grr. farmer and director of the 
county poor-farm, was born on the home 
stead "of his father and grandfather, in Fiud- 
lay township. Sept. 11, 1823. His parents. 
Josiah and Margaret (Stewart) Guy. also 
natives of Findlay township, were mar- 
ried March 17. 1814. !Mrs. Guy was a daugh- 
ter of James and Slargaret (McCune) Stew- 
art, who were early seUlers of Findlay town- 
ship. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart 
were John, James. Richard. Thomas, Joseph. 
Jane, Ellen. Marj-, JIargaret, Ann and Sarah. 
Josiah Guy was born July 31, 1786, a son of 
William and Martha (Peoples) Guy, natives 
of Cumberland county. Pa., where they 
were married, coming to Findlay township 
soon after; they were Presbyterians, as were 
also Josiah and Margaret (Stewart) Guy. 
former having been an elder in old Montour 
Church. The last-named couple had ten 
children: ilatilda (deceased wife of Rev. 
John K. Cunningham), Margaret (wife 
of Dr. JlcCandless), Rebecca J. (de- 
ceased wife of John McCandless). Sarah 
(wife of Andrew Burns). William H., Elea- 
nor (wife of Morris Duncan). James (deceased 
in infancy), Josiah (married to Tarza 
Wiley), Marv E. (widow of Joseph Duncan! 
and Jacob S. William H. Guv finished his 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



433 



education at Frankfort Springs Academy, 
and, Oct. 39, 1844, married Mary Jane Dun- 
can, who was born at Uniontown, Fayette 
county. Pa., Aug. 3, 1S2G, a daugliter of 
Elisha and Mary (H3-att) Duncan, natives, 
respectively, of Wasliiugton and Fayette 
counties. Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Guy had "nine 
children, six of whom are living; Anna M., 
wife of JohnS. Burns, of Findfay township; 
Mary A., widow of Samuel .J. Ewing; Will- 
lam E., manager for Colby & Co., Pitts- 
■burgh. married to Pauline Dye; Samuel J., 
M. D., married to Jauette Parry, and resid- 
ing at Winfleld. Kan.; Nettie, wife of Rev. 
■John J. Srodes, Coraopolis, and Alexander 
D., a merchant at Coraopolis. married to 
Maggie L. Neely. Mr. and Mrs. Guy are 
members of the Presbyterian Church at 
Sharon, in which he served as deacon several 
years, and is now elder and trustee. In 1853 
he went to California, mined and kept hotel 
and merchandised two years. He has held 
various offices of trust, as school director, 
justice of the peace, etc., and in November. 
1883, was elected county director of the poor, 
being re-elected in 1887. 

Henry Aten (deceased) was born Sept. 
■2.5, 1813. in Moon township, on the farm now 
owned by his son, Henry A. Aten, and died 
here April 11, 1887. He married Jane Hillis 
Stewart*; who was born Nov. 5, 1816. on the 
farm now owned by R. M. Stewart, in Find- 
lay township, a daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth (Glass) Stewart. Her father was born 
on June 4, 1780, in Pennsylvania. His par- 
ents settled on Potato Garden run, Pindlay 
township, at an early date. Elizabeth (Glass) 
Stewart was born in Washington county. 
Pa., daughter of Robert and Jane (Hillis) 
Glass, both Presbyterians, from Ireland. 
Henry Aten (deceased) was a son of Richard 
and Nancy (McMurtrie) Aten, both born near 
Belvidere, N. J. Richard was born Feb. 4, 
1766, and married Feb. 32, 1791. He was an 
■early settler in Moon township, and patented 
the farm which his grandson. Henry A. 
Aten, now owns. Henry and Jane (Hillis) 
Stewart Aten early united with the Presby- 
terian Church at Sharon, in which he served 
as an elder a number of years. He and 
wife had four children, three living: John 
S., born July 10, 1844, married Ella Wilson, 
and resides in Pindlay township, and had 
three children: Henry A., Jennie A. and 
Charles Mc; Richard J., born Oct. 24, 1840, 
married Margaret Sill, resides in Ashland 
county, Ohio, and Henry Albert. The last 
named was born Oct. 18, 1848, married Olivia 
M. Stewart, June 21, 1876. She was born in 
Findlay township, a daughter of Joseph and 
Hannah (Glass) Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. Aten 
have five children : Delia J. (deceased), Jo- 
seph H., Henr}* S., Mary H. and Ernest J. 

Samuel L" He.^vth. farmer, postoffice 
West Elizabeth, was born in 1802 on the farm 
now owned b}- him in Jefferson township, 
a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Heath, former 
of whom was born at Fort Pitt, latter in New 
Jersey. His grandfather, Samuel, a native of 



Ireland, came from Wilmington, Va. The 
Heath family have occupied prominent posi- 
tions in the history of the country. Brig.- 
Gen. Heath was appointed one of a number 
to receive Gen. Lafayette when he landed in 
this country. John Heath was an officer in 
the Revolution, and commanded the garrison 
at Port Waterford. Henry Heath was in the 
war of 1812. The meeting held for the pur- 
pose of perfecting the organization of Alle- 
gheny county was held at the residence of 
Andrew Heath, now the residence of Samson 
Stilly, of Jefferson township, and the Vir- 
ginia courthouse stood near the graveyard on 
Lobb's farm, where justice in Allegheny 
county was first dispensed. The father of 
Samuel L. was in the whisky insurrection, 
and was a rebel, and the origin of the ceme- 
terj' on Lobb's farm can be attributed to the 
fact that the federal soldiers encamped there 
and used it as a burial-place. The Heath 
family descended from three brothers who 
went from Ireland to England and from there 
to Virginia, where one of them made a per- 
manent settlement, and the remaining two 
settled in Western Pennsylvania, where they 
married and reared families. 

Samuel Heath, grandfather of Samuel L., 
reared a family of ten children : Robert Heath 
(born Nov. 5, 1762), Margaret (Oct. 1, 1764), 
Susanna (Sept. 27, 1766). Henry (Sept. 29, 
1768). Elizabeth (March, 1770), Samuel (Aug. 
1, 1773), Ruth (Oct. 30, 177.5), Orpah (June 8, 
1780), Adamson (Sept. 23, 1784), Naomi (Sept. 
36, 1787). The farm now owned by Samuel 
L. Heath has descended from father to son 
for three generations, each time being owned 
by one of the family named Samuel. Samuel 
L. is one of a family of seven children, but 
two of whom are yet living, the other Ijeing 
Elizabeth, now Mrs Harvey Hankins, of 
Sabina, Ohio. Our subject married, in 1870, 
Mrs. Amanda Martin, widow of John W. 
Martin, by whom she had one child. Mary, 
now Mrs. William B. Elliot, of Forward 
township. Mr. Heath was a member of the 
Jefferson Guards, and with them was present 
at the reception of Gen. Lafayette at 
Pittsburgh. 

Joseph Pierce, farmer, postolBce Gill 
Hall, son of Amos and Deborah Pierce, was 
born in Jefferson township, in 1834, on the 
farm now owned by him. His great-grand- 
father. Andrew Pierce, came into Allegheny 
county with the Walls and Applegates, from 
New Jersey, and he (Andrew) built the first 
mill on the Monongahela river. Louis Pierce, 
subject's grandfather, and Amos Pierce, his 
father, were both natives of Forward town- 
ship, this county, and were born on the place 
now owned bj- David Pierce. Amos Pierce 
was born April 17, 1796, died February 20, 
1867; Deborah Pierce, born December 8, 1790, 
died April 12, 187,5; Lewis, born February 3, 
1823, died Aug. 29, 1860; Marv A., born July 
17, 1832, died Sfov. 1, 1869; Jane C, born Sept. 
14, 1836. died Jan. 23, 1879; James McK., 
born Aug. 13, 1820, died June 4, 1883. April 
30. 1871. the subject of this memoir married 



434 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Henrietta, daughter of David and Kmeliiie 
(Madvcy) Torreiiee, of Pitlsl)urgli, whose 
parents were among the old families of the 
city. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have three chil- 
dren: William T., born March 27, 1872; 
.loseph A., born August 31, 1874. and Andrew 
C, born May 21. 1884. The jiarents are 
members of the U. P. Churcli. In IS.W Mr. 
IMerce went west and purchased a farm near 
Daveniiort, Iowa, moving onto the same in 
1857, Here he remained until the spring of 
1H60, when he went to the gold-diggings on 
the IJlue river, but, not being as successful as 
he had anticipated, he returned to the old 
farm in Allegheny county, and has since here 
remained. 

William Silk, retired. postofHce Putnam, 
is the oldest citizen of Scott township, and 
was born June 15, 1804. He is the son of 
Thomas Silk, of Kew Jersey, who, when 
only two and a half years old, came to 
Allegheny county with his mother, he being 
the _youngest of three children. Being in des- 
titute circumstances, Mrs. Silk was obliged 
to leave her children in the hands of the 
overseers of the poor, and Thomas was 
bound out to one Jacob Bowman, at that 
time a coal- and ferry-boatman of Pittsburgh. 
He remained with Mr. Bowman until he was 
twenty-one years of age, and soon after en- 
gaged in the distilling business. He married 
Slargaret Dickson, who bore him nine chil- 
dren. Thomas, later in life, purchased one 
hundred acres of land from the Bells, near 
the present borough of Green Tree, and there 
resided until his death, which occurred in 
1854. when he was seventy-five years of age. 
Our subject was born on a farm in Upper St. 
Clair township, and was educated in a log 
school. He was married in 1827 to Lucinda 
Toe, daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Steen) 
Toe, and eleven children were born to this 
union: Margaret (Mrs. Dunlap), John, Will- 
iam (who died in California), Thomas (died 
in Libby prison), Rebecca Jane (Mrs. Hope), 
Joseph (died at Chattanooga, Tenn.), Charles 
and Lucinda (twins, the former deceased and 
the latter at home), George W., Elizabeth (at 
home), and Daniel. Mr. Silk came to his 
present farm iu 1856, the original purchase 
being 114 acres. He and his estimable wife 
are highly respected by all who know them. 
They have for many years been members of 
the Methodist Church. 

All.vn B. Angney, principal of public 
schools, postofflce Mansfield Valley, is a 
native of this county, born in 1864, a son of 
Isaac A. Angney, a contractor, now deceased, 
who came from Carlisle, Pa., to Allegheny 
county. He (Isaac A.) married Margaret 
Beham, and Allan B. is their youngest child. 
He was educated at the high-schnol and 
Iron City College, and graduated at Indiana 
State Normal School, He commenced teach- 
ing soon after in the school where he grad- 
uated, mathematics the tirstyearaud English 
branches the second. He came to Mansfield 
in 1887, and was elected by the board of 
directors principal of public schools here, 



which position he ably tills. In politics he is 
independent. 

Joseph C, B.^iliff, retired, Etna, was 
born Feb. 21, 1823, on the Isle of Man. 
Great Britain. He descends from an old 
family of science in England, who have 
the honor of being mentioned in the writings 
of Baron Von Humboldt. Joseph C. is the 
son of Abraham and Catharine (Brown) 
Bailiff, the latter of Scotch descent. They 
had three children, viz.: Mrs. Catharine 
Rome, of Onterior: Joseph C. and John, 
the latter livin.g in California. Joseph was 
reared and received his education in Liver- 
pool, where he also served an apprenticeship 
of seven years, and learned the plumbing, 
steam- and gas titling trade. Subsequently, 
in 1849, he came to America, and worked in 
several of the principal cities of the United 
States. In 1850 he located in Pittsburgh, 
where he followed his trade in company 
with different partners. The last partner- 
ship was known as Bailiff & Brown, and 
continued successfully for twenty-five years. 
Mr. Bailiff was married to Rebecca M., 
daughter of Rod.ger Miller, of an old pioneer 
family, and they have one child, Addison 
P., who married Sarah Blanche Bagaley. 
by whom he has three children: Joseph C, 
Caroline B., and an infant daughter. Birdie 
Beulah. Politically Joseph C. is a republican. 

John Farmekie. the grandfather of John 
A. Farmerie. the subject of this sketch, was 
a native of France; emigrated to this country 
in 1828, and settled in Ross township. Alle- 
gheny county. Pa., as a farmer. lie had 
seven children, viz. : George, James. Nich- 
olas, Christopher. Catherine, Mary and 
Elizabeth. His sons George, James and 
Nicholas married, in the old St, Patrick's R, 
C. Church, the three daughters of Anthony 
Yerkins, who was a native of Coin, on the 
Rhine, Germany, and came to this country 
in 1820, settling "in Allegheny Town, running 
a ferry-flat from Allegheny to Pittsbnrgli, 
poled by hand and used for transporting 
passengers and marketing horses and cattle. 
George and Elizabeth Farmerie, the parents 
of John A. Farmerie, were married in 1837; 
they followed farming and kept a public 
house on the old Butler and Freeport pike. 
Mr. Farmerie also ran a boat, called the 
church boat, in 1848, on the old canal, from 
Pine creek to Pittsburgh. He and his 
wife had eight children, viz.: Elizalteth, 
John A., Barbara, George, Nicholas C., Wil- 
son H,, Catherine and Andrew. Politically 
the father was a democrat. 

John A. Farmekie, eldest son of George 
and Elizabetli Farmerie, was born in 1840, 
and married Anna M.. the third daughter of 
Lawrence and Mary Ann Winschell. Law- 
rence Winschell was born in Bavaria, and im- 
migrated to this country in 1830, finally 
settling in Sharpsburg, where he became an 
extensive propert.y-holder. He was a devout 
Catholic and an uncompromising democrat. 
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Fannerie were mar- 
ried in 1869, at St. Mary's R. C. Church, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



435 



Sharpsburg, by Rev. Father Sbell. aud their 
union was blessed with live cliildren. viz.; 
John L.. Rachel M., Loviua A.. Rozella E. 
and Emma P. John A. Farmerie, in 1860, 
entered into partnership with R. T. Graham, 
in buying lumber and oil, and in 1863 and 
1864 ran a steam ferry at Sharpsburg, on the 
Allegheny river, where the first bridge erected 
at this point had been destroyed by fire, and 
until the bridge was rebuilt they continued 
in partnership. They, in 1865, built a sawmill 
at the mouth or junction of Pine creek and 
the Allegheny river, and Mr. Farmerie still 
retains a half interest in the sawmill. He is 
also engaged in the gas-fitting and plumbing 
business in Etna. He is a natural mechanic 
and a practical millwright. He is a strict 
Catholic and a sturdy democrat. 

Petek Ivort, farmer, and postmaster at 
West View, was born Feb. 1, 1819. in Pitts- 
burgh, a son of Peter Ivory, Sr., a native of 
the parish of Street, County Westmeath, Ire- 
land. Peter, Sr., was a mechanic, having 
worked eleven 3'ears for the English govern- 
ment during the reigu of George HI. He 
fought in two battles during the rebellion of 
1789, was taken prisoner, but released shortlj' 
after on account of bis extreme youth. He 
married, in Ireland, Catharine Rogers. Not 
liking nor caring to be subject to the English 
government, and being in fair circumstances, 
he resolved to seek a country whose form of 
government was more congenial to his mind, 
and with this object in view, aud with his 
wife and only child, Mary, he immigrated to 
America in 1817. The}' arrived in Pittsburgh, 
and in 1819 purchased the farm on which he 
died Nov. 11, 1849, and on which the thriving 
village of West View is built. He was 
alwaj's an industrious, honest and prosperous 
man. Politically he was a democrat, and in 
religion a member of the Catholic Church. 
One son was born to him in Pittsburgh, Peter, 
Jr. (our subject), who has been engaged in 
farming and in different pursuits, such as 
contracting for the government; also was a 
stockman for twelve years. In 1863 he mar- 
ried Miss Johanna Conway, of Conway, 
Beaver county, Pa. He has bought aud sold 
a great deal of piroperty, owning at the pres- 
ent time two hundred acres of land. His 
marriage was blessed with two sons and three 
daughters ; Peter, Conway, Minnie, Katharine 
Theresa and Ellie. Mr. Ivory has beeu 
justice of the peace for twenty-five years, 
has been president of the Pine creek and 
Wexford plank-road, director of the Alle- 
gheny and Perrysville plank-road, of which 
he has been secretary. Politically he is a 
democrat, and in religion he is a stauch mem- 
ber of the Roman Catholic Church. 

Henry Hekr, retired, postofflce Bennett, 
was born June 4, 1805, in Pittsburgh. Pa., 
son of Benjamin Herr, a native of Lancaster 
county, Pa., where liis grandfather, who was 
a native of Switzerland, had previously set- 
tled. Benjamin Ilerr came to Pittsburgh, 
and built the third brick house in the city. 
About 1808 he removed to his farm, on the 



north side of Allegheny river, which he had 
purchased in 1797 from George Wallace and 
Ann Wilson. He was a fruit- and hop-grower, 
and lived on bis farm until his death, which 
occurred A^pril 9, 1846, when he was eighty- 
five years of age. He was also the owner of 
Herr's island. Henry Herr was reared on the 
farm, and is a blacksmith by trade. For a 
number of years he was employed as finisher 
with the firm of Knapp, Wade & Totter, who 
manufactured cannon, etc. Eventually he 
moved to Millvale, where he now resides. 
Here he was married to Mar)- P., daughter of 
Daniel Mathias; she died on her birthday, 
March 30, 1884, aged eighty-five years. They 
were the parents of two children, one of 
whom, Samuel, enlisted in Co. A, 62d regi- 
ment, and was killed in the battle of the Wil- 
derness. Politically Mr. Herr is a republican. 

Joseph Barton, farmer, postolfice Har- 
marville, was born in Pittsburgh, Jan. 6,1824, 
a son of Robert and Marj- (Percial) Barton. 
His parents, natives, respectively, of Scotland 
and England, were married in England, and 
came to Pittsburgh in 1816. moving in 1834 to 
what is now Harmar township, where the 
father died in 1848, aged seventy j'ears, and 
the mother in 1860. aged seventy-three years. 
When twenty-three years of age, Mr. Barton 
married Ruth Ann Cready. of Six-Mile Ferry, 
daughter of John and Sarah (Hickey) Cready. 
He is father of a large family, six of whom 
are still living, one son and five daughters. 
In politics he is a democrat. 

William McKinney, Jr. (deceased), the 
eldest sou of John McKinney, was born Nov. 
23, 1842, and lived with his father on the 
homestead. March 4, 1867, he married Miss 
J. C, daughter of Thomas West, a native of 
his county, and seven children were born to 
them, three now liviug: Charles, William and 
Martha Elizabeth. Their father died May 8, 
1884. aud his widow and children now live 
on the old homestead. 

John McKinney, the eldest son of William 
McKiuney, was born Aug. 1, 1802, in the 
County Donegal, Ireland, and came to this 
country with his parents when he was eight- 
een years old. His father, with his family, 
after coming to this country, first settled in 
Pittsburgh for a short time. " Then removing 
to Braddock (then called Braddock's Field), 
with his wife and five children, two sons and 
three daughters, he purchased a farm, then 
called Frazier's field. In June, 1837, John 
married a Miss Rebecca McGlinn, of Albanj', 
N. Y., and by her had three sous and four 
daughters, of whom but three daughters are 
living; Mrs. William Curry, of Lawrence 
county; Mrs. L.C. Brinton, of Beaver county. 
Pa.; a"nd Mrs. Dr. Matlack, of Braddock, Pa. 
John McKinney died at the old homestead, 
Sept. 25, 1887; his wife died Sept. 23, 1872. 

Dr. Samuel Dale Clarke, of Verona, 
was born near Mount Jackson, Lawrence 
county. Pa., Jan. 16, 1854. His great-great- 
grandfather, Walter Clarke, came from 
Lewisburg, Pa., in 1802, and bought farms 
for his sons in North Beaver township. John 



im 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Clarke, the great-grandfather, was bom in 
Lewisburg, in 1775, and was one of the first 
settlers in North Beaver. Samuel D. Clarke, 
his grandfather, was born New Year's daj% 
1S02. He was a man of more than ordinary 
ability, and held various offices in both 
church and state. In 1871 he was elected to 
represent Lawrence county in the state legis- 
lature. Clement Clarke, the oldest son of 
Samuel D.. lives on a part of the original 
tract occupied by four generations of the 
family. He was married Oct. 17, 1850, to 
Emily, a daughter of James Adair, one of 
the pioneers of Poland township, Ohio. 
Mr. and Mrs. Clarke are the parents of four 
children; the doctor, the subject of this 
sketch, and three daughters. 

Dr. Clarke, like most of our successful 
professional men, was reared on a farm. He 
was educated at Poland Union Seminary, 
Poland, Ohio. He passed his medical studies 
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
Keokuk. Iowa, where he graduated in 1879. 
March 25 of the same year he located at Ve- 
rona. The doctor was highly esteemed in the 
community where his earlj- life was spent. 
In his professional life he has made many 
friends, and has succeeded in building up a 
large and lucrative practice. He is a member 
of several societies— the F. & A. M., K. T., 
Jr. O. U. A. M. and I. O. O. F.; jjolitically 
he is a republican; religiously he is a Pres- 
byterian. 

George Kenngott, retired, residing near 
Etna, was born Jan. 6, 1836, in Reutlingen, 
kingdom of Wiirtemberg, Germany, a son of 
Johan G. and Mary (Jfessinger) kenngott. 
He came to America Sept. 30, 1854. and in 
Pittsburgh learned the tinner's trade; later 
he estabHshed. in Lawrenceville (now Fif- 
teenth ward, Pittsburgh), a prosperous tin, 
stove and house-furnishing business, which 
he conducted about twenty years, and then 
sold out to his brother, G. Edward. He re- 
sided in Sharpsburg ten years, but since 
1884 has been living in Shaler township. 
His wife Elizabeth is a daughter of Archi- 
bald and Mary (Wood) Dunn. The latter 
died young. Mrs. Kenngott came from 
Berwickshire, near Kelso, Scotland, to Amer- 
ica at the age of sixteen; she is the mother 
of one son.^George F., born Feb. 8, 1864. 
He graduated from the Pittsburgh High- 
school in 1882, and from Amherst in 1886, 
and is a student in Andover Theological Sem- 
inary in the class of 1889. 

John English, merchant, Perrysville, 
was born Sept. 14, 1831, in Evergreen, Ross 
township, a son of Alexander English, of 
County Tyrone, Ireland. Alexander came to 
America in 1825 with his parents, Samuel 
and Elizabeth English (who were Protestants) 
and settled in Evergreen. Here Alexander 
married Elizabeth Thompson, and became 
the father of live children: John, Samuel, 
William, James and Elizabeth E. Alexan- 
der died here in 1879, aged eight}--threeyears; 
his widow survives him. John English re- 
ceived his education in this county, where he 



farmed until 1858, when he left the plow to 
engage in mercantile business in Perryville, 
and, although he had no previous training in 
that line, he has been very successful. He 
married Sarah, daughter of William McDon- 
ald, an old settler, and the}' were blessed with 
five children: Eliza B.. William A., Anna M., 
John S. and Austin T. Mr. and Mrs. En- 
glish are members of the Presbyterian Church, 
of which he has been treasurer thirty years. 

A.C. MiLLiKEN, manufacturer.Pittsburgh. 
James Foster Milliken, the grandfather of A. 
C, Milliken. was a pioneer of Mifflin county, 
Pa., and one of the first iron-manufacturers of 
Pennsylvania. The father, Samuel Milliken, 
was also in the iron business, but more exten- 
sively dealt in lumber, supplying the railroad 
demand. A. C. Jlilliken received his educa- 
tion at the Pennsylvania Military Academy; 
also at Prof. Hastintrs' Mantua Academy and 
Lafayette College. Gaston. Pa., graduating 
at the latter place in the class of 1869. Thus 
equipped he entered mercantile career in the 
lumber business with his father in Clearfield 
county. Pa. After the great fire at Osceola, 
in 1875, he came to Pittsburgh, where his 
business abilities were soon recognized, and 
he became the manager of the Mill vale Iron 
it Steel works; eug,aged in the manufacture 
of boilers and tanks with Messrs. S. B. Rheam 
& Co., which firm he was the founder of. He 
is also identified with the Pennsylvania Manu- 
facturing, Mining & Supjily company. Gran- 
ite RootTng company and T. H. Nevin com- 
pany; wiis also founder of the Penn Foundry 
company. In Millvale Mr. Milliken was a 
councilman for a number of years, and in 
1885 was elected burgess of the borough, 
which office he still holds. 

H. M. Brackexridge was the onlj'son of 
Benjamin Morgan Brackenridge, who was 
the only son of H. M. Brackenridge, and was 
born in Philadelphia, Pa., Xov. 5, 1828. 
He received his education in Philadelphia 
and Washington, and inherited a very exten- 
sive tract of land from his mother, Caroline 
Marie Brackenridge, located in Harrison 
township. Allegheliy county, Pa. He was 
a scientist, an artist and a fliie chemist, but 
his health was too delicate to permit him to 
follow his inclinations. He married. Feb. U). 
1853, Miss Phillipine, daughter of Edward 
Stieren, a young lady educated, refined and 
accomplished, whose father was a doctor of 
philosophy and chemistry, he having been 
one-fifth owner of a celebrated chemical 
works in Germany, but owing to unexpected 
financial reverses removed to America and 
accepted the position of first chemist for the 
Pennsylvania Salt-Manufacturing compan}', 
whose works are located at Natrona. Mrs. 
Brackenridge, however, was soon called 
upon to mourn the loss of her husband, who. 
in his thirty-fourth year, became a victim to 
that fell destroyer, consumption. Keenly 
feeling her great loss and realizing fully the 
responsibility now devolving upon her 
(being left with a son, H. M., and a daughter, 
Cornelia Caroline), she assumed, with the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



437 



grace characteristic of a lady, all the duties 
and cares of superintending the proper man- 
agement of a vast estate, and the education 
of her children. Knowing that by inherit- 
ance her children's tastes would incline to 
literature and art, she sought to guide them 
in that direction. H. M. received his edu- 
cation partly at the University of Pittsburgh 
and Cornelia C. at the Bingham Institute. 
Then Mrs. Brackenridge, desirous of afford 
ing all advantages their tastes and position 
required, visited Europe, and for three years 
remained with her children, where they en- 
joyed all the advantages afforded by the 
universities of Dresden, and traveled exten- 
sively through Europe during the summer. 
They all, however, returned to the old Brack- 
enridge homestead, and Cornelia C. was united 
in marriage with Erastus J. McKelvey, a 
prominent member of the Pittsburgh l.tar. She 
was doomed to an early death, and died, 
leaving two children, Cornelia Brackenridge 
and Caroline Marie Brackenridge McKelvey, 
uow members of their grandmother's house- 
hold. They have a governess, are receiving an 
education, and are being fitted to properly 
fill the social positions a delicate and refined 
taste requires and wealth affords. H. M. 
Brackenridge married Madge, daughter of 
William Richards, of Philadelphia, former 
superintendent of the Pennsylvania Salt-Man- 
ufacturing compaiij- of Natrona, and now 
prominently identified with railroad interests. 
To them have been born two children — 
Helen and Cornelia. All are at the Brack- 
enridge homestead, known as "The Grove," 
located just below Natrona, on the Allegheny 
river, their residence being conspicuous in a 
lawn descending gently to the river, and in 
the summer-time surrounded and bathed by 
the sweet perfume of rare plants and shrubs; 
in the colder season enlivened with wit and 
humor, and the graces which center there 
would, all combined, lead one to exclaim, 
" Verily, this of the world is the Voldeflune." 
James McCluke, farmer, postoflice Elk- 
horn, is a descendant of William McClure, who 
was one of three brothers who came from 
Carlisle, Pa., and settled in the Monongahela 
valley. William located in what is now For- 
ward township, below Monongahela City, on 
lands now owned by James Patrick and Mrs. 
Lewis Wallace. John settled on the present 
site of Homestead borough, and Alexander 
midway between Elizabeth borough and Mc- 
Keesport, on the old McClure farm. James, 
the father of our subject, was born on the 
farm now owned by Mrs. Lewis Wallace Aug. 
6, 1781, and married Elizabeth Applegate, who 
was born Feb. 3, 1788, and was a descendant 
of one of the pioneers of Forward township. 
The members of his family were Maria, 
Eliza, William, Aaron, James, Jane and 
Harvey. Maria, now deceased, married 
Elijah Holleroft; Eliza, now deceased, mar- 
ried William Gaston: Jane died unmarried, 
and Aaron, also deceased, married Lydia 
Holleroft; William is a resident of Forward 
township; Harvey is a druggist in Elizabeth 



borough, and James is also a resident of For- 
ward township. James remained with his 
father until he married, Nov. 19, 1846, Nancy 
Pangborn, daughter of Isaac Pangborn, born 
Feb. 19, 1828. They settled on the farm now 
owned by him, and neither of them was 
ever seventy miles from home. Their chil- 
dren are Cicero, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Mary 
and Frank; born, respectively. Nov. 6, 18i7; 
May 1, 1850; July 9, 1853; Dec. 16, 1864; 
March 13, 1870. Rebecca died when she was 
two years old. The remainder are at home, 
except Elizabeth, who married Mr. Yoheand 
resides in Monongahela City. Mr. and Mrs. 
McClure united with the Baptist Church of 
Elizabeth during the winter of 1844-45. He 
is a republican, and was a school director for 
three years. 

Charles Reinhard, merchant, Verona, 
is a native of the city of Allegheny, born 
Nov. 10, 1840, son of Louis and Barbara 
(Franz) Reinhard, who were born, respect- 
ively, in Hamburg and Meinz, Germany. 
The mother died in 1851, before reaching 
the age of thirty, but the father is yet liv- 
ing, at the age of eight,y-four, and resides at 
Newport, Lawrence county. Pa. For many 
years he kept the William Tell hotel at 
Pittsburgh, and was one of the defenders of 
his adopted country, enlisting in 1861 in 
the 101st P. v., anil serving in the Army 
of the Potomac until discharged on account 
I of injuries received at the battle of Fair 
Oaks. He and his wife bad three children: 
I Mrs. Mary Miller, now a resident of Decatur, 
Ind., Charles and a daughter who died in 
I infancy. As soon as Fort Sumter was fired 
{ upon Charles Reinhard joined a company of 
j troops enlisted for three months, and when 
I that term expired re-enlisted in the 9th. 
[ regiment P. V., reserve corps, and remained 
I until his term expired, in 1864. He took part 
in nineteen battles and skirmishes and was 
I wounded by a spent ball at Charles City 
^ cross roads. After six weeks' rest at home 
he again enlisted in the 6th P. H. A., with 
which he was stationed on the Orange & 
Alexandria railroad, seeing only light skir- 
mishing, and was discharged in the summer 
; of 1865 because his services were no longer 
1 required. After leaving the army he engaged 
I in brickmaking in Allegheny, and came to 
[ Verona in 1873 to work in the yards of 
S. M. Kier. Three years later he was elected 
justice of the peace, which office he resigned 
after serving four years to accept the ap- 
pointment of postmaster, resigning the latter 
office on the inauguration of President Cleve- 
land. He has served ten years as tax-col- 
lector and three years as clerk of the borough 
council, and is an ardent republican. In 
1886, with a partner, he built the fine store 
opposite Verona station, of which he is now 
the sole owner, and carries a general stock 
of merchandise. Mr. Reinhardis associated 
with the G. A. R., K. of P., K. of the M. 
and I. O. O. F. In 1877 he married Sarah 
A. Cunliffe, and they have one child, Jessie 
May. Robert Cunliffe, the grandfather of 



438 



HISTOKV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Mrs. Reinbard. was of English descent, and 
an early resident of Pittsburgh. Her parents 
■were Charles and Elizabeth (Wilson) Cun- 
lille, the hitter of Irish descent. Mrs. Rein- 
hard was born in Penn township in IH.")?. 
The ))aternal grandfather of Mr. Reinhard 
was colonel of a regiment in the Knglish- 
Cierinaii legion at the battle of Waterloo, at 
which he lost a leg. The maternal grand- 
father of Mr. Reinhard was one of Napoleon's 
Old Guard, and was engaged in the same 
battle, but escaped unhurt. 

William CixxiNGnAM, retired farmer, 
P. O. Monroeville. was liorn in Patton town- 
ship. Jan. 6. 1817, a sou of Robert andSusan- 
nali (McElroy) Cunningham, of Irish and 
Scotch descent, respectiyely. the former of 
whom, a native of Eastern Pennsylvania, died 
herein 1822, at the age of sixty-two years; he 
was an elder in the Presb3'terian Church, 
served in the revolutionary army, and after- 
ward was colonel of militia. William Mc- 
Elroy, fatherof Mrs. Susannah Cunningham, 
settled very early on the farm where Mr. Cun- 
ningham now resides, and was forced to 
remain away from it seven years on account 
of the hostility, of the Indians. Mr. Cun- 
ningham's father died before the subject of 
this sketch was live and one-half years old. and 
he has since resided on this farm. In July. 
18y0, he married Caroline R. Rowser, of 
Armstrong county, and one child was born, 
now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham 
are connected with the Presbyterian Church. 
He is a republican, and has served as town- 
ship treasurer and justice of }he peace. 

Col. Samuel McKklvy was born May 1, 
1814. in Pittsburgh. Pa., son of Huirh Mc- 
Kelvy, Jr. The grandparents of our subject, 
Hugh and Elizabeth McKelvy, came to 
America in 1790, and brought with them a 
large family of children; James, John, 
David, William, Hugh (the father of our 
subject), !Mrs. Betsey McCracken, Mrs. Strain 
and another daughter who came to America 
earlier. The grandfather came to Pitts- 
burgh in 1796, and rented the farm (where 
Twenty-eighth street now is) of Col, James 
O'Hara. The father of our subject was by 
trade a brickmaker; was a colonel in the 
militia, and eventuall)' became a councilman; 
was also a coal-merchant; politically he was 
a democrat. He died in May, 1835, aged 
fifty-tive years; his wife, HCfXancv McGowan, 
died aged eighty-four years. Samuel suc- 
ceeded his father in business, became the 
founder of the cast-steel business in Pitts- 
burgh, and started the McKelvy & Blair 
Cast-steel and File Manufacturing company. 
He was largely interested in other business en- 
terprises, and was prominently identified with 
all movements tending to the material prog- 
ress and development of his native city. In 
1855 he had a tract of laud in Pridevale, W. 
'Va., of 13, fl(X) acres, on which he had three 
blast-furnaces in operation! When the war 
broke out he abandoned business and volun- 
teered for the service. He was early connect- 
ed with the Duquesne Greys, of which organ- 



ization he was for a time captain. He was 
appointed to the commissary department, 
eventually becoming chief of the commis- 
sary of the third army corps, on the staff of 
Gen. Ileint/.elman. After the second battle 
of Bull run he was placed in charge of the 
convalescent camp near Washington. 1> C, 
where he did duty until toward the close of 
the war. when he was appointed chief com- 
missary of cavalry under Gen. Sheridan. 
He resigned, but Secretary Stanton declined 
his resignation. After the war Col. McKelv}' 
was appointed United States marshal for the 
western district of Pennsylvania and took 
an active part in politics. He was a pro- 
nounced democrat, and always took a prom- 
inent part in the committees and conventions 
of that party, at one time being chairman of 
the countj' committee. He died somewhat 
suddenly, March 24, 1889, having been in ill 
health for some 3-ears. 

Col. McKelvy married Anna B. Pride, 
who was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. 3, 
1819, a daughter of David Pride, one of 
Pittsburgh's oldest and best-known citizens, 
and who was a contractor and builder and 
large property-owner; he came to Pittsburgh 
when a lad. in 178.5, with his mother and 
twosislers, Sarah and Marion. Mrs. McKelvy 
preceded her husband to the grave about two 
weeks. They left behind them three 
daughters and four sons; daughters — Mrs. 
Charles G. Wood, of Sewickley; Mrs. J. A. 
Quay, wife of the superintendent of Mor- 
ganza, and Miss Anna P.; and sons — Dr. W. 
A. McKelvy. of Kansas; W. H. S., of Sewick- 
ley, and James and Roden, of Pittsburgh. 

James C. Lewis, manufacturer. Ems- 
worth, a suburb of Pittsburgh, was born 
Feb. 22, 1822, and is the fifth son of George 
Lewis, Sr., and Susannah (Hunt) Lewis, who 
were the parents of ten children. George 
Lewis. Sr.. was born in Merthyr Tydvill, 
South Wales, Jan. 12, 1788. lie was the 
pioneer in' the manufacture of rolled iron in 
America. After serving an apprenticeship 
to the iron trade in his native countrj'. he im- 
migrated to America in 1816. and joined 
his brother, Thomas C. Lewis (who had 
crossed the ocean the year before), in erecting 
a rolling-mill for Isaac Mason, in Fayette 
county. Pa. Previous to this time bar-iron 
was made b}- the slow, imperfect and expen- 
sive process of forging under a forge-hammer, 
A.S in other new enterprises, failure was 
predicted, but the operation was successfully 
performed, and a complete revolution in the 
manufacture of iron was inaugurated in this 
countrj-. In starting these works Thomas C. 
Lewis was engineer, George Lewis, Sr.. roller 
and roll-turner, Samuel Lewis, heater, and 
James Lewis. catcher(all brothers), and Sam- 
uel C, sou of Thomas C, heave-up. George 
Lewis, Sr., continued in the management of 
the mechanical department of these works 
till 1819, when he resigned to go to Pittsburgh 
to take charge of the rolling and turning 
departments of the Union Rolling-mills, then 
being erected. In 1823 he went to Maryland 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



439 



to complete the Gunpowder Iron-works of 
Mr. Ridgeley. In 1834 he returned to Pitts- 
burgh, formed a company and erected the 
Dowlais Ironworks, now known as the 
Kensington Ironworlss. He was regarded 
as one of the best mechanics of bis day, and 
was applied to whenever tbere was to be a 
new mill erected, either to take charge or to 
furnish plans of the same. He died April 6, 
1841, leaving a widow and seven children, of 
whom James C. Lewis aleue survives. 

James C. Lewis received his education in 
private schools and the Western Universit}- 
of Pennsylvania. In boyhood he learned the 
iron trade, and in 1845, with his brother George 
and James O'Hara, formed the firm of Lewis, 
O'Hara & Lewis, and erected the Vesuvius 
Ironworks at Sharpsburg, Pa., which in 
1847 was changed to Lewis, Dalzell & Co. 
In 1863 George Lewis died and Lewis W., his 
brother, was taken into the firm. In 1878 the 
firm was dissolved, and in 1880 Mr. Lewis 
went to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he organ- 
ized the Portsmouth Iron & Steel company, 
of which he was elected president and general 
superintendent, and his sous, George Sar- 
gent, secretary-treasurer, and Frank C, 
assistant superintendent. Some three years 
after, Mr. Lewis disposed of his interest in 
this company and returned to Pittsburgh. 
He was also connected with the Isabella 
furnaces at Etna for many years, and was 
actively engaged in various other kinds of 
business. Mr. Lewis was married March 7, 
1848, to Miss Sarah M., daughter of Dr. John 
Sargent, of the city of Allegheny, and ten 
•children have been born to them, viz. : Martha 
M., deceased wife of Dr. W. C. Shaw, of 
Pittsburgh; George S., who died in Novem- 
ber, 1888; Florence E., wife of Charles Lin- 
ford, artist in Philadelphia; Frank C, super- 
intendent of the cold-die department of 
Carnegie, Phipps & Co., Beaver Palls. Pa.; 
Sarah B., wife of John E. Jones, of Ports- 
mouth, Ohio; Alice, Lih' and James S., at 
home, and William and John, who died when 
children. Mr. Lewis and family are Presby- 
terians, of which church he has been a ruling 
elder for some thirty-two j^ears. Politically 
he is a strong republican, and was a member 
■of the first county, state and national con- 
ventions held at Pittsburgh to organize the 
republican party. 

James M. Nevin, attorney at law, Eliza- 
beth and Pittsburgh, is a grandson of Jame.s 
Nevin, of Scotch ancestry, who emigrated 
from Ireland with his parents shortly after 
the Revolution, and settled on Peter's creek, 
in Miffiin township. The grandfather of 
our subject removed to Columbiana county, 
Ohio, in 1832, where James M. Nevin was 
born in 1849, his father being Abraham S. 
Nevin, son of James, and his mother being 
Mary J. (Campbell) Nevin. Mr. Nevin re- 
ceived his early education at the common 
schools, graduated from Monmouth College 
in 1879, and also graduated from the law 
department of the State University of Iowa 
in 1881, and also from the law department of 



the Washington University of St. Louis in 
1882. He is a member of the Iowa, Missouri 
and Pennsylvania bars, and commenced the 
practice of his profession in the fall of 1883 
at Pittsburgh and Elizabeth. In 1884 he was 
married to Lucile, daughter of Rev. John A. 
and Elizabeth (Fisher) Gordon, of Southern 
Ohio. They have two children, James G. 
and Lucile. Mr. Nevin and his wife are 
members of the U. P. Church of Elizabeth. 

The Wall Family. The anccstrv of 
this family in America dates from an early 
period in the history of the country. In 1640 
Lady Deborah Moodj;, the widow'of a Wilt- 
shire baronet, organized an association of 
some fifty persons who came to America, 
and among them was Walter Wall. This 
association first established at Lynn, Mass., 
remaining there until 1643, when they re- 
moved to Gravesend, on Long Island. In the 
latter part of 1657 Walter tVall and others 
emigrated to New .Jersey with their families, 
where they made a purchase embracing the 
present county of Middlesex- and part of 
the county of Monmouth. Walter Wall pur- 
chased a large tract of land in the neighbor- 
hood of Middletown, on a portion of which, 
known as Wall's Mill, and afterward as Van 
Meeter's Mill, was born Gen. Garret D. Wall, 
who served for several years as a member of 
the United States senate, and, in the several 
divisions of town lots and outlands of Mid- 
dletown, Walter Wall found himself the 
possessor of much valuable land. Here his 
sou Garret became a man of some prominence 
in public affairs, his name being mentioned 
in Middletown town-book as receiver of taxes, 
and his son Jarat. or Jarrett, was among 
the leading citizens who resisted the unjust 
demands of the proprietary in 1700-01. 
James Wall, son of Humphrey Wall, and 
grandson of Jarrett Wall, above mentioned, 
together with his brother Walter, moved 
from their Jersey homes in 1766 to find 
greater freedom and change of scene in the 
then " western wilds," west of the mountains. 
Arriving at the forks of the " Yough," as it 
was then called (which included that portion 
of the counties of Allegheny and Westmore- 
land now tying between the Youghiogheny 
and Monongahela rivers, comprising the 
townships of Lincoln, Elizabeth and For- 
ward in Allegheny, and Rostraver township 
in Westmoreland), they built cabins, cleared 
the land and commenced the cultivation of 
the frontier land, surrounded by Indians and 
the wild animals of the forest. In the spring 
of 1769 they revisited New Jersey, and in 
the fall of same year returned to their 
own homes with their families. Several 
other New Jersey families name with them, 
among them the Applegates, Pierces, Ketch- 
ams, Johnsons, Imlays, Smiths and others, 
some of whose descendants still reside in the 
district. The region known as Yohogania 
and Rostraver being mainly settled by emi- 
grants from New Jersey caused it to be called 
the New Jersey settlement at an early day, a 
name still familiar to the present generation. 



440 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Owinj; to the lami controversy which existed 
for a jicriod of over thirty years between the 
aulluirities of Pennsylvania on the one hand 
and those of Virginia on the other, titles to 
lands co\dd not be obtained with any degree 
of certainty until after the year 1784. War- 
rants were granted by the land department 
of Pennsylvania to James Wall and Waller 
Wall for 332 acres 64 perches and allowance, 
each, under date of .July 10. ITSH. and the 
farm on which James Wall settled is now 
owned by William Caldwell and Stephen 
Applegate. He (James Wall) married Cath- 
erine van Eman. a sister of George Van 
Eman, the grandfather of Hon. George Van 
Eman Lawrence, of Alonougahela City. Pa., 
and had eight children; ^Valter, William, 
Garret, Nicholas. Andrew, Xaomi. Mary and 
Hannah. .Tames Wall died on the homestead 
farm May 20, 1811, and his widow a few 
years later. He was noted for his hospitality 
and genial disposition; was a strict observer 
of the laws of God and of man. honest in 
business, and kind to his family and good to 
the poor. He took considerable part in pub- 
lic affairs. 

Garret Wall was born July 13, 1778, mar- 
ried Feb. 16, 1800, Mary Sparks, a daughter of 
Col. Richard Sparks of the U. S. army, and 
resided on the farm given his wife by her 
father. Here' the late Col. Brisben Wall, son 
of Garret, was born, and this property he 
owned up to the time of his decease. Garret 
Wall was a man of sterling character and 
ability; was possessed of considerable literary 
taste and a good knowledge of common law, 
and was an uncompromising adherent of the 
principles of virtue and morality. He served 
in the war of 1813 as quartermaster of Col. 
Ferree's regiment, P. V. I., and filled the 
office of justice of the peace for many years, 
up to the time of his decease. He built a 
sawmill on his farm in 1839, run by water- 
power, which was operated by him during 
his lifetime, and afterward by his son Bris- 
ben until 1853, and then abandoned. His 
children by his first wife, nee Slary Sparks, 
were Milo, Sparks. William. Jesse S., Joseph, 
Gideon, Charily E. and Brisben. The mother 
of these children dying in 1821, Jlr. Wall 
took for his second wife. March 16. 1824, 
JIary Watson, who bore him the following- 
named children; Sidney M., Mar)', Elizabeth, 
Cinthelia and Amanda. The father died 
Jan. 3. 184S, and the mother in 1881. 

Jesse S. Wall was born July 13, 1806, mar- 
ried Sarah Devore ^March .5, 1829, and lived 
on the farm now owned by James Wall, ad- 
joining the old homestead, until 1833. when 
he moved to Washington county, where he 
remained until 1844, in which year he removed 
to Guernsey county, Ohio, where he and his 
wife now reside. The names of their chil- 
dren are Andrew, William, Samuel, David, 
Lucinda, Sarah, Sparks and Ella. 

Joseph Wall was born Xov. 17, 1811. mar- 
ried Frances, daughter of the late David 
Allen, and resided on the farm given his wife 
hy her father, near Sunny Side, in Allegheny 



county. Pa. He held the office of justice of 
the peace for fifteen years. He was treasurer 
of the Forward township school board for 
several vears, and for some time was a deacon 
in the I'resbyterian Church. He possessed 
the conlidence of all who knew him for strict 
honesty and truthfulness. The following 
named were his children: JIary Jane, Eme- 
line. Josephine, Flora, Sidney M. (all deceased 
unmarried); Henrietta, Harriet, Letitia (de- 
ceased), Arabella (deceased), Adaline and 
Frances (twins) and Allen, all married. Mrs. 
Frances (Allen) Wall, the mother of these 
children, was born Aug. 18, 1811, and died 
March 11, 18.5.5. Joseph W'all married, for his 
second wife, Sept. 6, 1860, Susan Gilkeson, 
and died July 13, 1881; his widow subse- 
quently moved to Monongahela City, Pa., 
where she still resides. 

Col. Brisben Wall was born March 1:3, 
1819, on the old homestead, and entered the 
schools of the neighborhood at an early age. 
The death of his mother while he was scarce- 
ly two years old deprived him of the influences 
which a mother alone possesses and can im- 
part. She was a ladj' of much taste and re- 
finement, and was highly respected and es- 
teemed by all her neighbors and acquaint- 
ances. His father possessed manj- com- 
mendable traits of character which the j'euth- 
ful Brisben inherited in a very large degree 
and retained through life. The boy made 
excellent progress in all his studies at school, 
especially in the natural sciences and mathe- 
matics, and was considered one of the best 
mathematicians in his part of the country. 
He commenced land surveying, civil and 
mining engineering in 18.50, which he con- 
tinued to practice in connection with the 
management of his farm almost to the close 
of his life. In politics he was a whig until 
the formation of the republican party, to 
which he firmly adhered through life. When 
the war of the rebellion broke out Mr. Wall 
entered the Union service, Sept. 31. 1861, as 
first lieutenant of Co. D, 79th P. V. I., Col. 
H. A. Harabright. Seventh brigade, com- 
manded by Brig.-Gen. S. Xegley. Lieut. Wall 
remained with his company on the march of 
the army from Louisville to Mumfordsville, 
and at the last-named place he was pros- 
trated with fever, from which he never fidly 
recovered. While convalescing at Mum- 
fordsville he was detailed to act as chief of a 
corps of pioneers and sappers under com- 
mand of Col. Innes, 1st regiment Michigan 
Engineers. Ill health, however, compelled 
him to resign his commission April 3.5, 1862, 
at Xashville, and return home. He still re- 
tained an active interest in the success of 
the Union arms, and durin.g the Confederate 
raid into Pennsylvania, which brought about 
the battleof Gettysburg,he accompanied Rev. 
Capt. J. C. Brown's company of Home 
Guards to Harrisburg. Col. W^all married, 
Ma.v 27, 1847, Hannah Sutton, daughter of 
thelate John Sutton, of Elizabeth (now For- 
ward) township, Allegheny county. Pa., and 
sister of Dr. Lewis Sutton, of West Xewton, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



441 



and resided on the homestead farm, to which 
he succeeded after the death of his father, 
until 1873, at which time be purchased a por- 
tion of the farm owned by the late Squire 
Jesse Appk'gate.including the mansion-house 
thereon, which he moved into with his fam- 
ily and occupied until his decease. His 
widow and four sons remain to mourn his 
early departure from life. His eldest son, 
John Sutton, is married and resides in Mo- 
nongahela City; George W., Jesse S. and 
Lewis Brisbcn, together with their widowed 
mother, remain on the farm where he died. 
Col. Brisben Wall was conscientious, truth- 
ful and honest in business, and took an active 
interest in all public enterprises and im- 
provements. He was a genial friend, an hon- 
orable gentleman, a useful citizen, and a 
loyal soldier descended from patriotic blood. 

George W. Wall, farmer, postoffice 
Monongahela City, is a son of Col. Brisben 
and Hannah (Sutton) Wall. John, father of 
Hannah, was one of the earl}' pioneers, and 
reared a famil}' of four children: Joseph, 
Lewis, Susan and Hannah. Lewis is married 
and settled at West Newton, where he is 
prominently idenlilied with the medical 
profession. He and Hannah are the only 
ones now living. Col. Brisben Wall was a 
prominent citizen of the count}-; he held 
various official positions, and was one of 
those who aided in suppressing the rebellion. 
His children were John Sutton, George W., 
Jesse S. and Lewis Wall. The latter, recent- 
ly married, is now living on a farm. 

Di(. Joseph McCormick (deceased) was 
born in this county, in 1819, third son in the 
family of six children born to James and 
Jane (Dennis) McCormick, of this county. 
He was educated at the public schools, and 
was an apt scholar and ready student. He 
commenced the study of medicine under Dr. 
Thompson, of Washington county. Pa., and 
graduated at Jefferson Medical College, in 
Philadelphia, in 1838. He immediately com- 
menced the practice of his profession in 
Upper St. Clair township, and came to 
Mount Lebanon in 1857, where he followed 
his profession until his death, in 1864. He 
was married, in 1840, toMaryEspey, daughter 
of James Espey, of this county, and nine 
children (eight of whom are living) were 
born to them: James Espey (deceased), John 
C, Joseph D., Thomas M., Jane, Anna Mar- 
guerite, William Espey, Mary Ida and Mar- 
tha Elizabeth. Mis. "McCormick, a highly 
respected lady, still resides at Mount Leb- 
anon, and, with her family, is a member of 
the U. P. Church. The doctor was a repub- 
lican. 

William Chess was born in 1825, and was 
educated at the common schools. He has 
followed agricultural pursuits through life, 
having moved, in 1833, to his present farm, 
on the old homestead property, eighteen of 
the sixty-three acres having been purchased 
by his father. He was married, in 1875, to 
Mary Ann, daughter of Samuel and Marga- 
ret (Gillmore) Lewis, »nd to them were born 



four children: Margaret G., William G., 
Samuel L. and John Findley. Mr. Chess is 
among the highly respected citizens of Green 
Tree borough, and has been a member of it3 
council and on its school board. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church; polit- 
ically a republican. 

G. Y. C. Chess, farmer, was born in Union 
township, now Green Tree borough, in 1842. 
He was educated at the public schools, and 
has followed farming and gardening through 
life. He owns sixty-two acres of land, part 
of which was left by his father. He was 
married in 1884 to Rachel Sterrett. daughter 
of Robert Sterrett, of Chartiers township, 
this county, and they have one child, Grace 
M. Mr. Chess enlisted, in 1861, in Co. A, 9th 
P. R., and for two years and ten months 
served as a private. He is a republican; has 
been school director for Green Tree borough, 
and is highly esteemed by all who know him. 

Benjamin Alpheus Jobe, builder, post- 
office Turtle Creek, was born May 15, 1843, 
a son of Robert and Sarah (Martz) Jobe, the 
latter of German descent. John Johnston 
Jobe, grandfather of Benjamin A., was a na- 
tive of Ireland, settled near Greensburg, Pa., 
and took up five hundred acres of land. He 
married a German lady. Their son, Robert, 
was born at Ligonier, and lived the life of a 
quiet farmer. Benjamin A. was rear, d on a 
farm, and when eighteen years old joined 
Co. H of the 11th P. R., and saw hard serv- 
ice with the Army of the Potomac, partici- 
pating in every battle from Bull run to Cold 
Harbor. He received a gunshot at Gaines 
Mill, which destroyed the sight of his left 
eye. and was taken prisoner, but exchanged 
in time to share in the battles of Antietam 
and South Mountain. He was stunned by 
a fragment of a shell at Gettysburg, and 
after that battle was promoted from first 
sergeant to captain. At the battle of Cold 
Harbor he was struck by a timber from the 
breastwoi'ks, knocked insensible and taken 
prisoner. For nine months he was kept on 
the move, most of the time to prevent rescue, 
and was exposed for three weeks to the fire 
of the Union army at the siege of Charles- 
ton, S. C. In April, 1865, he was discharged, 
and took up carpenter-work, which he had 
followed a year before entering the army. 
In 1867 he came to Turtle Creek, where he 
has since been engaged in contracting. He 
built a sash- and planing-mill, which was 
burned in 1886, entailing a loss of |12,000, 
but during the following winter he rebuilt, 
and is rapidly recovering his loss. In 1866 
Mr. Jobe married Sarah Agnes, a native of 
Patton township, and a daughter of John and 
Margaret McClellan, of Irish descent. The 
family is associated with the Presbyterian 
Church, and includes four children, viz.: 
William John. Elmer Alpheus, Sarah Marga- 
ret and Royal Reece. The elder two are car- 
penters, the first with his father and the 
second in Colorado. Three sons, Robert 
Rudy, Francis Meade and Albert Irwin, died 
at an early age. 



442 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



James J. Brown, manufacturer. postofBce 
Manstielil Vulliy. was born iu 1843 in the old 
frame liiiinu.sti.-a(l, whit-li stands where the 
borough iif ManstieUl, Alk'Khcuy county, was 
afterward laid out. lie was the second son 
of Maustield Ban ton Brown, receivinjr his 
education in the public and private schools. 
When seventeen years of age he left school 
to enter the wholesale grocery-store in which 
bis father was a partner, in Pittsburgh, re- 
maining there three j'ears. Afterward he 
■was engaged in the manufacture of agricult- 
ural implements for a number of years, and 
was then in the iron and steel business for 
some time. At present he is engaged in the 
paper-manufacturing business, being secre- 
tary and treasurer of the Union Paper-mill 
company. He was married iu 1874 to Ger- 
trude Schoonmaker, eldest daughter of James 
Schoonmaker, and granddaughter of Rev. 
Joseph Stockton, and they have three 
daughters living: Alice, Jean and Freda. 
When the first call was made for 7.5.000 
men, in April, 1861, Mr. Brown enlisted in 
Co. K. 12th P. Regt. He is one of the most 
enterprising and public-spirited citizens, tak- 
ing an active part in everything that benefits 
the town, having been a school director for 
nine years, and is at present one of the 
town council. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and the G. A. R.; in 
religion he is a Presbyterian, and in politics 
a republican. His grandfather, James 
Brown, came from County Cavan, Ireland, 
when quite a j'oung man, coming to the 
then village of Pittsburgh in about 1793. 
where he engaged in the bakery business, 
and afterward in the grocery, general mer- 
chandise, brewing, and iron and steel busi- 
ness. He was very fortunate in all his 
business enterprises, and was closely identi- 
fied with almost all the business interests 
of Pittsburgh. He married Mary Banton 
early in life, the result of this marriage 
being seven sons and two daughters. He 
died in 1873, aged ninety-five years. 

Mansfield Banton Brown, the father of 
James J., was born in 1816, and in 18-10 mar- 
ried Jane Haj's, ouly daughter of William and 
Lydia (Semple) Hays, the former a prominent 
citizen of Pittsburgh, and formerly from 
Lancaster county, Pa. On account of ill 
health, his father, in 1843. purchased from Col. 
Ross ilO acres of laud on Chartiers creek, 
five miles west of Pittsburgh. It was mainly 
through his efforts that the Temperance- 
ville and Xoblestown plank-road was laid 
out and built, he being president and spend- 
ing a large amount of money on it. In 18.51 
he laid out the present borough of Mans- 
field, calling it after himself. He was always 
closely identified with all its interests until 
his death, which occurred in 1883, when he 
was in his sixty-seventh year. Six children 
were born to them, five of whom are still 
living. The eldest, Capt. William H.. enlisted 
in September, 1861, when twenty-one years 
old, in Co. K, 63d P. V., and died in Harris- 
burg in May, 1862. 



CuKisToi'iiEK C. LoBCNGiER was bom at 
Laurel ville. Pa.. June 7, 1840. He is the son 
of Jacob Lobingier, and the grandson of 
Judge John Lobingier. of Westmoreland 
county. He settled in Bradilock's Field in 
1858, and attended the " Farmers' High- 
school," in Centre count}-. He enlisted for 
three years, in 1862, in Co. A, lOOth (Round- 
head) P. v., and participated in the follow- 
ing battles: James Island, second Bull run, 
Chantilly, Fredericksburg, siege of Vicks- 
burg aud Jackson, Miss. The Roundhead 
regiment was raised by Dr. Leasure. under 
authority from the war department. For 
many months the officers served without 
commissions. The name Roundhead was 
given the regiment by Simon Cameron, 
secrelarv of war. Mr. Lobingier was married 
Jan. 10." 1865, to Helena E. Mills, daughter 
of Isaac Mills, Sr., one of the earliest settlers 
of Braddock's Field. They have five children, 
named J. Everett, Judson, Jason, Mary E. 
and Ida L. 

Charles Knepper, publisher, postofflce 
Mansfield Valley. Allegheny county. Pa., 
was born Dec. 3, 1834. in Albanj-, Berks 
county. Pa., a son of Christian and Anna 
Mary (Lutz) Knepper. His grandfather, 
John Knepper, was born in Wiirtemberg, 
German}-. Charles, the subject of these 
lines, spent his early life on his father's farm, 
and attended the select aud public schools; 
later he entered the Susquehanna Collegiate 
Institute, and graduated at Jefferson College, 
Cauuonsburg, Pa. Aug. 3, 1864, he entered 
Priuceton Theological Seminary, remaining 
two years; then attended Mercersburg Theo- 
logical Seminary a portion of one j'ear. Aug. 
8, 1866, he married Maria M. Crouch, and 
their children are Esther Mary, John B., 
Lillie Anna, Rose Bell and Flora Jenette. 
Mr. Knepper taught an academy at Steins- 
ville. Pa., in 1806 and 1867, and "preached in 
connection therewith. He received a call . 
from the Reformed Church of Forreston. 
111., in 1867, which he accepted, and served 
that congregation for three years. He was 
then called to the principalship of Clarion 
Collegiate Institute, but. his health failing, 
he resigned iu 1871. He then moved to 
Mansfield Valley, Allegheny county, and 
began the printing and publishing business 
in 1872, but in 1876 his office was destroyed 
by fire. He started up again, however, aud 
has been very successful. Politically he is a 
republican. 

Rev. J. M. McJunkin, postoffice Oakdale 
Station, is a native of Washington count}'. 
Pa., born iu September, 1847. William Mc- 
Junkin. his grandfather, came from County 
Down. Ireland, when a child, locating with 
his parents iu York county, Pa., and he and 
his two brothers, after arriving at manhood, 
emigrated to Western Pennsylvania, and 
settled iu Washington county. Tliere they 
purchased a tract of land, and William fol- 
lowed farming. He married Martha Hanna, 
of York county, to whom were born eight 
children. Alexander, the sixth child, was 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



443 



born in September, 1819, was a farmer also, 
and came to Allegheny county in 1848,where 
he remained until his death. In 1844 he 
married Margaret Patterson, daughter of 
William and Hannah (Crawford) Patterson, 
of Fayette county, Pa., and eight children 
were born to them, three yet living: William 
P., Rev. .1. M. and Prof. G. C. The father 
died in 1887; his widow survives him. The 
subject of this sketch was born and reared 
on a farm; was educated at the public schools 
and Washington and Jefferson College, from 
which he graduated with high honors in the 
class of 1876. He immediately entered the 
Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny 
City, and graduated in 1879. He was licensed 
to preach m the spring of 1878 by the Blairs- 
ville presbytery, and was called to Oakdale 
Church, presbytery of Pittsburgh, in 1879. 
Rev. McJunkin and his brother are princi- 
pals of the Oakdale Classical and Normal 
Academy. Mr. McJunkin married, in 1871. 
Lizzie Alter, daughter of C4eorge Alter, of 
Plum township, Allegheny county. Mr. Mc- 
Junkin takes an active part in all religious 
and educational work. Politically he is a 
republican. 

W. P. T.WLOR, M. D., postoffice Nobles- 
town, a leading physician of North Fayette j 
township, is anative of Washington county, 
one of seven sous born to David S. and Sarah 
(Olliver) Taylor, the former a prominent 
farmer in Washington county. He com- 
menced the study of medicine under Dr. 
Bradley, graduated at Columbus Medical 
College, Ohio, in 1866, and at once com- 
menced the practice of his profession. He 
married, in 1867, J. A., daughter of John L. ' 
Proudfit. of Washington county, who is of 
Scotch-Irish descent. Born to Dr. and Mrs. 
Taylor are two children, David S. and John 
P. The doctor has a large practice in the 
town and surrounding country. He is a K. 
• T. ; politically a democrat. 

Dk. H. W. Arthur, Pittsburgh, was \ 
born in the city of Allegheny, the second of ' 
nine children born to William C. and Mary 
J. (Long) Arthur. Tlie father was born in 
Baltimore in 1814, and came to this county 
about 1839. Our subject received his educa- 
tion at Baltimore, where his father removed 
when he was quite young; was educated in 
the common schools, including three years in 
the Baltimore College; studied dentistry at 
the Baltimore College of Dentistry, graduat- 
ing in 1867. Inl868hecarae to Allegheny City, 
where he practiced for a number of years; 
has practiced in Pittsburgh for the past six 
years, having built up a tirst-class practice. 
Dr. Arthur was married, in 1873, to Anna W. 
Watts. He is a member of national, state 
and local dental associations, having been 
presiding officer of all but the national as- 
sociation. 

Robert Beatty, Es(j. The father of 
this gentleman. William Beatty. of Franklin 
county. Pa., was among the earliest land- 
claimants of Patton township. In the bor- 
der war with the French and Indian allies he 



commanded a company in Bouquet's division 
of Forbes' army, and accompanied the troops 
on the march through this region eii route to 
Fort Duquesne, in the campaign of 1758. 
Being pleased with the country, he located 
a large tract of land in the vicinity of what 
is now Monroeville, also a similar tract in 
Westmoreland county. He never settled on 
the lands, but died in Franklin county at an 
advanced age, and his sons, Robert, Thomas 
and Samuel, subsequently removed thereon 
and there remained permanently. 

Robert, the subject of this sketch, was 
born in Conongochique valley, Franklin 
county. Pa., in 1769. After receiving a lib- 
eral education he adopted the vocation of 
civil engineer and surveyor. In 1793 he re- 
ceived a commission from Gov. Mifflin to sur- 
vey unappropriated lands in the state, and 
was afterward frequently employed in sur- 
veying for the state. He tinallj- resolved to 
enter acommercial life, and accordingly com- 
menced business in Alexandria, Pa. He 
married Rebeckah, daughter of Eli Coulter, 
Esq., of Greensburg, Pa., and by her had 
fourteen children, all of whom attained to 
years of maturity. After his marriage he 
opened a general store in Greensburg, where 
he remained in business some years, when he 
disposed of it, and was again employed in 
surveying for the state. In 1804 he was 
appointed attorney and agent for the Holland 
Land company, which office he tilled for 
some years. In the meantime he removed his 
family to Kittanning. Pa., where he invested 
in real estate, upon which much of the town 
is now located. At this place he erected a 
flouring-mill, and engaged in the milling 
business. In 1808 Gov. McKean appointed 
him justice of the peace for Kittanning, and 
commissioned him to surve}' and establish 
the boundary-lines of different counties in 
the state. He was a member of the militia 
at this time, attaining to the rank of major, 
and Gov. McKean appointed him an inspector 
of the militia. He removed to this county in 
1812. where he resided permanently during 
the remainder of his life. President Madison 
appointed him collector of internal revenue 
for Allegheny county in 1813; in 181-5-16 he 
was further engaged in surveying for the 
state. In 1819 Gov. Findlay appointed him 
justice of the peace for the district now com- 
posed of the townships of Patton and Plum, 
and he was the incumbent of that office until 
1838; he was a presiding justice for a long 
series of years. Surveyor Gen. Cochran ap- 
pointed him surveyorof Allegheny county 
in 1831. In 1827 he was appointed agent for 
the state board of property, and afterward 
surveyor for the land department. In the 
meantime he conducted extensive farming 
operations for many years on the farm where 
he resided. Mr. Beatty was possessed of 
efficient business qualifications, and was a 
man of culture and literary tastes, and an 
earnest, sincere Christian. In politics he 
was an adherent of the principles of the 
progressive party, and was well known in 



444 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



political circles; in religion he was a Pres- 
byterian. He died in tlie year 1839, when 
sixlynine years of age, while his consorl, 
who survived hira, died in 18.")4, aged seventy- 
three. 

E. O. Anderson. M. D., Braddock, was 
born in llie city of Pittsburgh. AUeglienv 
countj'. Pa., in 1847, to James and Surah 
(Rowan) Anderson, who were the parents of 
one sou and one daughter. .James Anderson, 
who was 11 native of Ireland, and who came 
to America in an earl}- day, owned a farm 
near Pittsiiurgh, where he died. E. O. An- 
derson was reared on a farm, on which he 
spent the greater part of his life, and was 
educated at the high-school of Pittsburgh. In 
18T7 he commenced the study of medicine, 
graduating in 1880 from the Philadelphia 
College of'Homeopathy. In 1876 tlie doctor 
married Anna, daughter of Samuel Henning. 
of this county, and four sons and one daughter 
have been born to them. Since 1878 Dr. 
Anderson has been a resident of Braddock, 
and since 1880 has practiced his profession in 
town and vicinity. He is a member of the 
Covenanters' Church; in politics a republican. 
Rev. Martin Luther Wortm.^n, retired, 
Allegheny, was born near St. John, Xew 
Brunswick, in 1837. son of Martin and Nancy 
(Kane) Worlman, who were born in the same 
place in 179'2 and 1791, and died at the age of 
seventy-four and seventy-seven, respectively. 
His father was a farmer, and on coming to the 
United States settled in Carroll county. Ohio, 
in 1832. where he died. His grandparents 

were Jacob and (Clinton) Wortman, 

who came to the United States in 1827, settling 
in Scio, then called New Market. Martin 
Luther attended the common school in Carroll 
count}', Ohio, then the New Hagerstowu 
Academy one term, and then Richmond Col- 
lege, in Jefferson county, Ohio, for three 
years. He spent two years at Jefferson Col- 
lege, Washington county. Pa., graduating 
from there in 18.53, then took a three years' 
course at the Western Theological Seniinary 
of Allegheny. He was licensed to preach 
during his second year here, and during his 
senior year preached at the Hiland Presby- 
terian Church at Perrysville. After gradu- 
ating, in 18.57, he was one year at Crawfords- 
ville, Washington county. Iowa. 

Returning to this county in 18.58, he sup- 
plied the Hiland Church and the Long Island 
Church on Neville island for eight years, at 
the same time starting a mission at Emsworth, 
Pa., and three years later, after its organiza- 
tion as a church, he supplied this with his 
other two. residing at Perrysville. At the 
end of eiglit years he gave up the Long Island 
and tlie Emsworth churches, and continued 
at Hiland until 18t;!i. In the spring of that 
j'ear. owing to the death of his wife, he moved 
to Rochesler, and took charge of the church 
of Industry. Beaver county, and the Ems- 
worth church for three years. Giving up 
Emsworth, he moved to Freedom until 187-1, 
when he returned to Neville, but continued 
to supply the former church for seven years. 



In the fall of 1880 he accepted a call to the 
Hiland Church, where he remained until the 
spring of 1886, when he returned for the third 
lime to Neville. In the spring of 1888 he 
sold his home on the island, and owing to 
failing health. retired from the regular pastor- 
ship, moving to Alleghenj-, where he built 
himself a home. Mr.Wortman was married, 
Oct. 9. 1860, to Amanda J. Woods, of Roch- 
ester, Pa., daugliter of Henry and Sarah J. 
(Jones) Woods, and a niece of B. F. Jones, 
of Piitsljurgli Two children. Henry Martin 
ami .\iiiMiida Emma, were born to them. The 
mothur died in August. 1808. and Mr. Wort- 
man was afterward married, in December, 
1877, to Mrs. Lucinda M. Young, of Beaver. 
She has two children. Emma and Jennie 
Young. Mr. Wortman is a Knight Templar, 
Allegheny Commandery, No. 35; politically 
he is a republican. 

John Muse, farmer. P. O. McKeesport. 
was born in Wilkins township. AUeghenv 
county. Pa., March 9. 1827. a son of John J. 
and Rebecca (Edmundson) Muse. His pa- 
ternal grandfather. Fauntley Muse, a native 
of Y'irginia. came in 1766 with his mother 
and stepfather (whose name was Elrod) to 
Elizabeth township, tliis county, where he 
was reared from eleven vears of age. He 
was a farmer all his life, and died at the resi- 
dence of his son, Fauntley. in Versailles 
to%vnship, in 1839. Fauntley. Sr., was a sol- 
dier of the Revolution, and his son. Fauntley, 
Jr., of the war of 1812. John J. Muse was a 
farmer, and purchased the property now oc- 
cupied by the subject of our sketch, in Ver- 
sailles township, in 1832. He was a promi- 
nent citizen, and represented Allegheny 
county in the legislature in 18.54-55. and was 
county treasurer in 1858-59. 

John Muse was reared in Versailles town- 
ship from five years of age. and educated in 
the common schools. He lias been a farmer 
all his life, and owns and occupies the old 
homestead of his father, known as the Gali- 
lee farm, which was patented in 1783 by a 
man named Rayburn, and who erected a 
blockhouse thereon for protection from the 
Indians. In 1792 his (Rayburn's) hired man, 
Robert Cousins, was shot dead by the In- 
dians while cultivating corn, and his two 
daughters reached the blockhouse barely in 
time to escape the same fate. Rayburn sold 
the farm to Anthony Rollins, grand-uncle of 
James Rollins, of Missouri (deceased), who 
deeded it to Dr. Rollins, from whom it was 
purchased by John J. Muse, in 1832. Mr. 
Muse occupies one of the best farms in the 
township, comprising 156 acres. He is a 
director of the People's Bank of McKeesport; 
politically he is a stanch republican. 

Rev. a. H. C.4.lvert, Etna borough, was 
born March 16, 1837. on the old Calvert home- 
stead in Beaver county. Pa. a son of Jarnes 
Calvert. He received his primary education 
at the Beaver Academy, and subsequently 
entered Westminster College, where he 
graduated in 1865. He then taught in the 
Hookstown academy two j'ears, studying 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



445 



theologj' the while, and after teaching a 
select school in Xew Sheffield one year 
entered the United Presli)'teriaa Seminary 
at Allegheny, where he graduated in 1868. 
He preached in Michigan a short time, and in 
the winter of 1868 came to Etna, where he 
took charge of a mission, which he organized 
and built up into a U. P. church. Thechurch 
is now in a flourishing condition, has its own 
property, and a thriving congregation of two 
hundred members. Mr. Calvert married, 
July 9, 1868, Jennie A., daughter of Judge 
John Scott, one of the prominent pioneers of 
Beaver county. They have four children: 
Harry S., George H., Joseph Edward and 
John Lloyd R. Rev. A. H. Calvert has 
taken an active part in building up the town 
of Etna, of which he has been burgess one 
term and president of the school board 
fifteen years. Politically he is an ardent 
republican. 

E. J. PuGH, merchant, Tarentura, was 
born in Clinton township,Butler county, Pa., 
in f83.5: his mother died in Butler ceuuty in 
1838, and his father removed to Allegheny 
county, where he died. They left six children; 
John, Aaron, E. J., Eliza, Martha and±sancy. 

E. J., at the age of si.x 3'ears, on account of 
ill treatment, left his home and lived with 
his brother until twelve years old. In 1854 
he married Miss Kezia Fox, of Butler coimty. 
Pa., and then became engaged m mining. In 
1861 he enlisted in Co. K, 78lh P. V. I., and 
remained in the arm^' until 1864, when he 
returned and located in Fawn township, this 
county. In 1868 he carae to Harrison town- 
ship, where he is now engaged in farming, 
mining coal, burning lime, and carries on a 
general country store, located at Pleasant- 
ville. 

Francis N. McCLrRE, farmer, postofflce 
Chase, son of Robert and Elizabeth McClure, 
was born in Mifflin township, this county, in 
1823. Judge Francis McClure, one of the 
pioneers of Allegheny count}', was a native 
of Ireland, emigrated to America and located 
in this county, and was one of its able and 
prominent citizens. He was a member of 
the state legislature and an associate judge 
of the county, John jMcClure, paternal 
grandfather of Francis N., was American 
born. Robert, father of Francis N., was 
born in Mifflin township, in 1793. and mar- 
ried, in 1816. Elizabeth, daughter of Judge 
Francis McClure, located in Mifflin township, 
and engaged in farming, and there he reared 
his family. Their children were Alexander 

F. (deceased), Nancy D. (deceased), Francis 
M., John A. (deceased), Margaret (the late 
Mrs. James B.Hill), James, Samuel (deceased), 
Martha (deceased) and Robert T. Robert Mc- 
Clure was a contractor and builder,also a coal- 
operator, having minesatGreen Spring. The 
last years of his life were passed in Pitts- 
burgh, where he died, and Elizabeth, his 
wife, died at Braddock. Francis N. McClure 
married, in 18.50, Margaret M., daughter of 
Francis McClure and granddaughter of the 
judge, and they located in Mitflin township, 



where he engaged in farming. Their chil- 
dren were Charles S. (deceased), Richard 
H., Anna E. (now Mrs. A. Verner), Martha 
A. (now Mrs. John Kelly), Margaret H., 
Catherine J. and James II. They remained 
in Mifflin township until he purchased, in 
1873, the farm he now owns in Versailles 
township, to which they removed, and which 
is now their present residence. They are 
both members of the U. P. Church. He is a 
republican, and has been a recipient of polit- 
ical honors in both Mifflin and Versailles 
townships. 

John V. Irwin, justice of the peace, post- 
office Homestead, was born June 6, 1837, in 
Elizabeth, Pa. The progenitor of this family 
in America was Joseph, a civil engineer, and 
a native of Scotland. He settled in White 
Oak Levels, Pa., in 1767, and three years 
later Joseph returned to his native country 
to bring his family and that of his brother- 
in-law. During his absence the settlers were 
driven off by the Indians to the vicinity of 
Fort Duquesne for protection. The Irwius 
located in Mifflin township. An old ledger, 
dated 1784, is yet in the possession of the 
subject of these lines. In 1834 Joseph died, 
leaving tliree sons and two daughters. His 
estate was inherited by his sons. James 
and John, who farmed and died on the home- 
stead. John married Elizabeth Huey, of 
Dauphin county. Pa., and lived near Six- 
Mile Ferry, where he died aged eighty years. 
His children were Joseph, Jane, James, 
Nancy, Presley, John and William. 

J.\MES Samuel Power, justice of the 
peace, postoffice Turtle Creek, is a grandson 
of James Power, the first settler in O'Hara 
(then Indiana) township, Allegheny county. 
The exact date of this settlement is not 
known, but it is certain that it was previous 
to the Revolution. James Power was the 
only one of a group of settlers on Herr's 
island, at the mouth of Pine creek, who es- 
caped a massacre by the Indians. Wander- 
ing in the wilderness, he came upon a desert- 
ed Indian wigwam (on what is now known 
as Power's hill), of which he took possession, 
and after serving in the revolutionary war 
returned to this site, and remained until his 
death, in 1847, at the age of ninety-eight years. 
He was a slim, wiry man, and at the age of 
ninety-six could ride spirited colts of the 
farm which his son or grandson were not 
overly anxious to mount. The deed of his 
land (from Joseph Mercier, who patented it 
in 1789) bears date May 27, 1796, and when 
he settled there at the close of the Revolu- 
tion his nearest neighbor was at Bull Creek. 
James B., son of James Power, passed all his 
life on the farm, where he died in 1878, aged 
sixty-seven }'ears. His wife. Margaret, was 
a daughter of Samuel Hulings, who kept the 
Eddy House, on the Allegheny river at Hul- 
ings' Eddy. They reared eiglit children. 

The eldest, James Samuel, was born Aug. 
6. 18.39, and received the ordinaiy training of 
a country boy. Tn August, 1861, he was en- 
rolled in Co. 'B, 63d P.'V. I., and joined the 



uc, 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Army of the Potomac; took part in the bat- 
tles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, 
and on the sixth of the seven clays' fight, 
June 30, 1862. on the Peninsula, was shot 
through the left lunj;, and taken prisoner. 
After nineteen days in Libby prison h« 
was e.xchanged and discharged. He lay 
in Bellevue hospital. Xew York, from 
.July, 1862, to March, 1863, being paralyzed 
in the right side for many weeks (from 
effects of his wound), and still carries the 
ball which maimed him in the region of his 
right scapula. He held the rank of first 
lieutenant, and was shot while in command 
of his company. After leaving the hospital 
Mr. Power superintended the proving-ground 
on the Allegheny Valley railroad, for testing 
heavy ordnance made at Fort Pitt foundry. 
Pittsl)urgh, Pa., for a j'ear, then entered the 
Veteran Reserve Corps; was stationed for 
some lime at Gieseboro Point (near Washing- 
ton, D. C. ). and while there was called out 
in command of Co. K. 16th Regt. V. R. C. to 
oppose a rebel raid on Washington, in 1864; 
went to Harrisburg, thence to Fishing creek 
to quell a draft insurrection; thence to 
Chambersburg, to Y'ork, and again to Har- 
risburg. At the last place he was ordered by 
Secretary Stanton to arrest Laura Keene and 
her troupe, consisting of Harry Hawk and a 
Mr. Diolt, on suspicion of complicity in 
President Lincoln's assassination, which he 
did, and detained them at Harrisburg, Pa., 
for a week. In December, 1865, he was ap- 
pointed assistant commissioner of the Sea 
islands, on the coast of South Carolina, witli 
headquarters at Beaufort; remained two 
years, and returning north settled at Turtle 
Creek. For the last fifteen years he has held 
his present ofBcial position, although an 
avowed democrat in a strong republican dis- 
trict. He is a member of the H. B. Hayes 
Post, G. A. R., 199. In 1862 he married 
Eleanor .Jane, daughter of Jo.seph and Jane 
(Dixon) Marshall, of Ireland. Mrs. Power 
was born in Pittsburgh, and is the mother of 
seven children, viz. ; Jennie, wife of Ezekiel 
Gordon, residents of Lawrenceville; William 
C, Ijorn in Beaufort, S. C. ; Lou, Joseph M., 
James E.. Charles Wilber and Clarence; 
three children died in infancy. 

John Routh, grain-raerc'hant, Braddock, 
was born in Carlisle. Cumberland county. 
Pa., in 1826, a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth 
(Dasher) Routh, who were the parents of 
eight children, two yet living. The father, 
a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, came to Amer- 
ica about 1820, and in 1886 located in Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., where he was a cattle-dealer up 
to his death. John Routh was educated in 
Cumberland count}-, and as earl)' as tive 
years of age rode as postilion; for several 
years he was employed as a driver on different 
stage-routes. In 18.52 he entered the emplo)- 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad company, in 
the capacity of freight conductor, at which 
he continued until 1860, when he was pro- 
moted to passenger conductor. This position 
he held for twenty years, and then, in 1880, 



retired from railroad life and commenced his 
present business at Braddock. Mr. Routh 
has been twice married; first to Martha 
Nichols, and after her decease to Mrs. Jennie 
M. Bates. He stands high in Freemasonry; 
is a member of the M. E. Church; in politics 
a democrat. 

Zepiianiah Williams Aber, farmer, post- 
office Monroeville, is a grandson of Matthew 
Aber. who came from Ne^^ Jersey to Alle- 
gheny county before the Indians were sub- 
dued, and was obliged to leave his land for 
a time on account of their depredations. 
John Aber, father of Matthew, was also born 
in New Jersey, and the family is probably of 
German extraction. Matthew had a son 
named Matthew, who was born in thiscounty 
and married Prudence Bryan, also a native 
of the county, and to them was born in 1821 
the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. 
Zepiianiah Bryan, father of Prudence, came 
to this county about the same time as Mat- 
thew Aber. The former reared sixteen chil- 
dren and the latter nine. Mr. Bryan was a 
revolutionary soldier, and helped defend 
Fort Moultrie from the attack of the British 
at Charleston. S. C. Mrs. Bryan, nee De 
Vosse, was of French extraction. Z. W. 
Aber was reared on the home place, and 
settled after his marriage on his present farm, 
which he cleared and improved. His first 
vote was cast for the liberty party, with 
which he remained until the republicans 
adopted its principles, and he has served his 
township as assessor, collector and school 
director. He is an elder in the Presbj'terian 
Church, with which all the members of the 
family are associated. In lf^44 he married 
Elizabeth Linn, a native of Patton, and a 
daughter of John and Eleanor Linn, of Ire- 
land and Eastern Pennsjdvania, respectively, 
and following are the names of their cbil- 
dren: Eleanor, wife of R. A. Kent, of Oska- 
loosa, Iowa; Matthew, shot near Petersburg, 
Va., while serving in the 1st P. V. R. 
Cav.; John, in Oskaloosa, Iowa: Jane and 
Mary M., at home; Emily Wilson, wife of 
Prof. J. A. Wesco, of Portland, Ore. ; Will- 
iam George, in Bingham, Wyo. T. ; Seth P., 
who died on the Rocky mountains at the age 
of twenty-three; Matthew, Charles L., at 
home, and an adopted daughter, Margretta 
De Vosse. 

D.Mahtin Miller, attorney at law, Glen- 
shaw. was born Dec. 23, 1860, in Shaler. His 
grandfather. Adam Miller, who was a native 
of Alsace. France (now Germany), emigrated 
to America with his wife and children, and 
located in Allegheny county, where he fol- 
lowed the wagon-maker's trade, which he had 
learned in France. Eventually he purchased 
a farm of one hundred acres of Shaw. Brad- 
ford & Co.. in Indiana township, where he 
lived with hisfamilj' until his death, when he 
was seventy-eight years of age. He was a 
member of the Lutheran Church of Etna. 
His wife. Magdalena (Munck), died at the 
age of seventj'-three years. Of their chil- 
dren, three were sons, Adam J. and George 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



447 



being now residents of Ohio. The daugh- 
ters all settled in this vicinity except Mrs. 
Rachel Nerhbas, who went to Nebraska. 
The other daughters are Mrs. Charlotte Metz, 
Mrs. Sophia Hieber, Mrs. Lena Schuetz, 
Mrs Carolina Schuetz and Mrs. Margaret 
Siebert. The third son, Charles, the father 
of D. Martin, was born in France; came to 
America at the age of nine; married Rachel 
Grim, who died young, leaving two sons and 
one daughter: John F., Callie S. and D. 
Martin, who is an attorney at law. The 
father married for his second wife Catharine 
Daly. He died Dec. 10, 1881, leaving her 
and her four children, viz.; Marj', Rachel, 
Harry and Sadie. 

W. B. Salt, merchant, postofflce Bennett, 
was born Aug. 13, 1850, in Staffordshire, En- 
gland, where he was educated. In 1866 he 
came to America with his parents. W. H. and 
.Jane (Rhoden) Salt, and settled in Pitts- 
burgh, where he learned the machinist busi- 
ness. He was employed in the Crescent 
Steel-works eighteen years, being a roll- 
turner b.v trade. While pursuing this voca- 
tion he invented a special process, known 
only to himself, of manufacturing piston- 
rings, and his product now supplies a home 
demand, the rings having formerly been im- 
ported to this country from Europe. His 
"ramsbottoni piston-rings" are the only 
successful ones used in steam hammers, 
which are now manufactured in Millvale, 
where he has kept a hardware-store since 
Aug. 23, 1883. Mr. Salt has been an active 
business man, and besides his own business is 
a partner in the firm of Wible & Co., dealers 
in coal, lime and builders' supplies. He 
married Miss Margretta, daughter of Henry 
Jorden, and they have three children; Henry 
.1., .Tennie R. and William B., Jr. 

Samuel Anderson, farmer, postofflce 
Talley Cavey, is a son of Charles and Sarah 
(Thompson) Anderson. His parents were 
natives of Ireland, emigrated to this country 
in 1835. located in Baltimore, Md., for a few 
years, and then moved to Pittsburgh, where 
they engaged in the grocerj' business. In 
1837 they moved to Hampton township, this 
county, and settled on the farm now occupied 
by Hugh Anderson, where the mother still 
resides; the father died Feb. U, 1878. They 
had following-named children; Samuel. 
Hugh, Sarah E. (wife of John A. Forsythe, 
of Butler county) and Mary A. (wife of 
Thomas Hamilton, of West Deer township), 
living; one that died in infancy and Marga- 
ret J., deceased wife of John Crowe (she 
died in 1879). Our subject was born in 
Pittsburgh Sept. 17, 1836, and was brought 
to this township by his parents when he was 
in infancy, and here he has always resided. 
In 1864 he enlisted in Co. H, 6th 'H. A., and 
served until the close of the war. He then 
returned home and engaged in general mer- 
cantile business at Talley Cavey for one year. 
In 1860 he purchased his present farm, which 
he has since managed. Mr. Anderson mar- 
ried, Nov. 31, 1859, Charlotte, daughter of 



H. B. and Jane (Sangree) Hutchm.an, of 
Richland township. They have two children 
living; Ida E., wife of James Leland Alli- 
son, a farmer of Richland township, and 
Charles, living at home. Samuel Anderson 
and family are members of the R. P. Church 
at Talley Cavey, of which Mr. Anderson is 
an elder. 

Hugh Anderson, farmer,po8tofflce Talley 
Cavey, is the second living son of Charles 
and Sarah (Thompson) Anderson, and was 
born in 1839 on the homestead, which he now 
owns. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. I, 51 h P. 
H. A., and served until the close of the war. 
He married, in 1869, Mattie, daughter of 
James and Elizabeth (Criswell) Plummer, of 
Richland township, and they have six chil- 
dren living; Sarah E., Charles P., Samuel 
J., Margaret J., Hugh R. and Ada M Mr. 
Anderson is a member of the R. P. Church 
of Talley Cavey. 

BENjA>tiN Avery Groah, contractor and 
builder, Bellevue. was born in West Virginia 
in 1862, a son of William and Susan (Thorp) 
Groah, natives of the same place, and now 
aged forty-nine and forty-two years, respect- 
ivel}'. T^^illiam Groah moved to Allegheny 
when Benjamin was three j'ears of age. 
Here he followed contracting, and about 
1878 moved his family to BeUevue. They 
are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
The subject of this sketch received a com- 
mon-school education, and started life on the 
Ohio river, and one year later began bridge- 
building, which he followed for two years. 
He then commenced^ shopwork and house- 
building, and in 1884 began contracting at 
Bellevue, buying his lumber by the carload 
from Youngstown, Ohio. He has been a 
very successful builder, and in 1888 erected a 
fine home for himself. He was married in 
1883 to Emma I. Falck, of Bellevue, daughter 
of Charles Falck, and to them has been born 
one child, Florence. Mr. Groah is a repub- 
lican, a member of the A. O. U. W., Select 
Knights and Jr. O. U. A. M. 

David Roads, farmer, postofflce McKees- 
port, a son of Frederick and Elizabeth 
Roads, was born in what is now Lincoln 
township, in 1813. His paternal grandfather 
was a pioneer of Allegheny county, and a 
resident of McKeesport, where he was a 
brewer. Frederick Roads was a native of 
Germany, was educated and married there, 
and, immigrating to America, located in 
Lincoln township, this county, on the place 
now owned by L. Franz. He Imilt the stone- 
house which still remains, and there lived 
and died. His surviving children are Fred- 
erick, John, Louisa, and David, who married, 
in 1848, Jane, daughter of William McRob- 
erts. She died in 1854, leaving two children 
— Orlando and Everella — and in 1856 Mr. 
Roads married Pheby, daughter of Jonathan. 
Bell, and located in Lincoln township, where 
he followed farming. Mrs. Roads died in, 
about a year, and in 1868 Mr. Roads married 
Mrs. Lydia Barclay, and they still reside on, 
the farm above McKeesport, on the Monon- 



448 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COCNTY. 



fabela river. Both arc members of the 
resbyterian Church at McKeesport. 
JusiAU Bkinker Kisti.kr, farmer, post- 
oflicf New Texaa. was born in Westmoreland 
-county. Pa.. Dec. HI, ist>7, a son of Samuel 
and kallieiiiie (Fin!-;) Kistler. Samuel was a 
farmer in Westmoreland county, and died in 
18S3, aiied cighly-tive years, a member of the 
R. P. Cburcfi; his wife died in 1855, aged 
fifty-two years; both were natives of Penn- 
-sylvania. Josiah was educated in the com- 
mon schools, and at the age of twenty-one 
began farming in this county. In 1865 he 
bought the place where he now resides, 
containing ninety-one acres. Decidipg to 
make this his future home, he erected a fine 
dwelling at the cost of $5,000, and made 
other improvements to correspond. He 
married, in 1855. Margaret Jane Elliott, a 
native of Plum township, born Sept. 5. 1828. 
a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Fryer) 
Elliott, of Plum township. Six children, 
three of whom are living, were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Kistler; Anna Maria (Mrs. Reed 
Stewart). Florence Ida (deceased wife of 
George Keiter). John Clinton (a United Pres- 
byterian clergyman at Buena Vista, Pa., 
■married to Maggie Alter, of Plum township), 
Maggie Elliott (Mrs. .James Clements, of 
Plum township), Lizzie Luella (died Septem- 
ber 28, 1887. aged twenty years), Alice May 
<died aged thirteen days). The famil}' are 
connected with the Unity U. P. Church. 

A. B. Stevenson, attorney at law, 
Braddock, is a native of Allegheuj' county. 
Pa., born in 1852. of . Scotch-Irish descent. 
■John Steven.son, his grandfather, was a 
native of Western Pennsylvania. Levi Ste- 
venson, his father, was a prominent farmer 
in this county, and married Jane, daugh- 
ter of David Scott, by whom he had six chil- 
dren, all }'et living, of whom A. B. is the 
eldest. The subject of this memoir was 
born and reared on a farm and educated at 
the public schools of Moon township. In 
1877 he entered Westminster College, in 
Lawrence county, graduating therefram in 
1882, and then commenced studying law with 
Hon. C. S. Fetterraan. June 27. 1885, he 
"was admitted to the bar of Allegheny county, 
■and he at once commenced the practice of 
his profession. Mr. Stevenson was mar- 
■ried in 1883 to Eliza S. Wilson, daughter of 
Marm.aduke and Lucinda (Henry) Wilson, of 
Beaver county. Pa., and two sons were born 
to them — Frank Wilson and Philip Henry. 
Sir. Stevenson came to Braddock in 1886. and 
has already been solicitor for the borough. 
He is a Jiason. a member of the Presby- 
terian Church; in polities a democrat. 

Prof. S.\muei, H.\milton. county super- 
intendent of schools, is descended from an 
old Scotch-Irish familv. His father, Samuel, 
■was a farmer of Washington county. Pa., 
born in 1809; he married Mary Patterson, 
and by her had eight children, Samuel being 
the third son and fourth child. The father 
died in 1865. aged fifty-six years; the mother 
i.s now a resident of Allegheny count}'. Our 



subject was born in Washington county, 
Pa., and reared on a farm in Plum township. 
Allegheny county, and at sixteen years of 
age became a student at the Laird Institute, 
Murrysville, Westmoreland county, where he 
graduated in 1876. He taught in the dis- 
trict schools for a time; then for tliree years 
he filled the position of principal of the 
graded schools at Chartiers. this county, and 
for four years was superintendent of the 
public schools in Braddock. In 1886 he was 
appointed by State Superintendent Higbee 
county superintendent of schools of Alle- 
gheny county, and was elected to that posi- 
tion in 1887. Prof. Hamilton was married, 
in 1886, to Miss Minnie M., daughter of John 
McCune. of Braddock. and by her has one 
child, Paul Holland. Mrs. Hamilton died in 
1887. Prof. Hamilton is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church; in politics a republican. 

Frank Hickman Matl.^ck. physician, 
Turtle Creek, was born in East Brandywine. 
Chester county. Pa.. Nov. 7. 1842. a son of 
Thomas Matlack. and one of a family of six 
sons and one daughter; four of the sons 
studied medicine, and followed the profes- 
sion for a livelihood. His grandfather, 
George Matlack. was an English Quaker, 
who settled near West Chester, on a farm. 
Thomas Matlack was born there, and mar- 
ried Eliza McFarland. a native of East 
Brandywine. where he engaged in farming. 
He was a republican, and served for many 
years as supervisor of his township. James, 
one of his sons, was a well-known physician 
of Turtle Creek, and is now deceased. Frank 
was reared on the farm, and after leaving 
the common schools attended the^Millersville 
State Normal School. In April, 1806, he 
entered the Freedman's hospital at Macon, 
Ga., and two years later graduated from the 
Augusta Medical College in that state. After 
studying and engaging in the drug business 
with his brother at Turtle Creek, he entered 
the University of Pennsylvania, from which 
lie graduated in 1872. He then settled down 
to practice in Turtle Creek, where he has 
been successful. He is the owner of a farm 
in Patton township, a double house at 
Brinton, and a residence at Turtle Creek. 
Dr. Matlack is a member of the Allegheny 
County Medical society, and of the U. P. 
Church. Jan. 25, 1888, he married Isabella, 
daughter of the late William Oliver, a coal- 
operator of Mifllin township, this county. 

John Kiskadden, retired. Etna, was born 
June 18, 1818. in Guernsey county, Ohio, a 
son of George and Sarah (I-{ussel)Iviskadden. 
the former a native of the above-named 
county, the latter of Ireland. The.y came to 
Allegheny count}- when .John was eight years 
of age. They were the parents of six 
children, and were members of the Presby- 
terian Church. The mother died in Pittsburgh, 
Jan. 29. 186!t, in her seventy-seventh year; 
the father died in Shaler township. Jan. 18. 
1852, in his sixty-third year. The subject of 
these lines was a farmer until his twenty- 
second year, when he became a stage-driver 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



449 



and mail-carrier on tlie Butler road for many 
years. Of late he lias lived a retired life. 
He married Miss Susannah Miller, who died 
Oct. 17, 1876. leaving five children: William 
J. and Everett E. (who have conducted a 
■drugstore since 1881), Wardail (deceased, was 
also in same store), Mary E. and Sarah. 
Politically he has always been a republican. 

Andrew Kelly, P. O. Perrysville, is one 
of Pine township's most successful farmers, 
iind one of the few who started by working 
at monthly wages and mounted the ladder of 
success without the assistance of relatives. 
He was born March 5, 183.5, at Brush creek 
(near New Brighton), Beaver county, Pa., and 
is the son of Margaret and George Kell_y. 
His father was born in Butler county, where 
he received his education; after marriage he 
moved to the above-mentioned place in 
Beaver county, which was also the birthplace 
of his wife. They subsequently moved to 
Pine township, where they resided the re- 
mainder of their lives. 

Andrew Kelly received a common-school 
education in Beaver county, and when a 
young man came to Pine township, where he 
worked for five years for farmers by the 
month and j'ear. In 1857 he was married to 
Lena, daughter of Daniel and Catherine 
Fogle, of Pine township, and natives of Ger- 
many; her parents are both deceased. Six 
children were born to Andrew and Lena 
Kelly, viz. ; Margaret (Mrs. Coman), Charity 
Ann (Mrs. Jessie Robinson), Mary Olive (Mrs. 
William McKinney). Sarah Jane (Mrs. Arth- 
nat). John Nevin and Lizzie. Andrew's wife 
died Jan. 15, 1876, and he was again married, 
March 13, 1885, to May, daughter of David 
and Eliza (Wilson) Crosskey, of Richland 
township, and natives of Ireland, Two chil- 
dren blessed this union— Ethel and Edna. 
The parents are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Kelly has been school director 
for several years, and is now supervisor. 
For eleven years after Mr. Kelly was married 
he lived on a rented farm by the Salem 
church. He then bought a part of the old 
Kidd farm, which, after seven years, he sold, 
and then purchased, for $16,000, his present 
farm, which had no buildings on it. The 
history of his advancement by fair dealings 
with all men, and honest toil, is well known 
by all his neighbors. He has erected fine 
buildings on his farm on the main road, and 
has steadily advanced to his present position. 
He does fine dairy work, and has many 
thoroughbred horses on his farm, varying in 
weight from 1,000 to 1,700 pounds. 

Frederick Bhuki, florist, Bellcvue, was 
born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, in 1853, 
the son of John and Catherine (Reber) Burki, 
Datives of the same place; the father died 
when Frederick was but nine years of age, 
and the mother two years later. Frederick 
received his education in his native town, 
and learned the trade of florist. In 1873 he 
came to Pittsburgh, where he was emplo3'ed 
at his trade; was also engaged in same 
work in Mercer county, and returning to the 



city of Allegheny he was employed by C. M. 
Seibert. In 1874 he went into business for 
himself as florist at Wood's Run. continuing 
four j-ears. In 1877 he married Mena Pfeifer, 
of Bavaria, Germany, who came to America 
when four years old with her parents, Adam 
and Catherine (Workley) Pfeifer, who now 
reside with Mr. Burki. In 1878 Mr. Burki 
moved to Bellevue, on George W. Smith's 
place, where he carried on a florist's and 
market-garden business. In 1884 he pur- 
chased his present farm, where he has built 
a house, barn and greenhouses on a large 
scale, having in use 14,000 feet of glass, and 
growing many cut flowers and plants, em- 
ploying five hands the year round. Mr. and 
Mrs. Burki are members of the Lutheran 
Church of the cit}' of Allegheny; he is a 
republican, and a member of the A. O. U. W. 
and Legion of Select Knights. 

Joseph Mellon was born Sept. 1. 1805, 
son of Michael and Christine Mellon, of 
Westmoreland county. His grandfather, 
Hughey Mellon, came from Ireland to Amer- 
ica prior to tlie revolutionary war. He died 
leaving but one son, Michael, who was mar 
ried in Westmoreland county, Pa., and died 
in 1800, leaving three children: Joseph, 
Andrew and Catharine (since deceased). 
Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was reared 
on a farm, but followed the occupation of 
fisherman for thirty years. He was married 
in 1829 to Mary, daughter of Jonah Halstead, 
of Allegheny county, and they have eight 
children, all of whom are living: James, 
Jonah, Samuel, Joseph, John, Thomas, Sarah 
E. (wife of James Wilson) and Mary M. 
(widow of Michael Goldinger). Of these, 
Joseph was a volunteer in the 77th P. I., 
three-years service, but was discharged for 
disability after serving about fifteen months. 
Mr. Mellon has followed boating on the 
canal, having owned and run as raanj' as four 
boats at one time, and was well known on 
the Allegheny river. He has by industry 
and economy accumulated considerable 
property, now owning one hundred acres in 
Springdale township and two hundred acres 
in Payette county. Pa, He and his wife are 
members of the Lutheran Church; his chil- 
dren belong to the U. P. Church. 

Andrew and Harrison Wible. the sub- 
jects of this sketch, farmers of Shaler town- 
ship, were born on the old Wible homestead, 
this county, the former Dec. 6. ISl'i. and the 
latter March 5, 1818. Their parents were 
Andrew and Mary (Smith) Wible, who were 
born in Lancaster county. Pa. He (Andrew) 
was born about the year 1766, came to East 
Liberty when a young man, where he was a 
teamster; later he vvent to Pittsburgh, where 
he hauled the pickets used in building the 
blockhouse at Fort Pitt, James Sample and 
Robert Anderson hewing the logs. In 1801 
he came to the north side of the Allegheny 
river, where he bought a government tract of 
328 acres, and settled down to the pursuit of 
farming. Andrew Wible reared a family of 
twelve children, viz. : John, Susan, George, 



45U 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Adam, Katie. Andrew, Snlly, Harrison. Mary 
Ann, William, Eliza Jane and James, of 
■niiom but six are now (IS89) livinjr. three 
liojs and three girls. He was one of the first 
settlers on the north side of the river, when 
Indians and wild animals were still plentiful. 
At one time he was employed laying out 
roads and stopped with some Indians to get 
his dinner, which consisted of hominy. lie 
relished his meal very much until he found 
a piece of bear's paw with the hair on it in 
the hominy, which spoiled his appetite for 
that meal. " Wolves were plentiful, also deer, 
of which he shot a great many. lie and his 
son John were once chased by a panther.and it 
camesoclose behind them before reachingthe 
house they could hear its teeth snapping 
together. 'He was quite a prominent man in 
tho>e days, and was for some years a director 
of the county jioor. He was a soldier in the 
war of 1812, and politically was a democrat, 
taking (luite an active pari in politics. He 
and his wife were Presbyterians, and he was 
noted for his honesty and integrity. Of the 
three sons now surviving him, Andrew and 
Harrison each occupy a part of the old 
homestead, the part on which the first liuild- 
ings stood being occupied by Charlotte, the 
widow of James. Andrew married, Dec. 20, 
1838, Mary, daughter of John and Ellen 
(Davis) Thompson, andthey had six children; ! 
John, Mary J., Ellen, James A., Sarah B. ] 
and Andrew. John died in infancy, and 
Sarah B. (Voegtly) in her thirty-fourth year. 
Mrs. Wible died July 7, 1871, aged flfty-nine 
years. She was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, of which her husband and children 
are also members. Mr. Wible is still living, 
in the enjoyment of a hale and hearty old 
age. Politically he is a democrat. Harrison 
Wible was married, March 14. 1843. to Rachel, 
daughter of William and Jane Wilson, and 
they had eight children. viz. : Marj' (deceased), 
William W., James A., Lucinda Jane (de- 
ceased), Rachel, Harry, Charlotte. Jennie E. 
Mrs. Wible died Dec. 26, 1881, aged sixty- 
two years. Mr. Wible is a robust man, and 
still takes an active part in the pursuit of 
farming. He and his family are all members 
of the Presbyterian Church; politically he is 
a republican. 

John A. Titzei-, chemist, Glenshaw, was 
born in Pittsburgh. Pa., a son of John and 
Elmina J. (Baker) Titzel. The family are of 
German and Scotch-Irish descent, and Jived 
near Baltimore before the Revolution. After 
the war they removed to Juniata county, Pa., 
where they farmed. John, the father, learned 
the trade of mechanic; he came to Pittsburgh 
before the fire of 184,5, where he is interested 
in the iron business, and has been a master 
mechanic for many years; he is now witli 
Howe. Brown & Co. John A. Titzel learned 
the druggist's trade, and followed it nine 
years. He eventually engaged in the varnish 
business, and is now foreman of the Eagle 
Paint & Varnish Works of Pittsburgh. He 
has invented a process to utilize vulcanized 
rubber, and has made other inventions; has 



taken out three patents, which produce liim 
a good royalty. lie married Mary M. Seibcri, 
and four children have blessed this union: 
John A., Jr., Sadie E., Mar\- E. and Mans- 
field B. Mr. Titzel is a member of Jr. (). U. 
A. M., u charier member of the Jacksonian 
Club and Garfield Lodge of Sovereigns of In- 
dustry. 

J.Q. A. IliViXE, superintendent of schools. 
Etna, was born Sept. 9, 18.51, in Butler county. 
Pa., a son of John and Angeline (Johnson) Ir- 
vine. Their grandparents settled in the above- 
named iilace shortly after the Revolution. 
James Irvine, grandfather of John, was a 
native of the north of Ireland, and his son, 
Samuel Irvine, grandfather of J. Q. A., was 
in the American army in the war of 1812. 
J. Q. A. Irvine was reared on a farm, and 
educated at Westminster College, from which 
he graduated in 1875, and since then he has 
been a successful teacher. He has taught in 
the Jamestown Academj-, Utiea, Pa., and in 
Butler count}'. In 1880 he taught in the Etna 
school, of which he has been principal since 
1884, givinggeneral satisfaction. He married 
Miss Alta Duncan, and they have three chil- 
dren; Florence V., Ralph £. and Henrietta. 
Mr. and Mrs. Irvine are members of the U.P. 
Church. He is identified with the republican 
party. 

Aaron McClintock, farmer, postofljce 
Valencia, one of the most extensive farmers 
of Allegheny county, was born in Pine 
township Jan. 25, 18'2G. He is the son of 
John and Margaret (Morrow) McCIiutock. 
His father was born in County Donegal, 
Ireland, and came to the city of Allegheny 
in 1822, where he was superintendent of a 
stonequarry, furnishing the stone for the 
penitentiary. His wife was born in the same 
county, and in 1824 thej' moved to Pine 
township, where he purchased two hundred 
acres of land. Here he followed farming 
with great success, and in 1856 retired from 
active life, selling off most of his personal 
property and farming-land. He was raised 
an Episco]ialian in Ireland, but imited with 
the M. E. Cburch here He died Sept. 11. 
1872. aged eight)- two years; his widow died 
in 1886, aged ninety-eight years. 

Aaron McCIintock was the fifth child of a 
family of eight children, received a common- 
school education in Pine township, and in 
1850 began business for himself, having given 
his father. many years of useful service. He 
bought his first farm in 1850 and his second in 
1852. In 18.54 he took to himself a helpmate, 
who has materially assisted him. She was 
the daughter of George and Mary (Cubbage) 
! Whitcscll. and was born Aug. if. 1832. Her 
father was born at Braddock's Field, of Ger- 
man descent; her mother was born in Ireland. 
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
McCIintock. viz.; JIargaret !M. (now Mrs. 
Frank Anderson), of Valencia: Mary C. (Mrs. 
Samuel Knglisli). this township; "Sarah J. 
(Mrs. Alfred Brinker), Pittsburgh; Ella E. 
(Mrs. A. Thompson). Alleghenv: Katherine 
W. (Mrs. J. W. Whittenbaugh), Allegheny; 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



451 



Clara C. and Anna P., at home, nud Willetta 
W. (deceased). Mrs. McClintock is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Cburcli. Mr. Mc- 
Clintoclv was elected justice of the peace in 
1872. and has since held the office: be is a 
stanch democrat, and has held offices of 
school director and assessor three terms: 
also other offices of public trust. He has 
four farms, aggregating 580 acres, and until 
recently he has done the farming himself, 
but now rents a large portion of it. His 
farms are supplied with fine houses and 
barns, and all necessary plant. 

James Witherow, farmer, postofflce 
Elizabeth, son of William ami Dinah (Boj-d) 
Witherow, was born in what is now Lincoln 
township in 1820. His grandfather, William 
Witherow, was one of the first settlers of 
Lincoln township, and purchased a large 
tract of land, on which was the farm now 
owned by James Witherow, and lived and 
died there. He left five children; William, 
Hannah, Dinah, Rachel and Marj'. William 
Witherow became the father of six children: 
Rachel, Andrew, John, James, Joseph and 
Sarah, all deceased but James. The subject 
of this memoir was reared and educated in 
Lincoln township, and there married Isabella 
W., daughter of Andrew Boyd, located on 
the farm he now owns, and engaged in farm- 
ing. Their children were Martha Jane (Mrs 
Robert J. Sharpe), Samuel W. (married to 
Carrie A. Nichol), James M. (decea.sed), Jere- 
miah M. (deceased), James Melvin (married 
to Lizzie L. Capron), Mary (Mrs. John 
Rhoads), William Joseph (deceased), Andrew 
B., John B. (married Laura B. Harrison, 
now deceased), and Laura Belle (deceased). 
Mr. Witherow is a descendant of one of the 
oldest families of the county, and is now 
living quietly, enjoying the fruits of his 
early labors. 

Moses Collins, farmer, postoffice Bridge- 
ville, was born in South Fayette township 
in 1828, a son of Samuel Collins, and grand- 
son of Daniel Collins, who came to America 
at an early date. Daniel married a Craton, 
and became the father of five sons and four 
daughters. He was a farmer, and for a 
number of years resided in Washington, but 
later moved to Allegheny county, where he 
died. Of his children. Samuel, the second 
son, married, in 1821, Ann Coulter, daughter 
of Moses Coulter, and eight children were 
born to their union, Moses, the subject of 
this sketch, being now the only survivor. 
Samuel purchased the property, containing 
ninety four acres, now owned b}' our subject, 
in 1815. He died in 1884, aged eight3'-seven 
years; his wife died in 1840, aged thirtj'- 
seven years. Moses Collins, our subject, has 
alwaj's followed farming. He married, in 
1856, Miss Mary Jordon, daughter of Jacob 
and Ann (Hickman) Jordon, of this county, 
and five children, four living, have blessed 
their union : John, Jacob, Howard and Harry, 
all of whom are at home. Mr. Collins is a 
republican, and has served his township 
officially. 



Archibald KunN, farmer, postoffice New 
Texas, was born near his present farm, Sept. 
2, 1805, a son of Archibald and Martha 
(Stotler) Kuhu. His father was born in the 
Susquehanna valley in 1771. came to Plum 
township with his father and was married 
here. He was a cavalry soldier at the time 
of the whisky rebellion; was a surveyor on 
the frontier; was justice of the peace from 
1809 till 1815; a member of the legislature, 
and in 1815 refused a second term. He was 
father of eight children: Michael, Jacob, 
Nancy, Archibald, David, Katharine, John 
Morgan and William Henry Harrison. The 
eldest three are deceased. Our subject's 
great-great-grandfather was coming with 
other emigrants from Germany to America, 
but the vessel they were coming in was taken 
by a British privateer into the port of Derry, 
and during their stay there his great-grand- 
father, Adam Kubn, was born, and after 
awhile the emigrant vessel was allowed to 
proceed on its voyage to xVmerica, and 
landed at New Holland— now New York 
city. There the family remained until Adam 
was grown to manhood and was married to a 
young lady who shortly before this time 
had come from Holland. Her Christian name 
was Eve, her surname not being known. 
This couple had three sons, viz. : Nicholas, 
Michael and Mansfield. After these were 
grown to manhood and two of them were mar- 
ried he (Adam) came to Western Pennsylva- 
nia, about 1768, to what is Allegheuj- county 
and what is now Patton township, made an 
improvement and planted an orchard. After 
remaining here a few years he sold out and 
moved to what is now West Virginia, where 
Eve, his wife, was killed by the Indians, and 
where he remained during the rest of his life. 
His grandfather, Michael Kubn, married 
Catharine McClarty, a Scotch lady, and lived 
in the Susquehanna valley for a number of 
years. The Indians being very troublesome 
there at that time, and being burnt out by 
them, he moved down the valle}' past where 
Harrisburg now stands some ten or fifteen 
miles, and settled near a stream called 
Swatara. Here he remained until about 
1782 or 1783, and then came to Western 
Pennsylvania and located near EUrod's 
fording on the Youghiogheny river until 1788, 
when he came to what is now Plum township, 
and bought a farm, on which he and his wife 
lived during the rest of their lives. He was 
by occupation a weaver. He had five sons 
and three daughters. In faith he was a 
Presbyterian and all his children belonged to 
some branch of the Presbyterian Church. 
Sam. McMahon now owns the farm which 
Michael Kubn owned and where he died at 
the age of seventy-five years. The subject 
of this memoir, at the age of eighteen, 
began to learn the scythe- and sickle-making 
trade, at which he remained five years. 
Machinery then took the place of hand labor, 
and he returned home and worked at rough 
carpenter-work, and later on he built a saw- 
mill, which he operated about forty years. 



452 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



He then rented the mill, built his present 
home and has since superintended his farm. 
He married, Nov. 17, 1836, Mary 
Craig King, of Plum township, born in 1H12, 
a dauirbtcr of Hobert and Nanoy (Davidson) 
King." Mr. Kuhu has seven children living 
and three deceased. The living are Nancv 1). 
(Mrs. .Joseph McCready), Martha S. (Mrs. 
Logan Stotlcr), .Jacob', Anna (now Mrs. 
Ausliii Diklinc). Susan (Mrs. Inimanuel 
Alter); Mary Loisa and David Brainard re- 
side on the place. The deceased are William 
W.. killed in the army, James King, who 
diul aged thirty-two years, and Kobert. who 
died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Kuhn has been siiperVisor. school director, 
auditor and treasurer of the county money. 
He was the first republican in the township, 
and was sent to the first republican conven- 
tion, lie and Mrs. Ivuhn have celebrated 
their golden wedding. 

.JosEi'u Hu KMAX, farmer, postofflce Her- 
riottsville. was born in this county in 1839, 
a son of .John and Sarah (Park) Hickman, 
and grandson of Ptter Hickman. Joseph 
was boru and reared on a farm; was educated 
at the public schools of this township, and 
has followed agricultural pursuits through 
life. He was married, in 1871, to Mary A., 
daughter of Gabriel and Mary Ann (Ross) 
Rowley, of this county, and five children 
have been born to theiii; Sarah Park, John 
Rowley, Eva Abigail, Mary Anna and S. 
Heber. In 1868 Mr. Hickman purchased his 
present farm of 320 acres, a valuable tract of 
land under a high state of cultivation, and 
underlaid with coal. Mr. Hickman is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church; polit- 
ically a republican. 

Wii.LiAM Newlkn Haymaker, retired 
farmer, postofflce Turtle Creek, was born in 
Franklin town.ship, Westmoreland county, 
in 1822, on the farm where his father, John 
Haymaker, was also born. Jacob, father of 
John, was reared on the site of Allegheny 
City, and lies buried (with his grandfather 
Stofel) in Plum township. John Haymaker 
was one of the few whigs in Frankliu. and 
was nominated frequently for office, but was 
in a hopeless minority. He died in his eighty- 
si.xtb year, and is buried at Murrysvillc; his 
■widow, Ann Newlen (born in IfrOO). passed 
away in 1887. John, brother of Jacob Hay- 
maker, was a companion of Brady, the 
famous Indian scout, and measured the 
famous leap of the latter at Brady's Run. 
Beaver county. Marj', wife of Jacob, was 
captured by Itulians when a child, together 
with her parents and an infant brother, near 
Murrysville, and all were taken to Caqada 
and kept by different tribes. The father, 
Michael Rugh. escaped to Quebec, and suc- 
ceeded in finding his wife by the help of 
English military officers. Two years later 
the mother discovered her daughter among 
some Indians who came to trade. The child's 
face and arms had been stained to conceal 
her white nativity. The sum of ten dollars 



was exacted by the aborigines in each case 
for the release of their prisoners. Mr. Rugh 
returned to Franklin, and was several times 
elected to the legislature, making bis trips 
to Harrisburg on horseback. 'W. N. Hay- 
maker was reared in Franklin, and attended 
the common schools. In 1846 he married 
Mary, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Mc- 
Cullough) Simpson, of Irish descent, and 
following year settled in Patton township, 
on the farm which he still owns, where 
Matthew Simpson, grandfather of Jlrs. Hay- 
maker, settled very early. In August, 1861, 
Mr. Haymaker joined the C3d regiment P. 
v., going out as second lieutenant of Com- 
pany A, attached to the Aimy of the Poto- 
mac. During the three years that followed 
he took part in nil the battles of that army 
from Williamsburg to Cold Harbor; at 
Savage Station he was shot through the leg 
by a rifle-ball; at Yorktown he was promoted 
to first lieutenant and made regimental 
quartermaster. On the day that Mr. Hay- 
maker left the armj- his eldest son, Joseph, 
then seventeen years old, ran awaj- from 
school and joined the 4th P. C, serving until 
the close of the war in the same army, part 
of the time as orderly on Gen. Warren's 
staff. He died of consumption, at the age of 
thirt3'-one, while practicing law in Pitts- 
burgh. Two brothers of Quartenuaster 
Haymaker served in the same regiment, one 
in the 4th cavalry and one in the western 
army. Mr. Haymaker was present at the 
first national meeting of the republican 
party, to whose principles he has always 
adhered. He was justice of the peace several 
j'ears, and has filled all the town offices. He 
was reared in the Presbyterian faith, to 
which he still adheres. He is a member of 
the G. A. R.. Veteran Legion, McCaudless 
Lodge, F.& A. M., Pittsburgh. John C, sec- 
ond son of Mr. Haymaker, is assistant district 
attorne)', and resides in Pittsburgh; Anna S. 
(Mrs. Alex. Tilbrook), Virginia and La\ira 
are deceased children, and Ida, wife of W. 
B. Brush, is the only living daughter. Will- 
iam Seward Haymaker, youngest son. grad- 
uates at Washington and Jefferson College 
this coming spring, 1889. 

Solomon Schoter. Jr., attorney at law, 
Swissvale, a native of this county, was born 
Aug. Ill, 1832, and was one of sis children 
who grew to manhood and womanhood. 
Solomon, Jr., being among the eldest. Our 
subject was reared and educated in Pitts- 
burgh, and at the age of fourteen entered 
Allegheny College at Meadville, where he 
graduated in 1850. He then found emplo}'- 
ment on the Pittsburgh Gazette, at that time 
under the directorship of D. N. White, and 
when twenty years old commenced the study 
of law (without discontinuing his connection 
with the Gazette), completing his studies 
under Hon. A. W. Loomis. He was admitted 
to the bar in 1858, and at once opened a law- 
oflice at 139 Fourth avenue, Pittsburgh, 
where he has since practiced. From 186() to 
1866 Mr. Schoyer was solicitor for Allegheny, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



45c 



during which time the celebrated Bond case 
and others of importance were tried. He 
was instrumental in securing the public 
parks of Allegheny City, drawing up the 
general legal schemes therefor, which were 
adopted. He has on several occasions been 
a delegate to the county and state conven- 
tions, and reported for the Pittsburgh Gmetie 
the first republican convention which met in 
that cit}'; he has for four years been presi- 
dent of the Duquesne Club, and is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church. In 18G0 Mr. 
Schoyer married Frances Palmer, daughter 
of James Madison Balkman, of Washington 
county, and hy her had nine children, seven 
of whom are yet living: Samuel B. , Robert 
Palmer, Weld Allen, Lucy N., Harriet Alden, 
Catharine R. and George S. 

J. G. Kelly, cashier Braddock National 
Bank, Braddock, is auative of L}'on county, 
Ky., born Sept. 10, 1847. He is a son of Will- 
iam Kelly.who wasbornin Pittsburgh in 1811, 
and was in his day one of America's greatest 
iron-masters. His connection with the manu- 
facture of iron, the circumstances by which he 
was surrounded, and the difficulties he over- 
came, can be found on the pages of the Iruii 
Age, Vol. xli. No. 8, Feb. 23, 1888; also in 
Appleton's Cyclopedia. His wife was Mil- 
dred A., daughter of James N. Gracey, 
who was a descendant of an old Kentucky 
famil}-, originally of New England. J. G. 
Kelly was educated at the common schools 
in his native town until fifteeu years of age. 
when he entered college and remained until 
he was twenty. His first engagement in 
business was as bookkeeper for his father, 
a position he tilled for three years. In 1870 
he came to Pittsburgh and entered the First 
National Bank as bookkeeper, remaining 
until 1873. Afterward he located in Brad- 
dock, and was cashier for the Braddock Trust 
company until 1883, when that corporation 
was changed to the Braddock National Bank, 
and Mr. Kelly was retained as cashier, being 
a stockholder in the organization. Mr. Kelly 
married, in 1870, Agnes, daughter of Thomas 
J. Kenny, a highly respected citizen of Alle- 
gheny county. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have had 
two children, one being now deceased. They 
are members of the Catholic Church; polit- 
ically he is a republican. 

Joseph Hosick, Springdale, was born in 
1828, on the place where he now resides, and 
is the son of Samuel and Catherine Hosick. 
His grandfather, George Hosick, came from 
Ireland to this county in about 1800, and 
was a soldier in the war of 1812. He at one 
time owned 160 acres in what is now the city 
of Allegheny; he leased it for ninety-nine 
years, and the lease will expire in about five 
years, when it will probably revert to his 
descendants. He died in 1850, at the ad- 
vanced age of eightj'five years. His son. 
Samuel Hosick, was born in Allegheny 
county. Pa., and followed blacksmithTng in 
Springdale, this county. He married Cath- 
erine, daughter of Thomas Mellon, of West- 
moreland county. He was a farmer by oc- 



I cupation, and was frequently called upon tov 

] aid in defending the early" settlers of this 
locality against Indian assaults, being at one- 
time wounded by them. Mr. and Mrs. Hosick, 
were the parents of five children; Joseph, 
Christina (deceased), Hannah M.. Samuel 
W. (deceased) and Sarah C. Mr. Hosicfc 
died June 29, 1842. Joseph Hosick, son of 

i Samuel, followed boating and rafting from 
the time he was sixteen years old till 1866, 

j when he changed his occupation to that of 
railroading, in which business he is still 
engaged. He was married in April, 1861, 
to Mary, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth 

; Couch, and to them were born eleven chil- 
dren (seven of whom are now living): Samuel 
H. (deceased), Joseph Oliver (deceased), Will- 
iam S., Charles N. (deceased), James L.. John 
G., MaggieE., Mary F., Elizabeth C, Nannie- 
M. and Ada McKee (deceased). Of these 

j William S. is engaged in publishing the- 
Springdale Record, an enterprise in which he 
has recently embarked. 

J. L. Elsesser, justice of the peace,_ 
Etna, was born March 27, 1828, in Bru- 
math, Alsace, France (now Germany), a soa 
of Jacob and Salome Elsesser, who emi- 

i grated to America when .1. L. was three- 

I months old. They settled in Philadelphia, 

I where Jacob L, was educated at the com- 

I mon school. Jacob, Sr., was a city com- 
missioner, and his wife a midwife, she- 
having received her diploma in Europe. 
The subject of these lines removed to Etna, 
in 1849, where his mother died. Here he- 
followed shoeraaliing, which ti-ade he had 

; learned in Philadelphia. May 1, 1861, he 
enlisted iu Co. B, 9th P. II., and served 

; three years. He fought iu many of the 

: most noted battles, among them Dranesville, 
Va., Fredericksburg, the seven days' fight,. 
Antietam, South Slountain and at Gettys- 
burg, and was wounded at Mine run. 
After the war he returned to Etna, where he- 
was elected magistrate, his wound prevent- 
ing him from resuming his trade. He- 
received his first commission from Gov. 
Bigler, and has now his seventh commission, 
having served nearly thirty-five years, being 
three times re-elected without opposition. He- 

j married, in Etna, Mary, daughter of Daniel 
and Salome (Schroth) Hieler, and they have 

I four children: Mary Sandrock, Mrs. Caroline- 
Schultz, John D. and Mrs. Amelia Mell. 
Mr. and Mrs. Elsesser are members of the- 
G. L. Church. He is a member of the (j. 
A, R., and has been commander two years; 
and adjutant of his post eight years; is also 
a member of the U. V. L.'and the A. F. &, 
A. M., Pittsburgh. He is a republican, 

George Hodil, Sharpsburg. Jacob. 
Hodil, the original member of this family, 
came to America when he was twenty years- 
of age, in company with his wife, Susan. 
This couple were the parents of eight chil- 
dren, six sous and two daughters, of whomj 
George was the second son. Jacob purchased 
120 acres of land iu Indiana township, where 

i heremained until his death. He was a farmer 



454 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



by occupation through life. George Hodil, 
one of the oldest citizens of Indiana township, 
was born in 1803, and has always lived on the 
farm purchased liv his father. In 1S3.") he 
niarrieil Martha tirubbs, and to them were 
bom six cliildren, three of whom are living: 
Kdbcrl Wilsiiii. Rachel (Mrs. Federkeil) and 
Catherine (.Mrs. Stoner), the latter of whom 
has been the favorite of the family, and now 
cares for her father in his declining years. 
Mr. Hodil is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, of which he was for a long time an 
elder; politically he is a republican. 

John Guffey, farmer, postofflce Eliza- 
beth, a son of John and Isabella (Campbell) 
GufTey. was born in Westmoreland county, 
Jan. 18, 182.5. He is a descendant of the 
Scottish family of Guffej' occupying the 
shire of Lanark in the lowlands of Scotland. 
His great-great-grandfather, William Guifey, 
came to this country in the year 1738, and 
first settled near Lancaster. Pa. In 17-58 he, 
with a few other hardy spirits, followed the 
Forbes expedition against Fort Duquesne, 
into the then unbroken forests of the west, 
until they reached the Lo3'alhanna creek, 
where they decided to locate, this being the 
first permanent l^nglish settlement in West- 
moreland countj', and the second west of the 
Allegheuies. About the year 1783 James, the 
son of William, bought a large tract of land 
near what is now West Newton, and the 
larger portion of his descendants are living in 
Westmoreland county at present. Quite a 
number of the ancestors of the Guffeys and 
Campbells were killed or taken captive by 
the Indians in their incursions on the settle- 
ments. They were among the pioneers of 
the present great Monongahela river coal 
trade, the manufacture of salt and distilling. 
On Sept. 10, 1880, at a reunion of the Gufley 
family, there were five generations present, 
aggregating 293 persons. John Guffej- was 
married in 1857, to Catherine B. Stoner, 
daughter of Henry Stoner, of Forward town- 
ship, aud thej' began their married life on this 
farm. They have three children: Francis 
Henry, now an attorney in Pittsburgh; Ed- 
ward and John, both at home. Mr. Guffey 
is a farmer and stockdealer and has sur- 
rounded himself with many of the luxuries 
which wealth purchases. 

Joseph Bkuce Hezlkp, merchant, post- 
ofiice Turtle Creek, was born in County 
Down, Ireland, in 1821. His grandfather, 
George Hezlep, married Esther Bruce (a 
descendant of the celebrated Robert Bruce). 
and emigrated from Scotland to Ireland. 
Their son Samuel, with his wife Jane Walker 
and son Josejih Bruce Hezlep, came to 
America in 1841, and .settled near New Wil 
mington, Mercer county, Pa., where Samuel 
and his wife died. When twelve years old 
Joseph B. began linen weaving, which he 
followed four years, and became so proficient 
that the premiums he earned sufficed to keep 
him in clothing. On arriving in this country 
he followed farming for a time, then spent 
two j-ears at blacksmithing, but becoming 



satisfied that he could not make a skillful 
mechanic, began peddling goods through the 
country about Pittsburgh. In 1840 he mar- 
ried Martha Rath, a native of this county, 
and a daughter of Adam and Mary Rath, 
natives of Ireland. After his marriaire Mr. 
Hezlep opened a small store in Snowden 
township, which was attended by his wife 
while he bought up produce for the Pitts- 
burgh market. Beginning with one horse, 
he gradually extended his operations until he 
kept four horses busy, and so continued 
eight years. In 1857 he came to Turtle 
Creek and bought out a mercantile stock 
worth over $5,000. This was steadily in- 
creased till it reached $60,000 in 1805, when 
the whole was destroyed by fire. Unfortu- 
nately, there was only Si 1.000 insurance, 
with which he made a new beginning. Four 
j'ears later his dwelling, which was erected 
at a cost of over f3,000, was also burned. 
Besides the usual goods found in a general 
country store, Mr. Hezlep carries stoves and 
furniture, and under present low values his 
stock is rated at f 18,000. Both he and wife 
are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. 
Hezlep has served as judge of election, and 
for three years as school director. While a 
republican in principle, he has recently 
acted with the prohibitionists. His four 
sons are all deceased; three died in infancy, 
and Samuel Adam at the age of thirtj^-five 
years; the latter married Eliza Curry and 
i)ecame the father of four children, only one 
of whom. William, is living, residing with 
his widowed mother at Turtle Creek. 

Mr. Hezlep was postmaster over five j-ears, 
gettmg his appointment in 1861. The rebell- 
ion commenced about that time, and lasted 
for four years, and as he was postmaster he 
did not have to go to war; but when Abra- 
ham Lincoln asked for 300,000 more soldiers 
he put his name down in a company of 
cavalry which Hon. James I. Larimer had 
raised. Each member had to take his own 
horse, but it so happened just about that 
time that Lee surrendered, and peace was 
declared, so the services of him and his com- 
pany were not required. He lives in the 
center of the village; is doing the largest 
business and has the finest stores in the place. 
His real estate is worth over $80,000, besides 
his personal property, and he feels very 
thankful for the very liberal patronage and 
the many friends he has in and around the 
village of Turtle Creek. 

B. Fr.\nk Price, M. D., Braddock, was 
l)Orn in Meigs county, Ohio, in 1845, fifth son 
in the family of twelve children of Charles 
and Sarah (Sisson) Price, former a native 
of Virginia, of Welsh and German ancestry. 
and by occupation a farmer. The subject of 
thismemoir was educated at the public schools 
and Nelson's College, Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
in 1866 commenced the study of medicine 
under the preceptorship of Dr. Hayworth, of 
Ohio; entered the Cincinnati College of Med- 
icine and Surgery in 1869, graduating thereat 
in 1873. Thedoctorthen commenced the prac- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



455 



tice of his profession in West Virginia, where 
he remained ten years, and then, in 1883, 
moved to Braddoclv. He was married In 
1865 to Mary F. Kerrigan, a native of In- 
diana, and two children (one now deceased) 
were born to them. In 1863 Dr. Price enlisted 
in the 7th Ohio battery and served tliree years 
in the civil war. He and family are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church; politically he is a 
republican. 

Henry L. Anderson, farmer, P. O. Leets- 
dale. was born Sept. 3, 1834, in the Sixth 
ward, Pittsburgh, son of James Anderson, a 
native of Carlisle, Pa., and of old Scotch 
Protestant stock. The ancestors had to flee 
from Scotland to Ireland. The paternal 
grandfather was a soldier in the revolution- 
ary war in the Pennsylvania line troops. He 
lived iu Chester couhtj-. Pa.; was originallj' 
in the stone business in Allegheny, and built 
the old United States bank. In 1792 the 
fatUer of Henry L. was in the brick business 
on Anderson street, and later in the iron 
business. He was a manager of the Western 
Pennsylvania hospital, one of the board of 
directors of the house of refuge, now the re- 
form school, and was inspector of the peniten- 
tiary until his death; he died March 11, 1861, 
aged seventy-seven. Politicall}' he was a re- 
publican. He was married to Anna Miller, the 
daughter of old settlers, and by her had three 
children: William, Isabella and Henry L. 
The last named, who was educated in Alle- 
gheny and at Franklin College, Chambers- 
burg, Pa., followed bookkeeping, and sub- 
sequently enlisted in Co. K of 13th P. V., 
and was later in detached service. After the 
war he again engaged in bookkeeping, and 
subsequently embarked in the oil business. 
Of late years he has been a farmer, and since 
1872 has owned a farm in Sewickley town- 
ship. He was married to Maggie A. Brown, 
and they have three children: Harry M., 
Alma E. and Louise A. Politically Mr. An- 
derson is a republican, and has filled various 
township offices; he is a member of A. F. & 
A. M. and A. O. U. W. 

William Patter.son, farmer, postoffice 
Herriottsville, was bofn in this county in 
1828, the eldest son in the familj' of six 
children born to James and Abigail (Dennis- 
ton) Patterson. John Patterson, his grand- 
father, came from Ireland to America about 
1810, and settled in Maryland. He married 
Mary Miller, also of Ireland, and by her had 
live children, of whom James was among the 
youngest. John was a weaver by trade, but 
later in life was a farmer, and owned land 
in Washington and Allegheny counties; he 
died aged eighty-seven years. James Patter- 
son was born Dec. 1, 1790. He was a miller 
by trade, but followed farming, and in 18H0 
purchased one hundred acres of land, which 
is now owned by the subject of this sketch, 
where he remained until his death, in 1872, 
when he was eighty-two years of age; his 
wife died in 1845. William was reared on a 
farm, was educated at the public schools, 
and has always followed farming. He mar- 



ried, in 1876, Annie E., daughter of James 
Black, of this county, and four children were 
born to them, two now living; William 
James and Walter Gilmore. Mr. Patterson 
is a member of the U. P. Church; politically 
a republican. 

Dr. F. R. McGrew, postoffice Mansfield 
Valley, was born in Alleghenj- county. Pa., 
in 185.5. to Nathan and ?hoebe C. (Hayden) 
McGrew, of Westmoreland countj', Pa., who 
were the parents of seven children, five of 
whom are yet living. Dr. F. R. being the 
youngest sou. Nathan McGrew, by occupa- 
tion a farmer, resided in Westmoreland 
county until his death, which occurred wlien 
he was seventy-one years old; his wife died 
at the age of sixty-five years. The subject 
of this biographical memoir commenced the 
study of medicine under Dr. B. H. Vankirk. 
of West Newton, Westmoreland county. Pa., 
attended medical college in Detroit one year, 
after which he practiced in West Virginia one 
year. He entered the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons at Baltimore, graduated in 
1880, and June 10, same year, he came to 
Mansfield, since when he has been actively 
engaged in his profession in this town and 
vicinity, where he enjoys a lucrative patron- 
age. The doctor married, March 10, 1877, 
D. C. Snyder, daughter of Henry Snyder, of 
Fayette county, and they have a family of 
three children: Grace Pearl, Hazel May and 
Mattie Evans, Dr. McGrew is a republican. 

JohnBaldrige, Jr., Braddock. Hisgreat- 
greal-graudf ather, a Scotchman, who moved 
to County Cavan. Ireland, married, June 16. 
1714, Jeanette, daughter of Sir James Holmes, 
and by her had three sons and three daugh- 
ters. They came to America and settled in 
Lancaster county. Pa., in 1745. Ofthesechil- 
dren, John, great-grandfather of our subject, 
married Rebecca Clark, a native of Ireland, and 
had sixteen children. He died July 31, 1766. 
Of his children, Joseph (a twin), grandfather 
of our subject, was born in 1763. This Joseph 
married Jane Gibb, about 1788, and moved 
from Lancaster county. Pa., to Westmoreland 
county. Thej- had two children — John and 
Samuel. This wife dying, Joseph then mar- 
ried Mary Todd, who bore him four children: 
William T., Rebecca, Joseph (father of our 
subject) and David H. Joseph, the grand- 
father, bought a large tract of land onLoyal- 
hanna creek, built a flouring-mill and engaged 
in milling and farming. He died Maj^ 5, 
1839, aged seventy- seven. His son Joseph 
was born Jan. 1, 1803, and died when aged 
sixty-seven; he married Elizabeth Nicholls, 
who bore him four children, of whom the 
subject of this sketch is one. 

John Baldrige. Jr., was born Dec. 26, 1831, 
and was educated at the public schools of 
Westmoreland county. Pa., and at Centre 
College, Danville, Ky. He married L. C, 
daughter of Alfred Corey, of Allegheny 
county, and they have eight children. He 
commenced business first in Latrobe, West- 
moreland county, Pa., in 1853. Became the 
first telegraph-operator at Latrobe, and was 



45G 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



for ten years in the employ of the P. R. R. 
Co. and the P. & E. R. R. Co. Leaving the 
railroad, he embarked, in 186."), in the coal 
and real-estate business in Braddock. He 
has been an elder in the First Presbyterian 
Church at Braddock since its organization in 
1872. He is a republican. 

William J. W.\llace, farmer, postofflce 
Bridijeville, is a grandson of .John Wallace, 
' a farmer, who came to this county from Ire- 
land about 1790. and purchased 103 acres of 
lau<l in South Fayette township, formerly the 
properly of Christian Lcsnett. making, in 
1810, an additional purchase of 1G3 acres. 
He married Elizabeth McKee, daughter of 
David McKee.an early pioneer in this county, 
and two sons and twmlauirhlers were born to 
them: William, the eldest son, also a farmer, 
was born in 1798, in what is now North 
Fayette township, this county. He married 
Elizabeth, daughter of John Gilfillan, and by 
her had nine children, three j'et living. 
William Wallace died in 1883, aged eighty- 
four years, his widow in 1886, aged eighty- 
six years. Of their children. William .J., 
born in 1842, is the youngest. He was reared 
on the farm, and at the death of his father 
inherited the homestead. He married. in 1864, 
R. I. Skiles, daughter of James P. Skiles, of 
Washington county, and eight children have 
blessed their union, six living: Lizzie B. . A. 
G., Edwin S., W. E., S. J. K. and R. L Mr. 
Wallace is a ruling elder in the U. P. Church 
of Robinson's run; he is a republican. 

William S. Wallace, farmer postoffice 
Bridgeville. was born in 1840. a son of David 
and Margaret (Cubbage) Wallace, latter of 
whom was the daughter of .Tames Cubbage. 
David Wallace was born in 1800, the younger 
of the two sous of John and Elizabeth (Mc- 
Kee) Wallace. He inherited one-half of the' 
326 acres of land owned by his father, and 
ahvaj-s followed farming. He died in 1879; 
his wife died in 1877. aged seventy-two years. 
They had a family of nine children, of whom 
William S. is the third son. He was born and 
reared on the farm and educated at the pub- 
lic schools and Mt. Union College, and in 
1801 enlisted in Co. H, 62d regiment P. V., re- 
mained in the service three years, and was 
wounded at Gettysburg July 3. Mr. Wallace 
married, in 1871. Estella Leeper, of Beaver 
county, Pa., and four children, all living, 
were born to them: Chessie Elclare, Nettie 
Sari'ssa, James Luther and Lora Mabel. Mr. 
Wallace is the onlj- representative of his 
family residing in Allegheny county; is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church and a 
republican. 

H. R. O'Connor. M. D.. Mount Oliver, 
was born Dec. 27, 18.53. in Pittsburgh, S. S. 
Grandfather Thomas O'Connor was a well- 
known and esteemed character in Pittsburgh, 
a true type of the Irish gentleman. He was 
implicated in the Irish insurrection, and 
fought bravely for the cause of liberty, but 
was compelled to leave for America, sending 
afterward for his only child. His son I 
Thomas O'Connor, Jr., married Christiana | 



Kinsley, and they became the parents of the 
following-named children: Christian I., Kins- 
lev T., Harry R. and Catherine O. (wife of 
Col. S. W. Hill). Of these Harry R. was edu- 
cated at the Western University, read med- 
icine with Dr. E. A. Wood, and graduated 
at Jefferson Medical College, class of 
1875; he located at Mount Oliver, wliere he 
built up a good practice. He is a member of 
the R. A. and A. O. U. W.. also of the 
county medical socictj', and is assistant 
professor of genital and urinary diseases 
at the Western Pennsylvania Medical Col- 
lege. Dr. O'Connor is a democrat. 

Reese D.wis. farmer, postoffice Carrick, 
was born Jan. 6, 1814, in Breconshire. Soutb 
Wales, a son of Thomas and Jane (Biven> 
Davis. He was a puddler in a rolling mill, 
and, coming to America in August. 184.'), fol- 
lowed his trade in Phcenixville, Pa., until 
the following March. He then came to 
Pittsburgh, where he remained for several 
years working in various iron-shops. Mr. 
Davis married, in August, 1851, Mrs. Mary 
Wigley. nee Goodwin, and same j-ear moved 
to Baldwin township, where he now resides. 
They have four children: Mary A., Thomas 
G., Margaret and Caroline. By persever- 
ance and energy Mr. Davis has become a 
successful man. He is a republican, and 
voted for Fremont. 

Robert McCartney, retired farmer, post- 
offlce Shousetown, was born at Massevsl)urg, 
Pa., Feb. 25. 1814. a son of John and"Pha'be 
(Massey)McCartne}-.fornierof whom.a farmer- 
by occupation, was born near Masseysburg, 
a son of George McCartney. Phoebe (Massey) 
McCartney was born at Masseysburg. and 
was a daughter of Mordecai Massey. who 
purchased a large Iract of land at that place. 
In 1833 John and Phoebe McCartnej' moved to 
Findlay township, Allegheny county, and 
settled on a farm near Hebron. At that lime 
Robert '^^^ '^"' 'I'ne years old. and at sixteen 
he began to learn wagon-making. Soon after 
completing his trade he and a cousin went to 
Philadelphia, walking to Lancaster, to which 
point the railroad was completed, and they 
finished their journey by rail. On their re- 
turn trip they slopped at Robert's uncle's, in 
Huntingdon county, where Robert followed 
his trade a short time. He then worked at 
Frankfort, Beaver count}'. Pa., two years, 
during which lime his father purchased a 
farm near Stevenson Mills, Moon township, 
and there Robert opened his first shop in a 
log building. Three years later he built a 
shop and residence at Scottsville. Beaver 
county. Pa. He married. July 11, 1839, 
Mary Morrow, of Hopewell township. Beaver 
county, a daughter of Hugh and Sarah- 
(Wallace) Morrow. April 10, 1845. Mr. 
McCarliipy sold out and purchased his present 
farm in Findlay township, where he built a 
log cabin, and worked at his trade until 18.58. 
Since then he has been engaged in farming. 
Mrs. McCartney died here July 3. 1869. the 
mother of seven children, four sons yet livings 
Alexander and John, farmers in Moon town- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



457 



ship; Morrlecai, in Beaver Falls, Pa.; Wash- 
ington, a farmer in Findlay townsliip. Hugh, 
the third son, graduated at New Wilmington 
June 20 1873; commenced reading law April 1, 
1874, under Lawyer Woods, of Pittsburgh bar, 
and died Feb. 26, 187.5. Robert, the "fourth 
son, died in September, 1876, being a member 
of the senior class in Edinboro normal school. 
Nov. 29, 1870, Mr. McCartney married Su- 
sannah McConnell, who was born in Inde- 
pendence township, Beaver county. Pa., a 
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Wallace) 
McConnell. Mr. and Mrs. McCartney have 
two daughters, Mary S. and Mina O., who 
with their mother are members of the U. P. 
Church. Mr. McCartney may be termed a 
self-made, practical man. Starting in life 
dependent on his own resources for a living, 
he went bravely to work, and through good 
business principles his efforts have been suc- 
cessful. He owns 100 acres of land in Findlay 
township and 212 acres in Independence and 
Hopewell townships, Beaver county. On his 
farm in Hopewell there are eight large oil- 
wells. He also owns a residence and four 
lots at Coraopolis and two residences and 
store-building on Beaver street , Sewickley. Pa. 
Hon. William Barton, farmer, postofflce 
Clinton, was born on the same farm and in 
the house where he now resides, Oct. 3, 1839. 
His father, Hugh Barton, was born near Bel- 
fast, County Down, Ireland, in 1788, a son of 
John and Mary (Kyle) Barton, who emigrated 
to America when Hugh was but six years 
old. They located near Cannonsburg. AVash- 
ington county, Pa., but afterward purchased 
a farm near Burgettstown. Hugh taught 
school in Washington county, and there 
married Mary A. I3rimner, a native of that 
count}', and a daughter of William and 
Elizabeth^Burnett) Brimner. William Brim- 
ner came from Scotland, and his wife from 
England, and both were Presbyterians. In 
1832 Hugh Barton came to Allegheny (^ounty 
and settled on the farm now owned by Hon. 
William Barton, where he died in August, 
1864. He and wife were members of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and had seven children, four 
living: Mary; Elizabeth, widow of A. M. 
Stewart, who was sergeant of the 149th P. 
V. I., and was killed at Gettysburg, July 1, 
1865; John, who resides in Rock Island 
county. 111., and Hon. AVilliam Barton. The 
last named enlisted in Co. D, 149th P. V. I., 
Aug. 23, 1862, and remained in the service 
until the close of the war; was in the battles 
of Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Gettys- 
burg, and other important engagements and 
skirmishes. He married, Isov. 17, 1881, 
Margaret McNall, who was born in Findlay 
township, a daughter of George and Sarah 
(Wilson) McNall. Mr. and Mrs. Barton have 
two children: Hugh A. and Annie. Mrs. 
Barton is a member of the U. P. Church. In 
1884 Mr. Barton was nominated and elected 
by the republican party representative in the 
state legislature, and he is deservedly popular 
in his community. He is a member of the 
G. A. R. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres; is 



engaged in the dairy business and general 
farming. 

Samuel Scott (deceased) was born in Rob- 
inson township, Allegheny county. Since a. 
short time before 1800 this family name has 
been connected with Robinson township. In 
1795 the government granted to John Bayles 
395 acres of land in Washington county. Pa. 
(now Robinson township, AUeghenj- county), 
in consideration of three pounds and five 
shillings. This tract of land was purchased 
in 1800 for .$2,500, by Samuel Scott, the orig- 
inal pioneer of the famil}-, who emigrated to 
America at an early day. Samuel, a son of 
this pioneer, married Sarah Hall, and by her 
had three children. She dying, he married 
Elizabeth McMillen. who bore him five chil- 
dren, viz, : Beckie, Sarah, William, Joseph and 
James. Samuel, the eldest son and second 
child, was born in 1812, and married Eliza- 
beth Nickel, to whom were born four chil- 
dren: Sarah Ann and Maiy Jane, deceased, 
and Evaline and Samuel, still living. Mrs. 
Scott died, and later Samuel Scott married, 
in 1852, Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and 
Priscilla (McFadden) Phillips, and five chil- 
dren were born to them: Leander (deceased), 
Priscilla (at home), Mrs. Eliza Jane Bell, 
Mrs. Hannah Hadden and John P. (living). 
Mr, Scott, in his day, was among the most 
highly respected and well-to-do farmers of 
Robinson township. He died in 1886. His 
widow, an estimable lady, resides with her 
son on the home farm. She is a member of 
the U. P. Church, of which he was an elder 
for twenty years. Politically he was a re- 
publican. 

Samuel Scott, only living child of Samuel 
and Elizabeth (Nickel) Scott, was born iu 
Robinson township, in 1851. He was ed- 
ucated at the public schools, and has followed 
farming all his life. He married, in 1878, 
Agnes Young, and three children have been 
born to them: Manie C. (deceased), William 
Hall and Hays Bell. Mr. Scott now owns 
186 acres of valuable farming land left him by 
his father. He is industrious and successful, 
is a member of the U. P. Church, and a re- 
publican. 

Hon. Nicholas Hogue, farmer, post- 
office Fairbaven, was born June 4, 1843, in 
this county, the son of Nicholas Hogue, Sr., 
a native of Bavaria, Germany, who came to 
America in 1831, at the age of twenty-two 
3'ears. He worked twenty years in the roll- 
ing-mill in Pittsburgh, and tlien removed to 
Baldwin township, where he Ijought a farm 
of sixty acres, on which the subject of these 
lines now resides. The father died April 13, 
1862, at the age of forty-two years. He was 
an active member of the German Lutheran 
Church, of which he was trustee for many 
years. He married Catherine, daughter of 
Jacob Keifer, of German descent, and she 
died May 3, 1886, the mother of three chil- 
dren who attained maturity: .Jacob, Mrs. 
Catherine Simon and Nicholas. Oar subject 
was educated in this county, and graduated 
at Duff's College in the class of 1863. He mar- 



458 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGnENY COUNTY. 



ried Philopenii Simon, of Germany, and they 
have four cliiklrcu: Catlierine, Jacob N., 
Elizabeth and Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Iloijue 
are members of the German Lutheran 
church, in which he has always talveu an 
active interest. Early in life Mr. IIo!j;ue was 
a teacher, but later a fanner, lie lias tilled the 
ollices of assessor, auditor and justice of the 
peace, beinij re-elected to the last-named posi- 
tion in 18S8. He is a republican, and was by 
that party elected to the legislature in 1883. 
lie served on the committees of asjriculture, 
mining, retrenchment and reform, and also 
on the committee of geological survey. 

Wn,i,i.\M n.\LL (deceasedl was descended 
from a prominent family of Robinson town- 
ship. In the early history of the township, 
.John Hall, of Scotch-Irish descent, by occu- 
pation a farmer, purchased and settled upon 
a large tract of land, some 300 acres. His 
wife, nee Lillie Young, bore him tive chil- 
dren, who grew to be men and women. 
William, one of their elder children, was 
born in 1T9.5, in Robinson township, and 
spent his life upon the farm purchased by his 
father. He married, in 1821, Jane, daughter 
of John and Mary (McMichael) McFadden, 
and nine children were born to them, of 
whom three survive; Mary A. (Mrs. Kelso), 
Eliza Jane (Mrs. Dr. Rutledge) and James (a 
resident of Iowa). The father owned 300 
acres of laud at his death, which occurred in 
1870. His estimable widow resides on the 
farm, aged ninety years, bright in her intel- 
lect and in good health. The family are all 
members of the U. P. Church; politically', 
whigs and republicans. 

Thompson F. McCabe, retired, postotBce 
Woodville. is a native of this county, born 
in 18'33. of Scotch-Irish descent. William, 
the pioneer of this family, came to America 
about 177.'), but later moved to Allegheny 
county, where he purchased some 200 acres 
in what is now Collier and Robinson town- 
ships, and carried on farming. He had born 
to him nine children, of whom Joseph E., 
one of the youngest, in early life learned the 
carpenter's trade, but later became a farmer. 
He married Margaret, daughter of John Fife 
and sister of Maj. Fife, and seven children, 
five of whom are now living, were born to 
them. Joseph E. died in 1870, aged eighty 
years, his wife in 1832, aged about forty years. 
Among the youngest of their children is 
Thompson F., who was educated at the pub- 
lic schools and reared on the farm where he 
was born, and which he now owns. He mar- 
ried, in 18.53, Mary Jane, daughter of James 
Richardson, and has five children: Howard 
L.. Maggie, Jennie (Mrs Harrison), Lizzie 
(a teacher in the high-school at Pittsburgh) 
and Joseph E. (at home). The mother of 
these children died in 1872, aged thirty-nine 
years. Mr. McCabe has retired from active 
business life. He takes a deep interest in 
politics, and like his father before him is a 
stanch democrat. He has held many posi- 
tions of trust, and is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church at Mansfield. 



Howard L. McCabk, lumber merchant, 
was born in 18.5.J, the eldest son born to 
Thompson F. and Mary Jane (Richardson) 
McCabe. He was educated at the public 
schools, and in 1879 engaged in the lumber 
business under the firm name of Cubbage <fc 
McCabe. dealers in lumber and planing-mill 
supplies. Mr. McCabe married, in 1881. 
Alice, daughter of D. C. Hultz, of Alleghenj' 
City, and three children, two of whom are 
living, have been born to them. Mr. McCabe 
has been a resident of Mansfield since 1881. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity 
and of the Presbyterian Church; he is a 
democrat. 

Lewis Clark, farmer, postofflce Shouse- 
town, was born on the farm where lie now 
! resides and owns, March 1. 183.5, a grandson 
of James and Mary (Gray) Clark. His father, 
James Clark, was born in County Tyrone, 
Ireland, in December, 1798. In 1819 he im- 
migrated to Montreal, Canada, soon there- 
after locating in Pittsburgh, and in 1827 he 
purchased the homestead in Moon township, 
where he died May 23, 1874. He married, in 
1830, Ellen Stoddard, who was born five 
miles west of Pittsburgh, a daughter of 
James and >fancy (Rile}-) Stoddard, Presby- 
terians and natives of Ireland. James Clark 
and wife had six children: Nancy, wife of 
Samuel Davidson, in Moon township; James, 
married to Elizabeth Scott, and residing in 
Clark county, Iowa; Lewis; Mary, wife of 
Joseph McKuight, residing in Rochester, 
Beaver county, Pa.; Margaret, married to 
John McClcaster, a merchant of Huntsville, 
Ohio, and Emily, who resides with her 
brother Lewis. The subject of this memoir 
visited, in 1869, England, Scotland. Ireland 
and Wales, and while in Ireland saw the 
house in County Tyrone where his father, 
grandfather and great-grandfather were born. 
In February. 1877. he made a trip to Liver- 
pool and Loudon, and. joining the World 
Tourist party, went to Paris (and other ])arts 
of France). Naples. Rome, Alexandria, Cairo, 
Old Cairo, through the Suez canal, to Port 
Said, Jaffa, Jerusalem and vicinity, Beth- 
lehem, .Jericho and the Dead sea; bathed in 
the waters of Jordan, visited the mummy- 
pits, obelisks and catacombs, Pompey's 
Pillar, Cleopatra's Needle, and ascended the 
great pyramid of Cheops; also visited the 
celebrated Greek convent near Saba, the 
sunken city of Memphis, the ruins of Hercu- 
laneum and Pompeii and other points of 
interest. In 1878 Mr. Clark visited New 
Orleans, thence through the West Indies to 
New York, and in 1885 attended the World's 
Exposition at New Orleans. 

Alfred B. Hdfp.vian, mechanic, postofflce 
Gill Hall, son of Jacob and Hester (Beam) 
Huffman, was born in Jefferson township, 
this county, July 29. 1838. His grandfather, 
Lewis Huffman, came from Germany and 
settled in this count}' at an early time, where 
he reared a family of twelve children; he 
was in the war of 1813. Jacob Huffman was 
born in Jefferson township, where he died 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



459 



Nov. 21, 1865. His children were Catlierine 
(now Mrs. S. M. Peterson, of Tyler county, W. 
Va.), Elijah (who died when a child), John B. 
(deceased), Sarah, Margaret (now Mrs. J. W. 
Snee, of Jefferson township) and Alfred B. 
The last named married Mary J., daughter 
of Smith Gaston, of Washington county, 
and settled on the place owned by his parents, 
remaining with them until their dealhs. when 
he removed to Gill Hall, and engaged in busi- 
ness as dealer in general merchandise. He 
subsequently retired, and his son John G. is 
now the merchant of Gill Hall. Mr. and 
Mrs. Huffman had four children: John G. 
(who married a daughter of Jackfon Stilley), 
Ella May (wife of t). B. Blackburn, of Jef- 
ferson township), Hester Jiiue and Joseph E. 
Mrs. Huffman died Oct. 9. 1888. Mr. Huff- 
man has held several official positions in the 
township, and at the present time is an acting 
justice of the peace. He has been a member 
of the Methodist Church for thirty years, 
and is a democrat. 

J. S. Wicks, farmer, postoflBce Gill Hall, 
son of Silas Wicks, who died in Pittsburgh, 
was born near Jones ferry, below Pitts- 
burgh, in 1831. In 1848 he married Sarah J., 
daughter of John Snee, of Jefferson town- 
ship, and their children are Rhoda J. (now 
Mrs. Boyer, in California). Lizzie (now Mrs. 
Barkley, in Washington county). Silas M. 
(married, in Santa Barbara, Cal.), John (mar- 
ried, and a resident of Jefferson township), 
Charles W. (married, and the owner of an 
adjoining farm), James A. and Jessie L. (a 
twin). John Snee came with his parents to 
Jefferson township when he was fifteen 
years old, and in 1823 he married Sarah, 
daughter of Col. Ferree, of Peters Creek. 
He bought the Gill Hall farm in 1824. His 
children were Sarah J., Thomas and Joel F. . 
latter two being now deceased. John Snee 
died in 1872, aged seventy-nine, his widow 
in 1875, aged seventy-seven. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wicks are members of the Methodist Church. 
Mrs. Wicks' father came with his parents to 
Jefferson township when he was fifteen years 
old, and they purchased the farm now owned 
by our subject. 

Rev. J. C. Boyd, D. D., postoflice Mt. 
Lebanon, was born in Westmoreland county. 
Pa., in 1832. He is the fourth of nine chil- 
dren born to William Boyd, a farmer of 
Westmoreland county. He received his aca- 
demic education at Jacksonville, Indiana 
county. Pa., and Jefferson College. Cannons- 
burg.Pa., and entered the Theological Sem- 
inary of Allegheny in 1854. graduating in 
18.58. He was called to the St. Clair congre- 
gation in the same year, and since that date 
has been its pastor. He married, in 1859, 
Mattie McFarland, who died in 1869. She 
was the third daughter of Col. John Mc- 
Farland. But one son of this marriage is 
living, William M.. now a resident of New- 
ton, Kan. Mr. Boyd ne.xt married Miss Mag- 
gie A. Liudsaj', of this county, only daughter 
of James Lindsay, Esq., and they have five 
children: Myra L., Jay Calvin, James How- 



ard, Jane and Lois Edith. Dr. Boyd has 
always taken an active part in all religious 
work connected with his church, and was 
four years editor of the Erangelknl Reposi- 
tory, the oldest religious monthlj' in the 
church, first published in 1824. He is now 
one of the editors and publishers of the 
Evanydical ReponUory, and associate editor 
of the United Preshyieriini . He was one of 
the delegates to the Pnn-Presbyterian coun- 
cil, which met at Edinburgh, Scotland (for 
the first time), in 1877, and in many other 
religious movements he has taken an active 
part. 

J. H. ROBB (deceased) was born in this 
county, in 1813. His father was Joseph 
Robb, a farmer of the county for many 
years, who married Sarah Fletcher, by whom 
he had thirteen children, J. H. being among 
the youngest. At the death of his father 
our subject purchased the farm which he 
owned for a number of 3-ears. Heretiied 
from agricultural pursuits in 18.55 to Mt. 
Lebanon, where he remained urtil his death, 
in 1880. He married, in 1838, Miss Margaret, 
daughter of William and Margaret (Herd- 
manj Glenn, of an old family of the county. 
Mrs. Robb, now in her seventy-second year, 
resides at her pleasant home in Mt. Lebanon, 
highly respected by all who know her. She 
is a member of the U. P. Church, of which 
Mr. Robb was also a member; politically he 
was a republican. 

HowAUD Rowley, farmer, postoflice 
Bridgeville, was born in this county in 1858. 
His lather, Francis Rowley, was twice mar- 
ried, and hy his first wife, Betsy (Gillmore), 
had three children; by his second wife, Mary 
(Winters), he had also three, Howard being 
one of them. Francis was always a farmer, 
and about 18C0 purchased three hundred 
acres of land in South Fayette township. 
He died in 1876, aged eighty years. Howard 
was educated at the common schools in the 
township, and has always followed farming. 
He married, in 1884, Annie M., daughter of 
John Dripps, of Allegheny, and two childreu 
have blessed their union; Mary Elizabeth 
and Anna Jeanette. Mr. Rowley now owns 
fifty acres of the three hundred purchased 
by his father. He is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church; politically a republican 

A. M. Pierce, M. D., West Elizabeth, 
son of James McK. and Mary (Kiddoo) 
Pierce, was born in Marietta, Washingtou 
county, Ohio, and is a descendant of the 
family of that name who came to the county 
about 1764. His grandfather's name was Dr. 
Amos Pierce, who came from Monmouth 
county, N. J., and was known aaa very suc- 
cessful cancer-doctor. His father was born 
in Jefferson township in 1821 ; married. June 
31, 1848, Mary, daughterot Thomas Kiddoo, 
a native of Snowden townshi]), and removed 
to Ohio, where he carried on business about 
three years. He then returned to what is 
now Lincoln township. Their children were 
Mary A., Thomas J. K. and A. M.. all now 
resicients of West Elizabeth borough and 



460 



IIISTOliY OF ALLEGHENV COUNTY. 



Jefferson lowiisliip. When A. M. Pierce was 
but a child liis mother died, Sept. 24, 
1854, and in course of time his father married 
Sarah, daughter of Andrew Uoj'd, of what 
is now liincoln township, and by her were 
horn Jolin H., Joseph L. and Mattie D. A. 
M. Pierce, afler his mother's death, made his 
home with liis grandfather. Dr. Amos Pierce, 
and after completing a preparatory course 
began the study of medicine with l)r. J. K. 
Van Kirk, of Elizabeth, remaining with him 
two years. He then entered JelTerson Medi- 
cal College, of Philadelphia, graduating dur- 
ing the centennial year, 1871); then located in 
West Elizabeth and engaged in the practice 
of his profession; is also interested in the 
manufacture of brick. Jan. 3, 1882, he mar- 
ried Mary Eleanor, daughter of Siiuire Henry 
and Sarah A. (Parkinson) Heath, and they 
have one child, Glenn M., born April 10, 1886. 

AVatson Pkovost, miller, postofflce Fair- 
haven, was boru May 31, 1812, in Lincoln- 
shire, England, a son of James and Ann 
(Pullen) Provost, who died in England. The 
former was a farmer, and reared a family of 
eight children: James, Thomas. Ann, Ma- 
tilda, David, Watson, John and Louise. Of 
these Thomas, Watson and Matilda came to 
America. Watson was educated at Peter- 
borough, and was married at Wisbeach, St. 
Mary's, in England, to Marj-, daughter of 
Robert and Maria (Mayne) Watkinson. Their 
children were William, Mrs. Ann P. Phillips, 
James and Robert (deceased), Maria (wife of 
Dr. J. H. Burkett), C. Wright and Samuel 
P. David Provost, grandfather of Watson 
Provost, was of French descent. His ances- 
tors, who were Huguenots, came with others 
to the Duke of IJedford, owner of some 
exten.sive swamps. These, Provost and 
others, being skillful engineers, drained, 
becoming thereby a free and wealth}' people. 
Watson Provost emigrated to America in 
May, 1838, and coming to Allegheny county 
farmed on the Brownsville road. In the 
autumn after his arrival in the United 
States he returned to England for his wife 
and son, and then worked for Preacher 
Jones iu the first brickyard in Birmingham, 
but unfortunately was cheated out of his 
wages. He later turned his attention to 
farming, subsequently purchasing the Will- 
iam Wilson mill on Saw-Mill run, which, 
however, was destroyed by Are, and he 
then l)0ught Pollock's mill. Mr. Provost 
started in life poor, but his indomitable 
energy has been amply repaid, and he now 
has a handsome competence, owning over 
eighty acres of laud, upon which many 
houses are built. Mr. and Mrs. Provost are 
Episcopalians; he is a republican. 

David Patton, farmer, postofflce Bakers- 
town, is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Kil- 
breth) Patton, and was born on the home- 
stead, April 24, 1821. David Patton, Sr., 
the grandfather of our subject, who was a 
native of Scotland, came to America during 
the Revolution, joined the Americans and 
fought through the war. He afterward set- 



tled in Hampton township, Allegheny county, 
and died about 1H42, leaving eleven children, 
all of wliom are since dccea.sed. His fourth 
child was born in 1 lampion township, where 
lie lived and followed fanning until his death, 
in 186.5. He left nine children, two of whom 
still live: James, a farmer of Hampton town- 
ship, and David, the subject of these lines. 
The latter, at an early age, learned the 
wagon-maker's trade, but has chiefly fol- 
lowed farming. In 1862 he moved to his 
ju-esenl farm. He married, in 1844, Sophia, 
daughter of Frederick Grimm, a native of 
Germany, and an early settler iu Hampton 
township. Mr. and Mrs. Patton have seven 
children living: Josephine, at home; Hen- 
rietta, wife of August Ahlstrom, of Massa- 
chusetts; Johanna, wife of James Brown, 
of West Deer township; Louisa, in Cleve- 
land, Ohio; Margaret, wife of Howard G. 
Glasgow, of Allegheny; David J. and Ross 
William, at home. Mr. Patton has held the 
offices of supervisor, assessor and town 
clerk. He and family are members of the 
Presbyterian Church of Baker.stown. 

Dr. J. X. Miller, Dorseyville, is a na- 
tive of Washington county. Pa., where he 
was boru. His father, Andrew Miller, was 
of Irish parentage, and a farmer of that 
county. Mr. Miller was educated at Hickory 
Academy, in his native county, and in 1880 
commenced the study of medicine under Drs. 
McKarl & McElroy. " In 1881 he entered Jef- 
ferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, 
graduating from that institution in 1884. He 
commenced the practice of his profe.ssion at 
Hilldale. Washington count}'. Pa., where he 
continued until 1885. when he came to Dor- 
seyville. In 1885 he married Miss Maggie 
L., daughter of George Weber, a highly 
respected citizen of Indiana township. The 
doctor has been very successful in his pro- 
fession, a large, lucrative practice having 
rewarded his efforts. He and his wife are 
members of the U. P. Church; politically he 
is a republican. 

Perry A. Lytle, farmer, P. O. Mononga- 
hela City, a son of Isaac and Martha (Penny) 
Lytle, was born May 27, 1821, in Forward 
township, on the farm now owned by him. 
His grandfather. Robert Lytle, emigrated to 
this country and settled on the line of Alle- 
gheny and Washington counties. His family 
consisted of seven children: David, George, 
.Joseph, Samuel. Abraham, Robert and Isaac. 
The corn-crop was the important one in early 
days, and it is related of Robert Lytle that 
during a year when the crop had been a gen- 
eral failure he fortunately had an immense 
yield, which was eagerh* sought for liv the 
speculators of that vicinity, but he resolutely 
declined all proposals from them and re- 
served it for the benefit of his less fortunate 
neighbors, and when thej- called for corn 
they were supplied, with or without money. 
Isaac, father of Periy A., was born in 1783, 
on the place where Robert, his father, settled, 
and remained there until his marriage. May 
11, 1807, with Miss Penny, daughter of John 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



461 



Penny, a native of Ireland, when he removed 
to the farm now owned by Perry A. Their 
•children were: Eliza, born Aug, 25, 1808; 
Ruth, born Feb. 1, 1811; Robert, born Aug. 
5, 1812; Margaret, born Aug. 11, 1814; Ice- 
pheua and Perry A. (twins), born May 27, 
1821; Samuel, born Jan. 27, 1827. Only three 
of these are now living: Margaret, now Mrs. 
James Craighead, of Beaver Falls; Icephena, 
now Mrs. William Kerr, of Brown county, 
Ohio; Perry A., who owns the old home- 
stead, and who, in 1846, married Sarah C, 
daughter of Isaac and Gertrude (Van Kirk) 
W_ycoff, of Elizabeth township. Their chil- 
dren were Hannah, .Joseph, William (de- 
>ceased), George E., James P. and Gertie W. 
Hannah, now Mrs. F. F. Pierce,is a residentof 
Gallatin, Teun; Joseph is on the farm ad- 
joining his father's; George E. is a practicing 
physician in Monongahela City; James P. 
resides with his father; Gertie W. is now 
■Mrs. Guy Fitzgerald, of Selma, Ala. Isaac 
Lytle, for a period of years, occupied various 
official positions, and died May 24, 1854; his 
widow died Nov. 26, 1854. 

Perry A. Lytle has been officially identi- 
fied with state, countj' and township, and is 
at present a director of the insurance board. 
When about twenty years of age he, with 
one of his brothers, met with a peculiar acci- 
dent. His mother, foreseeing the approach 
■of a storm, told them to prepare matters in 
the springhouse to avoid injury. They did 
so, and when about to return were met by a 
solid sheet of water rushing with irresistible 
force, which precipitated them with the 
springhouse over the falls, twelve feet high. 
Perry A. escaped, but his brother was carried 
a distance of one-half mile below, where he 
escaped only to die three days later of lock- 
jaw. 

W. T. Hall, physician. Avenue, was 
born in Butler county. Pa., Oct. 27, 1856, his 
parents having removed from Huntingdon 
county. Pa. His father, who was a soldier 
in the civil war, was captured and taken to 
Andersonville prison, and died on his return 
from there; his mother makes her home with 
the doctor. W. T. Hall received his prelim- 
inary education at the academy at Worthing- 
ton. Pa., taught school a portion of the time, 
and studied medicine with Drs. Robinson and 
Miller; gi-aduated in medicine at the Univer- 
sity of New York, and began practice in the 
city of Alleghen}', but returned to New York 
city in 1884, where he practiced until the 
spring of 1885, when, after his marriage with 
Miss Annie M. Neemes, he removed to his 
present place of residence. Avenue, Harrison 
township. 

John- Gill McDowell, farmer, postoffice 
New Texas, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 
August, 1828, a son of John and Jane (Gill) 
McDowell, former of whom, a native of 
Mifflin township, was a schoolteacher, and 
taught for some years in Pittsburgh; then 
removed to Versailles township near McKees- 
port, where he died in 1842, aged sixtj^-six 
years. Our subject's great-grandfather came 



from Ireland and settled in Mifflin townsliip,* 
where he owned a large plantation and many 
slaves; his son, Archibald, was a man of 
leisure, and with his horse and colored serv- 
ant spent his time in hunting. Our subject's 
maternal grandfather, John Gill, came from 
Ireland. John G. McDowell attended school 
in Pittsburgh, and also in Patton and Ver- 
sailles townships. At the age of twenty-one 
he began teaching in Patton township, and 
so continued four years. He then took life 
easy for a few years, livina' on the income 
of his father's estate, but his marriage, in 
1862, with Catherine Boyd, a sister of Eli 
Boyd of Turtle Creek, changed the course of 
his life, she being the main factor of his suc- 
cess in business. Mrs. McDowell was born 
in Westmoreland county, Jan. 15, 1835, a 
daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Wilson) 
Boyd, who were born in Westmoreland 
county, Nov. 9, 1795, and near Elizabeth, 
Allegheny county, Aug. 12, 1804, and died 
here April 6, 1869, and May 17, 1859, respect- 
ively. Six children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. McDowell, three of whom are living: 
Edward Howard, of Turtle Creek; George 
Wilson and Sarah Jane, at home. The de- 
ceased are Ciiroline, who died aged eight 
years; Maggie, when aged three, and Anna 
when aged eight. After marriage Mr. Mc- 
Dowell bought a small place in Patton town- 
ship, but three j'ears later he sold it and 
bought his present farm, where lie has lived 
twenty-two years. He and family are mem- 
bers of the Unity U. P. Church; he was a 
democrat, but is now a prohibitionist. Mrs. 
McDowell's sister, Elizabeth, married Rev. 
James Kelzo, for twenty-one j'ears pastor of 
Unity Church. 

William Ramsey McGiNNiss, farmer,post- 
office Stewart's Station, was born in Wilkius 
township, in 1833. a grandson of Jasper Mc- 
Ginniss, who came from McShane Castle, 
Ireland, and was of Scotch descent. John, 
son of Jasper McGinniss, came to Pittsburgh 
when it contained only seven houses, and en- 
gaged in steamboating between there and 
New Orleans. He was extensively interested 
in the tobacco trade, made money and bought 
a large farm on the Monongahela. which he 
sold in 1837. and then removed to Patton. 
Here he bought 700 acres of land from the 
Bank of Pittsburgh, and died in 1874. aged 
seventy-seven; his widow. Eleanor (Ramsey) 
McGinniss, isyet living, in her eightieth year. 
William R. McGinniss has passed most of his 
life in Patton township, and received his 
schooling in Wilkinsburg. He has engaged 
in stockdealing, in which he has been suc- 
cessful, and besides 297 acres of land here 
he has tracts in Ford and Champaign coun- 
ties, 111. In 1857 he married Mary Lang, a 
native of Patton, daughter of George and 
Eleanor (Roach) Lang, who were born in 
this county, of Scotch and Irish descent. Mr. 
and Mrs. McGinniss have seven children: 
Eleanor Jane (wife of John Hoej'. in Marys- 
ville). ^Villa Mary (wife of William C. Down- 
ing, in Mackey's Perrj', N. C), Nancj' Agnes, 



4(i2 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



John, Edward, William and George L., at 
home. 

Alexandkr Gordon, Swissvale, was born 
in ]?iiltiniore, Md., in 1813, and when five 
yeiirs of a^e moved with his parents to York 
county, Pa. John Gordon, a native of Cum- 
berland county. Pa., and of Scotch descent, 
married Marie, daughter of .Jacob and grand- 
daughter of Peter Gardner. The latter, a 
native of Germany, was among the first 
settlers of York county. Pa., and an extensive 
landowner. John Gordon was a merchant 
in Baltimore, and an extensive trader to the 
West Indies and South America. lie was 
father of seven children, and died when com- 
paratively young. His widow died in Alle- 
gheny City at a ripe age. Alexander Gordon 
was educated at the schools of York county. 
In 1832 he came to Pittsburgh, where for a 
number of years he was engaged in the com- 
mission and forwarding business. He was then 
connected willi the coal business for thirteen 
years, being one-fourth owner of a 700acre 
tract, which was successfully operated, and 
was known as the Duquesne Coal company.he 
being president and treasurer of the associa- 
tion. In 1880 Mr. Gordon retired from active 
business, and has since resided at Swissvale. 
He married, in 1849, Miss Edwards, daughter 
of Matthias Ogden Edwards, wlio was a 
descendant of Jonathan Edwards, president 
of Princeton College. Five children were 
born to Mr. and Jlrs. Gordon: Rev. John 
Gordon, Orra Edwards, Alexander, Jr., 
George B. (solicitor for the P. R. R. Co.), and 
William G Mr. Gordon was quartermaster 
during the Mexican war for a short period. 
He has always taken an actiye part in politics, 
and was prominently identified with the or- 
ganization of the republican party, being one 
of seven delegates to the Buffalo convention. 
He and family are members of the Presbyte- 
rian Cliurch. 

S.i.MUEL J.\RVis, retired. postofBce Oak- 
dale Station, is a son of David Jarvis, an iron- 
worker, of English birth. Samuel was born 
in what was known as Kensington, now a 
part of the Sixth ward. Pittsburgh; was edu- 
cated at the public schools; was employed at 
the Novelty Works, Pittsburgh, where he 
remained five years, leaving there to learn 
the plumbing business, at which lie served 
three and one-half years, and from 1858 to 
1878 he was profitably engaged in the work 
of his trade. In 1867 he came to South Fay- 
ette township and purchased a farm; he 
resides near the present village of Oakdale. 
Mr. Jarvis started in life without any great 
advantages, and has liy his own personal 
ability been alile to make life a success. He 
has retired from active business, living hap- 
pily with his sister, and looks after his farm 
and other interests. Politically he is a re- 
publican. 

John Shaw, miller, Glenshaw. His 
grandfather, John Shaw, was one of the 
pioneer millers in this county, and died Aug. 
17, 1839. aged eighty years; his wife, Eliza- 
beth Shaw, died Jan. 31, 1842, aged seventy 



years. Their son, John Shaw, wa.s born 
Feb. 21, 1800, and died Oct. 31. 1882. He 
was reared on the old Shaw homestead, and 
was a miller by trade. He built the brick 
mill on Pine creek, which superseded the old 
log saw- and grist-mill built liy his father. 
His sons, William and John, Jr., operated 
the mill the last twenty-five years of its use- 
fulness. John Shaw was a stirring man. and 
one well known far and wide. He opened a 
number of coal-mines, among others the 
Sandy creek mines, which he operated for 
many years. He also opened the mines at 
Glenshaw, and built the tramway for Spang, 
Chalfant & Co., on wliich coal was hauled to 
their mill. He married Matilda, daugliler of 
an old settler. William Courtnc}-; she was 
born July 23, 1805; she died .Sept. 13, 1879. 
Their union was blessed with the following- 
named children: William C: Mrs. Dr. Hop- 
per, of Canton. China; Mrs. John L. George, 
John, Jr., Nancy-, James, Dickson C. Alex- 
ander, Sarah C, Thomas W. and AA'alter L. 

T. M. Williams, president of Actual 
Business College, No. 1 Sixth avenue, Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., is a son of D. P. Williams, who 
was born on the homestead now occupied by 
his mother, in 1815. Rev. Matthew Williams, 
father of D. P.. was a native of Ireland, 
came to America about 1797, and settled on 
four hundred acres in what is now Richland 
township. He was one of the early Cove- 
nanter ministers. He had eleven children, 
eight of whom still live, viz.: Joseph, in 
McKeesport; Rev. John B., at While Lake, 
N. Y.; William, in Pittsburgh; Matthew, in 
Butler county; Mary, in Allegheny: Nancy 
Jane, and Annie, in Braddock. D. P. Will- 
iams always followed farming, and died in 
1882. He iiad ten living children, of whom 
James C. and Harry are proprietors of Curry 
University, Pittsburgh; J. T., Lizzie J. and 
Annie M. are in Allegheny; Maggie A.,. 
David P., Jr., Joseph D. and Gertrude 0. 
are at home. T. M. Williams is president 
of the Actual Business College of Pitts- 
burgh, coauthor of the Actual Business 
Accountant, 58G pages, and of a new and 
original system of rapid business writing. 
He is witliout a superior as a penman and 
teacher. He married Ida M.. daughter of 
Capt. H. C. Richmond, late superintendent 
of water-works and afterward of poor-farm 
of Allegheny, and has two children, Vernon 
Richmond and Percy Howard. 

Ephraim Morrow, farmer, postofflce Tal- 
ley Cavey, is a son of Richard and Mary 
(Miller) Morrow. His grandfather was a na- 
tive of County Cavan, Ireland, emigrated to 
America in 1790, and settled in Washington 
countj-. Pa. There the father of Ephraim 
was born in 1804. He was a laborer, and in 
1831 moved to thistow-nship and settled upon 
the farm where he resided uutil his death in 
1886. He held many township offices, and 
was justice of the peace for many years. 
His widow is still living. They had nine 
children, seven of whom are now living: 
Ephraim (our subject); Thomas, a livery- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



-iGS 



man in Allegheny'; Samuel Washington, a 
farmer of Richland township; LotL., a farm- 
er of Ilichliind township; Margaret, Mrs. 
James Kendall, of Fulton county. Pa.; Jane, 
Mrs. Walker Johnson, of same county; Dan- 
iel Webster, a farmer near Bakerstown; 
Richard Morrow, the youngest, took part on 
the Union side in the late rebellion, and was 
killed in the seven daj's' fight, May 6, 1864. 

Ephraim Morrow was born near Perrys- 
ville. in Ross township, in 1830, and was 
brought to this township by his parents when 
an infant. lie has always lived here and has 
followed farming as an occupation. In 18.54 
he married P^sther, daughter of Hugh and 
Esther (Ross) Douglass, of Bakerstown, and 
they have five children: Samuel D., of Rich- 
land township; Thomas M., of Richland 
township; Margaret J.. Esther D. and Rich- 
ard H. are at home. Our subject has held 
different township offices, and he and his 
family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church of Pine Creek, of which he is an 
elder. 

Joseph Rdettiger, postmaster and mer- 
chant, Etna, was born March 20, 18.57, in 
Etna, Pa., a son of Michael and Agatha 
(Ruettiger) Ruettiger. natives of Germany. 
He was educated in Etna, and at the age of 
thirteen entered the Etna Iron-works. Fif- 
teen years later, in 1885, he went into busi- 
ness, and same year was appointed post- 
master, which office he has since filled with 
ability. Mr. Ruettiger is a member of the 
Catholic Church; politically he is a demo- 
crat. 

Wii,Li.\M McCldre, farmer, Mononga- 
hela City, is a descendant of Abdiel McClure, 
his great-grandfather, who came from Lj'- 
coming county. Pa., about 17T0, and settled 
nine miles above Pittsburgh, on lands now 
occupied bj- Homestead and the cit3' poor- 
farm. James, the fourth son, remained in 
Lycoming county. Elizabeth, his only 
daughter, married John Hoge, and settled 
in Washington, Washington county. Pa. 
Abdiel, with his three sous, William, John 
andDenn}'. settled in the Monongahela val- 
ley. Of these, William settled in what is 
now Forward township, on lands now owned 
by James Patrick and Mrs. Louisa Wallace; 
John on the present site of Homestead bor- 
ough, and Denny near Wheeling. Our sub- 
ject's grandfather, William, was a justice of 
the peace, and did an immense business as 
an official, being held in high esteem by all; 
having received a liberal education, and such 
advantages not being as accessible as at pres- 
ent, he became deservedly prominent in his 
section. James, father of William, was born 
where the family first settled, Aug. 6, 1785, 
and married Elizabeth Applegate. They 
had seven children: Maria, Eliza. Jane and 
Aaron (all decea.sed), Harvey, a druggist in 
Elizabeth; James and William, both resid- 
ing in Forward township. 

William was born on his grandfather's old 
farm. May 30, 1811, and Sept. 39. 1836, mar- 
ried Jane, daughter of John and .Jane Storer, 



of what is now Forward township. To them 
were born five children, only two of whom are 
living: Sarah, now Mrs. John K. Long, and 
Joseph A., who was in the army througliout 
the war, and is at present in South Carolina. 
Mrs. McClure's death occurred Aug. 14, 1848. 
and Mr, McClure ne.xt married Hju-riet N. 
Lyle, of Cross Creek, Washington county. 
Their only living child, Clarence, resides on 
the farm adjoining his father. Mr. McClure's 
present wife is Sarah, daughter of James and 
Hannah (Mason) Kerr, of Washington count}', 
and natives of Northampton county. There 
are but two of her parents' children living: 
Rev. John Kerr, of Monongahela City, and 
Sarah, wife of William McClure, both of 
whom are members of the Presbyterian 
Church of Monongahela City. Mr. McClure 
came to his farm when it was a forest, made 
all the improvements, erected the present 
buildings, and has made of what was once 
a wild wood a delightful suburban residence, 
known as Evergreen farm. 

James Wallace, farmer, postoflJce Stur- 
geon, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 
1838. In 1848 Charles Wallace, who followed 
weaving in his native country, came to 
America and purchased a farm inSoulh Fay- 
ette township, on Battle ridge, known as the 
Dunlevy farm, and there resided for twent}' 
years; he married Mary Gamble, and by her 
had nine children, all of whom are dead but 
two; he died in 1873, aged seventy two years. 
James, whose name heads this sketch, was 
educated at the common schools in this 
country, and has always been a farmer. He 
married, in 1864, Mary A., daughter of Hugh 
and Mary (Bel!) Sproul, of this county, and 
six children have been born to them, four 
living: Minnie B., Joseph F.. Nettie J. and 
Ralph S. Mrs. Wallace died in 1886, aged 
forty-six years. Mr. Wallace and family are 
members of the U. P. Church. 

Hugh Sproul (deceased), father of Mrs. 
Wallace, was a descendant of one of the 
pioneers of South Fayette township, also 
named Hugh, who took up and settled on 
four hundred acres of land, at that time a 
vast wood tract. He married Ann Hamble- 
ton, who bore him a large family, among 
whom was Hugh, Jr., the father of Mrs. 
Wallace. He was born in 1797 and died in 
1873. Hugh, Jr., married Mary, daughter of 
John and Mary (Jackson) Bell, and became 
the father of two children: Mary A. (Mrs. 
Wallace) and Sarali Jane (Mrs. Sterling). 
His widow, now in her seventy-eighth year, 
resides on the home farm, and is remarkably 
active and well preserved for a lady of her 
advanced age. 

Jamks Gray, farmer, post office Negley, 
was born in Allegheny county, Feb. 10, 1815, 
a son of George and Jane (Hope) Gray, who 
were born in Washingion count}'. Pa., June 
25, 1791, and August 31, 1791, respectively. 
His grandparents were William and Mary 
(Borland) Gray, who came from east of the 
mountains and settled here at a very early 
day, the former born in 1762 and died in 1794;. 



464 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



the latter died in 1838, aged seventy-two 

5 ears. Ilis maternal grandparents "were 
ames and Jane (McPherson) Hope, former 
of whom was born Jan. 22, 1758, and died in 
182.S. aged seventy years; the latter died in 
18;i9, aged seventy-six j'cars. George Gray, 
father of oursulijict. learned the blacksmith's 
trade, which he followed ahoiil twentj'-five 
jears, and then began farming. He was the 
father of six sons and two danghters and 
•celebrated the si.xtieth anniversary of his 
marriage, all the children being present. He 
•died in 1876, his wife in 1878. James Gray, 
•on leaving school, learned the blacksmith's 
trade, which he followed for fifteen years 
two miles east of Turtle Creel;, on the Pitts- 
burgh & Greensbiirg turnpike-road. In 
18.50 he bought and in 1851 moved to his 
present farm, on which he erected all the 
buildings. He sold fifty acres of coal-land 
at SlOO to $300 per acre, and through his 
influence and energy the New York Coal- 
works were started, and the branch of the 
Allegheny road was built. He was reared a 
ilemocrat, but adopted the republican plat- 
form, taking a strong stand for abolition, and 
in the cause of temperance. His name was 
•on the first ticket of the liberty party in this 
county. 

Mr. Gray married, March 31, 1836, Rachel 
Hughey, who was born at Turtle Creek in 
1817, a daughter of Joseph and Eleanor 
(Stewart) Hughey, and six children were 
born to them, three of whom are living: 
Col. Joseph H., ex-sheriff of this county; 
Cyrus S.. clerk of the orphans' court, and 
Jennie H. (Mrs. Joel Monroe), who carries 
on Mr. Gray's farm. The deceased are Oliver 
P., who died at the age of four years; 
James, at the age of sixteen years, and" Ella, 
at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gray are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. They have lived to celebrate their 
golden wedding. Every year they travel 
considerably. 

JosuuA Stephenson, retired, postofBce 
Mansfield Valley, was born in the county of 
Durham, England, in 1816. In 1818 his father, 
Joseph Stephenson, with his wife and four 
children, came to America, and soon after 
their arrival settled in Pittsburgh, then a 
town of eight thousand people. Joseph was 
a butcher in America, and his high apprecia- 
tion of our American government and the ad- 
vantages offered to willing people were ably 
set forth in his letters to friends across the 
ocean. He died in Pittsburgh in 1822. His 
widow later became the wife of Charles J. 
Naylor, who had been a slaveholder in Ja- 
maica, West Indies, later in life a farmer, and 
who came to America in 1821. He was pro- 
ficient in several languages. Joshua Stephen- 
son, the subject of this memoir, was but 
«even years old when his father died. He 
received most of his education at home under 
the able instruction of his stepfather, and at 
eighteen he learned the trade of blacksmith, 
which he followed for ten years. He then 
•engaged in farming in Scott township, and 



since 1850 has led a retired life. Mr. Stephen- 
son married Ellen Bell, and by her he had 
two children, one yet living, John \V. His 
second marriage was with Mary E. Hoffman, 
daughter of P. N. and Elizabeth Hoffman, 
of Martinsburg, Va., and one daughter, 
Adele H., has blessed their union. Mr. 
Stephenson is independent in politics, but 
upon national issues he supports the repub- 
lican candidates. 

John H. Oi.ivek, Mansfield, was born in 
Washington, Pa., in 1820. William L. Oliver, 
his father, was l)orn in Washington, and 
was a son of David, who came there from 
New Jersey at an early date. David was a 
shoemaker by trade, and later in life a farmer. 
William L. was a hatter, which tr.ade he suc- 
cessfully carried on in Washington, Pa., 
having a branch business in Pittsburgh. He 
married Mrs. Eliza B. Huston, who is now 
living, aged eighty-six j'ears. William L. 
died in 1833, aged thirty -five years. Born to 
these parents were three children, two of 
whom are living, John H. (the eldest) and 
Elizabeth (Mrs. Hart). John II. was edu- 
cated at the common scliools. and at fifteen 
j'ears of age went to Pittsburgh, where he 
learned the tinsmith's trade, serving an 
apprenticeship of four years. He followed 
that business through life, and was for thir- 
teen years extensively engaged for himself in 
Pittsburgh. Mr. Oliver" married, in 18.50, 
Matilda Lenfesley, daughter of John Len- 
festey, originally of France. Two children 
were born to their union: John L. (deceased) 
and Mar^- E., at home. Since 1872 Mr. Oliver 
has been a resident of Mansfield. He has to 
a great extent retired from business, but has 
a store, where he finds pleasure in spending 
his time. He owns a country-seat, and is 
content to take tlie world as it comes. He 
has served on the school board and in the 
town council, and is a member of the M. E. 
Church. 

Robert W. Glenn, farmer, postoftice 
Noblestown. About the year 1790 William 
Glenn, with his family aftd four brothers, 
emigrated to America from Ireland and set- 
tled in New York. Robert, a son, was then 
but two years old, and when quite a boj- 
commenced the study of medicine, gradu- 
ating in New York city when eighteen years 
old. He came to Allegheny county in 1810, 
commenced the practice of his profession, 
and was the first, and at that time the only, 
physician in that section. He married Mar- 
garet, daughter of John McDonald. Sr. , an 
old pioneer in Pennsylvania. Born to Dr. 
and Mrs. Glenn were six children, three of 
whom are now living: John, M. D., Martha 
N., Mary M, (deceased), Robert W., James, 
M. D. (deceased) and William (deceased). 
The doctor purchased seventy-five acres of 
land near Noblestown. which is still owned 
by his sons. The house erected on the lot 
purchased at Noblestown is still standing in 
a good state of preservation. Dr. Glenn 
died in 1837. aged fifty-two years, and his 
widow in 1860, aged seventy-five j'ears. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



465 



John and Robert W. now reside on the 
homestead. The Glenn family are among 
the most prominent in this section of Alle- 
gheny county, are members of the Presby- 
terian Church, and republicans. 

William C. Hekkox. farmer, postofflce 
Noblestown, was born in Pittsburgh, in 1820. 
In May. 1811, John and Martha (Anderson) 
Herron left Ireland, being then just two 
weeks married, and after a voyage of six 
months arrived at Norfolk. Va., Nov. 8, 1811. 
They came to Baltimore, Md., where, after 
a stay of one month. Mr. Herron, in corn- 
pan}' with his wife, commenced his journey 
to Pittsburgh. His mode of travel was 
with six horses and a heavy wagon, and after 
■twenty-one days tliey arrived at their desti- 
nation. There he resided until 1837, when 
he moved to Noblestown. purchased 325 
acres of land, and there remained until his 
death, which occurred when he was seventy- 
seven years of age. Six children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Herron, William C. b&iug 
the lifth child. He was educated at the 
■common schools, and since sixteen years of 
4ige has resided on his present farm. He is a 
member of the U. P. Church. 

Samuel Morgan (deceased) was a son 
of John Morgan, who came to this 
•county about 1780, and settled upon three 
hundred acres of land oa Miller's run. 
There he erected a mill which he oper- 
4ited in connection with farming. He 
married a Miss Ewing. who bore him two 
children. Of these, Samuel, the elder, at 
the death of his father came into possession 
of the property. His first wife, nee Margaret 
Hurry, bore him six daughters, all of whom 
are ctead. His second wife, nee Margaret 
McGrew, of Westmoreland county, bore him 
six children, three of whom are living: 
Alexander, Elizabeth andLydia (Mrs. Stiely). 
Samuel was a millwright, a trade he followed 
all his life. Alexander and his sister now 
reside on the property which their father 
purchased, and which tUey own. Mr. Mor- 
gan was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

The Gilfillan Family. Squire Alexan- 
der Giltillan, the pioneer of this family, came 
from Scotland in 1780, settled in Allegheny 
county, and took up four hundred acres of 
land on Chartiers creek, where he remained 
until his death. He married Margaret Boyd, 
who bore him ten children. He was the first 
justice of the peace in his township (then St. 
Clair), and filled the office for forty years. 
He was an elder in the U. P. Church of Mt. 
Lebanou, was always a farmer, and was a 
prominent man in his day. John, the second 
son, born on this tract in 1785, married Mar- 
garet Fife, who bore hira four children, all 
of whom died when young with the exception 
of a son, John, who was the third child, born 
in 1826. He was born and reared on the 
farm purchased bj' his grandfather, Alexan- 
der, and educated at public schools and 
Bethel Academy. He was elected to the 
Jegislaturc in 1863 and 1872, and in 1876 



represented Allegheny county in the senate. 
He was a public-spirited man, taking an 
active part in politics and all public enter- 
prises. He married Eleanor, daughter of 
Samuel Ewing, of South Fayette township, 
and five children were born to them, four now 
living: Maggie, Loretta, Ella and Alexander, 
the only son, who was educated at Western 
University and graduated in 1879. He com- 
menced tile study of law in 1881, under John 
G. Bryant, and was admitted to the bar in 
1883, since when he has practiced his profes- 
sion in Pittsburgh, This family are members 
of the U. P. Church; politically he is a repub- 
lican. 

Alexander Gilfillan, Sr., was born in 
this county in 1831. His father, Andrew B., 
the third child born to Alexander and Mar- 
garet Boyd, a farmer b}- occupation, married 
Ann Caldwell, who became the mother of 
eight children, Alexander, our subject, being 
the eldest son. Andrew settled on the farm 
now owned by Alexander, and died in 1873. 
aged eighty-three years. Alexander was 
born and reared on his present farm, and 
owns two hundred of the four hundred acres 
purchased Ijy his father. He was educated at 
the common schools, and married, in 1857, 
Margaret, daughter of George Aiken, of 
Pittsburgh. Seven children were born to 
this union, all of whom are living. Mr. Gil- 
fillan is recognized as one of the most prom- 
inent citizens of Upper St. Clair township. 
He is a member of the U. P. Church; politic- 
ally a republican. 

William Gilfillan (deceased) was born 
in 1839 and died March 7. 1879. He was a 
son of Andrew and Ann (Caldwell) Gilfillan, 
and grandson of Alexander and Margaret 
(Boyd) Gilfillan; was born and reared on the 
farm, and followed agricultural pursuits 
through life. He was a student at Bethel 
Academy. At the time of his death he owned 
135 acres of land, where his widow and chil- 
dren now reside. Mr. Gilfillan was married 
in 1865 to Martha J., daughter of James 
and Martha (Cubbage) Vincent, and by her 
had two children: James V. and Ann Cald- 
well. The family are members of the U. P. 
Church; politically he was a republican. 

John Porter, Esq. "In the scarlet splen- 
dor of the summer morn, July 12, 1825, he 
was born," near old Drumore, Ireland. 

Early in life the family emigrated to 
America, and after a perilous voyage over 
sea and mountains took up their residence 
in Robinson township, this county. At the 
death of the father, they removed to Pitts- 
burgh, then, compared with the present city, 
a small place. At the early age of twelve 
the subject of this sketch entered the employ- 
ment of Jones & Coleman as a carriage- 
spring apprentice, afterward becoming fore- 
man of that department of the mill, and the 
acknowledged leader of car- and carriage- 
spring-makers in the city. He remained 
with this industry about thirty _years. On 
October 3, 1847, he married MissEliza Jane 
Dunseath, a worth}' Christian lady, also a 



•4G6 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



resident of Pittsburgh. This happy cotiple 
were blessed with two sons and two daugli- 
ters. .Jfimcs Oscar, superintendent of the 
Ironton (Ohio) Nail-works; Ida, now Mrs. 
Samuel .J. Brown, who resides on a part of the 
old homestead, in Penn township; John, 
a practicing physician of McKeesport, this 
county; Eva, the youngest, at home. Al- 
ways possessed of a keen taste for nature, 
in iy,")9 Mr. Porter's ambition to own a 
country home was gratified. This he named 
Salem Uights. and, on a beautiful eminence 
overlooking the picturesque Allegheny val- 
ley, in after years he built his mansion home, 
which he surrounded by fruit and shade trees, 
vines and flowers of the choicest varieties. 
In this lovely home the beloved wife of his 
youth and daughter Eva now live. 

In politics Squire Porter was clean and 
honest, acting most of his life with the repub- 
lican party, onl3' stepping aside when he 
thought them in the wrong. His religious 
belief was always clear and generous, hating 
hypocrisy, and dwelling with pleasure upon 
the immortality of the soul. An active and 
respected member of Mount Hope Lodge, 
I. O. O. F., serving them many years as 
representative iu the grand lodge, also of 
the Verona Lodge, No. 548, F. & A. M., 
having been a charter member of both, they 
followed him in their respective bodies to his 
last resting-place. Having not j-et reached 
on life's highway the stone that marks the 
highest point, he became weary, and in the 
wintry hush of the eventide, Feb. 26, 1884, 
he died at his home, Penn township. In the 
family burial-lot, on a lovely sloping mound, 
in the Allegheny cemetery, while the setting 
sun threw a splendor of glistening shadows 
over the beautiful snow, beside his dear old 
mother, loving hearts bade him " good 
night." 

Dead ? No 1 
There is no deatli 1 what seems so is traasiiion : 

This life of mortal breath 
Is but asuburb of the life elysian. 

Whose portal we call death I 

WiLLi.\M Wilson, Sr., farmer, postofflce 
Broughton, was born Jul3' 3. 1820, on the 
farm he now owns, a son of William and 
Sarah (Morrow) Wilson, also natives of this 
county, born .Jan. 8, 1792, and Aug. 19, 1796, 
respectively, and parents of five sons and 
two daughters, four of whom are now living. 
William Wilson, grandfather of our subject, 
came from Ireland. The subject of this 
sketch married, in 1848, Marie H. Williams, 
born in Washington count}' March 8, 1823, a 
daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Reed) 
Williams. Her father was a ruling elder in 
the church of Jlingo, and trustee of Jefferson 
College; also a director of the Western Tlie- 
ological Seminary of Allegheny; he was born 
in Washington county Feb. 3, 1783, and died 
Sept. 2, 1.S60; his wife was born near Win- 
chester, Va., and died Nov. 26, 182.5. Mrs. 
Wilson's grandfather, Aaron Williams, was 
born in '\Vales May 3, 1753, and his wife, 
Elizabeth Coe, was born in New Jersey 



March 9, 1761. Her great-grandfather, Josiah 
Williams, married Phebe Rodgers. Four chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson: 
Lewis William Benjamin, |)rincipal of the 
public schools at San Jose, Cal., married to 
Alice Blyth. of the same place; Sarah L., 
married to James Esby, of Upper St. Clair 
township; Ada Mary Jane, married to Robert 
Warnock, of Princeton, Iiid; Fremont Sam- 
uel, at home with his father. Mr. Wilson is 
one of the oldest residents of Snowdeii town- 
ship. He bought his present place from his 
fatlier iu 18.50, began farming for himself, 
and has been very successful. He is an elder 
iu Bethel Church, of which his wife is also a 
member. He is a republican. 

William E. Edmundson, farmer, post- 
office Rf-niington, was born in 1857, a son 
of James Edmundson, whose father, Joseph 
j;dmundson. was born near McKeesport, and 
iu 1828 came to Robinson township, where 
he purchased 250 acres of land; he married 
Sarah Muse, and they had five children, three 
of whom, John, Sarah and James, grew to 
maturity. James was the tliird son, and was 
born in 1838; he married Eliza Ann Robin- 
son, and to them were born eleven children, 
four of whom are now living: William E., 
George R., Ida E. and James A. James, Sr., 
was killed in 1871 by a kick from a horse. 
His widow now resides at her home, part of 
a valuable tract of land left her by her hus- 
band. William, our subject, was educated 
at the public schools in the township; he 
married Lida J., daughter of John Harbison, 
and they have two children: Mary Ethel and 
Jessie Eliza. Mr. Edmundson now owns 
one hundred acres of land, which is part of 
the 350 acres purchased by his grandfather. 
His grandparents and his parents, until 1870, 
were members of the Methodist Church, 
since which time the family have been active 
members of the Presb3'terian Church. Po- 
litically Mr. Edmundson is a republican. 

John Holmes, farmer, postoffice Putnam, 
wasborninFiudlayville, Allegheny countj'.in 
1826. eldest sou of William Holmes. and grand- 
son of Andrew Holmes, the former a native of 
Alleghenv county; the latter came to Wheel- 
ing, W. Va., in 1777, his ancestors being 
from the north of Ireland. Some time pre- 
vious to the year 1800 Andrew came to Alle- 
gheny countj-, where he followed the pur- 
suit of farming. He married Fannie Wells, 
and to them were born seven children, four 
daughters and three sons. William, the 
youngest son, married Abigal, daughter of 
Benjamin Higby. and to them were born two 
sons and six daughters. William was a 
farmer, and died in Ohio. Grandmother 
Holmes and Andrew Morgan were first cous- 
ins. Her father and Andrew Morgan's 
mother were brother and sister. Morgan's 
mother's maiden name was Wells. Sarah 
Mitchner. Morgan's daughter, informs the 
writer that she was a second cousin to Mor- 
gan the rebel general. John Holmes, the 
subject of this memoir, was educated at the 
public schools in the county, and has always 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



467 



followed farming. He was married iu 1853 
to Delilah Registers, of Washington couuty, 
and ten children were born to them, of whom 
the following-named seven are living; Catha- 
rine, Sadie, Florence, Ella, Nancy, Hannah 
and John. In 1854 Mr, Holmes came to his 
present farm,and purchased thirty-flve acres, 
afterward ninety, and now owns one hundred 
and twenty-five. He is a republican. 

Capt. Jacob Lashell (deceased), steam- 
boat-owner, captain, boat-builder, lumber- 
manufacturer and farmer, was born in Adams 
county, Pa., July 13, 1813, a sou of Jacob and 
Mary E. (Clark) Lashell, natives of Adams 
county. The grandfather of the subject of 
this sketch was George Lashell, of Adams 
couuty, who bad a stage-line and a hotel. 
Capt. Lashell came to Allegheny county in 
1836 with Robert Cochran, and located at 
what is now Lashell's Feny. They cut wood 
for steamboats the first winter, aud Lashell 
went on the river. He soon became captain, 
then owner of the Caroline, Beulah and Mar- 
ket Boy, and was part owner of the Meluotte. 
He made seventy trips to New Orleans, and 
was an able and intelligent man. He was 
united in marriage Jan. 9, 1839, with Sarah 
A. Boley, who was born on her father's 
homestead, near Lashell's Ferry, Moon town- 
ship, Allegheny county, Pa., Dec. 27, 1823, a 
daughter of John aud Mary (Downard) 
Boley, natives of Washington county. Pa. 
Mr. Boley served in the war of 1813. To 
Capt. and Mrs. Lashell were born four 
children: Mary, drowned at the age of ten 
years; George A., married to Margaret Mc- 
Elherren, and residing in Allegheny, Pa.; 
John R., married to Elizabeth Onstott, and 
residing near Sharon, Moou township, and 
Leauora L., wife of William McKown, in 
Robinson township. Capt. Lashell was 
county commissioner one term; was a dele- 
gate to the democratic convention, and was 
county supervisor many years. He was also 
justice of the peace for fifteen years. He 
died April II. 1886. Mrs. Lashell and fam- 
ily are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
She still owns the old place aud ferry. 

John A. Newton, druggist. West Eliza- 
beth, a son of William and Mary Jane (Mc- 
Elbenny) Newtou, was born in West Eliza- 
beth borough in 1850. His father was a native 
of Baltimore, Md., and when a boy became 
a sailor and followed the seas until be arrived 
at maturity. He came here and readily found 
employment as ship-carpenter. His wife 
was a descendant of one of the pioneer fam- 
ilies of Western Pennsylvania, and to them 
were born two children — John A. and C. A. 
William Newton died in 1854; his widow 
afterward married Louis Jester, and the}' are 
now resideuts of West Elizabeth borough. 
John A. made his home with his step-grand- 
father, Willej'. until thirteen years of age, 
when he went to his mother's home and re- 
mained with her until 1873. He married 
Sarah, daughter of A. W. and Rebecca Bedell, 
of West Elizabeth, after which he engaged 
in the drus: trade, which he still follows. 



During the epidemic of scarlet fever which 
prevailed here in 1880 they lost their first 
three children — Walter S. . Mary E. and 
Washington O. They now have two chil- 
dren — Ada L. and Emma B. 

A. W. Bedell, retired. West Elizabeth, 
son of Andrew and Rebecca (Ferree) Bedell, 
was born in JefEerson township in 1821. His 

frandfather, Abner, came here from New 
ersey, was a soldier in the Revolution, and as- 
sisted Lafayette from the field when wounded. 
He located at Horse-Shoe bottom, above 
Monongahela City, in Washington county. 
Upon this place Andrew, father of A. W., 
was born, about 1794. In 1809 Abner pur- 
chased a farm (of which John Wright was 
patentee) in JefEerson township, where they 
resided until 1824, when they removed to 
Elizabeth township, where they lived and 
died, Abner in 1874, his wife in 1878. In 
1820 Andrew married Rebecca, daughter of 
Joel and Christian (Kerkeudall) Ferree, of 
Jefferson township, and their children were 
Mary (the late Mrs. Lewis Hoffman, of Jef- 
ferson township), Joel (now in Charleston, 
W. Va.), Calvin (in Jefferson township), 
Amanda (now Mrs. .James McKowen, of 
Elizabeth), William (who resides at the old 
homestead), Sarah (now Mrs, Frederick 
Rhodes, of South Side), Andrew and Re- 
becca (both deceased) and A. W. Bedell (of 
West Elizabeth). In the spring of 1828 the 
father bought and removed to a farm in 
Jefferson township (of which Z. Wright was 
patentee). 

May 14, 1846, the subject of this memoir 
married Rebecca, daughter of Jacob and Jane 
Aber, of Jefferson township, and settled on 
the farm adjoining his old home, where he 
remained until the spring of 1868. when lie 
purchased a farm still owned by him, and 
upon which they resided until four years ago. 
He then removed to his present place of resi- 
dence in West Elizabeth. Their children 
were Eliza J. (deceased wife of Joseph Lytic, 
of Washington county), Amanda (wife of 
William Lytle, of Washington county), Sarah 
(now Mrs. John A. Newton, of West Eliza- 
beth), Agnes (now Mrs. Florence Shepler, of 
Beaver county), Mary (now Mrs. George 
Cochran, of .Jefferson township) and Emma 
(now Mrs. Dora Moffatt, of Waj'nesburg, 
Greene county). Mr. Bedell has never sought 
political distinction, but has been identified 
with his township oflScially, and is known as 
a sturdy democrat. 

George Richet, retired farmer, post- 
oSice Verona, was born in County Down, 
Ireland, in 1805, and was reared on a farm. 
He married Marj' Cherry, came to America 
about 1847, and rented in Penn township, 
being eighteen years on one place at 
Vernor (now Verona) station. About fifteen 
years ago he purchased twenty-one acres 
near Verona, and has made his home there 
ever since. His faithful helpmeet passed 
away in 1886, aged seventj'-six years. The 
family is associated with the U. P. Church, 
and includes nine children, now living: Will- 



4G8 



niSTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



iam M., Mary (Osborne), George, Maggie 
(Hearn). Kancy, James, .leniiie, Tliomas and 
Priscilla (Scotl); Frank, Ibe eighth born, 
died at tin; age of twenty-seven. 

William McCammon Riciiey, farmer, 
postofficc Verona, was born in County Down, 
Ireland, .July 9. 18;i0. lie received a limited 
education, but is a reader and keeps abreast 
of tlie times. Since coming t" America be 
lias earned his own living, attending to the 
farm. In 1867 he purc^hased tlie farm of 
thirty-six acres on which be dwells, and with 
rented ground now tills about one hundred 
acres. He is an elder in Ibe U. P. Church; 
politically a republican. He has se;ved as 
school director, was collector eight years, and 
is now register assessor. In September, 18.'56, 
he married Lucinda Stale}', who died in 
1883, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Rose) Staley. and a native of Allegheny 
county. Of her fourteen children nine sur- 
vive ber: Mary Elizabeth, William G., 
Sadie, Maggie. James, Ida, Harry, Raymond 
and Clifford. 

John DooLiTTLE, retired, postofiice Mans- 
field Valley, was born in West Virginia 
in 1813, one of a family of eleven chil- 
dren, of whom Jacob and John survive. 
(See sketch of Jacob Doolittle. ) John re- 
ceived his primary education in an old log 
schoolhouse situated in the woods near his 
father's farm, which comprised some two or 
three hundred acres; and after be bad learned 
his trade, bricklaying, in Waynesburg, 
Greene count}', he attended school again 
tliree winters. In 1831 he came to Pittsburgh 
(which place he bad visited with his brother 
in 1828), and here worked at his trade for a 
time; then with his brother moved to Bir- 
mingham, now known as South Side, and 
here resided twent3'-five years, engaged in 
bricklaying. Here be served two terms in 
the tovpn council, one term as school director, 
and as juryman when the old courthouse 
stood where the market-house now is. Mr. 
Grier being judge. Moving to the Browns- 
ville road, in Baldwin township, Mr. Doo- 
little lived there six years, serving as school 
director three years; then came to near 
Mansfield, in Scott township, where he also 
served as school director three years (war 
period). He now resides in Mansfield, retired 
from active work, but superintending his 
farm, which he bad carried on several years. 

Mr. Doolittle has been twice married, 
first in 1836 to Anna Eliza Noble, and second, 
in 1840, to Elizabeth Duncan. He has had 
twelve children, four being now deceased. 
He is a member of the M. E. Church; polit- 
ically a republican. 

John S. Stewart, farmer, postoflSce 
White Ash. was born at Stewart's station, 
Westmoreland county, Jan. 5. 1837. His 
great-grandfather, John Stewart, born in 
Ireland, of Scotch blood, was a strict Pres- 
byterian, as are his descendants. John 
Stewart, sou of the latter, very early came 
from the eastern part of the state, and settled 
in Elizabeth township, this county. He was 



an ofBcer of the state militia. His son John, 
born in Elizabeth, married Margaret Shaw, 
a native of this county, and bad six sons ami 
one daughter: Jean (Mrs. William Shaw), 
John S., David S., Samuel S.. M. D.. Thomas 
S., William S.. M. D., and Robert E.. an at- 
torney. Robert E. went out as a soldier in 
the 23d regiment (was promoted to major, 
brevet colonel) and William in the 83d. 
John S. read most of the Latin course, took 
the sophomore course at Washington Col- 
lege, and taught school several winters. He 
had a farm at Logan's Ferrj', where he dwelt 
several years, fn 1867 he bought a farm 
near Unity, and twenty years later purchased 
the farm of sixty-eight acres on which he 
now resides, near Sandy creek, and sold the 
first farm to his sons. He married, in 18.54, 
Martha Jane Clark, a native of Penn town- 
ship, who died in 1867. She was a daughter 
of Robert and Ann Jane (Matthews) Clark, 
of Irish birth. On the first day of 1884 Mr. 
Stewart's second marriage took place, the 
bride being Viola N. Boyd. The family is 
identified with the United Presbyterian 
Church at Verona. Mr. Stewart is president 
of the township school board, and is a stanch 
republican. His eldest son, Samuel E., an 
attorney, served in tlie legislature of 1886, 
and was re-elected, in 1888. on the repub- 
lican ticket; his other son, William S., grad- 
uated from a medical college of Philadelphia 
in 1887, and took the first honor. 

Joseph Campbell, farmer, postoffice 
iNoblestown, was born in County Down, Ire- 
land, in 1826, a son of William and Nancy 
Jane (Summerville) Campbell, who were the 
parents of six children. The parents came 
with five children to America and immedi- 
ately settled in Fayette (now South Fayette) 
township, this county. The father rented a 
farm. on which Ihey resided live years, at the 
end of which time he purchased 130 
acres of land, all now owned by his 
sons, James and Joseph. The land on 
which Joseph resides is part of a tract owntd 
by Mr. Dunlevy. an old pioneer of Alle- 
gheny county. William Campbell died in 
1881. aged eighty-five years. He was three 
times married; his first wife died in 1837. and 
by his last two marriages there were no 
children. Joseph, the subject of this sketch, 
was educated at the common schools of 
South Fayette township, and has always 
been a farmer; he purchased eighty acres of 
land in 1861. and is now the owner of a hand- 
some home and a fine farm of 150 acres. He 
married, in 18.52, Margaret, daughter of 
John Johnson, of Fa3-ette township, and 
three children were born to this marriage, 
two living: J. J. (assisting on the farm) and 
Lizzie J. Mrs. Campbell died in 1887, aged 
fifty-three years. 

Thomas Campbell (deceased) was the 
youngest of nine children born to John 
Campbell, who emigrated to America about 
1840. and settled "in Allegheny county. 
Thomas married, in 18.58. Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Barkley) Hop- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



AQd> 



per, of this county. Their uniou was blessed 
with one son, Samuel John, born in 1860. in 
South Fayette township. He was educated 
at the public schools, at Oakdale Academy, 
and graduated at Iron City College in 1881. 
Samuel now resides with his mother on the 
farm purchased in 1867. Thomas died in 
1874, aged flfty-lhree years. The family are 
members of the U. P. Church. 

The Ross Family. Among the first set- 
tlers of the part of Allegheny count}- where 
Mansfield lies was the pioneer of this family, 
Philip Ross, who came from Maryland about 
1778. He was born in Dorchester county, 
Md., in 1733, and died in Mansfield Valley in 
1813. He married Elizabeth Casey, a daugh- 
ter of Peter and Maudaline Casey, of Hamp- 
shire couiiij', Va.; she was born in 1745 and 
died in 1813. To this union were born five 
sons and three daughters. Philip took up 
some ei.gbt hundred acres of land from the 
government, wbicb was divided equally be- 
tween bis sons, Capt. Peter and Col. John. 
Capt. Peter married Matilda South, a lady 
from New Jersey, and two sons and four 
daughters were "born to them. Peter was 
educated at Jefferson College, but always 
followed tlie occupation of farming. The 
names of his children were; Casey, Euphe- 
mia, Peter, Matilda, Elizabeth and Emaliue. 
The last mentioned is now the only surviving 
member of the family, and is the wife of 
David Foster. 

J. Nelson Ewing, farmer, postofiBce Oak- 
dale Station, was born in Allegheny county, 
Pa.,April29,1821, a son of William and grand- 
son of Alexander Ewing. He was reared on a 
farm in Robinson township, and educated at 
the common schools. In 1844 he came to North 
Fayette township and purchased ninety acres 
of his present home. He married Margaret, 
daughter of Parker Lorain and granddaughter 
of Mrs. Steivert,who was a Miss Walker, and 
with her sister and brother was captured by 
the Indians. To Mr. and Mrs. Ewing three 
children have been born: Eliza Jane (Mrs. 
Bell), Anna (Mrs. Glass) and Amice M., at- 
tending school. Mr. Ewing is a highly re- 
spected citizen, has filled township offices and 
was justice of the peace ten years. He.is a 
member of the U. P. Church; politically, a 
stancb democrat. 

John Heeshey, farmer, postoffice Neg- 
lej', the largest real-estate holder in Penn 
township, was born in 1816. His father. 
Christian Hershey, was born in York county. 
Pa., of German MooS, and married Nancy 
N. Stoner, of Fulton (then Bedford) county. 
They came to Penu township between 1810 
and 1816, and settled where John Hershey 
resides. Christian was a whig, and was elect- 
ed supervisor and tax-collector. His father 
bore the same name, and probablj' came from 
Germany. John is the fourth of six children 
born to Christian and Nancy Hershey, for- 
mer of whom died in 1859, and latter in 1865, 
each aged about seventy-five years. Their 
children are Mary (Stotler), Ann (Adair), 
deceased; Betsey (Newcomer), John, Chris- 



tian and Susan (Soles). John Hershey in- 
herited the homestead, to which he has added 
by industry and shrewd management. He- 
now owns five hundred acres in the township, 
besides a farm in Wilkins and property in 
the East End. and gives his whole attention 
to stock-raising; also owns a half interest in 
a first-class roller flouriug-mill in Saltsburg, 
Pa. In 1866 he married Elizabeth Conliffe, 
born in Soho, a daughter of Charles and Eliz- 
abeth Conliffe, of this county, of English 
descent. Mr. Hershe^'s children are Kate, 
Elizabeth Jane, Mary, Daisy and Harry- 
Walter. 

Joseph Hughey, farmer, postoffice Neg- 
ley, is a grandson of John Hughey, a revolu- 
tionary soldier. His father, Joseph, was born- 
in Patton, and his mother, Eleanor (Stewart). 
in Westmoreland county. Joseph Hughej^ 
was born in Patton, July 5, 1828, and was 
reared on a farm, attending the free schools 
from sixteen until twenty-one. In the spring 
of 1838 he took up his residence on his pres- 
ent farm. In 1852 he married Mary M. John- 
ston, born in Penn (then Wilkins) township, 
a daughter of William and Sarah Johnston, 
natives of this county. Mrs. Hughey died 
in 1887, aged fiftj'-five years. The family is 
associated with the IJ. P. Church. Mr. 
Hughey is a republican, served as justice of 
the peace ten years, and has filled other 
offices. He has eight children living: Will- 
iam Francis, an attorney in Verona; Charles 
Morrow, at home; Sarah, wife of George- 
Reiter. in East Liberty; Joseph G., in Kansas 
City; Ella, Harry .1., JohnK. and Thomas J., 
at home. Rachel G. (the firstborn) died 
the wife of John Aber, of Patton; Olivia 
Jane (the eighth) died when three years old. 

David Riggs, farmer, postoffice Library^ 
was born May 3, 1822, in Washington county,. 
Pa., a son of John and Mary (Phillips) Riggs. 
John was born March 13, 1800, in Washing- 
ton county, on the farm now owned by his. 
son David, on which he passed bis entire life 
save a few years; he died Feb. 28, 1848. His. 
wife was born in Washington county. Pa., 
April 13, 1800, and died Jan. 25, 1882. David's, 
grandfather, Edward Riggs, a native of New 
Jersey, settled on the Rig.gs farm Dec. 25, 
1801, and died in September, 1844; his wife, 
nee Mary Higbee, died in May, 1853. David 
Riggs was six }'ears old when his father re- 
turned to the old farm in Washington county. 
He is the eldest of eleven children, and at the^ 
death of his father took charge of the family. 
His brothers and sisters are as follows: Sarah 
(Mrs. Murray, in Ohio), Edward R. (in Illi- 
nois), Josiah (in Leadville, Colo.), Lewis- 
(died Oct. 20, 1884), Joseph (in Leadville, 
Colo.), John P. (at Mt. Washington. Pitts- 
burg — he served three years in the civil war)^ 
Robert L. (in McKeesport, Pa.), William J.,. 
M. D. (at Fifteenth street, Pittsburgh), Oba- 
diah H. (just graduated at Brooklyn Medical 
College), and Isaac W., M. D. (at Fifteenth 
street, Pittsburgh). 

David married, in 1850, Elizabeth Bates, 
born July 23, 1832, in Guernsey county, Ohio, 



470 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



daughter of William and Ellen (Stewart) 
Bates, latter of whom was bom in Wash- 
ingtoti county. Pa., in 1810. Her father was 
born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1804, and came 
to this country when nineteen years of age, 
located in AVinchester, Ohio, and always fol- 
lowed teaching; died in 1858. Her paternal 
fraudfather. John Stewart, also a native of 
reland, was a farmer in Washington count3'. 
Pa. Ten children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Riggs: John S. (in California). William 
Bates (in Bellville, Canada), JIary E. (now 
Mrs. James T. Douglas, in Pittsburgh), Sarah 
J.(wifcof Rev. FA^'. Cramer, in Ohio), Emma 
C. (at school in Pittsburgh), David Elmer 
(died Ajiril 29. 1887 ). Edrnonia F. (married lo 
Loyal Checsman. in Kansas). Elizabeth R., 
Ida Bell and Alta May (at home). Mr. Riggs 
has been justice of the peace for twentj' vears 
on the republican ticket. He and Mrs. Riggs 
arc members of the Baptist Church at Li- 
brary. 

James Duff, farmer, postoflSce White 
Ash, was born near his present residence 
Sept. 30. 1815. His grandfather, John Duff, 
came from Ireland at the commencement of 
the Revolution, and joined the American 
army. At the battle of Brandywine his 
whiskers were cut off by a bullet. At the 
close of the Revolution he bought land in 
Westmoreland county. Pa., where he dwelt 
for some time, and where his son .James, 
father of our subject, was born. Before the 
beginning of this century he moved to Penu 
township, where he died about 1823. James, 
his son. bousht the adjoining farm, married 
Catherine Fisher, a native of Ireland, and 
died in March, 18.54, aged seventj'-two years; 
his widow died in 1868. Five of their chil- 
dren grew to maturity: Mary (McGahey). now 
a resident of Leavenvvorth, Kan.; Isabel, 
Catherine (Turner), in Wilkinsburg; James 
and Ann; two sons, John and William, died 
in infancy. .James has always lived on the 
same farm; has served as supervisor, col- 
lector, school director and justice of the 
peace. Although receiving but a limited 
education in the subscription schools, he has 
made his way in life and is a useful citizen. 
He was formerly a whig and abolitionist, and 
is a republican. In 1841 he married Betsey 
McClurken, who was born in Plum township, 
and they have two children: Catharine Ann 
(Mrs. John Sampson) and C\rus B. Mrs. 
Duff's parents, S. B. and fJetsey (Speer) 
McClurken, were of Scotch and Irish descent, 
respectivel}-. Mr. Duff's family are connected 
with the liebron U. P. Church. 

jEKE.Mi.\n W.\DE McLAniiHLiN, farmer, 
postoffice Negley, was born July 21, 1825, on 
the farm where he now resides. His grand- 
father, Edward McLaughlin, came from Ire- 
land when twelve years old, and settled on 
the farm previous to 1775. Before that date 
he lived about Pittsburgh, but preferred the 
farm to the site of the then unforeseen city. 
His wife, Nancy Wade, of Xew England 
birth, bore him nine children, viz.: Sarah, 
born March 28, 1775, before the battle of 



Lexington; James, John, Mary, Thomas, 
Robert, Nancy, Elizabeth and Edward. The 
last named remained on the farm all his life, 
and was married to Marj' Speer, of West- 
moreland county; she was a member of the 
Presbyterian Cluirch, as were most of the 
family. Edward was born Oct. 24, 1795, and 
died Dec. 15, 1856. The children were Jane 
Ann, Nancv, J. W., Zephaniah and Zacha- 
riah. J. W. and Mrs. Jane Black and Mrs. 
Nancy Davidson are now living, J. W. hav- 
ing always resided on the farm. May 4, 
1859, he married Amelia, daughter of Jona- 
than, of English, and Catherine Rigby, of 
German descent. Their children are Cassius 
Milton, Mar\-, Annie, Francis. Nelson Wade 
and Catherine Amelia. Mr. McLaughlin is 
independent in, politics, and has been school 
director and town treasurer. The family is 
associated with Unity U. P. Church. 

J.\.«Es Mi.sKiM.^^Ns Johnston, retired 
farmer, postofSce White Ash, was born Aug. 
29. 1806, on the farm where he now resides. 
His father. John Johnston, Esq., was born in 
Ireland, in 1745, of Scotch descent. He re- 
ceived a thorough education, and at the age 
of seventeen came to America, where he 
found employment in Harrisburg in the laud- 
office. On the outbreak of the Revolution he 
joined the American army and was detailed 
as Washington's private secretary, which po- 
sition he filled for some years. On account 
of the poverty of the colonies he accepted 
620 acres of land in Wilkins township in part 
paj-ment for his services. Of this tract 3(K) 
acres were in what is uow Penn township, 
and constituted the homestead on which he 
settled. For some time he was so harassed 
by Indians that he could not occupy it stead- 
ily, but during their absence farmed the 
Two-Mile bottom, where Pittsburgh now 
stands. He was a whig, was appointed jus- 
tice of the peace of Pitt township, a position 
he held until his death, in July. 1810. He was 
an elder in Beulah Presbyterian Church, to 
which he called the first pastor. His wife 
was Martha, born at Carlisle, a daughter of 
William and Jane Miskimans, who came 
from Ireland. The subject of this sketch is 
the only son born to this marriasrc; his twin 
sister, Nancy (Park), died in 1887; Jane, a 
younger sister, is the wife of Francis S. Gil- 
more. James M. Johnston has passed his 
life on the home farm, and for forty-five 
years has been an elder in Beulah Presby- 
terian Church; "politically he is a republican. 
When eighteen years old he was commis- 
sioned, b}' Gov. Wolf, captain of a militia 
ride company called the Lafaj'ette Blues, 
which position he held seven years. Jan. 
6, 1831, he married Mary Holmes Hamilton, 
born in Hamilton counly, Ohio, a daughter 
of George and Elizabeth (Irwin) Hamilton, 
of Ireland. Mrs. Johnston passed from earth 
in January, 1886, leaving two daughters. 
Mrs. Martha Forney and Lizzie H., and two 
sons, Luther and Calvin, at home. The eld- 
est son, James M., was first lieutenant in 
Co. A, 101st P, V,, and served as provost- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



ill 



marshal at Edisto Island some years; he was 
killed at the coal works in Penn township, by 
a runaway car. George H., also a member 
of Co. A, died of disease contracted in the 
army. John and Robert died of scarlet fever 
in 1855, and Alexander died in 1840. 

Phillips. Some time previous to the rev- 
olutionary war two brothers emigrated from 
their native country, Ireland, to America, 
accompanied by a sister, who was afterward 
married and became the mother of a large 
family of children. These brothers, both 
farmers, were Jonathan and Samuel Pliillips, 
former of whom purchased four hundred 
acres and latter about five hundred acres 
from the government, the property being in 
what was then Washington county, now 
Robinson township. Jonathan married a 
Miss Cowen, who bore him four sons and four 
daughters, Samuel, born in 1790, being among 
the youngest. He married Priscilla McFad- 
deu, and they had nine children, all of whom 
grew to maturity; at his father's death he 
inherited the homestead farm of over one 
hundred and fifty acres. Samuel died in 1863. 
Jonathan, born in 1820. resides on the farm 
where his grandfather first settled. He was 
educated at the public schools, and has al- 
ways followed farming. In 1850 he married 
Margaret Glass, daughter of Samuel Glass, 
an old pioneer in the county, and to them 
were born seven children, five of whom are 
now living: Samuel, Milton S., William J., 
Calvin K. and Everett N. Jonathan Phillips 
occupies the farm purchased from the gov- 
ernment and patented bj' Margaret McCoy 
May 14, 1789, containing 207 acres, bought 
from her by Jonathan Phillips, Sr., April 4, 
1804, and who, at his death, willed the same 
to be divided between William and Samuel 
Phillips. Samuel's part containing 107 acres 
(willed to Jonathan by Samuel) and William's 
one hundred acres. Mr. Phillips has been 
school director three years, supervisor thir- 
teen years, and is a member of the U. P. 
Church; politically he is a republican. 

William S. Phillips, son of Alexander 
and Mary (Sharp) Phillips, was born in 1831. 
He is a farmer by occupation, and owns a farm 
of eighty-four acres, part of a tract of laud 
purchased from the government and patented 
by his grandfather, Samuel Phillips, on March 
31, 1788. He was educated in the public 
schools, and was married in 1854 to Hannah 
Young. To them was born one child, Bian- 
tha Jane, now wife of D. K. Ewing. now 
living. The wife and mother died. In 1861 
Mr. TPhillips married Eraeline Phillips, and 
four children were born to them, tliree of 
whom. John W.. Clara B. and Lillie M., are 
living. Mr. Phillips is a member of the U. 
P. Churcli; in politics a republican. 

William H. Phillips, son of William 
Phillips, Sr. , was born in 1825, and was reared 
on the farm willed to his father by his grand- 
father, .lonathan Phillips, consisting of one 
hundred acres of land. He married Anna 
Eliza McCready, and to them were born 
the following-named children; Maggie (Mrs. 

63 



Cunningham), William A., Robert J., Jona- 
than S. Mr. Phillips died in 1880, and liis 
widow now resides on the home farm with 
her sons Robert J. and William A., latter of 
whom superintends the farmwork. He 
married Miss McCabe, and they have two 
children: William R. and Alfred Deen. The 
family are members of the U. P. Church, 
and are republicans. 

McCoRMicK. The McCormick family was 
one among the earliest settlers. Benjamin 
McCormick was one of two brothers who 
came to this country at the same time from 
Ireland, in the seventeenth century. He 
purchased a farm in Moon township, Alle- 
gheny county. Pa., where he settled as a 
farmer. The farm is owned at present by 
Nicholas Nolte. Unto him were born two 
sons — James and Hugh, they receiving their 
father's property at his death, Hugh becom- 
ing tlie owner of about 300 acres of land. He 
was unfortunate at the raising of a barn, 
where a falling timber drove his leg into the 
ground, making him a cripple and fracturing 
his leg so that it never got entirely well, and 
was a source of severe suffering to him for a 
period of about fifty years, till in 1852. when 
he died at the age of eighty-three. In 1804 
he was married to Miss Margaret Nichol, 
daughter of John Nichol, of Robinson town- 
ship, and to them were born four sons and one 
daughter, Benjamin being the eldest. When 
a young man he came to Robinson township 
and settled on one hundred acres of land as a 
farmer, of which his father purchased fifty 
acres, and his mother inheriting fifty acres 
beside, as her part of a four-hundred-acre 
tract divided by her father, John Nichol, 
between his eight children. In 1835 he was 
married to Miss Eleanor Deemer. He lived 
on this farm until his death. He died June 
1, 1888, at the age of eighty-three, being the 
owner of 160 acres of laud. His widow lives 
on the old homestead. Unto them were born 
eight children, of whom five sons and two 
daughters are now living. 

Benjamin N. McCormick. his fourth son, 
was born in 1841, and was educated at the 
public schools in Allegheny county. He has 
always followed farming with the exception 
of the period he was in the war. He enlisted 
in 1863 in Battery G, 7th I. P. B., and was 
in the United States service eighteen months 
at Fort Delaware, until the close of the war. 
In 1880 he was married to Miss LetitiaJ., 
daughter of William Glass, and to them have 
been born three children, viz.: Benjamin 
Franklin. William Alvin and Roxie Etta. 
Mr. McCormick now owns eighty-two acres 
of land, which he inherits from his father, 
where he now resides. The family are 
members of Union U. P. Church; politically 
he is a republican. 

Rev. Josiah Dillon. Coraopolis, son of 
Samuel and Vashti Dillon, was born in 
Guernsey county. Ohio, Oct. 7, 1822. His 
father was a native of Culpeper county, Va., 
and was a cabinet-maker and carpenter; his 
mother, ««« Barton, was born in New Jersey, 



472 



HISTOHY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



anrl rcmoveil with licr fatlier's familv into 
tlK- suav i)f Ohio in 1800. Mr. Dillou's 
parents were of the (Quaker persuasion. 
James Vates, one of llie i)arties eraphjyed by 
Tlioiuas Penn in lT;i2 to walk for the land 
purcliased from the Indian sacliem. Tedy- 
useini!^, was Mr. Dillon's paternal great- 
grandfather. In 182.S our subject's family 
removed to Wheeling. Mr. Dillon first at- 
tended an academy in Parkersburg.afterward 
a classical academy in Wheeling. Me was 
received into the Pittsburgh conference in 
June, 1844, and tilled various appointments 
in Western Virginia, Eastern Ohio and West- 
ern Pennsylvania until 1853. when ill health 
compelled him to ask for a superannuated 
relation. He removed from the town of 
Beaver, where lie was then stationed, to the 
city of Wheeling, where he was employed as 
clerk in hi.s brother's establishment, and 
during the eight years he was with his 
brother he was interested in steamboats. 
When he came to Coraopolis (then Middle- 
town), in 1869, he found a few Methodists, 
to whom he preached five years, and worked 
with a zeal that resulted in the restora- 
tion of the charge to conference, the re- 
moval of one church edifice to a more eli- 
gible site and the erection of a new church 
in Shousetown. In 1887 he supplied Chap- 
line Street station in the city of Wheeling. 
Mr. Dillon's first wife was a daughter of 
Mark and Eleanor Watson, and was born in 
Middletou, Durham, England, March 33, 
1833. They were united in marriage Sept. 
10. 1849, in Middletowu, this county, where 
she died May 1. 1858. He had by her four 
children, two of whom died iu infancy; 
two. F. B. and W. B., grew up to manhood, 
the latter dying Dec. 29, 1887. Feb. 5, 1862, 
he was united iu marriage with liis present 
wife, Mrs. L. V. Burns, nee Laidley, who was 
born in West Virginia, and by her had four 
children: one died in infancy, and Robert, 
Irene and Henry Harman, now living. Mr. 
Dillon served two terms as burgess of 
Coraopolis. He has been interested in 
various journals, and is the author of several 
works (theological and metaphysical), as well 
as numerous sermons and reviews on different 
subjects. 

Andrew Shane, farmer, postofflce Stur- 
geon, was horn in South Fayette township, 
in 1837. Samuel Shane, Sr. , a native of 
County Down, Ireland, married Elizabeth 
Campbell, and had two children born to 
them ill Ireland: Catharine and Andrew; they 
immigralcil to America in 1801, their son 
Andrew dying on the ocean. In this coun- 
try they had born two more sons: Henry, 
in 180:i and Samuel, Jr.. iu 1807. They 
settled first on Brice's farm, one mile south 
of Miller's run, purchasing seventy-eight 
acres of land from David Winters, situated 
between Miller's and Robinson's runs. Of 
above named, Samuel, Jr., married Mary 
Patterson, and died in 18'73, the father of 
four children, Andrew, the subject of this 
memoir, being the eldest. He was reared in 



South Fayette township, and educated at the- 
common schools. He has always been a 
farmer, and now owns one hundred acres of 
land, acquired by his own industry. He 
married, in 1851, Elizabeth, daughter of 
Richard and Mary Ann (Ramsey) Miller, and 
five children have been born "to them, viz. : 
Richard M., Samuel, Thomas R., John P. 
and Anna Mary. Mr. Shane is a member of 
the U. P. Church; politically he is a repub- 
lican. 

John P. Shane, postofflce Nobleslown, 
was born in this county in 1831, on the farm 
where he now resides, being the original 
tract of land purchased by his grandfather. 
With the exception of two and a half years 
Mr. Shane has always resided on his present 
place, engaged in farming. He was married 
iu 1858 to Anna Jane, daughter of Robcit 
and Agnes (Corbett) Campbell, of County 
Down, Ireland, and b.y her had seven chil- 
dren, five yet living: Mary Lizzie (a twin of 
Agnes Jane, who died at the a.ge of twenty- 
live years), William C, Anna Martha, Mag- 
gie L. and Nettie C. Mr. Shane is a member 
of the U. P. Church; politically a prohibi- 
tionist; formerly a republican. 

Robert Thompson (deceased) was born 
in this county, and died here. His father, 
James, at the close of the revolutionary war, 
bought one hundred acres of land in Ross 
township, which he improved and left to his 
descendants. The Thompsons were of Scotch 
descent, and democratic in their political 
views; in religious matters they were strong 
Presbyterians. James Thompson married 
Isabella Gilbraith, and seven sons and four 
daughters were born to them: John, Hugh, 
.lames, William, Robert, Andrew, David. 
Betsey, Mary, Isabella and Margaret J. Of 
these children Robert Thompson was well 
known in Shaler township, although a quiet 
man. He married Catherine Stewart, who 
resides on the old homestead. Her parents, 
James and Catherine (Shaffer) Stewart, were 
married in 1800, the same year Grandfather 
James Thompson was married. Jlrs. Cath- 
erine Thompson had six children: Mary J,, 
James, Alfred, Robert M., Milton (who died 
in the army) and Adeline V. 

Robert Bole, retired, Bellevue, brother 
of Alexander Bole (whose sketch appears 
elsewhere), was born Sept. 23, 1817, in 
County Down. Ireland, son of John and 
Rose Ann (McWhirk) Bole, who were the 
parents of ten children, three of whom, 
Robert, Alexander and Hugh M., came to 
America. Robert served his apprenticeship- 
in Belfast at the cooper's trade, and on com- 
ing to Pittsburgh, iu 184^3, worked six years 
for William Teese, whom he bought out at 
the end of that time. He then carried on 
large barrel-works on Duquesne way for 
about twenty years, when he retired from 
active business, as the Standard Oil com- 
jiany and the county workhouse had nearly 
ruined his trade. He married, in 1848. Eu- 
phemia Kirkpatrick, sister of Allen Kirk- 
patrick. and four children have been born to 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



473 



them, viz.: Joseph K., in the iron and steel 
liusiness at Cleveland. Ohio; Robert A., 
John C. and Ulary E. Mr. Bole and family, 
exceptingMary E., who is a Covenanter, are 
members of the U. P. Church, of which he 
has been an elder since 1860. He resided in 
Allegheny City until 1880, when he moved 
to his tine home in Bellevue. 

William Woods, Jr., undertaker, auc- 
tioneer and farmer, Upper St. Clair, was 
born April 6, 1839, near his present farm; a 
son of John and Sarah (Robb) Woods, na- 
tives of this county, born in 1816 and Nov. 7, 
1817, respectively, latter of whom died May 
23, 1848. His paternal grandparents were 
Rev. William and Frances Woods; former 
born March 6, 1771. ordained pastor of Bethel 
Church June 28, 1797, continuins until April. 
1834, and died Oct. 17, 1834. The subject of 
this memoir married, Oct. 30. 1868, Mary 
Agnes Morrow, born in Snowden township 
Aug. 17, 1839, a daughter of Thomas and 
Ann (Esby) Morrow, who were born respect- 
ively in Snowden and Upper St. Clair town- 
ships. Her father died Oct. 34, 1871, aged 
sixty-four years, and her mother July 26, 
1849', aged thirty-seven years. Three chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Woods; One 
died in infancy; John E., born Feb. 16, 1872, 
died March 28, 1875, and William Robb, 
born June 14, 1868, now in business with his 
father. For nineteen years after Mr. Woods 
was married he leased his present farm from 
his father, but in 1886 his father deeded the 
place to him. In 1866 he began auctioneer- 
ing, at which he has been very successful; 
in 1874 he added the undertaking business, 
also carrying on the farm, his son assisting 
him in all his business. Mr. Woods was 
elected justice of the peace in 1883, and re- 
elected in 1888. Mr. Woods' father is still 
living on the old farm near the Bethel Acad- 
emy. His only brother, Samuel T. Woods, 
a very promising young man, served in Co. 
D, 149th P. v., and was killed at the battle 
of the Wilderness, May 7, 1864. aged twenty- 
two years. His body was never recovered, 
but a monument is erected to his memory in 
Bethel cemetery bearing the inscription: "I 
shall appear on the morning of the resur- 
rection." 

Sarah F., only sister of the present sub- 
ject, married Rev. R. I. Evans about the 
year 1859, and left for Olympia, W. T., as 
a missionary. In 1862 he died of consum))- 
tion, leaving her far from home with a little 
boy, without a single relative; but she in her 
day of trial took hold of the many promises 
in behalf of the widow and orphans, and 
started for home, landing in the fall of 1863. 
April 24, 1864. her little son, Elliott W. 
Evans, died, and she was again left to mourn 
as none but a mother can mourn; but this 
time she was surrounded by many kind 
friends. About two years later she married 
Rev. M. L. Anderson and settled in Orrville, 
Ohio, where she died at the age of thirty 
years and six months. "Blessed are they 
who die in the Lord." 



John Hamilton, merchant and druggist, 
Shousetown, Pa., was born near Wilkinsl)urg, 
Allegheny county. Pa., Nov. 30, 1815, a son 
of George, a farmer, and Eliza (Erwin) Ham 
ilton, natives of Bedford county. Pa. Mrs. 
Hamilton was a member of the M. E. Church. 
They had seven children, two living: Alex- 
ander Hamilton, who resides at Wilkinsburg, 
Pa., retired farmer and property-owner, and 
John. The latter attended school in Pitts- 
burgh, and finished his education under the 
tutorship of the late Hon. Walter H. Lowry. 
When sixteen years old he began to learn the 
steamboat-joiner business, serving an appren- 
ticeship of three and a half years; then 
worked for about a year at journey- 
work, when he began for himself put- 
ting cabins on vessels; later, for five years he 
was engaged in building houses. In 1846 he 
opened a general store in Shousetown, which 
he has since continued. He was first ap- 
pointed postmaster under the administration 
of Millard Fillmore, reappointed under Lin- 
coln, and served for thirty years, until re- 
moved by Grover Cleveland. Mr. Hamilton 
married, in Washington county, in May. 1836. 
a daughter of John and Angus Donaldson. 
Mrs. Hamilton died in August. 1871, a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and the 
mother of eight children, five living; Lidee, 
wife of John W. Cooper, residing at Milledge- 
ville. Pa. ; Mary H. . wife of Wesley Bateman, 
of Pittsburgh; George E., married to Lucinda 
Chattley, in Milledgeville, Pa. ; Sarah A. , 
wife of L. C. McCormack. in Shoustown; 
John D., married to Mary McBrier, residing 
at Coraopolis. Mr. Hamilton has the leading 
dry-goods and notion store in Shotistowu, and 
carries some $5,000 worth of stock. He is a 
member of the M. B. Church; was first a 
whig, later a republican. 

i'. Mankedick, farmer. Sturgeon, was born 
in Prussia in 1834, the youngest of the nine 
children of William Mankedick. In 1853 he 
came to Allegheny county, where he was 
joined in 1854 by his father and the rest of 
his brothers and sisters. For eighteen years 
he was engaged in mining and mercantile 
business inPittsburgh; for thirteen 3'ears he 
followed huckstering; in 1872 he came to 
his present location and opened up what is 
now known as the Star coal-mines. He is 
recognized as one of the successful business 
men of Allegheny county. In 1856 Mr. 
Mankedick married Caroline Kenneweg, and 
has four children living: William, Edward, 
Matilda and Clara. He superintends the 
work in his mines and store, and ships his 
coal to Chicago and Columbus. He is a 
democrat, and has been postmaster at Stur- 
geon since 1885. 

W. J. MoRQ.'iN, Glenwood Springs, Colo., 
was born in Wales, in 1849. His parents, 
John and Sarah (Hughes) Morgan, had a 
family of four children, W. J. being the 
only son. He received his education at the 
pulilic and engineering schools of Wales, 
and since early life has been identified with 
the coal-mining interests, bituminous and 



ill 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



anli-bituminous. For six years he was em- 
ployt'fl by tilt- Great Western Kiiilroad com- 
pauy of Wales, but with that exception has 
been coiiuecled with tlie coal business since 
he was nine years olii. Ill health caused hiin 
to come to America in 1S74, and liis first ex- 
perience with the coal fields here was in the 
Slope mines in South Fayette township, 
Allegheny county, Pa. He superintended 
the opening of these mines to the public, 
and continued in the capacity of superin- 
tendent for five years, and since 188i has 
been part owner. lie opened and put in 
operation the Buffalo mines for the Youg- 
hiogheiiy Coal company, limited (being part 
cwiier, also, of this company), for two years, 
and was president of the Pennsylvania Coal 
company. Mr. Morgan is a practical coal- 
man, being perfectly familiar with the nature 
of anthracite coal-mining. Mr. Morgan 
moved to Bridgeville, Allegheny county, 
Pa., in 1833, and there resided until .June, 
1883. when he left for Glenwood Springs, 
Colo., to fill the position of general superin- 
tendent of the Grand River Coal & Coke 
company. He w.as married in 1830 to Ella 
S.. daughter of John Xish. of this county, 
originally from Scotland, and they have two 
children, Arthur and Mabel. He is a repub- 
lican 

D.wiD Steen, coal-merchant, Putnam, 
was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 181.5, 
a son of William Steen (a farmer) and Rachel 
(Mickman) Steen. He was left an orphan at 
the age of three years, but was cared for by 
an uncle, with whom he remained until 
twelve years of age. At that time, accom- 
panied by an older sister, he came to America, 
landing in Philadelphia, where they remained 
two years. From the Quaker City David 
came direct to Pittsburgh, in 1829, then a 
town having but two principal streets, and 
here for three years he was employed driving 
a dray. He then commenced mercantile busi- 
ness at the corner of Washington and Web- 
ster streets, where he remained eighteen 
years. After that he opened a general mer- 
chandise store in the country, and continued 
same four years; was three years engaged in 
the coal bn'siness at Osceola, and in 186.1 came 
to JIansfield and purchased his present house 
and ten acres of land. He still continues in 
the business, and by his strict attention and 
long experience has become a successful 
operator. He ships direct to the markets on 
his own cars. Mr. Steen married, in 1840, 
Mary Dickson, daughter of Thomas Dickson, 
<)f Ireland, and seven children were the result 
of this marriage, five yet living: William, 
John, Thomas D.. James B., Margaret (Mrs. 
Walker), Rachel (Mrs. Blackmore). Mr. Steen 
superintends the coal business, ably assisted 
by his sons. He is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church: politically a republican. 

William John Steen, eldest son of David 
and Mary (Dickson) Steen, was born Sept. 6. 
18-11; was educated at the common schools, 
and was a student at Iron City College, 
graduating at that institute in 1860. On 



leaving school he assisted his father in the 
coal business, taking charge of the books. 
In 1863 he enlisted in Co. G, 136th P. R., and 
was in the service of the Union ten months. 
He returned to Pittsburgh and continued an 
employe of his father. He married, in 1862, 
Miss Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Jane 
Ireland, and five children were born to them, 
three yet living: .Stella, David L. and Wella 
J. Mr. Steen is now engaged in coal-mining 
on the property he owns. He employs on an 
average one hundred men, finding a market 
for his product at Chicago and the lakes. 
He has been a resident of Mansfield since 
1863; has been burgess, a member of the town 
council and director of the county poor. He 
is a Freemason, a member of the G. A. R. 
and of the Presbyterian Church; politically 
he is a republican. 

Thomas Dickson Stebn, second son of 
David and Mary (Dickson) Steen, was born 
in 1846, in Pittsburgh. He was married, in 
1809. to Amelia Porter Ochner, and five 
children were born to them: Ella Blanch 
Steen (deceased), Mary Elizabeth Steen, 
Thomas Dickson Steen, Jr., James Prestley 
Steen (deceased) and David Cameron Steen. 
Mr. Steen is now superintendent of his 
father's mines, which position he faithfullj- 
fills, and is familiar with all the details of 
the work. He served as justice of the peace 
for five years, and is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church; politically he is a repub- 
lican. 

James B. Steen, third son of David and 
Mary (Dickson) Steen, was born in 1850. in 
Pittsburgh. He was educated at the public 
schools and the Iron City Business College, 
from which he graduated in 186.5. Like his 
father, he has been prominently identified 
with the coal business, and was for eighteen 
months in Canada with Maj. J. H. Dickson, 
engaged in ore-smelting. His ofiice is now 
in Pittsburgh, where he finds a market for 
coal coming from bis father's mines. Mr. 
Steen has been twice married; first in 1872, 
to Emma Lapiie, daughter of James C. Lappe, 
who bore him one child — Edna. His second 
marriage was with Jennie Callahan, Ijj- whom 
he has two children — Mary and liartetta. 
Mr. Steen is a Freemason and a member of 
the Elks. 

B. B. McDowell, merchant. Mansfield 
Valley, was born in the town of Mansfield, 
Allegheny county. Pa., in 1833. His father, 
Robert, by trade a carpenter, came from Lan- 
caster county. Pa., at an early day, and settled 
in Alleghenj' county, afterward locating in 
Mansfield. He married Frances Lee, and by 
her had three sons and three daughters, of 
whom B. B. is the eldest son. The father 
died in 1849, aged fifty-five years. The sub- 
ject of this memoir was educated at the 
common schools, and in 1861 enlisted in 
Company E. 61st Pennsylvania regiment, 
serving for three years; was in the fiercest 
battles of the war. He returned to Mans- 
field in 1864, and soon afterward went to the 
oil-countiy, where he remained two 3'ears. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



475 



He again returned to Allegheny county, and 
for twenty-one years was employed as mine- 
boss for tbe Mansfield Coal & Coke company. 
He married, in 1868, Adaline Remmel, daugh- 
ter of Peter Remmel, of this coimty, and they 
have four children; Ella Bell (horu Jan. 
22, 1870), Maggie Jane (born July 27, 1871), 
Kate (born Aug. 11, 1873) and Nathan 
Howard (born Dec. 14, 1881). Mr. McDowell 
has also been engaged in mercantile business 
since 1883, and since his retirement from the 
mines has given the store his undivided 
attention. He is a member of the Methodist 
Church, and of the Loyal Legion; he is a 
republican. 

John C. McMichael. The McMichael 
family may be mentioned among the early 
settlers of Allegheny county. The pioneer 
was John McMichael, who came from Mary- 
land, and was the father of two sons and 
four daughters, of whom John, the youngest, 
born in 1769, was eighteen years of age 
when he came to Allegheny count}-. He 
was a surveyor and farmer, and married 
Nancy Walker, daughter of William Walker, 
of this county, and to them were liorn 
two sons and seven daughters. John settled 
iu Robinson township, where he took up a 
large tract of land, and remained until his 
death. John, now living in North Fayette 
township, owns 126 acres of land, one-half 
of a tract originally bought by William 
Walker. John was married in 1849 to Eliza 
Jane, daughter of Joseph Calhoon. of Bea- 
ver county, and four children, all living, 
were born to them: Nancy (Mrs. Logan), 
Flora (Mrs. Sturgeon), Maud and John C, 
at home. John C, the onlj' son born to his 
parents, is now superintendent of the Beech- 
mont Coal-mines, a valuable property sit- 
uated on the Pittsburgh, Chartiers & Youg- 
hiogheny railroad, and was first operated in 
1882. After changing hands, and having 
been unsuccessfullj' operated, Mr. McMichael 
and his brother-in-law took charge of the 
works, which now bid fair to become a suc- 
cess. Mr. McMichael is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church; politically a democrat. 

John McMichael, postofflce Imperial, was 
born in 1842. a son of John and Ann 
(McMillin) McMichael. He was educated at 
the common schools, has followed farming 
and stock-dealing, and except one year 
spent iu California has alw.ajs resided in 
Allegheny county. He married, in 1863, 
Anna Eliza Ewing, daughter of Capt. Sam- 
uel Ewing, a prominent citizen of this 
couni J', and seven children have blessed their 
union: Nora (Mrs. Armour), Samuel, John, 
Ida. Maud, Blanche and Ewing. Sir. 
McMichael purchased his present farm of 192 
acres in 1872. nearlj' all of which is under 
cultivation. He has been school director six 
years, and has served as supervisor. He was 
the first republican in the McMichael family. 

James Robinson, farmer, postoflBce Im- 
perial, was born in Robinson township, this 
county, in 1828. His fatl)er. George Robin- 
son, a farmer, married Susan Brown, a na- 



tive of New York, who became the mother 
of three sons and three daughters. James 
Robinson was educated in his native town- 
ship, where he remained until 1875; then 
came to North Fayette township and pur- 
chased his present farm of 147 acres. He 
married, in 1870, Sarah Anna, daughter of 
John McMichael, of this county, and four 
children, Sarah Anna, James Clare, Sylvia 
Edna and Zulu Madge, have blessed their 
union. Mr. Robinson and family are mem- 
bers, of the Presbyterian Church; he is a 
democrat. 

Henry Poellot, wagon-manufacturer, 
Bridgeville, is a native of Germany, born in 
1828, the youngest son of the nine children 
of John S. and Barbara (Schmidt) Poellot. 
At the age of thirteen he learned the wagon- 
maker's-trade, serving an apprenticeship of 
three years, and in companj' with a brother 
came to America in 1847. Soon after his ar- 
rival he located in Pittsburgh, and there 
remained until 1852; came to Bridgeville in 
1859, where he has since resided. He mar- 

! ried Louisa, daughter of Louis and Elizabeth 
(Gass) Trax, and ten children were born to 
them, eight living: John Lewis, William H., 
George W.. Mary Bell, Louisa Adella (Mrs. 
Patton), Walter T.. Nellie Elnora and Cor- 
delia Irene. Mr. Poellot superintends the 
work in his shops, assisted by his sons, and 
has through his own personal ambition se- 
cured what he owns to-day. He has been 
school director fifteen years, and has b(en an 
elder in the Presbyterian Church same 
length of time; he is a prohibitionist. 

C. P. Mater, merchant, Bridgeville. was 
born in this county in 1857, fourth son of the 
nine children of Casper and Catherine 
(Decker) Mayer. Casper Ma3'er, a coal-miner, 
came to America in 1832, followed his occu- 
pation for many years, but has now retired 
from active labor, and with his wife resides 
in MitHin township. The subject of this 
sketch worked in the mines from the age 
of twelve years, and is, and has been since 

] 1880, superintendent of the mines for his 
father-in-law, Mr. Schulte. He located at 
Bridgeville in 1879, and in 1880 married Phi- 

I lomena, daughter of A. J. Schulte, a success- 
ful coal-dealer of this county, aud two chil- 

■ dren have been born to them: Frank C. and 
Charles M. Mr. Mayer has been in his pres- 
ent business since 1886. under the firm name 
of Mayer & Schulte. He was appointed post- 
master in 1887; is a member of the Catholic 
Church; politically a democrat. 

Robert David Elwood, merchant, Vero- 
na, was born in Apollo, Armstrong county. 
Pa., April 17. 1836. His grandfather, William 
Elwood, of Iri.sh descent, was an early settler 
on Turtle Creek, Westmoreland county. John, 
son of William, andabuilder by trade. married 
Mary Patterson, a native of Philadelphia, 
and settled in Apollo, where he died in 1872, 
at the age of seventy-seven; his widow died 

i in 1875, at the age of seventy-five. Although 

I his ancestors were Presbyterians, John El- 

I wood associated with the Methodist Church. 



476 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



R. D. Elwood was reared in his native vil- 
lajje, and received a common-school educa- 
tion. At the age of twenty he went west, and 
spent two years in Kansas, and. returning, 
ran a paclvet three years on tlie Pennsylvania 
canal. Sept. 16. 1861. he was enrolled 
iu Co. I. 78th P. v., and was elected second 
lieutenant. Before the company was mus- 
tered into tlie United Stales service he was 
promoted to captan. This regiment was at- 
tached to ihe Ari v of the Cumberland, and 
among other eng -ements took part in the 
battle of Stone riv ■. After being mustered 
out of service at tue close of the war, Capt. 
Elwood became a member of the firm of El- 
wood Hrothers. merchants at Apollo, and 
flour-manufacturers at Leechburg. On thedis- 
.solutinn of the tirm.iu IHTJ.lhe grain-dealing 
firm of Elwood & McCrackeu was established 
in Pittsburgh, known since 1880 as R. D. 
Elwood & Co. Capt. Elwood is also inter- 
ested in the Iron City mills. He was Ihe first 
president of the Pittsburgh Grain and Flour 
E.xcliauge. In 1875 Capt. Elwood purchased 
property adjoining Verona borough, in 
Penn tiiwnslii]i, where he has since resided. 
He married, in 1866. Mary Lewellyn, who 
was born in Apollo, daughter of John and 
Rebecca (Hawkins) Lewellyn, and they have 
three sous; Thomas Jefferson. John Franklin 
and Robert David. The parents are both 
active members of the M. E. Church. 

Michael O'Keepe. merchant, Putnam, 
was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1833, 
the eldest of the six children of John and Mary 
(Dillon) O'Keefe, also natives of that county. 
John O'Keefe, who was a farmer, immigrated 
to America with his family in 1853. landing 
in New York; thence came to Pittsburgh, 
and died at a ripe old age. in 1869; his wife 
died in 1846. Michael O'Keefe was educated 
under the national school system of Ireland. 
Being born on a farm, it was his desire to fol- 
low agricultural pursuits, as his father had 
done, but owing to circumstances he never 
engaged in the occupation of his choice. For 
many years he was employed in Pittsburgh. 
and by industry and application won the 
confidence of his employers. He was several 
times promoted, and held positions of trust. 
He came to Mansfield in 1873 for the purpose 
of buying a farm, but failing in this pur- 
chased the Chartiers hotel. In 1884 he erect- 
ed a brick block in Chartiers with a frontage 
of 106 feet l)j' 60 deep, three stories high, the 
finest set of buildings in the borough. Mr. 
O'Keefe married, in 1858. Mary O'Donnell, 
daughter of Patrick O'Donnell, of Ireland, 
and seven children have been born to them, 
all of whom are living: Mary, Kate, John, 
Patrick, Maggie. Ellen and Michael, Jr. Mr. 
O'Keefe has been a member of the council, 
and has served in many other oflicial posi- 
tions. In religion he is Catholic; in politics 
a democrat. 

Ja.mes R. Byers, farmer, postoffice Mc- 
Minn, was born on the place where he now 
resides Jan. 9, 1819, a son of John and Nancy 
(Burns) Byers. The latter was a diiughter of 



Ale.vandcr and Nancy (Barnes) Burns, early 
settlers of Findlay township. John Byers 
was a son of John Byers, who settled with 
his family in Findlay township, and whose 
father was a soldier in wars anterior to the 
Revolution. John and Nancy (Burns) Byers 
were Presl)yterian8. Tliey had nine chil- 
dren, six now living; Nancy (widow of An- 
drew 'Vance). Margaret. John D.. Mary (wife 
of William Burns). James R. and Amanda 
(wife of George McMinn). James R. mar- 
ried. Nov. 4, 1853, Margaret Wilson, a daugh- 
ter of Robert and Elizabeth (Swearingen) 
Wilson. Mrs. Byers died Jidy 14. 1863, the 
mother of two children — Agnes and John W. 
(who married Ida Burns). Mr. Byers ranks 
among our leading citizens, and has held 
various local offices. In 1880 he was elected 
.iustice of the pL'ace, and was re-elected in 
1885. He owns a fine farm of 140 acres. 

James Meloney. farmer, postoffice Impe- 
rial, was born on the farm where he now 
resides Dec. 8, 1848, a son of Samuel and 
Jane (Eaton) Meloney, natives of Findlay 
township, latter a daughter of George Eaton. 
Samuel Melone3' was a son of Samuel, Sr.. 
and Nancy (Berry) Meloney, early settlers 
and landowners of Findlay township, and 
natives, respectively, of Ireland and New 
Jersey. Samuel, Sr., a weaver bj- trade, and 
who was a nian of means, purchased a large 
tract of land in Findlay township. He and 
his wife vvere Presbj-terians. Samuel and 
Jane (Eaton) Meloney settled on the farm 
now owned 1)3' their son James, and there 
lived and died in the faith of the U. P. 
Church. They had nine children, two of 
whom are yet living; Amanda(wife of R. N. 
Flanegan, residing at Homestead. Allegheny 
county) and James. The latter has been 
twice married, first in August, 1869, to Mary 
J. Morrison, a native of 'Washington county. 
Pa., a daughter of David Morrison. She 
died in 1879, a member of the Presbyterian 
Churcii. and the mother of two daughters: 
Ora B. and Susie A. Mr. Meloney married, 
in November. 1881, Lou Morrison, a sister of 
his first wife. He owns a farm of 133 acres, 
and has in his possession the old deed given 
to his grandfather by one Charles Morgan, 
and which included this farm and a part of 
the one now owned by M. V. Hajs. 

Joseph Couch, mechanic, Bridgeville, 
was born in this county in 1831, a son of 
Simon and Elizabeth (Kerr) Couch, to whom 
were born ten children, two of whom are 
living. William, the grandfather of Joseph, 
also a native of this county, married Eliza- 
beth Whitmore. of German "descent, and they 
had twelve children, of whom Simon was the 
second son. William was the son of Joseph, 
and .Toseph the son of Nathaniel, the pioneer 
of the family iu Allegheny county, who took 
up one hundred acres of land in what is now 
known as Snowdeu township. He there built 
a fort, and resided until his death. The family 
have been mechanics and farmers. Joseph 
died in 1837. aged eightj^-eight years; Will- 
iam in 1841. aged seventy, and Simon in 1878, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



477 



■aged seventy-two. Since the first settlement 
in this county by Nathaniel Couch, his 
descendants have all been born and reared 
and have lived within a radius of five miles. 
They were all imbued with a spirit of pa- 
triotism; Nathaniel fought with Braddock 
at the latter's defeat; he was in the Virginia 
Rifles under Washington. William was in 
the war of 1812 under Gen. W. H. Harrison, 
and participated in his Canada campaign. 
The subject of this memoir, named in honor 
of his great-grandfather, was born near his 
present home in Upper St. Clair township, 
learned the millwright's trade of his father, 
and has followed it through life. He married, 
in 1850. Sarah, daughter of John Rankin, of 
Ireland, and ten children were born to them, 
seven yet living: Harriet. Sallie (Mrs. Mc- 
Millin). Simon, Josephine (Mrs. Reed), Harry 
F., Wesley and Charles G. Mr. Couch en- 
listed in 1861 in Co. H, 63d P. V., serving 
for three years; was with the Army of the 
Potomac, participating in all its battles, 
and was honorably discharged at Pittsburgh. 
He is a member of the G. A. R.; politically, 
a republican. 

Johnston A. Conner, farmer, postofBceUp- 
perSt. Ciair.was born in Upper St. Clair town- 
ship in 1830. His .grandfather, John Conner, 
who was of Irish parentage, purcha,sed, about 
1794. from the goverument 256 acres of land 
for £13. 2s. 6d., the tract being then in Wash- 
ington county, now in Upper St. Clair town- 
ship. He married Elizabeth Adams, and by 
her had nine children. John, the fourth son, 
born in 1798 and died in 1873, married Sarah 
Ann, daughter of William Adams, and be- 
came the father of eleven children, six of 
whom are now living. John was a carpenter 
by trade, but later in life was a schoolteacher. 
Johnston A., the subject of this sketch, was 
reared on the farm he now owns, and has 
devoted his time chiefly to agriculture. He 
married, in 1857, Nancy, daughter of William 
Ramsey, of this county, and five children 
blessed their union: William W., Josiah A., 
Sarah A., Mary Emma and George M. Mr. 
Conner now owns forty-two acres of land. part 
of the tract purchased by his grandfather. He 
has served on the school board; is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church; politically a 
republican. iHe enlisted, in 1863, in Co. K, 
76th P. v., and May 7, 1864, he received a 
severe wound in his left foot, confining him 
to hospital for one year and thirteen days. 

J.\MES W. Stew.wit, farmer, postoffice 
Library, was born Jan. 29, 1843, on the farm 
where he now resides, a son of William and 
Prances (Rowland) Stewart. His father was 
born on the same farm in 1793, and on reach- 
ing maturity started a gristmill, which he op- 
erated about fifty j'ears personally, afterward 
employing a miller. He was a soldier in the 
"war of 1813, and died at his home at the age 
of seventy-six years. His wife, Frances, was 
born at Castle Shannon in 1810, and died in 
February, 1888. James W. received his edu- 
cation in the common schools here and at 
Bethel Academy, and .graduated from Duff's 



College, Pittsburgh, Feb. 3, 1865. He mar- 
ried, Dec. 23, 1869, Sarah, daughter of Joseph 
and Abigal (Hanua) Woods" and hnrn in 
Snowden (now Bethel) township. She was a 
granddaughter of Rev. William Woods, of 
Snowden township. Her father was a native 
of Bethel township and her mother of Bridge- 
ville. this county. The father of our subject 
bought land here when it was worth about 
ten to thirty dollars per acre, securing about 
four hundred acres. After his marriage, in 
1869, James W. began farming for himself, 
and has since carried on the old place with 
good success. Six children have been born 
to them, as follows: Willis Woods, William 
Joseph, Sarah Frances, Birdie A., Edna E. 
and James Lester. All the family save the 
three last named are members of the Baptist 
Church. Mr. Stewart's uncle on his mother's 
side, James Rowland, was a minister, and 
died at Mansfield, Ohio. Another uncle, 
Varner Rowland, was treasurer of Allegheny 
county. 

Mr. Stewart had seven brothers and sis- 
ters, he being next to the youngest. The 
eldest, Fannie, died at the age of three years; 
Jordan graduated at Washington College and 
at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- 
phia, practiced medicine near Pittsburgh and 
Norristown, then in Western New York, re- 
turned home in 1860. and shortly after died, 
at the age of thirty-four years; Rowland 
.graduated at Jeflei'son College, Cannonsburg, 
Pa., about 1848, went to Natchez. Miss., be- 
came a teacher in the public schools, and 
died of yellow fever in 1850, at the age of 
twenty-one years; Elizabeth G. was the wife 
of the late Alfred C. Wilson, of Hazelwood, 
this county; Marie L. married Frederick W. 
Cooper, and died about 1864; Caroline died 
in 1869; Josephine resides in Allegheny, and 
Willis Fremont died at Pittsburgh in l"871. 

Jacob F. Ferkee, retired farmer, post- 
office Coraopolis, was born Feb. 24, 1824, on 
the old homestead at Coraopolis. His grand- 
father, Jacob Ferree, a Huguenot, born in 
France, came to Lancaster countj'. Pa.: he 
was twice married, and by his first wife, 
whom he married in France, he had three 
sons: Joel, a colonel in the war of 1812; 
Benjamin and Jacob; and two daughters, 
who died young. After the death of his first 
wife he married Alice Powell, by whom he 
had four sons and three daughters; Isaac, 
Mary, Lavina, Jacob, Olive and William P. 
Jacob Ferree, Sr., moved from Lancaster 
county to the mouth of Peters creek, Alle 
gheny county, and in 1800 purchased 330 
acres of land where Coraopolis now stands. In 
the fall of that year he, with his sons, built 
a house, and following spring his family 
moved here. On the day after their arrival 
.Joel Ferree, a brother of Jacob, Sr., came 
here and went up on the hill back of the 
house to kill a deer, and soon called to his 
brother to bring up a horse, sa}nng that he 
had killed a deer. On arriving with the 
horse, a few moments later, Jacob found the 
dead body of his brother, who had in the 



478 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



meantime been killed and scalped by the In- 
dians. Jacob Ferree died here in 1807, aged 
lifty-seven years. He was a powder-manu- 
fartiirer and gunsmith, and it is said was the 
first to manufacture powder east of the Alle- 
ghenies. William P. Ferree, youngest son 
of .Jacob, Sr.. and Alice (Powell) Ferree. was 
born at the mouth of Peters creek, and was 
but four years old when his parents moved 
to the old fanu at Coraopolis, where he lived 
and died. He married Mary Stoddard, and 
they had five sons and two daughters: Jacob 
F.; Margaret E., wife of Andrew Shafer; 
Robert S., George M., William K. (deceased), 
who was a soldier in the civil war and died 
from exposure; Sanford H.. of New Bedford. 
Pa., and Mary O., married to R. B. Young. 
Jacob F. Ferree married, March 29, 1849, 
Nancy Phillips, who was born in Robinson 
township, a daughter of W'illiam and Susan- 
nah (Neely) Phillips. He settled on a part 
of the old farm.wliere he has since remained. 
He and his wife arc members of the Pres- 
bj'terian Church. They have following- 
named children: John W.. a merchant in 
Allegheuy, Pa.; Mary J., wife of James Mc- 
Cague; William A., farmer, at Coraopolis; 
Robert B.. M. D., in Allegheny, Pa.: Sarah 
L. and Lily E.. at home. Mr. Ferree has 
held various local offices of trust, was elected 
justice of the peace in 1884, and is now audi- 
tor for the horough of Coraopolis; has also 
been school director and supervisor. 

Robert S. Ferree. farmer, postofflce Co- 
raopolis, was born in the house in which he 
now resides, in January, 1828, the second 
son of William P. and Mary (Stoddard) 
Ferree. He married, December 4, 1862, Eliz- 
abeth W^oods, who was born in Snowden 
township, a daughter of Joseph and Abigal 
(Hannah) Woods. Mr. and Mrs. Ferree are 
members of Forest Grove Presbyterian 
Church. They had a family of six children, 
four yet living: Jessie L., wife of J. H. 
McAdams, Coraopolis; Eva B.. Daisy C. and 
Floyd R. Mr. Ferree resides on and owns a 
part of the old farm. He is a representative 
of one of the oldest families in the county. 

William Orr. farmer, postoffice Upper 
St. Clair, was born in Alleghenj' county in 
1826. His father.William Orr, came to Amer- 
ica from County Antrim, Ireland, in'1819, and 
settled in Westmoreland county, where he 
remained a short time; then moved to Upper 
St. Clair township, this county, where he 
remained many years; then moved to Lee 
county, Iowa, "and there he died. He was 
always a farmer. He married Isabella Wal- 
lace, also a native of Ireland, and by her had 
six children, three of whom are now living. 
Our subject was born and reared in tapper 
St. Clair township, has followed farming all 
his life, and since 18.57 has resided on his 
present farm, which contains 130 acres. 
William Orr married, in 1857. Harriet Myers, 
and seven children were born to them, six 
now living: Margarette Isabella, at home; 
Eliza Jane, now Mrs. R. F. Jleaus, of Sum- 
mit county, Ohio; Robert Elmer, Ella Lo- 



retta, James Albert and Ida Mary, at home. 
William Orr is a member of Bethel Presby- 
terian Church; hasheen school director seven 
years; politically lie is a republican. 

Mk'u.\el Mitchell (deceased) was born 
in this county, in 179."), and died in 1846. 
He was the son of Amos and Slary (Heel- 
man) Mitchell, who had five sons and two 
daughters. Amos was a soldier in the Revo- 
lution, and at the memorable defeat of Brad- 
dock received a musket-ball in his wrist. 
After the war he moved to Ohio, where lie 
purchased a fami and resided until his death. 
Michael Mitchell married, in 1814, in Pitts- 
burgh (then a town of log huts). Margaret, 
daughter of Thomas and Diana (Piatt) Thorn- 
berg. The Thornberg family were among 
the earliest settlers in Collier township, and 
Mr. Mitchell resided on the farm inherited 
by his wife, and which originally contained 
four hundred acres. Born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Mitchell were fifteen children, seven of whom 
are now living: Amos, .loseph, Samuel, Re- 
becca. Margaret. Elizabeth and Lewis D. Mrs. 
Mitchell is yet living, a ladj- of ninetj'-two 
years. The family are members of the 
U. P. Church 

Joseph McKown. retired, Woodville. was 
born in 1824, seventh of the nine children 
born to Samuel McKown. He was educated 
in the public schools, and reared on a farm, 
the pursuits of which he has followed all his 
life. In 1872 he married Elizabeth Chess, 
daughter of John and ^lary (Middleswath) 
Chess. Mr. McKown is numbered among 
the leading citizens of Collier township. He 
was two years clerk in the county treasurer's 
ofl3ce, and is now school director. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church; polit- 
ically a democrat. 

Joseph E. Hanna, farmer, postofflce 
Bridgeville, was born in Allegheny county. 
Pa., in 1842. In 1801 John Hanna', a native 
of Chester county, came to Allegheny county 
and took up a quarter-section of land at the 
mouth of Miller's run, and followed farming 
until his death, in 1850. He married Jane 
Guthery, of Lancaster count}'. Pa., and by 
her had four children. William, their only 
son, married Mar}' Ann McC'reary, who bore 
him six children, of whom Joseph E is the 
youngest. The father died in 1876. aged 
sixty-five years. Joseph E. was educated at 
the common schools, and has always been a 
farmer. He married, in 1879. Mary, daughter 
of James and Eliza Davis, of this county, 
and five children have been born to them: 
Edwin. Edith Mary, Joseph, Alice and Delia. 
Mr. Hanna now resides on the farm which 
was originally the property of Mr. .Stewart; 
it is richly underlaid with coal, and is in a 
high state of cultivation. Mr. Hanna is a 
republican, has served as school director, 
and is at present justice of the peace. 

Samuel Fry (deceased) was born in 
Franklin township, Westmoreland county, a 
son of Jacob Fry, who came from Holland 
to Pennsylvania about ninety years ago. 
Jacob, who was a baker, settled on a farm in 







GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



^1^ 



Franklin, where Samuel was reared. The 
latter married Susannah, daughter of Jacob 
and Catherine Cline.of Eastern Pennsylvania, 
and to them were born Jacob C, Zephaniah, 
Marj' M. (Lewis), James (a mute), Samuel Z., 
John M., Annie E., Sarah Alice and Joseph 
H. In 1853 Mr. Fry located iu Penn town- 
ship, where he died in 1881, in his sixty-first 
year. His widow and most of his children 
reside on the farm where he located when he 
came here. He and his wife formerly be- 
longed to the Reformed Church, but after- 
ward joined the Presbyterian, in which faith 
they reared their children. Mrs. Fry was 
sixty-one years old June 23. 1888. 

William Francis Johnston (deceased) 
was born March 8, 1830, in what was then 
Wilkins (now Penn) township. His grand- 
father, Charles Johnston, came from Ireland, 
and about 181.5 bought a large tract, of land 
along the northern turnpike. His son, 
William, born in Ireland, married Sarah 
Morrow, a native of Penn, and to them was 
born the subject of this sketch. William 
Johnston was a member of Beulah Presby- 
terian Church, and served as justice of the 
peace by appointment. He died of cancer in 
the stomach April 5, 1837, aged forty years. 
His widow died of cancer in the breast when 
a little over fifty years of age. William F. 
Johnston was reared on the farm, and 
attended Jefferson school. Nov. 1, 1866, he 
married Angeline Wilson, born iu Penn, 
daughter of George and Mary (Jlorrow) 
Wilson, also natives of Penn township. He 
remained on the farm inherited from his 
father until 1883, when he opened a store 
between Mt. Hope and Hebron. He had 
formerly been employed largely at civil engi- 
neering, but was forced to give up active 
labor through the effects of a fever, which 
injured his coustitution. He died of con- 
sumption March 3. 1887, a member of Hebron 
U. P. Church. He was a democrat, and 
served three years as assessor. 

Michael McDermott, retired, Mansfield 
Valley, is a native of Ireland, and came to 
America in 1843, He was a blacksmith by 
trade and followed it during life. He mar- 
ried Julia Norton and reared a family of five 
children: Michael, Mary, Bridget. Bernard 
and Patrick. Bernard, the second son, has 
been engaged in the dry-goods and grocery 
business since youth, which he still success- 
fully carries on under the firm name of Mc 
Dermott Brothers, the firm consisting of Mi- 
chael, Bernard and Patrick. Michael and Pat- 
rick are engaged in the livery and undertak- 
ing business, the firm name P. McDermott. 
Bridget, the second daughter, married, in 
1877, Henry Henney, of Allegheny City, and 
they have five children: Bernard, Julia, 
Michael, Patrick and Slaty. Bernard, the 
second son. married, iu 1886. Mary Jane Port- 
man, daughter of Peter Portman, of Green 
Tree borough, and they have two children; 
Patrick Laurence and Mary Agness. The 
McDermott brothers rank among the leading 
business people of the place. The family are 



members of the Catholic Church. The 
brothers are democrats. 

Robert Christy, druggist, postotfice 
Mansfield Valley, was born in Allegheny 
county, Pa., in 1844. Robert Christy, his 
grandfather, was for many years an alder- 
man (who were then appointed by the gov- 
ernor) in the citj' of Pittsburgh. He married 
Anna Gilchrist, and six daughters and two 
sons were born to theiu. Of these James 
Monroe was the eldest, born in 1818; at 
twenty-one he commenced the study of law, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1842. From 
that age up to '-he present time he has been 
a member of tfit Allegheny county bar. He 
was elected city treasurer in January. 1847, 
which ofHce he resigned in August, 1847, to 
become treasurer of the Pittslnirgh Gas com- 
pany, which oflice he resigned in 1865. He 
married Miss E. E. Jones, of Pittsburgh, and 
they became the parents of ten children, six 
of whom are living, Robert, whose name 
heads this sketch, being the only son. He 
was educated at the common schools and 
Western University. In 1858 he commenced 
the study of pharmacy, and since that date 
has followed the drug business. In 1871 
he came to Mansfield, where he is now living. 
Mr. Christy married, in 1869, Lydia S. Brown, 
daughter of Mansfield B. and Jane Brown, 
and eight children (seven of whom are liv- 
ing) blessed their union; Jennie B.. Ella E., 
Robert (deceased), Lydia B., Mary Hays, 
Mansfield B., Melzina and James Monroe. 
Mr. Christy is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, and of the Presbyterian Church; he 
is a republican. 

H. Elliott McBride, farmer, postoffice 
Cliff Mine. Henry ^McBride, in company 
with Samuel Jeflry, a neighbor, immigrated 
to Western Pennsylvania, and took up from 
the government a large tract of land now 
located in North Fayette township. This 
pioneer was a farmer, and remained in 
Allegheny county until his death. One son 
and two daughters were born to him. Archi- 
bald, theson, was born in Marjiand, and was 
quite young when his parents came to 
Allegheny county. He married Nancy Elliott, 
and by her had six sons and three daugh- 
ters. Henry, the eldest son. was born in 
1801. and became a farmer. He married Jane, 
daughter of James Elliott and granddaughter 
of George Elliott, an early pioneer and a 
native of Scotland. Eight children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. McBride. of whom two 
sous are now living. H. Elliott McBride 
was born and reared on the farm he now 
owns, and which was formerly the property 
of his great-grandfather, George Elliott, who 
purchased it in 1793. He married, in 1874, 
Christiana, daughter of Matthew and Chris- 
tiana (Allison) Johnston (both deceased), 
natives of Scotland, and two children, Clara 
Augusta and Allison Elliott, were born to 
tliem. Mr. McBride is a stockholder in the 
Oakdale Academy, a member of the Presby- 
terian Church, politically a republican. Al- 
though a farmer, he devotes a considerable 



480 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



portion of liis lime to literary work. He is 
a contributor to several papers and magazines 
and lias written a number of dialog books 
■and amateur plays. 

Jacob Johnston (deceased) vvas born in 
1810, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Guy) 
Johnston, of Allegheny county. Mr. John- 
ston was reared on a farm, educated at the 
•common schools, and became a prominent and 
well-to-do farmer, owning two tracts of 
land. He married, in 186T, Man' Guy, 
daughter of Josiah and Margaret (Stewart) 
■Guy. and four children blessed their union, 
three of whom are now living: Maggie E.. 
Lizzie and William Guy. Mr. Johnston died 
in 1886. The Johnston and Guy families 
have long been connected with the Presby- 
terian Church, and have always taken a 
prominent part in that denomination, as 
elders, etc. 

CnAnr.,ES Bauer (deceased) was born at 
Boediugen. Frankfort, Germany, in 1820. 
He married, in 1847. Dorothea Xauman (who 
was born at the same place in 1837). and at 
once set out for America. Mr. Bauer was 
the son of a large farmer, and always fol- 
lowed agriculture. For several years he 
dwelt at Roup, but in 1866 purchased the 
property now occupied by his widow. Be- 
fore tiie house thereon was finished he 
passed away from earth. He early became 
a citizen, and always supported the repub- 
lican party. The family is associated with 
the E. L. Church. The children are 
Charles, in East Liberty; Henry, in East 
Liverpool. Ohio; Frederick, in Wilkinsburg; 
Minnie (Mrs. William Schwere), in Penn; 
Louis, at home; Mary (wife of John 
Kipp, in Verona); Dora, at home; John, in 
Pittsburgh. Henry and Louis had each a 
twin brolher who died in infancy. The 
name is usually spelled Bower by the sons. 

Francis Wilson, farmer, postoffice White 
Ash, is a grandson of Thomas Wilson, who 
emigrated from Ireland to America in 1767 
and three years later built the tirst cabin in 
Penn — then part of Pitt — township. Here 
he cleared land, but was obliged to leave it 
on account of Indian hostilities about the 
time of the Declaration of Independence. 
For seven years he remained at Pittsburgh 
without seeing his land, and while there his 
son George, father of Francis, was born, in 
1779. Alter peace was proclaimed with 
■Great Britain he returned to his farm, and 
remained until his death, in 182.5. when he 
was eighty-four years old. He was an elder 
inBculali Presl)yterian Church, and collected 
the ta.x when Penn was a part of Pitt town- 
ship. Westmoreland county. His widow died 
in 1832. aged ninety-eight. Thej' had seven 
children, three of whom were born in 
Ireland; Mary (Wakefield). Betsey (Shaw), 
James, Wilson. Jane (Baird), Thomas and 
George. Thomas was killed by a runaway 
team when a boy. but the others lived to 
good ages. George remained on the home 
farm, and was a member of the same church 
■as his father. He was a democrat, and 



served as overseer of the poor. He married 
Mary Morrow, born in Baltimore, a daughter 
of Ilenry Morrow. George Wilson died July 
14. 18.")0; his widow in 186.0. at the age of 
eighty. Their children are Elizabeth (Bren- 
iman), Francis. Henry Morrow, Nancy (Swal- 
low). Jane (Duff). Sarah (Donaldson). Mary 
(deceased) and Thomas. Francis Wilsoia 
was born in October, 1812, and like his 
father has always lived on the home farm. 
In 1858 he built the lirick residence he now 
occupies, on the site of the original log cabin. 
In 1800 he married Elizabeth May. born in 
Fairview, a daughter of Robert and Mary 
M. (Duff) May. the former a native of Ireland, 
the latter of this eo\inty. Mr. Wilson has 
two sons; Francis Mirvin and George Ellis. 
He is a meml)er of Hebron U. P. Church; 
politically lie has alwaj-s been a democrat, 
has held every township office except con- 
stable, and has been justice of the peace 
twenty-one 3'ear3. 

P. H. Stevenson, wool-buyer and farmer, 
postoffice Moon, was born on the old home- 
stead in Moon township, April 4, 1823. a son 
of John and Nancy (Hooper) Stevenson, mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. The former 
built the first mill at Moon, in 1836. and at 
his death, in 18.54, at the age of seventy-two 
years, he and his sons owned and operated 
four steam grist- and saw-mills. He was also 
a large landowner, was justice of the peace 
for over forty years, and was also postmaster 
a number of j'ears. He and his wife had 
six sous and three daughters; Jane, married 
to Samuel ScotI ; Sarah, married to James 
Montgomery; Samuel, married to Maria Lin- 
ton; John, married to JaneEwing; Elizabeth 
never married; Philip H ; Levi, married to 
Jane Scott; Andrew, married to Maria Rob- 
erts, and Alexander, married to Angelina 
Finley. Philip H. learned the miller's trade, 
which he followed until 1851, when he 
opened the first general store in Moon town- 
ship, at Moon; five 3-ears later he sold out. 
He has since engaged in buying and shipping 
wool and looking after his farms. He has 
been twice married; first to Elizabeth Jlor- 
gan, daughter of James and Hannah (Strouse) 
Morgan, and to them was born one child, 
now deceased. Mrs. Stevenson died in June. 
1853, and in March, 1855. Mr. Stevenson 
married Elizabeth McCormick. a native of 
MoiiM township, a daugliter of John D. and 
Naiirv (MeeUs) JlcCormick. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stevenson have two sons — Charles L.. at- 
tending school, and William J. II.. at home — 
and one daughter, Emma L., wife of J. H. 
Hamilton, farmer and sheepbreeder in Wash- 
ington county. Pa. Mr. Stevenson has been 
twice nominated by the democrats for the 
state legislature. He was one of the Greeley 
electors, and was a delegate to the convention 
of 1888 at St. Louis. He has held the office 
of justice of the peace for eleven years and 
that of school director eighteen years. He 
and family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Stevenson's grandfather. John 
Stevenson, a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian, was 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGBAPHY. 



481 



Tjorn in Ireland, married Sarah Nj'e in Scot- 
land, and settled on Mingo creek, Washing- 
•tou count}-. Pa. The maternal grandparents 
■of Mr. Stevenson were P. H. and Mary (Hill) 
Hooper, Presbyterians, who came from Scot- 
laud and settled at Cross Roads, Washington 
county, Pa. Mr. Hooper was a tanner and 
farmer, and one of the first settlers in Wash- 
ington count}", also one of the first settlers 
in Moon township. He took up si.K hundred 
acres of land here, then sent for an old 
friend, who had come from Scotland, and 
sold him 160 acres, so as to have him for a 
neighbor. 

George McNat^l, farmer and breeder of 
fine stock, postofflce Imperial, was born on 
the farm where he now resides and which he 
owns, in Findlay township, this county, July 
6, 1814, and is "a sou of Joseph and Jane 
(McCullougli) McNall, latter of whom was 
born in Washington county. Pa., daughter of 
Oeorge and Agnes (Gibson) McCullough, 
who came from Ireland and settled in Wash- 
ington county. Joseph McNall was liorn in 
County Derry, Ireland, a son of James and 
Eleanor (Wells) McNall, who located near 
Washington and afterward came to Findlay 
township, Allegheny county. Pa., when 
Joseph was a child, and settled ou the farm 
where James H. McNall now resides. Joseph 
and Jane McNall had two sons and two 
daughters. The sons, George and James G., 
reside twelve miles south of Gilman, III. 
George McNall married, May 17, 1843, S.irah 
Wilson, a daughter of Rev. William and 
Margaret (Ralston) Wilson, old settlers of 
Findlay township, and members of the As 
sociate Church. Mrs. George McNall died 
in December, 1873, a member of the U. P. 
Church, anil the mother of one sou and 
three daughters: William Wilson (who re- 
sides with his father, married, in 1870, to 
Cassie Crawford, of Washington county), 
Margaret J. (wife of Hen. William Barton, 
of Findlay township), Lizzie (wife of A. J. 
Jardine, a merchant of North Star, this 
couniy) and Mary (wife of David Crawford, 
of Washington county). Mr. McNall and 
family are members of the U. P. Church. 
He owns 810 acres of land in Findlay town- 
ship. 

William S. Linton, farmer, postoffice 
Moon, was born on his farm in Findlay town- 
ship, Jan. 13, 1826, son of John and Nancy 
(Wright) Linton, natives of Carlisle, Cum- 
Ijerlaud county. Pa., and members of the 
Presbyterian Church. They settled on the 
farm where their son William S. now resides, 
in Findlay township, and had a family of 
six children, of whom William 8. is the only 
one now living. He married, July 1, 1862, 
Sarah Seaton, who was born in Pittsburgh. 
Pa., a daughter of John and Jane (Murray) 
Seaton, former of whom was born in Moon 
township, this county, a son of John, Sr., 
and Elizabeth (Hanlon) Seaton. John 
Seaton, Sr.. was born in Wyoming county. 
Pa., and fled from the Indians with his 
parents to Moon township at an early date. 



Elizabslh (Hanlon) Seaton was born in Ire- 
land, and was a niece of Admiral Hull. 
Jane (Murray) Seaton was a daughter of 
John and Fanny (Davis) Murray, natives of 
Albany, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. William S. 
Linton have three children living; William 
W., Enola S. and L. Orr, all at home. The 
parents are members of the Presbyterian 
Church at Sharon. Mr. Linton ranks among 
the leading farmers and landowners of the 
county, owning between four hundred and 
five hundred acres of land in Findlay 
township. He raises grain and stock, and 
owns and operates an extensive dairy. He 
has held various local offices of trust. 

John Espy, farmer, postofflce Upper St. 
Clair, was born in this county in 1826. 
Thomas Espy, his grandfather, a farmer by 
occupation and a native of Ireland, emigrat- 
ed to America, settling in Cumberland coun- 
ty. Pa., where he remained until his death. 
His sou James, about 1805, came to this 
county, where his two sisters, Mrs. Wilson 
and >Irs. Bell, had previously settled, and it 
was after repeated requests on their part that 
he consented to come and visit them. Being 
favorably impressed with Allegheny county, 
he located on a farm, purchased fifty-six 
acres in 1806, and for twenty-five years fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits, at which he was 
successful, owning at his death some three 
hundred acres. He married Jane, daughter 
of William Fife, and nine children were born 
to them, two of whom now live; John, our 
subject, and Mrs. McCormick. James died 
in 1857, aged seventy-seven years; he was for 
many years a justice of the peace in his 
township; his wife died in 1851, aged seventy 
years. 

John Espy, whose name heads this sketch, 
the youngest son born to his parents, was 
educated at the common schools and Bethel 
Academy, and has always resided on his 
present place, engaged in farming. He now 
owns 110 acres of the original property pur- 
chased by his father. He married, in 1848, 
Margaret, daughter of John Smith, of Scott 
township, who was originally from England, 
and six children, all now living, were born 
to them: 'Maggie S., James M., at home; 
John S., a physician in Pittsburgh; Glenn 
H., a druggist in New York; William, a 
druggist in Pittsburgh, and George M., at 
home. Mr. Espy has retired from active 
labor on the farm, the work being success- 
fully operated under his supervision. He 
has served as school director fifteen years, 
and as trustee of the Presbyterian Church 
twenty- four years; politically he is a repub- 
lican. 

Capt. Thomas Espy (deceased) was born 
in this county in 1807, the eldest son of James 
and Jane (Fife) Espy; he was educated at the 
public schools and followed farming; also 
successfully opei'ated a gristmill for many 
years. In 1861, at the breaking out of the 
rebellion, he formed Co. H of the 63d regi- 
ment, of which lie was made captain. He 
was mortally wounded at Gaines' Mills, June 



482 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



27, 1801, was lakcn prisoner, niid (iiod July 
6, 1862. His remains were never recovered 
by his relatives and friends. Capt. Esjiy 
married, in 188], Klizabetli, daugliterof Peter 
and Abigal (Faucit) Hickman, Ibe former an 
old pioneer of this connly; eight children 
were horn to this union: Jane (Mrs. Bowers), 
Abigal (Mrs. Hidtz), Lizzie (Mrs. Snnters), 
Sarah (Mrs. Philips), Mary A., James, Susan 
(at home with tlieir mother) and Thomas. 
James and Tliomas died of typlioid fever in 
1883. The mother.who is an estimable lad)', 
now seventy-nine years old, lias borne hero- 
ically the loss of a kind liusband, and has 
always resided on the farm which he owned. 
8he and family are members of the Presby- 
terian Church, 

John Ccrrt, farmer, postofJice Stoops, 
was born atMiddletown, Fayette county. Pa., 
Aug. 29, 1811, a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Adams) Curry, former of whom was born in 
Ireland, was a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian, and 
was nine years of age when he came to 
America. The family settled in Chester 
counly. Pa. After he grew up John Curry, 
Sr., went to Pittsburgh and worked as a fore- 
man in a rolling-mill. He afterward moved 
to Moon township and purchased the farm 
now owned Ijy his son. He died at the age 
of fifty-two years, his wife at the age of 
ninety. She was a member of the Presbyte 
rian Church, and the mother of six children, 
three of whom lived to be men and women: 
Sarah, who married Andrew McKindley; 
John, and William, who married Mary Mc- 
Cormick, John Curry, whose name heads 
this sketch, was two years old when his par- 
ents came to Pittsburgh, and fifteen when 
they moved to Moon township. He was 
united in marriage Dec. 27, 1836, with Anna 
Onstott, and they have had six children, four 
living: Elizabeth, wife of James McCormick, 
farmer in Moon township; Mary A., widow 
of John Nickel, and residing near Mansfield, 
this county; Rachel O., who married George 
M. Ferree and resides at Coraopolis, and Jen- 
nie M., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Curry are 
members of the Prei^byterian Church at 
Sharon. They celebrated the fiftieth anni- 
versary of their wedding Dec. 27, 1886. 

Anthony Hengek (deceased) was born 
April 26, 1824, near Hohenzollern, Germany, 
and died Aug. 26, 1886, on his farm in Lower 
St. Clair township. He came to America at 
the age of nine years with his parents, Clem- 
ence Henger. a cooper by trade, and Martha 
(Raihle) Henger, who both died here, aged 
seventy-six years, respectively. Anthony 
Henger followed farming, and, although a 
man of limited education, he was very suc- 
cessful. He was a self made man, and became 
one of the leading men in the communitj' 
where he lived, ever ready to promote edu- 
cational and church interests. It was he who 
purchased thegrouud for St. Joseph's church, 
and was one of the main workers in building 
it. He was an officer in the church for many 
years. He married Otillia, a native of Ger- 
many, daughter of Christian and Ernestine 



(Ilornfecli) Goldbach, the latter of whom was 
a sister of the noted revolutionist, Fred Ilorn- 
fecli. Mrs. Henger is the mother of six chil- 
dren: Mary, Elizabeth, Louise, John, Joseph, 
and Mrs. Maggie Ward (deceased). Mr. 
Henger was a democrat. 

(iEoiiOE Walker, farmer, postofflce 
Walker's Mills, was born in Franklin county. 
Pa., in 1819. This family has been connected 
with Allegheny county since 1836. James 
Walker came to Collier township in 1838 and 
settled on his wife's property, now owned by 
the subject of this sketch. He married Mary, 
daughterof James and Mary (Walker) Stew- 
art. Robert Walker, grandfather of our sub- 
ject, by occupation a farmer and fuller, came 
from Ireland about 1788, and settled in Frank- 
lin county, where he died. He married Jane 
Miller, also of Ireland, by whom he had three 
sons and five daughters. James, the oldest 
son, was eight years of age when his parents 
came to America, and died in 18.50, aged sev- 
enty j'ears; his wife died in 1845, aged sixty- 
five years. James was a farmer, mechanic 
and fuller. George Walker, whose name 
heads this memoir, came to Pittsburgh in 
1836, and served an apprenticeship of four 
years at the hatter's trade, which lie never 
followed, however. He came to his present 
farm in 1842, and has since resided there. 
Dec. 1-'), 1852, he married Margaret Stephen- 
son, daughter of Johnston and Catherine 
Stephenson, and six children were born to 
them, two of whom are now living: William 
S. and Margaret Jane. Mr. Walker is assisted 
in his work on the farm by his son. He has 
been school director eight years, and is now 
auditor of the township. He is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church; politically a repub- 
lican. 

John Crockett Thompson, merchant, 
Allegheny, was born June 14, 1844, in Done- 
gal, Ireland, son of Rev, Samuel and Fannie 
(Huston) Thompson. Mrs. Thompson's 
father. Rev. William Huston, was pastor of 
the First Presbyterian Church of Donegal 
for forty years, and at his death Rev. Sam- 
uel Thompson took charge of that cliurch 
and one at Ballyshannon for several years, 
afterward occupying the pulpit at Donegal 
for forty-four years. He was also superin- 
tendent of the national schools of the district, 
having spent seven years at Glasgow Uni- 
versity, where he received the degree of B. 
A. The grandparents of .7. C. 'I'hompson 
were reared at Belfast, and his grandfather 
was a stockbroker. Mr. Thompson received 
his education at home under private tutors, 
and then served an apprenticeship to the 
grocer}' business at Londonderry. At the 
age of seventeen he went to Wales, and was 
two years engaged in railroad-building. He 
then spent five 3'ears at the same emploj'- 
ment in Belgium and France. In 1868 he 
came to Allegheny, and carried on a grain 
and flour business for eight j'ears. He was 
next in the coal business for nine years. In 
1886 he entered the firm of Edward Klotz & 
Co., manufacturers and wholesale jobbers in 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



483 



coufectiouery. Mr. Thompson was married 
iu September, 1875, to Sarah E. Mcllwaio, of 
Saltsburg, Pa., daughter of William and 
Nancy (Kerr) Mcllwain, and three children, 
Samuel K., William H. and Mar}' Helen, 
have blessed this union. Mr. and Mrs. 
Thompson are members of Emsworth Pres- 
byterian Church, of which he is a- trustee. 
Iu 1885 he purchased his present fine resi- 
dence at Emsworth. He is a member of 
Tancred Commaudery, No. 48, K. T., also of 
the A. O. U. W. His brother, Rev. Samuel 
H. Thompson, is a Presbyterian minister at 
St. Paul, Minn. 

J. J. Walker, thoroughbred-stock breeder, 
P. O. Walker's Mills, is a great-grandson of 
Gabriel Walker, one of four brothers who 
emigrated from Scotland to Allegheny county 
at an early date. He is a son of James 
Walker, born in 1825. who married, June 24, 
1858, Minnie Flinner, daughter of John and 
Minnie (Shield) Fliuuer, of Germany. Two 
children were born to them, of whom J. J. is 
the only survivor. He was born and reared 
on his present farm, which he owns. He has 
been successful in the dairy business, and 
keeps only the finest stock. His cows are 
partly imported, and are of the Holstein- 
Freisian breed; he also was the first breeder 
to introduce this famous breed of cattle in 
tliis county. He resides on the farm with his 
mother. He is a member of the U. P. Church 
of Noblest own. Pa,, and is a democrat. 

Joseph Payne, farmer, postoffice Coal 
Valley, son of James and Hannah (Allison) 
Payne, was born in Jefferson township, this 
county, in 1825. His grandfather, Joseph 
Payne, and his grandmother, Susan (Brown) 
Payne, were both natives of Fawn township, 
York county. Pa. The former left York 
county with the intention of going to Ken- 
tucky, but on visiting a cousin in Suowden 
township, Allegheny county, he was per- 
suaded to locate in the latter county. Pre- 
vious to his departure from York county he 
married Susan Brown, and they located in 
1795 on the farm now owned by William 
Lemuel and Milo Curry, in Jefferson town- 
ship, on Lick run, near Cochran's Mill, a 
station on the Baltimore railroad. While in 
York county they had two children born: 
Easter (tlie late Mrs. George Cochran, Sr.) 
and Mary (the late Mrs. Peter Shepler). Ben- 
jamin, John, Jane and James were born in 
Jefferson township. Benjamin married Mar- 
garet Cunningham, lived here some years 
and then removed to Iowa, where they both 
died; John married Margaret Gass, who sur- 
vives him; Jane married Jonathan Walker; 
James married Hannah Allison, and they 
reared a family of five children: Susan (now 
a resident of West Elizabeth), William A. 
(of Jefferson township). Joseph, James and 
Eliza (who died in 1852). Joseph married, in 
1855, Dorcas Theresa, daughter of Samuel 
Cochran, of Mifflin township, this county, 
and located on the farm adjoining the one 
where he was born and where they still 
reside. Their children are James H. (who 



married Eliza Bradshaw, of Jefferson town- 
ship, their home now being at McKeesport). 
and Samuel V., Charles B., William W., 
Hannah G., Susan A., all at home. Mr. and 
Mrs. Payne are members of the Lebanon 
Presbyterian Church. He has the patent to 
his place, which dates back to 1785 for one 
portion, and the other to 1787. 

William James Kiddoo, farmer, postoffice 
Broughion, was born iu February, 1839, on 
the farm he now owns, a son of Samuel and 
Margaret (Ralston) Kiddoo, former of whom 
was born on the same farm in 1803, died in 
January, 1850; latter born in 1810, in Wash- 
ington county, died in December. 1877. His 
grandfather, James Kiddoo, who was of 
Scotch-Irish descent, born in Ireland, located 
on the same farm in 1797. William's mater- 
nal grandfather. Rev. Samuel Ralston, D.D.. 
was pastor of the Monongahela and Mingo 
churches. He was born in Donegal, Ireland, 
in 1756, came to this country about 1795, and 
died in 1851. He married. May 30, 1798, Miss 
Rachel Furgesson, who was born near 
Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pa., iu 
1764, and died in 1827. W. J. Kiddoo was 
eleven years of age when his father died, 
and when about sixteen began work for him- 
self. He married, Nov. 18, 1869, Sarah A. 
Marshall, born at Bethel, June 24, 1843, 
daughter of Rev. George and Mary (Lee) 
Marshall, who were born in Union county, 
Dec. 23, 1806, and Washington county, Nov. 
3, 1805, respectively. Rev. George Marshall, 
D. D., was pastor of Bethel Church, and 
preached his first sermon there the first Sun- 
day in June, 1832. In 1836 he opened an 
academy at Bethel, which proved a useful 
educational institution. He was trustee of 
Jefferson College and director of the AVest- 
ern Theological Seminary of Allegheny. 
He died, after forty years of continuous pas- 
torate of Bethel Church, April 30, 1872; his 
widow died Jan. 15, 1888. Mrs. William J. 
Kiddoo is a member of Bethel Church. Mr. 
Kiddoo now owns 120 acres, and carries on 
general farming. 

Robert Lea, retired, Woodville, was born 
in Scott township, this county, in 1818. His 
grandfather, William, was a major in the 
English army, came to America from En- 
gland about 1775, and died in Upper St. Clair 
township in 1802. He married Dorathea 
Nelson, and to them were born four daugh- 
ters and three sons. Robert, the second son, 
was born in 1786, and died in 1858. He mar- 
ried, in 1807, Mary Allison, and by her had 
six sons and two daughters. Five of this 
family are now living, the subject of this 
memoir being the second son. Robert, Sr., 
was a millwright and a farmer, owning one 
hundred acres of land in Scott township, 
which was a part of the four hundred acres 
purchased by his father, William. Our sub- 
ject was born and reared on a farm, educated 
at the common schools, and at seventeen 
years of age he learned the millwright's 
trade. He married, in 1847, Isabella Cun- 
ningham, and to them were born four daugh- 



484 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ters aud one son. whose nnincs are Leanora 
A.. Klcauor Jane (Mrs. K. II. I-oiif?), Tillic 
I). (Mrs. II. J. Haer), Addie A. and Robert 
O. Mr. Lea started in life a poor bo^;. and 
by liis own exertions, assisted l)y a faitlifnl 
w-ife, he bas made life a success. He erected 
the gristmill at Woodville. a three-story 
frame stnictiire, 4G.\60 feet. He is a member 
of the U. P. Church, and is a republican. 

John W. Lesnett, farmer, postoffice 
Bridgeville, was born in Upper St. Clair 
township, Allegheny countj-. Pa., in 1838. 
and is of German descent. His ancestors 
crossed the ocean in 174o in the same vessel, 
and settled at Hagcrstown, Md. The male 

ancestor married, about 17r)2, Christena 

, a widow, having one child; he was 

a mechanic, a cabinet maker by trade. 
Christy Lesnett enlisted in the armj' to come 
to Fort Pitt as a recruit, to hold it against the 
French and Pontiac. a chief of the Ottawa 
Indians, and was detailed to repair the sup- 
ply-wagons. Being pleased with the country, 
he came back in the summer of 1768, with 
his two sons, Frederick and Frank, aged, 
respectively, fourteen and twelve years, and 
a man named Richard Gilson, who had 
located on land near, the preceding autumn. 
In order to be neighbors Mr. Lesnett bought 
an adjoining claim, that was located in 1767, 
in the fall of 1768. Christy and Mr. Gilson 
returned to Maryland and remained until 
spring, when with their families they came 
and permanently settled in South Fayette 
township, Allegheny county, twelve miles 
from Pittsburgh, on the Pittsburgh and Wash- 
ington turnpike. The Lesnett family then 
consisted of the parents and nine children, 
as follows; Nancy, her child, his stepdaugh- 
ter; Frederick, Frank, Stofle. Margaret, 
Christena, Sophia, Christy and George. 

Frederick was the eldest son and inherited 
at his father's death the-property now known 
as "John Lesnett's farm." He married 
Isabella Wilson, of Scotch parentage, who 
bore him eight children. Frederick, who 
was always a farmer, died in 1830, aged 
seventy-six years. Wilson, the third son of 
the family, was born and reared on the farm 
purchased by his grandfather. He married 
Mary, daughter of John Weaver, of Cannons- 
burg, and they live near the old homestead. 
Seven children blessedtheirunion; John W., 
Mary J., Frederick, Isabella (died in 1877. 
aged thirty one), William Wilson, Thomas 
Dell and Sarah E. Wilson died Jan. 1, 1886, 
aged seventy-eight years; his widow died 
April 13, 1888, "and is buried in Melrose 
cemetery. Frederick was shot in the calf of 
the leg by an Indian in a canoe on the Ohio 
river. Christy was shot through (the ball 
going in at the back and coming out by the 
navel), in Ohio, by an Indian; he walked 
three miles, swam the river at Wheeling, and 
died at his stepsister's about the year 1804, 
aged nineteen; he was buried at Wheeling. 
Stofle, who was always a soldier, spent some 
time at Cincinnati fort, and ran the gauntlet 
at Chillacaha at the time of St. Clair's defeat. 



The old Lesnett men were large, powerful 
and fearless. Frank Stofle, John Vance and 
two of the Conner men went to Jones' ferry 
to light Ave Pittsburgh bullies. They sal 
down lo wall for their men. wlio came and 
looked at them, but crossed back, not making 
themselves known, so there was no fight. 

Hahhy C. Myers, merchant, Pittsburgh, 
was born in Ihnt cily Julj- 5, 18.54, a son of 
Henry and Margret Myers, who came from 
Germany and settled in Pittsburgh, where 
Ihey died when Harry was four years old. 
He received his education at the Orphans' 
Farm school at Zelienople, Butler county. 
Pa., graduating in ]8()6. He then came io 
Pittsburgh and for three years clerked in a 
grocery-store; was next employed by A. 
Bricker & Son, commission merchants, for 
about eight years, and was two years in the 
same business with Thomas Tate & Co. In 
1882, in partnership with Mr. Craig, opened 
a commission hoijse. and at the end of three 
years he withdrew from the firm, and was 
parlner and manager for thePittsb\irgh Prod- 
uce Commission company, limited, principal 
owners being Charles and John Atbuckle. 
In 1886 H. C.Myers and Thomas Tate bought 
out the Pittsburgh Produce Commission 
company, limited, the style of the firm 
being Pittsburgh Produce Commission com- 
panj-, Myers & Tale, proprietors. They do a 
general commission business to the amount 
of $200,000 per year, handling foreign 
fruils of all kinds. Mr. Myers married. Feb. 
27, 1879, Emma, daughter of Samuel Grove, 
an old resident of Allegheny City, and two 
children have blessed this union: Harry 
Grove and Bessie Laural. Mr. and Mrs. 
Myers are members of the U. P. Cliurch of 
Bellevue, in which town he built his home 
in 1888. 

J. Charles Bedell, merchant, Mansfield 
Valle}'. is a native of Allegheny county. Pa., 
born in 1839. His parents, Daniel, a farmer, 
and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Bedell, had a family 
of ten children, seven of whom are living, 
and of these J. Charles is among the young- 
est. The father died in 1861, aged seventy- 
six years; ihe mother, when ."iged sixty-two 
years. The grandfather. Abner Bedell, w-ho 
was a farmer, came to America from France 
with Gen. Lafayette, and the original spell- 
ing of the name was B'Dell. The subject of 
this sketch was educa(ed at the common 
schools, and also attended night school. Early 
in life he became a compositor, and wai* 
employed in a publi.shing-house in Pitts- 
burgh for several j'cars. Soon afterward he 
went to Dakota territory, where he edited 
the first paper, remaining three years, after 
which he was employed by the P. & Ft. W. 
R. R., and was four years paymaster. In 
1866 he came to Man.sfield and engaged in 
mercantile business until 1877. Then, in com- 
pany with his father in-law, Mr. Kennedy, 
he organized the Mansfield Saving & De- 
posit Bank. This partnership continued 
until 1879, but since that date Mr. Bedell has 
been .successfully carrying on mercantile busi- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



48? 



ness. He married, in ISfi.i. Dell, daughter of 
Samuel Kennedy, of JIansfield, Pa., and 
they have three children; Winifred, Violet 
and Idyl. Mr. Bedell has been a member of 
the school board and town council. He is a 
member of the M. E. Church, and is a repub- 
lican. 

Philip McCandless, farmer, postofflce 
Oakdale Station. In 1772 Alexander Mc- 
Candless, the pioneer of this family, emi- 
grated from Glasgow, Scotland, to America. 
He located for a year in Philadelphia, and 
coming thence to Western Pennsylvania, to 
what is now Findla}- township, Allegheny 
county, took up 450 acres of land. He fol- 
lowed farming through life, and died in 1817, 
aged sixty-seven j'ears. He was the father 
of four children, Alexander being the 
youngest, born in Turner's fort, Xorth 
Fayette township, in 1783. and died in 1848. 
Alexander, Jr., married Margaret Kecord, 
daughter of Philip Record, and eight chil- 
dren were born to them, three of whom are 
living. Philip, the subject of this memoir, 
now owns the 240 acres of land purchased hy 
his father. He received a common-school 
education. He married, in 1850, Margaret, 
daughter of John and Rachel Stonesipher, 
and five children blessed their union, three 
of whom are living — George, John and Mar- 
garet Elizabeth (Mrs. Magill). Mr. McCand- 
less has been a successful farmer. The 
name is highlj' respected in this count}', be- 
ing borne by prominent and intelligent citi- 
zens. Mr. McCandless is a democrat, and 
has held many township offices: he is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. 

Francis Stewart Gil.more, retired farm- 
er, postoffice Wilkinsbuig, was born in the 
parish of St. Andrew's. County Down, Ire 
land, March 29, 1801. In 1833, with his par- 
ents, John and Ann (McCune) Gilmore, he 
started for America. The mother died on 
the sea, and the father and son settled and 
rented land in Wilkins township, where the 
father died in 1840. In 1843 Francis S. 
bought the farm where he resides, contain- 
ing forty-six acres, which he cleared and im- 
proved, and on which there is no wasteland. 
In 1844 he married Jane, sister of J. M. 
Johnston, and has two children living: John 
Hastings, born May 29, 1846; and Martha 
Ann, both at home; two children, James and 
Margaret, died in infancy. The father and 
son are republicans. Mr. Gilmore was an 
elder in Hebron U. P. Church until forced to 
resign on account of deafness. He has 
never lost any time through illness, and is 
still seen frequently at work in the fields. 

W. H. Clark, farmer, postotfice Oakdale 
Station, was born in Fayette township, in 
1836. His father, James Clark, a native of 
County Down, Ireland, immigrated to Amer- 
ica about 1810, and purchased a farm in 
Upper St. Clair township, this countv. He 
married Jane Herdman, daughter of William 
Herdman, also a native of County Down, 
Ireland, and who settled in South Fayette 
township about 1780. James Clark died in 



1870, aged eighty-one years: his widow died 
three years later, aged eight3'-five \'ears. W. 
H. Clark was born and reared near his pres- 
ent home, and with the exception of four- 
years has always resided in Allegheny county. 
He was educated at the public scIkioIs, and 
married, in 18.59, Kate, daughter of William 
and Sarah (Wolfe) Fritz, the former a native 
of Perry county, and the latter of Centra 
county. Pa. Twelve children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, eight of whom 
are now living: James Campbell, at home- 
assisting on the farm: Harry Elmer, a phy- 
sician: Mary Lizzie, a student at an academy^ 
Fannie M. and Minnie M. (twins), Denny C, 
Elsie B. and Howard Fritz. Mr. Clark was. 
doorkeeper, in 1869, in the house of represent- 
atives. He is a director of the insurance 
company at Oakdale, director of schools, and 
for seventeen years has been a trustee of 
Oakdale Church, formerly a trustee of the 
Union church; he is a republican. 

Joseph McCoknell, farmer and coal- 
dealer, postotfice Walker's Mills, was born irt 
South Fayette township, in 1826, son of 
William and Agnes (Reed) McConnell, of 
Lancaster count}'. William came from 
County Down, Ireland, in 1807, to Lancaster 
county. He worked at his trade (blacksmith^ 
for three years. He and his wife rode across, 
the mountains on horses. In 1810 he pur- 
chased a farm in South Fa3'ette township, 
where he died. He was the father of nine- 
children, of whom Joseph is the seventh. He 
was educated at the public schools, and in 
1864 purchased the property whei^e he now 
resides. He married, in 1857, Mary Ann 
Gladden, of Allegheny county, and by her he- 
had four children: Nannie J., William G., 
Mary Belle and JMary Ann. By his second 
wife, Mary Jane, daughter of Walker and 
Ann (Boyd) Herriott, he has six children; 
Maggie E., Nellie Irene, Joseph R., Nettie 
A., Bessie Boyd and Forbes Holton. Mr, 
McConnell carries on in connection with 
farming the coal business, which he has. 
successfully conducted for nine years. He- 
finds a market for his productions at Cleve- 
land, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pa. He is a 
member of the U. P. Church, and is a repub- 
lican. 

Thomas Burns, farmer, postoffice Clin- 
ton, was born in Findlay township, Jan. 15, 
1825, a son of Alexander and Susan (White/ 
Burns, also natives of that township. Al- 
exander Burns was born May 27, 1800, and 
died May 37, 1832; his wife was born June 
15, 1797, and died Sept. 5, 1887; she was a 
daughter of Thomas and Jane (McCleaster)i 
White. Thomas White was born in Ireland, 
a prominent Presbyterian, and builder of 
Hopewell church. Alexander Burns was a 
son of John and Jane (Crooks) Burns, who 
were among the earliest settlers of Findlay 
township. Alexander and Susan (White) 
Burns were Presbyterians, and had five 
sons: John, James, Thomas, Alexander and 
Henry. The third named married, April 28, 
1853, Mary J. Stevenson, who was born ia 



4SG 



HISTOltV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Findliiy township, a (laughter of Holiert and 
Nancy (Lewis) Stevenson. Mr. and Mrs. 
Burns are members of the Hebron I'resby- 
terian Church, and have hud eifiht children: 
Margaret M. (married to .lohn Kirk), Susan 

A. (deceased wife of Die kson .Morrison), Cy- 
rus McC. (married to Emma Bust). Tliomas 
K. L. (married to Jennie McGinnis), Nancy 
J. S. (deceased wife of William Sjiringur), 
Ida V. (married to John W. Byers), George 

B. McC. and Lulu L. Mr. Burns is a leading 
fanner, and owns 340 acres of laud. He has 
held various local offices of trust, and has the 
respect and confidence of all. 

George Bukks, farmer, posloffice Clinton, 
was born on his present farm, in Findlay 
township. April 11, 1823, a son of Jo!in 
Burns, who was born in Findlay township, 
Oct. 30, 1774, and was by trade a cooper 
and farmer; an elder in Hopewell Pres- 
byterian Church a number of years. John 
Burns married, March 15, 1798, .Jane 
Crooks, also a Presbjterian, and they had 
ten children; George, Nauc}' (widow of Sam- 
uel Nichol), Alexander, Jane (married Robert 
Eaton), Henry, John, Polly (married to John 
White), William, Peggy (widow of James 
Hood), and Andrew, of whom Nancy, Polly, 
Peggy. Andrew and George are living. 
George has been twice married; first. Aug. 
24, 1843, to Jane Burns, who died Sept. 30, 
18.")3, the mother of one son, Alfred M., born 
March 28, 1846, and married to Mary Jane 
Forsythe, and residing in Findlay township. 
George Burns married. July 4, 1854, Nancy, 
a sister of his first wife, and a daughter of 
Robert and Jane Burns. Mr. and Mrs. 
George Burns are members of the Valley 
Presbyterian Church. He owns 223 acres of 
land, a part of the old Hopewell tract, pur- 
chased and patented by his grandfather, 
John Burns, April 28. 1785. The latter, who 
was a relative of the poet Burns, came here 
prior to the Revolution, and was the pioneer 
of the Burns familj- in Findlay township. 
He purchased a large body of land near 
Imperial. John, the father of the subject 
of this memoir, was his eldest son. 

Is.\AC Blackadohe, farmer, postofflce 
Wilkinsburg and Pittsburgh, East End, 
residence Maple Valley, was born in County 
Antrim, Ireland, November 20, 1819. When 
be was two years old his parents, George and 
Mary (Alexander) Blackadore. came to 
America. In 1821 they settled in Wilkins (part 
of which is now Penn) township, began clear- 
ing the land and built a house. His father 
died in 18G1. aged eighty years, and his mother 
ten years later, aged ninety years. They 
had three sous and four daughters: Eleanor 
(Fitzsimmons), in Patton township; Isaac, 
Mary (Grierson), in Patton, and Elizabeth 
(Grierson), in East Liberty; .Jane (Riggs) and 
John, in Canton. 111., and Williara(deceascd). 
The father was a member of Beulah Presby- 
terian Church; was at first a democrat, but 
afterward joined the republican party on 
account of slavery issues. Isaac Blackadore 
has ahva3's lived on this farm. He had little 



opportunity for aciiuiring an education, but 
is an extensive reader, and has a tine librarj- 
in the brick residence which be erected in 
1860. In 1867 he married Nanc}' Cochran, 
born in Franklin township, daughter of 
John and Mary (Alexander) (Cochran, of Ire- 
land, and their living children are Mar^', 
Elizabeth, George, John. Annie and Frances; 
three died in infancy. Mrs. Blackadore is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, to 
which faith he also adheres; politically is a 
republican. 

Samuel A. Jordak, retired. Federal, was 
born in Allegheny county. Pa., March 2.5. 
1807. In 1801 Stewart Jordan, with his wife 
and four children, left Chester county, Pa., 
and after a long, tedious journey of three 
weeks arrived in Pittsburgh. They moved 
into a log cabin, the property of a Mr. Alex- 
ander, where they remained until the spring 
of 1802. Stewart Jordan here bought a small 
farm, and thereon erected a log house, the 
lumber for which was on this tract of land. 
It was made of round logs, with clapboard 
roof, and weightpoles to keep clapboards in 
place; had paper windows, and no nails were 
used, except what were made by the neigh- 
boring blacksmith. He made subsequent 
purchases, and owned at his death 125 acres. 
He was always a farmer, was highly respected 
bj' his neighbors, being a kind and good 
Christian. His wife,whose maiden name was 
Mary Hanna, was an estimable lady. She 
was baptized by the same minister, Rev. 
Michel, who afterward. Sept. 5, 1793. in 
Chester county, pronounced her the wife of 
Mr. Jordan. He died in 1843. in his eighty- 
third year; his wife died April 6, 1863. when 
ninety-six years old. Thej- were the parents 
of nine children, fiftj' seven grandchildren 
and thirty-one great-grandchildren. Their 
forefathers came to America in the sixteenth 
century, and were of Scotch-Irish blood. 

Samuel A. Jordan, the subject of this 
sketch, and son of Stewart Jordan, was born 
and rearedon the farm, the pursuits of which 
he has always followed. He received his 
education in the primitive log schoolhouse, 
with its greascd-paper windows, slab benches, 
earthen floor and hardheaded "dominie" 
wielding the ever-ready "wattles." He was 
for a number of years engaged in the saw- 
mill business in Washington count}-. It was 
there he met and afterward married, in 1839, 
Margaret, daughter of Nicholas and Anna 
(White) Edgar. Her uncle, Mathew Taylor, 
was the first white child born in Washington 
county. Pa. Nine children were born to 
them: John M. (who died in 1864 at Ander- 
sonville prison, after serving in the war two 
years), Nicholas W. (who died in lb84), Mary 
Jane (now Mi-s. Miller). .Vnn Elizabeth, 
Samuel Stewart (married to Sarah F. Phillip), 
Sarah, Francis Philip, Isaac Newton and 
Jacob Lea. Mr. .Jordan bought, in 1855, 1.55 
acres of laud in South Fayette township (now 
Collier) at sixty dollars per acre, and moved 
to it in 18.56; this land is now assessed at 
$120 per acre He has retired from active 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



487 



work on the farm, which is now conducted 
by his sons. He has since twenty-one years 
of age been an active member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and takes a great Interest 
in the Sunday-school. He has been school 
director of his township, and has held other 
positions of trust. Politically he is a prohi- 
bitionist, formerly a republican. Among 
many reminiscences this fine old pioneer 
could relate may be mentioned that in 1818 
his father paid iSf cents for postage on letters 
coming from Chester county. Pa., to Alle- 
gheny county, when Pittsburgh was the only 
postolfice in the latter county, all mail-matter 
east or west of the mountains being carried 
on horseback. His school primer cost fifteen 
cents, and everything else in proportion; and 
his schoolday experiences would be well 
worth relating did space permit. 

.Jacob Jordan (deceased) was born March 
18, 1809, on the farm purchased by his an- 
cestors. He received his education in the 
log schoolhouse, with its greased-paper win- 
dows, and lived in South Fayette township 
from the time of his birth to 1880. He fol- 
lowed farming all his life. He married, in 
1833. Ann Hickman, daughter of Peter and 
Abigal (Fawcett) Hickman. Her father and 
grandfather came from Maryland, about the 
year 1794, to South Fayette township, and died 
leaving a large number of respected posterity 
in Pennsylvania. At that time Indians, deer 
and wolves were numerous, and gristmills, 
etc., were operated by hand. Seven daugh- 
ters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, viz. : 
Mary (Mrs. Collins), Abigal (at home), Marga- 
ret (at home), Elizabeth (Mrs. Fife), Sarah 
(Mrs. Foster), Martha (Mrs. Lesnett) and 
Selina (Mrs. Boarland). Mr. Jordan died 
April 2a, 1880, on the farm his father had 
bought in 1802, at six dollars per acre, in 
South Fayette township, a faithful member 
of the Presbyterian Church; he was a repub- 
lican, and served as justice of the peace for 
ten years. 

James A. Johnston, farmer, postoffioe 
Herriottsville, was born in Fayetteville, this 
county, December 4, 1849. James Johnston, 
his grandfather, a native of Ireland, came to 
America in 1791 and settled in Western Penn- 
sj'lvania. He was a farmer, and married 
Mary Linville, of Washington county. Pa. 
Two sons and four daughters were born to 
them, of whom .John L., their second child, 
was born in Allegheny county in 1820. In 
1848 he married Rebecca, daughter of John 
Scott, of Washington county, and she bore 
him two sous and two daughters. 

Of these the subject of this sketch was 
the eldest. He was educated in the public 
schools of Washington and Fayette counties, 
and, like his father, has always been a farmer. 
In 1873 he married Lizzie F., daughter of 
Henry N. Freed, of Fayette county, and six 
children were born to them; Harry S. , 
Ethel W., Louella P., Eva L., Sadie E. and 
John Dalzell. Mr. Johnston came to Upper 
St. Clair township in 1880, and purchased his 
present farm of one hundred acres, which he 



has improved and has now under a good 
state of cultivation. Politically he has al- 
ways been a republican. He is a Ijrother of 
the late Prof. John Scott Johnston, who was 
for six years superintendent of the public 
schools of this county. 

John McIntosh, retired, Wilkinsburg, 
was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, July 
29, 1822. His parents, James and Nancy 
Mcintosh, natives of the highlands of Scot- 
land, came to this country and dwelt on a 
farm in Ohio, where our subject received 
a common-school education. He left home 
when twenty years old, and was employed 
at carpenter-work for several years, but up 
till lately, for twenty-eight years, has been 
superintending coal-mines, the last fifteen at 
Turtle Creek, for the New York & Cleve- 
land Gas Coal company, and prior to that 
for eleven years on the Monongahela river. 
Wlien Mr. Mcintosh took charge of these 
mines there were sixteen saloons in the 
immediate vicinity of the works, but he 
soon rooted them out, and now there are 
none in Patton township. For two years 
his life was threatened, but he pursued his 
duty without fear, and has since had the 
gratification of receiving the thanks of men 
who then imagined that he was encroaching 
on their liberties. The company now em- 
ploys three hundred men who are noted 
among miners for their sobriety, and largely 
own their homes; the latter fact is mostlj' 
due to the kindly interest and encour- 
agement, of their superintendent. In 18.59 
Mr. Mcintosh was united in marriage to 
Elizabeth R., daughter of John and Eliza 
(Rankin) Barkley, of Irish descent. She 
was born in Indiana county. Pa., and is the 
mother of the following-named children; 
Norman C. (at Turtle Creek), Laura V. (wife 
of William Montgomery, a druggist in 
Leecbburg, Pa.), Alice B. and Harry W. (at 
home). Politicall}' Mr. Mcintosh is a strong 
prohibitionist; he and Mrs. Mcintosh are 
among the active workers of the M. E. 
Church. 

Dr. a. W. Schooley, Braddock, was 
born in Bedford county. Pa., in 1848. the 
second of the three children of Dr. J. D. and 
Malinda (Barton) Schooley. His father was 
a graduate of a dental college in Ohio, and 
from 1861 to 1880 a physician in Braddock; 
his mother was a daughter of William Bar- 
ton, a prominent farmer of Brush Creek 
township, Bedford county, Pa. The subject 
of tliis sketch is of French and German par- 
entage, his ancestors, both paternal and ma- 
ternal, having emigrated to America at an 
early day. His preliminary education was ob- 
tained at the public and high schools, and in 
1866 he commenced the study of medicine, his 
father being his preceptor. He entered .Jeffer- 
son Medical College of Philadelphia in 1869, 
graduating at that institution in 1871. Since 
that time he has had a large and lucrative 
practice at Braddock and surrounding coun- 
try. In 1879 he married Mary May, daugh- 
ter of James Howard, a prominent citizen of 



488 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Cadiz, Ohio, and two children have blessed 
their union: Mary M. and A. W., Jr. Ur. 
Schooley is a member of Allegheny County 
Medical society, and among the members of 
his profession is ranlted in the first class as 
a pliysician and surgeon, and by all the com- 
munity as a hospitable gentleman. He and 
Mrs. Schooley are members of the Episcopal 
Church; he is a republican. 

John C. Sloan, M. D., Bakerstown, is a 
son of James and Mary A. (Campbell) Sloan, 
natives of Ireland and McCandless town- 
ship, this county, respectively, llis ma- 
ternal grandfather. Jolin Campbell, was a 
native of Ireland, immigrated to America in 
1809, and died in 1800, .Mr. and Mrs. James 
Sloan were parents of four children: Xancy, 
wife of Matthew McMillan, in Fayette coun- 
U-; Robert, in Kansas; Joseph and John C. 
The last named is the eldest, and was born 
in McCandless township in 1839. He re- 
ceived his early education at the public 
schools of the township, and graduated from 
Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1869. 
He then engaged for two years in the prac- 
tice of his profession in Allegheny, moving 
thence to Charlotte county, Va.; but after 
three years he again came to Allegheny', and 
since 188,5 has resided at his present location. 
In 1863 the doctor enlisted for three mouths 
in Co. C, 53d P. V., re-enlisted in 1865 in 
Co. H, 78th P. v., and served until the close 
of the war. In 18T3 he married Mary, daugh- 
ter of John Fulton, of Allegheny, and four 
children have been born to them: Anna M., 
Emma, Howard Renwick and Luella Eliza- 
beth. Dr. and Mis. Sloan are members of 
the R. P. Church, of which he is elder. 

John Ai>exandek Conner, justice of the 
peace, New Texas, was born in County 
Derry, Ireland, in March, 1826, a son of John 
and Jane (Selfridgc) Conner, His father 
died in 1848, aged fifty-four years, and was 
buried in Scotland. The subject of this sketch 
came to America in 1843, spent two years 
in Indiana, and then served an apprentice- 
ship at the shoe business in Philadelphia. 
He then passed one winter in Pittsburgh, 
and after iraveling through Ohio and Indiana, 
returned to that city. Feb. 32, 1849, he 
married Elizabeth Fleming Arthurs, also a 
native of County Derry, Ireland, born De- 
cember, 1828, a daughter of James and Jane 
(Conuer) Arthurs, former of whom died in 
Pittslmrgh in 1847, and latter, who was born 
in 1805, 'lives with Mrs, Conner. To Mr. 
and Mrs. John A. Conner eleven children 
were born, seven of whom are deceased. The 
living are Alexander A. (conductor on the 
Pennsylvania railroad), Lida Jane (Mrs. J. H. 
Miskinins), Anna M. (Mrs. William David- 
son) and Jennie (at home). After marriage 
Mr. Conner carried on the boot and shoe 
business at Xenia, Ohio, under firm name 
of Allen & Conner, for five 3'ears, employing 
several men. In 1854 he settled at New 
Texas in the same business; was instrumental 
in starting a postofflce there in 1856, and 
was assigned to the postmastership and 



served as such until December, 1862; wa» 
again appointed postmaster in December, 
1866. and served until Oct. 1, 1868, when he 
resigned to take the office of justice of the 
peace, which he has held since that time. 
He and Mrs. Conner are members of Plum 
Creek Presbyterian Church. He is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. 0. F. and A. O. U. W.; be is 
a democrat. 

\ViLi,iA.M Udey, coal-operator, Elizabeth, 
a son of John and Susie (Crothers) Huey, waa 
born in Pittsburgh in 1816. His father was 
of Irish and his mother of Scotch descent. 
After marriage they made their home in 
Pittsluirgb, where they reared a family of 
five children, of whom only two are living, 
ilarnarel and William ; the deceased are Mary, 
KIsie and Susie, William remained at home 
until the death of his parents, and in 1841 
married Sarah Fusion, and located in Miners- 
ville. In 18.50 he moved to California, and 
returning in 1857. he with Mr, Gumbert, 
purchased the Bellevue coal-mines, the firm 
being Gumbert & Huey, The mines had 
been operated previous to the purchase, but 
the new firm made great changes, and now 
own a miniature village, inhabited by their 
employes, of whom there are about yne 
hundred and fifty. The mines have a daily 
capacityof fromten totwelve thousandbush- 
els. Mr. Huey superintends the interests of 
the firm at the mines, and Mr.Gumberl attends, 
to the office in Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. 
Huey have had eight children, three de- 
ceased — John, Mary and Eliza, and five living 
— Hannah, Susie," Sadie, William H. and 
Kate. Mrs Huey is a member of the M, E, 
Church. 

Eli Myers, merchant, Monroeville, was 
born in Patton township, October 6, 1830, 
The family name is evidentl}' of German or- 
igin, and is a hisloric one in that township. 
It was at the house of Mr, McElrny. Mrs. 
Myers' grandfather, that Gen. Washington 
found shelter after an involuntary bath in 
the Allegheny. Eli Myers, grandfather of 
our subject, at one time owned the mill in 
Wilkins township, on Thompson's run. in 
Turtle Creek village. His son, William, 
married Jane Carr, a native of Patton, and 
died when the subject of our sketch was 
small. When seven years old Eli was bound 
out to Robert Beatty, and reared and edu- 
cated on a farm in Patton township. For 
many 3ears he worked Mr. Beatt}-'s farm, 
and in 188U he opened a store at Monroeville. 
Next year he was appointed postmaster, and 
has held the office ever since. He is a re- 
publican, and has served eight years as town- 
ship supervisor and two years as tax-col- 
lector. The family is associated with the 
Presbyterian Church. August 8, 1854. Mr. 
Mj-ers married Maria, a daughter of Robert 
McElroy. and they had a family of eight 
children: Robert E. (at home), Mary (wife 
of Robert Swishelm, in Wilkins), Sarah G. 
and James (in Penn township), Lizzie H. 
(assistant postmaster), Rachel A., Maggie, 
8. K. and Virginia Etta (at home). The 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



489 



second child, Fulton McKlroj-, died in in- 
fancy. 

William M. Watson, attorney at law, 
Swissvale, was born in Washington county. 
Pa., in 1855, to James and Maria (Morgan) 
Watson, latter a daughter of George Morgan 
and granddaughter of Col. George Morgan, 
of Princeton, N. J., whose name has be- 
come historic through his exposure of the 
treachery of Aaron Burr. James Watson 
• was for many years a prominent attorney of 
Washington county. He was the father of 
ten children, seven now living, our subject 
being the youngest born. William M.Watson 
was reared and educated in his native county, 
graduated from Washington College in 1875, 
and at once commenced the study of law. 
After reading one j'ear he entered the Har- 
vard law-school, from which he graduated in 
1878, and the same year was admitted to the 
bar of both Washington and Allegheny coun- 
ties. He was married in 1884, to Sarah 
Ormsby, daughter of William McKnight. a 
prominent iron-merchant of Pittsburgh. Mr. 
Watson is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and is a republican. 

James M. Matlack, M. D. (deceased), for 
many years a prominent physician of Brad- 
dock, was born in Chester county in 1833. 
In 1868 he married Mary, daughter of John 
and Rebecca (McGlinn) McKinne}', former a 
native of this county, latter of New York, 
and two children were born to them, Lidia 
and Maggie, both yet living. The parents 
were members of the U. P. Church. The 
doctor died in 1877, at Turtle Creek, Pa., and 
after his death Mrs. Matlack, with her two 
daughters, moved back to Braddock, where 
they now reside. 

Martin Loeffler. retired, Etna, was 
born Feb. 25, 1814, in Kurhessen, Germany, 
a son of Conrad and Catharine (Gerhard) 
LoeiBer, who died in this county. Conrad 
was a miner all his life. Martin was educated 
in German}', where he mined; he served 
five years in the army and was twice pro- 
moted in the artillery. He came to America 
in 1839, and engaged in mining in this 
county. In 1840 he came to Shaler township, 
and subsequently became pit-boss for Spang, 
Chalfant & Co. He was also captain of a 
canal-boat, and conducted a successful busi- 
ness in Etna for tifteen years. He here mar- 
ried Matilda, daughter of Butler Myers, and 
they have three children living: Mrs. Rebecca 
Cunningham, Mrs. Caroline Ingham and 
Maggie. Mr. Loeffler has been a member of 
the I. O. O. F. and temperance lodge since 
1853. He is a republican, and has been a 
member of the school board and council. 

William Bbadling, coal-opeiator. Essen, 
was born in this county iu 1845, and is de- 
scended from Robert Beadling, an English- 
man b}' birth, who came to Allegheny count}- 
some fifty-five years ago and settled on Saw- 
Mill run; he was a shoemaker, and for many 
years a miner. Among the progressive coal- 
men of this section of Allegheny county, no 
firm, with the opportunities afforded, has 



been more successful than that of Beadling 
Brothers, of which William is a member. 
Their mines are on the P., C. & Y. H. R., and 
the market for their product is at Cleveland 
and Chicago. They own some 250 acres of 
land in Upper St. Clair and Scott townships, 
employ 125 hands, and their"slopes" are oper- 
ated by a twenty-horse-power engine. Our 
subject was educated at the common schools, 
and was engaged iu and about coal-mines 
from the age of nine years until 1880, since 
when he has been in the coal business. Mr. 
Beadliug married, in 1866, Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of John Dillon, and six children have 
been born to them: William H., bookkeeper 
for the firm; Thomas, Robert, Dorothy, John 
and James. 

Ernest Luft (deceased) was born June 
29, 1832, in Geis Nidda, Hessen - Darm- 
stadt, Germany. He came to America in 
1853, and resided in Pittsburgh, Pa., till 1867. 
when he removed to Cincinnati, where he 
followed his trade of printer and publisher, 
which he had previously learned in the oflSoe 
of the Ereisbladl, in Nidda, Germany. In 
1871 he removed to Millvale, where he built 
a home, following his trade in Pittsburgh. 
He was a popular and highly esteemed inaij, 
of fine physique, being seven feet in height, 
well proportioned, and was a bold, fearless 
speaker. He died Dec. 32, 1879. His wife 
and widow, nee Charlotte Richter. is a native 
of Treffurt, Saxony, daughter of August J. 
and Wilhelmina (Falk) Richter. She is the 
motherof four children: Mrs. Louise Palmer, 
Charlotte, Ernest and August. Mr. Luft was 
a member of the G. R. Church, as is his 
widow. He was a republican. 

Hugh James Logan, merchant, Logan's 
Ferry, is a descendant of one of the pioneers 
of Plum township, and was born at Logan's 
Ferry Dec. 19, 1841, a son of Hugh and 
Elizabeth (Parry) Logan. Hugh was born 
in Springdale, "this county, Dec. 3. 1788, a 
son of Alexander Logan, and was a merchant, 
justice of the peace and postmaster for about 
thirty years. He was major in the state 
militia, also an oflicer in the Indian war, and 
died June 29, 1873. His first child died in 
Pittsburgh, was buried in the old Trinity 
churchyard, and he was one of the tirst white 
children born in this county north of the 
Ohio river. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Logan, 
was born April 34, 1798, and died Nov. 3, 
1878. Alexander Logan setrtled at Springdale 
in 1786; was a merchant, and took up a large 
tract of land at Springdale and Logan's Ferry, 
extending two or three miles along the river. 
He died Dec. 15, 1836, aged seventy-nine 
years. His father, the great-grandfather of 
Hugh James, James Logan, a native of Ire- 
land, of Scotch-Irish blood, immigrated first 
to Chester county. Pa. The subject of this 
memoir received his education at the public 
schools and Elder's Ridge Academy, and iu 
August, 1862, enlisted in Co. F, 15th P. V.C. 
serving until the close of the war. On ac- 
count of sickness he was in the hospital for 
some time, and also did detached duty al 



i\)0 



niSTOItY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Nashville. lie was mustered out .June 30, 
1865. In 1809 he engaged in a general mer- 
cantile business at his present place, and has 
been very successful. 

In 1873 Mr. Logan married Malinda Galla- 
her. who was born in Plum townsliip about 
1845, a daughter of John and Jane (Mulligan) 
Qallaher, former a contractor and farmer, and 
four children have been born to them: Hugh 
J., Jr., Mabel G., Jane Elizabeth and Emily 
C, all at home. In 1870 Mr. Logan was ap- 
pointed postmaster, and has since filled that 
office. He has two sisters living near him — 
Mrs. M. L. Flack and Mrs. Fred Knowland. 
His grandfather, Parry, was an architect and 
builder. Mr. and Mrs. Logan are members 
of the Presbyterian Church; be is a member 
of the G. A. R. In 1881 he began the erec- 
tion of a fine brick residence uear his store, 
overlooking the Allegheny river, completing 
the same in 1886. 

Jou.'^S. CoE, farmer, postofficeTarentum, 
a son of Benjamin and Nancy (Shields) Coe, 
was born in 1827 on the farm now owned by 
him, in Fawn township. His grandfather, 
Benjamin Coe, a soldier in the war of 1812, 
came from New Jersey and settled in Fawn 
township at the time when a blockhouse was 
erected at what is now Springdale, to pro- 
tect the white settlers from the Indians. 
Springdale was formerly Coe station, being 
named in honor of Benjamin Coe, the first 
settler of Fawn township. Here he and his 
wife died, leaving si.\ children; Daniel, 
James, Margaret, Moses, Benjamin and 
Phebe. Benjamin Coe and Nancy Shields 
married and located on the farm formerly 
owned by his father, and reared eight chil- 
dren: Rebecca (deceased). Margaret, Joseph, 
Benjamin (deceased), Eliza, John S., James 
(deceased) and Sarah, and here lived and died 
the second generation of this family. .John 
S. Coe married, in 18.53, Hannah Jane, daugh- 
ter of James Boyd, of West Deer township. 
He located on the old homestead, engaged in 
farming, and the improvements are evidences 
of his success. He has frequentl.y filled posi- 
tions of trust and emolument in Fawn town- 
ship. Mr. and Mrs. Coe are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. They have two chil- 
dren, b}' adoption: Benjamin F. and Sadie B. 
John G. Gn-«i.\M, farmer, postofflce 
Stewart's Station, was Ijorn in Peun township. 
Westmoreland county. Pa., in 1833, a son of 
William and Nancy (McChesney) Graham. 
William was a brother of Christopher, and 
died here in 1883, aged eighty-two years. 
His wife, born in Ireland, died at the same 
age, in 1885. With the exception of one year 
spent in Westmoreland county, William 
Graham lived from 1830 iu Pattou. He was 
a member of the Presbyterian Church; polit- 
ically a democrat. John G. Graham has al- 
ways been a hard worker, and had little 
opportunity for education, but is giving his 
children the benefit of the best educational 
institutions. He married, in 1862. Susannah 
Errett, born in Hempfield, Westmoreland 
covmty, a daughter of Adam and Sarah (Ash- 



baugh) Errett. of German descent, f(Trmer 
a wealthy farmer. In 18.52 Mr. Graham pur- 
chased tifl}- acres of land, and ten years 
later erected the house wherein he resides. 
Mr. Graham also owns projierty in Nortli 
Huntingdon, Hempfield and Penn townships, 
Westmoreland county. The family com- 
prises eight children, most of whom attend 
the U. P. Church at Stewart's Station. 
Their names are as follows: Sarah Agnes 
(deceased, wife of William Naser, a resident 
of Wall's Station; she died June 10, 1888, 
leaving three little boys: Elmer George, Ed- 
gar Milo and William Charles), Mary Slartha 
.lane, Adam Errett, Elizabeth Elenor Leo- 
nora, .lames Michael, Annie Alice, David 
John and William Brown. Mr. Graham is a 
democrat. 

CHBrsTiAN H.\GER, M. D., Braddock, is a 
native of Switzerland, born in 1859, a son of 
Christian Hager. He received his education 
in Munich (Bavaria), and at eleven years of 
age commenced the study of medicine, grad- 
uating in 188-t, since when he has been in 
continuous practice of his profession. Oct. 
22. 1884, he married Lena Schaeffler. who has 
borne him one daughter. Mary, and in 1885 
they came to America. Mr. and Mrs. Hager 
are members of the German Catholic Church; 
in politics he is independent. 

L. McIntosh. retired. Etna, was born in 
1811, in Nairn, near Fort George, Scotland, 
the son of John and Ann Mcintosh. He 
learned the shoemaker's trade in his native 
home, and conducted a successful business 
there previous to coming to America, in 1838. 
He located in Allegheny, where he carried 
on a shoe business for twent3'-eight j'ears. 
In 1873 he purchased land in Shaler town- 
ship, where he now resides. He married, in 
Scotland, Margaret Gregory, who was the 
mother of seven children, three of whom 
survived her — Alexander G., James T. (the 
latter is conducting the shoe business in his 
father's former stand), and Elspacious Greg- 
ory, who was burned to deatu at Oil Cit}', 
Pa., Oct. 23, 1866. leaving a widow and two 
sons. The second wife of our subject was 
Mrs. Margaret Carithers, >iee. McRoberts. 
The result of this marriage is one daughter, 
viz.: Lucretia Mott, wife of Rev. D. C. 
Martin, who is a native of Lawrence county. 
Pa., and a graduate of Westminster College 
and of the R. P. Seminary of Allegheny. 
Mr. Martin has preached principallj- in 
Princeton, Ind., where he had a charge for 
fifteen years: now residing near, on account 
of the advancing age and infirmitj' of Mr. 
and Mrs. Mcintosh. 

Francis C. McClure. Murrysville, was 
born in Steubenville, Ohio. Dec. 30, 1819. 
His grandfather. Francis McClure, came 
from Ireland, settled on a farm in Mifflin 
township, this county, about 1780, and died 
there April 24, 1843, in his oue hundred and 
fourth year. He was several times in the 
legislature, and was associate judge of Alle- 
gheny county for over thirtj' years. Andrew, 
sou of Francis McClure, was born iu MilHin, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



491 



aud learned the fulliug and dyeing business 
at Steubenville, aud afterward engaged at it 
in Miftlin. He married Margaret Abrams, a 
native of Steubenville. During the latter 
part of his life he followed farming, and 
died in 1858, in his sixty-first year. He had 
six children: F. C, Sarah (Kelley), Alexan- 
der McKim, Andrew William, Margaret 
(Rhodes) and Susan (Abrams). Francis C. Mc- 
Clure attended subscription schools. When 
eighteen years old he began to work at the 
carpenter's trade, and helped build the first 
free schoolhouse in Mifflin township. He 
engaged in farming in that township for 
nineteen 3ears, and for a short time in West- 
moreland county. In 1864 he came to Patton 
and purchased 126 acres near Murrysville, 
on which several gas-wells have been re- 
cently sunk. Mr. McClure has been school 
director eleven years; also collector and 
supervisor. He is a republican, and with his 
family is associated with the Murrysville 
Presbyterian Church. 

Mr. McClure was married, in 1843, to 
Catharine Ann, a daughter of George and 
Mary (Gregory) Lang. Their five living 
children are Elizabeth (McWilliams) in 
Penn, Westmoreland count}'. Pa. ; Francis 
Samuel, at home; AVilliam Matthew, in 
Franklin, Westmoreland county; Alexander 
Winfield, in Penn, Westmoreland county; 
Melissa Belle, at home. George A., the 
second child, was murdered by robbers near 
McKeesport, while in search of goods stolen 
from his store at that place; Amanda Ellen, 
the j'oungest, died at the age of Iwenty-two; 
Sarah Agnes, Margaret and Mary Susan died 
when small. Winfield's daughter, Mary 
Rebecca, resides with her grandparents, her 
mother being deceased. Mr. McClure has 
seen the fifth generation of Francis McClures, 
and voted twelve times for president, on the 
whig and republican tickets. 

Sam. W. Spencer, coal-operator, Glen- 
shaw, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1837. 
His paternal ancestors were inside the city 
during the siege of Derry, Ireland, near 
which city his grandfather, John Spencer, 
was a dry-goods merchant. Samuel Spencer, 
father of Sam. W., was born near Derry, 
Ireland, in 1796, and came to America at the 
age of eighteen and located in Philadelphia. 
In 1821 he was sent (as a partner) to Pitts- 
burgh with a stock of goods by George Mc- 
Clelland, amerchant of Philadelphia, and in a 
short time became a well-known merchant 
of Pittsburgh. For manv years he was a 
director of the Bank of Pittsburgh, and a 
member of session of the First Presby- 
terian Church of Pittsburgh, of which church 
he was treasurer. He died March 12. 1856. 
His second wife was Mary J. Condell, of 
Philadelphia, who died in 1840, leaving two 
children, Thomas and Sam. W. The latter 
was educated in Pittsburgh, and after the 
war he became general manager of William 
Sample's dry-goods house, Allegheny, and 
later for McCrum, Glyde & Co., of Pitts- 
burgh. Previous to the war he was a 



merchant in Zanesville, Ohio, ten years. He 
volunteered under President Lincoln's first 
call for troops at the opening of the war, was 
captain of Co. C, 78th Ohio regiment, 
under Gen. Grant, at Fort Donelson, but 
resigned after losing his health; he volun- 
teered again under call of the governor ef 
Ohio in raids of Kirby Smith aud Morgan. 
Mr. Spencer has been twice married; bis first 
wife was Elizabeth Peters, daughter of Adam 
Peters, of Zanesville, Ohio, and she died, 
leaving one child, Elizabeth, now the wife 
of Rev. F. S. Brush, of Ohio. Mr. Spencer's 
present wife is Mary S., daughter of T. W. 
Shaw, of Glenshaw, and they have two 
children, Sarah S. and Charles A. Mr. and 
Mrs. Spencer and daughter are members of 
the Presbyterian Church of Glenshaw, in 
the organization of which he was elected a 
member of session. He is a republican. 
During the last five years he has been man- 
ager of the Glenshaw Coal company, 
employing from thirty to forty men, and 
giving steady work to the miners throughout 
the entire year. 

Philip Beckert, gardener, postoflice 
Ross, was born July 19, 1828, in Alsace, 
Germany, the son of Philip and Mary 
(Kirchendoerfer) Beckert. He was educated 
in his native country, which he left in 1845, 
and, coming to America, settled in Allegheny 
county, where he learned the ropemaker's 
trade, working for forty dollars a year. He 
followed his trade ten years, and then 
turned his attention to gardening, which he 
has since followed successfully. He is a self- 
made man, is highly respected, and is in 
possession of twenty.six acres of land laid 
out in gardens in " Gardener's Home;" also 
a farm of fort)'-five acres in the same town- 
ship, and four houses in the city of Alle- 
gheny. He married, in Reserve township, 
Lena, daughter of Jacob Huy, and eight 
children have been born to them: Philip, 
George, Edward, Elias, Elizabeth, Sophia, 
Anna and Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. Beckert 
are members of the G. P. Church at Girty's 
Run; he is a republican. 

John B. Davis, proprietor of Davis View 
general store, Elizabeth, is a son of Francis 
and Mary A. (Wilson) Davis, and was born in 
what is now Lincoln township, this county, 
in 1839. In 1705 his great-grandfather.Fraucis 
Davis, moved from Maryland to Big Sewick- 
ley creek, near West Newton, Pa., where for 
many years he owned a farm, and reared a 
large family, chiefly boys. Of these Ephraim 
(grandfather of our subject) for many years 
lived at the mouth of Turtle creek, on i he Mo- 
nongahela river, the place being now known 
as Port Perry. Hissons wereWilliani.a farmer 
aud doctor; Samuel, a farmer; John, a Bap- 
tist minister and doctor, and Francis (father 
of John B.), who was a farmer, a manufact- 
urer of barrels and general merchant. The 
daughters of Ephraim Davis were Nancy, 
Polly and Hannah, all married well. Han- 
nah became the wife of the youngest son of 
Judge Wallace of the superior court in Pitts- 



492 



HISTOltV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



burgh, owning then the greuler part of 
Braildock as a farm. 

Francis Davis was born on tlie farm now 
owned l)y Wilson Wall, near Elizalielh, and 
lived for many years near West Newton. He 
was married to Mary Ann Wilson, whose 
mother was a daughter of Col. Louder, of 
Philadelphia, and witnessed Washington's 
grand reception in that city. Mr. and Mrs. 
Francis Davis lived many years at what is 
now called Davis View, one and a half miles 
below Klizabeth, on llie Monongaliela river, 
m Lincoln township The father died Aug. 
15, 1883, aged eightv-lwo; the mother, April 
28, 1864. Of their sous, John B. (unmarried) 
and E. A. survive (latter of whom was for 
eight j'ears postmaster at Elizabeth, and aLso 
a merchant there and in Allegheny), and of 
their daughters there are yet living Mrs. Me- 
Naught, a widow, residing on the old home- 
stead at Davis View, and Mrs. R. A. Tower, 
also a widow, now living in AUeglieny. 

.J.\MBs Lexdrom. carpenter. Ross, was 
born in December. 1823, in Count}' Tyrone, 
Ireland. His parents, George and Rebecca 
(McFarland) Lendrum. natives of the above- 
named place, had seven children, and with 
these emigrated to America in 1836. The 
father worked in a foundry in AUeghen}', 
and died at the home of his son James, at the 
age of eighty-two }"ears. James was educated 
in this county, and learned the carpenter's 
trade, which he followed twentj' five }'ears. 
Subsequently he turned his attention to 
agriculture, and now owns a farm of twenty 
acres. He married Jane, daughter of John 
Nelson, one of the oldest settlers in Ross 
towushijj, who came here shortly after the 
Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Lendrum have 
five children: John. Anna. Rebecca, Ade- 
line and George. Mr. Lendrum was formerly 
a whig, now a republican. 

G. T. Seif, gardener, Ross, was born 
Feb. 3, 1831, in Petersburg, Ohio, a sou of 
Gotlieb Seif, of Baden, Germany, who came 
to America in 1828, located in Ohio, and in 
1831 removed to Allegheny City, subsequent- 
ly to Lawreuceville, Pa., where he was one 
of the first settlers. He was a potter, a trade 
he followed for a number of years, but later 
in life kept a dairy on Troy Hill. His wife, 
nee Margaret Reid, of Germany, was the 
mother of nine children, of whom G. T. is 
the eldest. Our subject learned the pot- 
ter's trade and followed it earl}- in life; then 
farmed for a brief period, and during the last 
seventeen j-ears has gardened very success- 
fully. He married Anna M. Frederick, a 
native of German}', who has borne him seven 
children: Margaret, Catherine, John, Chris- 
tine, Gotlieb, Mary and Lydia. Mr. and 
Mrs_. Seif are members of the G. L. Church. 
He is a democrat. 

John Shannon, general merchant. Ems- 
worth, was born in 1848 in Rockland county, 
N. Y., son of Oliver and Sarah Ann (Holmes) 
Shannon, who were born in Ireland in 1833 
and 18'36, respectivel}'; they came to America 
in 1850, resided for two years in Rockland 



county. N. Y.. and then moved to Pittsburgh- 
In 18.59 the father rented a farm in oTiio 
township, which he carried on till 1867, when 
he bought sixteen acres where he now resides, 
built a store and carried on a grocery busi- 
ness, which afterward developed into a gen- 
eral store, now owned by his son John. He 
was married in 1845, and seven children 

i were born to him; James A. (deceased), John. 

! Maggie, Sarah (Mrs. Samuel Crawford), 
Robert W. (in California). Agnes (Mrs. John 
H. Dean). David R. (merchant in Ohio). 
The family are Presbyterians and repub- 
licans. Mr. Shannon was two years super- 
visor of the town. He owns two houses and 
lots in Allegheny. John Shannon was ap- 
pointed po.stmaster in 1872, and has been 
treasurer of Kilbuck township since its 
organization. He has lately moved into a 
new store beside the old si and, and built a 
fine residence, where he owns five acres. He 
is a member of Allegheny Lodge, No. 223, 
F. & A. M. 

Joseph Brooker, farmer and hotel- 
keeper, We-xford, was born in 1837, and is a 
son of Ignatious and Mary (Snyder) Brooker, 
former of whom was born in Baden, Ger- 
many, latter in Holland, in February, 1814. 
Ignatious Brooker came to Pittsburgh about 
1835, and in 1840 came to Pine township; 
about 18.50 he purchased a farm of one hun- 
dred acres in Franklin township, which he 
sold in 1868, and purchased three hundred 
acres in Pine township, where he resided 
until his death. Aug. 38, 1884. aged eighty- 
two years. Joseph received his education in 
Allegheny county, and worked on the farm 
with his "father lintil the bitter's death. The 
farm was willed to Joseph and his brother 
Henry; former also has one hiuidred acres in 
Butler county. Pa. Joseph was married. 
Aug. 18, 1869, to Elizabeth Beaser, a native 
of Germany, who came here with her par- 
ents when she was but si.\ months old. Her 
parents died shortly after coming to this 
country. Mr. and Mrs. Brooker have one 
child deceased and eight living, viz.: Mary 
Elizabeth, Henrj- Ignatious, William Pius, 
Matilda Catherine (deceased), Alphons 
Albert, Emma Margaret, Mary Stella, Joseph 
Francis and Sarah L. M. All of the family 
are members of the Catholic Church. 

John McKi.nnet. farmer, postofflce Eliza- 
beth. Matthew McKinney. with bis wife. 
Elizabeth Lard McKinney. came to Pennsyl- 
vania and settled on land now owned by 
John and Robi-rt ilcKinncy and Mr. Warren. 
To them were born six children, viz.; Nancy, 
Matthew, Jolin, James. Henry and Polly. 
James married Mary Wallace Blee, of County 
Donegal, Ireland, and reared a family of 
eight children, viz.: Elizabeth, born Sept. 
29, 1817, died Jan. 28. 1873; Nancy, born 
Jan. 38. 1830; Margaret, born Dec. 31. 183(); 
Anna, born Dec. 21, 18-^3; Robert, born Mav 7. 
1835; John, born Nov. 27, 18'-'6; Matthew, 
born Mav 10. 1.822. died Sept. 10. 1.8'32; Marv. 
born Sept. 2. 1829. died April 18. 1856. Nancy 
McKinney married Peter Reasoner, of New 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



493 



Concord, Ohio, and lives there with her hus- 
band, by whom following named children 
were boru: James, Elizabeth, Mar}-. John, 
Sarali, Margaret, Samuel and Robert, all of 
whom are living except .James and Robert. 
Anna married Solomon Speers, and lives with 
her husband at Elizabeth, Pa., to whom fol- 
lowing-named children were born: Marj', 
Jane. James, Kate, Irene, Saul, Charles, John, 
Ardella and Elizabeth; all are living except 
Mary. Jane, Charles and Elizabeth. Anna 
and boys all live in Reynoldsville, Jeffer- 
son county, Pa. ; Kate lives in Harrisburg, 
Pa.; Irene, in Dayton, Ky.; Ardella, in 
Elizabeth, Pa. Nancy's children all live in 
Ohio except John, who lives in Brooke 
county, W. Va. Mary married Lewis Snee, 
and to them was born one child, Mary E. 
Snee. who lives with John McKinney at the 
old homestead. Roliert married Nancj-, 
daughter of Robert Marshall, of Guernsey 
county, Ohio, and to them were boru four 
children, viz, : Robert Marshall, James Wal- 
las, Mary Jane and Maggie E. John mar- 
ried Mary Jane, daughter of Robert Mar- 
shall, of Guernsey county, and to them five 
children were boru; Robert Biddle, Anna 
Martha, James Lard, Lyda W. and John Q. ; 
the eldest child is married; the others are 
single and live at home. 

Matthew McKinney, Sr., died Oct. 33, 
1809; Elizabeth Lard, wife of Matthew 
McKinney, died in 1778. James McKinney, 
son of Matthew McKinney, died Oct. 18, 

1863. Mary Wallas, wife of James Wallas, 
died March 34, 1873. John and Robert 
McKinney, sons of James McKinney, own 
and live on the old home farm. Mr. McKin- 
ney is a member of Round Hill Presbyterian 
Church, and has always been identified as 
one of the democratic party. 

William Carson, farmer, postofflce Har- 
marville, was born in Washington county. 
Pa,, in 1820, a son of James and Catharine 
(Allingham) Carson. James was born in 
County Fermanagh, Ireland, emigrated to 
Washington county in 1819, and later moved 
to Pittsburgh, where he kept a store for two 
years. In 1830 he moved to the farm Mr. 
Carson now owns, and here he died in 1869, 
aged eighty-three j'ears; his widow died in 
March, 1887, at the advanced age of ninety- 
eight years; they were members of the M. E. 
Church. Mr. Carson received his schooling 
in Harmar township, and after his father's 
death took charge of the farm. He married, 
in 1860, Maria B. Peeples. of South Side. 
Pittsburgh, daughter of AVilliam and Henri- 
etta (Boggs) Peeples. Mrs. Carson died in 

1864, the mother of one child — James A. 
Mr. Carson's second marriage took place in 
1870, with Jennie Smith, a native of Ireland, 
and reared in Allegheny City, Pa., daughter 
of 'Squire David and Jean Smith, of that 
place. One child, William S., has been born 
to this second union, Mrs. Carson is a mem- 
ber of the R, P. Church. Mr. Carson owns 
two hundred acres of land and fine buildings. 
He is a republican. 



H. H. Lyon, master-mechanic, Bennett, 
was born March 14, 1846. in Butler county. 
Pa. His grandfather, Thomas Lyon, was 
born April 11, 1779, and was married to Mary 
Kerr, by whom he had seven children. Their 
son Henry B, was born June 10, 1819, died 
Nov. 31, 1879. He was reared in Butler 
county, where his father was an old settler. 
In 18.58 he came to this county, where he was 
a teacher for tweuty-six years, highly es- 
teemed and honored; was also a sealer of 
weights and measures of Allegheny county, 
and clerk in the provost-marshal's office 
durin.g the rebellion. He held the office of 
justice of the peace, was a Presbyterian, in 
politics a republican. He married Mary A. 
White, who was born Jan. 30, 1830, and sur- 
vives him. Their son, H. H. Lyon, the sub- 
ject of this memoir, worked in the Etna 
mills as earlj' as 18.57. He is a machinist and 
engineer by trade, and is at present machinist 
of the Carbon Iron-works, of Pittsburgh, 
He married Emma, daughter of Richard 
Danver, one of the first councilmen of Alle- 
gheny, and they have three children; Frank 
K. , Harry D. and Richard A. 

James McRoberts, farmer, postoffice 
Harmarville. of Scotch-Irish parentage, came 
to Pittsburgh June 33. 1850. He married, in 
18-54, Margaret Barton, of this place, daugh- 
ter of Peter and Catharine (Craik) Barton, 
who came here from Scotland in 181.8. They 
have four children, Mr. McRoberts is a suc- 
cessful farmer, a republican, and the family 
are of the United Presbyterian faith. 

Andrew Voegti^t, farmer, postofflce 
Ross, was born Nov. 11, 1840. in Allegheny 
City, Pa., a son of Jacob G. Voegtl}^ a 
native of Canton Basel, Switzerland. He 
came to America when a j'oung man and 
engaged in'Jfarmiug and gardening, at which 
he was successful. His wife. Elizabeth, 
daughter of Henry Boyer. bore him six chil- 
dren, who attained maturity; John, Andrew, 
Matthias, Elizabeth, Maria and Esther, 
Andrew enlisted in July, 1863, in Co. 
K, 61st P. v., and served until the close of 
the struggle, participating in many battles, 
and was wounded at Cold Harbor, After the 
war he engaged in farming, which he has con- 
tinued up to the present time. He married 
Susannah Kennedy, who bore him four chil- 
dren; Sarah E,. Anna M., Mary E, and 
Andrewella. The old Voegtly family were 
members of the G. E. Church (Reformed); 
Mr. Voegtly is a republican. 

John F. McDonald, farmer, postoffice 
Ross, was born May 35, 1834, in Fayette 
county. Pa., a son of .James McDonald, a 
native of Fayette county, where the family 
were old pioneers. James was a shoemaker 
by trade, was highly respected, and attained 
to the venerable age of eighly-two years; he 
died in Allegheny City. His wife, Margaret 
McGinley, died in the same place, aged 
sixty-seven years. They reared a family of 
twelve children, of whom John F. is the 
youngest. He received a common-school 
education in his native county, and April 10, 



494 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



1845, removed to Pittsburgh, where he 
learned the bricklayer's trade. In March, 

1865, he raised a company in the Second 
ward, Alleglieny City, was elected captain 
and served until the close of the war. In 
1860 he came to Koss township, purchased a 
farm of ninetyeiKht acres, and engaged at 
his trade as well as fanning. He married 
Hannah, daughter of Joseph and Hannah 
(George) Brown, old settlers of Plum town- 
ship, and by her has children as follows: 
Hannah S., Ollie N., Jennie M., John F.. Jr., 
Mary L., Eva 8., Anna M., Ada B, Edith It.. 
Susie B. Mr. McDonald is a republican, and 
has been school director for nine years, and 
secretary of the board for the last si.\ years. 
He and wife are members of Hiland Pres- 
byterian Church, of which he is an elder. 

John Dean, farmer, postofflce Wexford, 
was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1824, 
and is a son of Hans and Esther (Forsyth) 
Dean, who were born in the same county, and 
emigrated to Butler county, Pa., in 1835. In 
1847 Mr. Dean purchased the farm now 
owned by John, his son, the former dying 
in 1848, aged si.xty-three years, leaving John 
to pay for the farm. His widow died in 1879, 
aged eighty-nine years. John received a 
common-school education in Butler county, 
and took charge, at his father's death, of the 
farm of 148 acres, which he now owns. He 
was first married, in 1856, to Margaret Wal- 
lace, of Pine township, daughter of George 
and Jane (Reynolds) Wallace, and four chd- 
dren were born to them, two of whom, James 
and Louella, are living. The mother died in 

1866, and Mr. Dean was again married, in 
1868, to Ellen, daughter of William and 
Hannah (Reynolds) Parks, of Middlesex, and 
three children were born to them, one of 
whom, Hannah Mary, is still living. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dean are members of the U. P. 
Church. He is a republican, and has held 
the offices of assessor and school director. 

THEODOiiE KoERiNG, wagon-maker, Wex- 
ford, was born in Prussia Oct. 1, 1831, son of 
John and Mary Ann (Gievers) Koering. His 
father was born in 1801 in Prussia, and died 
in 1848; and his mother was born in 1809 in 
Borgholz, Kreis Warburg, Province of West- 
phalia, Germany, and died in 1871. Our 
subject attended the public schools of Ger- 
many, and there learned the wagon-maker's 
trade, serving two years; then served four 
years in the artillery of the standing army of 
Germany, being promoted to corporal in 
second year. He came to Westmoreland 
county. Pa., in 1861, where he attended St. 
Vincent College, from which he graduated 
in 1864. He then located at Wexford, began 
wagon-making and carpenter-work, and has 
since continued with good success, as he is 
well liked by all, and tlie neighboring public 
give him extensive iiatronage. In 1868 he 
purchased his present property, and erected 
his wagon- and blacksmith-shop. He is a 
faithful worker in the Catholic Church, and 
a member of the democratic party. For a 
number of years he has given private instruc- 



tions in Latin, being a very com])eteul 
teacher. 

James O'Neil, farmer, postofflce Ems- 
worth, was born March 22, 1835, in Ohio 
township. His grandfather, Edward O'Neil, 
a native of Ireland, settled in this country in 
1818, where he took up a tract of four hun- 
dred acres of land. He died in 1857, aged 
eighty-four years. His wife. Mary Dulin, 
was the mother of six children. Of tliese 
John, who was born in Ireland in 1800, mar- 
ried Margaret McGee, who survived him, he 
dying in 1858. They had five children; Ed- 
ward, James, Mary, Catherine (deceased) and 
Thomas, who died Feb. 12, 1889. James 
O'Neil has a fine farm, which he cultivates 
successfully. He married Miss Elizabeth 
Miller, and she is the mother of six children: 
John, Charlie. George, Ella, Willie and Clara. 
Politically he has identified himself with the 
democratic party. 

Edward Owens, farmer, postofflce Ems- 
worth, was born in 1828, near Northrup, North 
Wales, where his parents, Robert and Cathe- 
rine (Lewis) Owens, were industrious farmers. 
Edward desired to know more of America, 
and in 1853 came to the United States, where 
he has since lived. After he first came here 
he teamed for others, but soon had teams of 
his own, and hauled coal to the Kensington 
Mill and Pittsburgh Gas-works. He married 
Miss Helen McKinnell, of Edinburgh, Scot- 
land, and six children have blessed their 
union, viz.: Elizabeth, Mary, David, Harry, 
Robert and George. In April, 1882, >Ir. 
Owens came to Ohio township, where he has 
a fine farm of one hundred acres. He is a 
self made man in every respect; he is a re- 
publican. 

Martha Burtner, farmer, postofflce 
Natrona, daughter of Jacob and Susan By- 
erlj', was born at Sugar Creek, Venango 
county, Pa, Her parents afterward removed 
to Butler county, Pa. June 22, 1841, JIartha 
was married to Jacob Burtner. and they 
located on the place now owned by lier in 
Harrison township. Following are the names 
of their ten children: Susan (deceased), John, 
Margaret J., Isaac P., Jacob H., George H., 
May L., Martha W., Lewis A. (deceased) 
and Martin L. Mrs. Burtner has been a 
widow for twenty-six years; she is a member 
of the Lutheran Church. 

Harry Pe.\rce, hotel-keeper, Acmetonia, 
was born in Nottinghamshire, England, Dec. 
27, 1838, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Slack) 
Pearce. His father was a weighman at coal- 
mines, and died in 1844, and his mother in 
1845, Harry, who was only six years old 
when his father died, went to work in the 
coal-mines, where he remained until 1873, 
After his mother's death he resided with his 
grandmother Pearce until he was ten years 
of age. His grandfather, Harry Pearce, is 
said to have been a general in the British 
army, and was twenty years in the West 
Indies, but deserted and returned to England, 
where he was killed in a coal-mine in 1838. 
Our subject's maternal grandparents, Isaac 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



495 



and Susan Slack, natives of Mansfield, En- 
gland, were silk-weavers. Mr. Pearce is 
wholly a self-educated man, never having 
attended school, but is a good reader and 
writer, and has a fine library. He came to 
America in 1865, located at McKeesport, but 
soon after moved to Elk county, where he 
opened a cannel coal-mine. Two years later 
he went to Wyoming territory, in company 
with seventeen others, to open mines for the 
U. P. R. R., and only five of the seventeen 
returned, the others taking up land there, 
several being killed by the Indians. In 1873 
Mr. Pearce came to Harmarville and con- 
ducted a hotel for nine years. He was two 
years in the same business at Springdale, and 
built his present hotel at Acmetonia in 1886. 
He married, Sept. 20, 1857, Mary Williams, 
a native of England, and a daughter of Peter 
and Ann Williams. Thirteen children have 
been born to this union, seven of whom are 
deceased. The living are Samuel C, a clerk 
in county treasurer's ofiice; Sarah H., widow 
of HarmarD. Wensel; Harry Albert, Thomas 
A., Joseph C. and Rhoda. Mr. Pearce has 
two adopted children, .James and Jane Haugh. 
His wife is a member of the Campbellite 
Baptist Church. He is a republican. 

Henry Cessn.\ Foreman, cooper, Harmar- 
ville, was born in Allegheny City, Feb. 13, 
18-)5, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah Jane 
(Allison) Foreman. His father was born in 
Huntingdon county. Pa., May 21, 1812; in 
his j^ounger days was a contractor, and is 
now a carpenter. His mother was born in 
Pittsburgh Feb. 29, 1820. They now reside 
in Allegheny, and are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church. The paternal grandparents 
of Henry C, Henry and Mary (Harnish) Fore- 
man, were natives of Huntingdon county. Pa., 
and our subject's maternal grandparents, 
John and Jane (Cessna) Allison, were natives 
of Chambersburg, Pa.; Jane (Cessna) Allison 
and her parents, who were of English de- 
scent, walked to Pittsburgh in 1800. Henry 
C. Foreman, at the age of sixteen, learned 
the cooper's trade, which he has since fol- 
lowed. In 1871 he took the position, which 
he still holds, of foreman-cooper at the 
Allegheny county workhouse. He resided 
at Claremont until 1884, when he bought his 
present fine home at Hulton Ferry. He mar- 
ried, in 1868, Sarah Ann Covait, of West Vir- 
ginia, daughter of James B. and Matilda 
(Rice) Covait, former of whom, a mate on 
the Ohio river, was born in 1822 and died 
in 1883; latter died when Mrs. Foreman 
was an infant. Mr. Foreman's grandfather 
was a soldier in the Revolution, and his wife 
had several brothers in the civil war, one of 
whom spent ten months in Andersonville 
prison. Mr. and Mrs. Foreman have two 
sons; Harry Allison and Frank Jacob. The 
eldest, who is eighteen years of age, is in the 
employ of the Westinghouse Air-brake 
Works; is a member of the K. of G. C, K. 
of G. E., and several other societies. Mrs. 
Foreman is a member of the Campbellite 
Church; also a member of the Knights and 



Ladies of Honor. Mr. Foreman is a demo- 
crat, and a justice of the peace, and is a 
member of the A. F. & A. M. 

Fred Klussmann, brewer, Bennett, was 
born Sept. 16, 1840. near Bremen, Germany, 
son of H. Frederick Klussmann, a native of 
Goslar, in the Hartz mountains, where he was 
reared. While traveling he (H. Frederick) met 
the lady who afterward became his wife, 
Christiana Steile, a native of Hamburg. They 
settled in Bremen, where he followed the 
coppersmith's trade. They had seven chil- 
dren: Fred. Charles, Edward. Henry, Annie, 
Katie and Mary. When the gold fever broke 
out Mr. Klussmann left on the first vessel for 
California, and worked successfully in the 
gold-mines four years. In 1853 he revisited 
Germany, and returned to this country with 
his family, settling in Cook county. III., 
where he still resides, engaged in farming. 
The subject of this memoir was reared and 
educated in German}', and at tlie age of 
twenty came to Pittsburgh, where he was em- 
ployed by Adam Baeuerlein, as driver, later as 
brewer, five years. After a time he moved 
to Cincinnati, Ohio, and here worked in the 
largest brewery in the place. Returning to 
Pittsburgh, he became a partner in the Star 
Brewery, now the C. Baeuerlein Brewing 
company, of which Mr. Klussmann is presi- 
dent. He was married twice; his first wife, 
?ice Christine Bauer, died leaving one child, 
Frederick C. ; his present wife, nee Elizabeth 
Bauer, is the mother of one son, William C. 
Mr. Klussmann is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. and R. A. ; he is a republican. 

Firman K. Duff, Allegheny, was born in 
Huntingdon county. Pa., son of Samuel Duff, 
of Philadelphia. He received a public- 
school education, and in 1856 came to Alle- 
gheny, where he engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness. He is now in the lime business, being 
general manager and bookkeeper for the firm 
of James Hunter & Co. He has always had 
the confidence and esteem of his employers. 
Mr. Duff was married to Anna, daughter of 
Samuel Garrison. Of Mr. Duff's posterity 
only one grandson survives. Hays Junken, 
who lives with his grandfather. 

L. Mason, merchant. Homestead, was 
born April 7, 1844, in Fairfield county, Ohio. 
His father, David Mason, the youngest sou 
of eight children, was brought to Ohio when 
two years old. There he reared a family, 
was a farmer and a good mechanic. The 
subject of this memoir went to work at an 
earl}- age on the farm, and when twenty 
years old enlisted in Co. E, 178th O. V. I., 
serving in the Army of the Cumberland. 
After the war he worked a short time for 
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad compan3',then 
for the Pan Handle Railroad company ten 
years and eight months, and while in their 
employ he was crippled. In February. 1881, 
he came to Homestead, where he engaged in 
the grocery business, and for four years was 
assistant postmaster. He still keeps a gro- 
cery- and produce-store. He has been three 
times married: His first wife, nee Rebecca 



4fl6 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Barton (deceased), bore him one son. D. F.; 
his second wife, ra« Mary Swisher (deceased), 
bore him one child, Catharine, and his third 
wife, )ie< Maggie Kcllie (deceased), bore him 
three children; Myron E., Martie B. and 
Edith Mason. Mr. Mason is a nietnher of 
the I. O. O. F., G. A. R., and is a trustee of 
the M. E. Church. He has always taken a 
deep interest in educational and religious 
matters. 

Capt. Samoel W. Ewino, retired, Oali- 
dale, was born in Robinson (now Collier) 
township in 1818. In or about the year 177.5 
James Ewing, Icnowu in early days as 
" t^quire Ewing." came to Pittsburgh, and 
soon thereafter moved to Robinson township, 
to near the present town of Walker's Mills. 
He purchased a tract of land on Robinson's 
run, extending on the east and west side of 
the creek from the present town of Mans- 
field to Walker's Mills. In this tract were 
some nine hundred acres, to which he after- 
ward made additional purchases, owning at 
one time about two thousand acres. This 
pioneer farmer and millwright married Mary 
McKown, who bore him five sons and four 
daughters. At the death of their father the 
sons inherited the land. He left five sons — 
William, Alexander, Samuel, John and 
James — and four daughters, all of whom 
reared large families. Samuel, called " Major 
Sam," married a Miss Letty McCurdy, who 
lived to the age of one hundred and seven 
years, and died but three or four years ago. 
The daughters were married, respectively, to 
a Mr. Boyd, a Maj. Walker, a Mr. Kelso 
and a Mr. Fryor. AH of old Squire Ewing's 
children are dead, but he has left many 
grand and great-grandchildren, dispersed, it 
is believed, over many of the states and terri- 
tories; one of them preaches in New Jersey; 
some of his descendants are in Oregon and 
in Washington territory. Some three years 
after the settlement of 'Squire Ewing in Alle- 
gheny county, his cousin, Alexander Ewing, 
came from Eastern Pennsylvania and located 
near the present town of Oakdale. There he 
rented a farm and remained four years. He 
then purchased one hundred acres of land 
on the Steubenville pike, near what was then 
the North Star hotel. He married Jane 
Anderson, and to them were born four chil- 
dren, of whom William was the youngest. 
Alexander died about 179.5. 

William was reared on the farm purchased 
by his father, moved to his wife's property 
on Pinkertou's run about 1810, built a saw 
and grist mill and bought several farms. He 
married .lane, daughter of Isaac Walker, who 
was the pioneer of the family, and there were 
born to them seven children, five of whom 
grew to manhood and womanhood. William 
died in 1865, aged eighty-two j'ears, and his 
wife aged sixty-two years. Samuel AV., the 
second son born to William and Jane Ewing, 
was reared on the farm, and with the ex- 
ception of a few years he was engaged in 
carpentering; has alwsiys led a farmer's life. 
In October, 1839, he married Marj- Lorane. 



daughter of Parker Lorane, of an old familj* 
of this county. Eight children, six yet liv- 
ing, were born to this union: Margaret, Anna, 
Emily. Melissa. Martha. Kate, William and 
Ida. Mr. Ewing has resided on his present 
farm since 1839. It consists of eiglity-one 
acres, beautifully- located. He was captain 
of militia fifteen years; has held township 
offices, and is a member of the U. P. Church. 
In politics he has always adhered strongly to 
the principles of the democratic party. 

Isaac Ewing. the eldest son of William 
and .Jane (Walker) Ewing, was born in 1811, 
and reared on a farm, the pursuits of which 
he has always followed. He was educated 
at a log school, and has been hardworking 
and industrious. He married, in 1834, Mar- 
garet Drake, daughter of Jacob and Ann 
(Barkle}') Drake. Seven children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Ewing. five of whom are 
yet living: Jane (Mrs. Williams), Margaret, 
Joseph, Mary and Melinda. The parents are 
members of the U. P. Church; he is a demo- 
crat. Mr. Ewing has lived on his present 
farm since 1838,' eighty six acres of which 
was the property inherited by his mother, 
and part of the original land of Isaac Walker. 

Ernest J. Salt, contractor, Bennett, was 
born Nov. 21, 18.52. in Staffordshire. England, 
son of William H. and Jane (Roden)Salt, the 
former of whom came to America in 1865, 
settling in this county, and following year 
sent for his wife to join him. Their children 
are William. Sarah and Ernest J. The sub- 
ject of this memoir is a butcher by trade, 
which he followed for thirteen years. Since 
1879 he has been engaged with Miller, Met- 
calf & Parkins, of the Pittsbugh Steel com- 
pany, being the contractor for the last four 
years. Mr. Salt was married Nov. 23, 1872, 
to Miss Mary .J. Hepplewhite, a native of 
England, and they are the parents of four 
children: William E., Edith, Ella M. and 
Garfield. Mr. Salt is a republican, and a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. 

James Large, farmer, postoffice Gill Hall, 
son of Jonathan and Easter (Finney) Large, 
was born in MifHin township, in March, 1831, 
on the place called Blue Ball, and now owned 
by Henry Large. His grandfather, .John 
Large, located on Ginger hill, then removed 
to Coal hill, and later bought a farm near 
Lebanon church, which he sold to Jonathan. 
John Large has but two surviving children, 
Henry (of Mifflin township) and Margaret 
(of Crawford county, Iowa). When James 
was two years old, his parents moved to 
Jefferson township, and located on Ferree's 
purchase. Here James remained, and in 
18.53 married Margaret C, daughter of .John 
and Margaret (Gap) Payne, of MifHin (now 
Jefferson) township. Previous to the rebell- 
ion Mr. Large was identified with the state 
militia, having served as major on the staff 
of Brig.-Gen. James S. Negley, and was 
also a member of a companj' of artillery- for 
a period of nine years. In 1862 he visited 
Venango county, then the center of the oil 
interest, and enlisted in Co. G, 11th P. V.; 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



497 



was wounded in battle of second Bull Run; 
was sent to hospital, received a sixty-days 
furlough, which was extended for sixty 
days more, then returned to the hospital, 
and received his discharge in 1863. The 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Large are 
John P. (a graduate of Wilmington College, 
wlio returned to his home an invalid, and 
afterward died), James B.. C3'rus B., Levi 
B. F. Mr. and Mrs. Large are members of 
Jefferson U. P. Church. He has held various 
positions in his township; was democratic, 
and is now a prohibitionist. He has an 
elegant home, and surrounds himself with 
tlie luxuries that wealth can procure. 

Thomas A¥. Sh.\w was born Mayl, 1796, 
in Pittsburgh, Pa., where his father, John 
Shaw, had a nurserj'. The genealog}' of the 
Shaw family dates back to four brothers — 
George, a cabinet-malter, of Philadelphia; 
Peter, a tanner, of Meadville, Pa. ; Alexander 
and John, who settled in Pittsburgh. They 
were natives of Glasgow, Scotland, where 
they all learned their trades, Alexander and 
John being blacksmiths. Just after the rev- 
olutionary war thej' came to America, where 
they all married and had children. John 
Shaw lived in Wilkinsburg several years, 
and then came to Pittsburgh, where he fol- 
lowed the blacksmith's trade, and ironed the 
first cannon cast in Pittsburgh. He made a 
great many hoes for plantation use in the 
south. Li 1803 he moved to Qlenshaw, 
where he followed his trade; also had a 
flour- and sawmill on Pine Creek; here 
he died in August. 1839. He was a whig, 
and an elder of the Presbyterian Church. 
Thomas W. , the subject of this sketch, was 
eldest of a family of seven children, learned 
the sickle-maker's trade with Samuel Mcll- 
haney. and followed the business for forty 
years, making as many as one thousand dozen 
per year. The old factory is still standing, 
and was afterward used as a meeting-house. 
He married Sarah, daughter of Samuel Scott, 
and to them were born eight children ; Thomas 
W.. Elizabeth, Margaret, Sarah Jane (de- 
ceased), Martha, Mary Scott, Ellen K., Cath- 
erine Louisa (died in infancy). Since the 
war he has lived a retired life. He was a 
whig and is now republican. He has always 
been a Presbyterian. 

John Graham Armstrong, merchant, 
Acmetonia, was born at Harmarville. Sept. 
*24. 18.59, a son of James and Eleanor Arm- 
strong. He attended school until thirteen 
years of age, and then began to work his 
own way in the world. During the first two 
years he worked on a farm, and at fifteen 
was employed by the Montrose Land com- 
pany, for whom he worked one year. He 
then learned the trade of plasterer and paper- 
hanger, and worked with his father four 
years. He next entered public life, and for 
about three years was an officer at the Alle- 
gheny county workhouse under John L.Ken- 
nedy. Oct. 5, 188.5, he took the management of 
Armstrong Brothers' store at Acmetonia, be- 
ing one of three partners. They carr}- a large 



and general stock, and have a trade of about 
one thousand dollars per month. Mr. Arm- 
strong married, Sept. 23, 1887, Mary Idea 
Denny, of Hite, Pa., daughter of George 
Denny, an early settler at that place. One 
child, Fanny Fern, has been born to this 
union. Mrs. Armstrong is a member of the 
M. E. Church. Mr. Armstrong is a repub- 
lican, has been judge of election, also 
inspector; he is a Freemason. 

William W. Donald, farmer, postoffice 
Essen, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, 
in 1835. His father, Thomas, came to America 
with his wife, nee. Jane Boyd, and three chil- 
dren, in 1854. He was a farmer and pur- 
chased two farms, one in Allegheny and one 
in Armstrong county. He died in 1865, aged 
fifty-one years. William W. was educated 
in the schools of his native land; has always 
followed farming, and since 1866 has resided 
at his present home. He has never married, 
but lives with his aunt, Mrs. May (widow of 
James C. May), who has resided at the home- 
stead for a number of years. Mr. Donald is 
a member of the U. P. Church, and is a 
democrat, 

John A.Ch.^mbers, farmer, postoffice Coal 
Valley, a son of William and Lydia Cham- 
bers, was born on the farm which he now 
owns, in Jefferson township. His grand- 
father. John Chambers, was born in Ireland, 
and came to America. He enlisted in the 
revolutionary war, serving one year, and 
was wounded. He located in Maryland for a 
short time, afterward came to Allegheny 
county, Pa., and settled where John A. 
Chambers now lives. Upon this place Will- 
iam, father of John A., was born, and re- 
mained here with the exception of two years 
until he was married. During that time he 
purchased a farm in Greene county, but re- 
turned to his old home and married Lydia 
Clark, of West Virginia. Their children are 
Easter A. (now Mrs. Henry Dusenberry, of 
Jefferson township). Sarah B. (now Mrs. Sam- 
uel Morrison, of Jefferson township) and 
.John A. (married to Ellen Shepler, of Jeffer- 
son township) The children of our subject 
are William H., George, John C. and Harry. 
The farm of John A. Chambers is now in 
possession of the third generation. 

Samuel C. Rankin, farmer, postoffice 
Buena Vista, is a grand-nephew of William 
Rankin, one of the early settlers of Alle- 
gheny county, who emigrated from Ireland 
in the latter part of the last century, and set- 
tled upon what now forms a part of the pres- 
ent home of the subject of this sketch. The 
father of Samuel C. was Robert Rankin, a 
native of Ireland, who came to this country 
in 1839, and engaged in farming with Maj. 
John Rankin, a soldier of the war of 1813, 
and a son of William Rankin. The mother 
of our subject was Margaret Culbert, a daugh- 
ter of Thomas Culbert, a prominent citizen 
of Donegal, Ireland. Samuel C. Rankin was 
born in Ireland, about three miles from Lon- 
donderry, Aug. 4, 1839, and was partly edu- 
cated in his native land, completing his edu- 



498 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



cation in tlie public schools of Allegheny 
county. Ho early engaged in farming.which 
he still follows, "lie was elected poor-direct- 
or of his county in 1883, serving two years, 
and is at present treasurer of his township, a 
position he has tilled for many years. Mr. 
Kanliin married, in 18.53. Rebecca, daughter 
of Samuel and Martha Williamson, of Eliza- 
betli township, and by her has had five chil- 
dren: Robert C., an aitornej' in McKeesport, 
engaged in the practice of his profession; 
,Iohn \V.. Mary M., Samuel H. and Maggie J. 

George Giadden, M. D., Homestead, was 
born in Washington count}'. Pa. The pro- 
genitor of the Gladden family in America 
was William W. Gladden, who came from 
England and settled east of the mountains in 
Pennsylvania. He was a soldier in the Rev- 
olution, fighting for freedom and his adopted 
country. He reared a family of eight chil- 
dren. His son Richard married Mary Kelso, 
and both died in Washington countj'. where 
Richard was a stockman. Our subject re- 
ceived his literary education at Washington 
and .Jefferson College, and his medical edu- 
cation at the Jefferson Medical College, Phil- 
adelphia, graduating in the class of 187.5. Dr. 
Gladden married Francis Virginia Williams, 
of Richmond, Va., a member of one of the 
best old Virginia families. In 1881 the doc- 
tor located in Homestead, where he rapidly 
built up a good practice, and has been sur- 
geon for the Carnegie, Phipps & Co. steel- 
mills. Dr. Gladden is a leading member of 
many societies, among which are the A. F. & 
A. M., I. O. O. F., R. A., American Mechan- 
ics and Heptasophs, having been a past officer 
in several of the orders. 

Alexander Hughes, farmer, postolfice 
Lewis, was boru in Pittsburgh in 1827, son of 
Johnston and Martha (Wallace) Hughes, 
natives of County Donegal, Ireland. His 
father died July 7, 1872, aged ninety-seven 
j'ears, and his mother April 16, 18.58, aged 
si.xty-flve years. Johnston Hughes was 
twice married; first in Donegal, Ireland, to a 
Miss Shaw, and came to America in 1818, 
settling in Washington county, Pa., where 
she died, leaving two children, Samuel and 
Thomas, former of whom was a farmer, and 
he is now living retired with his daughter in 
Ohio; Thomas died some time ago. The 
father married, in 1832, for second wife, 
Martha Wallace, who bore him five children: 
Benjamin, James,Alexander, John and Mary. 
Benjamin was a soldier in the Mexican war. 
and his body lies buried near the Rio Grande; 
John died in West Deer township, in his 
twenty-second year; James lives on part of 
the old homestead; Marj- moved to East 
Liberty in 1868, where she bought property. 
The father owned a distillery and farm for 
some time in Washington county, and moving 
to Pittsburgh he was there employed in the 
iron- works for some years. Later he moved 
his family to East Liberty, and in 1838 to 
Pine township, where he remained eleven 
years. In 1849 he came to West Deer town- 
ship, where his sons James and Alexander 



bought a large tract of land, which remained 
in their father's name until his death, when 
it was divided between the two sons. 

Alexander was married to Annie Jane 
Wilson, a native of County Monaghan. Ire- 
land, and daughter of William and Mary 
(Henrj-) Wilson, who came to this country in 
1849, settling in Middlesex township, Butler 
county, where the father died, in 18.51 ; the 
mother, now (1889) in her eighty-third year, 
lives with her daughter, Mrs. Hughes. The 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are 
Annie Mary, Lydia Martha and John Alex- 
ander, The family are members of Bakers- 
town Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. 
Hughes has been an elder for several years. 
He is a democrat, and was school director 
two years. He owns a farm of 120 acres, 
with good buildings. 

William J. Fryer, farmer, postofBce 
Woodville, was born in this count}- in 18-59, 
the eldest son in a familj' of four children 
born to William and Elizabeth vMcMillen) 
Fryer. Two of their children are now living. 
The grandfather, William Fryer, the pioneer 
of the family, purchased 450 acres of land in 
Scott township, where he died, and the house 
situated on this property was erected on the 
old foundation-walls where the memorable 
whisky insurrection took place. William 
married Annie Middleswort, and they had 
six children; Moses and Leonard (twins), 
William, Elizabeth, Liza and Jonathan. 
William, Jr., died April 3, 1866. aged thirty 
years; bis widow. Elizabeth, died in 1873, 
aged thirty-five years. They had four sons: 
William J., Jonathan, Sydney and Dallas, of 
whom William J. and Sydney are now living. 
William J. was reared on the farm which he 
owns, containing 160 acres, part of what 
his grandfather had purchased. He married, 
in 1880, Annie Coulter, daughter of Goldman 
y. Coulter, of this count}-, and is the father 
of four children: Elizabeth, William (iood- 
man. .Joseph Chess and Julia Adella. Mr. 
Fryer is a member of the M. E. Church; po- , 
litically he is a prohibitionist. 

Samuel Hind.man, farmer, postofflce 
Monongahela City, is a son of Robert and 
Hannah (Pollock) Hindman, and was born on 
the farm now owned by him, in Forward 
township. His fatlier was born in Washing- 
ton county, and died in 1849. His mother, 
who is still living, was born in what was 
Mercer (now Lawrence) county. John Hind- 
man, his grandfather, came from Maryland, 
and settled in Washington county, about the 
year 1800. Robert's' family consisted of 
Margaret J., John, William "S, Robert P.. 
Sarah J. and Samuel. All are deceased but 
Samuel, who married, in 1866. Mary, daughter 
of Col. David A. and Elizabeth J. I.ecky. 
This family figured prominently in the re- 
bellion, David A. being a lieutenant-colone) 
of the 100th (Roundhead) regiment P. V., 
and William S., a member of Co. E. 15.5lh P. 
v., lost his life from the effects of a wound 
received at North Anna river. Va., May 23, 
1864, amputation being necessary, resulting 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



499 



in his death. The children of Mr. Hindman 
are Lillie Deane, William S. and Marion L. ; 
Lillie D. is deceased. Mr. Hindman is a 
republican, and has been the servant of an 
appreciative constituency on various occa- 
sions. He and wife are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church. 

Samuel Nixon, who resides in the vicin- 
ity of Mansfield Valley, is a native of this 
county, born in 1811, the youngest of the 
six children of Thomas and Jane (Lee) Nixon. 
Thomas Nixon was a native of New Jersey, 
and when a boj' came with his mother to this 
county. Early in life he learned the black- 
smith's trade, which he followed for some 
time, but later engaged in farming. He mar- 
ried Jane Lee, born in 1774, and daughter of 
Maj. William Lee; she was the first white 
child born in Chartiers valley. Thomas 
Nixon died in 1813, aged forty years; his 
widow in 1859, aged eighty-five years. The 
subject of this sketch, the only surviving 
member of this family, was but two 3'ears 
old when his father died, and he was reared 
in a log cabin on a farm. He was a natural 
mechanic, having been in his day ready at 
carpentering and all kinds of work in wood. 
He married, in 1839, Jane, daughter of 
Thomas G. and Elizabeth (Russell) Steel, 
and granddaughter of Capt. David Steel, 
who was an officer in the Revolution for six 
years, serving his country with distinction 
and honor. Ten children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Nixon, of whom three sons and 
five daughters are now living, viz. : Thomas 
S., William W., S. Smith, D. Ada Nixon, 
Harriet Holland. Jane Silk, Maria Carnahan 
and Lizzie Oliver. Mr. Nixon has resided 
in his present home for thirty-four years. 
He has always been a hardworking man, 
and has acquired his possessions by his own 
exertions. He is a devout and faithful Chris- 
tian, a member of the M. E. Church, in 
which ho has held the office of trustee and 
steward for forty years. In politics he was 
first a federalist, then a whig and anti-mason, 
and lastly a republican. 

Daniel Bennett, glass-manufacturer, 
Carrick, was born April 12, 1815, at Stape- 
hill, England, a son of Daniel and Martha 
(Webster) Bennett, former of whom was a 
local minister of the M. E. Church for more 
than fifty years, and exerted a powerful 
influence for good. Daniel Bennett, whose 
name heads this memoir, emigrated to 
America in 1841 with his wife, Catherine 
Bates, and two children, Mark J. and Ely. 
He had learned the potter's trade in England, 
and shortly after his arrival here, in partner- 
ship with his brothers, James, Edwin and 
William, he operated the first successful 
pottery in East Liverpool, Ohio. In 1844 the 
same firm started a second pottery on the 
South Side, and conducted it successfully 
until it finally became converted into the 
Crystal Glass compan}', of which Mr. Ben- 
nett is president. After the death of his first 
wife he married Ann Burgess, and their 
children are Howard and Albert D. : his 



third marriage was with Phoebe Burgess. 
Mr. Bennett is a member of the M. E. 
Church, and has been an active worker in 
both church and Sabbath-school, having 
been superintendent of the latter. Mrs. 
Bennett is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Jacob W. Cook (deceased) was born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., in 1819, son of George H. 
and Rachel (Hoffman) Cook, latter of whom 
was a native of New York, and a daughter 
of Judge Hoffman. At the age of thirteen 
Jacob W. came to Pittsburgh aud entered the 
banking-house of his brother, George A. 
Cook, in 1832. L^pon the death of bis brother 
he opened a book- and periodical-store at No. 
85 Fourth avenue, but on April 10, 1845, in 
the great fire of that date, his place was 
destroyed, and he lost all. Tuesday, May 
21, 1844, Mr. Cook married Elveril H. Mc- 
Kown, eldest daughter of Maj. Thomas 
McKown, and to them were born six chil- 
dren, as follows: E. S., residing with his 
mother at Mansfield, and who has held 
prominent positions in the borough, such as 
burgess, councilman and school director; 
Lillie R. , wife of D. B. Stewart, who is con- 
nected with the Northwestern Ohio Gas 
companj'; George A., who entered the Alle- 
gheny National Bank at the age of four- 
teen, holding the office of cashier at the 
time of his death, Oct. 4, 1887; Annie W., 
wife of Samuel D. Culbertson, local fr eig ht 
agent for the Junction railroad; Jacob Wal- 
lace, and Thomas McKown, a member of 
the firm of Chess, Cook & Co., who married 
the eldest daughter of Joseph Walton, the 
coal-man, and is now residing in Allegheny 
City. 

In 1847 Jacob W. Cook engaged in the 
banking business, being the senior partner 
in the firm of Cook & Harris. He continued 
in this firm until 1853, when the partnership 
was dissolved, and in that year he entered 
the banking-house of N. Holmes, on Market 
street, where he remained until Sept. 9, 
1857, when he was elected cashier of the 
Allegheny Bank, then on Federal street, 
Allegheny City. He held the position of 
cashier until the time the bank became the 
Allegheny National, when he was elected its 
president, a position he held until his death. 
In 1856 Mr. Cook moved to Mansfield (in 
that spring the Pittsburgh & Steubenville 
railroad was to have been finished), and for 
nearly nine years he drove from Mansfield to 
his place of l)usiness in Pittsburgh, during 
which time, although his health was not 
good, he missed but very few days. So 
regular was he in his journey back and 
forth that people were in the habit of setting 
their clocks bj' him as he passed their doors. 
In 1865, in company with Robert J. Ander- 
son and William Wood, he bought out the 
firm of Jones, Boyd & Co., and started the 
Pittsburgh Steel-works, under the firm name 
of Anderson, Cook & Co., at the corner of 
Ross and Grant streets. After the dissolu- 
tion of this partnership he became a mem- 



500 



HISTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



her of the firm of Chess, Cook & Co,, man- 
ufacturers of nails and tacks, and was a 
member of that firm at the time of his death. 
He died at his home in Manstiehl borougli, 
Jan. 'iii, 1883, leaving a widow and five 
children. 

Hugh Lee (deceased) was born in Wash- 
ington county. Pa.. Nov. 14, 1816, a son 
of Hugh Lee, Sr.. and died May '>, 188.5. 
Hugh Lee. Sr., came to Washington county, 
Pa., from Ireland about 17i)8, and purchased 
two hundred acres of land, then known as 
"Holmes' Victory," named in honor of 
James Holmes, who settled it in 1TT4. Hugh, 
Sr., married in 1804, and became the father 
of eleven children, three of whom grew to 
maturity. Hugh, Jr., came in 1840 to Alle- 
gheny county, and engaged in the wool 
trade, at which he was successful. He after- 
ward embarked in the oil and coal business, 
but over-confidence in trusted friends caused 
him to lose considerable money. He mar- 
ried, Feb. 3, 1840. Phojbe Genevieve 
Averill, daughter of Thomas and Mary 
Averill, of 'Sew York. One sou, William 
H., born in 1860, blessed their union: he was 
educated at the Western University of Penn- 
sylvania, and was married in 1887 to Martha 
J. Uavis, daughter of David and Fannie 
Davis. They have one child, Pha»be Gene- 
vieve. 

The subject of this sketch removed to 
Mansfield iu 1854, and from that time until 
his death resided here. He joined the 
Second Presbyterian Church of Allegheny 
Cit}', and. on removing to Mansfield, con- 
nected himself with the newly organized 
Presbyterian Church here, of which he was 
elected ruling elder in 18.5.5. On Aug. 8, 
1857, he was appointed aid-decamp on the 
staff of Gov. Pollock, with the rank of 
lieutenant-colonel. In 1856 he purchased a 
ranch in Tc^cas, and was one of the first to 
import fine-wool sheep into that state. When 
the rebellion broke out, the confederacy' con- 
fiscated the property and all on it. about 
four thousand head of sheep and one hun- 
dred head of horses and cattle. Mr. Lee was a 
man of great force of character, wise in coun- 
sel, intense in purpose, and a strong supporter 
of his church in its days of greatest need. 
One of the oldest residents of the commu- 
nity, widely known and influential, his death 
was deeply regretted. His widow and son 
survive him. 

Gabriel Walker, farmer, postofilce No- 
blestown, was born in xVllegheny county. Pa., 
in 1823. At an early date four brothers 
named Walker came to Allegheny county 
from Lancaster county, Joseph and Gabriel 
being the names of two of them. Gabriel 
purchased a large tract of land on Kol)inson's 
creek. His son Gabriel, born in 1783, was 
reared on this tract, became a farmer, and 
married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph 
Walker. Of their children, Gabriel, whose 
name heads this sketch, is now the only sur- 
viving member of the family. For a number of 
years he has followed sheep raising and dairj' 



business, and has been very successful. He 
married I>evina Hastings, daughter of John 
Hastings, of Washington county, and seven 
children have been born to them, si.\ of whom 
are living, viz.: Ida J., Clara, U. P.. New- 
ton, Lawrence S. and Wilder J. Sir. Walker 
has served as school director. He is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church; politically 
a republican. 

Jo.sTAii Walker is a direct descendant 
of Joseph Walker, one of the four pioneer 
brothers who took up larjje tracts of land on 
Robinson's creek. The juoneer, Joseph, had 
a family of seven children, of whom the 
eldest, ^Joseph, born in 1777. died in 1860. 
He married Mary (Jienn. to whom were born 
eleven children, of whom seven are yet liv- 
ing: Joseph. John, James, Josiab, Mary 
(Mrs. Klliott). Rebecca and Lelitia J. Of 
these, Josiah and two sisters live on the old 
homestead, which contains two hundretl 
acres, and is part of the tract purchased by 
his grandfather. Ezekiel, a brother, die<l in 
March, 1888. 

George Z. Hosack, superintendent of 
store and coalworks, Putnam, is a native of 
Mercer count}', Pa., born in 1858, and is a son 
of Dr. J. P. Hosack, who was for many 
years a practicing physician of Mercei 
county. George Z. was educated at West- 
minster College, in Lawrence county. Pa., 
which institution he left in 1880 to take the 
position he is so very ably filling. He was 
elected, in 1887, burgess of Chartiers. by the 
largest majority ever given in the borouirh. 
Mr. Hosack married, in 1883, Miss Sadie E., 
daughter of Joseph K. Cubbage, of an old 
and representative family in this section of 
Allegheny county, and two children, Joseph 
K. and Margaret F., have been born to them. 
Mr. Hosack is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, and senior warden of his lodge. He 
and his wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church; he is a republican. 

Wrensiiall Family. John Wrcnshall. 
son of Thomas and Margaret Wrcnshall. was 
born iu Preston, England, Dec. 27, 1761. He 
was married Oct. 6, 1783. to Mary, daughter 
of Mai hew and Sarah Bennington, of Hali- 
fax. Yorkshire, England. July 22, 1794, he, iu 
company with his wife and three daughters, 
Margaiet Sarah, Mary Bennington and Julia, 
embarked from Liverpool. England, and 
Oct. 15. 1794. landed in Philadelphia. There 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wrenshall. in 
America, the following-named children: 
Fannie Emily, Sarah and John Fletcher. 
The last named was born in Pittsburgh, Feb. 
13. 1833. John Wrenshall. the pioneer of 
this family in America, settled at an early 
daj' in Pittsburgh. He was an extensive 
merchant, and for some years was engaged 
in business in Philadelphia. He died in 
Piltsburgh, Sept. 25, 1821. At Woodville, 
Pa., Sept. 19. 1832, John Fletcher Wrensh.all 
married Mary Ann, a daughter of Christo- 
pher and Eliza M. (Kirkpatrick) Cowan. 
There were born to Jlr. and Mrs. J. F. 
Wrenshall eight children, as follows: John 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



501 



Cowan (now of Baltimore, Md.), Eliza M. 
(deceased), Charles Cliristopher (a resident 
of Alabama), Edward (of Washington), 
Mary Bennington (at home). Bessie (Mrs. A. 
G. Barrnett, a resident of Woodville), Rich- 
ard Cowan (of Sewickley, Allegheny county. 
Pa.), William Ebbs (at home). 

John F. Wrenshall was for many years 
prominently identified with the manufactur- 
ing business of Pittsburgh. In 1833 he re- 
moved with his family to Woodville farm, 
his wife's estate, a farm of two hundred 
acres, which was part of a one-thousand-acre 
tract owned by his father-in-law, Christo- 
pher Cowan, who got the land from his 
uncle. Gen. Neville. On Woodville farm 
still stands the old mansion erected by Gen. 
Neville, now occupied by tlie Wrenshall 
family. This mansion is still in a good 
state of preservation; it was erected before 
the whisky insurrection, and in many of the 
windows the glass bears the names of mem- 
bers of the Neville family, which dates as 
far back as 1811. The Wrenshall family are 
among the most prominent of the county. 
They are members of the M. E. Church. 

J. L. Robertson, superintendent of 
company store. Etna, was born in Steuben- 
ville, Ohio, and educated there. He moved to 
Pittsburgli, Pa., in 1849, and engaged as 
clerk with McCandless, Jamison & Co., and 
B. C. Shacklett & Co. He came to Etna in 
1864, and took charge of the Spang, Chalfant 
& Co. store. He began with two clerks, but 
the business has steadily increased, and he 
now has ten clerks employed. He has the 
entire control of the store. 

William Cooper, Shoustown, was born 
in Findlay township, this county, Oct. 23, 
1822, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Gaunce) 
Cooper, also natives of Findlay township. 
His grandfather, Robert Cooper, a Presby- 
terian from the north of Ireland, settled in 
Fiudla}' township; he married, in Ireland. 
Nancy Bell. William Cooper's maternal 
grandfather. Benjamin Gaunce, a native of 
Germany, also settled in Findlay township. 
Robert Cooper was a blacksmith and owner 
of a farm; his wife was a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. They had a family of 
six sons and three daughters:" Jane, who 
married Andrew Read; John; Mary A., mar- 
ried to George Eaton; Adeline, married to 
Edward McGinnis; William, Benjamin, 
James, Richard and Nicholas. William re- 
mained at home with his father until he was 
sixteen years old. The latter then moving to 
Portage county, Ohio, William went to live 
with his grandmother on the farm. He mar- 
ried, Sept. 19, 1851, Agnes Gaunce, who was 
born in Findlay township, this county, a 
daughter of Benjamin and Agues (Cooper) 
Gaunce. After his marriage Mr. Cooper 
farmed in Findlay township until 1860, when 
he moved to Shoustown and teamed until 
boat-building ceased, since when he has been 
engaged in various pursuits. He and his 
wife have had five children: Kate K., at 
home; Agnes M., wife of William Hahn, in 



Shoustown; Lizzie M., with her uncle and 
aunt in Moon township; Emma B. and Delia 
B., at home with their parents. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cooper are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. He was first a whig, and a repub- 
lican since the organization of that party. 

Joseph P. Higbee, farmer, postofflce Up- 
per .St. Clair, was born in this county in 1812. a 
grandson of Obediali Higbee, who, in 1784, 
came to Allegheny county, purchased 150 
acres, and here remained until his death. He 
married Annie Brown, who bore him nine 
cliildren. His son, Obediah, was born Feb, 
12, 1782, in the present town of New Bruns- 
wick, N. J., and married Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Squire Joseph Phillips. To tliem were 
born eleven children, Joseph P. being the 
third son. Obediah, Jr., alwa}'s followed 
farming, and died in 1866. Joseph P was 
born and reared on the present farm in Upper 
St. Clair township, and with the exception 
of a couple of years has always resided there. 
He married, in 1841. Abigal, daughter of Jo- 
seph Higbee, and four children have blessed 
their union: J. B., a member of the firm of 
Bryce, Higbee & Co., glass-manufacturers, 
Homestead, Pa.; Elizabeth C, who died in 
1878; Sarah L., living with her father, the 
widow of George H. Kelso and the mother of 
four children; Clarinda C, married to Will- 
iam W. Lesnett. a farmer near Bridgeville, 
this county. Mr. Higbee has retired from 
work on the farm, and has been successful;, 
he is a republican. Mr. Higbee is descended 
from Peter Higbee, who, with his brother 
Elisha, settled in iSlew Jersey; they were 
sons of an Englishman who came to this 
country in the beginning of the eighteenth 
century. On his mother's side Mr. Higbee is 
of Welsh descent. Her grandparents, Joseph 
and Mary Phillips, emigrated from Wales 
about the middle of the eighteenth century 
and settled in Lancaster county. Pa., where 
they died in prosperous circumstances, leav- 
ing their offspring well off. 

Matthew J. Taylor, farmer, postofflce 
Wilkinsburg, is a grandson of Samuel Tay- 
lor, who came from the eastern part of 
Pennsylvania some time previous to 1796, 
that being the date of the land-patent. He 
was of Scotch descent; served in the Ameri- 
can army during the Revolution, and died 
earl}' in this century, at an advanced age. 
Mr. McCown, maternal grandfather of Mat- 
thew J., came here from Ireland soon after 
Samuel Taj'lor. Hugh Taylor, son of Sam- 
uel, married Nancy, daughter of Mr. Mc- 
Cown, and to them was born, in 1833, the 
subject of this sketch. Mrs. Jamieson, mother 
of Samuel Taylor's wife, was killed and 
scalped by the Indians in this count}-. Hugh 
Taylor remained all his life on this farm, and 
died in 1863, aged seventy- seven years. He 
was a Covenanter, a whig, an abolitionist and 
I a republican. He had sons and daugh 
ters, as follows, all of whom but one grew to 
i maturity: Samuel J., an architect, who died 
j in 1886, at Wilkinsburg; James H., a farmer, 
! residing at Athens, Mo. ; John, a plasterer, at 



502 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 



East Liberty; William M., a plasterer, killed 
on tlie P. B. B., Aug. 28, 1888; Matthew J.; 
Charles Can attorney, who rlied in Pitts- 
burgh; Eliza.!., who died unmarried; Sarah 
N., at home. Samuel J. .William M., Charles 
C. . James H. and John were Union soldiers 
during the civil war. Matthew J. has always 
remained on the home farm. He married, in 
18t)9, Sarah J. Scott, born in Elizabeth town- 
ship, :i ilavuihter of Col. James and Mary 
(Kirk) Scott, of Irish and Scotch descent, and 
they liavo three children: CorinnelM., James 
Marshall and Mary Agnes. The family are 
associated withBeulah Presbyterian Church; 
Mr. Taylor is a republican. 

Levi J. Stewart, farmer, postofflce Im- 
perial, was born on the old homestead of his 
grandfather, in Findlay township, March 10, 
1848, asonof John Mc. audMargaret(Armor) 
Stewart, latterof whom was born in Findlay 
township. John Mc. Stewart was a son of 
John and Elizabeth (Glass) Stewart, who 
were members of the Presbyterian Church 
and early settlers of Findlay township. John 
Mc. and Margaret (Armor) Stewart settled on 
their farm in Findlay township, where they 
died, members of the Presbyterian Church. 
They had four children; William A. (who 
died aged eighteen), Levi J., Matilda J. (wife 
of Thomas Nicliol, of Beaver county) and 
Agnes M. (wife of John Moody, in Robinson 
township, this county). The mother of these 
children died in 18oB, and Mr. Stewart mar- 
ried Sarah McBride, of Burgettstown, who 
had one son, George B. Stewart, who died 
March 10, 1877. 

Levi J. Stewart married, Oct. 12, 1876, 
Allie J. Hays, who was born at Hays' Cross- 
ing, Allegheny county, daughter of William 
V. and Emily (Loraine) Hays. Mr. and Mrs. 
Levi J. Stewart have four children: Myrtle 
E., John H., Jay V. and Emily W. The 
parents are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Jonathan Aikin (original spelling, Ait- 
kin), farmer, postofflce Remington. William 
Aikin, the early pioneer of this family, came 
to Allegheny county from Ireland at an 
early period, and purchased a large tract of 
land near the present town of Mansfield. 
His wife's maiden name was McKinnis, and 
to them were born two sons and four daugh- 
ters, William, born in 1799, being the elder 
of the sons. He married Hanna, daughter 
of John Phillips, and two sons and one 
daughter were born to them. William died 
in 1829. Jonathan Aikin was born in 1828, 
and received his education at the common 
schools of the township. He married Eva- 
line Nickle, daughter of John Nickle, and to 
them were born the following-named children: 
James, Agnes Ellen (Mrs. Bell). Lillie (at 
home), and John Albert (a student at West- 
minster College, Lawrence county. Pa.). Mr. 
Aikin now owns over one hundred acres of 
land, all except a few acres of which was 
originally the property of his grandfather 
Phillips. With the exception of two years 
spent in California, he has lived continuously 



on his present farm. He is an elder in the 
U. P. Church, and is a republican. 

Aakon M. Wohk. retired, Beamville, son 
of John and Mary (Stewart) Work, was born 
July 16, 1818, in Jefferson townsliip, on the 
farm he recently sold to J. W. Snee. Aaron 
Work, liis grandfather, first settled in Bethel 
(formerly Upper St. Clair) township, where he 
lived about one year. He then purchased 
the farm above mentioned, in 1796, but died, 
however, l)efore taking possession. Aaron 
M. Work's grandfather on his mother's side, 
George Stewart, was originally from the 
state of New Jersey; on coming to this state 
he bought and settled on a large tract of land 
at or near what is now known as McDonald's 
station, on the line of the P. , C. & St. L. K. 
R. After a residence in this place of about 
four years he removed to Brooke county, 
W. Va., where he resided until his death. 
He was a colonel in the revolutionary war. 
John Work came here when eight years of 
age with his parents. He married and be- 
came the father of the following-named chil- 
dren: Susan, now Mrs. Snodgrass, of Colum- 
biana county, Ohio; Sarah, now Mrs. George 
Snee; Margaret, the late Mrs. Wilson, of Jef- 
ferson township; Jane, the late Mrs. J. M. 
Broady.of Westmoreland county; Mary, de- 
ceased; Aaron M., of Jefferson township; Eli- 
za, now Mrs. Ramsey, of Columbiana county, 
Ohio, and John, deceased. The father died in 
April, 1867, and the mother on May 38, 1828. 

Aaron M. married, March 17, 1842, Mary, 
daughter of Jacob and Susan Andres, the 
latter still living at the age of eighty -eight 
years; the former is deceased. After mar- 
riage our subject and wife settled in West- 
moreland county, but tlie death of a brother 
compelled his return to the old homestead, 
where he resided until he sold it. Their 
children were Wilson S., now in Cincinnati, 
Ohio; John C, of Baldwin township; S. A., 
of Philadelphia; Alfred A., of Washington 
county; K. S., of Tuscola county, Mich.; 
Mary H., now Mrs. J. H. McClure.of Home- 
stead; Sue A., now Mrs W. E. Kelly, of New 
York. Mr. and Mrs. Work are members of 
the Presbyterian Church. 

David H. Walker, Option, the son of 
Jonathan and Jane (Payne) Walker, was 
born in his present home. Pleasant Hill, 
Jefferson township, Jan. 23. 1835, His great- 
great-grandfather, William Walker, was a 
native of England. He served as lieutenant 
in Queen Anne's army during her war with 
Germany, and came to this country in 1710. 
He was married to Elizabeth Curry, who was 
of English parentage. His great-grandfather, 
William Walker, was born in Lancaster 
county. Pa., in 1721. He married Elizabeth 
Hoge, who was born in Chester county, Pa., 
in fr20; she was of Scottish parentage. His 

grandfather. William Walker, was born in 
umbeiiand county. Pa., in 1742, and came 
to Western Pennsylvania in 1795. His 
brother-in-law, John Reed, took out a patent 
called Reedsburg, in 1778, which William 
Walker bought in 1796 for £1,039 10s. The 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHl 



503 



farm is still in the possession of the family, 
being occupied by the fourth generation. 
He married Mary Reed June 9, 1777. "In 
the revolulionarjf struggle he voluntarily 
stepped forward as one of the defenders of 
his country, and was in battles of the Bran- 
dywine and Gulf Mills. On the retreat of 
the Americans from Philadelphia he had his 
sword-scabbard shot from his side." He 
died in the eightieth year of his age. His 
family were William, David, .John, .Jonathan, 
Hannah, Mary and Eliza. William removed 
to Cincinnati, where he died. David mar- 
ried and had his home in Washington county. 
Pa., where he died. John died at home. 
Hannah married William MoDowall, and 
died in Braddock, Pa. Mary married 
Charles McCreery, of Fairfield, Westmore- 
land county. Pa., where she died- Eliza 
married .John Morton, of Mingo, Washington 
county. Pa., where she died. 

Jonathan, father of D. H., was born in 
1797; he married. May 39, 1831, Jane Payne. 
She was born in York county. Pa., in 1794, 
of English parentage. Their children were 
William (Vvhose home is still with D. H.), 
Joseph P. (deceased), Mary R. (now Mrs. D. 

C. Hultz, of Allegheny City), Susan B. (wife 
of W. N. Miller, M. D,, South Pittsburgh, 
died 1870), Eliza J. (married toF. G. Shiebler, 
of Pittsburgh, died in 1873). The father died 
June 33, 1849, the mother June 37, 18.51. 

In 186.5 D. H. married Anna, daughter of 
James Blair, of Ravensvale, JefEerson town- 
ship. Mr. Blair was born on the island of 
Jamaica in 1799. He and Mrs. Blair were of 
Scotch-Irish descent. William, D. H. and 
wife still reside in the old home with their 
four sons: James Blair, William Hultz, 
Thomas Holmes and David Harold. The 
connection mentioned were all Presbyterians. 

D. H. and family are members of Lebanon 
Presbyterian Church. 

James Martin, retired. Mount Lebanon, 
was born in the northern part of Scotland, 
in 1813, and came to America in 1833. He is 
the eldest son of James and .Jennett (Urqu- 
hart) Martin, who were the parents of six 
children. James, Sr. , was a farmer, emi- 
grated to America, and settled in Jefferson 
county, Ohio, where he died in 1839. The 
subject of this sketch was educated at the 
public schools in Scotland, and his principal 
occupation has been contracting, at which 
he has been very successful. He was twice 
married ; first in 1838, to Nancy Elliott, and 
second, to Nancy, daughter of John Mc- 
Knight. Mr. Martin has a farm in Scott 
township, the work on which he superin- 
tends. He has lived at Mount Lebanoa since 
1874, retired from all active pursuits, enjoy- 
ing the benefits of a successful business life. 
He and Mrs. Martin are members of the 
U. P. Church; he is a prohibitionist. 

John Mueller, farmer, postofBce Na- 
trona, was born in Alsace, Germany, in 
1846, and came to America in 1867, settling 
in Allegheny City, where he was variously 
employed. In 1869 he married Theresa Her- 



man, and they lived in Indiana county for a 
period of five years, but eventually settled 
in Harrison township, this county, having 
purchased a farm of A. Roll. Mr. Mueller 
takes an active part in the politics of Harrison 
township, and is at present one of the 
assessors. Mr. and Mrs. Mueller have one 
child — John Joseph; have adopted a boy 
named William Simon. 

Maj. W. J. Glbnn, superintendent of 
the County Home, Woodville, was born in 
Scott township, in 1839. His grandfather, 
William Glenn, came to Allegheny county 
from Lancaster county. Pa., about the 3'ear 
1800, and settled in Upper St. Clair townohip. 
He purchased a large tract of laud, and fol- 
lowed farming. He married Margaret Herd- 
man, who bore him five sons and five daugh- 
ters, and died in 1840, aged sixty-three j'ears. 
James B., his eldest son, was born in 1809, 
in St. Clair township, and was always a farm- 
er. He married Rebecca A. McCulley, 
daughter of Thomas McCulley,of tliis county, 
and three sons and four daughters were born 
to them, of whom W. J. is the eldest. James 

B. Glenn is now a resident of Washington 
county. Pa. His wife died in 1871, aged 
fifty-nine years. Maj. Glenn was reared on 
a farm, and educated at the Mansfield Acad- 
emy, which he left at the age of eighteen 
years to engage in the practical concerns of 
life. For two years he was a teacher in the 
public schools. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. 
E. 61st P. V. I., returning from the field as 
captain of his company. He was appointed 
major, in 1885, of the 14th P. Regt. N. G. P., 
which rank he still holds. He married, in 
1865, Matlie E., daughter of Jacob Doolittle, 
a well-known citizen in Allegheny county. 
Three children have been born to Maj. and 
Mrs. Glenn, two of whom are living; Mary 

C. and Frank D. Maj. Glenn has lieen en- 
gaged in various pursuits, being two years in 
the oil business; also in the general merchan- 
dise business in Allegheny City; was justice 
of the peace of Chartiers borough for ten 
years, and was appointed, in 1884, superinten- 
dent of the County Home, which position he 
fills with entire satisfaction to ever3'one. He 
is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity. He is a Presbyterian, and a 
republican. 

O. R. Cooke, lawyer, Mansfield Vallej', is 
a native of Washington county. Pa,, and 
was born in 1850, a son of David Cooke, a 
farmer. James Cooke, the grandfather, came 
from Lancaster county to Washington county 
about one hundred years ago, and purchased 
six hundred acres of land near Burgetts- 
town, in Smith township. O. R. Cooke, the 
youngest son in a family of seven children, 
was educated at the public schools, and was 
for eight year.s engaged in teaching school 
in Washington and Allegheny counties. In 
1878 he commenced the study of law at the 
L^niversity of Ann Arbor, Mich., and is a 
graduate of the law class of 1880. He came 
to Allegheny county, and was admitted to 
practice in the courts in this county in 1881. 



504 



HISTOrtY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



since when be has continued pruclice in 
Pittsburgh and Mansfield, having an office 
at each place. Mr. Cooke was married 
in 1S74 to Kate E. McClusky, also of 
Washington county, and one child, Mary 
Gertrude, was born to them. Mr. Cooke is 
solicitor for the town of Mansfield and 
Chartiers borough. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Cliurch, and a republican. 

JoiiN II.\RDY (deceased) was born in 
County Armagh, Ireland, in 1828. His 
father, George Hardy, married Rose Mains, 
who bore him eight children. George was a 
merchant in Ireland, and died iu 1838, aged 
forty-five years; his widow died at the age of 
seventj'-three years. The subject of this 
memoir was educated at the academy in his 
native town, and from early life was engaged 
in mercantile business, in which he was 
successful. He married, in 1853, Sarah 
Woodhouse, also a native of Ireland; and six 
children (one deceased) were born to them: 
Mary, Elizabeth, Jessie Rose, Annie W., 
George and Robert J. Mr. Hardy came to 
America in 1883, and purchased property in 
Mansfield. His two sons are engaged in 
business, R. J. Hardy being a druggist in 
Mansfield and part owner of the Shamrock 
Fertilizer-works near Mansfield. George 
Hardy is also in the drug business atCrafton, 
a few miles from Mansfield. All the family 
are members of the Episcopal Church. 

Mark Robis, farmer, postofHce McDon- 
ald. John Robb, a farmer, the pioneer of 
this family, came to Allegheny county from 
Lancaster county. Pa., about 1774, and pui'- 
chased 333 acres of land iu Fayette (now 
North Fayette) township. He was the father 
of eight sons and two daughters. John, the 
second son, was born in Lancaster county in 
17.58, and died in 1848. He married Jane, 
daughter of George Kelso, of Bucks county, 
a native of Scotland, and the many advent- 
ures of these families iu their homes in West- 
ern Pennsylvania would prove interesting. 
Two onl}' of this family now remain. Mark, 
the youngest living, was born in 1807, was 
reared on or near his present home, and owns 
17.5 acres of the original purchase of his 
grandfather. He married, in 1838. Jane S. 
Donaldson, daughter of Andrew Donaldson, 
to whom were born four children, two now 
living: John S., attorney at law, and James, 
at home. Mr. and Mrs. Robb celebrated 
their goldeu wedding on the 31st of May, 
1888. Mr. Robb has followed farming prin- 
cipally through life, but now lives retired. 
He is a member of the U. P. Church, and is 
a republican. 

Hon. Vincent Miller, farmer, postofflce 
McDonald, was born in Mt. Pleasant, Wash- 
ington count}'. Pa., in 1830. The original 
member of the family who came to this part 
of Pennsylvania was .Jacob Miller, a native 
of Virginia, born in 1770. He married, in 
1795, Jane Filson, who was born in 1778, and 
became the father of three sons and nine 
daughters, of whom Samuel, the eldest son, 
was born in 1800. Jacob came to Washing- 



ton county at an early date, was a wheel- 
wright by trade, and later a farmer; he died 
agv:d eighty-one years; his wife wlien aged 
eighty years. ,SamucI in early life learned 
wagon making, which he followed for a short 
period, and then engaged in farming. He 
married Mary A Cockins, of Washington 
county. Pa., a lady of Irish extraction. In 
1840 he came to Allegheu}- county and pur- 
chased, in what is now North Fayette town- 
ship, 160 acres, one hundred of which are 
now owned by our subject. Samuel died in 
1860, the father of ten children. Vinienl, 
the second child, was educated at the com- 
mon schools, and has followed farming prin- 
cii)ally. He married, in 1857, Amanda Hick- 
man, daughter of Joseph Hickman, and by 
her had eight children, six yet living: Lizzie 
H., Mary A., Luella, Corrinne, Harriet and 
Margaret Jane. Mr. Miller has been a suc- 
cessful business-man. He is a republican, 
and has been prominently identified, polit- 
ically, with Allegheny county. He was 
elected to the legislature in 1868, and re- 
elected in 1877, serving his constituents with 
credit and ability, and has held other offices 
of trust. He is a member of tlie Presbyterian 
Church. 

William Doyle, glass-manufacturer, 
Mount Oliver, was born April 3. 1827. on Beck 
run, Mifflin township. His father, Charle;: C. 
Doyle, a millwright and carpenter by trade, 
was a native of Western New York, and of 
Scotch-Irish descent. His uncle, Jame.s Doyle, 
was an officer in the revolutionary war. 
Charles C. Do3de learned his trade in New 
York state, and in 1817 came to this county, 
where he followed his trade until the time of 
his death, being considered a good mechanic. 
He married Mary Robinson, and to them 
were born the following-named children: 
Margaret, Nancy, Joseph, William, Susannah, 
Mariah, Henry and Sarah. William was edu- 
cated in this county, and when between eight 
and nine years of age hebegau to work as an 
apprentice iu the glasshouse of Bakewell, at 
Pittsburgh. In iSSO he went to Louisville, 
where he remained ten years, then returned, 
and was identified with different firms, and 
formed the present firm of Doyle & Co. in 
1868, which has survived two fires, and has 
been conducted by him very successfully. He 
is also president of the Clay Pot companv.and 
chairman of Hogan. Evans it Co. Mr. Dovle 
has been twice married, his first wife being 
Ellen Kenedy. by whom he had two daughters, 
Mrs. Bella Boyd and Mrs. Ellen Marshall. 
His present wife, Mrs. Mary Moye, nee Ha try, is 
the mother of six children: Oscar, Cliarley, 
Latira. Edward Moye, Bessie Rand Donald B. 
J. N. Anderson, retired, Braddock. was 
born in York county^ Pa., in 1822, son of 
Renlx and Sarah (Nelson) Anderson, former 
a farmer by occupation, latter a native of 
England. His grandfather, James Anderson, 
came to this country from Ireland. J N. 
remained on the farm where he was born 
until thirteen years of age. when he com- 
menced a five years' apprenticeship at the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



505 



saddler's trade, at the termination of which 
he followed the business two years; then 
traveled for a New York house three years. 
In 1849 he located in Pittsburgh, when he 
resumed his trade for nine months, and then 
entered the employ of the Exchange (after- 
ward known as St. Clair) hotel, in which he 
remained until 1853. From that year until 
1858 Mr. Anderson represented the Perry 
House, then returned to the St. Clair, and in 
1874 purchased the property, continuing the 
business until 1884, in which year he built 
the Hotel Anderson, in every way conceded 
to be the most complete house of entertain- 
ment in the city. In 1858 Mr. Anderson 
married Miss A. E., daughter of George H. 
Bell, an early pioneer and prominent citizen 
of Allegheny county, and to this union were 
born si.\ sous and one daughter: George B., 
Charles A., James Grant,. Joseph N., Allen 
Kirkpatrick, Willie and Margret R. Mr. 
Anderson is a member of the U. P. Church, 
and is a republican. 

D. S. Elliott, retired, Braddock, is a 
native of this county, born in December, 
1841, to Matthew and Maria (Soles) Elliott, 
of Braddock (formerly Wilkins) township, 
who were the parents of two children, D. S. 
and Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell. The father, 
who was a carpenter by trade, died in 18.54, 
aged thirty-eight years. The subject of 
these lines was born and reared in McKees- 
port. Pa., and educated at the public schools. 
In 1867 he married Agnes J., daughter of 
Samuel and Eliza (Stewart) McCutcheon, and 
by her has four children: D. T., Jennie F., 
Clarence C. and Lester L. Mr. Elliott has 
followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and 
is now owner of 180 acres of land in Brad- 
dock township, the working of which he 
superintends. He came to North Braddock 
in 1884, and here built his present handsome 
residence. He is a democrat. 

Cearlks Mkhafpey, farmer, postoffice 
McKeesport. a son of Alexander and Mary 
M. Mehaffey, was born in North Versailles 
township in 1814. His grandfather, Robert 
Mehaffey, came from Ireland, and located ;n 
this township at a verj' early day, where he 
and his wife died. Alexander, his son, 
married, and reared a family of following- 
named children: William, James (deceased), 
Charles, Ann, Emma and Jane (both de- 
ceased). Alexander Mehaffey died in 1886, 
and his wife in 1852. They located on the 
place now occupied by the tinplate-works of 
McKeesport, and removed from there to a 
farm now owned by our subject. The latter 
married, in 1870, Elizabeth Hendricks, and 
to them have been born eight children: Sarah, 
James, Frank, Robert. John, Charles, Joseph 
and Clyde. Mr. Mehaffey is a democrat. 

Thomas Rankin, real-estate dealer, post- 
office Rankin, is a native of Carroll county, 
Ohio, born Nov. 11, 1834. His father, John 
Rankin, a cabinet-maker by trade, was a 
native of Washington county, Pa. It was 
some time previous to the Revolution that 
two brothers named Rankin came to Amer- 



ica and settled in Washington county. Pa. 
John, the son of one of the above, named 
Thomas, a farmer, married Charlotte Lytle, 
in Pittsburgh, in the year 1818, and was the 
father of eiglit children, two of whom are 
deceased. Thomas, the youngest member of 
his family, was educated in Ohio, and early 
in life commenced his business career, first 
as a clerk, and in 1859 embarked in business 
for himself, and so continued until 1867. He 
then formed a partnership with his brother 
in the wholesale grocery business for twelve 
years, under the firm name of M. W. Rankin 
& Brother. In 1871 Mr. Rankin came to 
what is now known as Rankin station and 
purchased five acres of land, which has since 
been used for building purposes He married, 
Jan. 1, 1861, Abby J., daughter of Charles C. 
Olmsted, of Rome, Ohio, and one daughter, 
Clara Lois Rankin, has blessed their union. 
Politicall}' Mr. Rankin is a republican. 

John Black, retired, postolHce Brinton, 
was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 
1818, only son of John and Martha (Grier) 
Black, former of whom was a farmer in Ire- 
land. Our subject was educated at the 
schools of his native county, and in 1837 
immigrated to America, locating in Phila- 
delphia for one year. He then came to 
Pittsburgh, and was here employed for eight 
years as a clerk; thence came to Wilkins 
(now Braddock) township, and was here en- 
gaged in mercantile business till 1853, 
when he purchased 136 acres of valuable 
land and carried on farming till 1887, in 
which year he sold the farm and retired 
from active life. Mr. Black tuarried, in 
1844, Ellen, daughter of William Bailey, a 
farmer, and five children were born to 
them: Sarah (Mrs. Gilliland), and George, 
Elizabeth, Ella and Belle, at home. Our 
subject has held several township offices; is 
a member of the U. P. Church, and is a 
republican. 

Isaac Good, railroad supervisor, Wall, 
was born in Westmoreland county. Pa., in 
1838, a son of Isaac and Catherine (Sumney) 
Good, who were parents of eleven children. 
The former is now deceased, the latter is 
living. The subject of this sketch was edu- 
cated at the schoolsof Westmoreland county, 
and at the age of fourteen became a rail- 
road employe, located at first in Allegheny, 
and later at Cambria and Fayette. In 1860 
he married Sarah, daughter of William 
Walker, of Pittsburgh, after which they 
located at Braddock, and subsequently re- 
sided for a time at East Liberty, Shady Side, 
and in Cambria county for five years. He 
returned to Allegheny county, and in 1881 
located at Wall, which derives its name from 
Frank Wall, now a resident of Kentucky, 
who was the owner of the first two houses 
erected here, and by occupation an engineer 
on river boats. Wall is now the headquarters 
of this division of the Pennsylvania railroad. 
The roundhouses and machine-shops are to 
be removed from Pittsburgh, and Wall will 
be the distributing point for west and south- 



506 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



west. Mr. aud Mrs. Good have a family of 
8ix children, viz.: William E.. George G., C. 
B., Carrie E., Albert and Helleu May. Mr. 
Good's grandfather, Isaac Good, was a 
pioneer of Western Pennsylvania. 

John Alleuu.^n'd, farmer, poslofflce Mc- 
Keesport, a son of .lohn and Margaret Alio- 
brand, was born at Chorhesen, Steinau, Ger- 
many, in 1833. and with his parents emigrated 
to America and located at McKeesport in 
1843. They had four sons: Conrad, Nicklous, 
John, Philip; and one daughter. Elizabeth. 
Philip enlisted in the army, Co. I, ()3d P. V., 
and during three years' service was promoted 
to first corporal. He was killed at the battle 
of Petersburg. His father died during that 
year, and his mother in 18G1. In 1854 our 
subject went to California, where he was 
engaged in butchering, and was part owner 
of a good producing gold-mine. After six 
years he returned to McKeesport, and in 
1860 married Rachel, daughter of William 
Nicolaus, ot McKeesport. He then engaged 
in butchering until 1878, but in 1880 removed 
to a farm which he now owns in North Ver- 
sailles township, and has since been engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. AUe- 
brand have six children: Charles W., Mar- 
garet, John N., Louisa, Fredericka and 
George A. Charles W. married Lida, daugh- 
ter of James Michaels, and located in Colo- 
rado, where he is engaged in mining. Mr. 
Allebraud is a member of the F. & A. M., 
AUiquippa Lodge, No. 375. -He is a Presby- 
terian and a republican. 

William H. Rodenbadgh. farmer, post- 
office West View, was born Dec. 19, 1840. 
His great-grandfather, Joseph Rodenbaugh, 
came from Bucks county. Pa., to Allegheny 
county in 1807, and died on the farm where 
William H. now resides. The old farm was 
known as Mount Pleasant, and contained 330 
acres. It was first owned by George Wal- 
lace, who bought it in 1799, and w<as sub- 
sequently sold to Thomas Reed, who sold it 
to John Stewart, who sold it to John Roden- 
baugh in 1830. Our subject's great-grand- 
mother, whose maiden name was Hannah 
Walker, was a Quaker, and died at the 
home of her grandson. The grandfather 
Rodenbaugh was a class-leader at the age 
of seventeen }-ears; his house was the home 
of the old-time itinerant preacher. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Fosspinner, and became the 
father of eight children: Joseph, John, 
Samuel, Mary, William, Hannah, Henry and 
Charles. Of these William was born Sept. 
37. 1810, and died in 1847. He married 
Catharine Moore, born Dec. 35, 1819, in 
Pine township, Allegheny county, Pa., and 
three children were born to them: Eliza J., 
W. H. and John. The old family were 
members of the M. E. Church; politically 
they were whigs. William H. is a cooper 
by trade, but farms principally. He married 
Emma Penn, of this county, and they have 
two children: John W. and Kate M. John 
Rodenbaugh married Lillie Schlotz. and has 
one child, Jeannette. 



William C. Shaw, farmer, Gleusiiaw, 
was born Oct. 13, I83(), on the old mansion 
farm in Slialer township. His parents, John 
and Matilda (Courtney) Shaw, were also 
natives of this county, the latter being a 
daughter of William Courtney, an old settler 
at Lowry's run. John Shaw was a miller by 
trade, and operated the old mill at Glenshaw. 
He was an active business-man, and in ad- 
dition to milling was engaged in the coal 
business, supplj'ing Spang's mill with fuel. 
The old Shaw family were active members 
ot the Presbyterian Church. William C. 
Shaw is a miller by trade, which he followed 
in early life. Later on he helped his father 
in the coal business, and now is a farmer and 
gardener. He married Eliza J. Mathews, 
and four children haije blessed their union: 
Mrs. Matilda Watts, Edward D., Clara and 
Lyda C. 

N. J. Black, contractor and builder, Ava- 
lon, was born near Six-Mile Ferry, Alle- 
gheny county, Pa., May 33, 1851, the son of 
John and Mary (Coleman) Black, both of 
whom were natives of this county. John 
Black was a carpenter, and his parents came 
from Ireland. The suljject of this sketch 
attended the country schools, and at the age 
of fourteen he was in the service ot Rev. 
McAboy. He next learned the carpenter's 
trade, and after working eight years for Mul- 
lon, Steen & Co. he moved to Bellevue, 
where he continued his trade for two years. 
For the next five years he was in the grocery 
business at West Bellevue, but his health 
failing him, he again took up the hammer 
and saw, this time contracting for himself, 
and has erected nearly all the houses at West 
Bellevue built since he engaged in the busi- 
ness. At the age of twenty-one he married 
Mary S. Davis, a granddaughter of Bassell 
Davis, he being the first white settler that 
side ot the river. Her parents were .James 
S. and Mary J. (Beem) Davis, both natives of 
this county. Her father was a farmer and 
an extensive sheep-raiser. Mr. and Mrs. 
Black have one child. Birdie D. They are 
members of the Bellevue M. P. Church, of 
wTiich he is a steward. Mr. Black is a mem- 
ber of Jr. O. U. A. M. When he first moved 
to West Bellevue he was elected assessor and 
councilman, serving three years. He was 
then appointed first postmaster, the oflSce 
then being called Myler, now changed to 
Avalon. He was elected burgess in 1888, 
and re-elected in 1889. 

John Rush Montgomery, merchant. 
Turtle Creek, was born in North Versailles, 
July 17, 18G3. His father, John McCuUough 
Montgomery, was bora in Ohio and reared 
by his uncle, Perrj' McCuUough, in Ver- 
sailles, on the farm where his widow and 
children now reside. He married Elizabeth 
McMastcrs Lewis, a native of Jacksonville, 
Westmoreland county, and they had three 
sons and one daughter: Joseph M., Samuel 
Perry. Rebecca M. and John R. Mr. Mont- 
gomery joined the 63d P. V., and served 
about a year. He died of disease contracted 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



507 



in the army, April 2, 1864, aged thirty-three 
years. He was a member of the U. P. 
Church, as were all the members of his 
family, and was a republican, as are his sons. 
Joseph Montgomery, father of John M., was 
a stock-grower in the state of Ohio, and 
elder in the Presbyterian Church. His wife 
was Rebecca McCullough, a member of one 
of the earliest families in Versailles. 

Hugh Cunningham, farmer, postoffice 
Bakerstown, was born Dec. 30, 1825, on his 
present farm in West Deer township, son of 
Abraham and Nancy (Glasgow) Cunning- 
ham, who were born in Ireland, and came 
here when they were eight and ten years of 
age, residing in West Deer township until 
their deaths. They were members of the old 
Seceder Church. Hugh Cunningham was 
married at the age of nineteen to Eliza Mc- 
Neil, of West Deer township, and seven 
children were born to them, two of whom 
are living. Of these Abraham married, in 
1867, Catharine, daughter of Robert and 
Kate (Scott) Harbison, of Butler county; 
the}' have four children; Eliza, Lloyd, Dean 
and Mary. The other son, Robert John, is a 
Presbyterian minister in Indiana. Mrs. 
Cunningham died in May, 1864, and Mr. Cun- 
ningham was afterward married July 4, 1865, 
to Jane Park, of Butler countj% daughter of 
William and Hannah (Rundles) Park. Her 
father was born in Franklin county, Feb. 9, 
1791, and died Dec. 20, 1883. Her mother 
was born Aug. 9, 1800, and died Feb. 24, 
1885. Two children were born to this second 
marriage: William and Ellen. Mr. Cunning- 
ham has a farm of 160 acres near Bakers- 
town and is one of the oldest settlers of the 
township. 

John McMasters Larimer, general mer- 
chant. Turtle Creek, was born in the same 
house as his father, in North Huntingdon 
township, Westmoreland county, in 1844. 
His parents were James Irwin and Nancy 
(McMasters) Larimer, the latter a native of 
Allegheny county. William Larimer, father 
of James, was among the early settlers of 
Westmoreland. In 1857 the subject of this 
memoir came with his parents to a farm in 
Versailles, this county. While attending 
New AVilmington College, before completing 
his eighteenth year, he joined Co. E, 105th 
P. V. I., and entered the Army of the Poto- 
mac under Col. A. A. McKnight. Besides 
some preliminary skirmishes in the peninsu- 
lar campais;n, he participated in the battles 
of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, and although 
his hat and blouse were pierced with bullets 
in the latter engagement, he escaped without 
a scratch, but was taken prisoner while try- 
ing to remove his wounded friend, now Col. 
Gray, of this county, from the field. After 
fifteen weeks in Salisbury, Lihby and Belle 
Isle prisons, and narrowly escaping death 
from starvation, he was exchanged and soon 
discharged on account of disability. After 
a period of rest at home, in 186.3 he re- 
cruited a part of Co. F, 14th Regt., S. V., and 
participated in the capture of Gen. Morgan. 



In this company he held the rank of first 
lieutenant under Capt. Taggart, had com- 
mand most of the time, and the distribution 
of the captured horses was also placed in his 
charge. In the fall of 1864 he recruited 
eighteen men. whom he accompanied as 
private and joined the 6th P. H. A., under 
Col. Barnes, and was at once made first 
lieutenant. For a time the company did 
guard-duty on the Orange & Alexandria 
railroad, after which Lieut. Larimer was 
made ordnance-ofBcer on Col. Barnes' staff, 
in charge of the fortifications about Wash- 
ington. Here he remained until discharged 
in 1865, his services being no longer required, 
and participated in the grand review by Gen. 
Grant. Thus at the age of twenty-one years 
Mr. Larimer was possessed of three honora- 
ble discharges from the United States' serv- 
ice, and one from the State of Pennsylvania. 
After a year in mercantile business at 
Leavenworth, Kan., our subject opened in 
the same line at Turtle Creek, where he has 
continued ever since. He carries on a lum- 
ber and livery business in addition to a gen- 
eral store, and is also engaged in farming 
and stock-breeding, giving special attention 
to registered Jersey and Holstein cattle. In 
1868 Mr. Larimer married Emily, second 
daughter of Gen. C. P. Markle. of West- 
moreland count}', and they have had eight 
children, four yet living; Cyrus Markle. 
Thomas McMasters, .lohn M., Jr., and Paul 
Wilfred; the only daughter, Nannie, died at 
the age of seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Lari- 
mer were among "the charter members of the 
First Presbyterian Church of Braddock, of 
which lie is an elder. He is among the most 
active workers of the republican part}-. 

William George Lane, mercliant. Turtle 
Creek, a native of Wilkins township, was 
born Nov. 23, 1854. His parents. Henry and 
Mary (McKeg) Lane, came from Ireland, and 
now reside in Newtown, a part of Turtle Creek 
village. The father is a coal-miner, and at 
the age of nine years William G. also began 
that business. He has been industrious and 
provident, and in 1880 began selling goods 
from a wagon; three years later he built a 
store, which was soon after destroyed by 
fire, inflicting a loss of eight hundred dollars 
over insurance. With characteristic energy 
he at once rebuilt and now carries a stock 
worth about two thousand dollars, and 
owns, besides his store and residence in 
Newtown, a house in Wilkins township. In 
1876 he married Mary Ellen Leonard, a na- 
tive of Canada and daughter of Matthew and 
Catherine Leonard, of Ireland, and iliey have 
two children, Henry and Anna Arvilla. Mr. 
Lane is still occupied in the mines, and the 
store is managed by his wife. He has served 
as supervisor of Patton township, being 
elected on the republican ticket. The family 
is associated with the E. L. Church. 

Shields Family. The progenitor of the 
family was James Shields, of English de- 
scent and Quaker proclivities, native of Ire- 
land, who settled in Chester county. Pa., at 



508 



IIISTOUY OF ALLEGHENy COUNTY. 



the latter purl of the seveutecnth cenlurj-. 
Tlis i^raiulson, Thomas, was a goldsmith in 
Philaili'Ipliia. and Thomas' son. David, was a 
iiK'nliMiu ill tlie West India trade. He settled 
ill Little Washini^lon aliout 1800. and shortly 
after married Eliza, only child of Maj. Dan 
Leet. David Shielilswas born An;?. 10, 1780, 
and died Nov. 2. 18.")7; his widow ctied March 
21, 1873, a;;ed eighty-eiL'ht years. His chil- 
dren were: Mrs. .Maria Wilson, Daniel Leet, 
Thomas L., .Misses R. H. and Hannah Shields, 
Eliza. Susannah (wife of Rev. Isaac Cook). 
Thomas L. Shields was born in April, 1809, 
in Little Washington, Pa.; he died in the 
Sewickley valley in 1879. He was a mem- 
ber of the Philadelphia bar, also practiced in 
this and surrounding counties. He was a 
fine speaker and an able attorney. He was 
a whig, and one of the original organizers of 
the republican party, at L.afayette hall. He 
was a good agriculturist and horticulturist, 
and a keen sportsman. He married Amelia, 
daughter of John and Harriet (Craig) Chap- 
lin, the latter of whom was a daughter of 
Mayor Isaac and Amelia (Neville) Craig. 
Mrs. Craig was a daughter of Gen. John and 
Winnifred (Conway) Neville, and a sister of 
Gen. Preslev Neville, serving on Gen. La- 
faj'elte's staff during the revolutionary war. 
The cliildren of Thomas Shields are; Eliza 
S., William C, David, Amelia (wife of James 
B. Oliver), Lydia H. (wife of William L. 
Jones), Wilhelmina, Rebecca and Thomas L. 
Shields. Of these William C. was first lieu- ' 
tenant of Co. G, 28.th P. V. I., and was killed 
in front of his company at Chancellorsville, 
Va., May 3, 1862. David Shields enlisted in 
Co. F, 63d P. V. I. He participated in many 
battles, and was promoted to captain. The 
last two years of service he was a personal 
aid-decamp of Gen. Alexander Hays; was 
honorably discharged before he was twenty 
years old, for wounds received in action. 
Maj. Dan Leet was of English descent; he 
was a brigade-major in the revolutionary 
war, and second in command at Crawford's 
defeat. He removed to Washington countj' 
in 1775. He was a surveyor, and under the 
direction of David Reddick, Esq., vice-presi- 
dent of Pennsylvania, he surveyed the in- 
ternal survey of the Allegheny reserve; and, 
under the directions of the supreme execu- 
tive council, surveyed the depreciation lands 
of the second district, a part of which is in 
the Sewickley vallej'. It was made in 1782- 
86. He and Re3'nolds surveyed Gen. Wash- 
ington's lands in Kentucky. He died June 
18, 1830. 

,IOHN Graham, farmer, postoffice Stew- 
art's Station, was born in 1831, a son of John 
and Annabella (Moat) Graham, the latter a 
native of County Down, Ireland. John Gra- 
ham was many years a farmer in Patton 
township, where he died, and was succeeded 
by the son whose name heads this sketch. 
The latter was reared here, has always fol- 
lowed farming, and came into possession of 
his present property in 1883. In August. 
1864, he joined Co. F, 6th P. H. A., and 



served on garrison duty until June, 1885. He 
is the onlj' republican" among the Grahams. 
The family attends the U. P. Church al Stew- 
art's Station. Mrs. Graham is Ann. daughter 
of William and Christina McCane, natives of 
Westmoreland county, and she is the mother 
of tw.i s ms, Charles Elmer, born Sept. 18, 
1862, and James McCane, born March 23, 1865, 
both residing at home. 

Jacob Mauhek (deceased) was born near 
Strasbourg. Alsace-Lorraine, June 24 1805, a 
son of Jacob L. and Catherine (Deut.«ch) 
Maurer. He immigrated to America, in June. 
1837, and in September of the same year lo 
cated in Columbus, Ohio, where he followed 
ihc occupation of a gardener and dairyman 
until 18.55. He then settled in JIcKeesport, 
and embarked in the tannery business with 
his son-in-law, W. B. Junker, under Arm 
name of Junker ifc Co., in which he continued 
six years, when he retired. Before locating 
in Mclveesport he had purchased the valua- 
ble properly at corner of Fifth avenue and 
Walnut street, now owned by his heirs, a fine 
brick block, two stories high, facing Fifth 
avenue. After his retirement from business 
he gave his entire attention to his property 
interests until his death, which occurred 
Sept. 17. 1882, when he was seventy-seven 
years of age. He was married in 1834 to 
Christina Fischer, who died June 2, 1888. 
He had three daughters who grew tomaturit}': 
Catherine (deceased wife of W. B. Junker), 
Caroline and Amelia (Mrs. Julius Beiler, of 
Pittsburgh). 

Of these Caroline, who resides in McKees- 
port, married, Oct. 19, 1865. Louis Brecht, a 
native of Heidelberg, Germany, by whom 
she has four children livina;: Eleanor H., 
Amelia L.. Louis J. and Henr^- W. Mr. 
Brecht came to America in 1850, and settled 
in Pittsburgh, where he finished his education 
and learned the gilder's trade. He served 
three years in the civil war as first lieutenant, 
participated in twentj-fwo engagements, 
and was honorably discharged at expiration 
of his term of service. For a number of j^ears 
he was engaged in the picture-frame business 
in Pittsburgh, and wa< a successful business- 
man. He died (jct. 16, 188t). He was an at- 
tendant of Trinity Church. Pittsburgh, and 
sang in the choir fourteen years. He was a 
member of the G. A. R., and was a stanch 
democrat. 

WiLLi.ui J. Miller, retired. Gill Hall, is 
a son of Peter and Marj' A. (Cunningham) 
Miller, and was born in Ireland in 1801. His 
parents came to this country about 1808, and 
located in Jefferson township, this county, 
where the father proceeded to work at his 
trade of shoemaking, but later bought a farm. 
William J. is the only surviving member of 
his father's family. Ma}- 20. 1836, he married 
Sarah, daughter of Michael Snee, of Jeffer- 
son township. He worked the old homestead 
and at the carpenter's trade until he sold the 
farm, when he removed to Gill Hall. His 
children are Andrew, married to Anna Car- 
lisle, of Jefferson township; Harry H., married 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



509 



to Lettie Dufl, of Jefferson township ; Caroline, 
now Mrs. Reed, of Jefferson township; Ella, 
now Mrs. Weller, of West Elizabeth, and 
Fannie. Mrs. Miller died in 1875. Our 
subject was a successful merchant for thirty 
years. He is a member of the U. P. Church, 
and is a republican. 

Melanctiion W. McMillan, general 
bookkeeper, Bank of Pittsburgh. The 
paternal greatgrandfather of this gentleman 
was a native of the highlands of Scolland, 
and immigrated to America, settling in Mary- 
land. His sons, Rev. Samuel and William, 
were soldiers in the revolutionary war. Of 
these, the tirst named, a minister of the 
Baptist Church, located in Westmoreland 
■county, and later in Tennessee and Ohio. He 
died in Beaver county, Pa. His son, Thomas 
L., was born in Westmoreland county, and 
came to Pittsburgh at the age of sixteen 
years. He enlisted later in the war of 1813, 
but his services were not required in the 
field. After the war he returned to Pitts- 
burgh, and clerked for George Miltenberger, 
finally embarking in the house-furnishing 
business on his own account. He was sub- 
sequently appointed by Gov. Rituer clerk 
of the mayor's court in the old courthouse, 
and afterward elected clerk of court of 
quarter sessions. After that he was appointed 
associate judge with Judge McClure. He 
■died in 1852, aged sixty years. Politically 
he was a strong whig, and worked nobly to 
promote the success of the anti-slavery bill. 
He was married to Jane, daughter of John 
<3ormly, and of their twelve children, nine 
attained maturity. Of these, John G. was 
clerk in the office of the Cliroiiicle- Telegraph; 
Samuel J. R. read law with Judge Shaler 
and Edwin M. Stanton, late secretary of war. 
He was admitted to the Allegheny count}' 
bar, and became a member of the law firm_ of 
Stowe & McMillan; later he went to Minne- 
sota. He was elected district judge, and subse- 
quently elected judge of the supreme bench, 
and afterward United States senator. Me- 
lancthon W., the subject of this sketch, was 
born and reared in Allegheny City, and 
■came to Sewicklfey in 1871. He has been 
identified with the Bank of Pittsburgh for 
thirty }-ears, and is now general bookkeeper. 
He is also a member of session of the Se- 
-wickley Presbyterian Church, and is treas- 
urer. Mr. McMillan's mother died at his 
home in Sewickley, June 7, 1879, aged eighty- 
four years. 

John Eower, merchant, Parnassus, was 
born in Plum township, July 8, 1833, a son 
of Archie and Mary (Gill) Euwer, the latter a 
daughter of Ebenezer Gill, who was a son of 
John Gill, a native of Ireland. Mr. Archie 
Euwer was born in Plum township, Mary 
(Gill) Euwer in Patton township, in 1799 and 
1804, respectively. The grandfather, John 
Euwer. came from Ireland, and in 1796 settled 
in Plum township, on the present site of 
New Texas, buying 370 acres there. In 1798 
he married Xancy McMulleu at Ligonier 
Valley, and became the father of five sons 



and five daughters. His brother, Samuel 
Euwer, settled on Sandj' creek, and was one 
hundred years old when he died, leaving a 
very large posterity, who hold annual re- 
unions at Jacob Walter's. Springdale. Our 
subject attended school in Plum township, 
and when sixteen years old took charge of 
his father's farm, under the direction of his 
mother. In January. 1855, he married Is- 
abella Allen, a native of Westmoreland 
county, born in 1833, adaughterof Robert and 
Anna (Leslie) Allen, natives of Scotland, the 
former an elder in the Covenanter Church. 
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Euwer: Anna (Mrs. McKee Swank). Amelia 
J. (milliner and dressmaker), Margaret G. 
(who died aged three years), Robert Allen, 
Archa Nelson (in father's store), Ida, Bell. 
Florence Clyde and Lizzie Emma. Mr. 
Euwer was on the farm until 1806, and 
shortly after bought the Walnut Hill farm, in 
Westmoreland county, on which he lived 
twelve years. In 1879 he bought a farm in 
Plum township, on Puckety creek, and six 
years later sold and moved to Parnassus, 
where he has since remained, keeping a gen- 
eral store. Mr. Euwer has three brothers liv- 
ing; E. G., a merchant in Jeanette, West- 
moreland county. Pa.; M. G., a merchant in 
Verona, Pa., and the youngest, Archie N., is 
a farmer, living near Washington, Iowa. He 
served three years in the Union army; fought 
in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac 
from Fredericksburg to the surrender of 
Lee's army at Appomattox, belonging to 
Co. C, 155th P. v.. Col. Pearson. 

David Clements, farmer, postofiice New 
Texas, was born in Plum township July SO. 
1834, a son of David and Maria (Anderson) 
Clements. His father was a farmer and car- 
penter, a native of Pennsylvania, and his 
mother of Ireland, coming to America at 
three years of age. William Clements, grand- 
father of the subject of this biography, 
bought a farm on the east side of the town- 
ship, which he sold to his son, and he to our 
subject, who was educated here, and re- 
mained with his father until twenty-seven 
years of age. He then began farming the 
old homestead, which he still owns, and 
seventeen years later bought his present farm, 
the Euwer place. He married, in 1861, Eliza 
Stewart, of Westmoreland county, born in 
June, 1837, a daughter of Andrew and Pris- 
cilla (Beal) Stewart, and seven children were 
born to them, six now living: James Alex- 
ander, in Pittsburgh; Andrew, Lizzie M., 
Harry D., Prillie J. and Mary Myrtle; John 
Anderson died aged three years. The family 
are members of the U. P. Church. 

W. W. Reeves, proprietor of the " Reeves 
Patent Stone" manufactory, Braddock. is a 
native of New Jersey, born in 1818. Henry 
Reeves, the original pioneer of the family of 
this name in the eastern states, and a native 
of England, came to this country in 1754, 
settled in New Jersej', to escape religious 
persecution; he was a Quaker, and Isaiah 
Reeves, father of W. W.. born in New 



510 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Jersey, was enrolled in the continental army 
at the age of sixteen, about the time Corn- 
wallis surrcnfiered at Yorktovvn. Our sub- 
ject was educated at the public schools of 
Burlington county, N. J., and at the age of 
seventeen learned the plasterinff trade in 
Philadelphia, which helms followed for fifty 
years as a contractor, etc. In 1N02 he came to 
iJraddock, where ho has since iiUniduccd tlic 
manufacture of the "Reeves Patent Stime," 
a durable composition used cxteiisivily for 
tine buildin;? purposes. In I84;i Mr. Reeves 
married*Elizal)eth, daughter of Isaac Young, 
a brick-contractor of Pliiladelpliia, and a son 
of a revohitionary soldier, Capl. Young, 
who served under Washington, and eight 
children were born to them, three of whom 
are now living; Amanda (Mrs. McFarland), 
William Wallace and Howard C. The fam- 
ily are members of the Methodist Church; 
Mr. Reeves is a republican. In 1861 he in- 
vented a rifled cannon and an explosive 
shell, which were tested at Fort Monroe, and 
proved to be a success and adopted as a gov- 
ernment piece of ordnance. He claims it to 
be the first rifled cannon made in this country 
or any other. 

William .Jackson, farmer, P. O. Negley, 
was born in the county of Durham, England. 
Oct. 9, 1830, a son of Robert and Margaret 
(West) .Jackson, former of whom was killed 
when William was nine years old; the mother 
lived to the age of eighty-seven years. W^ill- 
iam .Jackson, paternal grandfather of Will- 
iam, was a mason, and John West, the ma- 
ternal grandfather, was captain of an English 
merchant-ship; was taken prisoner by the 
French, and served twenty-one j'ears in 
French prisons. Mr. Jackson came to New 
York city in 1853, and following year to 
Pittsburgh, where he worked four or five 
years at the West Point forge, and then 
went to the rolling-mills, remaining there fif- 
teen years. He enlisted in February, 1864, in 
Co. I, 61st P. V. I., which was consigned to 
the Sixth corps. Army of the Potomac, and 
was discharged in June, 1864. He then 
worked in the Pittsburgh mills until 1872, 
when he moved to his present farm, which 
he had bought in 1867. In 18.51 he mar- 
ried Sarah Pescot, a native of Newcas- 
tle, England, a daughter of Thomas and 
Sarah Pescot. Ten children were born to 
them: Isabella Ann, Thomas P., Mary (Mrs. 
Samuel Anderson), Robert (married to Ann 
Bryan and lives on the farm), Sarah (Mrs. 
George Kime), William, Margaret, John, 
Henry and Charles. The familj' are mem- 
bers of the Episcopal Church, but there beiqg 
no church of that denomination here, they 
joined the U. P. Church. Mr. Jackson owns 
120 acres of land. 

John Pyle, postotflce Hulton, was born 
in Erie county. Pa., July 20. 1838. His par- 
ents, John and Mary Margaret Pyle, were 
natives of Jjancaster county. Pa., and came 
to Pittsburgh when our subject was very 
small, but afterward moved to Penn town- 
ship, where the father engaged in the coal- 



mines, and died March 3, 1880, of dropsy and 
heart disease. The mother died ten months 
later, of paralysis. John, the suljjecl of tliis 
sketch, received a common-school education 
in this county, and when about nine years 
old entered the coal-mines with his father, in 
Wilkins townsliip. At the age of twenty-one 
he began for himself in the mines of "Penn 
township, continuing until he was thirty 
years of age, at which time he began farming 
in the same township for a firm of coal-mer- 
chants; he also spent two j'ears in Plum 
township, four years for Frank and Harry 
Jolinson of Wilkins townsliip. and has since 
been on the Lee farms of Plum township, 
the last four years conducting a dairy-farm 
near the Verona borough limits. In 1864 he 
purchased two acres of land in Penn town- 
ship, and in 1867 built a house; in 1878 he 
built another house on the same two acres. 
In 188."> he purchased two lots and a house in 
Verona, and in the spring of 1888 bouirht four 
lots and a house at Oakmont. He married, 
in his twenty-ninth year, Anna Mary Smeltz, 
of Plum township, a daughter of Lewis 
Smeltz. They have had six children: Sarah 
E., Jacob L., Harry L. and Frank E., all at 
home. The deceased are Mary M., who died 
at age of three years, and Nettie M.. when 
aged ten years. Mr. Pyle is a republican. 

Mrs. Mary Jane King, postofiice Sunny 
Side, youngest daughter of Robert S. and 
Dorcas (Allen) Leckj', was born in Pitts- 
burgh in 1827. Her father removed from 
Martinsburg. W. Va., and located at the 
corner of Virgin alle}- and Wood street, 
where he and his brother William manufact- 
ured coaches. He had the honor of estab- 
lishing the first reading-school in Pittsburgh. 
Though held on Sundays, it was not of the 
nature of a Sunday-school, as no religious 
ser.vices were held; but the children were 
gathered in an upper room and taught to 
read. Complaint was made regarding the 
school, but it was decided that it was not 
dangerous to the children, and he was per- 
mitted to continue. Dorcas Allen was the 
eldest daughter of David Allen, who was a 
son of John Allen. The latter was one of 
the pioneers of Fayette county, and of Alle- 
gheny' county. David Allen was born Jlay 
10. 1770; his wife, Mary Warne. Sept. 11, 
1770. They were married Dec. 24. 17t»3, and 
were blest with eleven children, of whom 
Dorcas was the second; she was boru April 
8, 1796, and died Feb. 6, 1884. She was mar- 
ried to Robert S. Lecky Sept. 25. 1821; he 
died Dec. 7, 1828. There were born to them 
three children: David Allen Lecky. Letitia 
S. Lecky and Mary Jane Lecky. Dorcas 
Allen's grandmother was Mary Power, sister 
of Rev. James Power, the pioneer clergymaD 
of Western Pennsylvania. Her husband's 
brother, William Lecky, was formerly sheriff 
of the county. Our subject was married in 
1858 to Samuel J. King, and in 1875 removed 
to Monongahela City, and to her present 
home in 1885. Mr. King, after a successful 
and profitable life, died in 1873, leaving one 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



511 



child, Lizzie L., wliose home is with her 
mother. 

Jennings P. Atjld, farmer, postofflce Mc- 
Keesport, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Oct. 
25, 1843, a son of David and Rhoda (Jen- 
nings) Auld. His paternal grandfather, 
James Auld, was a native of Long Island, N. 
Y., a cabinet-maker by trade, and among the 
pioneers of Fayette county, Pa. His mater- 
nal grandfather, David Jennings, was of En- 
glish parentage, an early settler in Fayette 
county, Pa. David Auld, father of Jennings 
P., was born in Fayette county, and in early 
manhood located in Pittsburgh, where he 
worked as a glass-packer for fourteen years; 
in 1849 he located in Versailles township and 
engaged in farming. He was twenty years 
president of Versailles cemetery, which, un- 
der his supervision, has been made one of the 
finest in the state. He was the father of four 
children: Jennings P., Vincent (deceased), 
Amanda (Mrs. A. D. Foster) and Hannah 
(deceased). David Auld died April 1, 1887, 
aged sixty-six years. 

Jennings P. Auld was reared in Versailles 
township, and from six years of age was edu- 
cated at the common schools, and with the 
exception of seven years, during which he re- 
sided in Illinois, has lived on the old home- 
stead, to which he succeeded on the death of 
his father. Sept. 1, 1864. he enlisted in Co. 
F, 5th P. A., and served until the close of 
the war. In February, 1868. he married 
Eliza, daughter of Victor and Eliza (McNul- 
t}') Arthur, of Versailles township, by whom 
he has three sons: David W., Victor A. and 
Vincent. Mr. Auld is a republican, and has 
held many local offices of trust. 

Mrs. Hannah Manown, retired, Monon- 
gahela City, daughter of George and Eliza- 
beth Linn, was born in 1829, in the township 
and county of Butler, where her father was 
prominently identified with the medical 
profession. Her father's family consisted of 
three children: Alonso, now a professor in 
Washington and Jefferson College; George 
A., practicing medicine in Monongahela City, 
and Hannah. Her father was one of the 
pioneers of Western Pennsjdvania, and when 
Gen. Lafayette was in Butler he had the 
honor of dining with him; he died at the age 
of forty-four, at his old home. Hannah 
married, in 1854, Thomas Manown, son of 
John and Martha Manown, whose family 
were among the early settlers of Forward 
township. Mr. Manown died Oct. 25, 1867, 
on the farm now owned by his wife and 
sister. 

Michael Gross, merchant. Hero, a son of 
Peter Gross, was born in Mifflin township in 
1849. His parents were among the old Ger- 
man families of that township, where his 
mother died in 1877, and his father in Febru- 
ary, 1888, with Michael, in the borough of 
Reynoldton. They had thirteen children, 
viz.: Jacob. Kate (Mrs. Sidel, deceased), 
Barbara (Mrs. Zimmerman). Margaret (Mrs. 
Kurtz), John, Frank, Peter. Michael, Ger- 
trude (deceased), Crist, Anna (Mrs. O'Hanlon, 



deceased), Mary (Mrs. Weischer) and Matt 
(deceased). Michael married, in 1873, Mar- 
garet Elizabeth Elster, and, locating in 
Mifflin township, became engaged on the 
river and in steamboating. In 1888, having 
received the appointment of postmaster at 
Rej^noldton, he established himself there in 
business as a dealer in general merchandise, 
on the main street, and in the center of the 
borough. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have five chil- 
dren; Minnie, Freddie, Lizzie, Georgie and 
Henry. 

George Goldbach (deceased) was born in 
Pittsburgh. Pa., Oct. 1, 1837. He was of Ger- 
man parentage, hisparents coming to this coun- 
try in 1836. After the death of his mother 
he made his home with an uncle, Anthony 
Henger, who resided in Mt. Oliver. In 1861 
he was married to Miss Catherine Brouder, 
whose parents were among tlie first settlers 
in Mt. Oliver; they were married at Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., in 1837, settling in the neighbor- 
hood of the old homestead, which at present 
is one of the old landmarks of Lower St. 
Clair township. Mr. Goldbach in 1861 en- 
gaged actively in the grocery and feed busi- 
ness, and in 1863 opened a hotel. He died 
April 1, 1874. leaving a widow, two sons and 
four daughters: Margaret, who is a Sister of 
Mercy; Anthony G.. teller in the City Sav- 
ings Bank at Pittsburgh: Annie C, Mary M. 
and Sadie G., all at home, and George L. D. 
.T., attending school at St. Vincent's College. 
Mr. Goldbach was intimately identified with 
the growth of the community in which he 
resided, being elected justice of the peace for 
one term; was the originator of the Mt. Oliver 
fire company, and was its captain when he 
died; also was instrumental in the building 
of St. .Joseph's church, being one of the 
original trustees until the time of his death. 

C. S. Nbgley, farmer, postofflce Tareu- 
tum, a son of Casper and Elizabeth Negley, 
was born at East Liberty, Pa., in 1838. His 
grandparents were among the pioneers of 
Allegheny county, and his father was born 
iu East Liberty. Casper S. married Sarah 
J., daughter of J. J. Bunting, of Butler 
county, Pa., and located at Natrona, where 
he was employed at the soda-works. He and 
his wife afterward resided in Butler county, 
later in East Liberty, and in 1871 came to 
Fawn township, locating on the farm which 
they now own. Mr. Negley has held several 
official positions in the township. He and 
his wife have six children: Mary E., Clara 
B., James C, Charles S., Frank J. and Harry 
C. The parents are members of the Methodist 
Church 

A. W. Negley, farmer, postofflce Taren- 
tum, son of Casper and Elizabeth Negley, 
was born in East Liberty township. Alle- 
gheny county, in 1837. In 1849 he married 
Slary, daughter of John Mohler, of East Lib- 
erty, and to them were born three children: 
John, Mary (Mrs. Hepler) and Ida (Mrs. Pres- 
ley). Mrs. Negley died in 1865. and Mr. 
Negley afterward married Eliza J., a daugh- 
ter of Andrew Ashbaugh, of Leechburg. 



512 



IIISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Armstrong county, Pa. To tluMu liave been 
born the following-named children; William, 
James. Edward. Laura. Minnie. Bertha and 
Alexander. Jlr. and Mrs. Negley are mem- 
l)ers (if the Lutheran Church, lie located, 
in IHoO, on the farm which he now owns, in 
Fawn township. 

.James Gkuhbs, farmer, postofflce Talley 
Cavey. is a son of .John and Isabella (Reed) 
Orubbs. Andrew Grubbs, his ijrandfather, 
who was a native of Germany, emigrated 
to America in or about 1780, married Rhoda 
Powell, located in Pittsburgh, and afterward 
on the Walter farm, in what is now Hampton 
township, where most of their children were 
boru, and in 1817 he removed to Indiana 
township. They reared a family of eleven 
children, Rachel, now Mrs. Philip Ilodil, 
of Ross township, being the only one now 
living. Andrew was a soldier in the war of 
1813, and died in 1850; his widow in 185.J. 
John, who was the eldest son, was boru on 
the homestead in 1807. He afterward settled 
in AVest Deer township, and later in McCand- 
less township, where he died in 1874; his 
widow died in 1888, at the age of eighty-one 
years. They had eight children, six of 
whom still live; Andrew, a physician of 
McKeesport; Lewis, a merchant in West 
Deer township; Adam R,. in Johnstown; 
Francis A., in Fayette county; Martha A., 
now Mrs. Robert Houston, of Westmoreland 
county; and James, who is the third son, and 
was born in Indiana township in 1835. He 
.vas reared and educated in West Deer 
township, in 1849 moved to what is now 
Hampton township, and in 1874 to his pres- 
ent farm. In 1865 he married Violet Jane, 
daughter of John and Eliza Jane (McBride) 
Trimble, of this county. She died iu 1873, 
leaving two children; Harry A. and Lyla J., 
both at home; he next married, in 1875, 
Maggie A. Trimble, a sister of his former 
wife. They have no children. In 1877 Mr. 
Orubbs was elected justice of the peace of 
the township, which office he still holds, and 
has also been assessor and supervisor of the 
township; also served nine years on the board 
of school directors. He and family are 
members of the Second Presbyterian Church 
of Pine Creek, he being an elder in same. 

Levi LuDwicii (deceased) was born near 
Sardis, Westmoreland county. Pa.. Feb. 27, 
1829. son of Abraham and Mary Magdalena 
Ludwick, natives of Pennsylvania, and of 
German descent. While he was young his 
parents moved to Jefferson county, where he 
assisted to clear a farm. At the age of 
twenty-one he left the farm and became a 
contractor and builder. He took the con- 
tract and built the first hou.se in Irwin; also 
a great many others in same town. In 1856 
he came to Allegheny county, and took the 
contract and built the inclined-plane trestles 
and houses at the Coleman mines, now in the 
city limits. In 1860 he purchased the Wil- 
kinsburg mill, which he operated till his 
death, Sept. 21, 1887. He remodeled and re- 
built parts of the mill twice. He was a 



member, and many years a trustee and stew- 
ard, of the M. E. Church, and was a school 
director while Wilkins borougli formed part 
of the city. In his political sentiments Mr. 
Ludwick was a rei)ublican. He is survived 
by a widow and two daughters — Mary Le- 
titia and Blanche. His widow, Mrs. Xanc3' 
Jane Ludwick, is a daughter of John and 
Letitia (Morrow) Anderson, and was horn in 
Wilkins township, this county. Her father 
was a native of Westmoreland county, of 
Irish descent, and her motlier wasa daughter 
of James Morrow, an Irishman, who settled 
in Pennsylvania. 

John James, machine draftsman, post- 
office Verona, Pa., was boru in Caermartheu, 
South Wales, Nov. 4, 1841. His grandfather, 
Evan James, was a brightsmith, as was his 
father, Hugh James, likewise a Xo. 1 practi- 
cal engineer, as was said by all w-ho knew 
him. Hugh James was born in Breckon, 
England, and acquired a thorough knowl- 
edge of his trade from his father, who locat- 
ed himself at Caermartheu, whence he went 
to Bristol, England, and worked at Acraman 
& Jones', engineers, he being one of the par- 
ties who worked on the first Atlantic steamer 
froin Bristol, called the Great Britain. Mr. 
.James now has a model of the propeller of 
this vessel, which was six-bladed. Mr. 
James married Miss Eleanor George, daugh- 
ter of John and Elizabeth George, from Car- 
diganshire. She was born at Caermartheu, 
and died there, as did Hugh James, being 
buried at St. David's church. Lamas street. 
John James was renred in his native town, 
where he had access to excellent schools, 
and made a special study of drawing. When 
twelve years of age he went into a machine- 
shep and acquired a mastery of his trade. 
In 1870 he came to Pittsburgh, and was for 
a time employed bj' the Ke_ystone No. 1 
Bridge company, then engaged in building 
the famous St. Louis bridge. In September, 
1871, he engaged as a machinist with the 
A. V. R. R. Co., and for two or three 
years has been engaged in making drawings. 
He became a resident of Verona iu 1876, and 
owns two houses on Penu street. Mr. James 
has a sister, Elizabeth Bower, now a widow, 
having buried lier husband, Henry Bower, 
July 17, 1888, and is now residing with her 
two sons, David and Henry Bower. Both 
are members of the Masonic fraternity, and 
reside at South Side, Pittsburgh. David is a 
blacksmith, as was his father, and Henry is 
a machinist. The mother was born at Caer- 
martheu, and is now (1889)flftj'-six years old. 
Of her two sons, David was born at East St. 
Louis. 111., and Henry at Llauelly, Caermar 
thenshire, Wales. 

Mr. James is a member of the Episcopal 
Church, of the Masonic fraternity and of the 
I. O. O. F. In 1866 he was married to Miss 
Diana Jones, daughter of Evan and ilary 
Jones, and a native of Wales. Of seven 
children born to this couple six survive, as 
follows : Jane Eleanor. Elizabeth, John 
Hugh, Mary. William David and Nelly. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRArHY. 



513 



JVIargaretta, the thinl child, died when less 
than two years old and was buried at Alle- 
gheny cemetery. Mrs. James has one broth- 
er. Thomas Jones, in Illinois, and also a 
nephew and a niece near Peoria, III., they 
having buried their father and mother some 
eleven or twelve years ago; their names are 
Peter and Mary Davies. Her brotlier, John 
Jones, is at present at New Tredegar, Mon- 
mouthshire, England. 

Hesiiy L.vrge. distiller, : West Elizabeth, 
son of Jonathan and Easter (Finney) Large, 
was born July 4, 1836, on the place now 
owned by him. in Jefferson township. His 
grandfaiher, John Large, a soldier in the 
Revolution, and a native of New Jersey, came 
to this county about 1796, locating on the 
Boggs farm. Upper St. Clair township; later 
moved to Jefferson township, purchased the 
farm adjoining that owned by Henry Large, 
and built a distillery. His family consisted of 
seven children: Jonathan, Samuel, Margaret, 
Henry, Isaac, Nancy and Thomas, all of 
whom are deceased, e.xcepting Henry, now a 
resident of Mifflio township, aged ninety- 
two years; and Margaret, now of Crawford 
county, Iowa. Jonathan Large was born in 
New Jersey, and came here when j'oung. He 
married Easter, daughter of Andrew Finney, 
of MifHin township; bought a farm near 
Lebanon church, built a distillerj' and tramp- 
mill, which later he disposed of and purchased 
the place now owned by Henry Large, Jr., 
on Peters creek, Jefferson township, and 
known as the Perree purchase. The Ferrees 
were in the war of 1812, and Col. Ferree was 
identified in the whisky insurrection. Peters 
creek derives its name from an old Indian 
trapper called Peter. It was on this farm 
that a fort was built, in afield known as "fort- 
fleld," only accessible from one point, being 
a natural fortification and affording a view of 
nearly eight miles up and down the creek. 
Jonathan Large's children were Jane, John, 
Andiew, Levi, Samuel, Nancy (deceased), 
Harriet, Jonathan, James, Isaac and Llew- 
•ellen (twins) and Henry, the youngest of the 
family. In 1861 Heni-y, the subject of this 
memoir, married Anna H. Greenly, and in 
1863 bought the property he now owns. He 
is engaged in the manufacture of Mononga- 
hela rye whisky, the brand having been 
established by his grandfather, and has a 
national reputation for excellence. 

M. RoBBiNS Smith, superintendent of 
Robbins & Co.'s mines, McKeesport, a .son 
of Samuel I. and Mary Jane (Robbins) Smith, 
was born in Cumberland county. Pa., in 
1849, and came to this county Oct. 13, 1873, 
locating in Lincoln township. Samuel I. 
died in Cumberland county, and his widow 
removed to Lincoln township in 1880. where 
«he died Dec. 8, 1887. Their children were 
William Lloyd, of Streator, 111., Annie M. 
<Mrs. Nimmo) and M. R. The last named 
has been superintendent of mines in Lincoln 
township, now owned by W. N. Robbins 
& Co., of McKeesport, since 1880. These 
mines were established in 1846 by Pollock & 



Dunseth, who were succeeded by Pollock & 
Lee, and they bj- Stone & Phillips, following 
whom Mr. Stone became sole owner. In 
1870 they were purchased by Robbins & 
Jenkins, and in 1880 the firm changed to W. 
N. Robbins & Co., present owners. The 
mines afford employment to 1.50 men, have 
a daily capacity of 10,000 bushels of coal, 
are among the oldest on the river, and con- 
lain the last coal between Monongahela and 
Youghiogheny rivers west of Murrysville 
anticlinal. 

C. C. Teeter, chief clerk for the Edgar 
Thomson Steel-works, Braddock, was born 
in Cambria county, Pa., in 1846, a son of 
Major Isaac Teeter, of Bedford county. Pa., 
a builder and contractor by occupation. He 
was reared and educated in Cambria county, 
and early in life commenced his business 
career in the capacity of clerk for the Cam- 
bria Iron company of Johnstown, Pa., where 
he remained until 1875, since when he has 
filled his present position. In 186'3 Mr. 
Teeter enlisted in Capt. William Palmer's in- 
dependent company of "Silver Gre3'S," re- 
eulisted in Co. F, 21st P. C, and for two 
years and one day served with the company 
in all the engagements in which it was 
present, and was wounded in the side Dec. 
27, 1863, at Harper's Ferry, Va. Mr. Teeter 
is a F. & A. M., and a republican. 

R. D. Bow.M.VN, one of the superintend- 
ents in the Edgar Thomson Steel-works, 
Braddock, was born in Carbon county. Pa., 
in 1817, third of the nine children born to 
Henry and Lovina(Peters) Bowman, of East- 
ern Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch 
, received a common school education, and 
! was for many years engaged in the paint- 
j manufacturing business, until entering the 
I employ of the Edgar Thomson Steel Manu- 
facturing company. Mr. Bowman was mar- 
ried in 1868 to M'iss Sarah M., daughter of 
Rev. John G.Jones, and sister of Capt. Will- 
iam R. Jones, general manager of the Edgar 
Thomson Steel-works, and to this union one 
I son, Lee H., has been born. Mr. Bowman 
I is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is 
a republican, 

Andrew Craighead, real-estate dealer, 
I Elizabeth, is a grandson of Robert Craighead, 
a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this 
country at a very early day and settled near 
Carlisle, Pa. John Craighead was the third 
son of Robert, and is the father of our sub- 
ject. He was born near Carlisle, Pa., and 
when quite young came to this county, and 
was one of the ver}' earliest settlers of this 
borough. He started in life as a farmer, and 
afterward engaged in the lumber business 
with Maj. John Walker, which continued 
i until his death. They built some of the first 
sawmills erected in the count}'. He was one 
I of the first justices of the peace of this 
borough, and held that oflSce until his death, 
in 1838, His wife was Abigal Stewart, of 
this town, and they reared a family of six 
daughters and five sons; one daughter 
and four sons are still living, as follows: 



514 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 



Dinna, Mrs. Frank Sawhill. of Mount Wash- 
ington, Pa.; James, of Beaver Kails; John 
and Andrew, of this borough, and Robert, 
of Allegheny City. Andrew Craighead was 
born in this borougli July 2i(, is;jl. and was 
reared here and educated at the public 
schools. He has followed various occupa- 
tions, but has been a dealer in real estate 
since 18.50. In 1863 he enlisted as dnim- 
major in Co. E. 155th P. V., and^was honor- 
ably dl.scharged the same year. He tlien 
engaged in shipping lumber and coal to Cin- 
cinnati and Louisville until the close of the 
war. In 1857 he was married to Sarah J., 
daugliter of Matthew and Jane (Robinson) 
Drelinan, of Ohio. They have reared eight 
children, one of whom, Charles B., died Aug. 
27, 1887, at the age of twenty si.\ years; he 
was a very promising young man, and had 
been engaged in the wholesale commission 
business in Philadelphia. He was a member 
of the U. P. ('hurch for a number of years 
before his death. He leaves a widow, Maggie, 
daughter of William Pierce, of Elizabeth 
township, and one son, Charles B., Jr. The 
other seven children are still living, and are 
Samuel H., of Beaver Falls, Pa.; Joseph T., 
of this town; William E., Jennie D., Matthew 
D. and Don Carlos, all at home, and Annie 
M. Craighead. The mother is a member of 
the U. P. Church. John, Robert and Andrew 
Craighead laid out the addition to Elizabeth, 
which was taken into the borough after a few 
years, and with some others they laid out 
the beautiful cemetery just outside the 
borough limits. 

Jonathan Wtcofp, farmer, postofflce 
Elizabeth, is a grandson of Jonathan and 
Sarah C. (Lefevre) Wycoff, natives of New 
Jersey, who were among the Jersey settlers 
in this county, coming here some time prior 
to 1780. They settled on the farm now owned 
by Wilson Wall, and lived there until their 
deaths, in 1845. Isaac, the father of our sub- 
ject, was the fourth son, and was born Nov. 
11. 1794. He learned the carpenter's trade, 
and built many of the first houses in Eliza- 
beth borough. His wife was Gertrude, daugh- 
ter of Joseph Van Kirk, Sr., of this town- 
ship. They raised eight children, four of 
whom still live, namely: William V., Joseph 
v., Sarah (Mrs. P. A! Lyttle, of Forward 
township) and Jonathan, who was born on 
the homestead July 81. 1823, and has always 
followed farming. In 1850 he was married 
to Eliza C, daughter of George Rine. of Fay- 
ette county, who died April "16, 1887. They 
have seven children living: Anna R.. Ger- 
trude v., Yeurith M. (Mrs. Dr. H. T. Billick. 
of Washington county), Isaac O.. Nathaniel 
R., Jennie E. and John W., all at home. Mr. 
Wycoff and some of the family are members 
of the Baptist Church. The father of Mr. 
Wycoff died in 1883, aged eighty-nine and a 
half years, and the mother in 1879. 

W. J. E. McLain, merchant, Dravos- 
burg, was born Nov. 4. 1853. in Wash- 
ington county. Pa., a son of Hon. J. R. 
McLain, of Washington county. A brief 



genealogy of Mr. McLain's family is as fol- 
lows: In 1680 si.x brothers from the Isle of 
Midi. Sccitland, emigrated to America. They 
were all civil engineers, and settled in the 
Cumberland vallc}'. Of their descenilants. 
William McLain settled in Washington coun- 
ty in an early day. Ills son, Hon. J. R..was 
a farmer and wool-merchant in Washington 
county; in 1877 was elected to the legislature, 
and in 1886 was elected state senator. He 
married Susannah Ralston, who became the 
mother r>f five sons and four daughters. W. 
J. E. McLain was educated by I{ev. W. 
H. Lester, at the West Alexander Academy, 
and afterward took a classical course at Am- 
herst College. He taught school two year& 
in his native county, and one term in Iowa. 
For two years he had charge of the fitting- 
school for boys in Mifflin township, near Leb- 
anon church. He then became the first 
principal of the Amity Academy of Dravos- 
burg. where he taught two years with great 
tact and ability. In 1878 he opened a large 
general store in Dravosburg. which is in a 
flourishing condition, and does business- 
under the firm name of J. R. McLain ic Co. 
He was married Oct. 16. 1888, to Miss Anua 
M., daughter of Addison Lysle, Esq., of Al- 
legheny City. Pa. Mr. McLain is identified 
with the K. of P., Jr. O. U. A. M. and R. A. 
He is a director of the First National Bank 
of Homestead; in politics he is a republican. 

William B. Moyle, merchant, Taren- 
tum, was born at Sharpsburg, Allegheny 
county. Pa., in 1859, a son of William and 
Hannah (Llo3'd) Moyle, the former a native 
of Cornwall, England, the latter of Wales. 
They were married at Sharpsburg, where 
Mr. Moyle was engaged in business, but 
later he removed to Allegheny City, and 
there carries on a general furniture-store. 
Their children were Emma. Luella. Alice, 
Charles, Edith and William B. Our subject 
remained at home until his marriage, in 
1886, with Jessie, dauehter of Thomas H. 
Neal, of Bellevue, Pa. In 1887 they removed 
to Tarentum, where he became established in 
business as a dealer in furniture. Mr. and 
Mrs. Moyle have one child, William Lloyd. 

Jacob G. Vogeley, merchant, Taren- 
tum, was born at Butler, Butler county. 
Pa., in 1853. a son of George and Mary 
(Gass) Vogeley. former of whom is one of 
of the pioneers of Butler county, and is in 
business at the same corner where our sub- 
ject was born. Mary, his wife, died July 35. 
1878. Their family consisted of seven chil- 
dren: Edward, Jacob G., George Henry, 
Sarah M., Emma E., Aaron E. (deceased) 
and Clara. In 1870 Jacob G. commenced tO' 
learn the carpenter's trade of F. Feigel, of 
Butler, "which he followed until 1875. in 
which year he went to California, where he 
followed his trade for about a year; then 
accepted a position with a mercantile house, 
with which he remained until the spring of 
1883. Returning to Pennsylvania, he married 
Annie C, daughter of Charles and Louisa 
Wohlleh. of Tarentum. The young couple 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



515 



then proceeded to Califoruia, but owiug to 
the ill health of Mi's. Vogele}' they returned 
to Allegheny county, and located at Taren- 
tum. Here Mr. Vogeley commenced general 
merchandise business, consisting of dry 
goods, wall-paper, furnishings, notions, etc. 
Mr. and Mrs. Vogeley have two children, 
Charles George and Lillian P. Mr. Vogeley 
is a member of the R. A. Lodge, No. 910, of 
Tarentum. He and his wife are members of 
the Presbyterian Church. 

Thomas Hake, merchant, Pittsburgh, 
was born and reared in County Derry, Ire- 
land. At the age of eighteen years he came 
to America, and in 1847 settled in Pittsburgh, 
where he engaged in the regular hardware 
business with Logan, Wilson & Co., since 
changed to Logan, Gregg & Co. Later he en- 
gaged with K. T. Leach, and remained in his 
employ four years, and afterward commenced 
business on a small scale at 513 Wood street, 
in partnership with Mr. McWhinnej'. The 
firm was known as McWhinney, Hare & Co. 
They continued successfully for ten years, 
when the firm changed to Thomas Hare & 
Bro., and later to Hare & Son, the son being 
Thomas C. They are conducting principally 
a wholesale business, and are doing an e.\- 
celleut trade. 

Christian Wilhelm, merchant. Fetter- 
man, was born in Germany in 1834, son of 
Powell Wilhelm. He was educated at the 
schools in Germany, was formerly employed 
in coal-mining, and for the past twenty-five 
years has been in mercantile business. He 
came to his present location in 1865. He was 
married, in 1860, to Louisa, daughter of 
Henry Koch, and they have had seven cUSl- 
dren, five of whom are now living: Fred, 
Louisa, William, August and Mena. Mr. 
Wilhelm is a republican, a Freemason, and 
a member of the I. O. O. F. and Red Men. 
The family are members of the G. P. Church. 

John B. Sherriff, farmer, posfoflSce Eliz- 
abeth, is a grandson of John and Martha 
(Neal) Sherriflf. John was a native of Ireland, 
and came to America in 1785, first settling 
near Carlisle, Pa., where he married, and 
afterward located on Peters creek, b>it later 
removed to Saw -Mill run, where he was acci- 
dentally killed in 1810. His eldest son, Will- 
iam, the father of our subject, was a carpen- 
ter, and settled in Mercer county, where he 
died Oct. 4, 1849. He married Jeanette 
Black, who died August 10, 1877. Eight of 
their children are still living, as follows: 
Martha (Mrs. John Robinson), Jeanette (Mrs. 
M. Vanraeter), Adam and Joseph, all of Law- 
rence county. Pa. ; Elizabeth (Mrs. James 
Shields, in Iowa), Harriet (Mrs. William 
Somerville, deceased, of Ohio), William H. 
(Iowa), and John B. The last named was 
the eldest, and was born July 18, 1811, in 
Mercer county. When seventeen years old 
he went to Pittsburgh and learned the trade 
of coppersmith, and in 1885 established a busi- 
ness there, which he continued for fifty-two 
years, retiring in 188T. In 1865 he purchased 
his present farm, on which he has since re- 



sided. July 11, 1837, he was married to 
Sarah H., daughter of John and Rebecca 
(Gordon) McGraw, of this county. They 
were the parents of six children, of whom 
five are living. Their names are as follows; 
Henry C, William J., Annie M. (Mrs. Isaac 
Taylor, deceased), Rebecca J. (widow of S. 
O. Wiley, and now Mrs. West, of Ballard, 
Cal.), Charles F., Agnes L. (Mrs. Matthew P. 
Winterburn). Mr. and Mrs. Sherriff are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 

Christian Gauf, tobacconist, Elizabeth, 
was born in Prussia Sept. 27, 1835, and came 
to this country in 1853. He located at Pitts- 
burgh, and afterward in St. Louis: remained 
at the latter place until 1861. He then en- 
listed in the Missouri militia, and served 
three months, after which he enlisted in the 
4th M. C, Co. C, and afterward in Co. I, and 
served until the close of the war. He was 
taken prisoner July 10, 1863, at the engage- 
ment at Union City, Tenn., and was confined 
in Libby prison and Belle Island for about 
six months. At the close of the war he came 
to Elizabeth borough and engaged in the 
manufacture of cigars, and has since resided 
here. He is a member of the old Mononga- 
hela Lodge, No. 209, and Encampment. No 
109, L O. O P.; Joseph Stevens Post, No. 
Ill, G. A. R,, and K. of P. Lodge, No. 444. 
In 1867 he was married to Mrs. Margaret A. 
Baum. daughter of Maxwell Wall, of Forward 
township. They have two children living: 
Bertha and Alfaretta. Mrs. Gauf has one son 
by her former marriage — Reno Kerney Baum. 
The family are members of theM. E. Church. 

Amos Miller, contractor, Wilkinsburg. 
was born iuHempfield, Westmoreland county, 
Pa., inl847, asonof John and Elizabeth (Long) 
Miller, natives of that county. His grand- 
father, John Miller, was a blacksmith, and 
came of German stock. The father and 
mother now reside on the farm owned by 
Tobias Long, father of the latter. Ames 
Miller remained on the home farm till eight- 
een 3'earsold, when he went to learn the car- 
penter trade, and a year later began building 
barns for neighboring farmers. In 1874 he 
came to Wilkinsburg, and was employed as 
journeyman till 1886, when he began con- 
tracting. He was formerly associated with 
the Lutheran Church, but is now united, 
along with his family, with the Reformed 
Church; he is a democrat. Nov. 17, 1870. 
Mr. Miller was wedded to Sarah J. Steimer, a 
native of Westmoreland county, and daughter 
of Jacob G. and Mary Magdalene Steimer, of 
German descent, and following-named chil- 
dren have been born to this union: Francis 
Marian, Anna Mary, Sarah Elizabeth, Adda 
Jlay and Alice Edna, living, and Simon 
Henry, George Wilson and Emma Jane, de- 
ceased. 

Jambs Ellis Booth, farmer, postoffice 
New Texas, was born March 18, 18,54, in 
Pittsburgh, a son of Thomas and Mar}- (Mc- 
Gregor) Booth. Thomas was born in England 
in 1828, a son of Thomas. Sr., and Elizabeth 
(Jones) Booth, natives, respectively, of 



516 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Cheshire, England, and North Wales, iind 
were born on the same day. July 8. 179!^. 
Thomas, Jr., was hrouglit from England 
when he was eight months old to Jersey 
City, where, after arriving at manhood, he 
followed carpentering for eight years, at 
which time he moved to Pittsburgh, and 
died Jan. 25, 1858. Here his son Thomas | 
was educated, and for many years followed 
carpentering and architecture. In 18(J1 he 
engaged in the brewingbusinessi in Allegheny 
City, in company with Mr. Browii. now 
president of the East End Bank, which he 
conducted successfully until 1883. when he 
retired. In 1878 he bought the farm which 
he now owns, and erected a house costing 
$.j,000, and other buildings to correspond. 
He died in April, 1887. His wife. Mary 
Booth, a daughter of James and Martha 
(Wilson) McGregor, was born in Penn town- 
ship, Aug. 2. 183."). Her father was born in 
Ireland and her mother in Lancaster county, 
Pa. Five children were born to Mr. and 
Jlrs. Thomas Booth: James Ellis, the onl}' 
one living; Sarah A\nn, who died in 1875, 
aged nineteen 3'ears; Ellen Elizabeth, who 
died Feb. 3, 1862, aged nine years; Robert 
and AVilliam (twins), who died Oct. 17 and 
21, 1861, respectively. James Ellis Booth 
was educated in the old Fifth ward and high- 
schools of Pittsburgh, and learned the brew- 
ing business with his father. His health 
failing, he moved, in 1880, to his father's 
farm. He married, Oct. 17, 1878, Georgie 
Vincent, who was born in Noblestown. 
Washington county. Pa., in May. 1857, a 
daughter of James and Julia (Welsh) Vin- 
cent, of Washington count}', former of whom 
died Feb. 14. 1876, aged seventy-one years; 
latter lives in the cit}' of Allegheny. Four 
children, Florence E., Thomas B.. Vincent 
and Georgie, make happy the home circle. 
Mr. Booth is a republican, and he and Mrs. 
Booth are members of the U. P. Church. He 
owns 280 acres, well improved, with fine 
buildings; also brewing property and houses 
and lots in Allegheny City. His mother also 
owns a fine block on Penn avenue. Pitts- 
burgh, but makes her home with her son on 
the farm. 

Alexander Boyd Boai,. farmer, post- 
office Parnassus, was born in County Down, 
Ireland, about ISl^O, a son of John and Resan 
(McWhirki lioal. who died in the old coun- 
try. He received his education in Ireland, 
and, as he was the seventh son. was educated 
for the ministry, but coming to Pittsburgh, 
in 1847. he engaged with James Reece, to 
learn steam-engine building, at which he 
remained three years. He was at the Fort 
Pitt Iron-works ten years, and then he and 
his brother began business together. This 
enterprise not being a success, he in 1864 
took charge of the mechaiiical department 
of the Standard Oil company's works for 
three years. He was about the Eclipse works 
two years, and was foreman for Robert C. 
Totten three years. In 1873 he was elected 
one of the directors and superintendent of 



the Portsmouth Fonndry & Machine com- 
]iany, Portsmouth. Ohio. The year was a 
very successful one, and he was unanimously 
re elected; however, five months later he 
was discharged without cause, and brouglit 
suit for the remainder of the year's salary, 
which passed through the courts to the 
supreme court and was decided in his favor. 
Returning to Pittsburgh in 1875. he soon 
after engaged at the Westingbouse Air- 
Brake works, remaining until 1885, when he 
exchanged some city property for his farm 
in Plum township. 

Mr. Boal married, in 1852, Rachel Ken- 
nedy, who died one year later; he next mar- 
ried, in 1856. Caroline Davis, of Pittsburgh, 
daughter of David Davis and Mary (Daniels) 
Davis, biitb dcrcased. Twelve chiklren were 
born to "Sir. and Mrs. Boal. five of whom are 
living; William H . Euphemia IC, Nellie W.. 
James 11. and David John Alexander. The 
famil\' are members of Parnassus Presby- 
terian Church. Mr. Boal is a republican, 
and while in Pittsburgh was commander of 
the Grant and Lincoln clubs. 

James Davison Carothers. plasterer, 
AVilkinsburg. was born in May, 1833. on the 
north side of Penn avenue, about midway 
between Wood and Centre streets. His 
grandfather, Charles Carothers, came from 
Ireland when a young man, and Charles, son 
of the latter, was born in Patton (then Plum) 
township in 1797. Charles, Jr., married 
Eliza McCowan. who was born in what is 
now Penn. and opened a store on the site of 
Wilkinsburg about 1831. He was the first 
justice elected here, and was a stanch whig. 
After doing business some time in Pittsburgh, 
he went to New Castle in 1853, and kept store 
twenty years. He died in Wilkinsburg in 
1876. in his seventy- second year; his widow 
died July 4. 1888. in her eightieth year; they 
were both identified with the Presbyterian 
Church. They reared two daughters and one 
son: Mary (Mrs. H. W. Sumner). Mary Mar- 
garet (wife of J. W. F. Beatty) and James D. 
The subject of this memoir received a com- 
mon-school education in Wilkinsburg, Pitts- 
burgh, and in Monroeville, and when twenty 
years old began work at plastering, which 
trade he has followed ever since. For the 
last sixteen 3-ears he has dwelt at Wilkins- 
burg. and is united with the Presbyterian 
Church. A. O. U. W. and R. A., and he is a 
republican. In 1859 Mr. Carothers married 
Olivia J. Johnston, born in Penn. sister of 
W. F. Johnston (whose sketch appears else- 
where). Mrs. Carothers died in March. 1881, 
in her forty-seventh year, leaving three chil- 
dren: Harry McMillen, in Anson, JIo. ; Ellen 
Mary, wife of Curtis Graham, in Wilkins- 
burg, and Charles Monroe, in Wilkinsburg; 
Frances, the third born, died in infancy. 

Louis M. Hattman, upholsterer, postoffice 
McKee's Rocks, son of Henry C. E. and 
Magdalena Hattman. was born in Pittsburah. 
Pa., in 1854. His father was born in Hol- 
stein, Germany, in 1814. and immigrated to 
America about 1840, first locating in Cincin- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGltAPHY. 



517 



nali, -where he became the first foreman of 
Dr. Crampton's Star caudle-works, remain- 
ing until 1843. He then came to Pittsburgh, 
Pa., and was foreman of Sawyer's soap- and 
candle-factory, which occupation he fol- 
lowed until his retirement in 1856. He and 
his wife still reside in Pittsburgh, the parents 
of ten children, eight of whom are now 
living, viz. : Henry B., Frederick A., Will- 
iam A., Louis M., Louisa D. (wife of J. H. 
Garrett), Sarah (wife of John A. M. Nagle), 
Albert R. (born on the day Richmond was 
taken, April 2, 1865), and 'Rebecca (wife of 
George McKee). During the civil war Henrj' 
C. E. and his sons. Henry B. and Frederick 
A., served threeyears in Co. A, 99th P. V. L, 
and participated in all the engagements of 
that regiment during the war. Mr. Hattman 
was the tirst to learn the process of making 
white glue out of bones. Louis M. learned 
the furniture-upholstering and car business, 
which he has followed since he was sixteen 
years old. He and his brother, Frederick A., 
some years ago, at an elevation in the East 
End of Pittsburgh, discovered a part of the 
remains of a mastodon, two teeth of which 
weighed jointly tifteen pounds, and a tusk 
was nearly nine feet long. One of the teeth 
was presented to the Burnell museum, and is 
now on exhibition in New Orleans. 

Daniel L. McGbeevey, farmer, post ofBce 
Chartiers,son of Daniel and Ellen McGrcevey, 
was born in Philadelphia in 1832. His father 
came from Ireland to America in 1831, and 
located in Philadelphia, where he remained 
until 1839. when he moved with his family to 
Squirrel Hill, East End. Allegheny county, 
and followed farming and gardening. In 18.50 
he bought the place where his son, Daniel L. , 
now resides. His wife died in 1865, at the age 
of sixty-seven years, and some years after her 
death he sold the property to his son, Daniel 
L., and moved to Robinson township. He died 
in 1881 at the age of seventy-five years. Of his 
eight children onl}' two are living; Daniel L., 
on the old homestead, and Hugh H., in Pitts- 
burgh. Daniel L. has always followed farm- 
ing and gardening. He was married, in 1859, 
to Ann Matthews, of this county, and they 
have one child, Ellen C, now wife of Will- 
iam Debold. of Pittsburgh. 

E. L. Erbeck, station-agent, Homestead, 
is a native of Bridgewater, Beaver county. 
Pa., a son of Christian Erbeck, of that county. 
He was educated in his native place, and 
graduated at Duff's Commercial College in 
the class of 1879. After clerking ten months 
in a store he began work for the Lake Erie 
Railroad company, and was an operator for 
many years. In October, 1883, he came to 
Homestead, where he has held the position of 
station-agent ever since. He has also been 
conducting a wholesale business in the inter- 
est of the railroad company. Since January, 
1887, he has been in the builders' supply btisi- 
ne.ss, and has now his brother, F. J. Erbeck, 
as a partuer. Mr. Erbeck married Zella T., 
daughter of Daniel Cams, and they have one 
child — Anna Lola. 



Patrick F. Hanley, engineer, postofflce 
Homestead, was born March 17, 1846, in 
Ireland, and came to Albany, N. Y., when 
very young. He is a son of Thomas and 
Bridget (White) Hanley, natives of Ireland, 
former of whom wasa contractor in Mil- 
waukee, Wis., where Patrick P. was edu- 
cated, and learned the machinist's trade in 
the machine-shops of Sanford & Sircum. 
There our subject followed his trade until 
his twentieth year, when he commenced rail- 
roading on the Chicago & Nortli-Western 
railroad and the Illinois Central, as engineer. 
He was also in the employ of the Union 
Pacific railroad, and ran the first engine over 
the famous Dale creek bridge, ou the summit 
of the Rocky mountains. In 1874 he re- 
turned east and followed engineering on the 
Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Subsequently 
he ran an engine ou the Little Saw-Mill Run 
railroad, was in the accident there, and his 
escape from death was one of the most mar- 
velous in the history of railroad accidents. 
Later he was foreman in the Pittsburgh and 
Glenwood shops, on the Baltimore & Ohio 
railroad. At present he is in the Armor 
Plate-mill, where he has charge of the big 
engine. He invented the first lateral and 
moving table for lifting heavy iron and a 
system of railroad signaling, and. distin- 
guished himself as a capable workman. He 
married, in Pittsburgh, Maggie Barrett, a 
native of Ireland, and they had two children, 
oue now living, Nellie. Mr. and Mrs. Han- 
le}' are members of the Catholic Church, 
He is a member of the Brotherhood of Loco- 
motive Engineers. 

Jacob A. Alter, farmer, postoffice New 
Texas, was born in Plum township, in his 
present house, in June, 1844, a son of Jacob 
and Jane (Bratton) Alter, who were born in 
Washington county, April 27, 1803, and Jan. 
18, 1803, and died Aug. 7, 1883, and Oct. 36, 
1880, respectivel}'. His grandfather. David 
Alter, died in this county. His father was a 
blacksmith, and also owned a farm, which his 
sons or hired help cultivated; was major of 
militia, and held many offices in Plum town- 
ship; was the father of thirteen children: 
George, Eliza. Samuel. Mary, Sarah Jane, 
Nancy, Margaret Ann, Lucinda, Susan, Re- 
becca, Elvira (deceased at seventeen years of 
age), Jacob A. and William Daniel. He cele- 
brated his golden wedding, and his children, 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren were 
present to the number of ninety-six. The 
subject of this sketch received a common- 
school education in Plum township, and 
always lived ou the farm and took care of 
the family. He married, June 20, 1883, Jane 
Hamilton, sister of the county superintendent 
of schools, and daughter of Samuel and Mary 
(Patterson) Hamilton, natives of Washington 
county. Pa., and of Ireland. Mr. Hamilton 
died in September, 1864. Three children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Alter; Jacob 
Hamilt<ra, Howard Russell and Marie. The 
family are members of Plum Creek Presby- 
terian Church. Mr. Alter enlisted in August, 



ol8 



IIISTOIIY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



1862. in Co. G, 136lU P. V. I., Col. Bayne, 
and was discharged in .January, same year, 
on account of sickness. 

John H. Buyant, foreman-machinist, 
Pittsburgh, is a son of William and Eliza 
Bryant, and was born in Allegheny City, Pa., 
in 1851. His grandfather came from Ireland 
about 1799, and settled in Wasliington 
county. Pa., where his son, William, was 
born in 1804. He married, in Monongaliela 
City. Ann E. Beebe, of that city, and their 
children were James, William (deceased), 
Annette (wife of William Seifert), Sarah 
(wife of H. D. Rhine), John, Charles (de- 
ceased) and Edwin. William Bryant, though 
a democrat during the civil war. held the po- 
sition of wagon-inspector under Lincoln's 
administration. He died in May. 1879. a 
meraberof the Masonic fraternit}-; his widow 
survived him only six weeks. Mrs. William 
Bryant's father carried on boat-building in 
Monongahela City for many j'ears. John H. 
began to learn the trade of machinist when 
seventeen years old. has followed it ever 
since, and is foreman-machinist in the firm of 
Singer, Nimick tt Co., Pittsburgh, where he 
learned his trade. He married, in 1872, 
Emma F., daughter of Richard and Mary J. 
Cuddy, and their children were Nellie. George 
A.. Emma F... Mary J. (deceased). Grace A. 
and William E. Mr. Bryant is a member of 
the Jr. O. U. A. M. 

James Grierson, farmer, posloffice Car- 
rick, was born Aug. 7. 1850, in Allegheny 
county. Pa., a son of .John and Slarion 
(Muckle) Grierson, natives of Scotland, 
former of whom came to America when a 
lad and successfully followed gardening in 
Brownstown up to the time of his death. 
He was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, as was also his wife, who survived 
him until March 18, 1885. She was the 
mother of three children: James, Elizabeth 
and Mrs. Matilda Semmelrock. The subject 
of this memoir was educated in this count}-, 
and has followed gardening and farming suc- 
cessfully, having a farm of twenty acres. 
He married here, Jan. 5, 1883, Mary, daughter 
of Thomas Butler, and they have two chil- 
dren, Walter and Milton. Mr. and Mrs. 
Grierson are members of the Presbyterian 
Church; he is a republican. 

David Pierce, farmer, postofBce Monon- t 
gahela City, son of .Jonathan and Maria 
(Bell) Pierce, was born in Monongahela City j 
in 1832. Ilis parents and grandparents after- 
ward removed to the farm now owned bj- 
David, where they died. Jonathan's family 
were James, borii in 1818; Joseph, in 1820; j 
Cassander, in 1822; Nancv. in 1823; Lewis, 
in 1825; Israel, in 1828; Elizabeth, in 1830; 
David, in 1832; Emma, in 1S34; .John, in 
1836; Martha, in 1838; Mary, in 1840; Violet, 
in 1843. Joseph. John. Xancy and David 
are still living. David married Eliza Jane, 
daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Ketchum) 
Pierce, in 1871. Her brothers and sisters 
were William, Benjamin, Eliza Jane, Fran- 
cis, Hannah and Joseph. The first two are 



deceased. David has a family of four chil- 
dren: Bessie, Gertrude, William and George. 
Mrs. Pierce is a member of the Methodist 
Church. 

David N. Lea, postofflce Woodville, is 
the second son of Robert and Mary Lea. He 
was educated at the |)ublic schools of Scott 
township, and early in life commenced the 
study of steamboat-engineering, which busi- 
ness he lias followed over thirty years. In 
1846 he made his tirst trip to New Orleans, 
under Capt. Steven Stone, on tlie steam- 
boat Pennsylvania, and after that made 
. three trips to New Orleans from Pittslmrgli. 
He belonged to the volunteer fire company 
of Pittsburgh for eight years, and fought the 
big fire of 1845 from beginning to end. 
During the war, in the year 1861, he was 
employed by the government to take four 
engines from Pittsburgh, by railway, to St. 
Louis, to place on the two gunboats Ca- 
rondelet and Pittsburgh, and deliver 
them by water, on the Mississippi, ready for 
service at Cairo; then returned home on 
account of sickness in the family. Among 
his most noted voyages was tliat in 1881, 
when he safely carried the government sup- 
plies up the Yellowstone and Big Horn rivers, 
to a point beyond Fort Custer, which, until 
then, had never been explored so far by 
steamboat. This trip required three months, 
and Mr. Lea regards with pride the success 
of the enterprise. His principal work has 
been on the waters of the Ohio and Missis- 
sippi rivers. He is now living retired on a 
])art of the old homestead, which is some of 
the original tract purchased by his ancestors. 
He was married, in 1848, to Ellen Fryer, and 
to them were born Aunetta (Mrs. Iveller) and 
Kate (Mrs. GuUett). His second marriage 
took place in 1865, with Miss A. E. Harbison, 
daughter of JIatthew and Jane (McCormick) 
Harbison, and two children were born to this 
union: William N.. a painter bj- trade, and 
Jennie, now Mrs. Watson. Mr. Lea. although 
retired from active life, superintends the 
work on his farm. He is a republican; the 
family are members of the U. P. Church. 

Joseph Campbell, miller, postoffice 
Woodville, was born in County Down, Ire- 
land, in 1843. the eldest son of twelve chil- 
dren born to James and Margaret (Arberth- 
not) Campbell. He attended the schools of 
his native land until he was fourteen years 
of age, when he commenced to learn the 
millwright's trade, serving an apprenticeship 
of four years. He came to this county in 
1871, and was superintendent of his present 
mill, then owned by other parties, for twelve 
years. He purchased the property in 1884, 
and since then has made great changes and 
improvements. His work is done by the old 
French burr system, and his superior Uour, 
consumed by local trade, speaks best for its 
quality. Mr. Campbell undoubtedl}' under- 
stands the details of the mill business, and 
Ijy close application and skill has been suc- 
cessful. He was married in 1860 to Miss 
Agnes Rodgers, who has borne him thirteen 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



519 



■children, nine of whom are now living. He 
is a member of the U. P. Church, and is a 
irepublican. 

Macrice Kapp. mine-boss, postofflce 
■Carrick, was born March 2S, 1833, inHessen, 
Germany, a son of Wendal and Joseva (Wie- 
gand) Kapp, natives of the above-named 
.place. He emigrated to America at the age 
of twenty, engaged with J. B. Hays in the 
•Shoenberger Coal-works, and subsequentl}' 
was promoted to the position of boss with 
Thomas Briggs. for whom he worked three 
vexrs, and then engaged as boss with Joe 
Walton. To the present time he has been 
mining-boss for twenty years, and has had as 
man_v as three hundred employes. He com- 
menced at the bottom of the ladder and bj- 
his industry and good habits worked himself 
up. He married here Geneva Holzheimer, 
^ native of Germany, and seven children 
have blessed their union: Mrs. Mollie Mc- 
■Carry, Mrs. Lizzie Soulier, John. Catherine, 
Minnie, Joseph and Peter. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kapp are members of the Catholic Church; 
politically he votes for principle. 

N. F." Sanford, superindendent of coal- 
works, postofflce Mansfield Valley, is a na- 
tive of Youngstown, Ohio, born in 1843, a 
son of Samuel Sanford, a farmer of Ohio. 
He is the firstborn of six children, and was 
educated at the Warren high-school, subse- 
■quently taking a commercial course at Ober- 
lin College, Ohio. Early in life he engaged 
in the coal business, which he has followed 
since. His first connection with the works 
of which he is now superintendent was with 
what was known as the Essen mines of the 
Chartiers Coal company, owned and controlled 
by the Economite society. Mr. Sanford came 
to Allegheny county in 1883, and the works, 
■of which he is a member, and known as San- i 
ford & Co.'s Coke and Coal Works, was or- 
ganized in that year. He is superintendent 
and general manager, and the market for his 
production is Youngstown during the winter 
and the lakes in the summer. Mr. Sanford 
was married in 1861 to Ostia Louise Leet, 
daughter of Homer M. Leet, of Connecticut, 1 
a prominent engineer and surveyor. Seven 
children, five of whom are living, have been 
born to their union: Jesse H., formerly super- 
intendent of the works of Sanford & Co., 
now owner of mines and stores; Bertha, Erl, 
Ida May and Violet. Mr. Sanford started in 
life comparatively poor, but by close appli- 
cation- and industry has made life a success. 
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
and is a republican. Mr. and Mrs. Sauford's 
ancestors were early pioneers of Trumbull | 
county, or "Western Reserve," Ohio, where 
some of the direct lineage from the old Pil- 
grims or Puritans (from whom Mrs. Sanford 
claims direct lineage) settled (coming from 
the east) while the country was a wilderness, 
inhabited by wild beasts and Indians. Mr. 
A. Woodford, uncle of Mrs. Sanford, was the 
first white child born in Trnmbull county, 
eight ahd one-half miles north of what is 
now the city of Youngstown, Ohio. ! 

66 



Thomas E. Morcan, general merchant, 
postoflice Mansfield Valley, was born in 
West Elizabeth, Allegheny county. Pa.. 
March 29, 1845. He is the eldest son of 
David and Charlotte (Rodgers) Morgan, the 
parents of six children. David Morgan came 
from Wales to America at an early date; his 
wife was a German lady. Thomas E. was 
educated at the common schools, and for 
one year was a student at Iron City College, 
Pittsburgh. After finishing school he was 
for a number of years employed as clerk on 
a steamboat; later worked in a teahouse, 
and then for thirteen years in mauulacturing- 
works. In 18G3 he enlisted in Co. E, lo5th 
regiment, and served until the close of the 
war. In 1865 he removed to Mansfield, 
where he has since resided, engaged iu the 
grocerj' business, in which he has been verj' 
successful. He married, Oct. 28, 1869, Mary 
E. Boyd, daughter of Irwin J. Boyd, and 
seven children were born to them, four yet 
living: Lottie E., Sarah B., James W. and 
Eva S. T. Mr. Morgan and family are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church; he is a 
republican. 

Hartman Guise, pilot, postoflice Mc- 
Keesport, son of William and Catherine 
Guise, was born in Germany in 1823. His 
parents immigrated to America and located 
in Pittsburgh in 1831, where his father readily 
found emplo3'ment. being a mason and brick- 
layer. In 1810 he removed to Versailles 
township and engaged in mining coal. Hart- 
man Guise came to Pittsburgh with his 
parents, and when eight years of age began 
work in the John Robinson Glass-works, 
remaining there several years. He was 
afterward, for about five years, employed at 
John Hay's glassworks, and iu 1840 he 
removed to Versailles township. Mr. Guise 
was a pilot on the Ohio river between Pitts- 
burgh and Louisville for a period of fifteen 
years, and in 1853 he married May, daughter 
of James McCain, of Armstrong county. 
He purchased and located on the farm he 
now owns in Versailles township. They 
have one son, William J., who married Miss 
Anna Williams, of Monroe county, Ohio. 
Their home is with Mr. Guise, in Versailles. 

Joseph McNall, farmer, postofiice Impe 
rial, was born near Candor, AVashington 
county, Pa., June 10, 1838, a son of James 
and Mary (Donehoo) McNall, natives of 
Washington county, former of whom was a 
soldier in the war of 1812. Daniel and 
Nancy (McCune) Donehoo, parents of Mrs. 
Mary McNall, natives of Ireland, and Pres- 
byterians, were early settlers of Findlay 
township, but afterward moved to Washing- 
ton county. Pa. James and Mary (Donehoo) 
McNall had nine children: Ellen (wife of 
John B. Burns), Nancy (wife of Henry 
Adams), Jane (wife of James Farrar), Eliza 
M. (died young), Mary, Martha (deceased), 
Isabelle, Joseph and James (deceased). Jo- 
seph married, August 29. 1859, Harriet A. 
Buchannon, daughter of John and Eleanor 
(PhilHs) Buchannon. old residents of Wash- 



520 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ington county, Pa. After his marriage Mr. 
McXall settled on his farm inUobinson town- 
sbiii, Wasbiiii^lon county. In 1882 he soUl out 
and purchased his present farm in Findlay 
township. Mr. and Mrs. Mc>fall have six chil- 
dren living, viz. : James E. B. (reporter for the 
Ei-eninij Xeic.'i, Kansas City, Mo.), Nannie 
E., Alfred A.. Joseph W., Sadie J. and 
Leonard E. Mrs. McNall is a member of 
the U. P. Church at Clinton. 

J. L. FoRSAiTH, manufacturer, Etna, was 
born Aug. 37, 1837, in Lisbon. Grafton coun- 
ty, N. H. llis ancestors were Scotch-Irish, 
and highly respected citizens of the above- 
)iamed place. J. L. was educated in Boston, 
where he also learned the bricklayer's trade. 
At the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted 
in Co. H, 50th Mass. V. I., as a non-commis- 
sioned officer; served one year, and partici- 
pated in Banks' expedition up the Red river. 
After the war he came to Pittsburgh, engaged 
in gauging crude oil; in 1870 was elected city 
ganger, and paid more money into the city 
treasury in one year than anyone preceding 
or succeeding him. He was next appointed 
oil-inspector for Allegheny county, and 
served four years. Since then he has been 
a manufacturer in Sharpsburg of rolling-mill 
greases, and lamps for furnaces and foundries, 
which he patented; also conducted the tin- 
rooting business, and has large quarries in 
Etna, "where he resides. Mr. Forsaith mar- 
ried, in New Hampshire, Sophia T. Parker, 
and they have six children, viz. : George B., 
Adah L., Blanche, Herbert J., Maud and 
David. Mr. and Mrs. Forsaith are members 
of the M. E. Church, of which he is trustee 
and steward. He is a member of the G. A. 
R., is a republican, and has filled the offices 
of burgess and councilman of Etna. 

John and Hiram Gamble, farmers, post- 
office Gamble's, are sous of John and Sarah 
(Douthitt) Gamble. John was born at \Yest 
Newton, Westmoreland count}', and with his 
parents removed to Black Horse farm, where 
Mr. Weaver now lives, thence to the farm 
he now occupies. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church at Round Hill, and is 
a prohibitionist. Hiram was born here in 
182.'i. Their father was a native of West- 
moreland county, and settled on this farm 
about 1820. Hiram married Mary Jane, 
daughter of John Torrence, of Elizabeth 
township, who died in October, 188-1, leaving 
four children: Hezekiah D., Power T., El- 
liott A. and Oliver P., all of whom make 
their home at their father's house. Hiram 
Gamble is a democrat. A sister of the two 
brothers lives with them. Miss Mary B. 
Gamble, who was born in Forward in 
January, 1831. She is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church at Round Hill. 

Robert P. W.vrsoN, lumber-merchant, 
Glenshaw, was born March 15. 1834, near 
Newport, R. I. The genealogy of the Wat- 
son family in New England dates back to 
colonial days, when the great-grandfather. 
Job Watson, was the largest landowner of 
Conanicut island, and a member of the 



gubernatorial council. His son, Robert 
Hazard Watson, was the father of Dr. Dan- 
iel Watson, one of the best-known physicians 
of that country. He married Sarah C. Ar- 
nold, and they had eight children. Of these 
our subject was educated in Rhode Island, 
and became a farmer there. He came to 
Pittsburgh in 1861, where he was a salesman 
seven years. In 1871 he took charge of the 
Glenshaw Coal company, and was superin- 
tendent until 1879. Since that time he has been 
engaged in farming and the lumber business. 
He married Ellen K., voungest daughter of 
T. W. Shaw. In the spring of 1879 Mr. and 
Mrs. Watson organized a Sabbatli-scliool in 
the old Shaw sickle-factory, of which he was 
superintendent for seven years. He and 
Mrs. Watson were faithful workers in this 
labor of love, which was the foundation of 
the present flourishing Presbyterian Church. 

William W. Irwix, farmer, postofflce 
Gamble's, is a son of John and Ann iMcCon- 
nell) Irwin, and was born in 1843 on the 
farm now owned by him. His grandfather 
was a native of Ireland, and came to this 
country, where John was born, and served in 
the war of 1812. William's father was twice 
married, his first wife being Sarah La Fever, 
who was born in 1793, and died in 183'.J. 
John was born iu 1788. and lived to be uinet)'- 
one years old. Their children were Harriet, 
Margaret, John Brady, Joseph L., Mary 
Catherine, Charity Elenor, Rebecca Ann, 
Martha Ann, Henry F. and Susanna. Anrk 
(McConnell) Irwin was born in 1802. and 
lived to be eighty years old. Their children 
were Sarah Alice, Nancy D., Findley D.. 
Loressa J., William W. and Anna A. The 
following are deceased; Charily, Rebecca, 
Catherine, Susan, Nancy D. and Henry F. 
Henry F., Findley D. audWilliam W. served 
in the late war. Findley D. was wounded 
and taken prisoner. In 1873 William W. 
married Nora, daughter of John McIIenry, 
whose parents were natives of this county. 
Their children are Frank W., Bert M., 
Henry F., John F., Anna B., Marion P. and 
Maggie; the last named is deceased. The 
rest" are still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin 
are members of the U. P. Church; he is a 
republican. 

William Mullen Cribbs, druggist. Tur- 
tle Creek, was born in Homer City. Indiana 
county. Pa., June 4. 1865. His grandfather, 
Daniel, was a farmer, near Clarksburg. In- 
diana county, and was probably born of 
German parents. George, a son of the 
latter, kept a hotel for many years at Homer 
City, and* died in 1875; his widow, Isabella 
Devers, of French ancestry, resides with 
William at Turtle Creek. A younger son and 
a daughter are the onlv other living children 
and are all together. William Cribbs linished 
his education at the Pittsburgh College of 
Pharmacy, and when his eldest brother, 
James, died took control of his drug business. 
Although only seventeen years old at that 
time, he managed the business successfully, 
and does a retail and jobbing trade amount- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



521 



ing to from ten to fifteen hundred dollars per 
month. Besides the family residence and a 
farm of eighty-five acres in Patlon township 
he owns real estate in Homestead and Mill 
wood. He is a supporter of the republican 
party;is treasurer of the M. E. Sunday-school, 
and a member of the otBcial board in that 
church, with which all the family is asso- 
ciated. 

James Gatley, superintendent of fur- 
naces in the Edgar Thomson works. Brad- 
dock, was born in Cecil county. Md., in ]8.'5o. 
His father, Samuel A. Gayley. a Presbyte- 
rian minister, a native of County Tyrone, 
Ireland, emigrated to America about 1840, 
and for thirty-one years has been pastor of 
one congregation. His wife is Agnes, daugh- 
ter of Peter Malcolm, a grain-merchant of 
Baltimore, Md. Our subject received his pre- 
liminary education at West Nottingham 
Academy, Maryland, and at the age of six- 
teen entered Lafayette College, at Easton, 
Pa., graduating at that institution in 1876. 
Mr. Gayley commenced his business career 
in the capacity of a chemist for the Craine 
Iron-works at Catasauqua. Pa., and for three 
years remained with that company. He then 
identified himself with a large furnace com- 
pany at St. Louis, where he continued for 
two and a half years; then went to the E. & 
G. Brooke Iron company, at Birdsboro. Pa., 
where he had charge of their blast-furnace de- 
partment for three years. In 1885 he entered 
the employ of the Edgar Thomson works, 
Braddock, as superintendent of the blast-fur- 
nace department, which position he now holds. 
In 1884 he married Julia T., daughter of Col. 
Curtiss C. Gardiner (a prominent insurance- 
man and lawyer of St. Louis) and Mary(Thur- 
ston) Gardiner, daughter of Judge Thurston, 
of Elmira, N. Y., the latter being a descend- 
ant in the sixth generation of Miles Standish. 
Mr. and Mrs. Gayley are parents of two chil- 
dren; Mary Thurston and Agnes Malcolm. 
They are members of the Presbyterian 
Church; he is a democrat. 

Joseph Tilbrook, farmer, postoffice 
Stewart's Station, was born in 1822, within 
five miles of his present residence, a son of 
William and Martha (Taylor) Tilbrook, 
natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, 
Mr. Tilbrook, came from England; was a 
schoolteacher, and had a small farm in Ver- 
sailles township, whereon he reared his 
family; his wife was a Virginian, or English. 
William, their son. settled on a fami in Pat- 
ton about 1818. He was an elder in the 
Murrysville Presbyterian Church, afterward 
in the Cross Roads Church, and politicallj' 
he was a republican. Joseph is the second 
of nine children, and has passed his life in 
Patton township. In 1846 he married Lu- 
cinda McDowell, a native of Penn township, 
and settled on his present farm. Alexander 
McDowell, father of Mrs. Tilbrook, a native 
of this county, and of Irish descent, served 
under Gen. Harrison in the campaign against 
the western Indians. His wife, Jane, was a 
daughter of Gen. Lapsley, an English soldier 



of the Revolution. The children of Mr. 
and Mrs. Tilbrook are Zachariah, Hiram 
McDowell, John Francis, Andrew Austin, 
Jennie M.; William Alexander, the eldest, 
was killed by a flat-car which he was trying 
to stop on a switch at Stewart's Station in 
1883; he was very intelligent, and greatly 
respected. Mr. Tilbrook "is a republican, a 
member of Cross Roads Church. 

Alexander M. Scott, merchant, Cam- 
den, was born Jan. 18, 1851, in Mifflin 
township. His great-grandparents were 
Thomas and Mary (Wilson) Scolt, natives 
of Scotland, who emigrated lo Ireland, 
where they reared a family of six boys and 
three girls. Of the sons, James married 
Nanc3' Jamison, came to America in 1886, 
and after ten years' residence in Butler 
county moved to this county, where lie died 
July 3, 1862, aged eighty-three years, and his 
widow April 30, 1883, aged ninety-six years. 
They had seven children; William, Thomas, 
Alexander M.. John, Maria, Nancy and Sarah. 
Of ibese Thomas married Lucinda, daughter 
of John and Sarah (Becket) Snodgrass. She 
died leaving five children : John S.rAlexander 
M., William, Sarah and Elizabeth. His 
present wife, Maggie, daughter, of David 
Moore, is the molher of Lucinda. Samuel, 
Mary. Howard, Annie, Blair and Maggie I. 
Mr. Scott owns the old farm of one hundred 
acres. He is an elder in the Presbyteriaa 
Church. 

The subject of this biographj- entered a 
mercantile career at the age of thirteen as a 
clerk in Camden, and has been identified 
wilh the store in Camden almost ever since. 
In 1870 he was employed by Lysle, Bailey & 
Co., as clerk, and made himself so generally 
useful that he became a partner and general 
manager two years later. He is also presi- 
dent of the Monongahela and Peters Creek 
Gas and Coal company. Jan. 1, 1889. he as- 
sociated himself in business as copartner 
and general managerof the wholesale grocery 
business founded by Mr. Kirkpatrick in 1852 
and at present conducted at 903 Liberty 
street, Pittsburgh, under the firm name of 
Allen Kirkpatrick & Co. Mr. Scott is an 
active worker in the Presbyterian Church, 
and for twelve years was superintendent o^ 
the Lebanon Sabbath-school. He married 
Margaret B., daughter of Allen and Rebecca 
(Bell) Kirkpatrick, of Pittsburgh. 

George M. Parker, merchant, Tarentuni, 
son of William and Mary Parker, was born 
in Baltimore, Md., Jan. 22, 18.51. His parents 
removed to Tarentum, Allegheny county, 
Pa., in 1865. In 1871 he married C. A. 
Renouf, daughter of Nicholas Renouf, of 
Tarentum, and they have since made their 
home there. Mr. Parker is one of the lead- 
ing business- men of the borough, having for 
some years been engaged in general mer- 
chandising, but at present is dealing in teas, 
baking-powder, spices, confectionery and 
musical instruments, and has made " Parker's 
Tea Store " a popular resort. He has two 
children: Edwin M., who died at the age of 



522 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



two years, and Myrtie May. now fourteen 
years olil. Mr. and Mrs. Parker are members 
of the MiMliddisl Cliurch. 

.losmMi Fuvs'Ki.ix Roberts, railroad con- 
ductor. posloHici' Turtle Creek, was born at 
West Newton. Pa.. April 16. 18.J1. a son of 
.John Roberts, who was a native of Wales. but 
reared in London, England. John was a tin- 
worker, and when Iwenty-si.x years old came 
to this country' and located at West Elizabeth, 
Allegheny count}', where his wife. Elizalieth. 
diei. He afterward married Anna Catherine 
Keck, who was born in Germany and came 
with her father, Michael Keck, to this coun- 
try when she was si.K years old. For a time 
Mr. Roberts kept a large store at West New- 
ton, and afterward engaged in farminsr near 
there. In 1863 he removed with his famil)- to 
Turtle Creek, where he died in 18T6, aged 
sixty-three; his widow died in 1885, aged fifty- 
eight. They had ten children, seven now 
livinir. of whom .Joseph F. is the third. 
Rosetta, the eldest, died when si.x years old, 
and Charles Samuel and Daniel at four years 
and fourteen months, respectively. The 
others are named as follows: George Oliver, 
Matthias Mansell, Mary Melvina (Church- 
field). Margaret Ann (Gilliland). Homer 
Clark and Sarah Ellen (Church). In 1870 
Joseph Roberts engaged as brakeman on the 
Brinton coal-train on the Pennsylvania rail- 
road, and after six weeks' service was given 
charge of the train. With the exception of 
two years each at East Liberty and Brinton, 
as yardmaster, he has occupied the same po- 
sition ever since. He is a member of the 
Conductors' Brotherhood of the Pennsylvania 
railroad, relief department, and of the Royal 
Arcanum. His first vote was cast with the 
democrats, but he afterward became a repub- 
lican, and is a supporter of the prohibition 
movement. In 1876 he married Margaret 
Kidd, who was born in Scotland. The chil- 
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are Andrew 
Kidd, John Franklin, Homer Clark and Isa- 
bella Bowman. Mr. Roberts and family are 
members of the M. E. Church. 

WrLLi.\M Cruikshank, merchant, Verona, 
was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1812, 
and came with his parents, William and Jane 
Cruilcshank. to America when he was four 
years old. The familj' arrived at Pittsburgh 
in January, 1847, and the father, who was a 
blacksmith, found his first employment in 
turning horseshoes for the government for 
use in the Mexican war. The family dwelt 
two years at Monroeville, Patton township, 
where tlie mother died in 18.51. Eight years 
were spent in Moon township, Allegheny 
eountv, and from there they removed to Ken- 
dall, Beaver county. The last shop operated 
b}" William Cruikshank, Sr., was at Sandy 
Creek, Penn township, where he died in 1877, 
aged sixty years. There were four sons: 
Joel and Thomas, conducting a shop near 
Brinton; William, and James, who was lost 
at sea on his way to Ireland, in 188i. Will- 
iam assisted his father in his shop in Ken- 
dall, Beaver county, and from there went to 



Steubenville, Ohio, in 1861, to work at his 
trade. In August of that j'ear he enlisted in 
Co. B. 4th P. C, in Pittsburgh, and served in 
the Armv of the Potomac until the close of 
the civil war — four years lacking twenty 
days. He was company blacksmith, and 
learned much during his service. Ills brother 
Thomas was in the same companj' from 1863, 
serving three years. For one year after the 
war William assisted his father at Sandy 
Creek, and then succeeded to the ownership 
of the business. He was an expert shoer, and 
did a ver}' profitable business until 1877. when 
he sold out. Next year he came to Verona, 
and in 1880 built the store and residence 
which he now occupies. He also purchased 
the adjoining property, in which he carries on 
a livery and undertaking business. For two 
years he served as collector of taxes in Penn 
township, and five years as justice of the 
peace. He is a republican in politics, and in 
religion a Presbyterian. He is a member of 
the G. A. R., K. of P. and I. O. O. F. July 
4, 1866. Mr. Cruikshank was married to Eliz- 
abeth Edgar, who died in 1877. Of her four 
children only one survived her — William La- 
very. In 1879 Mr. Cruikshank married again, 
the bride being Annie E. Ferstl, who became 
the mother of three children — Annie, May 
and Selma, surviving — and died in 1884. 

Edward B. Godfrey, paper-bag manu 
facturer, Tarentum, a native of New Hamp- 
shire, came to Pittsburgh, and in 1856 he 
started a paper-manufacturing establishment. 
At his works, in 1861, was manufactured the 
first paper tlour-sack ever made in the United 
States, Mr. Godfrey being the manufacturer 
of both the paper and the bag. His works 
at that time were on the Monongahela river, 
where he had two mills, but fire destroyed 
the big mill in 1883, and in 1884 he built a 
new mill at Tarentum, whither he removed 
the one from Monongahela river. The works 
have a capacitj' of ten tons of flour-sack 
paper dail}-. or 150,000 flour-sacks daily, and 
afford euip!o3'ment to from seventy-five to 
one hundred people. The firm is now God- 
frey it Clark, with J. W. Rutherford as 
superintendent. 

John Mertz, iron-worker. Pittsburgh, is a 
son of John and Eve Mertz, and was born in 
Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1833. His parents came 
from France to this country in 1831, and set- 
tled in Pittsburgh, where they resided until 
the father's decease, in 1877, when he was 
seventy-five years of age. His widow is still 
living at the age of eighty-three years. John 
Mertz, Sr.. was a watchman at Lawrence & 
Cutty's iron-works for twenty-five j'ears. now 
J. Painter & Sons Co. His children were; 
George, John, and Eve C, wife of C. D. 
Agerter. By industry and perseverance Mr. 
Mertz accumulated considerable properly, 
leaving his familj' in good circumstances. He 
and his wife were members of the G. L. 
Church. John Mertz, Jr.. married, in 1857. 
Josephine, daughter of George and Freelove 
Dougherty, and their children are John C, 
George D., Freelove, Robert H., Sidney J.. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



523 



Eve and Park S. Mr. Jleitz has been engaged 
in the iron business since he was sixteen years 
old. He is a Freemason, a member of the I. 
O. O. F., the A. O. U. W., the Amalgamated 
Association of Iron and Steel Workers and 
Sovereigns of Industry. He is a repub- 
lican. His familj' are members of the Eighth 
Presbj'terian Church. 

Jacob Boobyer, Jr., Sewickley.isasonof 
Jacob Boobyer. Sr., a native of Devonshire, 
England, a carpenter by trade, married to 
Elizabeth Baker, who was a teacher, coming 
of a literary and cultured ancestry. Jacob 
Boobyer, Jr., and family came to America, 
and settled in Philadelphia, Pa., where he 
was a window-blind manufacturer. In 1830 he 
removed to Pittsburgh, and eventually came 
into the country and engaged in farming. He 
died in 1S74, aged eighty-three years. Jacob 
Boobyer, Jr.. came from England to Phila- 
delphia in 1830; at twelve years of age was 
errand-boy for John Robinson, in Pittsburgh, 
Robinson being one of the first tlintglass- 
manufacturers in the west; subsequently he 
learned the tailor's trade with J. B. Evans, 
and worked for Digby & Hopewell nearlj^ ten 
years. In 1848, he started in business for 
himself, and retired from the same in 1872; 
then afterward he lived on his farm in Sewick- 
ley township. Mr. Boobyer was married to 
Anna, daugliter of Louis J. Chamberlin, a 
dentist in Pittsburgh. 

Bruce Tracy, carpenter and builder, Se- 
wickley, was born Sept. 37, 1810, in Union- 
town, Pa., son of George and Leah (McCoy) 
Trac}'. His great-grandfather, Col. Gattis, 
was in the revolutionary war; his wife was a 
Miss Bruce. His grandfather, John McCoy, 
was an early settler at Uniontown, where he 
owned much land. Bruce Tracy was reared 
in Wayne county, Ohio, where he partly 
learned carpentering. He came to Pitts- 
burgh in March, 1827, and completed his 
trade, which he followed there till 1839, when 
he came to Sewickley. where he has followed 
carpentering ever since, and built many 
dwellings. He may be called the grandfather 
of carpenters at Sewickley, as he has appren- 
ticed and trained many of the carpenters in 
that place. At present he is engaged in the 
lumber business. Mr. Tracy was an aboli- 
tionist, and is now a prohibitionist. He cast 
his first vote for Gen. Jackson, and also voted 
for Gen. Harrison. In Sewickley he has 
been a member of the town council. He 
was first married, in the city of Allegheny, to 
Miss Ann McCowan, and to his second wife. 
Miss Mary McCowan, in the city of Pitts- 
burgh. His son, John D. Tracy, was killed 
in the battle of Antietam. Mr. and Mrs. 
Tracy attend the M. E. Church. 

Thomas H. S. Armstrong, machinist, 
Allegheny, was born in Allegheny, Pa.. Oct. 
25, 1848, son of Richard Wilson and Jlalil- 
da (Graham) Armstrong, former of whom 
was born in Lancaster county. Pa., in 1809, 
and died at the age of seventy-six years. 
When eight years of age Richard W. came to 
Moon township, this county, where he lived 



for several years with a Mr. Nichols. On 
coming to Allegheny he learned the black- 
smith's trade, which he followed until 1872, 
and was employed as millwright and boss 
blacksmith in the Wayne Iron and Steel works 
for twenty-five years. He resided in Alle- 
gheny for fifty years, and was elected alder- 
man in 1872, serving four years; was tax-col- 
lector four years, and United States inspector 
of boiler-plates until the office was abolished. 
He was a Master Mason when they had to 
hold meetings in the garrets in Pittsburgh 
and all Masons were in danger of their lives; 
was a member of the I. O. O. F. fifty four 
years. liis widow, who now lives with her 
daughter, Mrs. Hettie Ej'ster, was born in 
Allegheny, Pa., in 1811. The subject of these 
lines received his education in Allegheny, 
and in 1864 commenced the machinist's trade, 
working six years. He then followed engi- 
neering on the river until 1880; then was em- 
ployed three j-ears as foreman for Wilcox, 
Shinkle & Co.. and is now in the Westing- 
house air-brake factory. Mr. Armstrong was 
married Nov. 24, 187.5, to Maggie E. Lloyd, 
of Pittsburgh, daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth (Lewis) Lloyd, natives of Wales. Three 
children blessed this union, viz.: Martha 
Sterling, Henrietta Lloyd and Charles F., 
who died in 1878. Mr. Armstrong is a Royal- 
Arch Mason, is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
and A O. U. W. He moved to his new 
home at Emsworth in September, 1884. 

Charles I. McKee, commission-mer- 
chant, Allegheny, was born Sept. 7, 18.57, in 
Birmingham, Ohio, sou of Daniel and Amelia 
(Evans) McKee, latter of whom was born at 
New Castle, Pa. Daniel McKee, who was a 
native of Salem, Ohio, and a blacksmith by 
trade, moved, when Charles I. was quite 
young, to New Castle, where the latter was 
educated until thirteen j'ears of age. He 
(Charles I.) then came to Pittsburgh, where he 
worked for a grocer for a time; then entered 
the office of Brace Bros', laundr}'. as offlce- 
boy, where he rose step by step until he was 
placed in charge of their office on Sixth 
street. At the end of nine years 5Ir. McKee 
resigned to accept a position as collector for 
William Moyle, Alleghenj'. Here he served 
three years, and then, in 1888, opened a com- 
mission-store at 38 East Diamond street, that 
citj'. Mr. McKee was married May 26, 1884, 
to Mattie E. Lloyd, sister of Mrs. Thomas 
Armstrong (see sketch of Thomas H. S. 
Armstrong), and they have one child, Mar- 
garet M. Mr. McKee is a member of the R. 
A., A. O. U. W. and Select Knights. Mrs. 
McKee is a member of the M. E. Church. 
Their home is in Emsworth. 

William Scott, machinist, Wilkinsburg, 
was born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scot- 
land, May 5, 1833. a son of David and Mary 
(Smith) Scott. When seventeen yearsoldhe 
commenced to learn the machinist's trade, 
and became an engineer. For three years 
he was emplo3'ed as engineer on a steamer 
belonging to the Cork Steamship company, 
plying between Cork and Liverpool and other 



524 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ports. lu 1863 be set out for America, and 
landed at Portland, Me., where he engaged 
as engineer of the government transport 
Star of the South, wliich cruised along 
the Atlantic and gulf coast. Just before tlie 
close of the civil war he came to Allegheny 
county, and settled at Wilkinsburg. In 18(ii 
he married Mary K., daughter of John and 
Maria (Speedy) Ivclly, of Irish descent. Mrs. 
Scott is a native of Indiana county, her 
father having moved from here to thai local- 
ity in early life. 5Ir. and Mr-f. Scott's chil- 
dren are named as follows; William Wright. 
Maria, Belle, Mary Kelly and Annie 1). The 
third child, Maggie C, died in 1887, aged 
nineteen. In 1871 Mr. Scott built bis present 
residence on Rebecca street, and has ever 
since been employed by the A. Frencli 
Manufacturing company, of Pittsburgh. In 
1883 an accident destroyed the use of Ids 
right arm, which was caught midway be- 
tween the wrist and elbow by a steam drop- 
hammer, and since then he has operated the 
engine. He is a member of the M. E. 
Church, I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W., and is a 
Freemason. He is a republican. 

Cn.iRLES Wesley McMinn was born in 
Salisbury, Lancaster county, Pa., Dec. 11, 
1842. His grandfather, Robert McMinn, was 
the son of a Scotchman, and was born in 
Lancaster count}', as was his father, Isaac 
Wilson. The latter married Mary A. Bender, 
also a native of Lancaster count}', and died 
at the age of thirty-five; his widow now 
resides there. He was a teacher, and kept a 
country store. C. W. McMinn attended the 
public schools, and taught one year; and 
when twenty-two years old came to Pitts- 
burgh, where he attended the Iron City 
Commercial College. He then taught in what 
is now the Twenty-first ward of Pittsburgh 
for eight years, it being in Collins township 
during the first three years. For several 
years he was clerk in a dry-goods store in 
Pittsburgh, and in 1883 built and stocked his 
present store on Centre street, Brushton, a 
continuation of Tioga street. Pittslnirgh, 
He took up his residence here in 1872. and 
has held a number of township offices. He 
was formerly a republican, now a democrat. 
He is a trustee in theM. E. Church, of which 
Mrs. McMinn is a member. He is a member 
of the A. O. U. W., of the R. A. and of the 
Order of Solon. His marriage with Miss 
Caroline Chadwick, a daughter of Thomas 
Chadwick, took place in 1866, and their liv- 
ing children are Ilarrie F., Jennie E., JIary 
A. and Clara; the second, third and fourth 
died when very young. 

Frederick Wilde, blacksmith, Chartiers, 
is a son of Charles and Mary Wilde, and was 
born in Germany May 19, 1845. His father 
died in Germany in 1861, and in 1881 his 
mother came to this country, and now resides 
in the city of Allegheny, at the age of sixty- 
eight years. Frederick arrived in New York 
May 5. 1869, and worked one year on Long 
Island; in 1870 he came to Pittsburgh, and in 
March, 1874, located in Chartiers, Stowe 



township, where he bought property and 
established a general blacksmilliing' and 
wagon-making business, which he lias suc- 
cessfully carried on to the present time. He 
first married, in 1872, Caroline Teitz. who 
died the follovving year at the age of twenty- 
six years. His second marriage occurred 
June 26, 1874. with Catherine Eisenbeiser, 
and by this union there are eight children: 
Lena, Louisa, Annie. Katie, Frank, Bertie, 
Emma and Friederika. 

Joux S. W.VDDLE. blacksmith, postofBce 
Bakerstown. is a son of Thomas and Sarah 
J. (Swiiney) Waddle. His grandfather, 
William W'addle, was a native of Ireland, 
and one of the early settlers of tins county. 
Thomas Waddle was born in Allegheny 
county, and followed blacksmithing. Three 
of his children still live here— John C, 
Mary Jane, widow of James McElwain. of 
Allegheny county, and Sarah Jane, wife of 
Nathan White, of Allegheny. John S., the 
eldest of the family, was born Sept. 9. 1888. 
on the place now occupied by him. In 18.57 
he married Maria, daughter of William and 
Annie McKibbins, of West Deer township. 
They have four children living: William M.. 
a merchant of Bakerstown: Thomas A., of 
Allegheny; Margaretta A., wife of Charles 
Karbin, of .Sharpsburg. and Charles How- 
ard, at home; a daughter deceased. Elizabeth 
I., was the wife of Harry Cowan, a mer- 
chant in Pittsburgh. Mr. Waddle and 
family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church of Bakerstown. 

H.\RRY Gordon, foreman of the pattern 
department of the National Tube-works, 
McKeesport. was born at Stockport. Lan- 
cashire, England. Jan. 28. 1850. son of Robert 
and JIary A. (Eden) Gordon. He was reared 
and educated in his native town, where he 
served an apprenticeship of five years at the 
patternmaker's trade. In 1873 he came to 
America and located in McKeesport, entering 
the employ of the National Tube-works 
company as a pattern-maker, and since 1880 
he has been the efficient foreman of that de- 
partment of their works. Mr. Gordon visited 
England in June. 1878. and August 7, same 
year, married Sarah Ellen, eldest daughter 
of Edmund J. and Damaris(Shawcross) Wild, 
of Stockport, by whom he has four children: 
Herbert Edmund, born January 28, 1880; 
Mabel Wild, born July 24, 1882; Minnie 
Eden, born Nov. 12, 1883, and Ellen, born 
Oct. 25. 1885. Mr. Gordon is a member of 
the Episcopal Church, the K. of H. and For- 
esters, of which latter organizations he has 
been treasurer for several years; politically 
he is a republican. 

Lewis Roll, blacksmith, postoffice Mc- 
Kee's Rocks, son of John P. and Elizabeth 
Roll, was born in Pittsburgh. Pa., in 1844. 
His grandfather. John L. Roll, came to this 
country from Germany, in 1828, locating 
same year in Pittsburgh, where he followed 
the trade of stonemason, and the founda- 
tion-stones of many of the old buildings of 
that city were laid by Mr. Roll. He died in 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



525 



January, 1881, in his ninet}'-flrst year, leav- 
ing live children: Margaret (Mrs. Holland), 
Magdalena (wife of Mr. Becker, a local 
preacher), Katie (M;-s. Shearing), Hannah 
(Mrs. Melz) and John P. The last named 
came with his parents to this county when 
about five years of age; he is a farmer and 
carpenter, and resides in Butler county. In 
1843 he married Elizabeth Noss, of this 
count)', and their children are Lewis. Katie 
(wife of Walter Campbell), Simon, William, 
George. Maggie (wife of Ira Porter), .James, 
Wilson, Robert M., Luciuda and Frank. 
John P. Roll is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
in religious belief an adherent of the Ger- 
man Lutheran Church. Lewis Roll began 
the trade of blacksmith in 1861, which he 
has since followed, and now has a livery- and 
sale-stable in connection. He married, in 
October, 1867, Henrietta, daughter of Sebas- 
tian Goss, of this county,' and their children 
are Ida and Lula M. Mr. Roll is a member 
of the I. O. O. F., K. of P. and Heptasoph.s. 
He is an English Lutheran. 

James Campbeli>. foreman in the Na- 
tional Tube-works, McKeesport, was born 
in Prince Edward Island Sept. 31, 1839, a son 
of Roderick and Isabel (Stewart) Campbell, 
and is of Scotch parentage. He was reared 
and educated in the provinces, and for eight- 
een or twenty years followed the seas, serv- 
ing in every capacity from a common sailor 
to master of a vessel. He served three years 
in the western gulf squadron, under Admiral 
Farragut. during the civil war. In 1871 he 
entered the employ of the National Tube- 
works company, at Boston, Mass,, and in 
1873 came to McKeesport in the interest of 
the same company; he has been foreman of 
the finishing department of their works here 
since 1876. Mr. Campbell lias been twice 
married, his first wife being Mrs. Anna (Mc- 
Clure) Lawson, of England. His present 
■wife is Mary J., daughter of Richard A. and 
Mary (Sleep) Hitchens, of McKeesport, and 
by her he has three children: Roderick, Hec 
tor and Edmund C. Mr. Campbell is a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church, F. & A. M., K. of 
H., Heptasophs, G. A. R., Protected Home 
Circle and Order of Solon. He is an active 
temperance worker, and president of the 
Blue Ribbon club of McKeesport, 1887-88- 
89. He is serving his second term as mem- 
ber of the borough council; politically he is a 
stanch advocate of prohibition. 

Peter W. Schmedt, proprietor of the 
Farmer's E.'cchange, McKeesport, was born 
in MiflJin township. Sept, 6, 18.53. a son of 
Peter and Augusta (Roof) Schmidt. His 
paternal grandfather was John Schmidt, a 
native of Germany and acoal-rainer by occu- 
pation, who settled in Mifflin township in 
about 1847; his children were Peter, Mary, 
Catherine, Jacob, John, George, James and 
Margaret. The parents of Peter W. were 
both natives of Germany, and both now 
reside in Mifflin township. The father in 
early life followed mining as an occupation, 
but later embarked in business as a grocer 



and saloon-keeper. Mr. and Mrs. Peter 
Schmidt have seven children living: Peter 
W., Jacob, Margaret, Joseph, Mary, Barbara 
and Elizabeth. Peter W. was reared and 
educated in Mifflin township, and began life 
as a coal-miner, which occupation he fol- 
lowed seventeen years. In 1883 he located 
in McKeesport and became the proprietor of 
the Farmers' Exchange, which he has since 
successfully conducted. 

Charles C. Henderson. Etna, son of the 
late James L. Henderson, one of the oldest 
residents in Etna, is connected with the office 
department of Spang, Chalfant & Co., where 
he has been since 1879. 

James Reese, steelmill-roller, Pittsburgh, 
a son of William and Jane Reese, was born 
in this county in 1834. William came from 
Wales, settled in Pittsburgh, and married 
Jane Fruuick, who bore him following- 
named children: William, Daniel (deceased), 
John, Ann (deceased wife of Rev. John 
Danks). Henry, Joseph. James and Reuben. 
William died in 1836, his widow April 11, 
1885, at the age of eighty-six years. James 
Reese was put to work in the rolling-mill 
when but seven j^ears of age, and has fol- 
lowed that business since; he has worked 
for Oliver Brothers & Philip about eleven 
years. He has been twice married; first in 
1865, to Lucy W. Obey, and by this marriage 
there were six children: William B. (married 
in March, 1885, to Sarah Scott, and has two 
children, Lucy and Ida), Jane O, (deceased), 
Emma D.. James A. (deceased). Bertha and 
John O. Mrs. Reese died in 1876, at the age 
of forty years, and Mr. Reese next married, 
Dec. 24. 1883, Sarah Reese, who died Sept. 
1, 1883. Mr. Reese is a member of the Amal- 
gamated association, and is a republican, 

Henry Johnston, gardener, postoffice 
Chartiers, was born near Belfast, County 
Antrim. Ireland, in 1834, son of Edward and 
Margaret Johnston. He came to America in 
184.5, and settled in Allegheny county. Pa., 
the same year. He w.as emploj'ed as a gar- 
dener several years,'and in 1849 leased some 
land for the same purpose, but in 18.53 met 
with serious losses by flood. In 1866 he pur- 
chased fort3'-eight acres of land where he 
now resides, and has added to it so that he 
owns seventy-five acres in a high state of cul- 
tivation; has also six dwelling-houses. He 
is one of the most extensive gardeners in 
Allegheny county, having over one thousand 
hotbeds on his place, and has had a stand in 
the market at Pittsburgh since 1849. He 
retired to private life in the fall of 1888. 

Mr. Johnston married, in 1847, Eliza A., 
daughter of Charles and Mary Pugh, and 
they have thirteen children, of whom the 
living are William P., Anna Mary (wife of 
Edward Johnston), Charles P., Margaret 
(wife of William College), Melissa, J. Harry, 
Robert C. and Ira W. In politics Mr. John- 
ston is republican; in religion, English Lu- 
theran. He has been school director in Char- 
tiers township, and is one of the most indus- 
trious, successful and substantial citizens. 



526 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



H. S. Ayres. freiglil-ageat. Sbarpsbuig, 
was born in Blatr county. Pa., Aug. 26, 
184G. imd (•omcs of nii.xed e.xtraction. His 
grand fatlicr, William Ayres, was an iron- 
worlcer, and lived in Eastern Pennsylvania. 
He married Maltie Martin, of Welsh descent, 
and by her had twelve children, five now 
living. William, tlie sixth child, was born 
in 18'i4, in Centre county, Pa., and married 
>Iary, daughter of John Funk, a farmer of 
Blair county. William was a nailer by trade, 
came to Allegheny county in 1849, and with 
the exception of six years has since resided 
in Sharpsburg. He is the fathei' of nine chil- 
dren, all living, Henry S. being the eldest. 
The latter was educated at the public schools, 
and at the age of thirteen years became a 
clerk in Pittsburgh, where he remained 
seven years. Since 1866 he has been engaged 
in the railroad business, holding prominent 
positions in every department. He married, 
in 1871, Elizabeth Douglass, of Pittsburgh, 
and three children, all living, are the result 
of this union; Clara, Douglass and George. 
Mr. Ayres is one of the prominent citizens of 
Sharpsburg, and has served in the town 
council. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and is a republican. 

H. W. OcHSE, merchant, Etna, was born 
Feb. 13, 18.50, in Etna, Pa., a son of Henry 
Ochse, anativeofHessen, Germany, who came 
to this county at the age of eighteen years. 
Henry was a heater in Spaug's mill for about 
twenty years, and has been identified with 
every interest of Etna. He was the first 
burgess of the borough, was councilman for 
many years, besides filling other offices of 
trust. He married Maria, daughter of Sam- 
uel Sutter, who came to Etna in 1837. Their 
children now living are Charles D., Henry 
W., Samuel J., Wilhelmine S., Mary F., 
Emma E. and Louise R. His eldest son, 
.John J., gave up his life in the service of his 
country. Mr. Ochse and family are active 
members of the German Church of Etna. 
Henrj- W. is one of the enterprising mer- 
chants of Etna, with whose growth he has 
been closely connected. He married, April 
11, 1873, .Julia D., a daughter of Jacob New- 
master. Mr. Ochse is an ardent republican. 

P. T. Bkhg, chief draftsman foi;the Ed- 
gar Thomson Steel-works, Braddock, is a 
native of Sweden, born in 18.53. He gradu- 
ated at the Polytechnical School and bcbool 
of Mines at Stockholm. Sweden, in 1878, and 
in 1879 emigrated to America. He entered 
the employ of the Edgar Thomson Steel- 
works the same year as a laborer, was given 
a position in the drafting-office of the works 
the following year, and was promoted to 
that of chief draftsman in 1886. Mr Berg is 
a F. & A. M.. and is a republican. 

WiLLTA.M Ra.msay, merchant. Homestead, 
was born April 19, 1849, in Fifeshire. Scot- 
land, a son of James Ramsaj', a descendant 
of an old Scotch family. He received a com- 
mon-school education, came to America at 
the age of nineteen, and became an engineer 
at Shafton, Pa. In 1881 he came to Hcmte- 



stead, where he opened a grocery-store, and, 
although he had no experience in the busi- 
ness, relying on his own native talents, he 
soon became one of the leading merchants of 
the town. He married Susan Stahl. who has 
borne him one son, James. Mr. Ramsay is 
a member of the R. A. and K. of P. He has 
always been identified with the re|iublican 
party. 

Samuel Moor Gray, foreman of the 
boiler department of the Allegheny Valley 
railroad shops, Verona, is a grandson of 
Moor Gray, a native of Delaware, who served 
as a soldier through the Revolution, and was 
justice of the peace in Dover. The family 
ancestors were Presbyterians, and probably 
of Scotch birth. Samuel Moor Gray, son of 
Moor Gray, married Hannah Wilkinson, a 
native of Delaware, but of English parent- 
age, and to this couple was born our subject 
on the 14th of April, 1834, in Wilmington, 
The father was thrown from an oyster-boat 
in Delaware bay, being struck l)y a boom, 
and drowned, in 1863, aged fifty one j'ears. 
Samuel, Jr., was reared in Wilmington, and 
attended the city schools until he was fifteea 
years old. At that time he was articled as 
apprentice in a boiler-shop at Port Richmond, 
and served five and a half years. He was 
employed for a time in his native city, and 
was sixteen years in the Pennsylvania rail- 
road shops at Harrisburg. In 1871 he engaged 
with the Allegheny Valley railroad, and after 
six months took charge of the boiler depart- 
ment, filling that position ever since. He is 
a republican, and the family is associated 
withtheM. B. Church. In October, 1861, Mr. 
Gray married Mary Ann Koutze, who died 
eight years later, leaving three children; 
Samuel Moor. Elizabeth H. and William 
Lincoln. In 1871 he married Sarah Jane 
Leister, who is the mother of three children; 
John, Clara and Francis. 

WiLLFAM H. Camp, merchant, Tarentum, 
is a son of Henry and Jessie (Mclnlyrey 
Camp, and was born in Allegheny City. Pa., 
in 1853. His father was a native of Arm- 
strong county. Pa., and his mother of Scot- 
land. They were married in 1847 at Alle- 
gheny City, Pa., and remained there until 
they removed to Tarentum in September, 
1885. They have four children, all of whom 
are residents of that borough, viz. ; Oliver C, 
Agnes D.. William H. and James M. In^ 
1855 William H. and his brother. Oliver C, 
came to Tarentum and engaged in general 
merchandising. Oliver C, before locating 
in Tarentum, was in the telegraph service, 
being manager of the Western Union tele- 
graph lines iu the Bradford oil-ficld from- 
1878 to 1884 inclusive. The rapid growth of 
Tarentum necessitated an increase iu the 
number of its business-houses, and Camp- 
Brothers occupy a prominent place among 
the business-men of the borough. James- 
M. Camp is a chemist in Pittsburgh. 

John II. Miller, merchant. Redman 
Mill, was born Feb. 26, 1848, in West- 
moreland county. Pa., son of John and Jane- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



527 



B. (Hartley) Miller. Jobn Miller was by 
trade a blacksmith, and was in the coal 
business and the manufacture of salt in 
Westmoreland county. In Allegheny county 
he followed merchandising, and also founded 
the Iron City docks. He was a man of 
good business ability, and an earnest Chris- 
tian. He died in February, 1882. The 
names of his children are Morris, John H., 
William, Charles, Miranda. Hester and El- 
vira. John H. Miller was a blacksmith for 
seven years, and then engaged in mercantile 
business. He was one of the founders of the 
American Glass-works, limited, and is yet 
one of the proprietors. He married Miss 
Eleanor Griffith. They are both members of 
the Baptist Church, of which he is a deacon; 
he is a republican. 

Charles M. Schwab, superintendent of 
steelworks, postoffice Munhall, was born 
Feb. 18, 1863, in Williamsburg, Blair 
county. Pa., a son of John A. Schwab, also 
a native of the above place, and of German 
descent. The subject of these lines has al- 
ways been a lover of books, and is a grad- 
uate of St. Francis College, Loretto, class of 
1879. Immediately after graduating he en- 
gaged in civil and mechanical engineering at 
the Edgar Thomson Steel-works in Brad- 
dock, where he was actively engaged in the 
construction of blast-furnaces and new rail- 
mill. He soon attracted the attention of his 
superiors, who afforded him every opportu- 
nity to develop and climb higher and higher. 
He was appointed general superintendent of 
the Homestead Steel-works in January, 1888, 
and now occupies that position. Mr. Schwab 
is generally known as the youngest steel- 
manager in the country, being at the time of 
his appointment at Homestead but twenty- 
six years old. 

Robert Wilson, retired, of Ellrod, son of 
John and Mary Wilson, was born in County 
Down, Ireland, in 1830, and coming to Amer- 
ica in 1848 located in Pittsburgh, removing 
to Greenock in 1853, where he remained 
until 1883, when he came to his present resi- 
dence at Ellrod, in Versailles township. Mrs. 
Mary Wilson, daughter of William and Isa- 
bella Black, was born in Glasgow, Lanark- 
shire. Scotland, in 1828, and came to America 
in 1844. The family first located in McKees- 
port, and removed a year later to a point on 
the Youghiogheny river, about six miles 
above McKeesport. A co.nsiderable village 
soon grew up arotmd them, and Mr. Black 
named it Greenock, that being the name of 
the last town seen by him when leaving his 
native land. Mrs. Wilson is a niece of Nelson 
(the inventor of the " hot blast "). to whom a 
large monument has been erected in the city 
of Glasgow, Scotland. Their children are 
Anna M., who is a graduate of California 
State Normal school, and now a teacher at 
McKeesport; John G., shipping clerk at the 
National Tube-works, McKeesport; William 
F., an architect, of Pittsburgh; Martha J., 
now Mrs. John Pierce, of Elizabeth town- 
ship; James B., graduate of Clarion State 



Normal school, and Marguerite N. Mr. 
Wilson is a republican, and has been identi- 
fied with the township in various official 
capacities. Both he and Mrs. Wilson are 
members of the M. E. Church. 

W. S. Bullock, merchant. Homestead, 
was born Jan. 6, 1837, in Philadelphia. Pa. 
The first of his ancestors to come to this 
country was John Bullock; the second, who 
sailed from Hull, England, with his family, 
June 24, 1679, and October 20, same year, 
landed at the falls of the Delaware. He 
obtained a grant of land from Charles II, 
and then bought it from the Indians, thus 
emulating the worthy example of William 
Penn. Amos Bullock, the grandfather of 
W. S.. was born Dec. 2, 1752, and was 
twice married; his first wife was Margaret 
Butcher, aad his second wife, Lydia. He 
was the father of ten children, of whom 
David B., born Feb. 17, 1785, married Susan, 
daughter of Luke Derrickson. The latter 
built the first church in Wilmington. Del., 
which place was originally settled by his 
ancestors, who were natives of Sweden. 
David B., the father of W. S., became a 
merchant-tailor in Philadelphia, where he 
died in 1850. 

The subject of this sketch was educated 
in Philadelphia, and at the Pennsylvania 
Agricultural College. He came to this 
county with his uncle, John Derrickson, 
who kept Lock No. 2, on the Mouongahela 
river, and afterward had charge of the city 
farm, being assisted by Mr. Bullock, who, 
after his uncle's death, was superintendent 
for four years. After this he mercliandised 
in Pittsburgh four or five years, and then 
ouce more superintended the city farm, which 
position he filled with ability. At the close 
of his term he entered into the builders' 
supply business in Pittsburgh iu partnership 
with C. W. Taylor. He married Mary E. 
Hargrave. who was born in Westmoreland 
county. March 24, 18.52. a daughter of Rev. 
O. P. Hargrave, and five children were born 
to them; William H. (born May 9. 1874, died 
Aug. 27, 1877), Annie G. (born Feb. 20, 1878, 
died Aug. 20, 1883), Mary A. (born March 
26, 1881), Sue E. (born Dec. 6, 1883), Laviua 
A. (born Dec. 11, 1886, died Dec. 11. 1886). 
Since February, 1879, Mr. Bullock has re- 
sided in Homestead, where he has filled 
various municipal offices, and was tlie first 
burgess who served his full term. He is a 
member of the li. A., and is a republican. 

Elliott S. Thomas, merchant, McKees- 
port, was born iu Washington county. Pa., 
Aug. 13. 1862, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth 
(Bebout) Thomas. He was reared in his 
native county, and educated at Wasliiugton 
and Jefferson College. In 1880 he taught 
school; from 1881 to 1882 he was a clerk in a 
large retail shoehouse in Pittsburgh, and 
then for two and a half years was in the em- 
ploy of the wholesale boot and shoe firm of 
W. E. Schmertz, of Pittsburgh, as traveling 
salesman for the states of Ohio, Pennsyl- 
vania and West Virginia. In 1885 he came 



528 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



to McKeesport. and in partnership witli Mr. 
John Tress, of Pittsburgh, opened a large 
retail shoeliouse on Fifth avenue. After 
one year Mr. Thomas purchased liis partner's 
interest, has since conducted the business 
alone and enjoys a large and extensive trade; 
is also a jobber in leather and findings. He 
married. \ov. 10, 1887. Lulu B., daugliler of 
C. H. Sturkslager, of this city. He is a 
prominent young businessman; is a meml)er 
of the Fir.sl M. E. Church and Jr. O. U. A. 
M.: also active and sustaining member of 
Y. M. C. A.; he is a republican. 

Frederick Gedekoh. retired. Elizabeth, 
is a native of Germany, born at Shaunsburg 
Lippe. and came to, this county in 18-1'3. He 
married Wilhelmina Hamm. also a native of 
•Germany. He first located in Pittsburgh, 
was a miner for twenty-eight years, and 
twelve years ago came to his present resi- 
dence in Forward township. His children 
are Catherine, Wilhelmina. Henrietta, Hein- 
Ticli, Sophia, Charlotte and Helena. Cathe- 
rine, now Mrs. H. Coleman, and residing in 
Pittsburgh; Henrietta, now Mrs. Thomas 
Thomson; Sophia, now Mrs. Hodgson; Hein- 
rich. Charlotte and Helena are alt living. 

E. W. Pitts, teller in the People's Bank, 
McKeesport, was born in Johnstown. Cam- 
bria county, Pa., Juue 7, 1860. and was edu- 
cated in the public schools of his native town. 
At the age of si.vteen he came to McKeesport, 
and entered as a clerk in a grocery-store, 
where he remained five j'ears. In 1881 he 
entered the People's Bank of McKeesport as 
a bookkeeper, and in 1882 was made teller 
of the bank, which position he still holds. 
Mr. Pitts assisted in the organization of the 
McKeesport Building and Loan association, 
of which he has, from the first, been the 
secretary. It is proper to say that the suc- 
cess which Mr. Pitts has achieved is wholly 
due to his own efforts. 

Robert Mills,- foreman of puddling de- 
partment No. 1 mill. National Rolling-Mill 
company. McKeesport, was born in South- 
wold, count}- of Suffolk. England. Aug. 10. 
18i6. He first came to America in 1840. after 
which he followed the seas eight years, dur- 
ing which time he visited nearly every port 
on the globe. In 1848 he located at Fall 
River. Mass.. where he learned the trade of 
puddling, and worked as a journeyman in 
different sections of New England up to 1879. 
In that j-ear he removed to McKeesport. and, 
with the exception of a few montlis, he has 
since held his present position with the Na- 
tional Rolling-Mill compan}'. 

P. C. Wagner, merchant. Homestead, was 
born Aug. 17, 1860, in Sharpsburg, Pa., a son 
of Peter and Elizabeth (Burkett) Wagner, 
both natives of German}'. The father learned 
the shoemaker's trade in his native home, 
and followed it in Sharpsburg after his arrival 
there in 1849, conducting a good business. 
P. C. Wagner was educated in Sharpsburg, 
and clerked five years for G. W. Tilghman in 
the clothing business. Subsequently he 
served fifteen months with Spang, Chalfant 



& Co., in Etna, Pa., as assistant bookkeeper 
and shipping-clerk, and for one 3'ear was as- 
sistant postmaster in Sharpsburg. He then 
removed to Homestead, where in 1887, in 
partnership witli his old employer, G. W. 
Tilgliman. he opened a clothing-store. Jul}' 
1. 188M. he bouglit out Mr. Tilghman's inter- 
est and is now conducting the business alone. 
He has built up a good trade, keeping a fine 
assortment of goods on hand. 

James M. Speer, grocer, McKeesport, was 
born in Millerstown, Allegheny county, Oct. 
33, 18.J4, a son of James and Frances (Metz- 
ger) Siieer. His paternal grandfather was 
Thomas Speer, a son of Thomas Speer. a na- 
tivaof Ireland, and one of the pioneers of 
this countv. His maternal grandfather was 
Michael Metzger, a son of Michael Metzger, 
a native of Germany and a pioneer of Millers- 
town. James Speer. the father of James M., 
is a resident of McKeesport. and is a black- 
smith by occupation; is a practical and nat- 
ural mechanic, and able to forge anything 
that can be made from iron. Our subject 
was reared in this county and educated in the 
common schools. He began life as a clerk, 
in which capacity he served fourteen years. 
He settled in McKeesport in 1880, and in 1882 
embarked in his present business, at which 
he has been very successful. He married, in 
1877. Mary M.. daughter of George and Mary 
M.(Gilmore) Kirker.of Westmoreland county, 
and has two children. Bertha and Mary. 
Mr. Speer is a member of the U. P. Church; 
he is a republican. 

C.W. Meeks. merchant, Munhall, was born 
Dec. 10, 1848, in Frederick county, Md., a son 
of John Meeks, who was in the United States 
government employ for seventeen years; was 
stationed at Harper's Ferry, sawing guu- 
stocks, but later removed to Port Perry. Pa., 
and, in partnership with George T. Miller, 
followed his trade for four years; subsequent- 
ly removed to Fayette county, and engaged 
in the spoke and hub business. After the 
death of his father, C. W. succeeded to his 
business, but after two years he sold out 
and came to Munhall, where he entered into 
partnership with A. C. Munhall in general 
mercantile trade. In their second year he 
bought Mr. Munhall out, and has since con- 
ducted the business with marked success, 
notwithstanding that he had no knowledge 
of it previous to embarking in it. He now 
employs eight clerks. Mr. Sleeks is a member 
of the K. of P..-R. A., K. of G. E. and 
American Mechanics, senior order; he is a 
democrat. 

Charles Biehl, of Biehl Bros., Taren- 
tum and KIttanning, Pa., son of Louis and 
Emma Biehl. was born at Kittanning, Arm- 
strong county. Pa., in 1863. His father was 
a native of Germany and his mother of Butler 
county. Pa., and after their marriage they 
located at Kittanning. where the father car- 
ried on a manufacturing business until his 
decease, in 1881. His widow, mother of 
Charles, died in March, 1888, at Kittanning. 
where she continued to reside after the death 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



529 



•of her husband. Our subject removed to , 
Tarentum in 1884. and was married to Miss ' 
Ohristina EUerman in 1887. Mr. Biehl is 
engaged in the clothing, tailoring, hat and ! 
furnishing-goods business. He is a member 1 
of the I. b. O. F., O. U. A M. and I. O. H. 

George W. J. McAd.\ms. Coraopolis, was j 
born in Warrentou, Jefferson county, Ohio, 
April 9. 1847. a son of John and Hannah L. 
(King) McAdams, and ninth descendant of 
Gov. Wiuslow, one of the Pilgrim Fathers 
■who came over in the Mayflower. John was 
born ill a fort on the present site of Portland, 
Ohio. He vvas a merchant, owned a mill, 
and manufactured and shipped flour south to ' 
New Orleans. He was elected treasurer of 
Jefferson county in 1856, and re-elected in i 
1858, serving four years. At the outbreak of \ 
the civil war he enlisted in the 98th O. I. 
and served as sutler, his son-in-law, George } 
Webster, being colonel of the regiment. 
John McAdams died in 1863, aged sixty-three 
years. He built the warehouse and wharf at 
Warrenton, and was part owner of the 
steamboats Cabinet and Hibernia. He was a 
member of the M. P. Church, which he and 
Moses Kimball buill at Warrenton, and held 
various offices of trust in his town. He was 
a prominent Mason at Warrenton and Steu- 
benville. His widow died March 31, 1886, 
aged sixty-two 3-ears, a member of the 
U. P. Church. They had seven children, ' 
five yet living: G. W. J.. L. C. C. (an M. D. 
■in Warrenton, Ohio), S. L. (R. R. oSicial at 
Ravenna), Annabel K. (wife of W. M. Litten, 
at Rush run, Ohio), and Joseph H. (R. R. 
oflicial at Montour Junction). George W. J. 
was educated at Steubeuville, Ohio, and at 
eighteen be,gan to teach music. At nineteen 
he began the study of telegraphy, at which 
he worked at Pittsburgh and various other 
points until Nov. 1, 1879, when he was ap- 
pointed agent at Coraopolis. Mr. McAdams 
was united in marriage, June 9, 1881, with 
Maggie Watt, a nadve of Coraopolis, a 
daughter of William Watt, late manufacturer 
of that place, and they have one son, James 
E., born Dec. 9, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- 
Adams are members of the U. P. Church at 
Coraopolis, and it was through his and 
others' efforts that the church was established 
and built here, of which he is treasurer. 

M.\TTHEW Ckidge, real estate owner, 
pnstotfice Ross, was born March 13, 1828, in 
Merriott, Somersetshire. England, son of 
John and Mary (England) Cridge. His par- 
ents were descendants of an old English fam- 
ily, and were related to John Churchill, who 
was later the duke of Marlborough. Mrs. 
Mary Cridge died in Pittsburgh, Nov. 3, 
1876, aged eighty-four years. .John Cridge 
died of paralysis May 4, 1850. Matthew 
Cridge came to America when nineteen years 
old, and followed his trade of pattern-maker. 
He has invented a number of useful articles, 
.among them the oscillating engine. Retiring 
from business, he purchased a part of the old 
Evergreen association, of which he still 
holds over one hundred acre^. He also built 



the Evergreen Narrow-Gauge railroad, and 
was its president two years: .altogether he has 
been identified with Evergreen over twenty- 
three vears. Mr. Cridge married, Dec. 34, 
1844, lElizabeth, daughter of William T. 
Wadsworth, of Cheshire, England, who came 
to America in 1817; Mrs. Cridge was born in 
Paterson, N. J., in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cridge have six children living: Henry, 
Matthew, Edmund J.. Walter. Byron and 
Lilly. 

WiNPiELD S. Nesbit. a young lawyer 
residing in Tarentum and doing business in 
the city of Pittsburgh, is rapidlj' acquiring a 
reputation as a shrewd jurist and skillful 
advocate. He is a son of William Nesbit. 
who was born in 1816, in Pittsburgh, and 
who, reared to sturdy toil, served twentj-- 
seven years as a machinist-blacksmith in one 
shop. In 1860 he removed to a farm some 
miles back of Tarentum, where he rapidly 
acquired great skill as a farmer, and taught 
even the oldest residents many useful lessons 
in agriculture. His knowledge of law and 
its application was so much above the aver- 
age that he usually served as justice of the 
peace, and was familiarly known as 
"squire." He died in 1876, and lies buried 
in the Tarentum cemetery. Mr. Nesbit's 
ancestry is of the Scotch-Irish line, which, 
Americanized, has furnished many of our 
most progressive and influential citizens. 

G. W. Hoffman, merchant, Noblestown. 
His ancestry in colonial times were scattered 
through Berks and Chester counties. G. W. 
Hoffman (grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch) and his brother, Isaac, came west 
shortly after the war of 1813, and located in 
Williamsport (now Monongahela City), Pa. 
Isaac afterward removed to Trumbull count}', 
Ohio; G. W. remained at Williamsport until 
his death, which occurred shortly after his 
arrival. His widow, Rebecca, with her three 
children, G. W., Jefferson and Matilda, re- 
moved to Noblestown, and subsequently she 
married Joseph Johnston. Grandfather 
Hoffman had a title to about 240 acres of 
land patented by George Valaudingham, ad- 
joining the eastern line of the Noble tract, 
from which Noblestown took its name. His 
son, G. W., was born Nov. 29, 1805, and 
was married Jan. 35, 1837, to Mary Link, 
born Jan. 35. 1804, and their children were 
as follows: Daniel, born Sept. 24, 1837, 
married March 21, 18.50, to Nancy E., daugh- 
ter of William Tidball (now resident of Bur- 
gettstown, Washington county; had three 
sous and four daughters, all living): Rebecca, 
born Dec. 5, 1828, married March 1, 1860, to 
John Goist (she died Jan. 2, 1869, leaving 
three children); Jefferson, born Sept. 7,1830, 
married Ruth Morris Oct. 18, 1855, and has 
two children living; Elizabeth, born Sept. 
19, 1833, died June ':;, 1852; Matilda E.. born 
Feb. 5, 1835, married to William Johnston 
Oct. 33, 1856, reside at Burgettstown. have 
three daughters living; G. W., boru Aug. 5, 
1837. married Sept. 23. 1867. to Elizabeth 
Hagerty (reside in Noblestown: have four 



530 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



children); Benjamin W., born Nov. 21, 1839, 
married to Sarah Bell Jan. 31, 1867 (reside at 
Castle Shannon, have three children); Mary I., 
beru March 14. 1843, married to Richard 
Sharp Jan. 33, 1861 (resident of Allegheny, 
have si.\ children); Nuucy, born Dec. 29, 
1844, died May 19, 1853; Sarah Ann, born 
May 13, 1848. married to Frank Keiffer May 
31. 186"); died Feb. 13, 1872, leaving two 
children. The father of this family had his 
arm torn nil by a thrashing-machine Fel). 17, 
1854. and on the following morning he died, 
in the forty-eighth year of his age; his widow 
died Feb. 34, 187(1, aged sixty-six. 

.James Kirki»atuick, superintendent of 
the Bear Creek Refining company, Pitts- 
burgh, was born oppcsite Fort Perry in 
18.30. a son of John and Susanna (Crawford) 
Kirkpatrick, natives of Ireland, of Scotch 
descent. The father, who was a farmer, 
died in 1837, aged forty years; the mother 
died at the age of sixty-seven years, a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. At the age 
of seven years the death of his father threw 
our subject on the world for himself, and 
when sixteen years of age he learned the 
trade of machinist; then afterward bought a 
farm in Ohio and lived there seven years. 
Returning to Pittsburgh, he engaged in the 
oil business in that city, and some years 
afterward built the Bear Creek Refiniug- 
works, of which he has since been superin- 
tendent. In 1877 Mr. Kirkpatrick commenced 
the manufacture of oleomargarine in Pitts- 
burgh, which enterprise he carried on two 
years. He was married in September, 1857, 
to Mary A. Bradley, of Morgan county, Ohio, 
daughter of John and Nancy (Marianer) 
Bradley, both deceased. Two daughters. 
Nancy B. and Mary G., who died at the age 
of twelve and nine years, respectively, were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick. They are 
luembers of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. 
Kirkpatrick moved to Verona in 1886. and to 
his present fine brick house in 1887. He is a 
K. T. He has traveled over the greater part 
of Europe, having made four trips, on the 
last of which he took his wife with him. 
Mr. Kirkpatrick helped to capture Morgan 
during the late war. He has a sword that 
his great-great-grandfather Crawford car- 
ried during the famous siege of Derry, 
Ireland. Three of his uncles Crawford were 
British oflicers who served five years in the 
East Indies, and on their return their mother 
stood on the shore and saw them lost by the 
sinking of the troopship Suldana, while in 
sight of the city of Londonderry. 

John Clakk, paying teller of the Farm- 
ers' Deposit National Bank, Pittsburgh, was 
born in Coimtj' Derry, Ireland, Dec. 37, 1838, 
son of Oliver and Eliza (Davis) Clark, na- 
tives of the same place. His mother died 
there, and after the children came to Amer- 
ica his father, who was a farmer, and after- 
ward an overseer, followed them here to 
spend his last days, dying at his son John's 
house, in 1883, at the age of seventy-five 
years. He had ten children, viz.: daughters. 



Eliza and Sarah (both deceased), Margaret, 
Jane and Mary; sons, R. D. (deceased), 
Joseph, John, and James and Oliver (both 
deceased). Of these. John attended school 
in Ireland, and on coming to Pittsburgh, in 
18G0, entered the Farmers' Deposit National 
Bank as messenger-boy, from which he has 
worked his way up to his present position. 
Mr. Clark was married twice; the second 
time, in 1874, to Catharine Rogers, of Count}' 
Derry, Ireland, and two children, Oliver D. 
and Edith G., have been born to them. 

A. Gordon, Ju., merchant, Homestead, 
was born in 1855, in Pittsburgh. Pa. His 
father, Alexander Gordon, a native of Balti- 
more, came to this county at the age of 
twenty, and engaged in the forwarding- 
commission and afterward in the lead busi- 
ness. Later he was engaged in the coal 
business at Swissvale until the N. Y. & C. 
Gas and Coal company bought his coal -lands. 
He took an active part in political matters 
before the war; was on the Kansas aid 
committee, and is the only one living of the 
three men who composed the committee of 
arrangements in 1856, when the republican 
party was organized. He married Katie 
Edwards, and to them were born Rev. John, 
Alexander, George B. (an attornej'). William 
and Orra E. Our subject clerked nine years 
for his father, then became weighmaster, 
aud finally superintendent of the coalworks. 
He is a graduate of the Western L'niversity. 
In 1883 he came to Homestead, wliere, in 
partnership with his brother, he opened a 
lumber yard, and also a full stock of builders' 
supplies. He is a member of the Presbyte- 
rian Church, and is a republican. 

William G. Smith, Etna, was born Nov. 
29, 1852, in Pittsburgh, Pa., a son of George 
W. Smith, a native of Lancaster, Ohio, and 
of Dutch-Irish descent. William G. was 
left an orphan at the age of five, and is a 
self-educated man. He learned the carpenter 
trade and pursued it for several years. June 
1, 1877, he came to Etna, where he had pre- 
viously learned the pattern-maker's trade, 
and entered the employ of Spang. Chalfant 
i.t Co., as a pattern-maker. He is now 
superintendent of the tubeworks. He mar- 
ried Josephine, daughter of Philip and Anna 
Yuud, and they have three children; Ger- 
trude. George and Frances. Mr. Smith is a 
republican, and has been councilman and 
burgess two terms each. 

Joseph H. McAbams. station-agent, post- 
ofiice Coraopolis, was born at Steubenville, 
Ohio, Nov. 23, 1858,a son of John and Hannah 
(King) McAdams, natives of Jefferson county, 
Ohio. John was county treasurer of Jeffer- 
son county, Ohio, two terms. Mrs. McAdams 
was a descendant of Winslow King.wbo came 
from England in the Mayflower. John and 
Hannah JIcAdams had a family of seven 
children. Joseph, the yoimgest. was educated 
in Warrenton. Ohio. He began to clerk in a 
general store and postoiBce at Warrenton 
when fifteen years old, and remained unti) 
1879, when he came to Coraopolis. While 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



531 



clerking at Warrenton he learned telegraphy, 
and worked as night operator at Coraopolis 
some five or six months. He was then ap- 
pointed to his present position as agent at 
Montour Junction for the P. & L. E. and 
Montour railwaj's. Mr. McAdams was united 
in marriage to Jessie L. Ferree. Sept. 23, 
1881. 8he was l)orn on the homestead farm 
at Coraopolis, a daughter of Robert and 
Elizabeth (Woods) Ferree. Mr. and Mrs. 
McAdams are members of the Presbyterian 
Church, and have three children: Royal F., 
Edgar L. and Howard W. (twins). 

P. H. DuGAN. foreman of Singer, Nimick 
■& Co.'s springshop, Pittsburgh, is a native 
•of Ireland, and was born in 1851. to Thomas 
and Catherine Dugan. former of whom died 
in April, 1861. agedflfty-four years, and latter 
in January, 1871, aged sixty }'ears. Thomas 
Dugan followed various occupations, among 
which were mining, farming, working in a 
glass-factory, and as shearer in the steel- 
rolling mill. He and his wife were the parents 
of seven children; Bartholomew, Thomas, 
Margaret, Mary (wife of Irvin Hummell). P. 
H., Andrew and Richard (deceased). P. H. 
Dugan came with his parents to this country 
in 1854, and settled in Allegheny county. Pa. 
He was married, in 1871, to Mary, daughter 
of Owen and Bridget Brislin, and their chil- 
dren are Catherine H., Ellen B., Thomas F., 
Mary C, Clara B. and Irene T. Mr. Dugan 
has worked in the springshop of Singer, 
Nimick & Co. since he was nine years old, and 
has been foreman of same since'l875. He is a 
member of the C. M. B. A., St. James Total 
Abstinence society. Sovereigns of Industry, 
and of the Catholic Church. 

JtJLiAN Kennedy, chief engineer Latrobe 
Steel-works. Latrobe, was born near Youngs- 
town, Ohio, March 15. 1853. His father, T. 
W. Kennedy, was a millwright and mechanic, 
tut better known as a builder of blast-fur- 
naces in Ohio. Julian was educated at Yale 
College, where he graduated in the class of 
1875. and while taking a post-graduate course 
filled the chair of ph}'sics. After identifyi 
ing himself for a short time with the Briar 
Hill Iron compan}'. he was superintendent 
one year of the Morse Bridge-works, and in 
1879 came to Braddock, where he was super- 
intendent of the blast-furnaces in the Edgar 
Thomson Steel-works, remaining in charge 
of the construction and operating of this 
■department for a period of four years. Dur- 
ing that time he invented the fluid cinder car 
and improved hot-blast stoves, etc. From 
1883 until January, 1886. he had charge of 
the Luc3' furnaces, and when they became 
united with the Homestead Steel-works he 
became general superintendent of both. In 
1886 he built the new platemill, and the fol- 
lowing year the armor-plate or universal 
mill, in the construction of which he put 
many of his inventions and plans, among 
others an automatic device for charging 
ingots and tabling them, and large hydraulic 
shears, which can handle a fifty-ton ingot. 
At present Mr. Kennedy is interested in the 



Latrobe plant, which makes a specialty of 
locomotive- and car-wheel tires. 

WiLLUM Borland Harrison, tax-col- 
lector, Wilkinsburg, was born at Port Perry, 
Pa., March 15, 18.53, and is a son of George 
and Rachel (Bond) Harrison, now residents 
of Wilkins township. His grandfather, 
William Harrison, was an earFy settler in 
this county. Benjamin Bond, father of 
Rachel Harrison, came of English Quaker 
stock, and lived on Saw-Mill ruu, where Mrs. 
Harrison was born. George Harrison was 
born at what is now North Homestead. Will- 
iam B. Harrison was reared in Wilkins, and 
was employed several years at the Hampton 
Coalworks, where he was boss driver for 
six years. For two years he was yard brake- 
man at the Pennsylvania railroad station in 
Pittsburgh, and was promoted to extra con- 
ductor. While coupling cars on the 15th of 
May, 1887, his left knee was crushed, and he 
was obliged to retire from the road. In 
1888 he was elected collector of "Wilkinsburg 
borough on the anti-borough ticket. Mr. 
Harrison was married, Oct. 28, 1878. to 
Miss Maggie J., daughter of Thomas D. 
Palmer, of New England parentage, and 
their children were Maggie Ma}' (deceased), 
Annie Mary and Maud Simpson (deceased). 
Mr. Harrison is a republican and a member 
of the Jr. O. U. A. M. ; he is a Presbyterian, 
of which church Mrs. Harrison is a member. 

John R. Cribbs, merchant, Verona, was 
born in Livermore. Westmoreland count}*, in 
1830, and is the son of John and Sarah Cribbs, 
of German ancestry. His mother died before 
he was ten years old. and at nine years he 
was employed as driveron the Pennsylvania 
canal, during the summer, and worked for 
his board among the farmers during the win- 
ter. When seventeen years of age he began 
mining ore in Clarion county by contract, 
and also did something at blacksmilhing, 
often spending the hours between 4 a. m. and 
11 P. M. at the anvil. When petroleum was 
discovered in Venango county, he operated 
wells successfully at Walnut Bend, and in 
1861 moved to Oil City, where he dealt in oil 
territory. During eleven months he made 
$240,000 in cash, but continued to invest in 
lands, and lost very heavily when values fell 
off. Since then he has twice moved to Illi- 
nois, and back; and held large tracts in Ten- 
nessee and Missouri. He is now the owner 
of a finely improved farm of 242 acres near 
lola, Kan., and oil-lands in Meigs county, 
Ohio. After keeping hotel four years at 
Johnstown, Penn township, he built, in 1873, 
the line store in which he does business in 
Verona, and moved his family to the apart- 
ments above. He carried ageueral merchan- 
dise stock valued at $10,000, and lumber, 
stone and builders' supplies of half as much. 
Besides the store he built five houses, part 
of which he still owns. He also owns a dry- 
goods, notion and men's furnishing store in 
Ft. Scott, Kan., valued at $9,000. Mr. Cribbs 
is a republican, has been a member of 
the school board and has spent several terms 



532 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



in the borough council as chairman of the 
(inaiire committee. In 1849 he married 
Elizabeth, daushter of William Mayse (of 
Irish parentage), born in Clarion county. 
The children of Mr. and Mrs. C'ribbs are 
Sarah Jane (Xeedham), Elizabeth (Moore), 
Oliver L., Eva (Simpson), Fielding D.. Hyatt 
M., Cora V. and Walter T. Two died in 
infancy. 

John Knox Simpson, station-agent at 
Verona, was born in Manor, Armstrong 
county. Pa., July 7, 1853, and is the son of 
John and >Iary Jane Simpson, the former a 
native of the same county, and the latter 
(whose maiden name was Simpson) of Indi- 
ana county. His grandfather, James Simp- 
son, came from Ireland, and settled on a farm 
near Rural village, Armstrong county, about 
1800. John Simpson began the clearing for 
a house on his present farm in Manor town- 
ship in 1840. John K. remained on this farm 
until the day he was of age, when he 
took charge of the telegraphic instruments 
at Falls Creek. Clearfield county. Pa., on the 
Allegheny' Valley railroad, having learned 
their use b_y evening study. In 1ST.5 he be- 
came night operator and ticket-clerk at 
Parker, and two years later was promoted to 
agent's clerk. He look charge of Verona 
station Oct. 1, 1879. Mr. Simpson is a mem- 
ber of the U- P. Church, S. of T., R. A. and 
Jr. O. U. A. M.; he is a republican, and 
served as school-tax collector in 1887. He 
married, Dec. 11, 1878, Margie E. Fellows, 
who died in 1885,- leaving two daughters: 
Alta Naomi and Mary Jane. Mr. Simpson 
was afterward married, Jlay 17, 1888, to Eva 
Lucretia. daughter of John R. Cribbs. 

S.\MliEL JtcCoNE, merchant. Homestead, 
was born Aug. 14, 1846, at Lockport station, 
Westmoreland county, Pa., son of James and 
Eliza (Bannon) McCune, who emigrated to 
America when quite young, and were mar- 
ried in this country; they had six children, 
of whom five were sons. Samuel attended 
the common schools of his native county, 
and at the age of seventeen, while Gen. Mor- 
gan made his famous raid, he enlisted, June 
17, 1863, in Co. B, Isi battalion P. C. Aft- 
er six months' service he re-enlisted in 
Co. D, 186th P. V. I., served until the 
close of the war, and received an honorable 
discharge Aug. 19, 1865. After the war he 
was clerk for F. H. Eaton & Co., a large 
trimming and fancy-goods firm in Pittsburgh. 
In January. 1882! he opened a small dry- 
goods store in Homestead, which lie eidarged 
until to-day he owns a handsome brick store, 
in which he does the largest dry -goods busi- 
ness in the place. He married Mary E. Alex- 
ander, a native of Moundsville, W. Va., and 
they have two children: Joseph B. and Sam- 
uel W. Mr. McCuue is a member of the I. 
O. of H., politically an independent repub- 
lican. 

Loots PiCHEL, merchant, Tarentum, son 
of Isaac and Nanna (Goodman) Pichel. was 
born in Pittsburgh, in 1855. His parents 
were of European birth, and located in Pitts- 



burgh, where his father became a wholesale 
tobacconist and resided until his decease, in 
August, 1868. The widow survived until 1881, 
when she also died. Their children were 
Louis: Charlotte, now wife of B. N. Jacobs, 
of Pittsburgh (confidential secretary for 
the late Mr. Gusky for some years be- 
fore his death and at present financier of 
his estate), and Julius, who has been identi- 
fied with the Ciiiiimirrial Gazette, as ff)reman, 
since 1877. Louis Picliel, the subject of this 
sketch, received his education in the public 
schools, and began his business career as an 
employe of S. Cohen &, Co., and afterward 
was with J. M. Gusky, with whom he re- 
mained until 1886, when he removed to 
Tarentum, his present place of business, 
where he established himself as a dealer in 
ready-made clothing, gents' furnishing goods, 
and everything found in a first-class clothing- 
store. To him belongs the credit of being the 
first to introduce in Tarentum the one-iirice 
system, to which he has strictly adhered, and 
which has resulted in success. He has the 
finest storeroom in the boroiigh. In 1885 he 
married Carrie, daughter of William Oppen- 
heimer, of Pittsburgh, and they have two 
children, Nanna and Edith. Mr. Pichel is a 
member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 45, of 
Pittsburgh; also Zerubabel Chapter. 162. R. 
A. M. ; Mount Moriali Council, No. 2. of 
Pittsburgh; also No. 289. I. O. O. F.; Inde- 
pendent Order of B'nai B'rith, Free Sons of 
Israel. He and Mrs. Pichel are members of 
the Jewish faith; he is a republican. 

PiioF. J. C. Kendall. Homestead, was 
born in Somerset county. Pa.. Sept. 4. 1851. 
a son of John C. Kendall. His great-grand- 
father was a native of Frederick county, 
Md.. and of Swiss descent, and his grand- 
father. Christian Kendall, was a farmer in 
Somerset county. Pa., where he reared a 
large family. The father of the subject of 
this memoir, by trade a mechanic, wastiorn 
June 5. 1817. and died January 30. 1888; his 
wife, Elizabeth (Miller) Kendall, survived 
. him. They had a family of eight children, 
of whom Samuel A. is principal of the Jef- 
ferson liighschools in Iowa. Prof. J. C. 
Kendall was educated at Mount Union Col- 
lege and at the California State Normal 
School, graduating from the latter in the 
class of r880. and has since been an eflncient 
and successful teacher. After teaching a 
number of 3-ears in his native county in dis- 
trict and normal schools, and one term in 
Ohio, he came, in 1881. to Homestead, where 
he is now principal of the public schools. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F., A. F. & 
A. M. and Jr. O. U. A. M. 

Hugh Claney. contractor, Bellevue, was 
born in County Down, Ireland, in April, 
1809, a son of" William and Elizabeth (Pat- 
terson) Claney, who were born in the same 
county, and came to Pittsburgh in 1830. His 
father, who was a carpenter, died about 
1840, aged ninety-four years; his mother 
died in 1850, agcH eighty-four years. Mr. 
Claney received his education and learned 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



533 



his trade in Pittsburgh, aud has been engaged 
in contracting most of the time since, doing 
a large amount of worls in Pittsburgh after 
the tire of 184o. He bouglit about fifteen 
acres of land at Bellevue in 1865, and has 
sold off much of the same in town lots. He 
married, in 1833, Margaret Long, a native of 
Carlisle, Pa., and to them were born eleven 
children, five of whom are living, viz. : 
William, .James, Albert, Ellen (Mrs. Mcin- 
tosh) and Agnes (Mrs. R. J. Miller). Mr. 
and Mrs. Claney are members of the M. P. 
Church; politically be was a whig, now is a 
republican. Although eighty years of age, 
Mr. Claney still makes the ascent of all 
buildings with his workmen. 

Dn. R. Stansbury Sutton, Pittsburgh, 
was born at Indiana, Pa., July 8, 1841. His 
father, .James Sutton, was one of the most 
prominent businessmen in that place, en- 
gaging in the manufacture of paper, and 
Ijeing interested in mercantile and banking 
enterprises. His mother, Sarah Stansbury, 
was the daughter of Dr. Stansljury, a sur- 
geon on duty under Gen. William Henry 
Harrison at the siege of Fort Meigs. She 
was educated at Steubenville Seminary, 
Ohio, and was engaged in teaching at the 
time of her marriage. Dr. Sutton received 
his academic education at the excellent 
school then presided over by the present 
Judge Silas M. Clark, of Pennsylvania, and 
at the Tuscaroi'a Academy in Juniata county. 
Pa., and entered the freshman class of 
Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, in 1859. 
He was graduated in 1862, and at once en- 
tered upon the study of medicine, as the 
private pupil of Dr. D. Hayes Agnew, of 
Philadelphia. He also attended lectures at 
the University of Pennsylvania, and was 
graduated from that institution with the 
degree of doctor of medicine in 1865. From 
that year until the fall of 1866 he was 
resident physician of Blockley hospital, and 
a private teacher of anatomy in Philadelphia. 

In November, 1866, he located in practice 
at Pittsburgh, and continued there until 
1881. when he went to Europe, remaining 
nearly two years, pursuing special studies in 
Vienna, Berlin, Edinburgh and London. 
Upon his return he resumed his practice in 
Pittsburgh and Allegheny, where he is 
recognized as a leading practitioner. He 
pays special attention to the building up of 
invalid women liy medical and surgical 
treatment, and during the past five years 
has maintained his own private hospital in 
Allegheny, where he is achieving most excel- 
lent results. In 1879 Dr. Sutton was appointed 
a lecturer on the diseases of women in Rush 
Medical College, Chicago, and delivered two 
courses of lecturers in T880 and 1881, resign- 
ing to go abroad. In 1880 he was elected to 
the chair of operative surger}' in the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, but 
declined. In 1884, and again in 1888, he 
was elected to the chair of diseases of women 
in the medical department of Wooster (Ohio) 
University, but declined each time. Upon 



the organization of Pittsburgh Medical 
College, he was offered the chair of diseases 
of women, but also declined that honor. Dr. 
Sutton received the degree of LL. D. from 
Wooster University in 1885. He has been 
a contributor to various medical journals, 
and more than a dozen books pertaining to- 
the diseases of women. He was for many 
years a member of the Allegheny County 
Medical society, and of the state and 
national societies, serving as president of 
the American Academy of Medicine in 1887. 
He is an honorary member of the medical 
societies of Ohio and California; is a fellow 
of the American Gynecological society and 
British Gynecological society; member of 
the British Medical association; fellow of the- 
New York Medico-Legal society; associate- 
fellow of the Philadelphia Obstetrical so- 
ciety; founder of the Pittsburgh Obstetrical 
and Gynecological society, and is its presi- 
dent (1889). 

Dr. Sutton's career in his profession has 
proven him to be possessed of executive 
ability above the average, as well as of sur- 
gical skill of the first order. His private 
I hospital is a monument to both. On the one- 
j hand its government is carried on with mili- 
tary precision, while on the other hand its 
statistics stand unchallenged, being in this 
particular line of work equal to those of 
any other institution in this country. In the 
first five years of its existence it passed 
through a struggle only to be expected in a 
center where it was an innovation on all for- 
mer precedent. But six years of work have 
proven that through this institution over five- 
hundred years have been added to human 
life in tumor operations alone, and the mor- 
tality in those operations in this institution 
is the lowest that has ever been obtained ia 
this community, and promises to be still 
lower. Singuhir as it may seem, it is Dr. 
Sutton's personal testimony that his institu- 
tion owes its early patronage to other coun- 
ties and other states. During his earlier 
efforts to extend his services as an operator 
to poor women, he was aided by Henry 
Phipps, Jr., and John Walker, who frequently 
sent money to pay for the care aud nursing- 
of these women. In his specialty Dr. Sutton 
is accounted a pioneer in this communitj', 
and during the last five j'ears his efforts have 
stimulated a number of young practitioners 
to qualify themselves for future usefulness 
in this branch. This has been one of the 
results of the founding of the obstetrical 
society and his private hospital, and there is. 
reason to hope that it will not be long before 
a woman's hospital will be another outcome 
of his labors, and thus give him and others 
an institution in which to do their charity 
work. 

Dr. Sutton was married, in 1867, to Jose- 
phine, daughter of Hon. James McCullough, 
of Cannonsburg, and they have two chil- 
dren: Stansbury, a student in the Massachu- 
setts Institute of Technology at Boston, and 
Miss Eliza. 



584 



HISTOliY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Samuei^ C. Grieu was born March 10, 
1851, in Allegheny City, of Irish parentage, 
and was educaliMl in the pulilio schools of 
his native city. At the ftge of eleven he be- 
came an erninci-boy in a store anil then a 
clerk in a coal-offlte. At the age of eighteen 
he became a coal dealer on his own account, 
and continued in that business during ten 
years. In 1879 he was elected assessor of 
water-rents in the city of Allegheny. In 
1885 he resigned this office to accept a posi- 
tion in the office of the clerk of courts in 
Allegheny county. In August, 1887, he was 
elected collector of delinquent taxes in tlie 
city of Allegheny, which office he still 
holds. 

Lewis Peterson, Jk., retired, Allegheny, 
was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Oct. 6, 1838. 
His father, Lewis Peterson, Sr., was born 
in Loudoun county, Va., in 1790, and 
quite early in life removed to Philadel- 
phia, Pa., where he worked in a silk-store. 
In 1811 became to Pittsburgh in the interest of 
the Pittsburgh Engine company, to manage 
their business here. In 1812 he formed a 
partnership with George P. Miltenburger, in 
the tin and copper business, but in a short 
time he bought Mr. Miltenburger's interest, 
and in 1822 took his brother, Peter Peterson, 
into partnership, the firm name being L. & 
P. Peterson. During this period Lewis 
Peterson, Sr., and George P. Millenburger 
built the first double-decked steamboat ever 
floated on the river, and Mr. Peterson com- 
manded her on her lirst trip to New Orleans. 
Freight at that time being scarce, he pur- 
chased five hundred barrels of flour at about 
one dollar per barrel, shipped it to New 
Orleans on his first trip, and sold it at a fair 
profit. He was afterward associated with 
Mr. McNickle in the manufacture of machin- 
ery for making cotton and woolen goods; 
was also with Robert Barklej' in the manu- 
facture of lead pipe under the old process. 
They made the first lead pipe ever manufact- 
ured west of the mountains. After the dis- 
solution of the firm of Peterson & McNickle, 
in 1840, Mr. Peterson went into cotton-spin- 
ning and the manufacture of cotton-batting, 
candle-wick, etc. This establishment was 
destroyed by the great fire in Pittsburgh in 
1845, and Mr. Peterson then, owning a farm 
near Tarentuni, this county, commenced the 
manufacture of salt. It was upon this farm 
that oil was first discovered in the county, by 
Thomas M. Kier, who had obtained permis- 
sion to drill a well on the premises. In this 
way Mr. Peterson became interested in od as 
well as salt, 

Lewis Peterson, Jr.'s, life, like his father's, 
has been one of great activity and useful- 
ness. For many years he was engaged in the 
manufacture of salt, and in the oil business. 
After the war he built the Rose Dale foun- 
dry, and followed the iron industry, which he 
disposed of in 1878 to William H. Irwin, re- 
tiring from active business life. He was 
several years a member of the city council, 
and three years mayor of Allegheny City. 



From May, 1880, to May. 1886. he was a 
member of the state board of charities. In 
a historical sketch of the Allegheny General 
hospital we fin<l the following; "On Dec. 
15, 1881, a number of citizens of Allegheny 
met at the home of Mayor Peterson to coti 
sider the propriety of estal)lishing a hospital 
in Allegheny City." Further along in the 
same sketch is the following; "Hon L. 
Peterson, Jr., a member of the state hoard 
of charities, without any official connection 
with the management, or compensation, has 
voluntarilj' rendered valuable service in the 
work of improving the building and grounds." 
Mr. Peterson is held in verj- high esteem by 
the citizens of Allegheny. " Lewis Peterson, 
Sr., died in 1885, aged ninety-four years. 

HER.MAN IIenut NIEMANN, merchant- 
tailor, Pittsburgh, son of Rudolph and Jane 
(Henipes) Niemann, was born in the province 
of Osnabriick, Hanover, Prussia. Feb. 24. 
1832. When Herman H. was eight years old 
his father died, and six years later his mother 
emigrated with her family to America, locat- 
ing in Pittsburgh. Herman H. is the fourth 
in the family of six, and is the eldest now 
living. He was early apprenticed to a tailor, 
and in 1854 he opened a tailor-shop on 
Smithfield street, near his present location, 
where he has been for the last twelve years. 
Mr. Niemann was one of the original stock- 
holders in the German National Bank, and 
has been thirteen years a director; he is also 
president of the Fifth Avenue Bank, and 
vice-president of the German-American In- 
surance company. He has served three 
terms, and is now a member of the common 
council of Pittsburgh. He is identilied with 
the First German Lutheran Church of Pitts- 
burgh, and is a republican. In l^ifil Mr. 
Niemann married Martha, daughter of 
George and Elizabeth (Horning) Flowers, of 
Allegheny county. Pa., descendants of early 
German families. Adolphus Edward, eldest 
child of Mr. Niemann, is employed in the 
Manufacturers' Natural Gas company, and 
the other, Charles Franklin, is a jeweler. 

Martin Lappe, tanner, Allegheny, a son 
of John and Elizabeth Lappe, was born in 
Germany, Jan. 13, 1819, and came to America 
in 1840 with his parents, who located in 
Allegheny City, and afterward, in 1843. 
moved to where they now reside. Thev 
were blessed with a family of seven chil- 
dren: John C, Martin, Margaret (wife of 
Fred Gerwig), Elizabeth (wife of Charles 
Kiefer). Catherine (wife of Fred Bixler), 
Eleanor ( wife of Henry Gerwig) and 
Mary (wife of Adam Weise). The father 
died Sept. 18, 1858, aged seventy years ; 
the mother died April 21, 1859. aged 
seventy years; they were members of the 
U. P. Church. Martin Lappe was married, 
June 16, 1859, to Elizabeth, daughter of 
John P. and Elizabeth Hax, of Baltimore, 
and by this marriage there are five children; 
George J., Charles^'H.. Alfred A.. Norma B. 
and Edward W. Mr. Lappe learned the 
tanner's trade with his father, and in 18.52 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



535 



iDecarae a partner in the business. After the 
■decease of his father he took his brother-in- 
law, Adam Weise. into partnership with 
him, and he remained a member of the firm 
eleven years. Since then his sons, George 
J. and Charles H., have become members of 
the firm. Mr. Lappe is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Frederick Loots Gross, secretary of the 
German Insurance company of Pittsburgh, 
son of John V. and Wilhelmiua (Kurtz) 
Gross, was born in Korbach. principality of 
Waldeck, now belonging to Prussia, Aug. 37, 
1818. His grandfather and father were dj'ers. 
John V. . having retired after the death of his 
wife, came to the United States in 18.55, and 
died at an advanced age, in Somerset county. 
Pa., in 1880. F. L. Gross was highly edu- 
cated in a college, but, not inclining to study, 
in 1834 he entered a store, in order to acquire 
a commercial training. For several years he 
was employed in different cities in Germany 
as bookkeeper and traveling agent, and at 
Hamburg as clerk in a large factory owned 
bj H. C. Meyer, father-in-law of Carl 
Schurz, afterward a noted American poli- 
tician. In the summer of 1847 Mr. Gross 
came to Pittsburgh. Soon after he moved to 
Berlin, Pa., where he kept a store for over 
seven j'ears. Returning to Pittsburgh, he was 
emploj'ed for some time as a bookkeeper, 
and on the organization of the German Fire 
Insurance company, in 1862. he was elected 
secretary, a position he has since filled. He 
is a memlser of the G. E. L. Church, and has 
always been a democrat. In 1850 Mr. Gross 
married Matilda Werner, of German birth, 
and they have three children living: August 
J., Lena L., and Matilda, wife of William A. 
McClurg, of Pittsburgh; the eldest is in 
Iowa; the secondborn,EdwardL., is deceased. 

Samuel M. Kibk. Whenever we under- 
take to compress the life of an important 
person into a few pages, we have a difficult 
task before us. In the following short 
sketch we can do no more than bring out the 
prominent points of character of Mr. Kier. 
To tell the whole would rei|uire a volume; 
we essayed no more than to present the 
prominent traits of character; how far we 
have succeeded must be left to the decision 
of those who were bis immediate companions 
during his lifetime. 

Samuel M. Kier (deceased) was born in 
Indiana county. Pa. His father, Thomas Kier, 
of American birth, of Scotch-Iri.sh descent, 
"was one of the early salt-manufacturers on 
the Kiskiminetas river, and his son became 
associated with him in this industry. About 
1846 they were much annoyed by the flow of 
a mineral oil from their salt-wells, which 
accumulated on the surface of the boiling- 
vats. This was skimmed off and thrown in 
the canal. One day someone threw a 
lighted match on the "scum," when at once 
the surface of the canal for some distance 
appeared on fire. Attempts were then made to 
utilize the oil for fuel in evaporating salt 

67 



water. Mr. Kier believed that this oil pos- 
sessed medicinal properties, and after some 
experiments in purifying it, he placed it on 
the market as a curative agent under the 
name of Kier's Petroleum or Rock Oil. It 
was recommended by physicians, and had an 
extensive sale. Mr. Kier conceived the idea 
that it could be utilized in other wa3's, and 
experimented for a long time in refining. 
He was the first producer by distillation of 
the refined oil which is now so universally 
used. The original wrought-iron still for re- 
fining petroleum is preserved by his sons as 
a valuable relic. His first refinery was 
located at the corner of Seventh avenue and 
Grant street, in Pittsburgh, and the process 
used was substantially the same as in the 
present operation. Had Mr. Kier protected 
his invention by patents, he would have be- 
come immensely wealthy. This was not his 
disposition, for he was known to be generous 
to his own pecuniary detriment. It was not 
without great expense in analysis and exper- 
iments that he succeeded in introducing his 
"rock oil." He devoted much study and large 
outlays to the perfection of a refining proc- 
ess to fit the oil for a lubricant and an 
illuminant, in which he succeeded to an 
extent which has not been materiallj' im- 
proved on to this day. Mr. Kier was a man 
who was always willing to reach forth a 
helping hand to others. With his brother, 
James M. Kier, he explored the oil-fields of 
the upper Allegheny, and with other Pitts- 
burghers as partners made considerable 
money in oil-production. He was very liberal 
with his means in perfecting a lamp similar 
to those now in use for burning the refined 
petroleum, which he manufactured and sold 
under the name of carbon oil. Through his 
instrumentality large refineries were erected 
at Freedom, Beaver count}', and in Pitts- 
burgh. Always ready, as Mr. Kier was, to 
extend a helping hand to others, he assisted 
others to start a pottery-works in New Jersey, 
and afterward to establish a factory for the 
fine class of pottery or chinaware, on Fifth 
avenue where Forbes street now is. This 
estal)lishment proved unprofitable for the 
reason that the city of Pittsburgh rau a 
street through and deslroj'ed the plant. 

He was one of the originators of the now 
famous Crescent Steel-works, in which he re- 
mained a silent partner until his death. He 
became, in early life, a member of the M. E. 
Church. No man ever lived closer to the 
rules of that church, or had a warmer heart 
for its prosperity. His heart and his purse 
were alike open to whatever was demanded 
of him. 

Mr. Kier was a man of sterling integrity, 
which was clearly evinced by the payment 
of debts from which he was freed by the 
bankrupt laws which followed the fearful 
panic of 18-37. His honor in this rose supe- 
rior to the laws wliich were enacted as a relief 
for all those who were stripped of their all 
in the financial tornado of that year. We 
need not dwell on the liberality of the subject 



536 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



of this brief sketch. In brief, his heart, his 
hnn'i and all his possessions were freely given 
to churches, hospitals, or whatever tended 
toward the moral or physical development 
of the city of his adoption. Mr. Kior could 
have amassed great wealth, but his " inclin- 
ings did not this way tend." He regarded 
wealth as the means to further and develop the 
great resources of the country, and no man's 
foresight was more thoroughly deepened 
witli tlie reality of the future. ()u or about 
the year of 1838 he established the firm of 
Kier, Rover & Co., in a transportation line 
on the Pennsylvania canal. In 1847 the 
name of the firm was changed to Kier & 
.lones, the partner being B. F. Jones, who in 
1884 was the chairman of the republican 
national committee in that exciting canvass. 
The selection of Mr. Jones shows the keen 
foresight of Mr. Kier. as Mr. Jones was 
selected by James G. Blaine as his adviser 
and confidant. The failure to elect Mr. 
Blaine was in no way due to any dereliction 
on the part of Mr. Jones. The after events 
which resulted in the election of Cleveland 
are now well known to the country, and it is 
needless to comment upon them. 

In 1847 Samuel M. Kier, B. F. Jones and 
James Buclianan began the manufacture of 
firebrick at Bolivar. James Buchanan is the 
same man who was elected president of the 
United States in the canvass with John C. 
Fremont in 1856. About the year 1873, Mr. 
Kier established the same business, firebrick- 
making, at a place called Salina, to which 
his three sons succeeded. Mr. Kier was the 
sole owner of the coalworks at Ireland's and 
Logan's Ferry, and operated the works at 
Sandy creek, all of which were sold to the 
N. Y. & C. G. C. Co. 

He died in 1874, at the age of sixty-one 
years; his widow survived him ten years, and 
died at the age of sixty-five. They left 
three sons, Thomas C, William L.. Harry E., 
and a daughter, Mary B. Kier. Mrs. Nancy 
Kier was a daughter of Jacob Eicher, son of 
Peter Eicher. who came from the town of 
York, in York countj', and settled near 
Greensburg before the Revolution. Jacob 
Eicher's wife, Xancy, was a daughter of 
John Smith, a brother of James Smith, a 
signer of the Declaration of Independence. 
John Smith was in captivity among the 
Indians for five years, and was purchased 
from them by a humane Frenchman. 

William "Ward, real-estate dealer, Pitts- 
burgh, is a great-grandson of George Hard- 
ing, a native of Bristol. England, who once 
owned and operated a tannery on the site 
now occupied by Independence hall in Phil- 
adelphia. John Ward, father of the subject 
of this sketch, came from County Derry, 
Ireland, to Philadelphia in 1787, being then 
some eighteen years old. He married Eliza- 
beth, daughter of William Harding, and 
came to this count}" in 1809, where he en- 
gaged in farming on Bower hill and Robin- 
son's run, and retired on account of ill 
health, dying in Washington, U. C, in about 



1840. His widow returned to Pittsburgh, 
where she passed away at the home of her 
son in 187."). 

William Ward is the second of eight chil- 
dren, and was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 6, 
1807. He remained on the farm till 18.'S1. 
when he married Mary McCoy, a native of 
this county, and moved to Pittsburgh, where 
he took employment in a shipyard, and be- 
came a competent shipwright. He formed 
a partnership with John Speer, and the firm 
of Speer & Ward built or purchaseil many of 
the steamers that plied the Allegheny and 
Ohio; among them was the Newcastle, the 
first to successfully navigate the Allegheny 
river, which they launched in 1836. Then 
followed the Forrest, Pauline, Avilcne, Min- 
strel, Ohio Mail, Orphan Boy, Warren. Two 
Pollys, etc. Captain Ward retired from the 
river in 18.54, and has since given attention 
exclusively to his real-estate investments, 
which have been large and successful. Be- 
sides his large interests in lands and houses 
in Pittsburgh, he owns nearly 40.000 acres 
of land in Marquette county, Mich., on 
which is located very valuable gold mineral, 
and including the town of Clarksburg, with 
blast-furnace, mills, dwellings, etc. He also 
has large interests in the city of Mariiuette, 
and his estate of a million or more proves 
his foresight and ready business acumen. 

Capt. Ward served twelve }'ears in the 
city council, being eight years chairman of 
the street committee, and for a like period a 
member of the board of guardians of the 
poor; he was one of the delegates who or- 

fanized the republican party in Pittsburgh, 
n religious faith he is a firm Universalist. 
Of his ten children, five were taken by death 
within a year, all having reached adult age. 
Their names were John, Madison, William. 
Blanche and Sally (Mrs. Thomas Fulton). 
The living all reside in Pittsburgh save the 
son; the}' are Louise, George, Lenora (wife 
of Jasper Lawman), Mary E. (Mrs. Thomas 
D. Hodkinson). Matilda {wife of Capt. Isaac 
Whitaker). George resides at Centervale, 
Iowa, that town being located on his farm. 

John F. Beilsteij;, butcher. Allegheny, 
a son of Philip and Catherine (Walter) Beil- 
stein, was born in Germany in 1833. and 
came with his parents to America in 1838, 
settling in. Allegheny City, where they have 
resided ever since. Of six children born to 
the parents, only three are living; .lohn F.. 
Theodore and George. The father died in 
1870; the mother is still living, at the age of 
seventy-eight years. J. F. Beilstein. the 
subject of this sketch, was married, in 18.55. 
to Mary, daughter of Christian Beilstein, and 
by this union there were twelve children, 
seven now living: Sophia (wife of George 
J. Vogel), Charles. Emma (wife of N. A. 
Voeghtly), Edward, Frederick, Mamie and 
Bertha. Mr. Beilstein learned the butcher- 
ing business with his father, which occupa- 
tion he has always followed. In 1855 he 
commenced business for himself, and by close 
application, economy and industry has 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



537 



achieved success. He is a member of the 
Reserve Township Benefit association and 
the Butchers' Protective association of Alle- 
gheny county, of which he has been presi- 
dent since May, 1886; he is also a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, in which he has been 
advanced to the lodge of perfection, chapter 
and consistory. 

David Kennedy McGunnegle was born 
July 3, 1849, at McKee's Rocks, a grandson 
of the late Alexander McKee, and a son of 
•James McGunnegle. He was reared on a 
farm, educated in the public schools and at 
the Western University. He became an 
assistant clerk of the courts in Allegheny 
county in 1869, and was elected clerk of the 
courts, first in 1884, and again in 1887. 

Samuel McKown (deceased) was born in 
Allegheny county April 1. 1813, the eldest 
son of Samuel McKown. He was born and 
reared on a farm, the pursuits of which he has 
followed all his life. He was married in 
1853 to Esther Work, daughter of John Work, 
and by her has two sons; John W. and Sam- 
uel A. His second marriage occurred in 
1873 with Martha, daughter of Thomas and 
Elizabeth (Hanna) Alexander, and one child, 
Mary S., was born to this union. Mr. 
McKown died Dec. 27, 1888, of pneumonia 
and heart failure, after one week's illness. 
He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church 
of Bridgeville, and in politics was a democrat. 

JoHrrfBlcKowN, farmer, postofflce Bridge- 
ville, was born in Collier township in 1817. 
His ancestors originally came from Wales, 
his grandfather settling in this county and 
purchasing a large tract of land. Samuel, 
father of John, was the second son born to 
his parents, and married Margaret Alexander, 
who bore him nine children, six of whom 
are now living. Samuel died in 1870, aged 
eighty-four years; his wife died in 1851, 
aged sixty years. He was a miller by trade, 
and owned in connection with his farm a 
gristmill. John McKown was educated at 
the common schools. In 1871 he married 
Charlotte Victoria, daughter of George and 
Elizabeth Bryaut, and three children have 
blessed their union; William Goodwin, Anna 
Elizabeth and George Bryaut C. Mr. Mc- 
Kown purchased his farm, consisting of 180 
acres, in 1843, which now contains fifty-six 
acres. Politically he is a democrat. 

Byron Westley King, professor of elo- 
cution, Pittsburgh, was born in Westmore- 
land county, Pa., a son of David Jacob and 
Mary Ann "(Simpson) King. David King was 
son of John and Elizabeth (Hartzell) King, 
and John King was son of Moses and Sarah 
King. Mrs. Mary Ann King was daughter 
of William and Phcebe (Hutchison) Simpson. 

The subject of this memoir attended the 
common schools until thirteen years of age. 
when he entered Mt. Pleasant College, grad- 
uating from there iu 1877, and receiving the 
honors of the class. During the years prior 
to graduating he taught school for a number 
of terms. After graduating he was pro- 
fessor of mathematics at Jefferson College, 



Washington county, part of a year, and then 
taught elocution iu Washington College, and 
was professor of Greek and Latin one year at 
Mt. Pleasant Classical Institute. He then 
traveled for four years, teaching iu sixty 
different schools in the central states. He 
perfected his education in elocution under 
private teachers at Boston, New York and 
Philadelphia. In the spring of 1883 he started 
his present school of elocution iu connection 
with Curry University. During his early 
school days he stuttered so badly that he was 
obliged to write all his lessons, and a special 
course of study for his defective speech has 
developed into his wonderful success as an 
elocutionist and teacher. His school, there- 
fore, is a "special course" for the cure of 
stammering: and all defects of speech, as well 
as that of high dramatic culture, fencing and 
the higher grades of elocutionary work. 
From a small beginning his school has grown 
until he has more applications for admittance 
than he can accommodate. Prof. King mar- 
ried, Nov. 39, 1883, Miss Inez E., daughter 
of Chester A. and Olive Todd, of Chautauqua 
county, N. Y.. and they have one child, Olive 
May. Mrs. King is also highly educated in 
elocution and dramatic work; she is a mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church. 

Mr. King's brother, David Bennett King, 
now a prominent attorney of New York 
city, was sent to Ireland by the Philadelplua 
Pi-i'ss to write up the Irish question. He also 
wrote a book upon Ireland which was pub- 
lished by Scribner & Co. ; also a series of 
articles published by the same house, and he 
was for seventeen years a professor of Lafay- 
ette College. Prof. B. W. King's book on 
elocution, "Practice of Speech," published 
in 1888, has received many favorable com- 
ments from the press, and has met with a 
rapid sale. 

Joseph Thompson Johnston, secretary 
of the Cash Insurance company, Pittsburgh, 
was born in South Fayette township, this 
county, March 6, 1830. His grandparents, 
Joseph and Mary (Hill) Johnston, settled in 
Fayette in 1790, the site being selected on ac- 
count of a fine spring, and Joseph here car- 
ried on a distillery in connection with farm- 
ing. He died tliere in 1835; his widow in 
1840. They were of Irisli birth and Scotch 
extraction. Their son Adam, the second of 
eight children, was born in County Down, 
Ireland, in 1785, and grew up in Fayette. 
In December, 1818, he married Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Rachel Thompson. Dan- 
iel Thompson, who was a native of Scotland, 
served in Washington's army during the Rev- 
olution; settled in Washington county at an 
early day, on the farm where McDonald's 
Station now is, and died there in 1833; his 
wife was born in Chester county. Pa. Adam 
Johnston gave up farming, and kept a store 
at Noblestown several years; he died in Fay- 
ette in 18.83, his widow in 1874. She was the 
mother of sis children; Jossph T. , Daniel 
T. (in Allegheny), Rachel Ann (widow of 
John DeHaven. in Somerville, Pa.), John 



538 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Milton and Mary (deceased) aiui William G. 
(ill Alleaheny). 

The subject of this memoir was reared 
and educated in Piltsburgh, and when twelve 
years old entered a dry-i^oods store, contin- 
uing in that line of business twelve years. 
For many years he was clerk on vessels on 
the Ohio and Mississippi, and afterward 
commanded the Saranac. George Albree and 
others. For a time he engaged in man- 
ufacturing carriages with his brother; was 
elected secretary of the Cash Insurance com- 
pany in 186.5. and assumed charge of the of- 
fice in 1866. He is also agent for James 
O'Connor, of New York. Mr. Johnston is 
unmarried; he attends the M. E. Church, 
and is a republican. 

C.^PT. Hance M. Ddnl-^p. retired. Alle- 
gheny, is a son of Hance and Ellen J. (Mc- 
Clelland) Dunlap, and was born in Ireland 
March 3, 1817. He came with his parents to 
America in 1818. and they first located in 
Washington county, Pa., where they re- 
mained four j'ears; then moved to this county 
and settled in Allegheny City, where they 
resided until their decease; the father died 
in 1833, at the age of forty-four years; the 
mother in 1839, at the age of forty-nine 
years; they were members of the old Asso- 
ciate (now the U. P.) Church. Of their 
twelve children, H. M., the subject of this 
sketch, is the only one living. He was mar- 
ried, Dec. 5. 1839, to Sarah A., daughter of 
Richard and Martha Short, of Butler county. 
Pa., and by this union there were twelve 
children, of whom those living are; Thomas 
M., James M.. Ellen J. (wife of George W. 
Snaman), Annetta (wife of John A. Gilland), 
Sarah A.. Hance M., Jr., Kitty (wife of 
William C. Voight), and Harry G.: those 
deceased are Martha J., Mary A., William 
and Robert C. 

Mr. Dunlap's life has been spent chiefly 
in mercantile business and steamboating, and 
he was for some fifteen years a builder, 
owner and captain of steamboats. He has 
always been an earnest supporter of public 
schools; has served twenty-seven years on 
the Allegheny City school board, and five 
years as member of the common council. 
He is a member of the U. P. Church, and 
was one of its trustees for many years. 
Capt. Dunlap is now retired from active life, 
enjoying the comforts of his home in Alle- 
gheny, surrounded by his devoted family. 

Charles F. STrPEi>, tanner. Allegheny, 
was born in Wheeling. W. Va., in 1847, a son 
of J, Louis and Barbara Stifel. former of 
whom came from Germany in 1832, and 
located in Wheeling, where he was married 
in 1835 to Barbara Becht. To them were 
born eleven children, seven now living; 
Louis C, William F.. George E.. Albert F., 
Emelie M. (Mrs. F. Linke), Matilda M. (Mrs. 
L. F. Demmler) and Charles F. The mother 
died in 1874. aged sixty-five years, the father 
in 1881, aged seventy-four years; they were 
members of the Lutheran Church. Charles 
F. Stifel came to Allegheny countj' in 1871. 



He was married May 1, 1879, to Virginia S., 
daughter of Frederick and Caroline Hanny, 
of this count}', and to them have been born 
three children; Walter H.. Herbert L. and 
Clarence F. Mr. Stifel learned the tanning 
business in Virginia, and in 1873 establi.sheil 
the firm of Kiefer, Stifel & Co. (now Kiefer 
tt Stifel), tanners, in Allegheny City. This 
large establishment and their immense busi- 
ness bear marked evidence of the success 
and ability of the firm. Mr. Stifel is an 
elder in the Lutheran Church, and a teacher 
in the Sabbath-school. He is a director in 
the National Insurance company, of Alle- 
gheny; he is a republican. 

John Clark Jamison, real-estate dealer, 
of the firm of Jamison & Dickie. Pittsburgh, 
was born in Conemaugh township, Indiana 
count}'. Pa., Jan. 9, 1840. Samuel Shryock 
Jamison, his father, was born in Martinsburg 
(now West Virginia), in September, 1797. and 
was a son of John Jamison, who came from 
Ireland in 1771. His mother was a daughter 
of John Shryock, of German parentage. 
When si.x weeks old S. S. Jamison was car- 
ried on horseback across the mountains to 
Greensburg. He was reared in Conemaugh, 
and became a prominent citizen of Indiana 
county. In 18.53 he was elected to the state 
senate, and served with distinction. For six 
years he was brigade inspector of militia, 
with rank of major. He built a portion of 
the Pennsylvania canal, and was nine years 
supervisor of the western division. July 1, 
1833. he married Sarah Ann Bell, also a na- 
tive of Indiana county. Pa. John C their 
son, was educated at Sahsburg Academy, and 
graduated at Duff's Commercial College in 
1859. In the latter year he went to Des 
Moines, Iowa, where he engaged in teach- 
ing till the outbreak of the civil war. On 
the 4th of July, 1861, he joined the 4th Iowa 
Infantry, and served in southwestern Mis- 
souri under Fremont, Curtis and Siegel. For 
two years he was in the 15th corps, under 
Sherman, and took part in the battle of Pea 
Ridge, siege of Vicksburg and Sherman's 
march to the sea. His right arm was dis- 
abled by a gunshot, and he left the service at 
the expiration of his three years' enlistment. 
The following testimonial, signed by all the 
officers of the regiment and indorsed by 
Gen. Sherman, tells the story of his military 
service: 

Camp 4th Iowa Infamtrt, Black River Bridge, 
near Vicksburg, Aug. 6. 1763. To his excellency Samuel J. 
Kirkwood, (^Tovernor of Iowa: The undersigued. com- 
missioned officers of the 4th Iowa Infantry, bet; leave, 
respectfully, to recommend to the notice of your excel- 
lency, with a view to promotion, Private .lohn C. Jami- 
son, of Co. E, of said regiment. During a term of serv- 
ice dating with the organization of the regiment, over 
two years ago, he has upon all occasions proved himself 
a true and fnithful soldier. A business ability of the 
first order, by causing his employment in the various 
offices of the regiment.where thisquality was indispens. 
al)Ie. has operated to retard him in the ordinary line 
of promotion in his company. It has never prevented 
him, however, from shouldering his musket whenever 
the regiment has been called to meet the enemy. He 
has thus repeatedly proveil himself to possess the requi- 
sites of a good officer — ability, coolness, courage anden- 
ergy. The undersigned know of no instance in which, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



539 



by the force of cirnumstances, merit has been so sig- 
nally neglected. They earnestly hope that, if practicable, 
your excellency, by promoting >[r. Jamison to some po- 
sition in a new regiment, may make him a just amend. 

Since leaving the service Mr. Jamison has 
been nearly all the lime in the real-estate 
business in Pittsburgh. He spent a winter on 
the island of San Domingo, where he took 
an active part in resenting the insult to the 
American Hag at the consular office, Samana, 
which snbsequently received the attention of 
the government and was apologized for. He 
also helped verify the location of the remains 
of Christopher Columbus at San Domingo 
City instead of at Havana, Cuba, as history 
gives it. Mr. Jamison is president of the 
board of trustees of the Park Avenue Presby- 
terian Church, and an active member of the 
G. A. R. and U. V. C. He is the only repub- 
lican in his father's family. In 1867 he mar- 
ried Mary C. Houghton, of early New En- 
gland ancestry, who died in 1880, leaving live 
children. He afterward married Sarah Ida 
Allen, a native of Rochester, N. Y. Follow- 
ing are the names of Mr. Jamison's offspring, 
in order of age: Hattie C, Sallle B., Wilson 
B., Mary C, Edgar, Pauline and Olive Eliza- 
beth. 

Andrew Purdy Thompson, Pittsburgh, 
was born in Hopewell township, York county. 
Pa., May 22, 1810, and first came to Pitts- 
burgh in 1835. His grandfather, Archibald 
Thompson, a Scotch Covenanter, the ancestor 
of the Thompsons of York county, came 
from Scotland about the year 173.5, and took 
up what was then known as the " Black run 
tract," in Lancaster county, near the Mary- 
land line, now in Hopewell township, York 
county, which tract or farm, after the lapse of 
one hundred and fifty years, is still the home 
and in the possession of his grandson, Archi- 
bald Thompson, at this writing eighty-six 
years of age. 

Archibald Thompson (the first) married 
Margaret Wallace, the daughter of Alexan- 
der Wallace, another Scotch Covenanter, who 
came to this country about 1730, and in whose 
log house "Old Guinston Church," one of 
the first Seceder congregations in America, 
was organized. Alexander, their first son, 
served in the revolutionary war in Capt. 
Maffit's company. Joseph, their second sou, 
marrieil Mary Purdy, daughter of Archibald 
Purdy. another Covenanter, from the north 
of Ireland, and to this couple were born ten 
children, the youngest of whom is the subject 
of this sketch. 

Andrew P. Thompson spent his youth on 
his father's farm, with such slender oppor- 
tunities of schooling as country districts 
afforded in the beginning of the present cent- 
ury. Books were not abundant, but the 
Bible, the Psalms (Rouse's version), the 
Shorter Catechism gave ample e.xercise for 
memorizing, and Pilgrim's Progress, Gospel 
Sonnets. Marrow of Modern Divinity and one 
or two others of like character in poetry and 
fiction comprised the library of that day. 

Tlie minister was always ready to help 



any boy who cared for his book, and before 
long we find our subject teaching school in 
his own county, and afterward in Nevvville, 
Cumberland county, whence, after teaching 
and preparing himself, he came to Western 
Pennsylvania, and entered Jefferson College, 
Cannonsburg, teaching during his vaca- 
tions. After one or two years spent at col- 
lege he came to Allegheny City, where he 
became the principal of the Fourth ward 
public school, which was then in the base- 
ment of a Seceder (now the Second U. P.) 
church. Here he began studying for the 
ministry, but lack of means to regularly 
prosecute his studies, and the necessities of 
his little family — he having married in the 
meantime — compelled him to give over this 
cherished hope. In 1847 he was sent by the 
church as a luissionary to the island of Trin- 
idad, West Indies, where he and his wife 
were stationed nearly three years. On their 
return he became the agent of the Young 
Men's Bible society of Allegheny tounty, a 
position he has filled almost without inter- 
ruption ever since. 

Originally a whig in politics, then an 
abolitionist, he was present in Lafayette hall 
at the birth of the republican party, from 
whose principles he never swerved except 
upon the candidacy of Horace Greeley for 
president. An United Presbyterian in faith, 
a prohibitionist from conviction, he has spent 
the last fifty years of his life in this com- 
munity, respected by all men for his quiet, 
blameless integrity. In 1844 he married 
Elizabeth Donaldson, daughter of Andrew 
Donaldson and Jane McBurney, his wife, 
whose progenitors, Scotch and Scotch-Irish, 
first settled in Chester county, and coming 
west were among the early settlers of Wash- 
ington county. Pa. Jane McBurney's grand- 
father, John" the son of a justice of the 
peace in County Down, Ireland, came to this 
country when a young man, and, not finding 
employment quickly, enlisted in the British 
army and was present atBraddock's defeat, 
July 9, 17.5.5. 

Of the eight children of Andrew P. and 
Elizabeth (Donaldson) Thompson, seven 
grew to maturity: William Reed, Andrew D. 
(a physician, who died in Philadelphia), 
Joseph Alexander; James R., M. D.. practic- 
ing in Pittsburgh; Jennie E. and Ella N. 
are unmarried; Anna M. is the wife of Otto 
G. Schultz. of C. J. Schultz «& Sons, bridge- 
builders. Mrs. Thompson having died in 
1872. in 1879 Mr. Thompson married Miss 
Lydia W. McKee, of Allegheny City. 

William Reed Thompson was born in 
Allegheny City, was taken when a child to 
the island of Trinidad, attended the public 
schools of Pittsburgh until twelve years old, 
was employed for five years in the U. P. 
board of publication under Rev. Dr. 
Rodgers. During this time he enlisted in 
the Union army, but was taken out l)y his 
father. In 18«i he entered the 100-days 
service in Knap's Independent Battery, and 
on his return was employed by Hart, Caughey 



540 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



«fc Co., bankers, where he remained for four 
years, meanwhile pursuing his stuilies ami 
•reeilinj; after liours to Prof Lewis Bradley, 
fornii'rlj' in charge of the observatory. 
Failing to get to college, he entered the 
Meclianics' National Bank, where he served 
for fourteen 3'ears, beginning as bookkeeper 
and ending as president. Having bought the 
interest of .John B. -Jones, Esq., in the bank- 
ingliouse of Semple & Jones, which then 
took the name of Semple & Thompson, he 
resigned his position in the Mechanics' Na- 
tional Bank, devoting his attention to his 
own business. He is still a director in the 
Mechanics' National Banlj, the treasurer of 
some of tlie most prominent charities of this 
city, a member of the Third Presbyterian 
Church, and a republican in politics. Mr. 
Thompson was married to Mary, daughter 
of William Thaw, a prominent and charitable 
citizen of Pittsburgh, and they have two 
children. 

Rev. Morgan M. Sheedy, pastor of St. 
Mary of Mercy's Church. Pittsburgh, son of 
Michael and Mary (Madden) Sheedj', was 
born in Charleville, County Cork, Ireland, 
Oct. 8, 18.53. being (me of six brothers, three 
of whom are medical men. He attended the 
schools of his native town, and, after taking 
a three years' course of classical study, he 
entered St. Coleman's College, Fermoy, 
where he remained for three j'ears, the then 
president of the college being the present 
Bishop Fitzgerald, of Ross, Ireland. From 
there he successfully passed a competitive ex- 
amination entitling him to a free burse in 
Maynooth College. Dublin, entering at the 
beginningof the academical year of 1869-70, 
as senior freshman of the logic cla^s. Here he 
read natural and moral philosophy for two 
years, and took a three years' course in divin- 
it}' under learned teachers, his professors in 
tlieology being Drs. Murray and CroUy, 
the present Archbishop Walsh of Dublin, 
and Rev. Dr. Carr, now archbishop of Mel- 
bourne. Australia. Our subject graduated in 
1876, and being too young for ordination ac- 
cepted an appointment by the bishop of 
Pittsburgh to a professorship in St. Michael's 
Seminary, Pittsburgh. Arriving in that city, 
he was ordained in St. Paul's Cathedral 
Sept. 23, 1876. He taught theology and history 
until the seminary was closed, the following 
j'ear. Father Sheedy was then one year pas 
tor pro tern, of St. Agnes' Church, Soho, 
Pittsburgh, and the following year was lo- 
cated at Parker City, Armstrong count}'. Pa. , 
and the next two and one-half years at 
Altoona, Pa. March 4, 1881, he took charge 
of two missions, Cannelton and Clinton, 
Beaver count}-. Pa , where he remained for 
four and one-half years. Oct. 1.5, 188,5. he 
succeeded Rev. A. A. Lambing, LL. D., 
as pastor of St. Mary of Mercy's Church, 
Pittsburgh, his present charge. 

While in Beaver county, and for some 
time thereafter. Father Sheedy was editor of 
the Pittsburgh Uat/wlic, and at present is a 
contributor to the CuthoUc World. Donahoe's 



Mi-iyazine and other publications. He is the 
first vice-president of the Catholic Total 
Abstinence Union of America, and helped to 
organize and has since been one of the di- 
rectors of the Columbus Club, of Pittsburgh, 
a society devoted to social and literary exer- 
cises. 

CiiAULEs Frederick Dkan, cashier 
Union National Bank, Pittsburgh, comes of 
Scotch-Irish lineage, and was born in Pitts- 
burgh, Pa.. Oct. 8, 1849. His grandfather. 
John Dean, born in Huntingdon county. Pa., 
in 1773, went from Cumberland county to 
Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1801. His 
grandmother was Elizabeth, sister of Judge 
William Dock, of Harrisburg, and was a 
member of one of the earliest families of 
Cumberland county, John Dean built one 
of the first houses at Martin s Ferry, Ohio, 
where he died in 183,5. His son, Alexander, 
was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana 
county, Ohio, in 1821, and came to Pitts- 
burgh in 1838. He was a prominent steam- 
boat owner and captain, but was obliged to 
retire from active life by a paralytic stroke in 
1856; he died in 1886. He married Elizabeth 
Emily, daughter of William and Jerusha C. 
(nee McKinney) Johnston. Mrs. Elizabeth 
Dean's maternal grandfather, Roderick Mc- 
Kinney, a Scotchman, built one of the first 
half-dozen houses in Pittsburgh. Cliarles F. 
Dean was educated in the public schools and 
a private academy. On June 18, 1867, he 
entered the Union National Bank as discount 
clerk, and by gradual promotion became 
cashier Feb. 15, 1888. He is an elder in the 
Third U. P. Church of Pittsburgh, and is a 
republican with prohibition sympathies. 

Frederick Rudolph JoAcni.M Lorenz 
(deceased) was born June 10. 1794, in Disell- 
bruch Frerstenthum. Lippe Detmold, Ger- 
many; he came to this country about the 
year 1809 a poor boy, and first engaged work 
in a sugar-house in New York city, but soon 
after came to Pittsburgh, and learned glass- 
blowing, August 16, 1831. he was married to 
Catharine Ilimsen. of Birmingham, this 
county, who was born in Frederick county, 
Md., Nov. 25. 1803, and to this union there 
were born five sons and nine daughters, three 
of thelatterof whom died in chifdhood. The 
sons were William C, Frederick R., Moses 
A., Charles II. and Michael A. (all deceased). 
All of them were business-men in Pittsburgh 
and vicinity. William C. married, Dec. 25, 
1845, Mary E. Smith (now Mrs. William M. 
Grace). The daughters were Phebe (wife of 
Pascal P. Pratt, of Buffalo, N. Y.), Mary 
(wife of E. P. Reals, Buffalo, N. Y.). Annie 
(wife of B. F. Fox. Springfield, 111.), Frances 
B. (wife of W. H. Gregg, Philadelphia, Pa), 
Louisa (deceased), Sidney (deceased), and 
three others who died in childhood. F. R. 
Lorenz, the father, died Oct. 25, 1854, and 
his widow May 19, 1868. Mr. Lorenz, as 
early as 1818, bought the O'Hara Glass-works, 
and some time after purchased the Edward 
Encil Glass-works, at present owned by Mr. 
Cullev; about 1836 he built the rolling mill 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



541 



now owned by J. Painter & Sons, and estab- 
lished the firm of Lorenz & Cuddy, after- 
ward Lorenz, Sterling & Co., and still later 
Lorenz, Zug, Linsey & Co. At the time of 
his decease he was building the rolling-mill 
at Girty's run. He was prominent among 
the projectors of the Pennsylvania & Ohio 
railway; was for many j'ears an elder in 
the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. 
It is said of him that his characteristics were 
well expressed by the words integritj' and 
energy. His educational advantages in early 
life were excellent. Coming to America 
when the people of this country were just 
beginning to make some progress in manu- 
facturing, and thus free themselves from the 
necessity of buying foreign wares, he bent 
all his energies in that direction, and soon 
became an acknowledged leader among the 
manufacturers of his daj'. Having early in 
life acquired a thirst for knowledge, he never 
relaxed his efforts for its acquisition, and in 
his latter years he was distinguished for his 
literary ability and fine conversational 
powers. 

George A. Cochrane, son of John and 
Mary (Alexander) Cochrane, was born in 
Franklin township, Allegheny county. Pa., 
Oct. 10, 1837. His father came from County 
Armagh, Ireland, in 1830, and settled near 
East Liberty, this county; his motlier came 
from County Antrim, Ireland. They were 
married at East Liberty in 1825, and had ten 
children: Thomas (deceased in infancy), 
William A. (residing in Freedom, Pa.), John 
(living in Indiana county. Pa.), Eliza (wife 
of Robert Kennedy, in Pine township), 
Agnes (wife of Isaac Blackadore, in this 
county), Ellen (widow of Thomas Reynolds), 
George A., Mary Ann (deceased wife of 
John Belford, of Butler co\mty. Pa.), Fannie 
(wife of Henry Brant, in this county), and 
James H. The parents died — the mother 
Aug. 3, 1873, aged seventy years, the father 
Aug. 26, 1876, aged seventy-six years. 
George A. Cochrane was married Dec. 7, 
1860, to Kate, daughter of James and Nancy 
Harkins, of Beaver county, Pa., and thej' 
have twelve children: Thomas G., James H., 
George A., John (deceased), William P., 
Louis H., Charles A. (deceased), Francis C. 
(deceased), Robert K., Mary A., Kate M. 
and an infant unnamed. Mr. Cochrane has 
been engaged in contracting and building in 
this county for over thirty years, and is re- 
garded as an honorable and successful busi- 
ness-man. He is a member of the U. P. 
Church. 

Albert Ellis Frost, professor in the 
Western University of Pennsylvania, was 
born in St. Johnsbury, Vt., Aug. 9, 1851, 
eldest in the family of five children of Selim 
and Emily S. ( Ellis) Frost, natives of Canada, 
whither their parents had immigrated from 
New Hampshire. The father of Albert E. 
is deceased; the mother now dwells in St. 
Johnsbury. The subject of this biographical 
memoir was fitted for college at the academy 
in his native village, and was graduated 



from Dartmouth College with the degree of 
A. B. in 1872, coming to Pittsburgh within 
a few days after commencement. For three 
years he was emploj'ed at the Allegheny 
observatory, and in 1875 was elected pro- 
fessor of physics in the Pittsburgh high- 
school. He filled the latter position ten 
years, at the end of which time he took the 
same chair in the Western University of 
Pennsylvania, which he now fills. Prof. 
Frost is a charter member of the Society of 
Engineers of Western Pennsylvania, and has 
been treasurer during six of the seven years of 
its existence. He is a member of Calvary P, E. 
Church, of the East End, and in politics he is 
independent. In July, 1883, he married 
Addie, daughter of Albert L. and Mary 
Dalbej', and they have one son. Ellis Mills. 
William Piper De Armit, president New 
York & Cleveland Gas Coal company, Pitts- 
burgh, was born in Hollidaysburg, Pa., Aug. 
24, 1850. His grandfather, John De Armit, 
was of Pennsylvania birth, descended from 
the French Huguenots. He was killed by 
the explosion of a boiler in Wallace's marble- 
yards, after having dwelt in Pittsburgh but 
"a year or two. Alexander, son of John De 
Armit, met his death while serving in the 
16th P. C. (see sketch of T. B. DeArmit), 
having enlisted in Philadelphia. John Piper, 
father of Mrs. Alexander De Armit, and of 
Scotch-Irish descent, born in Shippens- 
burg. Pa., lived in Hollidaysburg, and was 
an extensive contractor for the transporta- 
tion of mails, etc., in Western Pennsylvania. 
He died in 1870. One of his ancestors was 
wounded at the battle of Long Island, in the 
revolutionary war. William Piper, son of 
Alexander De Armit, was reared in Holli- 
daysburg, and educated in the schools of 
that borough. When thirteen years old he 
entered the counting-room of the Blair Iron 
and Coal company, where he remained three 
years. He served the Pennsylvania railroad 
three years as assistant agent at Cresson. and 
for thi-ee years had charge of the " over 
charge" department of the Union line in 
Pittsburgh. For the past seventeen years 
he has been associated with the New York 
& Cleveland Gas Coal company, beginning as 
bookkeeper, was thirteen years treasurer, and 
in 1887 became president. He is also a 
member of the Sterling Steel company (lim- 
ited), and has stock in other institutions. He 
is married to Margaretta, daughter of Ed- 
ward C. Dixon, of an old Virginia family. 

JOHN Peter Schneider, president of the 
Birmingham Fire Insurance company, Pitts- 
burgh, is the second of the eight children of 
John Adam and Elizabeth (Ziegler) Schnei- 
der, and was born at Neuengrauen. now in 
Prussia, Feb. 22, 1830. His grandfather, 
John George Schneider, and father were 
millwrights and millers, trades also followed 
by his eldest brother, Andrew. The only 
members of the familj'to come to the United 
States are John Peter and one brother, John 
Nicholas, a farmer residing near Yorkville, 
111. The subject of this memoir began to 



542 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



learu cabinet-making in his uative land ami 
when seventeen years old came to Pitts- 
burgh, wliere lie finished the trade For 
thirty years lie was employed in a glass-fac- 
tory as boxmaker and packer. In 1864 he 
.joined the 5th P. H. A., and served nearly a 
year in the defenses about Washington He 
was one of the original stockholders of the 
Birmingham Insurance company has been 
a director five years, and is now serving his 
third term as president. He is a member of 

n oV^H ^V ^-i^- ^- ^- O- U- W. and 
1. U U. ii. He has always been a republican, 
his first vote being cast for Gen. Fremont 
and for two years he served in the borough 
council of Birmingham. He is a member of 
"^^5 First G. E. Church of Pittsburgh. In 
lbo4 Mr. Schneider married Dorothea, daugh- 
ter of George and Fredericka Maul, all natives 
ot the same locality as himself, and tlieir 
chi dren are named, in order of birth, Eliza- 
beth Frederick, Mary (Mrs. Henry Liesfeld) 
i-redericka and Louis P., all livine in Pitts- 
burgh. 

John Caldwell (deceased) was born at 
.\ewtonlimavady, County Londonderry Ire- 
land in t,he spring of 1790, son of James and 
barah (\\ ilson) Caldwell, who were of Scotch 
ancestry. In 1804, his wife being deceased, 
James Caldwell came with his only child 
(the subject of this memoir) to Pittsburgh 
where he engaged in the tanning business'; 
he died within a year or two after, and the 
son was sent to Philadelphia, where he was 
apprenticed to a tanner and currier Re- 
turning to Pitjtsburgl, , he resumed his father's 
business, which he carried on till he retired 
his last tannery being at the upper end of 
Al egheny; he also dealt in lumber. Mr 
Caldwell was a stockholder in the first Alle- 
gheny bridge, and a director of the Monon- 
gahela Bridge company; he was also one of 
the first trustees of the Pittsburgh Gas com- 
pany, and for many years was a director in 
the Bank of Pittsburgh. In 181,5 he was one 
ot the five selectmen of the borough of Pitts- 
burgh; was a member of the council after a 
city charter was secured, and was a director 
ot the public schools of the First ward where 
hehved. He was a stanch supporter' of the 
Presbyterian Church, in politics a thorough 
whig, afterward a republican. 
n-.i° ^^l~ i"^ married Letitia, daughter of 
\\ Ulmm Anderson, who came from near Bel- 
fast, Ireland, and of their thirteen children 
ten reached adult age. Mary. Agnes, Kate 
James and Nelly G. are deceased; Sarali 
Ann, William John, Letitia (widow of James 
Holmes) and Charles L. are living. Of these 
William was born in Pittsburgh in 18'M 
Having finished his education at the Western 
University, at the .age of eighteen years he 
entered a wholesale grocery as clerk, where 
he remained eight years; then formed a part- I 
nership with Mr. Massey under the firm name 
Massey & Caldwell, ship-chandlers. Mr 
Massey retiring from same after seven years,' 
Mr. Caldwell continued in the business for 
ten years more. He then became president I 



?«<■- ,\'""0".'<?l.iela Insurance company in 
18(.,, whicli position he still retains. He is a 
director of the Bank of Pittsburgh, and has 
served as member of Pitisburgb common 
council. He is now a resident of AIh.M'lienv 
and attends the First Presbyterian Church 

1II0.MAS Jefferson Stevenson, book- 
keeper, Pittsburgh (see sketch of A B 
Stevenson), was born in Mifllin township' 
this county, in 1820. He attended the publ c 
schools in Pittsburgh, and when ten years 
old commenced work at grinding bark in a 
anj-ard. In 1845 he began to learn carriage 
blacksmithing, but through lack of physic'al 
strength had to abandon the trade about a 
year after becoming a journeyman. In 1850 
he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania 
Salt-Manufacturing company, at Natrona, as 
bookkeeper, a position he filled sixteen years 
Removing to Pittsburgh, he took a similar 
position with A. M. Byers & Co., iron-manu- 
I facturers, which he still holds, having an in- 
I terest in the profits. He is the principal 
shareholder in the glass business of Ripley & 
I Co. and IS also interested in a feed-cutter 
I factory at Canton, Ohio. In 18.54 Mr 
Stevenson married Sarah Mary McKee, a 
I native of Blairsville, Pa., of Scotch-Irish an- 
i cestry, and their children are Thomas F a 
1 partner in the firm of Ripley .t Co., of Pi't'ts- 
burgh; Mary Elizabeth (at home), Adaline 
I (wife of n . F Murdock, residing at Canton, 
Ohio), and William A. (at home). Mr 
Steven.son is a republican. 
I Simeon Bissell. an Englishman by birth 
who came to this country in 1869, holds a 
most enviable position among the successful 
anrt leading musicians of the country He 
comes of a musical family, several members 
ot which are composers, and received his ed- 
ucation in his chosen art in Norwich En- 
gland, a city widely famed for its culture of 
the "art divine" and its musical festivals. Mr 
Bissell has filled some of the most important 
positions as organist in Pittsburgh, and as 
teacher of the several branches of music his 
success has been evidenced by the large num- 
ber ot concert performers (both vocal and in- 
strumental) who claim him as their instructor 
He was for several years Director of the Con- 
seryatory of Music in connection with the 
Pittsburgh Female College, and succeeded in 
giving It the prominence it so long enjoyed- 
and in 1884 the educational management of 
the Curry Lniversity were fortunate in secur- 
ing his services to organize and direct a con- 
servatory of music which has now become 
widely known throughout all the central 
states Of Mr. Bissell's compositions several 
have become deservedly popular, and mani- 
test to a high degree not only his education 
but also superior melodic inspiration. Mr 
Bissell was married in August. 1873, to Miss 
AdaL. McCabe, only daughter of Dr. J.ihu W 
Mct^be and granddaughter of William Mer- 
cer. Lsq., oneof the most prominent residents 
ot W ashington couuty. They have two chil- 
dren. Frank Harper and Bessie Mercer. 
Apart from his professional work Mr 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



54a 



Bissell has given much time and study to 
scientific subjects, especially to metallurgy, 
iu which direction some of his discoveries 
liave aroused a great deal of interest and 
speculation among metallurgists, who still 
hope for a successful issue to his labors. 

Joseph Abel, glass-manufacturer, Pitts- 
burgh, was born in Geisa. Sa.xe-Weimar, 
Germany, Jan. 9, 1831, and is a son of Igna- 
tius and Josepha (Fleck) Abel. His education 
was completed at the College of Fulda, where 
he attended from 1844 to 1849. During the 
latter year he came to Pittsburgh, where he 
found employment in the drugstore of L. 
Wilcox, Jr. In 1854 Mr. Abel became the 
owner of the business. This he sold four 
years later, and established the drug busi- 
ness still carried on at the corner of Grant 
street and Fifth avenue, which he kept till 
1880. He wasoneof the foundersof the glass- 
house of Kno.x, Kim & Co., iu 1867, and ten 
years later took an active part in its manage- 
ment. In 1880 the firm became Abel. Kim & 
Co., with Mr. Abel as manager, and ^ince 
1884 has been Abel, Smith & Co. Mr. Abel 
was one of the incorporators of the Germania 
Savings Bank, of which he is vice-president, 
and of the Allemania Insurance company, of 
which he is president. He was one of the 
oi'ganizers of the German and Third National 
Banks, and was many years president of tlie 
German Library association. He was also one 
of the organizers of the College of Pharmacy. 

In religious opinions Mr. Abel is liberal 
and tolerant. He espoused the cause of Gen. 
Fremont in his presidential campaign, and 
has ever been an earnest republican. During 
the war of the rebellion Mr. Abel was active 
in inducing Gen. Schimmelpfennig, a com- 
petent German military officer, to espouse 
the Union cause, and in interesting other in- 
fluential German citizens. He aided in raising 
the 74th P. V., and in every way manifested 
allegiance to the country of his adoption. In 
1870 Mr. Abel married Louisa, daughter of 
Frederic and Caroline Marchand, of Hugue- 
not extraction. Mrs. Abel was born at Frank- 
fort, Germany, and educated at Dieppe, 
France. She is the mother of two children: 
Hilda, aged seventeen, and William Fleming, 
aged sixteen. Mr. Abel's grandfather, Philip, 
operated a flour-, oil- and saw-mill, to which 
his son, Ignatius, succeeded; and John Adam, 
father of Josepha Fleck, kept a hotel at Geisa. 

J.\MES Morton, retired, Allegheny, son of 
Andrew and Mary Morton, was born in 
Washington county. Pa., in 1833, and came 
with hisparents to Pittsburgh in 1835. Here 
they resided until 1854, engaged in the lum- 
ber business from 1844. The parents had 
seven children, two only of whom survive, 
James and Nancy (widow of .John Eaton). 
Andrew Morton died July 35, 1863, at his 
residence. Arch street, Allegheny, at the age 
of seventy-two years; his widow died July 
10. 1887, at the age of eighty-eight years. 
They were of Scotch-Irish Presby terianstock, 
and came from the north of Ireland. .James 
Morton, the subject of this sketch, never 



married. He was for many years engaged 
with his father in the lumber business, and 
soon after the latter's decease, his stock of 
lumber being burned in Pittsburgh, he dis- 
continued the business, and has since lived 
a retired life at the family residence on Arch 
street, Allegheny, his only occupation being 
the care of the property of the estate. 

Lawrence P. Hitchcock, retired, Alle- 
gheny, son of Dr. Aaron and Miletee (Mann) 
Hitchcock, was born April 8, 1811, in Bur- 
lington, Conn., and was among one of the 
old pioneer families of that state. Lawrence 
P. was twice married; first to Elizabeth 
Johnson, of Washington county. Pa., by 
which union there were two children: Ella, 
deceased, and Catherine, wife of J. D. Han- 
cock, of Franklin, Pa. Mrs. Hitchcock died 
May 17, 1848, and in 1853 he married Sarah, 
daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Liggett, 
one of the pioneer families of Allegheny 
county, mentioned elsewhere in this work. 
Mr. Hitchcock was for many years a member 
of the firm of Hitchcock & MoCreery, grain- 
dealers of Pittstmrgh. He was a very success- 
ful business-man, and is highly esteemed by 
all that know him. In consequence of fail- 
ing health he retired from business some 
years since. 

John P. Walker, grocer, Pittsburgh, is a 
native of Alsace, Germany, born at Three 
Fountains, Sept. 38. 1837. His father, Francis 
Walker, a son of Matthias Walker, a farmer, 
and for several years mayor of his native town, 
married Mary R., a daughter of Anthony 
Girard, a farmer. In 1843 Francis Walker im- 
migrated with his family to America. For six- 
teen years he followed agricultural pursuits 
in Erie county, N. Y., and in 1860 came to 
Pittsburgh, where he died in 1873, at the age of 
seventy-seven; his widow died in 1886, at the 
age of eighty-three. Of their eiglit children 
all are living except the eldest son. John P. 
being the fifth. In 1854 he went to leiirn the 
art of glass-blowing, and finished his appren- 
ticeship at Pittsbur.gh, where he arrived in 
18.59, after spending two years at Wheeling, 
W. Va. In 1866 he became a meml)er of the 
glassmaking firm oil Stewart, Estep & Co., 
selling out seven years later. In 1874 he 
established a grocery business on the site he 
now occupies, where he built a fine brick 
building in 1885. He was one of the in- 
corporators of the German Savings and 
Deposit Bank, and has been two years a 
director. He was one of the founders of St. 
Peter's R. C. Church, in which he was eight 
years a trustee; he has always been a demo- 
crat. Mr. Walker married, Nov. 11, 1863, 
Pauline, daughter of Peter and Mary R. (Bel- 
lotte) Schlernitzauer, all natives of Tliree 
Fountains, Alsace, and following are the 
names of their children: Frank, Victoria, 
John, Mary, Albert, Theodore and Leo. 

Charles F. McKenna, attorney at law, 
was born in the Fourth ward, city of Pitts- 
burgh, Oct. 1, 1845. His grandparents emi- 
grated from County Tyrone, Ireland, early in 
the century and settled in Pittsburgh. In 



544 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



the year of his birth his father, James Mc- 
Kenna, died, leaviug to survive him his wife 
and si.\ cliildren. Mr. McKeniia, on quitting 
the public sehools of the Fourth ward, 
where he received liis education, was appren- 
ticed to learn the lithographic trade. In his 
sixteenth year he left tliis employment and 
enlisted as a private soldier in Co. K, l.').5th 
P. V. v., and served continuously in the 
field with the 5th corps. Army of the Potomac, 
for three years, until the end of the civil war. 
Among the prominent Pittsburghers who 
served in the same command were Col. E. 
Jay Allen, Gen. A. L. Pearson, Maj. E. A. 
Montooth, John H. Kerr, Esq., Maj. Samuel 
Kilgore and John F. Hunter. 

On returning from the army Mr. McKenna 
read law in the city of Pittsburgh, and in 
1869 was duly admitted lo practice at the 
Allegheny county bar. He has applied him- 
self ever since very closely to his chosen 
profession, and has built up a large general 
practice, having been connected with many 
very important and celebrated cases. He is 
a brother of Hon. B, McKenna, for some 
years past judge of the Second (police) dis- 
trict of the city of Pittsburgh. In 1873 Mr. 
McKenna was married to Miss Virginia 
White, daughter of the late Dr. N W 
White, of Allegheny City. 

Milton L. Myers, of the firm of Hostet- 
terifc Co., Pittsburgh, was born in Massillon 
Ohio, May 30, 1842, son of Isaac and Mar- 
garet (Banks) Myers, former a native of 
Lancaster county. Pa., latter of Lancashire, 
England, a daughter of John and Annie 
Banks. Isaac Myers died in 1876, Ids widow 
two years later. They were the parents of 
one son and four daughters: Elizabeth, Anna, 
Maria, all married and living in Ohio; Mil- 
ton L., and Maggie, who died in infancy. 

Milton L. Myers was educated at Massil- 
lon and Mount Union, Ohio. When eight- 
een years old he enlisted in the 18th O. V. I., 
but illness compelled him to return home. 
In 1862 he re-enlisted, this time in the 155th 
P. V. I., and remained in the service till 
close of the war, being promoted to sergeant 
and afterward transferred lo the artillery 
service as quartermaster-sergeant of the 
brigade. He participated in all the battles 
of his regiment until the close of the war, 
and then returned home. Soon thereafter 
he accepted a position in Wood's Iron and 
Rolling-mill at McKeesport; then for a time 
traveled for a wholesale tobacco-house. In 
1866 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Virginia, daughter of Capt. John and Mary 
(Carson) McLaughlin, being two of the 
oldest and most respected families in Alle- 
gheny county, and born in Sewickley, this 
county. To them were born three daughters: 
Minnie H., Ohve V. and E. Louise. After 
marriage Mr. Myers became cashier of the 
local freight department of the Pennsylvania 
railroad at Pittsburgh. In 1872 he accepted 
the position of cashier for Hostetter & Smith, 
and on the death of latter became partner 
of Mr. Hostetter, firm name becoming Ho- 



.stetter & Co. He is the surviving member of 
the firm, and still conducts the business. Mr 
Myers is vice-president of the Monongahela 
Bridge company, director of the Pittsburgh 
Gas company and the Consolidated Gas com- 
pany. He is a Knight Templar. 

Va.pt. John W. Hague was born in 
Iittsburgh, Pa., in 1820, a son of Stephen 
and Maria J. Hague. The father came from 
Lngland in 1818, was married in 1819, and 
settled in Pittsburgh, where he resided 'until 
1833, when he removed to Allegheny, and lo- 
cated where his son, Capt. John W., now 
resides. Of the six children born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Hague only two are living: Capt. J W 
and Anna (widow of D. W. Boss). Mr 
Hague was a hatter by trade, which business 
he followed until in 1846, when he retired. 
He and wife were members of the M. E. 
Church; the former died in 1878, aged eighty- 
four years, the latter in 1869. aged seventy- 
three years. 

Capt. John W. has been twice married 
first in 1845 to Eliza Miller, by which union 
there were six children: John W. (an attor- 
ney in Pittsburgh), Stephen (a farmer in Co- 
lumbiana county, Ohio), Joseph P. (a carpen- 
ter), Annie (wife of James A. Malona, in 
Lawrence county. Pa.), Emma (wife of Dr 
R. B. Faulkner, of Allegheny), Dollie (wife 
of Daniel F. Mulvey, of Allegheny, a mem- 
ber of select council). This wife dying in 
1879, Capt. Hague's second marriage occurred 
in 1881, with Callie, daughter of Charles and 
Charlotte Faulkner. J. W. Hague was en- 
gaged with his father in the hatting business, 
until in 1846, when he was commissioned 
lieutenant, and went to the Mexican war 
After his return, in 1859 he settled on a farm 
in Lawrence county, Pa., where he remained 
until in about 1877, when he came back to 
the old homestead in Allegheny and retired 
from business. 

Dr. Richahd B. Faolkner, son of Charles 
and Charlotte Faulkner, was born in Alle- 
gheny City, June 6, 1853. His father was 
born in that city March 15, 1810, in a log 
house on the corner of Ohio and Federal 
streets, and was at the time of his death the 
oldest living white citizen born in Allegheny. 
The doctor's mother's maiden name was 
DePuy. Her ancestors were Huguenots, who, 
when they came from France, settled upon 
the banks of the Hudson river. Dr. Faulk- 
ner received a liberal education, and in 1875 
graduated at the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, Medical Department of Columbia 
College, New York city, and located in Alle- 
gheny, where he has succeeded in establish- 
ing an enviable reputation in the treatment 
of lung and throat diseases. He was married 
m April, 1884, to Emma, daughter of Capt. 
John W. Hague, an old resident of this city. 
The doctor is held in very high esteem as' a 
gentleman and physician. 

Homer J. McBride, druggist, Alle- 
gheny, a son of James and Elizabeth (Hob- 
son) McBride, was liorn in Connellsville, Pa 
March 24, 1863. His father was a prominent 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



545 



citizen of Connellsville, and sheriff of Fay- 
ette county, Pa.; he died in 1863. In 1872 
the family moved to Allegheny county, and 
Mrs. MclBride subsequently married J. B. 
Ingham, of Allegheny City. The subject of 
this sketch received a liberal education, and 
is a graduate of Pittsburgh College of Phar- 
macy. He and his brotlier, J. S., who is also 
a graduate of Pittsburgh College of Phar- 
macy, engaged in the drug business in Alle- 
gheny in 1879, and now have four drugstores, 
two in that city and two in Brooklyn, N. Y. 
The eastern stores are operated by J. S., and 
the Allegheny stores by Homer J. 

Augustus Hoevelsr (deceased), son of 
William and Clara (Hoy a) Hoeveler, was 
born at Ankum, Germany, in 1820. He was 
the youngest of six children, and came with 
tlie famil}' to Pittsburgh when seventeen 
years old. The eldest, William, and the 
second daughter, Louisa, had been a few 
years here. Clemence, the second son, was 
founder and president of the German Insur- 
ance company. Herman, the fifth child, died 
in Kansas. Clara, the second, was the wife 
of William Hune, and Louisa is the widow 
of Joseph Hermann, president of the Work- 
men's Savings Bank, Allegheny. Augustus 
engaged in the grocery trade with his 
brothers, and they established several branch 
stores in the country. After the death of 
William the others separated, and Augustus 
established himself in the same line on the 
corner of Fourteenth street and Penn 
avenue. In 1848 he built a general store on 
Penn avenue, between Twelfth and Thir- 
teenth streets. About 1850 he began the 
manufacture of glue, soap and candles, etc., 
in what is now the Twentieth ward, and 
sold out his grocery-store. About this time 
he married Elizabeth, second child of Will- 
iam O'Leary, a well-known glass-manufact- 
urer, and took up his abode on Black Horse 
hill. East End. now called Ingleside. In 
company with the present proprietors and 
John Miller, he established the Iron City 
brewery, and took an interest in numerous 
manufactories. He was one of tlie incorpo- 
rators of the German National Bank, and 
continued as its president till his death, in 
1868. 

Mr. Hoeveler was a pioneer in laying out 
suburban property, and made it profitable in 
various quarters of the city. He was a con- 
siderable dealer, and never sold anyone out 
to satisfy claims. He donated the proceeds 
of a number of lots to St. Augustine Church, 
which secured to that parish its place of 
worship. He adhered to the R. C. Church, 
but could tolerate no bigotry. St. Joseph's 
Orphan Asylum and other charities received 
liberal aid from him. He was a democrat, 
and served man}- years in the borough coun- 
cil of Lawrenceville, and was elected to the 
city council after the absorption of that 
borough, but died before taking his seat. 
His widow passed away Jan. 9, 1888, aged 
sixty-one years. Of their eight children, 
three reached maturity: William A., Stella 



(Mrs. Roger S. Kennedy, of St. Paul, Minn.),' 
and Joseph A. The elder in 1874 commenced 
building the Franklin Glue-works at .Spring- 
dale and Boquet stations, W. P. R. R., and 
managed same to 1886. He is now engaged 
in the storage business, which he established 
in 1888. He married Katharine, daughter of 
James Hemphill, and has two children — Gen- 
evieve and James. The j'ounger sou, 
Joseph, is engaged in the pork and provision 
trade. 

Sylvester Stephen Marvin, cracker- 
manufacturer and president of the Pittsburgh 
Exposition Society, was born in Ogden, 
Monroe county, N. Y., Nov. 18, 1841. In 
the colonial days three brothers of this name 
emigrated from England to Connecticut, 
and from one of them the subject of this 
sketch is descended. His grandfather, 
Stephen Marvin, was a farmer in Ogden and 
a man of sterling religious character. His 
influence was strongly impressed upon his 
children, and is still observed in his descend- 
ants. His son, Aaron Marvin, married Lucy 
Stephens, and moved to Lockport. N. Y., 
where he engaged in farming in 1848. He 
now resides in Beaver county. Pa. 

Sylvester S. Marvin is the only sou of 
Aaron, and remained on the Lockport farm, 
attending the country school, till thirteen 
years old. He then went to live with an 
uncle, Walter K. Marvin, who dealt in agri- 
cultural implements at Lockport, and with 
him began his commercial training. Here 
he attended an excellent private school. The 
family soon after moved to New York cit)', 
and Sylvester here found employment when 
out of school in the office of the Marvin Safe 
company. His business experience was 
further extended by a residence in St. Joseph, 
Mo., where he was employed in a store and 
as clerk on a ferryboat. Returning to Lock- 
port in 1860, he enlisted in the following 
spring as a private in the 28th N. Y. V., Co. 
K, for two years. Mr. Marvin was in the 
battles of Winchester, Ball's Bluff, Manassas 
and Cedar Mountain. In the latter Sergt. 
Marvin was wounded. Only six men of Co. 
K responded to roll call next morning, and 
all the field officers had been killed or 
maimed. 

At the close of his term of enlistment, Mr. 
Marvin came to Pittsburgh to take charge of 
a cracker bakery. He at once set to work to 
master the practical workings of the estab- 
lishment, and in a few months became the 
manager and owner. From a very insignifi- 
cant institution, it has grown under his man- 
agement to be the most "extensive in the 
United States. Mr. Marvin has served as 
president of the grain and flour exchange, 
is a stockholder in several banks, a director 
in the Commercial National, director in the 
Union Bridge company and National Iron 
and Steel Publishing company, and member 
board of managers and charter member of 
Shadyside Academy. In 1885 he began to 
urge the importance to Pittsburgh of a per- 
manent exposition. A society was formed. 



546 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



with J. J. Gillespie as president, and S. 8. 
Marvin as vice-president. On tlie death of 
Mr. Gillespie in 1880, Mr. Marvin became 
president. He has been untiring and unsel- 
fish in his ellorts to promote the enterprise, 
and to his labors is largely due its success. 

In 1870, Mr. Marvin married Matilda 
RuiTieey, of New Rochelle, N.-Y., and they 
have tw^o sons, Walter Rumsey and Earle 
Rumsey. Tlie grandparents of Mr. and Mrs. 
Marvin lived on adjoining farms, but this 
couple never knew each other till they were 
grown up. The family is associated with 
Shadyside Presbyterian Church; Mr. Marvin 
is a member of Duquesne Post, G. A. R.. and 
is a republican. 

Rev. John Black, D. D., was born in 
County Antrim, Ireland, Oct. 2, 1768, and 
was a son of .John and Margaret Black. His 
ancestors were among the heroic Covenanters 
of Scotland. Having received the rudiments 
of a solid education, he was sent at an early 
age to the University of Glasgow, where he 
graduated with the highest honors. He em- 
barked in 1797 for America, as he was an 
ardent friend of republican institutions, and 
was involved in the movement of that }'ear 
for the liberation of his native land from 
English rule. Arriving at Philadelphia, 
young Black was employed as a teacher of 
classics, and later in the university in that 
city. In June, 1799, he was licensed to 
preach, and in 1800 he was ordained and in- 
stalled as pastor of the First Reformed Pres- 
byterian Church of Pittsburgh. The install- 
ation took place in the old courthouse, and 
was the beginning of nearly fifty years' con- 
tinuous service with that society, ending 
only with his death. Oct. 25, 1849. 

About 1820 Dr. Black became professor 
of languages in the University of Western 
Penns3'lvania, and continued for twelve j'ears 
to labor in that capacity. He is described 
by one of his students as a keen but kindly 
critic. With him teaching seemed to be a 
labor of love. He has been known to spend 
hours in teaching the alphabet to a little 
child, and again to sit up until a late hour 
at night in elucidating an abstruse theolog- 
ical point to a preplexed student. As a 
preacher Dr. Black was very impressive, at 
times rising to commanding elocjuence. He 
had ready command of language, his argu- 
mentative powers were great, and his mind 
was so stored with scriptural knowledge 
that he needed no special preparation, and 
often delivered powerful discourses in emer- 
gencies where others failed to fill an appoint- 
ment. He contributed largely to newspapers 
and periodicals in a graceful and instructive 
style. 

In social life Dr. Black was genial and 
cheerful. He enjoyed fraternal relations 
with members of all religious denominations, 
including the Roman Catholic clergy. There 
was universal recognition of his ability and 
worth as a Christian and patriotic citizen. 
Dr. Black was married, Sept. 32. 1801, to 
Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and 



Margaret Watson, of Pittsburgh. He was 
preceded in the journey to the other shore 
by his amiable consort, who passed over 
June 22, 1824. Of their ten children eight 
survived tliem. Three sons. John, Andrew 
Watson and Robert John, became preach- 
ers. The thiid son, Samuel W., a leading 
Pittsburgh attorney, was killed at the battle 
of Gaines' Mill while in command of a regi- 
ment. The fifth son was Dr. Alexander 
Black, a successful physician. All are now 
deceased. Of the daughters, Mrs. M. A. 
Rodman, widow of Gen. F. J. Rodman, 
United States ordnance, resides in Chicago, 
111., and Mrs. Margaret Wylie. in Washing- 
ton, D. C. The third daughter, Elizabeth, 
wife of James U. McClelland, died about the 
same time as her husliand — in 1870. Three 
of her sons are among the leading physicians 
of Pittsburgh. 

August Ernst Succop, pork-packer, has 
been a member of the firm of E. H. Myers 
& Co., Pittsburgh, since 1878. Henry Herman 
Succop, his grandfather, born in 1800, came 
here with his son, John H., and died in 1876; 
his wife, who was born in 1791, died a year 
later. John Henry Succop was born in 
Hanover, Germany, Oct. 25, 1822, and came 
to Pittsburgh in 1840. He was engaged for 
many years in the grocery business here, and 
died May 15, 1888. He was married in Pitts- 
burgh to Mary E. Kuhlman, a native of 
Germany, who survives him, and of their 
three sons, Henry H. is a German Lutheran 
clergyman in Chicago, and the j'oungest, 
Frank R., is in the grocerj^ trade in Pitts- 
burgh; August E. was born in Pittsburgh 
June 7, 1847, and was educated in the Ger- 
man Lutheran school. When thirteen yeara 
old he began business in his father's store, at 
Pittsburgh, and in 1872 engaged in the gen- 
eral merchandise business at Woodville, 
Ohio, where he continued till he became 
associated with Mr. Myers. In 1874, he 
married Louise F., daughter of Mr. Myers, 
and now resides in Pittsburgh. All his 
family and relatives are identified with the 
G. L. Church; politically he is a republican. 
His living children are Charles H. E., Irene 
A. and Louisa R. The third, a daughter, 
died in infancy. 

Frank Rudolph Succop. grocer, was 
born in Pittsburgh, Nov. 2, 18,52. His early 
training was the same as that of his brother 
(see sketch above), and he remained with his 
father until the latter retired from business. 
In the spring of 1881, he opened a stoVe at 
his father's original stand and has made a 
success. Since his father's death his mother 
has remained with him. Mr. Succop married, 
Feb. 11. 1885, Mary Voskamp a native of 
Pittsburgh, and daughter of B. H. Voskamp, 
of German birth. Mr. and Mrs. Succop 
have three children: Frank Henry, Adaline 
Amelia and Eleanor Louisa. 

John Bovd Duff, attorney, Pittsburgh. 
was born Aug. 4, 18.58, in Birmingham (now 
Twenly-eishth ward, Pittsburgh), son of 
John F". anil Marv J. (Burtt) Duff. He attend- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



547 



■ed public school until in 1870, theu entered 
the preparatoiy department at Thiel College, 
Greenville, Pa. There he remained until he 
passed the examination for the junior college 
class. He began to study law with Scho3'er 
& McGill, attorneys at Pittsburgh, in Decem- 
ber, 1880, passed his final examination and 
was admitted to Allegheny county bar in 
December, 1882; was admitted to the state 
supreme court in the fall of 1885, and in the 
following year was admitted to the United 
States district and circuit courts. He is now 
practicing law at Pittsburgh. He was mar- 
ried Feb. 8. 1888, to Miss Alice E. Vance, a 
schoolteacher of Allegheny. 

George Breed was Ijorn at Norwich, 
Conn., March 27, 1799, and was descended 
from Allen Breed, who came over in 1630, in 
the company with John Winthrop, governor 
of Massachusetts. Allen Breed settled at 
Lynn, Mass., and from him are descended 
the large family connection of the name in 
various localities of the United States to-day. 

George Breed, the subject of this sketch, 
was in the fifth generation of descendants. 
He received the ordinary plain education of 
the times, and at fourteen years of age went 
from Norwich to Taunton, Mass., where he 
entered the store of a certain Capt. Ingalls 
as "boy" and clerk. He received a thor- 
ough training in method, accuracy aud 
economy and cultivation of inherited quali- 
ties of honesty, thrift and application. In 
1823 he came to Pittsburgh and established 
himself. In 1825 he returned to the east, and 
married, Sept. 35, 1825, Miss Anna Williams, 
of Providence, R. I. Shortly after this, in 
1826, he gave up his business in Pittsburgh 
and went to Ravenna, Ohio, where he re- 
mained about two years, returning to Pitts- 
burgh in 1828. He was from this time 
engaged in the dry-goods business aud located 
on the north side of Market street, between 
the Diamond and Fifth avenue. He had two 
children. The eldest died July 21, 1828. His 
wife, Anna Williams, died Aug. 6, 1828, and 
the second child died Nov. 7. 1830. 

Thus left alone, he continued his business, 
from 1830 to 1833 boarding with a Mrs. Arm- 
strong, at the corner of Water and Periy 
streets, and sleeping at his store. Oct. 8, 
1838, he was married to Miss Rhoda Ogden 
Edwards,agreat-granddaughterof Rev. Jona- 
than Edwards, the eminent divine, and 
president of Princeton. In 1835 Mr. Breed 
sold out his dry-goods business and engaged 
in queensware and glass business, being 
located on Wood street just south of Dia- 
mond allej' and later at old No. 100, where he 
continued until his death. 

Mr. Breed belonged to the "heroic age" 
of Pittsburgh's development and enterprise, 
before the day even of the palatial canal- 
boat, when the stagecoach and Conestoga 
wagon were the means of transit, and when 
weeks were consumed in passing from point 
to point, and a visit back to his ]Sew England 
home was an event of rare occurrence, and 
■when even letters were sent by the hand of a 



traveling friend as more certain of delivery 
and safety than by mail. Mr. Breed was 
active in practical matters, though in no 
sense a public man. He was modest aud 
unobtrusive, his interest in events manifest 
by quiet activity and .solid results. He was 
deeply interesled in the establishment and 
construction of the old Pennsylvania canal, 
and was a party to the idea of transporting 
canal-boats across the mountains in sections, 
over the inclined planes of the old Portage 
road. 

He was the prime instrument in the estab- 
lishment of Western Pennsylvania Hospital 
after numerous efforts to get a hospital en- 
terprise started had failed; and when the 
charter was about to lapse by limitation he 
raised by individual effort a subscription 
which secured the grant, called a meeting of 
subscribers and organized a board, of which 
Thomas Bakewell was president. He was 
one of the original incorporators of the 
Third Presbyterian Church, of which he 
continued a member up to his death. In 
politics he was an old-line whig, and threw 
no obstacles on the track of the "under- 
ground railroad" before the war. In 1842 
he was one of a party who purchased the 
ground and settled at Oakland, now part of 
the Fourteenth ward, at that time known as 
the Third Church colony. 

Mr. Breed will be remembered by the 
older and also by the now middle-aged men 
of his time for his size and proportions. He 
was six feet four inches high, and weighed 
about 275 pounds, but perfectly erect, of 
symmetrical build, and active and graceful 
in his movements. He belonged to the old 
school of merchant and gentleman. 

Of his marriage with Rhoda O. Edwards 
eight children were born, three of whom 
died in infanc}^ and five survive; Richard 
E. (now in business in Chicago), Sarah M. 
(now the wife of Charles H. Zug, Esq., of 
Pittsburgh), Henry A. (in business in Pitts- 
burgh), Emma B. (wife of T. P. Phillips, 
Esq., a merchant of Philadelphia), and Rev. 
David R. Breed, D. D. (pastor of the Church 
of the Covenant in Chicago). George Breed 
died April 30, 1863, of paralysis; his wife 
died April 11. 1867. 

Joseph Franklin Griggs, librarian 
Western University, Pittsburgh, was born at 
Sutton, Mass., April 24. 1822. His father, 
John Griggs, was a native of Boston, where 
his ancestors settled in the seventeenth cent- 
ury. Mary Thurston, who married John 
Griggs and became the mother of Joseph F.. 
was descended from the Scotch clan Camp- 
bell, the London branch of which were the 
founders of Worcester, Mass. Joseph F. 
Griggs attended the common schools of Sut- 
ton and academies atWilbraham and Leices- 
ter, entering Yale College in 1843, from which 
he graduated with the degree of A. B. four 
years later. In 1846 he entered Andover 
Theological Seminary, but owing to sickness 
had to abandon the course. In 1847 he 
taught a select school at Holden, aud next 



548 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



year became principal of the Mechanic (pub- 
lic) school at Worcester. In 1849 Prof. 
Griggs came to Allegheny and opened a 
private classical school, which was combined 
two j'ears later with the private school of 
Mr. Nicholas Veeder in Pittsburgh, and the 
next year with the school of Mr. William T. 
McDonald, in Pittsburgh. This school, con 
tinuing two years, became the nucleus of the 
Western L'niversity of Pennsylvania, on the 
completion of its buildings iu 185.5, Prof. 
Griggs taking the chair of ancient languages. 
For fifteen years he taught Latin and Greek, 
and for tenyears longer taught Greek alone, 
when he became professor emeritus, and 
secretary and treasurer of the board of 
trustees, curator of museum, librarian and 
custodian of the property. . He has been a 
member of the Presbyterian Church since he 
was seventeen years old, and for over twenty- 
five 3-ears an elder in the Third Church of 
Pittsburgh. He is a republican. 

April 16, 1863, Prof. Griggs and Miss 
Eliza Buchanan, daughter of the late Dr. 
Jeremiah Brooks, of Pittsburgh, were united 
in marriage. Their children are: Martha 
Buchanan; Jeremiah Brooks, assistant sec- 
retary Y. M. C. A. of Pittsburgh: Thomas 
Carapbell.assistant teller in the First National 
Bank of Pittsburgh, and Joseph Franklin, 
in freshman class of university. 

Philip Christian Schoeneck, furniture- 
dealer, Pittsburgh, was born in the city of 
Worms, Germany, June 6. 1831. His father, 
who bore the same name, by trade a book- 
seller and bookbinder, died before the birth 
of his son Philip C. There is an elder son, 
Carl Wilhelm, who now lives in Brooklyn, 
N". Y., having retired from a successful stove 
and house-furuishingbusiness. Their mother, 
Philipena Jungkenn Schoeneck. died in 1835. 
John Ludwig Schoeneck, grandfather of 
Carl W. and i^hilip C, was a book-dealer and 
manufacturer of sealing-wax. 

Philip C. Schoeneck was educated at the 
high-scliool of his native city, and in 1850 
immigrated to New York, where he learned 
the trade of upholsterer. He came to Pitts- 
burgh in 1858, when he became a member of 
the firm of Dauler, Close &, Co., in 1869 of 
Close, Schoeneck & Co.. and in 1876 Schoen- 
eck & Close. In 1880 Mr. Schoeneck became 
sole proprietor, through the purchase of his 
partner's interest, and the business is steadily 
growing under his management, occupying 
a fine, large store on Liberty avenue. He is 
a director of the German-American Insurance 
company, is a member of the German Librarj- 
association, Frohsinn societj- and Smith- 
field Street G. E. Church. He has always 
been identified with the republican party, 
his first vote being cast for Gen. Fremont. 
In 1861 Mr. Schoeneck married Emilie Dauler, 
who was born in Pittsburgh, a daughter of 
George Dauler. a native of Germany. Mrs. 
Schoeneck died in 1865, leaving one son, 
also named Philip Christian, now assistant 
in his father's business. After the death of 
his first wife Mr, Schoeneck married Louise, 



daughter of John H. Demmler, of Germany, 
and by her has three daughters, the Misses 
Julia Maria, Emma Elizabeth and Ida 
Christina. 

John William Cooper, paper-dealer, 
Pittsburgh, was born at Gap Iron-works, 
Blair county, Pa., Nov. 30, 1852. His great- 
grandfather, John Cooper, immigrated to 
this country in 1750, settling in Mifilin 
county, Pa., and engaged in farming and 
distillery. Grandfather .John Cooper was 
born in Mifflin county in 1787, and died in 
Hollidaysburg, Pa., in 1876, aged eighty-nine 
years; was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. The 
grandparents had seven children: James, 
John, Samuel, David. Nanc3-, Marguerite and 
Caroline. Grandfather served in the war of 
1812-13. as captain. His children, now living, 
are Nancy, now Mrs. Samuel Thompson, and 
residing in Birmingham. Pa. (Her husband 
was a great abolitionist and before the eman- 
cipation proclamation often kept runaway 
slaves hidden in his cellar that their masters 
would not get them.) James has been most 
of his life in the coal and iron business, and 
is now seventy-three years of age, and retired; 
was out in the war of the rebellion. Samuel 
(father of John W.) has also spent most of 
his life in the coal and iron business, prin- 
cipally at the Juniata Ironworks, in Hunt- 
ingdon county, and on the Alleghany mount- 
ains: has three children living: Jennie 
(married), John William (the subject of this 
sketch, married) and Anna M. (single, at 
home). The father of this family was born 
at Shirleysburg, Huntingdon county, Jan. 4, 
1823, and is now sixty-six years of age and 
retired. 

John William Cooper is his only son and 
was reared at Juniata Iron-works; finished 
his education at -Martinsburg, Pa ; at eight- 
een years of age went to Iowa, where he was 
engaged in mercantile pursuits for nearly 
two years. He then took a position as 
bookkeeper and manager of the store of Mor- 
rison. Bare & Co., at TJoaring Springs, Pa., 
where he remained three years. He came to 
Pittsburgh in 1880 (when the firm opened an 
ofilce and warehouse here for the sale of their 
paper-mill products), as correspondent, etc. 
In 1880 he become a partner in the firm, which 
is now Morrison, Cass & Co. He is a sup- 
porter of the Shadyside Presbyterian Church 
and is of republican principles. In 1881 he 
married Agnes Wright, daughter of J. S. 
Atterbury (see his sketch.) and has five chil- 
dren: J. .S. Atterbury, John William, .Jr., 
Lidc Bell, Marie Agnes and Marguerite. 
Residence at 8hadyside. 

W. C. Erskixe, attorney, Pittsburgh, 
was born in the city of Belfast, Ireland. July 
18, 1849, of Scotch Irish parentage. He was 
educated in his native citj", a place so fa- 
mous for its schools that is often called " the 
Athens of the north." He came to the 
United States in 1869, and during four years 
was engaged in various occupations and 
enterprises. In 1873 he married a daughter 
of Maj. Thomas McCreary, a banker of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



U9 



Beaver, Pa. Mr. Erskine was admitted to 
the bar at St. Louis, in March, 1876. In the 
same year he came to Pittsburgh, where he 
has ever since been engaged in the successful 
practice of his profession. 

Patrick Rice, retired, Allegheny, son of 
Charles and Mar}' (Magill) Rice, was born in 
Ireland, in 1829, and came with his widowed 
mother and four brothers to America in 
1847, settling in this county. His father 
died in Ireland, March 18, 1845; his mother 
in this count}'. Aug. 7, 1873, aged seventy- 
three years. The brothers are .John (living 
in Allegheny), James (deceased), Charles B. 
and Michael (deceased). James and Michael 
were both in the United States army during 
the late war. Patrick Rice was married Dec. 
25, 1861, to Mary O'Neil, a native of County 
Donegal, Ireland, and to them were born live 
children; Mary J., Charles A.. James L., 
Ellen and Joseph P. Mr. Rice had nothing 
to commence life with but a healthy body, a 
strong will and a vigorous mind, all of which 
he has used to good purpose. He learned the 
trade of brick-mason, which he followed un- 
til 1856, when he went to California and spent 
three years in mining. On his return to this 
county to resume his business, he soon became 
an extensive contractor and builder; this he 
has prosecuted until quite recently, when he 
retired from active business, and is taking 
his much-needed rest, with his appreciative 
family, in their pleasant home on Irwin 
avenue, Allegheny. 

Akdrew Millikes, late of Allegheny, 
was born in Ireland in 1811, a son of James 
Milliken, and came with William Haslett to 
America in 1830, settling in Pittsburgh, 
where he learned the cabinet-making trade 
with a Mr. McGrew. In 18.36 he engaged in 
the wholesale and retail furniture business 
for himself on Smithtield street, Pittsburgh, 
in addition to which he had an extensive 
manufacturing establishment in Allegheny. 
He was married, Nov. 20, 1851, to Margaret, 
daughter of William and Isabella McCouch, 
and to them were born three children: Sal- 
lie B. (wife of William L. Sloan), William 
M., and Florence (wife of John A. Sloan). 
Mr. Milliken died May 6, 1876, aged sixty-five 
years. By industry and excellent business 
ability he had risen from very humble cir- 
cumstances and acquired a competency; he 
was held in high esteem by all who knew 
him. Mrs. Milliken's parents are both de- 
ceased; her father departed this life Aug. 14, 
1855, and her mother Nov. 25, 1870. 

David Macferron, treasurer of the city 
of Allegheny, was born Nov. 7, 1817, 
in Pittsburgh. His parents came to this 
part of Pennsylvania about the commence- 
ment of the present century, and from the 
day on which the solemn league and cov- 
enant was signed his ancestors have been, 
without a break in the line, Covenanters. His 
education was obtained by occasional attend- 
ance at such schools as existed during his 
boyhood. In politics Mr. Macferron was 
originally a whig. He was at the birth of 



the republican party in Lafa3'ette hall, 
Pittsburgh, and has ever since been a repub- 
lican; his first presidential vote, in 1840, 
was for Gen. W. H. Harrison, and his last 
(1888) for his grandson. Gen. B. Harrison. 
In January, 1854, he was elected clerk of the 
select council of the city of Allegheny, which 
office he held for fifteen years. In January, 
18.58, he was elected treasurer of Allegheny 
City, and he still holds the office; he was for 
seven years secretary of the board of school 
controllers. September 17, 1839, he was mar- 
ried to Mary Eleanor Campbell, and their 
children are Martha, Robert, Christiana, 
Mary, Eleanor and William. 

Frederick M. Magee, lawyer, Pitts- 
burgh, was born in that city in 1846. He was 
educated at Pittsburgh high-school and the 
Western University; studiedlaw with Judges 
White and Slagle, was admitted to the bar 
in November, 1867, and has ever since been 
engaged in practice. His business has been 
chiefly with banks and other corporations. 
In 1877 he was a member of the municipal 
commission, the report of which, although 
not adopted by the legislature, has been the 
basis of nearly all the legislation relating to 
municipalities enacted since. 

Joseph B. Grimes, physician, Pittsburgh, 
was born in Preston countv, Va. Sept. 30, 
18.52, of English descent. His father, Will- 
iam Henry Grimes, was a native of Virginia, 
and was a prominent man in the region where 
he resided. His mother was of German an- 
cestry, and was a member of the Wetzell fam- 
ily, who were distinguished Indian fighters. 
The doctor was educated in the schools and 
academies of his native county, and at the 
University of West Virginia. He studied 
medicine in Pittsburgh, and received Ihe de- 
gree of M. D. from Bellevue Hospital Medi- 
cal College, New York. Since his graduation 
he has been engaged in the practice of his 
profession in Pittsburgh. He has occupied 
the positions of police surgeon, member of 
the board of health, surgeon to the Pittsburgh 
& Lake Erie railroad; also to the Pittsburgh 
& Charleston and Pittsburgh Southern rail- 
roads. He is now a member of the select 
council of the city of Pittsburgh. He was 
married May 9, 1888, to Miss Mellie E. Cald- 
well, of Pittsburgh. 

Cornelius Earle Rxjmset, of S. S. 
Marvin & Co., Pittsburgh, is descended from 
earl}' English residents of New York and 
New Jei'sey. Early in the present century, 
his grandfather, Cornelius Rumsey, moved 
from Dutchess county to Monroe county, N. 
Y., where he cleared up and impi-oved a 
large farm. Thomas Osborne, son of the 
latter, went to New York city when a young 
man, and engaged in the sperm-oil trade. 
He purchased a farm in East Chester. N. Y., 
on which he lived, and tlien moved to New 
Rochelle. N. Y., where he died in 1850, aged 
forty years. His wife, Matilda, was a daugh- 
ter of Cornelius Earle, of New York city. 
They had two sons and four daughters, 
Cornelius E. being the fourth child, born 



550 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ui East Chester, New York. In 1869 he 
came to Pittsburgh, having an interest in 
his present business in conueolion witli Mr. 
Marvin, and is also interested in the Cleve- 
land Baking company and Wheeling Bak- 
ery company. Mr. Rumsey has a farm in 
Wasliiiiiiion county, on which he has fine- 
l)rcd llolstcins and .Jerseys. He is a direct- 
or of the Western Pennsylvania Agricultu- 
ral society, and life manager in the Western 
Pennsylvania hospital. He attends the 
First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh and 
he is a republican. His wife, Mary Elizabeth, 
is the only daughter of Walter K. Marvin, of 
New York. 

.loiiN S. Ferguson, attornej', Pittsburgh, 
was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Jan. 24, 1842, 
son of Charles Ferguson, who followed the 
business of a contractor and builder in Pitts- 
burgh till his death in 1869. The subject of 
these lines was educated in the public schools 
of Pittsburgh, and at the Allegheny City 
College. He was admitted to the bar of 
Allegheny county, April 7, 1863, and has 
since been engaged in practice in Pittsburgh. 
He was married Sept. 10, 1863, to MissNancy 
A. Graham, of Pittsburgh, and they have five 
children; Edwin G., now a member of the 
bar in Allegheny county; Mary H., wife of 
H. Watts; Areta. John and Anna. 

William Wettach, tanner, Allegheny, 
■was born in Allegheny City. Pa., April 20, 
1839, a son of Gotlieb and Barbara Wettach, 
who came from Switzerland to this county in 
1831 and settled in Allegheny City, where 
they have resided ever since. They had a 
family of nine children, five of whom are 
living; William, John. Christian, Theodore 
and Emma (wife of Edward Bouthewell). 
The father died in January, 1888, aged 
seventy-two years; the mother is still living, 
in her seventy-third j'ear. They were mem- 
bers of the Evangelical Association Church. 
William Wettach was married in 1865 to 
Sarah, daughter of John and Eliza Voeght- 
ley. and they have three children; Harry, 
Carl and Orlando. Mr. Wettach learned the 
tanner's trade with his father, and has always 
followed that occupation. In 1868 he com- 
menced the tanning business for himself, 
which he has continued with marked success. 
He has been a member of the common coun- 
cil fourteen years; is a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, and of the G. E. Church. 

Samuel George was born in Ireland in 
1801, and came to America in 1819, his 
brother, Alexander, having preceded him to 
this country one year. They both remained 
in Baltimore until in or about 1822. when they 
came to Pittsburgh, and engaged in the 
wholesale grocery Imsiness, in which Samuel 
continued until 1868, when he retired to pri- 
vate life; he died Jan. 4, 1888, aged eighty- 
six years. Samuel George married, April lo, 
1831. Ann, daughter of .John and Mary Love, 
and to them were born seven children: John 
L. (in business in Pittsburgh), Mary (twice 
married, first to A. J. Angell,"of Leavenworth, 
Kan., and next to A. A. Fenn), Archibald 



(deceased), Robert A. (deceased), Joseph, 
Anna and Samuel, Jr. (deceased). Samuel 
George, Jr., was president of the Farmers' 
Deposit National Bank of Pittsburgh, and is 
said to have been the youngest bank presi- 
I dent ever in this country; his father was a 
I director in the same bank. Samuel, Sr., was 
I also a very active and prominent member of 
I the U. P. Church, a successful Inisinessman. 
and a most highly esteemed citizen of Alle- 
ghenj'. John Love, father of Mrs. George, 
came to Washington count}'. Pa., in 1786. 
where he purchased a farm that has remained 
in the family ever since, and Mrs. George is 
now the only surviving heir to the old home- 
stead. 

John C. Shoemakek, attorney at law, 
Pittsburgh, was born at Academia. Pa., 
April 7, 1857, and educated at Tuscarora 
Academy, Chambersburg Academy and La- 
fayette College, graduating in the class of 
1877. He read law with Hon. J. McDowell 
Sharpe, and was admitted to the Franklin 
county bar Sept. 1, 1879, and to the Allegheny 
county bar in March. 1881. January 22, 1883, 
he was appointed deputy secretaiy of the 
commonwealth of Pennsj'lvania by Gov. 
Pattison, holding the office till Feb. 1, 1887. 
Samuel Duncan Culbertson, railroad 
agent, Mansfield Valley, is a grandson of Dr. 
Samuel D. Culbertson, who was one of seven 
brothers who came from Ireland and settled 
near Chambersburg, Pa., at a place still 
known as Culbertson's Row. The doctor 
soon moved to Chambersburg, where he died 
in his ninetieth year. His death was caused 
by exposure after the burning of his residence 
at the time Chambersburg was destroyed by 
the confederates. His son, Albert, born in 
1822, came to Pittsburgh when a youth and 
began life as a clerk in a store. For a time 
he kept books for a commission firm 
(Poindexter & Co.), and afterward engaged 
in the commission business on his own ac- 
count. In 1858 he went to Monongahela 
City and commenced the manufacture of 
paper, his mill being the first west of the 
Allegheny mountains and the second in the 
United States to use steam-rolls. He died 
there in 1879; his widow now resides in the 
cit)' of Allegheny. Mrs. Culbertson was born 
in Allegheny, and is a daughter of James 
Brown, one of the early iron-manufacturers 
here, and who died in his ninety-fifth year. 
Emily Brown married Albert Culbertson 
when she was sixteen years old, and is the 
mother of three sons and four daughters. 

Samuel D., the third of these, was born 
in the city of Allegheny Aug. 13. 1850. and 
was educated at Monongahela City and Tus- 
carora Academy. He early began to assist 
his father in the paper-mill, and is a skilled 
maker of strawboard. In 1882 he came to 
Pittsburgh and entered the employ of the 
B. & O. railroad. Has been emplo3'ed by the 
P. & W. and Pittsburgh Junction roads, and 
is now commercial freight agent of the St. 
Louis & San Francisco railroad. While a 
resident of Monongahela Citj' he served as 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



551 



■city auditor. He is a member of the First 
Pr'esl)yterian Churcli of Mansfield, aud of 
the Masonic fraternity, and is a republican. 
In .September, 1874. Rlr. Culbertson married 
Annie Wallace, daughter of the late J. "W. 
Cook (see his sketch), and their living chil- 
dren are: Elvira Harshman, Lily Cook, 
Jacob Cook and Clara Walton. Emily C, 
the first born, is deceased. 

Charles Frederick Wells, white-lead 
manufacturer, Pittsburgh, wasborn at Zvveif- 
lingen, near Oehringen, Wiirtemburg, Ger- 
many. Sept. 34, 183.5, and is the onlj- child of 
Frederick _ aud Rosa (Weiss) Wells. His 
father, who had charge of a school at Zweif- 
lingen, came to Pittsburgh iu 18.52. and here 
taught Lutheran parochial schools till his 
death, which occurred in 1861, when he was 
fiftj'-five years of age; his wife died three 
months previously. The father of Frederick 
Wells was also an educated man, and had 
charge of the parks and gardens of the prince 
of Hohenlohe. Charles F. attended Duff's 
Commercial College, and taught two years 
in that institution after completing the 
course. For some j'ears he kept books for 
Graff, Bennett & Co. and B. L. Fahuestock 
& Co. In 1867 he became a partner in the 
Beymer-Bauman White Lead company, and 
in 1881 organized the Pennsylvania Whits 
Lead company, of which he is president and 
his eldest son secretary. He is a director of 
the Allemania Insurance company, Third 
National Bank, Dollar Savings Bank and 
Pittsburgh Bank for Savings. He is a K. 
T., has always been a republican, and his 
first vote was cast for Lincoln. Mr. Wells 
attends Grace Reformed Church. In 1860 he 
married Mary Ellen Fulton, of Pittsburgh 
birth and Scotcli-Irish ancestry, and their 
children are Charles F., Jr., Clara, John A., 
Alice, Cora, Reuben and Bertha. 

J. J. Miller, attorney at law, Pittsburgh, 
was born near Somerset, in Somerset county. 
Pa., Aug. 22, 1857, of Pennsylvania German 
descent. In his boyhood he labored on his 
father's farm, aud attended the common 
schools of his neighborhood. He attended 
the Somerset Academy, aud graduated from 
the State Normal College at Indiana, Pa., in 
1879. From 1871 to 1884 he was engaged 
during a portion of each year iu teaching 
common schools. During the last four years 
of his school-work he was principal and 
superintendent of one of the largest graded 
schools in Pittsburgh. He read law with 
Judge William J. Baer. of Somerset, and was 
admitted to the bar of Somerset county in 

1883, and the bar of Allegheny county in July, 

1884, since which time he has been engaged 
in practice in Pittsburgh. 

James Seaman Atterbury and Thomas 
BakewellAtterburt, glass-manufacturers, 
Pittsburgh, are the sons of Benjamin Atter- 
bury, who was born in England, in 1793, and 
was brought bj' his father. .lob Atterbury, to 
New York in 1794. where the latter was en- 
gaged in business, and died. Benjamin was 
reared in that city, becoming an auctioneer. 



and on arriving at Pittsburgh, in 1827, he took 
employment as a clerk at the Bakewell glass- 
works, dying seven years later, at the early 
age of forty-one. He married Eliza Seaman, 
a descendant of the early Knickerbockers; 
she died in 1881, at the age of eighty-four. 
They were the parents of two sons and three 
daughters. 

James S. Atterbury was born in New York 
in 1837, the year the family came to Pitts- 
burgh. At an early age he entered the em- 
ploy of Bakewell, Pierce & Co., glass-manu- 
facturers, and he has ever since given atten- 
tion to that industry. In 1860 Atterbury 
Bros, established a glass-factory at the corner 
of Carson and Tenth streets, which thej' 
removed twenty years later to the corner of 
First street. The establishment has steadily 
prospered, and is among the foremost of the 
city. Mr. Atterbury was one of the incor- 
porators of the C, C. & N. Y. S. L. R. R.. 
and continued as its president till its consoli- 
dation with the Pennsylvania railroad. He 
is a director of the Mechanics' National 
Bank, Western Insurance company, and 
Monongahela Bridge company, and is read}' 
with means and influence to foster any enter- 
prise that promises to benefit his citj'. 

Thomas B. Atterbury was born in 1831. 
In 1854 he became a member of the firm of 
Warwick, Atterbury & Co., which carried on 
the manufacture of builders' hardware at the 
foot of Grant street, and which concern is 
still continued under the title of Nimick & 
Brittan Manufacturing company. Mr. Atter- 
bury withdrew in 1860 from this to engage in 
glass-manufacturing, as above noted. He 
was the founder of the Iron and Glass Dollar 
Savings Bank in 1868, of which he has ever 
since been president. His means have also 
been Invested in several other industries of 
the city; he is a director of the Monongahela 
Water company, and of the South Side ceme- 
tery. He was several years a member of the 
Birmingham borough council, and two years 
chairman of the finance committee in the 
city council. Both the brothers are solid 
republicans, and supporters of the Presb}'- 
terian Church. 

Robert Stewart Smith, banker, Pitts- 
burgh, was born in Allegheny City, Pa., in 
August, 1836. His grandfather. Rev. Thomas 
Smith, was born in Ireland in 1755, graduated 
at the University of Glasgow, and was 
licensed to preach by the A. R. Church in 
1776. He was at once given charge of a 
parish at Ahaughel, County Antrim, Ireland, 
where he remained twenty-three years, and 
then came to America. In 1801 he became 
pastor of the Tuscarora Church, York couutj'. 
Pa., and remained in connection with same 
till his death, in 1833. He left seveu sons and 
five daughters, among them being Thomas, 
who was born Jan. 16, 1796, became a silver- 
smith, and came to Pittsburgh about the 
year 1820. He married, in 1836, Margaret 
H., daughter of Robert Stewart, a sickle- 
manufacturer, who came to Pittsburgh in 
1814. He was one of the fathers of the First 



552 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



A. R. (now U. P.) Cluiich of Allegheny; in 
politics a decided whig, abolitionist and 
rcpiililican. During his lateryears, becoming 
a paralytic, he was retired from active life; 
he (lied in 1880, his widow three years later. 
The latter was born in .June. 1796. 

Of their six children five grew up, Robert 
S. being the fifth. He attended the public 
schools till fourteen years old, when he 
entered a hatstore. For some years he 
dwelt with his parents in Allegheny, and in 
November. 18.53, he entered the Allegheny 
Savings Bank as clerk, afterward becoming 
bookkeeper and teller. On the opening up 
for business of the Union Banking company, 
Sept. 1, 1859, Mr. Smith became cashier, con- 
tinuing under the national banking organi- 
zation, Dec. 30. 1864, as cashier of the Union 
National Bank, till the death of the presi- 
dent, John R. McCune, in Januarj-, 1888, 
when he became president. This was the 
first change in the ofiicers of the institution. 

Mr. Smith is an elder in tlie First U. P 
Church of Allegheny, and conducts the 
young people's bible-class in the Sabbath- 
school of the same; he is a republican. April 
16, 1873. he married Mary Ann, daughter of 
.Joseph and Rebecca Jean (Wilson) McCaslin, 
of Venango county, Pa. Mr. Smitli's first- 
born son, Roy. died when eight years old, 
a daughter, Helen, before reaching the age 
of one year. Those living are Bertha H., 
.Jessie C, Homer D. and Lloyd W. 

William J. Curuan, lawyer, Pittsburgh, 
was born in that city March 6, 1851. His 
parents were Manas Curran, who came to 
this county in 1844, and Prudence P. (Scott), 
whose father was a farmer residing in Alle- 
gheny township, Westmoreland county. Pa. 
He was the second of a family of eight chil- 
dren, of whom, besides himself, two onlj' sur- 
vive, Cecelia G. and John E., the latter now 
in his twentj'-first year. When the subject 
of this memoir was less than a year old his 
parents moved from Pittsburgh to Freeport, 
Armstrong county, Pa., and he lived there 
and in that vicinity, in Westmoreland and 
Alleeheny counties, but for the most part in 
Allegheny township, Westmoreland county, 
working on a farm, attending school and 
teacliing until September, 1875. He was ed- 
ucated in the common schools and at St. Vin- 
cent's College, Latrobe, Pa. In January, 
1875, he began the study of law with J. G. D. 
Findley, Esq., of Freeport. and in Septem- 
ber of same year entered the office of Hon. 
H. H. McCormick, formerly speaker of the 
Pennsylvania house of representatives, and 
subsequentl3' United States district attorney 
for the western district of Pennsylvania. He 
was admitted to the bar April 14. 1877. and 
has since been constantly engaged in the 
practice of his profession. He is a member 
of the R. C. Church, and is a democrat. 

Jacob Wheeler Cook (deceased), was 
born in Philadelphia. Pa., in 1819, descended 
on the paternal side from German ancestors, 
and on the maternal from Irish. He was 
educated in his native cit^', and came to Pitts- 



burgh when a young man. For a time he- 
kei)t a store for the sale of magazines and 
other periodicals, on Fourth avenue, between 
Wood and Market streets, which was burned 
in 1IS45. He then took employment with N. 
Holmes & Co., bankers, subsequently ac<|uir- 
ing an interest in the business. With a 
brother and a Mr. Harris he organized the 
banking firm of Cook & Harris; was also one 
of the organizers of the Allegheny National 
Bank, becoming its cashier, and for many 
years was president of same, a position he 
occupied at time of his deatli. which occurred 
Jan. 23, 1883. Mr. Cook was a member of 
the steel manufacturing firm of Anderson, 
Cook & Co. ; then became interested in the 
nail works of Chess, Smythe & Co., which 
firm was succeeded by Chess, Cook & Co., 
and at his death his interest in the latter firm 
fell to his youngest son. Following are the 
names of Mr. Cook's children: "Edward 
Simpson (on the homestead at Mansfield), 
George A. (late cashier of the Allegheny 
Bank, died Oct. 4. 1887), Annie Wallace (see 
sketch of S. D. Culbertson). Lily R. (wife of 
David B. Stewart, of Allegheny), Thomas 
McKown (married to Clara Walton, and now 
residing in the city of Allegheny). 

Mis. Elvira Cook, widow of Mr. Cook, 
was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and is a daugh- 
ter of Thomas McKown, a Scotch-Irishman, 
who was a prominent contractor of the Pan 
Handle railroad. 

C. E. Cornelius, attorney at law. Pitts- 
burgh, was born in Sewicklej'. Pa.. Jul}' 21, 
1857, son of David Cornelius, a farmer in 
Sewickley, who removed to Allegheny City 
in 1858, and afterward held various county 
and municipal offices. He also served as a 
captain in the war of the rebellion. Charles 
Edwin was educated in the public schools of 
Allegheny and the Western University of 
Pennsylvania. He pursued his legal stiidies 
in the ofllce of Gen. William Blakelej', of 
Pittsburgh, and was admitted to the bar of 
Allegheny county in March, 1879. He has 
since been constantly in practice in Pitts- 
burgh. 

.John C. Robinson, accountant, was born 
in the city of Limerick. Ireland. Aug. 15, 
1837, the eldest of six children. His father 
died when John C. was only seventeen years 
of age. leaving him the only support of his 
family. He was educated in the schools of 
the National Board of Education. Ireland, 
and at the normal training establishment at 
Dublin. At the age of seventeen he was 
appointed postmaster in charge of the money- 
order postofflce of Pallas Green, County 
Limerick. He was appointed a teacher under 
the National Board of Education in 18.56, 
and continued as such for a period of eight 
years. Came to this country in May, 1864. 
He was employed soon after landing in Pitts- 
burgh (where he has resided since 1864) in 
the grocery- and wine-store of David Ha- 
worth. in the Diamond, as bookkeeper and 
manager, until 1870. After leaving the place 
he opened an oflSce on Fifth avenue, and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



553 



adopted the profession of expert accountant, 
which he has since followed with success. 
He has been engaged in some of the largest 
cases in equity,' such as David Hostetter rs. 
the Standard Oil company. Warden, Frew 
& Co. et al., the Harmony Savings Banli of 
Butler county, Phillip vs. the Allegheny Val- 
ley railroad, and others. He is connected 
with several religious and beneficial societies. 
In religion he is a Roman Catholic, in poli- 
tics a democrat. He was married in May, 
1865, and has now six children, all living. 

Charles A. Sullivan. Peter O. Sulli- 
van, a native of Ireland, and who immigrated 
to America in 1700, locating in Northumber- 
land county, Va., was a great ancestor of 
Charles C. Sullivan, who was born on the 
" Partnership Farm," seven miles northwest 
of the town of Butler, Pa., March 10, 1807. 
He took rank as an able lawyer and a just 
legislator and a pronounced abolitionist in 
Western Pennsylvania; he died Feb. 29, 
1860. His son, Charles A. Sullivan, was ad- 
mitted to practice law at Butler, Pa., March 
10, 1870, and on motion of Hon. Thomas M. 
Marshall was admitted to the courts of Alle- 
gheny county April 10, 1886. He married 
Jan. 10, 1870, the youngest daughter of Gen. 
George W. Reed, of Butler, Pa., and they 
have one daughter and two sons living: 
Kathrine Gertrude, George Reed and Joseph 
Reed Sullivan. 

Anson Pangman Norton, real-estate 
dealer, Pittsburgh, was born in Sangerfield, 
Oneida county," N. Y., March 11, 1818. His 
ancestry is traced in a direct line to an ofHcer 
named Seignior de Norville and who served 
under William the Conqueror as a constable 
in the invasion of England in 1068. Consta- 
ble Seignior de Norville married into the 
house Valois, which afterward became royal, 
so the Norton family just escaped royalty. 
This history, compiled by the late Lewis M. 
Norton, of Goshen, Conn., is now in the 
hands of his daughter, Mrs. Eliza Norton 
Gaylord, at the old Norton homestead in 
Goshen. Among the passengers in the May- 
flower who landed on the coast of Massachu- 
setts in December, 1620, were three brothers 
named Norton, from one of whom the subject 
of this sketch is descended. His great-grand- 
father and grandfather lived and died in Go- 
shen, Litchtield county. Conn., altheoklNor- 
ton homestead, where his father, Theron Noi-- 
ton, was born in 1789. The latter married 
ChloePangman,andsettledearly in the present 
century at Sangerfield, where he engaged in 
farming and kept a hotel. Here four of his 
.six children were born — two daughters, two 
sons (twins) and two more daughters. Alex- 
ander C, the brother of Anson P., is now a 
resident of Boston. The last years of Theron 
Norton were passed at Auburn, where he 
died in 1866. 

Anson P. Norton remained on the farm 
till he reached his majority, his education 
being finished at Clinton Liberal Institute. 
He began life as a mercantile traveler, visit- 
ing the extreme western frontier. Return- 



ing home in June, 1840, he lost his left eye 
and was otherwise injured by the explosion 
of some chemicals which he was compound- 
ing. On recovering he purchased the patent 
of a barkmill, and engaged in the manufact- 
ure and sale of the mills, and in 1843 he 
came to Pittsburgh, where he followed the 
same business for many years. In 1852 he, 
with a partner, bought Carlisle Sulphur 
Springs, and there they conducted a hotel 
five years. Mr. Norton then sold his interest 
in the hotel and carried on a mercantile 
agency at New York for thirteen years. In 
the meantime his real estate in Pittsburgh 
had increased considerably in value, and, 
returning there in 1867, he began selling ofE. 
Subsequently he laid out forty-three acres on 
Mount Washington in lots, followed with 
many sales and rapid improvements, and 
later on extending his operations to the 
Tenth ward of Allegheny City. 

Mr. Norton accepts the religious teachings 
of Swedenborg, and has at times been a tem- 
perance worker. Politically he has been a 
republican from the time of the elder Harri- 
son presidential campaign. Mr. Norton has 
given much study to the homeopathic system 
of medicine, and often gives gratuitous treat- 
ment to the sick in his neighborhood. Jan. 
1, 1852, he married Jane, daughter of Sam- 
uel Rowley. Mrs. Norton was born in Ohio, 
and died at Pittsburgh; her father was born 
in Rensselaer county, N. Y., and died at 
Lewiston, Fulton county. 111., in 1883, at the 
age of ninety-four years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Norton were the parents of three sons and 
one daughter, latter of whom died in 1878, 
aged twenty-one years; the sons reside as 
follows: Perry C. in Chicago; Alex. A., in 
Kansas City, and Willshire C, in Pittsburgh, 
Joseph Truman Colvin, president of 
the National Bank of Commerce, Pittsburgh, 
was born near Brownsville, Fayette county, 
Pa., Feb. 27, 1838. His great-grandfatlier, 
Levi Colvin, of Scotch ancestry, was among 
the earliest settlers of that county; and his 
grandfather, William, and father, Levi, 
were both born there. Eliza McDonald, 
wife of the latter, and mother of Joseph T., 
is a granddaughter of Christian Tarr, one of 
the first members of Congress from Pennsyl- 
vania. Levi Colvin built and operated one 
of the first paper-mills in Western Pennsj'l- 
vania, and afterward engaged in mercantile 
business at Brownsville, where he died in 
1868. His widow yet resides there. 

J. T. Colvin, who is the eldest of her four 
children, attended Dunlap's Academy, and 
took a scientific course in Jefferson College 
at Cannonsburg. On reaching his majority, 
he became a partner in his father's store, 
continuing three years. In 1862 he came to 
Pittsburgh and became head of the grain and 
wool firm of Colvin & Mason. Four years 
later, he left this, and entered the wholesale 
grocery firm of Smith, Johnson & Colvin. 
In 1869, the senior partner retired, and the 
I firm became Johnson & Colvin. In 1876, 
\ Mr, Colvin withdrew from this firm, and be- 



554 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



camu head of lUe tivm of Colvin, Atwell & 
Co., relirinK in 1884. la the meantime. Mr. 
Colvin became a director in the New York 
and Cleveland Gas Coal company. Union In- 
surance company (of which he was presi- 
dent from 1881 to 1881). and the National 
Bank of Commerce, beins; elected to his 
present position in 1884. He is interested in 
the Newsboys' Home, is a member of I lie 
Americus cliib, and of the Baptist Clmrch. 
His wife, Elizabelli. is a daughter of tlie 
late William Searight. and a sister of Col. T. 
B. Searight, both prominent democrats of 
Favelte county. 

James Madison Bailey, iron-manufact- 
urer, Pittsburgh, is a native of Pittsburgh, 
born on what is now First avenue, in August, 
1833. His father, Francis Bailey, was a mem- 
ber of a family which held a one-hundred- 
year lease on an estate on the River Baun, 
near Coleraine, Ireland; his mother was a 
member of the Livingston family. Francis 
Bailey came to Philadelphia in 1814. and to 
Pittsliurgh about si.v years later. He was a 
prominent Freemason^ and was the first com- 
mander of the K. T. Commaudery of Pitts- 
burgh, being instrumental in the revival of 
Masonry here; was an adherent of democratic 
principles, and served as alderman under 
gubernatorial appointment; he died in 1849, 
aged sixty-two years. His wife, Mary Ann, 
was a daughter of Jacob Beltzhoover, wlio 
came to Pittsburgh with his father, Melchior 
Beltzhoover, from Maryland, before the 
opening of the present century. Francis 
Bailey's children were six in number (only 
J,wo are now living— Judge John H. Bailey 
and James M.), of whom James M. is the 
fifth. He was educated in private schools 
and the Western University, and when seven- 
teen years old began dealing in coal, a busi- 
ness he continued many years. He was one of 
the incorporators of the Fourth National and 
Fort Pitt National Banks, being continuously 
a director of the former, and for the last two 
years its president. He was one of the in- 
corporators of tlie Pittsburgh Clay Pot com- 
pany, and is a director of the Cash Insurance 
company, Monongahela Bridge company; of 
the Pittsburgh & Castle Shannon, Pittsburgh 
& Lake Erie, Pittsburgh, MoKeesport & 
Youghiogheny, and Lexington & Big Sandy 
Railroad companies. Since 1873 he has been 
a member of the firm of Phillips, Nimmick & 
Co. . owners and operators of the Sligo rolling- 
mills. 

Like his father, Mr. Bailey has always 
been a democrat, and served in the Pitts- 
burgh select council four years, and has been 
for many years a school director. His 
religious associations are with the Presby- 
terian Church. lu 1867 he married Martha, 
daughter of James Dalzell, a prominent 
Pittsburgh manufacturer. Mrs. Bailey died 
ill 1883, leaving three children; Ruth, Mark 
and Lois. 

James H. REED,attorney, Pittsburgh, is the 
son of the late Dr. Joseph A. Reed, who was 
for many years superintendent of the West- 



ern Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane. 
He was born Sept. 10, 18.53, and graduated 
from tlie Western University of Pennsylvania 
in 1872. He studied law with David Reed, 
Esq.. was admitted to the bar in July, 1875, 
and has ever since been engaged in practice. 
He was married, in June, 1878, to Miss Kate J., 
daughter of David Aiken, Jr., and their chil- 
drea were Joseph H. (deceased), David A., 
James H. and Katherine. 

Robert Bkuce Pakkinson, attorney, 
Pittsburgh, a native of that city, is a grand- 
son of John Parkinson, of Carlisle, who was 
an ollicer in the militia that defended Balti- 
more in the war of 1813; he was a master 
builder, in Carlisle, where he lived and died. 
His ancestors came from Ireland, but are 
supposed to have been Danes, passing through 
England. John Parkinson's son, John A., 
born in Carlisle in 1805. came to Pittsburgh 
in 1827, and engaged in building operations. 
He was elected a magistrate in 1845. and 
served until 1860. He died in 1870. He married 
Ann. daughter of John Cochran, who came 
to Pittsburgh ia 1810, and was appointed a 
magistrate by Gov.Findlay- in 1819, and served 
until his death, in 1833. John Cochran was 
one of the original members of the First U. 
P. Church. He was appointed, in 1819. by 
Gov. Findlay, a justice of the peace for life. 
His father, Moses Cochran, was a large lineu- 
raanufacturer. near Belfast, Ireland, and left 
there for Scotland, about 1800. From there, 
with his son, he came to New York, and 
thence to Pittsburgh, as above noted, engag- 
ing in mercantile business. John A. Parkin- 
son was twice married, and Robert B. is the 
fourth of five children by the first wife, Ann. 
R. B. Parkinson was born Dec. 22. 1837, 
and was educated at the public and high 
schools of the city. He read law with Francis 
C. Flanegin, the first district attorney of this 
county, and also with Marshall Swartzwelder. 
Was admitted to the bar in 18.59, and with 
the exception of three years spent in military 
service has since followed his profession. He 
enlisted in 1863 in Co. G, 140th P. V. I., and 
served in all the battles of the Army of the 
Potomac, from Chancellorsville to the sur- 
render at Appomattox. He was pl-omoted. 
after two years' service as a private, to first 
lieutenant, and returned home as quarter- 
master at the end of the war. His full brothers, 
two in number, were also in the service. Mr. 
Parkinson has been twice the democratic 
candidate for Congress from this city, but was 
each time defeated. With his family he 
attends the Third Presbyterian Church. His 
wife, Annie, is a daughter of Benjamin Atter- 
bury. (See his sketch. ) 

James McFadden Carpenter, attorney, 
Pittsburgh, was born in Murrysville. Pa., 
Jan. 30. 1850, a son of Jeremiah Murry Car- 
penter and Eleanor, daughter of James and 
Margaret (Stewart) McFadden. His mother 
died in March, 1869; his father is still living, 
at the age of seventy-one. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject was John Carpen- 
ter, whose wife was Jane Murry, daughter of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



555 



Jeremiah Murry, the founder of Miirrysville, 
Westmorehiml Co., Pa. 

James McF. Carpenter was reared on a 
farm in Plum township, this county, and 
attended the common schools. Between the 
ages of sixteen and twenty-one he was a stu- 
dent in the Muriysville Academy at intervals, 
and taught school during four terms. In 
1872 he came to Pittsburgh, where he prac- 
ticed surveying and engineering with James 
H. McRoberts, and studied law, first with 
Hopkins & Lazear, then with Thomas C. 
Lazear, of the same firm. He was admitted 
to the bar in October, 1874, and has ever 
since been engaged in practice. He was 
rnarried, June 21, 1876, to Mary H., daughter 
of John L. L. and Rebekah H. Knox, of Alle- 
gheny. Their children were Alice Lazear, 
Rebekah Knox (deceased in 1884) and Bertha 
Eleanor, Mr, Carpenter's success has been 
wholly due to his own energy and persever- 
ance. He did not inherit a fortune, and he 
has held no official position. He is a demo- 
crat with decidedly independent views, and 
has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church 
since 1881, 

John Phiijp Beech (deceased) was born 
Sept, 3, 1833, in New York city. His par- 
ents, Leonard and Catharine Beech, came 
from Heidelberg, Germany, to New York in 
same year, and a few days after the birth of 
John Philip proceeded to Butler county. Pa,, 
where they engaged in farming. They after- 
ward came lo Pittsburgh, where the father 
died, in 1850, aged fifty years; the mother 
died in 1877. John P., their eldest child, was 
cashier of the First National Bank of Bir- 
mingham for twenty-eight years, a position 
for which he was well qualified. He died 
Feb. 17, 1889. In 1853 he married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Daniel Berg, for many years a 
justice of the peace in Pittsburgh, To Mr, 
and Mrs. Beech were born four children, all 
living: Daniel (cashier in the bank his father 
was in), Julia, Charles F, (assistant book- 
keeper in same institution as his brother) and 
Fred Bernard, at home. The family are 
identified with the E. P, Church, John P, 
Beech was a republican. 

Frank Whiteseli,, attorney at law, 
Pittsburgh, was born in Allegheny City, Aug, 
14, 1853, son of Jacob Whiteseli, who be- 
came a resident of the borough of Sewickley 
in 1861, and died there on" Feb. 3, 1885, 
Jacob Whiteseli was for forty years a mem- 
ber of the Pittsburgh bar, George Whiteseli, 
the grandfather of Frank, was a lineal de- 
scendant of Admiral Wurtz, of Germany; 
was a lifelong resident of Hampton town- 
ship, in this county, where he died in 1883, 
aged ninety five years. 

The subject of this sketch was educated 
in the iniblic schools of Allegheny and Se- 
wickley, and received an academical education 
in the Sewickley and Episcopal academies 
in Sewickley, Pa. He read law in the office 
of his father, and was admitted to the bar of 
Allegheny county Nov. 19, 1876. He com- 
menced practice in Pittsburgh, immediately 



after his admission, in partnership with his 
father, first under the firm of Whiteseli & 
Sou, afterward, on the admission of his 
brother, W. AV. Whiteseli, as Whiteseli & 
Sons, by which name the firm is now known. 
The practice of this firm has been quite suc- 
cessful. Mr. Whiteseli is a democrat in pol- 
itics, and a member of the Sewickley Pres- 
byterian Church, where he resides. He is a 
member of Allegheny Conimandery, No. 35, 
Knights Templar, and other prominent 
orders stationed in Allegheny Cilj'. His 
mother, Anna Margaret Whiteseli (formerly 
Neill), is the daughter of the late Thomas 
Neill, Escj., and resides at the family home- 
stead, in Sewickley, Pa, The Whiteseli fam- 
ily are well known in Western Pennsylvania, 
and rank high in musical, literary and social 
circles, 

Charles Seibebt, secretary and treas- 
urer of the Germania Savings Bank, Pitts- 
burgh, was born near Kreuznach. Prussia. 
April 3, 1845. His parents, Nicholas and 
Catherine (Mohr) Seibert, sailed for America 
from Bremen on the day he was three years 
of age. During the voyage of sixty days an 
infant brother died, and was consigned to the 
deep. The father took the family to Spring- 
ville, Seneca county, Ohio, where he settled 
for a time, his wife and eldest daughter dying 
there. The fever and ague, for which West- 
ern Ohio was then noted, proved loo much 
for him, and after remaining sever.nl years he 
removed to Allegheny City, where he died in 
1858. 

Charles is the seventh of eight children, 
of whom five are now living. Of these 
Christian M. was for a number of years as- 
sistant cashier of the Third National Bank 
of Pittsburgh, and was the predecessor of 
Charles in the position he now holds. He 
is now secretary of legation at Santiago, 
Chili. Two brothers are engaged in the fur- 
niture manufacturing business in Allegheny 
City. Charles attended school until twelve 
years old. when he spent three years in the 
office of the Pittshurger Repiihliknner, learn- 
ing the printers' trade. He then took a short 
course in one of the commercial colleges of 
Pittsburgh, after which be was employed for 
a time in the office of the Clarion Independent 
Banner, edited by Col, Samuel Young, then 
well known by the name of the "literary 
drayman." After the first battle of Bull run 
Charles got the war-fever, and succeeded, 
though but little over sixteen years of age, in 
enlisting as a private in Co. G, 62d P. V. 
(Col. Samuel W. Black), for three years. His 
regiment was attached to the 5th corps. Army 
of the Potomac, and saw hard and continu- 
ous service. In October. 1863, Private Sei- 
bert was appointed orderly sergeant, and 
came home at the expiration of three years' 
service as second lieutenant, commanding the 
company. He had the remarkable good fort- 
une to never lose a day during the term of 
service through sickness, and was never 
wounded. On the day of his being mustered 
out he took the po.sition of bookkeeper in 



556 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



the Thini Nationul Bank, whicli lie liuUl for 
four yiMis. when he beearae cashier of the 
German Savings Baulv, of Alleslieuy. He 
resigned this position, after about four years, 
to engage in the real-estate and insurance 
business. He was elected to his present 
position in February, 1878. He is also the 
secretary and treasurer of the Pittsburgh, 
A. & M. Passenger Railway company, which 
position he has held for eleven years. Mr. 
ISeibert is a member of tiu; G. A. H. and 
Veteran Legion, and in politics has been gen- 
erally a republican. He has been twice mar- 
ried, and has three sons and one daughter; 
Henry E., secretary of the Manufacturers' 
Natural Gas company, of Pittsburgh; Cliarles 
A., in the office of W. E. Schmenz & Co.; 
William, attending school, and Estella, at 
homo. 

Charles Meyr.4.n, president of the Ger- 
mania Savings Bank, of Pittsburgh, was born 
Oct. 13, 1833, at Bramsche, Germany. His 
great-great-graudfather.John Cliarles Meyer- 
Arend (later called Meyran), born in the year 
1697, entered the military service in his 
youth, and under Frederick the Great fought 
through the "Seven Years' War." After 
this war he was promoted to be adjutant to 
the king at the court, and lived to the re- 
markable age of one hundred and thirteen 
years. 

The father of the subject of this sketch 
was C. Ludwig Meyran. a tanner at Bramsche, 
and the mother was Minna Meyer (Wolter- 
man); both died before he had completed his 
tenth year. He kept on with his studies, 
and at the age of fourteen was graduated 
at the high-school of his native place. He 
immediately emigrated to America, accom- 
panied by a schoolmate, and thej' arrived in 
New York in September, 1848. Master 
Meyran proceeded to Pittsburgh, where he 
joined his uncle, G. H. Meyer, a jeweler, 
with whom he spent two years learning the 
trade; then served an apprenticeship of four 
years to the trade of watchmaking with 
Mr. Louis Reinemann. In 18.54 he took charge 
of the commercial department o' the house, 
and entered the firm as a partner, which then 
becaxne Reinemann & Meyran. In 1862 he 
and others bought the Oakland & East Lib- 
erty & Pittsburgh & Jlinersville Passenger 
railroad. He became president of this cor- 
poration, but afterward sold his interest and 
resigned. The business of Reinemann & 
Meyran, with a few changes, continued suc- 
cessfully for twenty years, at the expiration 
of which lime both partners retired from 
active connection with it. 

In 1870 Mr. Meyran and others organized 
the Germania Savings Bank, of which he 
has ever since been president. In 1876 he 
became interested in a new enterprise at Del- 
phos, Ohio, for the manufacture of material 
for sugar- and flour-barrels and nail-kegs. A 
company was formed, known as the Pitts- 
burgh Hoop and Stave company, of which 
he became president. In 1883 tlie buildings 
of the works were destroyed by fire, and the 



property and material left from the conflagra- 
tion were sold. Shortly afterward Mr. Mey- 
ran joined with his son, Louis A. Meyran. Col. 
John Ewing, H. S. Duncan and other well- 
known men, in founding the Cannonsliurg 
Iron and Steel company at Cannonsburg. Pa. 
Mr. Meyran is president of this flourishing 
corporation, and his son is treasurer. In 
188.) Mr. Meyran and his associates conceived 
the idea of (Irilling for gas on the ground of 
the mill. It proved a success, and has been 
the sole source of fuel for the iron- and steel- 
works, stamping-works, machine-shops, as 
well as the town of Cannonsburg and the 
buildings and grounds known as the Penn- 
sylvania Reform School, at Morganza. Mr. 
Meyran took up aliout ten thousand acres of 
land in Washinglon county, which has since 
proved to be the best natural-gas field in that 
section of the state. Associating with him- 
self several of the leading iron- and steel-man- 
ufacturers and business-men in Pittsburgh 
and Allegheny, he organized the Manufact- 
urers' Natural Gas company of Pittsburgh, 
which speedily built a system of pipe-lines 
from these farms to the city of Pittsburgh. 
This enterprise involved an expense of over 
a million of dollars. Mr. Mej'ran was chosen 
president of the company, a position he still 
holds. 

Among the honors conferred on Mr. 
Meyran by his fellow-citizens of Pittsburgh 
may be mentioned the presidency of the 
German Library association, of tlie Frohsinn 
Singing society, and of the Immigrants' 
Aid society; chairmanship of the German- 
Franco Peace jubilee, also of the Humboldt 
Monument festival. In the business world 
of Pittsburgh he is a most important factor, 
holding many positions of trust and respon- 
sibilitj-, notably in banking and insurance 
corporations. He is, and has been for the 
last twelve years, treasurer of the Chamber 
of Commerce of Pittsburgh, and was chosen 
treasurer of the Countv Centennial festival, 
held in the year 1888. 

Mr. Meyran married, in 18.58, Miss Sophia 
Flowers, oif Baldwin township, a descendant 
of one of the earliest pioneers of Western 
Pennsylvania. He has two children: one sou. 
Louis A., who finished his education and 
graduated at Hanover, Germany, now mar- 
ried to Miss Marie, daughter of Charles F. 
Herrosee, Esq., secretary of the Allemania 
Insurance company, and one daughter, 
Emma, wife of W. A. Scott, Jr., firebrick 
manufacturer. 

Mr. Meyran has many houses and stores 
in Pittsburgh, and has made extensive pur- 
chases in the suburbs of the citj-, which he 
has improved and disposed of as occasion 
offered at good advantage. He has traveled 
extensively, having crossed the Atlantic a 
dozen times or more. He is a quiet but lib- 
eral friend of the poor and suffering, and has 
been a generous benefactor of many chari- 
table institutions. Mr. Me3'ran has never 
been ambitious of political honors, but he 
has worthily served the city of Pittsburgh 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



557 



as a member of Ibe councils and as school 
director, and also, in a semi-official way, in 
many capacities. 

Algeo. About the year 1796 William 
and Margaret (Levens) Algeo came to Alle- 
gheny county from Letterkeuny, County 
Donegal, Ireland. They had eight children, 
three sons and five daughters, and of these 
the eldest son, Robert, and a daughter, Jane, 
being married and comfortably settled, re- 
mained in Ireland. The eldest daughter, 
Rebecca, married a second cousin, William 
Algeo, of Rockhill, Ireland, and preceded 
her parents to this country some years. Her 
husband and she vmrchased a farm near 
Robinson's run, in the Chartier valle}', AUe- 
ghen}' county. Her father, William Algeo, 
on coming to these shores located with his 
family near her, purchasing a farm in the 
same neighborhood. Here Margaret, daugh- 
ter of William and Margaret (Levens) Algeo, 
married James Walker, brother of Gabriel 
and Isaac Walker, a family still well known 
in this neighborhood. Their daughter, Ann, 
also married and located near Huntingdon, 
Pa. In a short time William Algeo died, 
leaving two sons, Thomas and John, and one 
daughter, Katherine, unmarried. The wid- 
ow, disheartened by the death of her hus- 
band, and unused to the hardships of a new 
country, sold the farm and came to Pitts- 
burgh about the year 1803. Thomas Algeo 
was a contracting painter, and he and his 
brother, John, did painting on the first and 
only ships built in Pittsburgh, also on the 
first county jail. In the year 1809, the broth- 
ers, Thomas and John, in connection with their 
nephews Gregg and William, sons of Rebecca 
Algeo, established a large store in Pittsburgh 
for the sale of general merchandise. They 
sent flour on flatboats to Nevv Orleans, sold 
the boats and returned via iNew York with 
sugar and molasses. The family were among 
the first members of Rev. Dr. Black's church, 
the prayer-meeting in connection with which 
was held in the sitting-room in rear of the 
store on Market street for many years. Min- 
isters attending meetings of the synod were 
often entertained by the family in those days, 
and their residence was often called "the 
ministers' home." In 1820 Margaret Levens, 
widow of William, died, highly respected by 
all who knew her, and beloved by her family. 
Katherine, the only remaining daughter un- 
married, soon after her mother's death mar- 
ried Richard Jessup. She died in 1832. 
Thomas married Mary Laird, and after her 
death, which occurred in a few years, he 
married Mary Nesmith. John Algeo married 
Annabella, daughter of James McCague. The 
brothers "Thomas and John Algeo owned 
some of the most valuable property in Pitts- 
burgh on Fifth avenue and Wood and Lib- 
erty streets. Thomas Algeo. who died in 
1832 without heirs, willed his property to 
his brother, some of which is still owned by 
the family. Tlieir sister, Rebecca Algeo, 
owned the block on Liberty street at the 
corner of Seventh avenue now owned by 



McCance. She was the mother of Gregg 
and William Algeo. William was at one 
time commissioner for Allegheny county, 
was highly respected, and is still remembered 
by many in Pittsburgh. Gregg has a son 
William, who is living and engaged in active 
business at Beaver Falls. Rebecca was mater- 
nal grandmother to Gen. Thomas A. Rowley 
and the Lytle brothers, who are living and 
well known in Pittsburgh. 

John and Annabella Algeo had six chil- 
dren who reached mature years. Their 
eldest son, Thomas, well known as a mer- 
chant on Liberty street, in the year 1839 
established a gentleman's clothing and fur- 
nishing store, which was largely patronized 
by the young men of that time. He is now 
residing in St. Clair township. William J. 
Algeo was largely engaged in the coal and 
ice business, supplying large contracts in the 
south, and is at present living in Pittsburgh. 
Robert died in 1847. John died in 18.56; he was 
associated with his brother, William J., in the 
coal and ice business.raarried Amanda, daugh- 
ter of Capt. Greenlee, who with two sons and 
a daughter survives him. Sarah Ellen Algeo, 
daughter of John and Annabella. married, in 
1847, ThomasM. Marshall, the well-known at- 
torne}'. and died in 18.57. She was much loved 
l)y all who knew her for her gentle Christian 
character. Catherine Algeo married Edward 
Oudry, and lives on Ridge avenue, Allegheny. 

Another branch of the family, and worthy 
of note, is the family of John Algeo. a neph- 
ew of Rebecca. He married Miss Margaret 
Craig, of a highly respected family, and they 
had four sons, all worthy young men. 
Charles owned a jewelry establishment on 
Fifth avenue, and removed to Philadelphia. 
W. H. H. Algeo is an engraver and also an 
artist of some note. Wesley, who was en- 
gaged in real- estate business in the city of 
Allegheny, died in 1888. much beloved and 
much regretted by many friends. The 
widow of John still lives in Allegheny with 
her two sons, W. H. H. and John. 

Daniel McWilliams, county commis- 
sioner, Allegheny, a son of Daniel and Kate 
(McGrogan) McWilliams, was born in Alle- 
gany county, Md., Dec. 31, 1843. His par- 
ents came from Scotland to America in 1841, 
first locating in Allegany county. Md., and 
afterward, in 1846, settling in "Pittsburgh, 
where they resided until their decease, Mrs. 
McWilliams dying in July, 1874, at the age 
of fifty-seven years, and Mr. McWilliams in 
January, 1875, at the age of fifty-eight years. 
Of their eleven children six are living; Dan- 
iel, Hugh, Kate, Mary, John and William. 
Dennis was in Co. D, 8th P. R., and after 
eighteen months' service was transferred to 
the 6th U. S. Cavalry, serving from Nov. 1, 
1863, to May 9, 1863,when he died of wounds 
received. Hugh was also in the service for 
three years, 7th P. V. C. 

Daniel McWilliams, the subject of this 
sketch, received Ids education in the public 
schools; when quite a young man he worked 
in the coal-mines as a miner, and afterward 



558 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



was a healer in the iron-manufacturing es- 
tablishments. April 17, 1861, he enlisted in 
Co. D, 8th P. K. C.. or 37th P. V., and served 
with distinction until Sept. 14, 1863, when he 
was carried from the battlefield at South 
jMountain. with two severe wounds which 
crippled him for life and unfittod liim for his 
usual avocation. In order to prei>are himself 
for other duties he attended Duff's Business 
College, where he ijradualed with credit. In 
1881 he was elected count}' commissioner on 
the democratic ticket, and during his term of 
service the plans for the new courthouse and 
jail were prepared and adopted, contracts 
awarded and work begun. At the beginning 
of his ofticial duties in 1883, by motion of 
himself and through the efforts of the county 
commissioners, about §400,000 was recovered 
from the state, being theamountof tax over- 
paid by the county in former years, and 
830,000 annually has been and will be saved 
since then by this action of the commission- 
ers. Mr. McVVilliams was again elected in 
1887, and is now one of the efficient board of 
commissioners. 

John L. Kennedy, grain- and feed-mer- 
chant, Allegheny, was born in that city in 1843. 
His father, John, was born in Pennsylvania, 
probably in Allegheny county, in 1809, and 
was a resident of the county until his decease, 
in 1854. He married Sarah Swauey, of Indi- 
ana township, near or what is now Harmars- 
ville, this county, and by her had four chil- 
dren: James B., John L., Susan (wife of An- 
drew Voegtley) and one that died in infancy. 
The father was a ropemaker, and for many 
years was foreman of Henry Irwin's rope- 
factory. He was a member of the Baptist 
Church. His wife died in 1850, at the age of 
forty-one years. John L. Kennedy, tlie sub- 
ject of this memoir, at the age of ten j^ears 
went to live with his grandfather on a farm, 
where he remained seven years, and then en- 
listed in Co. K, 9th P. R., for three years, and 
in 1864 was honorably discharged, having 
served twelve days over his term of enlist- 
ment. Besides many minor engagements he 
participated in some ten important battles, 
among them being Antietam, Gettysburg, 
Fredericksburg, South Mountain and Mine 
run. Since the war lie has engaged at rail- 
roading, in oil business, as an officer in the 
Allegheny county workhouse, four years of 
the time as superintendent, since when he 
was for seven years engaged in the livery 
business in Allegheny, but recently he em- 
barked in the grain, flour and feed trade. Mr. 
Kenned}- was married December 10, 1866, to 
Anna C, daughter of John P. and Elizabeth 
Smith, and their children were James B.. 
George C, John F. (deceased) and Lillian M. 
Mr. Kennedy is a F. & A. M., member of 
Veteran Legion and G. A. R., a member of 
the M. E. Church; in politics a republican. 

Capt. John Rodoeks, retired. Allegheny, 
was born on Liberty street, in Pittsburgh, in 
1815, a .son of William and Martha Strans- 
hon, and has always resided in this county. 
His parents came from Ireland prior to the 



I revolutionary war. Of their eight children- 
Capt. John is the only one now living. The 
father died in 1820, and the mother in 1864. 
aged eighty-four years. They were mem- 
bers of the Covenanter Church, and came to 
this country with Rev. Black, D. D., subse- 
quent!}' their pastor, in consequence of the 
rebellion in Ireland. Capt. John Rodgers 
was mairied May 11. 1843, to Elizabetli, 
daughter of Thomas and Jane(Eliott) J^sler, 
and there were born to them eight children: 
Jane E., Martha. Sarah R., Elizabetli B. (de- 
ceased wife of William H. Bradley), Annie 
C, Mary P. (wife of William A" Davis), 
James McAuley and Thomas E. Mr. Rodg- 
ers has followed various avocations in life, 
first having learned the carpenter's trade, 
which he followed until 1846, after which he 
followed raising sunken boats on the Ohio 
river. In 1850 he bought the steamer Arena, 
and became a river captain. He followed 
boating for seventeen years, for several 
years clearing out obstructions in tlie Ohio 
river under contract of the United States 
government. In 1872 he was engaged on 
the Allegheny Valley railroad as lost-car 
agent. During the late war he had charge 
of the transfer of specie between Pittsburgh 
and Cleveland. Ohio, and is said to have 
transferred about nine tons of gold and silver. 
He has passed his threescore years and ten, 
and has retired from the active duties of life, 
and with his affectionate wife is taking his 
much-needed rest, surrounded by his family 
of devoted children. 

Stdrley Cuthbert (deceased), son of 
Samuel and Mary Cuthbert, was born at 
Lynn Regis, county of Norfolk, England. Be- 
fore reaching his majority he was the only 

1 survivor of the family. After serving an 

' apprenticeship to a grocer, he came to Pitts- 
burgh in 1818, walking over the mountains 
from Philadelphia. He took employment 

I with Alex. McClurg in a foundry, and finally 
acquired an interest in the business. He 
established a dry-goods store on Market 
street, afterward removing to Liberty and 
Virgin alley and had the first large show- 
window in the city. He established the 
Union foundry at Bayardstown, now part of 
the city. He' also established a foundry at 
Wheeling, W. Va., and built the machinery 
for the water-works of that city. While 
there he wa« very active in educating the 
colored tieople, but was forced to desist by 
the slave-owners. He suffered with others 
in the great fire of 1845, and began a very 
successful real-estate business immediately 
after that calamity, being the first in the city. 
He was a member of the first Pittsburgh 
hose company, and was among the most en- 
terprising business-men of the young city. 
Soon after his arrival he began to attend 
Dr. Bruce's Seceder Church, and there met 
Miss Margaret Miller, with whom he was 
united in marriage in 1820. Mrs. Cuthbert 
was born in Carlisle, Pa., and was a daughter 
of William Miller, who left Ireland when 
five years old, and was a soldier in the Indian. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



55ft 



wars, under Gen. 'William H. Harrison. Mr. 
Cuthbert was a tru.stee in Dr. Bnice's church, 
and was very active in orgauiziug Sabbath- 
schools here and in Wheeling. He estab- 
lished a school on Mount Washington, and 
gave the ground for the present Presbyterian 
church, which he and his family have al- 
ways sustained. His death, which occurred 
April 27, 1881, in his eighty-fifth year, was 
caused by exposure while visiting the old 
church, formerly Dr. Brace's, on Seventh 
avenue. 

Following are the names, with residence, 
of his children: SturleyL., Pittsburgh; Mrs. 
Margaret K. Browne (widow of Andrew 
Browne), Bellevue; Mrs. Mary .1. Fetzer 
(widow of James A. Fetzer), Moon town- 
ship; Samuel, died in his third year; William 
M., Pittsburgh: Mrs. Anna M., wife of W. 
C. Armstrong, is deceased; Miss Sarah W., 
Allegheny City, and Robert Bruce, Pitts- 
burgh. S. L. Cuthbert liecame his father's 
partner in 18.53, and has been more or less in 
the real-estate business ever since. He had 
previously been connected with the Pitts- 
burgh Dispatcli, as business-manager, from 
1849 to 1853. Has resided with his family on 
Mount Washington for many years, and 
with the exception of two or three years has 
been identified with the Mount Washington 
Presbyterian Church and Sabbath-school, 
ever since their organization. 

Geobge Hirning, painter, postotfice 
Allegheny, is a son of Jacob and Barbara 
Hirning, and was born in 184.5 in Germany. 
The mother died in 1880, in Germany, 
where the father js yet living. George Hirn- 
ing came in 1868 to the United States, and 
settled in Allegheny, where he has since re- 
sided. In October, 1871. he married Kate, 
daughter of Philip and Philipena Erb, of 
Allegheny, and by her has three children: 
Helena, John and Kate. The mother of 
these children died Nov. 10, 1887, at the age 
of thirty-seven years, and in February, 1889, 
Mr. Hirning married his second wife, Bar- 
bara, widow of Ehrhard Lindner, of Alle- 
gheny. Mr. Hirning learned the painter's 
trade, which for fifteen years he carried on 
succesfully. 

Ferdinand Malsch, butcher, Allegheny, 
is a son of G. Friedrich and Elizabeth 
Malsch, and was born in Germany in 1843. 
His father died in Germany in 18.51, and in 
1853 his mother, with her little family of 
three children, came to America, nrst settling 
in Cleveland, Ohio, where they remained two 
years, then came to Pittsburgh, where she 
still resides at the age of seventy-five years. 
Ferd. Malsch was married Aug. 39, 1865, to 
Margaret, daughter of Jacob Sadler, and six 
children have been born to this union: Fred- 
erick, Qustave, Alma, John, William and 
Henry. Mr. Malsch has followed the butch- 
ering business since he was sixteen years of 
age, first working for Phili|) Wilz, in Pitts- 
burgh, afterward becoming his partner. In 
1865 he severed his connection with Mr. 
Witl, and moved to Allegheny, where he 



still follows his old business. He is a F. & 

A. M., and is a member and one of tlie 
founders of St. Peter's G. E. L. Church in 
Allegheny. 

George Alfred Morrow (deceased) was 
born Sept. 6, 18.59, in Alleghen}' City, a son 
of Samuel Morrow, who was born in Perrys- 
ville in 1818, and now resides in Allegheny 
City. Robert Morrow, grandfatherof George 
Alfred, was a native of Ireland, came to 
America in an early day, and settled at 
Perrysville, Pa. George A. was educated in 
the public schools of his native city and in 
the Western University. In 1880 he embarked 
in the business of undertaking, which he 
carried on in the city of Pittsburgh until his 
decease. He was married April 17. 1884, lo 
Clara Matilda Schwer. of Allegheny, and 
their children are Anna May and Sarah Edith. 

William Zoller, pork-packer, Alle- 
gheny, was born in Allegheny City in 18.50. 
the son of Henry and Sophia Zoller, who 
were born in Germany, came to America in 
1839, and settled in this county, where 
they resided until their decease; the father 
died in 1869, the mother in 1883. Of their 
ten children the following named are living: 
Henry. Louis, Rachel (wife of Wendell Karn), 
William, Charles and Emma (wife of Ben- 
jamin Kalchthaler). Henry Zoller was a 
butcher by occupation; he was a member of 
the order of Druids, and of the Lutheran 
Church. William Zoller was married in 
October, 1873, to Henrietta, daughter of John 
Foertsch, of Butler county. Pa., and they 
have had eight children: Matilda, Henry, 
Amelia, William (deceased), Minnie, Henri- 
etta, Emma, and an infant named Rose 
L. William Zoller and his brother Charles 
took charge of their father's business after 
his decease, and remained partners until iu 
1883, when they dissolved partnership, Will- 
iam since conducting the business alone. 
He has purchased the old homestead on 
Spring Garden avenue, and by his industry, 
economy and business ability lias become 
one of the substantial citizens of Allegheny. 
He is a member of the K. of P., Order of 
Solons, and of the Lutheran Church. 

Gkorge W. Dean, insurance agent, Pitts- 
burgh, is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., the 
second sou of William Dean, who was born 
in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1811. Will- 
iam Dean first came to Pittsburgh in 1825, 
and found employment on a steamboat, con- 
tinuing on the river till 1858, and rising to 
the position of pilot, commander and owner 
of different steamers. In 1859 he became 
general agent of the Allegheny Insurance 
company, having charge of its marine busi- 
ness. In this capacity he remained till 1884, 
when he retired from active business. In 
November, 1837, he married Aurelia, daughter 
of James Butler; both are now enjoying a 
hale old age. The names of their children 
are William B., George W., John D., James 

B. (killed by accident while a child). Clara 
E. (wife of Wiliam I. Miller, of Beaver, Pa.), 
and Jennie D. (wife of J. P. Gribben), of 



oGO 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



■whom William B., John D. and Jennie D. 
reside in St. Paul, Minn. George W. Dean 
was educated at Bolmers Academy. West- 
chester, Pa. In July, 1861, he enlisted iu 
the 9th P. It. , Co. A, serving in the Army of 
the Potomac till the battle of Fredericlis- 
burg. when he was discharged to enter the 
naval service, with rank of acting ensign; was 
ordered to the Mississippi, and subsequently 
to the West Gulf sijuadron. He served ou 
the gunboats Argosy. Key West, and iron- 
clad ("inriniKili. and was of the party de- 
tailed Id rrcuivu the surrender of the confed- 
eraic nuiiliiiiit Morgan, at Mobile, Ala. He 
resigned in May, ISGS, and returned to Pitts- 
burgh, where he entered the office of the 
internal revenue collector, as cashier. In 
1868 he engaged in the lire and marine insur- 
ance business. Mr. Dean married, December, 
1876, Mary C, Robertson, of Delaware City, 
Del., who died of consumption in 1884, and 
three years later he wedded Miss Jeanette A. 
Laird, of Beaver, Pa. 

Fred Emrich. tanner, Allegheny, a son 
of Philip and Maria K. Emrich, was born in 
Uheuish Bavaria, Gernianj-, iu 1850, and 
came with his parents to America in 186.5, 
settling in Allegheny, where he has resided 
ever since, with the exception of about two 
years spent in Columbus, Ohio. His father 
died iu 1874, aged seventy-four years; his 
mother in December, 1888, aged eighty-two. 
They had nine children, of whom six are yet 
living: Philip, Philipena (widow of Henry 
Langner), Catherine (widow of Lewis Hebler), 
Caroline (wife of Frank Abt) and Henry. 
The subject of these lines commenced the 
tanning business in 1875, where he now re- 
sides, and is a dealer iu hides and wool. He 
is a member of K. of P. ; e.x-member of com- 
mon council, having served as such four 
years, and is president of the Allegheny 
Turners' association. He was elected to select 
council of the city of Allegheny Feb, 19, 1889. 

Christian Unverzagt, general black- 
smith, Pittsburgh, was born in Hessen-Darm- 
stadt, Germany, in 1831. He learned his 
trade in his native land, and when nineteen 
years of age left home and friends to make 
his fortune in America.locating in Pittsburgh, 
where he has since resided. He built his 
home on Forty-first street in 1857. In 1855 
he married Caroline Matern, a native of the 
same locality as himself, and they have five 
children living, all resident in Pittsburgh, 
and named as follows: Louis J., William L., 
Jacob C, George L. and KateC, E. Adolph, 
the third child, died when twenty-eight 
years old. Mr. Unverzagt has been with the 
Allegheny Valley railroad since November, 
1869, in the capacity of spring-maker. He is 
a member of the Reformed Church; polit- 
ically he has been a republican since Fre- 
mont's campaign. 

John Seilixg. butcher. Alleghenj'. son of 
Baltzer and Barbara Selling, was born in 
Germany in 1830, and came to America in 
1849, settling iu this city in the same year, 
where he has resided ever since. His parents 



both died in Germany. In 1853 he married 
Caroline, daughter of Henry and Martha 
Feldbuch, and by this union there were five 
children: William, Elizabeth (wife of George 
Lenz), Frederick, Matilda and Minnie (de- 
ceased). Mr. Seiling learned the butcher's 
trade soon after coming to this country, and 
has been engaged in that business eversince; 
his son, William, is associated with him. 
Mr. Seiling has been placed in many positions 
of trust and honor by his fellow-citizens, 
having served eight j'ears in the common 
council; was vice-president and treasurer of 
the Humboldt Fire Insurance company; is 
vice-president of the Enterprise Savings 
Bank. He has been a member of the poor- 
board, is a member of the Masonic fraternity 
and of the G. P. Church. 

James Francies. bricklayer, contractor 
and builder, Allegheny City, son of John K. 
and Isabella (Wallace) Francies, was born in 
Scotland. Nov. 7, 1833, and came with his par- 
ents to America in 1838. They located in 
Pittsburgh, Pa., where they resided until 
1865, when they moved to McKeesport, and 
here remained until the decease of the father, 
who died in February, 1888, at the advanced 
age of ninety years, his death resulting from 
injuries received by a fall; his widow is liv- 
ing at Homestead, this county, hale and 
hearty, at the age of eighty-six years. They 
were of old Scotch Presbyterian stock. 
Their family of ten children are all yet living, 
as follows: Isabell (wife of William Glass), 
Margaret (wife ol^ Robert Sproat), John, 
Hugh. Catherine (wife of William Nicholl), 
Matilda (wife of John Lowery), William, 
James, Samuel and Elizabeth. The last- 
named is single and lives with her mother: 
Hugh resides in Wisconsin, from which state 
he enlisted in 1861, for three years, in the 
army, serving until the close of the war, re- 
ceiving an honorable discharge. Samuel 
Francies was born Oct. 31, 1838. He married 
Prudence McKnight, and their children were 
Belle W. (deceased), Jennie McKnight. Will- 
iam H., Edward S.,Kate E., Anna R. and 
Edna L. Jlr. Francies is a member of the 
firm of William & J. Francies & Co. 

James Francies. the subject of this me- 
moir, was married. Sept. 17, 1856. to Mary, 
daughter of John and Mary (Logan) Welslx, 
and by her has three children: Harvey H. 
(married to Bertha N., daughter of James 
Newland), John R. (married to Sarah E.. 
daughter of William Richards) and Isabella 
(wife of Elmer E. Baldwin). Mr. Francies is 
a F. ife A. M., and has attained the 33d de- 
gree. He has been a member of the firm of 
W. & J. Francies & Co., contractors and 
builders, since 1865, and since 1886 they have 
carried ou brick- making in Pittsburgh, in 
connection with their other business. 

William Greenaw.^lt, tanner, Alle- 
gheny, is a sou of Abraham and Rebecca 
Greenawalt, and was born in Hamburg, Mer- 
cer county. Pa., Oct. 22, 1844. one of a family 
of sixteen children, nine of whom are j'et liv- 
ing. The mother died in 1865, at the age of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



561 



sixty-two years, and the father iu 1868. In 
1875 he formed a partnership with David 
Beitler. and embarlied in the tanning busi- 
ness in Reserve township, where the firm still 
carry on that business iu connection with the 
buying and selling of wool. Mr. Greenawalt 
was married in December. 1871, to Annie, 
daughter of Christian and Catherine Beitler, 
and by her had following-named children: 
Otto, Estella, and Edward and Armiuia (both 
deceased). Mr. Greenawalt's family are mem- 
bers of the G. L. Church. 

AucH. H. RowAND, Jr., attorney at law, 
Pittsburgh, residence Verona, was born 
March 6, 1845, at Allegheny City, Pa. He is 
a great-great-grandson of Johu and .Sarah 
(Mallack) Rowand, a great-grandson of John 
and Frances (Linville) Rowand, a grandson 
of Thomas and Elizabeth (Sharp) Rowand, 
and a son of Archibald Hamilton and Cath- 
erine (Greer) Rowand, who were the parents 
of five children: Asaph Terry, Arch. Hamil- 
ton, Jr., Frank Parkhill, Thomas Arthur and 
Kate Fleming; alt are living. The ancestors 
on the father's side were Quakers; on the 
mother's side Londonderry Protestant Irish. 
The subject of ihis memoir was educated 
in the public schools in the city of Allegheny 
and by private tutors in the city of Pitts- 
burgh." At the age of seventeen he enlisted 
for three years, or during the war, in Co. K, 
1st W. V. C, and was at once placed in act- 
ive service, and continued so until the close 
of the war. He served under Gens. Averill 
and Phil. H. Sheridan, and for gallant serv- 
ices received a medal of honor from the 
state of West Virginia; also one from Con- 
gress at the request of Gen. Sheridan. After 
his discharge, in 1865, he filled advanced posi- 
tions in railroad offices till elected, in 1878, 
clerk of the courts of Allegheny county, to 
which position he was re-elected for addi- 
tional three years in 1881. He was admitted 
to tlie bar in 1885, and now practices in all 
the county courts, the state supreme court, 
and the United States courts, 

Mr. Rowand was married Oct. 17, 1867, to 
Sarah M. C, daughter of Richard C. and 
Mary Howard, of England, and by her had 
six children: Mary Kate, Harry, Sallie (de- 
ceased). Arch. Sheridan, Helen and Eliza 
Jeannette. The mother and family are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church. Mr. Rowand 
is a straight republican. 

John A. Verner, retired, Allegheny, a 
son of Benjamin and Sarah (Ainsworth) Ver- 
ner, was born in Rutlandshire, England, 
Dec. 25. 1819. He came to America in 1842, 
landed in Pittsburgh June 16th of that year, 
and has resided in this county ever since. 
His father was a native of Ireland, and his 
mother of England, both of whom died in the 
latter country. Mr. Verner was married, 
some two moutlis after his arrival in this 
county, to Mary Palmer, a native of Ireland, 
and to them were born five children, three 
now living: John A., Mar}' and Anna, wife 
of John H. Purnell, of AUeghen}' county. 
Mr. Verner learned the tanner's trade in this 



county, with J. H. Ralsou, which occupa- 
tion he followed about eight years. In 1853 
he bougbt a farm in what is now Pine town- 
ship, on which he resided several 3'ears. He 
afterward became a contractor, and engaged 
in building streets and sewers. He has also 
been interested in various other enter- 
prises, in all of which he has been eminently 
successful. Some years since he retired from 
active business, and is now enjoying the 
fruits of many years of earnest toil. 

Jackman T. Stockdaue. late of Alle- 
gheny, son of Joseph and Mary Stockdale, 
was born in Predericlctown, Columbiana 
county, Ohio, March 1, 1828, where he re- 
sided until in 1849, when he removed to 
Georgetown, Beaver county. Pa., and in 
1864 came to Allegheny, where he settled 
and resided until his decease, June 8, 1887. 
He was married August 3, 1848. to Mary J., 
daughter of William and Elizabeth Cal- 
houn. Their children now living are Ida 
(wife of Homer S. Knowles). Willis D., 
Minnie (wife of Wells Dickson Webb), Mary 
B. (wife of John K. Ewing), Charles D.. 
Jackman T., Jr., and Catherine M. Mr. 
Stockdale received a good common-school 
education, and during his seventeenth year 
taught school; he then engaged with Capt. 
Richard Calhoun as clerk on the steamboat 
American. He followed boating about eight- 
; een years, during which period he built some 
fifteen boats, and became a well-known cap- 
tain on the western and southern waters. 
After he settled in Allegheny City, he be- 
1 came interested in the oil-refining business. 
] and held an interest in the Standard Oil 
company. He was also president of the 
I Pittsburgh Savings Bank, a member of the 
Chamber of Commerce, secretary and treas- 
urer of the Pleasant Valley Street railway, 
'; and secretary and treasurer of the People's 
Street railway. He was a member of the 
Third Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, 
and though called to his rest at the age of 
fifty-nine years, he had accomplished all tlial 
could reasonably be allotted one of three- 
score and ten. He died leaving an interest- 
1 ing family, consisting of his widow and 
' seven children. 

Barthel Erbe, retired, Pittsburgh, was 
born at Barchfeld, Hessen, Germany, May 
23. 1824. a son of Henry and Anna Barbara 
I (Funkart) Erbe. His grandfather, Peter 
I Erbe, was a tanner, and his father was a 
j locksmith. Having mastered his father's 
trade, Barthel Erbe set out for America iu 
1848. After spending a few months in min- 
ing iron ore at Columbia, Pa., he came to 
Pittsburgh iu August of that year, where he 
i secured employment at the ISovelt.v works, 
afterward at the Excelsior works. For more 
than twenty j-ears after the name of the 
latter was changed to Variety he held the 
position of foreman of lock and scale de- 
partment. Having made good investments 
in real estate, Mr. Erbe retired from active 
labor in 1873. He was one of the first stock- 
holders of the German Savings and Deposit 



562 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Bank: was one of the incorporators of the 
BirminKhnm Fire Insurance company, in 
which he has been a director for three years, 
and is a trustee of tlie Odd-Fellows' Hall as- 
sociation. He is a member of the U. E. 
Church, of the I. O. O. F. and A. O, U. W.. 
and is a republican. Mr. Erbe married, Fel). 
'22. 1849, Maria Eichacher, who came from 
Bavaria the previous year. Mrs. Erbe died 
in January, 1889, leaving two sons, Henry 
and August Bernhard, the latter of whom 
resides near Charles City, Iowa, on a farm of 
four hundred acres. 

William Carr, president Mechanics' 
National Bank, Pittsburgh, was born in 
Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland, in 1817. 
and is the eldest child of Nathaniel and 
Catherine (Lowrey) Carr. His grandfather, 
.lohn Carr, migrated from Scolhind to Ire- 
land, where he had been granted a large tract 
of land from the crown. His wife was Chris- 
tina Fulton, who was also of Scottish ex- 
traction. William Carr was educated in the 
private schools of his native county, and in 
18-tl came to America. In 1843 he reached 
Pittsburgh on his way to Chicago. Here he 
met a merchant who knew his family, and 
was induced to take employment in his store. 
He eventually embarked in the wholesale 
trade with .John Parker, and in 1852 became 
sole proprietor of the business, which he 
continued till 1871. He was also a partner 
for seven years in a Philadelphia wholesale 
grocery. In 1857 he became a director in the 
Mechanics' Bank, and was elected president 
in 1872. He is a member of Calvary P. E. 
Church; in politics was formerly a whig, but 
is now a democrat. Mr. Carr has been twice 
married, but has no children living. 

Wilson McCandless, president Alle- 
gheny National Bank, was born at Hanging 
Rock, Ohio, Aug. 22, 1840. His great-grand- 
father emigrated from Scotland, and his 
grandfather and father, both named AVilliam, 
were natives of this country. The latter 
came to Pittsburgh early in 1841, and was a 
prominent member of the Allegheny county 
bar. He died in 1858. Wilson received his 
education at the private schooLs of Dr. Bliick 
and Griggs & Veeder, and at the Western 
University. He began commercial life as a 
clerk for Alex. Gordon, a commission-mer- 
chant. (See sketch elsewhere.) In 1857 he 
entered the Allegheny National Bank as 
clerk, and has ever since been connected 
with that institution, in various capacities, 
having been president since 188.3. Mr. Mc- 
Candless attends Trinity P. E. Church, and 
is a republican. In 1862 he married iliss 
Aphia, daughter of Thomas Hamilton, a 
well-known Pittsburgh attorney, and they 
have two sons. Thomas Hamilton and 
Wilson. 

Joseph Laurent, cashier German Na- 
tional Bank, Pittsburgh, was born in Butler 
county. Pa., June 10, 1837. His grandfather, 
Martin Laurent, came from Germany to 
America in 1805, and settled on a farm in 
Butler county, when Ills son, Martin J., was 



twelve years old. The latter early took 
employment in a store, and later went into 
business on his own account, lie married 
Teresa, daughter of Philip Hohn, who immi- 
grated about the same lime as the Laurent 
family, Teresa being then eight jears old. 
Martin J. Laurent died of cholera in 1854, 
leaving nine children, of whom Joseph, who 
is the ehlest, attended the public schools of 
Butler till twelve j'ears old, when he came to 
Pittsburgh and found employment in a store. 
In 1860, when the German Bank was organ- 
ized, Mr. Laurent was employed as bookkeep- 
er, afterward becoming teller, then assistant 
cashier, and for twenty years has been 
cashier. He is a member of SS. Peter 
and Paul R. C. Church, East End. Politic- 
ally, he is independent. In 1861 he married 
Mar}' Hune. of European birth and parent- 
age, and of their children following are now 
living: Clara, Amelia, Emma, Florence A., 
Aloysius A., Rosa and Stella. The first-born 
died in infancy, and the second, .loseph 
Albert, a very promising youth, died at the 
age of nineteen, of heart disease. 

Henry Stamm, banker, Pittsburgh, was 
born in the village of Ziegenheim. West- 
phalia, Germany. Feb. 11, 1832, and is a son 
of William and Mary (Riebeling) Stamm. 
His paternal ancestors had lived for many 
generations on an entailed estate, and en- 
joyed the exclusive privilege of keeping a 
hotel in the village. Henry Stamm was edu- 
cated at public and private schools, and 
served three and one half years as scribe ia 
the treasury department of his native prov- 
ince. When eighteen j'ears old he set out 
for America, and after spending a few months 
in New York citj' came, in 1851, to Pitts- 
burgh, where for eight years he was em- 
ployed in a grocery -store, and afterward in 
the confectionery trade with William Rhodes. 
Selling out to the latter, he spent some time 
as salesman for wholesale merchants, and on 
the organization of the Iron and Glass Sav- 
ings Bank he was elected secretary and 
treasurer, which position he now fills. He 
was active in the organization of the Froh- 
sinn, is an adherent of the E. P. Church, and 
is a republican. In October, 1859, Jlr. Stamm 
married Louise, daughter of Edward August 
and Johanna (Stumme) Jloj'e, all of German 
birth. Mr. and Mrs. Stamm bad five chil- 
dren, only one of whom survives, a son 
named Edward Henrj-. 

Joshua Rhodes, president Pennsylvania 
Tube-works, Pittsburgh, was born in 1823, 
in London, England. Several years later 
his parents, Charles and Lucy ( Kipps > 
Rhodes, came with their family of seven 
children to America and settled at Pitts- 
burgh. The father, who was a carpenter 
and lumber-merchant, died in 1840 ; the 
mother survived him forty-five years. .loshua 
Rhodes is the sixth child, and the only one 
living, save the youngest, a sister. When 
twelve years old he entered a grocery-store, 
and in 1839 he opened a similar establishment 
on his own account, but in following year 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



563 



■was burned out. After a short trip to New 
Orleans he returned to Pittsburgh and en- 
gaged in the grocery trade with Jones & 
<Sould. In 1843, he embarked in the confec- 
tionery trade, and soon after established the 
largest cracker-factory then in Pittsburgh, 
which he sold. He then engaged in the 
brewing business, as head of the firm of 
Rhodes & Verner, who purchased the brew- 
ery of Tracy & Wilkinson. After building 
a large brewery and warehouse, Mr. Rhodes 
bought the interest of his partner, and after- 
ward sold to Darlington & Co. He then 
leased a pipemill on Hare's Island, which he 
afterward bought; then formed a stock com- 
pany with a capital of $1,300,000. of which 
he was made president, and purchased the 
Crestou Tool-works at Soho, which is now 
the plant of the Pennsylvania Tube compan3^ 
Mr. Rhodes, witli others, secured the char- 
ter of the Union and Point bridges, and the 
Penn incline, and is president of the com- 
panies which operate them. He is a director 
in the Citizens' and Transverse Street rail- 
ways, and in the Citizens' and Pittsburgh 
Traction companies; is a stockholder in the 
Pennsylvania Construction company. He 
was made a director in the Central National 
Bank, at its organization, and is now vice- 
president. 

Mr. Rhodes married, in 1861, Eliza Haz- 
lett, a native of Pittsburgh, of English de- 
scent, and they have four children: William, 
Joshua Walter. Mary and Annie. Mr. Rhodes 
voted for Henry Clay, and has always been 
a whig and republican. He and his wife at- 
tend the Presbyterian Church. 

Joseph Frank Eknv, bank cashier, Pitts- 
burgh, was born in that city in 1859, and is a 
son of Frank A. and Elizabeth Briiy. His 
grandfather, Michael Erny, and father came 
from Germany to Pittsburgh. The former 
was a locksmith, but retired from business 
soon after arriving here, and died in 1873: 
the latter is a prominent undertaker and pro- 
prietor of livery on the South Side. Frank 
A. Erny here married Elizabeth, daughter of 
Jacob Heisel, an old resident of the city. 
Joseph F. Erny was educated in the city 
schools and at St. Vincent's College in West- 
moreland county. Pa. ; graduated at Duff's 
Business College, and was emploj'ed four 
years in assisting his father. In 1879 he 
entered the German Savings and Deposit 
Bank as messenger, and by gradual promo- 
tions became cashier in 1885. He is a mem- 
ber of St. Michael's R. C. Church; in politics 
he is independent. 

Henry C. Mehring, butcher, Allegheny, 
was born in Germany in 1856, a son of John 
and Ida Mehring. and came with his brother, 
Jacob Z., to America in 1870, settling in 
Allegheny City, where he has resided ever 
since. His parents came to this country in 
1873, and settled in Harrisburg, Pa., .where 
his father died in 1881, aged flfty-six years; 
his mother is still living in Harrisburg. 
They reared a familj' of seven children: 
Henry C., Jacob Z., John, John, Casper, 



William and Eliza. H. C. Mehring was 
married Jan. 10, 1883, to Catherine, daughter 
of Daniel and Margaret Lj'on, of Allegheny, 
and to them have been born three children: 
Harry, Maggie and Ida. Mr. Mehring 
learned the butchering business in Allegheny, 
and has always followed same. In 1882 he 
commenced business for himself, dealing in 
meats, groceries and vegetables. 

Rowland A. Balph, attorney at law, 
Pittsburgh, was born Jan. 1, 1851, in the city 
of Allegheny, Pa. He was educated in the 
public schools and by private tutors. He 
was admitted to the bar in April, 1874, and 
he has ever since been engaged in general 
civil practice. 

Walter Lyon, attorney at law, Pitts- 
burgh, was born in Shaler township, Alle- 
gheny county, Pa.. April 27. 1853. He was 
admitted to the bar in January, 1877, and has 
ever since been engaged in active practice. 

Thomas Fawcbtt, coal-operator, Pitts- 
burgh. Pa., was born at Ravensdale, near 
Newcastle, England, May 6, 1837. The fol- 
lowing' year his parents, James and Eliza- 
beth (Parker) Fawcett, came to Pittsburgh 
and settled on the South Side. .James Faw- 
cett was one of the pioneers in the coal busi- 
ness on the river, built many flatboats, 
mined coal at Green Springs, and supplied 
coal to steamers after the "floaters" or 
" broadhorns" were abandoned. He retired 
from business in 1849, and died in 187(5; his 
wife died in 1874, aged seventy-one. James 
Fawcett was one of the incorporators of the 
First National Bank, and was its second 
president, holding that position at the time 
of his death. For more than forty years he 
was associated with the M. E. Church, and 
was a class-leader in a South Side congrega- 
tion. 

Thomas, the eldest of his seven children, 
was reared in the city, attending the public 
schools till thirteen years old, when he en- 
tered a select school, taught by Smith and 
Patch, on the site now occupied by the 
Monongahela House. In 1842 he took em- 
ployment in a general boatstore, and three 
years later went into the grocery business 
on the South Side. After six years he sold 
out and commenced river trade, making his 
first trip to New Orleans with coal, in barges, 
in 1850. In 1858 he built the steamer 
Ormsby, in 1863 purchased the Jacob Painter, 
and two years later built the Painter No. 2. 
About the same time he bought the Bengal 
Tiger, and .supplied coal to the government 
vessels on the lower Mississippi. Among 
the large steam-craft which he has built 
are the Lion, Boaz, Dart, Oakland, Acorn, 
Boaz No. 3, Maggie and Convoy, the last 
three of which are now in his service on the 
Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In 1874 Mr. 
Fawcett bought the Green Springs coal- 
mines, from which he took ten million 
bushels of coal, the supply being exhausted 
in 1886. He has also mined on lands owned 
by others, having purchased the mineral, and 
owns three hundred acres of Ian d, from which 



564 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



he is mining, at Webster, on the Mononga- 
hela. 

Mr. Fawcett was an incor|)orator of tlie 
Central Bank, of which he has been president 
from its organization; was lliree years direet- 
or in the Oitizens' Hanli before it organized 
under the national system, and Ijas been a 
director of tlie Birmingham Bridge com- 
pan}- since its organization; is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, and adheres to the 
religious creed of his father. Associating 
with the whigs on becoming a voter, he has 
continued on the same line with tlie repub- 
lican party. In 1847 Mr. Fawcett married 
Margery Ilaughlon, of English ancestry and 
American birth, and of their nine chddren 
six are living; James T., Thomas, Elizabeth 
(Mrs. Lambert Hartley, in Tarentum, Pa.), 
Clara Estella (wife of Henry Lloyd, Pitts- 
burgh), Cora B. and Louis P. The deceased 
were the fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, 
in order of age, viz.: Margaret Ta}'lor(Mrs. 
H. Lloyd). Jennie Wilson and Florence 
Kramer. The oldest son has been a partner 
in the coal business since 1873, and the second 
since 1874. 

Stewart S. D. Thompson, president Ar- 
menia Insurance companj', Pittsburgh, was 
born in Manchester, no w a part of Allegheny, 
September 4, 1841. His grandfather and 
father, both named Stewart Thompson, came 
from the north of Ireland to Allegheny 
count3', and the father died when our subject 
was nine years old. Young Stewart then 
went to Penn township, where he was reared 
among relatives, his education being finished 
at Wilkinsburg Academy. When nineteen 
years old he returned to Allegheny and stud- 
ied law for two and one-half years. His 
mother, Margaret Thompson, was a daughter 
of Maj. Thomas Sampson, who came from 
Ireland and served in the revolutionary army. 
John Sampson, son of Maj. Thomas, was a 
lieutenant in the war of 1812, and took part 
in the battle of Black Rock. He settled very 
early in Penn (then Wilkins) township, where 
he died in 18.59. His son George died at Suf- 
folk, Va., in 1863, while serving in the 101st 
P. v., in the Union army. In 1861 Mr. 
Thompson married Bella S., daughter of 
Andrew Scott, a native of Ireland. He soon 
after engaged in the fire-insurance business, 
and was made almost bankrupt by the losses 
of companies in which he held stock, through 
the Chicago fire of 1871. In 1873 he organ- 
ized the Armenia Fire Insurance company, 
was elected its president, and has ever since 
held the position without having a vote cast 
against him. He was for nine years a mem- 
ber of the Allegheny City council, and has 
served several years as school director. He 
is a republican, and a member of the Sixth 
U. P. Church of Allegheny. 

Pmi^ip Reymer, wholesale confectioner, 
Pittsburgh, was born in that city June 28. 
1824. His grandfather. Peter Reymer. came 
from Germany when a boy, in 1766. He 
joined the continental army as a fifer, and 
served through the revolutionary war, be- 



ing a member of the unhappy band that win- 
tered at Valley Forge. \V hen jieace came, 
he settled at Oreencastle, Franklin county, 
Pa., where he died. His son, Peter, born at 
Greencastle in 1798, married Maria Evans, a 
native of New York, and came, in 1816, to 
Pittsburgh, where he kept a shoeshop on 
Diamond alley, many years. During the 
latter part of his life, he was several years 
overseer of the penitentiary; he died in"l876, 
in religion a Baptist, in politics a republican, 
formerly an old-line whig. His wife died 
in her sixty-sixth year. They had ten chil- 
dren, eight of whom grew up; Philip, Grif- 
Jith P., Jacob S., Harmer D.. Sarah (Mrs. 
Morrison), James, Cornelia Ann (Mrs. Chris- 
tian Snively) and George. 

Philip Reymer was educated at the pub- 
lic schools of the city, and has been in the 
confectioner}' business since he was sixteen 
years old. In 1852 he began for himself, as 
head of the firm of Reymer & Anderson, 
which, in 1861, became Rej'mer & Brothers, 
and has continued so since, the business hav- 
ing been greatly enlarged. For a time he 
was a partner with Joshua Rhodes in the 
firm of Rhodes & Co. He is a director in 
the Mechanics' National Bank and Western 
Insurance companj'. In 18.58 Mr. Reymer 
married Hannah C. Riter, a native of Ches- 
ter county. Pa., daughter of Joseph and 
Elizabeth Riter, of German ancestry, and by 
her has following-named children; Cleni- 
ent C. Ida B.. Elizabeth A. and Philip. 

Jacob Stotler Reymer, wholesale con- 
fectioner, Pittsburgh, was born in 1832. in 
Plum township, this county, where his par- 
ents lived for a few years. (See sketch of 
Philip Reymer.) He was educated in the 
city schools, and has supported himself since 
fourteen jears of age. At that period of his 
life he went into a hotel and restaurant, where 
he was employed four years. For eleven 
years he was with Miller & Ricketson, well- 
known grocers, and in 1861 embarked in busi- 
ness with his elder brother. He has been a 
director of the Commercial National Bank 
since its organization. In 18.59 Mr. Reymer 
married Lydia A., daughter of John Black, 
for many years a prominent grocer of Pitts- 
burgh, of Scotch Irish descent, and five chil- 
dren have blessed theirunion: Annie, Jennie 
B.. Philip, Jacob and Samuel S. Like his 
father, Mr. Reymer is a republican; he attends 
the Presbyterian Church. 

Frederick Linke. tanner. Allegheny, is 
the only son of Frederick and Henrietta Linke, 
and was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1836. 
He came with his mother and three sisters to 
America in 1854. his father having preceded 
them one j'ear, in order to provide a home 
for them on their arrival, which he did by 
purchasing a small farm in Saxonburg. But- 
ler county, Pa. Frederick Linke, whose 
name heads this sketch, has three sisters, 
Laura (widow of August Kornalumpf). Min- 
nie (wife of Fred Stemmler) and Amelia 
(wife of August Wagner, who was a soldier 
in the late war, and a long time in Anderson- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



565 



ville prison). The father of these children 
returned to the old country in 1883, and died 
there at the age of eighty-three years; the 
mother died in Butler county, Pa., in June, 
1885, aged seventy-two years. 

Our subject graduated in the higli-school 
of his native place at the age of fourteen 
years, and then commenced to learn the gro- 
cery and banking businesses, giving his serv- 
ices and $100 for four years' instruction. 
Soon afterward he came to this country, and 
set out to make his own way in the world, 
and for tive years but few young men ever met 
with greater discouragements and hardships. 
He worked in mills, factories, and on canal- 
boats, with commendable courage and in- 
domitable will, until 1859, when he obtained 
employment with Rennack, Hart & Co., at 
$3.50 per week. With that company and 
their successors he remained for twenty-three 
years, and was gradually promoted, until he 
found himself filling the most remunerative 
position in the employ of that firm. In 1882 
Mr. Linke formed a partnership with Mr. 
Woelfel in the tanning business, and this 
firm is now ranked among the substantial 
firms of Allegheny City. Mr. Linke is a 
director in the German Fire Insurance com- 
pany of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the 
G. fi. Church. 

He has been twice married; first in 1858, 
to Sophia, daughter of Conrad and Julia 
Mussler, and by her had one child, Laura. 
Mrs. Linke died in 1867, and Mr. Linke ne.\t 
married, in 1868, Amelia Steifel, of Wheel- 
ing, W. Va., a daughter of J. L. and Barbara 
Steifel, and by this marriage have been born 
three children: Norma, Frederick and Edgar. 

Ernst Henry Myers, pork-packer, 
Pittsburgh, was born in Nov. 14, 1834, in 
Osnabriick, Hanover, Prussia, and was reared 
on a farm there, receiving an ordinary Ger- 
man education. After reaching maturity he 
came to America, and spent one year in Cum- 
berland, Md., coming to Pittsburgh in 1847. 
In course of time he secured employment in 
a retail grocery, and in ]8,30 bought out a 
store, wliich he conducted for seven years. 
He then engaged in the wholesale grocery 
and flour trade. He soon bought the property 
he now occupies, at the corner of Seventh 
street, and in a few years turned his atten- 
tion to the pork and provision trade. The 
organization of the German National Bank, 
and first meetings of its directors, took place 
in his oflice, and he has ever since been a 
member of the board. He was one of the 
organizers of the Concordia Orphans' home, 
of which he is trefisurer; is treasurer of the 
Manufacturers' Natural Gas company, and a 
director of the People's Natural Gas & Pip- 
age company, of Allegheny. Mr. Myers was 
nine years a trustee in the First G. L. 
Church, and was instrumental in securing its 
present location. In 1850 he married Amelia 
Fredericka Degan, of German birth, who 
died in 1863, leaving three children. Mr. 
Myers afterward married Amelia Sophia 
Landwehr, a native of Pittsburgh, who bore 



him six children. Following are me names 
of all Mr. Myers' children, in order of birth; 
Louisa Fredericka (wife of August E. Sue- 
cop, partner with Mr. Myers), Charles Henry, 
Amelia Sophia (deceased wife of Theodore 
Siebert), Ernst Henry, Ada Sophia, Irene 
Margaretta, John Henry AVilbert, Laura and 
Emma. 

Charles H. Myers, horn July 39, 1858, 
married, June 7, 1883, Rebecca Applegate, 
a native of Monongahela City. Tliey have 
one son and one daughter: Ernst Charles 
and Amelia Emma. Charles H. Myers is a 
member of the firm of E. H. Myers & Co. 

TnOM.\s Edwards, machinist, Pittsburgh, 
was born in Baltimore, Md.. May 20, 18'36, a 
son of Thomas and Jane (Barr) Edwards, of 
Ireland. Thomas, Sr., who was a weaver, 
came to Pittsburgh in 1832. Both he and his 
wife were about sixty-nine years old when 
they died. Thomas Jr., attended the sub- 
scription schools and later the free schools, 
and when fourteen j'ears old began to learn 
blacksmithing and wagon-work, and was 
eighteen years in the Pennsylvania railroad 
machine-shops at Pittsburgh. Since 1870 he 
has been employed by the Allegheny Valley 
railroad company. He built his present 
residence on Penn avenue, near Forty-first 
street, in 1859. In 1849 he married Margaret 
Bradwell, who died of cholera in 1854. 
Sarah Ann and Franklin Pierce, her chil- 
dren, reside in Pittsburgh. In 1857 Mr. 
Edwards married Mary Wilcock, who died 
in 1873, the mother of Edwin Thomas, 
Samuel, Emily and Lily. 

Charles W. Lighthill, foreman in roll- 
ing-mill, AUeghen}', is a son of John and 
Nancj' (Kelso) Lighthill, former of whom 
was a native of this county, born in 1809, 
and resided here all his life, dying in Novem- 
ber, 1883; his widow is still living at the age 
of seventy-seven 3'ears. They were parents 
of eleven children, six of whom are yet 
living: Sarah (wife of John Weir). Charles 
W., Mary, David (who served in tlie Union 
army and in navy during the war and is now 
wharfmaster), Hannah (wife of James H. 
Lindsay) and Adda. The parents were mem- 
bers of the First Christian Church of Alle- 
gheny; by occupation Mr. Lighthill was a 
gardener and farmer. The paternal great- 
grandfather of Charles W., a German by 
birth, came to America about 1780, settling 
in Pittsburgh, where he followed teaming 
over the mountains for many years, and his 
son George (grandfather of our subject), born 
in Pittsburgh in 1780, served in the American 
army, war of 1812, and died in 1867 at the 
age of eighty-seven years. 

Charles W. Lighthill was united in mar- 
riage Feb. 38, 1859, with Caroline, daughter 
of James and Mary Ferguson, of Washing- 
ton county. Pa., and the fruits of this union 
have been two children: Sallie (wife of J. 
H. Crawford) and Charles S. Mr. Lighthill 
learned the coachmaking trade in New 
Haven, Conn., and after completing same he 
returned to this county, where he followed 



56G 



HlSTOltY OF ALLKGHKNV COUNTY. 



for !i luiniber of ycurs same business; after- 
ward he was eiii,'!i!,'ed in l)oating for several 
j'ears, and during tlie war of the rebellion 
was employed in l)iiildinj; and running boats 
for the government. For past thirteen years 
Mr. Lighthill has been in the emi)loy of 
Lindsay «& McCutcheon in their rolling-mill 
in Allegheny, and is at present foreman of 
one of the departments. He was an alder- 
man of Allegheny City live years, and is now 
serving Ids second term as member of the 
common council. He is a member of the 
Elks. No. 11, Pittsburgh. 

CuAULES WoomiUFP ScovEL, Pitt-sburgh, 
was born Aug. IG, 1862, in Springfield, Ohio, 
son of Rev Sylvester F. Scovel. D. D.. now 
president of the University of Wooster, Ohio, 
who was nearl}' twenty years pastor of the 
First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. 
The paternal grandfather of C. W. Scovel 
was Kev. Sylvester Scovel, D. D., president 
of Hanover College. Ohio. Charles came 
in 1866 to Pittsburgh, graduated from the 
Central high-school of that citj' in 1880, and 
from the Western University of Peun.sylvania 
with first honors in 1883. He received his 
legal education in the office of William Scott. 
Esq., at the Columbia Law School, N. Y., 
and at the University of Berlin, Germany, 
and was admitted to practice in Allegheny 
county in July, 1886. He was married, June 
24, 1886, to Sara Wilson Butler, and their 
children are Sylvester Butler and Sara Wil- 
son Scovel. In addition to the active duties 
of his profession, Mr. Scovel finds time to 
fill the post of a church organist and to 
contribute a weekly musical article to the 
Pittsburgh Dupatch. 

Leonhard Kadfmann, roller, Pittsburgh, 
was born in Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany, 
Sept. 29, 1839, and is the youngest of the six 
children of Peter and Elizaljeth (Boch) Kauf- 
mann. In 1848 the family came to America, 
and after sojourning in various parts of 
Ohio, settled at Columbus, in that state, in 
185.5. Here the father, who was a black- 
smith, died in 1860, aged sixty-one; his 
widow passed away two years later, at the 
age of sixty. When ten years old, Leonhard 
Kaufmann commenced work, when out of 
school, at tobacco-stripping for a cigar-maker. 
At thirteen he entered a rolling-mill, and has 
followed the same employment ever since. 
In 1860 he came to Pittsburgh, and has had 
charge of a set of rolls at the Republic Iron- 
works for several 3'ear8. He has been a 
stockholder in the Birmingham Insurance 
company for twelve years, and for three 
years a director; is also a stockholder in the 
German Savings and Deposit Bank. He is 
liberal in religious views, and is a democrat. 
In 1865 Mr. Kaufmann married Carolina, 
daughter of Andrew and Katharina Decklar, 
all of Bavarian birth, latter of whom resides 
with the Kaufmanns. Eight children have 
been born to this union: Carolina (wife of 
Fred Dorzbacher), Charles, John (who died 
when a child). Louise, Amelia, Edward. Ida 
and Albert. 



John Geohge Klauss, retired, Pittsburgh, 
was born in Bavaria, German}'. Nov. 16, 
1829. His father, Leonard Klauss, was a 
shoemaker; his mother's maiden name was 
Widcman. He learned his father's trade, 
and came to Pittsburgh when of age. For 
about thirty-two 3-ears he engaged in the 
shoe liusiness on Fifth avenue. He is a 
member of the firm of Whitmyre & Co., pro- 
prietors of the Iron City Flour-mills; a direct- 
or in the German-Anierican Insurance com- 
pany, and stockholder in the Fifth Avenue 
Bank. He is an elder in the Pride Street G. 
L. Churcli, and is a republican. In his native 
land Mr. Klauss married Barbara Maurer, 
of Bavaria, who died in 1872, aged fortyoue. 
He afterward married Elizabeth Whiimj're, 
who bore him one child, George H., who is 
with his parents. The children by the first 
wife are John G., who died in 1885, aged 
thirty-two; Leonard and George and Fred- 
erick William, who died in infancy; Louis G.; 
Mary C. (Mrs. F. L. Fisher), who died in 1885, 
aged twenty-four; Matilda M., wife of Jacob 
J. Kinzer, Pittsburgh; Edward A., at home; 
Amelia, who died in 1886, aged seventeen. 
Louis G. Klauss finished his education at 
Pittsburgh high-school, and was employed 
for some time in his father's store. He was 
engaged as bookkeeper at Braddock, and 
afterward became assistant cashier of the 
First National Bank there. In 1886 he was 
elected cashier of the Fifth Avenue Bank of 
Pittsburgh. In 1881 he married Ida H., 
daughter of T. H. Lapsly (see his sketch). 
They lost an infant son, Thomas Lapsly, who 
died" in 1884, aged one year and ten months, 
and have two children living: W'illiam Law- 
son and Margaret Amelia. 

Edward Abel, bookkeeper, Pittsburgh, 
was born in that cit}' July 25. 1842. His 
father, Henry Abel, was born at Geisa. Saxe- 
Weimar, Germany, in 1801. and was a brother 
of Ignatius Abel (see sketch of Joseph Abel). 
He studied law at the L'niversity of Jena, 
from which he took the degree of LL. D. in 
1829. In 1832 he came to Pittsburgh in com- 
pany with some fellow-students, with the 
view of adopting a rural life, but soon found 
use for his talents in the city, and was ap- 
pointed to the charge of foreign mails at 
Pittsburgh under President Jackson. This 
position he held for thirty-eight years, being 
remarkable for his memory and scholastic 
ability. He died in 1884. aged eighty-three 
years, leaving four sons and two daughters. 
He married Elizabeth SchafEer.who w'as born 
in Lancaster, Pa., a daughter of Amlirose 
and Barliara Schaffer, of Baden, Gennany. 
Following are the names of Mr. and Mrs. 
Henry Abel's children: Edward, Charles, 
Henry, Ferdinand, Josephine (Mrs. A. C. 
Klonian) and Tillie, all save Henry, who is 
in Denver, Colo., being residents of Pitts- 
burgh. Edward Abel was educated in the 
city schools and at St. Vincent's College. 
Westmoreland count}', Pa., and when nine- 
teen years old he entered Pittsburgh post- 
ofBce as mailing-clerk. In April, 1861, he 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGBAPHY. 



567 



■unlisted for three years iu Co. C. Sth P. R., 
serving two years iu tlie Army of tlie Poto- 
mac; was a ser^eaul of tlie company' and 
paymaster of tlie regiment. During the 
peninsular campaign he received an injur}' 
which caused his discharge. At Charles City 
cross roads he was made a prisoner, and 
confined three months at Richmond and Belle 
Isle. On his return to Pittsburgh he was 
employed as bookkeeper iu the office of the 
Commercial. In 1870 lie was elected director 
and treasurer of the Commercial Printing 
company, in which he continued till the con- 
cern was sold to King, Reed & Co., being 
manager during the last four years. In 1877 
he entered the German National Bank as 
bookkeeper, which position he at present 
holds. He has been adjutant of Duquesne 
Post, No. 359, G, A. R., for six years; a mem- 
ber of the Bankers' and Bank Clerks' associ- 
ation for twelve years. Mr. Abel married. 
Jan. 9, 1864, Maria, daughter of James and 
Mary Ann Keegan, of Irish extraction, and 
they have two sons; Henry J. and Adelbert. 
Mr. Abel and family are associated with the 
Holy Trinity R. C. Church. He is the only 
republican in his father's family. 

James T. Walker, marble-dealer, Alle- 
gheny, was born in England in 1831, a son of 
William and Harriet Walker, and came with 
his parents to America same year, settling in 
Pittsburgh. Of six children bo.n to the 
parents only two are living: James T. and 
George J., latter of whom was in the United 
States army during the entire period of the 
civil war. William Walker was a contractor 
and builder; he died in 1841 at the age of 
thirty-one years; his widow died March 31, 
1879, aged eighty years. James T. was 
married Nov. 5, 1856, to Mary, daughter of 
Samuel and Jane Lewis, and to them were 
born two children: Thomas M. and Edith M. 
Mr. Walker learned the marble trade, which 
he has always followed. In 1880 he and his sou 
Thomas M. formed a partnership, and started 
the marble business under the firm name of 
Walker Marble company, which they still 
continue in the city of Allegheny. 

Reuben F. Baijman (deceased), son of Dr. 
Jacob and Joseba(Pahnestock) Bauman, was 
born in Lancaster county. Pa., in 1821, and 
came to Allegheny county in 1846, settling 
in Pittsburgh. In 1848 he was married to 
flannali, daughter of Andrew and Rachel 
(Howell) Davis, of Franklin county. Pa., 
and to them were born eight children, only 
three of whom are living: Bolivar A., Gerrett 
D. and Reuben F., Jr. Dr. .Jacob Bauman, 
father of Reuben, Sr., died near Harrisburg, 
where for many years he had been a prom- 
inent physician; his widow died in Lancaster 
county. Reuben F. Bauman, Sr., died Dec. 
39, 1885, at the age of sixty-five years; his 
widow is still living at the age of sixtj* seven, 
and her sons, Bolivar A. and Gerrett D., 
reside with her. Reuben F., Jr., was mar- 
ried in 1877 to Annie Harper, of Allegheny, 
and they have one child, Hattie. 

Mr. Bauman, Sr., early in life learned the 

69 



cabinet-maker's trade. He first came to Pitts- 
burgh to clerk in the wholesale drugstore of 
B. A. Fahnestock &, Co., subsequently becom- 
ing a member of the firm of B. L. Fahne- 
stock & Co., wholesale druggists and white- 
lead manufacturers, of Pittsburgh. In after 
years and until his death he was a member 
of the firm of Beymer, Bauman & Co., white- 
lead manufacturers, Pittsburgh. 

Henry Clay Bughman, coal-operator, 
Pittsburgh, was born in Allegheny City, 
March 23, 1848. He is the second child of 
Reuben Bughman, who was born in West- 
moreland county. Pa., and came to Pitts- 
burgh when a youth, about the year 1834. 
to enter the wholesale grocery-store of his 
uncle, Jacob Painter, iu which he became a 
partner and continued as such till his death, 
which occurred Sept. 33, 1863, when he was 
forty-seven years old. He was also inter- 
ested in iron-manufacturing. He married 
Anne E., daughter of James H. and Mary 
Hays, latter of whom died Oct. 12, 1887, in 
her sixty-sixth year. Their eldest child, 
Anna H.. died Sept. 22, 1870. The youngest. 
James Hays, is now a teller in the Citizens' 
National Bank. James Harden Hays, father 
of Mrs. Bughman. was of Scotch and French 
extraction. His immediate ancestors were 
settlers in Eastern Maryland, whence toward 
the close of the last century they moved 
across the mountains to Pennsylvania, and 
finally located near Pittsburgn. He was 
born iu MifHin township, in 1800, and died 
March 30, 1876. His wife survived him till 
1883. Henry C. Bughman was reared in 
Allegheny, and graduated at the Pennsjd- 
vania Military Academy, Chester, as a civil 
engineer, in 1868. Next year he entered the 
Keystone Bank of Pittsburgh, as an assist- 
ant, and resigned as cashier in 187."). He 
soon entered the employ of his uncles, Henry 
B. & John S. Hays, who were engaged in 
mining and shipping coal. From 1878 to 
1881, as vice-president, he represented the 
Waverly Coal & Coke company, in New York 
city and the east. In the latter year he 
became a director in the Citizens' National 
Bank and Pittsburgh Bank for Savings, and 
is now a vice-president of the last-named in- 
stitution. After the death of H. B. Hays. 
in 1881, he became a trustee of the estate of 
James H. Hays, and since the death of J. S. 
Hays, in 1883, has been sole trustee. In 1871 
he married Maria, daughter of George A. 
Berry, and they have four children, named 
George Berry, Virginia Frances, Genevieve 
and Henry Clay. Mr. Bughman has been an 
elder in the Shadyside Presbyterian Church 
since 1883, and in politics is a republican. 

Prank Anton Ebny, dealerin feed, Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., was born within seven miles of 
Strassburg. Germany, in 1837, a son of 
Michael and Katharine (Kertzinger) Erny. 
His grandfather was a magistrate of the prov- 
ince, and lost a large property during the 
aggressive campaigns of Napoleon I. after- 
ward partially recovering his fortune by the 
manufacture of charcoal. Michael Erny was 



5(38 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



a locksmith, and came to Pittsburgh about 
1S40, found employment in an Allefi:hen^' 
machine-sliop, where he continued till his 
ilciith. in 187-1, being tlieii in his eighty- 
eighth year; Katharine, his second wife, died 
seven months previously, at the age of sev- 
enty. Frank A., her only son, was reared in 
Allegheny, and when twelve years old began 
work in the South Side Coal-mines, ojierated 
by his half-brother. At the end of twelve 
years, he acquired an interest in the mines, 
which he held for manj- years. He has been 
long established in the feed business at his 
present location on Carson street, and is also 
partner in a livery and undertaking business 
near by. July 8,1858, he married Elizabeth 
Heisel, and has ten children: Joseph F. (see 
his sketch), Frank P., associated with his 
father in business; Margaret, Mrs. Frank 
Kleeber; Katharine, Marj-, Stella, Xavier, 
Philip, Stella and Michael. The family is 
associated with St. Michael's R. C. Church. 

Johnston Lecky, retired, Allegheny, was 
born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1809, son of Will- 
iam and Jean (Henderson) Lecky. His grand- 
father, Benson Lecky, came to this country 
at the beginning of the revolutionary war 
and served in the American army until 
peace was declared. He married Mary, 
daughter of Samuel Johnston (her brother 
was probably the first postmaster in Pitts- 
burgh). Benson Lecky's sou, William, was 
born in Pittsburgh, where he resided all his 
life. He was a wagon-maker by trade, but 
for many years he took an active part in 
politics; he was sheriff of Allegheny county 
three terms. He reared a family of two sons 
and eight daughters, only one of whom is 
living, "Elizabeth. William Lecky died in 
1855, aged seventy-two years, his widow in 
1866, aged eighty-three years. Johnston 
Lecky was married in 1830, to Jane, daughter 
of Hon. William and Mary (Davis) Cochran, 
and to them were born eight children: Will- 
iam (in oil business in Oil City), George, 
Eliza, Mary D., Jeanette H., Theodore J. 
(deceased), and two that died in infancy. Mr. 
Lecky was a painter by occupation. He died 
in California, Oct. 8, 1849, aged forty years. 
The Lecky family came of Presbyterian 
stock, and were members of their communion. 

James M. Hemphill (deceased) was born 
in Ireland in 1880, a son of Robert and 
Martha Hemphill, and came with his parents 
to America in 1837, settling in this county. 
Robert Hemphill was twice married, and tiiie 
following were his children: James M., Jane 
(twice married, first to John Campbell, next 
to William Taylor), Sarah (wife of Samuel 
Speer, both deceased), Nancy (deceased), 
James (deceased), John (deceased), and Mar- 
garet (Mrs. Trivet), who died leaving a 
daughter, now the wife of Charles Magore. 
Mrs. Robert Hemphill died in 1839, and 
Robert Hemphill in ISOS. At the age of nine 
years James M. Hemphill went to live and 
farm with his cousin, William Morris, and at 
the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to 
James Mondon to learn wagon-making; after 



mastering the trade, in 1853, he bought out 
Mr. Mondon, and continued in that business 
for about thirteen years, when he engaged in 
coopering, making a specialty of barrels for 
the Standard Oil company; he extended this 
l)usiness until he emjiloyed about 150 men. 
He has the reputation among those who 
knew him of having been one of the most 
energetic, successful and honorable Inisiness- 
men of Allegheny City. He was married 
March 6. 1852, to Ann Maria, daughter of 
James and Mary Carr, and to them were born 
children as follows: AnnaC. (wife of Charles 
Herbert, both deceased), Mary E. (Mrs. 
Charles Lewis), Roljerl C. Martha V. (wife 
of Gilmore Evans), Luclla W., James S. and 
Edna. Mr. Hemphill was a member of the 
F. & A. M. and L O. O. F., and for twenty- 
six years of the M. E. Church, in which he 
was a steward and trustee. 

Albert A. Porter, merchant, postofflce 
Shousetown, was born in Leet township, 
Allegheny county. Pa., Sept. 27, 1845, a son of 
Nathan and Julia (Anderson) Porter. Nathan, 
a son of Caleb, was born in Westmoreland 
county and his wife in Washington county, 
Pa. She was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and a daughter of Robert Anderson. 
Nathan was first an engineer on a steamboat, 
but afterward established the shipyards at 
Shousetown, in partnership with his brother, 
Ezra, and Samuel Shouse. The Porter 
brothers afterward purchased Mr. Shouse's 
interest, and conducted the business alone 
until 1867, when Ezra Porter died. Nathan 
then conducted the business until 1870. 
Porter Brothers built many boats, the last 
! being the Great Republic, the finest ship 
' built in this part of the countrj'. Nathan 
died in July, 1884. He and wife had two 
sons and one daughter: Albert A., Edmond 
H., on the homestead in Shousetown, and 
Clara E., wife of Ephraim Langfit. a farmer 
in Beaver county. Albert A. was educated 
in Shousetown and Pittsburgh, finishing his 
education in the latter place. He first worked 
a year in a boatyard with his father, when he 
accepted the position of clerk on his uncle's 
boat, the Glide No. 3. He also acted as clerk 
on the steamers Savannah and Gleaner, from 
Pittsburgh to Cincinnati and St. Louis, also 
two years on the boat Economist on the 
Arkansas river. In 1873 he opened a general 
store in Shousetown, whicli he still continues, 
and carries a stock valued at $5,000. He 
married at Pittsburgh, in October, 1875, Ada 
McKee, who was born in Pittsburgh, a 
daughter of John and Catherine (Van Hook) 
McKee. Her father was a glass-manufacturer 
of Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have 
two sons: David Ross and Edwin Forrest. 
Mrs. Porter is a member of theM. E. Church; 
he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Dexter 
Lodge, 733. 

Thomas Tate, merchant, Pittsburgh, was 
born in County Antrim, Ireland, .\pril 18, 
1835, a son of Samuel and Jane (Koay) Tate, 
who were farmers in that county, where they 
died. Mr. Tale received a common-school 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



569 



education in Ireland, and Nov. 13. 1854, immi- 
grated to Pittsburgh. For the first three 
years he labored at different kinds of work, 
then for six years was employed on a steam- 
hoat, and from 1861 to 1867 on the Pennsyl- 
vania railroad. After engaging in the 
gardening business for three years at the 
Bast End, he came into Pittsburgh in 
1877. and commenced the produce business, 
under firm name of Steele, Tate & Co. 
Eighteen months later he bought out Mr. 
Steele, and the firm became Thomas Tate & 
Co., which continued until 1880. In 1882 he 
again embarked in the commission business, 
the style of the firm being the Pittsburgh 
Produce Commission company, Myers & 
Tate, proprietors. Mr. Tate was married in 
the old country when eighteen years old, but 
that wife and her children died several years 
ago. In 1880 he married Elizabeth Hibler, of 
Allegheny, who is the mother of one child, 
named Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Tate are 
members of the U. P. Church; he is a repub- 
lican. 

Capt. Thomas H. Lapsly, superintend- 
ent of the railmill department at the Edgar 
Thomson Steel-works, Braddock, is a native 
of this county, born Dec. 33, 1821, to Will- 
iam and Sarah (Barr) Lapsly, who were tlie 
parents of eleven children, T. H. being the 
tenth in order of birth, and the only sur- 
vivor except one — Robert Lapsly, of Mis- 
souri. The parents were natives of County 
Antrim, Ireland, and the father came to 
America when twenty-three years of age. 
He was a tailor by trade, but later in life en- 
gaged in farming. The subject of this 
sketch was educated at the public schools of 
Allegheny county, and at fifteen years of age 
commenced work in a sawmill, subsequently 
learning the trade of carpenter, which he 
followed for five years. In 1844 he entered 
the service of the Brady's Bend Iron com- 
pany, and from there, in 1854, was called to 
the Cambria Iron-works, at Johnstown, Pa., 
where he remained (except while in service 
at the front during the rebellion) until 1875, 
when he entered the service of the Edgar 
Thomson Steel-works company, at Braddock. 
In April, 1861, being captain of a military 
company, he responded promptly to a tele- 
gram from Gov. Curtin, by hastening to 
Harrisburg, where he marched into Camp 
Curtin at the head of his company, and 
bears the honor of being the first soldier to 
enter that historic camp. His command was 
mustered in as Co. G, 3d regiment P. V. I., 
and was in active service three months. Capt. 
Lapsly then organized Co. D, •54th regiment 
P. V. I., enlisted for three years, remaining at 
the front until the expiration of his enlist- 
ment. Capt. Lapsly was married, Oct. 27, 
1846, to Margaret, daughter of James Camp- 
bell, of Allegheny City, and six children were 
born to them; Sarah, James, William, Mary, 
John and Ida, all still living except Mary. 
The captain is a F. & A. M. . a member of 
the L O. O. F. and G. A. R., and is a 
republican. 



John Rinard, superintendent of the con- 
verting department in the Edgar Thomson 
Steel-works, Braddock, was born in Bedford 
county. Pa., March 4, 1840, a son of George 
and Ann (Cogan) Rinard, the parents of 
thirteen children, of whom John is fourth iu 
order of birth. George Rinard is a carpenter 
by trade, and is now a resident of Bedfm-d 
county. Pa. John Rinard was educated at 
the common schools, and early in life com- 
menced working in iron, being employed by 
King & Bolis, of Bedford county. In i863 he 
entered the employ of the Cambria Iron- 
works, where he remained until 1875, in 
which year he accepted his present position. 
In 1861 Mr. Rinard enlisted in Co. G, 13th 
Reserves, serving three months, and then re- 
enlisted in Co. D, 79th P. V. I.; was wounded 
at Chaplin Hill, Ky., in October, 1863, and 
was honorably discharged from the service 
in 1863. He was married May 19, 1864, to 
Lucinda, daughter of Mathias Speigleinger, 
and four children were born to them, three 
now living; James M., William E. and 
Charles C. Mr. Rinard is a F. & A. M., and 
a member of the A. O. U. W. He is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and is a 
republican. 

Robert Maxwell, farmer, postofflce 
Monroeville, is a native of Patton township, 
born in 1840. His parents, Hugh and Agnes 
Maxwell.came to America from County Down, 
Ireland, in 1830, and settled near Stewart's 
Station, in Patton township. Mrs. Maxwell 
was a sister of C. M. Graham, and died in 
1870, aged seventy-two 3'ears; her husband 
died at the age of sixty, in 1860, and lioth 
were members of the U. P. Church. Two of 
tlieir sons died in the service of their country ; 
James was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, 
and John died while a prisoner of war from 
the effects of a wound received at the battle 
of Sulphur Springs. Robert remained on the 
home farm, of which he became owner, >until 
1872. when he sold it and bought his present 
home near Monroeville. In 1862 he enlisted 
in Co. G, 136th P. V., and served the term 
for which that body was enrolled (nine 
months) with the Army of the Potomac, tak- 
ing part in the battle of Chancellorsville. 
He was sick when the regiment was at 
Fredericksburg, its only other engagement. 
In 1864 Mr. Ma.xwell married Mary M. 
Dougherty, and the names of their children 
are as follows: John Lobingier, Moflett 
Walkinshaw, Laura Etta Catherine, David 
Henry Hugh, Birdie May, William Hay- 
maker, Jennie Elizabeth and George Park, 
all at home except the eldest, who is clerk in 
a store at Turtle Creek. Mr. Maxwell is a 
democrat. His family are connected With 
the Presbyterian Church. 

Peter Charles Renters, sculptor, post- 
ofljce Turtle Creek, a native of Antwerp, 
Belgium, is a son of Cornelius Joseph and 
Mary Reniers, and was born March 28, 1825. 
He was educated in his native city, Brussels 
and Paris, where he gave special attention to 
art. In 1848 he contracted to execute some 



570 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



sculpture for Bishop Purcell. of Cincinnati, 
and set out for America. He was so pleased 
with the scenery about New York harl)or 
that he resolved never to return to his native 
land, and has kept the resolution. In 1850, 
having finished his work in Cincinnati, he 
came to Pittsburgh, where he has since re- 
mained in business. In addition to monu- 
mental work he gives attention to interior 
decoration and furnishing, and is now en- 
gaged in fitting up the magnificent Westing- 
house building on Penn avenue. In 1808 Mr. 
Reniers purchased ground at Turtle Creek, 
on which he erected his present home, in 
which are some superior frescoes. Part of 
these decorations were destroyed by a mete- 
oric hall which burst in the hallway one 
summer afternoon. Mrs. Reniers and her 
youngest son were in the hall at the lime, 
but escaped unhurt. In religious ideas Mr. 
Reniers is verj- liberal. He married Hannah 
Armitage, a native of Huddersfield, England, 
who has borne him the following-named 
children: Cornelius (a resident of New York 
city), Mary, Fann.y (deceased), Alice (Mrs. 
William Bentley. "Pittsburgh), Thomas and 
William. The "last two are assisting their 
father in business. Mr. Reniers is a demo- 
crat. 

.John W. Ingalls, carpenter, postoflBce 
McKee's Rocks, son of Barnard (a gardener) 
and Rebecca Ingalls, was born in Hancock 
county, Me., in 18.56, and was brought by his 
parents to Stovve township, this county, in 
18.i8, where they settled. They had two 
children: Thomas and John W. "The father 
died in 186.5 at the age of fifty-two years; the 
mother is now living with her son. John W., 
in Stowe township, at the age of sixtj'-two 
years. The subject of this memoir learned 
the trade of carpenter, which he still fol- 
lows. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and a 
member of Lodge 24, I. O. O. F.; is also a 
member of the school board of Stowe town- 
ship. 

Thomas Sanders, farmer, Bakerstown, 
was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1820, 
son of John and Elizabeth (Kent) Sanders, 
former of whom was born fourteen miles 
north of here, at Duffield, and died Sept. 30, 
1867, aged seventy-eight years: latter was 
born in Derbyshire, and died in 1859, aged 
sixty-six years. They immigrated to America 
in 1830, remaining from July until the fol- 
lowing fall in Baltimore. Md.. and came over 
the mountains in wagons, settling in Butler 
county. They lived on different farms near 
Bakerstown until 1849, when the)- purchased 
the place Thomas now lives on. and where 
his parents died. They were members of the 
M. P. Church, the present church at Bakers- 
town being organized by John Sanders in 
1838: prior to that time Methodist meetings 
were held at his house. The paternal grand- 
father of our subject was William, and his 
grandfather was William; the latter lived to 
the age of one hundred and six years. Thomas 
says that from 1848 to 1860, owing to 
the hard times under democratic administra- 



tion, he was obliged to go to New Orleans 
during the winter and cut cordwood, return- 
ing home in the summer. When twenty- 
eight years of age he began life for himself 
on his present farm. In 1845 he was married 
to Kezia Langdon, who was born on the 
coast of Cornwall, England, a daughter of 
Thomas and Elizabeth Jane (Trabillcock) 
Langdon, who came to America about the 
sam- time as Thomas Sanders, settling in the 
east, where Mr. Langdon carried on a brew- 
ery; both of her parents are now deceased. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have eight children, 
six living and two deceased. Those living 
are William Crooks, Mary (Mrs. John 
Weber). Thomas, Maria, Charles Sumner 
and Evangeline, all of whom have received 
a good education. Elizabeth Jane died in 
1803, aged thirteen years, and Augustus Miller 
died in 1873, aged eight years. The family 
are members of the Bakerstown M. P. 
Church. Mr. Sanders has a farm of sixty- 
two acres, after selling part of it to his son. 
He has been successful in business life. 

James Hughes, farmer, postoffiee Lewis, 
was born in Washington county. Pa., March 
8, 1825. (For life of his parents see sketch of 
Alexander Hughes.) He received his educa- 
tion in East Liberty and Pine township. In 
1849 he and his brother Alexander bought 
the farm, which was divided after the father's 
death. James was married in 1857 to Han- 
nah, daughter of John and Jane (Denny) 
Crawford, of Pine township, both now de- 
ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes had four 
children, two deceased in infancy, and two 
yet living: Benjamin Wallace and .John 
Crawford. The' mother died Sept. 1, 1886, 
and a sister of Mr. Hughes now keeps house 
for him. They are both members of the 
Presbj'terian Church of Pine township. Mr. 
Hughes is a democrat, and has been town 
supervisor. In 1870 he added forty-five acres 
to the old farm, and in 1884 fifty-three acres 
more, making a farm of 218 acres. He has 
about 330 sheep, and feeds about sixty tons of 
hay each year. There-is a good gas-well on 
the farm, and they are operating for oil. 

Robert H. IIamilton, gardener. Ems- 
worth, was born on Neville island. March 7, 
1856. son of Archibald and Mar\- (Thompson) 
Hamilton, natives of Pennsylvania. His 
grandparents, David and Elizabeth Hamil- 
ton, who were of Scotch and Irish descent, 
settled at East Liberty in a very early day. 
where thej- cultivated a large farm. Robert 
received his education in Neville and AUe- 
ghenj'. In 1878 he married Sadie Pluchel, of 
Alliance, Obio. daughter of John and Amelia 
(Hoff) Pluchel, natives of Germany, and two 
children have blessed this union: Emma and 
Clarence. Mr. Pluchel is a baker. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hamilton are members of the Presbyte- 
rian Church; he is a republican. 

George Wilson Hazi.ett. farmer. Cul- 
merville. was born May 7, 1843, in Harrison 
(then East Deer) township, son of George 
and Elizabeth (Karns) Hazlett. Mr. Haz- 
lett's sister was the wife of W. RossClenden- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



571 



ing (see his sketch for parentage). Mr. Haz- 
lett was educated at Tarentum, and com- 
menced his career by enlisting in February, 
1864, Battery F, I. t. A. The company was 
at once ordered to Washington, where it was 
held as a reserve. He was discharged June 
26, ISe.!. and, returning home, began farming 
for himself, his father's farm being divided 
between tlie three boj-s. He was married 
April 26, 1866, to Elizabeth Fleming.of West 
Deer township, daughter of .James and .Jane 
(Black) Fleming. Her father was born in 
Ireland, and came to America when very 
young; he died April 3, 1872, aged seventy- 
two years, and her mother died May 16, 1864, 
aged sixty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Haz- 
lett have five children: Alvin Arthur, Carrie 
Clyde, Emma Ellen, George Gilmore and Ira 
Irwin. The family are nieml)ers of the U. P. 
Cliurch. Mr. Hazlett has been auditor of 
the township, school director, and justice of 
the peace from 1881 to 1886; is a member of 
the G. A. R. He has a farm of si.xty acres. 
In 1880 his house, with all its contents, was 
burned, the loss being partially covered by 
insurance. 

J.\MES M. Stewart, mechanic, postoffice 
Etna, was born March 17, 1835, in Allegheny 
county, a son of George Stewart, a native of 
North Carolina, wbo died here. The mother 
of our subject, Ann (Flemming) Stewart, was 
a native of this county, and the mother of 
.seven children. Of these James M. and 
William H. are residents of Etna, and the 
hitter was a soldier in the civil war. At the 
age of nine years James M. went into the 
rolling-mill and worked for twenty-five cents 
a day, thus assisting his parents. He is now 
a heater in the same mill. In Etna he mar- 
ried Caroline, daughter of George and Elinor 
(Stewart) Taylor, and they have eight chil- 
dren: Melvin W., Mrs. Clara A. Bicker, 
Stanley J., Urban W., Emma M., Ella L., 
Lotta M.and Ralph E.T. Mr.and Mrs.Stewart 
are members of the First U. P. Church in 
Etna; he is a republican. 

V.\LENTiNE ScHEiDE, gardener, postofiice 
West View, was born June 17, 1862, in Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., a son of Valentine Scheide, Sr., 
who was born in Kirchen Holland, Bavaria, 
Germany. V^alentine, Sr.. was a shoemaker 
by trade, and lived several years in Switzer- 
land, coming to America forty years ago. 
He followed his trade for many years on 
Fifth avenue, Pittsburgh, but later removed 
to Squirrel Hill, where he operated a coal- 
bank. He came to Ross township in 1870, 
where he purchased twenty acres of land, 
which is principally laid out in fruit and veg- 
etable gardens. He married Miss Jacoby, a 
native of Saxony, and they had one son, 
Valentine. The father died July 19. 1883; 
the mother is still living. Our subject was 
educated at Currj' Institute, this county. He 
has been a practical gardener on a large scale, 
and is a very successful man. He married 
Emalia, daughter of John Knodler, and they 
have two children: Theodore Ernest, born 
May 29. 1886, and Anna Barbara, born July 



7, 1888. Mr. Scheide is a member of the Jr. 
O. U. A. M., and is a democrat. 

Antone Henry, brick-manufacturer, 
postotflce Hero, a sou of John and Catherine 
(Greep) Henry, was born in Germany in 1848, 
and when a child of two years came to 
America with his parents, who located in 
Mifflin township, this county. His father 
at first engaged in mining, but afterward in 
farming, and died in 1884; his mother re- 
mains upon the farm. They were the parents 
of four children: Conrad H., Marj' (de- 
ceased), Rosa and Antone. Antone married, 
in 1876, Margaret, daughter of Henry Zwing- 
ler, of Mifflin township. He engaged in 
faimingon Thomson's run until 1884, when 
he removed to Reynoldton, and became as- 
sociated with J. C. Zwingler in the manu- 
facture of brick. Mr. and Mrs. Henry have 
had following-named children: John, Philip 
C, Annie K., Henry, William A. (deceased) 
and Conrad Henry. The parents are mem- 
bers of the G. L. Church of Dravosburg. 

Balthasak Jennt, Sk. , manufacturer, 
postoffice West View, was born June 11, 1815, 
in Canton Glarus, Switzerland, the son of Bal- 
thasar and Barbara (Wild) Jenny. The par- 
ents immigrated to America in 1883, and set- 
tled in Allegheny City, where the fat her was a 
carpet-weaver, and died aged eighty-five 
j'ears. They had three children: Fred, Jacob 
and Balthasar. Balthasar was educated in 
Switzerland, where he learned the engraver's 
trade, which he followed a number of years, 
until engaging in the sale of cheese (which he 
received from Ohio) in Allegheny City. He 
married, in Switzerland, Susanna Blumer, 
who is the mother of sixteen children, eight 
living, viz.: Barbara, Argata, Susanna, Els- 
beth, Emma, Maxcus, Balthasar and Freder- 
ick. Since 1871 Mr. Jenny has resided in Ross 
township, and is a successful man. He and 
Mrs. Jenny are members of the German 
Church in Allegheny, and he is a republican. 

Joseph F. D. Keating, hotel proprietor, 
postoffice West View, was born Sept. 13, 
1832. His father, Hugh Keating, was a na- 
tive of Queen's county, Ireland, came to 
Pittsburgh in 1817. and was proprietor of a 
number of drays, teaming being his principal 
business. He was twice married, Mrs. Hes- 
ter GriflSth being the only surviving child by 
his first marriage. His second wife was Mary, 
daughter of Jacob Snyder, who came here in 
1816. She was a native of Switzerland, and 
the mother of ten children, six of whom 
reached maturity: Joseph F. D., Barbara M., 
Anthony F., Jacob A.. Thomas F. and Kath- 
erine E. Joseph F. D. was educated in Pitts- 
burgh. He followed the Ohio river as pilot 
for many years, and was a well-known char- 
acter among river-men. Afterward he went 
into the hotel business at Glenwood, and was 
owner of the omnibus-line running between 
there and Pittsburgh. From 1861 to 1867 he 
kept the "White House" at Perrysville. and 
since then has been proprietor of the " Keat- 
ing House," which is famous from the gulf 
to the lakes for its spring chickens, waffles 



572 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



and good iiccommodiitious, and is ix pleasure- 
resort for the better class of old Pittsburgliers. 
Mr. Keating married Theresa Kiiiu, a native 
of Switzerland, and four daughters blessed 
their \inion. The elder two, Mary M. and 
Mrs. Theresa M. Kramer, are deceased; Jo- 
sephine F. and Mrs. Agnes V. Duffj' still 
brighten the family circle. 

MosKS Chess, farmer, postofflce Green 
Tree, a son of .John and Mary Chess {itt:e 
Middlesworlh), was horn in St. Clair town- 
ship, now Thirty-lifth ward, Pittsburgh. 
Jan. 31, 1833. flis grandfather. William 
Chess, came with his family from County 
Fermanagh, Ireland, settled in Allegheny 
county in 1787, and purchased land in 
what is now Green Tree borough, where 
he resided until his death. His son John 
was also born in Ireland, came with his 
parents to this county, and was reared on 
his father's place. John and Mary Chess 
had nine children: Eliza (deceased wife 
of Ross Poster), Jane (thrice married; tirst 
to T. C. Steele, second to William Frew and 
last time to Dr. Andrew Pierce), Moses. 
William, John (deceased), Mary A. (wife of 
John A. Petticord). Elizabeth (wife of Joseph 
McKown), Nancy E. (deceased) and Good- 
man Y. C. Mrs. Mary Chess was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church. Moses Chess 
married, Sept. 34, 1873, Amanda, daughter of 
Robert and Rachel Sterrett. Their children 
were Robert S.. Moses M., J. E. Parke. Mary 
M. (deceased), Norman F. and Walter K. 
Mr. Chess has filled various offices in Char- 
tiers township. During his early life he fol- 
lowed boating several years; has also engaged 
in farming, gardening, surveying and teach- 
ing, and is one of Charliers township's most 
respected and substantial citizens. 

J.\MES McCoN.\UGHY, dealer in notions, 
postoffice Putnam, was born in Montgomery 
county. Pa.. Feb. 7. 1846. a son of Patrick 
McConaugh}'. a native of Ireland, and Mar- 

garet (McDonald) JlcConaughy, of Montreal, 
anada. Patrick immigrated to America in 
1832, and came to Allegheny county in 1853, 
where he remained until his death; he died 
in 1884, at the age of si.xly-eight years. The 
subject of this sketch was educated at the 
public schools of Mansfield, and learned the 
trade of painter, which he successfully carried 
on until 1877, when he engaged in his pres- 
ent business. He married, in 1872. Catherine 
M. Rodgers, of Ohio, and four children have 
been born to them; Mary F., Thomas B., 
John R. and Margaret M. Mr. McConaughy 
has, by careful observance of the wants of 
his customers, built up a fine trade in his line, 
and carries an excellent stock of goods. He 
is a member of the Catholic Church, and is 
a democrat. 

W. S. Bell, photographer, postotHce 
Putnam, is a native of this county, born in 
18.52, the second son of John and Phianna 
(Arner) Bell, and at the age of nine 3-ears 
was left an orphan and thrown upon his own 
resources. He received his early education 
at the common schools, and worked on a 



farm until he was fifteen years of age; later 
was a student at the Linnoean Academj', and 
at sixteen years learned telegraphy, which 
he followed two years. He was then em- 
ployed as clerk in a drugstore, which busi- 
ness he learned and followed for eleven 
years. In 1878, on account of ill health, he 
gave up the drug business and embarked in 
his present calling, his studio being located 
at 77 Fifth avenue', Pittsburgh. His practical 
knowledge of photography has made him 
successful, and he stands second to no one 
now engaged in that art. He married, in 
1874. Alida. daughter of Martin and Margaret 
(Yeager) Frederick, of Mansfield, and they 
have four children: Winfield Frederick. Olive 
Grace. Lulu Bright and Gilbert Algernon. 
Mr. Bell is past master in the Masonic fra- 
ternity. He has served as school director; 
is a m'ember of the Presbyterian Church, and 
is a republican. 

WiLLi.^M CoLLiKGwooD EcKER. brickcon 
tractor, postoftice Hulton, was born in Pitts- 
burgh, Feb. 27. 1848, son of Emanuel and 
Mary (White) Ecker. His father was a brick- 
contractor, and settled in Piltsburgh in 1833, 
retiring from business several years before his 
death, which occurred in November. 1884, 
when he was seventy-three years old. Among 
the many good buildings he erected are the 
Monougahela House, city hall and the 
Eleventh ward schonlhouse. Our subject's 
paternal and maternal grandfathers were 
Baptist ministers. William C. has four 
brothers, all of whom are brick-contractors; 
also two sisters, both married. He received 
his education in Pittsburgh, and Feb. 22, 
1863, he enlisted in Co. H.lst battalion, 13th 
U. S. I., serving three years in the regular 
army. His company was consigned to the 
15th army corps, under Gen. Sherman, 
and at the close of the war was sent to Jeffer- 
son Barracks, at St. Louis, then to Leaven- 
worth. Kan., and to Fort Cook. M. T., at the 
time of the Sioux war. Mr. Ecker was dis- 
charged at Fort Benton, and returning to 
Pittsburgh he engaged with his father in 
bricklaying for eight years. He then began 
contracting alone, and has built many fine 
buildings in Verona and other places. He 
married, April 27, 1868, Jennie Blose. a 
daughter of Daniel and Martha (St. Clair) 
Blose, old settlers of Armstrong county. 
They have seven children: Carrie Blose. Clif- 
ford St. Clair. Ada Rosamond. Samuel Ralph, 
Charles Stanley, William Collingwood and 
Martha St. Clair. Mrs. Ecker and Miss Carrie 
are members of the U. P. Church, where the 
latter is one of the leading singers in the 
choir. 

Matthew Anderson, carpenter, postoffice 
Hulton, is a native of Belfast, County Down, 
Jreland, born in the year 1822, a son of Will- 
iam and Mary (Fisher) Anderson. His father 
was a farmer, and died in Ireland in 1856. 
aged sixty-two years, and liis mother in 1859, 
aged seventy-four. Mr. Andersou received 
Ins education in Ireland, came to Allegheny 
City in 1847, and began carpenter-work, hav- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



573 



•ing learned the trade ia Ireland. la 1848 he 
•commenced working for the Pattersons in 
Allegheny City, and remained with them 
twenty-nine years, twenty-five as general 
•foreman. With his sou he started a plauing- 
mill and box-factory, but the panic of 1873 
badly crippled his finances; he then came to 
Verona, where he has since resided. Mr. An- 
derson was married in 1846 to Sarah Robin- 
son, a native of Belfast, Ireland, and daugh- 
ter of William and Sarah (Scott) Robinson. 
Five children were born to this union, as 
follows: William and .James (whose sketches 
will be found elsewhere), John (in Pitts- 
burgh), Sarah and Mary, The family are con- 
nected with the U. P. Church; in politics 
Mr. Anderson is a republican. 

Henry Fricke, gardener, postofflce Car- 
rick, was born Feb. 2Q. 18-i3, in Amt Aucte, 
Hanover, Germany, son of C. Fricke and 
Dorothea (Morhof) Fricke, also natives of the 
above-named place. They came to America 
in 1870, and nettled in Allegheny county. 
They were membefs of the Lutheran Church; 
had eleven children, of whom only three are 
now living; Mrs. Sophia Tilman,' Henry and 
Ferdinand. The parents died here. Our 
subject was educated in Germany, and, com- 
ing to America in 1868, was a huckster for six- 
teen years, and very successful. He now 
owns a farm of twenty-five acres, also prop- 
erty in town, and is a self-made man in every 
respect. His wife i.s Louise Eiseberg, an old 
schoolmate of his, and they have two chil- 
dren: Willie J. and Maggie. Mr, and Mrs. 
Fricke are members of the Lutheran Church, 
in which he has filled several offices; he is a 
republican. 

Ralph White, blacksmith. Green Tree, 
was born in 1838, in this county. His father, 
Thomas White, emigrated from England, 
and was married toJ^^'ancy Dawson, b}' whom 
he had five children, three of whom are 
living; he was a farmer, owning a farm on 
■the Allegheny river, and died in 1876. Ralph 
White was educated at the public schools of 
his township, and at the age of eighteen 
learned the blacksmith's trade, which he fol- 
lowed until 1861, when he enlisted in Co. E, 
9th P. R. ; he was in the service of the country 
for two years, and fell wounded at the battle 
of Dranesville, where the first victories were 
won on the Potomac. He was married, in 
1863, to Miss Margaret D., daughter of Henry 
Fritch, of Allegheny county, and to them 
were born ten children, eight of whom are 
living. Mr. White is a republican; was 
deput3' sheriff under Mr. Fife; has been a 
member of theschool board, and is a justice 
of the peace. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. and the G. A. R. The family are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 

Phillip Simmons, farmer, postoflSce Li- 
brary, was born in Susse.x county, N. J., 
June 4. 1822, a son of Peter and Margaret 
(Armstrong) Simmons, also natives of the 
same state. Peter was born Nov. 30, 1784, 
and died Julv 30, 1861. His wife was born 
July 29, 1782," and died March 21, 1859. Phil- 



lip's grandfather, John Simmons, a native 
of Germany, died here Feb. 29, 1812, and liis 
grandmother, Elizabeth Simmons, died Nov. 
22, 1811. Phillip's maternal grandmother was 
a Lynn; her brother was a congressman, who 
died at Washington. Phillip moved to this 
county in May, 1825, with his parents, who 
settled in Jefferson township, and shortly 
after moved to Upper St. Clair townsliip, but 
in 1833 returned to Jefferson, which, in 1845, 
was cut off and named Snowden township 
Here Phillip received his education at the 
common scliools. Sept. 1, 1846, his father 
sold out to his children, Peter, Sarah and 
Phillip, and at the death of Sarah the part- 
nership continued between Peter and Phillip 
until Peter's death, Aug. 13, 1886, the part- 
nership only lacking seventeen days of a 
forty years' existence. Mr. Simmons mar- 
ried, Dec. 24, 1863, Jane, daughter of Elder 
Thomas Kiddoo, and granddaughter of Rev. 
William Woods, second pastor of Bethel 
Church. She was born in Jefferson township. 
May 14, 1825. Her mother was Jane Wt)ods. 
bom Sept. 2, 1798. Three sons and one 
daughter were born to Mr. and Mi-s. Simmons: 
Kiddoo P., now at Washington and Jeffer- 
son College, and will graduate in the class of 
1889; Sarah Jane, William P. and Orlando C, 
at home. Mr. Simmons is a republican, and 
a member of the school board. He was jus- 
tice of the peace in 1870, but refused to serve 
longer. Mrs. Simmons is a member of 
Bethel Church. 

John Aggers, farmer, postofflce Brough- 
ton, was born Jan. 19, 1845. on the farm where 
he now resides, a son of Henry and Hannah 
(Temperwolf) Aggers, natives of Germany. 
When John was seven years old his father 
died, and he went to live with Joseph Phil- 
lips, of Snowden township, who shortly after 
moved to Washington county, where John 
lived seven years, and received most of his 
schooling. Returning to Snowden township, 
he lived with Mr. Joseph Miller, attended 
school one winter, and worked on the farm 
the following year. Wlien nineteen he went 
to the oil-regions of Pennsylvania, remained 
sixteen years, and was concerned in the Pit- 
hole excitement, where he lost between five 
and six thousand dollars. He also struck a 
dry hole on the Story farm, near Martinsburg, 
but met with success on the Blaney farm, and 
was interested in several places in the oil-re- 
gions. Returning to Snowden township, he 
married, Dec. 35, 1877, Sadie A., only daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Sarah K. (Torence) Miller, 
who was born Sept. 36, 18.53. Five children 
have blessed this union, viz. : Joseph Walter, 
Alice Bertha, Sarali Eliza. Ann Frances and 
Edna Grace. Joseph Miller was born on the 
Miller farm in Snowden township, April 8, 
1796. a son of James and Mary (Smith) Miller. 
His father was born in the same place, and his 
grandfather, Oliver Miller, and two brothers 
took up several sections of land here in an 
early day. Joseph Miller's first wife was Ann 
B. Foster, born July 17, 1800, and died June 
17, 18.53, daughter of James and Jane Foster. 



574 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Mr. Miller's second wife, whom he married 
Nov. 16. 1852, was Sarah K., daughter of Hugh 
and Hannah Torence, born .jfuly 8, 1811. 
Her parents were natives of .Jefferson town- 
ship, and among the early settlers here. Mr. 
Miller was a prominent and hi.ghly respected 
citizen, and for many years justice of the 
peace. He passed away Feb. 7. 1ST.3. 

.John A. Bell, clerk, postoffire Mansfield, 
was born in Allegheny county. Pa., in 1844. 
and is a descendant of Robert Hell. who. 
previous to 176.5. came to Allegheny county 
from Virginia, on horseback, for the purpose 
of viewing the lands of Western Pennsyl- 
vania. What his opinion was respecting the 
land can not be determined. as he was thrown 
from his horse and killed within sight of his 
home. Soon after this.however.histwo sons, 
.lames and .John Bell, came to Allegheny 
county, and settled on Charles creek, the 
former purchasing some four hundred acres 
on the west and the latter some six hundred 
acres on the east side of the above-mentioned 
creek. Soon after this settlement the balance 
of Robert Bell's familj- also came to Alle- 
gheny county, where they remained and 
died." .John Bell, the elder of these two broth- 
ers, married Ellen Blackmore. a lady from 
Maryland, and b}' her had three children, of 
whom Samuel was the 3-oungest. Samuel 
was born in September. 1793; was a farmer, 
and owned 150 acres of the land purchased 
by his father. He married Mary Hulings, of 
Venango county, and by her had seven chil- 
dren, two sons and five daughters. He died 
in 1872, aged eighty years. John Bell, the 
youngest of his seven children, was a shoe- 
maker by trade, which he followed during 
life. He married Friana Arnor, daughter of 
.John Arnor, of Clarion county. Pa., the re- 
sult of this union being si.x children, three of 
whom are now living. John Bell died in 
18.59. and his widow in 1806. John A., the 
subject of this sketch, was but eight years of 
age when his father died, and he was thrown 
upon his own resources. He had but poor 
opportunities of receiving more than a com- 
mon-school education, but has.however.been 
successful in business. He married, in 1877, 
Miss T. R. Foster, daughter of David and 
Elizabeth (I'toss) Foster, and they have three 
children: Bessie, Mary and John. Mr. Bell 
is an elder in the U. P. Church: politically 
he is a republican. 

Robert Bell, farmer, postoffice Mans- 
field, was born in Robinson township, in 
1819. and is a direct descendant of James 
Bell, who married Mary Newkirk, of Dutch 
descent, and had by her nine children, seven 
sons and two daughters James Bell when a 
boy of ten years was captured b}- the In- 
dians and taken from his father's home, and 
held until he was returned by a treaty with 
the whites. He died, aged eighty-five years, 
on the farm he purchased in this county, and 
the house which he erected, and in which he 
died, still remains. His son James was born 
in 1787, married Elizabeth Fairley, daughter 
of John Fairle)', of Irish descent, and nine 



daughters and two sons were born to this 
marriage, Agnes M.. now Mrs. John C. 5Ior- 
row, lieing the eldest of this family. James 
followed farming all his life, and died in 1847, 
his wife in 1843. Robert Bell, the eldest son, 
received in youth a common-school educa- 
tion, and was reared to farming, wliich he fol- 
lowed until 1864, when he was employed by 
the Mansfield Coke & Coal companj', as su- 
perintendent of their mines, a position he ably 
held for twenty-two years. He was married 
in 1S4-J t(i Susan Ivcarns, daughterof Thomas 
Kcaiiis, of tlii< i-ouniy, who bore him one son, 
Washington licll, and two daughters, Rebecca 
(now Mrs. McDowell) and Evaline (now Jlrs. 
Hngeman). Mrs. Bell died in 1.8-59, and Mr. 
Bell married, for his second wife, Isa Bell 
McDowell, daughter of Robert and Fannie 
(Lee) ;McJ)owell, of this county. Four chil- 
dren, all living, were born to this union: Rob- 
ert. William, Charles and George. Mr. Bell 
now resides on a farm of eighty-seven acres 
near the jiresent town of Mansfield. He is a 
republican, and has been school director and 
town councilman; is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. 

William Bennett, florist, postoffice Car- 
rick, was born August 16, 1821, in Derby- 
shire, England. He and his brothers Daniel 
and Edwin immigrated to East Liverpool, 
Ohio, in 1841, where theyjoined their brother 
James, who several years previous had 
started the first pottery in that town. They 
remained there until 1844, then moved to 
Pittsbui'gh, and built another pottery. In 
1847 Edwin and William sold out, and 
built another pottery in Baltimore, Md., 
which Edwin still carries on very extensively 
in making whileware. William sold out his 
interest in 1856, and located where he now 
resides. In 1868 he again united with his 
brother Daniel (who was the first manufact- 
urer of whiteware west of the mountains), 
in the pottery in Pittsburgh. In 1869 they 
quit the pottery business, and formed the 
present "Crystal Glass company. " In 1874 
the subject of this sketch built several 
greenhouses, which are still being carried on 
by him and his son. William Granville, under 
firm name of William Bennett & Son. 

John Sylvester Burns, farmer, postoffice 
Clinton, was born in tlie house where he 
now resides, Feb. 22. 1847, a son of John and 
Margaret (Stewart) Burns, natives of Findlay 
township, and members of the Hopewell 
Presbyterian Church. They had three chil- 
dren: Samuel S.. Mary J. (who married 
William Hood, and, after his death, William 
Marshall) and John S. The latter received 
his education in the township schools and at 
Linn.Tan Academy. Clinton, and married, 
Feb. 23. 1869, Anna M. Guy. who was born 
in Moon township, a dauithter of William H. 
and Mary J. (Duncan) Guj-. Mr. and Mrs. 
Burns have had three children, onlj- one of 
whom survives: Maude L., born Jan. 14, 
1872. The parents are members of the V^alley 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Burns' paternal 
grandparents were John and Jane (C'rooks)> 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



Burns, early settlers of Findla}' township. 
His maternal grandparents were Samuel and 
Jane Stewart, old settlers of same township. 
Mr. Burns is possessed of considerable liter- 
ary ability, and has received valuable prizes 
for his contributions written in competition 
with others for the Natinnul Stockinan mid 
Farmer. Among the prizes received by him 
were a Shorthorn bull, a Poland-China pig 
and a gold-mounted ivory buggy-whip. Mr. 
Burns owns a good farm of 1^0 acres, and 
raises grain and fine stock. His grandfather, 
John Burns, was a relative of the poet 
Robert Burns. 

Mrs. Rachel (Galbraith) Jones, post- 
office Jones Station, was born at Pittsburgh 
in 1836, a daughter of Robert and Eliz.abeth 
(McPherson) Galbraith, former of whom was 
a native of this country, latter of County 
Tyrone. Ireland, born in 1804. Their children 
were Mary (now Mrs. Joseph Caldwell, of 
West Virginia), James,Eliza(deceased), Hugh 
(who died when a child), Sarah Jane, Eliza- 
beth (deceased) and Rachel. The last named 
married George Jones (now deceased), and 
they settled at Point Perry, where he was 
engaged in the coal trade; later he purchased 
works near Saltsburg, and finally bought 
works near Jones Station, in JefEerson town- 
ship, this county. Their children are Fanny 
(now Mrs. W. V. Mickej'). Thomas M., Mary 
(now Mrs. Robert Donaldson), .Jennie (now 
Mrs. M. G. Conlin), Eva (now Mrs. Payne). 
Kate, Will, Addle, George, Alice, Edward 
P., Annie. George and John, all livin^ ex- 
cept the last two. Jones Station and Jones 
postoffice were named in honor of this fam- 
ily, and their property occupies a delightful 
site on the river. 

James Carson, farmer, postofiice Har- 
marville. This family dates its connection 
with Allegheny county since 1832, at which 
time James Carson, with his wife, Catherine 
(AUingham), and their two children, emi- 
grated from their native county in Ireland. 
He was a farmer by occupation, and for 
eight years followed it in Washington county. 
Pa. He then (1830) purchased 313 acres of 
land in Indiana township, now Harmar. 
Seven children were born to him, four of 
whom are now living. James, born in 1826, 
being the youngest. He was educated at the 
public schools in the township, and has fol- 
lowed farming and stock-raising, being very 
successful in both. He was married, in 1859, 
to Miss Jane Elizabeth Beatty, daughter of 
Francis Beatty, and four children were born 
to them, two of whom are living — Francis 
Beatty and Kathrine. Mr. Carson purchased 
his present farm of two hundred acres, which 
is beautifully located and well adapted to 
farming. He is a republican, and was school 
director twelve years. 

Samuel C. Alter, farmer, postoffice 
Freeport, son of Jacob and Jane Alter, was 
born in Plum township, this county, in 182.5. 
His grandparents were from Westmoreland 
county, and settled in Plum township, where 
the}' lived and died. They had eleven chil- 



dren; Joseph, Nancy, Jacob, Samuel, John, 
David, Henry, Daniel, Jeremiah, Elias and 
Samson. Jacob married Jane Bratton, a 
native of this county, and they located in 
Plum township, where he worked at his 
trade, that of blacksmith. They also died 
in Plum township, leaving children as fol- 
lows; George, Eliza, Samuel C, May, Sarah 
Jane, Nancy, Rebecca, Susan, Margaret A. 
Elvira (now deceased), Jacob and William. 
Samuel C. in 1854, married Nancy J., 
daughter of G. W. Beale, of Harrison town- 
ship, and located on the farm now owned liy 
them. They have five sons: George W. B., 
Samson J.. William B., Elwood J. and Robert 
L. McCurdy. Mr. and Mrs. Alter are members 
of the Presbyterian Church of Freeport. 

W. A. Young, Bennett, was born Dec. 15, 
1850, in Pine township, this county, son of 
Henry and Catharine (Wyland) Young, 
former of whom was a native of Hessen- 
Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America 
in 1837, and is now in the seventy-first year 
of his life, and highly respected. His wife 
was a native of Alsace, Germany, and came 
to America in 1827; they were married in 1840, 
and were the parents of nine children. W. A. 
Young was reared on a farm, received a com- 
mon-school education, and when seventeen 
years old learned the shoemaker's trade, 
which he followed in Mill vale until 1880, when 
he was elected justice of the peace. Mr. 
Young has dealt largely in real estate, also 
in the insurance business, in all of which he 
has been very successful. He has always 
been a republican. 

Ephraim Craig, miner, postofiice Turtle 
Creek, was born in New York city, in 1849, 
the eldest of thirteen children, and only one 
in America, born to John and Martha (Beall) 
Craig. His parents came from Ireland, spent 
a few years in New York, where three of 
their children were born, and then returned 
to their native land. There Ephraim was 
brought up on a farm, and received an ordi- 
nary education. When twenty years old he 
came to Allegheny count)' and engaged in 
driving team about Pittsburgh. In 1871 he 
came to Turtle Creek, and in 1884 purchased 
the farm of fifty acres on which he now 
resides. In the meantime he married Nancy 
E., daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Wil- 
cox) Gray, of Scotch-Irish descent; she was 
born in Leetsburg, and by Mr. Craig had the 
following-named children; Mary Elizabetli, 
William John, Martha Jane, Margaret Ellen 
Matilda, Ephraim and Maria. Mr. and Mrs. 
Craig are members of the M. E. Church; he 
is a republican. 

Robert Marion Holland. Braddock, is 
a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born Aug. 
29. 1850, a son of William and Nancy 
(Thompson) Holland, former a native of 
Franklin county. Pa., the latter of Carroll 
county, Ohio, and both of Scotch-Irish 
descent. William Holland came to Braddock 
in 18.52, and there died in 1875, at the age of 
seventy-seven j'ears, leaving two sons and 
two daughters, all yet living. Robert M., 



576 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



who is tho 3'ounp;est, was educated at Pitts- 
burgh and Biaddoclc academj', and since 
1870 has been a successful dealer in real 
estate, with offices in both Pittsburgh and 
Bruddork. In 1885 Mr. Holland was elected 
vice lucsiclciit of the First National Bank of 
Uniddiick. a position he is still lillini; with 
nuuli iicccplance. In 1880 he married ^..izzie, 
daugliUT of ,1. N. t^hallcnberger, a member 
of an old and respected family of this county, 
and the result of the union is one child, 
Marie. Mr. Holland is a member of the F.& 
A. M. and the I. O. O. F. He is an adherent 
of the Disciples' Church, and is a democrat. 

John Tkemek. the renowned oarsman of 
America, was burn in McKeesport, Pa., July 
8, 18(>4, and received hU education at the 
public and Catholic schools of McKeesport. 
He is a .son of John Teemer, Sr., and Maggie 
(Cheneaux) Teemer, the former a native of 
Germany, and the latter of Allegheny county. 
John Teemer, Sr.. came to McKeesport at 
the age of seventeen, and engaged in coal- 
boating, carrying coal to New Orleans and 
points on the river, until retiring from active 
life; he and his wife now reside in McKees- 
port. They are the parents of six sons and 
three daughters, of whom six sons and one 
daugliter are yet living: Fred, John (our sub- 
ject), Jacob, Andrew, Willie, Lena and Syl- 
vester. The subject of this sketch worked 
on his father's farm until fifteen 3-ears of age, 
when he entered the employ of the National 
Tube-works, where he remained until the 
spring of 1883, at which time the great strike 
occurred. Soon after this, in the same year, 
John began to train for boat racing. Mr. 
Teemer always loved,the water, and when a 
small boy became an expert at rowing. In 
his races with other boys he found he could 
outrow them easily. After numerous victories 
in racing witli the boys at home, he was anx- 
ious to participate in a regular stake contest, 
and he won his first professional race. Mr. 
Teemer has great power of endurance, is well 
muscled and of immense lung-power. Row- 
ing as he lias from boyhood, he is not over- 
developed. His first shell was given him by 
his friend Barney Norris, of McKeesport, who 
has always proven a warm personal friend. 
Our subject was united in marriage, April 
22, 1884, at McKeesport, with Miss Isabella, 
a daughter of John and Mary Rodgers, and 
they have one son. 

Capt. John J. Harrlson. engineer, post- 
office Elizabeth, is a sou of James and Jane 
Harrison, natives of England, and was born 
in Yorkshire, England, July 3. 1836. He 
came to America in 18-10, with his parents, 
and settled in Brownsville, Fayette county, 
Pa., where his father died in 1863. The 
mother then moved to Elizabeth borough 
with her son, and died in 1885. Capt. Har- 
rison is a machinist by trade, but when quite 
3-oung commenced to work on the river, and 
has held an engineer's license for over 
twent3--five years, being engaged on the En- 
terprise, Dick Fulton, Belle McGowan, etc., 
and at present is engineer of the Joseph A. 



Stone. He was in the government service 
during the late war. on the boat Westmore- 
land, which plied l)etween Cincinnati and 
New Orleans. He was married, in 1855, to 
Henrietta Wilkinson, of Fayette county, 
wlio died in 1867. leaving no children. He 
was next married, in 1870, to Mar3' Creider, 
of this county. They have three children: 
James, Bertha and trrace. Capt. Harrison 
has held the office of councilman: liis family 
are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

John J. Dolglass. farmer, postofflce 
Blythedale, is a son of Thomas and Margaret 
(Johnston) Douglass. His graiidf;Uher was 
a native of Scotland, and si-lllcd in .\dams 
county. Pa., where ihe f,itlier..r our subject 
was born, ami when ^i \ en ye:irs of age came 
to this county and .settled in this township, 
where he lived until his death, in 1859. His 
family consisted of seven children, four of 
whom are still living: Maria, Mrs. George 
Weddle. of Versailles township; Sidney J., 
widow of Joseph Gillespie; James, of Buena 
Vista, and John J., who was born on the 
homestead in 1811, and lived there until 1840, 
when he removed to his present place and 
engaged in .the milling business until 1865, 
and has since carried on his present farm. 
In 1839 he was married to Mary, daughter of 
John and Mary (Orr) Patterson, who died in 
1871, leaving seven children, as follows: 
Robert P. and Thomas P.. of Pittsburgh; 
John S., a ph3fsician in Columbus, Ohio; 
James E., a merchant at Douglass station; 
William L., a farmer of this township; Elijah 
R., of Bradford, Pa; Margaret J., now Mrs. 
James H. McCune, of Alabama. Mr. Doug- 
lass was elected justice of the peace of Eliza- 
lieth township in 1870. and has since held 
that office. Douglass station, on the Pitts- 
burgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny rail- 
road, was named in honor of him. Mr. Doug- 
lass is a member of the U. P. Church of 
Buena Vista. 

Robert Henderson, boss roller, McKees- 
port, is a native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 
En.gland, and is of Scotch parentage. He was 
reared and educated in his native land, and 
at the age of sixteen began work in a rolling- 
mill, and worked in the principal mills of 
England up to 1879. He then came to Amer- 
ica, settled in McKeesport, and entered the 
emplo3' of the National Rolling-mill com- 
pany as a boss roller. Here he is still engaged 
and b3' his industr3- and frugalitv has accu- 
mulated a handsome property. He is a wor- 
thy and respected citizen of his adopted coun- 
try; is a member of the R. A., and is a repub- 
lican. 

S. P. Waugaman, dentist, McKeesport, is 
a native of Penn township, Westmoreland 
count3', Pa., where he was reared and edu- 
cated. He began the stud3' of dentistr3- in 
Januar3'. 1880, in the office of his brothers, 
Drs. Z. L. and I S. Waugaman, of Greens- 
burg, Pa. ; entered Pennsylvania College of 
Dental Surgery at Philadelphia the same 
3'ear, and graduated in February, 1883. In 
Ma3' of that year he located in McKeesport, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



577 



■where be has since resided, and has a large 
5ind successful practice. 

M. L. McClure, contractor and builder, 
postofflce Homestead, was born Dec. 24, 1841, 
iu Ho mestead, and was educated in the coun- 
try schools. He enlisted Sept. 38, 1863, in 
■Co. H, 14th P. C, and fought under Gens. 
Sheridan, Hunter and Crook until the close 
of the -war. Before enlisting he had been in 
business with his father four years, and re- 
turning home was for three years interested 
in a planing-mill in Pittsburgh, and was four 
years in Erie county, where he was engaged 
in building. He was also a bookkeeper in 
Pittsburgh six years. He married Hannah 
Reed, and they have two children: Abdiel R. 
and Florence L. Mr. McClure is an elder of 
the Presbyterian Church, and is a republican. 
Geouge W. Giles, real-estate dealer, 
postofflce Homestead, was born Dec. 34, 1860, 
at Si.x-Mile Ferry, a son of George and Har- 
riet B. (Daugherty) Giles, the former of 
whom, a native of England, learned the 
blacksmith's trade (which he followed all 
his life^ and settled at Six-Mile Ferry, this 
county, in 1840. Here he was a trustee in 
the M. E. Church. To him and his wife 
were born nine children, of ■whom Charles 
C. is now superintendent of the Mononga- 
hela First Pool Coal company. George W. 
Giles was a clerk in a grocery-store at Six- 
Mile Ferry for nine years, and since .June, 
1886, he has been in the real-estate and in- 
surance business; is also a notary public. He 
is secretary of the Security Building & Loan 
■association and the Homestead Cemetery 
association. 

F. Stevener, foundryman, Tarentum, 
son of Adam Stevener, was born at Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., in 1833. His father came from 
Bavaria, Germany, located in Pittsburgh, 
and assisted in the construction of the first 
bridge across the Monongahela river, receiv- 
ing an injury from which he never recovered. 
F. Stevener learned his trade in Pittsburgh, 
and removed to Ohio, where he married 
Louisa Schaeffer; in 1873 he came to Taren- 
tum, where he purchased property and es- 
tablished a foundry, in which he is now 
■doing a general jobbing trade. The children 
of Mr. and Mrs. Stevener are Charles W.. 
Emma, Louisa, George, Lizzie, Magdaleua, 
Clara and Elva. Mr. Stevener is a member 
of the K. of P., of Pittsburgh. 

Peter Portman, farmer, postofflce Green 
Tree, was born in Switzerland in 1819, the 
second of eleven children born to Peter and 
Barbara (Stadleman) Portman. Peter, Sr., 
was engaged in dairying and stock-dealing 
in Switzerland. He came to America with 
his wife and six children in 1833. settling on 
a lOO-acre farm in Reserve township, where 
he carried on the dairy business until his 
death, in 1848; his widow died in 1850. 
Peter, their son, lived on the farm until 1873, 
having in the meantime purchased the busi- 
ness from the heirs, and in 1873 came to 
Union township, now Green Tree borough, 
and purchased eighty acres of laud known as 



the O' Brian tract. He was married in 1857 
to Miss Mary Baker, and they have eleven 
children: Mary (Mrs. McDermott). Albert, 
Agnes, Clara, Edward, Thomas, Charley, 
William, Lewis, Frank and Joseph, all "at 
home. Mr. Portman is one of the solid 
business-men and farmers of the borough; 
he and his family are members of the Catho- 
lic Cliurch; he is a democrat. 

John Lowbn, gardener, Mt. Wasliington. 
George Lowen was a native of Kent, England, 
and in 1833 emigrated to Allegheny county. 
Pa., settling in Pittsburgh. He -was a gas- 
fitter by trade, and was employed as fitter and 
gas-inspector for the city of Pittsburgh. He 
was the father of thirteen children, eight of 
whom were born in America, John being the 
oldest in the family. In his declining years 
Mr. Lowen moved to the country, where he 
purchased fifty acres of land, and there lived 
until he died, in 1885, aged seventy-eight 
years. John was but seven years of age when 
he came to America, and received his educa- 
tion in the schools of Pittsburgh. He learned 
the tinsmith, copper and sheet-iron business, 
which he followed for eight years. He then 
located at his present place, and has since 
been engaged in gardening and fruit-growing. 
He was married in 1860 to Sophia, daughter 
of Charles Vick, and four children were born 
to them, viz. : George W. .Virginia L., Walter 
C. and Ida Blanche. The family are Episco- 
palians. Mr. Lowen is a republican. 

Henry Don.^ldson, farmer, postofflce 
Library, was born in March, 1836, on the farm 
where he now resides, a son of William and 
Elizabeth (Morrison) Donaldson, born iu 
Maryland in 1790, and Washington county. 
Pa., Jan. 18, 1795, respectively. His father 
moved on the place in 1819. having purchased 
it three or four years previously, and died 
thereon in 1863. Henry's mothei still lives 
■with him, and has reached the age of ninety- 
four years. Henry attended the common 
school at home and Bethel Academy, ■n'here 
he read Greek and Latin, etc. He lived at 
home until the death of his father, when he 
bought out the heirs, and continues to reside 
on the homestead. His paternal grandparents 
were David and Mary Lyons, former of whom 
was born iu Ireland in 1760, and who came to 
Maryland in 1771, and to Washington county. 
Pa., in 1793, and participated in the whisky 
insurrection. Mr. Donaldson's maternal 
grandparents were Henry and Patience 
(Sears) Morrison. 

Thomas Donaldson Gladden, farmer, 
postofflce Cecil, Washington county, was 
born in Smith township, that county, in 
1837, a son of Joseph Gladden. His grand- 
father, William Gladden, a native of Bucks 
county, married Mary Ann Woods. During 
early life he was a teamster, and served iu 
that capacity during the Revolution. He 
came to Western Pennsylvania at an early 
day, and there followed the milling business. 
He was also a farmer, and purchased 331 acres 
of land near the preseut site of McDonald 
station, and there remained until his death. 



578 



HISTOKV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



To this pioneer and his wife were born five 
sous and three daughters, all of whom grew 
to manliood and womanhood. Joseph, the 
second son. also a farmer, born in 179o, mar 
ried Jane, daughter of .lames Donaldson, also 
an Eastern Pennsylvanian. and to them were 
born five children, four of whom are now 
living. .Joseph came to Allegheny county 
from Washington countj' in 1843, purchased 
2r2 acres of land on Miller's run, followed 
farming, and remained on this property until 
his death, which occurred in 1806. when he 
was seventy-one years old; his wife died at 
the age of seventy-two years. The subject 
of this sketch was educated at the public 
schools, and like his ancestors has followed 
farm life. At his father's death he came into 
possession of the property where he now re- 
sides. He was twice married; first, in 1869, 
to Mary Donaldson, and second, in 1882, to 
Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Burkett, 
who has borne him two children, Edna Pearl 
and William Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Gladden 
are members of the U. P. Church; he is a 
strict democrat. 

WitxiAM James Phii^lips. gardener, Glen- 
field, was born in Mt. Oliver, Pa., Dec. 29, 
1850, son of Robert and Eliza (Mackey) 
Phillips, natives of County Antrim, Ireland 
(a brother of John Phillips). Robert came 
to America about 18-tO. and settled at Man- 
chester, now a part of the city of Allegheny, 
and shortly afterward moved to the old 
Clancy farm at Mt. Oliver, then to his present 
farm on Neville island. Here he started, 
with almost nothing, to follow the avocation 
of a gardener, and before his death he had 
accumulated a fortune, owning a great deal 
of land. On one of his farms he built a 
brick residence overlooking the Ohio river, 
wliich is indeed a beautiful home, costing 
^16,000. He left four sons and one daughter: 
.John M., W. J., Charles J., R. A. and Anna J. 
(Mrs. Charles I'urcell). He was a prominent 
democrat, and a member of the Episcopal 
Church; his wife was a Presbj-terian. Mr. 
Phillips made a specialty of raising aspara- 
gus, and his place was fully equipped with 
all the latest improvements, having barges, 
pumps, etc. He died in 1884, his wife in 
1879. William was married in 1874 to Clara 
C. Krugh. a native of South Side. Pittsburgh. 
Her parents. John A. and Albertinia (For- 
rester) ICrugh, were natives of Germany. 
Three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Phillips; Ferdinand, Walter and Harry. Mr. 
Pliillips is a democrat, and is one of the 
school directors. 

Petek Vox Stein, gardener, (^oraopolis. 
was born in June, 182.5, in Germany, son of 
Nicholas and Mary Ann (Stier) Von Stein, 
natives of the same country. He came to 
Pittsburgh when twenty-two years of age, 
and about a year later came to Neville island, 

' where he rented a farm for about two years, 
and then bought his present place, which was 
then woodland. He was married to Marga- 
ret Arris, a native of Germany, and eight 
children have been born to them, only three 



of whom are living; Peter Von Stein, Jr.; 
John, living on a two-hundred-acre farm at 
South Fork, Pa., and Lizzie (Mrs. Martin 
Hlctzingcr) ; Maggie. Katie, Mary. Tilley 
and Amelia all died when young. I'e- 
ter. Jr., is one of the Neville island active 
young businessmen, and together with his 
father cultivates the farm. They are mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church at Ulenfield; he 
is a republican. Beginning upon a farm with 
but little improvement, they have been suc- 
cessful as gardeners. 

Henry Wittmer, brick-manufacturer, 
Etna, was born June 5, 18.56, in Shaler, a sod 
of George Wittmer, a native of Baden, Ger- 
many, who immigrated to America in 1854. 
and follo'wed various occupations. He com- 
menced with steamboating, then became a 
stockman, a miner, a farmer, and then en- 
gaged in the ice business in 1870 in company 
with W. Krause. He remained in the ice 
business until 1882, when he retired to engage 
in the manufacture of brick, and the firm is 
known as the Wittmer Brick company (lim- 
ited). Our subject is superintendent of the 
works, which employ about fifty hands 
and turn out seven million brick per annum. 
He graduated in 1875 at the Iron Cit)' Busi- 
ness College. He is also engaged in the ice 
business with an uncle. Xavier Wittmer. 

John Nedne. gardener, postoffice West 
View, was born Jan. 26, 1826, near Frank- 
fort, Ober-Hessen, Germany, a son of Louis 
and Kate Neune. who had two children, 
Conrad and .John. The latter was reared 
and educated in his native land, came to 
America in 18.55, settled in Allegheny City, 
and finally became gardener for the city 
poor-farm. After fifteen j^ears, in 1867, he 
purchased a farm of six acres and commenced 
gardening for himself. In the course of a 
year the city poor-farm ofiicials urgently 
requested him to return, w'hich he did. and 
gardened for them five years longer, giving 
general satisfaction. He is a successful 
gardener and fruitgrower. Mr. Neune was 
married here, to Mrs. Mary Barue. iite Am- 
voeg, a native of Switzerland, and they have 
one child. Louis, born Sept. 16, 1862. Mr. 
and Mrs. Neune are members of the G. L. 
Church; he is a republican. 

Reiniiaud Dannei{. farmer and gar- 
dener, postoffice Bennett, was born July 12. 
1840. in Hohenzolleru. Germany. Ilis par- 
ents, Luzian and Beruhadine(Stiefel) Danner. 
reared a famih' of four children; Mrs. Anna 
Kurtz, who remained in Germany; Luzia. 
deceased; Bernhard and Reinhard. They 
immigrated to America in 18.53, resided for a 
short time in West Virginia and Westmore- 
land county, Pa., and then settled in this 
count}-. They purchased forty two acres of 
land, where our subject now resides, which 
the father thoroughly improved. The par- 
ents were devout members of the Catholic 
Church of Millvale. The father died at the 
age of eighty-seven years; the mother is still 
living. Reinhard Danner here married Caro- 
line Berber, a native of Germany, and they 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



579 



are the parents of the following-named 
children; Helena, Anna. Louisa, Joseph (de- 
<:eased), Anton, John, Beruhard, Katie and 
Caroline. They are all members of the 
Oatholic Church; Mr. Banner is a democrat. 

Capt. John W. McIntire, captain and 
pilot, postotHce Coraopolis, was born at Mc- 
Keesport, Pa., April 26, 1836, a son of Robert 
S. and Jane (Dunseith) McIntire, natives of 
Allegheny county. Pa., and members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Robert S. re- 
sides at McKeesport, and was a river-man 
when keelboats were in vogue. He is a son 
of Patrick McIntire, who came from Ireland 
with his parents to Westmoreland county. 
Pa., and later settled near Bucyrus. Robert 
S. returned to Pennsylvania, and settled in 
McKeesport. He and wife had two sons, 
Capt. John W., and Capt. Daniel, captain 
and pilot at McKeesport. Capt. John W. 
went on the river in 1852, and was engineer 
eight years, but has been pilot and caplain 
ever since. He married, March 17, 1857, 
Alice Yolton, daughter of William and Mary 
(Cool) Yolton. Mrs. McIntire died July 26, 
1884, a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and the mother of two children: 
Jennie, wife of Alvin Cornelius, Coraopolis; 
William W., learning piloting with his father. 
Thomas Dunseith, maternal grandfather of 
Capt. John McIntire, was born in New 
Jersey, married Jane Powell, and settled at 
Dowther's settlement, near McKeesport. 
They lived in a blockhouse for protection 
from the Indians. He was a pioneer flat- 
boatman, and with others would float down 
from Pittsburgh to New Orleans, sell out and 
walk back. 

William B. Junker, leather-dealer, Mc- 
Keesport, was born in Saxony, Germany, 
May 24, 1827, a son of John A. and Teresa 
(Lasker) Junker. He was reared and edu- 
cated in his native place, where he learned 
the tanner's trade; came to America in 1847, 
and located in Columbus, Ohio, where he 
worked at his trade as a journeyman three 
years. In 18.50 he settled in McKeesport, 
started a tannery, and successfully conducted 
the same until 1878. In 1871 he embarked in 
the leather business at Pittsburgh, in which 
he is still engaged, his store being located at 
152 First avenue. His three sons, Herman. 
Bernhart and Edward, are in business with 
him. Mr. Junker is a F. & A. M.. a member 
of the German Reformed Church. He is a 
democrat, and has served one term as coun- 
cilman from his ward. 

Jacob Ludwick, grocer. McKeesport, 
was born in Versailles township, Oct. 
14, 1819, a son of John and Eliza 
(Curry) Ludwick. His paternal grand- 
father, Jacob Ludwick, of German parentage, 
was a pioneer of North Versailles township. 
Allegheny county, and his maternal grand- 
father, William Curry, a native of Ireland, 
was among the pioneers of Versailles town- 
ship. Jacob Ludwick was reared in Ver- 
sailles township, where he received a com- 
mon-school education. He left home at the 



age of twenty, and learned the carpenter's 
trade, which he followed until 1849, when he 
went to California, and was there engaged in 
mining four years. He then followed mer- 
cantile pursuits at Stewartsville, Westmore- 
land county. Pa., three years; then was 
engaged in the same business at Osceola, this 
county, four years, and at Alpsville four 
years. In 1865 he embarked in the wholesale 
whisky and tobacco trade at Pittsburgh, and 
after four years in that line carried on a 
grocery business at Webster, Pa., three and 
a half years, and at Lynch 's station, Pitts- 
burgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny rail- 
road, seven years. In April, 1887, he again 
located in McKeesport, where he has since 
resided, engaged in the grocery business. In 
1857 he married Rose A., daughter of Samuel 
and Hetty (Stewart) Daly, of Stewartsville, 
Pa., and by her had two children: Hannah 
(Mrs. John Gabelhart) and Charles. Mr. 
Ludwick is a member of the retail grocers' 
association, and is a republican. 

John C. Boggs, farmer and stock-raiser, 
postofHce Shoustown, was born Dec. 27, 
1824, to Joseph and Elizabeth (Chisholm) 
Boggs, former of whom, a carpenter by 
trade, was born in Lancaster county. Pa., 
latter in Moon township, near where Sharon 
church now stands, a daughter of Thomas 
and Anna (Anderson) Chisholm. Thomas 
Chisholm was born and reared near Edin- 
burgh, Scotland, and at the age of eighteen, 
soon after he had served his apprenticeship 
as a weaver, came to America and located in 
Moon township, prior to 1800. He purchased 
a farm near Sharon, in that township, where 
he died. Joseph Boggs was a sou of Andrew 
and Rosanna Boggs, both members of the 
Presbyterian Church, who settled at Lashell's 
station. Andrew Boggs ran the ferry there, 
known as Boggs' ferry, many years, until 
his death in 1843. Joseph and Elizabeth 
(Chisholm) Boggs settled in Moon township, 
near Sharon, on the farm now owned by the 
Jennings heirs. They had a family of seven 
children, four living: John C, Ann E. (wife 
of Nathaniel P. Kerr, in Vanport, Beaver 
county), Clara (in Sewiekley) and Minnie B. 
(wife of Perry Young, in Pittsburgh). The 
parents were members of the Presbyterian 
Church. John C. Boggs remained on the 
farm with his father, and worked at the 
carpenter's trade until twenty-two, when he 
moved to Shoustown, where he was employed 
in the shipyard. In 1857 or 1858 he was ap- 
pointed superintendent of the shipyard, and 
so continued until 1868, He had charge of 
the construction of the Great Republic, Con- 

i tinental and Commonwealth, and built the 
Glencoe. One of his boats, the James Whan, 
was captured bj^ the confederates, and con- 
verted into a gunboat called the Little Rebel. 
In 1868 Mr. Boggs settled on the old home- 

1 stead of his father, which he now owns, and 
where he has since remained. He was 
united in marriage April 16, 1849, with Mar- 
garet J. Worth, who was born in Moon 
township, a daughter of Ebenezer and Mar- 



580 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



garet(Perrj-) Worth: liilter born on the Mo- 
nongahelu river, near Elizabeth, this county, 
Feb. 18, 1783; former of whom was a native 
of Cliester county, Pa. Tlie grandfallier of 
Mrs. Margaret Worth was liilled by Indians 
in that neitchborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Hoggs 
have two sons: Austin P. (who married Aggie 
Uigger.staff, and is a sawyer and carpenter in 
Moon township) and Anderson C. (who 
married Rebecca McCutcheon), and is a tool- 
dresser on oil- and gas-wells, residing in Moon 
township. 

J. M. Parkinson, postoffice West Eliza- 
beth, is a son of Washington and Sarah (Kin- 
ney) Parkinson, and was born in Notting- 
ham township. Washington co\inty, Pa., in 
1836. Ilis family were of Scotch and Irish 
descent, and his grandfather. Benjamin, was 
a native of Virginia. He removed to Wash- 
ington county. Pa., where he was engaged as 
a distiller, and where Washington, the father 
of our subject, was born. At the beginning 
of the whisky insurrection he expended the 
the price of one farm to escape from the 
army, and the soldiers made a critical exam- 
ination of his premises to, find him, but with- 
out success. Washington Parkinson married 
and settled in Kottingham township, where 
he was appointed justice of the peace for 
life, and was a stockholder, director and 
president of the Williamsport and Wheeling 
turnpike. His children were Eliza (now Mrs. 
.Joseph Pollock, of Washington county), 
Rachel R. (now Mrs. H. H. McElhaney), 
Sarah (now Mrs. Henry Heath), Mary .Jane, 
Washington (who died at the age of eighteen), 
.John L. (now of Meigs county, Ohio) and J. 
M. (who remained with his parents until their 
decease). Previous to that event our subject 
married Lydia A., daughter of William Peter- 
son, of Jefferbon township, and they have 
nine children: Eveline, George W., Sarah R., 
Xancy A., W. Y., L. Belle. Sidney M., Mar- 
garet H. and Boyd M. Sarah R. is the wife 
of C. A. Stokes, a resident and real-estate 
broker of Braddock. Mrs. Parkinson died 
Nov. 19, 1874. Mr. Parkinson sold to Mr. 
O'Neil a tract of land, and together they laid 
out what is now the- town of .Jefferson in or 
about 1871. Our subject began his career as 
a farmer, later engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits, and at present is a merchant doing 
business on a part of the old farm. 

Louis Stockeu, merchant, postoffice West 
Elizabeth, son of .John G. and Elizabeth 
Stocker, was born in Wiirtemberg, Germany, 
in 1841. When between the ages of seven 
and eight years he was called to mourn the 
loss of both parents. In 18G0 he immigrated 
to this country, and located in this count}', 
where he worked at shoemaking. In 1873 he 
married Catharina. daughter of Adam Schutz, 
of Coal Valley, Alleghenj' county. Pa. They 
have reared eight clnldren: Annie E., Mary, 
Lizzie, Catharina, George. JjOuisF., William C. 
and Ernst H. Mr. and Mrs. Stocker are mem- 
bers of the Lutheiaii Church. On coming 
here he purchased liis present residence and 
place of business, and embarked in the boot 



and shoe trade, which he still follows. He is 
a democrat. 

.John Enuland, posiotlice Bennett, was 
l)ornMay31, 1801. near- Slullicld. England, son 
of Edward and Catharine iLiiidley) England. 
John received his education and learned 
the trade of lilomaking in his native home. 
He came to Pittsburgh in 1840, and started 
the first file-factory in that citj'. Encouraged 
by his success in his first enterprise, he opened 
a hardware-store, which was also successful. 
Mr. England was married in England to Mary 
Armatage; she died in Pittsburgh, leaving 
three children: Elizabeth, (ieorge and Mrs. 
Mariah England, the latter being the only 
one now living. Mr. England eventually re- 
tired from business, and now resides in Mill- 
vale. His son-in-law, Thomas England (hus- 
band of Mariah), conducted the busmessuntil 
his death, .Inly 2.5, 1887, and his only son, 
.lohn Edward, then succeeded him. .lohn 
England and family are members of the 
Methodist Church; he is a republican. 

.J. M. Hammond, carpenter, Etna, was 
born Sept. 19, 1838, in Harrison county. Ohio, 
the son of David P. Hammond, who is a na- 
tive of Washington county. Pa. He was reared 
and educated in Guernsey county. Ohio, came 
to the city of Allegheny in 1849, and learned 
the carpenter's trade, which he followed for 
some time. He went to Kansas in May, 18.55, 
where he was with .John Brown and Lane, 
and participated in the border warfare. In 
February, 1863. he enlisted in Co. B, 3d Mo. 
i Cav. ; was wounded, and taken prisoner by 
j the notorious Quantrell. who treated him 
! well, and set him at liberty. In May, 1863, 
I he was discharged, for disability, at hospital. 
After the war Mr. Hammond returned to 
Pittsburgh, where he worked in a cork-fac- 
tor}', and later followed his trade, coming to 
Etna in 1867, where he now resides. In Ohio 
he married Margaret Glass, and they have 
four children: Emma J., Anna. Charles F. 
and Agnes. Mr. Hammond is a republican, 
and has been burgess and councilman for 
many years. 

William Boden, miner, Turtle Creek, 
was born in Sedgley parish, Staffordshire, 
England. February 8, 1848, and is a son of 
John and Anna (Ivempson) Boden. In 1860 
the family came to America, and located for 
a time in Coullersville, this county. The 
father was a coal-miner all his life, and was 
employed at Saw-Mill Run and Turtle Creek, 
coming to the latter place in 1873. For a 
short time in 1880 he was employed in Clear- 
field county, and died in November of that 
year, at the age of fifty six years, from in- 
juries inflicted by a kicking mule. Mrs. 
Boden died in 1876, at the age of forty-tive 
years. The eldest child. Thomas, was killed 
in January, 1879. by a fall of coal in a mine 
at Alma, Wyo. The other children are Will- 
iam and Alida A. (Mrs. Charles Cupps) in 
Pittsburgh. William began mining coal 
when twelve years old. and managed to 
secure an ordinary education. He came to 
Turtle Creek in March, 1876, and six years 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



581 



later built his home. Mr. Boden married, 
July 12, 1870, a daughter of Thomas and 
Mary Rolens, who was born in South Shields, 
Durham, England, and their children now 
living are John, George Thomas, Charles 
Alexander, William Henry and Elizabeth 
May; William Edward and Alida C. died in 
infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Boden are members 
of the M. E. Church; he is a republican. 

Thomas Seddon, retired, Braddock, is a 
native of England, born in 1819, son of Rich- 
ard and Ann (Entvvistle) Seddon, former of 
whom died when Thomas was but seven 
monthsold. They had two children, Thomas 
being the only one to come to America, and 
the only one now living. In 1837 he married 
Jane Thompson, by whom he had ten chil- 
dren, six born in England and four in Amer- 
ica. Tliose living, born in England, are 
Nancy, Mary, Ann and Jane; and born in 
America, Noah and Abel. In 1849 Mr. Sed- 
don immigrated to America with his wife 
and children, first locating at McKees- 
port, where he remained fifteen years, en- 
gaged in coal-mining. Iq 1863 he came to 
Braddock, and here opened a hardware- and 
tin-store, which he successfully carried on 
until his retirement from business in 1880, 
being succeeded by his sons, Mr. Seddon 
was twice married, his second wife being 
Mary, daughter of Maj. Snodgrass, a promi- 
nent citizen of Allegheny county. Mv. Sed- 
don is a republican. 

Isaac Mills, stationer, Braddock. In 
or about the year 1680 the ancestors of this 
family emigrated from England to America, 
landing on the Bermuda Islands, where they 
remained a short time. Stephen Mills, 
grandfather of the subject of this memoir, 
and a shoemaker by trade, married an Os- 
born, and became the father of two sons and 
three daughters, Isaac being among the old- 
est, born iu 1801, in New York. Stephen 
came in about 1817, with his family, to the 
" Forks ■■ of Allegheny county, and here set- 
tled on a farm, where he remained a few years. 
Isaac then leased 260 acres of land in 1826, 
and in 1827 he purchased the farm on the 
Monongahela river, and which is now known 
as the Third ward of Braddock. He was the 
successful business-man of the family. He 
married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Snod- 
grass, one of a verj' old family, of Scotch- 
Irish descent. Nine children, seven yet liv- 
ing, were born to Isaac Mills and his wife, 
viz.: Eliza, Isaac, Rachel (Mrs. Clay), Charles, 
J, K., Stephen and Isaac. The last named 
was born in 1839, educated at the State Col- 
lege, Centre county, and in 1861 enlisted in 
Co. A, 63d (Gen. Alex. Hays') regiment, and 
for three years was a defender of his country. 
In 1863 he married Mary E. Nichols, of Brad- 
dock, and si.x children have been born to 
them. Mr. Mills commenced his business 
career in 1867, when he became extensively 
engaged in dealing in lime cement, success- 
fully operating same until 1880. Since then 
he has been engaged in his present business 
at Braddock. About one hundred acres of 



the original tract of land purchased by Isaac 
Mills is now owned by his descendants. Mr. 
Mills is a member of the G. A. R. and Veter- 
an Union League. He is a republican; was 
burgess of Braddock in 1885, and has held 
other positions of trust. 

Peter Fey, merchant, postoffice Home- 
stead, was born Nov. 25, 1857, in Mifflin 
Township, Allegheny county. Pa. His father, 
Nicholas Fey, a native of Lorraine. France 
(now Germany), came to America about forty 
years ago, and became a farmer and miner in 
MifHin township. His wife, Magdalena 
Decker, also a native of France, is the mother 
of the following-named children; Catherine. 
John, Casper. Anna, Nicholas, Peter and 
William. Peter Fey was a miner in early 
life, and later was employed in the steelmill. 
In 1883 he opened a general grocery-store, 
and has built up a good trade. He married 
Lizzie, a daughter of John Rushe, and three 
children blessed this union; Anna, Gertrude 
and Estella M. Mr. and Mrs. Fey are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church ; he is a democrat. 

William Anderson, manufacturer, post- 
ofBce Hulton, was born in Allegheny City, 
Oct. 13, 18.50, and is the son of Matthew and 
Sarah (Robinson) Anderson, natives of County 
Down, Ireland, and who immigrated toAlle- 
gheny City in 1847. Here our su"bject received 
his education, and at twenty years of age 
started in the planing-mill business, locating 
on Liberty street, Pittsburgh. At the time 
of the Pittsburgh riot the mill was burned. 
He then moved to Verona, where he has 
built up a large business in contracting and 
the manufacture of mantels and moldings. 
In 1888 he began making a specialty of fine 
wood mantels for the trade, and his is the 
only mill in Western Pennsylvania making 
that work a specialty, employing from fifteen 
to twenty-five men. He was married Feb. 
25. 1874, to Salinda Bright, a native of 
Verona, and daughter of the old pioneer, 
Peter Bright (of whom a sketch is given 
elsewhere). Three children have blessed 
this union: William F., May V. and James 
Wade. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members 
of theU. P. Church. Mr. Anderson has been 
a member of the council and school board 
several times. 

Isaac Lindsay, merchant, Hulton, was 
born in County Down, Ireland, in August, 
1829, a son of Isaac and Mary (Stewart) 
Lindsay (both deceased). Mr. Lindsay came 
to this country in 1849, having finished his ed- 
ucation in Ireland. For seven years he was 
employed in a wholesale store in Pittsburgh, 
and ten months later moved to Allegheny City, 
where he did a good trade for ten j-ears. 
He was then in business five years at Ems- 
worth, and, selling out there, in 1876 came to 
Verona, where he has been very successful. 
He was married Sept. 4, 18.56, to Charlotte 
Balmer, a native of County Down, Ireland 
(coming to America in 1852), a daughter of 
Matthew and Mary (Mercer) Balmer, both 
deceased. Five children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay; Mary, who died aged 



582 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



fourteen months; Waller Mercer, who uied 
aged five years; Stewart Washington, who 
died aged tliree years: Walter Mercer, who 
graduated at WesUninster ('ollej^e. New Wil- 
mington, Pa., in 1SS7. ilien studied law with 
Robh & FitzsimmoMs, of I'itlsburgh; and 
Isaac Stewart, who graduated at Duffs 
College, of Pittsburgh, in 1888, and is in his 
father's store. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay are 
members of the U. P. Church, of which he 
is a trustee; he is a republican. 

Peter Weddi.e. blacksmith and farmer, 
postofflce Eli/.iibftli, is a son of George and 
Nancy (Nelson) Weddle. Uavid. the grand- 
father of Peter, was born in Philadelphia, 
and was brought to this count}' bj- his par- 
ents when an infant. He followed farming 
near Sutersville. where he resided until his 
death. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. 
His fan\ily consisted of twelve children, five 
of whom are still living. George Weddle 
died in 1830. Peter Weddle was born on the 
homestead in 1818. and received the benefit 
of the schools of that period until he reached 
the age of fifteen, when he learned tlie black- 
smith's trade, which he has since followed. 
In 1870 he located at his present place, and 
operated a small farm in connection with his 
trade. In 1841 he married Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of John McClelland, of Mercer county. 
They have nine children living: Margaret, 
widow of Harvey Applegate, of Washington 
county; Eleanor, wife of .James Kearney, of 
Washington county; Angeline, wife of Will- 
iam McMichael, of Washington county; John 
M., in Elizabeth township; George W., in 
Lovedale; Elvira, wife of E. P. Douslass, of 
McKeesport; Daniel W.,at home; William F., 
at Buena Vista; Mary B.. wife of James Mc- 
Cune, of this township. Mr. Weddle and his 
wife are members of the U. P. Church of 
Bethesda. 

Thom.^s C. Dougl.^ss, farmer. postofHce 
Boston, is the eldest son of Col. William 
Douglass, and born on the homestead which 
he now owns, in 1838. and received the benefit 
of the public schools of that period. For 
three years he was engaged in manufactur- 
ing lumber, but with this exception has al- 
ways followed farming. In 1861 he enlisted 
in Co. I, fi3d P. V. I., "and served until the 
close of the war. He was orderly-sergeant 
of his company, and was wounded at the 
battles of Spottsylvania and the Wilderness. 
In 1859 he married Marinda A., daughter of 
James and Evaline (West) Harrison, of this 
township. They have nine children living: 
Margaret E. (wife of David Coals, of Boston), 
Mrs. F. (wife of Philip D. Douglass, of Eliza- 
beth townshi]!). William C. Myrtle B.. Jen- 
nie E.. Thomas H.. Daisy B., Alice F. and Kate 
M. (at home). Mr. Douglass has been assess- 
or of his township three terms. He is a 
member of Yougliioghenv Valley Lodge. No. 
5.55. I. O. O. F.;'"Kankin Post, No. 137. G. A. 
R., and Castle No. 81, A. O. K. M. C. Mr. 
and Mrs. Douglass are members of Ml. Ver- 
non Presbyterian Church, of which he is one 
of the trustees. 



CriARLES Matthew JonNSTON, carpenter. 
Wilkinsburg. was born in Wilkins township 
in October, 1822. and is a grandson of Charles 
Johnston (see biography of H. M. Johnston). 
His father, Andrew Johnston, was a farmer 
in Wilkins township, and built a gristmill, 
which he operated. He died when Charles 
was a child, and his widow, iitr Margret 
Robertson, went to Rock Island, 111., where 
she died at the residence of hersou in Decem 
her. 1883: both were members of the Beulah 
Church. They had seven children : Charles, 
James, Rebecca, William, Archie, and two 
daughters who died in infancy'. When 
eighteen years old Charles M. left the farm 
to learn the carpenter's trade. He spent 
two years at Freeporl and nine in Salem. 
Westmoreland county. Pa., at milling. Nov. 
3, 1846, he married Mary Trees, a native of 
Salem, and following are the names of their 
children: Thomas Trees (deceased), Emma 
Jane (wife of James Cruikshank, deceased, 
and mother of three children: Omar Trees, 
and Louisa and William Johnston, deceased). 
James Andrew, Joseph and Edward Riley 
(deceased), Charles M. (a bookkeeijer in 
Pittsburgh), Oliver N. (in Wilkinsljurg). 
Thomas Trees. Mrs. Johnston's father, came 
from England when twenty years old, and 
lived in Salem fifty-five years. His wife. 
nee Elizabeth Hill, was also a native of En- 
gland. In 1873 Mr. Johnston came to Wilkins- 
burg. where he has followed his trade most 
of the time since. He is a member of 
Beulah Church; is a Freemason, a member 
of the I. O. O. F., and a republican. 

William Andrew Kirk, conductor. Wil 
kinsburg, was born in Donegal township, 
Washington county, Pa., Feb. 18, 1840. sou 
of Samuel and Bridget (Dougherty) Kirk, 
who were born in the same township, the 
father in 1816. John Kirk, the grandfather 
of William A., came from Scotland to Wash- 
ington county in the latter part of the eight- 
eenth century. Samuel Kirk served twelve 
consecutive years as assessor of his native 
township, and has also been collector. He 
and his wife are now seventy-two years old. 
They have two sons and two daughters, W. 
A. being the eldest. John R., the third 
child, lost his left leg on the railroad, and is 
now resident here, being employed in the 
shops at Torrens. William A. Kirk remained 
on the home farm till twenty-four years of 
age, when he was employed as brakeman on 
what is now the B. &. O". R. R. In 1867 he 
look a position as passenger-brakeman on 
the Pennsj-lvania railroad, and three years 
later was running a train. He is now em- 
ployed on the fast through trains between 
Pittsburgh and Alloona. Since December. 
1870, his home has been in Wilkinsburg. 
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and has been four years president of the 
Knights of the Punch; has been all his life 
a democrat. May 7. 1867, he married Sarah 
I., daughter of Lewis and Agnes (Ingraham) 
Roberts, of Greene county. Mr. Roberts 
was murdered while postmaster at Clinton, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



:83 



111., in 1860. Si.x childreu were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Kirk: Francis Ernest, Charles 
Boyd, Anna Blanche and Fautiie Hazle liv- 
ing, and Minnie Pearl and Harry Clifford, 
second and third in order of birth, who died 
when small. 

Isaac West, merchant-tailor, McKees- 
port, was born in Dorsetshire, England, in 
1830, a son of William and Rhoda (Grimes) 
West. He was reared in Stalbridge, Dorset- 
shire, and there learned the tailor's trade. 
In 1851 he immigrated to America, located in 
McKeesport and entered the emplo.y of James 
P. White, with whom he worked "as a jour- 
neyman two years. In 1853 he was promoted 
to the position of foreman of the shop, and 
remained as such, with the exception of one 
year, until 1869, when he embarked in busi- 
ness as a merchant-tailor, in which he has 
since been successfully engaged. In 1851 he 
married Peninnah, daughter of Samuel and 
Rhoda (Elford) Parsons, of Stalbridge, En- 
gland, by whom he had twelve children: 
Rhoda A. (Mrs. Walter B. Clasper), William 
Elford, Kale (Mrs. Granville Forney), Walter 
L., Fred G., Carrie B., James, John and Frank 
(twins), Maggie, Isaac and George V. Mr. 
West is one of McKeesport's representative 
citizens. He has been identified with every 
building and loan association organized in 
the place, and is treasurer of three at this 
writing. He is a F. & A. M., a member of 
the M. E. Church, and is a republican. 

James E. Karns, carpenter, Tarentum, 
a son of Charles W. and Mary (Thomson) 
Karns, was born in what is now Harrison 
township, Allegheny county. Pa., in 1838. 
His grandfather, J. E. Karns, located in 
Westmoreland county, and in 1798 removed 
to Slippery Rock, where he took up a con- 
siderable tract of land: then came to Karns 
station. East Deer township. He soon ex- 
perienced the perils of pioneer life, for in 
going through the woods one da}', carrying 
as his only weapon of defense an ax, he was 
confronted by a full-grown bear, disposed to 
dispute his right of way; Mr. Karns, how- 
ever, succeeded in making his escape. He 
and his wife both died in 18i0. Their chil- 
dren were Charles W^.; William, a hatter by 
trade, and who was tor several years post- 
master of Allegheny City; Matthew, a tan- 
ner by trade, who died when twenty years of 
age; James E., Francis, Eliza, who married 
George Hazlett; Margaret, who married 
James Potts, and died in Johnstown; Wilson, a 
soldier in the Florida war, and whcrdied in 
the service; John, a salt-manufacturer at 
Karns station, and who died in 1873; Samuel 
D., captain of one of the river boats, later a 
sutler in the Mexican war, and who died at 
Parkersburg, W. Va. The birthplace of 
Charles W., father of James E., was West- 
moreland county. Pa. He married and lo- 
cated at what is now Natrona, Allegheny 
county, followed the river as lumberman, 
and during the war of 1813 carried freight 
up the river in canoes for the army. He died 
at Natrona in 1864; his wife died in 1839. 

70 



I Their children were James E., Elizabeth T.. 

! the late Mrs. Edward McKee, of Natrona; 

Joseph C: Francis W., who enlisted in the 

9th P. R., Co. C, and who died after the 

! seven days' fight. 

' The subject of this memoir after his 
mother's death moved to Plum township, 
where he remained until seventeen years of 
age, and then proceeded to Pittsburgh, where 
he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1853 he 
went to California, leaving Tarentum Janu- 
ary 39th; started from Panama on board the 
bark Ann Smith March 9th, and reached Aca- 
pulco after a tedious voyage of fifty -four days, 
in a shipwrecked condition. He worked in 
the mines there for six years, then returned 
home, and during the civil war enlisted in 
Co. I, 133d P. V. I.; he received a wound at 
the battle of Fredericksburg, but remained 
during his term of enlistment, at the expira- 
tion of which he returned home again. In 
1864 Mr. Karns married Elizabeth, daughter 
of John L. Randolph, of Harrison township, 
this county. After marriage they settled in 
Tarentum, and here Mr. Karns resumed his 
former business. Mrs. Karns died in 1880, 
They reared a family of six children, viz. : 
Anna M., Mary A., Augusta E., Cornelia R.. 
Charles W. (deceased) and Francis M. Mr. 
Karns is a member of the U. P. Church. 

■John D. Evans, of the firm of J. D. 
Evans & Son, merchant-tailors. McKeesport, 
is a native of North Wales, Great Britain, 
and was born July 13, 1838. to Daniel and 
Ellen (Roberts) Evans. He was reared and 
educated in his native country, where he 
served an apprenticeship of four years at the 
tailor's trade, after which he worked as a 
journeyman in Liverpool, England, from 
1860 to 1870. In 1863 he married Mary, a 
daughter of Edward and Marv (Parry) Jones, 
of North Wales, and by her had six chil- 
dren: Elias C, Harriet, Kate, Mamie, John 
D., Jr.. and Lizzie O. In 1870 Mr. Evans 
came to America, and located in Pittsburgh, 
where he worked at his trade as a journey- 
man one year and a half. He then removed 
to Irwin station, where he was employed as 
a cutter one year; then embarked in business 
at the same place as a merchant-tailor, at 
which he continued five years. He then be- 
came cutter for Levi Gibson, of Sharpsburg, 
one year, and later at Natrona two and a half 
.years. In September, 1881, he came to Mc- 
Keesport, where he was employed as a cutter 
six years in the store of S. L. Goldman. In 
September, 1887, he embarked in the mer- 
chant-tailoring business witli his eldest son, 
Elias C, as a partner, and has already built 
up a large and remunerative trade. He is a 
member of the Heptasophs, I. O. O. F. En- 
campment, A. O. U. W. and K. of L. In pol- 
itics he is a republican, in religion a Baptist. 
Fred Haas, roller-car painter, postoffice 
Pittsburgh, was born in Alsace, France, a son 
of Fred (a barber) and Mary M. Haas, and 
came to America with his parents in 1845, 
settling in Pittsburgh, Pa. His father reared 
a family of fourteen children, four of whom 



584 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



are living: Fred, Philip, Charles and Caro- 
line (wife of Lewis Aurin, of this county). 
Fred, Sr., died ialSOti, his widow in 1883, at 
the age of seventy-live years. Fred Haas, 
Jr., came to Pittsburgh Aug. 1, 1845, and on 
the 10th of the same moutli commenced 
work in a rolling-mill (which business he has 
since followed), and is a master-roller and 
roll-turner. He has been twice married, first 
to Mary H., daughter of William J. Hamil- 
ton, of Pittsburgh; she died in 1881, at the 
age of forty-two years, without issue. Mr. 
llaas next married, in 1882, Sophia, daugh- 
ter of Philip and Catherine Gerst, of this 
county, and they have one child, Frederick 
P. Philip aud Catherine Gerst were both 
born in Alsace, and came to this countr3' in 
the year 1841. By a former marriage Mrs. 
Haas has three children: Elizabeth, Millie 
and Lenora. Mr. Haas is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity. Commencing life in 
very humble circumstances, by industry and 
perseverance he has acquired a beautiful 
home, aud has just erected one of the best 
dwelling-houses in McKee's Rocks village. 

Wii>Li.\M Haas, hotel proprietor, post- 
office Fetterman, was born in Germany in 
1840, and came to America when thirteen 
years of age with his parents, Charles Henr}- 
Haas (who was a coal-miner) and Mary 
Smith Haas. William was the oldest in a 
family of three children; he was educated 
in the county, and at an early day com- 
menced work in the coal-mines, which he 
followed until 18T5, when he commenced 
his present business. In 1863 he was mar- 
ried to Miss Louisa, daughter of Powell 
Wilhelm, and ten children were born to 
them, all yet living. For the past twenty- 
seven years Mr. Haas has been a member of 
theL O. O. F., is a member of the Red Men, 
Encampment of Workmen and other benefi- 
cial associations. He has been school director 
for twenty j-ears. and member of the town 
council for the same length of time; he is a 
member of the G. P. Church, and is a re- 
publican. 

Uriah Kearns, farmer. Green Tree, was 
born in 1832, son of Thomas and Rebecca 
Kearns. He was educated at the public 
schools in his native township, and farming 
has been his occupation through life. He 
now owns thirty-three acres of land, a part 
of the tract purchased by his father. He 
was married in 1860 to Adaline. daughter of 
James Bell, aud to them have been born nine 
children, all of whom are now living, viz.: 
Laura Mav, Missouri, Rebecca Jane, Emma 
Viola, Kate, Thomas, George. John and 
Noah. Mr. Kearns has always taken an 
active part in the interests of the township, 
having had many positions of honor, and is 
now burgess of the borough. The family 
are members of the Presbyterian Church; he 
is a republican. 

Jerome Kearns was born in this county 
in 1830, son of Thomas and Rebecca Kearns, 
and now resides at the old homestead, own- 
ing twenty acres of the original tract. He 



was married in 1862 to Miss Catharine 
Crawford, and to them were born three chil- 
dren: Rebecca, Josephine and Thomas. His 
second wife was Miss Sarah Ann, daughter 
of Charles Peacock, and they have had two 
children, one now living, Jerome. Mr. 
Kearns is a republican. 

Samuel John Brown, foreman, Verona, 
was born in Pittsburgh in 1847, a son of 
Thomas, Jr., and Elizabeth (McLain) Brown, 
of English and Irish extraction, former of 
whom now resides in Pittsburgh, being em- 
ployed in the tinning department of the 
Pennsylvania railroad shops. Samuel was 
reared in the city, and attended school until 
eighteen years old, when he commenced to 
learn his triide of machinist at Febbers' ma- 
chine-shop. Pittsburgh. For ten years he 
was night foreman of the Pan Handle round- 
house in Pittsburgh, and came to Verona in 
1879. For four years he was emploved as 
forger at the Dexter Spring-works, ife then 
entered the Allegheny Valley railroad shops. 
where he is foreman of the rod-gang. With 
his family he attends the Presbyterian 
Church; politically he supports the repub- 
lican party. In 1873 he married Ida Porter, 
born in Pittsburgh, daughter of the late John 
Porter, of Penn townsliip, and b\- her has 
five children: Ernest Robert, Alma Arthur, 
Ira, Ida and Porter. Mr. Brown enlisted 
April 4, 186.5, in Pittsburgh, in Co. G. 110th 
P. v., 2d and 3d corps consolidated; was 
mustered out at Bailey's Cross Roads, Va., 
and discharged at Harrisburg July 3, 186.5. 

William Henrt Snively. farmer, post- 
office Verona, was born in 1849 (m the farm 
where he resides. His father, Joseph, the 
eldest son of Christopher Snively, was born 
on the farm now owned by Robert Black; 
Eliza (Barry), wife of Joseph Snively. died 
when her son, William H., was a year old, 
and he was reared by his grandfather. Jo- 
seph Snively was a member of Co. C, 9th P. 
R., aud was killed at the battle of Antietam. 
William H. Snively was an only child, and 
inherited the farm, which includes about 
sixt3' acres. In 1884 he married Mrs. Eliza- 
beth (McKely) Lee, daughter of David Mc- 
Kely. and widow of Robert Lee, by whom 
she had two children: Robert Lee and 
Caleb Lee; by Mr. Snivelv she has also had 
two children: Elizabeth Jane and William 
Henry. Mrs. Snively was born in Plum 
township. The family attend the Presbyte- 
rian Church. Mr. Snively is a republican, 
and has served as township assessor. 

W. D. McLarn, merchant, postoffice Oak- 
dale Station, is a son of Robert and Susan 
(Donaldson) McLarn, the former of whom, a 
farmerofFiudlay township, died in 1881. aged 
seventy-two years; the latter died in 1865, 
aged fifty-live years. They had a family of 
six children, of whom W. D. is the onlj' 
remaiuing member. He was born and reared 
on a farm, and received his education at the 
public schools and Pennsylvania Institute, 
Pittsburgh. In 1874 he engaged at his pres- 
ent place in mercantile business. He mar- 



GEXEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



585 



ried, in 1870, Lizzie J. Miller, of North Fay- 
ette township, and five children yet living 
are the result of this union: Susan D., Maggie 
R., R. H., Mary and Ernest S. Mr. McLarn 
was reared in the United Presbyterian faith, 
but is now a Presbyterian; he is a republican. 
Morgan Elliott, retired, postofflce Stur- 
geon, was born in Beaver county. Pa., in 
1811, a son of James Elliott, who came from 
Eastern Pennsylvania, was a tanner by trade, 
and later followed farming. He married 
Elizabeth Laughlin, of this county, and 
twelve children were born to them, live of 
whom are now living. James died in 18.l0, 
aged sixty years. Morgan was born and 
partially reared on a farm. At sixteen years 
of age he learned millwrighting, serving an 
apprenticeship of four years, and followed 
the trade twentj'-five years. In 18.57 he pur- 
chased one hundred acres of his present farm, 
which now contains 370. In 1841 he married 
Mary Walker, daughter of Joseph and Mary 
(Glenn) Walker, and to them seven children 
were born: Joseph W.. Wilson L., James M., 
Isabella Glenn (Mrs. Dr. Fife), Hulda Ann 
(Mrs. A. Fife), Louisa Jane (Mrs. Patterson), 
and Elizabeth Mary, who died March 2, 1860. 
Mr. Elliott has retired from active Labor, and 
for twenty years he has been engaged in the 
dairy busiiiess, his sons doing the work on 
the farm. He is a member of the U. P. 
Church and is a democrat. 

Robert Nedpbrt, harness-maker, post- 
offlce McKee's Rocks, was born in Butler 
county, Pa., in 1859, a son of Christopher and 
Caroline (Heller) Neupert, former of whom 
came from Germany to this country in 
1843 and settled in Butler county, Pa., 
where he farmed. There he married and 
became the father of eight children, viz. : 
Alvina (wife of John Sorg), Harmon (de- 
ceased), Robert, Mary (deceased), Lewis, 
William, Earnest and Charlie. Christopher 
died in 1879, aged sixty-four years, a member 
of the Saxonburg Church, in Butler county, 
of which his widow, who is still living in that 
county, is also a member. Robert Neupert 
came to this county in 1874, learned the har- 
ness-making trade, and in 1883 commenced 
business for himself at McKee's Rocks, Stowe 
township, where he is still successfully en- 
gaged. He married, in 1884, Callie Kenne- 
weg, of thiscit}'. and two chddven were born 
to them : Cora (deceased) and Cornelia. Mr. 
Neupert's prudence and industry have en- 
abled him to secure a very pleasant and com- 
fortable home, and he has the reputation of 
being one of Stowe township's best citizens. 
M. Wolf, merchant. West Elizabeth, is a 
son of Joseph and Walburga Wolf, and was 
born in Germany in 1844. He located in 
1865 in Pittsburgh, where for a year he was 
employed in a bakery. He then went toCin- 
cinnsti, Ohio, but in 1867 returned to Pitts- 
burgh, where he married Johanna Stroh- 
meyer. Two children were born to their 
union: Jacob and Melchior. After his mar- 
riage he moved to Elizabeth and established 
a bakery, which he later disposed of, and 



with his brother, Anton, started a brewery 
in West Elizabeth. This they afterward sold 
to John Werner, the present owner. After 
selling the brewery Mr. Wolf established a 
bakery in West Elizabeth, and also engaged 
in general merchandising. He married for 
his second wife Mrs. Evans, a widow, of 
Pittsburgh, who was the mother of three 
children by her former husband: Charles H. 
(now deceased), Lottie and James A. To 
this marriage seven children have been born: 
Maggie, Joseph, John, Mary, William, George 
and Anton (now deceased). Mr. and Mrs. 
Wolf are members of the Catholic Church. 
Cu.\RLES Percival, merchant. West 
Elizabeth, son of Erastus and Sarah Perci- 
val, was born in West Elizabeth in 1854. 
His father was a native of Vermont and his 
mother of Washington county. Pa., her 
parents having removed from New Jersey. 
Our subject lived with his mother until his 
marriage, in 1879, with Catherine L., daughter 
of J. P. Wylie, of Jefferson township. He 
then became activelj' engaged in business in 
the borough of West Elizabeth, as a dealer in 
general merchandise, which he still con- 
tinues. He has from time to time held vari- 
ous official positions, and at present is a 
member of the council. Mr. and Mrs. Per- 
cival have three children: Eugene, Edna and 
Mildred. 

J. F. HiCKMAS, farmer, postofflce Federal, 
was born in Allegheny county, in 1844. His 
grandfather, Peter, came to America about 
1790, settled in this county, and purchased 
200 acres of land in South Fayette township. 
Joseph, a son of this pioneer, married Eliza- 
beth McCabe. and became the father of 
twelve children. He died In 1882. aged 
eighty-five years, and his wife in 1876, aged 
seventj-two years. Joseph F., the twelfth 
in the family, was born and reared on a farm, 
received a common-school education, and in 
1879 married Elizabeth A., daughter of N. 
H. Plummer. of this county. Bofn to this 
marriage were seven children (three of 
whom are deceased): Charles Plummer. Cora 
Estella, Mary Elizabeth (deceased, Aug. 3, 
1884), Agnes Mabel, Lilian Olivia and Violet 
Josephine (twins; Lilian O. died July 10, 
1888), and .Joseph Howard, who died March 
8, 1888. Mr. Hickman is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and is a republican. 

August Siebert, farmer, postofflce Ross, 
was born Jan. 11, 1844. in Sieferlhausen, Kur- 
hessen, Germany, a son of Barthel and Anna 
(Krause) Siebert, natives of the above-men- 
tioned place, which is named for the family. 
The paternal grandfather was a fine scholar, 
and was in the employ of the government. 
Mr. Barthel Siebert was born Oct. 18, 1812; 
his wife, Mrs. Anna Siebert, was born Jan. 
14, 1820, and with her husband immigrated 
to America in 1852. They settled in this 
county, where the father died March 28, 
1886. He had been engaged in the dairy 
business for twenty-six years, was an excel- 
lent manager and a highly esteemed man. 
He reared a family of eiglt children: Cather- 



58(3 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ine, August, Martha, Elizabeth, Uenry, 
Sarali, Anna Rebecca and Anna Mary. The 
Siebert family are German Presbyterians, 
and helped to build the church of which the 
father was a member until he died. 

Steph.ik Akkolteu, farmer, postofflce 
Ross, was born Feb. 38, 1836, in Canton 
Berne, Switzerland, a son of ,Iohn and Bar- 
bara (Strown) Affolter. He came to America 
when nineteen years of age, and for a time 
worked for the meager compensation of four 
dollars per month. By industry and perse- 
verance he viyy soon" improved his circum- 
stances, and has been a successful l)usiness- 
man. He married Susan, daughter of John 
Thompson, and four children have blessed 
their union: Samuel, Maggie, Katie and 
Mary B. Mr. and Mrs. AfEoller are members 
of the Presbyterian Church; he is a repub- 
lican. 

Adalbert Merz, jeweler, postofflce Se- 
wickley,was born Dec. 29,1829, in Fulda, Kur- 
hesseni Germany, son of Valentine Merz, 
an attorney, wlio held a government office. 
The Merz family of Fulda are among the 
best families in' that part of the country. 
The ancestors have all held high positions in 
the church and state. The mother came to 
America several years before Adalbert; she 
died in Terre Haiite, Ind., July 17, 1888, aged 
eighty-three years. Adalbert learned the 
trade of watchmaker with A. Vogel in his 
native town, and at the age of twenty he 
entei'ed the German army, serving eight 
years. In 1857 he came to Charleston, S. C. , 
remaining there until February, 1862, when 
he came to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he worked 
at his trade. He was an exceedingly skillful 
workman, and in 1877 he bought out his em- 
ployer, and has since conducted the business 
successfully. In 1865 he purchased a large 
farm in Ohio township, where he resides in 
summer, owning other propert}' besides this. 
Mr. Merz was married in Augusta, Ga., to 
Miss Catherine Hett. of Cologne-on-the- 
Rhine, Germany. They have reared a family 
of nine children; Katie, Louise, Eleonora, 
Emma. Adalbert, Josephine, Adele, Sophia 
and Augusta. 

Henuy Wolfe, farmer, postofflce Glen- 
field, was born Oct. 30, 1811, in East End, 
Pittsburgh, Pa. The paternal grandfather 
was a native of Frankfort-on-lhe-Main, Ger- 
many, and when he was fifteen years of 
age his parents died at sea. He and two 
brothers came to America. One settled in 
Lebanon county. Pa., another in East Penn- 
sylvania and the third in Ohio. The grand- 
father of Henry, a Lutheran minister, came 
to this county in 1796. and preached the gos- 
pel in Pittsburgh and vicinity until his death, 
which occurred when he had attained a good 
old age. He was the father of five children. 
Jacob, the father of Henry, was born in 
Lebanon county, where he was reared. He 
married Catherine Meyer, and to them were 
born children as follows: George, Samuel, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Mackerel, Mrs. Margaret 
Stoner, Henry and Joseph. Henry's father 



was a general and an able mechanic; he died 
in 1843. aged si.\ty-nine years. Henry was a 
raercliant-tailor in Pittsburgh until 1802, 
when he purchased a farm of thirty-two 
acres. He was married twice, his first wife 
being MarlhajMarshal; his second wife was 
Margaret, daughter of Thomas Barnes and 
Jane Boyd. This marriage was blessed by 
seven children; Thomas B., Jennie, Milton, 
Charles, Sherman, William H. and Madivon. 
Milton died by an accident Aug. 21. ISH."). 
when aged twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wolfe are members of the M. E. Church; he 
is a republican. 

Brewek Scott, engineer, postofflce Ben- 
nett, was born May 24, 1825, in Pittsburgh, 
Pa. His father, Thomas Scott, was a native 
of Ireland, and came to Pittsburgli in the 
early part of the present century, with his 
father, brother and sister. He was a shoe- 
maker, and followed the trade till his death, 
in 1849, when he was seventy-six j'ears of 
age. He was a Covenanter. " He married 
Mary Bainer, a native of Baltimore, of Ger- 
man descent, whose father, Henry Bainer, 
was a soldier in the war of 1812. Thomas 
Scott's sister's daughter was the noted Mrs. 
Swisshelm, whose memory so many soldiers 
bless. Brewer Scott was one of a familj' of 
ten children. He was educated in Allegheny, 
where he learned the engineer's trade, and 
was connected for seven j'ears with the old 
rolling-mill of Allegheny, and five years with 
the Fahnestock mill. For thirty-one years 
he has been connected with the mills at Ben- 
nett station, where he has been chief engi- 
neer twentj'-five years. He has been twice 
married; his first wife, nee Mar}' Martin, died 
leaving five children, viz. ; Winfleld, Charlie, 
Mary E., Jennie and Anna. Mr. Scott's 
present wife.Hf« Martha Sample. is the mother 
of following-named children; Martha, Will- 
iam S.. editor of the Bennett Star, Sallie C. 
and Daisy. Mr. Scott was burgess of Mill- 
vale borough six terms, 'has been school 
director thirtj' years, and councilman for 
many years. 

George Kremmel, gardener, postofflce 
Bennett, was born April 23, 1828, in Alsace, 
Germany, son of John and Bretteke (Stickler) 
Kremmel. George was reared on a farm, 
married Catharine Christmann. in 1849. and 
came to America in 1850, settling in this 
county, where he purchased seven and one-half 
acres of land for $1,100, and began gardening 
on a small scale. He has been a very indus- 
trious anfl successful gardener; is now in 
possession of thirty acres of garden-land, and 
employs about tea men and women. Mr. and 
Mrs. Kremmel are the parents of five chil- 
dren, viz. ; .lohn, Joe, Mary, Mrs. Ellen Sis- 
mor and Louise. Mr. Kremmel and family 
are members of the Catholic Church, in which 
he has tilled the offlce of treasurer for nine 
years; he is a democrat. 

William McFetridge, merchant and 
brick-manufacturer, postofflce Hites, a son of 
George McFetridge, was born in County Der- 
ry. Ireland, in May, 1850. He came to AUe- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY.- 



587 



gheny county, Pa., with Lis parents, in 18.56, 
and in 1871 removed to East Deer townsiiip. 
In 1879 he went into business as a grocer, and 
later as dealer in general merchandise. In 
1884 he built the brickworks above Hites, on 
Bailie's run, and began the manufacture of 
brick, his works now having a capacity of 
fifteen thousand. He also operates the coal- 
mines there. 

John B. Bailie, farmer, postofflce Hites, 
was born in East Deer township. Allegheny 
county. Pa. His father, Robert, a son of 
John, was born near Belfast, Ireland. The 
latter immigrated to America in 1816, his 
wife dying en. route, and located on Big 
Deer creek, this county. In 183.5 he came 
to East Deer township, and located on a 
farm now known as the Bailie farm. Robert 
Bailie is now the only pei'son in East Deer 
township who was a resident there in 1835. 
John left three children; William, Robert 
and Isabella. Robert married, in 18.53, Mar- 
tha Henderson, who died in 1878, leaving 
three children: Maggie, John B. and Mary. 
Robert Bailie is now eighty-three years of 
age, and is the only survivor of six who 
voted, on the abolition question, for Birney. 
John B. Bailie married, April 37, 1887, Nan- 
nie B., daughter of James M. Thompson, of 
Springdale, and located on the old home- 
stead. He is a republican, to which polit- 
ical faith his father has been a lifelong ad- 
herent. The family are members of the R. 
P. Church of Tareutum, New Side. 

Isaac McMichael, farmer, postofflce 
Walker's Mills, was born in this county in 
1836. Isaac McMichael, the pioneer of this 
family, and a farmer by occupation, came to 
Allegheny county from east of the mountains 
at an early date, and purchased a large tract 
of land in Robinson township. He married 
Mary Holtz, who bore him twelve children. 
His son, John McMichael, was born and 
reared on the propert}' mentioned, and was 
always a farmer. He married Ann McMillen, 
and by her had five children, three of whom 
are now living. John McMichael died in 
18.53, aged fifty-seven years; his wife in 1845, 
aged thirty years. Their son Isaac, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was born and reared on 
the farm which he now owns. He was edu- 
cated at the common schools, and being left 
an orphan when quite young, and thrown 
among strangers, he early in life began to 
battle for himself. In 1854 he went to Cali- 
fornia, where he was engaged in mining for 
nine years, but returned to Allegheny county 
via Key West and New York. He inherited 
fifty-four acres of liis father's land, and also 
purchased forty-six acres. Mr. McMichael 
married, in 1876, Ella, daughter of John Mc- 
Coy, of Ihis county, and to them were born 
four children, three now living: George Clar- 
ence, Stella and Ralph Cleveland, Mr. 
McMichael is a democrat. 

John Sinn, dairyman, postoflice McKees- 
port. a son of Johannes Sinn, was born in 
Germany in 1833, and was there reared and 
educated. In 1857 he went to Australia, 



where for some years he was engaged in the 
gold-mines, acquiring a competency. In 
1875 he joined his parents in America, they 
having come here in 1867, and located in Lin- 
coln township, this county. Here John pur- 
chased a large farm delightfully located on 
the Youghiogheny river, "and has since been 
engaged in farming and dairying, finding a 
ready sale for his productions in McKeesport. 
He is, as yet, unmarried, and is one of the 
well-to-do farmers of Lincoln. His father's 
family consisted of six children: Fredericka 
(Mrs. Klotz). John, Louisa (Mrs. Jacob 
Diehle), Caroline (the late Mrs. Lueckert), 
Gottlieb and Ludwig. They are members of 
the Presbyterian Church of McKeesport. 

John Dale, farmer, postotHce McKees- 
port, was born Jan. 3, 1836, in Wales, where 
he was reared. In 1847 he married Hannah 
Williams, and in 1848 they came to America, 
locating east of the mountains, in Pennsyl- 
vania, where he was engaged in mining coal. 
In 1853 became to Allegheny county; in 
1873 he again removed to Lincoln township, 
and in 1879 he purchased the farm lie now 
owns, opposite McKeesport, on the Youghio- 
gheny river, where he has since resided. His 
wife Hannah died in 1874, leavmg one child, 
John, who was married. Mr. Dale afterward 
married Mrs. SusanahM. Delo. John, his son. 
died in 1884, leaving a widow and five chil- 
dren: John William, George D., Charles Ed- 
mund, Hannah J. and Susanah M., all of 
whom are now living with Mrs. Dale on the 
farm; he also has one brother, Thomas Dale, 
residing in Lovedale. 

William Millek. manufacturer, Rankin 
station, B. & O. R. R. . was born in Scotland 
July 31, 1830. His father, .John Miller, a 
shoemaker by trade, married Mary Ross, and 
they were parents of five children, William 
being the only one who grew to manhood. 
At the age of nine years he left school and 
sought employment In a cotton-mill, working 
twelve hours for nine cents, and so continued 
for six years. In 1835 he commenced work 
in the forgeshops, and has since been con- 
nected with that industry. He came to 
America in 1849, secured employment in 
West Point foundry, New York, wliere he 
remained five years. He learned the trade of 
hammersman, and returned to Scotland in 
18.55, remained there two and one-half years, 
and again came to America, locating in Pitts- 
burgh. He was employed at his trade until 
1863, when the Duquesue Forge company 
was organized, this plant being situated at 
Duquesne way, and the partnership existed 
until 1883, Mr. Miller being a partner and 
manager. He then came to his present place 
and purchased a grand space of ten acres on 
the B. it O. R. R., at Rankin station. Pa., 
and formed a partnership known as Miller 
Forge company (limited). This plant is equal 
_to any in the tJnited States in the manufact- 
'ure of its product. Mr. Miller was married 
in 1845 to Jane Stout, of Scotland, and eight 
children were born to this union, six living: 
William J., Humphries, Elizabeth, Jane S., 



588 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COCNTY. 



Agnes D., Jennette. There were made at 
Mr. Miller's works during the war the first 
armor-plate for ironsides and the first bat- 
tery steel cannon in this country. Mr. 
Miiler ha-i always been a successful business- 
man. For twelve years he was director in 
the Merchants' & Manufacturers' Bank of 
Pittsburgh: has been a director of the Pitts- 
burgh. Chartiers & Youghiogheny railroad: 
was president cf the Pittsburgh exposition for 
two years, president of Pennsylvania En- 
gineers' society one year, and is a member of 
American Merchant Engineers He and fam- 
ily are members of the U. P. Church; he is a 
republican. 

.I.\MEs S.\Nsos Maguire (deceased* was 
born Aug. 5, 1S33. in Indiana county, a son 
of Robert and Mary (Oster) Maguire. of Irish 
and German descent, respectively. He was 
employed in early life on Ihe canal, and later 
became acoal-rainer. He worked in Indiana 
and Westmoreland counties, and became a 
resident of Patton in IST4. finding occupation 
in the Oak Hill mines. He died Sept. 22. 
1S85. In religious faith he was a Universal- 
ist, but his family is connected with the 
Lutheran Church. He was always a repub- 
lican, and was a member of the G. A. R. and 
Masonic fraternity. He enlisted in June. 1861, 
in Company E, 11th P. R., and served three 
years with the Army of the Potomac, sharing 
in many battles. On one occasil)n he was 
struck in the eye by a spent ball, which 
caused him a great deal of discomfort at 
times. He was in Libby prison forty days. 
He was twenty-six years of age when en- 
rolled; six feet high: complexion dark: brown 
eyes: black hair. Mr. Maguire married, in 
ISvJ.'i. Mary Ann Sylves. who bore him ten 
children, of whom "the living are; Alexander 
Edward. Samuel 'Washington. Robert Getty. 
James Edgar. John Williamson. William 
Barclay, Flora Catharine, Laura May and 
Thomas Charles, with their mother. Tlie first 
born. Adam, was drowned when eleven years 
old. The widow of James S. Maguire now 
lives al Turtle Creek. 

James E. Dickson, real-estate agent, 
Swissvale. About the year ISIO one Thomas 
Dickson emigrated from his native county, 
Tyrone, Ireland, locating first in Allegheny 
county for a few years, and then, with his 
family, removing to Butler county. Pa., 
where he purchased some four hundred acres 
of land. This pioneer married Margaret Lu- 
cas, also a native of Ireland, by whom were 
born four sons and two daughters. Thomas, 
one of the elder children, born in Ireland in 
1791. and the only male member of his father's 
family who remained in Allegheny county, 
was for many years identified with the man- 
ufacturing and mercantile business of Pitts- 
burgh. In 1S43 he purchased ninety acres of 
landinWilkins town>hip,whitherhe removed 
with his family, and died in 1870. He mar- 
ried Mary Jane, daughter of James and Jane 
(McXickelt Dickson, and to them were born 
eleven ehililreu, six of whom grew to man- 
hood and womanhood, viz.: James E.. Isa- 



bella, T, B. (now deceased), David. Susan 
and R. E. Mrs. Dickson's grandparents 
came to America some time previous to 
1800. The entire family are identified with 
the Presbyterian Church or its branches. Mr. 
Dickson is a republican. 

Lewallkx M. Ssowdex. hardware-dealer. 
Elizabeth, was born Jan. 20. 1.827, in Green 
county, Ky. His parents moved to Illinois 
when he was an infant. His mother died 
when he was five years old. and he was bound 
out to serve until his twenty-first birthday, 
but he ran awav at the age of eighteen years 
and commenced for himself. In iS4y he went 
to California and engaged in mining, but this 
not proving lucrative he returned, and in 
18.53 settled in Pittsburgh, Pa., and learned 
the tinner's trade. This was his home until 
1858, when became to Elizabeth borough, 
opened a tinshop and remained until 1861. 
He then enlisted in Co. K. 76th Pennsylvania 
Zouaves, and served until his honorable dis- 
charge, in 186:?. having been wounded at the 
battle of Pocotaligo. S. C. Returning to 
Elizabeth, he established his present business, 
and through strict attention has the largest 
store of the kind in this borough. In 1853 he 
was married to Lucinda. daughter of Charles 
Stewart Flemington, of Pittsburgh. They 
have five sons aud one daughter, as follows; 
James Henry, a tinsmith; William W.. a 
steward on one of the river lioats: Charles S., 
also a steward: Annie M.. Harry A., of Mc- 
Keesport. and Lewalleu M.. Jr. Mr. Snow- 
den has held the office of burgess of the 
borough. He is a member of J. W. Stevens 
Post, Xi>. 111. G. A. R. The familv arc mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church. 

ChristiaxKikcher. contractor, postofflce 
McKce's Rocks, a son of Adam M. and Eliza- 
beth Kircher. was born in Pittsburgh. Pa., 
March 17. 1858. His parents were born in 
Germany, came to this countrv in 18.')5. aud 
settled in Allegheny county. His father was 
a blacksmith in Anderson & Dupuys steel 
works from the time he came to this country 
until his death, which occurred in October. 
1881, when he was aged fiftyyears; his widow 
is still living in Pittsburgh. Their children 
are Christian. George. Peter. Louis. Lizzie. 
Lotta and William (deceasedl. Christian 
commenced work in Anderson & Dupuv's 
rolling mill before he was thirteen years old. 
and has remained with the firm ever since. 
He holds the position of contractor for the 
agricultural shear department of the steel- 
works, takes the contracts of the firm, and 
furnishes his own men: he employs about 
thirtv-five men. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. and O. tJ. A. M. In June. 188.i. he 
married Lulu, daughter of Joseph and Kate 
Stetler. of this county. 

Alfred Smith, contractor. postolBce 
Hulton, was born in Armstrong county. Pa.. 
March 1. 1848. son of John and Ellen' (Jlin- 
teer) Smith, former of whom was a farmer, 
born at Deer Creek, this county, died in 1860. 
aged forty-four years; latter was born in 
Armstrong county, and now resides in Worth- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



589 



ington; both members of the U. P. Church. 
Alfred Smith received a common-school edu- 
cation, and learned the carpenter's trade 
when he was eighteen 3'ears old. Ten years 
later he came to Verona, and for two years 
was employed in the Allegheny Valley rail- 
road shops; he then began liousebuilding.and 
in 1883. in partnership with Mr. Miligan, he 
began contracting, in which lie has lieen very 
successful. Mr. Smith was married. March 
4, 1873, to Charlotte Augusta, daughter of 
John and Charlotte (Deunison) Arnold, of 
Freeport, Pa., both now deceased. They had 
four children, two now living: Elsie Augusta 
and .James Deunison; the deceased are 
Katie B. and Howard Arnold. Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith are members of the U. P. Church; he 
is a republican, and a member of the Jr. O. 
U. A. M. 

William Logan, bricklayer, postoffice 
Boston, is a son of Isaac and Diana (Morton) 
Logan. The father of our subject was born 
in Butler county, and came to this county 
when eighteen years old, and settled at Buena 
Vista. He subsequently removed to Boston, 
where he died in 1873. He was married 
three times, and was the father of eighteen 
children, eight of whom are now living. 
Our subject was the eldest son of the second 
wife, who died in 1848. He was born in 
Elizabeth township in 1839, was educated in 
the schools of his neighborhood, and after- 
ward learned the trade of bricklayer, which he 
has since followed. In 1861 he enlisted in 
Co. I, 13th P. v., and served three months. 
Aug. 30, 1863, he enlisted in Co I, 1.5.5th P. 
v., and served until the close of the war. He 
was married in 1866 to Lizzie, daughter of 
Isaac and Jane (Shaw) Rose, of Westmoreland 
county. Thej' have no children. Mr. 
Logan is a member of Rankin Post, No. 137, 
G. A. R. He and Mrs. Logan are members 
of Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, of 
which he is trustee. 

William Shields Watt, ice-dealer, Wil- 
kinsburg, was born in Allegheny, Westmore- 
land county. Pa.. Jan. 6, 1847. His father, 
Ale.x. W. Watt, was born on the same farm 
in 1819, and continues to reside there. Will- 
iam Watt, father of the latter, was a son of 
George Watt, a native of Ireland, and was 
born in Adams county. Pa. He settled in 
Westmoreland county some years previous 
to 1809. where he was married. A. W. Watt 
Is an elder in the U. P. Church, and has been 
a republican since James Buchanan's time. 
Histirst wife, Martha McKee, bore him three 
sons and two daughters, and died in 1880. 
aged sixty-one years. In 188.5 he married 
Bessie, sister of Robert Anderson (whose 
sketch appears elsewhere). William S. Watt, 
the eldest child, remained on the home farm 
till of age, came to Sterrett in 1873. and 
three years later rented the farm on which he 
had been employed, and engaged in dairying. 
In 1882 he bought five acres of land, on 
which he erected icehouses, and is doing a 
successful trade in milk and ice. Since 
twenty years old he has been a member of 



the U. P. Church, and has always been a 
republican. In 1875 Mr. Watt married 
Anna Mary Hazlett, a native of Allegheny 
City, and daughter of Robert and Jane 
(McKee) Hazlett, of Scotch-Irish descent. 

Edward James Lloyd, salesman, Pitts- 
burgh, was born at Chariton, Iowa, April 8. 
18.59. Eight years previous to this his 
grandfather. Stephen, and father, David W. 
Lloyd, emigrated from Wales to Allegheny 
county. Pa. The elder, a plasterer and slater 
by trade, soon after went to Iowa and en 
gaged in farming. The son, David W., mar- 
ried, in 1858, Martha Bynon, also a native of 
Wales, and soon after joined his father in 
the west. D. W. Lloyd returned to Pitts- 
burgh in 1861, and now resides at Shadyside, 
where he contracts in plastering. Edward 
James Lloyd was reared in the city, and 
graduated from the high-school in 1877. 
Kext year he was employed by the Bindley 
Hardware company, with which he has ever 
since remained. He now represents the firm 
in selling to the city and suburban trade. In 
1887 he completed his dwelling at Edgewood. 
and on the 15th of February, that year, was 
married to Alice A. Craig, a native" of Pitts- 
burgh, daughter of Hamilton Craig, of 
Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd 
have one son. Edward Craig. Mr. Lloyd is 
organist of Christ JI. E. Church, Pittsburgh; 
he is a republican. 

Thomas Petty, coupling-maker, McKees- 
port, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, 
Dec. 18, 1844, son of Dominick and Eliza- 
beth (Walsh) Petty. At the age of twelve 
years he went to Staffordshire, England, 
where he served an apprenticeship of three 
years to the gunsmith's trade, after which he 
worked as a journeyman till 1867. when he 
came to America, locatingin Pittsliurgh, and 
here worked as a coupling-maker up to 1874, 
then came to McKeesport and entered the 
employ of the National Tube-works compau}' 
as a coupling-maker, where he has since 
been engaged. In 1871 he married Mary, 
daughter of James and Mary (Jennings) 
Walsh, of County Mayo, Ireland, and has 
four children living; George E., Charles R. 
v., Mary T. and Theodore B. U. Mr. Petty 
is a member of the Catholic Church. Catho- 
lic Knights, St. Joseph's society and C. M. B. 
A.; he is a director of and stockholder in 
the McKeesport Light company; he is a 
democrat. 

Samoel Simcox, boiler-plate roller. Mc- 
Keesport, is a native of Walheath, Stafford- 
shire, England, where he was reared and 
educated, and served an apprenticeship of 
seven years at his tr.ade. In March. 1870, he 
came to America to work for Nathaniel Rol- 
lins, of Philadelphia, who paid all his travel- 
ing expenses, and gave him fifteen dollars 
per day for three years' service. During 
that time Mr. Simcox operated and had 
charge of his own invention of nctimn and 
exicon steel. From 1875 to 1877 he was night 
superintendent of the Bethlehem Steel-works. 
at Bethlehem. Pa., and in the fall of 1877 he 



> 



590 



IIISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



went to Peru, S. A., to siipeiinteiul the 
eieftion of a larije siigai-mill. Uelurning 
to Pi'iiiisylvania in the fall of 1878, he 
wiirkeil in the hoop department of the 
lielhlehem Rolling -mill one year, anil in 
the fall of 1879 came to JIcKeesport, 
where for six months he had charge of 
the roll-turning in the National Rolling- 
mill. Since the spring of 1880 he ha(3 had 
charge of the boiler-plate-rolling department 
of the above mill. Mr. Simcox has large 
interests in blooded horses and cattle, the 
former of which are registered in the English 
and American studbooks, and the latter in 
the American herdbook. He owns a fine 
stock-farm of 4,518 acres in Maryland. 

Harvey Floyd Carroll, tinsmith, post- 
office Turtle Creek, comes of the same stock 
as Charles Carroll, the signer of the Declara- 
tion of ■ Independence. His great-grand- 
father. Daniel, was a pioneer settler in what 
is now Jefferson township, this county. 
Thomas, son of Daniel, died at the age of 
thirty five years. His son, SalathielJ., mar- 
ried Charlotte Peterson, and now resides in 
Turlle Creek. Mrs. Carroll's father, Harvey 
Heath Peterson, was for many years a justice 
of the peace in Jefferson. He was county 
commissioner, and was prothonotary three 
terms. He was born in 1796, and died at the 
age of fifty-three years. His parents, Gabriel 
and Margaret C, lived to the respective ages 
of ninety-four and ninety-six years. Gabriel 
Peterson commanded a company under Brad- 
dock, participating in the unfortunate battle 
at Braddock's Field, and afterward joined 
Gen. Washington's troops in the Revolution. 
S. J. Carroll began to learn the cooper's 
trade when fifteen years old, and after work- 
ing for some years at that took up carpenter- 
work. In 185.5 he went to Fulton, Iowa, 
where he remained six years, and then 
returned to Pennsylvania, spending most of 
the time since at Finleyville, Washington 
coimty. Since 187.5 he has been here, and 
was engaged for eight vears in repairing cars 
for the N. Y. & C. G. C. Co. The fam- 
ily is associated with the M. E. Church. 
The second child. Walter Lowrey, is captain 
of an Ohio river coalboat, the W. W. O'Neil. 
The eldest, Lavinia (deceased), was the wife 
of W. P. Montgomery, of Pittsburgh, and left 
a child. Bertha May. H. F. Carroll is the 
third child, and was born at Finleyville in 
18.54. He attended the public schools, and 
when fifteen years old began his present 
trade, and served as journej'man at Braddock 
and McKeesport. In 1875 he established his 
present growing business at Turtle Creek. 
He is a republican. 

John K. Graham, farmer, postoffice Bos- 
ton, is a son of Robert and Margaret (Gil- 
christ) Graham, natives of Lancaster county, 
Pa., and afterward residents of Butlercounty. 
They removed to this countj' in 1815. and 
purchased a farm near Boston, where they 
lived until their deaths, in 1840 and 1839, re- 
spectively. Robert Graham was a soldier in 
the war of 1813. He had five children, all 



of whom are dead except our subject, who 
was the youngest, and was born in Butler 
county, April 4, 1815, and was brought to 
this county by his parents when two months 
old. He received the benefits of the schools 
of that place, and has been engaged princi- 
pally in farming, but operated some in real 
estate. In 18-18 he was married to Mary A., 
daughter of John and Margaret Calhoun, of 
this township. She died in 1851. leaving four 
children, all of whom are since dead. Our 
subject married, in 1853, his second wife, 
Eliza, daughter of Robert Rankin, who 
settled in Elizabeth township in 1839. They 
have two children living; Samuel A. and 
Sarah J., both at home. Mr. Graham has 
held several township offices. He and his 
family are members of the U. P. Church of 
Buena Vista, he being a member of the ses- 
sions of that church. 

Leander Gilbraitu Murray, farmer, 
postoffice Hites, was born July 4, 1847, in 
East Deer township, sou of Bartram and 
Evaline (Gilbraith) Murray (see sketch else- 
where). Mr. Murray was married, iu 1869, 
to Katie, daughter of John and Sarah (Law- 
son) Tauger. who came from Lancaster 
county, and to them have been born ten chil- 
dren: Evaline, Edward A.. William Charles, 
George Ellsworth. Leander Blair, Howard 
John. Harmer Denny. Edith, Ednaand Delia. 
After marriage Mr. Murray went to Clinton, 
Iowa, where he farmed for two }'ears; then 
returned to East Deer township, and two 
years later moved to his present farm, which 
was originally settled by his grandfather, 
consisting of more than two hundred acres. 
His people were among the earl}' settlers 
here. 

Adgdstos p. Cole, gardener, Emsworth, 
was born Feb. 5, 1836, in Allegheny City, 
son of George Washington and Dorcas W. 
(Bragdon) Cole, former of whom was born 
in Maine, in 1798, and died Dec. 28, 1875; 
latter was also born in Maine, and died April 
25, 1881. aged seventy-one years. George Cole 
and his brothers, named Rufus. James, Iverj-, 
George W. and William, came from Maine, 
settled in Allegheny City, and bought 1.50 
acres upon Neville island ; after paying for that 
they purchased 150 acres more, thus owning 
all of the upper end of Neville, which was 
heavy timber-laud. They cleared away the 
timber, and sold the cordwood to steamboats 
on the Ohio river. George Cole then began 
gardening, and lived here until his death. He 
was the father of the following-named five 
children: Augustus P.. Carrie (deceased), 
George H., Henrietta and Milton P. Augustus 
P. was educated in the common schools and at 
Mount Union College, Ohio. He remained at 
home until his father's death, and then began 
gardening for himself. He was married at 
Manchester Hill, this county, in 1870.toMary, 
daughter of James Dickson. (See his sketch.) 
Two children have been born to them, 
James A. and Everson P.. both at home. 
The family are members of the Presbvteriaa 
Church, and Mr. Cole of the F. & A. Si. He 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



591 



is a republican, and has held nearly all of 
the township offices. He enlisted in 1862 in 
Co. K, 123d P. V. I. (Col. Clark command- 
ing), assigned to the 5th corps of the Army of 
the Potomac. He was in the battles of Fred- 
ericksburg, Antietam, South Mountain and 
Chancellorsville; was discharged at the end 
of nine months, returning to the island, 
where he has since been engaged in garden- 
ing. 

George Henry Cole, gardener, Ems- 
worth, was born in Allegheny City, Feb. 25, 
1838. son of George Washington and Dorcas 
W. (Bragdon) Cole (see sketch above). He 
was the third oldest of five children, and was 
educated at the common .schools of Neville 
island and at DufE's College, Pittsburgh. At 
the time of his father's death the property 
was divided, and he began gardening. He 
was united in marriage Dec. 20. 1860, with 
Annie Mary McMillen, of Sharon, Pa., 
daughter of Charles and Martha (JefEery) 
McMillen; her father died in 1841; her step- 
father was John Neely; her parents were both 
born in 1809; her grandfather was Charles 
McMillen. Nine children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Cole, five of whom are living: Min- 
nie F., Nettie May. Sadie A., Harry E. and 
Elmer C. Nettie May was educated in Alle- 
gheny, and is cashier of St. George hotel, 
Evansville, Ind.; the remaining cliildren are 
at home. The family are members of the 
Presbyterian Church, with the exception of 
Mr. Cole, he being of the M. E. Church. 
After marriage Mr. Cole went to Oil City and 
Duck Creek, but at the request of Ins father 
he returned to the island, receiving his por- 
tion of the estate, and at once turned his at- 
tention to gardening, which he has since fol- 
lowed with success, building up a fine home 
with many improvements, outbuildings, etc., 
and is now adding a greenhouse having two 
acres covered with glass. He is a strong re- 
publican, and has held nearly all of the 
township offices. He is a member of the 
K. of H. 

William Etster Watters, gardener, 
Greenfield, was born March 27, 1887, in Pitts- 
burgli. Pa., son of .Joseph and Harriett (Eys- 
ter) Watters, latter of whom is still living, 
aged eighty-eight years. His grandfather, 
Joseph Watters, was born in England, came 
to America when about ten years of age, and 
subsequently married Margaret Morrow, who 
came from Ireland when she was twelve 
years old. Mr. Watters was on the survey 
with Gen. Pike between the United States 
and Mexico; he was in the artillery in the 
revolutionary war, and at the battle of New 
Orleans lost one of his eyes; was then dis- 
charged and given a land-grant, but died 
soon after reaching home. His wife lived for 
some time upon Davis' island, and died at 
the age of seventy-five years. Joseph, the 
father of William, was born June -t, 1809, in 
Robinson township, this county; he moved 
to the island in 1849. and died Dec. 26, 1882. 
His wife was of German descent, born at 
Shippensburg, Pa., in 1807, and died in 



March, 1888. Mr. Watters began life on the 
island as a gardener without any capital; by 
industry and speculation in outside property 
he finally owned aflne farm of 110 acres. In 
1868 the property was divided, his son Will- 
iam taking his share and beginning for him- 
self; the farm is now well improved, with a 
fine house and good outbuildings; he has five 
lots in Glenfield, some in Emsworth, and fif- 
teen hundred acres of timber, coal and min- 
eral land in West Virginia. Mr. Watters 
enlisted Aug. 3, 1862, in Co. K, 123d P. V. I., 
Army of the Potomac; he participated in the 
battles of Bull run, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg and Chancellorsville,and was discharged 
May 13, 1863. Returning home, he married. 
Feb. 6, 1866, Ann Elizabeth Dunbar, of 
Washington county, daughter of James and 
Mary (Elder) Dunbar. Her father died in 
1878, aged seventy-eight years; her mother 
died in 1880, aged seventy-six. Her maternal 

freat-grandfather was Col. McGeeham, from 
Gotland, who was in the French and Indian 
war. Her paternal grandparents were James 
and Mary (^McConnell) Dunbar, also natives 
of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Watters have one 
daughter, Minnie E. The family are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 

John A. Watters, gardener, Dixmont, 
was born in Robinson township, this county, 
April 28, 1845, son of Joseph and Harriet 
(Eyster) Watters (see slcetch above). He 
received his education on Neville island, and 
was married Jan. 30, 1872, to Josephine M. 
Lamm, of Lawrence coimty. Pa., daughter of 
Peter and Ellen (Court) Lamm, natives of 
the same place. Her father died in February, 
1885, aged seventy-six years, and her mother 
July 5, 1885, aged seventy-three. Her grand- 
father was Pliillip Lainm. of French and 
German descent, who settled in Lawrence 
county, where the family owned about five 
hundred acres of land. Five sons have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Watters: Joseph B,, 
Harry L., Ebert D., Louis A. and William 
C. 'The family are members of the Presby- 
terian Church, and Mr. Watters is a member 
of the L O. O. F. and Jr. O. U. A M. After 
marriage Mr. Watters went to Beaver county, 
but in two years came back to the island, 
exchanging his farm in Beaver county for 
his present place, where he has erected good 
buildings. He has been successful in busi- 
ness, and has twenty-five acres here, sixty- 
two in Westmoreland county, sixty-two acres 
in Lawrence countv, and two lots in Glen- 
field. 

Harmon De Haven and Jane Magce, his 
wife, owners of a two-hundred-acre tract of 
land in Shaler township, were a conscien- 
I tious, upright and industrious couple, and it 
! is to be hoped the children they left behind 
j them inherited from them these good quali- 
1 ties. 

John Kammerer, shoemaker, Etna, was 
born Nov. 17, 1843, in Wiirtemberg, Ger- 
many, a son of John G. and Anna M. (Her- 
ring) Kammerer. He learned his trade in 
Germany, and at the age of twenty-five came 



592 



HISTOUY OF ALEEGHENY COUNTY. 



to America, followed bis trade in Allegheny 
Pa., until July, 1873, when he removed to 
Etna, and now has the best slioestore in 
the town. He married Mary Alf. and they 
have seven children; William, Aui;ust, Wil- 
helraina, Mary, .John, Louise and Lillie. Mr. 
and Mrs. ICammerer are members of the G. 
L. Church of Etna: he is a democrat. 

David King Yoder, engineer, postofflce 
Ilulton, is a native of Westmoreland county, 
Pa., born Aug. 13, 18.35, a son of EH and 
Hannali (llhodes) Yoder, natives of MifHin 
and Bedfordcounties, Pa., respectively. The 
fatlier was born Aug. IT, 1807, and is living 
witli our subject. The mother dieil Sept. 15, 
ISIS, aged th"irty-threc years, Eli Yoder com- 
menced wagoning in IS'^s. Willi his father's 
team he hauled goods and mercliaudise from 
Philadelphia to Pittsburgh for one j'ear. At 
the end of this time he purchased the 
team from his father, and shortly afterward 
became owner of a second, also a third team. 
These were large covered wagons, and each 
one was hauled by six liorses. In 1835 he 
sold his teams, and, working in the shops at 
Gaysport until he understood takinsr care of 
machinery, he was placed on the Allegheny 
Portage railroad as engineer. He held this 
position until 1853, and I lien entered, as ma- 
chinist, the Altoona shops, where he was 
soon after appointed engine-inspector, a posi- 
tion he held for a long time. Mr. Yoder's 
grandfather was David Yoder, who married 
a Miss Riel; they were born in Berks and 
Chester counties, respectively. This grand- 
father was a farmer, and at the time of the 
revolutionary war volunteered his services, 
with four horses and wagons, for seven j'ears. 
Our subject's father is a member of the Lu- 
theran Church and of the Brotherhood of Lo- 
comotive Engineers. David K.Y'oder received 
his education at Gaysport. Blair county, Pa., 
and at fourteen years of age began firing an 
engine for his father, and at seventeen ran 
the engine during his father's sickness. He 
began his first run as engineer in 1853, on 
the western division of the Pennsylvania 
railroad, continuing until 1858, when he 
left and went on the Columbia & Phila- 
delphia railroiid. After running an engine 
on this road for a year he departed for 
the south, and after spending a few weeks 
there he returned to Gaysport, his old home, 
and joined the .Juniata Rifles, a military com- 
pany commanded by Capt. A. M. Lloj'd. 
Shortly after Fort Sumter was attacked, and 
a call for troops was made by the president. 
The captain offered the services of his com- 
pany, which were accepted. On their arrival 
at Harrisburg they were consigned to the 
3d Pa. Regt. to guard railroads. At the expi- 
ration of three months they were discharged 
at Harrisburg; but still being anxious to 
serve his country longer, he went to Wash- 
ington, D. C, where he enlisted in an inde- 
Sendent company, called Putnam Rangers, 
lounted and fully equipped, they were sent 
out as scouts through Virginia with different 
army corps. When the order to disband in- 



dependent companies was received, they 
were sent to Camp Carroll, at Baltimore, Md., 
and formeil into the 1st Maryland regiment 
of cavalry. At the formation of the com- 
pany Mr. Yoder was elected second sergeant, 
which position he held until 1803. At that 
time, wliile on picket-duty near (ulpeper 
Court House, he was taken ill. At sick-call 
he was ordered to field hospital, and after- 
ward to general hospital, where he was com- 
pelled to remain for several months, as the 
fever (typhoid) had taken a strong hold upon 
him. Returning again to the rcgimeul, he 
was detailed as sergeant of the ambulance 
corps. Thisposilion he held until he enlisted 
as veteran volunteer in Co. G. He was trans- 
ferred, however, to CA. L. of same regiment, 
and was appointed, April 14, 1864. (juarter- 
master-sergeaut of company L. 1st Regt. Md. 
V. V. C which was discliarged Aug. s, 1865, 
at Richmond. Va. On returning home Mr. 
Y'oder was employed as machinist at the Al- 
toona shops for two years, and after a trip 
througli the west worked for two years in the 
railroad shops at Pittsburgh. .Jan. 1. 1867, he 
took an engine on the Allegheny Valley road, 
and April 1. 1868, took the run from Pitts- 
burgh to Kittanning, continuing on the same 
run for twenty years. 

Mr. Yoder was married March 31, 1864. to 
Katharine Elizabeth Niel. of Indiana county, 
a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (McClellan) 
Niel. also natives of Indiana count}'. Her 
father.who was a farmer, died in 1881. and her 
mother in 1865. Her grandfather McClellan, 
who was also a farmer, came from Scotland. 
Mr. and Mrs. Y'^oder have two daugliters; 
Carrie Luticia and Lula Maj'. All the family 
are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Yoder 
is a member of G. A. R., A. O. U. W., and is 
a K. T. In 1856. on the Pennsylvania rail- 
road, he and two other engineers were snowed 
in near Horse Shoe Bend, with three engines, 
all night and the next day, suffering greatly 
with the cold. He lived seventeen years at 
Chartiers. and m'oved to his property in Ve- 
rona in 1884. He is now erecting another 
fine residence on the corner of D and Fourth 
streets, besides his present home. 

W.\SHiNGTON Caldwell, carpenter, post- 
office Verona, was born near Manor Station, 
Westmoreland county. Pa.. March 11, 1842. 
His parents, Robert and Catherine (Kling- 
smith) Caldwell, were native of Pennsyl- 
vania, of Scotch and German descent, re- 
spectively, and became residents of Penn 
township in 1848. Two years later Mr. Cald- 
well bought the farm on which his son now 
resides, meantime building the mill and a 
residence at Milltown. He continued to 
operate the mill until his death, which was 
caused by his being caught between two cog- 
wheels. March 13, 1871. He was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, politically a re- 
publican. There were three children besides 
our subject; Sarah Jane (deceased, wife of 
Rev. Jacob Zimmerman), Samuel (deceased, 
was in the employ of the United States pen- 
sion-office) and Margaret (Mrs. Thomas 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



593 



Irwin), Leechburg. Washington Caldwell 
was chiefly educated in the Ninth ward school 
of Pittsburgh and Leechburg Academy. 
When nineteen years old he commenced work 
at his trade, and has been a contractor since 
tweaty-two, employing from four to eight 
hands. Most of the buildings in Penn and 
Plum townships have been erected by him, 
also the Lutheran and Hebron churches in 
Penn. He is a republican, is now justice of 
the peace, and uses his best efforts to prevent 
litigation. The family is connected with 
Unity U. P. Church. In 1868 Mr. Caldwell 
married Emma .Jane Longdon, a native of 
the city of Allegheny, a daughter of .John 
and Mary Jane (Jackson) Longdon. of En- 
glish and Irish blond. Mr. Caldwell's chil- 
dren are Annie Elizabeth, William John, 
Harry, Howard, Clifford and Mary. 

Uriah Ryan, farmer, postofflce Verona, 
was born in 1840, on the Atlantic ocean, 
while his parents, George and Hannah Ryan, 
were en route from Ireland to PenuS3'lvania. 
They located in the city of Allegheny, and 
both died of fever, in one night, when Uriah 
was six years old. Two years later the child 
was taken from the Allegheny and Pittsburgh 
orphan asylum, and reared by Josiah Sample, 
on the farm where he now dwells. He re- 
ceived a common-school education, and has 
always been a farmer. June '3, 1863, he 
eulisted in the IstP. C, known as " Negley's 
Scouts," and after six months' service was 
transferred to Battery H, 3d Artillery. 
With this body he served until the close of 
the war in the defenses about Washing- 
ton and Baltimore. Repurchased a farm 
adjoining Mr. Sample's, and on the death of 
the latter inherited his present residence. 
Mr. Ryan Is a member of the G. A. R. He 
is a republican, and has served as school di- 
rector and assessor, and is now supervisor. 
He married, in 1866, Jane Sample, a native 
of Butler county, and to them seven children 
were born: Ella Sample, James, Josiah (died 
when ten years old), John, Charles Kelly, 
Urie and Malvern Hill. Mrs. Ryan's parents 
were James and Catherine (Goehring) Sample, 
of German descent. Her great-grandfather, 
James Sample, of Irish blood, resided in 
Penn township in 1791. April 13th of that 
year several neighbors met at his house to 
arrange for the erection of a blockhouse to 
defend themselves against the Indians. His 
son, Thomas, married Jane Gordon, and their 
son. Josiah, uncle of Mrs. Ryan, was born 
on this farm, where he died. He never 
married. 

Robert Thom, farmer, postofflce North 
Star, is a son of Houston and Ann Thom. 
Some time previous to IJ97 Robert Thom, 
a native of Lancaster county. Pa., born in 
1764, of Irish ancestry, settled on a tract of 
land, containing 150 acres, which he after- 
ward purchased, in 1797, from the heirs of 
Robert Worthington. This land, situated 
on the waters of Raccoon creek, was a part 
of 2,000 acres owned by Robert Worthing- 
ton, who, in 1774, received a grant from 



Right Hon. John Dunmore, then governor of 
Virginia. Robert married Anna Smiley, of 
Washington county, who bore him eleven 
children, and of these Houston, the seventh 
eldest, was born in 1807, died in 1873. Roliert 
Thom and his wife Anna died in 1849, on 
the same day, aged, respectively, eighty-five 
and sevent}'-six years, and were buried side 
by side in the same grave. Houston married 
Ann Aten, daughter of William Aten, of 
Washington county, and eight children 
blessed their marriage, four of whom are _vet 
living. Robert, the namesake of his grand- 
father, being the only male member of the 
family surviving. Fie was educated at the 
public schools and Linnean Academy; has 
followed farming all his life, and owns the 
property purchased by his grandfather. He 
is, as were his parents and grandparents, a 
member of the U. P. Church. 

W. D. Thornborg, clerk, postofflce Put- 
nam, belongs to a family whose name has 
been prominent among those of Allegheny 
county for many years. Previous to the 
revolutionary war 'Thomas Thornburg came 
to America from Ireland, first proceeding to 
Allegheny county, afterward to Washington 
county, where he met one Jacob Peat, who 
showed him much kindness. Thomas had 
but a small amount of money, and his 
worldly possessions consisted of some yarn, 
which was woven into seventy yards of linen 
upon the loom of Jacob Peat. Thomas mar- 
ried Diana, a daughter of Jacob Peat, and 
she bore him seven children, whose names 
were Elizabeth, Jacob, Joseph, Rebecca, 
Samuel, Margaret and Benjamin. At the 
time of his death Thomas owned over one 
thousand acres of land; his children became 
scattered all over the United States, and 
Margaret (Mrs. Mitchell), residing at the old 
homestead, now over ninety years of age, is 
the only surviving member of the family. 
Samuel Thornburg, son of Jacob and Jane. 
was born in Robinson township in 1819. He 
remained on the farm where he was born, until 
1847, when he married Sarah, daughter of 
John and Sarah (Benny) Obey. They moved 
to Illinois, and remained there and in the 
state of Ohio until 1881, when the.y returned 
to Mansfield, Pa. Jlr. and Mrs. Thornburg 
had three children : David, Lucy and William 
D. Mr. Thornburg died in 18$6; his widow 
now resides at the homestead with her three 
children. The family are members of the 
Presbyterian Church, e.xcept David, who is 
an Episcopalian. Mr. Thornburg was a re- 
publican. 

Samuel J. Heath, farmer, postofflce West 
Elizabeth, was born in Jefferson township, in 
1838, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Phil- 
lips) Heath; his mother died when he was 
but a child, and when he was nineteen years 
old his father died. His father was a native 
of Jefferson township, and his mother of 
Baldwin township; the grandfather was also 
a native of Jefferson township, and the family 
traces its lineage back to England and Ire- 
land. The children of Samuel and Mary 



594 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Heath were Nancy J. (deceased), Henry W. 
(now of West Liberty, Iowa), Minerva (now 
Mrs. Henry .Jolinson, of Muscatine, Iowa), 
Asa P. (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased) and 
Samuel J. In .January, 18(14, the last named 
married Elizabeth E.. dautjhterof .lames and 
Kliziil>eth (Thomson) McCluro,whose iiarenls 
were natives of Ireland, and came here in 
IMO. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Iloath 
removed to the west, but returned to Alle- 
gheny county, where he engaged in farming, 
and purchased a portion of the old home- 
stead once owned by his great-grandfather. 
Samuel Heath, and which has never been 
transferred to any but some member of the 
family. Their children are William S., Henry 
H., MaryM., SamuelJ., .Jr., Helen E., Robert 
M., Edmond P. and Stella M., all with their 
parents. Mr. and Mrs. Heath are members 
of the U. P. Church. 

William Bedell, farmer, postoffice 
West Elizabeth, is a son of Andrew and 
Rebecca (Ferree) Bedell, and was born in 
.Jefl'erson township in 1831, on the farm now 
owned by him. His parents, who died re- 
spectively in 1874 and 1879, had a family of 
ten children: A. W., Mary .J. (deceased). .Joel, 
Calvin (deceased), Amanda, William, Sarah, 
Andrew (deceased), Rebecca (deceased), Me- 
liuda (deceased). .July 1, 18.58, William 
married Lydia A., daughter of Thomas and 
Annie (Stevens) Large, of one of the pioneer 
families of the county. They located on the 
farm on which Mr. Bedell was born, and en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits. To them 
have been born children as follows; Andrew 
(deceased), Isaac, Milton, Maggie, Mary, 
Lizzie (deceased), William S.. Annie R. (de- 
ceased), .John H. (deceased), Leroy. Arminda 
v., Charles and Fanny. Mr. Bedell has 
been a member of the county committee and 
occupied several township offices. Mrs. 
Bedell is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church at Elizabeth. 

Joseph Cowan Dougherty, carpenter, 
postoffice New Texas, was born April 11, 
1837, at his present home in Plum township. 
a son of William John and Margaret (Cowan) 
Dougherty. His father was born in Ireland 
in 1812, came here wheu seven years of age, 
was a blacksmith, and died in 1884. aged 
seventy-three years. His wife was born at 
the present home of Mr. Dougherty, in 1808. 
Joseph's grandfather. Archey, and his wife, 
Jane Warnic, settled in Patton township, and 
later on lived in New Texas, where they died. 

Joseph C. Dougherty received his educa- 
tion at New Texas, and at the age of twenty- 
one learned the carpenter and blacksmith 
trades, following the former in this county 
most of the time. He married, May 8. 1866, 
Letitia J. Rowan, of Westmoreland county, 
daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Sheerer) 
Rowan, natives of Westmoreland and Arm- 
strong counties. Two children were born to 
them, Jlaggie and Jimmie, both of whom are 
at home. The family are members of the R. 
P. Church. Mr. Dougherty enlisted Aug. 
10. 1863, in Co. G, 186th P'. V. I., for nine 



months; participated at the battles of Fred- 
ericksburg, Chancellorsville and U. S. Ford, 
re-enlisted in January, 1863, in the 3d I'. H. 
A., at Fortress Monroe, and sent from there 
to the light Battery H, detached for service 
at the defense of Baltimore. He was dis- 
charged in 186.5. His father served intheold 
11th Pa. Regt. during the war, and was shot 
through the right shoulder. Mr. Dougherty 
now owns one-half of the farm of 132 acres 
where his maternal grandfather. Joseph 
Cowan, settled when he came here from his 
native place, Lancaster county. Pa. His wife 
was Mary Thompson, who was born in Glas- 
gow, Scotland. 

James Davidson, farmer, postoffice New 
Tex.as, was born in I'lum township Nov. 9, 
1837, a son of Elias and Martha Davidson. 
He received a common-school education, and 
in 18.54 began farming for himself on part 
of his mother's farm; later bought out 
Samuel's share, and now has 190 acres 
near New Texas. He married, in 1873, 
Margaret Ellen Crooks, of Westmoreland 
county, a daughter of David F. and Margaret 
(Cross) Crooks, former of whom is a shoe- 
maker, and an old settler of Westmoreland 
county. Seven children have resulted from 
this union, of whom three are living; Oliver 
James, Viola Ploss and Dodds; the deceased 
are Margaret Lillian, who died in her twelfth 
year; Elsie Agnes, in her fifth year; Pearly 
Bell, in her sixth year, and Hugh Ryland. in 
his fourth year. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are 
members of the M. E. Church. Mr. David- 
son, notwithstanding that he has sustained 
many losses, has made a success of farming, 
and has a fine home. 

John W. Black, farmer, postoffice 
Swissvaie, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 
1830, a son of Robert and Margaret (Black) 
Black, both natives of Ireland, former of 
County Tyrone. Robert Black, by occupa- 
tion awhite-lead manufacturer with the late 
P. A. Madarie for twenty-five years, came to 
America about the year 182(5. and in 18.32 
located in Pittsburgh, where he died, aged 
seventy-seven 3'ears; his widow survived him 
ten years. He had ten children. John W. 
being the fifth. He was educated at the 
public schools of Allegheny county, and for 
thirty years was engaged at the trade of 
glassblower. since when he has carried on 
farming. In 1851 he married Sarah, daugh- 
ter of George and Elizabeth Jackson, and 
two children were born to them; Harry Win- 
field (who died from injuries received in a 
railroad collision at Twent_y-eighth street, 
Pittsburgh, Oct. 9, 1880; he was an in- 
telligent and promising young man), and 
George Jackson (also deceased, named for 
his grandfather). George Jackson was born 
in Derbyshire. England, and came to Pitts- 
burgh in 18'30, where he carried on a grocery- 
store on the corner of Smithfield street and 
Virgin alley, where the Hotel Duqucsne now 
stands; the property still belongs to his 
heirs; he died in 1854 of cholera; his widow 
died on Sept. 1, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Black 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



505 



•are members of the Presbyterian Church; he 
is a republican. 

J. L. McFeeters. steamboat-captain, 
Braddock, was born in County Tyrone, Ire- 
laud, in 1839, a son of Hugh and Mary (Little) 
McFeeters, former of whom, who was afarmer 
in Ireland, but engaged in the foundry busi- 
ness in Pittsburgh for several years, died in 
Braddock in 1873. The family came to 
Pittsburgh in 1833, and to Braddock in 1873. 
J. L. was educated at the public schools of 
Pittsburgh, and learned the trade of molder, 
which he followed from 1853 to 1859; then 
commenced steamboating, which, with the 
exception of three years spent in the army, 
he has since been identified with. He en- 
listed, in 1861, in Co. M, 100th P. V. I. (known 
as the "Roundheads"), was promoted to 
sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant 
and captain, and served in the war three years 
and six mouths; was severely wounded in the 
head at second Bull run. Capt. McFeeters was 
married, in 1869. to Florence V., daughter of 
David P. Allen, of this county, and two sons 
have been born to them, J. Allen and Guj' 
Stanley. Our subject has been captain of 
the steamboat Ark for eleven years, and has 
made many successful runs on the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers to the Gulf of Mexico. He 
is a republican. 

George McKbe, farmer, Wilkinsburg, 
was born in the north of Ireland, Sept. 
29, 1833. When verj' young he went to 
Scotland, and when twelve years old was 
put to farm labor. In 1854 he married 
iElizabeth McLaughlan, who was born near 
Paisley, Scotland. The next year, with his 
parents, George and Elizabeth (Jordan) Mc- 
Kee, he set out for America. They settled 
in Allegheny City, where the father was em- 
ployed for many years keeping books; he 
died in 1880, aged eightj'-six; his widow died 
two years later, at the age of seventy-eight. 
They had seven children, of whom George is 
the third; one daughter died in infancy; 
John is a resident of Indiana county; James 
is in Utah; Joseph'in East Liberty; Jordan, 
in Parkersisurg, W. Va., and Elizabeth (Mrs. 
Jacob Cupps) is in Springdale, this county. 
George settled in Sterrett township, and en- 
gaged extensively iu market-gardening. He 
owned a farm in Penn township, but sold and 
invested in borough property. He is now the 
owner of five houses in Wilkinsburg, a like 
number in Sterrett, and two in Pittsburgh. 
Mrs. McKee died in January, 1886, leaving 
seven children: George, Hugh, William, 
Mary, James, Robert and Margaret. Two 
died in infancy, named John and Jean. Mr. 
McKee is a member of the U. P. Church, and 
is a republican. 

R. D. Brtce, glass-manufacturer, Home- 
steaci was horn I3ec. 32, 1858, in Pittsburgh, 
a son of John Bryce, the well-known glass- 
manufacturer. Mr. Bryce was educated in 
his native city, graduating at the Iron City 
Commercial Institute. He secured a position 
in the Farmers' Deposit National Bank, and 
for four years enjoyed the entire confidence 



of the concern. His integrity gained him 
the esteem and confidence of a large circle 
of friends, and his contact with business- 
men gave him a knowledge of commercial 
life that few men of his years possess. In 
1879 he came to Homestead, where he is a 
stockholder in the Bryce, Higbee & Co. 
Glasshouse. He is a member of the Improved 
Order of Heptasophs and Knights of the 
Mystic Chain. Mr. Bryce married Mamie, a 
daughter of Capt. John Wolf. He is an 
active worker in the republican party. 

John Ballingall Bissett, coal-dealer, 
Verona, was born in the north of Scotland, 
March 16, 1840, a son of David and Elizabeth 
(Ballingall) Bissett, who still live in Scot- 
land, aged each about ninety years. John 
received his education in Edinburgh, Scot- 
land, and for some years was foreman-stone- 
cutter in that couutry and in England. In 

1868 he immigrated to New York, where he 
worked for a time at stonecutting, and in 

1869 came to Pittsburgh, where he followed 
the same trade for a few months, and then 
worked on the building of the city hall, and 
as foreman on the erection of the jail in 
Armstrong county. Pa.; was then superin- 
tendent and forernan on the construction of 
the Allegheny Valley railroad shops at 
Verona, Pa., and continued as foreman for 
this railroad for several years. Locating iu 
Verona, he engaged in the coal, lime and 
cement business, which still occupies his at- 
tention. Mr. Bissett was married, in 1864, 
to Mary Baugh, a native of England, and 
daughter of Matthew and Mary (Agnew) 
Baugh. Ten children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Bissett, seven of whom are living, viz. : 
Mary Elizabeth, Edith Ellis, William George, 
Jessie, Emma Margaret, Gertrude and Susan 
Paul. Those deceased are David Matthew, 
Sarah Ann and John B. Mrs. Bissett died 
July 25, 1887. Mr. Bissett is a member of 
the Episcopal Church, is a member of the 
F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. 

George Teese, farmer, postoffice Hul- 
ton, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1841, a 
son of William and Eliza (Lippencott) Teese. 
William was born in Ireland, and coming to 
Pittsburgh carried on coopering on Du- 
quesne way; he died in 1850, aged sixty-five 
j'ears; his wife was born in New Jersey, and 
died in 1887, aged eighty-five years. George 
Teese received his education at the Pitts- 
burgh public schools and the Western Uni- 
versity. In 1860 he began for himself, and 
learned the hardware trade with Logan & 
Gregg. In 1870 he opened a business of his 
own at Lawrenceville, continuing in same 
until Feb. 1, 1888, with good success. He 
sold out, and bought the Andrew Sands 
farm in Plum township. He enlisted in 
August, 1862, in Hampton's Pittsburgh bat- 
tery, and following week participated in the 
second battle of Bull run, followed by An- 
tietam, Chancellorsville, South Mountain 
and Gettysburg. After the battle of Chan- 
cellorsville the battery was so small that it 
was united with Thompson's Pittsburgh bat- 



596 



HIBTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



tery, and after Ihe battle of Gettysburg Mr. 
Teese saw but little more active service; he 
was (liscliarsed in 1865. He married, in 
1807, Fanny W. Young, who was born where 
the Allegheny cemetery is now located, the 

f round being a part of her father's farm, 
ler father was one of the firm of Young & 
McCune, leather-merchants of Pittsburgh, 
and her grandfather, .James, was one of the 
first justices of the peace in Pittsburgh. 
Four children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Teese: Marion, Georgia L., George L. 
and Mary Francis, all at home. They are 
members of Verona Presbyterian Church. 
Mr. Teese is a republican, and a member of 
the Masonic Lodge and Chapter. 

J. W. Maklatt, undertaker, Sewickley, 
was born April 23, 1839, in Allegheny, Pa., 
sou of Joseph and Agnes (Harris) JIarlatt, 
who were born near the old battle-ground of 
Monmouth. In 1838 thej' removed to Alle- 
ehenj' county, residing most of the time in 
Sewickley, where Joseph followed carpenter- 
ing, and where both parents died. Of their 
children, ten attained maturity. J. W. 
learned the carpenter's trade, at which he 
worked for many years. Eventually he en- 
gaged in the undertaker's business, and has 
been a very successful funeral director. He 
made, himself, the first hearse used in Sewick- 
ley. Mr. Marlatt is a self-made man, and 
merits a great deal of credit. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Bonham, and they 
have seven children; Rhoda E., John E., 
Walter S., Edith. Anna, Matilda and Audley 
H. Mr. Marlatt is a member of Ihe I. O. O. F. 
and Heptasophs; he is a republican. 

James P. White was born June 29, 1826, 
in the little village of Clonoloy, Countj' 
Meath, Ireland, about fifteen miles from the 
city of Dublin. He was the son of James 
and Elizabeth (Langdon) White, and was one 
of a family of five sons and two daughters. 
His father was a farmer in very moderate 
circumstances, and the only advantages of 
education the children received were at the 
village school. James P. White, longing for 
a more active life than the quiet and monot- 
onous one of the farm, decided, when about 
sixteen years of age, to go to the neighbor- 
ing city of Dublin and learn the trade of 
tailoring. This accomplished, he next looked 
about him for the best field in which to com- 
mence the battle of life, and, like so many of 
his countrymen, he turned to the great repub- 
lic of the west as the fairest field for talent,and 
the country most likely to reward honest 
endeavor with success. Accordingly, in 
18-i6, when about twenty years of age, he 
bade farewell to his relatives and to his well- 
loved Erin, and set sail for America. Landing 
in Philadelphia, he worked in that city for 
some time as a journeyman tailor, and then 
west as far as Pittsburgh, where he again 
worked at his trade; but, tlie cholera breaking 
out in that city in 1848 or 1849, he moved up 
the Monongahela river, with the intention of 
locating in Morgantowu, but. slopping off at 
McKeesport (then a very small tnwn). he de- 



cided to locate there. Having by this lime 
accumulated a little ntoney, he decided to go 
in business for himself, and opened the first 
merchant-taihiring establishment in the 
town. By dint of unceasing perseverance 
and conslant attention to liusines-., he pros- 
pered beyond his fondi'sl liopcs, and in 1852, 
when he had become sulliriciilly established 
in business, he returned to Philadelphia, and 
there wasnuuried.in St. Pauls K. C. Church, 
to Miss Annie Dunlevey. 

Heturning to McKeesport with his young 
wife, in a few years his business jjrospereu 
sufficiently to enable him to buy Ihe lot at the 
corner of Third and Market streets, upon 
which he erected a large and commodious 
brick building, being storeroom and dwell- 
ing combined. There he carried on success- 
fully the merchant-tailoring business up al- 
most to the time of his death; though some 
few years before he died he purchased and 
moved his family into a more elegant resi- 
dence farther uptown. From the many 
natural advantages of location and mineral 
resources possessed by the dull and sleepy 
town he found it, he foresaw the busy, thriv- 
ing city of to-day, and, as his constantly 
increasing means permitted, he invested 
largely in real estate. His foresight in this 
respect was remarkable, and, as the town 
grew in size and importance, his purchases 
were alwaj-s found to be the most desirable, 
and met with easy sale at largely advanced 
prices. The returns from these sales were 
invariably invested either in improving 
property already acquired or in making 
larger purchases of real estate, so that at the 
time of his death he was the largest individ- 
ual real-estate owner in McKeesport. His 
prosperity was closely interwoven with the 
commercial history of the city, and he held 
many positions of honor and trust in the 
business world, being at one time president 
of .the People's Bank of McKeesport, and at 
the time of his death was a director of the 
First National Bank of McKeesport. The 
work with which his name will probably be 
the longest associated was the building of the 
large and handsome opera-house, costing in 
the neighborhood of $75,000, and which he 
scarcely lived to see completed. Mr. White 
was fond of travel, and when time permitted 
he traveled considerably through his adopted 
country, as well as making several trips to 
his native laud to visit his relatives, none of 
whom had ever emigrated. The last time 
he revisited his native country was in 1873, 
when he also made quite an extensive tour 
of the continent, attending the great exposi- 
tion at Vienna. He became ill during the 
spring of 1883. from over-exertion and a cold 
contracted while superintending the erection 
of the opera house, and, while no serious re- 
sult was at first apprehended, his ailment 
gradually develojied into enlargement of the 
fiver, and in spite of the best medical atten- 
tion he breathed his last about midnight, 
Aun. 19, 1883. 

Mrs. James P. White, his widow, is the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



597 



daughter of James and Annie (Green) Duu- 
levey, both natives of the County Cavan, 
Ireland, and was born Ajiril II. 1826, in the 
city of Xew York. The marriage was a 
most happy one, and was blessed with six 
children; Thomas L., Ella. Annie, Katie, 
James E. and Millie, of whom Thomas L. 
and James E. survive their father. Thomas 
L. White was born Oct. 37, 1853. graduated 
with the degree of A. B. at Villanova College, 
near Philadelphia, in 1871, and after reading 
medicine with the late Dr. John Dickson, of 
Pittsburgh, graduated from Jefferson Medi- 
cal College, Philadelphia, in March, 187.5. 
He commenced the practice of bis chosen 
profession in Pittsburgh, where he remained 
about a year. Since then he has practiced 
in McKeesport with the exception of a year 
passed in the hospitals of Vienna and Lon- 
don. The other son, James E. White, was 
born March 18, 1863, passed through a com- 
mercial course of studies at Villanova Col- 
lege, was latterly a student at the Pittsburgh 
College of Pharmacy, and is now engaged in 
the retail drug business in McKeesport. 

James P. White was of a singularly happ}' 
disposition, and it was said of him that he 
had the heartiest laugh of anyone in .the 
city. He was a great favorite with the chil- 
dren, and loved nothing better than a romp 
with the little ones. He was an upright, 
honorable man, and enjoyed tlie utmost con- 
fidence of the business world, so that it 
could be truly said of him that his '"word 
was as good as his bond." He was a strict 
and consistent member of the Roman Catho- 
lic Church, and the congregation of McKees- 
port is indebted to him for his good counsel 
and financial aid during his lifetime, and 
several munificentbequests in his will showed 
how well he loved the church of his choice. 

Thomas L. White, physician, McKees- 
port, was born in that city, Oct. 27, 1853. a 
son of James P. and Annie P. (Dunlevey) 
White. He was educated at Villanova Col- 
lege, Philadelphia; read medicine under the 
late Dr. Dickson, of Pittsburgh, and gradu- 
ated from Jefferson Medical College, Phila- 
delphia, March 13, 1875. He afterward spent 
a couple of years in Europe, the greater part 
of which time he was engaged in making 
observations and experiments under Europe's 
best medical instructors, at Guy's hospital, 
London, and in the military hospital, Vienna. 
After availing himself of all the known 
modern advantages that might be desirable for 
a ph3'sician and surgeon, acquiring proficiency 
in all branches of science incidental thereto, 
and not neglecting the literature and philos- 
ophy congenial to a person of his tastes, he 
returned to his home in McKeesport, where 
in his profession he has had the respect and 
confidence of the people. He married, Oct. 
26, 1879, Mabel R., daughter of Capt. George 
W. and Katherine (Brady) Hunter, of Mc- 
Keesport, and by her has had four children: 
Hilda (deceased). James J., Thomas P. and 
Frank S. Dr. White is president of the Mc- 
Keesport Light company and of the Black 



Oil company, limited, and is the owner of 
White's opera-house. He is a member of the 
Catholic Church, the C. M. B. A., tbe Ameri 
can Medical association and the Interna- 
tional Medical Congress. He is an active 
democrat, and was a candidate of his party 
for congressional honors in his district in 1888. 
Robert E. Mercek, county commis 
sioner, residing in the Twenty-fifth ward, 
Pittsburgh, was born in Fayette county. Pa.. 
Jan. 17, 1848, and is a son of James M. and 
Rebecca (Winters) Mercer, former of whom, 
by trade a window-glass blower, was born in 
Greene county. Pa., June 6, 1817, and both 
of Presbyterian and revolutionary stock. 
They were married in Fayette county. Pa., 
Dec. 3, 1841, and in 1847 removed to what 
was then the borough of Birmingham, now 
the Twenty-eighth ward of Pittsburgh. 
Robert and Leah Mercer, parents of James 
M., were natives of Greene county. Pa., 
both born about the year 1790, and came of 
a Scotch family, who immigrated to this 
country early in the eighteenth century, first 
settling in New York. Robert E. Mercer, 
whose name heads this memoir, received a 
limited education, his time being divided be- 
tween attending private and public schools 
and working in a glass-factory and a rolling- 
mill until February, 1858, when he com- 
menced clerking in a grocery-store, which 
continued until following November, when 
he entered the rolling-mill of Jones & Laugh- 
lin, in the nail department of which he 
worked until 1864. In that year he enlisted 
in Ind. Battery G. P. V., remaining in the 
service until the battery was mustered out; in 
June, 1865. Resuming work in the rolling- 
mill in July following, he continued in the 
same until July^ 1873. In March of that 
year he was elected, on the republican ticket, 
alderman for the Second ward of East Bir- 
mingham, now Twenty-fifth ward, Pitts- 
burgh, and in 1875 he tendered his resigna- 
tion in order to secure the office under the 
new constitution adopted in 1873. He was 
almost unanimouslj' re-elected, and held the 
position until 1878, in which year he was 
elected county commissioner, in which place 
he is now serving his fourth term, during all 
of which time he has been president of the 
board. Some of the most important public 
questions in the history of the county were 
brought before the board during his adminis- 
tration, including the 1877-riot claims, aggre- 
gating 14,000,000, which were settled for 
! about §2,750,000, and the building of the 
new courthouse and jail, which cost, includ- 
ing furnishing, $2,.500,000— these and all 
other transactions justly meriting the un- 
qualified appreciation of the ratepayers. 
Mr. Mercer was married, Jan. 3, 1888, to 
Martha Jones, of Pittsburgh, Pa. 

George A. Chalpant, superintendent 
for Spang, Chalfant & Co., Etna, was born 
March 3, 1841, on the old homestead in Turtle 
Creek, a son of Henry Chalfant, a native of 
near Philadelphia. He was educated in this 
county, and attended Jefferson College, from 



5"J8 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



which he gniduatt'd iu IHOl. He was sub- 
sequently cniploveil as clerk in the office of 
Spang, Ohalfanl & Co., and in Ihe course of 
two years was promoted to the position of 
superintendent and j^eneral manager of the 
works, lie is enterprising, and has made the 
mills a irrand success. At the time he took 
charge the business employed three hundred 
men; at present it employs eight hundred. 
Mr. Chalfanl was the first to utilize natural 
gas in this county, and has used it in the 
factor}' for the past thirteen j'ears. He mar- 
ried Margaret, daughter of George Bell, a 
well-known resident of Putsljurgh, and has 
four chiklren. Politically Mr. Chalfant has 
always been identified with the republican 
party. 

I. N. LAUGm,iN, saddler. Elizabeth, is a 
son of Adam and Rebecca Laughlin, of Fay- 
ette county. Pa., where he (Adam) was born, 
and Rebecca was one of the "Jersey settlers" 
of that county. Adam was a shipbuilder, 
and was one" of the first settlers of this 
borough. He was married in 1811, and in 
1832 moved to Ohio, where he lived until 
1808, and theu moved to Iowa, where he 
spent the remainder of his life, and died Feb. 
36, 1873. He joined the M. E. Ctiurch in 
1827, and was a devout worker iu the interests 
of religion. His widow survived him about a 
year, and died in 1874 They reared a family 
of ten children, seven of whom are still liv- 
ing, namely; Sarah (Mrs. Israel Thompson), 
William, Susan (Mrs. John Davis), Rebecca 
A. (Mrs. John Moody), David F. and Adam, 
all living in Iowa, and our subject, who is 
the fourth son, and was born July 19, 1821, in 
this borough, where he has always resided. 
At an early agfe he learned the saddler's trade, 
which he has since followed. In 1843 he was 
married to Mary, daughter of James and 
Jane Penny, of Versailles township, who 
died in 1848, leaving one child — Charles A., 
of Canton, Ohio. Mr. Laugldin next married, 
in 1831, Jane, daughter of William and Lydia 
Robinson, of Westmoreland county. They 
have two children— Eva (Mrs. George Wed- 
dell, of Elizabeth township), and Joseph A., 
who is now in Colorado, Mr. Laughlin has 
held many offices within the gift of the people 
of the borough, and has been an active worker 
in the cause of temperance, being a member 
of the Sons of Temperance. He and his wife 
are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. 
Laughlin was a member of the Old Mononga- 
hela Lodge, No. 209, I. O. O. F. 

Geouge W. Howder, steamboat-captain, 
postofflce Elizabeth, is a son of John and 
Mary (Morris) Howder, of Faj'ette county, 
where he was born Dec. 28, 184.5. He was 
reared on a farm, and at the age of eighteen 
years started for himself as a general hand 
on the river boats. He has since followed 
the river, and has had command of several 
steamers, among them being the Leader. 
He served as pilot seventeen years, and has 
been employed by Joseph Walton & Co. for 
fourteen years, being engaged as captain of 
the Nellie" Walton during that time. In 1870 



he was married to Rachel M., daughter of 
W. R. and Lavina (Maines) C'ooley. of 
Elizabeth borough, and they have foiir liv 
ing diildren — Ida .May. Mar}- L., John W. 
and George L. Ciipl. Howder is a member 
of the Old Monongahela Lodge, Xo. 209, I. 
(). O. F., and Stephen Baird Lodge, No. .j26. 
F. it A. M. He moved to this county about 
twenty years ago, and has since resided here. 
The family are members of the M. E. 
Church. 

Joseph Mouoan McN.^ik. urand recorder 
of the A. O. U. W., Pittsburgh, was born 
in Virginia, June 27, 1827, son of James and 
Mary (Krider) McNair. His father was 
born near Carlisle, Pa., in 1801. and died in 
1869. He was a woolen-manufacturer in 
Virginia, and moved his family to Butler, 
Pa., in 1832, where he was for a number of 
years a justice of the peace. He was a life- 
long democrat, a member of the M. E. 
Church. Joseph M. McNair attended school 
at Butler until si.xteen years of age. and then 
learned the tailor's trade, which he followed 
at Butler and at New Castle, Pa., until 1875, 
being twelve j'cars in the latter place. In 
1875 he accepted his present position as 
grand recorder of the A. O. L^. W. He is a 
Freemason, a member of Select Knights, A. 
O. U. W., Royal Arcanum, Knights of the 
Golden Eagle and Sovereigns of Industry. 
Mr. McNair was married May 8, 1851, to 
Martha Spencer, a native of Wales, of En- 
glish parents, Charles and Mary (Jones) 
Spencer. Herfather died at Harrisburg, Pa., 
si.x weeks after arriving from Wales. Six 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
McNair: Mary Adrienne McNair. Gertrude 
Spencer, James Alexander, Thomas Charles, 
Addle Louise and Alice Flora, the three last 
named being deceased. The parents are 
members of the M. E. Church of Alleghenj'. 
where they reside. 

Robert Wilson Cowan, engineer. Ems- 
worth, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Mc- 
Mahan) Cowan, was born near Oakland, this 
count}', in April, 1832. His father was born 
in Franklin county. Pa., in 1792, and died in 
1854, having located in Pittsburgh prior to 
1800. His mother died in 1834. His paternal 
grandparents, Joseph and Mary (Thomps(in) 
Cowan, were Scotch-Irish, and settled iu 
Franklin county previous to 1771. His 
maternal grandparents were from Ireland. 
The subject of these lines received his edu- 
cation at Miuersville, Pa., and the East End. 
and at the age of seventeen learned black- 
smithing, which he followed for six years. 
In 1854 he began as engineer on the Ohio 
river, afterward buying an interest iu a boat, 
of which he became captain in 1869. This 
vessel being sold in 1887. Mr. Cowan, after a 
year's work on the Bellevue railroad, re- 
turned to the river as engineer. He was 
married in February. 1859, to Mary Jane 
Colvin, and live children have been "born to 
them, viz. ; Margaret Riddle, wife of Morrison 
Gilllland, and Frances M., Mary E.. Sara 
Emma and Helen Hamilton, at home. The 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



5CT9 



family are members of the M. E. Church. 
Mr. Cowan moved to Emsworth ia 1867, and 
has been one of the main supporters and 
builders of its public school. 

Charles Lehmer Johnston, clerk, Wil- 
kiusburg, is a grandson of George R. John- 
ston (see sketch of James L. Johnston), and 
was born in Wilkiusburg, Oct. 31, 1851. His 
father, George Johnston, was born in Wil- 
kinsburg in March. 183T, and married Mar- 
garet Eider, who was born in the same year 
atLigonier. Mrs. Johnston's parents. Robert 
and Eliza Elder, were of Irish and German 
descent. George Johnston and wife now 
reside in Wilkinsburg, Mr. Johnston being 
employed as usher at the Pennsylvania rail- 
road station in Pittsburgh. They had seven 
children, viz.: Charles L., Joseph W., Sarah 
Ann, James, George Harvey, Lida L. and 
Maggie J.; the third and fourth are deceased. 
Charles L. Johnston was educated in the 
common school and academy at Wilkins- 
burg, and when fifteen years old went into 
the store of David L. Johnston, his uncle, in 
Wilkinsburg. Three years later he entered 
the employ of A. Stoner, who is still in mer- 
cantile business there, and remained with 
him thirteen years, having charge of the 
postoffice as his deputy during a part of that 
time. In 1883 he entered the ticket-office of 
the Pennsylvania railroad in Pittsburgh, 
where he still remains. Next year he built 
the residence he occupies on Rebecca street. 
He is an attendant of the Presbyterian 
Church, of which Mrs. Johnston is a member, 
and in politics is a republican. Mr. John- 
ston married. Oct. 31, 1880, Miss Kate How- 
ard, a native of Allegheny City, and a daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Eliza Howard, of Ireland. 
Charles Bruce and Margaretta, the first and 
last of four children born to them, remain 
with the parents; Joseph Emerson and Albert 
Reed are deceased. 

John Scott Buchanan Mercer, house 
and sign painter, Pittsburgh, was born in 
that city Aug. 13, 1848. His paternal grand- 
parents were Scotch, and his maternal grand- 
parents Irish. His parents, James (a painter 
by trade) and Margaret (Scott) Mercer, were 
also natives of Pittsburgh. The father died 
of cholera in 18.54, the mother surviving him 
five years. John S. B. attended the citj' 
schools till the death of his mother, which 
occurred when he was eleven years of age, 
and he was then sent to the country to live 
with Alexander Stevenson (now deceased), in 
Moon township, this county. In 1866 he 
went to learn his trade in the city, and four 
years later engaged in business for himself. 
Be Is now located at 57 Ninth street, where 
he does an extensive business in house- and 
si^n-painting and as maker of brass signs, 
being the only one between Philadelphia and 
Chicago who makes copper letters on brass. 
In 1884 he built his handsome home in Wil- 
kinsburg, corner of North and Center streets. 
He attends the M. E. Church, is a Royal 
Arch Mason and a stanch republican. In 
1878 Mr. Mercer married Edith S., daughter 



of Richard and Priscilla Crawford. Quaker 
residents of Washington county, where Mrs. 
Mercer was born. Three children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Mercer; Velma M., 
Edith Leila and Mabel. 

Theresa Gensch, hotel-keeper atMcKee's 
Rocks, was born in Germany in 1839, a 
daughter of Anthony and Theresa Spath, 
both of whom died in Germany. Theresa 
was married in Germany, in 1861, to John 
Spath, and they came to America in 1867; 
they had three children, viz.: Annie (now 
wife of Jacob Miller, of Pittsburgh, Pa.), 
Bertha (wife of Nicholas Nolle, of Moon 
township) and Edward, a promising lad of 
thirteen. Mr. Spath died in 1876, at the age 
of forty-five years, and his widow was mar- 
ried in 1878 to Albert Gensch, of this county. 
Mrs. Gensch has by industry and perse- 
verance worked her way from very limited 
circumstances, and has built a hotel in Mc- 
Kee's Rocks that would be a credit to 
almost any city. It is a fine threestor3' 
brick structure, containing sixty-four rooms, 
heated and lighted by gas, and has all the 
modern improvements to be found in a city 
hotel. 

Robert W. Lton, assistant superintend- 
ent of steelworks, McKee's Rocks, was born 
in Butler county. Pa., in 1843, a son of John 
and Mary Lyon, the latter of whom departed 
this life in 1853, at the age of thirty-two 
years. John Lyon is a native of Butler 
county, and still resides there. Robert W. 
enlisted in 1861 as a private in the 13th P. V. 
I., served four years and two months, and ad- 
vanced to the rank of major. In 1864 he 
married Harriet, daughter of Andrew and 
Eliza Barclay, of Butler county, formerly of 
this county. At the close of the war Maj. 
Lyon settled in the city of Allegheny, and in 
1869 moved to Pittsburgh. In 1881 he was 
elected mayor of that city, which office he 
held for three years. Mr. Lyon has reared 
a family of eleven children, as follows: 
MoUie, Carrie, George B., John C, Hattie, 
Frank W., Emma, Robert B., Thomas W., 
Laura and Nellie. He accepted the position 
of assistant superintendent of the steel- 
works at McKee's Rocks in 1886, which he 
still holds. He is a Freemason and a mem- 
ber of the G. A. R. ; in politics a democrat. 

Philip Kirsch, gardener, postoffice West 
View, was born in 1838, in Erpolzheim,i near 
Duerkheim, Neustadt-an-der-Hardt. Bavaria. 
Germany, a son of Lorenz and Elizabeth 
(Buechler) Kirsch. He came to America in 
1849, settled in this county, and worked for 
five }'ears in a blacksmith-shop. His love 
for the country induced him to engage in 
gardening, and he now has sixteen acres of 
garden-land in a high state of cultivation in 
Ross township. He started in life a poor 
man, but by industry and frugality he has 
secured a comfortable home, and is much re- 
spected. He married Minnie Hauck, and has 
a family of six children: Caroline, Philip, 
Kate, Mary, John and William. The oldest 
daughter, Louise, died in 1863, in her tenth 



600 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



j'ear. Mr. and Mrs. Kirsch are members of 
the G. E. Church; he is a republican. 

John F. Seville, fruitgrower, postofflce 
Bcllevue, was born Oct. 21, 1836, in Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., a son of John and Hannah (Will- 
iams) Seville. His paternal grandfather was 
a native of Manchester, England. Our sub- 
ject's father was also born in Manchester, 
where he lived until his eleventh year, when 
he came to America with his parents and lo- 
cated in Philadelphia. Subsequently, in 1819, 
they removed to Pittsburgh. John Seville 
was a tailor by trade, but engaged in the fur- 
niture business. He removed to Ohio and em- 
barked in grocery and canal business. During 
the civil war he was a soldier in Col. Clark's 
regiment, and was killed at the battle of 
Fredericksburg; his widow is yet living at 
the age of seventy-six years. They were the 
parents of nine children. Of these John F. 
was reared and educated in Pittsburgh, and 
learned the plumber's and gasfitter's trade, 
which he followed successfully until 1868. 
He then removed to Ross township, and en- 
gaged in fruit-growing. He married Eliza 
J. Crooks, a native of Ireland, and they are 
the parents of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. 
Seville are members of the U. P. Church, of 
which he has been a trustee; he is a repub- 
lican. 

Andrew Thompson, farmer, postofflce 
Ross, is a grandson of James Thompson, and 
was born on the old homestead Feb. 9. 1845. 
His father, Andrew G. Thompson, a native of 
Allegheny county, was a farmer, a very re- 
ligious, trustworthy man, and a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, of which he was 
trustee for a number of years. He died Aug. 
17. 1884. aged seventy-two years. His wife 
was Mary English, a native of 'Ireland and a 
daughter of James English, one of the old 
settlers, and they had four children: James, 
Mary, Andrew and Samuel. Of these An- 
drew was educated in this county, and in- 
herited seventy acres of the homestead. He 
married Mary A. C, daughter of Henry B. 
Lyon, whose family were among the pioneers 
of Butler county. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson 
are members of the Presbyterian Church, of 
which he is trustee; he is a republican, as 
was his father. 

Robert Miller, farmer, Harrison town- 
ship, postofflce Freeport, Armstrong county, 
was biorn Dec. 10, 1831, on the old homestead 
farm, on which his father lived from 1817 
(when it was a wilderness) till his de.ath. 
His parents, John and Isabella Miller, were 
Datives of Ireland, former of Count}' Tyrone, 
and latter of County Derry. The}' sailed for 
America in 1801, bringing with them their 
two children, William and Nathaniel, the 
former of whom died on shipboard. They 
first lived in Lancaster county. Pa., one year; 
then in Westmoreland county, near Salem; 
thence moved to the Frankstown road in 
Allegheny county, and in 1817 located on the 
farm above mentioned. Their children were 
Nathaniel, born Jan. 3, 1801, died Nov. 2, 
1876 (he served as acting justice of the peace 



six terms, in all thirty years); William, born 
Dec, 22, 1802, died October 20, 1877; Isabella, 
born Jan. 18, 1805, died Dec. 14, 18.53; Joseph 
B.. born Oct. 28, 1806, died July 23, 1883; 
Elizabeth, born Oct. 5, 1808, married to D. 
McCall, died March 20, 1883; John, born Jan. 
27, 1811; Margaret 8., born Oct. 12, 1812; 
Mary J., born March 1, 1815, married to Will- 
iam Moorhead, now residing in Freeport, Pa.; 
Martha, born Feb. 1, 1817, and Robert. John 
Miller, Sr., died May 16, 1840, aged sixty-six; 
his widow, April 5, 1852, aged seventy-six. 
They were members of the Associate Church 
of Ireland, and connected with the Associate 
Church of Pittsburgh, under charge of Dr. 
Bruce; thence to Buffalo congregation of 
Armstrong county, undercharge of Rev. John 
Dickey, and when the Freeport congregation 
was organized they were part of said organi- 
zation, at which Nathaniel was chosen ruling 
elder, in which capacity he died. William 
Miller was a ruling elder in the Buffalo con- 
gregation for many years prior to his death. 
Our subject's brothers and sisters were all 
• members of the U. P. Church from the union 
of the Associate and Associate Reformed. 
Robert now owns and resides on tlie old 
homestead on which he was born. He has 
filled many positions in the township; served 
ten months and eleven days in Co. I. 5th P. 
H. A. ; was discharged July 5, 1865, at the 
close of the war, by general order of the war 
department. 

Harvey Williby, miller and farmer, Per- 
rysville, is a son of Jonas and Sarah (Penger- 
ton) Williby. John, the great-grandfather of 
Harvey, was a native of >iew Jersey, and set- 
tled in this county over 150 years ago. James, 
the grandfather, was born on the place where 
he always lived, and died in 1841. Jonas, 
the father of Harvey, was born on same place, 
and always followed farming. He died in 
1875; his widow survives him. She has seven 
living children: Jonas, Eliza, Robert, Sarah, 
Katie, Harvey and John. Harvey was bora 
June 3, 1852, and has always remained on the 
homestead. He was married in 1880 to Hen- 
rietta, daughter of George and Sarah Wright, 
of Franklin township, and they have three 
children: Leonora M.. Sarah Viola and Liza 
Belle. Mr. Williby and family are members 
of the M. E. Church of Franklin township. 

Mrs. Elizabeth H. Feilbach, proprietor 
of 'nursery, postofflce Bennett, was born Oct. 
12. 1814. in Allegheny count};. Pa., a daughter 
of Benjamin Herr. (See bis sketch.) The 
Herr family were of Swiss descent, and set- 
tled in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1709, where 
their descendants were ministers and bishops 
of the Mennonite Church. Benjamin Herr 
came to this county in 1780, while on his way 
to Kentucky; low water compelled him to 
remain a short time, and he finally estab- 
lished himself in a permanent business. He 
was a leading citizen, identified with every 
good cause, building schools and churches, 
and having stock in the first bridge across 
the Allegheny river. He was a millwright, 
and owned Herr's island and a large tract 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



601 



along the river. He married Magdalena 
Licbten, of Gerraauj', who died in 1842, aged 
seventy-two years. They had seven chil- 
dren: Benjamin, Barbara, Henry, Daniel, 
John, Elizabeth and Magdalena. Of these, 
Elizabeth married Louis Feilbach. a native 
of Germany, who came to America while 
young, and was a horticulturist. He died 
April 11, 1886, aged seventy-five years. Six 
children were born to them; Esther, Eliza- 
beth, Mary. Henrietta, Benjamin and Kate. 
These are all living and married except Kate, 
who died April 14, 1874. The subject of this 
sketch was born in a hewed-log house on the 
properly still occupied, and the log house was 
subsequently removed to the island (Herr's) 
opposite, to make way for the Pennsylvania 
state canal, and there remains in good con- 
dition, occupied — one of the few pioneer land- 
marks. 

William Sproal, teamster, postofBce Mc- 
Kee's Rocks, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., 
July 38, 1840, a son of Joseph and Margaret 
Sproal, former of whom came from Ireland 
in 1820, at the age of fourteen }'ears; was a 
boatman, and followed the river all his life; 
he married, for his second wife. Margaret 
Getty, by whom he had fifteen children, two 
of whom are living; William and Isabella 
(wife of D. F. Graham, of Allegheny City). 
The father died in 1886, at the age of eighty 
years; his widow still resides in Allegheny 
City, at the age of seventy-two years. Will- 
iam Sproal was reared to river life, which he 
followed continuously (except while serving 
as teamster in the army during the civil war) 
until 1883, since when he has followed team- 
ing. He married, in 1863, Amanda, daughter 
of Thomas and Margaret Woods, of this 
county, and the names and dates of birth of 
their children are; Joseph (1863), Margaret 
(186.5), Annie (1869), George W. (1867. de- 
ceased), Isabella (1871, deceased), Man' (1877, 
deceased), Kate (1879, deceased), Thomas 
(1874), Lewella(1881), Bertha (1883) and Will- 
iam John (1888). Mr. Sproal is a member of 
the K. of P., the A. O. U. W. and the 
Heptasophs. He is a director in the McKee's 
Rocks Loan and Building association, and 
owns a good house and twelve town lots. 

Harry DENNT,merchaut, postoffice Hites, 
was born at Hites, this county, in 18.59, a 
son 01 George Denny, a native of Germany, 
who, with his wife, latter of whom is now 
deceased, was among the pioneers of East 
Deer township. The children of George 
Denny are William, Jennie (Mrs. William 
McFetridge). Annie (Mrs. David Singleton), 
Harry and Mary (Jlrs. John Armstrong). 
Harry embarked in business at Hites. as 
dealer in general merchandise, in 1883, the 
firm being McFetridge, Denny & Co. George 
Denny is still living, aged sixty-one years. 

Elizabeth Christ, farmer, postoflice 
Tarentuin, was born in Germany, came to 
America, and in 1871 married Frederick 
Christ. His parents located in West Deer 
township in an early day, and there Frederick 
was born in 1841. After his marriage Fred- 



erick and his wife located at Hites station, 
East Deer township, but in 1874 removed to 
a farm now owned by their heirs. Mr. Christ, 
by unceasing labor and constant effort, ac- 
quired a handsome competency and one of 
the most desirable properties in Fawn town- 
ship; but continued work and exposure oc- 
casioned an attack of rheumatism, and, after 
long suffering, he died Dec. 33, 1887, a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church. His death is 
lamented by a host of friends and relatives, 
who find consolation in the knowledge that 
he who notes even the sparrow's fall must 
have some design in the fate of one like him. 
His children are Annie Margaret, Elizabeth, 
Anna Mary, Anna Clara and Frederica 
Lisetta. Mrs. Christ is a member of the G. L. 
Church. The widow and children offer the 
following tribute to the memory of the 
departed husband and father; 

A precious one from us has gone, 

A voice we loved is stilled; 
A place is vacant in our iiome 

Wliich never can be filled. 
God, in iiis wisdom, has recalled 

The boon his love had given: 
And though the body molders here, 

The soul is safe in heaven. 

Arthur EnRENsuRGwas born in Petersr- 
nagen, Prussia, Sept. 14, 1830, a son of Ar- 
thur and Ellen Ehrenburg, of same place. 
He was educated at the military school at 
Berlin, and entered the Prussian army in 
1848, served during the war, and then for po- 
litical reasons came to America, locating in 
Chicago, where he served as engineer on the 
L. S. R. R. until 1853. He then removed 
to Pittsburgh, Pa., where his ability as an 
engineer caused him to be appointed super- 
intendent of the erection of the first bridge 
across the Allegheny river, at Sixth and Fed- 
eral streets, and later helped to build the sus- 
pension bridge across the Ohio at Cincinnati. 
In 1863 he answered the call of the president 
of the United States, and raised a company 
of volunteers at the latter place, chiefly com- 
posed of his comrades who served with him 
in the war of 1848 in Prussia. He was a first 
lieutenant in Simmons' battery, Ohio Light 
Artillery, and for gallant services was bre- 
veted captain. He made a most proticient 
artillerist, and lost his left leg at the battle 
of Antietam, in September, 1863. In 1873 he 
died from the effects of his wound, having 
suffered untold agonies in undergoing five 
amputations of said limb. 

Capt. Ehrenburg was one of the noble 
old Prussian soldiers who freely offered and 
eventually delivered up their lives in the 
cause of their adopted country. In 18.53 he 
married Sophia, daughter of Louis and Bar- 
bara Brecht. of Heidelberg, Germany. For 
a number of years previous to his death Capt. 
Ehrenburg and family resided in Mc- 
Keesport, Pa. The flag of Simmons' battery, 
so nobly tipheld during the conflict between 
north and south, and riddled b}' shot and 
shell, is now in possession of the family — a 
souvenir they value more highly than any 
others left by their husband and father. 



002 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Thomas C. Crawfoud was born at Han- 
over, Bedfoi-d county. Pa.. March 7. 1838. 
His parents were of Scotclilrish descent, 
his grandfather havini; been Scotch and his 
grandmother Irish. His fatlier moved with 
his family, while Thomas C. was yet quite 
young. loMossy Creek, Augusta county, Va.. 
where the latter received a common-school 
education. In 1859 our subject came to Penn- 
sylvania, and located in Clinton county. Pa., 
where he followed the trade of iron-worker 
at Washington Iron-works, operated at that 
time l)y .John Fallon. In 1861, at the first 
call, he enlisted for three months in Co. H, 
2d P. V. I., Col. Stambaugh. This regiment 
did duty in Wyncoop's brigade, Banks'.divis- 
ion, in the Shenandoah valley. After the 
expiration of his three months' service Mr. 
Crawford returned home, and re-enlisted j 
under Capt. G. B. Shearer for three years or 
during the war, serving as orderly-sergeant, 
this company being assigned to the 93d P. V. j 
I., then forming at Lebanon. The regiment i 
joined the Army of the Potomac in Novem- 
ber of the same year, and in the spring fol- 
lowed McClellan from Fortress Monroe to 
Fair Oaks, taking part in the battles of Will- 
iamsburg (where the captain was killed), 
Fair Oaks. Savage Station, White Oak 
Swamp and Malvern Hill, during which time 
both lieutenants had left the company, leav- 
ing our subject in command of thirteen men, 
all that was left of the one hundred and one 
who started from Washington city for Rich- 
mond, Va. At Harrison's Landing, Mr. 
Crawford, being seized with fever, was sent 
to New York city, where he lay in Park 
barracks for six weeks, after which he re- 
turned home, and from there was sent to the 
convalescent camp at Ale.xandria, Va., and 
was there detailed, by special order from the 
war department, to assist in classifying and 
organizing all convalescent troops reporting 
to that place. His health again failing, Mr. 
Crawford was mustered out of the service 
and sent home. When Lee invaded Penn- 
sylvania he assisted in raising a company of 
men for the "emergency," and went with 
them as first lieutenant, after which critical 
period he again returned home. Troops 
being then called for for one year's service. 
Mr. Crawford and Charles L. BufHngton, of 
Milesburg, enlisted fifty men, proceeded to 
Harrisburg, joined the 200th regiment, and 
were assigned to Co. F; captain, F. A. 
Hoffman;' first lieutenant, Thomas C. Craw- 
ford; adjutant of regiment, Charles L. Buff- 
ington. They joined the Arm}' of the Po- 
tomac at Bermuda Hundreds, the one-year 
men composing a provisional division, Lieut. 
Crawford being detailed to serve as aid on 
the staff of the general. Charles K. Graham. 
In that capacity, one dark, rainy night, he 
rode into the enemy's lines, but, discovering 
his mistake after being challenged by the 
picket, Ike turned his horse, and amid a storm 
of bullets escaped unhurt. 

Some time after that all the one-year men 
were assigned to the 9th army corps; our 



subject's companj' and regiment, being as- 
signed to the 1st brigade, 3d division, lay in 
winter-quarters in front of Petersburg, Va., 
preparing for the spring campaign. Previous 
to starting out on raid through North Caro- 
lina, the troops were all called out to witness 
the execution of two men who had deserted 
and joined the confederates. On the morning 
of iric-2.")th of March, 186.5, the rebels attacked 
Fori Slc'iidman. and the 200th regiment, lying 
immediately in front of the fort, were the 
first troops to meet the enemy, who had come 
over in full force. From three o'clock until 
eiglit the battle raged furiously, the 200th 
bearing the brunt of the fight at first, losing 
130 men in killed and wounded, Mr. Crawford 
being among the latter, being struck by a 
piece of shell, which completely disabled 
him. This closed his active service in front, 
and afterward he took part with his regiment 
in the grand review at Washington, sub- 
sequently acting as adjutant of his regiment; 
was mustered out shortly afterward, and re- 
turned home; then for several years he fol- 
lowed railroading. In 1872 he came to Mc- 
Keesport,and was engaged with W. D. Wood 
& Co. as a knobbler and hammerman until 
1881, when he was given charge of the forge 
or producing department, in which capacity 
he is still acting. Mr. Crawford is a member 
of Post No. .59, G. A. R., of which he has 
been twice elected commander. 

James Power, farmer, postoffice Eliza- 
beth, is a son of Dr. James and Nancy (Jack) 
Power. Dr. Power was a native of Chester 
county, and settled, in 1805, in this county, 
on the farm now owned by his son James. 
He enjoyed an extensive practice as a physi- 
cian, and died in 1864. James Power is the 
eldest son, and was born July 9, 1821, on his 
present farm, where he has since resided. 
He was married, in 1865, to Mary V., daugh- 
ter of James Humes, of this county, who 
died Jan. 13, 1881, without leaving any chil- 
dren. Mr. Power is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church of Round Hill. 

HoR.iCE G. Rekd, weighmaster National 
Tube-works, McKeesport, is a native of Jef- 
ferson county, Ohio, and was reared and 
educated in Edinburg, Lawrence county. 
Pa. He served an apprenticeship of one 
year at the carpenter's trade, settled in Mc- 
Keesport in 1872, and entered the employ of 
the National Tube-works company as a mill- 
wright in their carpenter department. In 
November same year, he lost his _ right 
arm at the shoulder, by being caught in the 
mill-gearing. After recovering from his 
injuries he was appointed weighmaster in 
the above works, which position he has sat- 
isfactorily filled since. He is a member of 
the Y. M. C. A. and R. A., and is a stanch 
advocate of prohibition. 

J. B. Ayres, foreman of finishing depart- 
ment National Rolling-mill. McKeesport, is 
a native of Philadelphia, where he was 
reared and educated. Subsequently he was 
employed in various mills in different sec- 
tions of the state. He came to McKeesport 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



603 



in 1879, and entered the emploj* of the Na- 
tional Tube-works company, where he has 
since been engaged, having held his present 
position since 1«81. He is a member of the 
Presbj'terian Cliurch and the Heptasophs; 
he is a stanch advocate of prohibition. 

Capt. J. G. Fairfield, pilot, postoffice 
Homestead, was born Sept. 3, 1838, in Lon- 
don, England, where he was educated. At 
the age of sixteen he came to America, and 
for a short time worl^ed in Trenton, N. Y. 
Soon thereafter he came to Pittsburgh, 
worked for a short time for Horner & Rob- 
erts, and, becoming imbued with a taste for 
life on the river, learned to be pilot on the 
steamer .Juniata, Capt. Orr Lysle. After- 
ward he secured an interest in the steamer 
Alexander Foster, which he ran until 1882, 
when he sold out. Since then he has en- 
gaged in the coal business, and sometimes 
yet acts as pilot. Capt. Fairfield has been 
twice married. His first wife, Elizabeth E. 
Robison, died leaving three children: Edgar 
L., Harry W. and Mary E. His present wife 
is Mary E., daughter of John Hess, and tbey 
have two children. Alberta H. and Jessie A. 
Capt. Fairfield is a member of the M. E. 
Church and of the Masonic fraternity, Henry 
M. Phillips Lodge, Monongahela City; he is 
a republican. 

C. K. Brtce, superintendent. Homestead, 
was born .Jan. 21, 1854, on the South Side, 
Pittsburgh. His father, John Bryce, a native 
of Pittsburgh, was of Scotch descent, was 
well known, and served an apprenticeship of 
seven years with Thomas Bakewell to learn 
the glassworker's trade. Subsequently he 
commenced the business for himself, under 
the firm name of Bryce. McKee & Co.. and 
which was afterward changed to Bryce & 
Richards, and then to Bryce, Waken & Co. 
John Bryce was one of the originators of 
the Duquesne Fire company of Pittsburgh, 
and was its president at the time of the big 
fire in 1845. In May, 1879, the firm of 
Bryce, Higbee & Co. established a glass- 
house in Homestead, where they h.ave 
190 hands employed, and were the first 
to use natural gas in the county. Our 
subject entered the glass-factory at the age 
of eleven years, mastered every detail, and 
soon became foreman of the mold depart- 
ment. He came to Homestead fourteen 
years ago, and has been manager of the 
glass-factory since it started. He married 
Emma, daughter of Joseph Doyle, an expert 
glassworker, and they have two children; 
Joe R. and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Bryce are 
members of the E. L. Church: he is a 
republican. 

John Hulton, carpenter, postoffice Hul- 
ton, was born at Hulton, March 17, 1853, a 
son of James and Susanna (Warwick) Hul- 
ton. James was born in Pittsburgh, and set- 
tled at Hulton station with his father, where 
he carried on a large farm, which his father, 
Jonathan Hulton. one of the first settlers, 
took up. James Hulton served one year in 
the civil war held many township offices. 



and died in 1869: his wife, Susanna, was a 
native of Belfast, Ireland. Jonathan Hulton 
owned a large tract of land, and the place 
was named for him. He lost most of it, 
however, contracting on the Allegheny Val- 
ley railroad. Our subject received his 
schooling at Hulton, and at the age of six- 
teen began for himself, working at garden- 
ing for two years. He then learned the car 
penter's trade at Pittsburgh, and for the last 
ten years has been employed in the Verona 
railroad shops. He married, in 1879, Ida 
Virginia Stewart, of Springdale, daughter 
of Robert and Mary (Stodard) Stewart, for- 
mer of whom was born in 1807, and followed 
carpentering, but is now a farmer in Spring- 
dale township; latter was born in Beaver 
county, and died when Ida Virginia was seven 
years old. Mrs. Hulton has three children: 
Harry, Mary and Warwick. They are mem- 
bers of the U. P. Church. Mr. Hulton is a 
republican; is a member of Jr. O. U. A. M. 
and R. A. 

John Alvin Householder, carpenter, 
Verona, was born Nov. 1, 1859, in Armstrong 
county, son of George and Catharine (Zeuver) 
Householder, both natives of Westmoreland 
county, and who live near Kittanniug, for- 
mer of whom is a millwright by trade, but 
follows barn-building; they are members of 
the Presbyterian Church. The grandfather 
of John Alvin was John Householder. Our 
subject received a common-school education, 
and at twenty-two years of age learned the 
carpenter's trade at Kittanning. In 1884 he 
came to Verona, where he has become a 
thorough mechanic. He was married Feb. 
28, 1884, to Mary Elizabeth Shotts, of Arm- 
strong county, daughter of Peter and Maria 
(Bush) Shotts, natives of the same count}', 
former of whom died in 1876, aged fifty-one 
years. Three children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Householder, viz. : Charles 
Howard. Laura Emma and Elmer H. The 
parents are members of the M. E. Church. 
Mr. Householder is a republican, and mem- 
ber of the Carpenters' Union. 

William Alexander Brtans, barber. 
Turtle Creek, was born in Fayette county. 
Pa., Dec. 16, 1845, a son of Ricliard and Eliz- 
abeth (Batch) Bryans, natives of Pennsylva- 
nia. Batch Williams, father of Elizabeth, 
had his name reversed by legislative enact- 
ment; his wife, Nancy, was a daughter of 
Dominick Bradle}', who came from Ireland 
and took upland in Northumberland county. 
Pa., in 1772. When William A. Bryans was 
quite small his father died, and when he was 
twelve years old he was put on a farm with 
William Bri.sbine, in Westmoreland county. 
In 1864 he enlisted in Co. K, 127th U. S. C. 
T., and was attached to the Army of the 
James, serving in the battles of Deep Bot- 
tom, Hatcher's Run, Farmville and front of 
Petersburg and Richmond. After Lee's sur- 
render the regiment went to Texas, and was 
there mustered out in September, 1865, Mr. 
Bryans' discharge bearing date 7th of that 
month. After mining coal for a lime he 



604 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



commenced his present business at Eliza- 
beth, this county, and, after keeping shop at 
Tarentum three years, came to Turtle Oreeli 
in 1875. In addition to tonsorial work he 
deals in newspapers, stationery and tobacco, 
and is very successful. In May. 187(5, he 
married Minnie, daughter of Norman and 
Marj' (Sarver) Bruce, all natives of this 
county, and of their three children only 
William Alexander is living. Mrs. Bryans 
died Jan. 14, 1880. a;;ed twenty-three. Mr. 
Bryans is a member of the 6. A. R., and is a 
K. T. ; he is a republican. 

Henry Taylor McCormick, locomotive 
engineer, Wilkinsburg, was born in Brush 
Valley. Indiana county, Pa., June 19. 1843. 
a son of William and Margaret (Taylor) 
McCormick. also natives of that county. His 
grandfather, a Lutheran Irishman, settled, 
early in the present century, in Pennsyl- 
vania. There being no church of his faith in 
his neighborhood, his .son associated with the 
Presbyterians. Henry was reared on a farm, 
and when sixteen years old became a brake- 
man on the P. R. R. A year later he took 
the position of tireman. and after three years 
in this service was given an engine, and now 
pulls the fast passenger train between Pitts- 
burgh and Altoona. He has been engineer for 
twenly-five years, and has never had an acci- 
dent, though he has had some narrow escapes. 
In 1876, while pulling a train with six hundred 
people en route for the Centennial Exhibition, 
he saved the train from destruction at an 
open switch by staying on his engine, at the 
imminent risk of going over a high embank- 
ment. Mr. McCormick is a republican; a 
member of the Masonic fraternity; his family 
attends the M. E. Church. He married. .June 
18. 1867, Marj^ C. Mclntyre, w-ho was born at 
George's Station, Westmoreland county, a 
daughter of James and Annie (Funk) Mcln- 
tyre, of Scotch and German descent, respect- 
ivel)'. Mrs. McCormick is the mother of 
seven children: Edward Scott (tireman), 
James, William Devore, Mabel, Lottie, Henry 
and Mary. 

Joseph E. Mullin. blacksmith, Verona, 
was born in New Brunswick. Canada, in 
1856, son of Robert and Sarah (Shannon) 
Mullin. His father was a native of Ireland, 
and moved to Canada when he was seventeen 
years old; he was a farmer until 1873, in 
which year he came to the United States, 
where he died in 1883, aged seventy 3-ears. 
The mother of Joseph E. was born in Ireland 
and reared in Scotland, and she now resides 
ill Mahoning county, Ohio. Joseph E. was 
the youngest of five girls and seven boys. 
He received his education in Canada, and at 
the age of seventeen came to Verona, where 
he learned the blacksmith's trade, and which 
he has since followed in the Allegheny Valley 
railroad shops. He was married Nov. 30, 
1873, to Margaret Emily Taylor, a native of 
Indiana county. Pa., daughter of William B. 
and Mary E. (Mares) Taylor, who now re- 
side in Verona. Mr. Mullin has been very 
successful in business, and built his home on 



Center avenue in 1883. He was elected a 
republican member of the council for 1887-88; 
is a member of the K. of P., and has been 
inspector of election. He and his wife are 
members of the M. E. Church. 

Joseph H. Moore, stonemason, Charliers, 
was born in Ireland in 1846, a son of John 
and Catharine Moore, and came to this coun- 
try in 1870. his parents remalniii!; in the old 
country. Tliey have eight children: Samuel, 
Joseph, Ellen J., Sarah. Hamilton, Eu- 
phemia, Margaret and William; the sons 
are all in this county with the exception of 
Hamilton, who resides in Colorado. .Joseph 
H. has been twice married; first, in 18'71, to 
Mary E. Comfort, who died in 1875, at the 
age of twenty-six years, leaving two chil- 
dren-Samuel and Sarah; and second, in 
1878, to Jennie, daughter of Robert Mc- 
Cracken, of this county, and by her he has 
five children: Joseph A.. Jolin S., Ches- 
ter H. and William J. and Jennie (twins). 
Mr. Moore is a trustee in the U. P. Church, 
and is a republican. 

Moses Anderso.n'. engineer, Wilkinsburg, 
was born in Allegheny" City. Pa.. Feb. 9, 
1853. He remained at home till lweut\--ihree 
years old, and then went on the Pennsvlvania 
railroad as fireman. After three and o"nehalf 
years in this service he was given charge of 
an engine, and now makes three round trips 
to Altoona each week, hauling freight. He 
built his present residence on Holmes street, 
near Pittsburgh, in 1885. Dec. 21. 1883, Mr. 
Anderson married Miss Catharine Dessa Mc- 
Mauigal, who was born in Broad Top, Pa., 
a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Van 
Newkirk) McManigal, of Irish and German 
families, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Ander- 
son are members of the U. P. Church. 

John Kr.\dth, butcher. Tarentum. is a 
native of Rottenburg, Germany, born June 
31, 1833, a son of Jacob and Ursula Krauth. 
former of whom died in Germany. The 
widow came to this country with her chil 
dren. and settled, in 1843. at Louisville, Ky., 
where they remained four years; then re- 
moved to Pittsburgh, and thence to Taren- 
tum in 1849. when John commenced busi- 
ness as a butcher. The names of the chil- 
dren are Jacob, of Louisville, Ivy,; Maria, 
who died in Germany; Barbara, now Mrs. J. 
Boyer, of Pittsburgh; John and Fred. .lohu 
married, in 1848, Barbara A. Pause, of Pitts- 
burgh, who was born July 18, 1833, and they 
located in Tarentum, where the}- still live. 
They have one child, John, who was born in 
Tarentum, Dec. 16, 1849. and married Mary 
Nicolas, who was born Aug. 4. 1847. at 
Gross-Baden. Germany, and they now have 
four children, all born at Tarentum; Anna 
Mary, June 16, 1875; Anna Barbara, .Inly 16, 
1877; Clare Mathilde, Sept. 5, 1883. and 
George John, Dec. 5, 1885. All are members 
of the Presbyterian Church. 

Frederic Kr.\uth, butcher. Tarentum. 
is a native of Germany, born Sept. 28. 1826, 
and is a son of Jacob and Ursula Krauth. 
former of whom died in Germanv. The 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



605 



widow came with her children to this coun- 
try, and located at Louisville, Ky. There 
Frederic followed the business of butcher 
for a time, and then removed to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, thence to Pittsburgh, Pa., and thence 
to Kittanning, Pa. . and finally, Aug. 30, 1849, 
to Tarentum. In 1853 he married Miss Fass, 
and established himself in business in Ta- 
reutum, where he reared a family of nine 
children, of whom those living are Charles, 
Fred, George, Maggie. Matilda, now Mrs. 
James Bair, of Leechburg, Pa.; and those 
deceased are William H., Mary N., Kate and 
Benjamin F. Charles married Miss Correll, 
of Tarentum; Fred, Miss Welch, of Taren- 
tum, and Maggie, Mr. Newt. Stewart, of 
Tarentum. 

Jacob Hugo, proprietor of a restaurant 
and saloon, McKeesport, was born near 
Temperanceville, this county, Dec. 18, 1848, 
a son of John A. and Mary E. (EUsesser) 
Hugo, natives of Bavaria, Germany, who 
•settled, in 1845, in this county, where they 
reared a family of six children; Jacob, John 
(deceased), Michael, Lizzie, Mary and Annie. 
Jacob was reared iu the vicinitj'of Pittsburgh, 
and for a number of years followed the oc- 
cupation of a coal-miner. He embarked in 
his present business in McKeesport in 1878, 
and has had a prosperous trade. He has 
been twice married; first to Carrie Abrams, 
by whom he had five children, four living: 
Maggie, Celia, Agnes and Lawrence; his 
second wife is Sarah McDermott, by whom 
he has two children, Hilda and James V. 
Mr. Hugo is a democrat. 

Thomas Glew, blacksmith, Monroeville 
was born in Pittsburgh, iu June, 1837. His 
parents, John and Ann (Hough) Glew, were 
born in Derbyshire, England, came to this 
country about 1833, and, after spending a 
year in Philadelphia, located in Pittsburgh 
until 1838, when they settled in Patton town- 
ship. John was a nailmaker; engaged in 
general blacksmithing, after he came here, 
for many years near Moss Side, and then 
bought a farm, where he died in 1883, aged 
seventy -two; his widow died three years 
later, at the age of sixty-nine. In 1862 he 
joined Col. Allen's regiment of volunteers, 
under Capt. A. L. Pierson, now of Pitts- 
burgh, and after serving nine months, and 
sharing in the battle at Antietam, he was dis- 
charged for disability incurred by exposure 
on that battlefield. When John left the shop 
he was succeeded by Thomas, who had been 
his assistant from youth, and who now owns 
the property, and also a farm of forty-four 
acres, where he resides and conducts a shop. 
In 1869 he married Rachel B., daughter of 
John and Catherine (Leasure) Dougherty, of 
Irish and Huguenot-Swiss descent. The 
Leasure famil)- is a prominent one in West- 
moreland counts'. Mr. and Mrs. Glew have 
five children living: Jennie Luella, Mary 
Brinton, Millie Wilson and Maggie Beattie 
(twins) and Thomas Leasure. The two eld- 
est born, Minnie and John, died of scarlet 
fever at an early age. The family is con- 



nected with the Presbyterian Church. John 
Glew left five sons and six daughters, of 
whom seven are living, Thomas being the 
eldest. The others are Sarah (Ramsey), at 
Homestead; Martha Elizabeth and Annie, 
unmarried, on the home farm; Jonathan Ful- 
ton, nearby; William W., working the farm; 
Susan (Morrison), the second child, died in 
Illinois; John died at the age of twenty- 
two, and George and Mary Ann died in in- 
fancy, the last named being the first born. 

August Braum, butcher. West Elizabeth, 
was born in Ketdorf, Germany, Aug. 3, 1850, 
son of Joseph and Eva Braum. He came to 
America in 1873, settling iu West Elizabeth, 
and in 1873 he married Mary Ann Flido, who 
was born Jlay 5, 1849, a daughter of Ziprion 
and Fredericka Flido, of Morless, Greis, 
Hinfelt, Kurhessen, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. 
Braum have had eight children, all born in 
West Elizabeth: Mary Ann, May 12. 1875; 
Annie Fredericka. Sept. 22, 1876, died July 
19, 1877; August Frank, May 3, 1878: Joseph 
Melcher, Aug. 23, 1879; Charles Williams, 
June 4. 1881; Catherina Augusta, Feb. 11, 
1883, died November 20, 1883; William 
Henry. Aug. 27, 1885; Edward Adam, Feb. 
1(), 1887. Those living all reside with their 
parents. Mr. and Mrs. Braum are members 
of tlie Catholic Church. 

Fred Held, barber, McKeesport, was 
born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Jan. 20, 1863, son of 
Louis and Catherine (Bangert) Held. He 
was reared in McKeesport, and educated in 
the common schools and Normal Academy. 
Learning the barber's trade in his father's 
shop, he worked as a journeyman for five 
years, and then succeeded his father in busi- 
ness (established in 1863) in July. 1887. It 
is the oldest and most successful business 
stand of the kind in the city, and enjoys a 
large and lucrative patronage. Mr. Held 
married, Feb. 12, 1888, Annie M.. daughter 
of Alexander Dietrich, of McKeesport. Our 
subject is a prominent member of the Electric 
Musical and Social Club of McKeesport, of 
which he is treasurer; he is a rep\iblican. 

William Henry Peters, carriage-black- 
smith. Verona, was born July 24, 1855, in 
Allegheny City, where he passed his life until 
1878, when he removed to Verona. His par- 
ents, Christian and Mary Peters, were born 
in Germany, and now reside in Allegheny 
City, the father being employed in a planing- 
mill. When sixteen years old William be- 
gan to learn his trade, and has since followed 
it. He is now in the employ of the Dexter 
Spring company: is a skillful mechanic, and 
enjoys a good salar}'. In 1878 he married 
Louise Zimmerman, who was born in Alle- 
gheny City, of German parents. Mr. Peters 
is a republican, and the family is associated 
with the G. L. Church. There are three 
children— Frederick William, Tillie Molline 
and Mamie Molline. 

Joshua Wiltshire, blacksmith, Boston, 
was born in England in 1829. In 1873 he 
came to this country and settled in Pitts- 
burgh. In April, 1873, he removed to Boston. 



606 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



In July, 1884, he left Boston and went lo 
Sampson's Mill, where he engaged in general 
blacksmithing and wagoninaking. Here he 
remained until 1880, when he returned to 
Boston, where he bought propert3', and is 
now carrying on the blacksmithing business. 
When Mr. Wiltshire removed from Sanip- 
.son's Mill he left his son, Joshua C. lo carry 
on the business there for himself. The latter 
has had a new house, shop, etc., built at 
C^liristy Park, whither he removed in 1889, 
and where he is carrying on the old business. 
Mr. Wiltshire was married, in England, to 
Miss Frances Collett, who died in 1871, leaving 
two children, Joshua C. and Emily IL, now 
deceased. For his second wife Mr. Wiltshire 
married Mrs. Sarah Ann Miller, of Boston, 
who died in 1884 without children. Mr. 
Wiltshire married for the third time, taking 
as his partner Mary, daughter of John 
Miller, of the Pike. Mr. and Mrs. Wiltshire 
are members of the M. E. Church of Boston. 

Peteu May, butcher, Verona, is a son of 
Johann and Elizabeth May, and was born in 
Reifelbach, Germany, Jan. 14, 1846. When 
seventeen years old he left home and came 
to America. In 1864, having spent a year in 
Pittsburgh, he went to Dravosburg. and 
learned the butcher's trade, and in 1870 es- 
tablished business at Armstrong station, in 
Verona township, where he purchased and 
still owns property. On the 12th of May, 
188.5, his buildings were destroyed by fire, and 
he came to Verona and built the fine brick 
structure on James street, which he occupies 
as a residence and market. In 1874 he mar- 
ried Caroline Porr.who was born at the same 
place as himself. The famil)' attend the 
Presbyterian Church, as the best accessible 
representative of the G. R. Church. Four 
of the children are dead, and five are living: 
Otto, Henry, Peter, Albert and Cora Helen. 
Mr. May is a republican. 

CiiAULES W. Bock, farmer, was born in 
this county in 18,55, a son of Charles F. and 
Elizabeth (Haudenshield) Bock. He was 
educated at the public schools in this county, 
and owns the homestead farm, consisting of 
sixty -one acres. He was married, in 1878, to 
Elizabeth Klinzing, daughter of Henry and 
Catherine E. (Port) Klinzing, and four chil- 
dren have been born to them: Walter H., 
Amber E., Lynette C. and Ethel Margaret. 
Mr. Bock has always resided on the place 
since he was seven years of age, and as a 
farmer has been successful. He and family 
are members of the Presbyterian Church; he 
is a republican. 

Thomas Patterson, machinist, McKees- 
port, was born in Jedburgh, Koxburghshire, 
Scotland, March 5, 1845, a son of Peter and 
Isabella (Burn) Patterson. He was reared in 
his native town, where he served an appren- 
ticeship of five years at the machinist's trade. 
He went to England in January, 1866, and 
June 1, 1870, landed in New" York city, 
where, for three months, he was employed 
in the machine-shops of ,1. M. &. P. Jackson. 
He then went to Boston, Mass., and, October 



15th, engaged with the National Tube-works 
company, in whose employ he has since 
been. He came to McKeesport in 1872, and 
since 1882 has been foreman of machinery in 
the lap-weld mill. He married. Feb." .5, 
1870. Isabella, daughter of David and Mary 
J. (Rosethorn) Lee, of Westmoreland, En- 
gland, and has had ten children: Mary J., 
Isal)ella R., Peter, Thomas H. (deceased), 
Elizabeth K.. John, David L., Jessie T., 
James G. and George A. Mr. Patterson is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, K. of P., 
K. of H. and Caledonian Club; he is a re- 
publican. 

Michael Henry Leonard, blacksmith, 
Turtle Creek, was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, 
Nov. 1. 18.54. His parents, Matthew and 
Kate (Mason) Leonard, natives of Ireland, 
died at Irwin, Pa., the former in 187.5, aged 
seventy-two years, and the latter in 1866, 
aged fifty-two. They came to America about 
1852, and the father was employed as a la- 
borer. Michael had little opportunity for 
acquiring an education, and went to his 
trade when sixteen years old. Of this he 
became master, and opened a shop at Turtle 
Creek in 1880. He has been successful, and 
now owns his shop and two dwellings in the 
village. He and his family are members of 
the Roman Catholic Church. In 1876 he 
married Maggie McCallum, a native of Port 
Perry, and a daughter of John and Hannah 
McCallum, of Irish bii th. Following are the 
names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Leonard: Annie, John, Katie and Mary 
(twins). 

John F. Bock, butcher. Green Tree, was 
born in Allegheny county, Pa., in 1846. He 
is a son of Charles F. Bock, who was born 
in 1818 in Saxony, and married Elizabeth 
Haudenshield. daughter of Samuel Hauden- 
shield, of this county. Ten children were 
born to this union, of whom John F. is the 
eldest; five of these children are now living. 
The father died in 1863, the mother in 1879, 
aged tiftj-seven years. John F. was edu- 
cated at the public schools in this county 
and reared a farmer. He resided in Colum- 
biana county, Ohio, four years, and since 
1884 has been successfully engaged in butch- 
ering. He married, in 1873, Minnie Wertz, 
daughter of Gottlieb Wertz. of this county, 
and they are the parents of seven children: 
Harrison, Charles G., Ella May, George 
Elmer, John C. Howard and Bessie, ilr. 
Bock is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. He is a Mason, a member of the 
A. O. U. W., and a republican. 

Zechariah Zacharias, machinist, Verona, 
was born in Nautyglo, Monmouthshire. Wales, 
in 1837. but lived in Pontypool from boyhood 
until he came to America. When eleven 
years old he was emploj'ed in an iron-foun- 
dry, and has followed iron-work ever since, 
educating himself by private study. In 1861 
he arrived in Pittsburgh, with about four 
sovereigns in his pocket, and soon found em- 
ployment there. For the last twenty-four 
years he has been employed bj' the Alle- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



607 



ghenj- Valley Railroad company. He is the 
owner of two lots, on which he built a house 
in 1879, and brought his family to Verona. 
He also owns a lot and two houses in Pitts- 
burgh. The family are associated with the 
Welsh Congregational Church in Pittsburgh, 
and Mr. Zacharias is a republican. He was 
married, in 1865, to Margaret Thomas, a na- 
tive of Cardiganshire, Wales, and they have 
two children: Jesse Walker and Ellen Maud. 

James Alexander Doran, engineer, 
Wilkinsburg, was born at Wilmore (then 
Jefferson), Cambria county, Pa., Sept. 2, 1840, 
a son of James and Mary (Kennedy) Doran, 
of County Longford, Ireland. James Doran 
came to America and settled near Philadel- 
phia when sixteen years old, the mother of 
the latter being deceased. When James at- 
tained manhood he was employed in the con- 
struction of state roads and canals, and event- 
ually settled on a farm in Cambria county. 
He died there in February, 1888, at the age of 
eighty-two; his widow still resides there, aged 
seventy-nine. They had thirteen children, 
three-being older than James and his twin 
brother Patrick. James A. remained on the 
farm until he was eighteen years old, when 
he secured a position as freight-brakeman on 
the Pennsylvania railroad. He was rapidly 
promoted, being given charge of a train at 
the end of seven months, and three months 
later he became fireman. After firing for 
less than a year, he was promoted to engineer, 
and now runs the fast express from Pitts- 
burgh to Altoona. He bought a house 
in Wilkinsburg, whither he moved in 1871, 
and in 1885 he built the handsome brick 
residence which he now occupies. He is a 
member of St. James' R. C. Church, and an 
active worker in the democratic party. In 
1870 he married Mary, daughter of Richard 
and Theresa Sharp, descendants of the early 
German settlers at Lilly's station, on the 
Pennsylvania railroad. Mr. Doran's children 
are named, in order of birth: Maggie, Gene- 
vieve, Theresa. William, Joseph, Paul, Louis 
and Legoria. 

Robert Logan, bricklayer, McKeesport, 
was born in Elizabeth township, this county, 
Jan. 28. 1831, a son of Isaac and Rachel 
(Morton) Logan. His paternal and maternal 
grandfathers, Robert Logan and James Mor- 
ton, were both natives of Ireland, of Scotch 
ancestry, and were among the pioneers of 
the county. The grandmother of our sub- 
ject, in the early days of the county, was 
captured and scalped by the Indians, and 
left for dead, but recovered, and lived to rear 
a family. Isaac Logan was a shoemaker, 
but followed the trade of stonemason most 
of his life in Elizabeth township, where he 
died in 1875, aged seventy-two years. He 
was three times married, and was the father 
of eighteen children. The subject of these 
lines was reared and educated in Elizabeth 
township, served an apprenticeship of three 
years at the bricklayer's trade in McKees- 
port. and has been a resident of that borough 
since 1873. In 1853 he married Melinda, 



daughter of Benjamin and Susan (Campbell) 
Boyd, of Elizabeth townshii), and by her had 
eight children: Joseph, John, Susan, Edward. 
Benjamin, Robert, George and Effa. Mr. 
Logan is a member of the First M. E. Church, 
and is a prohibitionist. 

Jonah Mathias, roller. McKeesport, was 
born at Rumney, South Wales, Jan. 4, 1838, 
a son of David and Margaret Mathias. He 
was reared in his native county, and first 
came to America in 1857, locating in Wheel- 
ing, Va., where he resided until 1860, and 
then returned to Wales. He came back to 
the United States in 1873, and located in 
Allegheny, where he worked as a heater 
until 1877. He then removed to McKeesport, 
where he has since been employed as a roller 
in the United States Tin-Plate works. Mr. 
Mathias is a thrifty and enterprising citizen, 
and has accumulated considerable property. 
He has contributed toward the growth and 
development of the city by erecting several 
dwelling-houses, besides the handsome resi- 
dence in which he lives, on Mathias street, 
named in his honor. He is a member of the 
Welsh Congregrational Church of Pitts- 
burgh, and is a republican. 

Samuel R. Pkazier, heater, McKee's 
Rocks, is a son of Matthew P. and Sarah 
Frazier, and was born in Armstrong county. 
Pa., in 1855. His lifework thus far has been 
in the iron-mill. He came to this county in 
1860, and still resides in Stowe township. 
Matthew P. died March 14, 1876, at the age 
of fifty years; his widow is living with her 
son, Samuel; they had five children, viz.: 
Mary (deceased), William I., Samuel R., 
Joseph and Harry. Samuel R. was married, 
Nov. 11, 1880, to Mary, daughter of James 
and Margaret Cole, and they had four chil- 
dren: JamesC. (deceased), Samuel R., Walter 
L. and Harry L. Mr. Frazier is a Freemason 
and a member of the Amalgamated associa- 
tion. He owns a beautiful home in Stowe 
township, adjoining the village of McKee's 
Rocks. 

W. S. Smith, liveryman, Elizabeth, is a 
son of Robert and Caroline (Black) Smith, 
natives of this county, and was born in 1836 
in Forward township. He followed the 
occupation of a farmer until 1877, when he 
established his present livery business in 
Elizabeth borough, but has lived here since 
1859. In 1863 he enlisted in the 14th P. V. 
C. and served until the close of the war, 
acting as sergeant of his company. He mar- 
ried, in 1859, Alvira McCune, daughter of 
James McCune, of this township, and 
they have five children living: Robert M., a 
commercial traveler, of St. Louis; James 
Edwin. RoseMav. Caroline B. and Harry S., 
all at home. Mr. Smith is a member of 
Joseph Stevens Post, No. Ill, G. A. R. Mrs. 
Smith is a member of the M. E. Church. 

Alexander Mader, proprietor of restau- 
rant, Verona, was born in Canton SchafE- 
hausen, Switzerland, Aug. 23,1838,son of Hen- 
ry and Annie (Fletcher) Mader. His father 
died in 1865, aged fifty-nine years; his mother 



608 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



lives in Pittsburgh. Alexander Mader came to 
Shnrpsburg, this county, in 1863, and worked 
upon a farm for one year. Aug. 12, 1864, 
he cnli.'ited in Co. E. 3d regiment P. C, and 
after passing through a few engagements was 
seized with typhoid fever; was confined to 
the military hospital for some time, and dis- 
charged in July, 186.J. He then worked for 
eleven years in the oilworks, and five years 
for A. Lious & Co., oilrotiners. He ne.\t 
opened a saloon in Sharpsburg. and one year 
later moved to Verona. He was married in 
1806 to Maggie, daughter of Alexander and 
Annie Rusenberger, and to them have been 
born three children: Annie, Christopher and 
Ada. The family are members of the P. Ev. 
Church. Mr. Mader is a republican; member 
of the I. O. O. F., G. A. R, the Orangemen 
and Swiss Relief society. He has a house 
and lot in Sharpsburg, and a business corner 
at Verona. 

James M. McCdtcheon, postmaster and 
merchant. Moon, was born on the old home- 
stead in Findlay township. May 18,1843, a son 
of Alexander and Rachel (McCoy) McCutch- 
eon, former of whom was born in Ireland, 
Oct. 10. 1804. When a young man Alexan- 
der came to Findlay township, and soon after 
his marriage purchased the old farm there, 
where he died, and where his widow still 
resides. They had five sons and two daugh- 
ters: James M., Claudius (deceased at age of 
twenty-one), Alexander (in Findlay town- 
ship), Sarah (wife of Joseph McCleaster, in 
Moon township), Margaret (wife of .Joseph 
A. Bedford, in Sharon, Moon townsliip), John 
and Thomas (Findlay township). James M. 
farmed until 1886, when he purchased his 
present store at Moon, and March 1, 1886, was 
appointed postmaster. He married, June 9, 
1863, Jennie Crane, who was born in Beaver 
county. Pa., a daughter of Daniel and Re- 
becca (McCartney) Crane. Mr. and Mrs. 
McCutcheon are the parents of three children: 
Claudius, Stella (born July 9, 1873, died Jan. 
13, 1888; she was an earnest Christian, and 
her death was a most beautiful and Christian- 
like revelation to many who witnessed it; just 
before her death, although too weak to hold 
up her head, she, with others, sang " Rock of 
Ages," and "Jesus, Lover of my Soul;" her 
dying request was for her classmates to meet 
her in heaven), and Alexander G. Mr. Mc- 
Cutcheon is a member of the O. U. A. M. 
He and his wife are members of Sharon 
Presbyterian Church. 

Louis Stipe, boatman, postoflSce Char- 
tiers, son of August (a miner) and Augusta 
Stipe, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1855. 
August Stipe came to Pittsburgh from Ger- 
many in 1852. He was the father of three 
children, Julius P.. Henrietta (deceased) and 
Louis, and died on the daj' Louis was born. 
His widow married, in 1857, Adam Dewalt, 
a farmer of this county, and by this marriage 
there were four children: William, Adam J,, 
Jacob and John (deceased). Louis Stipe 
commenced boating in 1872, which he has 
followed most of the time since, a part of the 



time engaged on a steamboat from Pittsburgh 
to Xew Orleans. Dec. 29, 1879, he met with 
a very serious accident on the towlioat 
Smoky City, when he had both legs broken, 
and was otherwise injured. He was unable to 
work for more than a year, and has never 
fully recovered from the elTeels. 

Daniel A. Fauley. foreman welding de- 
partment National Tube-works. McKees- 
port, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. 6, 
1851, a son of John and Sarah (Stuart) Far- 
ley. He was reared and educated in Boston, 
Mass., where he was engaged in pipemaking 
for several years, beginning at the age of 
fourteen. In 1870 he entered the employ of 
the National Tube-works company in Bos- 
ton, Ma.ss., as roll-hand and furnaceman, at 
which he continued in that city up to 1873. 
He then came to McKeesport, in the interest 
of the same firm, and followed the above oc- 
cupation until 1878, from which time until 
1887 he was assistant foreman in the welding 
department of their works. In Ma)', 1887, 
he was appointed foreman of that depart- 
ment, which position he has since satisfac- 
torily tilled. He married, March 1, 1870, 
Sarah, daughter of John and Bridget (Mc- 
Devitt) Friel, of Boston, Mass., and has six 
children living: Sarah, John, Nicholas, Will- 
iam, Rose and Daniel. Mr. Farley and fam- 
ily are members of the Catholic Church; po- 
litically he is a democrat. 

FiNLET McIntosh, merchant. Turtle 
Creek, was born near the famous battlefield 
of Culloden, Scotland, in 1848. a son of Alex- 
ander and May Mcintosh. He was reared a 
farmer and shepherd, and worked for some 
time as a coal-miner. In the fall of 1871 he 
came to America, and the next spring settled 
in Allegheny county, where he mined coal 
until failing health compelled him to aban- 
don that occupation. One year later he com- 
menced peddling goods, and went in del)t 
fifty-seven dollars for a horse for that pur- 
pose; his wife at the same time kept a little 
store to help along. They prospered, and in 
1884 bouglit laud, and erected the fine store- 
building, two stories and basement, and the 
dwelling which they now occupy in Newtown. 
The stock of general merchandise is valued 
at over S13.000. In 1874 Mr. Mcintosh mar- 
ried Annie Anderson, who was born in Dun- 
fermline, Scotland, and they have four living 
children: John Alexander, Annie May, Harrj' 
and Grace. David, the second child, died in 
infancy. The family is connected with the 
U. P. Church. 

RoBEKT Ralston. Wilkinsburg, was born 
in Salem township. Pa., in 1833. His grand- 
father, John Ralston, came from Ireland in 
or about 1789. James, son of the latter, was 
then three j'ears old. He married Catharine 
Stewart, and settled in Penn township, this 
couutj-, in 1838. He died in 1801, aged sev- 
en ty-t]ve; his widow in 1865. both members 
of the Bculah Presbyterian Church: they had 
six children, of whom Robert is the youngest. 
He passed his early life on the farm, anij re- 
ceived but little schooling. When of age he 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



609 



went to Fort Wayne, Ind. In 1858 he was 
in Central Iowa, where he engaged in farm- 
ing, and on returning to Allegheny counts- 
was employed as watchman at Oakland for 
sis .years. He engaged in farming near 
Pardassus and Sandy Creek, and settled, in 
1876, in Sterrett township, where he pur- 
chased his present home. He engaged in 
farming for some years, and is now watch- 
man at the Phcenix Crucible-works at Brush- 
ton station. In ISSS Mr. Ralston married 
Margaret Beatty, a native of Washington 
county, daughter of Jameson and Margaret 
(Mclntyre) Beatty. of Scotch descent. Mr. 
Ralston is a republican, and lias been super- 
visor of Sterrett two years. 

J.\coB Dewalt, farmer, poslofSce Castle 
Shannon, was born in 1816, in Borchen, Ger- 
many, son of Jacob and Catherine (Shram) 
Dewalt, also natives of CTcrmany. Their 
children were Peter, David. Adam, Jacob, 
Catherine, Caroline, Elizabeth and Mrs. 
Mary Heine (who is still living in Germany). 
Of these Jacob came to America in 1837, and 
for a time worked on the canals and rivers. 
Later he turned liis attention to farming, 
was successful, and now owns eighty acres of 
land in Baldwin township; he married Cath- 
erine Kine, and their children are John and 
Peter (twins), William, George and Mrs. Mary 
Handenstein. Mr. and Mrs. Dewalt are 
members of the G. L. Church, in which he 
has held several offices. He is a democrat, 
and has filled various township offices. 

Simon Vetteb, farmer, postoffice Verona, 
was born in Kirche Oberamt Geislingen, 
Stuttgart, Germany, in 1832, a son of 
Charles and Ursula (Schneider) Vetter. The 
father was a wagon-maker, and gave his 
son a fair education. When fifteen years 
old Simon was apprenticed to the black- 
smith's trade, which he followed until he 
came to America, in 1849. For nearly twenty 
years he dug coal in this county, and in 
1867 he bought his present farm of fifty 
acres. In 1854 Mr. Vetter married Elizabeth 
Vetter, wlio was born in the same city as 
himself, but is no relation, and they have 
five children, all at home: Jacob, Simon, 
Henry, Maria and John. Mr. Vetter is a re- 
publican; the family are associated with the 
Evangelical Church. 

William Franklin Youngk, carpenter, 
Wilkinsburg, was born in Beaver township. 
Forest county, Pa., Aug. 25, 1859. His 
parents, Peter and Catharine (Weant) 
Youngk, were born in Hesse-Cassel, Ger- 
many, married in this country, and in 1864 
settled on the farm where they now live, in 
Forest county. There William F. was reared 
and educated as a farm-boy. When nineteen 
years old he went to learn his trade with J. 
A. Wilson, at Butler, and a j'ear later moved 
with him to Wilkinsburg. Wheu the firm of 
L. A. Raisig & Co. was established, in 1886, 
he became a member of the same, and now 
looks after the workshop. He is a member 
of Trinity Reformed Church, the Jr. O. U. 
A. M., K. of P., and is a democrat. 



Christian Lampe, huckster and gardener, 
postoffice Pittsburgh, Thirty-fifth ward, was 
born in Prussia, in 1837, son of Christian and 
Amelia Lampe. Christian immigrated to 
America in 1854, and located in Butler county. 
Pa. ; then came to Allegheny county and en 
gaged in farming, afterward in huckstering, 
which he continued to follow for fourteen 
years. In 1884, he purchased his present 
place, originally the property of Mr. Hales- 
mens, comprising eighteen acres. Mr. Lampe 
was married in 1878 to Mrs. Susan Burk, nee 
Steel, sister of Hon. Samuel Steel, and to 
them was born one son, named Samuel C. In 
1861 Mr. Lampe enlisted in Co. D, 149th Pa. 
Regt., and for three years was in the service. 
He is a member of the G. L. Church ; is a 
republican. 

JOTHAM Whitlatch, tooltcmpeier, Ve- 
rona, was born in Waynesburg, Pa., in 
1848, son of David (a farmer) and Anna 
(Coen) Whitlatch, natives of the same place. 
They moved in 1853 to Wood county, W. 
Va., where the father now resides. They 
were the parents of ten children, viz. ; 
Josephus, Margaret, Jotham, Mary, William, 
Anna, Moses, Dora, James and Ora. The 
mother died Nov. 23, 1884, a member of the 
Baptist Church, of which the father is also a 
member. Jotham Whitlatch received his 
education in the common scliools of New 
England. At nineteen years of age he spent 
three months in the oil-regions, drilling. 
He then worked two years at Parkersburg, 
W. Va., at the cooper's trade; then went to 
Missouri and Kansas, and on steamer down 
the Ohio river from Pittsburgh to Natchez, 
Miss. Upon coming to Verona he worked 
about seven months in the roundhouse, and 
then entered the toolworks, where he has 
since been. He is an active member of the 
I. O. O. F. and R. A. Mr. Whitlatch was 
married, May 8, 1879, to Robina Harvey, a 
native of the Orkney islands, Scotland, born 
in 1856, a daughter of Robert and Amelia 
Harvey, who are still living in Scotland. 
Her grandfather was a Scotch farmer, and 
was captured by a French man-of-war, and 
kept a prisoner for eight years; he and tliree 
others were all that lived to get out of that 
prison. Mr, and Mrs. Whitlatch are mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. 

Patrick Doran, engineer, Wilkinsburg, is 
a twin brother of James A. Doran, whose 
sketch appears elsewhere. His youth was 
passed on the home farm, and when twenty 
j'ears old he secured employment as fireman 
on the Pennsylvania raifroad. After serving 
in this capacity a little over two .years, he 
took charge of an engine, and for over 
twenty years has been running passenger- 
trains; at present the fast express-trains be- 
tween Pittsburgh and Altoona. Onlj' one 
accident has occurred in his career, but no 
loss of life. On a foggy night he ran into 
the rear of a freight-train with the Pacific 
Express, causing the demolition of a few 
cars. At one time the boiler of his engine 
exploded while on the track at Thirty-third 



610 



HLSTOltY OF ALLEOHENy COUNTY. 



street. In 1875 Mr. Doran married Miss 
Mary H. Williams, a native of Chester 
county. Pa., and daughter of David and 
Ellen Williams, of Ireland. Following year 
they took up their residence at Wilkinsburg, 
and later bouglit the house in which tliey 
reside. Their cliildren are Edward Pius, 
Vincent Joseph, John Lavrrence, Mary 
Eleanor, Thomas Basil. Ruth Christine and 
Agnes Patrice. Mr. and Mrs. Doran are 
communicants in the R. C. Church. Mr. 
Doran is a democrat. 

Frank H. IIiehek, blacksmith, McKee's 
Rocks, a sou of John and Margaret Hieber, 
was born in 1860, in Beaver county. Pa. 
John, who is a farmer, came from Germany 
in 1832, and first located at Etna, this county, 
where he remained several years. He then 
moved to Beaver county, where he married 
Margaret Emerick, of that county, and to 
them were born thirteen children: Frank H., 
Sadie M., wife of Adolph Bauerman; Charles 
J.. George W., David L., Elizabeth M., Han- 
nah D., Albert D., Amelia A., Bertha C. M., 
Herman J. (deceased), Wilson S. and Amanda. 
The parents were members of the Lutheran 
Church. Frank H. Hieber was married. May 
14, 188.5. to Lillie D., daughter of James and 
Maria Nichol, of this county. Mr. Hieber 
learned the trade of blacksmith, and set up 
business for himself in September, 1886. He 
owns a good property in Stowe township, 
consisting of dwelling-house and a large 
blacksmith-shop. He is a meralier of the 
Heptasophs, the Jr. O. U. A. M. and the F. 
& A. M. He is a Presbyterian. 

Charles Rufus Church, engineer, Turtle 
Creek, eldest son of C. R. Church, was born 
in Allegheny City, July 27, 1859. When 
thirteen years old he went into a store at 
Akron, Ohio, as errand-boy, and remained 
there five years, rising to the position of 
salesman. In 1878 he went on the P. R. R. 
as fireman, and for the past six years has 
had charge of a shifting engine at Bessemer. 
He is one of the promising young men of 
Turtle Creek, and is associated with the 
Freemasons and Jr. O. U. A. M. On the 30th 
of February, 1888, he married Delia J. 
Douds. Mrs. Church was born at Saltshurg, 
and is a daughter of James R. and Anna 
(Kuhns) Douds, of Irish and German de- 
scent. 

James Hereon Anderson, carpenter, 
Hulton, the second son of Matthew and 
Sarah (Robinson) Anderson (whose biogra- 
phy appears elsewhere), was born in Alle- 
gheny City, Dec. 15. 18.52. He received his 
education there, and when eighteen years of 
age learned the carpenter's trade, which he 
followed until 1873. He came to Verona 
Dec. 1. 1874, and here kept store for one 
year; from 1880 until 1886 lie worked in the 
Alleghen3- Valley railroad shops; then be- 
gan contracting in house-building, and has 
met with good success. He was married in 
1881 to Margaret Jane McNickle. a niece of 
the Misses Bright,of Verona. and born at Hul- 
ton; her parents now reside in Beaver county. 



Two children have blessed this union, viz.: 
Lucretia and Matthew Allen. Mr. and Mrs. 
Anderson are members of the U. P. Church. 
He is a republican, a member of the .Ir. O. 
U. A. M. and of the Carpenters' Union. 

David Si'enck. steel-roller. McKee's 
Rocks, son of William and Ann Spence, was 
born in Manchester, England, in 1832; came 
to this country in 1865, and to this county in 
1866. In 1868 he brought his parents to 
Pittsburgh, where they died, the father in 
1870, at the age of seventy-five years, and 
the mother in 1871, at the age of seventy- 
eight. They left three children: Mary, 
(widow of William Blumley, of England). 
David and Ann (widow of Samuel Wilson, 
of Ireland). David Spence was first married 
in England, in 1853, to Emma Rowland, and 
by her had two children, Thomas R. and 
Henry R. Mrs. Spence died in England, in 
1865, aged twenty-nine years. His second 
marriage occurred in 1867, with Ann J. Hes- 
lip, who bore him four children: William 
D., Charles W., George K. and Blanche (de- 
ceased). This wife died in 1875, at the age of 
twenty-six years. Mr. Spence's third mar- 
riage occurred in 1879, with Prudence Hes- 
lip, sister of his second wife, and this union 
was blessed with four children : Annie B.. 
Clarence G., Edgar T. and Olive P. Mr. 
Spence has followed steel-rolling for fortj'- 
four years, and has been in the employ of 
the Pittsburgh Steel-works twenty-two years. 
He rolled the wire for the cable for the New 
York and Brooklyn bridge, and is a master 
of his line of business. He is a member of 
the R. A. 

August Roedei., butcher, West View, 
was born Nov. 3, 1832, in Saxony. Germany, 
a son of C'hristof and Johanna (Richter) 
Roedei. His parents reared a family of seven 
children, of whom Charles and August are 
living in America. August came here in 
18.54, settled in Allegheny City, and followed 
his trade of butcher, which he had learned in 
his native country. In 1866 he removed to 
Ross township, where be bought laud and 
engaged successfully in the butcher liusiuess. 
He here married Caroline, daughter of Daniel 
and Magdaleua (Bulz) Morgeustem, and they 
have four children : Mrs, Emma Booth, Mrs. 
Anna Eckert, Mrs. Minnie Kutcher and 
Clara. Mr. Roedei is a republican, and has 
been school director for fifteen years. 

James CLuniNB Mates, brakeman, post- 
offlce Turtle Creek, was born in Wilkius town- 
ship, Dec. 23, 1837. His grandfather. John 
Mates, of German descent, came from Berks 
county to Wilkins township at an early date. 
He had five sons and two daughters. " John, 
the eldest, was born in Wilkins, and died 
there in 1848, aged thirty-seven. His 
widow, Mary, now resides in Turtle Creek, 
and is seventy-one years old. She was the 
daughter of John Clubine, who came from 
Germany and settled in Sewickley. West- 
moreland county, where Mrs. Mates was 
born. Her six children are all living in the 
vicinity, as follows: James Clubine, Fanny 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



611 



(wife of Henry Linhart), John (in Patton 
townsliip), Eliza (wife of John Coolv, in 
Williins), George (iu Patton), Lilali (wife of 
John West, in Plum township). James C. 
remained on the home farm until 1863, when 
he joined Co. A, 101st P. V.. which was 
attached to the Eastern army. The regiment 
was stationed about a j-ear at Roanoke 
island, and Mr. Mates was about five mouths 
laid up in hospital at New Berne and Beaufort. 
He was taken prisoner at Ph'mouth, N. C, 
and lay eleven months in Andersonville 
prison. When finally paroled he was too 
mucli reduced for duty, and came home on 
furlough. By the time he had recovered, 
fighting had ceased, and he was discharged 
in June, 1865. 

In January, 1866, he was married to 
Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Linhart. The 
son of Adam Linhart (Mrs. Mates' ."great- 
grandfather) settled in Wilkins before peace 
was made with the Indians, and his wife was 
often obliged to carry her two children 
through the woods to the blockhouse on the 
Monongahela, to escape the savages. Six 
children bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Mates, viz. : George, James, Mary, Annie, 
Stella and Sidman. John, their sixth child, 
died when two years old. The family attend 
the Lutheran Church. Mr. Mates is a mem- 
ber of the G. A. R., association of prisoners 
of war, and politically a republican. In 
November, 1866, he became a brakeman on a 
coal-train on the Pennsylvania railroad, and 
has continued since in the same occupation. 
In 1887 he built the fine residence in Turtle 
Creek which he now occupies. He also 
owns a house in Wilkins township. 

Luke L. May, gardener, postofEce Char- 
tiers, son of Jacob and Theresa May, was 
born in Allegheny county. Pa., June 18, 18.55, 
and was reared on his father's farm in Stowe 
township, Allegheny county. He married, 
Oct. 14, 1879. Emma T., daughter of Wolf- 
gang and Victoria Martin, of this county. 
Mr. May resides on a part of the old Scully 
farm, now owned by himself, and is en- 
gaged in gardening. 

RicH.\RD Jones, machinist, Verona, was 
born In Llanelly, Curmarthanshire, Wales. 
Feb. 13, 1846, and is the eldest child of 
Thomas and Ann Jones. His parents now 
reside in Pittsburgh, where Mr. Jones is a 
carpenter-contractor. He came to America 
in 1868. His youngest son is in Detroit, and 
the others reside in and about Pittsburgh. 
Following are their names: Catharine (Evans), 
Tabitha (Robbin), Thomas, John J., Isaac, 
David and Hannah. Thomas Sr. 's father, 
Isaac, was a carpenter, and lived to the age 
of ninety-eight. His father, Thomas, farmer 
and poet, was a freeholder, and lived to be 
ninety. When Richard Jones was fifteen he 
went into a machine-shop, and has been an 
iron-worker ever since. From 1868 to 1883 he 
was employed in Allegheny and Pittsburgh, 
and came to Verona in the latter year, and 
built his present residence. He is emploj'ed 
in the Allegheny Valley shops. The family 



are associated with the Baptist Church in 
Pittsburgh; Mr. Jones is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, and a steadfast repub- 
lican. In 1873 he married Sarah Ann Will 
iams, born in Bryn Mawr, Wales, and follow- 
ing are the names of their children: Richard 
Oliver, Cora Mabel. Alberta and Irenseus. 
Elmer, Oscar and William Howard are de- 
ceased. 

George Washington Lonerbaugh, 
butcher, Wilkinsburg, is the eldest child of 
Jacob Lonerbaugh (now a resident of Indiana 
township, this county), by his first wife, Sarah 
Jane (McCouaha) Lonerbaugh. The latter 
died in 1850, when her second child, James 
Edmond, was two weeks old, and James fol- 
lowed her in 1873. George W. Lonerbaugh 
was born in Indiana township, Nov. 9, 1848. 
His grandfather came from Germany, and 
died in Philadelphia, where his son Jacob 
was born. Jacob became a butcher, and set- 
tled iu Indiana township. In August, 1861, he 
entered Co. B, 63d regiment, P. V. I., and 
served as assistant commissary-sergeant till 
the close of the war. He then went on a 
farm, and is now engaged in the wholesale 
stock business. Our subject earlj' began to 
assist his father, and became an expert 
butcher. On reaching his majority he estab- 
lished a meat-market in Wilkinsburg, and 
has been almost continuously in the business 
since. In 1887 he built the shop he oc- 
cupies, on Wood street, and he owns a resi 
dence on Ross street. He is associated with 
the S. of v., Jr. O. U. A. M., I. O. O. F., 
two insurance societies, and, with his wife, 
attends the services of the M. E. Church; 
politically he has always been a republican. 
Jan. 19, 1869, Mr. Lonerbaugh married Miss 
Mary Fair, a native of Allegheny City, 
daughter of Samuel and Isabella Fair, of Ire- 
land, and following are the names of their 
children: George Fair, Lawrence Washing- 
ton (deceased) and Myrtle May. 

Fked Espe, butcher. Homestead, was 
born June 1, 1857, in Mifiiin township, a son of 
August and Caroline Espe. He was reared 
on a farm, and at about the age of seventeen 
learned the butcher's trade thoroughly. In 
1880 he started a butcher business in Pitts- 
burgh, and following year came to Home- 
stead, where he opened a shop and conducts 
a prosperous business. He is a member of 
the L O. O. F., D. O. H. and L O. of H.; po- 
liticallj' he is identified with the republican 
party. Mr. Espe married Emielie Spreycr, a 
native of Ohio, and they have five children: 
Selma L., Elsie P., Albert C. Frederic B. 
and Ada E. 

William Edwards, heater. National 
Rolling-mill, McKeesport. was born in 
Shropshire. England. March 30. 1846. a son 
of Thomas and Ann ( Fletcher) Edwards. He 
was reared in his native country, and for 
eight years served an apprenticeship as a 
puddler and heater. At the age of eight- 
een he had become so proficient in the 
business as to be given charge of a furnace 
in Staffordshire, which he conducted two 



612 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



years, after wbicb lie workcil at bis trade in 
(liffereul parts of England np to 1879. He 
then came to America, located in McKees- 
port, and entered llie employ of the National 
Tube-works company, as a heater in the roll- 
ing-mill, which position he has since held. 
He married, Dec. 29. 1868, Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of Jonathan and Ann (Turner) Cook, of 
Worcestershire. England, by whom be had 
ten children: Ann E., Rboda J., Ellen, Will- 
iam (deceased), Florence, Lillie, ^linnie, 
Percy, Frederick and Lizzie (deceased). Mr. 
Edwards is a member of St. George's society. 
Foresters and the Amalgamated association; 
be is a republican. 

Henry Ham.mond, assistant foreman of 
threading department Kational Tube-works, 
McKeesport, was born in Germany. Oct. 11, 
1846, a son of Christian and Anna (Meyers) 
Hammond. He was reared and educated in 
bis native town, and for eleven years was a 
sailor. He came to America in 1870, and 
located in Boston, Mass., where be entered 
the employ of the National Tube-works com- 
pany; came to McKeesport in 1872 in the in- 
terests of the same company, and since 1877 
has held his present position in their works 
here. He married, in 1878. Agnes, daughter 
of George and Agnes (Muirhead) Ramsay, of 
Dundee, Scotland. by whom he has three chil- 
dren living: Agues, Harry and Mabel. He is 
a member of the C. P. Church, also a mem- 
ber of Iron Castle, No. 81, A. O. K. of the 
Mystic Chain, and is a republican. 

William Jacob Trotter, florist, Verona, 
was born in Yorkshire, England, Sept. 16, 
1827, a son of William and Anna (Bainbridge) 
Trotter. When fifteen years old be was em- 
ployed in a press-shop (for pressing dress- 
goods), and continued in that occupation 
until he came to America, in 1854. He had 
contemplated this change for someyears.and 
at once joined relatives in this vicinity. Here 
he engaged as gardener, and has given his 
attention for many years to the propagation 
of useful and ornamental plants. He has 
still a small greenhouse at his residence on 
Centre avenue, in which are some rare plants. 
In 1858 Mr. Trotter married Isabella Parker, 
a native of Allegheny City. Her parents, 
William and Isabella (McCauley) Parker, 
came from Ireland, and engaged in farming 
at Verona. Mr. Trotter was one of the or- 
ganizers of the U. P. Church here, and is a 
member of the Royal Arcanum. He has 
served as treasurer of the school board, mem- 
ber of the borough council and four years as 
street commissioner. Politically be is a re- 
publican. The si.\ living children of this 
family all reside in Verona: Annie (Mrs. 
William Kennedy), Mary (wife of J. H. 
Dible), Sarah, Amy, William Featherstone 
and Felicia. Letitia, the third child, died at 
the age of twenty-one. ) 

D. R. McKee, farmer, postoffice McKees- j 
port, was born in North Versailles, a son of 
David S. and Julia A. McKee, the latter a 1 
daughter of George Craig, who was born in 
Versailles township in 1821. David S. McKee 



was also a descendant of one of the old fam- 
ilies of Allegheny county. They married Feb. 
13, 1845, and located on the farm in North 
Versailles township. To them were born ten 
children; Matilda J. (now Mrs. McClintock, 
of South Versailles), David !{., Mary E. (de- 
ceased), William A. (deceased), Joseph O. (a 
physician of note in McKeesport), James M., 
George T., Robert A. (deceased), John F. (de- 
ceased) and Annie M. Mr. McKee had been 
identified with the township in various official 
positions, and was collector for a number of 
years. He died in May, 1871. a member of 
the U. P. Church. Mrs. "McKee is still living 
on the old homestead, also a member of the 
U. P. Church. The subject i>r(>per of this 
memoir is engaged as a farmer and dairyman, 
finding a market for his products at McKees- 
port. 

John Story, postoffice Castle Shannon, 
was born June 7, 1822, in Greenock, Ren- 
frewshire, Scotland, the son of John and 
Margaret'(Lindsey) Story. The parents, who 
were natives of Edinburgh, Scotland, spelled 
the name Storrie, and the father was a glass 
cutter and an educated man. Our subject 
came to America in 1849; worked as a glass 
cutter and engraver in New York city^aud 
in Boston; was in business for himself seven 
years, and in 1867 came to Pittsburgh, 
where be followed his trade. He married, 
in Glasgow, in 1846, Helen, daughter of 
Moses and Minnie (Brown) Mitchell, and 
they have bad six children, three of whom sur- 
vive, viz.: Mrs. Elizabeth Hurrell, Mrs. 
Margaret Miles and John W. Mr. Story is 
a very efficient workman; has followed his 
trade with considerable success, and has in- 
vented a number of useful articles. He and his 
wife are members of the Baptist Church. 
When the village of Castle Sliannon was laid 
out. Mr. Story bought the first two lots that 
were sold, and built the first bouse there. He 
is an A. F. & A. M., and is a republican. 

A. G. Miller, farmer, postoffice Port 
Perry, a son of Col. W. L. and Jane T. 
Miller, was born in Fayette county. Pa., in 
1830. Col. Miller was formerly one of the 
prominent men of Fayette county, an iron- 
manufacturer, and received his title of col- 
onel from the fact that be organized a com- 
pany of soldiers during the war of 1812. He 
served as a delegate to the constitutional 
convention of 1838, and is said to have been 
the youngest member of that representative 
bod}'. He was a gentleman of sterling 
worth and honesty in business relations. In 
1837 he removed to what is now North Ver- 
sailles township, this county, where he be- 
came owner of a large tract of land near 
what is now the town or village of Port 
Perry, and he it was who laid out P.irt Perry 
and made the village what it is. His pur- 
chase there consisted of a large tract of coal- 
land; be erected works, built railroads, but 
disposed of the coal early in life; was a con- 
tractor and builder, but devoted his last 
years to agriculture. The colonel was the 
father of nine children, four of whom are 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



G13 



now living: George T., Mary P. (wife of 
William F. Knox, M. D., of McKeesport), 
Kale (deceased wife of Rev. John M. Has- 
tings, of Westchester, Pa.), Phebe A. (Mrs. 
Cooper, in McKeesport) and A. G. Col. 
Miller died in 1867, his wife in 1862. 

Charles Bachman, clotbier, McKeesport, 
is a native of Rhina, near Hesse-Cassel, 
Germany, where he. was reared and edu- 
cated. He came to America in 1881, when 
nineteen years of age, and located iu Balti- 
more, Md., where he held the position of 
clerk in the leading clothing-stores of that 
city until 1885. He then engaged as travel- 
ing salesman for a prominent wholesale 
clotliing-house of Cincinnati, Ohio, his field 
being Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas, in 
which he showed first-class ability, and with 
which house he was connected until Jan. 1, 
1887. He then represented a prominent 
Baltimore firm in the same capacity, and iu 
the same territory, for fourteen mouths. 
March 1, 1888, he located in McKeesport, and 
opened the Golden Eagle Clothing-house 
with a stock unequaled in Western Pennsyl- 
vania, and, though but recently established 
in the city, has already the reputation of 
being one of the leading merchants in his 
line in the city. 

RoBBKT Miller, blacksmith and livery- 
man,Tarentum,was born on Glade run, Butler 
county. Pa., in 1830, son of Silas and Eliza- 
beth Miller, former of whom was a soldier in 
the war of 1812. They eventually came to 
Tarentum, where the parents died. Their 
children were Margaret, Abigail, Joseph, 
William, Silas and Robert. Our subtect 
married, in 1849, Mary A., daughter of John 
Vance, of Tarentum, and engaged in busi- 
ness as blacksmith on the place now owned 
by him in Tarentum, and to which he has 
recently added a livery -stable. Two children 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller: 
John, who died when three i ears old, and 
Frank J., who learned telegraphy, and at the 
time of his death, which occurred when he 
was twenty-seven years of age, was an oper- 
ator. The parents are members of the R. P. 
Church. 

jAiiES W. MoFPiTT, carpenter, Wilkins- 
burg, was born near Cootehill, County Ca- 
van, Ireland, March 20, 1824. His father, 
Robert Moffitt, was a native of County Ar- 
magh, aud his mother, Rebecca, a relative 
of her husband, of the same patronymic, was 
born in the same town-land as her son. The 
latter, reared on a farm, became a house- 
carpenter, and came to America in 1846. 
After living two years in Allegheny Citj;, he 
moved to Philadelphia, and there remained 
till 1863. For over nineteen years he lived 
in one house in Allegheny. In the spring of 
1886, with his sons, he built a house on the 
lot in Wilkiusburg purchased by William 
(the second), and since then the family have 
dwelt here. The father and two eldest sons 
are engaged iu contracting and building. 
In June, 18.53, Mr. Motfltt married Clarissa 
H. Taylor, a native of Allegheny, Pa., and 



a daughter of William and Jane Morton 
Taylor, who came from County Derry, Ire- 
land, to Allegheny in 1833. The children 
boru to Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt are James, 
William, Emily, Mary, Clara and Samuel 
Renwick. The family attend the R. P. 
Church. 

Daniel G. Donovan, shoe-merchant, 
McKeesport, was born at Latrobe, Pa., 
Sept. 6, 1852, a son of Michael and Sarah 
(Ryan) Donovan, natives of County Tipper- 
ary. Ireland, who came to America in 1850, 
and settled in Westmoreland county. Daniel 
G. was reared in Westmoreland county, and 
educated in the public schools aud St. Vin- 
cent's College. From 1869 to 1874 he was 
employed in the rolling-mills of Jones & 
Laughlin, of Pittsburgh, and three years 
thereafter managed the farm owned by St. 
Xavier's Academy. In 1879 he came to Mc- 
Keesport, and embarked in the shoe busi- 
ness, in which he has been very successful. 
He is a gentleman of sterling integrity, and 
is a wide-awake and enterprising citizen. 
He is a member of St. Peter's R. C. Church, 
and is president of Branch 36, C. M. B. A. ; 
he is a democrat. 

John N. Dersam, proprietor of hat and 
gents' furnishing-store, McKeesport, was 
born in Coal Valley, this county, Nov. 17, 
1864, a son of William and Elizabeth (Egly) 
Dersam, His father, a native of Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany, settled in McKeesport 
in 1853, and was superintendent of Robert 
Blackburn's coalworks, in Coal Valley, six- 
teen years; he is now a resident of Pitts- 
burgh. His children were William H., John 
N., Kate, George and Adam, all living but 
William H., who died June 16, 1881. John 
Egly, maternal grandfather of John N., and 
a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, set- 
tled in 1853 in Dravosburg, this county, 
where he was a coal-miner, and resided six- 
teen years. John N. was reared in McKees- 
port, was educated in the public schools of 
the citv, and Iron City Business College, of 
Pittsburgh, and March 19, 1887, embarked 
in his present business in McKeesport. He 
married, Jan. 5, 1887, Kate, daughter of 
Louis and Elizabeth (Bangert) Nagle, of Mc- 
Keesport, and they have one son, born Nov. 
33, 1888. Mr. Dersam is a meml)er of the 
Jr. O. U. A. M., P. O. S. of A., Order of 
Solon, Heptasophs, Electric M. & S. Club, 
and German Leiderkranz, and is a repub- 
lican. He attends the service of the G. L. 
Church. 

James McGlinchet, of McKee's Rocks, 
Pa., was born in Ireland in 1837, a son of Pat- 
rick and Hannah McGlinchey, and came to 
this country in 1852. He spent his first year in 
Massachusetts. Going to New York, he en- 
gaged on a vessel plj'ing between New York 
and Richmond. He then engaged in a roll- 
ing-mill in Richmond, coming to Pittsburgh 
in March, 1858. He then went to St. Louis, 
Mo., where he remained till the war broke 
out. He enlisted in July, 1862. serving 
under Admiral Porter in the Mississippi 



614 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



squadron; after three years' service he was 
honorably discharged. Uelurning to Pitts- 
burgh, he resumed worlt in the rolling-mill. 
In 1868 he married Elizabeth Clark, widow 
of John Clark. She had three chililien by 
her tirst husband: Mary, Elizabeth and Mag- 
gie A. Mr. and Mrs. McGlinchey have had 
three children liorn to them — Robert E.. 
Patrick T. and Isabella. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- 
Glinchey own considerable property in 
Chartiers. The familj' belong to the Roman 
Catholic Church. 

Natuanikl Montoomeut, farmer, post- 
office Wilkiusburg. is descended from one of 
the early settlers of Alleghenj' county. Pa. 
His father, Nathaniel, <canie to McKeesport 
from Berks county, Pa., at an early day. and 
soon after took up a tract of land in what is 
now Patton township. Remaining there a 
short time, he moved to the place now 
owned by our subject, and settled on 160 
acres of land, where he died. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth Young, a native of Ire- 
land, and two sons and five daughters were 
born to them. Our subject, the youngest 
and only surviving member of the family, 
was educated at the common schools, and 
has followed farming. He married, in 1837, 
Mary McCully, daughter of Robert McCully, 
of this county, and six children, three living, 
were born to them: Eliza (Mrs. Johnson), 
Nancy (Mrs. Black) and Natliauiel. The 
last named married, in 1884, Mary T. Pitt, 
and one child born to them is now deceased. 
Mr. Montgomerj' is a highly respected citi- 
zen of Wilkins township, and has always 
been an industrious and upright man. He 
and family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church; he is a republican. 

Charles Rischpeter, contractor and 
builder, McKeesport. was born in Wiehe, 
Prussia, April 39, 1831. a son of Christian 
and Mary (Seitenfaden) Rischpeter. He was 
reared and educated in his native town, and 
served an apprenticeship of three years at 
tlie carpenter's trade, after which he worked 
as a journe}'man in his native country until 
1856. He then immigrated to America, settled 
in Pittsburgh, and worked as journeyman in 
that city and Allegheny up to 1873, when he 
settled in McKeesport. Here he has since 
resided, and hasbeen successfid in business as 
a carpenter, contractor and builder. He mar- 
ried, in 1860, Charlotte, daughter of Gottleib 
and Dorothea (Koch) Shenaberger, of Ger- 
manj', and they have three children living: 
Mary (Mrs. Adolph Hofman), Lizzie and 
Charley. Mr. Rischpeter is a member of 
the G. E. P. Church, and of the I. O. O. F. ; 
he is a republican. 

Matthew Hunter, mechanic, Etna, was 
born in March, 1837, in the old "blue house " 
in Etna, the son of James Hunter. He was 
left an orphan at the age of nine years, and 
when fifteen he entered the rolling-mill, 
where he worked twelve years; then followed 
gardening for a period of eight years, when 
he returned to the mills, and is now a heater 
with Porter, Delworth & Co., South Side, 



Pittsburgh. Mr. Hunter here married Sarah, 
daughter of John Still, and they have eight 
children: Mary E., William B.. Emma, 
Thomas S., Sadie E,, Mattliew H., Samuel 
J. and Bessie. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are 
members of the Baptist Church. He is a 
republican, and has been councilman; he is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. 

Charles Sch.mklz. butcher. Hope Church, 
was born March (i. |n-17, in Elbersdorf. Ba- 
varia, Germany, the son of Andrew Schmelz. 
He was educated in Ihis native home, where 
he learned the butcher's and baker's trades, 
and, coming to America in 1866, worked at 
the baker's trade two years in Pittsburgh. 
He then removed to Six-Mile Ferry, where he 
engaged in the butcher business for himself 
(having previouslv been with C. Ross at that 
place), and has conducted the business suc- 
cessfully since 1870. He was married here 
to Caroline, daughter of Christian Abbott, 
and they have seven children; August.Emma, 
Edward, Albert, George, Earnest and Carrie. 
Mr. and Mrs. Schmelz are members of the 
G. P. Church. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F., 486, South Side, and is a republican. 

Andrew Walker, gardener, postotfice 
Mansfield Valley, a son of John and Jane 
Walker, was born in County Down, Ireland, 
in 1834, and came to this country in 1855. 
His occupation has been that of gardener 
and florist, and lie had charge of Chartiers 
cemetery for twelve years. IIis parents came 
to this country in 1870, his father dying a 
few months after his arrival, at the age of 
sixty-six years. His mother is still living, 
hale and hearty, at the age of eighty-three 
years. They were parents of seven children: 
Sarah (widow of Alexander Lanaghan). An- 
drew. Mary Jane (wife of Samuel Calvin), 
Alexander, David, Annie (wife of William 
Moore) and Rol)ert, all living in this county. 
Andrew Walker was married in 1857, in 
Steul)enville, Ohio, to Margaret, daughter 
of James and Easter McAfeer, of County 
Antrim, Ireland. Mr. Walker has been in 
Chartiers township since 1862. He is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and the 
L. O. A. 

Samuel Thomas Caves, blacksmith, Ve- 
rona, was born in Harrison county, Ohio. 
May 38, 1859, and is the sou of Josepli C. and 
Mary (Lyon) Caves, and grandson of Charles 
Wesley Caves, who came from England and 
settled on a farm near Deersville.Ohio. Sam- 
uel Caves was reared on a farm, and received 
a limited education, but, being an attentive 
reader, lias gathered a great store of general 
Information. When thirteen years old he 
was employed as water-boy on a construction- 
train on the Pan Handle railroad, and worked 
his way up till he became master of the 
blacksmith's trade. In March. 1881, he left 
the railroad shops at Dennison, Ohio, and 
came to the Allegheny Valley, at Verona. 
Since June of the same j'ear he has been em- 
ployed at the Verona Tool-works, where he 
has a remunerative contract. He is a mem- 
ber of St. Thomas' P. E. Church, a member 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



615 



of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., R. A., S V.. Jr. 
O. U. A. M., and in politics a republican. Mr. 
Caves believes in the protection of American 
labor, and his lecture, " Views of Life from a 
Workingman's Standpoint." is said to be very 
interesting. In 1887 he built a house costing 
$2,000, in the Second ward of Verona. In 
1876 he married Martha Meredith, who was 
born in this county, of Welsh parents. They 
have three children: Henry Adams, Mary 
and John Merle. 

Henry McCijUskbt, a native of Ireland, 
settled in Washington county. Pa., and after- 
ward took up government land in Ohio. 
John, a son born to this pioneer, in 1797, and 
a prominent farmer, married Elizabeth Hall, 
bj' whom he had seven sons and one daugh- 
ter, five of whom are now living. In 1851 
John McCluskey was elected to the Pennsyl- 
vania legislature, and re-elected in 1852. He 
was a public-spirited citizen, and took an 
active part in the interests of the township. 
Henrj' is his third son, born in 1828, on the 
property where he now resides, and owns, and 
where he has always lived. At the death of 
his father, by buying the heirs out, he became 
possessor of 170 acres of valuable farm-land, 
one hundred of which his mother inherited 
from her father. Henry McCluskey was edu- 
cated at the common schools, and in 1871 
married Miss Ann Eliza, daughter of Joseph 
Stewart. They have no children. He is a 
republican. (Postofflce, Remington.) 

John Ingram, watchmaker, was born in 
Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1854, a son of 
Martin and Nancy (Daugherty) Ingram, who 
removed to Westmoreland county. Pa., in 
1849. Here Martin Ingram died in 1854. He 
left two surviving children: Sarah A., now 
Mrs. Davis, of Tarentum; and John, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who was but a child at 
his father's death and at an early age 
assumed a responsible place in the household. 
Besides becoming a siiillful watchmaker, for 
which he early evinced a peculiar aptitude, 
as well as considerable inventive faculty, in 
youth he also occasionally taught school, 
and with success, too. as evidenced by a No. 1 
county teacher's certificate; also, in 1866, he 
graduated from Duff's Mercantile College, at 
Pittsburgh. In 1873, he, with his mother 
and sister, removed to Tarentum, where he 
established himself as watchmaker and jew- 
eler, which business he conducted very suc- 
cessfully until the conflagration occurred in 
Tarentum in 1885, since when he has erected 
a block of more pretentious size and appear- 
ance, on the site of his building destroyed 
at that time, but owing to impaired health he 
has not actively resumed business since. 
Mr. Ingram, in 1875, married E. J., a daugh- 
ter of Robert Lardin, of Tarentum, and two 
children have been born to them, of whom 
Alice B. alone survives. 

Charles Zdmppt. manufacturer. Sharps- 
burg, was born in Minden, Prussia, in 1847, 
the sixth child of August and Amelia (Blum) 
Zumpft, the former by occupation a railroad 
purchasing-agent in Germany. Charles was 



educated in his native land, and is a graduate of 
the gymnasium scliool of Prussia, In 1866 he 
immigrated to America,and located in Sharps- 
burg, where from 1866 to 1875 he was em- 
ployed in the oil business. In 1875 he com- 
menced his present business, manufacturing 
varnishes, japans, etc., in partnership with 
his brother. He married Mary, daughter of 
James Kay, a resident of Sharpsbure, and six 
children were born to them, three of whom 
are living: Mamie, Bessie and Charlie. Mr. 
Zumpft is a Freemason, and is a republican. 

Albert Zumpft, manufacturer, Sharps- 
burg, was born in Prussia, in 1841, the third 
child of August and Amelia (Blum) Zumpft. 
He was educated in the high schools of Prus- 
sia, came to America in 1865, and for ten 
years afterward was superintendent in oil 
works. In 1874 he and his brother estab- 
lished a partnership for the manufacture of 
oils, varnishes, japans, etc., which partner- 
ship lasted seven years, at the e.\piration of 
which time Mr. Zumpft continued business 
for himself, which he has since followed. 
He married, in 1879, Miss Dallmyer, who 
bore him one child, Minnie (now deceased). 
Mr. Zumpft has been successful in the manu- 
facturing business. He is a Freemason, aud 
is a republican. 

Samuel Meyer, farmer, postoffice Sharps- 
burg, a well-to-do citizen of O'Hara town- 
ship, was born in Switzerland in 1841, a son 
of Christian Meyer, who came to America 
with his wife and family in 1855. and soon 
after located in Sharpsburg, Allegheny 
county. Pa. Samuel received his education 
partly in Switzerland and partly in Sharps- 
burg, and has followed farming and garden- 
ing. He married, in 1867, Anna Stamm, and 
to them have been born six children. Mr. 
Meyer purchased his present farm of 103 
acres in 1880. He has always taken an active 
part in public affairs, and for seven years 
was school director in his township, and also 
served on the tri-annual assessment of his 
township. He is a member of the Reformed 
Church, and is a republican. 

George J. Riegnter, grocer, McKeesport, 
was born in Pittsburgh, Oct. 2, 1861, a son of 
Joseph and Anna M. (Mangis) Riegner, both 
natives of Pittsburgh. His paternal grand- 
father, Barney Riegner, a native of France, 
and maternal grandfather, Frank Mangis. a 
native of Germany, were among the pioneers 
of Pittsburgh. George J. Riegner was reared 
and educated in Pittsburgh, and located in 
McKeesport, where he held the position of 
clerk in a grocery seven years. April 1, 1888. 
he embarked in business for himself, opened 
one of the finest groceries in Western Penn- 
sylvania, and already has a large and suc- 
cessful business, which is daily increasing. 
He is an enterprising and pushing young busi- 
ness-man; is a member of St. Mary's Catholic 
Church and C. M. B. A. ; he is a democrat. 

Samuel Perkins Kuhn, farmer, postofflce 
New Texas, was born in 1839 in the stone 
house where he now resides, a sou of Harvj' 
Michael and Margaret (Stotler) Kuhn, who 



616 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



were born in Plum township in 1812 and May 
17, 1817. respectively. His father was a 
farmer. a member of thePresbyteriun Church, 
and died in June, 1860. His mother is a 
member of the Presljyterian Church. His 
grandfather, Samuel, was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and served in the war of 1813. He 
bought four farms here about 1820. and in 
18.30 moved to near Cleveland. Ohio. Mr. 
Kuhu received his schooling here, and at the 
death of his father began to operate the farm 
for himself. He married, in 18T7, Anna E. 
Geisler. formerly of East End. Pittsburgh, a 
daughter of David Geisler. who died in 1884. 
Two sons bless this union, Elmer P. and 
David Homer. The family are members of 
the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kuhu is a re- 
publican and was at one time deputy sheriff 
of the county. 

Zephaniah Glunt, harness-maker, Turtle 
Creek, was born near Murrysville, West- 
moreland county, Nov. 32, 1840, a grandson 
of Jacob Glunt, who was of German descent 
and reared in the eastern part of the state. 
Henry Glunt, son of Jacob, lived in West- 
moreland county, and in Patton township 
followed farming. He died near Monroe- 
ville. Dec. 11, 1886, aged seventy-three. His 
widow. Catherine (Berkholder) Glunt, is still 
living in Westmoreland county. Henry 
Glunt was a democrat and a Presbyterian. 
His son, Zephaniah. was reared on a farm, 
and received a common-school education. 
When four years old he was permanently 
affected by scarlet fever, and has been com- 
pelled to use a crutch ever since. He taught 
school for a time, learned bis present trade 
in 1881, and established a shop in Turtle 
Creek, where he is doing a satisfactory busi- 
ness. He is a member of the Reformed 
Church, in politics a prohibitionist. Mr. 
Glunt is unmarried. 

William Mitchell, wagon-maker. Turtle 
Creek, was boin in County Donegal, Ireland, 
May 1, 18.51 His parents, William and Eliz- 
abe'th (Elliott) Mitchell, now reside in Penn 
township, Allegheny county. The father 
was a laborer, employed at sixpence a day 
and board for twenty -three years by one 
farmer. On this meager pittance he reared 
a family of eight children, of whom William 
is the youngest. When the latter was twelve 
years old the family came to America and 
settled in this county, where he attended 
school for some time. When seventeen years 
old he began his trade in Pittsburgh, and on 
the day he was twenty years old opened a 
shop in Turtle Creek. By industry and pru- 
dence he has earned a nice property, includ- 
ing his shop and five tenement-houses, beside 
his residence. He is an active worker in the 
U. P. Church, having served six years as 
treasurer and four years as superintendent of 
Sabbath-school. He is a republican, al- 
though sympathizing strongly with the pro- 
hibition movement, and is now serving as 
tax-collector. In 1873 he married Mary Ann, 
daughter of Henry and Mary Lane, of Irish 
descent. Their children. In order of birth, 



are: Lenora May, Harry, William John, 
Frank Howard and Mary Elizabeth. 

John Pahlmann, farmer, postoffice Neg- 
ley, was born in Rosenbehl. Biern, Germany, 
Jan. 21, 1827, a son of John and Katrine 
Pahlmann, natives of Leppolt, Biern. He 
was reared on a farm and has always engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. In 18-50 he married 
Barbara Purneker, and with one child came 
to America in 18.52. For four years he was 
employed as laborer in Pittsburgh, beginning 
at three dollars per week. Since 1856 he has 
been a resident of Penn township, and for 
one year he was employed on the farm which 
he now owns, at thirty-three cents per day 
and board; the second year he had forty 
cents. After the tliird year he rented a farm, 
and in 1877 bought his home. He has over 
150 acres, which have been earned by hard 
labor. When he landed in Pittsburgh he had 
$2.50. Mr. Pahlmann is a republican, and 
has served as supervisor. The family is 
connected with the G. L. Church, and in- 
cludes ten children: John, Christoph. 
Margaret (Stotler), Emma, Ellen, Albert, An- 
drew, Rudolph, Leudwig and Mary. 

William Alderson, farmer, postoffice 
Mt. Lebanon, was born at Mt. Washington, 
Pa., in 1.S37, a son of Thomas Alderson, who 
came from Yorkshire, England, to America 
about 1831. He married Jane Parker, who 
bore him eleven children, seven of whom 
are living. William being the eldest son. 
Thomas was a miner, an avocation he followed 
in America for a number of years. Later in 
life he was engaged in farmirg and hotel- 
keeping for thirty years on his present place, 
aud on the whole had a successful business 
career. William Alderson has been a farmer 
all his life, and for the past thirty years has 
resided on his present place. He was mar- 
ried, in 1876, to Annie Vero, daughter of 
Joseph and Phcebe E. Vero, and seven chil- 
dren (six of whom are living) were born to 
them: James William, Jane Lizzie, Margaret 
F., Thomas P., Harry Lawrence, Annie (de- 
ceased) and Edith Mabel. Mr. Alderson is 
a democrat, has held many positions of 
trust in Scott township, and has served as 
school director for several years, giving 
entire satisfaction. 

John Steinhilber, hotel-keeper, McKees- 
port, was born in Wiirtemberg, Germany, 
Jan, 10. 1828, a son of George and Anna 
Steinhilber. He came to America in 1853, 
and located at Port Perry, this county, where 
he worked as a coal-miner eleven years. In 
1864 he enlisted in Co. K. 74th P. Y., and 
served until July 3, 1865, when he was 
honorably discharged. After his return he 
again worked in a coal-mine, and in 1865 
bought a property in Mifflin township, where 
he conducted a hotel until 1869; then pur- 
chased a plat of ground in Allegheny City, 
on which he erected a sheepskin-tannery, 
which he conducted six years. In 1875 he 
settled in McKeesport and embarked in the 
hotel business, in which he has since con- 
tinued, and erected in 1886 the fine brick 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



617 



building he now occupies. In 1857 he mar- 
ried Elizabeth Korzdoefer, and has one son 
living, George. Mr. Steinhilber is a director 
of the Enterprise Building and Loan Associa- 
tion No. 2. He is a member of the I. O. O. 
F. and G. A. R.; he is a republican. 

William J. Shahples, grocer, McKees- 
port, was bora in Bolton, England, and was 
educated at Bolton Church Institute. In 
early life he was a leather-dresser. He lo- 
cated in McKeesport iu 1882, and purchased 
a half interest in the grocery of J. B. Shale, 
which reliable firm has since continued in 
business, under the firm name of Shale & 
Sharpies, and is among the most prominent 
firms in that line of business in the city. 
Mr. Sharpies' familiarity with every branch 
of the retail grocery business has secured for 
him the president's chair of the McKeesport 
Grocers' association, which position he has 
held since its organization, three years ago. 
He was recently elected president of the 
McKeesport Board of Trade. 

Thomas Evans, Pittsburgh, a son of John 
and Jane Evans, was born in Birmingham, 
this county, in 1846. His occupation through 
life has been making iron, and he now holds 
the position of heater in Painter & Son's 
mill. He married, Dec. 26, 1875, Will Emma 
Robson, and by her has had two children: 
Stella (deceased) and Charles Oscar. Mr. 
Evans is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
the Amalgamated Association and United 
Workmen, and the Heptasophs. Politically 
he is a republican. As a result of his indus- 
try and economy he owns a good property iu 
the Thirty-fifth ward, Pittsburgh, and three 
acres of valuable land in Chartiers township. 
Mrs. Evans' father was born in Staffordshire, 
England, and when oneyear old was brought 
to this country by his parents, who first 
located in New York, but soon came to 
Birmingham, this county, where the father 
followed the occupation of glass-blower. 
He married, in 1849, Keziah Mercer, of 
Westchester county, Pa., and by her had six 
children: Will Emma, Charles O. (deceased). 
Charles M. (deceased), Frank. Harry A. and 
William C. The parents are both living in 
this county, and the father was a soldier in 
the civil war. He is a member of the 
Amalgamated Association, and he and his 
wife are members of the M. E. Church. 

George W. Perkins, bookkeeper, Pitts- 
burgh, a son of William and Catherine Per- 
kins, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1841. 
His grandfather, Thomas Perkins, came from 
Wilmington, Del., in 1803, and settled in 
Pittsburgh, where he opened the first jewelry- 
store. He was one of the founders of the 
Bank of Pittsburgh, and one of the most 
prominent men of the city as early as 1810. 
He purchased considerable land about 1815, 
in what is now Chartiers township, to which, 
after the big fire in 1845, he moved; here he 
resided until his death, in 1855, when he was 
seventy-three years old. He had been twice 
married; first to a Miss Barclay, by whom he 
had four children — two sons, William and 



Thomas, Jr., and two daughters, Eliza (who 
became the wife of Abraham Nicholson, of 
Pittsburgh), and Harriet (who became the 
wife of Owen Flanegan); and next to a Miss 
Fitzgerald, who died in 1853, by whom he 
had thtiee sons and one daughter, viz. : 
James, Charles Quigley, David Jennings and 
Hannah Kitts (now Mrs. Addison Reno). 
William Perkins was born in Pittsburgh, in 
the year 1818, was reared to the jewelry and 
watchmaking trade, and subsequently be- 
came a partner in the business with his 
father. He married Catherine, daughter of 
George and Margaret Sorguis, of W.aynes- 
burg, Ohio, and their children were Mary 
(deceased), Thomas (taken prisoner and died 
in Salisbury prison, Dec. 1, 1864), George W., 
Harriet (wife of James A. Moore), Sarah, 
William, Catherine (wife of J. M. Mooney) 
and Henry C. William Perkins held many 
positions of trust in this county, among them 
that of county commissioner, as did also his 
father, Thomas Perkins, the same office in 
1850; and though not regularly enlisted in the 
army during the civil war, was very active 
in his support of the Union forces, and was 
for some time one of Gov. Curtin's aids-de- 
camp. His last service was as mail-agent 
on the Ft. AV. & C. R. R., and while "still 
engaged in that service, in 1869, he was acci- 
dentally killed while out hunting at Lake- 
ville, Ohio, at the age of forty-nine years. 

George W. Perkins has been twice mar- 
ried; first in January, 1866, to Elizabeth, 
daughter of Robert and Susan Gillespie, and 
by this union there were six children. The 
living are Gracie Lincoln, Charles Norman 
and Irene. Their mother died in 1877, and 
Mr. Perkins next married, in 1883, Isabella 
M., daughter of Arthur and Margaret Hill. 
Their children are Lewis Blashfoi-d, George 
Allen and Mary Blashford. Mr. Perkins 
was a sergeant in an independent company 
of state militia when the civil war broke 
out, and in February, 1861, they tendered 
their services to the government, were ac- 
cepted, andassigned to the 13th Pennsylvania 
regiment, three-months service. In 1862 he 
was appointed superintendent of the L^nited 
States army telegraphic construction corps, 
but resigned in 1864 and accepted a position 
in the postoflice at Pittsburgh as stamp-clerk, 
Tinder Postmaster Von Bonnhorst. Some 
eight months after, he took a position with 
the P. R. R. Co. as assistant chief clerk in 
the freight department. He also had an in- 
terest in the confectionery firm of Hill & 
Perkins, on Wood street, Pittsburgh, and is 
at present secretary of the Neuchatel Asphalt 
company, Pittsburgh. Mr. Perkins is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity. 

Adam Wagener, farmer and dairyman, 
postoffice Sharpsburg. is a native of Prussia, 
Germany, born in 18S3. His father, Lawrence 
Wagener, who was a farmer in Germany, 
married Eliza Ludwick, of the same country, 
and they became the parents of two sons, of 
whom Adam is the elder. The latter remained 
with his father until 1850, at which time he 



618 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



immigrated to America, landine in Balti- | 
more. Md., and later coming to Piltsburgli. 
He lias been engaged iu farming and the 
dairj- business ever since coming to this 
count)', and has lived in Slialer, Collins, 
Baldwin and OHara townships. In 1884 he 
purchased his present farm of 117i acres in 
O'llara township, where he is now living. 
He also owns fifty-six acres in Baldwin town- 
ship, two miles from Pittsburgh, on the 
Brownsville pike. He married, in Collins 
township, in 1853, Eliza Wilhelm, and nine 
children bless their union, viz.: Annie Mar- 
gret, Mary Elizal)eth. Frederick Henry, 
Elizabeth, Katie, Emma Lousia, Minnie 
Dortha Elizabeth, Louisa Matilda and Adam 
John, of whom three daughters and one son 
are married and one daughter is deceased. 
Mr. Wagener and family are members of St. 
John's G. L. Church of Sharpsburg; he is a 
republican. 

J, Stephen Ryan, of the firm of Burke 
& Ryan, plumbers, McKeesport. was born in 
that city May T, 1867. a sou of James F. and 
Mary (McCloskey) Ryan. He was reared 
and educated in his native city, where he 
embarked in business as a plumber and gas- 
fitter, Jan. 1, 1888, under the firm name of 
Burke & Ryan. They have the leading 
establishment of the kind in the city, and 
are doing a large and successful business. 

Peter W. Boli, steamboat captain, post- 
office Turtle Creek, was born at Port Perry, 
May 31, 1854. His grandfather, Peter Boli, 
a native of Pennsylvania, was one of the 
early settlers in Franklin township. Allegheny 
county. He was a farmer, and died in 1881, 
in his eighty-ninth year. Philip, sou of 
Peter Boli, was a steamboat en.gineer on the 
Ohio, and made his home at Port Perry. His 
wife, Keziah Carvey, was born in Allegheny 
county, and is now the mother of four sons, 
three of whom have been steamboat engi- 
neers. One has left the river and is now em- 
ployed at the steelworks at Braddock. The 
fourth, whose name heads this sketch, was 
reared at Port Perry, went on the river when 
thirteen years old, and gradually worked his 
way up to his present position, commander 
of the steamboat Lioness. For ten years he 
was pilot on the Ohio, and has spent the last 
three years on the lower Mississippi. In 1881 
he married Emma Wilkins, of Wilkins town- 
ship, and settled at Turtle Creek in 1886, 
where he purchased a handsome home. Mrs. 
Boll's great-grandfather, William Wilkins, 
was a captain in the revolutionary army, and 
one of the first settlers in Sewickley, this 
county. His son, James, was the father of 
William, father of Mrs. Boli. His mother, 
Rebecca McPherson, was born of Scotch par- 
ents. Mr. and Mrs. Boli have one son.AVill- 
iam Wilkins. and one daughter. Enid. 
The familj' are connected with the U. P. 
Church, at'Turtle Creek. 

William McClay DiNSMORE.farmer.post- 
office Bridgeville. was born in Washington 
county. Pa., in 1843, a son of Robert and Mar- 
garet (McClay) Dinsmore. In 1785 a land- 



patent was granted by the commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania to one James Dinsmore, a 
Scotch-Irishman. This land, called " land 
of Cannon," contained about 292 acres, and 
was situated on Miller's run, then in Wash- 
ington county, now in South Fayette town- 
ship, this county. This early pioneer was a 
farmer, and married a daughter of Squire 
Walker, who was the original settler of that 
family in this county. James, Jr., was born 
on this tract of land, and when twelve j'ears 
of age moved with his people to Northwest- 
ern Pennsylvania. He married Hettle Ham- 
blelon. and to them were born five sons and 
four daughters. Robert, the eldest of this 
family, was born in 1806. and. coming to 
South Fayette township, purchased the land 
which was formerly owned by his grand- 
father, and there resided until his death, in 
1880. He married Margaret McClay, of 
Washington county, and two sous and one 
daughter blessed their union. William Mc- 
Clay Dinsmore received his education at the 
public schools, and followed farming; he 
now owns 280 acres of land, all of which is 
included In the original purchase made by 
his greatgrandfather, James, in 1785. Mr. 
Dinsmore was married, in 1884, to a daugh- 
ter of Rev. Slater, of Washington county, 
and two children, William S. C. and Mar- 
garet, have been born to them. Mr. and 
Mrs. Dinsmore are members of the Reformed 
Presbyterian, or Covenanter. Church. 

Joseph McCutcheon, painter, Verona, 
was born in Burrell township, Westmoreland 
county, July 11. 1847, and is the son of John 
Elder and Elizabeth (Anderson) McCutcheon, 
of the same county. His grandfather, Alex- 
ander McCutcheon, was also born in that 
county, and was an elder in Poke Run Pres- 
byterian Church. James, the father, and 
Samuel, grandfather of Alexander, were born 
in Franklin county, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. 
James was a justice of the peace, and a Free- 
mason. He was a distiller, and purchased a 
large tract of land near McCutcheon's mills, 
which Is now in the possession of his descend- 
ants. For one tract of two hundred acres he 
paid three barrels of whisky, which were 
packed to east of the mountains on horse- 
back. At one time he was driven by an 
Indian raid to seek refuge in the blockhouse 
at Murrysvllle, a distance of seven miles, 
and with the aid of his wife carried a 
wounded woman; the small children were 
placed on a featherbed on a horse, and Alex- 
ander, then seven years old, walked. Elder 
McCutcheon was for a time almost the only 
whig in his locality, and was almost ostracised 
for sentiments that afterward were adopted 
by a majority in the county. He was killed 
by a runaway team In 1856. at the age of 
thirty-seven. His widow died in 1872, in her 
fifty-second year. Mr. McCutcheon was 
brought up a Presbyterian, and his wife a 
Covenanter, and they both finally joined 'the 
U. P. Cliurch. Joseph remained on the 
home farm until sixteen years of age. when 
he went to Pittsburgh and learned the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



619 



painter's trade, eventuallj- engaging in busi- 
ness there. Tlie panic of 1873 toolc away liis 
possessions, and he returned to his native 
county. In 1880 he established a paint and 
wall-paper store at Verona, and has built up a 
flourishing business. He is a republican; a 
member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. and Hepta- 
sophs. In 1867 he married Mary Ewing.who 
was born in Pittsburgh, daughter of James 
and Mary (Eiler) Ewing, of Irish and Ger- 
man descent. James Ewing and bis father 
were born near Greensburg. Mr. McCutch- 
eon's family now includes ten children, as 
follows: Carrie B., James Ewing, William 
Elder, May Elizabeth, Jennie Josephine, 
Mary Edna and Joseph Pollock (twins). Paul 
Anderson, George Bruce and Lois Minerva. 

Samuel Ream, coppersmith. Verona, 
was born at Pittsburgh, July 1, 1836, and is 
the son of Samuel Ream, of Swiss birth. 
The father was born about 1800, was a ma- 
chinist and came to America about 1834, 
where he passed the remainder of his life, 
dying in 1880. He married, in the old post- 
office on Third avenue, Christina Hablitzel, 
a native of Germany, who died in 1865, aged 
fifty-eight years. Mr. Ream served nearly a 
year in the 74th regiment P. V. during the 
civil war. Samuel, Jr., was educated at the 
West Ward school, and when sixteen years 
old began work in a machine-shop. In 1854 
he took up railroad coppersmithing in the 
Ft.W. R. R. shops, and has followed it since. 
Ten years later he was engaged as foreman 
of a tinshop of the A.V. R. R., and moved to 
Verona in 1876. Mr. Ream married Kate Tor- 
reuce, who died five years later; no children 
survive her. His second wife is Mary Hester, 
widow of Harrison Trent, and daughter of 
Shadrach Phillips, of Welsh descent. Nancy 
and Austin, children of Mr. Trent, have 
adopted the name of Ream. Mr. Ream's 
children are Samuel Bosworth, Alice Doug- 
las, Howard Oliver and Carrie Le Morse. In 
A|)ril, 1861. Mr. Ream enlisted in the r2th 
regiment, three-months men. and re-enlisted 
for three years in tlie 102d P. V. He was 
in the Army of the Potomac at the battles of 
Fair Oaks, Pines and Malvern Hill, and was 
discharged for disability in December, 1862. 
For twenty years he was a member of the 
Pittsburgh fire department, in which his 
brother, Frederick, was killed on the way to 
a fire on Third avenue in 1863. Samuel is 
the eldest of three sons; George, the young- 
est, died when ten years old. There are 
three of his sisters living: Caroline (Fair- 
field). Elizabeth (Duff) and Ella (Sweeney), 
residing, respectively, in Allegheny City, 
Duluth and St. Louis. Mr. Ream is a re- 
publican, and served as school director three 
years. He and his family are members of 
the M. E. Church. He is a member of the 
G. A. R. and K. of M. 

Louis Held, retired, McKeesport. was born 
in Reichelsheim, Odenwald, Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, Germany, Oct. 38, 1836, and is a son 
of Fritz and Kate Held. He was reared and 
educated in his native land, where he 



learned the barber's trade. In 1853 he came 
to America, soon afterward located in Pitts- 
burgh, and there and in Allegheny worked at 
his trade as a ,iourne3'man four years, and 
afterward in various parts of Pennsylvania 
up to 1858. He then located in McKeesport, 
and opened a shop, which he conducted two 
years; he then went back to Pittsburgh, and 
engaged in business two years; returned to 
McKeesport in 1863, and again opened a bar- 
ber-shop, which he successfully conducted up 
to July, 1887, when he retired. In 1857 he 
married Kate Bangert, a native of Hesse- 
Darmstadt, by whom he had four children; 
Kate (Mrs. William Saeger), Emma (de- 
ceased), Anna and Fred. Mr. Held has had 
a successful business career, and has accumu- 
lated a competency by his industry and 
thrift, and is the owner of ten houses m Mc- 
Keesport. besides other property. He is a. 
charter member, stockholder and director of 
the McKeesport Electric Light company, is 
a member of tlie I. O. O. F. and K. of P., 
and is a republican. He is a member of the 
Lutheran Church. 

James Pollock Churchfield, conductor, 
postotHce Turtle Creek, is a son of John 
R. and Margaret Ann (Pollock) Churchfield, 
of Welsh descent, and was born in New Bed- 
ford, Pa., March 24, 1853. His mother died 
when he was small, and he and his younger 
brother, William J., were brought up by 
their grandfather, John Churchfield. Their 
father was a carpenter and enlisted in 1861, 
in Co. B, 100th P. V., serving as a drummer 
through the war in the Army of the Potomac. 
After the war he dwelt in North Versailles, 
but his constitution had been broken by 
military service, and he died in 1888, in his 
sixtieth year. When about thirteen years 
old James began to earn his living, working 
at farm labor, and later spent three years 
with his father learning his trade. Since 
1880 he has been employed by the railroad 
company most of the time as conductor, and 
is now doing good work for the P. R. R. Co. 
He is a member of the Conductors' Brother- 
hood, and a democrat, and he and wife are 
associated with the M.E. Church. Mr. Church- 
field married, Nov. 16, 1876, Mary M. Roberts, 
and they have three children living: John, 
Howard and Katy; Harry and Myrtle, the 
eldest, died in infancy. 

William C. McMillen, farmer, postofflce 
Woodville, was born in this county in 1842. 
Thomas McMillen. who came from Ireland to 
America about 1809. was twice married, his 
second wife being Mrs. Porter, by whom he 
had four children. He was a farmer and 
purchased seventy-five acres of land in Upper 
St. Clair township, where he remained until 
his death. William, a son of Thomas by his 
first wife, was born in 1811 at Perrysville. 
He was also a farmer, and purchased a tract 
of land of about seventy-five acres. He mar- 
ried Catherine Porter, a daughter of his step- 
mother, and by her had twelve children, 
seven of whom are living. This wife died at 
the age of forty-five years, and Mr. McMillen 



620 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



next married Mrs. Stephens, who bore him 
eight children. He died in 1887, aged seven- 
ty-six years, the fallier of twenty children. 
William C, the subject of this sketch, was 
the eldest son born to his father's first mar- 
riage. He was riiared on a farm, and with 
the exception of three years has always fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits. In August. 1802, 
he enlisted in Co. B, 150th Pennsylvania reg- 
iment, and served three years. He was at the 
battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and 
Fredericksburg. He was married, in 1863, to 
Miss Mary, daughter of G. Newman, of this 
county, and nine children were boru to them 
six now living: Alice May (a schoolteacher), 
Rosa Ella, Hudson, William H., Franklin 
and Walter S. Mr. McMillen purchased, in 
1883, his present farm, containing ninety- 
eight acres. He has been a hard-working 
and industrious farmer, and has served his 
township officiall}'. He is a member of the 
M. E. Church, and is a democrat. 

Frank Becker, proprietor of the White 
House hotel and restaurant. McKeesport, 
was born in Versailles township, Alled;heny 
county. Pa.. Dec. 26, 18.59. He is a son of 
Christoph Becker and Mary A. Richart, na- 
tives of Mainz, Germany. They settled in 
this country in 18.57, in Versailles township, 
where he engaged in farming, and in 1863 
they removed to McKeesport and purchased 
the property now occupied by Frank Becker 
(our subject), which the father conducted as 
a liotel until his death, in 1881. They raised 
a family of eight children: John (deceased), 
Lizzie. Frank, William J., Annie, Christoph 
L.. Katie (deceased) and George C. Our sub- 
ject has resided in McKeesport since he was 
nine years of age, and since 1881 has been 
engaged in his present business. March 2, 
1886, he married Lizzie, daughter of Titus 
Beiter and Treso Witt, of Irwin, Pa. He is 
a member of the R. C. Church and St. Mary's 
Beneficial society; he is a democrat. 

William V. Reel, farmer, postoffice 
West View, was born Feb. 1, 1831, in Alle- 
gheny county, Pa. His father, David Reel, 
was born on the old homestead, Jan. 22, 1798. 
William V. was educated in his native county, 
where he is a farmer and gardener, owning 
110 acres of the original Reel tract. He has 
been twice married, first to Elizabeth Spence, 
who died young, the mother of one child — 
Wiley G. His present wife, Elizabeth, is a 
daughter of Andrew Jackman, an old settler, 
and they have five children: John J., Mary 
E., Isabel E., Myrtle E. and Matilda J. Mr. 
Reel is a trustee of the M. E. Church, of 
which his family are members, as were also 
his parents. 

John Werner, brewer. West Elizabeth, 
son of Albert and Sarah Werner, was born at 
Wiirtemberg, Gennany, in 1842, and in 1857 
he came to Pittsburgh. In 1861 he enlisted 
in Co. F, 6th U. S. C., and was captured near 
Gettysburg, taken to Richmond, Va., and 
confined in Libbyand Belle Isle prisons until 
three months later, when he was paroled. 
In 1864 he was mustered out of the service. 



returned to Pittsburgh, and in the fall of 1865 
married Anna Mana, daughter of Joshua 
Vogel, of West Newton, Westmoreland 
county, Pa. Their children are Maggie. 
Willie. John, Joshua and Annie. Mr. Werner 
was at one time engaged in mining coal, later 
as a mine boss, and in 1871 came to Jefferson 
township, where lie purchased and rebuilt 
the brewery he now owns, which has a ca- 
pacity of forty barrels per day, and where he 
is at present engaged in business. By not 
getting license under the Brooks law, in the 
spring of 1888 his property was almost all 
confiscated by the license court of Allegheny 
county. 

Fredkrick Heim. Sr.. farmer, postoffice 
Perrysville. was born April 28, 1836, in Elper- 
sheim. Wiirtemberg, (iermany, the son of 
George and Christine (Freidlein) Heim. former 
of whom is yet living at the age of niuely- 
two years. Their children are Louis. John, 
Johanna. Peter, Frederick and Michael. 
Frederick came to America at the age of fif- 
teen years, worked on a farm, then rented 
one, andsubsequently purchased ninety acres, 
where he now resides, engaged in farming 
and gardening. He also keeps a dairy. He 
married Sophia Simon, a native of Germany, 
and ten children have been born to them: 
Christine, Sophia, Anna, Frederick, John, 
Henry, Minna, Caroline, Christina and Willie. 
Mr. and Mrs. Heim are members of St. Paul's 
Lutheran Church, at Perrysville, which he 
has been trustee of, was "the first charter 
member,and was instrumental in building up. 

Andrew Kidd. restaurateur. Turtle 
Creek, was born in Dunfermline, Scotland. 
in 1836, a son of Hugh and Margaret (Christ) 
Kidd, who are now deceased," and all his 
people were seafarers. When eight years 
old Andrew went into the Elgin coal-mines, 
and has followed raining ever since. In IBS'? 
he married Isabella Bowman, and their first 
child, Agnes, died in Scotland, at the age of 
three years. They have three daughters 
living, all married and residing at Turtle 
Creek, viz. : Margaret, wife of Joseph Rob- 
erts; Isabella, wife of James Peterson, and 
Mary, wife of August Krop. In 1864 Mr. 
Kidd came to America, and. after residing 
eight years at McKeesport. settled at Turtle 
Creek. For the past five years he has kept 
a restaurant on Broadway, which is man- 
aged by his wife. They began in the new 
world with only their health and hopes, and 
now have a comfortable property at New- 
town. Mr. Kidd is an active member of the 
M. E. Church, and has led the choir for 
thirteen years. He was the first to vote the 
prohibition ticket in his township, and now 
has many supporters; he was formerl3' a 
republican. 

Philip Gobddel. farmer, postoffice Cas- 
tle Shannon, was born April 4, 1823. in 
Quernbach. Rhein Phaltz, Bavaria. Ger- 
many, a son of Thebald and Elizabeth 
(Drum) Goeddel, both of whom died in Ger- 
many. Philip came to America in 1846. and. 
after working four years in this county, re- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



621 



visited liis native land, returning to America 
in tlie following year. He married Eliza- 
beth Drum, a native of the same village in 
Germany, and an old schoolmate of his. 
They had six children, four of whom are yet 
living; Caroline, wife of Fred Sanders; 
Charles, who is married to Catharine Ab- 
bott; Matilda, wife of Gotlieb Kinnly, and 
Henry. Mr. Goeddel has been a successful 
farmer, and built the Castle Shannon hotel 
and also a store. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. and A. F. & A. 
M., and is a republican. 

Joseph C. Partridge, fanner, postofflce 
North Star, is a grandson of Thomas Par- 
tridge, a native of Maryland. Thomas mar- 
ried Almira Walker, of this county, who 
bore him five children. He was a farmer 
and purchased two hundred acres of land, a 
part of which is now owned by our suliject. 
Joseph, the eldest son of Thomas, born in 
1807, married Mary, daughter of George 
Morrison, of Washington county. Pa., and 
became the father of seven children, all of 
whom are living: Thomas (in Iowa), Mary, 
Anna, Rachel and Joseph C., William and 
Sarah. Joseph, at the death of his father, 
•came into possession of the farm, which he 
owned at the time of his death. The family 
are members of the Presbyterian Church, 
and are democrats. 

Samdel Briggs, McKeesport, brickmason 
and inspector threading department Du- 
quesne Tube-works, is a native of Stafford- 
shire, near Birmingham, England, where he 
was reared and educated, and learned the 
brickmason's trade. In the spring of 1871 he 
came to America and located in Chicago, 
where he remained six months. He then 
went to Joliet, 111., and here belaid the first 
brick for the furnace of the Joliet Steel- 
works. In 1873 he came to Braddock, this 
county, where he resided until 1876, when he 
removed to McKeesport, where he has since 
resided and worked at his trade, off and on. 
He was foreman of the furnace department 
National Tube-works company eight years; 
was one of the organizers of the Duquesne 
Tube-works company in 1887, of which he is 
a director and also inspector of the thread- 
ing department. He is a member of St. 
Stephen's Episcopal Church, of which he 
was vestryman several years; is a F. & A. 
M., a member of the K. of H., of which he 
was trustee six years, and St. George's so- 
ciety, of which he was treasurer six years; 
he is a republican. 

Robert M. Curry, farmer, postofflce Gill 
Hall, a son of Ebenezer D. and Jane (McGow- 
en) Curry, was born at Coal Valley, Jefferson 
township, in 1853. His grandparents, Rob- 
ert and Nancy, were both natives of Mary- 
land, and located on Lick run, in Jefferson 
township, but soon after removed to Coal 
Valley, where they both died, Robert in 1849, 
and Nancy about 18.54. Ebenezer D. was 
born on Lick run, Feb. 5, 1814. 'and Jane, 
ills wife, daughter of John McGowen, was 



born at Coal Valley. After their marriage 
tliey remained in Coal Valley until 1863. 
when Ebenezer purchased a farm at Gill Hall 
and removed to it. Their children were Will- 
iam R. M., Lemuel, Ebenezer. Anna B., Jo- 
seph and Elizabeth J. Anna B. is now Mrs. 
George Sickman. Robert M., in 1874, married 
Nannie J., daughter of William Duff, of Jef- 
ferson township, and they have two children, 
Alvin E. and Cora B. Mr. and Mrs. Curry 
are members of the U. P. Church. 

Jacob C. Miller, dairyman, postoffice 
Hope Church, was born April 8, 1841. in 
Allegheny county. Pa. His parents, .Tacob 
and Catharine (Bender) Miller, natives of 
Wiirtemberg. Germany, resided a short time 
in Maryland, and then came to this county, 
where they died. Our subject married here 
Christine Fulmer, a native of Germany, and 
who has largely promoted her husband's pros- 
perity. Seven children bless this union, viz. : 
Mrs. Emma Wilds, Jacob, Elizabeth. Ida, 
Harry, John and Christine. Mr. Miller 
mined twelve years, and in April, 1881, came 
to Mifflin township, where he now owns one 
hundred acres, on which he keeps a large 
dairy, and supplies Homestead witli excellent 
milk. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and 
R. A., and is a republican. 

Smith W. Hill, druggist, postoffice Hope 
Church, was born Aug. 22, 1857, in Preston 
county, W. Va., the son of James and Susan 
(Maust) Hill, old pioneers of tliat county. 
Smith W. was educated in WestVirginia and 
at Monongahela College, and taught six years 
in his native county. In 1881 he came to Six- 
Mile Ferry and bought a drugstore which 
was formerly owned by Dr. Blackburn, and 
has since conducted it successfully. He also 
owns several tenements. He is a member of 
the K. of P., No. 181, and is a republican. 

Jambs Davis, plasterer, postofflce Mc- 
Kee's Rocks, a son of William and Mary 
Davis, was born in South Wales in 18.55, and 
came to this country with his parents in 
1868, locating in Mansfield, this county. 
William's occupation was mining, which he 
followed until 1887, when he engaged with 
the Shultz Bridge company. He and his wife 
are still living in Mansfield. They have had 
nine children: John, James, Cecelia (wife of 
David Edmons), David, William (deceased), 
Robert, Thomas, Sarah A. and Daniel. 
James Davis follows the business of plaster- 
ing and frescoing. He married, Aug. 15, 
1873, Isabella Gildroy. of this county, and 
they have been blessed with nine children; 
George H., William J., Jennie M., John, 
Robert, Elizabeth, Annie B., Mary B. and 
Margaret J. (deceased). Mr. Davis is a mem- 
ber of the K. of P., is a Freemason, and a 
member of the M. E. Church. 

David Herbertson, chief engineer Na- 
tional Tube-works, McKeesport, was born in 
Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland, Aug. 12, 
1841, a son of Thomas and Margaret (Ruther- 
ford) Herbertson. He was reared and edu- 
cated in his native land, and served an 
apprenticeship of five years at the mill- 



tJ22 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Wright's trade; also at engineering. For 
many years he was engineer on the Inman 
line of passenger steamers plying between 
New York and Liverpool. Mr. Herbertson 
settled in Mclveesport in 1880, where for four 
years he worked as a machinist in the Na- 
tional Tube-works, and since 1884 he has 
held his present position with the same com- 
pany. His wife was Agnes, daughter of 
.lames and Mary (Caven) McLean, of Dum- 
friesshire, Scotland, and by her he has six 
children living: Mary, Thomas, James, 
Robert, David R. and Agnes L Mr. Herbert- 
son is a member of the First Presbyterian 
Church, of the K. of H., and Caledonia club; 
he is a republican. 

James Patrick, farmer, Elkliorn, is a 
sou of William and Ann (Jamison) Patrick. 
His father was a native of Ireland, and his 
mother of Scotland. They were married in 
Ireland, and immigrated to Somerset county. 
Pa., where James was born. The subject of 
this memoir married, Feb. 14. 1865. Mary 
Ann. daughter of Moses and Jane McClean, 
of Uniontown, Pa. Having purchased their 
property some time before, they removed 
here in 1873, and are now engaged in farm- 
ing. Both are members of the M. E. Church. 

William Seaman, farmer, postofflce Mon- 
roeville. was born near the city of Hanover, 
Germany, Jan. 21, 1853, a son of Henry and 
Sophie Seaman. In the spring of 1869 the 
family came to this county, and settled in 
Alleghenj' City, where the father worked at 
his trade, that of a tailor. He died in 1885, 
aged sixty-nine years; his widow still resides 
in Allegheny City, as do her children: Henry, 
Sophie (Ronkamp) and Frederick. Caroline, 
the youngest, died when eighteen years old. 
William received a fair German education, 
and secured a knowledge of English, which 
he reads and writes, by private study. For 
two years after his arrival in America he was 
employed in a Pittsburgh drugstore, and then 
began to peddle and deal in country produce. 
In this he was successful, and in 1885 he 
bought seventy-seven acres of land in Patton, 
whereon he erected a dwelling and store and 
made other improvements. In 1876 he mar- 
ried Caroline Schwartz, who was born same 
year and place as himself and came to 
America at the same age. They have three 
children: William, Harry and Maggie. Mr. 
Seaman attends the Lutheran Church; he is 
a republican. 

August H. Woerner, farmer, postofflce 
Monroeville. was born in 1834, in Wiirtem- 
berg, Germany, where he was reared on a 
farm. When nineteen 3'ears old he came to 
America and spent some time in Ohio, Mis- 
souri and Illinois, and in 1860 returned to his 
native land, where he married Louise Woer- 
ner, his cousin. With his bride, and accom- 
panied liy his parents, he returned to this 
country, and settled on his present farm in 
Patton township. He owns 143 acres, and is 
engaged in general farming. His father, Hen- 
ry, died at the age of sixt3'-five, and his moth- 
er, Katrine, in 1883, aged seventy-seven. The 



family was formerly associated with the M. E. 
Church, but now attends the Presbyterian 
Church at Monroeville. Mr. Woerner is a 
supporter of the republican party. He has four 
children: Theodore H., Emilie. Agustia and 
John. Of these, T. II., now twenty-five years 
of age, who is now engaged in the machinist's 
trade, and has been for some years a resident 
of Pittsburgh, married a daughter of William 
Arthur, a well-to-do farmer of Latrobe, 
Westmoreland county. Johanna, his wife's 
mother, was born in Nettenburg, Germany, 
in 1809, and came to America in 1867, and to 
Monroeville, this county, where she died, in 
1873. 

John C. Stonesipheu, farmer, postofflce 
Beech ClifE, was born in Pittsburgh, this 
county, in 1850. His grandfather, John 
Stoneslpher, came from Eastern Pennsylva- 
nia at an early date, purchased 147 acres of 
land in what is now North Fayette town- 
ship, and married a Miss Shaffer. His son 
David was born in that township, and mar- 
ried Elizabeth Meloney, by whom he had 
nine children, seven of whom are now liv- 
ing. John C, the eldest child, since eight 
years of age has resided in the country. He 
was educated at the public schools in North 
Fayette township, and married Margaret 
Wilson, daughter of John Wilson, of Beaver 
county. Pa. Two children, both living, have 
been born to this union: Mary Ellen and 
Jessie A. Mr. Stonesipher is a republican. 

Charles W. Wicks, farmer, postofflce 
Gill Hall, son of J. S. and Sarah Wicks, was 
born in Jefferson township, in 1856 In 1881 
he married Mary J., daughter of Joseph and 
Susan Ralston, of Jefferson township. Her 
grandparents on her mother's side were 
.James A. and Agnes Maria (Peterson) Stew- 
art, and her mother was born in Jefferson 
township in 1827. Mrs. Wicks' mother was 
left an orphan when young, and in 1860 she 
married Joseph Ralston (who died in 1871), 
and they located in Jefferson township. 
Their children are Mary J. (now Mrs. Wicks), 
Hannah A. (now Mrs. Beam) and Joseph A. 
In 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Wicks bought a farm 
formerly owned by F. P. Shepler. in Jeffer- 
son township, and have since resided there, 
engaged in farming. Their children are 
Florella and Sarah .J. Mr. and Mrs. Wicks 
are members of the M. E. Church, and he is 
identified with the prohibition party. 

Peter J. Boss, upholsterer, Mcfeeesport, 
was born in Marburg, Germany. Feb. 16. 
1856, a sou of Casper and Caroline (Sauer) 
Boss. His father, a tanner by trade, came to 
America in 18.58, and located at St. Louis, 
Mo., where he worked at his trade until ihe 
war broke out. He then enlisted in the 
Union army; served three years and three 
months and was honorabl_v discharged. In 
1864 he settled in Allegheny. where his family 
joined him, and where he still resides and fol- 
lows his trade. He has three children living: 
Albert. Peter J. and Gustav. Peter J. was 
reared in Allegheny from eight j-ears of age, 
and learned his trade there. In September, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



623 



1880, he came to McKeesport aud embarked 
in business for liiraself, in wliicli lie has been 
very successful. lu 1876 he married Mary, 
daughter of Christian and Theresa (Meis- 
ter) Schellhardt, formerly of Germany, aud 
who settled in Pittsburgh in 1855. By this 
union there are four children: Jeanetta. Min- 
nie, Oscar aud Adolph. Mr. Boss is a prom- 
inent member of the Turner society; he is a 
republican, 

Joseph Griffith, superintendent of coal- 
mine, postofflce Camden, was born April 1, 
1834, in Blueford. Wales. His parents, John 
and Margaret (Williams) Griffith, came to 
Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1837; the father became a 
miner in Pitt township; he died in Mifflin 
township, aged seventy-eight years. The 
family consisted of ten children, five of whom 
are living, as follows: Joseph, Capt. Jabez, 
John, Martha and Lizzie. Our subject be- 
came connected with a coal-mine in early 
life, aud is known far and wide as a practical 
miner. Since 1876 he has been superintend- 
ent of Lysle & Sous' coal-mines, where 240 
men are employed, who turn out about sev- 
enteen thousand bushels of coal per day. Mr. 
Griffith here married Margaret, daughter of 
William and Elizabeth (Sarver) Soles, and 
their children are; William, Annie E.. Mag- 
gie J., Martha, Mary A., Joseph and Edward. 

Robert M. Rath, farmer, postoffice Cos- 
grove. Alexander Rath, the great-grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, was a 
native of Ireland, of Scotch extraction. His 
son, Adam, married Mary Macyeal, and they 
had the following-named children: Robert, 
James, Margaret, Mrs. Jane McElhenny, 
Mrs. Martha Heazlep, Mrs. Nancy McAnulty, 
John and Adam (the last named was a mem- 
ber of the Hampton battery, and was killed 
at Gettysburg, in the peach orchard). The 
last-named Robert Rath was born in Decem- 
ber, 1813, in Country Antrim, Ireland, and 
immigrated to this country with his parents. 
He had to make his own way iu the world, 
but became a successful farmer. He is a 
member of Mifflin U. P. Church, and of 
session; he is a democrat. He married Mary 
McFadden, and their children are Mrs. Mary 
J. Curry, James H., Samuel A., Robert M. 
(whose name heads this sketch), Mrs. Nancy 
B. Morton, Mrs. Ellen Brierly, Mrs. Caroline 
McClure and Emma. 

William H. Allen, real-estate dealer, 
postofflce McKee's Rocks, son of Jacob and 
Adaline Allen, was born in Stowe township, 
this county. May 5, 1861. His paternal 
grandfather, William Allen, was born in Ire- 
land, in 1783, and his wife in Lancaster 
county. Pa., in 1784. They settled in this 
county in 1811. The former died June 16, 1836, 
and the latter Aug. 11, 1871. Their children 
were Jacob. Thomas, Margaret, John, Re- 
becca, Susan, Alexander and Ella. Jacob 
Allen was born in Allegheny county, and 
became a farmer. In 18.50 he married Ad- 
aline, daughter of Robert and Ella Maclntyre, 
of this county, and their children were Laura 
B., wife of David K. Ewing, Jr.; Rebecca J. 



(deceased), Katie (deceased), Elizabeth E., 
William H., Robert M. (deceased) and Ada- 
line C. Jacob Allen was one of the success- 
ful gardeners of this county. Mrs. Jacob 
Allen departed this life in 1868, at the age of 
thirty-nine years, and Mr. Allen Oct. 20, 1876. 
William H. Allen is engaged in the real- 
estate business in McKee's Rocks, and is one 
of the enterprising young men of Stowe 
township. 

Samoel E. Moody, grocer and baker, 
McKeesport, was born in Sweden, Sept. 36, 
1850, a son of Charles G. and Christiana 
Moody. He was reared and educated at 
Halmstad, Sweden, came to America in 1871, 
settled in McKeesport in 1872, and entered 
the employ of the National Tube-works 
company, with whom he worked until 1882. 
He then embarked in the grocery business, 
in which he has since been successfully 
engaged. In the spring of 1888 he started a 
Swedish bakery for the manufacture of 
Swedish dyspeptic bread, and already has a 
large and growing trade in that line. Mr. 
Moody married, iu 1875, Davida Holm, of 
Sweden, by whom he has four children liv- 
ing: Edward. Clarence. Victor and Stella. 
Mr. Moody is a member of the K. of P. and I. 
O. H. ; he is a republican. 

Jacques Bour, farmer, postoffice Carrick, 
was born May 14, 1827, in Department Mo- 
selle, Lorraine, France, the son of Anthony 
Bour and Ottilia Fleck, also natives of the 
same place. Jacques came to America in 
1846, bringing his aged parents with him, 
who lived with him until their death. He 
resided six months in New Jersey, then re- 
moved to Allegheny county. Pa., where he 
farmed, and during the last eighteen years 
has resided in Baldwin township, where he 
owns sixteen acres. He also farms 150 acres 
of the old Hays estate. He married Lizzie, 
daughter of Anton Bicker, also of French 
descent, and they are the parents of nine 
children, all living: Magdalena. Joseph, 
Peter. William, Alfons, Albert, Mary, Jose- 
phine and Apoline. Mr. and Mrs. Bour are 
members of the Catholic Church; he is a 
republican. 

Thomas Murray Waddle, miner, post- 
office Turtle Creek, was born in Westmore- 
land county. Pa., Nov. 15. 1843, a son of 
James and Mary (Weldon) Waddle, of Penn- 
sylvania, and of Irish and German descent, 
respectively. James Waddle was a farmer, 
and lived to the age of eighty- six years, be- 
ing ill only one week before his death, which 
occurred in May, 1868. He was a democrat, 
in religion a Baptist. He was three times 
married; his first wife was the mother of ten 
children; his second of one, and his third, 
Mary Weldon, of five, of whom Thomas M. 
is the fourth. The mother of our subject 
was a member of the M. E. Church, and 
attained the same age as her husband, dying 
in November, 1886. Thomas M. was reared 
on the farm and had little opportunity for 
acquiring an education. At the age of fifteen 
he began mining, which he has followed ever 



624 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



since, except six years devoted to farming. 
He married, in 1861, Rachel Douds. who was 
boni in Armstrong county, a daughter of 
.James and Eliza (.Johnson) Douds, natives of 
Washington county, of Scotch and Irish 
descent. Sept. 2, 1864, lie enlisted in Co. E, 
Capt. William Walter.?, 211th P. V., for one 
year, or during the war, and was discharged 
June 2, 186.'), at Alexandria, Va. In June, 
18(38, Mr. Waddle became aresident of Turtle 
Creek, and in 1881 built his present resi- 
dence. Like his father, he was a democrat. 
His cliildren are James F.. in Pittsburgh; 
Anna Mary, wife of G. W. Morgan, in Turtle 
Creek; Eliza Ellen, wife of Peter Beveridge, 
also in Turtle Creek; Minnie May. Adella 
Jane, Sarah Martha and Margaret Blanche, 
at home. Mr. Waddle and family attend the 
Lutheran Church. 

Wn,Li.\M Lamb, hotel-keeper, McKee's 
Rocks, son of Owen and Catherine Lamb, 
was born in Ireland in 1847, and came to this 
country in 1868. Owen came to this country 
when William was a little child, and it is 
thought he was killed in the civil war, as he 
never returned. His widow is still living in the 
old country, and is seventy years of age. 
Patrick Lamb, the only brother, is in business 
in Allegheny City. William Lamb was 
married, in 1873, to Mary, daughter of Martin 
and Julia McGovern, and to them have been 
born three children, viz.: John (deceased), 
Katie G. and William J. Two of their chil- 
dren were born in Fort Duquesne, in a room 
once occupied by Gen. Washington. Mr. 
Lamb for several years followed teaming, 
but in 1877 embarked in the grocery and 
saloon business on Penn avenue, Pittsburgh. 
In 1883 he came to McKee's Rocks, opened 
the Exchange hotel (now called the Lamb 
hotel), of which he is the present owner and 
proprietor. Of ten applicants on Chartiers 
avenue for license this year he is the only 
one to whom it was granted. 

J. L. Campbell, West Elizabeth, a son of 
William and Emily (Robinson) Campbell, 
was born in Beaver County, Pa., in 1846. 
In 1863 he left home, and in 1871 married 
Eva. daughter of Wilson and Martha John- 
son. Their children are George. May, Clara, 
Jennie, Alberta and James L. In 1872 Mr. 
Campbell settled at West Elizabeth and con- 
tinued the building of coalbarges. which 
business he had previously followed. In 
1878 he began the manufacture of incubators, 
and he now has a factory making twelve a 
day. He is also manufacturer of a bread- 
raiser, of which he has sold six thousand in 
this county. His incubators have a universal 
sale and reputation. 

William Tweedy, butcher. West Eliza- 
beth, a son of Robert and Mary (McCully) 
Tweedy, was born in what is now Pattou town- 
ship. this county, in 182.5, His father, a native 
of Ireland, came to this country when about 
twenty-five years old, and eventually settled in 
Patton township. He reared a family consist- 
ing of Francis, Mary A., Susanna, Margaret 
(now deceased), Robert, Thomas, Elizabeth J. 



and William. The last named, after traveling 
through the west, returned, and in 1863 mar- 
ried Sarah, daughter of John and Matilda 
Ludwick, of Allegheny county, Pa., and re- 
moved to his present residence in Jefferson 
township. Here he is engaged in butcher- 
ing. His family consists of the following- 
named children: Mar3' M., Anna, George. 
John, James, Edward and Sarah L.. all at 
home. 

John M. Ross, night watchman for the 
A. V. R. R., Logan's Ferry, was born 
in this county Jan. 19. 1S31. a son of 
James and Margaret (Daugherly) Ross. 
James was born in Parnassus. June 24. 1801. 
was a boatman and lived for some time in 
Allegheny City and Pittsburgh, moving 
thence to Plum township, where John M. 
now lives. His wife was born in Mitflin 
county Jan. 12, 1803. They had a family of 
twelve children, of whom John M. and one 
sister, Mrs. Jane Lawson. are the only surviv- 
ors. James Ross died Jan. 23, 18T7, his wife 
March 27, 1869. William Ross, the grand- 
father of our subject, settled across the creek 
in Westmoreland count}' about the time of 
the Revolution, where he had about five hun- 
dred acres. He served in the Indian war. 
and died in 1847, a member of the M. E. 
Church. John M. remained with his father 
until the civil war opened. He enlisted June 
1.5, 1861. in Co. H, 8th P. R.; was consigned 
to the Arm3' of the Potomac, participated in 
the battles of Antietam. second Bull run, 
Cedar Mountain. South Mountain and others; 
was detailed under Gen. McDowell in an en- 
gineer corps at the battle of Fredericksburg. 
He was shot in the left eye, the ball passing 
out at the right side of the neck, back of the 
ear. He was confined to hospital one month, 
and discharged Jan. 22. 1863. The following 
summer he commenced work on a boat run- 
ning from Oil City to Pittsburgh, and contin- 
ued there until 1865. He was then elected 
supervisor of Plum township, and served four 
years. Soon after he bought his present 
home, and has been night watchman for the 
A. v. R. R. since that time. 

Mr. Ross married. 'July 4, 1865, Mary 
Snowden, born Aug. 29, 1849. in Pittsburgh, 
a daughter of William and Bridget Snowden. 
Mr. Snowden was a butcher, a native of New 
York, and was drowned about 1862. Mrs. 
Snowden came from Ireland when twelve 
years of age. Mr. Ross has children as fol- 
lows: Margaret Ellen (married Feb. 11, 1887, 
to Elmer E. Sprowl, a native of Butler coun- 
ty, now iu Alabama), Carrie JIay. Andrew 
Jackson and Charles Edw.ard (in the glass- 
house at Verona), Nanny Florence. James. 
Samson S., Lula Pearl and Eliza Jane (at 
home). They are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Ross is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. and G. A. R. 

S. W Lea. farmer, postoffice Woodville, 
was born in Scott township, this county, in 
1848. He is the son of Samuel Lea, who mar- 
ried Elizabeth Hall, and by her had six chil- 
dren, Samuel W. being the eldest. Samuel 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGBAPHY. 



625 



died in 1880, aged sixty-two years; bis widow 
still survives him. Born to William Lea, the 
pioneer of this family, was a son, Samuel, 
grandfather of S. W.. who had born to him 
seven children, of whom Samuel, the father 
of S. W., was the youngest. Our subject 
was educated at the public schools, was 
reared to farming and has always followed 
that occupation. In 1884 be was appointed, 
by the board of directors, superintendent of 
the farm on the county home, which posi- 
tion lie still fills to the entire satisfaction of 
the public. He is a member of the U. P. 
■Church, and is a republican. 

George C. Smith, farmer, postoffice 
Castle Shannon, was born Sept. 9, 1841, in 
Allegheny countj-. Pa. His grandfather, 
Kobert Smith, came from east of the mount- 
ains, and reared a family of four boys and 
six girls. Of these William, the father of 
George C, was born in 1813, and is now a 
resident of Washington county. Pa. He 
married Sarah H., daughter of George Cun- 
ningham, and became the father of eleven 
children, only four of whom attained matu- 
rity, viz.: George C, Mrs. Adeline Bailey, 
Daniel W. and Anna B. George C. married 
Nancy A., daughter of John McRoberts, and 
they have six children: Richard L., Eleanor 
J., Sarah H., John F., Ida and Willie. Mr. 
and Mrs. Smith are members of the U. P. 
Church. He has been a successful farmer; 
he is a republican 

J. J. McCuRDT, farmer, postoffice Reming- 
ton, was born in Robinson township in 1824 
to Joseph and Mary (Hall) McCurdy, the 
youngest of six children. His grandfather, 
Hugh, emigrated at an early day from Ire- 
land and purchased three hundred acres of 
land in Robinson township, one hundred and 
twenty acres of which are now owned by J. J. 
The latter was reared on the farm, where he 
has always resided, and was educated at the 
common schools. He married, in 1856, 
Mary Ann, daughter of Samuel and Priscilla 
(McFadden) Phillips, and six children have 
been born to them: Laura J.. Joseph A.. 
Samuel P., R. Florence, Frank W. and 
Oeorge W. Mr. McCurdy is a highly re- 
spected citizen of Robinson township, and 
for many years has been school director. He 
is a member of the U. P. Church, and is a 
republican. 

Thomas Armstrong Honter. nailer. 
Verona, was born in County T}'rone. Ireland, 
in 1835. His parents, James and Kate 
Hunter, died when he was small, and he was 
reared by his maternal grandfather, Arm- 
strong. When fifteen years old he came to 
America, and was employed two years in a 
rolling-mill and nail-factory at Kittanning. 
In 1853 he went to Pittsburgh, and was em- 
ployed for twenty years in the Duquesne 
Nail-works, during the last twelve years of 
■which he was manager. In 1873 he went 
into the American Iron-works, where he has 
been foreman of the nail department for 
several years. In 1865 he bought a piece of 
:ground near Verona, to which he moved his 



family four years later, and in 1873 he built the 
handsome residence he now occupies. He is 
a member of the Legion of Honor, and has 
always been a republican. In 1854 he mar- 
ried Sarah A. Porter, who was born in what 
is now Stowe township, daughter of James 
and Ann (Glover) Porter, natives of Ireland. 
Mr. Hunter has nine children: AVilliam 
James, in Pittsburgh; John P., in Verona; 
George E.. in Pittsburgh; Frank Milton, 
studying music in Florence, Ital.y; Thomas 
A., Albert, Sarah Mabel, Harry Homer and 
Maud Eugenie, at home. Olive Marion (the 
second child) died when twenty-one years 
old, and Charles Edward and Norville died 
when less than a year old. 

WrLt>iAM ZiNKHAN, Contractor, postoffice 
McKee's Rocks, a son of John and Annie C. 
Zinkhan, was born in Beaver county, in 
1849. His father was born in German}', in 
1824; came to America in 1845. and settled 
in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he followed black- 
smithing. From there he moved to Beaver 
county, where he spent the remainder of his 
life. He married, in 1847, Annie C. Bosley, 
of this county, and their children were Will- 
iam, George, Annie E., wife of Henry Hill- 
burg; Mary M., wife of Rev. George Goetz, 
and John. Mrs. John Zinkhan died June 
11, 1876, at the age of forty-nine years, and 
Mr. Zinkhan June 13, 1884, at the age of 
sixty years. William Zinkhan was reared 
in Beaver county. Pa. In 1862 he was em- 
ployed on the Ft. Wayne railroad, after 
which he learned the cooper's and later the 
carpenter's trade, which has been his princi- 
pal business through life, though from 1875 
to 1878 he was engaged in the grain trade on 
the Ohio and Monongahela rivers, owning a 
boat named Zinkhan. Mr. Zinkhan came to 
McKee's Rocks in 1881, where he follows the 
business of contractor and builder. He mar- 
ried, in 1872, Dora L., daughter of John F. 
and Mary Hague, and their children are 
Laura E., Estella, John R., William B., 
Claybell, Dora L. and Rachel V. (deceased). 
Mr. Zinkhan is a Freemason and a tuember 
of the I. O. H. 

John McChesnet, farmer, postoffice Ve- 
rona, is a son of James and Mary (McClure) 
McChesney, and wasborninKillalee, County 
Down, Ireland, April 15, 1834. His mother 
died in Ireland, and in 1851 he came to 
America, his father following him in 1853. 
He received an ordinary education in his 
native land, and has always followed farm- 
ing. For three years after coming to this 
country he was employed as a laborer and 
mason in Pittsburgh, and was a short time In 
the Squirrel Hill mines. In 1859 he settled 
on his present home, and works considerable 
land beside his own. He enlisted in 1864 in 
Co. D, 6th P. H. A., and did garrison duty 
until the close of the civil war. He has 
served as supervisor, and votes the repub- 
lican ticket. In 1846 he married Agnes Kirk, 
who was born in the same parish as himself. 
and their living children are James and 
Agnes; Mary, wife of Peter Nell, died in 1888, 



626 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



aeed forty; four children died in infancy. 
The family are members of the U. P. Church. 

Thomas McKeb. farmer, postofflce Turtle 
Creek, was born in Ireland, in IH24, a son of 
Thomas, who was a farmer in Ireland, and 
who married Nancy Dempster, by whom he 
had nine children, Thomas being tlie third 
child. The latter came to America in 1842, 
located in Allegheny county, and for two 
and a half years was employed on a farm. 
He married, in 184.5, Martha Curry, daughter 
of Daniel Curry. In 1858 he purchased his 
present farm of fifty-six acres, nearly all of 
which was woodland. Starting in life poor, 
Mr. McKee has. by thrift and perseverance, 
been able to secure for himself and wife a 
pleasant home They are members of the 
U. P. Church. He is a republican, and has 
served as school director six years; has also 
been supervisor and assessor. 

James R. .Johnston, broker, postofflce 
Hulton, was born in Armstrong county. Pa., 
March 16. 1846. a son of John (a farmer) and 
Susan (Wissinger) Johnston, natives of Arm- 
strong and Cambria counties, respectively, and 
parents of six children, viz. ; James R., Ellas. 
A. Lewis, Mary, Margaret and Nancy. The 
family were members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Our subject commenced for him- 
self when eighteen years of age. rolling oil- 
barrels for twenty-five cents per hour. In 
1873 he entered the bank at Karns City, But- 
ler county. Pa., remaining there until 1880; 
then spent a year in Colorado, mining. In 
1881 he came to Pittsburgh, and entered the 
Oil Exchange as broker. In 1873 he was united 
in marriage with Mary Hollobaugh, a native 
of Brady's Bend, Armstrong county, Pa., born 
Oct. 23. 1848, and they have three children; 
Emma S., Cyrus Tabor and Ruth A. Mr. 
Johnston's oil and mining interests have 
taken him over all the United States, and in 
1887 he and his wife made a pleasant visit to 
Eurov>e. He was a republican, and now a 
prohibitionist; he is a Mason. 

John A. Godld, an employe of Singer, 
Nimick & Co., postofflce Pittsburgh, was 
born in this county in 1842, a son of Adam 
and Rachel Gould. His grandfather Gould 
was born in Eastern Pennsj'lvania. Adam 
Gould was born in 1812, in Westmoreland 
county. Pa.; he there married, in 1837, 
Rachel Burkholder, and returned to McKees- 
port, Allegheny county, where he had for- 
merly lived. There they remained until 
1860, when they moved to Pittsburgh, but 
now reside in Chartiers township. They had 
ten children, of whom are living William H., 
Adam, John A., Samuel, Joseph and Jane. 
His father is a blacksmith, and a member of 
the A. O. U. W. John A. Gould married, in 
1866, Rebecca, daugliter of James and Re- 
becca Packer, and their children were Will- 
iam H. (deceased). Josephine (deceased), 
Walter C. (deceased), Cora (a teacher in this 
count}'). Bertha and Daisy. Mr. Gould en- 
listed in 1862 in Co. K, — - P. V. I., for six 
months, re-enlisting July 9, 1864. for three 
months, and was honorably discharged at 



the expiration of his term of service. He ia 
a member of the G. A. R., A. O. U. W. and 

K. of P. He has a good home, and other 
valuable property. 

William Stewart Hickman, farmer, 
postofflce Bridgeville. .John Hickman, the 
second child of Peter Hickman, was born in 
1799; married Sarah Park, of Wasliington 
county, and became the father of four chil- 
dren, of whom William Stewart is the 
youngest. John was a farmer and owned 
part of the tract of land purchased by his 
father. He died in 1887, aged eighty-eight 
years. His wife died in 1879, aged seventy-one 
years. William Stewart was educated at the 
public schools, has always followed farming, 
and now owns and resides on the proi)erty 
of 167 acres, where his grandfather. Peter, 
lived. He married, in 1872. Mary Lesnett, 
daughter of John and Mary (Smith) Lesnett, 
and eight children have been born to them: 
Iz^etta Bell, Rebecca Lewella (deceased), 
Maggie Orr, John Park, Abbie Lesnett and 
Annie Lois (twins), Mary Edna and Nelly 
Roberta. Mr. Hickman has alwa3'8 lived on 
his present farm, where he was born. He 
is a member of the M. E. Church, and is a 
republican. 

OsMAN Lynn Eaton, Verona, was born 
at Shoustown, Allegheny county, June 28, 
1863. and is a brother of C. H. Eaton, of 
whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. His early education was received in 
the public schools at various points, and an 
academy at Irwin's station. When seven- 
teen years of age he went into the telegraph 
offlce of the A. V. R. R. in Pittsburgh, where 
he remained three years. For some time he 
had charge of Connellsville station, on the 
B. & O., and was train dispatcher for two 
years of that time, at Pittsburgh. Since 1876 
he has been a resident of Verona, and is man- 
ager of the store established b}' Eaton Bros, 
in 1886. He is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. 
M., and is an enthusiastic republican. 

Harry Wkllesley Armstrong, man 
ufacturer. postofflce Verona, residence Oak 
mont, was born in 1851, in Quebec, and is the 
son of Edmund M. and Emma Mary (Heales) 
Armstrong, natives, respectively, of Sorel, 
Canada, and Coventry. England. When about 
two years old his father removed to Chicago, 
where he engaged in the banking business; 
was also in the same business at Warren and 
Erie. Pa., but is now leading a retired life at 
Oakland. Cal. His grandfather. Jesse D. 
Armstrong, was harbor-master at Quebec 
for about twenty years, and among the early 
pioneers of the St. Lawrence river; he died 
in California in 1877. aged about seventy-six 
years. Harry W. attended school in Chicago, 
Warren and Erie. Pa. He began his busi- 
ness life bj- studj'ing telegraphy, and was 
about nine j^ears at Renovo. While there he 
served his time as machinist, and became 
draftsman and assistant master-mechanic of 
the P. K. R. shops. In 1876 he came to Verona, 
and became general foreman of the A. V. R. 
R. shops. A year and a half later he became a 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



627 



■draftsman for the Homestead & Crescent 
Steel-works. In 1881 he engaged as manager 
of the Verona Tool-works, becoming a part- 
ner one year later. Mr. Armstrong was united 
in marriage, in September, 1879. to Mary F., 
daughter of J. W. Paul. She was born Feb. 
31. 1858, in Pittsburgh. Six children have 
blessed this union: Jacob Paul, Harry How- 
ard, William Metcalf. Mary Ellen, Pauline 
and Ruth. Mr. Armstrong i.s a republican, 
and he and his wife are members of the Epis- 
copal Church. 

Owen Shekket, postoffice Rankin Sta- 
tion, is a native of Ireland, born in 1843, and at 
twenty years of age immigrated to America. 
He was educated at the common schools in 
Ireland, and on coming to this country served 
a three years' apprenticeship at the trade of 
tanner and currier in Pittsburgh. For seven 
years he owned and managed the Fayette 
tannery at Ohio Pyle, Fayette county. Pa. 
In the spring of 1884 he located at Rankin 
Station, Pa., and with John E. Downing, of 
Pittsburgh, he built the Fort Pitt tannery, 
carried on under the name of John E. Down- 
ing & Co. until May, 1886, at which time the 
firm dissolved, continuing under the title of 
Owen Sheekey & Co. The tannery, which is 
located on the line of the B. & O. R. R., 
near Rankin Station, covers four acres, and 
the building proper is 100x185 feet, and the 
bark -shed 54x100, the machinery being pro- 
pelled by a sixty-horse-power engine; two 
boilers; capacity one hundred hides a day; 
thirty men employed. Mr. Sheekey is a 
democrat. 

Shartle Crowe, farmer, postoffice White 
Ash, was born in Brome township, Morgan 
county, Ohio, March 2, 1845, a son of Philip 
and Rebecca (Toler) Crowe, of Virginia. The 
family removed in 1858 to Pittsburgh, where 
the father died at the age of eighty-four, and 
the mother at seventy-two. Philip Crowe 
was a farmer, and his son has always fol- 
lowed agriculture. The latter had little 
opportunity for acquiring an education, at- 
tending the city schools during one winter. 
In 1883 he purchased a farm of thirty-live 
acres in Penn township, and settled thereon. 
In 1878 he was united in marriage with 
Annie McFarland, a native of Penn town- 
ship, and a daughter of Alexander and Sarah 
(Ralston) McFarland, of Scotch and Irish 
blood. Their children are Bessie Pearl, 
Homer Shartle, Edna Viola and Nancy Ral- 
ston. Mr. Crowe entered his country's serv- 
ice in the 136th regiment, nine-months men, 
and participated in the battles of Fredericks- 
burg and Chancellorsville. In October, 1864, 
he .ioined the .5th H. A., with which he did 
garrison duty until the close of the war. 
Mr. Crowe is a republican. His family 
attend the M. E. Church. 

Charles Homer Eaton, clerk, Verona, 
was born in Georgetown, Pa.. June 38, 
1861, and is the third son of Matthias M. 
and Mary S. Eaton. Hugh, father of M. M. 
Eaton, was a farmer near East Palestine, 
Ohio, where the latter was born. The 



Eatons are of Irish extraction. Thomas S. 
Jones, father of Mrs. Mary S. Eaton, was a 
prominent citizen of Doddridge county, W. 
Va., where she was born. M. M. Eaton was 
a clergyman of the M. E. Church, and was 
attached successively to the Western Ohio, 
West Virginia and Pittsburgh conferences. 
He died in 1879 at the age of sixty-two, and 
his widow is now aged sixty-four. Their 
eldest son, Theodore N.. is presiding elder of 
the Pittsburgh conference. The other chil- 
dren are Charles Homer, Leouidas H. (who 
died aged thirty-two), Antoinette I. (Marsh, 
died aged twenty-three), Luella C. (died 
aged thirteen), Osman L. and Edgar E. "The 
first, third and fourth sons are owners of a 
general hardware-store at Verona, which 
was established in January, 1886, and are 
doing a successful business, under the super- 
vision of Osman. They erected the build- 
ing now occupied, in April. 1888. Charles H. 
Eaton was educated chiefly at the public 
schools and the college at Scio.Ohio, and when 
sixteen years old took his present position 
with the Dexter Spring company. In 1883 
he built his residence on Parker street, and 
two years later married Anna B., daughter of 
David Yarnell. She was born in Allegheny 
City, and has one child, Ruth. Mr. Eaton is 
a trustee of the M. E. Church, and is a re- 
publican. 

John Hodoes McNeill, machinist, post- 
office Verona, was born in Philadelphia 
March 38, 1861, and is the son of Irish parents. 
Robert and Martha (Hunter) Hodges. His 
father died in 1865, and he was adopted and 
reared by an uncle, John McNeill. In 1873 
they came to Allegheny City, and when sev- 
enteen years of age our subject began to 
learn his trade in that city. For the last six 
years he has been employed in the A. V. R. R. 
shops. He is a member of the Jr.O. U. A. M. 
and R. A., and an independent republican. 
April 29, 1885, Mr. McNeill married Miss Mat- 
tie K. Cable, daughter of Edward and Sophia 
Magdalene Cable, for fifty years residents of 
O'Hara township, and Edward Cable is a native 
of England and Sophia M. Cable is a native of 
America, born in Allegheny countv. Lily 
May is the only child of Mr. and Sirs. Mc- 
Neil!. 

John W. Milligan, clerk, Swissvale, is 
a native of Alle.gheuy county, born May 15. 
1838. David Milligan, a son of Samuel and 
Susan Milligan, and a native of Pennsylva- 
nia, came from Perry county to this county, 
and in 1813 purchased 150 acres of land 
near the Monongahela river, moving Ihereon 
with his family in 1814. where he remained 
till his death, "in 1820. He married, in 1794, 
Sarah Wallace, who bore him five sons and 
four daughters, and of these Robert, the 
third child and second son, was born Oct. 29, 
1800. in Perry county. Pa. He (Robert) mar- 
ried, in 1839. Mary, daughter of Alexander 
and Margaret (Owen) Shortess. of Perry 
count}', and four sons and two daughters 
were born to them: Alexander Shortess, 
Thomas A., Emeline Ellen, John Wesley 



628 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



(our subject), JIary Marcaretta and Joseph 
Robert, of whom the 3'ouugest four are now 
living. Robert, the father of tliese children, 
a farmer b3' occupation, owned the properly 
purchased by his father, David, up to liis death; 
he died in 1887, ageil eighty eijflit years; his 
widow is now livinLr ul llic ageof eiglity-eight 
years. John Wisliy Milligan was born and 
reared on the farm purcliased by liis grand- 
father, and which lie now owns. lie was 
educated at the public schools and Wilkins- 
burg Academy, graduating from Dartmouth 
College, in New Uampshire. in 1862. He then 
comraence<l the study of law, was admitted 
to the bar at Pittsburgh in I860, and followed 
his profession ten years. He then entered 
the employ of the Edgar Thomson Steel- 
works, at Bessemer, as a clerk, which posi- 
tion he now holds. He also superintends the 
work on his farm of 130 acres. Mr. Milligan 
was married, in 1867. to Mary E., daughter of 
Smith and Mary Agnew, of Cumberland 
county. Pa., and seven children have been 
born to them, live now living: Robert. 
Joseph F., Mary Graham, Matilda C. and 
James Carother.s. Mr. Jlilligan is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and is a re- 
publican. 

B. P. W.\LLACE, music-dealer. McKees- 
port, was born in Manchester. England, 
March 15. 1862, a son of John and Catherine 
(Dillon) Wallace, who came to America in 
1864, locating in Maryland, and settling in 
McKeesport in 1871. He opened a music- 
store in McKeesport in 1886, handles instru- 
ments only of lirst-class makers, and by strict 
attention to business has already built up a 
large and successful trade that is daily in- 
creasing. He married, June 5, 1887, Cather- 
ine, daughter of John and Marie Werlen- 
bach, of McKeesport. and has one son, 
Augustus. Mr. Wallace is a member of the 
German Catholic Church; in politics is inde- 
pendent. 

Thomas J. E. Morrow, farmer, post- 
ofBce Oak Dale Station, was born In Snow- 
den township, this county, in 1849. a son of 
Thomas Morrow, who was the youngest of 
a family of ten children. The Slorrows are 
of Scotch-Irish descent, and at an early day 
immigrated to America. Thomas married 
Ann Espey, daughter of James Espey. of 
this county, and five children were born to 
them. Thomas purchased, in 1832, one 
hundred acres of land now owned by our 
subject, and which was originally the prop- 
ert\' of David Herriott. There he resided 
until his death, which occurred in 1871, when 
he was sixty-three j'ears old. Thomas J. E. 
has always resided on the farm, and at the 
death of his father inherited the property. 
He was educated at the public schools, and 
in 1874 married Elizabeth A., daughter of 
Richard Moss, of this county. Three chil- 
dren — Lillian P., Jennie W. and Forbes Lee- 
have been born to this union. Mr. Morrow 
is an elder of Oak Dale Presbyterian Church. 
He is a republican, and is now serving as 
school director. 



Samuel Webster Bhaodon, gardener, 
Myler, was born on Neville island, June 28^ 
1847. son of Samuel C. and Frances (Morrow) 
Bragdon. His father was born in Maine, 
and came to this county in or about 1830, in a 
sleigh. He was born in 1806. son of Ebenezer 
and Dorcas (Woodbridge) Bragdon. He was 
married in 1836. and four children were bora 
to them: William Henry, Samuel W'ebster, 
John W. and Jennie Glass. Samuel's grand- 
father was in the war of 1813. His maternal 
grandparents were John and Elizabeth (Mor- 
row) Morrow, and his great grandfather was 
David Morrow. Samuel received his educa- 
tion in the schools of the island, and at Mt. 
Union College, Ohio. He worked with his 
father until 1873, when he started for him- 
self. His father died in July, 1881, aged 
seventy-five years, leaving two pieces of land 
on the island to Samuel and his brother, 
William H., Samuel taking his present place 
of fourteen acres, where he erected a fine 
house in 188.5, drawing the plans and arrang- 
ing the details himself. He was married, 
Dec. 35, 1873, to Rhoda Henderson, of Mercer 
county. Pa., daughter of Jonathan and Eliz- 
abeth (Brown) Henderson, who now reside 
in that county. Two children have blessed 
this union— Berton and John. The family 
are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. 
Bragdon is a republican, and has held all the 
various offices of his township. 

Thomas Towers, postoffice West View, 
was born Dec. 31, 1815, in Lancashire, En- 
gland, sou of John and Elizabeth (Osfield) 
Towers. The family was one of the oldest 
in England, where they are traced back 
many generations of honorable people. 
Thomas came to America in 1842, and in this 
county followed farming and dairying. He 
owns a farm in Ross township, where he has 
accumulated a competency and made many 
friends. He is an intelligent New Churchman, 
and shows by his e.\ample in life the faith 
he reveres. Politicallj' he is a republican, 
and has held different township offices. He 
married Elizabeth Winter, also a native of 
England, and by her had one child — John 
A., who is following in his father's footsteps. 
W'lLLiAM E. Winter, dairyman, post- 
office West View, was born Nov. 5, 1839. in 
East End. Pittsburgh (formerly Peebles 
townshiii), a son of Edward and Elizabeth 
(Jones) Winter, natives of England. They 
had three children: Rachel, William E. and 
Anna H. The father died, and the mother 
afterward married Thomas Towers, a native 
of England, and to them were born three 
children: Moses (deceased), Walter T. (de- 
ceased) and John A. William E. Winter 
received his education in this county, and at 
the age of seventeen commenced the dairy 
business, which he has continued up to the 
present time with marked success, still re- 
taining some of his first customers; he also cul- 
tivates a farm of sixty acres. Mr. Winter 
married Caroline Mohn, a native of this 
county, of German descent, and their union 
has been blessed with three children; Will- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



629 



iam E., Frederick T. and Charley M. Mr. 
aud Mrs. Winter are members of the Lu- 
tlieran Church; he is a republican. 

Louis Marx, of the firm of Bachman & 
Marx, clothiers, McKeesport, is a native of 
Alsace-Lorraine, where he was reared and 
educated. For several years he held the 
position of clerk and collector in the leading 
banking-houses of Strasburg and Paris, and 
in 1874 came to America and located in 
Huntington, Ind., where he was a clerk in a 
clothing-house two years. From there he 
went to Philadelphia; in 1878 came to Mc- 
Keesport and was clerk in the clothing-house 
of Joseph Haber until the death of the pro- 
prietor, in 1883. He then managed the store 
for one year, and in March, 1884, purchased 
the business and took as a partner Max 
Bachman, since when they have had a large 
and successful trade that is constantly increas- 
ing. Of Mr. Marx it can be truthfully said 
that he is a live and enterprising merchant 
and a worthy citizen. 

F. P. Steedle, boarding-house keeper, 
McKee's Rocks, sou of Jacob Steedle, was 
born in Germany, in 1845, and came to this 
country in 1873, settling in Stowe township, 
where he now resides. His parents, who 
both died in the old country, had live chil- 
dren; Philip. Frank, Mollie. Otto and Char- 
lie. F. P. Steedle was married in. 1873 to 
Catherine, daughter of Isidor and Mary 
Scheuble. and they have two children — Car- 
rie and Charlie. Mr. Steedle has been em- 
ployed in the iron-works of this county from 
1873 to 1887, though in 1885 he opened a 
saloon and boarding-house, but at present is 
keeping only a boarding-house. He owns a 
good dwelling- and business-house in Mc- 
Kee's Rocks. 

Charles Sossong, merchant, postofflce 
Putnam, is a native of Prussia, and was born 
Nov. 3, 1836, in Ziisch, in Kreis Trier, to 
John and Elizabeth (Graber) Sossong. He 
came to America in 1864, and located in Bir- 
mingham, South Pittsburgh, where for two 
yeai's he was engaged in coal-mining. In 
1867 he came to Mansfield, and from then on 
until 1872 he was engaged in coal-mining; 
then, in April, 1872, he commenced butcher- 
ing, a business he followed until 1886, when 
he embarked in his present business on some 
of his property, where he carries a fine line 
of dry goods, notions and clothing, enjoying 
a good patronage. In 1866, Mr. Sossong 
married Philomina Easterday, born in Pitts- 
burgh May 16, 1845, daughter of Jacob and 
Ursala (Freyvogle) Easterday, former a na- 
tive of Switzerland. Nine children have 
blessed this union: Charles and Edward 
(both died when the}' were small), and Jo- 
seph, Lizzie, Annie, Anthony, Clara, Minnie 
and Reyman. The family are members of 
the Catholic Church 

David Reel, farmer, postofflce West 
View, was born Jan. ], 1837. a son of David 
Reel, one of the first white children born 
north of the Allegheny river. He was a farmer 
on the Reel homestead, a trustee of the M. 



E. Church, and died Sept. l-"). 1868; his widow, 
Isabella (Wiley) Reel, died in 1875, aged 
sixty-five years. They had four children; 
William V., George W., David and Wiley. 
Wiley and George W. were soldiers in the 
civil war, suffered in the Southern prisons, 
and died before reaching home. David mar- 
ried Anna Redpath, and three sons blessed 
their union; Ellis, Watson A. and Casper. 
Mr. Reel is an extensive fruit-grower; has 
been trustee of the M. E. Church for many 
years; he has always been a republican, hut 
latterly he is a prohibitionist. 

Andrew Brethader. gardener, postofflce 
Ross, was born March 8, 1840, in Hesse-Cassel, 
Germany, the son of Christopher and Mary 
(Schmidt) Brethauer, natives of same place. 
Christopher came to America in 1847, and 
followed gardening in this county, where he 
died, April 15, 1880, at the age of seventy- 
three years. He and his wife were members 
of the G. L. Church; they had four children; 
Andrew, John F., Lewis W. and Albert C. 
Andrew was educated in Allegheny county, 
and followed gardening, owning twenty-one 
acres of garden land; was also in the dairy 
business one year. He married Christine 
Self, a native of Pittsburgh, and they have 
eight children; Mary M., Albert C, Elizabeth, 
Bertha, William L., Edward A., John F. and 
Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Brethauer are members 
of the G. L. Church; he is a republican. 

Joseph Hodgson, farmer, postofflce Put- 
nam, was born in the county of Westmore- 
land, England, in 1824. Thomas Hodgson 
came from England in 1833 to America, and 
settled in Birmingham, Allegheny county. 
Pa. In 1843 he purchased 160 acres of land 
in Collier township, part of which is now 
owned by the subject of this memoir. He 
married Mary Salkeld, and by her had twelve 
children, all born in England. He was a farm- 
er all his life, and died in 1844; his widow 
passed away in 1868, aged eighty-four years. 
Joseph Hodgson was educated at the public 
schools of Alle,gheny county, and has always 
followed agricultural pursuits. He is a re- 
publican and has held many township offices; 
he is a member of the Methodist Church. 

Miss Mart J. Hazlett, retired teacher, 
postofflce Bonney. is a daughter of Samuel 
and Mary Hazlett, and was born in Pitts- 
burgh. Pa., in 1830. Her father came from 
Carlisle. Cumberland county. Pa., about the 
year 1817 or 1818, and settled in this county. 
About 1840 he purchased forty-four acres of 
land in Chartiers township, upon which he 
resided until his death, in 1858, when he was 
sixty-one years of age. His widow survived 
him until 1880, when she departed this life at 
the age of ninety-one years. They bad four 
children; James Wills (deceased), Sarah Law- 
son, wife of Samuel Hodgson; Mary Jane, 
and Eliza McKee, wife of James Wilkinson. 
Miss Mary J. Hazlett followed teaching in 
this county for six years. She resides upon 
the old homestead of her parents, one-third 
of which she owns, and which is known as 
Hazel Wilde. 



630 



niHTOUV OF ALLEGHKNY COUNTY. 



Washinoton Gmn, market-gardener.post- 
■offlce Sewickley, was born Aui^. 23, 1830. in 
Mimiil Pli;is!int, Westmoreland county. Pa. 
His piitcrnaf iiraniifatlier. who was a native 
ul' Scdtluud, came to America, and fought 
uiidfi' (4cn. Washington in the revolutionary 
war. Ilis son David was bound out to Paul 
Warden, and worked as a farmer and miner. 
David was married to Margaret Sisnee, and 
died at Elizabethtown. Our subject's father's 
family moved from Elizabeth to Neville 
island in a canoe. Washington Gibb wa.s 
reared in this county, and received a modest 
education. When a boy he worked at gar- 
dening, a vocation he has pursued more or 
less all his life. For several years he was a 
coalboatman on the Ohio river to Louis- 
ville; subsequently a pilot Eventually he re- 
moved to Sewickley, where he began garden- 
ing on a small scale, and he is now the owner 
of twelve acres of choice garden-land, worth 
two thousand dollars per acre, shippingmost 
of the produce to Allegheny. Mr. Gibb was 
married to Miss Mary Devillian, of West- 
moreland count}', and this union has been 
blessed with five children: David W., John 
F., William H., Walter P. and Ida M. Mr. 
and Mr=. Gibb are members of the Presby- 
terian Church; he is a republican. 

R. M. Erwin, Sewickley. was born Jan. 
6, 1834, near Carlisle, Mifflin township, in 
the Cumberland valley, Cumberland county, 
Pa., and is, as near as he knows, one of the 
eighth generation born in America of Scotch- 
Irish descent. He is the second child born 
to James B. and Isabell M. (McElwain) 
Erwin. His grandparents were early settlers 
in the Cumberland valley, and were repre- 
sented in both the war of the Revolution and 
of 1812. The paternal grandfather, James 
Irwin (who changed the spelling to Erwin), 
was born in 1742, and died April 14, 1819, 
and the paternal grandmother, Oliva Bard, 
was born March 28, 1767, and died March 3, 
1840. They had seven children, as follows: 
Elizabeth, Martha, Catharine P., Mary, John, 
Oliva B. and James B. (father of our subject). 
Tlic parents of Oliva (Bard) Irwin were capt- 
ure<l by Indians, and their eldest child killed 
by being taken by the feet and dashed against 
a tree; the mother was ransomed at Fort Du- 
quesne. R. M. Erwin's maternal grandpar- 
ents were Robert and Jane (Shannon) McEl- 
wain, former born in 1780, latter in 1790, and 
they lived to tlie age of seventy-five years or 
upward; they reared a family of eight chil- 
dren, viz.: Isabell M. (mother of our subject, 
and born in Mifflin township, Cumberland 
county), Elizabeth Ann, Mary, Andrew, 
Sarah Jane, Margaret E., Liberty M, and 
James Shannon. 

R. M. Erwin had no early school advan- 
tages, and as soon as able worked to help 
support his parents. He followed carpenter- 
ing, and did work by the day from IS.'io to 
1866 in Sewickley, e.xcept during his service 
in the army. He enlisted in Co. G, 28th P. 
V, I., served eighteen months, and was dis- 
charged on account of disability. Returning 



home, he engaged in storekeeping five years; 
subsequently he embarked in the coal trade, 
in which he continued si.xteen years, and in 
1885 he abandoned that line for the livery 
business. He has now the most extensive 
livery-stables in Sewickley. Mr. Erwin mar- 
ried Annecca. daughter of Bruce Tracj', and 
they have si.x children; Katie B., Anna M., 
William K., Robert M., Edward B. and June. 
He is a member of the G. A. R., K. of H. and 
the Jr. O. U. A. M.; he is a republican. 

Capt. O. F. Mki.vin, bookbinder, post- 
office Ross, WHS born April 28, 1837, in Brooke 
county, W. Va., son of Henry and Alzina 
(Thayer) Melvin, pioneers of that county, 
former of whom was a merchant in Ohio and 
Virginia, being a trader by occupation. 
Their son, O. F., was reared 'in Ohio and 
partly educated there. At the age of nine- 
teen he went to Cincinnati, and there learned 
the bookbinder's business, at which he is 
still engaged, being foreman with Eichbaum 
& Co., of Pittsburgh, in whose emploj' he has 
been for twenty years. Mr. Melvin was in 
Wellsburg, W. Va., when the war-note 
sounded over the country and Lincoln made 
his three-months call. In response he en- 
listed in Co. F, 1st W. V. R., remaining in 
same until the close of the war. He was 
first lieutenant in the three-months service, 
and captain in the three-years; participated 
in all the engagements of the regiment, and 
was wounded at the battle of Piedmont, Va. 
The captain married Hattie. daughter of 
Robert Nicholls, who was clerk of Brooke 
county. Va., for twenty-five j'ears. Capt. 
and Mrs. Melvin have eight children: Allen 
W., William J., Hattie S., Thayer E., -loseph 
E., Edward C, .Jessie W. and Robert Benton. 
Capt. Melvin is a member of the A. F. <& A. 
M. and G. A. R, ; he is a republican, 

H. H. Scnui-TE, grocer. Glenfield, was 
born Nov. 5, 1842, near Bielefeld, West- 
phalia, Germany, son of Henry and Mary 
(Lobunitke)Schulte, latter of French descent. 
The father came to America in 1851, and his 
family followed him in 1858. settling in 
Westmoreland county. Pa., where he worked 
in the coal-mines. They finally removed to 
this count}', where the father died in Pitts- 
burgh. H, H. Schulte was educated in Ger- 
many, and in Pittsburgh he learned the gun- 
smitli's trade, which he followed till f864, 
when he enlisted in the 212th P. V. I., Co. E, 
remaining in the army until the close of the 
war. He then returned to his trade, work- 
ing for William Craig, of Pittsburgh, whom 
he bought out later. Mr. Schulte conducted 
the gun business successfully until the fall of 
1879. In the spring of 18sii lie embarked in 
the grocery business at St. Louis, Mo., in 
which he continued until 1887. when he 
returned to this county, and has since con 
ducted a general grocerj'-store in Glenfield. 
Mr Schulte was married in Pittsburgh to 
Kate, daughter of Casper Ransick, and they 
are the parents of seven children: Anna, 
Kate (deceased), Phillip, Herman, Robert, 
Eva and Louis. Mr. Schulte is a republican. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



631 



Charles Cooke Ralph, marine engineer, 
Emsworth, was born Oct. 3, 1843, in Pitts- 
burgh. Pa., near where the present court- 
house stands, youngest and only living child 
of Samuel H. and Mary (Spargo) Ralph, na- 
tives of England, who came to America 
when eich was about nine years of age. His 
father, also an engineer, for a time followed 
the Hudson river on one of the first boats; 
at Pitlsburgh he became part owner of the 
steamer Germantown, which he ran for sev- 
eral years; was also engaged in the cou- 
struction of the Portage R. R.. and ran 
the first train over that road. He died Nov. 
17, 1886, aged seventy-nine years; his widow 
died when about thirty-eight j'ears of age. 
Charles C. Ralph received his education near 
Perrysville and at Allegheny College. Mead- 
ville. He enlisted, in 1861, in Co. M, 102d 
P. V. I. They camped near Washington 
that winter, and in the following spring 
joined McClellan's army and participated in 
all its battles for three years. His brother. 
Nelson Crooks Ralph, who was in the rebel 
army, was wounded at Vicksburg. and has 
not been heard of since. In 1866 Charles C. 
began as an engineer striker on a boat, and 
afterward became an engineer. He married, 
in February, 1870. Isabella C. Bail, of this 
county, and they have four children, named as 
follows: Ella Isabella, Nelson C, Charles 
Cooke and Mary Ann. Mrs. Ralph is a 
member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Ralph is 
a member of the F. & A. M. and the U. V. L. 

William Dewart McKblvet, engineer, 
Wilkinsburg, named after Hon. William L. 
Dewart. was born in Centreville, Pa.. .luue 
13, 1843. His grandfather, William McKel- 
vey, came from Ireland and settled in Lig- 
onier valley about the beginning of this 
century. His wife was Mary Wallace; their 
son, Ephraim, married Sarah, daughter of 
Abner and Eliza (Richardson) Kelly. There 
were seven McKelvey brothers, including 
William, who came to America together. 
They were of great stature, one being six 
feet eight inches tall and proportionately 
large of frame. Ephraim was born in 1813 
and died in 1867; he was justice of the peace 
many years; was a democrat and a powerful 
debater, and, having read medicine, was 
frequently called upon to bleed or vaccinate 
people of his locality. He was a successful 
merchant, but sunk most of his means in a 
construction contract on the P. R. R. 
He was thrice married, his second wife 
being Eliza Anderson; his third wife, 
Sarah Croft, is now living in Allegheny. 
William D. is the only living child of Sarah 
Kelly McKelvey, wlio died in 1847. He 
was educated in the public schools and El- 
der's Ridge Academy, and taught school in 
18.59. In 1860 he found employment as a 
brakeman on the P. R. R., afterward 
as fireman. Since 1864 he has been en- 
gineer, and now runs the fastest ex- 
press trains between Pittsburgh and Al- 
toona. In 1863 he married Katharine B., 
daughter of James and Lavinia Gettamy. of 



Ligonier valley. Mr. McKelvey moved to 
Wilkinsburg in 1876. The family are asso- 
ciated with the Presbyterian Church. He is 
a Freemason, a member of the A. O. U. W.. 
R. A. and O. C. F., and is a republican. 

Albert Cakson Smith, carpenter, Wil- 
kinsburg, was born in Centre township. 
Indiana county. Pa., Jan. 35. 18.53. His 
grandfather, James Smith, came from Ire- 
land and settled in Indiana county early in 
this century. Samuel, a carpenter by trade, 
son of the latter, and born in Centre town- 
ship, in 1839, married Susan Carson, and died 
in May, 1863. Both his father and he were 
active members of the U. P. Church, and 
republicans. William Carson, father of 
Susan, was also a native of Ireland, and lived 
in Juniata county, where she was born in 
1832. She now resides in Indiana county. 
This family were Presbyterians. A. C. Smith 
is the eldest of five children born to Samuel 
and Susan Smith. He was reared in his 
native town, and when seventeen years old 
went to learn the carpenter's trade with an 
uncle. For five years he was employed in 
the oil country, and came to Wilkinsburg in 
1882. Four years later he became a member 
of the contracting firm of L. A. Raisig & 
Co., and now looks after the lumber-yard. 
Mr. Smith married, in June, 1881, "Eliza 
Peterman, a native of Indiana count)', Pa., 
and daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Clark) 
Peterman, of German descent. Two children 
were born to this union: Carl Edgar and Ernest 
Leroy, latter deceased in infancy. Mr. and 
Mrs. Smith are members of the Presbyterian 
Church; he is connected with the Jr. O. U. 
A. M., and is a republican. 

James Logan, boss in rolling-mill, post 
office McKee's Rocks, son of John and Eliza- 
beth Logan, was born in Ireland in 1848, 
came to this country in 1865 and located in 
Pittsburgh. Pa. He married, in 1867, Katie, 
daughter of William and Margret Yard, of 
this county, and their children are Elizabeth. 
.John H.. Maggie, Eva B., Joseph D., James 
and Myrtle. Mr. Logan has been emplo3'ed 
for many years in a rolling-mill, is now boss, 
and has charge of a number of men. 

Capt. D. Si. Cooley, river-pilot. McKees- 
port. was born in Elizabeth township, this 
county, April 24, 1840, a son of William R. 
and Lovina (Mains) Cooley. His paternal 
grandparents, Frederick (a millwright b)- 
trade) and Jane Cooley, were among the 
pioneers of Elizabeth township. William 
R. Cooley was a resident of Elizabeth town- 
ship for many years; was a sawyer by occu- 
pation, and now resides in Elizabeth bor- 
ough; he raised a family of twelve children. 
D. M. was reared in Elizabeth township. He 
served in the war of the rebellion, enlisting 
in August, 1861, in Co. E. 105th P. V.; was 
wounded at Fredericksburg, Va., and honor- 
ably discharged on account ot disability in 
May, 1863. After returning from the war he 
was married to Nancy J., daughter of Jona- 
than Householder, of Elizabeth township, 
and commenced in 1864 the occupation of 



632 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Steamboat captain and pilot; be located in 
1880 on-liis present place, wliere be bas since 
resided. Tbe captain bas oij^bt cbildren liv- 
ing. He is a prominent member of tbe G. 
A. R. and U. V. L. and is a stancb advocate 
of probibition. 

Jamks M. Brown, contractor and builder, 
McKeesport, Pa., is a native of Stalbridge, 
Dorsetsbire, England. He was born Dec. 
29, 1850; was reared and educated in bis 
native town, and served an apprenticeship of 
live years at tbe carpenter and joiner trade. 
He came to McKeesport in tbe spring of 
1871, where be worked at bis trade as a jour- 
neyman until 1876; he then embarked in 
business as a contractor and builder, in 
which he has been very successful. He is 
a member of the A. O. V.. tbe K. of P. and 
the R. A. ; be is a republican. 

Jacob Gilliland, mine boss, postofflce 
Homestead, was born Nov. 8, 1833, in Lower 
St. Clair township. His grandfather, David 
Gilliland, a native of Ireland, of Scotch de- 
scent, came to America after the Revolution, 
and settled in Ohio. He bad a family of 
eight children, of whom Samuel, at the age 
of twenty years, came to Alleghenj' county, 
where he farmed. He died in Wyandot 
couniy, Ohio. His widow, Eliza (BraufE) 
Gilliland, is still living in this county, aged 
seventy-eight years. Her children are Jacob, 
John, Alfred, Samuel, Mrs. Rebecca Horn, 
Mrs. Margaret Snee and Mrs. Mary J. Craig. 
Jacob was educated in Mifflin township, 
learned no special trade, but engaged at dif- 
ferent occupations, and has worked about 
coal-mines thirty-five years, twenty-one years 
of that time as mine boss. He has distin- 
guislied himself as a practical and scientific 
man. and bas been very successful. Mr. 
Gilliland bas been twice married; bis first 
wife, iiec Rebecca Kennedy, died, leaving 
seven children: James, Almarinda, Oliver, 
Ida M., Josephine, John and Alice. His 
second wife was Maria Davis. Mr. and Mrs. 
Gilliland are members of tbe M. E. Church; 
be is a republican. He built one of the first 
business-houses in Homestead. 

Geokge Linderman, superintendent, post- 
offlce Homestead, was tiorn March 28, 1838, 
in Pittsburgh, Pa. His parents, Philip and 
Catharine (Lambert) Linderman, natives of 
Wiirtemberg, Germany, resided some years 
in Baltimore, Md., and in 1831 came to Pitts- 
burgh, where tbe father was in business until 
his ileatli, in 18,57. He was well known among 
the residents of that city. His widow died 
in 1882, aged eighty-two years, the mother 
of tbe following-named children: John, 
William, Caroline, Catharine, Daniel, George, 
Louise and Mary. George was educated in 
tbe city schools, and at the age of nine years 
began work in a brick-factory. At tlie age 
of fourteen he became a cabin-boy on a river 
steamer, and followed the river in the 
winter for many years, engaging in brick- 
making in the summer. In January, 1870, 
he was elected street commissioner, and filled 
the position for the unprecedented term of 



seventeen years. In February, 1887, he was 
elected to the position of superintendent of 
the city farm, where he has also proved his 
efficiency. He married Jane Sterling, and 
has three children: Mrs. Cora H. Hoagland, 
Charles B. and William S. Politically Mr. 
Linderman has always been a repuldican. 
He is a member of the F. & A. M., Pitts- 
burgh Lodge, No. 484; Henry Lamlierl l-odge. 
I. O. O. F., and Bethel Lnd-c of Workmen, 
in which he has filled all the principal "fflces, 
and in the last named he was treasurer for 
twelve years. He has always taken a deep 
interest in educational matters, and for five 
years was president of the Sixth ward school 
board. 

Louis Senger. ice-dealer, postofflce Char- 
tiers, a son of Christian (a farmer) and Cath- 
erine Senger, was born in Alsace, France (now 
Germany), in 1840, and came to Ibis country 
in 1844, settling in this county. Cliristian 
died in 1861 at the age of fiftj'-eight years, 
his wife in 1850. They had eight children, 
three of whom are living: George, Louis and 
Autonius. Louis Senger was reared on a 
farm, and at tbe age of eighteen j-ears learned 
blacksmitbing, which he followed until 1874, 
when he engaged in his present ice business. 
He married, April 9, 1861, Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of John and Mary A. Jackel, and the3' 
had following-named children: Catherine 
(deceased); Magdalena, wife of John E. Mc- 
Kernan; Mary A., wife of Michael J. Beck; 
Philomena (deceased), Louis (deceased), 
SopbiaE.,WilliamL., Joseph A., Andrew A., 
George C, Cecelia C. and one that died in 
infancy. 

Philip P. Jageman, grocer. Sharpsburg, 
is a native of Pittsburgh, born in 1843. His 
father, Philip, a native of Prussia, Germany, 
and a shoemaker by trade, immigrated to 
America in 1839. He was married to Mar- 
garet Drool, whose parents were natives of 
Bavaria, German}', and immigrated to Amer- 
ica in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Jageman are the 
parents of six children, two now deceased. 
Philip P. was educated at the public schools 
of his native city, and commenced his busi- 
ness career in the capacity of clerk, remain- 
ing as such nine years. He then engaged in 
the oil-refining trade, and, coming to Sharps- 
burg in 1873, established bis present business. 
In 1865 he married JIary, daughter of 
Joseph and Mary Earney, and they have two 
children: Florenz John and Joseph Philip. 
Mr. Jageman is a member of tbe G. C. 
Church, and is a democrat, 

Philip H. Young, furniture-dealer, 
Sharpsburg, tbe youngest child of ,Iacob and 
Elizabeth (Diehl) Young, was born in Ger- 
many, in 1846. John Jacob, his father, was 
a worker of wood in Rhein. Bavaria, Ger- 
many. Philip H.. when eighteen years of 
age. left his native countrj', where be had 
learned tbe cabinet-making business, immi- 
grated to America, and for a number of 
years followed bis trade in Pittsburgh. In 
1871 he came to Etna, in which year he mar- 
ried Minnie C, Hieber, daughter of Daniel 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



633 



Hieber. Mrs. Young was the mother of six 
children, three of whom are living. She 
dying, Mr, Young next married, in 1883, 
Emma C. Boertzle, who has borne him three 
children. In 1880 he commenced his present 
business.which has steadily grown under his 
careful management, and he now enjoys a 
large and lucrative trade in his line. He is 
a member of the I. O. O. F. and R. A. In 
religion he is a German Presbyterian, inpol- 
tics a republican. 

William B. Neel, carpenter, McKees- 
port, was born in Mifflin township, this 
county, Jan. 36, 1833, son of Samuel C. and 
Mary (Smiley) Neel. John Neel, his pater- 
nal grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and 
amo^ng the pioneers of Mifflin township, 
where he cleared and improved a farm, on 
which he lived and died. His children were 
John. Archibald, Thomas, William, Samuel 
C. and Tabitha (Mrs. Robert McElhaney). 
The maternal grandfather of our subject was 
a pioneer of what is now Allegheny City. 
Samuel C. Neel was a farmer, and lived in 
Mifflin township. His children were John, 
Thomas, William B., Samuel C, George W.. 
Joseph, George and Dorcas. William B. 
was reared and educated in Mifflin township, 
and served an apprenticeship at the carpen- 
ter's trade, which he followed in Mifflin 
township in connection with farming until 
1860, when he located in McKeesport, where 
he has worked at his trade ever since. In 
1860 he married Nancy, daughter of Henry 
and Mary Robinson, Westmoreland county, 
Pa., and has four children: William, James 
F., Charles and Mary. 

Jacob Holtzman, cigar-manufacturer, 
McKeesport, was born in Alsace, then in 
France, May 10, 1857, and is a son of Jacob 
and Barbara Holtzman. He came to Amer- 
ica in 18T3 and located in Braddock, this 
county, where for a year he worked during 
summer in a coalbank, attending school in 
winter. In 1874 he lost a leg by having it 
smashed in a coalbank. In 1875 he came to 
McKeesport, where he served an apprentice- 
ship of two years at the cigar trade, and 
afterward worked four years as a journey- 
man. In 1881 he embarked in business for 
himself as a manufacturer of and wholesale 
and retail dealer in cigars and tobaccos, and 
by strict attention to the wants of his custom- 
ers he has built up a flourishing trade. In 
1881 he married Katie (Kohler) Miller, of 
McKeesport. Mr. Holtzman is a member of 
the K. of H., the Heptasophs, the United 
States Benevolent fraternity, and the 
Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is a re- 
publican. 

F. E. Baldwin, nail-worker, Homestead, 
was born March 19, 1839, in Morgantowu, 
W. Va. His grandfather, William Baldwin, 
came from Winchester, W. Va., where he 
was reckoned among the pioneers of that 
locality. Hia son, David, was born Oct. 33, 
1813, near Morgantown, W. Va., was a car- 
penter by trade, and for thirty-five years has 
been a resident and politician of the Twenty- 



sixth ward of Pittsburgh, South Side. He 
held the office of assessor for twenty-five 
years, being the candidate of the republican 
party. He married Elizabeth Madera, of 
German descent, whose grandfather, when a 
drummer-boy, made several unsuccessful 
attempts to escape the vigilance of his parents 
in order to join Gen. Washington's army in 
the Revolution. The subject of this sketch 
is one of a family of two children, and at an 
early age found employment in the nail- 
factory of Chess, Cook & Co., where he 
worked his way up until to-day he has the 
best position in their factory, having been an 
employe for the unprecedented term of 
thirty-five years, which speaks volumes for 
Mr. Baldwin's integrity. He married Mar- 
garet Keogh, and they have two sons, David 
L. and Ma'rk B. Since 1874 Mr. Baldwin has 
been a resident of Homestead. He is a mem- 
ber of the A. O. U. W.; he is a republican, 
casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. 

Isaac M. Dickson, superintendent of 
boatyard, postofflce Dravosburg, was born 
Oct. 30, 1831, in this county, a son of Thomas 
Dickson, a weaver by occupation, and a 
native of England. Thomas followed his 
trade in the city of Allegheny, where he 
died. He married Nancy Guyton, a native 
of Maryland, and became the father of two 
sons and seven daughters. Isaac M. learned 
the wagon-maker's trade in Allegheny, and 
in 1869 came to Dravosburg, where he has 
since followed his trade; is at present super- 
tendent of the J. C. Risher & Co. boat- 
yards. He married Mary A. Scothorn, of 
Washington county. Pa., a daughter of John 
and Eleanora (Nixon) Scothorn, latter of 
whom was adaughterof George and Hannah 
(Wilson) Nixon. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson are 
the parents of Harry E., who married 
Katie, daughter of William and Margaret 
(McClintock) Dunlap, and has one son, Le- 
laud V. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson are members 
of the First M. E. Church of McKeesport. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., 
and Encampment; he is a republican. 

Capt. James Wilson Halstead, river-man, 
postoffice Verona, was born at Fairview, this 
county, in 1848, son of James and Rebecca 
(Lammon) Halstead. His father was a tailor 
and worked in Pittsburgh on the bench with 
Andrew Johnson (afterward president), and 
was one of Pittsburgh's early men. The 
postoffice at Fairview was named after 
him, and he served as postmaster until 
1872, when he turned the office over to 
his daughter. James received his educa- 
tion at Fairview, and in 1864 went on a 
steamboat carrying oil from Warren and 
Oil City to Pittsburgh. After live years of 
this work he began farming in Westmoreland 
county, but continued in the oil business to 
some extent. In 1885 he engaged with the 
Chartiers Gas company, having charge of 
the laying of their pipes across the river. 
He was shore-boss for Huling Brothers, at 
Pittsburgh, but now has accepted a position 
with Mourhead & McCleane, having charge 



634 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



of tbeir river business. He vras married in 
1871 to Elizabetli Shaunon. of Indiana town- 
sliip. daugliter of James and Rebecca 
(Hickey) Sliannon, old settlers of that town- 
ship. Three sons were born to Capt. and 
Mrs. Ilalstead, viz. : William Boyd, Harry 
Edward and James Lemmon. Capt. Hal- 
stead's parents were members of the U. P. 
Church, and his wife of the M. E. Church. 
He is past officer in the Knights of the Gojden 
Eagle, representative to the Grand Lodge 
K. of P., and a very active member of the 
uniform rank K. of P.. having organized H. 
S. Paul division, at Verona, and is one of the 
first officers; also a memlier Knights of Mys- 
tic Chain and of the Jr. O. U. A. M. 

James McIntyre. farmer, postoffice Tal- 
ley Cavey, was born Dec. 2.'5. 1840, in County 
Derry, Ireland, son of Hercules and Mary 
Ann '(Matthews) McIntyre, both of whom 
died in the old country. James came to this 
country in 18.50. He attended the common 
schools in the winter, and worked on the 
farm during the summer. He has resided on 
his farm of ninety-six acres since 1866, build- 
ing a fine house in 1876. He was married, in 
1866. to Jane, daughter of Benjamin and 
Rachel (Love) Black, both of whom were 
natives of this country, former born in 1812, 
and died in 186i, latter born in 1818. and died 
in 1868. Her maternal grandparents were 
Alexander and Margaret (Matthews) Black, 
natives of Ireland, the former of whom died 
here at the age of one hundred 3'ears. Six 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre: 
Rachel. Harry B., Sarah Jane, Robert D., 
Eliza E. and .James H. The family are mem- 
bers of Deer Creek U. P. Church. Mr. Mc- 
Intyre has been successful in business. He is 
a republican, and has been township assessor. 
His brother. David, served in Co. E. 63d P. 
V. I., from 1861 to 1864. and came from the 
war a physical wreck. His brother John 
was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg. 

Fkederick Backhaus. farmer, postoffice 
Talley Cavey, was born March 21, 1833, in 
the city of Muhlhausen, Preussen, Germany, 
son of Andrew and Mary (Ginder) Backhaus. 
Andrew was in the French-German war of 
1812-13 with Napoleon Bonaparte, receiving 
a medal for braver}'. In his later years he 
was one of the five only living members of 
Napoleon's army in tliat part of Germany, 
and the late Emperor William visited him. 
extending to him the honor of shaking his 
hand. Andrew Backhaus was a member of 
the Presbj'terian Church. He died in 1879, 
aged ninety-three years; his wife was born in 
1780, and died at the age of seventy-two 
years. Frederick was educated in Germany, 
and learned the locksmith's trade. After 
coming to Pittsburgh in 18,52 he was engaged 
for some time in the Novelty works, and was 
employed for fifteen years in the Allegheny 
arsenal. He was drafted twice in the war 
of the rebellion, the first time paying three 
hundred dollars, and the second time was ex 
empted through being a government employe. 
In 1879 he bought his present farm of 240 



acres, and erected good buildings. He was 
married, in 1863. to .Julia Heer, of Pittsburgh, 
daughter of G. and Mary (Haver) Heer, and 
they have four children: George, Freddie, 
Edward and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Backhaus 
are members of the Presbyterian Church. 

James Dickson, gardener, stalls .56 and 57 
Market street, Pittsburgh, was born in A])ril, 
1822, on Prince Edward island, son of Will- 
iam and .Jane (Patterson) Dickson. His 
father was born in Scotland. He was a car- 
penter by trade and died Oct. 21, 187.5, aged 
eighty-four years; his mother died when 
James was but six years old. James came 
to Pittsburgh with his parents in July, 1822, 
and when he was ten years of age he came to 
Neville island, where he has since resided, 
and became the heaviest shipper of garden- 
produce on the island. He was married, in 
1842, to Marj', a daughter of David and Mary 
(Gibbs) Hamilton, natives of Pennsylvania, 
east of the mountains. Her father died in 

1854, aged eighty-two years; her mother was 
born in Carlisle, Pa., in 1773, and died in 

1855. Her grandparents were of Irish de- 
scent, and oncoming to this county opened a 
farm where East Libert}' now is. Eleven 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Dickson: William, David, John, Algernon 
Bell, Finley Smith. Mary Ann (Mrs. A. P. 
Cole), Jennie P. (Mrs. Robert Hayes), Eliza- 
beth (Mrs. Alexander Phillips), Emma J. 
(Mrs. William Parker), Maggie Lavina (at 
home) and Wilson Jay Carnahan. The eld- 
est three boys are married. The familj' are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, of 
which Mr. Dickson is one of the principal 
leaders and supporters. He has twenty-five 
grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and 
a death has never occurred among his chil- 
dren or grandchildren. He is a member of 
the F. & A. M., of which he says lie has 
attained the 42d degree, and all the degrees 
in I. O. O. F. He is a stanch republican, 
and has been nine years supervisor, six years 
school director; was treasurer and collector 
of the school board for twenty-six years, 
and still holds the same office. He was a 
supporter of William Henry Harrison. He 
has been successful in business and has a 
farm of thirty-two acres with two houses. 

David Dickson, gardener, Myler, was 
born on Neville island, Oct. 13, 1852, son of 
.James Dickson. He received his education 
in the schools at home, and at the age of 
twenty-one was employed by Hosteller & 
Smith, manufacturers of the Hostetter bit- 
ters. After remaining here four years he 
went as fireman on the Pan Handle R. R.. 
with the expectation of becoming an engi- 
neer; about four months satisfied him of 
railroading, and returning to the island he 
purchased Rev. Hazlett's property, being a 
portion of his father's original farm. He 
has a stall in the market, where he ships to 
hotels and country stores the produce of his 
own farm and that of his father's. lie was 
married at twenty-one years of age to Nellie 
Turley, of Linden. Pa., daughter of Enoch 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



635 



and Amanda (Shaffer) Turley. One child. 
Nellie Geneva, blessed this union. This 
wife died July 26, 1879, and Mr. Dickson 
afterward married Miss Isabella Kane Brown, 
April 13, 1883, a native of Pittsburgh, and a 
daughter of William and Mary Jane (Kane) 
Brown. Her father died in July, 1879. Her 
maternal grandparents were Samuel and Isa- 
bella Kane. Four children have been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Dickson: Laura Bell, Edna 
Gertrude, Ethel Brown and Elsa Louise. 
Mr. and Mrs. Dickson are members of the 
Presbyterian Church; he is a member of the 
Jr. O. U. A. M. and the R. A. He is a re- 
publican, and has been school director and 
supervisor of the township. 

Edward James Hulings, captain of the 
steamer Return, postofflce Verona, was born 
June 31, 1854, at Fairview, this county, son 
of James and Frances K. (Halstead) Hulings, 
former of whom was one of the best steam- 
boat pilots on the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, 
and died about 1858. Edward J. Hulings is 
the oldest of a family of three children. He 
received his education at Fairview and in 
Westmoreland county, and in June, 1804, he 
began driving horses for the boats from 
Pittsburgh to Oil City, being one of the 
youngest drivers before there was as much 
as a towpath. He afterward ran steamboats 
and fiats. He and his brother Harry now 
own two boats — the Return, which he com- 
mands, and the Two Brothers, commanded 
by Harry. One of their principal trades is 
the transportation of garden-stuff from 
Neville island to Pittsburgh. Mr. Hulings 
was married in September, 1883, to Ella J, 
Gumbert, who was born and reared on River 
avenue, Allegheny City, daughter of Jerry 
and Slary (Tranter) Gumbert. Capt. and 
Mrs. Hulings have two children living: 
Emma Jane and Mary Frances; Harry James 
died when he was eight months and fifteen 
days old. Capt. Huling's parents and wife 
are members of the U. P. Church. He is a 
member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. of Lawrence- 
ville. and the K. of P., at Verona; he is a 
republican. He owns a house and several 
lots at Verona. 

WilIjIam Edward Ott, engineer, post- 
offlce Verona, was born in Lebanon, Pa., in 
1831, and his mother, Margaret Ann Wentz, 
was a native of the same place, daughter of 
Peter Wentz, of Germany. His father, 
David, was a son of John' Ott, of German 
birth. William was the youngest of five 
children, and was reared by a guardian, his 
father having died when he was an infant. 
When thirteen j'ears old he set out, bare- 
footed and alone, on the canal towpath for 
Philadelphia, where he was employed for a 
ttme at the trade of his father and grand- 
father, shoemaking. Next he was a butcher- 
boy, and when about sixteen went to Harris- 
burg and entered the railroad machine-shops. 
When the shops were built at Altoona lie 
went there, and a year later went to Cone- 
maugh. After firing nine months he was 
given charge of an engine. For fourteen 



years he ran a shifter at Pittsburgh, the first 
shifter on Liberty street, and in 1863 enlisted 
for three years in Co. B, 46th P. V. He 
served with the western army from Lookout 
Mountain to Peach Tree creek, sharing in the 
battles of Big Sandy, Mission Ridge and 
Little and Big Kenesaw. Through the in- 
fluence of Col. Thomas A. Scott he was de- 
tailed as locomotive engineer to haul troops 
from Nashville, and after serving in that 
capacity a year and a half was wounded by 
guerrillas, and was discharged from Cumber- 
land hospital for disability. His train was 
captured and burned, and with the rest Mr. 
Ott was robbed of his watch and fifty-three 
dollars in money. Returning to Pittsburgh, 
he ran the first engine on the W. P. R. R., 
from Allegheny to Harmarville, and then 
returned to his locomotive on the P. R. R. 
He operated a shifter for Carnegie Bros, 
three years, and since 1873 has been with the 
A. V. R. R., twelve years of the time on an 
engine. He is now a member of the rod- 
gang in the machine-shop. He is a member 
of the M. E. Church, A. O. U. W. and G. A. 
R., and is a republican. In 1851 he married 
Sarah A. Roadamel, born in Mj'erstown, Pa., 
daughter of Peter Roadamel, of England. 
She is now deceased, and was the mother of 
eleven children, of whom eight reached 
maturity: Margaret Ann McElroy, William 
A. Ott, Andrealla W. (Bowden), Francis, D. 
R. Ott, Emma L. (Frey), Harry C. Ott and 
Edward Howard Ott. 

James Mason, farmer, postofEce Wilkins- 
burg, son of William and Ellen (Hartley) 
Mason, was born in Haywood, Lancashire, 
England, in October, 1834. William was a 
cotton-manufacturer and surveyor, and gave 
his son a good common education. When 
seventeen years old the latter set out for 
America to learn a trade, and arriving at 
Pittsburgh took up shoemaking, at wliich he 
became a fine workman. This he followed 
more or less continuously for twenty years, 
keeping a shop for some time in Pittsburgh. 
In 1849 he bought land in what is now Penn 
township, where his home has since been. 
He was engaged for some time in operating 
a coal-mine, but now gives his attention 
mainly to farming. He is liberal in religious 
ideas.aud is a straight republican. In 1846 
he married Mary, daughter of Thomas and 
Ann Davis, all of Wales, and they have eight 
children: Ann (Mrs. Hugh H. Ireland), in 
Beechmont; Ellen (Mrs. John Mills), in East 
Liberty; Tliomas Davis, in Wilkins; William, 
in Sandy Creek; James, in Oil City; Mary 
Jane (Mrs. John McCurdy), in Verona; 
Edward Joseph, in Mansfield, and Robert, at 
home. 

John P. McDade, toolmaker, postofflce 
Verona, was born Sept. 36, 1856, in Penn 
township, where he was reared and received 
a fair education. Until 1877 he was em- 
ployed as a farm-laborer and about the coal- 
works, but at that time he entered the 
employ of the Verona Tool-works, where for 
two years he was helper, and has since had 



636 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



charge of a steam linnimer. In 1879 Mr. 
McDiitie marriefl Sariili A. Sliotts. a native 
of Armstrong county, of German descent, 
and their cliildrea are: Fredericlt, Bertha, 
Annie, Robert and Frank. Mr. McDade has 
secured a comfortable home by his industry, 
his property inchuling two acres of land, on 
which he built a house in 1884. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. P., K. of P. and R. 
A.; he is a Presbyterian and a republican. 

T. L. HuGHEY, sleamboat-enLjineer, post- 
office Grovelon. Sinci' 17!MI tlii-; family liave 
been Identified with Allc^'hcny counl y. Will- 
iam Hughey, at that date, immigrated to this 
county from New Jersey, his native state, 
with his wife and children, and purchased 
nearly live hundred acres in Robinson town- 
ship. He was remarknljle for his great 
strength and physical endurance. Adam 
Hughey. his son, was born in 1785, and at 
the death of his father inherited two hundred 
of the live hundred acres. He married Mar- 
garet Logan, of Chambershurg, Franlvlin 
county, Pa., whose parents were of Scotch- 
Irish descent, and came to Western Pennsyl- 
vania in an early day. Seven children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hughey, four now 
living; T. L. (the subject of this memoir, born 
in 1839), Mary A., Sarah A. and Eliza Jane. 
T. L. is now the only male survivor of the 
the family. He owns thirty-six acres of the 
original tract purchased by his grandfather. 
He was born and reared on a farm, but for 
the last thirty-five years has followed steam- 
boat engineering on the waters of the Ohio 
and Mississippi. He married, in 1865, Te- 
ressa, daughter of William Jones. He is a 
Freemason and a republican. 

James Cole, gardener, postofflce McKee's 
Rocks, was born Oct. 18, 1835, on Neville 
island, this county, a son of James, Sr., and 
Elizabeth Cole. James, Sr.. and his four 
brothers, Rufus, Ivery, George and Wdliam, 
came from Maine to this county in 1814, trav- 
eling from the lake by wagon, and first 
stopped in this county in the old stone tavern 
where the Park House now stands, in the 
Ninth ward of Allegheny City. These broth- 
ers (now deceased) purchased three hundred 
acres on Neville island, about one-tliird of 
the entire island. James, Sr.. was a farmer 
on Neville island until 1833, when he pur- 
chased property in Allegheny City and re- 
sided until 1843, engaged in general merchan- 
dising. In that year his health failed and he 
returned to his old home on Neville island, 
where he spent the balance of his life, d3nng 
Dec. 6, 1865, at the age of seventy-four years. 
He was twice married; first to Elizabeth, 
daughter of Lewis and Eleanor Davis, and 
she died Jan. 16, 1839, aged thirl.y-four years, 
the mother of the following-named children: 
James, Eleanor (wife of James Rafferty) and 
Lewis. In 1841 Mr Cole married Mary W. 
Aubrey, of Allegheny City, who bore him 
one child. William, now a promising physi- 
cian in Allegheny City. The subject of this 
memoir was reared on the old homestead 
on Neville island. He married, Jan. 16, 



1854, Margaret M., daughter of William and 
Mary Jackman. of Ohio towiislii|i. lliis 
county, and by this union there were three 
children: Harry A.. Marj' L. (wife of Smnuid 
Frazier) and Elizabeth D. Jlrs. Cole died 
Aug. 37, 1883, at the age of lifty-si.\ years. 
Mr. Cole came to Stowe township in 1866, 
where he purchased thirty acres of land ad- 
joining McKee's Rocks village, and has titled 
up a beautiful home. Like his father, he has 
passed an active, useful life. He was the first 
justice of the peace on the organization of 
Neville town.ship. 

H. R. Long, farmer, postofflce Mt. Leba- 
non, was born in Allegheny county, in 1841. 
James Long, the pioneer of this familj'. came 
from east of the Alleghany mountains at an 
early day and purchased a large tract of land. 
Born to this early settler were four sous and 
four daughters. Of these John was born in 
Allegheny county. He married Annie Gil- 
kenson, who bore him three sons and two 
daughters. James, the eldest, was born in 
1801. He was a blacksmith by trade, and in 
1838 married Sarah Richardson, daughter of 
Hugh and Catherine Richardson, and to them 
were born two children, of whom our subject 
is the only survivor. James died in 1846, 
aged forty-ftve years. H. R. has always led 
a farmer's life. He received his education at 
the public schools and Mt. Lebanon Acad- 
emy. He was married, in 18T3. to Ella J. Lea, 
daughter of Robert Lea, of this county, and 
has a family of six children: John R., 
Sadie Bell, Robert Lea, Annie J., Ella Mj'rtle 
and Mary D. Mr. Long owns about 130 acres 
of land, under a good state of cultivation, 
which was formerly the James Martin prop- 
erty. He has served his township as auditor. 
He is a member of the U. P. Church, and is 
a democrat. 

R. Lewis Roller, manager. West Eliza- 
beth, is a son of J. H. and Mary A. (Rhule) 
Roller, and was born in Williamsburg, Blair 
county. Pa., in 1857. He was educated at 
Lewisburg University, after which he studied 
law for a year, and then entered the rail- 
road ofHce at Altoona; afterward he was en- 
gaged as bookkeeper for the Hollidaysburg 
Iron and Nail company, of Hollidaysburg, 
and for Cavelt «& McKuight, of Pittsburgh. 
Close application to business having impaired 
his health, he traveled extensively tlirough 
the west and south, and finally entered the 
employ of Joseph Walton & Co., at West 
Elizabeth, as bookkeeper, a position he held 
four years, when he was made manager of 
their immense stores at this place. He mar- 
ried, in 1887, Miss Iba H., daughter of Mrs. 
Mary E. Smith, of West Elizabeth. Mr. 
Roller is a member of the Pittsburgh Masonic 
lodge, and he and his wife are members of 
the Presbyterian Church of West Elizabeth, 
of which he is trustee. 

James A. Ewino, merchant, postofflce 
Walker's Mills, was born in this county in 
1844, and is a direct descendant from Squire 
James Ewing. the pioneer of the name, who 
settled in Allegheny county. Alexander, the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



637 



second of the five sons born to James Ewing, 
was a farmer, and married Martlia Larimer, 
daugliter of James Larimer, becoming the 
father of ten children. James, the second 
son, was born in 1802, near the present town 
of Mansfield, on the farm now owned by 
Mr. Hodgson. He was by trade a saddler, 
but on account of ill health abandoned that 
calling and worked on a farm given him by 
his father. He married Hannah Calohan, 
daughter of Thomas and Mary Hamminger, 
of this county, and they had seven children, 
three of whom are now living: Mary Ann 
(who died Sept. 14, 1888. in the fifty-fourth 
year of her age), Patterson (deceased), Martha 
Jane (now Mrs. Covey), John K. (a soldier, 
killed at Spottsylvania Court House), Hannah 
(Mrs. Cherry, now deceased), James A. and 
Elizabeth J. (now Mrs. Manior). The father 
of these children died Dec. 26, 1846; the 
mother Au,g. 13, 1888, in the seventy-ninth 
year of her age. Up to the last she was 
remarkable for her intelligence and memorj', 
and kind, loving disposition. 

James A. was educated at the public 
schools, and has, since 1866, been engaged in 
the mercantile business at his present place. 
The postoflice has been at his store ?or 
twenty-two years, during seven of which 
he has been postmaster. Previous to en- 
gaging in his present business he resided 
with his mother on the farm. They now 
own one hundred acres, part of the first pur- 
chase made by Squire James Ewing. Mr. 
Ewing is a republican. 

J. C. ZwiNGLER.brick-manutacturer, Rey- 
noldton, postoflice Hero, son of Henry and 
Rachel (Heilman) Zwingler, was born in 
Dravosburg, this count}%iu 1858. His parents, 
natives of Germany, on coming to America 
located in Mifflin township, this county, but 
their present residence is at Reynoldton. 
They have six children: Elizabeth, Margaret, 
Kate, Rachel, Conrad and J. C. The last 
named married, May 34, 1888, Ella A., daugh- 
ter of William Gerhold, of Castle Shannon, 
Pa. In 1884 he established the first brick- 
manufactorj' in Lincoln township, the firm 
being Zwingler & Henry. In the beginnin.g 
they afforded employment to but four men, 
but a constantly increasing demand for their 
brick has necessitated a gradual enlargement 
of their works from year to year, until now 
(1888) they employ fourteen men, and their 
works have a daily capacity of 8,000 brick. 
They have excellent facilities for shipping, 
both by rail and water. 

Samuel, W. Shaw, farmer, postoflice Mc- 
Keeaport, son of David and Mary J. (Muse) 
Shaw, was born in Versailles township, in 
1857. Maj. William Shaw, a native of 
County Down, Ireland, settled on what is 
known as the Shaw homestead about one 
hundred years ago. He was married three 
times, and had a family of nineteen children. 
His second family of children were Robert, 
William, James. Samuel, David, Margaret, 
Martha, Aun, Nancy and Sarah, all deceased 
but the last two. David, father of S. W., 



married, in 1849, Mary J., daughter of Fauntly 
Muse, of Versailles township, and they 
located at Saltsburg, where he was engaged 
in the coal business, the firm being Shaw & 
Whigham. There they remained six or seven 
years, and then removed to the farm in Ver- 
sailles and commenced farming. Their chil- 
dren were Cornelius N. (deceased, and for- 
merl3' of the Dispatch). Martha C, Minard 
(deceased), Lizzie S. (now Mrs. John R. 
Cristy, of Versailles township), S. W., Bell 
R., Blanche M. and Jennie M. David Shaw 
died in 1880; his widow still has her resi- 
dence on the old farm. Samuel W. is engaged 
in farming, his home being where his fore- 
fathers dwelt for one hundred years. He is 
a member of the U. P. Church of McKees- 
port. 

B. S. Allen, farmer, postoflice Sunny 
Side, is a son of Bradford and Mary Allen, 
and a direct descendant of David Allen, one 
of the pioneers of Forward township, and 
was born in Washington county in 1848, on 
the Allen Grove farm. In 1877 he married 
Miss Marv E., daughter of William and Lu- 
cinda Manown, and settled on the place now 
owned by him in Forward township. They 
have but one child living, William Alvin. 
Mrs. Allen is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church at MonongahelaCity. Mr. Allen is a 
democrat. 

George W. Weddell, farmer, postoffice 
McKeesport, son of George and Nancy (Nel- 
son) Weddell, was born in Elizabeth town- 
ship, this county, in 1813. George Weddell, 
his great-grandfather, was a native of Ger- 
many. He came to America and settled in 
Elizabeth township in 1753, where he secured 
the title of four hundred acres of laud, and 
then returned east of the mountains and 
effected a permanent settlement upon his 
farm the following spring. The nearest im- 
provement was Rostraver, seven miles dis- 
tant. The Indians were in force and 
unfriendly, and often he and his wife were 
compelled to seek protection in the block- 
house on the opposite side of the river, to 
reach which they both mounted a horse and 
swam the river. Their children were Daniel, 
James, Peter, John, George, Margaret (Mrs. 
Hammond). Mr. Weddell planned and named 
after himself a cemetery, in which he and 
his wife were first to find a burial. Daniel, 
grandfather of George, and a native of Eliza- 
beth township, married Ella Matier, and 
their children were George, Peter, John, 
Daniel and May, who was married to Will- 
iam Cray, all now deceased. George, father of 
George W., was also a native of Elizabeth 
township; he married Nancy, daughter of 
George Nelson, and located on the old home- 
stead; to them were born twelve children, 
viz.: Ellen (now a resident of West Newton), 
Daniel (deceased). Nelson (of West Newton), 
George W., Peter (of Elizabeth township), 
Jane Boyd (deceased), John (deceased), 
Mary (deceased), James (of Sewickley town- 
ship, Westmoreland county), Elizabeth (now 
Mrs. Brown, of Aaronsburg. Westmoreland 



b38 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 



county), Naucy (McCune) and Rebecca (both 
deceased). George and his wife died in 
Elizabeth, and were buried in the old family 
cemetery. 

George W. Weddell was also a native of 
Elizabeth township, where he was reared 
and educated, and in 1844 married Maria, 
daughter of Thomas Douglas, of that town- 
ship. Ht' was eiii;aged as miller in the W. 
M. company until 1S.")(). when he bought the 
old Weililrll liomrstead in Elizabeth, remain- 
ing there until l^tiU, when he sold, and pur- 
chased the farm he now owns in Versailles 
township. He and his wife have a family of 
seven children, viz. : Thomas Douglass, Dr. 
Oliver S., David Henry, Sarah Margaret, 
.James Nelson (deceased), Nancy F., Mary 
Jane (Mrs. Dr. James M. Campbell), and 
Isaac Irvin. Mr. Weddell's residence is on a 
prominent point, affording an extended view. 
He is a republican, and has from time to 
time been made the recipient of political 
honors. He and his wife are members of 
the U. P. Church. 

J.\MES McClintock, farmer, postoffice 
McKeesport, son of John and Margaret Mc- 
Clintock, was born in Ireland in 1817. His 
parents came to America, and located in Alle- 
gheny City in 1823, at which time there was 
but one store and one hotel there. The first 
work of John McClintock was quarrying 
stone for the penitentiary. Later he bought 
a farm in Pine township, where he and his 
wife moved and engaged in farming. There 
they lived and died, his death occurring in 
1873 and hers in 1886. Their children were 
Andrew, James, Margaret, Elizabeth. Aaron, 
George, Catherine and John (deceased). 
James McClintock was reared and educated 
in the common schools of the county, and in 
1844 married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. 
McConnell. of Bakerstown. They located on 
a farm in Pine, now Richland, township, re- 
maining until 1864, when he purchased the 
very desirable farm he now owns in Versailles 
town.ship. Their children were Andresv 
M., Elizabeth (deceased), Margaret, Cather- 
ine, Anna, Druscilla and Mary. Elizabeth 
was married to Samuel Lockhart, and. lived 
in Pittsl)urgh until her decease, in October, 
1877. Andrew M. married Tillie, daughter 
of David McKee, of North Versailles town- 
ship, and they reside on the home farm in 
Versailles. Mr. McClintock is a democrat, 
and has been twice supervisor and assessor. 
He and his wife are members of the M. E. 
Church. 

William Perry Owens, mine boss, post- 
ofi3ce Turtle Creek, is a native of Wales, born 
in Caernarvonshire in 1838, and when less 
than two years old came to America with 
his parents, William and Eleanor Owens. 
His father was a stone-mason, and. after dwell- 
ing for a time in New York and Ohio, set- 
tled in this county in 1839. He died in 18.57, 
aged sixty-seven, and his wife in 1842, at the 
age of forty-eight. There were three chil- 
dren born to them. Catharine, the eldest, the 
widow of Robert Morris, resides at Home- 



.stead, and John, the youngest, died in 18.07, 
aged twenty-four years. William P. began 
work in a mine before he was ten years old, 
and is largely self-educated. He is now the 
po.ssessor of a fine library, and is a progressive 
citizen. Since 1879 he has been employed by 
the N. Y. & C. G. C. Co., nearly all the time 
in his present capacity. In 18.00 he married 
Jeannette Black, who died in 1870, leaving 
eight children: William, John, Isabella. Frank, 
Catharine, Eleanor, Sadie and Nettie, of 
whom are now living John, Sadie and Nettie. 
In 1871 Mr.Owens married Elizabeth Cramer, 
who bore him two children: Elizabeth, now 
living, and Nellie, deceased. The family is 
associated with the M. E. Church. Mr. Owens 
is a republican, with strong prohibition tend- 
encies. 

John Decker, grocer, McKeesport, was 
born in Lorraine, then in France, March 10. 
1832, a son of Christopher and Christiana 
(Bechler) Decker. In 1848 he came to Amer- 
ica with his mother and four sisters — Lena, 
Annie, Catherine and Christiana — and lo- 
cated in Pittsburgh, where they resided six- 
teen years, and where our subject worked 
as a molder. In 1861 he entered Co. K, 
.5th' P. V. I., served three months, and 
was honorably discharged. In 1864 he set- 
tled in McKeesport, and was employed in 
Wood's rolling-mills until 1883; then em- 
barked in the grocery business, which he has 
since successfully continued. His wife was 
Mary N., daughter of Martin Kim, of Pitts- 
burgh, by whom he has nine cliildren liv- 
ing: Jacob, Frank, Mary, John. Albert, 
Charlie, Daniel, Joseph and William. Mr. 
Decker is a member of the German Catholic 
Church, of the G. A. R., and is a democrat. 

I. G. Hickman, farmer and fruit-grower, 
postoffice McKeesport, was born near Chara- 
bersburg, Franklin county. Pa., July 13, 
1831. His father, Peter Hickman, was born 
in Northumberland county, and his mother, 
Christina, in Chambersburg, where they 
were married in 1811. Thej- reared a family 
of eleven children, four of whom are living. 
In 1824, when I. G. was less than three years 
old, the family removed, and located on a 
farm in North Versailles township, Allegheny 
county, his father dying Sept. 5, 1840, and 
his mother Sept. 38, 1884. After the death 
of his father. Mr. Hickman purchased the 
old homestead, on which he now resides; 
and, by industry, has acquired three other 
valuable tracts of land in the same neighbor- 
hood, and lying in the coal and gas belt. In 
1844 Mr. Hickman was married to Eliza Jane 
Brown, of Pittsburgh. Their children num- 
ber eleven: I. G., of Nebraska; Eliza Jane, 
deceased; Margaret A., wife of Rev. S. E. 
Snider, P. E. of Helena district, Montana; 
Henry J., minister; Wesley C, deceased; 
Maria J., now Mrs. R. B. Miller; James E., 
deceased; Mary C, wife of J. C. Wiltshire; 
Edward D., principal of Third ward schools, 
McKeesport; William Page, deceased, and 
Robert L., minister. Mr. Hickman is a man 
of very decided opinions, and has been called 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



639 



upon to represent the township and church ! 
in almost everj' capacity. He has long beeu ■ 
a member of the Methodist Church, in which 
he has been an ardent worlier. His first 
vote was cast with the whig party; he has 
voted with the republican party from its 
organization until recently, when he became 
identified with the prohibition party, owing 
to convictions on the temperance question. 

Ale.xlajjder E. Trich, contractor, Mc- 
Keesport, was born in Somerset, Pa., Oct. 
9, 1830, a son of John and Elizabeth (Gor- 
don) Trich, natives of Philadelphia, and early 
settlers of Somerset county. He came to 
McKeesport in 1836, and learned the carpen- 
ter's trade, which he followed twenty-five 
years, and for twenty-five years since has 
done business as a contractor and builder and 
a raiser and mover of buildings. He served 
in the civil war, enlisting in September, 1861, 
in Co. I, 63d P. V. ; re-enlisted, and was 
transferred to the 105th regiment. He re- 
ceived a shell-wound in his right leg, below 
the knee, in front of Petersburg, and was 
honorably discharged in June, 1865, at Bev- 
erly hospital, near Philadelphia. He married, 
in 1840, Ann E., daughter of Vincent and 
Elizabeth (Kirkland) Neville, of McKeesport, 
by whom he had the following children: 
William (deceased), John, Lizzie (Mrs. Will- 
iam Small), Marion, Albert, Emma (Mrs. 
John Lanning) and Frank. Mr. Trich has 
been a member of the Baptist Church forty 
years ; is a member of the G. A. R. ; has served 
one term in McKeesport council, and is a 
republican. 

J. W. Greaves, merchant, Wilkiusburg, 
was born Oct. 14, 1863, near Oldham, En- 
gland, to Cornelius and Ann (Butterworth) 
Greaves. When he was six years old his 
parents immigrated to America, and his 
father was employed in the coal-mines above 
McKeesport. At the public schools of that 
region our subject acquired the first rudi- 
ments of an English education, and when 
twelve years old he began work in the mines. 
By attending night schools he fitted himself 
for the transaction of business, and in 1880 
was employed as salesman in a store at 
Dravosburg. In this and other general or 
"company" stores — being for three years 
employed by W. M. Scott & Co. — he ac- 
quired that practical mercantile knowledge 
which has made his own business a success. 
A trip to Europe in 1885 gave him a glimpse of 
the world, broadened his ideas, and made him 
acquainted with his native place. In March, 
1888. he purchased a grocery business near 
Brush ton. to which he is adding a dry-goods 
st'ock. Mr. Greaves is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church at Wilkinsburg; he is a 
republican. 

James Gormley. contractor, 194 Steuben 
street, Pittsburgh, was born in Ireland, in 
1826. a son of Hugh and Sheila Gormley. 
He immigrated to Canada in 1844, and in 
1846 came to Allegheny county. Pa., where 
he has since resided. For manj' years he has 
followed teaming, which he has developed 



into an extensive business, taking large 
contracts for pipe-lines, railroads, etc. In 
1853 he married Mary, daughter of John and 
Maria Barr. and by this union there are four 
children : Maria J. (wife of Robert Lockhart), 
Annie B. (wife of Albert Wettengale). James 
T. and Mary E. (deceased). Air. Gormley 
started in life with an empty purse, having 
only ten cents in his pocket when he reached 
this county, but has gradually risen to be 
one of the most substantial men, financially, 
in Chartiers township. 

Joseph B. Lawson, merchant, postoSice 
Grafton, a son of Joseph and Nancy Lawson, 
was born in Delaware county, in 1834, and 
settled where he now resides, in Chartiers 
township. His father. Joseph Lawson. mar- 
ried, in Ireland, Nancy Calderswood, and 
came to this country in 1812. They have 
four children; Isabella (deceased). Thomas 
(deceased), Mary (wife of James McKnight) 
and Joseph B. The father died in 1866, at 
the age of eighty-nine years, and the mother 
in 1869, at the age of ninety-one years. They 
were members of the Presbyterian Church. 
Joseph B. Lawson followed farming until 
1855, when he engaged in various other pur- 
suits. He was assessor of Chartiers town- 
ship, and during the war was three years in 
the revenue department as collector and as- 
sessor. In 1872 he took charge of a general 
store for his son. which he has managed ever 
since. He married, in 1846, Tamar Hodgson, 
daughter of Samuel and Mary Hodgson, and 
their children are Samuel (married to Mary 
E. Johnson), Mary (deceased) and Isabella 
(deceased). 

Albert John Endsley Wilson, carpen- 
ter. Avalon, was born Sept. 18, 18.58, in Frank- 
lin township, this county, a son of Robert 
and Martha A. (Roe) Wilson, natives of this 
county, former of whom was by trade a car- 
penter. The father died Sept. 2, 1866. aged 
thirty-two years, and the mother Nov. 7, 
1881, aged forty-seven years. The family 
moved to the city of Allegheny about 1860, 
where Albert J. E. was given an education 
in the Sixth ward schools. At the age of 
seventeen he learned the trade of carpenter- 
ing, and afterward that of broom-making, 
but has followed the former. He was mar- 
ried, Dec. 7, 1882, to Hannah Pace, a native 
of England, and daughter of George and 
Sarah Pace, former of whom died when she 
was young, and latter came to Pittsburgh. 
Thtee children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Wilson; Albert John Endsley, Sadie 
May and Cyrus William. Mr. Wilson was 
reared in the M. E. Church, of which his 
parents were members; in politics he is an 
independent republican, and is a member of 
the Jr. O. U. A. M. and Carpenters' Union. 
He lived in the city of Allegheny until Octo- 
ber, 1888. when he removed to his new resi- 
dence at West Bellevue. 

John Schaper, gardener, Shaler town- 
ship, was born Aug. 1, 1826. in Hessen-Nas- 
sau, Germany. He came to America at the 
age of twenty-four, worked four years in 



640 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Collins township, now Eigbteenlh ward of 
Pittsburgh, where he married Elizabeth 
Uicliler. a native of Germany. He went into 
the gardening business in 1855, and occupied 
a vegetable-stand in Pittsburgh market for 
thirty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Schafer have 
four children; John M. and Henry V.. who 
are in the seed and implement business at No. 
59 Ohio street. Allegheny, Pa., and Netty and 
Mary. The family are members of the G. E. 
Church. 

John Siebert. broker, Etna, was born 
Oct. 28, 1842, in Hitzerode. Kurhessen, Ger- 
man}-, a son of William and Catliarine (Die- 
terich) Siebert. William was a native of 
Shaflenhausen, and came to America when 
John was two years of age. He was a stone- 
mason and contractor, a business he followed 
in Etna, where he lived for many years. 
He and his wife were parents of seven chil- 
dren, all living. Of these John was educated 
here, and in the west he learned engineering. 
After an absence of seven years he returned 
to Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in 
the oil business for fifteen years. He is now 
operating in the Oil Exchange, and resides in 
Etna. He married Bertha, daughter of John 
Eisengart. Mr. Siebert is a meml)pr of the 
G. A. R., the A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F. and 
K. of P. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. C. 10th 
P. R.. and served threeyears. He participated 
in all the battles of the Potomac, serving 
the last eight months in Battery D. 5th U. S., 
on detached duty. He is a republican. 

David George, farmer, postofflce Dix- 
mont. His grandfather settled near Turtle 
Creek, this county, in an early day, and 
had many adventures with the Indians. 
His son. John, father of David, was born 
here in 1800, and died Sept. 11, 1885. In 
1828 the father removed to Ohio township, 
and in 1837 purchased one hundred acres 
of land, on which he settled, and where 
David still resides. John George was 
married three times, his first wife being 
Sarah Marshall, the second Mary Clugston, 
who became the mother of six children: 
Joseph (deceased), David. Maggie, Rachel 
(deceased). Mary, and an infant (deceased). 
Maggie married W. H. Brown, and they have 
one child, Charles; Mary married Josiah 
Minnich, and they liave one child, Mary H. 
The third wife of John George was Esther 
Little, by whom he had three children — an 
infant (deceased), Alexander and John (de- 
ceased). John George was a man of strong 
convictions, and exhibited many traits of the 
hardy pioneer. 

Phillip Hassinger left Germany in 
1819 and came to America with his wife and 
six children. They were the parents of 
twelve children, only six of whom, four sons 
and two daughters, grew to maturity. Phil- 
lip came to Pittsburgh, and rented a farm 
where the town of Etna now is (which was 
formerly Indiana township), where he re- 
mained one year; then rented a farm from 
John Miller, Esq., of the same township, 
where he remained for six vears. He next 



purchased from James Ross, at a dollar an 
acre, 240 acres of land situated in Indiana 
township. Phillip was a wagon-maker by 
trade. Phillip, the oldest sou, never married; 
he inherited one hundred acres of his father's 
land, which, at his death, Sept. 20, 1870, 
reverted to his brothers and sister. Jacob, 
the second son, born in 1804. was a black- 
smith by trade, and married Mary Richard, 
by whom he had ten children, six of whom 
are yet living. Jacob died in 1884, aged 
eighty years. George, the third son, a 
wagon-maker by trade, ahso a farmer, married 
Elizabeth Patton, who bore him six children, 
four of whom are living. Henry, the 
youngest son, married Eliza Marshal, who 
became the mother of ten children, three of 
whom are living. Henry died in 1886. He 
was by trade a blacksmith, and later a farmer. 
He owned fortj'-five acres of land, and resided 
on the old homestead; his widow survives 
him. Henry Hassinger is the oldest one of 
the name in the township. This family were 
members of the G. L. Church, and the men 
have all been democrats. 

William H. Chider, watchman, postoffice 
Ross, was born Aug, 13, 1840, in Jefferson 
county. Pa. His grandfather, Henry Crider, 
a native of Lancaster countj', l^a., of German 
descent, came to Allegheny county in an 
earlj- daj', and settled in Ross township, 
where he purchased 106 acres of land. He 
died aged seventy-eight years. He was twice 
married, and his children b}' his first wife 
were John, Joseph, Sarah and Mary. His 
second wife, nee Rebecca McKnight, became 
the mother of eight children; David, Matilda. 
Jane. Rebecca. George. Alexander. Henry 
and Barbara. Of the=e. David, a blacksmith, 
married Jane Mahaffy, and their union was 
blessed with ten children, of whom William 
H. is the eldest. He learned the machinist's 
trade, but i': now a watchman on the P. & N. 
R. R. During the civil war he was in Co. 
B, .56th 111. V. I. ; contracted a chronic disease 
while in the service, and now draws a pen- 
sion. He married Ella B. Smith, of Pitts 
burgh, and they have six children; Harry 
P., Matilda, Harriet M., David H., R. Hays 
and David. Mr. Crider is a democrat. 

C. F. Kentzel, gardener, postofBce West 
View, was born Dec. 12, 1851, in Ross town- 
ship, a son of Charles and Christine (Razer) 
Keutzel, natives of Alsace, Germany. His 
parents emigrated to America in 1840, and 
settled in Allegheny, where the father 
worked on the canal. Later he bought thirty 
acres of land, to which C. F. (our subject) 
added, in 1887, twenty -five acres, and was en- 
gaged successfully in gardening. His wife 
disposed of their garden-produce in the Alle- 
gheny market for forty-six years. The 
father had been a soldier in Louis Philippe's 
cuirassiers in France, and was a verj' tall, 
powerful-looking man. He died in April. 
1885. aged eighty-two years; his widow still 
survives him. The "family were the first 
charter members of the Lutheran Church, 
and took an active interest in church work. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



641 



C. F. Kentzel married Christine L. Dietsch, 
a native of Allegheny, of German descent, 
and they have four children; Charles J., 
Harry M., Herbert F. and Clara C. Mr. and 
Mrs. Kentzel are Lutherans. 

John Kenning, carpenter, Bellevue, was 
born iu Philadelphia, Pa., in January. 1837, 
a son of Samuel and Margaret (White) Ken- 
ning, natives of County Derry, Ireland. His 
father moved to Allegheny in 1845, where he 
was boss in a rolling-mill; he died in 18o9, 
aged forty-one years, a member of the First 
Christian Church. The mother resides in 
Allegheny City. At the age of thirteen 
years Mr. Kenning left school and learned 
the carpenter's trade, which he has since fol- 
lowed. Oct. 8, 1861, he enlisted in Hamp- 
ton's battery, first known as the 1st 
Maryland battery, and afterward as the 
Pennsylvania battery. He served until Oct. 
8. 1864. and was in the battles of Winchester, 
Antielam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and 
second Bull run. He was married in March, 
1865, to Jennie Forrester, a native of Belle- 
vue, and daughter of Hugh and Nancy 
(Ferguson) Forrester (see sketch). They 
have six living children: Nannie, Bert, 
Madge, Jessie, Elsie and Kate. The family 
are members of the \j. P. Church; Mr. 
Kenning is a member of Day Spring Lodge, 
No. 409, L O. O. F., and is a republican. 

John Grau, grocer, Sharpsburg, was 
born in Allegheny county, Pa., in 1860, a son 
of Conrad and Margaret (Polster) Grau, 
natives of Germany, who immigrated to 
America in 1854. He received a common- 
school education at Etna, and early in life 
commenced work iu the iron-mills at that 
place, in which he continued until 1886, 
when he commenced his present business at 
corner of Middle and Thirteenth streets. 
Sharpsburg. Mr. Grau married, in 1884, 
Barbara, daughter of John Fug, of Alle- 
gheny county, and two children have been 
born to them: Bertha and Margaret. Mr. 
Grau is a member of the Mystic Chain, 
Jr. O. U. A. M., and of the Lutheran Church; 
he is a republican. j 

Lewis Walthoor. watcliman for the j 
P., McK. & Y. R. R.. McKeesport. was born ' 
in what is now Manor Station, Westmore- 
land county. Pa., Sept. 10, 1828, a son of 
Stofel and Catharine (Drum) Walthour. His ' 
paternal grandfather, Casper Walthour, was 
a native of Sweden, a farmer by occupation, 
and a pioneer of Westmoreland county. In 
1785 he erected a gristmill on Brush creek, i 
near Manor Station, which is still used for 
milling purposes, and is said to be the oldest t 
gristmill in Western Pennsylvania; it has 
never been out of the Walthour family, and 
has changed owners but twice since its erec- 
tion. Casper was a large land-owner, and 
received the first title from the government 
•of a tract in Allegheny county reaching from 
the Monongahela to the Allegheny river. He 
reared a large familj', of whom Stofel, father 
of Lewis, and a miller by trade, resided in 
Westmoreland county until his death. Our 



subject was reared in his native count}', 
and began life as a brakeman on the P. 
R. R. He was for several years an en 
gineer on the P. & C. R. R., and acted iu 
the same capacity for the A. V. R. R. thir- 
teen years. At present he is iu the employ 
of the P., McK. &. Y. R. R. Mr. Waliliour 
first located in McKeesport in 1851; he re- 
turned in 1862, remained until 1865, and since 
1880 has been a permanent resident of this 
city. He is the owner of valuable real estate, 
and has erected several substantial tenement- 
houses. His wife, E. J., is the daughter of 
John Probst, of Greensburg, Pa., and b}' her 
he has one son, William IB. Walthour. now 
a resident of Verona. Mr. Walthour is a 
member of the C. P. Church; in politics he 
is a republican. 

S. D. Morris, photographer, Sharpsburg, 
was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1865, a 
son of Thomas Morris, who came to Amer- 
ica when twenty-four years of age, from 
South Wales. Our subject came to Alle- 
gheny county when a mere child, and secured 
an education, partly by his own energy and 
by the hard work of his mother. At thir- 
teen years of age he commenced the study 
of drawing, which he has since successfully 
followed, and has received instruction from 
prominent masters. He is skilled at all kinds 
of crayon and water-color work, and makes 
a specialty of photography and portraits. 
He married, in 1885, Emma, daughter of 
William Cooper. Mr. Morris is a member of 
the Mystic Chain, Jr. O. U. A. M. andl. O. of 
H. He attends Grace Church, of Sharps- 
burg, and is a republican. 

Enoch T. Holt, foreman National Tube- 
works company, McKeesport, is a native of 
Baltimore, Md., where he was reared, edu- 
cated, and learned the machinist's trade in the 
shops of Poole & Hunt. He afterward 
worked as journeyman in Philadelphia and 
Reading fourteen mouths, and in 1853 located 
in Pittsburgh. He worked nine years in 
the machine-shops of the P. R. R. Co., 
and for years held the position of foreman 
in their roundhouse. In 1865 he located in 
McKeesport. where he was manager of the 
Pittsburgh & McKeesport Car and Locomo- 
tive works for eleven years. Durius the years 
1878, 1879 and 1880 he was employed in the 
foundry of R. J. May & Co., of McKeesport, 
and eight months was employed in Scottdale. 
In 1881 he entered the employ of the Na- 
tional Tube-works company as machinist, in 
which capacity he served for two }'ears. He 
was then appointed foreman of the boiler- 
shop, which position be has since filled. 

Robert Patterson, farmer, postofflce 
Duquesne, was born Oct. 15, 1820, in Mifflin 
township, this county. His grandfather, 
Robert Patterson, a native of Ireland, settled 
first east of the mountains, and afterward in 
Mifflin township, where he followed the 
weaver's trade, and was also one of the pio- 
neer schoolteachers. His wife, Isabella, was 
the daughter of Capt. Bri.sbin. a revolution- 
ary hero. She had eight children: Mary, 



t)i2 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Elizabeth, Nancy, Jane, John, James, Sam- 
uel and William. Of these John was a 
fiirmcr. anil died near Pittsburgh, aged sixty 
years; his wife, nee Mary Oldfield, was the 
mother of seven children: Eliza, Isabella, 
Kobert, John. Mary. Nancy and George. 
The subject of this memoir was educated in 
his native county, where he has been a 
farmer all his life. The old farm consisted 
of 150 acres, of which he has yet one hundred, 
situated between the new steelworks and the 
glass-factory. He married Priscilla, daugh- 
ter of John McCaslin. and she died Oct. 29, 
1878, the mother of four children: Mrs. Mary 
Risher, Mrs, Sarah Rath, Mrs. Fannie Risher 
and Bessie V. Mr. Patterson has taken an 
active interest in church work, and was for- 
merly- elder of the Presbyterian Church; po- 
litically he was a whig.aud since a republican. 

J. C. Crawford, farmer, postoffice Du- 
quesne, was born Feb. 6, 1829, on the old 
Crawford homestead, in Mifflin township, 
this county, which was formerly known as 
the John McKee farm, andwhicb was bought 
by grandfather George Crawford, who lived 
and died in Westmoreland county. George 
was born east of the mountains, of Scotch- 
Irish parentage, and willed the above prop- 
erty to his son, John Crawford, who lived 
on the farm until 1831, when he died, aged 
twenty-nine years. His widow, Jane 
(Chambers) Crawford, the mother of our 
subject, returned to Westmoreland county, 
where she married Robert Paul. Her 
daughter, Mrs. Jane C. Orr, resides in Clar- 
ion county. Pa. J. C. Crawford was reared 
by his grandfather, William Chambers, of 
Westmoreland county, and subsequently 
came to this county. Nov. 9, 18.59, he mar- 
ried Tillie J. Wigham, a woman of more 
than ordinary ability, daughter of Robert 
W. Wigham. She became the mother of 
seven children, viz.: John W., Tillie J.. James 
S., Georee T.. Annie E., Edwin R. and Jor- 
dan S. Mrs. Crawford died April 29. 1880, 
a devoted wife and mother. The old Craw- 
ford family were Presbyterians in religion, 
in politics democrats. Mr. Crawford yet 
owns ninety acres of the home place, having 
sold some land to the Howard Plate Glass 
works at Duquesne. 

Joseph Kennedy, farmer and gardener, 
postoffice Duquesne. was born Sept. 9. 1830, 
in Indiana county. Pa., a son of David and 
Catharine (Snyder) Kennedy, of German 
descent. They reared four children: John 
(deceased). Mrs. Elizabeth Carson, Joseph 
and David. The last uamed served in the 
103d P. v., under Gen. McClellan, and died in 
the service. The father was for many years 
superintendent of a coal-mine at Hanging 
Rock, Ohio, and died at Portsmouth, same 
state, aged over seventy years. The subject 
of this memoir married, in Pittsburgh, 
Priscilla, a daughter of Joseph Burchfield, 
and they have eleven children: Joseph B., 
David W., Annie M., Catharine J.. William 
H., Charles A., Lillie P., John C, Fannie B., 
Frankie E. and Anirles W., of whom two 



have died. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church, of which be U 
trustee and steward, and superintendent of 
the Sunday-school. He is a republican. Mr. 
Kennedy has a farm of forty-seven acres, 
having sold twenty-nine acres to the new 
steelmill, thus being tlie first to encourage 
the starting of that enterprise and the conse- 
quent founding of Duquesne. 

WilIjIam John Bartley, brick-manu- 
facturer, Verona, was born Nov. 27. 183.5, 
in that part of Butler township now called 
Jefferson. His grandfather, James Bartley, 
came from Ireland and settled on a farm in 
Butler county, and his p.arents, Thomas and 
Margaret (Welsh) Bartley, were born in 
Pennsylvania. In 1846 Thomas Bartley 
moved to Allegheny City, and engaged in 
the manufacture of brick in and about Pitts- 
burgh. During part of that time he lived 
on the farm. In 1871 he was struck by a 
locomotive on a crossing, and died from the 
effects of his injuries, aged sixty-two. His 
wife had died a year previously, "at the same 
age. Four of their five children now reside 
near Pittsburgh, as follows: James C, W. 
J., Margaret A. (Hays) and Sarah J. (Wylie). 
Bethiah. the eldest, died when seventeen. 
W. J. Bartley received a fair education, and 
when out of school, at eleven years of age, 
beean helping in his father's brickyard. In 
1862 he joined Co. F. 139th P. V., and served 
with the Army of the Potomac from the 
battle of Antietam to the close of the war, 
including the Shenandoah campaign. He 
remained with his father until his death, 
and came to Verona in 1873, taking charge 
of his present 3-ard, which he bought after 
the death of the owner, in 1874. He makes 
nearly a million of brick per year. Mr. 
Bartley is associated with the U. P. Church, 
G. A. R. and R. A., and is a republican: is at 
present a member of the borough school 
board. In 1869 he married Lida J., daughter 
of Thomas and Mary Hilliard, vf Irish de- 
scent. She died in 1881, leaving three chil- 
dren: WilliamM., Charles Edwin and Jennie 
Cochran. His present wife, Mollie Yarnell, 
is the mother of an infant daughter — 
Blanche E. 

Charles Lockhart McVickeu, machin- 
ist, postoffice Verona, is a grandson of James 
McVicker, who came from Ireland to this 
country about one hundred years ago. 
James, son of the latter, married Emily Boss, 
born in St. Louis. Daniel Boss, father of 
Emily, was of Irish descent, born in West 
Virginia, and served through the war of 1812 
and the Mexican war. James McVicker, Jr.. 
was the captain of a volunteer fire company 
in Allegheny City manyj-ears ago. operating 
the first hand engine there, known as the 
"Uncle Sam." He was also captain of the 
night-police for many years, and a candidate 
on the republican ticket for mayor. He 
served three years in the 9th P. R . partici- 
pating in all the hardships and engagements 
of the Army of the Potomac, going in as a 
private and rising to the rank of captain. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



643 



He was engaged in the battles of Gettysburg. 
Aatietam. Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Gaines- 
ville, Lookout Mountain, the Seven Days' 
fight, and others. All of his sons who were 
old enough for service were also in the Union 
army: William B., in the three-months 
service; James, in the signal corps; George 
R., in Knap's heavj' artillery. 

C. L. McVicker was born April 3, 1860, in 
Allegheny City. He attended the public 
school, and worked at plastering with his 
father. When eighteen years old he took up 
his present trade. For nine years he has 
been employed in the Allegheny Valley 
shops, during the last three years as foreman 
of erecting-gang. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church at Hoboken ; a member 
of the Jr. O. U. A. M. and K. of P. 
Politically he is a republican. In 1883 he 
married Lyda M. Dickson, who was born at 
Bakerstown. Her parents, John S. and 
Anna B., were born in Richland township 
and Allegheny City, Samuel Hazlelt, father 
of Mrs. Dickson, was born in Ireland, and 
now resides in East Deer township, aged 
one hundred and three. He came to this 
country in 1808. Mr. McVicker'a only child 
is named James West. 

Walter Foster, farmer, postoffice Mc- 
Keesport, son of Samuel D. and Martha 
(McCollough) Foster, was born in Versailles 
township, in 1838, on the farm he now owns. 
His grandfather, Alexander D. Foster, a 
native of Ireland, immigrated to America, 
and settled in Allegheny, near the line of 
Washington county, in 1793. He had follow- 
in.g-named children: Alexander (now of St. 
Anthony, Minn.), Samuel D. (deceased), 
John (deceased), Walter (now a resident of 
Pittsburgh), David (of Manstield), Sarah 
(now Mrs. William Forsyth; her husband 
was formerly a deputy sheriii of the county). 
A. D. Foster died March 14, 1849, in liis 
seventy-seventh year, and was buried in 
McKeesport and Versailles cemetery. Sam- 
uel D. Foster was reared and educated in 
Washington county. He married Martha 
McColIough, and located on the farm now 
owned by Walter, fifty-five years ago. They 
reared a family of five children: John (now 
in the lumber trade at Leavenworth, Kan.), 
Alexander (a resident of McKeesport), 
William (deceased). Walter, and Sarah (now 
Mrs. Samuel Stewart, of Versailles town- 
ship). Walter Foster married, in 1862, Susan, 
daughter of Samuel Stewart, of Versailles 
township, and located on the old homestead. 
He engaged in farming and well-drilling, his 
father having opened a coal-mine, which he 
operated successfully, and Walter still pur- 
sues that business. Their children are A. D. 
(married and on the old homestead), Laura E. 
(now Mrs. Samuel McClure), and Harry (now 
studying medicine). Mr. and Mrs. Foster 
are members of the Presbyterian Church; he 
is a republican. 

John Hoffman, farmer, postoffice Castle 
Shannon, was born June 8, 1824, on the 
Rhine, Bavaria, Germany, a son of John and 



Mary Ann (Kline) Hoffman, who had four 
sons and four daughters. Of these Daniel. 
Mrs. Barbara Klump and John immigrated 
to America, where Daniel was killed on the 
railroad. When John was only ten years of 
age his father died, and when older he be- 
came apprenticed to a damask-weaver (at 
that time the weaving was all done by hand 
and was considered quite an art, there be- 
ing only three masters of it in the province 
of Rhein Phaltz). He worked eight years 
and became a skillful hand. During the 
revolution of 1848 he came to America, and 
in New Jersey worked on a farm a short 
time. The following year he came to Pitts- 
burgh, and for twelve months operated a 
brewery, after which he turned his attention 
to teaming, carrying water to the people on 
the South Side at twelve and a half cents 
per hogshead. Subsequently he became 
a successful farmer, and at present is in 
possession of three farms containing 122 
acres of land. He married, April 14, 1850, 
Catherine Fox, daughter of George Fox, and 
their children were Catherine (deceased), 
Mary M. (deceased), John D., Henry (de- 
ceased), Charlie, George, Mrs. Katie Mathew 
and Mrs. Carrie McAnulty. Of these John 
D. is married to Anna B., daughter of John 
Knapp, a shoe-dealer, of South Side; Charlie 
is married to Ettie, daughter of Henry Streng. 
farmer, of Baldwin township. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hoffman are members of the G. P. Church; 
he is a democrat. 

William Wilds, gardener, postoffice Car- 
rick, was born June io,1852, on the old home- 
stead, a son of Michael and Margaret (Miller) 
Wilds, natives of Alsace, Prance. Shortly 
after their marriage his parents immigrated to 
America and settled in Allegheny county, 
where the father followed gardening, oppo- 
site the dam. Later he purchased a farm in 
Baldwin township, where he continued gar- 
dening, being among the first in that line of 
business in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. He 
and his wife died on the farm. They were 
prominent members of the Lutheran Church, 
and he was one of the leading factors in hav- 
ing the first church of that denomination 
erected on Smithfield street, Pittsburgh, and 
other churches. Their children were Jacob, 
Mrs. Caroline Graff and William. The sub- 
ject of this memoir followed in his father's 
footsteps, and is a successful gardener; also 
carries on horticulture. He owns a farm of 
twenty acres. June 10, 1874, Mr. Wilds 
married Elizabeth, daughter of John May, 
and their children are Margetta B., Milvina, 
William, Royland, Charles F., Theodore. 
Carrieina. Mr. and Mrs. Wilds are members 
of the Presbyterian Church. He Is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F. and is a republican. 

Robert F. Johnson, farmer, postoffice 
Mansfield Valley, was born in this county in 
1857. His father, Robert Johnson, Sr..was a 
native of Ireland, born in 1794. He came to 
America July 7. 1818, landing in Baltimore, 
wliere he remained a short time. He was by 
trade a weaver, but did not follow that busi- 



6U 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ness long in America. He moved to Pitts- 
burgh anil thence to Cecil townsliip, Wash- 
ington county, where he opened a grocery- 
store, which he conducted for thirty-seven 
years, and was at the same time extensively 
engaged in the purchase of wool. He married 
.lane Moss, and by her had four children, 
three of whom are now living. After her 
death he married .Jane Ledlie, daughter of 
.Joshua and Luticia (Manealy) Ledlie, and to 
them was born one child, Robert P., our sub- 
ject. Mr. Johnson purchased the farm now 
owned by bis son in 1859, on which was for 
many years a hotel: it contained 120 acres. 
He died in 188,5; his widow, an estimable 
lady, aged seventy-six years, resides on the 
farm. Robert was educated at the public 
schools, and owns the property which he su- 
perintends, and resides with his mother. He 
is a member of the U. P. Church, and is a 
republican. 

Samuel Hacdenshield, farmer, post- 
office Green Tree, was born in this county, a 
son of .John Haudenshield, who, when nine 
years of age, came with his parents from 
Switzerland to America. Samuel, the pio- 
neer of this family, was an iron-worker, and 
later in life purchased a farm in Scott town- 
shij), where he resided until his death, in 
1868, when he was seventj'-nine years of age. 
.John was reared on a farm, and in 1854 pur- 
chased twentj'-seven acres of land in Scott 
township, on which he resided and worked 
with prolit until his death. He married 
Sabina Prager. of German birth, and by her 
had six children, five of whom are now liv- 
ing, and whose names and dates of birth are 
as follows: Samuel, 1859; John. 1861; Jacob. 
1863: Charles, 1865, and William, 1868. The 
father of these children died June 10. 1882, 
aged sixty-two years. His wife died in 1877, 
aged forty-eight years. The family are 
niembers of theG. R. Church. Mr. Hauden- 
shield is a republican. 

Eliza. Mauoaret and William Will- 
son, children of Samuel and Mary (Allison) 
Willson, were born in Jefferson township, 
on the farm now owned by them. Their 
father, who was born in 1797. in Chambers- 
burg.Franklin county, Pa..came to Allegheny 
county and married and settled on the farm 
now owned by his children. They are all 
living except an infant. Their grandfather 
and grandmother came from over the mount- 
ains; the latter was born in Dauphin county, 
which was probably the birthplace also of 
the former. They settled where the present 
owners enjoy a delightful residence, and 
their children were William. Elizabeth, 
Hannah, Mary and Susan (all now deceased). 

Mary C. Scott, postoflice Coal Valley, 
daughter of Adam Siple (a native of Ger- 
many), was born in 1842. in McCandless 
township, where her father settled on com- 
ing to this countr}'. Adam Siple married 
Anna E. White, of Allegheny county, and 
they were the parents of three children: 
Lewis. Eva and Mary C. Mary C, in 1872, 
married Josiah Aber, of Jefferson township. 



and they settled on the farm she now owns. 
He died Feb. 14, 1881, leaving three children: 
Anna L., Mary E. and Ida May. Mrs. Mary 
C. Aber was married, in 1885. lo David Scott, 
who is now engaged in farming, and they 
have one child, William L. 

James Purdy, farmer, postoffice Clinton, 
was born on the old homestead farm of his 
father and grandfather, adjoining his present 
farm, in Findlay township, this county, Sept. 
28, 1836. a son of Thomas and Margaret 
(Cavit) Purdy. The latter was born in North 
Fayette, March 2. 1812, daughter of George 
and Nancy (Turner) Cavit. George Cavit 
was a son of Patrick Cavit, a native of Ire- 
land, and a Scotch Presbyterian. James 
Purdy, grandfather of James, was born in 
Ireland, and came to Lancaster county. Pa., 
where he married, and in 1807 moved with 
his family to Robinson township, Allegheny 
county. About 1814 he came to Findlaj' 
township, where he and his wife lived and 
died. He was in the war of 1812, and died 
about 1822. He and his wife had six sons 
and four daughters: James, Archibald, An- 
drew, John, Farmer, Thomas, Jane (married 
to Henry Ewing), Isabelle (married to James 
Leiper), Elizabeth (married to William Ster- 
ling), and Mary (married to William Rich- 
mond). Of these Farmer and Mary are living. 
Thomas was born in Maj-, 1808. and died in 
March. 18.S2. He and his wife had seven 
sons and four daughters, all living: Nancy 
(wife of James M. Ewing), James, George C, 
John, William F., Mary Jl(married to Andrew 
McCleaster), Margaret E , Isabella, Thomas 
H., and Andrew J. and Samuel H. (twins). 
James married, Feb. 11. 1869, Elizabeth 
Burns, who was born in Hanover township, 
Washington county. Pa., daughter of Will- 
iam and Harriet (Saxon) Burns. In 1872 5Ir. 
Purdy settled on his present farm. He and 
his wife have five children: Thomas B .Will- 
iam W., Joseph L.. Harriet L. and Mary A. 
Aug. 23. 1861. Mr. Purdy enlisted in Co. F. 
46th P. V. I., and served three j-ears. He was 
at Winchester. Va., Cedar Mountain. Chan- 
cellorsville. Gettysburg, the Atlanta cam- 
paign. Peach Tree Creek, Dallas and Pump- 
kin Vine creek, and after the war returned 
to his present farm, where he has since re- 
sided. Mr. and Mrs. Purdy are members of 
the U. B. Church at Clinton. 

Archibald A. Pdrdt. farmer, postoflice 
Clinton, was born on his farm in Findlay 
township in August, 1.838, a son of Andrew 
and Anna (Leiper) Purdj', latter of whom 
was born in Beaver count3'. Pa., a daughter 
of James and Anna Leiper. Andrew Purdy 
was born in Lancaster county. Pa., and was a 
son of James and Marj' (Farmer) Purdy. who 
came to Robinson township. Allegheny 
count}', in 1.S07. and in 1814 to Findlay town- 
ship. James Purdy was born in Iieland, and 
immigrated to Lancaster county, where he 
married. He was in the war of 1812, and 
died about 1822. Andrew Purdy and wife 
were members of the Seceders' Church, of 
which he was an elder. They had a family 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



645 



of five sous and four daughters, viz. : Rev. 
James L. (deceased). Mary A.. John, Agnes 
(widow of James Wilson). William, Andrew, 
Jane (wife of Alexander Eaton), Margaret 
(wife of Robert Andrews. M. D.) and Archi- 
bald A. The last named married, Dec. 31, 
1867, Ella A.Withrow,who was born at Frank- 
fort Springs. Beaver count}', Pa., a daughter 
of Joseph and Phoebe (Floyd) Withrow. Mr. 
and Mrs. Purdy are members of the U. P. 
Church at Clinton, of which Mr. Purdy is an 
elder. He and his wife have seven children: 
Kale M.. Anna L., Linuie J., Jessie A., Her- 
bert B. K., Leila A. and Andrew Franklin. 
In August, 1863, Mr. Purdy enlisted in Co. K, 
139th P.V. I.; was in the battles of Antietam, 
Fredericksburg, St. Mary's Heights, the 
Wilderness and Petersburg; was with Sheri- 
dan in the Shenandoah valley, and afterward 
at the closing battles of Petersburg and 
Richmond; was in the forts in the defense of 
Washington. D. C, and at Gettysburg. He 
owns a fine farm of 188 acres, and ranks 
among the leading citizens. 

S. B. Harbison, merchant, postoiBce 
Bakerstown, is a son of John and Julia Har- 
bison, of Butler county, where he was born 
in 1845. He was educated at the public 
schools; also at Dutf's Commercial College. 
Pittsburgh, and for eleven years engaged in 
teaching school. He then followed farming 
until 1885, when he moved to Bakerstown, 
purchased a stock of general merchandise of 
F. B. McMillan, and built his present store. 
In 1873 he married Margaret S., daughter of 
John Caldwell, of West Deer township, and 
Ihey now have five living children: Minnie, 
Belle, Frank, Clarence and George, all at 
home. Mr. Harbison is one of the school 
directors of the township. He and family are 
members of the U. P. Church of Glade Run, 
Butler county. 

C. Baeuerlein, brewer, postoflice Ben- 
nett, was born Sept. 23, 1846, in the old 
Fifth ward, Pittsburgh, Pa., son of Adam 
Baeuerlein, who was born July o, 1815, in 
Bavaria, Germany, and died May 18, 1874. 
Adam was a son of Balzer and Margaretta 
Baeuerlein, and descended from an old fam- 
ily in his native home. He came to America 
with his widowed mother and her children — 
Balzer, Adam, John, Johanna, Elizabeth and 
Anna E. — and they settled in Pittsburgh in 
1840. In 1845 Adam married Barbara Lenlz- 
ner, a native of Saschen-Weimar, Germany, 
born March 29, 1821. They were members of 
the SmithfieldG. P. Church, and he belonged 
to the I. O. O. F. In Germany he had learned 
the brewer's trade, and became prominently 
interested in that business in Pittsburgh, 
having erected several breweries, the first one 
in 1845. 'The fourth brewery was built in 
Shaler township, near Bennett Station. Since 
1866 his sons and Fred Klussman have con- 
tinued the business. In 1887 a slock com- 
pany was formed, of which C. Baeuerlein 
(our subject) is treasurer. The brewery was 
formerly known as the Star Brewery; now 
it is popular as the C. Baeuerlein Brewing 



company, and is one of the best arranged 
in the county, its product being second to 
none. C. Baeuerlein was educated in Pitts- 
burgh, learned the brewer's business with his 
father, and at present is general manager of 
the concern. He was married to Mary, 
daughter of William Bauer, a gardener, and 
two children — Alice L. and Nellie M. — have 
been born to them. 

George W. Ewalt, farmer, postoffice 
Gibsonia, is a son of John and Mary (Wood- 
row) Ewalt. His father was born in Trum- 
bull county, Ohio, and moved into this 
county about 1823 to live with Samuel, the 
great-grandfather of our subject. He settled 
in Lawrenceville in 1839, in which year he 
was married; he is now living with George 
W. The mother died in 1884. George W. 
is the only child, and was born in Lawrence- 
ville, July 4, 1840, and was brought by his 
parents to his present farm in 1841. He was 
educated at the public schools, and has since 
been engaged in farming. In 1865 he mar- 
ried Mary E., daughter of Robert and Eliza 
(Ross) Cunningham, of West Deer township, 
and the}' have eight children living: Oliver 
Woodrow, Mary Abbie, Harris Cunningham, 
John Ross, Eliza E., Robert Cunningham, 
Adda Lorinda and Lucille Freeman. In 1862 
Mr. Ewalt enlisted in Co. D, 139th P. V., serv- 
ing until the close of the war. He is a mem- 
ber of Cul. Clarke Post, No. 162, G. A. R., of 
Allegheny. He and family are members of 
the Presbyterian Church at Bakerstown. 

Franklin Poff, farmer, postolHce Talley 
Cavey, is a son of Jacob and Margaret 
(Wentzel) PofE, natives of Berks county. Pa., 
where Franklin was born in 1827; he moved 
to Butler county when nine years of age. In 
1850 he came to Hampton township, and has 
since resided here. He married, in 1845, 
Barbara Ann Sloap, a native of Germany, 
who died Sept. 22, 1884, leaving twelve chil- 
dren: William T., of Allegheny; Margaret, 
wife of Henry McDonald, of Hampton town- 
ship; Mary, wife of Casper Marks, of Glen- 
shaw; John, of Hampton township; Charles, 
of Shaler township; Benjamin, of Hampton 
township; Robert, of Pittsburgh; Harriet, 
wife of Martin McAlear, at McKee's Rocks; 
Thomas and Ellen, at home; Laura, wife of 
Allen Sheppard, of Allegheny, and Blanche, 
at home. Mr. Poff was married the second 
time in Harrisburg, Pa., Jan. 20, 1886, to 
Mrs. Mary Rightmyer, of Reading, Pa., 
widow of the late Col. James Lawrence 
Rightmyer, who died June 7, 1867, in Balti- 
more, Md. ; he was connected with the N. C. 
R. R. Co. for a number of years, up to the 
time of his death. Mr. Poff has held the office 
of school director of the township, and he 
and family are members of the Second Pres- 
byterian Church, of which he was trustee 
for many years. 

Edmund Nuttall, farmer, postoffice Tal- 
ley Cavey. is a son of Edmund and Lois 
(Tunstall) Nuttall, natives of England, who 
immigrated to America in 1840, and located 
in Allegheny City, where the father died in 



646 



HISTOltY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



1846, and the mother in 1850. They left Ave 
children; Mary, widow of Joseph Newton, 
of Dennison, Ohio; Rachel, wife of Samuel 
Shaw, of Hardin county, Ohio; Hicliard. of 
Allegheny; Joshua, of Pittsburgli, and Ed- 
mund, who was born in England, April 8, 
1837. He came to America with his parents, 
and was reared and educated in Allegheny. 
He learned the niolder's trade in the firm of 
Knapp & AVade. and helped to make the first 
Lincoln gun that was sent to Fortress Mon- 
roe. In 1861 he purchased his present farm, 
where he has since resided. In 1864 he 
enlisted in Co. H, 6th P. H. A., and served 
until the close of the war. In 1861 he mar- 
ried Sarah, daughter of Robert and Isabella 
(McDonald) Du'nlap, of Hampton township, 
and they have eight living children; Isabella 
M.; Robert D., who married Lillie. daughter 
of John Phillips; William. Edmund E., 
Richard M., Alender P., Loyd C. and Lois, 
all at home. Mr. Nuttall has held the office 
of school director of the township for 
eighteen years, and has been supervisor two 
years. He and family are members of the 
U. P. Churcli at Talley Cavey. Robert 
Dunlap, father of Mrs. Nuttall, was born in 
County Tyrone. Ireland, in 1776, and in 1800 
settled on the farm now owned bj- our sub- 
ject. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, 
and died in 1863. Isabella McDonald, who 
was his third wife, died in 1870. Joseph 
Dunlap, of Pittsburgh, was her son, and a 
brother to Mrs. Nuttall. William Dunlap, 
son of Robert by his tirst wife, was born on 
this farm in 1800, and now lives at Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. 

C. T. Peterson, J. K. Peterson and G. 
W. Peterson (firm known as John Peterson 
& Sons), sons of John and Mary Peterson, 
were born at Port Perry, this county. Their 
parents came from New Harrisburg, Ohio, 
about fifty years ago, and settled at Miners- 
ville, near Pittsburgh; from there, in 1843, 
moved to Port Perry, and from there to Coal 
Bluff, Washington county. Pa. .in 1853, remov- 
ing to this place in 1863. Their children were 
James (now deceased). John (deceased), Eliza- 
beth (now Mrs. Borland, of Monongahela City), 
William D., who resides nearMcKeesport: S. 
S., a resident of Monongahela City; also 
Charles T., Kreamor andG.W. Peterson, who 
are extensively engaged in lumber and coal 
trade, also farming, employing two hundred 
men. The mother still lives with them, the 
father having died five years ago. 

John Lddwick. farmer, postoflSce Mc 
Keesport. was born in Westmoreland county, 
Pa., in 1821, son of John and Eliza (Curry) 
Ludwick. former of whom was a native of 
Maryland and of German descent, latter a 
native of Ireland. William Curry, maternal 
grandfather of our suliject, was a native of 
Ireland, and he and his wife were among the 
pioneers of Versailles township, where they 
lived and died, and Jacob Ludwick, the pa- 
ternal grandfather, was an early resident of 
North Versailles township, where he died; 
his widow made her home with John Lud- 



wick, Sr., until her decease. Their children 
were George. Jacob, John. Al)ram, Adam, 
Catherine and Elizabeth. John Ludwick. Sr. . 
married Eliza Curry, and located in West- 
moreland county, but, having purchased a 
farm in Versailles township, they removed to 
it in 1828. There were born to tliem six chil- 
dren, of whom the subject of this sketch was 
the third. Mrs. Ludwick dying in 1832, Mr. 
Ludwick afterward married Matilda Craig, 
and to them were born nine children. Mrs. 
Ludwick died in 1848. and Mr. Ludwick 
lived but two years longer. John Ludwick, 
Jr., remained at home until the death of his 
parents, and in 18.52 married Catherine, 
daughter of John J. Muse, of Versailles 
township. They located on the old home- 
stead, where they still reside. 

John T. Lddwick. farmer, postofflce Mc- 
Keesport, son of Joseph and Nancy Jane (Lee) 
Ludwick, was born in Versailles township in 
1856. Jacob Ludwick. his great-grandfather, 
was a native of Maryland, and his wife of 
Ireland. They located at an early time in 
Versailles township, where they lived until 
his death, after which his widow made her 
home with John Ludwick until her decease. 
John Ludwick (whose family record appears 
elsewhere), grandfather of John T.. married 
and settled in Westmoreland county, and in 
Versailles township, Allegheny coimty, in 
1828. Joseph, son of John Ludwick, re- 
mained with his parents until his father's 
death, in 18.50, and in 1852 he married Nancy 
J., daughter of Peter H. Lee, located in Alle- 
gheny county. Versailles township, and en- 
gaged in farming. They reared a family of 
seven children, viz. ; Mary L., John T., Lizzie 
E., Maggie, Anthony W., Slira and Joseph. 
The latter died in 1865, and his widow, in 
1868, married Thomas Perkins, to whom 
were !)orn three children, viz.; Minnie. Ella 
and William (deceased). Mr. Perkins died 
Feb. 3. 1875. They were members of the 
Presbyterian Church. John T. Ludwick is a 
republican. 

Thomas Crdikshank, blacksmith, Brin- 
ton, son of William Cruikshank, was born 
in Ireland in 1838. He was nine years old 
when the family came to America, and re- 
ceived his education in the public schools of 
this county, meantime learning his father's 
trade. In 1861 he opened a shop in Moon 
township, and in the fall of the next j'ear 
entered the military service as blacksmith for 
a brigade wagon-train, being enlisted as a 
member of Co. B. 4th P. C. He had two, 
narrow escapes in battle; on one occasion 
his temple was blackened by the fragment of 
shell; at another time his mustache was 
cut off by a rifle-ball. He was discharged 
July 6, 18"65, and has been employed in black- 
smith-work in Pittsburgh and other places 
most of the time since. For the past two 
years he has been employed by his brother, 
Joel, at Brinton. In 1867"he married Rebecca 
Laugfitt, a native of Hanover. Beaver count}-, 
who" died in 1867. Her daughters are resi- 
dents as follows; Sarah Jane (Mrs. William 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAFHY. 



64-; 



Bell, residing uear Cumberland, AV. Va.), 
Ularj' Hannah (wife of James Swearingen, in 
Hanuver, Beaver county). 

Joel M. Cruikshank, the j'ouugest brother 
of Thomas, was born in Monroeville, Pa., 
June 3, 1849, and, like his brothers, learned 
his fatlier's trade, which he has always fol- 
lowed. He is an ardent supporter of the 
republican party; a member, with his family, 
of the Lutheran Church. He entered the 
service of his conntr}' at a very earl3' age, 
going on board the gunboat Gazelle, of the 
Mississippi squadron, as a marine, in 1864, 
and was discharged just after reaching the 
age of sixteen. The vessel was stationed 
much of the time during the service at the 
mouth of Red river, and was detailed to 
convey the rebel generals. Price and Buck- 
ner, to New Orleans after their capture. In 
1872 Mr. Cruikshank rented a shop at Turtle 
Creek, and has occupied several different 
locations in Westmoreland and Armstrong 
counties. He bought ground at Brinton in 
1882. and erected his present residence and 
shop. In 1871 he was married to Alda Peora 
Smith, a native of Lewistown, Miffliu county, 
and by her has the following-named chil- 
dren; Mary Jane. Alda Peora and lioswell 
Doty. 

A. M. Gore, boss roller, postoffice Brad- 
dock, was born in Blair county. Pa,, in 1839, 
the eldest of ten children born to John Gore, 
who for many years was an engineer for the 
Cambria Iron-works, and now resides in the 
state of Ohio. A. M. Gore was educated 
at the public schools in Pittsburgh, and for 
twenty-seven years has been engaged in the 
iron business, fifteen years as engineer, and 
has spent thirteen years at the Edgar Thom- 
son Iron and Steel-works at Braddock. Mr. 
Gore married, in 1861, Amanda Kooken, 
and same year enlisted in Co. E, 54th P. V., 
and for three years two months and four 
days fought in the defense of his country. 
He is a republican. 

David H. Cunningham, farmer, postoffice 
Perrysville, was born March 10. 1817, on the 
old homestead in Huntingdon (now Blair) 
county, Pa. His father, George Cunning- 
ham, a native of Scotland, came to America 
in 1802, with his wife, Jane Moore, and two 
children. He took up 218 acres of land, 
which is still in possession of the family. 
He was the father of twelve children, all of 
whom attained maturitj', but of the six sons 
only David H. is now living. Mr. and Mrs. 
George Cunningliam were members of Leb- 
anon Church; politically he was a republican. 
David H. came to Ross township in 1835, 
learned the blacksmith's trade with his 
brother William, and followed it thirty-four 
j'ears. Subsequentl3' he turned his attention 
to agriculture, and now owns a farm of 109 
acres. He has been twice married, his first 
wife being Martha, daughter of Robert and 
Sarah (Dixon) Hiland, former of whom came 
here in 1798: latter was a daughter of William 
and Jane Dixon. Robert Hiland was a jus- 
tice of the peace, an elder in the Presbyte- 



rian Church for many years, and was 104 
years old when he died. To Mr. Cunning- 
ham's first marriage five children were born; 
Alfred, William, Robert, Sarah and Jaseph. 
His present wife is Mary, daughter of Will- 
iam Givan. Mr. Cunningham has been trus- 
tee of the Presbyterian Church for twenty- 
years. 

Isaac Meanor, farmer, postofSce Im- 
perial, was born in Moon township, Oct. 25, 
1837, a son of William and Margaret (Smith) 
Meanor, natives of this county, and Pres- 
byterians. His great-grandfather, AVilliam 
Bailey, was captured by the Indians near 
Candor, Washington county. Pa. In 1858 
Isaac Meanor went to Henry county. 111., 
and worked on and rented farms for five 
J'ears; then purchased a farm in that county. 
At the first call for three-months men 
he enlisted in Co. P, 12th I. V. I., and 
later enlisted in Co. P, 89th I. V. I. He 
was at Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mis- 
sion Ridge, siege of Knoxville, Atlanta, 
and in the various battles in the surrounding 
of Hood, at Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., 
and at the close of the war returned to his 
farm in Henry county, III. In 1873 he 
sold out and came to Findlay township, 
where, in January, 1885, he purchased his 
present farm of 155 acres. He married, Feb. 
1, 1866, Margaret McAdams. daughter of 
Alexander and Sarah (Russell) McAdams, 
former of whom was a son of David and 
Mary (Bailey) McAdams. David McAdams 
settled in Findlay township prior to the war 
of the Revolution, and was a man of promi- 
nence and means. Sarah (Russell) McAdams 
was a daughter of John and Margaret (Bai- 
ley) Russell, old settlers of Findlay township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Meanor have five children: 
Isaac Orris, Guy W., Frank B., Sam. C. and 
Karl Hugh, Mrs. Meanor is a Presbyterian. 
Mr. Meanor is a member of the G. A. R. 

John F. Haslett, dairyman, Tarentum. 
was born in what is now the city of Al- 
legheny, Dec. 18, 1827, son of Samuel and 
Eleanor (Stark) Haslett. His grandfather 
Stark was one of the early settlers of the 
county. Samuel Haslett was born in Ireland, 
and when a lad of ten years of age came 
with his parents to America, locating in Lan- 
caster countj-. Pa.: thence moved to what is 
now Alleghen}'; here he was married. In 
1837 he removed to West Deer township, 
where he resided until his death, which oc- 
curred Feb. 5, 1889, aged one hundred and 
three years and eleven months; Eleanor, his 
wife, died several years since. Their chil- 
dren were Robert, Samuel (deceased). Jane, 
Martha, Mary, Annie and John F. In 1856 
John F., our subject, married Miss R. A., 
daughter of Thomas Watt, of Trumbull 
county. Ohio; located in West Deer town- 
ship, this county, and in 1868 removed to 
Harrison township, where he engaged in 
farming, and later at dairying. Their chil- 
drenar'eE. J.. Nancy G., Emilj^M., S. B.. Ber 
tha C. The family are members of the R. P. 
Church. 



648 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Robert Gottox, farmer, postofflce 
Perrysville, is a son of John and Elizabeth 
J. (Hazelett) Guyton. John Guyton, Sr., 
grandfather of nobert, was a native of 
Maryland, and among the early settlers of 
Pine township, this county; he afterward 
removed to Forest county, where he died. 
John Guyton was born in what is now Mc- 
Candless township, in 1810, where he was 
reared, and always followed farming. He 
died in 1886; his widow and five of his chil- 
dren survive him; John, in Allegheny; 
James W. and William, on the homestead; 
Jennie E. (Mrs. Mattliias Voegtly), in Ross 
township, and Robert, the eldest, who was 
born Feb. 14, 1839. He was educated at the 
schools of the township, and has always fol- 
lowed farming. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. 
F, 139th P. V. I., served until the close of 
the war, and was acting second lieutenant. 
Robert was married in 186.5 to Miss Nancy 
A., daughter of William and Elizabeth 
(McBride) Robin,son, of Ohio, and they have 
three living children: John Elmer, Lillie 
Belle and William R. Mrs. Guyton died in 
1888. In 1884 Mr. Guyton was elected justice 
of the peace, and has since held that office; 
has also been school director, and is a mem- 
ber of U. V. L. Encampment, No. 6. He and 
family are members of Hiland Presby- 
terian Church of Perrysville, of which he is 
an elder. 

W. B. Manown, farmer, postoffice Monon- 
gahela City, is a son of William and Lucinda 
(McVay) Manown. William, his grand- 
father, came from Ireland to this county, 
and William, the father of W. B.. was born 
on the farm now owned and occupied bj' his 
widow, where W. B. was also born. The 
subject of this commemorative biography 
married N. J., daughter of Peter and Mary 
Darr, of Washington county. After mar- 
riage they settled on the farm now owned by 
him, where he still lives. They have three 
children; Mabel, Willie and Nora. Mr. 
Manown is a democrat. 

James N. Finney, farmer, postofflce Eliz- 
abeth, is a son of William and Lucinda (Nich- 
oUs) Finney. His grandfather, Robert Fin- 
ney, settled in Elizabeth township at a very 
early date. Our subject was reared and ed- 
ucated in Elizabeth township, where he re- 
sided until 1877, when he removed to For- 
ward township. He married, Dec. 30. 1868, 
Mary E., daughter of James Wall. He has 
always engaged in farming; he is a member 
of the U. P. Church. 

Jacob Sullinger, farmer, postofflce Eliz- 
abeth, is a son of John and Lavina (Judge) 
Sullinger, natives of York county, Pa., who 
settled in Little Sweetly, Westmoreland 
county. Their family consisted of sixteen 
children, all of whom are dead e.xcepl Jacob, 
who was born in that place in 1811, and sub- 
sequently removed to this county. He is 
now living with his niece, Mary Sullinger, 
who is a daughter of Daniel and Mary (VVall) 
Sullinger. Daniel was born in Westmore- 
land county, and removed to Forward town- 



ship. He was proprietor of a fulling-mill for 
several years, and afterward devoted his at- 
tention to farming. He reared a family of 
four children, and was a member of the Bap- 
tist Church. 

John Lynch, farmer, postoffice McKees- 
port, son of David and Catlierine L}'nch,was 
born in Elizabeth township, this county. Dec. 
17, 1817. Patrick Lynch, his grandfather, 
was born and married in Ireland, whence he 
and his wife immigrated to America, bicaling 
in Elizabeth township, where they both died. 
David Lynch, who was a farmer, was born in 
Elizabeth township, and married Catherine, 
daughter of .lohn Tillbrook. He had six chil- 
dren, viz. ; Ann (deceased). May (deceaseil }. Hi'- 
becca(now Mrs. James Biddle). Martha mow 
Mrs. James Carroll), Eliza (now Mrs. William 
Biddle) and John. John was reared in Alle- 
gheny county, and with theexception of three 
years has always lived here. In 1852 he mar- 
ried Annie, daughter of Abram Leatherman. 
and after marriage they located on the farm 
they now own in Versailles township, where 
they have since lived. They have three chil- 
dren, as follows: Catherine (now Mrs. Charles 
Jones), David and Abram. David married 
Lizzie E., daughter of Joseph Ludwick, in 
1882, and they have one child, John Howard. 
Abram, in 1886, married Myra W., daughter 
of Joseph Ludwick, and they have one child, 
Anna Lula; politically the voters in the 
Lynch family are all republicans. 

Adam Saa.m Johnston, carpenter, post- 
office Turtle Creek, was born in North Hunt- 
ingdon. Westmoreland county, Pa.. April 21. 
1824. His parents, James and Mary Ann 
(Saam) Johnston, were natives of West- 
moreland county, and of Irish and German 
descent. Adam S. was reared on a farm, 
and took up carpenter-work at the age of 
eighteen; later he learned the shoemaker's 
trade, and alternated these with tlie chang- 
ing seasons. In 1850 he married Mary Jane 
Wood, and bought property in Buena V'ista. 
Allegheny county. In 1855 he sold out and 
removed to Gibson county, Ind., where his 
wife died in a few months. He then re- 
turned to Allegheny county with his five 
children. In 1861 Mr. Johnston joined Co. 
D, 79th P. v., which became a part of the 
Army of the Cumberland. At Perrysville, 
the first severe battle of the regiment, he was 
severely wounded in the left leg by a minie- 
ball; at Chickamauga he was made prisoner, 
and kept in the rebel prisons of Richmond 
and Danville for 224 days. In April, 1864. 
he was paroled for exchange, and, his term of 
enlistment having expired, he was discharged. 
At that time he was so reduced by the 
privations he endured that his constitution 
was permanently impaired. On his rettirn 
home Mr. Johnston published his diary, 
kept throughout his military career. The 
first edition is nearly exhausted, and it 
should have a continued sale, as it gives a 
full account of the experiences which cost 
manj^ a brave soldier his life. 

Since the war Mr. Johnston has made his 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



649 



home in Turtle Creek, and built his present 
home in 1871. For a time he was employed 
as assistant superintendent of the Spring 
Hill coal-mine, and has since worked at his 
trade when his health permitted. In 1865 
he married Annie E. Scott, who is the 
mother of five children, three now living, 
viz.: Harvey Scott, Anna Margaret and Jen- 
nie May; Emily Markle and Hattie died 
when small. Mr. Johnston's children by his 
first wife are Sarah (Jleans), a resident of 
McKeesport; Mary Ann (Reece), of Wilkins; 
John, David and Adam Wesley; two others 
died in infancy. Mr. Johnston served seven 
years as assessor and one year as supervisor; 
in politics he is a democrat. The family 
are associated with the M. E. Church. 

Hugh Boyd, farmer, postotflce Monroe- 
ville. was born near Omagh. County Tyrone, 
Ireland, and is a son of James and Molly 
(Frazier) Boyd. His brother, Joseph, has 
been a teacher thirty-seven years, and still 
pursues his profession a few miles from 
Omagh. Hugh was reared on a farm and 
when eighteen years old immigrated to Amer- 
ica. He was employed for three years in 
railroad-building near Philadelphia, and in 
1855 came to Allegheny county, engaging for 
some time in farm-labor and gardening. In 
1864 he enlisted as a soldier in Co. K, 100th 
P. V. At Spottsylvania Court House he re- 
ceived a gunshot through the left arm, and, 
after lying in hospital three months at Pitts- 
burgh, was detailed in the invalid corps on 
guard duty at Washington. He was dis- 
charged in August, 1865, having served eight- 
een months. In 1869 Mr. Boyd came to 
Patton and purchased fifty-three acres of 
land. His present mansion was built in 1880. 
In 1870 he married Ann Ardray, who came 
from Ireland two years later than himself. 
They have an adopted child, Charles Wilson, 
whom they took from the Allegheny Prot- 
estant Orphan Asylum in 1883. Mrs. Boyd 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
Mr. Boyd is a republican. 

Joseph D. Williams, farmer, postoflice 
Boston, is a son of Rev. Matthew and Eliza- 
beth P. (Parkhill) Williams, former of whom 
was a native of Ireland, and came to this 
country some time in the last century, settling 
on Muddy creek, in this county. He afterward 
removed to Pine Creek, where he lived until 
his death, which occurred about fifty years 
ago. He was a Covenanter, and was pastor of 
that church for many years. Joseph D. was 
born at Pine Creek, in 1818, and received his 
education in the schools of that time. In 
1858 he purchased the home where he now 
resides. He was married in 1846 to Mary, 
daughter of John and Catherine (McClellan) 
Young, of this county, and they have one 
child, Henrietta K., who is at home. They 
are members of the U. P. Church of Boston, 
of which Mr. Williams is an elder. 

R. S. P. McCall, special officer. Taren- 
tum, son of James and Mary (Miller) Mc- 
Call, was born in Freeport, Armstrong 
county, Pa., in 1835. His parents removed 



to Tarentum, where they died, the father 
Oct. 10, 1886, aged ninety-four j'ears, and the 
mother in 1874. Their children were E. M. 
(deceased), Elizabeth (now Mrs. James 
Smith, of Fawn township), Margaret (now 
Mrs. John Borald, of Kansas), Rachel (now 
Mrs. Edward Buuchfield, of Fawn town- 
ship), Nancy (the late Mrs. Carson Reed), 
James B. (of Oil City). R. S. P., Mary P. 
(deceased) and John T., of Tarentum. R. 
S. P. McCall married, in 18G0, Rachel, daugh- 
ter of John and Jane Euwer, of East Deer 
township, where he was born, and at the 
commencement of the civil war he enlisted 
in Co. F, 128d regiment, P. V. I., and at the 
termination of his enlistment returned and 
located in Tarentum, and has been promi- 
nently identified with it since. He served as 
assistant doorkeeper of the state senate of 
Pennsylvania for two years: also as assistant 
sergeant-atarms of the state senate of Penn- 
sylvania for two years, and as United States 
storekeeper for four years. He was inter- 
ested in the establishment of the bottliug- 
works there; also in the Gas company,and in 
various enterprises. At present he is a spe- 
cial officer of Allegheny county, and has 
always been prominent in the politics of the 
state and county. The children of Mr. and 
Mrs. McCall are Mary; Lillie, now wife of 
William Stotield, city editor of the Pittsburgh 
Gazette; and John P., shipping-clerk of the 
plate-glass works. 

Martin J. McMahon, merchant, post- 
office Bonnej', a son of Martin, Sr., and Mar- 
garet McMahon, was boru in this county in 
1854. His parents came from Ireland in 1849, 
and settled in this county. His father died 
(of cholera) in 18.54, at the age of fort3'-five 
years, and his mother in 1879, aged fifty- 
seven years. They had two children: John, 
residing in Cass county, Iowa, and Martin J., 
who was reared on a farm, learned telegra- 
phy, and for fifteen years had charge of a 
railroad office as general agent and operator. 
In 1883 he embarked in mercantile business, 
and now owns, at Ingram, a good business- 
house, where he carries a fine stock of gen- 
eral merchandise. He is also postmaster at 
Ingram. He married, in 1876, Mary, daugh- 
ter of John and Ellen Driscoll, and they 
have two children, John and Ellen. Mr. 
McMahon is a member of the Catholic 
Church and of the C. M. B. A. 

James L. Cravens, coal-merchant, post- 
office Ingram, is a son of John R. and Dru- 
silla L. Cravens, and was born in Mad- 
ison, Ind., in 1849. He came to this county 
in 1869, and settled in Pittsburgh. His 
father was born in Madison, Ind., in 1820, 
and still resides there, engaged in the 
practice of law. He reared a family of 
twelve children, of whom the living are 
Robert, James L., Alexander C, Charles L., 
Joseph M., Elizabeth G., Mary L., Drusilla 
L. and Franklin. James L. married, in 1872, 
Clara D., daughter of A. C. Duncan, of Pitts- 
burgh. Mr. Cravens is engaged in the coal 
business, and is one of Chartiers township's 



650 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



successful men. He has recently built an 
elegant residence at Ingram. 

JonN McC.\LLBN, farmer and dairyman, 
Sewickley, was born Nov. 31, 182."), in County 
Armagh. Ireland, son of William and Eliza- 
betli (Walker) McCallen. The father immi- 
grated to America in 1826, when .Johu was 
about six months old, leaving him and his 
mother in Ireland. William McCallen re- 
mained in America until the autumn of 1830, 
when he returned to Ireland, and in the fol- 
lowing spring. 18.31. he brought his wife and 
son to America, and they located in Mercer. 
Mercer county. Pa., until the spring of 1847, 
in which year the family, then composed of 
the parents and seven children, removed, 
with the exception of our subject, to Alle- 
gheny City, Pa. During their stay about 
Slercer they followed farming most of the 
time. In the winter of 184.5 the subject of this 
memoir got a situation as clerk in the store 
of Messrs. Lyon & Mi.\, in Mercer, who after- 
ward went into the blast-furnace business, 
and Mr. McCallen remained with them until 
they wound up the concern in 1848, when he 
removed to Allegheny City and joined the 
rest of the familj'. For a number of years 
he clerked in some of the leading stores of 
Allegheny and Pittsburgh. In 18.55 he was 
married to Miss Amanda Workman, of Alle- 
gheny City, who died in the autumn of 1865, 
leaving Ave children, viz.; Jennie, Alice, 
Frank, Amanda, Maria and Cora. Mr. Mc- 
Callen married for his second wife, in 1869, 
Miss Annie .1. McConway, and then removed 
to Sewickley, still retaining his position at 
clerking in Pittsburgh. During his residence 
in SBWickle3' he was several years a member 
of council and always an active member and 
officer of the M. E". Church of Sewickley, 
as vvell as the Sunday-school. In 1885 Mr. 
McCallen purchased a farm of eighty-five 
acres in Aleppo township, about one and a 
half miles from Sewickley. and engaged in 
farming and dairying. He has in the past 
years been called to mourn the death of 
three of his children, viz.: Amanda. Maria 
(by his first wife), and Sadie and Edith Isa- 
bel (the two children by his present wife), 
and now has but four of his children living, 
two married and two single. His cousin. 
William McCallin. is the present mayor of 
Pittsburgh. 

HyDE K. Sample, postoffice Bennett, was 
born July 19, 1828, on the old Sample home- 
stead at Girty 's Run. In early life Mr. Sample 
had charge of the muck-mill of Stewart. 
Lloj'd & Co. As a republican he was elected, 
in 1872, to the legislature, serving five terms. 
He was appointed to various committees, and 
served with ahility; was re-elected time and 
again, served the last term on corporations, 
and was chairmm of the committee of the 
geological survey. He is a man of great 
ability and integrity. He owns a farm of 
fifty acres of land adjoining Millvale. He 
married Margaret Ewalt. of Cumberland 
county, Pa., and they have five children, of 
whom Harry E. is a farmer, born Nov. 30. 



1864. The others are Margaret A., Mary S. , 
Hyde G. and Clyde W. Mr. and Mrs. Sample 
are members of the- Presbyterian Church, 
of which he is trustee; he is a member of 
the R. A. 

W. M. A. Bell, farmer, postofflce Buena 
Vista, is the son of Thomas and Mary (Mc- 
Calister) Bell, who came from Cumberland 
county and settled in Pittsburgh in 1810. 
The father was a boat-builder, and died in 
1825. Their family consisted of eight chil- 
dren. W. M. A., the fourth child, was born 
in 1813, in Pittsburgh. He learned the hatter's 
trade, and in 1836 moved to Washington 
count3', where he carried on the manufact- 
ure of hats for about two j'ears; then 
returned to Pittsburgh and engaged in the 
lumber business until 1845. He then located 
in Westmoreland county, in the mercantile 
and coal business. In 1850 he went to Cali- 
fornia and embarked in the steamboat busi- 
ness on the Sacramento river, and in 1855 
settled on his present farm, where he has 
since resided. In 1839 he was married to 
Elizabeth, daughter of James and Margaret 
(Stewart) McPadden, of Washington county. 
They have five living children; James M., 
a banker in Pittsburgh; Mary, now Mrs. 
Caleb Green wait; Ella, now Mrs. James 
Secrist; Laura, now Mrs. Isaac McCalister; 
Thomas, at home. Mr. Bell and most of his 
family are members of Dravo M. E. Church; 
James M. and Laura are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

Lotirs Koops, gardener, postoffice West 
View, was born March 18, 1826, in Rhein 
Phaltz, Bavaria, son of Jacob and Katharine 
M. (Dietz) Koops. He came to America in 
1854. and worked at various occupations in 
Allegheny county, until engaging in garden- 
ing, which proved a success. He has thirteen 
acres of garden-land in a high state of culti- 
vation, and by economy and industry has 
accumulated a competency. He married, in 
this count}', Caroline Weinkauf, a native of 
Rhein Phaltz. and three children were born 
to them; Louis, Caroline and Lizzie. The 
last named, a bright girl of twenty-one, died 
of typhoid fever. Mr. and Mrs. Koops are 
members of the G. P. Church; he is a repub- 
can. 

Henrt Orville Hokill, assistant to pur- 
chasing-agent of the Pennsylvania lines west 
of Pittsburgh. Bellevue. was born at Steu- 
benville,Ohio, May 25. 1844, asonof Henry J. 
and Eliza (Lucas) Hukill. His father was 
born in Maryland in 1800. and died in Steu- 
benville in 18.58; was a brickmaker and con- 
tractor, and was a prominent Mason, being 
high priest of the chapter for twenty two 
3'ears. Henry O. Hukill received a common- 
school education, and began life as a mes- 
senger-boy in a railroad telegraph -office. He 
followed the telegraph business for some 
time, and by industry worked his way up to 
his present position as assistant to purchas- 
ing-agent for the Pennsylvania lines west of 
Pittsburgh. He was married in Steuben ville 
in 1865,'to Kate Coble, daughter of Jacob 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



651 



and Jane (Sterling) Coble, and to tbeni was 
born one child. .James Layng. His wife dying 
in 1878, Mr. Hukill married, in 1880, Kate, 
daughter of Capt. .James and Hannah (Gil- 
lott) Wilkins, of Allegheny. Her father was 
born in 1818 and died in 1871; was for many 
years connected with the steamboat com- 
merce of that citj', and latterly was a ver.y 
prominent oil-man. He was a son of David 
Wilkins, a commission-merchant of the city 
of Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Hukill have 
one child, Henry Orville, Jr. Mr. Hukill is 
a member of the M. P. Church; his wife was 
reared a Baptist. He is a republican, and a 
member of the F. & A. M. 

William Keown, hotel-keeper, postofflce 
Perrysville, was born Feb. 18, 1840, in Alle- 
gheny City, a son of John and Susan (Good) 
Keown. John was born in Ireland in 1800, 
and died in 1870. He came to America at 
the age of nineteen years, was a brick- 
manufacturer, and became quite a distin- 
guished man in his day; was the tirst coun- 
cilman in Allegheny City, and also held 
oflSces on the educational board. He owned 
a great deal of property in the Fourth ward, 
and was one of the early citizens there. He 
removed to Ross township in 18.57, and kept 
the old Buck tavern, formerly' conducted by 
the maternal grandfather of our sub.l'ect, 
Mr. Good. The tavern was destroyed by 
tire Sept. 10, 18.56,' and rebuilt by John 
Keown. The hotel is probably the oldest in 
this county. He was postmaster during 
Buchanan's administration. John Keown 
married Susan E., daughter of Balthazar 
Good, and she died in 1876, aged seventy-one 
years, the mother of seven children: Mar- 
garet J., John. William. Susan M., Eleanor, 
Elizabeth A. and Thomas F. D. (deceased). 
The subject of these lines has succeeded to 
the proprietorship of the hotel, and has been 
the postmaster under Cleveland's administra- 
tion. He is a democrat, as was his father 
before him. and has filled several township 
offices. 

S. B. Allison, farmer, postofflce Bakers- 
town, is a son of James and Elizabeth 
(Brickell) Allison. George Allison, grand- 
father of S. B., was a native of Chester 
county. Pa., and settled near Debaven sta- 
tion, in Hampton township. James Allison 
was born in Chester county in 179-1; came to 
this county with his parents, and about 1835 
moved on the place now owned by S. B., 
where he engaged in farming until his death, 
in 1866; his wife died in 186~7. Three of his 
children still live, viz. : Dr. J. A., of Sewick- 
ley; John M., of Richland township, and S. 
B. The last named was born Feb. 34, 1837. 
on the farm where he has since resided, and 
was educated at the public schools of Rich- 
land township. He married, in 1858, .Mary 
A., daughter of Robert Gilldand, nf Middle- 
sex township, Butler county, and they have 
nine children living: James A., of Pitts- 
burgh; Robert G., of Ricldand; Hugh G.. 
Leland M., W. B., at college; T. C. Mary, 
Sarah A. and Lydia Ainstead, at home. Mr. 



Allison has held the offices of supervisor, 
school director and assessor of the township, 
lie and family are members of the Presby- 
terian Church of Bakerstown. At present 
he is engaged in the undertaking business in 
connection with farming. 

David D.\vis, fruit-farmer, postoflice Mc- 
Kee's Rocks, is a son of Lewis and Ellen 
Davis, and was born in this county, in 1810. 
Lewis Davis was born in Wales, and came 
to this country about 1800. He followed 
the trade of a carpenter until the war of 1812. 
then purchased Davis island, five miles be- 
low Pittsburgh, and turned his attention to 
farming. His first wife died on the ocean 
while coming to America; his second wife 
was Ellen, daughter of Lewis Enoch, of this 
county, and their children were Elizabeth, 
wife of James Cole, Sr. ; David, John, Lewis, 
Ellen and James, and two others, only two 
of whom are now living, David and Lewis. 
David learned the trade of saddler, which he 
followed fourteen years; then settled on a 
part of his father's estate, where he now 
resides, engaged in fanning and fruit-culture. 
He was married, in 1868, to Maggie, daughter 
of Samuel and Elizabeth Burns, and their 
children's names are John E. Paike, Lewis, 
Frank, David B., Laura A., Elizabeth B., 
Enoch and one deceased. 

EkosL. McMuLLEN, merchant-tailor, Mc- 
Kees|iort, was born in Burlington, Ohio, June 
8. 1843, a son of Lawrence J. and Margaret 
(Dick) McMullen, natives of Pennsylvania, 
and of Irish and German descent. His 
parents settled in Pittsburgh in 1847. where 
his father, who was a tailor by trade, worked 
as a cutter until 1851, then located in Mc- 
Keesport, and served in the same capacity 
for McCloskey & Downing until 18.55. He 
then purchased the business of his employers, 
which he conducted successfully until his 
death, in November, 1857. His children 
were Mary (Mrs. John McCloskey), Catlierine 
(Mrs. John O'Reilley), James F.' and Euos L. 
Our subject was reared in McKeesport from 
eight years of age; was educated in the pub- 
lic schools and St. Francis Xavier's College. 
Loretta, Pa. In 1861 he took charge of the 
merchant-tailoring business of his brother. 
James, in McKeesport; from 1864 to 1879 was 
a partner with his brother, and since 1879 has 
been conducting an establishment of his own, 
in which he has been very successful. In 
1875 he married Mary A., daughter of Pat- 
rick and Rebecca (Ivory) Carlin, of Pitts- 
burgh, by whom he has sis children: IMay. 
Agnes, Joseph, Irene, Edmoud and Bertille. 
Mr. McMullen is a member of St. Peter's 
Catholic Church, and is a democrat. 

CnAKLES P. C.\.RL80N, machinist and in- 
ventor. McKeesport, was born in Sweden, 
June 17, 1845, a son of Charles P. and Eva M. 
Cai-lson. He was reared in his native land, 
where he learned the machinist's trade, came 
to America in 1867, and located in Boston, 
Mass., where he worked at his trade as a 
journeyman six years. In 1873 he came to 
McKeesport, where he has since been in the. 



652 



HISTOHY OF ALLEGHENV COUNTY. 



employ of the National Tube-works com- 
pany. Mr. Carlson is a practical madiinist, 
and of au inventive turn of mind. In 1884 
lie took out a patent for a driving-coupler for 
coupling rolls, iind in 1886 a patent for a 
pump for pumping coallioals and barges. 
In 1888 he inventi'il two machines for mak- \ 
ing wire nails and two for cutting nails off 
plates, the patents for which are now pend- 
ing; they are self-feeders, and will make 
nails faster and better than any other ma- 
chines. Mr. Carlson married, in 186.5, Car»- 
liuf Andri><on, of Sweden, by whom he has 
tluvc cliihlri'u: Eva, Gust and John. He is 
a niL'mber of the S. L. Church, K. of H., 
K. of P. and Mystic Chain; he is a repub- 
lican. 

John M. Allison, farmer, postofflce 
Bakerstown. is the third son of James and 
Elizabeth (Brickell) Allison, and was born on 
the homestead in 1830. He was educated at 
the schools of that period, and has always 
followed farming. He married, in 18.55, 
Mary Agnes, daughter of John Magill, of 
West Deer township. She died in 1873, 
leaving seven children: George A., in Pitts- 
burgh; John R., engineer on the A. V. R. R.; 
James L.. a farmer at home; William H., in 
Pittsburgh; Harry B., in Allegheny; Sarah 
E., wife of William Donaldson, of Leno.x, 
Iowa; and Mary L., at home. Mr. Allison next 
married Sarah Harbison, who died in 1875; 
and he then married, for his third wife, 
Elizabeth, daughter of James and Margaret 
Martin, of Butler county. Mr. Allison has 
held the offices of school director and super- 
visor of the township. He and family are 
members of the U. P. Church of Deer creek, 
of which he is an elder. 

William Baueu. gardener, postofflce 
Bennett, was born Feb. 33. 1830, on Troy 
hill, this county, son of Jacob and Margaret 
(Wolf) Bauer, natives of German}-. They 
immigrated to America in or about 1820. and 
settled in Allegheny City, eventuallj' pur- 
chasing property on Troy hill. Jacob 
Bauer was a coal-merchant for manj- years; 
he died aged seventy six years. He and his 
wife were parents of seven children, viz. : 
Frederick. Mathias, William, John. Thomas, 
Mrs. Mary Ritman and Mrs. Hannah Dill- 
man. William received his education in 
this county, where he was a coal-digger for 
eighteen 3'ears, and subsequently worked 
seven years in a rolling-mill. Since then he 
has been successfully engaged in gardening. 
He married, Nov. 15, 1851, Caroline Sau- 
ter, a native of Germany, and they are the 
parents of three children: Mrs. Mary Baeuer- 
lein, Mrs. Elizabeth Klussmann and Mrs. 
Anna Griffith. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are 
charter members of the G. L. Church, 
■which they helped to build; Mr. Bauer is 
a republican. 

John M. Crawford, Sr.. farmer, Ohio 
township, postofflce Emsworth, was born July 
13, 1812, this county. His grandparents were 
William and Rebecca (Morton) Crawford, of 
Scotch-Irish descent. Their son Edward mar- 



ried Margaret, daughter of John and Jane 
Moore, old settlers of Ohio township, this 
county, where the following-named children 
were born: Matilda, John M., Mary A.. 
William, Margaret and Edward. Of these 
John M. married Jane, daugliter of Alex- 
ander Morrow, and of their children three 
are now living; Alexander, Mrs. Mary F. 
Waits and John M. Mr. Crawford, through 
patient industry, has accumulated about two 
hundred acres of farm-land. He and his 
wife are Presbyterians. His parents were 
members of the Episcopal Church, and are 
remembered as charitable. Christian people. 

Deborah ShanerIs a daughter of Philip 
Snyder, a pioneer of Butler county. Pa., 
where she was born in 1840. In 1858 she 
married John Shaw, and located in Lawrence 
county, where he followed farming until his 
death, in 1861. In 1864 she married Cornelius 
Shaner, and located at Coultersville. Previous 
to their marriage Mr. Shaner had served a 
year in the army, and afterward enlisted, in 
1864, in Co. F, 5th H. A., serving another 
year. After the war he worked at his trade, 
that of carpenter, until he lost two fingers, 
and then in 1878 he went into commercial 
business, becoming a successful merchant. 
He died March 35, 1888, leaving a widow and 
children as follows; Fannie (the late Mrs. F. 
Titball), Margaret, William George and 
Charles Cornelius. Mr. Shaner was a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, of which his 
widow is still a member; he was also a mem- 
ber of the K. of L. and the I. O. O. F. 

Robert Hardy, farmer, postofflce Gib- 
sonia, was born in Manchester. England, in 
1813, and immigrated to America July 4, 
1827. He first located in Pittsburgh, and en- 
gaged in the manufacture of spool-cotton for 
five j'ears. In 1833 he moved to his present 
farm, and the same year married Nancy, 
daughter of Jacob and Mary (Haefner) 
Stoup, of Hampton township. They have 
seven living children; Henrietta (wife of 
Samuel Campbell, of Shaler township), 
Esther (wife of Duncan C. White, of Pitts- 
burgh), Harriet (widow of John Ekis, now at 
home), Jacob S. (a farmer in Richland town- 
ship), Nancy J. (wife of Henry Jacobs, of 
Allegheny), Maggie E. (wife of Joseph H. 
Harper, of Tarentum) and Florence (at home). 
In 1880 Mr. Hardy was elected justice of the 
peace of Hampton township, and held that 
office twenty years; has also served as super- 
visor, overseer of the poor, school director, 
etc. Hardy Station, on the P. & W. R. R., 
was named after him. He voted for Gen. 
Jackson, and has alwaj's been a stanch dem- 
ocrat. His familj' are members of the 
Second Presbyterian Church of Pine Creek. 

Mrs. Matilda Allison, postofflce Wild- 
wood, is a daughter of Thomas and Ruth 
(Wright) Kennedy, of Maryland, and the 
widow of George Allison, son of George. Sr., 
and Susanna (McRoberts) Allison, also na- 
tives of Maryland, who came to this county 
about 1810, settling on two hundred acres of 
land where Dehaven station now stands. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



653 



Oeorge, Sr,, who was a soldier in tlie war of 
1813, died in 1839, his widow in 1854. George 
Allison, Jr., was born in Maryland in 1810, 
and same year was brouglit to this county by 
his parents. He was a farmer, and during 
life held many township offices, and in his 
honor the name of Allisonville was first given 
to Dehaven station. He died in 1881, leaving 
his widow and four children: William H. H. 
(a farmer of Richland township, who married 
Mary, daughter of William Hare), Susanna 
(wife of Marion Collins, of Wildwood sta- 
tion, who has two children, Carrie E. and 
Fletcher Y.), Charles W. and John (at home). 
In 1887 Mrs. Allison rented her farm, and 
commenced general merchandising at Wild- 
wood. Since that time the farm has been 
laid out in lots, and many houses are being 
erected; the place is called Allison Park. She 
and family are members of Allison Chapel, 
located on a part of her farm, and which she 
was instrumental in building. Her husband 
was a member of Herr's Chapel, U. B., being 
steward and class-leader, 

Albert R. Good, heater. National Roll- 
ing-mill, McKeesport, was born in Pitts- 
burgh, Oct. 33, 1853, a son of Louis N. and 
Kate (Kircher) Good, natives of Strasbourg, 
France, who settled in Allegheny City in 
1830. He was reared and educated in Pitts- 
burgh, and served an apprenticeship of nine 
years as a heater at Sligo, Pittsburgh, 8. S. 
He came to McKeesport in 1877, and in 1878 
entered the employ of the National Rolling- 
mill, and since 1881 has had charge of a 
furnace as a heater. Nov. 34, 1887, he mar- 
ried Mary, a daughter of Michael and Bar- 
bara O'Neill, of Cumberland, Md., and they 
have one son, Robert Andrew, born Oct, 31, 
1888. Mr. Good is a member of the Catholic 
Church, and is a democrat. 

David Hardy, Jr., coal- and ice-dealer, 
McKeesport, Pa., was born in Allegheny 
county, July 3, 1858. His parents were 
natives of Scotland, and came to America in 
1857. He received his education in the com- 
mon schools of the county, and worked at 
mining till he reached his majority. He 
then, during six years, worked in an iron- 
mill, after which he became an ice-dealer, to 
which business he has recently added that of 
coal. He was married Nov. 35, 1879, to Miss 
Prances Leathey, and they have three daugh- 
ters; two sons have died, 

Capt. Edward West, Homestead, was 
born May 1. 1839, on the old homestead in 
Mifflin township, the son of Joseph West. 
He was reared and educated in this county, 
where he farmed in early life, and at the age 
of sixteen floated coalboats during the win- 
ter for several years. Subsequent!}^ he was 
two vears in the wholesale business in Pitts- 
burgh, with the firm of Hill, West & Co., 
then sold out and bought stock in a steam- 
boat, of which he became the captain. His 
first boat was the Boston, and he subsequently 
was captain of the Kangaroo and Willie 
Austen. In 1885 he sold his interest in the 
boats, and the following year made a trip 



west; thence to St. Andrew's Bay, Fla., 
where he merchandised, and he now resides 
in Homestead. Capt. West married here 
Maria A., daughter of Henry and Hannah 
(Clark) Noble. The great-grandfather of 
Mrs. AVest was Charley Clark, an English 
officer, who settled at Scotch Bottom, now 
Hazelwood, with Charles Duke, also a great- 
grandfather of Mrs. West. Capt. and Mrs. 
West reared a family of six children, viz.: 
Mrs. Sadie Race, Mrs. Flora A'ckard, Joseph 
A., Hattie B., Edwin L. and Lillian. Capt. 
West is a member of the A. F. & A. M., of 
the I. O. O. F. , and is a democrat. 

Anthony H. Kenny, farmer, postoffice 
Braddock, was born Nov. 38, 1835, on the 
Kenny homestead, and is a son of Thomas 
J. Kenny. He assisted his father in his vast 
coal business, superintending the mines. He 
now superintends three farms, comprising 
three hundred acres, and is also connected 
with a coal business in Homestead. He mar- 
ried, July 6, 1871, Josephine, daughter of Dr, 
John Maginni, and they have seven children; 
Annie E., Mary J., Florence A., Albert A., 
Estella, Thomas J. and Marion Kenny. 

Georqe O. Fawcett, boat-builder, post- 
office Munhall, was born .July 37, 1840, in 
Pittsburgh, a son of James Fawcett, a native 
of England. He and his wife and two chil- 
dren came to this county in 1833; he was a 
coal-miner, but by industry soon became a 
coal merchant and operator near Braddock. 
Subsequently he retired from the coal busi- 
ness, and became a director and then presi- 
dent of the First National Bank of Bir- 
mingham, which position he held until his 
death. His wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter 
of Abraham Parker, an old settler of Butler 
county. Pa. They had nine children, of 
whom only Thomas, George O. and Mrs. 
Mary Challinor survive. George O. is the 
superintendent of his brother's business at 
Fawcett's Landing, where he employs from 
twelve to twenty-five men, repairs barges and 
finishes 'coalboats. He graduated from the 
Iron City Business College in the class of 
18.59. and for seventeen years was in the 
lumber and sawmill business in Pittsburgh 
until he came to Fawcett's Landing. He 
married Mary, daughter of Peter and Marga- 
ret (Smith) Wilson, and thev have four chil- 
dren: John B., Mrs. Flora B. Munhall, Wal- 
ter C. and Harry A. Of these John B. mar- 
ried Mamie Thomas, and has one child. Flora. 
Mr. Fawcett is a member of the A. F. & A. 
M.. and a republican. 

Frederick W. Bealapeld, butcher, 
Verona, was born in Wilkinsburg, Pa., Maj' 
19, 1858. He is the son of August and Louisa 
Bealafeld, natives of Berlin, Prussia. When 
eleven years old Frederick went to work for 
a butcher; a year and a half later he 
was employed as a section-hand by the 
P. R. R. Co., and to better himself 
again went to work for a butcher, and 
has followed the business ever since. He 
began business for himself in Verona May 
17, 1881. Two years later he built a market 



G54 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



aud residence on Railroad avenue, where he 
now resides. In 1888 he went into the real- 
estate brokerage business in connection with 
the butchering, and is very successful. In 
the same year. 18S8, he met with a loss of 
over six tliousand dollars by fire, by indorse- 
ments and otherwise, yet he is worth over 
fifteen thousand dollars. Jan. 8, 1880, he was 
married to Mary D. Heuggi. daughter of 
.Joseph and Elizabeth Heuggi, of Germany. 
Two daughters bless the home of Mr. Beala- 
feld. named Hilda and Clara; two sons. 
Herbert and Raymond, died in infancy. 

Thomas Wester.man, machinist, post- 
office Hulton, was born in Allegheny City, 
Nov. 16, 1837, a son of Thomas and Hannah 
(Tennent) Westerman, natives of Leeds, En- 
gland. Thomas. Sr., was a machinist, and. 
coming to Allegheny City in 1837, was em- 
ployed by Arbuckle in the old cotton-mill. 
He moved to Butler county in 1846, where he 
died in September, 188.5, his wife having 
passed away Nov. 29, 1871. Our subject 
attended school in Allegheny City and in 
Butler county. In 1856 he began the machin- 
ist's trade in Allegheny City. After finishing 
his trade he was engaged in the Fort Wayne 
shops and with Tomlinson & Son until he 
enlisted in Co. D, 12th P. Y. I., for three 
months. He re-enlisted Aug. 28, 1861, in 
Co. K, 1st P. R. C, and one year later was 
promoted to corporal. He was in tlie battles 
of Drauesville, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain, 
Gaines' Mill, Bull Run, Fredericksburg, 
Brandy Station, Gettysburg, and many 
others, but did not receive" a wound. He 
was mustered out Sept. 9, 1864. and, return- 
ing to Allegheny City, worked at his trade 
until 1876, when he came to Verona, and has 
since been foreman of the nut-lock depart- 
ment of the Verona Tool-works. Mr. 
Westerman married, in 1867. Jennie M. 
Brown, a native of Washington county, who 
died in 1868, the mother of one child, Will- 
iam M. He ne.\t married, March 1, 1872, 
Lizzie Bordonner. of Allegheny countv, and 
si.x children bless their union; Edward, Mary, 
Harry, Eva, Raymond and Thomas (who 
died March 2.5, 1879, aged one year). The 
family are members of St. Thomas' Episcopal 
Church. Mr. ATestcrraan is a republican, 
and a member of the F. & A. M., I. O. O. F. 
and R. A. He was one year a member of 
the Verona council. 

William Fisher, mine superintendent, 
postofflce White Ash, is a son of Thomas 
Fislicr, and was born in Pitt township, this 
county, March 11, 184.5. He was reared in 
Wilkinsburg, where he attended the public 
school and academy. When twelve years 
old he began work in a coal mine, earning 
money to pay his way through Duff's Com- 
mercial College, at Pittsburgh, and has ever 
since supported himself. In 1876 he became 
superintendent of mines for Armstrong, 
Dickson & Co., at Armstrong, and when they 
sold continued with their successors; when 
the mines became the property of the N. Y. 
& C. G. C. Co. he still remained as superin- 



tendent. May 16, 1887. Mr. Fisher married 
Susan M. Yourd, born in Penn township, 
daughter of Samuel Yourd, of Mansfield, this 
county, and they had eleven children. of whom 
eight are now living: Samuel Yourd, Ralph 
Henderson. Margeret Dickson. Allen Clark, 
William Hamilton, Sarah Olive, Frederick 
Ashley and Grace Virginia; Benjamin G.. 
Harry and Mabel died in infancy. Mr. and 
Mrs. Fisher and family are connected with 
the Presbyterian Church. He is a F. & A. 
M., a member of the R. A., and is a repub- 
lican; has served as auditor, and is now 
enjoying his second term as justice of the 
peace. 

William T. Cowan, farmer, postoffice 
Surgeon's Hall, was born Aug. 11, 1840, on 
the old homestead in Baldwin township. His 
grandfather, David Cowan, was born in 
1777, in Chester county. Pa., of Scotch de- 
scent. He removed to Snowden township, 
and later to Baldwin, where he died in 1868. 
His wife, who was a Miss Margaret 'ThomD- 
son. died in 1843, at the age 'of fifty-three 
years. She was the mother of nine children; 
Thomas, William, Samuel, John, Robert, 
Mrs. Rachel Cunningham. Mrs. Mary Sick- 
man. Mrs. Eliza Irwin and Jane. Of these 
William was born in 1805 in this county, 
and died in 1883. He was a blacksmith by 
trade, which he learned with Bittner, at 
Whitehall. His wife was Margaret Callioon, 
daughter of Noble Calhoon, Esq., a popular 
gentleman, and died in 18.54, aged forty-nine 
years. Their children were Jane. JIargaret, 
Noble C. David A., William T. aud Sarah E. 
The father was a whig and a republican, 
and was treasurer for many years. He was 
a member of the Presbyterian Church (lib- 
eral). The subject of this sketch married 
Anna M., daughter of Robert R. Bell, and 
their children are William R., Elizabeth C, 
Charles N.. Anna. Amzi, Howard aud Louis. 
M". Cowan has held the office of justice of 
the peace for the past six years. 

.Joseph Martin, Jr., farmer, postoffice 
Talley Cavey, was born July 27, 1831, in 
Allegheny City, son of Joseph and Elizabeth 
( Voegtly) Martin, former of whom was born 
in Elsass, France, April 28, 1802. and the 
latter in Basel, Switzerland, in November, 
1804. They came to Pittsburgh in 1826 and 
1822, respectively. Joseph, Sr., was a cooper, 
and after following that trade for .some 
years he bought a farm of 140 acres in West 
beer township, in 18.50. Here his sons car- 
ried on the farm, and here he resided until 
1884, when he moved to the city of Alle- 
gheny, where he now lives, the farm being 
divided between Joseph and his brother. 
Mr. Martin. .Sr.. and his sons are members 
of the Catholic Church; the wife and mother 
was a member of the Evangelical Church. 
.Joseph. Jr., was educated at Allegheny City, 
and in 1858 he married Teresa Yehl, a native 
of France, who came to this country with 
her p.arents when she was a child. Mr. and 
Mrs. Martin have twelve children, all j-et 
living; Joseph, Charles, Mina, Josephine, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



655 



Mary, Rose. John. Elizabeth. August. Will- 
iam. Auna aad Teresa. Mr. Martin is a 
democrat. 

Henry Snitzer. farmer, Dorseyville. was 
born in Hessen, Germany, in lb39, son of 
Martin and Ann Eliza (Shaffer) Snitzer, 
natives of the same place, former of whom 
died in 18.i8, aged sixty -six years, the latter in 
1878, aged eighty-three years. Martin Snitzer 
was a farmer and shoemaker, and served 
twelve years in the army with Napoleon. He 
and his wife were members of the Presbyterian 
Cliurch. Mr. Snitzer came to Pittsburgh 
with his parents when he w;is nine years of 
age. They settled in West Deer township. 
where he received his schooling, and remained 
with his father until about 185.5, when he 
married Catherine Gumbert. a native of Ger- 
many, daughter of John and Catherine Gum- 
bert. both deceased. After marriage he con- 
tinued farming, adding forty-nine acres to 
the thirty his father had, and in 1881 he 
bought forty-six acres more, making in all a 
tine farm. Mr. and Mrs. Snitzer have eight 
children: Annie Eliza (Mrs Herman Dillner), 
Lewis, Mena (Mrs. Christ Baumgartel), Caro- 
line (Mrs. John Pfirrmanu), Martin (died in 
August. 1887. aged twenty-three years), 
Henry. Katie and John. The family are con- 
nected with the Lutheran Church. Mr. 
Snitzer was formerly a democrat, now a re- 
publican. 

George V. Sevin, farmer and lumber- 
dealer at Leelsdale, Sewickley township, was 
born Dec. 31, 1821, in Grossiiiedeslieim, Can- 
ton Frankenthal, Rhein-Bavaria, Germany, 
and he is the youngest son of George V. 
Sevin. and his lawful wife, Elizabeth Shult- 
heis. the latter a native of Ziirich, Switzer- 
land. They were parents of six children: 
David F., .John G.. Jacob. Karl, Magdalena, 
and George V., the subject of this memoir. 
He was reared in his native home and learned 
his trade, that of a mason and stone-cutter. 
He is a musician of ability, playing on several 
different instruments, and lie served six years 
as musician in the oth Cav. Regt. in his 
native home. On the 3d of July. 1849. he 
came to America and settled in Econom}' 
township. Beaver county. Pa., where he 
taught a German school for fourteen years 
in the same district; he also instructed a 
brass band for a number of years. In 186.5 
he purchased a farm of 183 acres of land in 
Sewickley township, Allegheny county, on 
which he moved in 1866. and has been living 
there ever since; he deals in lumber and 
operates a sawmill. Mr. Sevin was married 
in 18.51 10 Rachel Schaffer, daughter of John 
Schaffer and his lawful wife, Margaretha 
Honig, both natives of Wiirtemberg, Ger- 
many, and they have a family of four chil- 
dren: David F.. John G.. Henry and Joseph 
C. Mr. and Mrs. Sevin are both members of 
the German Presbyterian Church. 

John F. Marx, gardener and dairj-man. 
postoffice Sewickley, was born May 24, 1834. 
in Baden, Germany, son of John and Eu- 
phrosina (Gemp) Marx, who had nine chil- 



dren, seven of whom attained maturity. 
The father was a physician, and served in 
the German army, but, on account of his 
revolutionary sentiments, in 1848 had to tlee 
to Switzerland. In 1850 he immigrated to 
America with his family, locating in Alle- 
gheny, where he practiced his profession. 
Later he removed to Cleveland. Ohio, where 
he died in 1857. at the age of fifty-two; his 
widow died in 1881, aged seventy-two. Their 
son, John F., was educated in his native 
home, and became a " typo" in the office of 
the Freiheitsfreund, of Pittsburgh. In 1860 
he came to Sewickley, where he engaged in 
gardening and dairying, in which he has 
been very successful. Mr. Marx was married 
here to Miss Catharine Muni, a native of 
Baden, Germany. She is the mother of eight 
children: Charles, William, Emma, Eliza. 
Washington. Mary, Adolph and Sophia. Mr. 
Marx is a republican, and has tilled several 
township offices, that of auditor for nine 
years. 

J. H. Clatty, farmer, postoffice Mt. 
Lebanon, was born in Allegheny county in 
1835. He is the only child of Christofer 
Clatty, of German}', who married Luc}- M. 
Gear, and died in Germany. His widow 
came to America, located in Allegheny 
county, and married Henry Clinky. She 
died in 1864. aged about sixty years. The 
subject of this sketch received a common- 
school education. He married, in 1857. 
Caroline Haudenshield. daughter of Samuel 
and Mary Haudenshield, of this county, and 
nine children were born to them, of whom 
eight are now living: Charles, John, Albert, 
Harrison, Elmer, W.alter, George and Clara. 
Mr. Clatty purchased his present property in 

1868, consisting of fifty acres of land, whereon 
he has since resided, and which is the result 
of his own labor. He is respected b}- his 
neighbors as an upright farmer. He lias 
been a faithful member of the Presbyterian 
Church since 1851; he is a republican. 

M. C. Ddnlevy. farmer, postoffice Mans- 
field Valley, was born in this county in 1849. 
to Moses and Jane (Ledley) Dunlevy, of Can- 
nonsburg. Pa. They had five children, two 
of whom are now living. M. C. being the 
youngest. Moses was a farmer, and for 
many years kept a hotel on the Washington 
pike. The building, which is yet standing, was 
called in early days "A Bird in the Hand is 
Worth Twoin the Bush." Jeremiah Dunlevy, 
the pioneer of this family, came from Ireland 
to America about 1791. He settled in Alle- 
gheny county soon after landing, and was a 
farmer. He had born to him seven children, 
of whom Moses, father of M. C, was the 
youngest. Jeremiah died at the age of one 
hundred and one years. The subject of this 
sketch was born and reared on his present 
farm, and educated at the common schools 
and Duff's College, graduating in January, 

1869, He married, in 1872, Miss Letitia Led- 
lie. daughter of James Ledlie, of Sunbury, 
Ohio, and seven children were the result of 
this union, two of whom are living, Harry 



656 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



aud Paul. Mr. Dunlev3' is a public-spirited 
cilizeo, and takes an active part in all pro- 
gressive movements in his township. He is 
a republican, and has been school director 
fourteea years, justice of the peace two 
terms, and is now filling the latter office with 
satisfaction to the people. 

Agnes A. Lakge, poslofflce Coal Valley, 
daughter of Jacob and Sarah Harger, was 
born at Muttontown. near Coal Valley, Jef 
ferson township, where her parents, who were 
from Beaver county, settled; they are now 
residents of Coal Valley. Their children 
were Emelinc. Adam. George. Agnes A., 
Sarah E.. Mary Belle and Samuel. Nov. 1, 
1876, Agnes A. married Samuel C. Large, a 
native of Jefferson township, and son of 
Thomas Large, and after marriage they set- 
tled on a farm now owned by Thomas Large, 
in that township, and engaged in farming. 
Here Mr. Large died Nov. 14, 1887, leaving 
four chililren; Thomas, Sarah E., Zella M. 
and Oscar F. 

Zkkah Hayden. miller, retired, postoffice 
Elizabeth, is a son of Zerah and Martha 
(McClure) Hayden.and was born in Elizabeth 
township, June 10, 1811. His father was a 
native of New Jersey, and settled in West- 
moreland county, with his parents, when a 
child. They removed to this county about 
1807. The familj' consisted of twelve chil- 
dren, of whom onl3' David and Cornelia are 
living, and they reside in this county. Mr. 
Hayden married Rebecca, daughter of Peter 
Bedsworth, and they have three living chil- 
dren: Leonitus, George W., Aurelius. Mr. 
Hayden was a sawyer and carpenter by trade, 
and later in life built the steam gristmill 
which is now operated by his sons. He has 
been officially identified with the county for 
a period of seventeen years as auditor and 
treasurer. Mr. Hayden is a member of the 
Baptist Church. In his old age he is en- 
joying the fruits of his earlj' labors. 

William L. Hutcheson, boatman, post- 
office McKee's Rocks, is a son of William 
and Sarah Hutcheson, born in Allegheny 
City, Pa., in 1834. and has always lived in 
this county. His father came to "Allegheny 
county about 1812. He married, in 1809, 
Mary A. Bell, by whom he had one child, 
Margaret A. His second marriage occurred 
in April. 1820, with Sarah Gillmore. aud by 
this union there were fourteen children, of 
whom the living are David (unmarried). Ann 
S. (widow of Henry Storer), William L.. and 
Jane (wife of Robert Knox). William L. 
married. Oct. 29. 1863, Rachel A., daughter 
of John and Elizabeth Glancy. of this 
county, and they have been blessed with 
three children: John (deceased), Ella M. and 
Eva K. Early in life Mr. Hutcheson em- 
barked in boating, which he has followed 
most of his life, and is well known by river- 
men as Capt. Hutcheson. In 1862 "he en- 
listed in the 123d P. V. I., for nine months, 
participated in the battles of Fredericksburg 
aud Chaucellorsville, and was honorably dis- 
charged at the expiration of his term of serv- 



ice. He is a member of the A. O. U. W- 
and I. O. H. 

William Sheuaden, farmer and gardener, 
postoffice Sheradenville, son of Thomas and 
Agnes Sheraden, was born in Mount Pleasant, 
Ohio, in 1819, and came with his mother to 
this county in 1822. His father died in Ohio 
in 1820. aged fifty-eight years; his mother 
died in 1855; both were members of the Pres- 
byterian Church. They had seven children, 
viz.: John, Mary. Jane, Thomas and James 
(all deceased!, and Sarah (now the widow of 
the late William Logan) and William, the 
subject of this sketch, who was married in 
1840 to Mary Ann, daughter of John and 
Mary A. Nickel, of this county, and to them 
were born six children: John Thomas (de- 
ceased). Anna Mary (widow of Dr. J. W. 
Smith I, William James, Margaret Jaue( widow 
of Harry Bockstoce), Elizabeth Aveline(wife 
of George B. Moore) and Sarah Bailey (wife 
of John Hall, Jr.). His son and two widowed 
daughters and two grandsons, Willie and 
Harry Bockstoce, still reside with him. In 
1858 Mr. Sheraden purchased the property 
where he now resides, 122 acres, witli but 
little improvement, for $9,300, all of which 
he accumulated bj- his own industry and that 
of his worthy wife. His wife died Aug. 5, 
1881, in her sixty-third year. Both were 
members of the Third U." P. Church. Pitts- 
burgh, where Mr. Sheraden is still an elder. 

The village of Sheraden is named for Mr. 
Sheraden, and is a flourishing town situated 
four and a half miles from Pittsburgh, on the 
P., C. & St. L. R. R. ; it contains a handsome 
new school-building, one M. E. church and 
mission Sabbath-school, and a number of 
stores doing good business. The location and 
site of Sheraden, while in itself exception- 
ally handsome, even among the many beau- 
tiful surroundings of these cities, hasspecial 
convenience of access to the principal manu- 
facturing and business centers in both Alle- 
gheny City and Pittsburgh. 

George Ritchet. engineer, postoffice 
Verona, was horn in County Down. Ireland, 
Feb. 9, 1836. and in 1848 his parents. George 
and Mary (Cherry) Ritchey. embarked for 
America. They settled in Penn township, 
Allegheuj- county, where the grandfather, 
Thomas Cherry, had settled some time be- 
fore. Here Mrs. Ritchey died, in May. 1886, 
the mother of five boys aud five girls. Of 
these George is the third eldest. He attended 
the Round Hill school. Penn township, and 
worked with his father until he was twent3'- 
two years of .age. He then married Sarah A. 
Graj', a native of Penn township, and daugh- 
ter of Samuel Graj'. The following children 
have been born tn Mr. and Mrs. Ritchey: 
Elizabeth, Ella (Mrs. H. L. Hoelin). Will- 
iam. James, Watson, Belle (Mrs. Cyrus Shade), 
Murray and Samuel; Edward, Emma and 
George are at home. Mrs. Ritchc)' is a mem- 
ber of the C P. Church. Mr. Ritchey is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., Royal Arcanum 
and L. O. L.. No. 33. Three years after mar- 
riage he sold his place to enter the army, but 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



657 



•sickness in his family prevented his going. 
In 1874 he became engineer at the Verona 
Tool-works, which position he still holds. 
Jan. 28, 1885, he was caught in the engine 
drivewheel, and the side of his face, arms 
and limbs were ground to the bone. After 
eight months he recovered, though he has 
some very bad scars left to tell the terrible 
work of a few moments. 

JoFiN Kletzly, carpenter, Verona, was 
born in Pittsburgh, in December. 1831, a son 
of Xavary and Katherine (Soland) Kletzly, 
natives of France and Switzerland, and who 
came to America when eleven and sixteen 
years of age, respectively. His father died 
in 1876, aged sixty-three j'ears; his mother in 
1882. aged seventy-five years. John Kletzly 
received his education in Pittsburgh, 
and when twenty-one years of age learned 
the cabinet-maker's trade; after working at 
same ten years his health failed, and he 
bought his present farm in Verona borough. 
In 1877 he was employed in the A. V. R. R. 
shops, where he has since continued. He was 
married, in May, 1854, to Elizabeth Martin, of 
Allegheny City, a daughter of Joseph and 
Elizabeth (Voegtly) Martin. Her father 
was a native of France and her mother of 
Switzerland, and they came to this country 
in 1836 and 1819, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kletzly have had nine children, as follows: 
-Joseph, John Martin, Anna Elizabeth, Mary 
Katharine (deceased), William Charles, 
George Edward (deceased), Albert Leo, Oscar 
A. and Rose Josephine. The family are 
members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Kletzly 
is a member of the Verona council, and is a 
democrat. 

D.^.viD Jarvis, mason, postofflce Surgeon's 
Hall, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. His father, 
Oliver J. Jarvis, a native of England, came 
to America with his wife and one child, 
Washington. The following named were 
born to him in Pittsburgh, Pa. : Phosbe 
A., William W., David and Mrs. Eliza J. 
Smith. He died June 29, 1887, aged eighty- 
three years ; in politics a strong repub- 
lican. The subject of this sketch was edu- 
cated here, and learned the stonemason's 
trade, which he followed all his life. He 
is in possession of thirty-two acres of land, 
and the Gentlemen's South Side Driving- 
park is located on his farm. Mr. Jarvis 
married Harriet, daughter of Samuel Cowan. 
They have an adopted daughter, named 
Jennie Jarvis. Mr. Jarvis is a republican. 

D.wiD A. Cowan, farmer, postoffice Sur- 
geon's Hall, was born March 5, 1838. in Jeffer- 
son township, this county, a son of William 
and Margaret (Calhoou) Cowan, the latter a 
daughter of Noble Calhoon. His grandfather, 
David Cowan, was born east of the mount- 
ains, was a farmer, of Scotch-Irish descent, 
and attained the age of ninety-one. His 
children were Thomas Samuel. AVilliam. 
John. Robert, Mrs. Rachel Cunningham and 
Mrs. Mary Sickman. William Cowan died in 
August, 1883, aged seventy-seven years; his 
wife in 1854, aged forty-nine years. They 



were Presbyterians. They had six children, 
viz. : Mrs. Jane Noble, Mrs. Margaret Wil- 
son, Noble C, David A., William T. and 
Sarah E. Of these David A. is in possession 
of fifty acres of the old homestead, and fol- 
lows farming. He married here Mary P.. 
daughter of Charles and Emil)- (Hays) Gibbs, 
and they have six children: Mrs. Caroline 
E. Zerncr, William G. and AmindaE. (twins), 
Ida M.. David P. and Rachel. Mr. Cowan is 
a republican. 

David Bryson, farmer, postoffice Lewis, 
was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and in 
1830, when a child, was brought here by his 
parents, John and Mary (McCune) Bryson. His 
father died in 1836. aged seventy-two years, 
and his mother in 1859, aged seventy-nine 
years. David Bryson was educated in West 
Deer township, and attended on the first day 
of the first public school opened here. Jan. 
6, 1836. He and his brother worked together 
until the place was divided, and he has re- 
sided on his present farm since October, 
1830. He was married in 1847 to Margaret 
A. Huggius. a native of McCandless town- 
ship, this county, and they have four living 
children, and two deceased. Those living 
are William H., John. Mary Isabella and 
Margaret Elizabeth J. The family are mem- 
bers of the U. P. Church. Mr. Bryson has 
190 acres of land; has been school director 
twelve years, and is now president of the 
board; was road commissioner three years, 
and member of sessions of the U. P. Church 
for twenty-five j'ears. He has retained his 
health and vigor remarkably for a man of 
his years, and is one of the old settlers of the 
township; he is a republican. 

Zadock Weston Dean. Jk.. nailer, post- 
office White Ash. was born in Pittsburgh, 
Sept. 1, 1848. His grandfather, Winslow 
Dean, was born near Plympton, Mass, He 
descended from the early settlers of New En- 
gland, and seems to have inherited some- 
what of the Puritan principles, as he was 
a strict disciplinarian, and conservative in 
his manner of living. He had an aversion 
to the steam cars, and never rode in them, 
but this was of little disadvantage to him, 
as he was never farther from home than 
Boston (where he went with the products of 
his farm) and Plymouth Rock, which he 
visited once a year. He lived ninety-four 
years, and worked uji to the time of his 
death, which resulted from a fall down 
stairs, in the house in which he was born 
and always lived. The father of our subject, 
now residing on his farm at Uniontown, Pa., 
came to Pittsburgh in 1843, and was one of 
the first nailers employed at David Chess' 
nail- and tack-works. He was actively en- 
gaged in making nails and tacks for fifty-six 
years. His kindh' nature has gained for 
him many friends, and he is one of the most 
widely known nailer:! in the country. His 
wife, Martha, was the daughter of Peter 
Mowr}'. brother of Dr. R. B. Mowry, of 
Allegheny City. She died at Uniontown in 
1887. From six to twelve years of age 



658 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Zmlock W. lived on his father's farms at 
Chalk Hill and Farinington. Fayette county, 
Pa., but the rest of his life has heen passed 
in Allegheny county. His schooldays were 
for the most pan. passed in the country 
schools of these districts. After spending a 
year at school in Birmingham he went to 
work at Mulvauey's ^^asshouse. under the 
care of Jenkin Jones. Working at this place 
for a year, he went to Chicago to work for 
Wheeler Brothers in their glasshouse, which 
was the first one built in that city. Though 
making good wages for a boy not yet fifteen, 
he preferred to be a nailer, and after working 
nine months for Wheeler Brothers he entered 
a nail-factory and learned the trade under 
his father. For the last nineteen years he has 
been employed by Shoenberger & Co., be- 
ginning as a nailer, and is now manager of 
their nailing department. In 1885 he built 
his present residence at White Ash, near 
Sandy Creek station, on the A. V. R. R. 
Aug. 11, 186T, he married .Julia Eva Miller, 
who was born at Uniontown, a daughter of 
Thomas and Ann Miller. Ann Miller, nee 
Amos, is of English parentage, and was born 
in Baltimore, Md. The Miller famil_v are of 
German descent, and one of the first in Fay- 
ette county. They were among the early 
slaveholders of the state, owning many 
slaves at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Dean have 
three sons: ThomasNorvellei, William Henry 
Harrison and Fredrick Irving. Thomas 
Norvelle is a student at Allegheny College, 
Meadville, Pa. Mr. Dean is a republican, 
and he and his familj- are associated with the 
Presbyterian Church. 

.J. Philup Weber, mechanic. Etna, was 
born April 23, 1850, in Hessen-Darmstadt, Ger- 
man}'. He came to America at the age of ten 
years with his uncle, Conrad Weber, and his 
paternal grandmother. He received his ed- 
ucation in this county, and was here mar- 
ried to Anna M., daughter of .John and Anna 
M. (Eggers) Cook. This union has been 
blessed with four children; Elizabeth, .John, 
Margaret and George. Mr. and Mrs, Weber 
have been active members of the Lutheran 
Church; he is a republican, and a member of 
the R. A. Mr. Weber has been an employe 
of the Spang Iron and Steel mill for manj' 
years, where he holds a good position, se- 
cured by his ability as a mechanic. 

.Jacob H. Walter, Springdale, was born 
in this county .Jan. 7. 1835, son of Adam and 
Maria Walter, both deceased; they were 
members of the >I. E. Church. Jacob H. was 
reared on a farm, and had only such educa- 
tional advantages as the common schools 
afforded, but by earnest effort soon qualified 
himself to teach school, an occupation he 
followed winters for several 3'ears. He re- 
mained at home until twenty-two years of 
age. when he married Lillie Ann. daughter 
of John and Jane Euwer, and to them were 
born three children; John Grant (deceased), 
Maria L. (wife of R. A. Kennedy, attorney in 
Pittsburgh) and Lillie Lincoln (wife of W. H. 
Ellis, a Pittsburgh lawyer). After Mr. Wal- 



ter's marriage he followed farming and 
teaching for two years; then merchandising 
three years; was then clerk a short time in 
the prolhonotary's office; was elected and 
.served as chief clerk in the county commis- 
sioners' office for three years, during which 
time he was elected prothonotary of Alle- 
gheny county. Pa., which office he tilled for 
six years; since then he has been engaged in 
the oil-refining and producing business. Mr. 
Walter has a beautiful residence and ten 
acres in Springdale, where he resides; the 
family are memliers of the M. E. Church. 

Jacob Dieterich, mechanic, Etna, was 
born Oct. 11, ]84'2. in Hitzerode Kurhessen, 
Germany, a son of John C. and Eliza- 
beth (Rock) Dieterich, who came to Amer- 
ica with three of their children, Catherine, 
John E. and Jacob, in 1856, their two 
elder children, John and Henry, having 
preceded them. They settled in Etna, Pa., 
where the parents died. Jacob entered 
the rolling-mill the same year he arrived 
in Etna; was employed eight years at 
the mock shears, and performed the same 
work in the Bennett mills. Subsequentlj- he 
worked in the oil-refinery several years, and 
for Lewis. Dalzell & Co., as nail-shearer. 
From 1867 until 1870 he was manufacturer of 
matches and brushes; in 1871 he was em- 
ployed in the wholesale and retail notion 
business; in September, 1871. he lost all by 
fire, and in the spring 1872 he returned to 
Lewis, Dalzell & Co.'s rolling-mill, where he 
sheared nail-iron until the company retired 
from business; he then worked for John D. 
Morehead & Bros, as bricklayer and mason 
until 1883. He owns considerable real estate 
in Etna and Sharpsburg. Mr. Dieterich 
married Henrietta C, daughter of Jacob and 
Catherine (Heiber) Morlock. They had six 
children, only one living, Emma M. Mr. 
and Mrs. Dieterich are members of the U. P. 
Church. Politically he is a republican. 
During the last nine years he has been a 
member of the cit}- council. 

.John R. McKee, baker, Etna, was born 
in September. 1832, in Shaler township, the 
snn of .James and Mary (Wyse) McKce. who 
died in Etna. James McKee was an Orange- 
man, a native of County Derry, Ireland, and 
of Scotch descent. He came to America in 
1812, and entered the army under Gen. Wil- 
kinson in the war of 1812. His comrade 
was David Anderson, the founder of Etna, 
Subsequently he followed the weaver's trade, 
and later became a merchant at Etna; politic- 
ally he was a democrat. His wife was the 
daughter of John and Lucj' (Lane) Wyse, 
latter of whom was the daughter of Henrj- 
Lane, a revolutionary soldier, and a popular 
athlete and Indian-fighter. James and Mary 
McKee were the parents of seven children: 
Mrs. Lucinda Cook, Mrs. Sarah Johnson. 
Mrs. Susan Yates (deceased), John R., 
Thomas, Kennedy, Margaret (deceased). 
John R. McKee w.as educated in this county, 
and here learned the baker's trade. He en- 
listed in Co. C, 9th P. R., and participated 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



659 



in all the engagements of the Army of the 
Potomac except the battle of the Wilderness. 
He married Martha Wyse, aud they have 
four children: Lucy, William, Sarah and 
John. Mr. and Mrs. McKee are members of 
the M. E. Church. He is a member of the 
A. F. & A. M., A. L. H,, G. A. R., Y. M. C. 
A. and U. V. L.; he is a republican. 

N. H. Plummer, bookkeeper, postofBce 
Mansfield Valley, was born in Allegheny 
county, in 1831. His great-grandfather, 
Nathaniel Plummer, came from Newbury- 
port, Mass., settled in Westmoreland county, 
Pa., and there purchased a large tract of 
land. His son, Nathaniel, came to Allegheny 
count}' in 1796, and purchased 385 acres of 
land in what was then Scott (now Upper St. 
Clair) township, and married a Miss Walker, 
daughter of Rev. Walker. A son, Nathaniel, 
was born to them on this tract of land, be- 
came a farmer, and was styled major, being 
a militiaman. He married Mar}-, daughter 
of Ephraim Jones, and they had a family of 
eleven children. Of these Nathaniel H., our 
subject, is the youngest child, and was edu- 
cated at Marion College, Missouri. For many 
years he was engaged in steamboating and 
merchandising, and was also general superin- 
tendent of the American Iron-works store. 
Since 186.5 he has been engaged in book- 
keeping. He married, in 1847, Mary, daugh- 
ter of Capt. Silas Oviatt, of Milf'ord, Conn., 
and eight children were born to them, six of 
whom are now living: Jones W., Mary, 
Marie, Frederick, Eliza and Elizabeth. Mr. 
Plummer is a leading man in Allegheny 
county, has held many prominent positions, 
and served as auditor of Scott township nine 
years. He is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity and is a democrat. 

C. F. MiLHOLLAND, merchant. Mount 
Lebanon, Pa., was born in South Pittsburgh, 
in 1845, a son of James and Harriet (Foster) 
MilhoUand. James was by trade a carpenter 
and died at the age of forty years. His 
widow is still living, married to Mr. R. Knovvl- 
son, of West Liberty borough. Our subject 
was educated in the common schools and 
reared to agricultural pursuits, which he fol- 
lowed for some time; was also engaged in 
brickmaking for four years. He married, in 
1868, Maggie E., daughter of Dr. John Cala- 
han, of Bridgeville, this county, and they 
are the parents of nine children: Hattie E., 
J. H., M. J., C. H. andM. E. (twins), M. C, L. 
H., A. L. and J. S. Since 1881 Mr. MilhoUand 
has been engaged in merchandising in his 
present location, at which he has been suc- 
cessful. He has been for six years post- 
master at Mount Lebanon, for nineleen 
years a member of the U. P. Church, and is 
a republican. 

N. C. Deane, train-master. Mansfield, is 
a native of Fitchburg, Mass., and was born in 
1845. He is of English descent, his ances- 
tors coming from England to America as early 
as 1630, and settled near Boston, Mass. His 
parents, Charles and Ann Fowell (Carter) 
Deane, had a family of nine cliildren. and 



Mrs. Deane was also descended from an old 
family. Charles was a merchant, but later 
in life was a farmer, and is now retired from 
active life, at the age of eighty-two years, 
residing with his wife, aged seventy-seven, 
at Fitchburg, Mass., their native state. 
N. C. Deane was educated at the public 
schools of Fitchburg, and at the age of six- 
teen years enlisted in Co. D, 31st Massachu- 
setts regiment, serving three years. He 
participated in many of the heaviest battles 
of the war, was with the 9th corps at 
Roanoke island, Newbern, the second bat- 
tle of Bull run, South Mounlaiu, Antietam, 
Wilderness, Spottsylvauia C. H., and was 
wounded at Cold Harbor for the fifth time 
during his service. Mr. Deane was in the 
south for a few years in the employ of the 
government. He commenced his railroad 
career as a brakeman for the P. & E. R. R., 
and remained with the P. & E. division seven 
years, and was then transferred to the Pitts- 
burghdivisionofP.,C. &St. L. R. R. ; in 1873 
came to this county, and since that date 
has been employed by P., C. & St. L. R. R. 
Co. as train-master, and has his residence in 
Mansfield. He married, in 1872. Miss Kate, 
daughter of Dr. Klett, of Williamsport, Pa., 
and four children were born to them, two 
now living, Marion and N. C, Jr. Mr. 
Deane is a Freemason, a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and is a republican. 
• Joseph Musgrave, farmer, postofflce 
Shoustown, was born in County Tyrone, Ire- 
land, Dec. 31, 1827, a son of Joseph and 
Mary (Hall) Musgrave, also natives of County 
Tyrone. They were Episcopalians, and de- 
scendants of Scotch people who in an early 
day immigrated to Ireland. They had a 
family of six sons and two daughters, viz. : 
John, a coal-merchant in Pittsburgh; Joseph; 
Robert, a tinner, with store at Pittsburgh; 
Samuel, in real-estate business in the same 
city; Simpson, in Chicago, 111.; Jennie and 
Maria, unmarried, and residing together in 
Pittsburgh, and William (deceased). The 
father died in the winter of 1851. The 
subject of our sketch was raised on his 
father's farm and attended school until the 
spring of 1843, when his parents came to 
Pittsburgh, Pa. He clerked for Lewis, Dal- 
zell & Co., iron-manufacturers, Pittsburgh, 
until the spring of 18.53, when he was seized 
with the gold fever, and went to California, 
via the isthmus, and remained eight years, 
engaged in mining and prospecting. In 1860 
he returned to Pittsburgh, remaiued a short 
time and then revisited Ireland, where he 
married, June 34. 1860, Mary A. Simpson, 
who was born in County Tyrone, a daughter 
of John Simpson, a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. 
Musgrave came to Pittsburgh in the fall, and 
in the spring following. 1861. he purchased 
his present farm, where he has since resided. 
He and his wife have eight cliildren: Jennie, 
Maria, James, Lizzie, William, Josephine, 
Ella and John, all at home. Mr. and Mrs. 
Musgrave are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 



660 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



John Wagnek, hardware-merchant, Mt. 
Oliver, was born April 5. 1851, in Hcssen, 
German)', son of Adam Wagner, also a native 
of Ilessen, who was a well-linown black- 
smith in Mt. Oliver for over thirty years. 
.John AVagner came' to America when six 
years old. He learned and followed success- 
fully the blacksmith's trade until two years 
ago, when he engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness at Mt. Oliver. Politically Mr. Wagner 
is a republican, and well known in local 
political circles. 

W. George Gibson, freight- agent, Alle- 
gheny, was born in 1826. The paternal 
grandfather, a native of Scotland and a 
farmer, came to America and settled in Butler 
county. Pa., at an early day. His son, 
W'illiam Gibson, was born and reared on the 
farm. He was clerk at the courthouse in 
an early day, and was an excellent penman 
and scholar, an elder in the Presbyterian 
Church. He died in 1884, aged eighty-eight 
years. He was married to Agnes Gilcrist, 
by whom he had live children. Of these 
W. George was born and educated in Butler 
county. His mother dying when he was 
twelve years old, he left home, and came to 
Pittsburgh when fifteen years of age. In 
1861 he entered the army, and was conduct- 
or on the military railroad, but, leaving the 
war department in 1863, he went into the oil- 
fields. Subsequently he returned to the 
railroad business, on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. 
R., and filled different positions with that 
company. At present he is freight-agent for 
the Allegheny Ft. Wayne depot. 

M. G. CoNLiN, postoffice .Jones' Station, 
is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Gibson) Conlin, 
and was born in Washington countJ^ Pa., 
in 1857. His parents are now residents of 
West Elizabeth, and their children are W. 
J. (of Coal Bluff, Washington county), An- 
nie, Delila (wife of William Campbell), 
Mary, Erdine, Johnnie (deceased) and M. 
G. In 1878 M. G. Conlin married Martha 
J., daughter of George and Rachel Jones, 
and settled near Jones' Station, Jefferson 
township, where he has become a merchant. 
His children are Joseph, George and John. 

John W. Paintek, distiller, Pittsburgh 
and Boston, was born in Westmoreland coun- 
ty, in 1839, and is a son of John and Harriet 
(Parks) Painter, of Lancaster county. His 
father was a native of New Jersey, settled in 
■Westmoreland county about 1796, and fol- 
lowed farming as an occupation. William 
Parks, the father of Harriet Parks, was also 
an early settler in that county, and repre- 
sented his county in the legislature for two 
terms. John W. Painter was educated at 
Beaver and Haycsville (Ohio) College. His 
wife is Isabella Cornell, daughter of Robert 
and Martha (Neely) Cornell, of this county, 
a native of Scotland. In 1867 ]\Ir. Painter 
entered the firm of Joseph S. Finch & Co., of 
Pittsburgh. Mr. Finch died in 1884, and Mr. 
Painter purchased his interest in 1885. He 
associated with him J. G. Pontefract, the old 
firm name of Joseph S. Finch & Co. being 



retained. Mr. Painter established the famous 
brand of whisky known as "Golden Wedding 
Rye," and other famous brands. The dis- 
tillery and warehouses belonging to this firm 
reacli from Chestnut street to the Mononga- 
hela river, being 280 x 600 feel in dimensions. 
The warehouses, bonded and free, have a 
ca|iacity of forty thousand barrels. The 
daily output of the distillery averages about 
four thousand gallons. Mr. Painter holds 
the ofiice of postmaster at Boston, having 
been appointed in 1887. 

Alvey p. Cui.p, manufacturer, postoffice 
Dravosburg, was born March 17. 1832, on the 
banks of the Kiskiminetas river, Pennsylva- 
nia. There his father, Jacob Culp, had salt- 
works, but lost all the salt stored, bj' a flood. 
He went to Pittsburgh, thence toOrmsby, 
where he operated a coalroad,and at Blossom- 
ville superintended a coalwork for M. Dravo, 
with whom he was connected some years. 
He also superintended a coalwork for J. 
McCluskey. at Port Perry, and after that one 
for his son, Alvey, at Rock run. He was 
well known among miners and river captains, 
and died in Reynoldton in 1886. aged eighty- 
four years. His widow, me Juliana Syford, 
survives him, aged eighty years. They 
had seven children: Oliver. "Clara, Alvey 
P., Alfred, Margaret, Lizzie and Ellen. 
The subject of this memoir was raised in 
the mines, and became thoroughly famil- 
iar with the details of the work, soon 
becoming mine boss. In partnership with 
James Gamble he operated the mines at 
Rock run for twelve years, and since then 
has engaged in the lumber business. He 
married Eliza L. McCaughan. and eiglit chil- 
dren blessed this union: Benjamin Franklin, 
Harry Elmer, Rhoda Anna, Ruth Blanche, 
Roberta Beverly, Lulie Edna. Lidie Alma 
and Annetta May. The Culp family are 
members of the M. E. Church; politically Mr. 
Culp is a democrat. In the summer of 1881 
he had his right hand cut off in his lumber- 
mill. 

Thomas Pkeston Henderson, postoffice 
Hulton.was born in Pittsburgh, Feb. 14. 1843. 
a sou of James King and Eliza (Parsons) 
Henderson, both natives of Ireland, and 
members of the Episcopal Church. James 
K. came to Pittsburgh in 1818, where he was 
engaged in mercantile business. Mrs. Hen- 
derson's father was John Parsons, who op- 
erated a cutlery business in Pittsburgh. 
Thomas P. Henderson received his education 
at the public schools of Pittsburgh, and grad- 
uated from the high-school in 1861. He en- 
listed in August. "1862. in Young's battery, 
and was discharged June 8, 1865. He was 
then engaged as clerk in the freight depari- 
ment of the P. R. R. Co.. and from 1870 to 
1876 was engaged in general mercantile busi- 
ness. Since 1876 he has been connected with 
the treasury department of the Pennsylvania 
company. He has lately completed a beau- 
tiful home on B street, Verona. Mr. Hen- 
derson married, in 1871, Ida E. Masten, of 
Warren. Pa., a daughter of Cornelius and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



661 



Lydia (Hackney) Masten. and of three chil- 
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Henderson 
Clarence Rosse is the only surviving one. 
They are members of Verona Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Henderson is a stanch repub- 
lican. 

D. B. McCoNViLLE. contractor, Tarentum, 
son of Peter and Bridget McConville. was 
born in Ireland in 1850, His parents immi- 
grated to this country, and located in Brooke 
county, Va., where they lived twenty years, 
and then removed to Steubenville, Ohio. 
From the latter place they returned to their 
former home, where Peter McConville died, 
March 3, 1885. His widow is now a resident 
of East Liberty. Their children were James, 
Catharine and D. B. Our subject, when a 
child, came with his parents and a sister to 
what is now West Virginia, and there he 
learned the mason's trade. He afterward 
visited various sections of the country, and 
worked at his trade in Cleveland (Ohio). To- 
ronto (Canada), St. Louis, Mobile, New 
Orleans, Chicago and Steubenville (Ohio), 
finally locating in Tarentum, Pa. In 1877 he 
married Miss Celia. daugliter of John Mc- 
Carty, of Steubenville, Ohio, and by her has 
one child, Daniel J. Mr. McConville has 
been a contractor in Tarentum during the 
rapid growth of the place, and is a successful 
business-man. He is a member of the Cath- 
olic Church. 

John W. Hemphill, merchant-tailor, 
Tarentum, is a son of John and Ann 
(Longsdorf) Hemphill, and was born in Cum- 
berland county. Pa., in 1840. His parents 
removed to Tarentum in 1846, where the 
father engaged in business as tailor until his 
decease, in June, 1859. His wife, Ann, died 
in 1879. Their children now living are Sarah 
(Mrs. Cox, of Oil City, Pa.), Dorcas (Mrs. 
Aker, of Westmoreland county. Pa.). James. 
Lydia Ann (Mrs. Rhine, of Pittsburgh), Mar- 
garet (Mrs. E. Kennedy, of Tarentum) and 
John W. Our subject learned his trade of 
his father, and continued the business here 
until the commencement of hostilities during 
the civil war, when he enlisted in Co. A. 
74th N. Y. 8. v., which was an independent 
company attached to Sickles' brigade. Mr. 
Hemphill was wounded at Bristow's Station, 
in the second battle of Bull run, but re- 
mained in the service until the expiration of 
his term of enlistment, June 32, 1864, when 
he received his discharge and returned to 
Tarentum. Aug. 17, 1864, he married Nancy, 
daughter of James Staley, Sr., of Tarentum, 
and in 1865 he went to the oil-field, where he 
remained a couple of years. Being reason- 
ably successful, he returned to Tarentum and 
engaged in business as a merchant-tailor, 
which he still continues. The children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Hemphill are Elva, John S., 
James W., Orland and Harry. The parents 
are members of the Methodist Church. 

William H. Seaman, Leetsdale, was born 
June 22, 1835, in Darlington, Beaver county. 
Pa. His grandfather, John Seaman, was 
born in Reading county, Pa., of German de- 



scent. He came in an early day to Butler 
county, where he was a merchant. He was 
the father of eight cldldreu, of whom Elias, 
who was a saddler in Butler county. Pa., 
married Margaret, daughter of Charles Geor- 
'ng, whose father was one of the first settlers 
n Butler county. . William H. was educated 
n Pittsburgh, attended the Western Uni- 
versity, and learned his trade, that of car- 
penter, in the same city, which he followed 
for many years. Eventually he went into 
the fruit business at Mt. Sewickley fruit- 
farm, in Leet township. He left this and 
returned to his trade, at which he is now em- 
ployed. He was married, in Pittsburgh, to 
Miss Henrietta Cunningham, who is the 
mother of seven children: Andrew (a mer- 
chant in Leetsdale),Thomas(on the P., Ft. W. 
& C. R. R.), George M. (of the Tradesmen's 
Bank of Pittsburgh), Mrs. Mary Davis, Char- 
lotte, and two sons who died. Mr. and Mrs. 
Seaman are members of the Presbyterian 
Church, of Leetsdale, of which he is an 
elder, and superintendent of the Sabbath- 
school. 

Gdstavus a. Meyer, miller, postoflice 
Elizabeth, is a son of John R. Meyer, who 
was a native of Prussia, and a captain in the 
Prussian army. He immigrated to this coun- 
try in 1838 and settled in Cincinnati, working 
at his trade as a tailor. In 184G he moved to 
Muskingum county, Ohio, and in 1854 to 
Pittsburgh. He was a soldier in the civil 
war, and was killed at the battle of the 
Wilderness. He left six children, Gustavus 
A. being the eldest. He was born Jan. 27. 
1838, on board the ship in which his parents 
were coming to this country, while in the 
Gulf of Mexico. He learned the trade of 
pattern-making, and worked at it for many 
years in Pittsburgh. In 1873 he went to 
Virginia, where he owned a saw- and grist- 
mill on Potomac run, and another on 
Acquia creek. After nine years he returned 
to Pittsburgh, and remained until July, 1887. 
when he purchased the Elizabeth flouring- 
mills of Mr. T. H. Drennan, and is the head 
of the Meyer Milling company. Nov. ] , 1858, 
he was married to Anna Si., daughter of 
William and Elizabeth (Gosman) Caseman. 
of Pittsburgh. They have five living chil- 
dren; Amelia (Mrs. Jacob Liese), of this 
borough; Minerva, Gustavus A., Jr., Will- 
iam R. and May, living at home. Mr. Meyer 
was captain of the pioneer corps of the 
S. W. arm}', which was raised in Pittsburgh. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of 
William Tell Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Wheel- 
ing, W. Va., and A. O. U. W. of Millvale 
borough. Pa. 

William WiEGEL,boat-buildcr and grocer, 
Elizabeth, is a son of John and Ann (Red- 
lingshafer) AViegel, natives of Washington 
county. Pa., and now residents of this bor- 
ough. He was born Dec. 22, 1852, at Fay- 
ette City. Payette county, but was reared in 
Brownsville, and is a shipbuilder by trade. 
He moved to Elizabeth borough in 1874. and 
was employed by Joseph Walton & Co., as 



662 



HISTOIiY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



calker, for seven years. In 1882 he established 
his present grocery business, and in 1887, in 
connection with four of his brothers, leased 
the propcrtj' linown as the Large saw mills. 
They are extensive builders of barges and 
coalboats. In 1ST3 he was married to Anna, 
daughter of Henry and Ann (Hutchinson) 
Store}-, of Elizabeth borough. They have 
four living cliildrcn — George J., Blanche, 
Helen and Lillian. He is a member of the 
Old Monongahela Lodge, No. 209. L O. O. F. ; 
he and family are members of the M. E. 
Church. 

John Wallace Morrison, merchant, 
Pittsburgh, was born in Philadelpliia, Pa., 
Feb. 15, 1841, a son of John and Hannah 
(Wallace) Morrison, both of whom were born 
near Londonderry, Ireland, the latter of 
whom is a daughter of John Wallace, of 
Scotland, and a lineal descendant of Sir 
William Wallace; she now resides at Phila- 
delphia, in her eighty-eighth year. The 
father of our subject came to America in or 
about 1837, and resided at Philadelphia until 
his death, which occurred in 1875, when he 
■was eighty years of age. Mr. Morrison had 
three brothers and five sisters, he being the 
seventh child. He was educated at the pub- 
lic schools of Philadelphia, and at the age of 
thirteen began clerking in a country store in 
Mercer county. Pa., and after one year came 
to Pittsburgh and entered as errand-boy in 
the store of which he is now proprietor. lu 
August, 1861, he and two brothers enlisted in 
the" 100th (Roundheads) P. V. I., served till 
the close of the war, and was commissioned 
second lieutenant (see history of the regi- 
ment on page 442). At the close of the war 
he returned to work in the store, and in 1866 
bought out the proprietor, continuing in 
the business ever since. In about 1870 he 
built his home at Belle vue, where he has 
been a member of council and school director. 
He was republican representative from the 
Fifth district two terms from 1881; journal 
clerk of house of representatives 1885-87, 
and chief clerk of the house 1889-90. He 
was aid on Gen. Beaver's staff, N. G. P.; is 
a member of the Presbyterian Church, of the 
G. A. R., U. V. L. In 1866 he married 
Jerusha C, daughter of James C. and Mary 
B. Burchfield, of Allegheny, and four chil- 
dren were born to them: Mary B., Kate H., 
Alice T. and James B., all at home. 

Elmer M. Soles, conductor B. & O. R. 
R., McKeesport, was born in that city Nov. 
14, 1846, a son of Peter and Jane (Bell) Soles. 
His paternal grandfather, David Soles, a 
farmer of Wilkins township, this county, was 
a son of Peter Soles, a native of Germany, 
who was among the pioneers of this county, 
and settled in McKeesport in 1798. Jonathan 
Bell, the maternal grandfather of Elmer M.. 
married Rebecca Macklin, who settled in 
Pittsburgh between 1880 and 1840. Peter 
Soles, father of Elmer M., was a prominent 
coal-operator, and lived and died in McKees- 
port. His children were Melinda (Mrs. J. M. 
Dumm), Labana (deceased), Elmer M., AI- 



feretta (Mrs. Robert Kay), Lizzie (deceased) 
and David (deceased). Elmer M. was reared 
and educated in McKeesport, and began life 
as a newsboj, carrying the Comviercial 
(rtnt'tti: in McKeesport for three years. He 
was a soldier in the civil war, enlisting May 
18, 1864, and was honorably discharged Sep- 
tember 6th, same year. After returning 
home he entered the employ of the H. ifc O. 
R. R. Co. as brakeman; " later filled the 
positions of fireman and l)aggageman, and in 
1873 was promoted to pas.sengerconduclor, 
which position he has since filled to the sat- 
isfaction of the railroad company and the 
public generally. He married, Nov. 20, 1867, 
Harriet, daughter of Thomas A. and Mar- 
garet (Young) Carnahan, of McKeesport, and 
by her had six children: Clarence B., Wil- 
helmina, Lizzie. David (deceased), Madge 
and Thomas (deceased). Mr. Soles is a F. & 
A. M., a member of the M. E. Church, and 
is a republican. 

Matthew B. Etster. machinist. Ems- 
worth, was born in 1836 in Pittsburgh, Pa., 
a son of Matthew and Elizabeth (Robinson) 
Eyster. The father was born at .Shippens- 
burg. Pa., where he was reared and educated; 
he came to Pittsburgh about 1830, and was 
foreman in the hat manufactory of McCord 
& King until his death, whicli occurred in 
1845. The mother was born in County 
Deny, Ireland, and died in 1885. Matthew 
Eyster's paternal grandfather was born in 
Germany, and settled at Shippensburg, Pa.; 
his maternal grandparents came from County 
Derry, Ireland. The subject of this memoir 
attended school at the old Green Tree tavern 
in Reserve township, this countj*. afterward 
at Butcher's Run until the age of eleven 
years, when, owing to the sudden death of 
his father, he was compelled to leave school 
and begin work. He began life as cabin-boy 
on Allegheny river, and in 1854 commenced 
learning engine-making. A few years later 
he went to tiie Pennsjivania railroad shops, 
where he remained until the war opened, 
when he enlisted, in 1862, in Co. E, 123d P. V. 
I. He was in the battles of second Bull run. 
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and was 
discharged in 1863. Before the battle of 
Fredericksburg he was appointed bugler to 
Maj.-Gen. Humphrey, of the U. S. regular 
army. Returning to Pittsburgh, he followed 
his trade with different firms until 1882, when 
he took charge of the plumbing department 
of the Lucky Manufacturing company, which 
was succeeded by the Standard Manufactur- 
ing company. Mr. Eyster was married. April 
7. 1864, to fimma Graham, a native of Alle- 
gheny, Pa., daughter of Nathan and Eliza- 
beth Graham, who were born and lived in 
Chambershurg. Pa , until 1845. when they 
settled in Allegheny county. Four sons and 
two daughters have blessed this union: 
William (a bookkeeper), Nathan G. (a book- 
keejier). John R. (a salesman), Charles, 
Elizabeth and Etta May, at home. Mr. 
Eyster moved to Emsworth in 1869, and in 
1887 erected his present fine home. He was 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



663 



brought up in the M. E. Chuich, and his 
family are Presbyterians. He is a member 
of McKinley Lodge. F. & A. M. 

Charles Widney EYSTER.machinist, Alle- 
gheny, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Feb. 28, 
1839, son of Matthew and Elizabeth (Robin- 
.son) Eyster, whose sketch appears above. He 
received limited schooling in Reserve town- 
ship, and at the age of nine years left home, 
working for two years with a Mr. Davis, and 
at candle-making, etc., with a Mr. Sawyer, 
for about six years. He then began life on 
the river, on the steamer Chicago, as cabin- 
boy, from Pittsburgh to St. Louis, continuing 
at same until 1855, when he commenced to 
learn the machinist's trade of Robinson, 
Minnis & Miller. Here he remained until 
the breakmg out of the war, when he was 
employed in a Mississippi squadron as 
engineer for nearly three years. Returning 
to Allegheny City, he married, in June, 
1861, Henrietta Armstrong, of Allegheny, 
Pa., a sister of Thomas Armstrong (whose 
sketch appears elsewhere), and tliey have 
one child, named Mary. Mr. Eyster then 
became engineer on a steamer running from 
Pittsburgh to New Orleans and St. Louis, 
continuing as such for twenty years. In 
May, 1883, he abandoned the river and 
entered the Westiughouse air-brake factory, 
where he is still employed. In September, 
1884, he removed to his tine home at Ems- 
worth. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
A. O. U. W., F. & A. M., and the Westing- 
house Air-brake Beneficial association. 

Albxahder M. Harb.^ogh, carpenter, 
poslofflce McKee's Rocks, son of Jacob and 
Hannah Harbaugh, was born in Stowe town- 
sliip, this county, in 1843. Jacob came from 
east of the mountains, settled in this county 
about 1833, and was married in 1834 to a 
widow whose maiden name was Hannah 
Kimberlin, and who died July 17, 1888. aged 
ninety years. By this marriage there were 
six chddren: Elizabeth (wife of Adam 
Shaner), Joseph L., James (deceased), Alex- 
ander M., Ellen H. (deceased) and George. 
Jacob Harbaugh foi' man3' years followed 
teaming over the Alleghany mountains, and 
died in 1858 at the age of fifty-six years; his 
widow is still living. Alexander M. married, 
in March, 1863, Mary E., daugliter of Francis 
Harbaugh, of Washington county. Pa. Mr. 
Harbaugh enlisted, in 1862, in the state serv- 
ice, and was with the troops that captured 
Gen. Morgan in Ohio. In 1864 he enlisted 
in the United States service for one year in 
Co. B, 101st P. V. I., and was mustered out 
under general order mustering out troops, in 
1865. He is a carpenter by trade, and has by 
industry and economy secured a good home 
in Stowe township. 

Alexander Y. Shaw, farmer, McKees- 
port, was born in Versailles township, Maj' 
16, 1848, son of Samuel and Margaret (Samm) 
Shaw. His paternal grandfather, William 
Shaw, a native of Ireland, was among the 
pioneers of Versailles township; was a large 
land-owner, and reared a family of nineteen 



children. The subject of this sketch was 
reared and educaled in Versailles township, 
and has always followed farming. He has 
been twice married; his first wife, Angenetta, 
daughter of Robert antl Catherine (McCieary) 
Neel, of South Huntingdon township, West- 
moreland county. Pa., bore him three chil- 
dren; Maggie E., Anna M. and Angenetta. 
His present wife was Mary A., daughter of 
Hamilton and Nancy (Dinsmore) Stewart, of 
McKeesport, by whom he has three children 
living; Nancy J., Julia S. and Alexander 
Hamilton. Sir. Shaw is a republican. He 
is a memberof the First Presbyterian Church 
of McKeesport, and of the K. of H. 

George Jacobs, baker. Homestead, was 
born Aug. 10, 1850, in Franklin county. Pa.. 
a son of Adam Jacobs, a native of Germany. 
He was educated in Pennsylvania and Mary- 
land, and at the age of fourteen years came 
to Pittsburgh, where, with Peter Shaldecker, 
he learned his trade, which he followed for 
eight years on the South Side, that city. In 
1882 he came to Homestead, where he has 
built up a good trade, and has been success- 
ful from the start, having a thorough knowl- 
edge of his business. Mr. Jacobs married, in 
Pittsburgh, Anna C. Germroth, and has two 
children, Ella C. and Florence E. Mr. and 
Mrs. Jacobs are members of the Lutheran 
Church. He is a member of the R. A., K. of 
H. and O. U. A. M., and is a democrat. 

Capt. James D. Hays, postofflce Home- 
stead, was born Jan. 15, 1843, in Miffiin town- 
ship, and is a son of John D. Hays, a native of 
Butler county. Pa. The latter came to Alle- 
gheny early in life, pursued farming, and 
died in the service of his country in 1862, a 
member of Co. H, 62d P. V. I., Army of the 
Potomac, and was buried in the Soldiers' 
Home cemetery, Washington. He married 
Mary, daughter of Moses Cox, and had eight 
children, viz. ; Mrs. Ann L. Gordon, James 
D., Louis A., Mrs. Sarah J. Moore, Henry, 
Mrs. Fannie Charaberlaine, Charles and 
John. James D., at the age of sixteen, 
enlisted in Co. B, 46th P. V. I., and partici- 
pated in the engagements of Resaca, Ga., 
Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain and 
Dalton. He took part in the siege of Atlanta 
and in Sherman's march to the sea, and 
marched through Richmond, from Raleigh, 
N. C, to Washington, where he took part in 
the grand review, thence returning home. 
After the war he went on the river on the 
Jacob Painter, Veteran and Abe Hays, and 
on the latter was promoted to pilot, an occu- 
pation he followed for eighteen years. For 
the last ten years he has been captain of the 
steamer Blackmore. He married Jane, daugh- 
ter of Capt. Abyron D. Ackard, and they 
have four children ; James, Cora, Flora and 
Charles. Captain Hays is a member of the 
G. A. R., and is a republican. 

David K. Murray, farmer, postoflice 
Herron, is a son of David and Jane (Mc- 
Millan) Murray. David, Sr., grandfather of 
our subject, who was a native of Ireland, 
came to America some time in the last cent- 



664 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ury; he married Nancy McClelaiul, Feb. IT. 
1790, and moved from Washington county 
to Pine Criek, Allegheny connly. in April, 
1794, and located on four hundred acres of 
land in Hampton township, the farm where 
David K. now resides being part of the same. 
David Murray was born on the homestead in 
1803, and died in 1882; his widow died in 
1888. They had eleven children, seven of 
whom still survive: Martha, wife of Joseph 
Porter, of Omaha, Neb.; John S., a farmer 
of Hampton township; Andrew F., with our 
subject; Julia C. wife of James Wise, of 
Glenshaw; Vanelia, wife of George Newman, 
of Etna; Sarah, wife of John McGunagle, 
of East End, Pittsburgh, and David K., who 
■was born in Glenshaw in 18-13, and worked 
as a sawyer in the city of Allegheny for 
twentj- years. In August, 1863, he enlisted in 
Co. K^ 123d P. v., serving nine months, when 
he re-enlisted in Co. I, 4th P. C, and served 
until the close of the war. In 1880 he en- 
gaged in general mei'chandising at Wildwood 
station, and in 1887 rented the store and re- 
turned to farming. In 1866 he married M., 
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bonner) 
Woods,of Pittsburgh, and they have five chil- 
dren living: Edmund M., Harry W., James 
C. Robert B. and William C, all at home. 
Mr. Murray and family are members of the 
M. E. Church at Allisonville. he being super- 
intendent of the Sunday-school, trustee and 
steward of the church. 

His brother, Andrew F., enlisted in Co. B, 
123d P. v., and served nine months; then re- 
enlisted in Co. C, 14th P.'C; was wounded 
June 19. 1864. at the battle of Lynchburg, Va. ; 
was taken prisoner, and confined in Ander- 
sonville prison five mouths. He married 
Annie Pifer, daughter of George Pifer, of 
Allegheny. She died Jan. 28, 1879, leaving 
two children; Harry P., at Fort Riley. Kan., 
and Mary E.. in Allegheny. Since her death 
Andrew F. has resided with his brother, 
David K. 

S. Simon, of the firm of Simon, Huber & 
Co. (limited), McKeesport, is a native of 
Russia, where he was reared and educated. 
He served an apprenticeship of eleven years 
at the jeweler's trade, and came to America 
in 1882. worked as a journeyman for Heereu 
Bros., Pittsburgh, one year, and in 1883 estab- 
lished himself in business in that city. In 
1885 he settled in McKeesport, and opened a 
jewelry-store, which he conducted alone up 
to the spring of 1888, when he embarked in 
business with others under the firm name of 
Simon, Huber & Co.. which ranks among 
the leading jewelry-houses of the country. 
Mr. Simon is a practical workman, and thor- 
oughly understands every feature connected 
with his business. He has recentl.v invented 
an attachment, which can be applied to any 
clock, which will give the exact time of all 
countries in the world, the difference in time 
of which can readily be seen at a glance. In 
January, 1888, he visited New York for the 
purpose of examining the Turkish and Rus- 
sian bath establishments of that city and 



Brooklyn, with the view of erecting a bath- 
house in this city, the project meeting with 
the approval and heart}- indorsement of the 
people. He at once erected a lirst-class Turk- 
ish and Russian bath-house, which was 
opened to the public June 1, 1888. Mr. Simon 
is an energetic business-man, speaks fluently 
six languages, and is a valuable acquisition to 
the business interests of McKeesport. He is 
a member of the K. of P. and Heptasophs, 
and Tree of Life (Hebrew) congregation; he 
is a republican. 

Benj.\min Herr, farmer, postofflce Lance- 
lot, is a son of Benjamin. Sr.. and Elizalieth 
(Smith) Herr, former of whom settled on 
the farm now occupied by his son, Benja- 
min, in 1850, and lived there until his death, 
in 1867. He left seven children: Sarah H. 
(wife of Joseph A. Spang, of Manchester), 
Elizabeth H. (wife of Samuel H. Suiter, of 
Sharpsburg), .John (of Millvale). Mollie B. 
(wife of William Stevenson, of Ross town- 
ship), Magdaline and Daniel at home, and 
Benjamin, who was born in 1857, and has 
always resided on the homestead. In 1880 he 
married Ellen Virginia, daughter of Theo- 
dore Rice, of this count}', and has four chil- 
dren: Mabel F.. Nellie P.. Charles L. and 
Benjamin. In connection with his brother, 
Daniel, he purchased the interest of the other 
heirs of his father's property, and they eon- 
duct the farm together. Daniel Herr was 
born Oct. 30. 1861, and is unmarried. He is 
a member of the U. B. Church. 

John W. Bower, merchant and tinsmith. 
Homestead, was born March 14 1854, in 
Upper St. Clair township, where his grand- 
father, Alexander Bower, was one of the 
first pioneers. The latter had seven boys 
and seven girls, who were all born in this 
county. Of these David C, father of John 
W., married Jane Espey. whose grandfather 
Hickman came from Germany, and was a 
pioneer in North Fayette township. John 
W. Bower, who is one of a family of six 
boys and one girl, learned the tinner's trade 
at the age of sixteen, in Pittsburgh, and for 
five years followed it in Noblestown, Pa. In 
the spring of 1880 he came to Homestead, 
where he has since followed his trade suc- 
cessfully, also keeping a hardware-store. Mr. 
Bower married Anna L. Shaffer, and they 
have four children: Holmes. Harry, Stewart 
and Elizabeth. He is a member of the R. 
A., I. O. H., K. of P. and'S. O. A. M., and 
is a democrat. 

D. F. Bair. contractor. Homestead, was 
born Feb. 27, 1844, in Greensburg, Westmore- 
land county. Pa., son of Benjamin and Cath- 
arine (Shuey) Bair. who were old settlers of 
the above county, and the parents of the fol- 
lowing-named children: Isaac, Susan. David 
F., Hannah, Joseph. Katie and Emanuel. 
David F. Bair learned his trade thoroughly, 
and followed it in his native country until 
August, 1880, when he came to Homestead, 
where he has since been one of the leading 
contractors and builders. He married, Nov. 
27, 1873, Maggie, daughter of Abner and Mary 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



665 



A. (Kissler) Evaus, old settlers of Westmore- 
land county. Mr. Bair is a member of the 
K. of H., 6. U. A. M. and Jr. O. V. A. M., 
and is a republican. Mr. and Mrs. Bair are 
active members of the Presbyterian Church. 

Perry Pence, blacksmith, postofflce 
West Elizabeth, son of William and Cather- 
ine Pence, was born in New Salem, Fayette 
county. Pa., in 1843. His parents were both 
natives of Pennsylvania. In 1867 he came 
to Allegheny county, and flnallj' settled in 
West Elizabeth, where be engaged in busi- 
ness as a blacksmith, to which he subse- 
quently added a machine-shop, and this he 
still carries on. Mr. Pence has never been 
married, and still clings to the state of single 
blessedness he has so long enjoyed. 

Albert McGee, blacksmith, postoffice 
Hulton, was born in Clarion county. Pa., 
Jan. 26, 1853, a son of John L. and Hattie 
(Mahugh) McGee. His father was born in 
Pennsylvania, Sept. 13, 1824, was a boatman 
all his life, and was killed at the railroad 
crossing in Verona, March 4, 1886. The 
mother of our subject was born Oct. 7, 1823, 
and died Sept. 24, 1866. Albert McGee re- 
ceived his education in Clarion county, and 
in 1869 commenced life as office-boy for a 
coal company. For some time he was em- 
ployed at the Oil City water-works; from 1874 
to 1878 he drove for Dan Stotler, and since 
latter year has been employed at the Ve- 
rona Tool-works. He was married in August, 
1877, to Mary A. Bright, who was born Feb. 
14, 1852, daughter of Michael and Eliza 
(Walters) Bright, latter now residing with 
Mrs. McGee. Our subject and wife have 
four children; Maud I.. Albert Meeds, Eliza 
May andMary Ann. They are members of the 
U. P. Church. Mr. McGee was a republican 
candidate for councilman, and elected in Feb- 
ruary, 1888. He is a member of the I. O. O. 
F.. K. of P. andO. U. A. M. 

Henry Moor Wick, carpenter, Verona, 
was born in Armstrong county. Pa., in 1839, 
and is the second son of J. Parr Wick, who 
was born in Sugar Creek township, Arm- 
strong county, in 1812, and died in 1882. 
Mary Ann, wife of the latter, and daughter 
of Joseph Brown (of Irish birth), was born 
in 1816, and is still living. Elijah Wick, 
father of J. Parr, came from New Jersey to 
Armstrong county early in the present cent- 
ury. J. Parr TV ick filled many township 
offices in Sugar Creek. Henry M. was reared 
on the farm, and when twenty years old took 
up his present trade. In 1861 he joined Co. 
A, 8tb P. R., and served three years with the 
Army of the Potomac. At Charles City 
Cross Roads he received a ballet in the right 
side, injuring the pelvic bone, so that the 
wound did not heal for a year, but he re- 
covered in time to take part in the battles of 
the Wilderness, and was discharged at the 
expiration of his term, ih 1864. For a time 
he was employed b}^ the government at his 
trade, and in January. 1868, engaged with the 
A. V. R. R. Co., and was made foreman of 
engine-carpenters in 1883. Since coming to 



Verona, in 1876, he has built a house on Rail- 
road avenue, in the First ward. With his 
mother and youngest sister he resides near 
lona station. He is a member of the K. of 
P. and G. A. R., and is a republican. Three 
brothers, younger than himself, Joseph C, 
John R. and Richard Brown, reside, respect- 
ively, in Bradford, Pa., California and 
Verona. Samuel died when twenty-four 
years old. and James, the fifth, at the age of 
ten. Of the sisters, Nancy Ann (McGregor) 
resides at Kittanning; Pho'be B. (Bcason), 
at Bradford; Eliza L., at Verona; Elvira 
(McNutt)is deceased. 

Herman Meyers, painter, Verona, was 
born in Freedom, Beaver county. Pa., in 
1837, a sou of Christian Frederick and 
Mary (Smith) Meyers, natives of Ger- 
many, who came to America when young, 
former born in November, 1805, and both 
died in 1877. Herman Mej'ers received 
his education in Lawrenceville and Pitts- 
burgh, and at the age of eighteen learned 
the trade of glasscutter; after four years at 
that work he began painting, and has fol- 
lowed that trade ever since. He enlisted, in 
1862. in Co. A, 155th P. V. I., assigned to the 
Army of the Potomac, and was in all its en- 
gagements until the close of the war; he was 
discharged in June, 1865. Mr. Meyers was 
married Jan. 1, 1866, to Rose Odenwelder, 
of Lawrenceville, daughter of Charles and 
Kate (McGurk) Odenwelder, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. Her father died in 1873; her 
mother lives in West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. 
Meyers have had three children; Flora, 
Charles and Emma, latter of whom died 
when si.v years of age. Mr. Meyers has re- 
sided in Verona since 1878, and is employed 
as painter in the A. V. R. R. shops. "He 
is a member of the A. O. U. W. and G. A. R. 

Michael O. Byrne was born in County 
Kerry, Ireland, in 1798. He married Elcnor 
O'Brien, and immigrated to America in 1833. 
They resided in Beaver county for some 
years; thence removed to Allegheny county, 
where they owned a tract of land known as 
" Glasgow," which was originally purchased 
by Thomas Jones, uncle of Mrs. Byrne. Mr. 
Byrne died in 1885, surviving his wife about 
ten years. Of their nine children, five sur- 
vive them: John J., in Indiana; William,- 
Margaret, Joanna, and Eleanor Depp, ?iee 
Byrne, wlio married Daniel Depp, of Robin- 
son township, in 1865. They have one son, 
Thomas J., who was educated at the Pitts- 
burgh Catholic College, and is now book- 
keeping. Their religion is Catholic, and in 
politics democratic. 

John Fisher, farmer, postofflce White 
Ash, a son of Christian and Catharine (Nen- 
stiel) Fisher, was born at Heimbolds-Hausen, 
Hessen-Cassel, Germany, Aug. 20, 1837. He 
attended school until fourteen j'ears old, and 
then served six years at the weaver's trade. 
In 18,59 he left his native land, and came to 
Pittsburgh, where, finding work scarce, he 
apprenticed himself to a shoemaker rather 
than be idle. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. B, 



666 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



9lh P. R., and jiined the Army of the Po- 
tomac. At the battle of Gaines' Mills he 
was shot through the ris^ht arm and taken 
pi-isoiicr. After four weeks' confinement in 
Richmond, he was paroled, went to Chester 
hospital for treatment, and was discharged 
for disability Oct. 3i. 1862. Two years later 
he took up his residence in Penn township, 
and March 3. 1870. married Catherine Aber, 
and settled on the farm where he now resides. 
He is a republican, and with his wife is a 
membei- of the Presbyterian Chnrch at East 
Liberty. Mrs. Fisher was born on the farm 
where she now lives, daughter of .John and 
Rachel Aber, early residents. Her grand- 
father, .James Beatty, was kept a prisoner for 
three years by Indians, who had murdered 
his father, and for two years was interpreter 
for the traders. 

Frederick Elk. coal-operator, postoffice 
East Liberty, was born near the city of Wiir- 
teraberg. Germany, Oct. 1, 1817,a son of Eman- 
uel and Magdalene Elk. He was reared on a 
farm, and in 1839 set out for America, landing 
at Philadelphia. Here he joined the United 
Slates regular army, serving five 3'ears, and 
taking part in the Florida war. and travers- 
ing many of the southern states. He was 
discharged at Corjjus Christi, Tex., in 1845, 
and. coming to this' county, bought land in 
Penn township, also the coal underlying 
other lands, and has since carried on mining 
more or less extensively. He and his family 
are connected with the Lutheran Church at 
East Liberty, politically he is a democrat. 
In 1846 he married Caroline Johnson, born in 
Harrisburg. a daughter of William and 
Dorothea Johnson, of Holland and Germany, 
respectively. Their children are Emanuel 
and William (twins), in East Liberty; Cather- 
ine Isabel (Ferris), in Rochester; Jolin Con- 
rad and Adam, in East Liberty; Dorothea 
Caroline (Dale), in Brusliton;" Rachel A. 
BL'ckett and Louis (twins), in Homewood; 
Lucy A. (Farnof), in Rochester: George (de- 
ceased) and Amanda Elizabeth (at home). 

John R. Verner, farmer, postoffice 
Groveton, was born in 1836 in Washington 
county. Pa., son of Adam and Margaret 
(Reed) Verner. and grandson of Jacob Ver- 
ner, who immigrated to America in or about 
1796; he was by trade a broommaker, and 
among the first men in this section engaged 
in that business. Adam Verner was born in 
1788, and was among the eldest of the thir- 
teen children born to his parents, eight of 
whom grew to maturity. He was a black- 
smith by trade, and later in life followed 
farming. John R., our subject, was three 
years of age when he came to Robinson town- 
ship, where he was reared, and educated at 
the common schools. He went on the river 
when young, which avocation he followed 
for thirty-eight years, purchasing his present 
farm of si.vty five acres in 187.5. He was 
married in 1850 to Esther Young, daughter 
of Capt. John Young, and to them were born 
eight children: Racliel, Francis. Alfred, 
John, Andrew W., Oliver N., Samuel Young 



and Anna; six are now living. The mother 
of these children died, and Mr. V'erner mar- 
ried her sister. The familj- are memliers of 
the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Verner is a 
repul)lican. 

MAnTn.\ M. Taylor, postoffice Gill Hall, 
is a daughter of Amos and Deborah (McKil- 
lips) Pierce, and was born in 1835 on the place 
she now owns. Her father was a farmer, 
and was known as cancer doctor, curing 
many of the worst cases, and with his wife 
settled in Jefferson township, where they 
both died. Their children were James McK., 
Lewis, Joseph, .lane, Andrew, Mary A. and 
Martha M., living; and Lewis, Jane. Mary 
and James, deceased. In 1887 the subject of 
this memoir was married to Joseph Taj-lor. 
son of Joseph and Hannah Taylor, former 
residents of Forward township. Joseph left 
Forward twenty years ago. and went to 
Monongahela City; from there he moved to 
Montana, and afterward to Florida, where he 
has an orange grove. Since his return to 
Jeflerson township he has been engaged in 
farming, and intends to devote a portion of 
his time to his farm in Jefferson and the one 
in Florida. Mr. Taylor is a Methodist, and 
Mrs. Taylor a United Presbyterian. 

John Gillespie, farmer, postoffice Taren- 
tum, is a son of Samuel Gillespie, and was 
born in Ireland. When twelve years old he 
came to America with his parents, who. in 
1840, settled in East Deer township, Alle- 
gheny county, Pa., where they died. They 
reared a family of eleven children: Robert, 
Matthew (deceased), Richard (deceased), 
Susan (deceased), .Jane, John. Rebecca (de- 
ceased). Agnes (deceased). Samuel (deceased), 
Andrew and Eleanor. John married, in 
1853, Mary Jane, daughter of George Means, 
of West Deer township, and located in East 
Deer township, where he purchased a farm, 
and lived thereon until the year 1875, when 
he purchased the farm he now occupies; 
here he built a very handsome residence, 
and is engaged in farming, stock-raising and 
dair3'ing. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie have nine 
children: Jane I.. Samuel R.. George T., 
Robert J.. Anna M.. Mary O., Eleanor A., 
David B. and William M. Jane I., the 
eldest daughter, married, in 1874, Ephraim 
Norris. and they have five children: Ella, 
Nettie, Bertha, Leila and Charlie. Samuel 
R., the eldest son, married, in 1881. Emma 
Robinson, and lives on one of his father's 
farms in East Deer township. He has two 
children— Charles E. and Nellie Eva. Mary 
O., third eldest daughter, married, in 1887, 
George Kirk, and she has one child. Mr. 
Gillespie and family are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

James C. Bryant, farmer, postoffice Her- 
ron, is a son of Samuel and Grace (Marsh) Bry- 
ant, natives of Stratford-on-Avon, England, 
who emigrated to America in 1830, and settled 
in Lycoming county. Pa., where the father 
died about one year afterward. The mother 
came to Pittsburgh and joined her son James 
C. . who had preceded them to America about 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



667 



three years. He was born iu Stratford-on- 
Avon, England, July 7, 1813, and received 
his education in that country. When seven- 
teen years of age lie came to Pittsburgh, and 
served an apprenticeship of three years in 
the charcoal refining of iron, and followed 
that business until 1840, starting many of the 
refineries of those days. In 1840 he purchased 
his present farm on the line of Hampton and 
Shaler townships, and has since resided here. 
In 1836 he married Racliel. daughter of 
Maj. John and Jane (Ewing) Street, the 
mother a native of Chester count}', but resi- 
dents of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant 
have four children living: Jane L. (wife of 
Isaac Dehaven, of this township), William 
Cullen (merchant of Pittsburgh), Milton C. 
(merchant of Allegheny), James S. (a farmer 
of Hampton township). Mr. Bryant has been 
school director of the township twenty-nine 
years, and justice of the peace for the past 
five years; he is a member of the Episcopal 
Church of Allegheny. Bryant Station, on 
the P. & W. R. R., is named after him. 

Ephraim Brdnner, carpenter, postoffice 
New Texas, was born in North Huntingdon 
township,Westmoreland county, Pa., April 19, 
1835, a son of Ephraim and Anna Margaret 
(Deeds) Brunner, natives of Bucks and West- 
moreland counties, born Nov. 28, 1796, and 
Dec. 39, 1800, respectively. His father came 
to Westmoreland county in 1822 and located 
at Mt. Pleasan t, where he followed the carpen- 
ter's trade until April, 1886. He then moved 
to Plum township, where he died April 14, 
1867. HismotherdiedFeb. 9, 1886. Mr. Brun- 
ner is of German descent on both sides. He 
received his education in Plum township, 
began the carpenter's trade in 1852, and has 
since followed it in this county, at times 
being in Pittsburgh, Turtle Creek and other 
places. He married, March 28, 1858, Lizzie 
S. Weaver, of Westmoreland county, born 
Nov. 28, 1833, daughter of John and Eliza 
(St. Clair) Weaver, natives of Westmoreland 
county. Pa. Her mother died July 25, 
1886. Seven children have blessed this union: 
Ida May (Mrs. J. B. Patterson), James R., 
Thomas Homer, Ulysses, Frank, Harry H., 
Jolin R., all carpenters at East End, and 
Anna Margaret at home. The famil}' are 
members of the Plum Creek Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Brunner enlisted Aug. 25, 1864, 
in Co. F, 5th H. A., and he, with forty 
others, was captured Oct. 5 of the same 
year. He was confined for two months in 
Libby prison, and for a like period in Pem- 
berton prison. On returning to his command 
he was made drum-major, hut being wholly 
unfit for duty from the effects of prison life, 
he was disciiarged June 15, 1865 at Alexan- 
dria hospital. He is a republican, and a 
member of the G. A. R. 

Jeremiah Mdery Carpenter, farmer, 
poslofllce New Texas, was born at Hamilton's 
Mill, Westmoreland county, Jan. 3, 1818. a 
son of John and Jane (Murry) Carpenter, his 
father being a native of Baltimore, Md., and 
his mother a native of Westmoreland county. 



Pa. His father, an attorney in Huntingdon 
county. Pa., came to this township, A. D. 
1837, where he lived for a short time upon a 
farm, and died of consumption. His grand- 
father, Daniel, had a captain's commission in 
the Revolution. His great-grandfather was 
also Daniel, and his great-great-grandfather, 
Henry, immigrated to Lancaster county. Pa., 
from Switzerland in 1698. His maternal 
grandfather, Jeremiah Murry, who came here 
from Ireland iu 1784, founded the town of 
Murrysville, built the mill there and accumu- 
lated a large amount of land in Westmore- 
land and Allegheny counties. Mr. Murry's 
wife was Ann Montgomery, of Chester 
county. Pa. J. M. Carpenter received his 
education at Murrysville, and spent his 
youth there until he was seventeen years of 
age. He then went to Ohio, where he after- 
ward engaged in the mercantile business, and 
also at Murrysville in the same business, 
until 1852, at which time he moved to his 
mother's farm, in Plum township, where he 
has since remained. He married, in Decem- 
ber, 1842, Ellen McFadden, of West Middle- 
town, Washington county, a daughter of 
James and Margaret (Stewart) McFadden. 
Mr. McF. was born in County Down, 
Ireland, and Mrs. McFadden at West Middle- 
town, Washington county. Six children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter: Mary 
Elizabeth (Mrs. James McJunkins, Sr.), 
John, James McFadden (an attorney at 
Pittsburgh), Jeremiah Murry (deceased), Sam- 
uel L. (attorney in Denver, Colo.) and Ber- 
tha Ellen. Mrs. Carpenter died March 22, 
1869. Mr. Carpenter is an elder in the Pres- 
byterian Church. He was five years justice 
of the peace in Westmoreland county, and 
five years here. Aside from his farm work, 
Mr. Carpenter has done considerable survey- 
ing in the neighborhood. 

Joseph Price, steamboat captain, resi- 
dence Braddock, was born in Putman county, 
Ohio, in 1845, a son of John S. Price and 
Elizabeth Goldsworth Price (a native of 
Wales), former by occupation a prospector. 
They had seven children, six of whom are 
still living, Joseph being the fifth son. He 
was educated at the public school, and since 
then has followed the river, for the past 
twenty-four years as captain and pilot. 
Capt. Price married Ella V., daughter of 
John V. and Mary (Hubbs) Layton, of Fay- 
ette City, Fayette county, Pa., and two chil- 
dren have been born to them: Harry L. and 
Joseph. The captain is a F. & A. M., a 
member of the A. O. U. W., an adherent of 
the First Christian Church. He has been a 
democrat, but voted for Harrison in 1888. 

W. B. Lucas, steamboat captain, Brad- 
dock, is a native of Greene count}'. Pa., born 
in 1838 to John and Elizabeth (Hughes) Lucas, 
former also a native of Greene county, latter 
a daughter of Thomas Hughes, of al)0ve- 
named county. They had twelve children, 
W. B. being the thir(l in order of birth. The 
subject of this sketch was reared and edu- 
cated in his native county; for thirty-five 



668 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



years has followed steamboating, having 
risen from cabin-boy to captain, and since 
nineteen years of a'^e has been a pilot on 
the Mononi^aliela and Ohio rivers, navijrating 
between Morfjanlown.W.Va., and Louisville, 
Ky. In li^TO the eaptain came to Braddock, 
where he purchased a lot of ground on the 
banks of tlie Monogahela and erected a tine 
house, which he has since made his home. He 
was married, in 1809, to a daughter of Isaac 
Bailey, a well-known lawyer of Brownsville. 
Pa., and. she dying, he subsequently married 
Anna P., daughter of H. Johnson, of AUe- 
ghen)- county. The eaptain has no children. 
He is a F. & A. M., and a republican. 

Fhedeuick Roads, farmer, postoffice 
West Elizabeth, sou of Frederick and Eliza- 
beth (Walmer) Roads, was born in Versailles 
township, near McKeesport, Jan. 27, 1804. 
His father was a native of Dauphin county, 
and his mother of Bedford county. Pa. 
After marriage they settled in Versailles 
township, and following year moved to 
Elizabetli township. Their children were 
Catherine, Christian, Henry, Mary Ann. 
Elizabeth and Caroline (all deceased), and 
John, a farmer of Elizabeth township; 
David, a farmer, of Lincoln township; 
Louisa, now Mrs. Gibnor, of West Elizabetli, 
and our suljject. In 1837 Frederick married 
Catherine, daughter of Henry and Charlotte 
Bridenthall, natives of Germany, and after 
marriage they lived in Pittsburgh for a time. 
Returning to what was then Elizabeth, he 
purchased a farm in Jefferson township, 
which he recently sold, and bought a prop- 
erty in West Elizabeth, where he now 
resides. Their children were David (de- 
ceased). Elizabeth (now Mrs. J. Q. A. Young, 
of Elizabeth), Charlotte (now Mrs. John 
Fairbanks, of McKeesport), Frederick (of 
Birmingham), S. O. Roads, in Elizabeth 
township, and Mary L., now Mrs. Henry L. 
Large, of Westmoreland count}'. Mr. Roads' 
father was drafted during the war of 1812, 
but obtained a substitute with one hundred 
dollars and a new rifle. Mr. and Mrs. Roads 
are both members of the Presbyterian Church 
of West Elizabeth, of which he has been an 
elder for forty-eight years, and was one of 
those who organized the church which he 
built, but which has since been torn down 
and a larger one erected, in the building of 
which he has also assisted. In 1884 he, with 
A. W. Bedell, attended the exposition at New 
Orleans, and had the most enjoyable trip of 
his life. Jan. 27. 1889, was Mr. Roads' 
eighty-fifth birthday, and on the 29th they 
had a family reunion of children, grand- 
children and great grandchildren. 

Andrew McFerin, farmer, postoffice 
Bennett, was born Aug. 26, 1826, in Shaler 
township, the son of John McFerin. Grand- 
father McFerin, who was a gardener, came 
from Ireland with his familv, consisting of 
his wife and five children — William, James, 
John and two daughters — and located in 
Alle.gheuy City, being among the early set- 
tlers of that place. John McFerin was a 



boss carpenter and an able workman. He 
married Susan, daughter of Andrew Wible, 
and she died, aged eighty-two years, the 
motlier of two children: Mrs. Nancy J. 
Hatch, and Andrew, the subject of these 
lines, who was educated here. He is a 
farmer, and is in possession of fifty acres of 
land. He married Sarah B, Reynolds, and 
their children are Jane, Susiin, Anna, 
Wilson, James and David R. Mr. and Mrs. 
McFerin are members of the Presbyterian 
Church at Millvale, of which he is an elder. 

John C.\knaiian. farmer, Culmerville, 
was born July 31, 1814, on his present farm, 
son of John and Martha (Kissick) Carnahan, 
former of whom was born in Juniata 
county. Pa., and died in 1830. aged sixty-five 
3'ears; latter born in County Derry, Ireland, 
and died in 1833. aged fifty-six years. The 
father settled here about 1 796. and was closely 
identified with the U. P. Church, and with 
affairs of the township. Mr. Carnahan's half 
brother, George, was in the war of 1812. John 
received his education in West Deer township 
in the old log schoolhouse with paper win- 
dows. He was left alone at his fatlJer's death 
and took charge of the farm until it was 
divided between the three sons. He was 
married in 1H36 to Eliza Catherwood. a half- 
sister to Robert Catherwood, and daughter 
of John and Susan (Hessen) Catlierwood. 
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Carnahan: Susan, Samuel. Robert, Martha, 
Elizabeth, Jane. Mary. Nelson and Clark. 
Samuel and Robert were in the war of the 
rebellion, and both died in the hospital; the 
former was being educated for the ministry. 
Mrs. Carnahan died in 18-5.5, and Mr. Carna- 
han was married in 1856 to Nancy Black, a 
native of West Deer township, her parents 
coming from Ireland. Sis children blessed 
this union, viz.: Margaret, George (a minister 
in Kansas), Shafer, Sarah. Lawrence (de- 
ceased) and Blair. Mr. Carnahan is an old 
citizen of West Deer township, has been a 
ruling elder in the U. P. Church since 1836, 
and has been school director and supervisor. 
He is the onl}' one of the children now living. 
He has 130 acres of land, which his two sons, 
Clark and Blair, cultivate. 

Robert Black, farmer, postoffice Hulton, 
is the third born and one of the two surviving 
members of the family of seven children of 
John and Mary Ann (Euwer) Black, natives 
of Pennsylvania, and who died in 1831 and 
1833, respectively. John, Robert's brother, 
lives in Woodford county. 111. Mr. Black 
was born in Westmoreland county in 1820. 
and his brothers and sisters were John, Mar- 
garet, Mary, Thomas, Caroline and Maria 
(twins), all deceased. The twins were very 
small when their father died, and about two 
years old at the time of their mother's death. 
Their grandfather, John Black, a very early 
settler here, owned about three hundred acres 
where Robert lives. At their mother's death 
the children began to work their grandfather's 
farm, though all were very young, and their 
education was limited to that afforded by the 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



669 



■schools of the township at that early day. 
In 1842 the grandfather died, and Robert 
moved to the part of the farm he now owns, 
while the others remained on the old home- 
stead at the other end of the farm. In 1843 
Robert married Jane Ann McLaugiilin. a 
native of Penn township, daughter of Ed- 
ward and Mary McLaughlin, bnli deceased. 
Although advanced in years Mr. Black still 
oversees his farm, and is very active, the 
result of a strictly temperate life. He is a 
prohibitionist and a member of the Presby- 
terian Church. 

Andrew SaEPHARD, brick-manufacturer, 
Swissvale, was born in Cambria county, Pa., 
in 1835, a son of Joseph F. Shephard, a stone- 
mason who came to Allegheny county about 
1838, where he died. Andrew Shephard was 
reared in this county, and has here resided 
since boyhood. He has followed coal-miuing 
and the manufacture of brick, which latter 
industry he has carried on at Swissvale since 
1883. at the present turning out one million 
fine brick per year. Mr. Shephard married, in 
1863, Sarah J. Oiler, and ten sons and three 
daughters have been born to them. He is a 
member of the Disciples' Church; in politics 
independent. 

S. A. Seaman, merchant, Leetsdale, was 
born July 31, 1855, on the South Side of Pitts- 
burgh, son of William H. Seaman. He was 
reared on the farm and educated in the 
county. In 1876 he bought out a small store 
in Leetsdale, which he has conducted suc- 
cessfully to the present time, and has added 
to and improved it in every way. It is now 
a general store. Mr. Seaman was married 
to Miss Anna M., daughter of Phillip Creese, 
of Sewickley, and this union has been blessed 
with five children: Maud, Anna, Herbert, 
William and infant son. J\Ir. and Mrs. 
Seaman are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. He is a member of the R. A., and 
is a republican. 

Joseph S. Reed, planing-mill, postofHce 
Hulton, was born in Bedford county, Pa., 
in 1833, a son of Michael and Elizabeth Reed, 
natives of Franklin count}'. Pa., the former 
of vvhom was a surveyor and justice of the 
peace in Bedford county for about thirty 
years, and died in 1873, at the age of eighty- 
four, and latter died in 1858, a.ged fifty-three 
3'ears. Joseph S. Reed received his education 
in Bedford county, and remained with his 
father until he was thirty years old. When 
he was twenty-one he enlisted for the Mex- 
ican war, in Company L, 3nd PennS3'lvania 
regiment, Capt. Taylor in command. They 
were attached to Gen. Pierce's division, 
and when at the City of Mexico Mr. Reed was 
seized with the yellow fever, and sent to New 
Orleans on the first train after the close of 
the war; two months later he was able to be 
sent home. Prior to his service in the Mex- 
ican war, he served his time at chair- and 
cabinet-making. After the war he engaged 
in contracting and house-building, and later 
in the lumber business; he also operated a 
planing-mill at Altoona for two years, after- 



ward had large lumber-mills in Clearfield and 
Centre counties, and then started a large 
planing-mill and box-factory in Pittsburgh 
and Allegheny City. The panic of 1876 
caused him to lose $250,000. He bought his 
present site at Verona in 1886, and is doing a 
good business. Mr. Reed was married, in 
1849, to Charlotta, a daughter of Jacob and 
Elizabeth Over, and four boys and five girls 
have been born to them, as follows: Eliza- 
beth (Mrs. A. E. Morrison), Emma. William 
Worth, Robert B., Ella, Charles. Julia (de- 
ceased), Lucy and .Jacob. Mr. Reed was 
reared in the G. R. Church, and is now 
a member of the Presbyterian Church; he 
is a member of I. O. O. F., F. & A. M., and a 
life member of his chapter. 

Robert Emes Ballard, marine engineer, 
Ems worth, was born in Nashua, N. H., Oct. 
8, 1836, son of Luther and Rebecca (Whit- 
comb) Ballard, former of whom came to 
Pittsburgh in 1840. bringing machiner}' for 
a bucket- factory and the first iron slide-lathe 
that was run in that city. He spent his 
later years in Ohio, where he died. Robert 
B. Ballard received most of his education in 
New Hampshire, finishing in Pittsburgh. 
He was married, in 1850, to Mary Ann Ralph 
(see sketch of her brother, C. C. Ralph), who 
died in 1885. Her father was an engineer on 
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and Mr. 
Ballard, in 18.53, began engineering with 
him, a business he has since followed. Prior 
to 18.53 he was a machinist and engine- 
builder, and for seventeen years was in the 
service of Joseph Walton & Co. In April, 
1862, Mr. Ballard joined the service as first 
assistant engineer on the T. D. Horner, and 
served at the siege of Memphis, "Vicksburg 
and other places in the war. He is a mertT- 
ber of the G. A. R., and Steamboat Officers' 
Protective association of Pittsburgh; politic- 
ally he is a republican. His parents were 
Presbyterians, but he and family belong to 
the M. E. Church. Mr. Ballard fs the father 
of eight children, viz.; Mary Ralph (Mrs. 
Albert McCaslin), Samuel Ralph, Sarah 
Amelie (Mrs. L. K. Porter), Adda Virffinia 
(Mrs. Robert Palmer), Charles Robert, Eliza- 
beth C, Martin N. and Hattie Alice. 

William Orr, clerk, Pittsburgh, was born 
in Londonderry, Ireland, Aug. 17, 1832, and 
is a son of Hugh and Jemima fHare) Orr, 
natives of County Derry, Ireland, farmers 
and Presbyterians, and who died in 1856. 
Mr. Orr had six brothers and sisters, five of 
whom grew up. In .June, 1851, he came to 
America, wiiere for three 3-ears he worked 
for farmers in Delaware county, Pa. In 1859 
he came to Pittsburgh, but soon moved to 
Tennessee, where he was compelled to re- 
main until 1862, owing to the war. Return- 
ing in that year, he has made his home here 
since. He is a republican, a member of the 
R. P. Church. Mr. Orr married, Feb. 1, 
1864, Mrs. Mary Hacket, nee McKee, widow 
of James Hacket. 

James Orr, their only son, was educated 
in Pittsburgh, and commenced life as a tel- 



670 



HISTOliY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



egraph messenger, and later he operated the 
first switchboard in the Union Telephone 
station. In Jidy. 1882, he entered the em- 
ploy of R. C. Patterson, where, by faithful 
labor, he worked himself up to his present 
position of head florist. He was married 
April 19, 1S88. to Sadie, daughter of John 
and .Mary .1. Edenger. 

Thomas Davison Turnek, funeral di- 
rector, Wilkinsburg. is a native of thai 
town, born June 21, 1851. His grandfather, 
Adam Turner, the son of a Scotchman, was 
born in Pennsylvania. He married Mary 
Quigley. a native of what is now Penn town- 
ship, tills county, and settled very early on 
the present site of Wilkinsburg. Here was 
born their son. Hugh, on the last day of the 
year 1809, and died Dec. 26. 1888. The latter 
married Catharine, sister of James Duff 
(whose biography appears elsewhere), who 
was also born in Penn township, and is now 
living in Wilkinsburg, having reared seven of 
eight children. of whom Thomas is the eighth. 
Hugh, the si.xth, died at the age of thirty, 
after serving three years in the Army of the 
Tennessee as a member of the 15th P. C. T. 
D. Turner attended the public schools till 
fifteen years old. worked two years at 
laboring-work, and then entered on a three 
years' apprenticeship as carpenter. After 
working as journeyman a like period, he en- 
gaged in the grocery trade for seven years. 
In 1881 he established the first undertaking 
business in Wilkinsburg, and a livery in con- 
nection, erecting a large building on Penn 
avenue, near Wood street, for the purpose. 
He is also owner of other property in the 
borough. Mr. Turner is an elder in the U. P. 
Church, president of the Wilkinsburg Build- 
ing and Loan association, and treasurer of 
the borough. Politically he is a democrat, 
with strong prohibition sj'mpathies. Jan. 8, 
18T8. he married Eliza Jane, daughter of 
Richard Beatty, now a resident of Wilkins- 
burg. Mrs. Turner was born in Pittsburgh, 
and is the mother of three children: Mary 
Ella, Laura Belle and Thomas Davison, Jr. 

John A. McElheny, farmer, posloffiee 
Glenshaw, was born Aug. 8, 1834, on the old 
homestead. His grandfather, William Mc- 
Elheny, a Scotchman, came from Adams 
county. Pa., and settled in Snowden town- 
ship, this county, where he died. He was a 
farmer, and married a Miss King, by whom 
he had the following-named children: Rob- 
ert, William. Victor, Samuel. John, Hugh, 
Mrs. Torence, Mrs. Hara, Mrs. Wilson and 
Mrs. King. Of these Samuel. Robert and 
John were sickle-makers by trade in Shaler 
township. John, oursubject's father, learned 
his trade with Robert; worked for T. W. 
Shaw for some time, and had a factory on 
Little Pine creek, where he owned a farm of 
one hundred acres. He married Mary, daugh- 
ter of John and Elizabeth (Hilauds) Morrow, 
old settlers, and they had three children: 
Victor K., Mrs. Elizabeth Herst and John A. 
The last named married Sarah J. Griesmere, 
and they have seven children: John H., 



Robert H., Mary C, Caroline L., Thomas L. 
W., Oscar William C. and Le Roy. The Mc- 
Elheny family have all been Presbyterians 
and republicans, and John McEllieny. our 
subject's father, served as justice of the peace 
twenty years. John A. McElheny is now 
engaged in farming on the old homestead in 
Shaler township. 

David Evans, heater, Pittsburgh, is a son 
of John and Jane Evans, and was born in 
Temperanceville in 1850. He learned the 
painting trade, which he followed until 1878, 
when he commenced work in the mill of J. 
Painter & Son, Pittsburgh, where he has 
since been employed. He married, in 1875, 
Rosa, daughter of William and Fannie 
Adams, of this county, and their children 
are William M., Ada, Lucy E. and Mabel C. 
Mr. Evans is a member of the A. O. V. W. 
and the Amalgamated association. Mr. and 
Mrs. Evans are members of the M. E. Church; 
he is a republican. 

Charles Seitz, blacksmith, Etna, was 
born Jan. 1, 1832, in Hessen, near Frankfort- 
on-the-Main, Germany, sou of William and 
Margaret (Trout) Seitz, latter of whom died 
in Germany. Charles came to America in 
18.50 and settled in Shaler township, where he 
has been an employe in Spang's mill for 
nearly thirty 3'ears as blacksmith and ma- 
chinist, and for fifteen years as foreman of 
the pipemill. He is an excellent mechanic 
and workman. He was married to Sarah 
Sutter, daughter of Samuel Sutter, a native 
of Switzerland, and they have six sons now 
living: William, Albert, George, Louis, 
Ernest and Jacob. Mr. and Mrs. Seitz are 
members of the Lutheran Church; he is a 
republican. 

Milton L. Woods, pilot, postoffice Belle- 
vue, was born §ept. 7. 1828, in Greene town- 
ship, Beaver county. Pa., where his parents, 
Joseph aud Catharine (Barnes) Woods, were 
old residents. He received his early educa- 
tion in Georgetown, Pa., and at the age of fif- 
teen years went on the river with Capt. Jacob 
Poe. on the steamer Belmont. At the age of 
eighteen years he was pilot of keelboats. and 
the following year he was pilot of the Wheel- 
ing packet Ionian. He was on the steamer 
Lake Erie No. 3 for ten years, and never 
had an accident nor met with a loss of any 
kind in the ten years, and has never missed 
a trip on account of ill health. He has been 
emplo}'ed by W. H. Brown & Sons for the 
last fourteen years. Mr. Woods was married 
to Eliza Bradlej', a native of Pittsburgh, and 
they are the parents of eight living children 
(three being deceased): Francis M. (carpenter 
and builder), Mrs. Katie Ford, Clara. George 
W. (a pilot on the river). John, Harry. Etta 
and Percy. Mr. aud Mrs. Woods are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church; he is a democrat. 

John James Campbell, expressman, 
Wilkinsburg. was born near Midway. Wash- 
ington county. Pa.. Jan. 28, 1846. His- 
grandfather, John Campbell, who was of 
Scotch descent, came from Virginia to Wash- 
ington county in 1830, dying'in Allegheny^ 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



671 



City, in 1881; his son William C. a native of 
Virginia, married Margeret Symington, a 
native of Western Pennsylvania, and is now 
resident on a farm in Smith township. Our 
subject, their sou, was engaged in f.armiug 
till 1874, when he came to Swissvale. this 
county, and engaged in the coal and trans- 
portation business. Being frequently re- 
quested to do errands in the city, he started, 
in 1880, an express business, making one trip 
per week. This has so grown that he now 
employs six wagons and seven men, with an 
office in the city. In 1887 he built his 
present residence in Wilkinsburg, and is the 
owner of three other houses, besides his for- 
mer dwelling at Swissvale. Dec. 10, 1868, 
Mr. Campbell married Rebecca, daughter of 
James and Martha Brimner, of Washington 
county, and of Scotch-Irish ancestr}-, and to 
this union were born the following-named 
children: John Franklin, Cora Lucinda, 
William Thomas, Anna Louisa and Robert 
K. Mr. Campbell and family are identified 
with the Presbyterian Church. He is a 
member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. and Garfield 
Council, Home Circle, of Allegheny. He is 
a republican, and acted as school director for 
six years while a resident of the city. 

Michael Hkrbst, gardener, postofBce 
McKee's Rocks, son of John and Laura 
Herbst, was Iiorn in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 18o4. 
His father came to this country about 1843, 
settled in Pittsburgh, and followed farming 
and gardening. He married Laura Miller, 
and they had eleven children, of whom are 
Michael, John, Jacob. Matthew. Laura. 
Maggie (wife of Otto Bittner), Mary and 
Barbara. John Herbst died in 1871; his 
widow is still living. Michael Herbst was 
reared to gardening, which he still follows. 
He married, Jan. 1.5. 1878, Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of Ralph and Mary Heiser, of this 
county, and their children are Laura, Joseph, 
Jacob, Mary and Bartholomew. Mr. Herbst 
came to Stowe township in 18G6. He and 
his brother, Jacob, purchased two acres 
of land adjoining McKee's Rocks, which 
they laid out in town lots and are selling at 
very remunerative figures. Michael rents 
and works fifty acres, which is all in garden 
and in a very high state of cultivation. The 
family are members of the Catholic Church. 

James M. Dumm, engineer National 
Tube-works company, McKeesport, was born 
in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, June .5. 1843. a son 
of E. W. and Mary (McLain) Dumm. He 
was reared and educated in West Newton and 
Pittsburgh, and at the age of sixteen entered 
the employ of the P. & C. R. R. Co. serving in 
the' machinery department for five years, and 
in the transportation department about twelve 
years, nine years as passenger conductor. 
Leaving the P. & C. R. R. Co. in 1875. he 
went to California, where he remained about 
two years, and on returning home entered 
the service of the National Tube-works com- 
pany, of the transportation department of 
which he has been engineer for past nine 
years. He is a member of the K. of L. and 



I. O. O. F. He has served two terms as as- 
sessor of this city, and in politics is a re- 
publican. 

Henry Stewart, shipping-clerk for the 
National Rolling-mill, McKeesport, was 
born in Versailles township, Nov. 10, 1831, a 
son of Hamilton and Nancy S. (Dinsmore) 
Stewart. His paternal grandfather was Sam- 
uel Stewart, a native of County Derry, Ire- 
land, and maternal grandfather, Henry Dins- 
more, both of whom were pioueers of Alle- 
gheny county. Our subject was reared in 
Versailles township, and in early manhood 
taught school, an avocation he followed for 
ten years. In the war of the rebellion served 
in the 9th P. R., and was wounded in the 
right arm, at Gaines' Mill.s, June 27. 18G3. He 
married, in 1864, Mary Hammond, a native 
of Ireland, who, with their seven children, 
died during the years 1873 and 1875. He has 
been in the employ of the National Tube- 
works company for seven years. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and is 
an advocate of prohibition. 

Joseph Baker, farmer, postofflce Ross, 
was born March 4, 1790, in Lexington. W. 
Va., a son of Joseph and Mary (Crider) Baker. 
He married, June 29, 1830, Nancy Baker, a 
full cousin, and following year they came to 
Ross township, where he purchased one 
hundred acres, and moved into a log 
house, which is still standing, and in which 
all their children were born; in 1849 he built 
a brick house, where he now resides. His 
wife died March 21, 1883, aged eighty-nine 
years. They reared a family of eight chil- 
dren: Sally and John W. (deceased), Josiah, 
Sarah J., Mary J. and Amos D. (living), and 
Louis L. and Amanda W. (deceased). Mr. 
Baker is a member of the M. E. Church (of 
which his wife is also a member), and was 
class-leader and steward for many years. 
He has always been an industrious man, is 
highly respected by his neighbors, and is well 
known, especially among the pioneers of 
Ross township. Josiah Baker married Bar- 
bara E., daughter of Ed. McCorkle, Esq., 
a soldier of the Revolution, well known on 
Deer Creek, this county. Mrs. Josiah Baker 
died at the age of twenty' three, leaving one 
chdd. Nancy V. E., who is now living with 
her maternal grandparents. 

Jacob Oestekley, postofBce Ross, was 
born July 25, 1836, in Alsace, France, a son 
of .loseph Oesterley a native of Germany. 
He is a miller liy trade, which he followed in 
his native land. He worked one year in a 
mill here, and was then engaged ten years 
as gardener and carriage-driver by Judge 
Lowry. During the war he bought twenty- 
four acres, of which one-half is laid out in 
garden, and he has engaged in gardening for 
the past twenty-five years. He married Mary 
A. Nicholson, a native of Wiirtemberg. Ger- 
many, who was born Dec. 4, 1836, and died 
Feb. 8, 1882, a devoted wife and fond mother. 
They had six children; Mrs. Genovefa 
Thomas, Joseph. Mary, Anna, Jacob and ' 
Freddie. Mr. Oesterley and family are 



672 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



devoted members of the Troy Hill church of 
the Most Holy Name. He has recently 
bought a fine home near Evergreen. 

.J.vMES Cook, farmer, postofflce Bakers- 
town, is a son of William and Ann (Winters) 
Cook, of England, who came to America in 
1834. and settled at Bayardstown. The father 
afterward moved to East Liberty, and en- 
gaged in farming; he died in 1886, at the 
home of our subject; his wife died in 183.5. 
the mother of two children: Annie, wife of 
George Wallett, of Berry count3', Mich., 
and James, who was born in England in 
1827. came to America with his parents, 
moved to Richland township in 1845, and has 
always followed farming. In 1855 he mar- 
ried lElizabeth. daughter of John and Eliza- 
beth Sanders, of West Deer township, and 
they have eight children living: Elizabeth, 
wife of John Mnwry, of Butler county; 
Mary, wife of James Marks, of West Deer 
township; Rhoda, wife of Charles Turner, 
of West Deer township; William, of West 
Deer township, married to Miss Mary 
Hannah L., daughter of Martha and Thomas 
Cruminey, of Richland township; Annie, 
Maggie, James and Charles, at home. Mr. 
Cook and family are members of the M. 
P. Church of Bakerstown. 

Robert B. Dickey, farmer, postofflce 
Gibsonia, is a son of John and Margaret (Mc- 
Morland) Dickey. David Dickey, grand- 
father of Robert B. and a native of Ireland, 
immigrated to America about 1795. and 
settled in Pennsylvania, east of the mount- 
ains, and about 1880 moved to this county, 
locating in West Deer township. John 
Dickey settled on this farm in 1831. and 
lived here until his death, in 1885; his wife 
died the same year. Robert B. was born at 
Gibsonia, Jan. 25, 1831, and was brought in 
that year to the place where he now resides. 
He married, in 1854, Mary, daughter of John 
and Elizabeth (Smith) Dickson, of Richland 
township, and thev have fourchildren: John 
C, Margaret M., William J. and Samuel A. 
Mr. Dickey has held the office of school di- 
rector, and at present is supervisor of the 
township. He and family are members of 
the U. P. Church of Pine Creek, of which 
he is an elder. 

David Duff, farmer, postofflce Ems- 
worth, was born in this county. April 1. 1849. 
His great-grandfather, James Duff, a native 
of Ireland, married Jane Davidson, and to 
them were born five children: William, 
James, David, Hugh and Mrs. Marj' Scott. 
The family lived in Westmoreland county. 
Pa., until 1786, when they came to Alle- 
gheny county and settled where Dix- 
mout now stands. The son William married 
Margaret Boggs, of County Derry, Ireland, 
and they had tliree children; James. David- 
son and Jane. Davidson married Mary 
Jlitchell. and of their four children Margaret 
A. and David (our subject^ are yet living. 
The two deceased are Mrs. Sarah Crawford 
and James H., a soldier of the 4th P. C. who 
died in Andersonville prison. Davidson Duff 



is a farmer, still owning 160 acres in Ohio 
township, formerly purchased by his father. 
He has filled every office in Ohio township, 
acting as justice of the peace for twenty 
years; he is a member of the U. P. Church. 
David Duff married Miss Mary M., daughter 
of Thomas D. Hamilton, and four children 
have blessed them: James 8., Olive B., Harry 
L. L and Pearl A. Mr, and Mrs. Duff are 
members of the U. P. Church, of which he is 
trustee; he is a republican. 

WiLLi.iM Montgomery Duni,.\p. farmer, 
postofflce Valencia, sou of John and Mary 
Ann (Bell) Dunlap, was born in County An- 
trim, Ireland, Oct, 29, 1820. The father died 
when William M. was three j'cars of age, 
and the mother moved to New Jersey in 1829, 
where the family remained two years, and 
then came to this county, locating in Frank- 
lin township. Three years later Mr. Dunlap 
and his brother went to Athens. Ohio, where 
they each bought a farm in the woods, which 
they cleared up. After seven years they be- 
came tired of the woody country, and, sell- 
ing out there, one went west and W. M. came 
to Pine township, this county. Two years 
later he purchased his present farm of 240 
acres, and in 1878 erected a fine house thereon. 
He married, April 6, 1848, Margaret McClin- 
tock, sister of Aaron McCiin tock.of Pine town- 
ship. (See his sketch for parentage.) Seven 
children were born to this union: Mary (Mrs. 
Robert Gibson, now residing at home), Mar- 
garet (Mrs. Joshua Gillespie, who died May 
11, 1887), Elizabeth (Mrs. Simpson English, 
Pine township), Ellen (Mrs. John Dickson), 
John (who lives on a farm near his father), 
McClintock (in Washington Territory) and 
Katie (Mrs. Harry Dickson). Mr, and Mrs. 
Dunlap are members of the M. E. Church, 
of which Mr. Dunlap has been steward three 
years. His paternal grandfather was John 
Dunlap. 

Henry Davidson, farmer, postofflce Cul- 
merville, was born Nov. 26. 1829, in County 
Armagh, Ireland, son of Henry and Jane 
(McClure) Davidson, former of whom died 
in March, 1856, aged si.\ty-six years: he was 
a farmer and administrator, taking an active 
part in county affairs; his wife was a cousin 
of Judge McClure, of the Pittsburgh bench, 
and she died in 1863, aged sixty years, 
Henrj' was the youngest of three sons, and 
came to Pittsburgh in June, 1853, where he 
followed teaming for a short time, and then 
for seven years had a sale-stable in Pitts- 
burgh. He purchased his present farm of 
one hundred acres in 1866, and moved here 
in 1867. He has always dealt in fine horses, 
and purchased them for the army; also to 
ship east and south, many of them .going to 
New York and Philadelphia. He was mar- 
ried, in 1867, to Mary Porter, of West Deer 
township, daughter of John and Margaret 
(Hazelett) Porter, both deceased. Mr. and 
Mrs. Davidson had two children. Henry M, 
and John Alexander, the former now attend- 
ing Center County (Pa.) College. Mrs. 
Davidson died in December. 1877. They 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



673 



were members of the Bull Creek Presbyterian 
Churoh. Mr. Davidson has a farm of two 
hundred acres, witli good buildings. Mr. 
Davidson brought from Ireland, in April, 
1881, two of his sister's daughters, Agnes 
Jane Porter and Lizzie Holmes, both of 
Market hill. County Armagh; the first named 
remains with him still; also a nephew, 
Davidson Parks, of Hamiltorsbaum, County 
Armagh, Ireland, who is doing business for 
himself in the city of Allegheny. 

John Fox was born in Hesseu, Germany, 
in 1811. He was the son of John and Cath- 
erine (Smith) Fox. In 1831 the family 
emigrated to America, John Fox, Sr., pur- 
chasing eighty-eight acres of land in Indiana 
township, this county, where he remained 
until his death. John Fox, Jr., married 
Mary Cook, daughter of John Cook, and to 
them were born three children, Eliza (Mrs. 
Teats) being the only one now living. Mr. 
Fox was a lifelong farmer, and was among 
tlie most successful in Indiana township. 
Kis daughter, Eliza, was married, in 1866, to 
William Teats, a sou of Jacob Teats, of 
Union county. Pa., and to them have been 
born six children; Lavina Mary (deceased). 
John Henry, William Franklin, Emma 
Esther, Charles Amos and Walter Jesse. 
Mr. Teats, after the death of Mr. Fox. as- 
sumed charge of the farm, which has been 
successfully operated under his superin- 
tendency. 

George Weher, Dorseyville, was born 
Jan. 29, 1831. His father. .lohn Weber, was 
a native of Bavaria, Germany, and emi- 
grated to America in 1796, when eighteen 
years of age. He was a weaver bj* trade, 
which he followed for a number of years 
after coming to America. He purchased 112 
acres of land in Indiana township, and mar- 
ried Abigal Heinz, of Fayette county. Pa., 
and seven children have blessed this marriage, 
George being the youngest. He was educated 
at the public schools of the township, learned 
the trade of brick-molding, but has always 
followed farming. In 1859 he married Susan, 
daughter of Samuel Hodil, and to them were 
born seven children, six of whom are now- 
living: Albert C, Maggie (Mrs. Miller), 
EmmaC, IdaM., Eliza J. (deceased), Allie E. 
and G. M. Mr. Weber now owns one-half of 
the land purchased by his father. He is a 
highly respected citizen of Indiana township; 
was school director for twelve years, is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and is 
a republican. 

BEN,TAMtN Ford, inspector of steam boil- 
ers, postoffice Green Tree, was born in Wor- 
cestershire, England, in 1882, son of John 
and Mary (.lenkins) Ford. About 1843 John 
Ford, with his wife and four children, came 
to America, and at once located in Allegheny 
City. John was a practical mechanic, and 
was for ten years employed at Baile}- & 
Brown's rolling-mills as engineer. Having 
by industry and economy secured sufficient 
means, lie purchased a property in Allcghen}' 
•City, where he remained for a number of 



years, happily surrounded by his family. 
Eager to embark again in active life, he went 
to Wheeling, W. Va., and was for some time 
employed in the Belmont uailworks of that 
city; his family had gone to Wheeling, in- 
tending to make a home there, when he was 
seized with cholera and died; his son also 
died of the same disease. 

Benjamin Ford was educated at the pub-' 
lie schools in Allegheny county, and was 
also a student at the niglit schools in the city 
of Allegheny; at eighteen years of age he 
was engaged with his father at engineering, 
and remained in that line of work till the 
death of the latter. In 1855 he went on the 
river as an engineer, where he remained for 
fifteen years; was employed in the citj' as 
assistant boiler-inspector for four j'ears, and 
was then appointed by Gov. Hartranft as 
chief boiler-inspector, which position he 
held for two terms of two years each. He 
then identified himself with the American 
Steam Boiler Insurance company, being their 
chief inspector for Western Pennsylvania 
and West Virginia, and part of Ohio, which 
position he now holds. Mr. Ford wjs mar- 
ried, in 1857, to Miss McGinnis, daughter of 
Samuel McGinnis, who was a prominent 
lumber-merchant of Alleghenj" City. Seven 
children were born to them, of whom the 
following six are living: Mary R., John D., 
Maggie V., William J., Bessie M., Sadie E. 
The family of children are all at home. Mr. 
Ford is a republican, and has been a mem- 
ber of the school board and town council; 
the family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

James Ross Holmes is a son of John 
Holmes, who with' his wife emigrated to this 
county and settled in Temperanceville. 
James was a mechanic by trade, and in 1852 
married Mar}- Ann, daughter of James R. and 
Sarah (Harnett) Fleming. To them were 
born five children, four of whom are now 
living: John F., James R., Andrew Ross 
and David D. The father and husband died 
in 1879; his widow now resides on the old 
homestead, which was her father's property. 

J. R. Fleming was born in County Ty- 
rone, Ireland, in March, 1801, and when five 
years of age came with his parents to Amer- 
ica. His ifather died at sea, and his widowed 
mother finally located in Pittsburgh, where 
she died in 1845. He was married, March 28, 
1828, lo Susan Harnett, lister of Prof. Har- 
nett of Allegheny College. Mr. Fleming's 
early religious life and training had been 
Calvinistic, but when a young man he was 
converted to the Methodist belief, and was a 
member of Wesley chapel. Green Tree; was 
also one of the originators of the church at 
Mansfield. He was a republican. 

W. H. Bryson was liorn in December, 
1849, in West Deer township, this couiity, 
and is a son of David and Margaret (Huggins) 
Bryson. In 1864 he went to Keystone 
Bridg-e-works, in Pittsburgh, and in the spring 
of 1867 one term to Ivy Green Academy. He 
commenced teaching public .school in the 



674 



HISTOUV OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



autumn of the same year, and taught until 
sprinj; of 1874, when he moved on the farm 
where he now resides. He was married, 
ill 1873, to Eliza E., daughter of James 
and Mary (Wilson) Haraillon, of West Deer 
township, and to them was born one child. 
Florence Myrtle. The mother died in 187."), 
and Mr. Brysoa was married, in 1880, to 
Sarah J., daughter of Jo.seph and Sarah 
(Scott) Carlisle. Four children were born 
to them: Wilson Carlisle, Robert Earle. Alice 
May and Wilbert Edwin. The family are 
members of the U. P. Church. Mr. Brysou 
was agent for the Bakerstown Mutual 
Fire Insurance company for three years, 
secretary for three years, and a member of 
the board of directors since 1880; was elected 
road commissioner in 1889; is a member of 
Patrons of Husbandry; has one of the largest 
libraries in the township, and keeps posted 
on the leading questions of the day, both in 
agriculture and politics. He is a republican. 

William Henky Magill, farmer, post- 
office Rural Ridge, was born in April. 1841, 
in this count}-, son of John and Sarah (Ross) 
Magill, former of whom was born in County 
Down. Ireland, in 1803, and latter in West- 
moreland county in 1801. The father came 
to Pittsburgh when siventeen years of age. 
He married and settled on the Magill farm. 
West Deer township, in 1828. Four sons 
and four daughters were born to him: 
Thomas. M. D., in Freeport. Pa.; John Ross, 
in same place, where he has operated a 
foundry for sixteen years, and is now cashier 
of Freeport National Bank; Mary Agnes, 
Mrs. John Allison, and Martha, Mrs. John 
Given, both deceased; Sarah Elizalieth, Mrs. 
.John Ralston, in Freeport: William Henr\-, 
Margaret Ann and George Chambers. .John 
Magill was a leader in local affairs and coun- 
ty politics, and was county auditor for two 
terms; was several years assistant assessor of 
revenue, and held many local offices. He 
was many years school director, and took a 
great interest in education. He was a whig 
and then a republican. In his later days he 
lived in Freeport, where he carried on the 
manufacture of woolen goods. He was 
brought up a Seceder, was then a United 
Presbyterian, and one of the organizers of 
the East Union U. P. Church, in 1850. He 
died at his old home in West Deer township 
in September, 1875; his wife died in March, 
1869. 

W. H. Magill was named for William 
Henrj' Harrison, who died about the time of 
the birth of the former. Mr. Magill was 
educated in the common schools and at the 
academy at Rural Ridge. In September, 
1861, he entered the army, in Co. E, 63d P. 
V. I., Army of the Potomac, serving until 
September of 1864. He was at the siege of 
York, Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, at the 
latter place contracting a fever. He was 
also at Gettysburg. Chancellorsville and the 
battle of the Wilderness, and was shot 
through the left hand May 7. 1864. In 1868 
he married Phcebe Jane Crawford, of Rich- 



land township, daughter of James Sample 
and Mary Jane (Wallace) Crawford, former 
of whom was born in Richland in 1813, and 
died in 1877. latter born in 1817, died in 1886. 
Mrs. Magill's maternal grandparents were 
George and Jane (Reynolds) Wallace, natives 
of Pennsylvania. Her paternal grandparents 
were John and Mary (Sample) Crawford, 
tiorn in this county at an early date. Mr. 
and Mrs. Magill have eight children: Jennie 
S., a teacher; Charles S. C, Annie M., Will- 
iam J. R. . Howard Vincent, Lydia F., 
George H. Tliomas and Rachel Elma. The 
family are members of the U. P. Church, 
and Jlr. Magill is a member of sessions. He 
settled on the farm on account of his health, 
and his father divided the place between him 
and his brother George. In 1882 William 
had typhoid pneumonia, and he has been 
unable to work since. He is now holding 
his fourth commission as justice of the peace. 
He was elected at the age of twentj'-eight. 
appointed, and resigned at the end of his 
second term, in 1877. to serve as representative 
in the state legislature, and was re-elected. 
He served the sessions of 1877-78-79, and 
was then re-elected justice of the peace, and 
has since held that position. 

Arthur J. Hopper, farmer, postofflce 
Lawrence, Washington county, was born 
in Lancaster county in 1816, a descendant 
of one of the oldest families of South Faj'- 
ette township. Samuel Hopper, a native of 
Ireland, immigrated in an early day to Amer- 
ica, and located for a few years in Lancaster 
county. Pa., where in 1811 he married Elizii- 
beth Barkley. Soon after he bought a small 
tract of land in this county. The land was 
all woods at that time, but in a short time he 
had his land under cultivation. He was very 
successful in all his undertakings, and in- 
creased his wealth rapidly. He resided on 
this farm until his death, in 1876. His family 
consisted of six sons and three daughters. 
Robert Hopper, his eldest son, was born in 
1812, and married Abigail, daughter of Peter 
Hickman, of South Fayette township. Four- 
teen children were born to this union, nine 
of whom are now living. He was a success- 
fid farmer, and at his death, in 1880. owned 
450 acres of land. His eldest son. Samuel, 
married Margaret, daughter of Robert Fife, 
of Upper St. Clair, this county, and he had 
one child, Mamie. He resides on his farm, 
two miles west of Noblestown, Pa., and is in 
the milk business. John, his second son, 
married Elizabeth, daughter of Charles S. 
Van Kirk, of Washington count}-. Pa. He 
owns and resides on the old homestead, and 
is a successful farmer. Goodman C, the 
third son, married Ida McCune, of Oakdale, 
Pti. ; he is a farmer, and resides on his farm, 
three miles west of Bridgeville, Pa. William 
P.. the fourth son. married Annie, daughter 
of Joseph Caldwell, of Washington county. 
Pa.; he is a farmer. Daniel W., fifth son. 
married Maggie, daughter of Alexander 
Campbell; be resides on his farm, near Fed- 
eral, this county. Nancy married Johnston 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



675 



A., son of John Fife, of Upper St. Clair, this 
county; is in the dairy business, and resides 
on his farm, two miles north of Oakdale. 
Sarah married William H., son of William 
Young, of Washington county, Pa.; he is a 
carpenter, and resides on a small farm near 
Boyce's Station, on the C. V. R. R. Mag- 
gie J. married Samuel A., son of Lj^san- 
der Poster, of Bridgeville, Pa. ; he keeps a 
good general store in Bridgeville. Minnie 
L. Hopper is single, and resides with her 
sister, Mrs. Foster. Andrew, the second son 
of Samuel Hopper, married Sarah Anne, 
daughter of James McKown, and several 
children were born to them, of whom but 
one is now living; he was a farmer. Samuel, 
the third son, married Margaret Smith; his 
descendants were two sons and one daughter. 
Arthur J., the fourth son, and the subject 
proper of this sketch, is a retired farmer, and 
resides on his farm in Washington countj'. 
Pa, He was married, in 1841, to Elizabeth, 
daughter of Moses Middlesworth, one of the 
original pioneers of South Fayette township. 
Five children were born to this union, two of 
wiiom are now living. Samuel N. is an in- 
telligent farmer, married to Jennie, daughter 
of Joseph Caldwell, of Peters township, and 
b\' her had four children, of whom three 
are living; he resides on his father's farm, 
near Hill's Station, C. V. R. R. Viola Jane 
married James, son of Benjamin Hick- 
man, and three children were born to them; 
he resides on his farm in Washington county. 
John Hopper, fifth son of Samuel, mar- 
ried Margaret, daughter of Hugh Morgan, 
an old pioneer of South Fayette township, 
and six sons and one daughter were born to 
them. Morgan S., the eldest son, married 
Etta J. Shane, and by her had three children, 
two now living; he resides on one of his 
father's farms, the old homestead of his 
grandfathers. Annie married William Mc- 
Henr3', and two children were born to them; 
they reside in West Newton; he is in the 
agricultural business. Westley, James, Har- 
ry and Billingsley are single, and live with 
their father on his farm, near Bridgeville. 
James, tlie sixth sou of Samuel, was killed by 
the kick of a horse. Nancy, first daughter, 
married Alexander Fitzpatrick, and five 
children were born to them, three of whom 
are now living; she was a farmer's wife, and 
resided on his farm in Jefferson county, 
Ohio. Elizabeth, second daughter, married 
Thomas Campbell, a farmer, and they have 
one child, Samuel John, residing with his 
mother on their farm, in South Fayette 
^ownship. Mary Anne, third daughter, mar- 
ried James, son of Robert Wallace, and five 
children were born to them: Samuel, James, 
Arthur, Lizzie and Jennie. Jennie is living 
in a house which she owns in the village of 
Oakdale. This generation are all members 
of the Presbyterian Church, and are repub- 
licans. 

John Nicholas P.\hlmann, farmer, post- 
ofitce Negley. a son of John Pahlmann, was 
born in Germany, Dec. 6, 1850. He received 



his education in the common schools of Penn 
township, and has always been a farmer. In 
1880 he married Martha Elizabeth Stotler. 
born in Penn, and thej' have four children: 
Alfred Alexander, Harry Logan, Annie Eliza- 
beth and John Addison. The family is con- 
nected with the Unity U. P. Church. Mr. 
Pahlmann is a republican. 

Thompson B. De Armit, superintendent, 
postoffice Turtle Creek, was born in Holli- 
daysburg. Pa., Sept. 10, 1856, a son of 
Alexander and Julia A. (Piper) De Armit, of 
Pennsylvania. Alexander De Armit enlisted 
in a Pennsylvania cavalry regiment in the 
civil war, and was killed in the service. The 
son moved to Pittsburgh in 1871, and engaged 
in the tobacco and gents' furnishing-goods 
business on Penn avenue; two years later he 
was employed by Dickson, Stewart & Co., 
coal-operators, as collector. He acquired a 
knowledge of telegraphy while employed 
with this firm, and was later on made pay- 
master at their three mines. In 1877 he 
engaged with the New York & Cleveland 
Gas Coal company as mine-clerk and tele- 
graph-operator at the Plum Creek mine, 
which position he kept until the death of J. 
W. Doak, superintendent of the mine, in 
1886, when he was promoted to that position. 
Two years later, upon the resignation of Jolm 
Mcintosh, superintendent of the Turtle 
Creek (Oak Hill) mines of the same companj', 
he had added to his other position the super- 
intendency of these mines. In 1881 Mr. 
De Armit married Theodosia, daughter of 
Emanuel and Nancy (Alter) Stotler, of Penn 
township, and they have four children: Ella 
May, Edith Gail, Eugene Stotler and Theo- 
dosia Ada. Mr. De Armit is a member of 
New Texas Presbyterian Church, and is a 
republican. 

R. W. Jeffrey, farmer, postofiice Cliff 
Mine, is a grandson of one of the earl)' 
settlers of Fayette township. Samuel Jeffrey, 
who was born in Ireland, emigrated to 
America, locating first in Maryland, but later 
coming to Alleghen}' county, where he took 
up a tract of land from the government. He 
married Jane Hanna, who bore him nine 
children. John, the j'oungest child, born in 
1796, became a farmer, married Maria Stod- 
dard, and by her had ten children, six of 
whom are now living. ' John died in 1858. 
Of his children, R. W., the third child, was 
born and reared on a farm, the pursuits of 
which he has always followed, and he now 
has one hundred acres of land, formerly the 
property of Mr. Elliott. He married Martha, 
daughter of George Elliott, and she has borne 
him four children, all of whom are living: 
Anna, Lelia, Ella and George. Mr. Jeffrey 
and family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church; he is a republican. 

Andrew W. Crooks, farmer, postoffice 
North Star, was born in 18.52, in Washington 
county. Pa., a son of Richard and Hannah 
(Walker) Crooks, and grandson of Henry 
and Catherine (Donaldson) Crooks. Rich- 
ard, the eldest of three children, was born in 



676 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



182"3, and is now a prosperous farmor in 
\Vasliiui;ton county- Hannah Walker is a 
(lauglitcr of Jolin Walker, and grand-daugli- 
tur of James anil Mary (Andrews) Walker. 
James Walker eniiiiralcd to Allegheny county 
from Ohio in oraliout 1W»0. He was born in 
1795, and died in 1870. His first purchase of 
land was one hundred acres, but at his death 
he owned a tract of 226 acres, allpf which is 
valuable. Andrew AV. Crooks was boru and 
reared on a farm, and educated at Manstield 
Academy and Washington and Jefferson Col- 
lege. He has followed farming as an occu- 
pation. He married, in 187(>. Ida, daughter 
of A. D. and Martha (Ball) Burns, and three 
children bless their union: Ferna Dorcas, 
James Burns and Walker Donaldson. Our 
subject, at his grandfather's death, inherited 
one hundred acres of the homestead farm. 
Mr. and Mrs. Crooks are members of the 
Presbyterian Church; he is a republican. 

Robert Campbell, barge- and boat- 
builder. West Elizabeth, sou of William and 
Emily Campbell, was born iu Beaver county, 
Pa., in 1842. Until 1861 his home was with 
his parents. He then enlisted in Co. F, 10th 
P. R. ; was wounded June 27, 1862, at the 
battle of Gaines' Mills, near Richmond. Va. ; 
was captured that time, and taken by way of 
Savage Stati<m to Richmond, and confined in 
Castle Thunder and Libby prison. After 
being detained six weeks he was paroled, 
afterward completed the term of his enlist- 
ment, and was mustered out of the service 
June 11, 1864. at Pittsburgh, and returned to 
his home in Beaver county. July 18, 1868. 
he married SarahJ., daughter of Benjamin 
and Sarah Todd, of Beaver county, and set- 
tled in what was then Birmingham, now a 
portion of the city of Pittsburgh. He then 
worked at barge-building until the following 
year, when the reopening of his wound was 
the occasion of his return to Beaver county. 
Later he moved to Freeport. Armstrong 
county, thence to Pitlsliurgh, and in 1872 he 
located at West Elizabeth, pursuing his old 
business of barge- and lioat-building. The 
children of Mr. aud Mrs. Campbell are James 
(educated in Washington and Jefferson Col- 
lege, and now teaching in Jefferson town- 
ship), Lucy, Bert, Leonora, Ivy C. and Nel- 
lie. The parents are members of the Meth- 
odist Church. 

William Gamble was born in London- 
derry, Ireland, about the year 1775. He came 
to America when seventeen years of age, and 
directly to Pittsburgh, where his friends were 
living. Pittsburgh being then in its infancy, 
he could count the houses, but he remained 
there until 1821. On Dec. 1, 1807, he was 
sent by Maj. Isaac Craig to carry money to 
the troops stationed at Detroit — the amount 
being sixty-five hundred dollars — which he 
carried safely, sewed up in a jacket worn un- 
der his clothing. December 30th Mr. Gamble 
returned to Pittsburgh, after a perilous jour- 
ney through hostile Indian tribes. He had 
to employ a friendly Indian guide for a part 
of the distance, as there were no roads, not 



even a path to be found. He had to swim 
three rivers, and lay in the woods four cold 
nights. For this service he received S150. 
He afterward (assisted by another man) su- 
perintended the building of the garrison wall, 
an<l had contracts for paving some of the 
old streets in Pittsburgh. Dec. 14, 1815, he 
married Mary Sherred. In 1821 he bought a 
farm in Buffalo township, Washington coun- 
ty. Pa., and moved there, but was dissatisfied 
with being so far from Pittsburgh. In 1829 
he purchased a portion of "Bower Hill," 
Allegheny county (noted as the scene of the 
whisky insurrection), where he passed the 
remainder of his life. He had eight sons and 
three daughters, only three of whom are now 
living, viz.: George K., Thomas L. and 
Mar}'. William Gamble, the subject of this 
sketch, was reared an Episcopalian, and was 
identified with and helped build the "stone 
church," at Woodsville, Alleghen}' county, 
and while able to attend was one of the ves- 
try. He died July 13, 1865, at the age of 
ninety years; his widow survived him five 
years. 

Richard G. Smith, farmer, postoffice 
Fairhaven, was born in Hamilton county, 
Ohio. His paternal grandfather, a native of 
Ireland, immigrated to America and located 
in Westmoreland county, Pa., where he 
farmed the land upon which, at a later 
period, was erected a handsome Catholic 
cathedral. He reared a large family. One 
son, David, was captain of a canal-boat on 
the Maumee canal. By trade lie was a 
tanner, but on coming to this count}', in 
March, 1851, he followed farming until his 
death, which occurred Dec. 5, 1880. His 
wife was Emily, daughter of William Boggs, 
an old settler; she died in 1877. Mr. and 
Mrs. David Smith were Presbyterians, and 
their children were William D., George W., 
Mrs. Mary E. Lafferty and Richard G. The 
last named married, in this county. Hannah 
Cherry, and three children have been boru 
to them: Edna M.. Walter H. aud Howard 
C. Richard G. Smith has followed farming 
since early life. He is a republican, as was. 
his father before him. 

Epiiraim Culp Moweb, butcher, post- 
office Turtle Creek, was born in Philadelphia 
in 1844. His parents, Jacob and Mary Jane 
Mower, of German and English descent, 
respectively, died when he was young, and 
he was reared by an uncle, Ephraim Hollis. 
After the age of fourteen years young Mower 
cared for himself, under his uncle's kind tu- 
telage. He spent three years on a farm, and 
before he was eighteen years of age enlisted 
in Co. I, 82d P. V. With this regiment he 
served until the close of the rebellion, re-en- 
listing at the end of the first three years, and, 
as a member of the Army of the Potomac, saw 
hard service at the battles of Bull run and 
Cold Harbor. During the greater part of his 
service Mr. Mower was detailed as teamster, 
his uncle, above mentioned, being also en- 
gaged in the same capacity. After the war 
Mr. Mower settled iu Allegheny county, and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



677 



was employed as a miuer.and in various wa.ys. 
In 1876 lie opened a meat-market at Turtle 
Creek, and sold out two years later. In 1881 
he again began the same business at New- 
town, and has continued there since. He 
owns two dwellings and his place of business, 
and still keeps up association with military 
friends through the G. A. R. In June, 1877, 
Mr. Mower married Mary Jane, daughter of 
Jackson and Margaret Ann (Dobbins) Ed- 
wards. Mrs. Edwards died when her daughter 
was an infant. Mr. Edwards is now a resi- 
dent of Newtown, engaged in mining coal. 
He was a soldier in an Illinois regiment dur- 
ing the civil war, in the southwest. Mrs. 
Mower was born in Carroll county, Mo., and 
is the mother of four children: Maggie Jane, 
Francis Edward, William Jacksou and George 
Jacob. 

Mathi.4s Voeotly. farmer, postoffice 
Ross, was born Oct. 38, 1844, in Allegheny 
City, Pa., the son of John J. Voegtly. He 
was educated in this county, and is a success- 
ful farmer, owning fifty-eight acres of land. 
He has been twice married, first to Sarah B. 
Wible. and after her death to Jane E., 
daughter of John Guyton, an old settler of 
McCandless township. Mr. and Mrs.Voegtly 
are members of the Hilaud Presbyterian 
Church. Politically he is a republican. 

Capt. Thomas McMasters (deceased) was 
born in Pittsburgh June 15, 1832. His par 
ents, John and Rachel (Hughey) McMasters, 
of Irish and American birth, respectively, 
settled, when Thomas was a child, on a farm 
near Turtle Creek village, where they died. 
Thomas inherited some city property and the 
farm on which he made his home all his life. 
He was an active worker in the republican 
party, but sought no office for himself. He 
was associated with the L". P. Church, and 
was widely known as the friend of the poor, 
and a generous contributor to all good ob- 
jects. He was physically strong, but died 
from the effects of a carbuncle on his neck, 
in 1872. This occurred two months after the 
completion of his fine mansion, in which his 
widow and daughter now reside. In 1860 he 
married Margaret, daughter of Gen. C. P. 
and Sarah A. (Lippincott) Markle, of West- 
moreland county. Gen. Markle was of Ger- 
man, and his wife of English extraction. 
The only child of Capt. and Mrs. McMasters, 
Rachel H., is the wife of M. C. Miller. Our 
subject was for several years captain of a 
militia company, which gave him his title. 

John Chr. Klein, merchant, postoflice 
Carrick, was born Feb. 22, 1832, in Saxony, 
Germany, a son of Johan Cristoph and Amelia 
Klein, who had five children: John C, Will- 
iam B., Frederick C, Carl C. and Mrs. 
Amalia T. Lanch. Of these John C. learned 
the machinist's trade, and traveled six years 
in Germany. He served three years in the 
German armj'wilh infantry and artillery, and 
in May, 1847, came to America, where he fol- 
lowed his trade, in Allegheny, one year. After 
working at same for eight years he embarked 
in the heavy hardware business in Birming- 



ham, and of his firm he is yet the senior 

member. He married Louise Brackenmiser, 

and their children were William B., Gustav 

A. and Frederick C, a bright young man, 

I who died at the age of twenty.-six. After 

j the death of his first wife Mr. Klein married 

I Rebecca Braun, and six children blessed their 

union: Frederick, Ida, Johan C Emma, 

Bertha and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Klein 

are members of the Protestant Church. He 

j is a member of the I. O. O. P. and of the 

Turnverein. 
I August Goldstrohm, hotel-keeper, Brin- 
' ton, was born near Darmstadt, Germany, Feb. 
I 3, 1846, and is the youngest of nine children 
I born to August and Kate Goldstrohm. The 
' mother died soon after his birth, and in 18-56 
i the father brought his family to America. 
; Seven of the children are now living, and all 
except one, who is in Baltimore, reside in 
t this vicinity. The father made his home 
with the eldest son, who is a butcher, and 
died at Elizabeth in 1883, contemporary with 
the century. Our subject began life as a 
butcher's assistant, and in 1860 went to Bal- 
timore, where he learned the baker's trade. 
In 1872 he opened a bakery at Turtle Creek, 
and eight years later moved to Oak Hill, 
where he began his present business. He is 
now engaged in building a dwelling, and also 
owns the house he occupies. He is a mem- 
ber of the G. L. Church, at McKeesport, and 
has always been a democrat. In 1866 he 
married Hannah Jenker, a native of Butler 
county, daughter of Henry and Christina 
Jenker, of Germany, and ten children have 
blessed their union: Conrad, August. Katie. 
Tillie. Elizabeth, Harry,' George, William, 
James and Charles. 

George Fisher, farmer, postoflice 

Bakerstown, is a son of John M. Fisher, a 

native of Germany, who came to America in 

1845, and first located at Evergreen, in Ross 

township, remained for ten years, and then 

moved to Hampton township, where he now 

resides. Mr. Fisher was born in Germany 

I in 1844, was reared and educated in this 

county, and first engaged in farming near 

I Gibsonia, and in 1875 purchased his present 

[ farm. In 1868 he married Catherine Par- 

donner, daughter of Peter Pardonner, of 

Ross township. They have five children: 

Henry, Clara, Eva. George and Ida. Mr. 

j Fisher has held the oflice of school director 

of the township. He and his family are 

members of the G. L. Church of Little Pine 

Creek. 

. James Wilson, retired, postoffice Carrick. 

was born July 17, 1813, on the old Wilson 

homestead. John Wilson, his grandfather, 

j a native of Ireland, and of Scotch descent, 

married a Scotch lady, and coming to Amer- 

j ica shortly after the Revolution, settled in 

1 Baldwin township, where our subject now 

I resides on one hundred acres of land. They 

had three children: John, Jame» and Samuel. 

! Of these John, father of James, the subject 

j of this memoir, was born here and was twice 

! married; first to Sarah, daughter of James 



678 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Kiddoo. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were mcnil)ers 
of Concord Presbj'lerian Church, in which he 
was an eUler for many 3'ears, his influence 
for !;ond bcinj;- far-reaching; they had two 
children. Jiinics and John. His second wife, 
Elizabeth, dauslitcr of David Morrow, bore 
him five children; David, JIarv .J., Joseph 
F., William and Thomas M. Our subject 
man-ied Eliza J. Hankin. and they had three 
children: Ursida H., AVilhelmiua and Mary 
J. (who died at the age of thirteen 3'ears). 
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are Presbj'terians. In 
early life he was a wagon-maker, subsequent- 
ly a merchant, and was postmaster of Carrick 
postofBce nineteen years. 

William Grat, blacksmith, postoffice Tur- 
tle Creek, was born June 23, 1817, on the place 
where he now resides. He learned his trade 
with his father and elder brother, and has 
since followed it. For ten j'ears he kept 
shop at Turtle Creek, and then bought the 
parental home from his brother. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church in Brad- 
dock, and has been a republican since the 
administration of James Buchanan. In 1839 
he married Elizabeth Chalfant, who was 
born in what is now Patton township, a 
daughter of Ananias and Elizabeth (Hughey) 
Clialfant. Their children were George, in 
Cleveland,©.; Charles C, in Le Roy. Kan.; 
Annie, Mrs. Thomas Dobson, in Wilkins- 
burg; Jane Marj', wife of George Larimer, in 
Turtle Creek; Isabel, wife of David Weddell, 
in McKeesport; William Wells, in McKees- 
port; James O., in Dakota; Rachel, wife of 
John Bebout, in Wilkinsbiirg, and Laura, de- 
ceased wife of Cassius Larimer. Ananias 
and Thomas Addison died when small. 
George served three j-ears in the 62d P. V., 
and received a wound at the battle of Gaines' 
Mills, for which he draws a pension. Charles 
was in the 105th regiment for fifteen months. 

John Miller, Jr.. farmer, postoflice 
Stewart's Station, a son of John and Polly 
Miller, was born on the farm he now owns, in 
North Versailles township, in 1818. His 
grandfather, George Miller, of German de- 
scent, settled here at an early day, where he 
lived and died. John and Polly Miller were 
among the pioneers of North Versailles 
township, and reared a family of seven 
children; George (deceased), William S. 
(deceased), Charles, Jacob, Levi (deceased), 
Jonathan and John, Jr. John and Polly 
Miller, after rearing and educating their chil- 
dren, died in North Versailles township. 
John, Jr., married, in 1845, Eleanor Black, 
and located on the farm he now owns, and to 
them have been born five children; John S., 
R B., Mary M., George and C. E. Mrs. Mill 
er is a member of the Presbyterian Church; 
politically he is a democrat. 

S. W. Morrow, farmer, postoflice Bakers- 
town, is the third sou of Richard and Mary 
(Miller) Morrow, and was born on the home- 
stead, in this township, Jan. 14, 1834. In 
1861 he purchased his present farm, and has 
always been engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. He married, in 18.58. EHzabeth Splane, 



daughter of George and Jane Ann (Russell) 
Splane, of Pittsburgh. They have four 
children living: Elmer E., Thomas, Richard 
and Mary Jane, all at home. Mr. Morrow 
has held the oflice of constable of the town- 
ship for twenty years, and has also been 
supervisor. 

Daniel W. Morrow, farmer, postoflSce 
Bakerstown, is the fifth son of Richard and 
Mary (Miller) Morrow, and was born on the 
homestead Oct. 6, 1842. He has always 
followed farming, moving on his present 
place in 1872. In 1870 iie married Mary, 
daughter of Benjamin Seibert, a native of 
Switzerland. They have eight living chil- 
dren: Elizabeth, Emma J., Ephraim. Fred- 
erick, Mary, Thomas M., Katie and Grace. 
Mr. Morrow has held the office of supervisor 
and school director of the township, and at 
present is assessor. The family attends the 
Presbyterian Church of Bakerstown. 

Andrew Pierce (deceased). Some time 
about 1750 Andrew Pierce, a native of En- 
gland, came to America, and located for a 
short time in New York. Later he moved to 
New Jerse}', where he was married, and be- 
came the father of seven sons. Andrew 
came to Western Pennsylvania and purchased 
four thousand acres of land in what is now 
Elizabeth township, Allegheny' county. 
There he remained until the outbreak of the 
Revolution, when, with his two sous, he came 
east and entered the service of his country. 
At the close of that struggle he returned to 
Allegheny county, and continued farming 
until his death. Lewis was born in 1759. 
He was a farmer, and married Cassandra 
Pemick, a native of England, and ten chil- 
dren were born to them. Andrew was born 
in 1809 in Elizabeth township, this county, 
where he resided until 1839. He then came 
to North Fayette township and purchased 
two hundred acres of land, where he resided 
till his death. He married, in 1833, Sarah, "" 
daughter of Dr. Joseph Nicholson, and to 
them were born four children. His second 
wife was Jane, daughter of John and Mary 
(Middleswarth) Chess. Mr. Pierce was 
among the most prominent and successful 
farmers in North Fayette township, and was 
also engaged in dairying. He was a member 
of the M. E. Church, and was a republican. ■ 

Leopold Wiqand, of the firm of Hender- 
son & Wigand. City Bottling-works, Mc- 
Keesport, was born in Prussia, Nov. 15, 1853, 
a son of Andrew Wigand. He was reared 
and educated in his native country, and came 
to America in 1872, locating in McKeesport 
in 1873, where for five j'ears he was clerk in 
a wholesale liquor-house. From 1878 to 1881 
he was a resident of Michigan, but, returning 
to McKeesport in the latteryear.he embarked 
in the liquor business, in which he was en- 
gaged five years. In 1886 he took a whole- 
sale agency for a Wheeling brewery, with 
which he is still engaged, and in 1887 the 
Citj' Bottling-works was established, under 
the firm name of Henderson & Wigand 
Our subject married, in 1881. Elizabeth, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



679 



daughter of Christopber Becker, of McKees- 
port, and by her has two cliilflren: Willie and 
Leo. Mr. Wigand is a member of the R. C. 
Church, and is a democrat. 

Rev. William Aloysiiis Cunningham, 
postofflce Turtle Creek, was born in Alle- 
gheny City, Pa., Aug. 1, 1856, a son of Chris- 
topher and Sarah Cunningham, of Ireland. 
Up to twelve years of age he attended the 
Sisters' school in his native city, then the 
public schools nearly two j^ears, and after 
three years in St. Michael's school, Pittsburgh, 
entered Mount St. Mary's College atEmmits- 
burg, Md., and was ordained from there by 
Bishop Tuigg, May 6, 1882. During the 
next two years he was engaged as assistant 
rector of St. John's congregation, on the 
South Side, Pittsburgh, and in 1884 was es- 
tablished as rector of St. Colman's Roman 
Catholic Church at Turtle Creek village, 
which congregation is thriving under his 
charge. Rev. Mr. Cunningham is one of the 
editors of the Catholic, published in Pitts- 
burgh, and gives promise of much usefulness 
in the church. 

WiLLi.iM S. Fenton, gardener, postofflce 
Hero, a son of Thomas and Martha Fenton, 
was born June 10, 183.5, in what is now Lin- 
coln township. Thomas was a native of 
Washington county, Pa., where he married 
and reared a family of five children, only two 
of whom are now living: Martha J. (Mrs. Mc- 
Coy),of Westmoreland county, and William S. 
The latter married, Aug. 6, 1857, Lizzie Jane, 
daughter of Samuel Shaler, of McKeesport, 
where they located and engaged in mercan- 
tile business. Seven years later they re- 
moved to their present residence in Reynold- 
ton, where Mr. Fenton is now engaged in 
gardening. His mother died in 18-14, and 
his father now makes his home with him. 
Mr. and Mrs. Fenton have five children: 
John W. L., Ina A. (Mrs. I. L Shadle, of 
Altoona), Lizzie S. (Mrs. Malan E. Davis, of 
Duquesne), Thomas G. and Winnie R. The 
parents are members of the M. E. Church at 
Reynoldton; he is a republican. 

Jacob Wheelek Padl, manufacturer, 
postofflce Hultou, is the fourth child of .Jacob 
and Mary (Wheeler) Paul, and was born at 
Germantown, Pa., in 1839. Jacob Wheeler, 
his maternal grandfather, was a native of 
Switzerland, who settled near Philadelphia. 
The Paul family is probably of Franco- 
German origin, but dates back for several 
generations in this country. Jacob Paul 
died in 1834, and next year his widow came 
with her children to Pittsburgh. Their 
present places of residence are as follows: 
Susan (McCandless), Verona; Thaddeus W., 
Colorado, and Rachel (Pears), Pittsburgh. 
J. W. Paul had little opportunity for educa- 
tion, and began life early as steward's boy 
on an Ohio river steamboat. By steady ad- 
vances he had become captain of a steamer 
when lie left the river, at the age of twenty- 
two. For twenty-one years he engaged in 
the manufacture of glass in Birmingham, 
and in 1873 established the manufacture of 



steel railroad-tools at Verona, and became a 
resident here. The business has been suc- 
cessful, and he now employs 125 people, the 
goods finding market in Africa and South 
America, as well as throughout our country 
and Canada. Mr. Paul is an active member 
of the P. _E. Church, being one of its stand- 
ing committee, and lias always been a repub- 
lican. In 1850 he married his cousin. Miss 
Susan, daughter of Adam and Ann (Wheeler) 
Fries, born near Philadelphia, in 1830. 
Their living children are Henry S., Mary 
(Mrs. H. W. Armstrong), Jane (Mrs. Charles 
Baker), Ann (wife of EthalbertNevin), Ellen 
and Edwin. Adam, the first born, died at 
the age of twenty-one. 

John Zollinger, brick-manufacturer, 
Wilkinsburg, was born Oct 7, 1844, in West- 
moreland count3% this state (see sketch of 
Louis Zollinger). His mother's ancestors 
came from Germany and settled in Lan- 
caster county, and his maternal grandmother 
lived to be over ninety years old. At that 
age she frequently walked from her home, at 
East Liberty, to Wilkinsburg. John Zollinger 
attended the Pittsburgh schools till ten years 
of age, when he went to work in a brickyard. 
In 1864 he enlisted in an independent com- 
pany which was mustered as part of the 
97th P. V. I., and served on provost duty 
about Baltimore, under Capt. W. R. Jones, 
till the close of the war. After spending 
four years in Macon county, Mo., he located 
in Wilkinsburg. In 1880, with his brother, 
Louis, he established the brick-manufactur- 
ing business, which they still continue near 
Brushton. In 1885 he built the handsome 
double brick residence in which he resides. 
Mr. Zollinger is a member of the G. A. R., 
Jr. O. U. A. M., and is now treasurer of 
Sterrett township. He has always affiliated 
with the republican party, and, with his 
wife, is a member of Wilkinsburg M. E. 
Church. In 1871 he married Mary E. Kuapp, 
a native of Pittsburgh, and daughter of 
Thomas and Sarah Jane (.Tones) Knapp, of 
Fitchburg, Mass., of old New England fami- 
lies. Mr. and Mrs. Zollinger have one son, 
James Clifford. 

William S. Ramsey, M. D., Coraopolis, 
was born at Frankfort Springs, Beaver 
county. Pa.. Sept. 23, 1856. His father, 
James H. Ramsey, born near Frankfort 
Springs, is a practicing physician and sur- 
geon at West Bridgewater, Beaver county. 
He is a son of John and Marj' (Hay) Ramsey, 
Scotch Presbyterians. .James H. Ramsey 
married Agnes Stuart, who was born at 
Hookstown, Pa., daughter of William and 
Nancj' (Goshorn) Stuart, members of the U. 
P. Church. James H. and Agnes (Stnart) 
Ramsey are members of the U. P. Church. 
They have had seven children: William S., 
Marj' E., Nina A.. Laura O. (wife of Lewis 
Weinman), Myra B., J. Edgar and Hallie E. 
William S. attended Franljfort Springs 
Academy until the age of nineteen, and read 
medicine with his father. At nineteen he 
entered Cleveland (Ohio) Medical College, 



680 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



wbere he graduated in 1877. He first located 
at Clinton, Allegheny county, and after 
eighteen months removed to West Bridge- 
water; two years later he formed a partner- 
ship with his father. In April, 1885, he lo- 
cated in Coraopolis, where he has since prac- 
ticed his profession. He was a member of 
the Beaver County Medical association. The 
doctor was united in marriage, Sept. 16. 1880. 
to Mary E. Stevenson, who was born at 
Frankfort Springs. Pa., a daughter of John 
and Jane (Ewing) Stevenson. Doctor and 
Mrs. Ramsey have two children, Edna J. 
and Wayne S. The parents are members of 
the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Ramsey is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., Jr. O. U. A. M. 
and K. O. T. M. Coraopolis lodges. Dr. 
Ramsey is highly esteemed in Coraopolis and 
vicinity, not only as a skillful physician and 
surgeon, but also as a representative citizen 
and Christian gentleman. 

Joseph Wallace, retired, Oakdale, was 
born in Allegheny county in 1820. His par- 
ents. Robert and Elizabeth (Aikens) Wallace, 
of New .Jersey, had a family of six children, 
four of whom are now living. Robert wasa 
farmer, and came to AUeghenj- county in 
1828. He was a son of Samuel Wallace, who 
came from Scotland at an early day. Robert 
died at the age of seventy-two years, and at 
the time of his death owned two hundred 
acres of land. Joseph was born and reared 
on a farm, and educated at the public schools. 
He married, in 1843, Mary, daughter of James 
Dunbar, of Washington county. Pa., and 
seven children were born to this marriage, 
two now living, John Harper and Ella Jane. 
Mr. Wallace has retired from active life, and 
now resides in his comfortable home at Oak- 
dale. His son lives on the farm and culti- 
vates it. Mr. Wallace is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and is a republican. 

Jonathan H. Wood, steamboat captain, 
Pittsburgh, a son of Jonathan H.. Sr., and 
"Wilhemina Wood, was born in Allegheny 
county. Pa., in 1840. Like his brother, John 
A., he has followed boating from childhood 
to the present time, and for seventeen years 
was captain of a steamer plying between 
Louisville. Ky., and New Orleans. For fifteen 
years he was a member of the firm of D. B. 
"Wood & Bros., coal-merchants, in New Or- 
leans. He married, in 186.5, Margaret, daugh- 
ter of Jacob and Margaret Michael, and by 
her has had seven children; John, Stella H. 
(wife of William Philip), Jonathan H., George 
W., Edna M., Daniel T. and Joseph D. 

James Wall, farmer, postoffice Sunny 
Side, is adescendant of Walter and Elsa (Ap- 
plegate) Wall, who were among the early set- 
tlers of Allegheny county, being the second 
family that located in what is now Forward 
township, coming from New Jersey. They 
had six children: James, Isaac, John, Re- 
becca, Hannah and Betsey, all deceased. 
John, the father of our subject, settled on 
the place now occupied by William Wall, it 
being the first frame house built in the town- 
ship. He had three children; Orpha (de- 



ceased), AVilson (who resides in Forward 
township), and .James, who was born in Jan- 
uary, 1808, and was educated in tlie common 
schools of the countj-. He was married, 
April 30, 1829, to Mary, daughter of William 
Manown, and by their union they had five 
children; John, William M.. Wilson, Stephen 
and Mary Elizabeth. Jlrs. Wall's family are 
all living, except Wilson. Our subject has 
alwa3'S been engaged in farming, and n(jw, 
at the age of eighty, is reaping the reward of 
a successful life. He is a member of the 
Methodist Church. 

John Dick Hardie. carpenter, postoffice 
Verona, was born inFifeshire, Scotland, Feb. 
32, 1844, a son of Robert and Isabella (Dick) 
Hardie. He received a good education, and 
when seventeen years old began to serve 
his apprenticeship of three and one-half 
years. For some time he followed house- 
building, and then became a joiner in ship- 
building. In 1869 he came to America, and 
the next year he located in Allegheny county. 
After spending six years in Pittsburgh, he 
came to Verona, in 1876. He purchased land 
here and has built three houses thereon. Since 
his residence here he has been a coach-builder 
in the A. V. R. R. shops. He is a communi- 
cant in the U. P. Church, and a republican 
with prohibition sj'mpathies. In 1874 he 
married Sarah Steele, a native of Ireland. 
The children of the family are named, in 
order of age, respectively; Robert Steele, 
Margaret Isabella, Sarah Emma and Anna 
Dale. 

Alexander Dietrich, butcher, McKees- 
port, was born in Lorraine, France (now 
Germany). Sept. 16. 1837, a son of John (Hav- 
ener) Dietrich. He came to America in 1852. 
and located in Pittsburgh, where he served 
an apprenticeship of nine years at butcher- 
ing. In 1861 he embarked in business for 
himself at Coultersville. this county, remain- 
ing fifteen j'ears, and in 1876 came to Mc- 
Keesport, where he embarked in the same 
line of business. April 6, 1861, he married 
Lena, dauschter of Messer and Anna Smith, of 
Bavaria, Germany, and has nine children; 
Lena (Mrs. John Lang), Joseph, Annie (Mrs. 
Fred Held). Susan, Katie, Mollie, Heniy, 
Stephen and Frank. Mr. Dietrich carries 
life insurance to the amount of $23,000. He 
is a member of the R. C. Church and the C. 
M. B. A. ; he is a democrat. 

James R. Redm.wj, hardwood manufact- 
urer, postoffice Crafton, a son of John and 
Margaret (Dryden) Redman, was born in 
Allegheny county. Pa., in 1857. His father 
was born in England in 1813. and when 
about three years old came to this country 
with his parents, who settled in this county. 
John Redman's parents had six children, 
only one of whom, Jane, is now living. 
John Redman married, in 1838, Margaret, 
daughter of Arnot and Julia Dryden, and by 
this union there were nine children; John 
W., Harriet E. (Mrs. T. C. Penne), Charles 
A., Laura V., George T., Laura V. (Mrs. M. 
D. Hays), Frank H., Charlotte and James R. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



681 



All of the above are deceased except James 
R. Their father in early life learued glass- 
tnaljing, but he spent most of his life iu 
building boats and in the lumber business. 
He was for many years a heavy operator in 
those lines along the Monongahela river, and 
was very successful, leaving a large estate to 
his family. His death occurred in 1871, when 
he was fifty-eight years old. His neighbors 
say of him that he was a Christian gentleman, 
with all that the term implies, and was a 
great loss to the M. E. Church, of which he 
was a member and an earnest worker. 

His son, James R., married, in October, 
1881, Jennie J., daughter of Charles A. and 
Verlinda V. (English) Stevens, and two chil- 
dren have blessed their union: Norma S. and 
James C. Mr. Redman was reared to the 
lumber business and boat-building, and 
after the death of his father and brother be- 
came the proprietor and manager. Subse- 
quently he disposed of that business, went 
west, became interested in stock and has now 
an interest in a large cattle-ranch in Kansas, 
and one in Wyoming. He is also engaged 
in the hardwood-manufacturing business iu 
Pittsburgh. He is a director of the Castle 
Shannon railroad, secretary and treasurer of 
the Pine Tree Live Stock company, and secre- 
tary of the Duquesne Live Stock company. 

John Hamilton Power, blacksmith, Ve- 
rona, was born in Hamilton county, Ky., in 
1826, son of Hiram Power, also native of 
that state. His mother, Hester (Parker) 
Power, was a native of Westmoreland county, 
this state. Hiram Power, grandfather of 
John, was a pioneer farmer in Kentucky, and 
was of Irish descent. The second Hiram 
died in Cincinnati on the first outbreak of the 
cholera there. J. H. Power served three and 
one-half years at his trade in Mount Vernon, 
Ohio, and became a journej'man at twenty. 
For fifteen j-ears he was foreman of the L. 
S. & M. S. blacksmith-shop at Norwalk, 
Ohio, and has occupied the same position 
with the A. V. R. R. for a like period. He 
became a resident of Verona in 1876, and 
built his present residence at Oakmont Sta- 
tion. He has been a burgess, and is a repub- 
lican; also a member of the Pittsburgh Lodge, 
484. F. & A. M., and, with his family, a 
member of the M, E. Church. In 1848 Mr. 
Power married Roxana N. Haskell, born in 
.Junction township, Huron county, Ohio, 
daughter of Prince Haskell, of Vermont. 
Two daughters, twins, have blessed this 
union, and are now resident as follows: 
Helen Evaline(Mrs. Thompson Smith), Jack- 
son, Mich. ; Ellen Adaline (Mrs. John Weirs), 
Dayton, Ohio. 

Robert F. Conklb, M. D., Coraopolis, 
was born on the old homestead, near Hooks- 
town, Beaver county. Pa., Nov. 28. 1848. a 
son of Henry (a farmer), and Catherine 
(Metts) Conkle, natives of Beaver county, 
and members of the Presbyterian Church. 
Henry was a son of Henry Conkle, a native 
of Germany, who settled on the old home- 
stead in Greene township, Beaver county, 



some eighty-five years ago. Roliert F. re- 
ceived his primary education at Hookstown 
Academy, and afterward entered the college 
at Wilmington, Ohio. During that time he 
began the study of medicine with Dr. R. H. 
Moon, of Hookstown; entered the Medical 
Reserve College, of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1861, 
and graduated May 13, 1871. He located at 
Summitville, Ohio, where he practiced medi- 
cine until the fall of 1878, when he located at 
Middletown, now Coraopolis borough. Dr. 
Conkle was united in marriage, Dec. 26, 1872, 
with Sarah Stevenson, who was born at 
Frankfort Springs, Beaver county. Pa., a 
daughter of John and Jane (Ewing) Steven- 
sou, the former a miller and farmer. Dr. 
and Mrs. Conkle have one daughter, Mary 
Emma, born Sept. 1, 1875. The parents are 
members of the Presbyterian Chnrch at 
Coraopolis. The doctor is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and O. U. A. M. at Coraopolis; 
he is a member of the Allegheny County 
Medical society. 

William Shannon, merchant, Boston, 
was born in Tennessee in 1843. At the age 
of fourteen he left his native place and en- 
gaged as cook on the boats on the Mississippi 
and Ohio rivers, following that business for 
sixteen years. In 1873 he came to Boston 
and engaged in mining and also trading on 
the rivers between Pittsburgh and Mononga- 
hela City, having the only boat of its kind 
on the river since 1860. In 1879 he com- 
menced mercantile business, which he now 
conducts. Mr. Shannon has been largely 
identified with the growth and development 
of his town, having built many of the houses 
and the gristmill now operated in connection 
with his store. He married Miss Amanda 
Reynolds, of West Virginia, and they have 
two children, Anson and Delcina. Mr. 
Shannon has been postmaster, is a member 
of Lone Star Lodge. No. 727, also of A. O. 
M. C, No. 87, and K. of L., 175. He is a 
member of the M. E. Church. 

Daniel Stratton, contractor and builder, 
McKeesport, was born in County Down, 
Ireland, May 13, 1855, a son of James and 
Sarah (Grevy) Stratton. He came to Amer- 
ica in 1868, and located in Allegheny City, 
where he finished his education in the public 
schools, and served an apprenticeship of three 
years with Eugene McGary, of that city. 
He worked as a journeyman carpenter until 
1876, and then settled in McKeesport, where 
he commenced business as a contractor and 
builder. In 1881 Mr. Stratton married Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Jacob and Ellen Yost, of 
McKeesport. He is a member of the R. C 
Church, and is a republican. 

Alexander M. Stevenson, merchant 
and postmaster, Coraopolis, was horn on the 
old homestead of his father in Moon town- 
ship, Allegheny county, Pa., March 17. 1864. 
His parents, Alexander and Angeline (Weaver) 
Stevenson, were natives of Allegheny county, 
and had two children: Elizabeth S., who 
married John L. Ferson, M. D., of Pitts- 
burgh, and Alexander M. The latter received 



682 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



his education in Pittsburg!) Academy. Indi- 
ana county, Pa., and finished at tlie Univer- 
sity of Wooster, Ohio. He returned home in 
April. 1888. formed a partnership with George 
W. McBrier, and they opened their present 
general store at Coraopolis. They carry a 
stock valued at three thousand dollars. Mr. 
Stevenson was appointed postmaster May 13, 
1888. He is a grandson of Philip Stevenson, 
who built the first mill in Moon township, 
and was for many years postmaster and jus- 
tice of the peace at that place. Mr. Steven- 
son is a representative of one of the old fam- 
ilies of Allegheny county, and has the confi- 
dence and respect of all who know him. 

HtUAM M. Neel, farmer, postofflce 
Hope Church, was born April 30, 1832, on 
the place in Mifflin township which his 
grandfather settled shortly after the Revolu- 
tion, and on which, in 1798, he built a brick 
house whicli is yet standing. James H. 
Neel. the father of Hiram M.. was four years 
old when he came to this county. He mar- 
ried Elizabeth, daughter of Robin Brierly, 
and both were nearly eighty years old when 
they died. The subject of this memoir mar- 
ried Agnes, daughter of Matthew H. West, 
and their children are Mrs. Elizabeth B. Rath. 
Harry J., Samuel W., Ralph A. and West. 
Mr. Neel is yet in possession of a part of the 
old homestead, which he farms. His uncle, 
Hiram Neel, worked on the first inclined rail- 
road on ttie river, near Port Perry, and his 
uncle, Reuben, was one of the first to pilot 
coal down the river, but on a trip to New 
Orleans he was lost. His uncle Thomas led 
a checkered life, having kept tavern, was a 
contractor on canals, etc. 

John A. Shaw, McKeesport, was born in 
North Versailles township, Allegheny county, 
Pa., May 24, 1854, a son of Samuel and Mar- 
garet (Sands) Shaw. The paternal grand- 
father, a native of Ireland, was among the 
pioneers of this couutj', and reared a large 
family. The maternal grandfather. William 
Sands, of German descent, was a pioneer of 
Westmoreland county, Pa. Samuel Shaw 
was a farmer of North Versailles township. 
He had si.x children who grew to maturity: 
Sarah J., Alexander, Martha, Anna. Julia 
and John A. The subject of these lines was 
reared in North Versailles township, and re- 
ceived a common-school education. He was 
engaged in farming until 1876, when he re- 
moved to McKeesport, where he carried on 
the grocery, flour, feed, and real-estate busi- 
nesses, respectively. In 1876 he married 
Belle, daughter of William and Catherine 
(Francis) Nicol, formerly of Scotland, who 
settled in this county about 18.52. The issue 
of this union has been two children; Clyde 
N. and Alvah. Mr. Shaw is a member of the 
U. P. Church; is a republican, and a member 
of the council of McKeesport. 

John Reillt, fanner, postoffice Hope 
Church, was born June 11, 1832. in Allegheny 
county, Pa., the son of Matthew Reilly, a 
native of Ireland, who came to America with 
his parents, Barnett and Mary (MeSheau) 



Reilly. and two brothers, Philip and Barnett. 
The grandfather of John Reilly participated 
in the war of 1812, after which struggle lie 
became a contractor on canals and railroads, 
and was a man of considerable note in his 
day. JIatlhew Reilly, who was a farmer, 
married, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of James 
McPherson. an old settler, and eleven chil- 
dren, all of whom attained maturity, were 
born to tliem. Tlie parents died on the 
South Side, Pittsburgh. They were members 
of the Catholic Church. The subject of this 
memoir owns 170 acres of the old homestead, 
which formerly consisted of four hundred 
acres. He married Isabella, daughter of John 
and Rebecca (Cormly) Cady, and the}' have 
nine children; James, George, Mary A., 
Sarah, Matilda, Matthew, Daniel, Albert and 
Cecelia Bell; Mr. Reilly is a democrat. 

George Evans, paper-carrier, Pittsburgh, 
a son of John and Jane Evans, was born in 
Temperanceville, this county, in 1858. Jolin 
came from Wales to this country in 1845, and 
lived in Pittsburgh until his death; he died 
in 1865, at the age of forty-two years; his 
widow is still living, at the age of sixtv-five 
years. He was a shoemaker by trade; a 
member of the I. O. O. P. He and wife were 
members of the M. E. Church. They had 
eight children: Thomas, Mary (wife of 
Abram Binen), David, William, Emma (wife 
of Frank McGowen), John (deceased), George 
and Annie (wife of Albert Adams). George, 
at the age of twelve years, commenced work 
in the rolling-mills, which he followed until 
1883, being what is known as a heater. In 
that year he engaged in the newspaper busi- 
ness, buying and selling, and employing men 
to assist him, and has made a urand success 
in that line. He married, in 1884, Mary E., 
daughter of James and Mary A. Obey, and 
they have one child. James Obey. Mr. 
Evans is a member of the I. O. O. F., the 
Heptasophs, the Jr. O. U. A. M., and the 
Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel 
Workers. 

Alexander McAteer. transfer-agent, 
Wilkinsbur;;. son of James and Esther (Max- 
well) McAteer, was born at Portgleuone. 
County Antrim, Ireland. May 3, 1857. His 
father was a linen-manufacturer, and kept a 
store. Alexander was educated at the public 
schools, and on reaching his majority he set 
out for America, settling, in 1859, in Pitts- 
burgh. He worked at gardening for two 
years, and was emploj'ed, in 1861, construct- 
ing telegraph for government use in Virginia. 
In the fall of 1861 he became baggageman at 
the P. R. R. station, and five years later en- 
tered the service of the Adams Express 
company, his present position being that of 
assistant transfer-agent. In 1863 he married 
Sarah Moose, and next year took up his resi- 
dence at Wilkinsburg. "In 1882 he built the 
home he occupies, corner of Wood and Hill 
streets. Mrs. McAteer is a native of Youngs- 
town. Pa., daughter of George and Sarah 
(Stout) Moose, the father a native of France, 
and the mother of English extraction. Mr. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



McAteer and family are associated with tlie 
Presbyterian Cbui-cb, and be is a republican- 
prohibitionist. The children are named in 
order of birth: Molly Richardson, William 
James, Howard Walter, Arthur Stewart and 
Kate Stewart (twins) and Myrtle. 

Phillip Bdrkh.vkd, foreman of the car 
department on P. & L. E. R. R., postolfice 
McKee's Rocks, was born in Monroe counlj*, 
in 1847. a son of John and Barbara Burk- 
hard. His parents, who came to this county 
in 1888, had a family of twelve cbildren; 
Adam. Philip, Maria (deceased), Mary (wife 
of Andrew Heinour), Joseph, John, Charlie, 
Frank, Philomena (deceased), Lena (wife of 
John Wisend), Teresa (deceased) and Ben- 
jamin. The father of this family has spent 
most of liis life in the shoe business. Phillip 
passed his early life on a farm. He enlisted 
in April, 18t)3, in Battery A, 1st Va. Art., for 
three years, or during the war, and was 
always with the battery and ready for duty. 
He married, April 20, 1869, Philomena, 
daughter of Anthony and Rachel Babst, of 
this county, and their children were Clara, 
Albert A., Andrew P., John J., Frank F., 
William (deceased), Harmon M., Aggie, 
George S. and Bertie. Mr. Burkhard has 
followed various occupations, but for the 
past seven years has been in the employ of 
the P. & L. E. R. R. 

Amos Fryek, lumber-dealer, postoffice 
Bridgeville, was born in this county in 1847. 
Leonard Fryer, the pioneer of this family, 
and a farmer, came from County Down, Ire- 
land, at an early period, and soon after located 
in Allegheny county. He married Ellen 
Porter, and by her had thirteen children. He 
was a soldier in the army, fought against the 
Indians, and was wounded at a noted battle 
near Cincinnati. At the expiration of his 
term of enlistment, he walked from Cincin- 
nati to Washington city to get his pay. Sam- 
uel Fryer was the seventh son born to Leon- 
ard, and was a miller by trade, and also a 
farmer; he was born in 1803 and died in 
1883; he married Julia Abbott, to whom were 
born seven children, si.\ of whom grew to 
maturity. Of these Amos, whose name heads 
this sketch, was educated at the common 
schools in Upper St. Clair township, and at 
the business college of Pittsburgh. He was 
reared on a farm and has been engaged in 
various business pursuits. He purchased his 
present home in Bridgeville in 1883, and is 
successfully engaged in the lumber and un- 
dertaking business. He married, in 1885, Miss 
Carrie J., daughter of Philip Conrad, and two 
children, Samuel B. and Philip Blain, have 
been born to them. Mr. Fryer has served on 
the school board; is a member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and is a republican. 

John Wampler, engineer, McKeesport, 
was born in Versailles township, Allegheny 
county, Feb. 7, 1827. a son of Joseph and 
Poll}' (Thompson) Wampler. His paternal 
grandfather was Jacob Wampler. a native of 
Germany, and a pioneer of Westmoreland 
county, Pa. Joseph was a native of West- 



moreland count}', a millwright by trade, and 
about 1820 settled in Versailles township, 
where he followed his trade for several years. 
In 1828 he located in McKeesport, and built 
the first sawmill there, which he conducted 
fourteen years. He was then elected justice 
of the peace, and filled that office thirty 
years. During his term of office he engaged 
in business as a watchmaker, and, being a 
natural mechanic, became quite an adept in 
the manufacture of telescopes and micro- 
scopes, and was always successful in accom- 
plishing everything he attempted to do in 
that direction. He was awarded a silver 
medal at the Ohio state fair in 1832, being 
the first premium over all exhibits of tele^ 
scopes from this and foreign countries. A 
fine telescope of his manufacture is now in 
possession of our subject. He was three 
times married, his first wife being Polly 
Thompson, by whom he had four children: 
Jackson, John, Joseph and David; his second 
wife was a Mrs. Owen, and his third wife, 
Mary Griggs, by whom there is one sou living, 
William P. Joseph Wampler died April 14, 
1885, honored and respected by all who knew 
him. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in 
McKeesport, where he removed with his par- 
ents in 1833. For a number of years he con- 
ducted his father's sawmill, and afterward 
assisted in putting up the engine and machin- 
ery for the tirst planing-mill erected in Mc- 
Keesport, of which he was manager for a 
short time; later be built the planing-mill of 
Neel & Wampler, in which he was a partner 
three years, and in 1872 erected another 
planing-mill in company with Bartley Ran- 
kin, in which he was interested until 1881. 
For past seven years he has been an engineer 
in the rolling-mill of W. D. Wood & Co. He 
was married twice; his first wife was Mary 
A., daughter of Samuel Kuntz, of Westmore- 
land county, and by her he had two children, 
Elizabeth and Elmer. His present wife is 
Ellen, daughter of Aaron Longaback, of 
Somerset county, Pa., and by her be has four 
children living: Richard, Anna, Olive and 
James. Mr, Wampler has served as member 
of the council of McKeesport three terms; is 
a member of the F. & A. M., and is a demo- 
crat. 

John Cressen Glass, master mechanic, 
Verona, was born in Allegheny City, in 
1853, a son of George W. Glass, who was 
a master mechanic of the A. V. R. R. from 
1868 to his death in 1884. The father of 
the latter came from Ireland, and was an 
early resident of Pittsburgh. George W. 
Glass was born in Pittsburgh, and became 
master mechanic of the O. & P. (now P., Ft. 
W. & C.) R. R. in 1850, and the first freight 
locomotive built west of the Alleghany 
mountains was made under his charge, the 
original drawings of which are now in pos- 
session of his son. He died at the age of 
sixty-four years, but his widow, Eliza (Walk- 
er) Glass, a native of Fayette couuty, still 
survives him. J. C. Glass received most of 



684 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



his education at the New Brighton public i 
schools, and began his mechanical career in i 
the railroad shops when fourteen years old. 
At the time of his father's death he was em- j 
ployed as machinist in the Verona shops, and 
was appoiiili-d to liis present position iu 1886. 
In IsT'i 111- manii'il Margaret Sorby, of Welsh 
and IviLjIi.sh di-.scciil. a native of Pittsburgh, 
and a daughter of William and Mary Sorby. 
Mr. Glass is a member of the Royal Arcanum 
and Masonic fraternity, and has always been 
a republican. His family includes three \ 
chiUlreu; Mamie Sorby. Ella and Margaret. 

JouN W. Edmundson, farmer, postoffice 1 
Buena Vista, is a son of John, Sr., and Nancy 
(Calhoun) iidmundson. Joseph Edmundson, i 
grandfather of Jolin W., was a native of i 
York county. Pa., and settled in Mifflin town- 
ship, this count}', in 1802, and afterward pur- 
chased property in Elizabeth township, near 
McKeesport, where he resided until his death, 
in 1823. John, Sr., the father of John W., 
was born in York county in 1787, came to this 
county with his parents, and finally settled in ' 
what is now Lincoln township and followed i 
farming. He died in 1863. his wife iu 1862. 
They raised five cliildren, two of whom are 
still living: John W. and Sarah, a maiden 
lad}', who resides with him. The subject of 
this memoir was born on the homestead in 
182.5, and was educated at the public schools. 
In 1866 he purchased his present farm, where 
he has since resided. His wife was Cordelia, 
daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Lane) 
White, of this county, and they have seven 
living children: William A., a merchant of 
Buena Vista and McKeesport; Nancy A.; 
Sarah J., now Mrs. John Calhoun, of Eliza- 
beth township; Mary M., Annie M., Olive, 
Josephine. Mr. Edmundson and family 
are members of Mount Vernon Presbyterian 
Church. 

Theodoue Smith, hotel-keeper, McKee's 
Rocks, son of John J. and Alena Smith, was 
born in Prussia, March 16, 1846. His parents 
had a family of four children: John, Hubert, 
Julia and Theodore. The father, who was a 
cooper by trade, resides with his children, 
and is now eighty-one years old; the mother 
died in 1885, aged sixty-seven years. Theo- 
dore was a puddler in the iron-works, an oc- 
cupation he followed twenty -six years iu the 
various mills of this county. Since then he 
has been engaged in hotel-keeping at Mc- 
Kee's Rocks, where he owns a good property. 
He married. May 5, 1868, Annie, daughter of 
Joseph and Hettie Sharff, of this county, and 
to them have been born Theodore (deceased), 
Hubert (deceased), Freddie and Joseph. Mr. 
Smith has been a member of the Amalgamated 
association since 1876. 

To.M Shelton. mechanical engineer, Mc- 
Keesport, was born at Abbotts Ripton, Huut- 
ingdonshire, England, Sept. 1, 18-17. He was 
educated at Cowper's House School. Hunt- 
ingdon, and was apprenticed, to learn me- 
chanical engineering and drafting, to James 
Armitage, of Ramsey, England, with whom 
he served three years, and two years with 



James and Frederick Howard, Bedford, En- 
gland. He came to America in 1865, and lo- 
cated in Detroit, Mich., where he filled the 
position of mechanical engineer of the De- 
troit Locomotive-works one year, and in the 
same capacity lie served two years under L 
H. Condon, of the U. P. R. R., at Omaha. 
Neb. In the winter of 1868-69 he returned 
to his home iu England, and in 1872 super- 
intended the erection of the steam cultivat- 
ing machinery and Howard safety boilers 
for J. & T. Howard for the world's exposi- 
tion at Vienna. In September, same year, he 
returned to England, and later sailed for 
New York to superintend the erection of cul- 
tivating and sugar machinery in Ascension 
county, La., for E. C. Palmer & Co.. New 
Orleans, remaining there until April, 1874. 
He then went to Boston, Mass., and May 18, 
same year, engaged with the Howard Boiler 
Manufacturing company as mechanical en- 
gineer. June 1 he returned to England for 
his family, and arrived in New lork city 
July 3, where he erected the Howard safety 
boilers in the Fifth avenue hotel and the 
American Institute. Being released by his 
firm for three months, he went to Cuba, as 
consulting engineer, to adjust some matters 
in regard to machinery that had been built 
in Scotland. He returned to New York in 
January. 1875. and resumed his position with 
the Howard Safety Boiler company. 

In March, same year, he settled iu Mc- 
Keesport and began the erection of six fifty- 
horse power Howard safety boilers for the 
National Tube-works company, which were 
completed May 1, 1876. At the same time he 
built one fifty-horse power Howard boiler for 
exhibition at the centennial in Philadelphia, 
and also erected the exhibit of pipe, consisting 
of pipe from one-sixteenth to sixteen inches in 
diameter, and varying in length from one to 
twenty-seven feet, for the National Tube- 
works company, and which was pronounced 
by competent critics the best pipe display 
ever on exhibition. He then resigned his 
position as mechanical engineer for the How- 
ard Safety Boiler company, and accepted 
that of chief engineer at the National Tube- 
works, which position he held ten years, and 
during that time, in 1883-84. he erected 
water-worlvs at Duluth. Brainerd and Fergus 
Falls, Minn.; Corsicana and Dallas. Tex., 
Pueblo. Colo., and at Mamaroneck, N. Y., the 
last named being a private affair put up by 
prominent parties of New York to supply 
them pure water at their summer residences. 
In 1886 Mr. Shelton accepted a position with 
the National Tube-works company as con- 
sulting engineer and superintendent of their 
national gas-lines, and during the past three 
years has superintended the construction of 
"upward of thirty different pipe lines in Alle- 
gheny, Washington and Westmoreland coun- 
ties, most of which lines center in Pittsburgh. 
He has also patented several devices of joints 
and safety -escapes for the different gas-lines 
running into Pittsburgh and McKeesport, 
Pa.. Youngstown and Findlay, Ohio, and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



685 



Indianapolis, Ind. The pipe-lines he has put 
in range from eight to twenty-four inches in 
diameter for natural-gas purposes, and exceed 
over eight hundred miles in different sizes. 
Mr. Shelton Is a natural-gas expert, and has 
discovered and developed upward of a dozen 
wells in the Murrysville district. 

Henry Berg, hotel-keeper, Verona, is 
the only child of Henry and Anna Maria 
(Bayer) Berg, and was born at Kaiserslau- 
tern, Bavaria, in 1853. "When twelve years [ 
old he came with his parents to the United 
States, the family landing at Pittsburgh on 
a Saturday night in 1866. The father was a 
blacksmith, and found employment with a 
coal company on the Monongahela, In 1868 I 
he was engaged by the N. Y. & C. G. C. Co., 
and settled in Penn township. He was very < 
industrious, and often, after digging coal all j 
day, spent the evening fitting up tools for I 
miners. His son labored in the mines and 
was his father's assistant at nigbt. In .June, 
1873, Mr. Berg purchased two lots in Verona 
borough at a cost of 52,000, and at once , 
erected thereon a hotel, at a cost of S3,800. j 
This burned down on the 35th of .Jul.y, 1875, j 
and he at once rebuilt, at a cost of fl3,000. 
April 5, 1876, the familj- occupied the build- 
ing, and on Oct. 5 following Mr. Berg 
passed from earth. The business was con- 
tinued by the widow and son, who paid off 
a debt of $6,300 incurred in building, and 
have added much to the property since. Our 
subject has now thirty-four lots on Railroad 
and Penn avenues, extending from the for- 
mer to the river, on which he has built a 
three-story business block and three dwell- 
ings, icehouse, etc., and seven and a half 
acres near the railroad shops. The six lots 
on Railroad avenue were purchasetl at a cost 
of $5,500. The family is identified with the I 
E. P. Church. Mr. Berg is a republican, 
and at present a member of the borough 
council. j 

Frederick Brethauer, gardener, post- 
office Ross, was born .Jan. 18, 1849, in Pitts- j 
burgh, a son of Christopher Brethauer. The 
latter came to America in 1847, settled in the 
vicinity of Pittsburgh, and became a well- 
known gardener. Frederick was reared and 
educated at the above-named place, where 
he also learned gardening, and has followed 
it successfully, having eight acres of land at 
"Gardener's Home." He married Bertha 
Krusi, a native of this county, of Swiss de- 
scent, and they have one cliild. Erama M. 
Mr. and Mrs. Brethauer are members of the 
G. L. Church at Girty's Run, of which he 
has been an officer. Politicall}' he is a re- 
publican. 

George Kuhlman, dealer in marble and 
granite, postoffice Mt. Lebanon, was born in 
Germany in 1838, eldest child of John Kuhl- 
man, who came to America in 1833 and lo- 
cated in Baltimore, coming soon after to 
Franklin county. Pa. He was a stonemason 
bj' trade, and in 1837 moved to Pittsburgh, 
where he contracted until 1843. He then 
engaged in the grocery business in Allegheny 



City, and shortly after went to Beaver 
county. Pa., where he purchased twenty-five 
acres of land. He died there in 1880; his 
wife died in 1378. He married Mary Magda- 
line Schoolmyer, also of Germany, and by 
her had two children. Of these, George was 
educated at the public schools of Allegheny 
City, and until twenty years of age remained 
vrith his father on the farm and helped at 
the mason's trade, which he learned. He also 
learned the carpenter's trade, serving an 
apprenticeship of four years, and has been a 
contractor for twenty years. In 1880 he 
started his present business on South Side, 
Pittsburgh, where he furnishes anj'thing in 
marble, granite and sandstone for cemeter}' 
or building purposes. In 1855 Mr. Kuhlman 
married Catharine P. Shuriug. of this county, 
and thirteen children, eight of whom are liv- 
ing, were born to them. Mr. Kuhlman is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity and of 
the G. E. Church. 

Homer H. Swaney, attorney, McKees- 
port, was born July 16, 1856, near Hooks- 
town, Beaver county. His father, John 
Swaney, who died in 1876, was a prominent 
and successful farmer, and a strong repub- 
lican. His eldest son. H. W. Swaney, left his 
academic studies at the breaking out of the 
rebellion, entered the 140th P. v. I., and at 
the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 
13, 1863, he was killed. The subject of this 
sketch was thus trained up in the republican 
faith. He attended the public schools in 
Beaver county, receiving his preparator}' 
education in the Hookstown Academy, and 
in the fall of 1877 entered the junior class in 
Monmouth College, Illinois. Young Swaney 
was appointed one of four to engage in an 
oratorical contest for the position of repre- 
sentative of Monmouth College in the Illinois 
Inter-Collegiate Oratorical association. This 
contest he won, and represented his college 
in the association. Eight colleges and uni- 
versities were represented, and Mr. Swaney 
carried back to Monmouth College the honor 
of having won the first gold medal the col- 
lege received in the association. Jlr. Swaney 
went from Monmouth College to the Univer- 
sity of Chicago (a member of the association), 
and graduated with the class of 1879. Dur- 
ing the summer vacation of 1878 he crossed 
the Rocky mountains with a camping part}', 
and spent several weeks in lower Colorado. 
The winter of 1879-80 was spent in New 
York city in the study of special branches. 
In the spring of 1880 he went to Wash- 
ington city, D. C, entered the civil serv- 
ice of the United States government and 
also the law department of the National 
University. In June, 1883, he graduated and 
re-entered the law department on the post- 
graduate course, graduating from it in June, 
1883, and was admitted to the bar in the 
Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. 
When in the National University the entire 
class were assigned as a subject for a gradu- 
ating essa}', " The Doctrine of TJltra Vires." 
Mr. S waney's essay was pronounced by Judge 



686 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Willoiighby to be the best production, and is 
published. 

Before Garfield's death, Mr. Swanej' and 
a follow-sludent iu the National University 
commenced the compilation of a life of 
James A. Garfleldand Chester A. Arthur from 
the newspapers and other documentary 
sources, and short!}' after Garfield's death 
published the volume. The spring of 1884 
found liini in Pittsburgh, admitted to the 
Alleglicny county bar, and in an office await- 
ing developments. 'To the tariff and emi- 
gration questions Mr. Swaney has devoted 
much time and study, and has frequently 
stated his views upon these subjects from 
the stump. As an orator upon Decoration 
day he has received manj' high compliments, 
and he is always ready to lend a helping 
hand to the Grand Army. 

James M. Porter, butcher, postofBce 
Woodville, was born in 1833, of Irish de- 
scent. His grandfather, Joseph, who was a 
farmer and stock-dealer, married Marj- Cor- 
coran, and became the father of four sons 
and three daughters. Andrew C, the second 
son, was born in 1801, in Pickaway county, 
Ohio, and became a farmer. He married 
Sarah McQuintie, and to them were born 
twelve children, of whom six sons and one 
dauehter are now liviner. Andrew died in 
ISSS", his wife in 1883. Since 1813 the family 
have been identified with Allegheny county, 
Andrew having come to this county when 
twelve years of age. James M., the second 
son, was educated in the common schools, 
and was reared a farmer. In 1863 he was 
appointed by the board of directors superin- 
tendent of the farm at the Allegheny Count}' 
Home, which position he satisfactorily filled 
for twenty-one years. He followed carpen- 
tering from 1884 to 1886, at which time he 
purchased his present comfortable home, and 
is engaged in Ijutchering. He married, in 
185.5, Nancy Tribrook, who bore him one 
child, Nannie. His second marriage was 
with Martha, daughter of Thomas and Jane 
Drennen, of this count}', and two children 
were born to this union: Lizzie and Harry L. 
Mr. Porter has served as school director. He 
and family are members of the U. P. Church, 
and he is a republican. 

Joux McKkight, Esq.. farmer, was born 
Oct. 22, 1820, on the old homestead in Ross 
township, Allegheny county. Pa., where his 
father, .Joseph McKnight, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, of Scotch-Irish descent, settled in 
an early day. Joseph McKnight had a twin 
brother, John, and a sister. Mrs. Rebecca 
Crider. Joseph and John followed whipsaw- 
ing near Pittsburgh, but tinally John took 
out a patent for 424 acres of land; of this he 
retained 140 acres, for which he paid one 
hundred dollars. He had sold 106 acres to Sam 
Scott for a calf. Joseph McKnight married 
Elizabeth M.agogney, a native of this county. 
She was the mother of John, our subject, wlio 
is now the owner of the old farm. He mar- 
ried here Margaret, daughter of William 
Ross, and they have two children: John and 



Elizabeth. Politically Mr. McKnight is a re- 
publican. He is a jiistice of the peace, and 
has filled other township offices. His father 
was a democrat. 

Rev. E. Brennan, postoflJce Mansfield 
Valley, is a native of County Donegal, Ire- 
land, and was born in 18.50. " Ilis father, E. 
Brennan, who was a merchant in the old 
country, married Mary Wallis, wlio bore liim 
nine children, seven of whom are now living. 
The subject of these lines was educated at 
the public schools of his native land, and 
after coming to America, in 1871, became a 
student at St. Michael's Seminary, Glenwood, 
Allegheny county. He was ordained a 
clergyman in 1874, and in 1880 took charge 
of the congregation at this place. He was 
instrumental in building the present church, 
a fine brick edifice 125x60 feet. His mother, 
now quite an elderly lady, resides with him 
at Mansfield. 

Alfred Andrew Qdinette, butcher, 
Wilkinsburg, is a grandson of Francis Qui- 
nette, a native Frenchman, who settled on a 
farm in Indiana township, this county, about 
the beginning of the present century; was 
supervisor, and held other township offices, 
and died in 1859, aged seventy-nine years. 
He had nine sons and one daughter, all born 
in Indiana. Peter, the youngest, now re- 
sides on the homestead, where he has always 
lived with the exception of five years, during 
which he was engaged in the livery business 
at East Liberty. His wife, Padaline (Bell), 
is of German extraction, and Alfred Andrew 
was born to them Aug. 17. 1859. He at 
tended the public schools of Indiana and East 
Liberty till sixteen years old, when he began 
to work at his present business. He was 
employed four years at Lincoln and other 
points in Nebraska, and came to Wilkins- 
burg in 1883, where he opened a meat-market, 
with a partner, whom he bought out at the 
end of the year. In 1884 he built the hand- 
some brick building on Peun avenue which 
he occupies as shop and residence. June 10, 
1885, he married a native of Wilkinsburg. 
Miss Ida May, daughter of Benjamin and 
Margaret Snyder, of German descent. Mr. 
Quinette is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M., 
is a democrat, and attends the M. E. Church 
with his family. His children are: Elnora 
Louisa and Charles Edward. 

John Cadghet, farmer, postoffice Char- 
tiers, a .son of John and Maria Caughey, was 
born in 1833, in County Down, Ireland. He 
came to this country in 1852, located same 
year in Allegheny county, and has been a 
resident of Stowe township ever since. For 
several years he deprived himself of many 
of the comforts of life to save money.in order 
to help sustain and finally bring his people to 
this country. In 1855 he brought two of his 
brothers and a sister to America, and in 1859 
he brought his parents, a brother and two 
sisters. Of the eight members of the family 
who came to this country through his benefi- 
cence, three are living. His father died in 
1879, at the age of eighty-eight years, and his 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



687 



mother in 1878, at the age of eighty. Our 
subject was first married, in 1855, to Jane 
Thompson, and by this union there were 
eight children; John. Joseph (deceased), 
Andrew, Margaret J. (wife of Joseph Hei- 
nour), Joseph (second). Martha (deceased), 
William and Mollie. Mrs. Caughey died in 
1872, at the age of thirty-three years, and 
Mr. Caughey's second marriage occurred in 
1874, with Sarah J., daughter of Joseph and 
Ellen Patterson, by which mai'riage there 
were seven children: Ellen (deceased), Robert, 
Benjamin, Annie B. (deceased), Sadie, Mar- 
tha and Annie. Mr. Caughey is a good citi- 
zen, and his property gives evidence of in- 
dustry and good taste. 

Daniel Dooghertt. farmer, postofflce 
Green Tree, was born in Union township, 
Nov. 34, 1823, son of John Dougherty, who 
was born in Scott township. Allegheny 
county. Pa. John married Miss Mary Hager, 
and three sons and one daughter were born to 
them. Daniel is the only member of the 
famil.y now living. He has always lived in 
the county, with the exception of the period 
spent in the army. He enlisted in 18G1, in Co. 
E, 9th P. v.. and for three years defended his 
country. He was married, in 1852, to Han- 
nah, daughter of Samuel Haudenshieki, and 
they have had three children, two living: 
Jacob and Mary Ann. Mr. Dougherty is a 
member of the G. A. R.; he has been a mem- 
ber of the town council, and is a republican. 

George M. Wasmuth, grocer, McKees- 
-port, was born in Robinson township, Alle- 
gheny county. March 9, 1865, son of William 
and Elizabeth (Vogler) Wasmuth, natives of 
Germany. His father, who was a shoemaker, 
settled in Pittsburgh in 1836, where he fol- 
lowed his trade several years. About 1848 he 
located in Robinson township, where, in con- 
nection with his trade, he carried on garden- 
ing a number of years. He came to McKees- 
port in 1880, and died there in April, same 
year, at the age of eighty 3'ears. He was 
twice married; his first wife, 7\ee Rosetta 
Gephart. bore him five children, of whom 
two are living: William and John; his second 
wife, nee Elizabeth Vogler, bore him ten 
children, of whom three survive: Margaret, 
Sophia and George M. The last named 
came to McKeesport in 1880, was employed 
in the National Tube-works one year, and 
afterward in the National Rolling-mill five 
years. In 1887 he was weighmaster at the 
last-named mill, and Nov. 4, same year, 
he embarked in the grocerj- business, in 
which he has since been successfully en- 
gaged. He is a member of the G. L. Church 
and Leiderkranz, and is a democrat. 

James MorGv\k, retired, postoffice Bridge- 
ville, is a descendant of Samuel Morgan, a 
Scotchman, who immigrated to America in 
1775, and located first in Eastern Pennsyl- 
vania, but later removed to Allegheny 
county, where he purchased three hundred 
acres of land on Miller's run, now South Fay- 
ette township. There he remained until his 
death. He was the father of two sous and 



one daughter. Hugh, the yovmger son, mar- 
ried Margaret Billiiigslj', of West Virginia, 
and had afamily of eleven children, of whom 
James is the only survivor. Hugh lived on 
the tract of land purchased by his father, 
following farming until his death. Of the 
three hundred acres purchased by Samuel 
Morgan but 135 are now owned by any of 
the name. 

James was born, in 1809, on this farm, and 
educated in a log schoolhouse. Like his an- 
cestors, he followed farming, but since 1870 
has lived retired. He married Elizabeth, 
daughter of John Heinmau, and to them 
were born eight children, seven of whom are 
living: H. H.. Sarah J. (Mrs. Herriott), S. W., 
Billingsly, William P., Margaret (Mrs. Fife) 
and John C. Mr. Morgan finds pleasure in 
visiting his children, but still mourns the loss 
of his faithful wife, who has long been dead. 
His son Billingsly was born in 1840, resides 
on the homestead, and is engaged in stock- 
dealing. He married, in 1873, Mary L. Far- 
rer, daughter of John and Phoebe (White) 
Farrer, and five children have blessed their 
union: Bessie, Jennie, George, Edward and 
John. For two years and nine months he 
(Billingsly) served his country in the rebell- 
ion, and was present at the surrender of Gen. 
Lee. The Morgan family are members of the 
Presbyterian Church, aud republicans. 

H. H. Morgan, farmer, postoflice Oakdale 
Station, was born in 1834, the eldest son of 
James and Elizabeth (Heinman) Morgan. He 
was born and reared on a farm, the pursuits 
of which he has since followed. He was 
married, in 1861, to Harriet Hickman, daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Elizabeth (McCabe) Hick- 
man, of this county, and granddaugliter of 
Peter Hickman. Sept. 13, 1886, Mrs. Morgan 
departed this life, at the age of forty-seven 
years. She was an invalid for many years. 
and a highly respected lady. Mr. Morgan 
now resides at Oakdale. He is a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, and politically a 
republican. 

Robert Woods (deceased) was a son of 
Stephen Woods, a native of Ireland, who by 
profession was a lawyer, and rose to distinc- 
tion in Washington county, where he re- 
sided for many years, Thomas Woods, 
grandfather of Robert, was a well known 
resident of Lancaster county, and died in 
Philadelphia during the j'ellow fever. 
Robert was reared in Washington county. 
Pa., where his preliminary education was 
obtained at the public schools, and he after- 
ward graduated at the Washington College 
in 1834. He at once took up the study of 
law with N. P. Hobert and Walter H. Low- 
rey; he was admitted to the bar in 1837, aud 
the only political office he ever held was chief 
clerk in the postofflce. His first law -office 
was on Diamond street. Mr. Woods was 
married, in 1841, to Sarah, daughter of Robert 
Christy, and to them were born nineteen 
children, nine of whom are living. He was 
one of the principal projectors of the Pan 
Handle R. R., and was its president for five 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



years. He purcbased his country residence 
m Cliartiers townsliip in 1851, where lie re- 
sided at the time of his death. He was a 
democrat in politics until the firing on Fort 
Sumter, and afterward became a republican. 
His widow now resides with four daughters 
at their beautiful home. 

.loiiN l.DSKN TiiENT, painter,postofHce Hul- 
ton, wasborn in I^ittsburgh, Pa., July 25. 1839, 
a son of Valentine and Sarah (McGarriliill) 
Trent. Valentine was a native of Pittsburgh, 
but died in Sharpsburg in 1850; his widow, a 
native of Allegheny Ciiy, resides at Wilkins- 
burg. James Trent, grandfather of John L., 
came from England at the time of the Revo- 
lution, and was a captain under Gen. Wash- 
ington. Our subject was reared at Sharps- 
burg, educated at the common schools there, 
and was but eleven years of age when his 
father died. He served three and a half years 
at the tinner's trade, but. not being suited 
with that calling, served his time with John 
K. Hamilton, of Pittsburgh, at the painter's 
trade, and carried on the business at Sharps- 
burg until the breaking out of the war. 
His specialtv is decorating and fancy work. 
He enlisted in Pittsburgh, Aug. 20, 1861, in Co. 
B, 63d P. V. I., and was assigned to the Army 
of the Potomac. He was in the engagements 
of Yorktown. Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, 
where he was struck in the back with a shell, 
and had to undergo an operation before he 
could stand erect. After seven weeks of 
hospital life, he engaged in the seven days' 
flght in front of Richmond, second battle of 
Bull run, Fredericksburg, the Muddy March 
and Chaneellorsville, where he was shot 
through both arms. Later he was at the 
battles of Gettysburg, Wapping Heights, 
Kelly's Ford and Locust Grove, and went 
into camp at Brandy Station. He then 
enlisted as a veteran volunteer, came home 
for twenty-five days, and married, Jan. 24, 
1864, Lizzie Craft, who was born at Califor- 
nia, Pa., March 21, 1839, a daughter of Adam 
and Margaret Craft. Returning to his com- 
mand Feb. 8, 1864, Mr. Trent remained at 
Brandy Station until the beginning of the 
Wilderness campaign. May 1, 1864. May 5, 
he led a skirmishing line, and was shot, first in 
the left and then in the right leg. He fell, 
and was shot twice again in the right leg. 
He lay on the field till the morning of the 
8th. when he was carried two miles to the 
hospital; but the doctors would not ampu- 
tate his leg, on account of the great loss 
of blood he had sustained, and he was laid 
out to die. Later he was sent in a wagon to 
Fredericksburg, and a long time after trans- 
ferred to Washington. "There he improved 
rapidly until July, when he wasstricken with 
fever and gangrene. He obtained from the 
secretary of war a special train to Pittsburgh, 
and was taken to his wife's home in California, 
Pa.; was discharged May 4. 1865. as unfit for 
veteran duty and pensioned at eight dollars 
per month, but now receives thirty-six dol- 
lars per month. On his recover}' he began 
painting at California, and remained there 



eleven years. In 1868 he started a branch in 
Pittsburgh, and opened a paint-store there, 
but one year later his leg again troubled him 
and he closed the store. About March. 1887. 
liis leg again gave out, and he has since been 
confined to his house, the bones having all 
been taken out of the limb between the ankle 
and the knee. Mr. Trent moved to Verona 
in 1873, and was seven years in the Dexter 
Carriage-works. Since then he has done con- 
tract and fine work in decorating, graining 
and marbleizing. having the sole right of the 
latter process. He and wife are members of 
the M. E. Church, and the parents of two chil- 
dren; Sarah Margaret, who died April, 1887, 
aged twenty-one years, and Charles Valentine, 
at home. Jlr. Trent is a republican. He is 
the only survivor of his father's five children: 
Mary, John, Davidson, Caroline and Har- 
rison. The last mentioned served in Knap's 
battery. On Decoration day, 1868, he was 
run over bj' a train of the A. V. R. R.. of 
which he was engineer, and received injuries 
which resulted in his death. 

D. A. Stekritt. David Sterritt (de- 
ceased), father of the subject of this sketch, 
was born Aug. 9, 1812, in Ross township. • 
He was reared a farmer.and followed that as 
his avocation after he grew to manhood. In 
1866 he laid his farm out into garden-lots of 
from four to seven acres each, and it is now 
called " Gardener's Home." He married Ma- 
tilda B.. daughter of Elijah and Sarah 
(Crider) Brooks, and became the father of 
three children: John E., Mary B. (deceased) 
and David A. Mr. Sterritt was educated in 
his native county, where he was highlj- 
esteemed as a man of business, honor and 
integrity; foremost in every good enterprise 
which would serve to promote the welfare of 
the community. He died Feb. 20, 1888. 
Politicall}' Mr. Sterritt was a democrat, and 
he filled various oflices with ability. He was 
a member of the Presbyterian Church of 
Perrysville. as is his family. His children's 
record is as follows: John E., a merchant in 
Bellaire, Ohio, married to Catherine Geyer, 
and became the father of five children. 
Mary B. married to Prof. Wettach. of Alle- 
gheny, and died leaving one daughter. Beu- 
lah. who lives at the old homestead. 

David A., the subject of this sketch, after 
receiving a liberal common-school education, 
attended an academy in Pittsburgh, then 
took a business course at Duff's College. In 
1879 he moved to Bellaire, Ohio, and there 
spent nine years iu the coal business. At the 
death of his father he returned to his old 
home, and is now superintendent of the 
plank-road, which is owned b}' the familv. 
He married Mary L. King, a native of Mt. 
Pleasant, Ohio, who has borne him two 
children, David Rodney and Paul Alexander. 

S.\MDEL Wallace, farmer, postoffice 
Noblestown. was born in County Down, Ire- 
land, in 1828. the son pf John and Jennie 
Wallace, who came to America in 1848. 
They settled in Allegheny county and pur- 
chased sixty-two acres of land, owned origin- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



ally by Mr. Campbell. John was a farmer, 
and (lied in 188?, aged eighty-eight years; 
his wife died in 1880, aged eighty-six years. 
They were parents of ten children, of 
whom five now remain. Samuel, the sixth 
child, was educated at the public schools of 
Ireland, and left his native land at the age of 
eighteen j'ears. He first went to England 
and became a soldier in the British army; 
later immigrated to the "West Indies, and 
arrived in America in 1836. Since coming 
here he has been engaged in agricultural 
pursuits, and in 1871 purchased his present 
farm. Mr. Wallace married, in 1863, Su- 
sanna, daughter of John Stewart, of Alle- 
gheny county, and six children, four living, 
have been born to them: Jane (Mrs. Wallace). 
Lizzie, James and .John, at home. In 1861 
Mr. AVallace enlisted in Co. K, 1st P. C., and 
served six months. He is a worthy member 
of the U. P. Church, and is a republican. 

Thomas Coaxes, retired, McKeesport, was 
born near Temperanceville, Allegheny coun- 
ty, Aug. 15, 1836, a son of James and Anna 
(Brown) Coates, natives of Newcastle-upon- 
Tyne, England. Tliey came to this country 
about 1830 and settled in Pittsburgh, where 
the father for a time followed mining, later 
farming, and finally the hotel business, keep- 
ing the stone tavern on the Washington turn- 
pike, in what is now the Thirty-sixth ward of 
Pittsburgh. He reared a family of four chil- 
dren; Joseph, Thomas, William and James. 
Thomas was reared and educated in this 
county, and began life as a coal-miner, which 
he followed twenty-flve years. In September, 
1863, he enlisted in Battery H, Ind. P. V., 
and served until June 19, 186.5, when he was 
honorably discharged. In 1870 he embarked 
in the general merchandise business at Alps- 
ville, Allegheny county, with C. M. Robin- 
son, under the firm name of C. M. Robinson 
& Co., which continued one year. He then 
removed to Suter Station, Westmoreland 
county, and engaged in the same business 
thereon his own account until he was burned 
out June 9, 1874. He then located at Broad 
Ford, Fayette county, and opened a general 
store, under firm name of Coates & Fritch- 
man, remaining until the spring of 1878; then 
embarked in general merchandising, continu- 
ing in business until his retirement in 1887. 

Mr. Coates married, in 18.57, Caroline, 
daughter of John and Jane Arthur, of this 
county, and by her had two children: Ida M. 
(Mrs. Charles Pollock) and Anna (Mrs. John 
Logan, deceased). In 1883 Mr. Coateserected 
a large brick block on Walnut street, three 
stories high, with two elegant stores on 
ground floor, 30.\80 each, which is a valuable 
improvement to the city. He is a member of 
the F. & A. M.. and is a republican. 

James A. Russell, furniture-dealer and 
undertaker, Braddock, is the seventh in the 
family of ten children of William Russell, a 
native of Scotland, who came to America in 
1852. Our subject was born in 1840, received 
a common-school education, and at the age 
of fourteen (he was left an orphan at the age 



of thirteen) commenced learning cabinet- 
making, at which he served an apprentice- 
ship of four and a half years. In 1866 he 
came to Braddock, and commenced in a 
small way in the furniture business near his 
present site, and in 1884 he erected the three- 
story 33x90 brick building which he now 
occupies. In 1863 he married Mercy Wilson, 
of Westmoreland county, and five children 
were born to them, of whom two survive: 
Robert and Helen. Mr. Russell has been 
justice of the peace two terms; has been 
auditor of the borough, and was one of the 
original founders of the Presbyterian Church, 
of which he is an elder. He is a F. & A. M., 
in politics a republican. 

William Wilhelm, miner, and justice of 
the peace, postoflice Oakdale Station, was 
born in Prussia, Germany, in 1833, a son of 
Powell and Caroline (Spender) Wilhelm, who 
were parents of seven children. In 1853 
William, in company with his father, left 
his native land, and, coming to America, 
located in Luzerne county. Pa., for a short 
time, but later moved to Pittsburgh. Powell 
Wilhelm was a practical coal-miner, having 
been a coal-operator in Germany. Mrs. 
Wilhelm, with the other children, joined 
her husband at Pittsburgh about ayear after 
the latter's settlement there. Powell died 
in 1881, at the age of seventy-one years, and 
his wife at the age of seventy-eight. Will- 
iam, the eldest son of this family, was edu- 
cated at the public schools and at the high- 
school of his native country. He has worked 
at glass-manufacturing and at coal-oper- 
ating all his life. In April, 1861, he enlisted 
in Co. B, 7fh P. V., in the three-months 
service, but re-enlisted in August of the 
same year, this time in the 5th P. C, and 
served for three years and ten months. He 
was promoted to the lieutenancy of the regi- 
ment and discharged in 1864. Mr. Wilhelm 
was married, in 18.58, to Bertha, daughter of 
Rev. Henry Roessing, also of German}'. 
Seven children have been born to them, five 
of whom are living: Anna (Mrs. Burns), 
Caroline, Helena. Lina and Albright Charles. 
Mr. Wilhelm was elected justice of the peace 
in 1877; later was re-elected and still fills that 
position. He is a Freemason, a grand mas- 
ter in the I. O. O. F., a member of the I. O. 
R. M., also of the G. A. R. and of the U. V. 
L. He is a republican. 

Florian Smith, watch-repairer, McKees- 
port, was born in West Newton, Pa., April 
16, 1837, a son of Andrew and Julia (Roth- 
armel) Smith. His father, who was a native 
of Alsace Lorraine, served in the French 
army ten years, under Bonaparte, and par- 
ticipated in the battle of Leipsic. He came 
to America in 1817, and located at Mt. Pleas- 
ant, Pa., and later settled at West Newton, 
where he resided until his death. He died in 
1880, at the age of eighty-eight years. He was 
a clockmaker by trade, at which he worked 
until within three weeks of his death. His 
wife's ancestors were of French descent, and 
came from Holland, settling in Franklin 



G90 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



count}', Pa., in 1732. Mrs. Smith's maternal 
Sraudfatlier, Capt. Stenger, served tlirougli 
Ilie Revolution. Andrevsr Smith had seven 
children; Peter, Catherine, Hannah. Florian, 
Sarah, Adelia and Samuel. Floriau was 
reared and educated in West Newton, 
and learned his trade with his father. He 
settled in McKeesport in 1862, anil embarked 
in business as a watch-repairer, in which he 
has successfully continued since. He mar- 
ried, in 1865, Nellie, daughter of William 
Coyan, of McKeesport, and has one sou liv- 
ing, Andrew. Mr. Smith is an attendant of 
the Baptist Ch\irch. of which his wife is a 
member. He is a democrat, and has served 
a term of three years as school director. 

AiMzi M. Wilson, farmer, postofflce Car- 
rick, was born Dec. 11, 18.54, on the Wilson 
homestead, which his grandfather, John Wil- 
son, settled, the stone mansion thereon being 
over one hundred years old. William R. 
Wilson, the father of Arazi M., was also born 
on the homestead, March 1, 1830. He was a 
steady farmer, a good citizen and neighbor, 
and died .June 27, 18-57. He married Marga- 
ret Cowan, Oct. 10, 18.50. She survived her 
liusband. and was the mother of three chil- 
dren: Joseph F., Amzi M. and William. 
William R. Wilson and wife were leading 
members of the Presbyterian Church; polit- 
icall}' he was a whig. Amzi M. was educated 
in this county and Cannonsburg Academy. 
March 23, 1883, he married Ruth, daughter of 
Robert and Elizabeth Atkinson, and they 
have been blessed with three children; Mar- 
garet E., Ralph and Anna L. Mr. Wilson 
now owns the homestead. 

George CHEESiiAN,M.D.,postoffice Libra- 
ry, was born in 1839, in Washington county. 
Pa., a son of John and Mary (Barkle}') Chees- 
man, natives, respectively, of New Jersey and 
Washington county. Pa. His father was a 
seaman for about seven years, and after com- 
ing to Washington county boated for several 
years on the rivers here, but followed farm- 
ing most of his life. His paternal grand- 
father, William Cheesman, came from En- 
gland. The subject of our sketch spent his 
youth in Washington county, was educated 
in Jefferson College, from which he graduat- 
ed in 1859. He then taught school in Ken- 
tucky until the war broke out, when he 
returned, and. entering Jefferson Medical 
College, graduated in 1805. He began the 
practice of medicine in Washington county, 
and after four years' labor there came to 
Library. In 1876 he bought a farm about 
one mile north of Library, and in 1877 moved 
his family thereon. He married. Feb. 19. 
1869, M. Bell, daughter of Hon. John A. and 
Violet (Gardner) Happer, and born in Wasli- 
ington county Oct. 12, 1843. Her father was 
a native of Washington county, and her 
mother of Allegheny county. Four children 
liave blessed this union; Mary Bertha, Leroy 
Happer, Harry Cammer and Helen V. Dr. 
Cheesman, having been a teacher in his earlj' 
life, has taken a great interest in the schools 
of Bethel, and has helped to build up some 



of the finest country schools in the township. 
In 1862 he taught at Bethel Academy. He 
and Mrs. Cheesman are members of Bethel 
Presbyterian Church. 

H. G. Jemphkey, retired farmer, post- 
office Bridgeville, is a representative citizen 
of South Fayette township, where he was 
born in 1818. His father, Isaac Jemphrey, 
married Marj' Griffin, who bore him twelve 
children, H. G. being the fifth child. Isaac, 
by trade a tanner, and a native of County 
Tyrone, Ireland, when two years old was 
brought to America by his "parents. He 
learned his trade in Allegheny City, and, 
with the exception of a few years, was always 
a resident of the county. Fte died at the age 
of sixty year?. Six of his children are still 
living, but H. G. is the only one who resides 
in Pennsylvania. H. G. Jemphrey received 
l)ut a few months' schooling, and has made 
his way in the world by his own exertions. 
His principal occupation has been farming, 
but in early life he learned the harness- 
maker's trade, which he followed a short 
time. He married, in 1843, Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of Isaac and Sallie (Deniston) Boyce. of 
this county. Mr. Jemphrey's first purchase 
of land was made in 1851. which he after- 
ward sold, purchasing the place where he now 
resides, and has retired from farming. He 
has been supervisor of the township for 
twent3'-five years; has served as school di- 
rector, and held other township offices. He 
is a member of the Methodist Church, and is 
a republican. 

Patrick FR.tNCis Hodge, conductor. 
Brushton, East End, was born at Sarah Fur- 
nace. Blair county. Pa. , Nov. 1, 1839, a son of 
Patrick and Mary (Keegan) Hodge, of 
' Drogheda, County Meath, Ireland. The 
i father died when Patrick was two years old, 
i and the latter was early driven to support 
himself as best he could by farm labor. At 
> the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted in 
' the three-months service, and then again en- 
listed Sept. 20. 1861, in Co. A, 55lh>. V. L 
J He was very soon promoted to second ser- 
I geant, and was commissioned as second lieu- 
[ tenant in April and first lieutenant in Au- 
( gust, 1863. and captain Feb. 15, 1865. Pre- 
vious to 1864 he was in the department of 
the South, and was twice wounded at the 
battle of Pocotaligo, S. C. From the battle 
of Cold Harbor on, he was with the Army of 
the Potomac; was wounded in the lower jaw 
and made prisoner at Drury's Bluff. He was 
kept at Petersburg and Libby till able to 
move, and was one of the six hundred offi- 
cers exposed to the Union fire at Charleston. 
At one time, while on the move, he jumped 
out of a freight car. but was compelled to 
give himself up at Edisto island. While 
confined at Columbia. S. C, he again made 
his escape, after being eight months a prison- 
er, and reached the Federal pickets, near 
Pocotaligo, after lying all night in water be- 
tween there and the Confederates. He re- 
turned at once to his regiment, and served as 
provost-marshal of Buckingham county, Va., 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



691 



until after the close of bostilities, being 
mustered out Aug. 30, 1865. In 186H. he 
fouud employment as passenger-brakeman on 
the P. H. R. ; two and one-half years later he 
became conductor and is now taking through 
trains from Pittsburgh to Altoona. He built 
his present residence at Brushton in 1872, and 
has been several years a school director of 
Sterrett township. He is a republican. Capt. 
Hodge is now commander of Wilkinsburg 
Post, G. A. R., and is also a member of the 
Veteran Legion. Sept. 16, 1869, Capt. Hodge 
married Susan, daughter of Edward and 
Mary (Cassidy) McGraw, the parents being 
of Irish birth; the dauchter was born in 
Freedom, Blair county. Pa., and is now the 
mother of two sons, George Edward and 
Gerald Francis. The family attend St. 
James' R. C. Church at Wilkinsburg. 

Charles A. Duffy, sheet-iron trimmer, 
McKeesport, was born in Butler county. Pa., 
Aug. 29, 1828, a son of Patrick and Bridget 
(Duffy) Duffy, who were among the pioneers 
of Butler county. His paternal grandfather, 
Michael Duffy, and maternal grandfather, 
Charles Duffy, were natives of Ireland, latter 
of whom settled in Butler county, in 1793, 
and former in 1820. Charles A. was reared 
in Armstrong county from four years of age, 
and there received a common-school educa- 
tion. In 1845 he located in Pittsburgh, where 
he served an apprenticeship of four years at 
the blacksmith's trade, and afterward worked 
in the same city one year as a journeyman. 
In 1850 he came to McKeesport and worked 
at his trade as a iourne3man until 1861 ; then 
entered the employ of W. D. Wood & Co., 
and has since worked witli the same firm in 
the capacity of a sheet-iron trimmer. He 
married, in 1866, Amanda M., daughter of 
James M. Hendrickson, of McKeesport. and 
by her has one daughter. Kittle. Mr. Dully 
is one of the substantial citizens of McKees- 
port, and has accumulated a competency, a 
good share of which he has invested in real 
estate. He is a stockholder in the People's 
Bank and Bank of McKeesport, is director in 
the former and director in the Union Savings 
Fund and Loan association and Home Securi- 
ty Building and Loan association. He has 
served two years as member of the council. 
In politics he is independent; in religion he 
is a member of the R. C. Chiu'ch. 

George Sharp, farmer, postoflice New 
Texas, was born in Plum township in July, 
1813, a son of James and Isabella (Harkness) 
Sharp, natives of Ireland. James Sharp 
came here in 1807; he was a member first of 
the Secession and then of the Reformed 
Church, and died a member of the U. P. 
Church, Nov. 9. 18.55, aged eighty-three 
years. His widow died Feb. 16, 1859, aged 
eighty-four years. Subject's grandfathers 
were'William Sharp and William Harkness. 
George received his schooling in the log 
schoolhouses of his day. His father bought 
*11 the land in his name, and the famil}' 
worked together as long as he lived. Now 
•only two brothers are left, and they have 



about one thousand acres of land lying close 
together. Mr. Sharp married, in 1861, Sarah 
McDowell, of Plum township, born in 1830, 
a daughter of Alexander and Jane (Lesley) 
McDowell, natives of Washington county. 
Mr. McDowell died in 1840, aged about fifty- 
eight years, and his wife in 1876, aged eighty- 
five years. The former was a farmer, aiid 
was all through the war of 1812. Mrs. 
Sharp's grandfather was Archibald McDow- 
ell, and her maternal grandfather, John Les- 
ley, was an officer in the war of 1813. Sis 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Sharp: Isabella Jane (Mrs. James Greer), 
James Alexander, Nancy Martha, Margaret 
Ann, George Robert and Sadie J. (who died, 
aged four years and nine months). All are 
members of the U. P. Church. Mr. Sharp 
is well known in church circles, and is con- 
sidered one of the best-posted men of the 
county on the Bible. 

William J. Quinn, contractor, postofEce 
Bonney, son of John and Jane Quinn, was 
born in Robinson township, Allegheny 
county, in 1844. His grandfather, Hugh 
Quinn, came to this county about 1811, pur- 
chased and cleared the farm still owned by 
the Quinn family, and was the first man in 
that section to put out a fine orchard. He 
was a carpenter by trade, and was one of the 
early contractors of Pittsburgh. He died in 
1868, at the age of sixty-eight years. His son 
John, born in 1814, was reared on the farm 
and learned the trade of carpenter, which he 
still follows. He married Jane, daughter of 
William and Jane Johnson, and their chil- 
dren are Hugh, William J., Minerva (wife of 
Lewis Sarwer), Lewis B. and Isabella, John 
and Maggie (all three deceased). John and 
his wife are members of the LT. P. Church, 
and own a part of the old homestead. Will- 
iam J. Quinn was also reared on the home- 
stead. At the age of seventeen years he 
enlisted in Capt. Young's independent bat- 
tery, and served nearly three years in the 
civil war. After his return from the war he 
learned the carpenter's trade, worked seven 
years as a journeyman, then embarked in 
business for himself, and is now a master 
builder and contractor. He is a member of 
the A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., G. A. R. and 
the A. O. U. W. He was married, in 1871, 
to Amelia, daughter of Michael Emrick, of 
Butler county, Pa., and they have had seven 
children: Mabel, John, Estella (deceased), 
Isabella J., William G., Albert L. and Edwin 
B. Mr. Quinn owns a good propertj' at 
Ingram station, in Chartiers township. 

Lewis Aber, farmer, postoffice West 
Elizabeth, son of Jacob and Jennett (Elliott) 
Aber, was born in Jelferson township in 
1836, on the place now owned by Mrs. Scott. 
Matthew Aber, his grandfather, came from 
New Jersey and settled in Plum township, 
Allegheny county. Jacob Aber was born in 
that township. When eighteen years of age 
he started in life for himself, and at twenty- 
one married and located in Jefferson town- 
ship, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Scott, 



092 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



where he ongasjed in fanning and was also 
the owner of a distillery, wliich he operated 
fort}' years. Jacob died in 1864, and Jcnnett, 
his wife, in 1856. Their children were Agnes, 
now Mrs. P. S. Pollock, of Baldwin town- 
slii|), .Mlegheny county; J. Eliza, now Mrs. 
S;unucl Neil, of Bulger station, Washington 
county. Pa.; licbi-cca, now Mrs. A. W. Be- 
dell, of West Elizabeth; Sarah, now Mrs. B. 
F. Gibbs, of Peters township, Washington 
county, Pa., and Lewis. In 1858 our subject 
married Elizabeth Megogney, daughter of 
David Megogney, of Jefferson township, 
and their children are John P., born in Bald- 
win township, Allegheny county; David L., 
born in Indiana county, and Albert H., also 
born in Indiana county. After his father's 
death Mr. Aber removed to Indiana county, 
purchased a farm and remained there twelve 
years. He then purchased a farm at the 
mouth of Peters creek, in Jefferson town- 
ship, which he sold in 1888, and removed to 
one he bought of A. W. IJedell, where he 
now resides. Mrs. Aber is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

A. "J. ScHULTE, coal-operator, postoffice 
Putnam, was born in Prussia, Germany, in 
1837, a son of Herman Schulte. The latter, 
in October, 1846, with his wife and five chil- 
dren, left Prussia for America, and after a 
voyage of eighty-two days, on New Year's 
night, 1847, the vessel was wrecked on the 
bars of Galveston, Tex., and Herman 
Schulte, with all his household effects was 
lost. The widow went to New Orleans from 
Galveston, and there remained until June, 
1847. She and her children then came to 
Allegheny county, and settled in Pittsburgh, 
where she resided until her death, in 1862. 
A. J. Schulte received a common-schoftl 
education, and at eleven years of age com- 
menced work in the coal-mines, at which he 
continued until 1869. He was then appointed 
superintendent of the Fort Pitt Coal com- 
panj', and served as such for eight years. 
Since 1877 he has been operating his own 
mines, which are located at Bridgeville and 
Brown Hill. He employs 150 men and ships 
his coal to Pittsburgh and western markets. 
>Ir. Schulte was married, in 1862, to Philo- 
mena, daughter of Nicholas Nickolay, and 
ten children have been born to them: Philo- 
mena, Anthony F., Joseph John, Joseph 
Frederick, Catherine Rosa. Chnrles Albert, 
Margaret May, Anna Matilda, Mary C. and 
Clara A. Mr. Schulte and family are mem- 
bers of the R. C. Church, and he is a dem- 
ocrat. 

HoGH Lemon Megown, blacksmith, post- 
office Eptou. was born Aug. 25, 1843, at his 
present residence on Piney Fork creek, a 
grandson of John Megown. who came from 
Ireland, and settled at Bayardstown, where 
he opened a stone-quarry. His parents, Alex- 
ander and Harriet (Stilley) Megown, were 
born in Butler county, Jan. 5, 1817, and 
Snowden township, Allegheny county, Oct. 
8, 1820, respectively. Alexander was a black- 
smith, and came to Snowden township in 1839, 



first working at his trade for Tliomas Kiddoo, 
and afterward for Woods & Dexter in their 
spade- and shovel-works. In IS-IOhe bought 
the shop property of forty- three acres, and 
erected a new steam-power shop, known as 
the Excelsior Tool-works. Here he manu- 
factured all kinds of heavy tools from 1860 
to 1872. Hugh L. began in this shop in 1860, 
and worked for wages until he was of age. 
Aug. 25, 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, 14th P. 
V. C, commanded by Col. Thomas. He 
participated in about a dozen hard-fought 
battles, was at Appomattox at the time of 
Lee's surrender, and was mustered out June 
6, 1865. Returning home, he worked in his 
father's sho]) until April, 1872, when he went 
into partnership with his father and brother 
Samuel, under the firm name of A. Megown 
& Sons. The father dying Dec. 20, same 
year, Samuel conducted the shop for about a 
year. Mrs. Harriet Megown died Nov. 12, 
1876. Mr. Megown married, July 19, 1866. 
Pha-be Merrington, born June 8, 1843. at 
McKeesport. daughter of James and Polly 
(West) Merrington, natives, respectively, of 
England and West Virginia. Her father died 
in .July, 1879; hermother resides in Allegheny 
City. Mr. and Mrs. Megown have three chil- 
dren: Sally (wife of Charles Frick), Birdie 
(wife of John W. Dickinson) and Mary Ann 
(at home). Mr. Megown is a member of Post 
544. G. A. R., of Gastonville. 

TnoMAS J. Gist, clerk, McKeesport, was 
born in Allegheny City, April 12, 1841. son 
of Thomas and Barbara (Richards) Gist, the 
former a native of Baltimore, the latter of 
Allegheny county. Our subject was reared 
and educated in the city of Allegheny, and 
Feb. 22, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 112th P. 
v., participating in the battles of the Wilder- 
ness, Spottsylvania Court House.North Anna 
river. South Edisto and Petersburg July 17th 
to 30th. where he received a gunshot wound 
in the head and right leg, and had his side 
crushed in by a shell and his spine injured, 
which reduced his stature four inches. On 
account of these wounds he was honorablj' 
discharged Jan. 20, 1865. He served five 
years in the internal revenue service in the 
Twenty-second Pennsylvania revenue dis- 
trict, and has been a resident of McKeesport 
eleven j'ears. Mr. Gist is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. ; in politics he has 
always been a stanch high-tariff republican. 

Robert Theodore Hili., secretary and 
treasurer of the P., C. & Y. R. R., was born 
in Pittsburgh, March 3, 1846, son of Robert 
and Mary J. (Delzell) Hill, natives of Ireland. 
His father came to Pittsburgh about 1825, 
and was a lumber-dealer; he died in Septem- 
ber, 1877, aged sevent3'-three years, and his 
wife died in 1884, aged seventy-six years. 
They were members of the U. P. Church, and 
in the early days Mr. Hill was a member of 
the Pittsburgh council. Mr. Hill received 
his education in Pittsburgh, and in 1864 be- 
gan clerking in a railroad office. In 1870 he 
was employed in the auditor's office of the 
P., Ft W. & C. R. R., and in 1882 resigned to 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



693 



accept the office of secretary and treasurer 
of the P., C. & Y. R. R., his present position. 
In December, 1884, he moved to Verona, 
where he now lives. He was married in 
February, 1865, to Mary J. Delzell, a native 
of Ireland, and daughter of AVilliam and 
Margaret Delzell. Her father died in 1861, 
aged fifty-three years. Six children have 
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hill. Three are 
living, named as follows: Willie D., Mabel 
and Jeanette. Those deceased are Clarence, 
Gertrude and Charles. 

John Price, coal-operator, Fetterman, 
was born in Toronto, Canada, where he re- 
mained until 1862; he was educated in the 
high-schools of that country, and soon after 
coming to the United States associated him- 
self with the Higby Coke company, with 
whom he remained five years. He was then 
employed by the Gray & Bell Coal com- 
pany, in the capacity of weighmaster, 
where he remained for six 3'ears, and was 
then with the Pullman Palace Car company 
for eleven years. Then he purchased his 
present home, and has been prominently con- 
nected with the coal and stone business. He 
married Charlotte, daughter of George 
Loweu, and to them have been born six 
children. Mr. Price is a highly respected 
citizen of Fetterman. He is a republican. 

M. C. Gray, engineer, Banksville, is a 
native of England, and in 1855 he came to 
America with his mother and brother. He 
was educated at the high-schools of England, 
and mining engineering has been his princi- 
pal occupation. He was married, in 1855, to 
^liss Mary Gray, daughter of John Gray, of 
England, and nine children have been born 
to them, six of whom are living. Mr. Gray 
is now interested in coal-mines and engineer- 
ing work. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and is a democrat. 

Eli Wilson Boyd, tarnier, postoflBce Tur- 
tle Creek, is a sou of Thomas and Sarah 
(Wilson) Boyd, of Irish descent, and was 
born Oct. 17, 1837, in North Huntingdon, 
Westmoreland county. Pa. His grandfather 
came from Ireland and settled in Westmore- 
land county, where he died at the age of 
ninety-five. Eli W. Boyd was reared a 
farmer, and completed his education by a 
year each at Madison and Irwin Academies. 
He married, Nov. 1, 1859, Sarah Shaw, and 
engaged in farming in his native town. 
Three 3'ears later he came to Patton town- 
ship, where he has since resided. He has a 
fine home, embracing three and a half acres 
near Turtle Creek, three farms covering 330 
acres, and is a two-fifths owner in the Spring 
Hill coal-mines, of which he is superin- 
tendent. Mr. Boyd married Miss Shaw, and 
their union has been blessed with six chil- 
dren: Lily S. (wife of John S. Mcintosh, of 
Wilkinsburg), Sadie W. (wife of G. E. P. 
Gray, of Homestead), David Shaw (engineer 
at Spring Hill works), Margaret Brown, 
James Kelso and Martha Gray (at home). 
The family belong to the U. P. Clmrch; Mr. 
Boyd is a republican. Mrs. Boyd is the 



only survivor of seven children born to 
David and Lydia (Stewart) Shaw. David 
Shaw was born July 9, 1803, in North Ver- 
sailles, and died Jan. 17, 1888, at the home of 
his daughter. His parents. David and Jane 
Shaw, came from Ireland and York county. 
Pa., respectively. The former died in 1834, 
aged seventy-three, and the latter in lf^6. 
aged one hundred and two. They had nine 
children, of whom the youngest, William, 
now resides in Bellevue, Allegheny county. 
The others died at their residences, as follows: 
Samuel, in Patton township; Elizabeth, wife 
of Samuel Shaw, in North Versailles; Rob- 
ert, in Patton; Margaret, wife of John Stew- 
art, in North Huntingdon; Thomas, in 
Wooster, Ohio; and John, in Allegheny City. 
The family was always identified with the 
U. P. Church. The voters were all whigs 
or republicans, and nearly all were plain 
farmers. 

David Owens, master mechanic, post- 
office Banksville, was born in 1841, in the 
county of Durham, England, and in 1863 he 
immigrated to America. He at once entered 
the employ of the Saw-Mill Run Coal com- 
pany, where he has continued up to the pres- 
ent time; has been in the capacity of master 
mechanic for the past eight years. He is 
permanently located in the town, and has 
full charge of all works in the shops. He is 
a Freemason, Odd-Fellow and K. of P. He 
is a member of the Methodist Church, and is 
a republican. 

John Jackel, butcher, McKeesport, was 
born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, Jan. 17, 
1855, to George and Maggie Jackel, and was 
reared and educated in his native land, where 
he served a two years' apprenticeship at 
butchering. He came to America in 1871, 
and settled in McKeesport, where he worked 
as a journeyman butcher six years. In 1877 
he commenced business with a partner, and 
after one year purchased his partner's inter- 
est, since when he has conducted the business 
alone. In 1883 he erected the fine brick 
building he now occupies on Fifth avenue, 
where he has since successfully conducted a 
meat-market. Mr. Jackel married, June 1, 
1878, Agatha, daughter of Nicholas Nickolos, 
of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and has five 
children: William, John, Anna, Kate and 
Georgie. Mr. Jackel is a member of the 
G. L. Church, of which he is vice-president; 
is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Leider- 
kranz, and is a republican. 

Oliver Evans, Jr., farmer, postofflce 
McKeesport, son of Oliver and Mary (Samp- 
son) Evans, was born in McKeesport in 1853, 
where he received his education, and in 1873 
married Fanny, daughter of Eli Cook, of Mc- 
Keesport. Her grandfatlier, William Cook, 
was one of the pioneers of Western Pennsyl- 
vania, and resided at Cookstown, where her 
father was born. He married Kate, daugh- 
ter of Victor Arthur, of Versailles township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Evans, Jr., after mar- 
riage located on the farm he now owns 
in Versailles township, and engaged in 



694 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



farming and dairy business. They have 
three children, viz.; Oliver, Katie and 
Beckie. Mrs. Evans is member of the Bap- 
tist Church. Mr. Evans is a democrat. 

JonN I. LuNDMAKK, proprietor of Hotel 
Gustave Adolph, McKeesport, was born in 
Sweden, June 2, 1840, a sou of Lelius and 
Eli/iil>elh Lundmark, and was reared in his 
native land, where he learned the carpenter- 
ing and cabinet-making trades. Coming to 
America in 1870, he settled, in 1872, in Mc- 
Keesport and opened a boarding-house, 
which he conducted seventeen years. In 
1887 he built the hotel of which he is now 
proprietor, on Rose street, near Ninth avenue, 
a much-needed hostelry in that part of the 
city, opening it to the public in November 
of tliat year. In 1872 Mr. Lundmark mar- 
ried Erica Nelson, of Titusville, bj* whom he 
has one son, Frederick. Mr. Lundmark is 
a member of the G. L. Church, of the I. O 
O. F. and A. O. H., and is a republican. 

John Bandi was born in Switzerland in 
1831, son of John Bandi. He came to 
America in 1866 and married MaryGeisel; 
they have one child, John M. Mr. Bandi is 
a well-to-do farmer, and owns 130 acres of 
valuable farming land; is a member of the 
G. L. Church, and is a democrat. 

B. Bandi, proprietor of the Bell Hotel, 
Fetterraan, was born in Switzerland in 1837, 
son of John Bandi, contractor, who had 
three sons. Benedick, the youngest, immi- 
grated to America March 12, 1857, settled in 
Allegheny City, and was employed in the 
dairy business. In 1861 he enlisted in the 
war for three years, and after he returned he 
continued dairying. He married Philomina, 
daugliter of Peter Wagner, and they had eight 
children, two of whom are living; John and 
Joseph. Mr. Bandi purchased fifty acres of 
land in West Liberty borough, and his present 
property in 1884. His hotel is centrally lo- 
cated in the borough, and receives good pat- 
ronage. He is a member of the G. A. R., is 
a Catholic and ademocrat. 

John F. Mullooly, superintendent of 
mines, postotfice Fairhaven, was born Aug. 
15, 1848, in Westmoreland county. Pa., a son 
of James and Ann (Murtaugh) Mullooly, 
natives of Ireland. The parents followed 
farming in Westmoreland county until 1860, 
when they removed to Allegheny county and 
continued to farm on part of the ground 
where the steelworks have since been erected, 
and here the father died. Their children 
were Bridget, Patrick, Martin, Mary, Katie, 
John P. and James. John F. farmed in early 
life, but subsequently became a practical 
miner. He began work for the company in 
1873, and March 15, 1881, took charge of the 
Ormsby mine, being checkman, weighman 
and then engineer, etc; he is now superin- 
tendent of the mine. Mr. Mullooly married 
Ellen, daughter of Michael Glacken, and 
the.y have six children; James R., John, 
George, Charley, Joseph and Mary. Mr. and 
Mrs. Mullooly are members of the R. C. 
Church, and he is a republican. 



John ScniNUEnEETLE, postofflce McKce's 
Rocks, was born in Germany in 18.50, and, 
coming to this country in 1872. settled in 
Allegheny county. He is a son of Goetlieb 
and Martha Schindeheetle, former of whom 
died in Germany in 1866, at the age of fifty 
years, and latter in 1880, at the age of sixty- 
five years. They were members of the G. P. 
Church. Of their seven children, five are 
living, all in this county. John married, 
March 5, 1877, Mary E., daughter of William 
H. and Marj- Miller, of this county, and they 
have been blessed with five children; Annie, 
George J., Henry W., William H.and Henry 
F. Mrs. Schindeheetle was born in 1857, and 
her parents are living in this county; her 
father was fifty-six years old in January, 
1888. and her mother fifty-four in Jul)', same 
year. John Schindeheetle learned the shoe- 
maker's trade, which he followed fifteen 
years. He worked in a rolling-mill about 
five 3'ears, and for the past six years has been 
keeping hotel, first at Saw-Mill run, and since 
at the village of Chartiers, at which place he 
owns a good hotel property. 

Jacob Weiskircher, wholesale liquor- 
dealer, McKeesport, was born in Germany, 
May 17, 1850, a son of Nieliolas F. and Mary 
A. (Meiser) Weiskircher. who came to America 
in 18.55, and settled in Miftliu township, Alle- 
gheny county. Nicholas F., a stone-mason, 
followed that trade for a number of 3'ears; 
then engaged in farming, and was killed 
April 10, 1879, by being thrown from a wagon 
in a runaway. His children who grew to 
maturity were Nicholas, Peter, Jacob, Lizzie, 
Frank, Adam, Mary, John, Ann, Barbara and 
William. Jacob was reared in Mifflin town- 
ship from five years of age, and received a 
common-school education. He began life as 
a coal-miner, which occupation he followed 
ten years; then for three years worked as a 
stone-mason. In 1873 he settled in McKees- 
port, and was engaged in the hotel business 
eight years; then for three years kept a res- 
taurant and saloon, and for the past eight 
years has also been engaged in his present 
business. He married, Nov. 28, 1872, Mary, 
daughter of Peter Gross, of McKeesport, and 
has four children living; Carrie M., William 
O., Jessie and Stella. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F., has served one year as member 
of the McKeesport city council, and is a 
democrat. 

Andrew McCartney, retired boatman, 
residing at 194 Steuben street. Thirty-sixth 
ward, Pittsburgh, was born in Lancaster 
county. Pa., Aug. 29, 1811, a sou of George 
and Jane McCartney, the former born in 
Lancaster countj', of Scotch descent, the lat- 
ter being of Irish nationality. They came to 
this county in 1827, and settled in what is 
now Chartiers township, near where Andrew 
McCartnej' now resides. George McCartney 
and Jane Lees were united in marriage 
before leaving Lancaster county. George 
learned the shoemaker's trade, which he fol- 
lowed for several years, but finally inherited 
one of the best farms in Lancaster county, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



695 



and turDcd his attention to agriculture and 
teaming. During tlie war of 1812 he was 
pressed into the service of the United 
States, witli his teams, and in cases of emer- 
gency was given a musliet and placed in the 
ranks. He participated in a battle near Bal- 
timore, in which a part of the British force 
left its trenches and went to the banks to 
meet its doom, as not one ever returned 
alive. After the war Mr. McCartney re- 
turned to his farm, but by indorsing for his 
friends he finally lost his property. He 
then moved to Allegheny county, where he 
worked at his trade. He died in 1847, his 
widow in 1867. Their children were An- 
drew, John, George (deceased), Simon (de- 
ceased), Mary J. (deceased), Eliza A. (wife of 
Daniel Donnelly, of Allegheny City), Louisa 
(deceased), Harriet (deceased), George and 
James (deceased). Andrew spent several 
years mining coal at one cent a bushel, 
saved money enough to build a boat and 
start business for himself, and for forty-five 
years followed boating. He built and owned 
the T. D. Harner and Marner steamboats, 
which he used principally as towboats be- 
tween Pittsburgh and Louisville, Kj'. He 
retired from boating in 1870, and engaged in 
brickmaking in the Thirty-seventh ward, 
Pittsburgh, where he still owns a brickyard 
containing seven acres, but recently retired 
from business. ' He married, in 1839, Ann 
Hodgson, and tlieir children are Samuel 
(who married Lena Macdonald, by whom he 
has three children: Cora, Andrew and 
Charles), George (deceased), Oliver, Addison 
L., Albert S., Newton W. and John (de- 
ceased). Capt. McCartney has been a local 
politician of some note, having held some 
offices in his township for many years, and 
was never defeated for anj- office for which 
he was a candidate. 

James E. Bters, blacksmith. West Eliza- 
beth, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Byers, 
was horn in Fiuleyville, Washington county, 
in 1843. In 1863 he married Harriet Secrest, 
of Bridgeport, Fayette county. Pa., and 
eventually settled in West Elizabeth. Here 
he began working at his trade, and has now 
been engaged in business in the same shop 
for a period of sixteen years. Their children 
are John H., Samuel A., Lavina, Harriet, 
James, Jacob, Harry and Arthur, all of whom 
make their home with their parents. Mr. 
Byers is a democrat. 

Robert H. Caughky, gardener, postofflce 
McKeesport, a son of John and Maria Caugh- 
ey, was born Aug. 6, 1839, in County Down, 
Ireland. In 1852 he immigrated to America, 
and located in Allegheny county, where he 
remained two years. He then removed to 
McClure. where he engaged in farming on 
the Shenly place five years. In 1866 he came 
to Lincoln township, purchased a consider- 
able tract of land, and became a gardener on 
an extensive scale. In 1869 his parents came 
to America and made their home with him 
in Lincoln township, where they both died. 
Their children were William Y. and Robert 



H.. (twins), Bella, John, Andrew(who enlisted 
during the civil war, and died after his return 
home, from the effects of exposure during his 
service), Fannie. Samuel W. (also a volun- 
teer in the civil war), and James Y. (of Mc- 
Keesport). In 1854 Robert H. married Mar- 
gery Grant, of Inverness, Scotland, and now 
has a family of five children : Joseph Y. (a 
merchant of McKeesport), Lizzie, Maria (en- 
gaged in teaching), Annabella and Martha 
Jane (also a teacher). All are members of the 
U. P. Church, and Mr. Caughey is a member 
of the I. O. O. F., and an ardent republican. 
He is president of the Youghiogheny Bridge 
company and is prominently identified with 
alllocal enterprises. 

Gkorge W. Lutes, superintendent of 
Lock No. 3, Elizabeth, is a son of George 
and Sarah (Mort) Lutes, and was born in 
1840, in what is now Forward township. His 
father was a native of Washington county, 
but removed to Forward township, where he 
married and reared a family of seven chil- 
dren; James H., Julia A., Keziah, Sarah, 
Susan M., Ruth and George W. George W., 
in 1867, married Mary E., daughter of Na- 
thaniel and Eliza Stevens, and he began his 
business career where he is now located, 
where he has been for twenty-three j'ears. 
Their children are Bertha E., George A., N. 
S., John S., Charles P., Mamie, Eliza, Laura 
and Emma, all living at home. 

Thomas M. Jones, coal-operator, West 
Elizabeth, a son of George and Rachel Jones, 
was born at Port Perry, Allegheny county. 
Pa., March 6, 18.50. He is engaged in operating 
the coalworks at Jones Station, Jefferson 
township, and has his residence in West 
Elizabeth borough. April 15. 1873, Mr. 
Jones married Sue E.. daughter of John and 
Margaret (Mickev) Kennedy, of Freeport, 
Armstrong county. Pa., natives of Fayette 
county, and they have three children : George, 
John and Irene Gertrude. Mr. and Mrs. Jones 
are members of the Methodist Church of 
West Elizabeth. 

Henry Linuart, farmer, postofl3ce Turtle 
Creek, was born near Adamsburg, West- 
moreland county. Pa., in 1840. His grand- 
father, Adam Linhart, came from Germany 
and settled in Wilkins township, where he 
died. Peter, son of Adam, married Margaret 
Brown, of English descent; settled on a farm 
in Westmoreland county, and became the 
father of eight children, of whom Henry is 
the fourth. The latter passed his early life 
on the home farm, and enlisted, in 1861, in Co. 
K, 77th P. v., serving through the civil war 
in the western army. Among the principal 
battles in which he fought were those of 
Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Green River, 
Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, Franklin, 
Stone River and Nashville. On his discharge, 
in 1865, Mr. Linhart settled in Patton town- 
ship, and iuJDecember of that year married 
Fanny Mates, a lad}' of German extraction. 
Mr. and Mrs. Linhart have one son, Robert 
Miller, aged twenty-two, now a resident of 
Homestead. Mr. Linhart has a pleasant 



696 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



home near Turtle Creek, ami operates the ■ 
farm of his mother, who is still living. He 
is a member of the E. L. Church, S. of I., 
and is a republican. 

Louis Rott, cashier. Homestead, was 
born Oct. 'i'i. 1844, in Badenhausen, near 
Ilarlz, (Jcrmany. a son of Christian and 
Louise (M;ilin) Rott, natives of the above- 
niunccl ])l;ice. where the former tlioroughly 
Usinu'd the l)l;i<-ksmith's trade, which later he 
rollowcd in Pilt;<l)urt;h for Newmyer «& Graff. 
Mr. and Mrs. Rott had three children: Fred- 
erick. Christian and Louis. Louis received 
his education in Pittsburgh, and learned the 
retail drug business with W. J. Redcliff, with 
whom he was six years. He then served six- 
teen years with B. L. Fahnestock in the same 
business, and six j'ears ago came to Home- 
stead, where he opened a drugstore, in which 
he still retains an interest. His excellent 
character in both social and business circles 
preceded him, and he is to-day one of the 
foremost men of the town. He started the 
L O. O. F., of which he has been secretary 
four years. He is a charter member of 
Boaz Council of the R. A., the L O. H., a 
member of the Golden Eagle, the Stuckrath, 
and the Masonic fraternity. Since the or- 
ganization of the First National Bank, Jan. 
3, 1888, he has been cashier in that institu- 
tion. In 1876 Mr. Rott married Arabella J. 
McCandless, who has borne him four sons: 
Louis Ed., Robert George, Charles H. and 
Albert J. 

J. B. McGrew. M. D., West Elizabeth, isa 
son of John B. and Sarali M. (Lynn) McGrew, 
and was born in Jefferson township in 1856. 
He is a descendant of one of the old Quak- 
er families of Westmoreland county. His 
father came to Jefferson township about 1843, 
settling in West Elizabeth, and. liaving pre- 
viously been engaged in the practice of med- 
icine in Westmoreland county, he continued 
it here. He received his medical education 
in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated. He 
entered the army during the civil war as cap- 
tain, of Co. G. 11th P. v.. and was twice 
wounded while in the service. He reared a 
family of five children: Rev. W. L. McGrew 
(of Pittsburgh M. E. Conference), David P. 
(a farmer of Jefferson township), Thomas B. 
(druggist of Gill Hall), J. F. (a physician of 
Baltimore, Md.) and J. B., our subject, who 
received bis medical education in Baltimore 
and is a graduate of the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons. He began the practice of his 
profession in 1883, in which year he married 
May, daughter of Eugene and Sarah Brown- 
field, of Smithfield, Fayette county, Pa., and 
they have one child, Ibelia. 

John Kehnet (deceased) was born in 
County Armagh, Ireland, in 1796, a son of 
Luke and Elizabeth Sargent Kerney, former 
the youngest of seven sons and two daugh- 
ters born to Luke Kerney. and by occupation 
a linen-manufacturer. Slay 24, 1824. John 
married Mary, daughter of Edward Bognall, 
of an old and prominent family in Ireland, 
and in the following June the young couple 



set sail for the new world, landing in Pitts- 
burgh in September of the same year. Here 
Mr. Kerney was engaged extensively in the 
grocery business for twenty-five years, after 
which he dealt in coal and lime. Mrs. Ker- 
ney died in 1857. and Mr. Kerney March 3, 
1885, at the age of eighty-nine years. For 
twenty years prior to his death (during eight- 
een of which he was an invalid from paraly- 
sis) he was retired from active life; he was a 
member of the R. C. Church, and a democrat. 
Mr. and Mrs. Kerney were parents of eight 
children (seven daughters and one son), of 
whom five are j'et living: Elizabeth (Mrs. 
Dr. J. Ahl), Mary (at home), Sarah (Mrs. 
Brennan). Ellen and Lucretia (Mrs. Culgan). 

John Yunker, merchant, McKee's Rocks, 
son of Peter and Catherine Yunker, was 
born in 1858, in Pittsburgh. His father, a 
native of Germany, immigrated to Pitts- 
burgh in 18.52, and located in Temperance- 
ville, where he followed rolling in the iron- 
works, which has been his occupation 
through life. In 1868 he moved to Stowe 
township, where he still resides. He mar- 
ried, in Allegheny countj' in 1852, Cather- 
ine, daughter of Conrad and Catherine 
Smith, of this county. Mrs. Yunker died in 
1875, aged forty years, the mother of the fol- 
lowing-named children: Peter (deceased), 
John, Joseph (deceased). Philip. Peter (sec- 
ond). Mary (wife of Jacob Herbst). Sophia 
(wife of Matthew Herbst), Louis, Theresa 
(deceased) and Katie. Mr. Yunker's second 
marriage occurred in 1876, with Mrs. Cath- 
erine Gast, a widow. John Yunker was mar- 
ried in May. 1881, to Lena, daughter of Chris- 
tian and Anna .laggi, and they had three 
children, all deceased. Mr. Yunker, like his 
father, followed iron-rolling until 1883, 
when he commenced mercantile busmess, in 
which he is still engaged at McKee's Rocks, 
where he keeps a general store. 

John Charles Hill, merchant, Wilkins- 
burg, was born in North Huntingdon. Pa., 
April 17, 1839, and is the eldest of three sons 
born to John C. and Catharine (Schilling) 
Hill; the others were Walter, now on the 
Westmoreland homestead, and George, who 
died in 1885. Their great-grandfather was 
one of the Hessian troops employed against 
the Americans in the Revolution. His son 
George was the father of John C, Sr., who, 
after his marrrage, lived for a time in York 
county. Pa., later settling in Westmoreland, 
where he died in 1876; his wife died in 1858. 
When fifteen years old John C. was appren- 
ticed to the machinist's trade, which occupied 
him till the outbreak of the civil war. He 
then joined Co. M, 6th U. S. C. and served 
three years in the Army of the Potomac, ris- 
ing to sergeant-major. After the expiration 
of his term of enlistment he raised a cavalr3' 
company, and was commissioned captain by 
Gov. Curtin. but was not mustered. Mr. Hill 
served in all the principal engagements of 
the Army of the Potomac, and had many 
narrow escapes. After the war he engaged 
with success in the oil business in West Vir- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



697 



ginia. lu 1868 he moved to Pittsburgh, and 
began the manufacture of brooms, brushes, 
etc., and the business now includes wholesale 
groceries. Mr. Hill purchased his present 
liouse at Edgewood in 1882. He is chaplain 
of the Wilkinsburg G. A. R. post, oldest past 
master of the A. O. U. W., member of the 
Masonic fraternity and theR. A., and is pres- 
ident of the Sterrett school board. Mr. Hill 
married, .Jan. 29, 1864, Mary, daughter of 
.John and Sarah Neath, and born in Rich- 
mond, Va. ; the children by this iinion are 
Laura Virginia, Reed Neath, Franls Burdette, 
Mary Anna and John Charles. The family 
attend the M. E. Church; Mr. Hill isareputj- 
lican. 

Thomas Algeo, retired, Pittsburgh, was 
born in that city in 1818, son of John Algeo, 
who was born in County Donegal, Ireland, 
in 1780, and came with his mother and nephew 
to America in 1808. His brother, Thomas, 
had previously emigrated, and was engaged 
in mercantile business. John was a painter 
hy trade, and married Anna Bell, daughter 
of John McCayne, who was a schoolmaster 
in Ireland. This couple were the parents of 
eight children, Thomas being the only one 
now remaining. For thirty years John was 
totally blind, having lost his sight through an 
operation performed by inexperienced phy- 
sicians. Thomas was reared in the county, 
and his principal pursuits in life have been 
of a commercial nature. He was married, in 
1844, to Mary, daughter of Thomas Walker, 
and to them were born five sons and five 
daughters, nine of whom are now living. Mr. 
Algeo purchased his present home in 1847, 
where he and his wife spend their declining 
years happily. 

John Algeo, the second eldest, was edu- 
cated in the public schools of West Liberty 
township, and in the private school of Rev. 
Gray. He left school at nineteen years of 
age, and was employed in the iron-mills of 
Pittsburgh. In 1883 he and his brother en- 
gaged in the grocery trade, and by close ap- 
plication to business they have been very 
successful. He is also engaged in farming, 
delighting in fine-bred horses. He was mar- 
ried, in 1884, to Miss Laura, daughter of 
Phillip Hoffman. He is a member of the 
F. & A. M., and the I. O. O. F., and in poli- 
tics is independent. 

Joseph B. Huff, stock-dealer, Wilkins- 
burg, was born in Harford county, Md., in 
1833. His ancestors were of English Quaker 
stock, and settled in Maryland in an early 
day. His grandfather, Abram Huff, w.as born 
there, as was his father, also named Abram. 
The latter married Mercy, daughter of Rich- 
ard Webb, Quaker; she was born in England. 
Abram Huff, father |of our subject, died of 
yellow fever when Joseph was a child; his 
widow survived till 1849. Joseph is the 
youngest of eight children, only three of 
whom are now living. He attended the com- 
mon schools until sixteen years old, when he 
worked for an elder brother, who was en- 
gaged in the cattle trade, eventually becom- 



ing a partner. For twenty-three years he 
has been head of the firm of Huff, Hazle- 
wood & Imhoff, live-stock commission deal- 
ers at East Liberty, and has dwelt in Wilkins- 
burg for the same period, and owns a fine 
residence on Peuu avenue. Mr. Huff's first 
wife, Mary, daughter of James and Catha- 
rine Basor, of German extraction, was born 
in Mifflin, Pa., and bore him three sons and 
one daughter. She died in 18G4, aged thirty- 
six. In 1871 Mr. Huff married Elizabeth, 
daughter of William and Zabias Henry. 
Jonathan Middleswath, father of Mrs. 
Henry, was an early settler and large land- 
holder in Scott township, this county. Mr. 
Huff's eldest child, Charles C, is practicing 
medicine at Huron, Dak. ; Joseph Henry 
was killed on the C. & N. W. Ry., in Sep- 
tember, 1887; Mary K. resides with her 
father; William C. was drowned, Julj' 17, 
1888, while on a pleasure tour in Canada; 
William H. is a republican. 

PiEUKE MouRER, wagon-maker, postotHce 
Chartiers, a sou of Nicholas and Anna Mou- 
rer, was born in Germany in 1853. He served 
ten months in the Franco-Prussian war of 
1870-71, and came to America in 1872, locat- 
ing in Pittsburgh. He learned the trade of 
a wagon-maker, which he has followed 
since coming to America. His mother died 
in 1865, at the age of forty-six years, and his 
father in 1885, at the age of ninety. Pierre 
Mourer married, Feb. 19, 1875, Mary, daugh- 
ter of Jacob and Theresa Maj-, of this county. 
They have seven children: Mary (died in 
infancy), Theresa, Jacob, Louis, Annie, Clara 
and Peter. Mr. Mourer is a member of the 
Knights of St. George. He and Mrs. Mourer 
are members of the Catholic Church. 

Henry McComb, farmer, postoffice Neg- 
ley, was born in County Down, Ireland, 
Aug. 12, 1823, a son of Thomas and Eliza- 
beth (Todd) McComb. His father was born 
in September, 1801, and died Oct. 4, 1883. 
His mother was born in 1791, and died Dec. 
3. 1866. Thej'were Scotch-Irish, and came to 
Pittsburgh in 1835, where Thomas McComb 
was an iron-worker for a number of years, 
and then a merchant in the Diamond in Pitts- 
burgh. His grandfather, Henry, moved to 
Ireland from the Highlands of Scotland. His 
maternal grandfather was Thomas Todd, and 
the wife of Thomas Todd was Isabella Mc- 
Clellan, and both were Scotch-Irish. Our 
subject received his education in Pittsburgh, 
and at the age of twenty-two began for him- 
self. He was hammerman and roller in 
Wood, .Edwards & McKnight's mill for 
twenty-two years, also spent eight years in 
another mill, where he made as high as 
twenty dollars per day most of the time. He 
bought his present farm in 1853, moved his 
family there, and the boys worked the farm, 
while he continued in the mills until 1872. 
He married, in 1846, Christina Smith, of Ire- 
land, who was born March 21, 18'25, a daugh- 
ter of William and Margaret (Caldwell) 
Smith, and moved to Pittsburgh in 1828. 
Eight children bless this union: Thomas, in 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



the leather business at Wilmington, Del.; 
William, on a farm; Mary Ann, Mrs. John 
Kuhn: .John, who died in"l87fi, aged twenty- 
two years; Robert died in lS7y. aged twenty- 
two; Henry, at home; Wilson died in 1887, 
aged twenty-four; James, at home, a gradu- 
ate of Edinburgh College, class of 1887. Mr. 
and Mrs, McComb are members of the Unit}' 
U. P. Church. Mr. McComb is a republican, 
and for nine years was member of the school 
board. He has led a very successful life, and 
has two hundred acres of good farming land, 
well improved. 

Mrs. Emaline Tourexce, retired, post- 
office Option, daughter of William and Mary 
(Fleeger) Torrence, was born at Greensburg, 
Westmoreland county, in 1830. Her father 
was a native of Ireland, and on coming to 
this country located in Westmoreland county, 
where lie remained some years. He then 
removed to Pittsburgh, and engaged in the 
saddlery business, the firm being R. & W. 
Mackey. He died in Pittsburgh and left five 
children: Margaret, Emaline. Mary. Cathe- 
rine and Robert. Emaline married David 
Torrence, and settled in Jefferson township, 
on the farm now owned by her, and engaged 
in farming. Here David Torrence died. 
Their children were Mary, now Mrs. Miller; 
Henrietta, William, Jennie, Kate and David 
D. Of these Kate and William are deceased. 
Mrs. Torrence is a member of the U. P. 
Church. 

Robert Sylves. miner, postofflce Turtle 
Creek, was born in Conemagh township, 
Indiana county. Pa., Sept. 10, 1847. His 
father, Peter, was a son of Conrad Sylves, of 
German stock, but his mother, Catharine 
(Getty), was born in Ireland. Peter Sylves 
was a farmer, and died in Conemagh in 1853. 
Robert began to earn his living when nine 
years old, being employed on a farm, and has 
made a business of mining since he was 
eighteen. In 1874 he became a resident of 
Patton township, and bought property, 
which he improved. He enlisted, in 1864, as 
a recruit in a veteran regiment, the 107th 
Pennsylvania, and served ten months with 
the Army of the Potomac, seeing a great deal 
of active warfare about Petersburg, Va. He 
attends the Lutheran Church, with which his 
family is united. In 1886 he married Sarah, 
daughter of Samuel and Eliza Douds, a na- 
tive of Indiana county. Mr. Sylves died in 
March. 1887, aged thirty-eight years, leaving 
six children: Jennie, Joseph, Mary, Peter, 
Thomas and Eliza. Two children, Rosa and 
Annie, died in infancy. Mr. Sylves has al- 
ways been a democrat. 

Georob Kappel. merchant, Pittsburgh, 
was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 9, 
1847. His parents. Valentine and Dorothea 
Juliana (Ewald) Kappel. were born and reared 
near the citj' of Darmstadt. Germany, and 
came to America soon after their m.arriage, 
in 1846. Next year they settled in Pittsburgh, 
Mr. Kappel being employed for a sliort time 
as gardener by a manufacturer, who soon 
placed him inthe iron-warehouse. Here he 



remained through four changes in ownership, 
and many years before his death had charge 
of all supplies for the Kensington mills. He 
was many y(^ars secretary of the board of 
trustees of the Lutheran Church. He died 
Jan. 31, 1880. His widow and daughters, 
Emma .luliana and Amelia Rachel, now re- 
side on Fifth avenue. Charles, the second 
child, died when throe j'ears old. George, 
the eldest, attended the public school till 
thirteen years of age, when he was employed 
for about a year by a manufacturer of tin 
cartridge-boxes for the Union army. In the 
spring of 1862 he was errand-boy in the 
music-store of wliich he is now proprietor. 
He afterward became bookkeeper and sales- 
man, and in 1878 he purcliased the depart- 
ment of sheet-music and small instruments. 
Nov. 23, 1877, Mr. Kappel married Maria 
Alice Bockstoce, and bought his present resi- 
dence at Edgewood eight years later. Mrs. 
Kappel was born at Mount Lebanon, this 
county, a daughter of Henry and Margaretta 
Bockstoce, of German and Scotch ancestry, 
respectively. The children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Kappel are Howard Bockstoce, George Val- 
entine, Marguerite and Norman AVillard. 
The family attend the Presbyterian Church. 
Mr. Kappel is an independent democrat. 

Tno.«.4S WiLi.is, miner, postofHce Car- 
rick, was born May 20. 1835, in Alvechurch, 
Worcestershire, England, a son of John and 
Anna Willis. He entered the English coal 
and ore mines at the age of seventeen, be- 
came a practical miner, and carried for two 
}-ear3 the lamp to inspect for firedamp. He 
came to America in May, 1863. engaged in 
mining in Baldwin township, and has been 
with the firm of Walton & Co. for over 
twenty years. He is one of the most experi- 
enced men in the mine. He owns a farm of 
seventeen and a half acres, and follows agri- 
cultural pursuits and gardening successfully. 
In England he married Mary A^Lee, and they 
were blessed with eight children: John S., 
Mary A., Thomas. William, Abijah. Julie, 
Lucy and Lee. Mr. Willis takes a lively in- 
terest in all local affairs. 

WrLi.i.\M L.-vRGE, farmer, postoffice West 
Elizabeth, son of Andrew and Mary Large, 
was born on the place he now owns, in Jeffer- 
son township, in 1842. Andrew Large was 
born in 1820. in Jefferson townshi]). and mar- 
ried Mary McRoberts. Their children were 
Mary, no'w Mrs. N. Forsyth, of MiflJin town- 
ship"; Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Dale, of 
Mifflin township: Sarah, now Mrs. J. F. Mc- 
Gowen, of Mifflin township, and William. 
The last named married Sarah S. Mesner, 
and their children are James, Andrew, John, 
Charles. Melton and Austin. Mr. Large is a 
democrat. 

Blosius Bkck, merchant, postoffice Mc- 
Kee's Rocks, son of William and Theresa 
Beck, was born in Wiirtemberg, Germany, 
and came to this country in 1852, set- 
tling in Pittsburgh. William Beck died 
in Germany, and his widow with her 
twelve children came to this country in 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGBAPHY. 



699 



1854, locating in Allegheny county. From 
those twelve children there have been 
born 150 children, of whom 120 are liv- 
ing, and eleven of the twelve that came 
from Germany are also living, viz.: Titus, 
Joseph, Michael, Andrew, Christina, Cath- 
erine, Mary, Barbara, Lena, Blosius and 
Jacob. The mother of this family died in 
Allegheny county in 1887, at the advanced 
age of eighty-nine years. The family are 
members of the R. C. Church. Blosius Beck 
was reared on his parents' farm in Germany, 
and after coming to this country, for several 
years was fireman on a local engine. Then 
for twenly-eight years he followed gardening 
and raising flowers, and for the past six years 
he has been engaged in grocery, llour and feed 
business in ihe village of Chartiers. When 
he arrived in Pittsburgh he had only two 
cents to commence life in a new country, but 
by his industry he has become a successful 
nierchant. Mr. Beck has been twice mar- 
ried; first, in 1854, to Mary, daughter of 
Joseph Bloom, of this county, and she died 
in May, 1871, at the age of forty-two years, 
the mother of following-named children; 
Mary (wife of Conrad Myers), Jacob, Michael, 
Jennie (wife of Jacob Nolle), Theresa, John, 
Louis, Henry (deceased), Laura (deceased). 
Josephine (deceased). Mr. Beck's second 
wife is Agatha, daughter of Nicholas and 
Estella Sligher. By this marriage there 
were nine children; Albert, Estella (deceased), 
Henry (deceased), Elizabeth, Lena, Joseph, 
Estella, Catharine and Agatha. 

John Myers, merchant, postofEce Duncan, 
a son of Peter Myers, is a native of Prussia, 
born in 1833. He immigrated to America 
with his parents in 1842, locating at Port 
Perry, where his father was engaged in min- 
ing coal. The children of Peter Myers were 
Catherine, now Mrs. Wiesand. of McKees- 
port; Ellen, now Mrs. Yost, of McKeesport; 
Philomena, now Mrs. Frederick; Jacob, a 
tinner, and John. The last named was 
educated principally in Prussia, and remained 
at home until 1856, when he married Eliza- 
beth Bost, of Greenspriug, Alleghen}' county. 
He located at McKeesport, and engaged in 
coal-mining for three years, but in 1861 re- 
moved to Coultersville, pursuing his former 
vocation until 1882, when he engaged in busi- 
ness as dealer in general merchandise, which 
he still continues. The children of Mr. and 
Mrs. Myers are John, Gertrude (Mrs. P. J. 
Murphy), Louis, Louisa, Anna, Herman, 
Mary, Elizabeth, Frank and Katie. Mr. and 
Mrs. Myers are members of the Catholic 
Church. 

George Miller, tube-welder, McKees- 
port, was born in New York city, Sept. 16, 
1844, a son of Nathaniel and Jane (Smullen) 
Miller, natives, respectively, of England and 
Ireland. He was reared in his native city 
and Butler county. Pa., and received a 
limited education in the common schools. 
During the civil war he served nine monlhs 
in Co. K, 134th P. V. I., and two years in 
Co. H, 102d P. V. I. ; was wounded in the 



left hip at the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., 
and honorably discharged at the close of the 
war. In 1868 he located in Pittsburgh, and 
learned the tube-welder's trade. He came to 
McKeesport in 1875, where he has since 
resided, employed in the welding department 
of the National Tube-works, and is one of 
the tirst-class workmen in that department. 
He married, in August, 1S66, Sarah J., 
daughter of William J. and Mary (Aker) 
Campbell, of Butler county. Pa., and by her 
has had nine children; Mary (Mrs. Frank 
Wheeler), John (deceased), William, Jennie, 
Emma, Grace, Ada, George (deceased) and 
Frank. Mr. Miller is a member of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian Church, of the A. O. K. 
of M. C, K. of P. and I. O. H. He is a 
republican. 

Emil Keebler, baker, Verona, was born 
in Bavaria, Germany, Aug. 10, 1858. a son of 
John and Jane (Newmyer) Keebler. His 
father was a cooper, and died, at the age of 
forty-five years, when Emil was an infant of 
two years. Emil was the youngest of a family 
of seven children; became to Pittsburgh in 
1873, where he learned the baker's trade, 
spending four and one-half years on Penn- 
sylvania avenue, then settled in Verona, and 
started in business for himself. His was the 
first bakery in Verona, and the business was 
a novelty to the people, who then made their 
own bread; he only sold threeloaves the first 
day, but has built up a good trade. He was 
married, Feb. 16. 1886, to Clara Kirbach,who 
was born in Saxony, Germany, April 20, 1864, 
a daughter of Morris and Pauline (Kunce) 
Kirbach. Mr. and Mrs. Keebler have two 
children, Morris and Olga. The family are 
members of the German Lutheran Church, 
and politically he is a i-epublican. 

John B. Shrader, gardener, postofBce 
McKeesport, a son of William and Eliza 
(Byers) Shrader, was born in 1862. in For- 
ward township, near Elizabeth. Allegheny 
county. His grandfather, William Shrader, 
was one of the pioneers of that township, and 
there William, the father of J. B., was born. 
His mother was a native of Westmoreland 
county. Pa. After marriage his parents set- 
tled in Forward township, where they reared 
a family of six children: John B., Frank, 
Alice, Fred, Bertie and Samuel. William 
Shrader is now a resident of Lincoln town- 
ship. John B. Shrader in 1881 married Mary, 
daughter of Samuel McDonald, of Armstrong 
county, and located at Elizabeth, where they 
remained for a year. He then purchased the 
place now owned by him in Lincoln town- 
ship, to which he removed and engaged in 
gardening. Mr. and Mrs. Slirader have one 
child. Pearl. 

Larmer Mitchell, policeman, postoffice 
Hulton, was born Aug. 14. 1832, in Illinois, 
a son of John and Jane (Marshall) Mitchell, 
natives, respectivel}', of Jamaica and of 
O'Hara township, this county. His paternal 
grandfather was John Mitchell; his maternal 
grandparents, James and Anna Marshall, of 
Irisli descent, settled in this county about 



rOO 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



one liundrecl years aj^o. Laimei's father was 
a farmer, and moved to Illinois wlien about 
fifteen years old, dying there in 1840; about 
twelve years later his widow moved to llul- 
ton, marrying James Wood, who is now de- 
ceased, and his wife living in Trenton. 
Our sul)jeclreceived his education in Tren- 
ton, and at ten years of age began working 
for a farmer; at sixteen years of age he went 
on board a packet on the Pennsylvania canal, 
and worked for thirteen years. He enlisted, 
Aug. 18, 1864, in Co. I.'Sth H. A., and was 
mustered out in June, 1865. Mr. Mitchell 
lias been for two years constable at the soda- 
works in Harrison township. After being in 
the oil liclds three years he came to Verona in 
18S0, iniil has been watchman, constable and 
polict-iiiaii since. He was married, in June, 
1834, to Kachel Kuhn. a native of Plum 
township, daughter of Jacob and Mary 
Kuhn. They have six children, named as 
follows: Maggie (Mrs. Robert Walker), Harry 
S., Lula (Mrs. McCalpin), Bradford, Molly, 
Annie (Mrs. William Shipman) and Edith. 
Mr. Mitchell is a member of the G. A. R. 
and the U. P. Church. 

S YL VESTEH Sw.\RTS WELDER (deceased) was 
horn in Chester county. Pa., in 1827. a son of 
Philip and Amelia (Elmaker) Swartswelder, 
natives of Eastern Pennsylvania. When 
eighteen years old he began work at the black- 
smith's trade in East Liberty, and in 1849 em- 
barked in business for himself in Upper St. 
Clair township, this county. In 18.56 he settled 
in Penn township, bought the property where 
his widow and son now reside, and continued 
to conduct a shop until his death, in 1874. 
Besides the shop and dwelling near the cen- 
ter of the township, he left a farm in the 
northern portion. He was always a repub- 
lican, but sought no offices. He and wife 
were connected with the Baptist Church. 
Mr. Swartswelder married, in 1851, Cather- 
ine Stoner, who was born in Penn township. 
Stoner, the eldest child born to this union, 
died when eleven years old. The others are 
as follows: Amelia (Hulton), Ellen (Evans), 
John and Lily (Burchfield) John was born 
in 1863; learned his father's trade with his 
brother-in-law, John Hulton, at home, and is 
now conducting an active business in wagon 
and general blacksmithing. In August, 1885, 
he married Sadie Richey, a native of this 
township. They have a daughter named 
Lily. 

Felix Uohers, contractor. Green Tree, 
was born in County Tj'rone, Ireland, in 1830, 
son of Hugh Rogers, who came to America 
in 1846, and located in Lower St. Clair town- 
ship, where he followed farming. He was 
the father of eight children, six of whom are 
living. Felix was the second youngest, and 
his mother died wlien he was but four years 
of age; he was educated in the county, and 
has followed contracting, etc. He was mar- 
ried, in 1835, to Miss Alice Hughe, and to 
them have been born eight children, all of 
whom are now living: Mary, Catharine, 
Alice, Hugh, Joseph, John, Saraband Maggie, 



all at home; the mother died in 1873. The 
family are all members of the R. C. Church; 
Mr. Ilogers is a democrat. 

James Eowaud Hunter, druggist. Turtle 
Creek, was born in 1830. His early life was 
passed on the home farm, and his education 
was finished at Stahlstown Academy. When 
nineteen years old he engaged in the drug 
business at Turtle Creek, with a partner, 
under the title of J. E. Hunter & Co. In 
1878 the firm was burned out, inflicting a loss 
of over six thousand dollars. After spend- 
ing a year on the home farm. Mr. Hunter 
again opened the drug business, and at the 
beginning of 1888 admitted his former clerk, 
F. K. Cyphers, the firm now being Hunter & 
Cyphers. Mr. Hunter's financial ability is 
demonstrated by the fact that he is possessed 
of two tine dwellings at Turtle Creek, and is 
doing an excellent business. He was twelve 
years assistant postmaster, doing the busi- 
ness for his brother; he is a republican, 
member of the A. O. U. W., and regular 
attendant of the Presbyterian Church. In 
1877 he married Fanny A., daughter of P. C. 
Reniers. In February, 1888. Mrs. Hunter 
died, in her thirtieth year, leaving two daugh- 
ters, Molly Alice and Florence Armitage. 

Jesse H. Dewees. superintendent and 
treasurer of the Osceola and Republic Coal 
companies, McKeesport, was born in Chester 
county. Pa., May 4, 1851; was reared in his 
native county, educated in the public schools. 
Norristown Academy and in the State Normal 
school at Westchester, after which he taught 
school two years. He located in McKees- 
port in 1871, and for seven years was cashier 
in the general store of Wood Bros. He then 
embarked in the coal business, and now owns 
a half interest in the Republic and Osceola 
coal-mines, and has been the efficient super- 
intendent and treasurer of the Osceola Coal 
company since its organization. They are 
miners and shippers of the celebrated Youg- 
hiogeny gas- coal, one of the most popular 
fuels in the market, the combustion being in- 
tense and long continued, and as a producer 
of gas has no superior. The daily capacity of 
the Osceola and Republic collieries is about 
eight hundred tons, requiring the employ- 
ment of about three hundred miners and ex- 
tensive transportation facilities. 

John R. CnuisTT, farmer, postofflce Mc- 
Keesport, was born in Versailles township. 
Allegheny county, Oct. 20. 1842, a son of An- 
drew and Eliza (Aekin) Christy. His paternal 
grandfather was John Christy, a native of 
Ireland, who came to America in 1766, and 
settled on the farm now occupied by subject, 
which he cleared and improved, and lived 
and died thereon. The maternal grandfather 
of our subject was William Aekin. of Irish 
descent, a pioneer of Westmoreland county, 
who settled on a farm that was patented by 
John Christy. Andrew Christy was born, 
reared and died on the old homesteid, his 
death occurring May 6, 1880, in his eighty- 
fifth year. He reared a family, the follow- 
ing-named children: Caroline (Mrs. James 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



701 



Cowau), Amanda (Mrs. Rev. J. L. Brown), 
Mary (Mrs. Rev. Alexander Marshall), Cyrus, 
Martha (Mrs. William Robbins), Maggie (Mrs. 
Joseph Robl)ins), John R. and Sarah (Mrs. 
Presley Samm). Our subject was reared on 
the old homestead, where he has always re- 
sided. He served one year in the civil war, 
enlisting in July, 186t, and was honorably 
discliarged in June, 1865. He has been twice 
married; first, June 4, 1873, to Nancy, daugh- 
ter of Robert and Jane (Ludwick) Robinson, 
of Westmoreland county, Pa., by whom he 
had one son, Robert 8. R. Mr. Christy's 
second marriage was (Oct. 18, 1883), with Liz- 
zie, daughter of David and Mary (Muse) Shaw, 
of Versailles township, by whom he has two 
children, John S. and Mary M. Mr. Christy 
is a member of the First Presbj'terian 
Church of McKeesport. In politics he is a 
republican. 

Joseph O.McKee, physician, McKeesport, 
was born in what is now North Versailles 
township, Allegheny county, Oct. 9. 1853, 
and is a son of Daniel S. and Julia A. (Craig) 
McKee. His grandfather, David McKee, a 
native of Ireland, settled in Pittsburgh as 
early as 1830, kept a hotel for a time and later 
edited an anti-secret-society paper. His wife 
was Jane Means, by whom he had one son, 
David S., who in early manhood settled in 
North Versailles township, and engaged in 
farming until his death, David S. married 
Julia A. Craig, a daughter of George and 
Mary (Thomas) Craig, who settled in North 
Versailles in 1837. The cliildren of Mr. and 
Mrs. David S. Craig are Lillie J. (Mrs. A. M. 
McClintock), David R., William A., Joseph 
O., James M., George T. and Anna M. Jo- 
seph O. was reared in North Versailles town- 
ship, and began the study of medicine in 
1870.with Dr. J. L. Taylor, of his native town. 
He attended the medical department of the 
University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, one 
year; passed another year at Detroit Medical 
College, Detroit, Mich., and graduated from 
the latter March 4, 1874. He began the prac- 
tice of his profession at New Stanton, West- 
moreland county, where he was located two 
years; then practiced at Monongahela City 
one year and North Versailles township 
eight years. In June, 1885, he settled at Mc- 
Keesport, where he now has a successful 
practice. He has been twice married; his 
first wife, Sarah E., daughter of John C. 
Hays, of Westmoreland county. Pa., was the 
mother of one child, Thomas D. His pres- 
ent wife is Gertrude, daughter of Frank A. 
Carr, Sr., of McKeesport. Dr. McKee is a 
member of the C. P. Church, the K. of P. 
and I. O. H., and is a republican. 

MicHAEi, Beck, gardener and ice-dealer, 
postoffice Chartiers, was born in Germany in 
1833, a son of William and Theresa Beck. 
He came to this country in 1853, and settled 
in Stowe township, where he has since 
resided, engaged in farming and gar- 
dening, at which he has been very suc- 
cessful. He worked some two 3'ears in the 
Pittsburgh Union Saltworks, was a member 



of the firm that erected them, and has some 
twenty thousand dollars worth of stock in 
them. Tlie works do an extensive business, 
making about four hundred barrels of salt 
per day, and also manufacture their own 
barrels, etc. Mr. Beck also owns thirty acres 
of very valuable land adjoining Chartiers 
village, and has quite a large amount of sur- 
plus capital besides, but when he came to 
Pittsburgh he had not money enough to pay 
his toll across the bridge over the Mononga- 
hela river. In September, 1858, he married 
Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Eva Knell, 
of Stowe township, and their children are 
Elizabeth (wife of Nicholas Huflfnagle), Jus- 
tina M. (wife of Valentine Ruffler), Titus 
G., Ulrich M., Laurence W., Margaret P., 
Emma T., John M. and Conrad W. Mr. 
Beck has been one of the most successful 
financiers in Stowe township. 

John P. Meiers, merchant. Mount Oliver, 
was born July 39, 1853. in Baernbaclj, Prus- 
sia. He was a son of Jacob and Mary (Wolf) 
Meiers, who came to this country in 1852. 
The father died many years ago; the mother 
still survives, and has four children 'now liv- 
ing. The subject of this sketch became a 
practical miner, and followed it for eighteen 
years. He married Miss Katie Soulier, and 
they had two children: Edward J. and Hilde- 
gart M. In December, 1883, Mr. Meiers 
opened a general grocery and feedstore, 
which he has since successfully conducted. 
Mr. and Mrs. Meiers are members of the R. 
C. Church; he is a democrat. 

Robert M. Blackburn, coal-operator, 
Blair Station, son of Anthony and Hettie (Mc- 
Grew) Blackburn, was born in Westmore- 
land county. Pa., in 1813. His great-grand- 
father. Anthony Blackburn, was the first set- 
tler in the southern portion of that county. 
John Blackburn, grandfather of R. M., was 
born there. Anthony, father of R. M., was 
a native of Westmoreland county, where he 
always lived, dying within a mile and a half 
of the place of his birth. Hettie, his wife, 
also a native of Westmoreland county, is 
also deceased. There are but four of their 
children now living: William, who lives on 
the old homestead; Albira, also of Westmore- 
land county; Hadassa, who lives with Albira, 
and Robert M. Robert M., in 1858, married 
Mary J., daughter of David Megogney, of 
Jefferson township. Ten years before, he 
came Jto Mifflin township, this county, and 
five years later to Jefferson township. After 
marriage they located at Coal Valley, where 
he was engaged in operating mines, the firm 
name being R. M. Blackburn & Co. He is 
still interested in the mines, being the oldest 
coal-operator on the river. Three years ago 
Mr. Blackburn purchased what is now known 
as the Blackburn mills, near the mouth of 
Peters creek, where he now passes most of 
his time, depending upon his sons to proper- 
ly superintend the otherninterests. The chil- 
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn are David 
B., married and engaged in the coal trade; 
Oliver A., of Pittsburgh, also engaged in 



702 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



the same business; Kate, Uattie, R. M., Jr., 
J. Dick, Pollie, Jennie, Mark and John, all 
of whom are at home except the first two. 
The parents are members of the M. E. Churcli. 

JosiiPii E. Johnson, farmer, postofBce 
Turtle Creek, was born in Westmoreland 
oo\uiiy in 1840. James Johnson, father of 
Joseph E., was born in Westmoreland county 
in 1798, and was a son of Matthew Johnson, 
who emigrated to America from Ireland. 
This pioneer was a farmer, as was his son 
and also our subject. James married Mary 
Ann. daughter of Adam Sunns, and twelve 
children were born to them, all of whom are 
now living. In 1854 the family emigrated to 
Allegheny county, and has for twenty-five 
years been engaged in farming. Our subject 
was educated at the common schools, and 
learned the trade of wagon-making. He 
purchased his present farm in 1867, and in 
the same year married Sarah E. Lenhart, 
daughter of Christopher Lenhart. They 
have two sons and one daughter: Annie E., 
James W. and Joseph Albert. Mr. Johnson 
enlisted, Aug. 5, 1881, in the lO.ith Pa. Regt., 
and served for three years and two months; 
was four times wounded, and confined to the 
hospitals five months, in New Haven, Alex- 
andria and Philadelphia. His three brothers, 
Adam, John and William, were also brave 
soldiers. Mr. Johnson has by his own in- 
dustry secured a good home, and is a highly 
respected citizen. Politically he is a repub- 
lican. 

John Fleming, manufacturer, Pittsburgh, 
founder of the largest establishment in Pitts- 
burgh for the manufacture of pressed and 
japanned wares, now under the firm name of 
Fleming & Hamilton, was born in Pine Creek 
township, this county, Aug. 28, 1823, and is 
a son of Andrew and Jane (MurrjO Fleming, 
natives of Pennsylvania, who, in 1815, set- 
tled at Pine Creek, where for many years the 
father operated a gristmill, and for the first 
few years a distillery. The father died in 
18.58, aged seventy-six years; the mother died 
in 18.53, aged sixty-two years. Andrew 
Fleming was the paternal grandfather of 
John Fleming, and his maternal grandfather 
was David Murry. Mr. Fleming, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, received a common free- 
school education, and in 1840 learned the trade 
he has since built up, of John Dunlap. Three 
years later, in 1849, he began business for him- 
self on the lot where his factor)' nowstands, 
corner of Third avenue and Market street, and 
three years later admitted a partner, whom 
he bought out the next year. He next ad- 
mitted Joseph Kranz as parlner, and after- 
ward Edward Agnew and John Hamilton, 
under firm name of Fleming, Agnew & Co., 
which continued until 1884. when it became 
Fleming & Hamilton. Their business has 
grown to vast proportions, and they now 
ship goods to Boston, New York. San Fran- 
cisco, and all parts of the United States. 
Mr. Fleming was married, in 1845, to Jane 
Dunlap, sister of John Dunlap, by whom he 
has three living children, viz. : John, Mary 



Louisa and Nettie Jane. His wife died in 
1861, and in 1.802 he married Rachel Ru- 
therford, who is the mother of six children; 
Charles P. (now in Wyoming). Frank H., 
Harry R., Sadie Y., Thomas B. and Glen H. 
Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are members of the 
U. P. Church; politically he is a republican, 
as are all of his boys who are of age. 

J. W. DuNsnEE, boat-builder, postoffice 
Hero, a son of A. T. Dunshee, was born in 
Pittsburgh in 1828. His father was a native 
of Washington county, Pa., but was reared 
and educated in Pittsl)urgh. where he died. 
His wife died in JlcKeesport. Their chil- 
dren are William, Benjamin, J. W., Sarah 
Jane (Mrs. Boyd), Joan (Mrs. Prof. Van- 
tyne), Margaret and Susan. J. W. followed 
the river for some years, and in 18.52 married 
Sarah Jane, daughter of James Leasure, of 
McKeesport. They located in Miftlin town- 
ship, and there resided until 1869. when they 
removed to the place now owned by them in 
Reynoldton, and here Mr. Dunshee engaged 
in boat-building. Their children are Thomas, 
Harry, Nellie. Edwin, Blanche, Joseph, Pink 
and Will. Mrs. Dunshee is a member of the 
M. E. Church. Mr. Dunshee is a member 
of Youghiogheny Lodge, No. 364, I. O. O. F., 
of McKeesport; he is one of the oldest mem- 
bers, and his name was presented when its 
charter was granted. He is a republican. 

LoDis Zollinger, brick-manufacturer, 
Wilkinsburg, was born in Westmoreland 
county. Pa., Jan. 6, 1842, and is descended 
from the early Swedish settlers on the Dela- 
ware, of 1688. His grandfather, Jacob Zol- 
linger, was a resident of Lancaster county, 
where his parents, George and Margaret 
(Long), the latter of German descent, were 
born. In 1828 they located on a farm in 
Westmoreland county, and twenty j-ears 
later moved to Allegheny county. The father 
died in Payette town.ship in 1864, aged sixty- 
two; his widow, now eighty-two, resides in 
Wilkinsburg. They had ten children; Eliz- 
abeth (Robinson), in Sterrett; Mary (Michaels), 
in Erie; Nancy (Crone). Robert and William 
(deceased), Louis and John, in Wilkinsburg; 
James, in Lawrenceville; Josina (Jones), in 
Wilkinsburg, and Sarah (deceased). Louis 
attended the public schools of Faj'ette and 
Pittsburgh till eighteen years old, when he 
commenced work in a brickyard. At the 
outbreak of the civil war he enlisted in the 
three-months service in the 1st Virginia regi- 
ment, and afterward joined Co. B. I28d P. V. 
C. He was with the Army of the Potomac 
at Rich Mountain, Philippi, Antietam, Fred- 
ericksburg and Chancellorsville, and was 
mustered out in 1863. Resuming brickmak- 
ing. he established his present business at 
Wilkinsburg in 1880, in partnership with his 
brother. They purchased a plot of ground, 
put in improved machinery, and are doing a 
successful business. Their works are in 
Sterrett township, and their residences in 
the borough. Mr. Zollinger attends the M. 
E. Church, and has always been a republican. 
In 1864 he married Josephine, ilaughter of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



<03 



John and Sarah Bartley, of Butler county, 
of Scotch-Irish descent, and the children hy 
this union now living are Charles, Nettie 
(wife of Jesse King, in Pittsburgh), Harry, 
Walter, Bertha, Lulu and Cora. William, 
who was the fourth, died when seven years 
old. 

William Glass, farmer, postoffice Rem- 
ington, was born in Robinson township in 
1811, and has always lived there. His grand- 
father, Isaac Glass, came to America from 
County Armagh, Ireland, and was a merchant 
by occupation. Samuel was among the 
oldest of the children born to this pioneer, 
and about 1810 purchased one hundred acres 
of laud in Robinson township. He followed 
farming, and was extensively engaged in 
weaving, being the first person in the section 
who was able to do that kind of work. He 
married Jane, daughter of William Stewart. 
Mr. Stewart married a Miss Walker, who was 
one of three children taken by the Indians 
and held captive many months. To Samuel 
Glass and his wife nine children were born, 
all of whom grew to be men and women. 
Samuel died at the age of eighty-one years, 
his wife at the age of seventy-eight. Will- 
iam, their second child, was educated at the 
log schoolhouse of the township, and has 
followed farming all his life, owning at one 
time three hundred acres of land. He mar- 
ried, in 1835, Sarah, daughter of Andrew 
McCurdy, and six children were born to 
them: Samuel. Lizzie. Hugh M., Lutitia, 
Rocsa and Emma. Mr. Glass was school 
director and tax-collector for thirty years, 
and supervisor for twenty-five years. He is 
a member of the U. P. Church, and a 
republican. 

TnoMAS Dale Williams, chief operator 
W. U. Tel. Co., Bellevue, was born Dec. 10, 
1844, in Allegheny City, and named for Dr. 
Dale of that place; he is a son of Walter and 
Mary (Bozman) Williams, the former of 
whom belong to the family of Williams, 
settlers of Monongahela City and Washing- 
ton county. His parents were Cumberland 
Presbj'lerians, and their nine children were 
baptized in that church. The father died at 
the age of sixty-five. The maternal grand- 
pareiUs of Thomas D. Williams were Will- 
iam and Jennie (Johnson) Bozman, the for- 
mer born at Coal Hill (South Side), and the 
latter in Carlisle, Pa. The grandfather of 
our subject was a tanner, and his father a 
marine engineer, who was for some time 
captain of a steamer, and was on a transport 
during the Mexican war. He resided in 
California, where he followed blacksmithing 
from 1850, but, his health failing in 1853, 
he located in later years in Allegheny City, 
where he died in 1876. The maternal grand- 
father of Thomas D. Williams accumulated 
a large number of land-warrants during the 
revolutionary war, which he located at Coal 
Hill. Our subject received his education in 
the Fourth ward, Allegheny, and at the age 
of thirteen he commenced life as an errand- 
boy for J. M. Little. Soon after he went 



with his brother-in-law, as niessenger-bo)', 
to Lafayette, Ind. He soon learned teleg- 
raphy, and has been operator for the Western 
Union company since 18(55, and for six months 
he was witli the Army of the Cumberland as 
operator. He was appointed assistant chief 
operator, iu 1873, at the Pittsburgh oflice,-and 
in 1883, by faithful attention to duty, pro- 
moted to chief operator. Mr. Williams was 
married, March 10, 1887, to Ida Robinson, 
of Allegheny City, daughter of Samuel R. 
and Rebecca (Gallaker) Robinson. 

George Henry Moore, manager of gas- 
offlce, Verona, was born in Johnstown, Cam- 
bria county. Pa., Sept. 33, 1845, the eldest son 
of George H. Moore, a native of Plymouth, 
England, who came to America when twelve 
years old. The father was employed as 
driver on the Pennsylvania canal, but later 
became agent for a large forwarding-house 
on the same route. In 1849 he went to Cal- 
ifornia, where his health failed under ex- 
posux-e, and he was compelled to returu. As 
soon as he was partially recovered he took 
employment as mate on an Ohio steamer, and 
died of cholera at Cincinnati in 1854, aged 
thirty-three years. His wife, Mary M., was 
a daughter of Richard Mercer, a descendant 
of Gen. Mercer, of the revolutionary army, 
of Scotch stock. Their living children are 
George Henry, Eliza Ann (Curry), Richard 
M. and Agnes H. (Calvin). Martha, the 
youngest, died in 1886, unmarried. When 
thirteen years old our subject went to Clay- 
ton, Iowa, where he remained on a farm until 
August, 1863. He then entered Co. G, 31st 
I. v., as drummer, and served in the western 
armj' until the close of the conflict. He par- 
ticipated in the battles of Fort Gibson, 
Champion Hills, Black river, VIcksburg and 
the capture of Matagorda island, and the 
forts on Mobile bay. At Vicksburg he re- 
ceived a scalp-wound from a fragment of 
shell, and during that battle carried orders 
over a bare hill under a fierce fire from the 
enemy. In 1865 Mr.Moore came to Pittsburgh, 
and was engaged in refining oil on the Alle- 
gheny river over sixteen years. Since De- 
cember, 1885, he has been superintendent of 
the Verona district of the Philadelphia com- 
pany. He is a republican, is a member of the 
school board and borough council, and was 
elected justice of the peace in 1888. Mr. 
Moore married, in 1868, Mary Porter, who was 
poisoned eleven months later, through the 
mistake of a druggist filling a prescription. 
In 1878 Mr.Moore married Elizabeth, daughter 
of J. R. Cribbs. Four children have been 
born to this union: George Henry, Bessie, 
Walter (deceased) and Florence. 

William M. Felloborn, gardener, post- 
office McKeesport, Is a son of Samuel and 
Sarah (Erflen) Felloborn. His maternal 
grandmother was born in Westmoreland 
county In 1787, iu times when religious serv- 
ices were secured with an effort, she walking 
twenty miles to attend divine service. His 
paternal grandparents were natives of Lan- 
caster count}'. His parents were natives of 



704 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Westmoreland county, where the father 
farmed. Their children were Harvey, a 
soldier during the civil war, a member of Co. 
C, 8th P. R., was captured at Weldon railroad, 
and died during captivity; W. M., John, 
deceased; Sarah, Ellen, Lyman, Charles, 
Frank, Harry, Anna an<l Cora. William M. 
enlisted in Co. G, 11th P. V. I., in 1863, and 
served during the war, returning home in 
1865. In 1872 he married Mary, daughter of 
R. G. Newlon, of Westmoreland county, and, 
locating in Lincoln township, Allegheny 
county, engaged in gardening. Mr. and 
Mrs. Felloborn are the parents of two chil- 
dren: Maud and Edna. Mrs. Felloborn is a 
member of the M. E. Church. He is a mem- 
ber of the L O. O. F. and K. of P., and is a 
republican. 

John Reutzel, carpenter, Wilkinsburg, 
was born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, 
April 27, 1842, and is the youngest of the six 
children of John and Kate Reutzel, the lat- 
ter of whom died when John was two years 
old. Our subject attended school till four- 
teen years old, and was apprenticed for three 
years to a cabinetmaker. In 18.59 he immi- 
grated to the United States, and located at 
Allegheny City, where he learned the carpen- 
ter's trade, working the first year for three 
dollars per week and the second year for 
four dollars. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. D, 
123d P. V. I., with which he took part 
in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg 
andChancellorsville. Atthecloseof hisnine- 
months enlistment he went into the one 
hundred days' service in the 193d, and two 
months later joined the 97th Regt., under 
Capt. W. R. Jones. With the last body he 
remained at Baltimore till discharged, in June, 
1865. Returning to Allegheny, he resumed 
building operations, but lost his savings 
through a dishonest partner. In 1878 Mr. 
Reutzel came to Wilkinsburg, where he lias 
built three dwellings, one of which he occu- 
pies. Sept. 30, 1868, he married Mary B., 
daughter of Henry and Mary (Butts) Mei.xner, 
of Baden, Germany, and their children are 
Annie Elizabeth (wife of Jacob Weser, in 
East Liberty), John Nicholas F., John 
George Washington, Kate F., Henry Frede- 
rick William, John George, Margaret Matilda, 
Edward Franklin and Oscar Alexander 
(twins), and Henry Emil. Mr. Reutzel, with 
his family, is a member of the East End G. L. 
Church; "he belongs to the G. A. R., A. O. U. 
W., and politically is a republican. 

Robert Johnston, farmer, postoffice 
Upper St. Clair, was born in Allegheny 
county in 1839, a son of Robert Johnston. 
His grandfather, Robert Johnston, Sr., came 
to America with his brother, James, in 1779, 
from Conuty Antrim, Ireland; married Mary 
Murry, and by her had four sons and four 
daughters. He located in Allegheny county 
and purchased one hundred acres of land, on 
which he resided until his death; he died at 
the age of seventy-five years. His brother 
located in Tennessee. Robert, Jr., married 
Sarah, daughter of William Moore, of Wash- 



ington county, originally from Ireland, and 
five children were born to them, Robert being 
the only son. Robert, Jr., died in 1878, aged 
ninety years; his wife died in 1871, aged 
seventy-six years. The subject of these lines 
was born and reared on tlie farm he now 
owns, and has all the original tract purchased 
by his grandfather, with an addition of ninety 
acres. He was educated at the |)ublic schools 
and at Bethel Academy, and has always fol- 
lowed farming. He married, Nov. 23, 1865, 
Sarah Jane, daughter of William and Re- 
becca (McMillan) Caldwell, and they have 
four children; Jennie N., William C. and 
Robert M. (students at AVashington College), 
and John McMillan. Mr. Johnston has been 
assessor of the township; is a prohil)itionist, 
and is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
of which he has been trustee for a number 
of years. 

A. C. AcKARD, engineer. Homestead, was 
born March 10, 1831, in Westmoreland county. 
Pa., a son of Peter J. and Margaret (Miller) 
Ackard, natives, respectively, of Fayette and 
Westmoreland counties. Mrs. Ackard is still 
living, at the age of eighty -four years, and is 
the mother of ten children. A. C. was edu- 
cated in his native county, and with the en- 
tire family came to Alleghenj- county in 1844. 
At the age of nineteen he went on the river and 
worked himself to the position of engineer, 
then pilot, finally becoming captain. He was 
nine years on the Monterey, several years on 
the Vigilant, was interested in the boats as 
stockholder, and has an excellent record, 
never having lost a vessel. He retired from 
the river in 1884, and has had charge of 
twenty-four boilers in the Beam mill. He 
married Mary J., daughter of William and 
Susanna (Slackar) Lynch, old settlers. Mrs. 
Ackard is the mother of five children: Mrs. 
Margaret J. Hays, Capt. Thomas J., Capt. 
Alle O., Mrs. Alice Stewart and Mrs. Elvira 
V. Cox. Mr. Ackard is a member of the I. O. 
O. F., K. of G. E. and Knights of the Mystic 
Chain; he is a democrat, has been council- 
man, and has taken an active part in all 
matters pertaining to the borough. 

John Reich, conductor A. V. R. R., post- 
office Verona, was born in York, Pa., March 8, 
1827, a son of John and Katharine (Klizer) 
Reich, natives of Germany. Ills father died 
in 1845, aged fifty-two years, and his mother 
in 1877, aged sixty-seven years. His father 
came to York in 1824. where he carried on 
the butcher business till 1848, when he moved 
to Westmoreland county, and together with 
John was in the business until his death. 
Our subject's grandfather was also named 
John, and his wife Elizabeth, both dj'ing in 
1846,aged eighty-nine and eighty-seven years, 
respectively. Mr. Reich received a common- 
school education at York, and, on going to 
Pittsburgh, engaged as brakeman on the P. 
R. R., then as conductor, and four years as 
yardmaster. In 1865 he was conductor on 
the A. V. R. R., and the next year train 
dispatcher, continuing four j'ears. He moved 
to Verona in 1876, and for the past nine years 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



705 



has been conductor on the Plum Creek 
branch. He was married April 3, 1855. to 
Elizabeth Dilks, a native of Pittsburgh, a 
daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth Dilks. 
Jlr. and Mrs. Reich have six children living: 
Orlando Madison, Cornelia Dilla, Edgar 
Hamilton, William Dilks, CoraL., and Carrie 
May. Those deceased are Harry B., John 
Lincoln (aged five years) and Ida Rosette, 
(about three years). Mr. Reich is a repub- 
lican, and he and his wife and daughter are 
members of the M. E. Church. 

James White, farmer, postoffloe Negley, 
was born in the house in which he now resides, 
in 1837, and is a son of James and Isabella 
(Shaw) While. His father was born on the 
same farm upon which he resided until four 
years before his death, when he moved to 
East Liberty and died Oct. 27, 1879, aged 
seventy-eight years. His widow now resides 
in East Liberty. Subject's grandfather was 
also named .James, and came here from West- 
moreland county in an early day. He died 
in 1819. His first wife and three children 
were murdered by the Indians in Westmore- 
land county. His second wife was Margaret 
Brown. Our subject left home when eight- 
een years of age and worked in Plum town- 
ship until about nineteen years of age, when 
he began managing his father's farm, which 
he now owns. He married, in April, 1859, 
Mary Kirk, a native of Plum township, and a 
daughter of James and Mary (McConnel) 
Kirk. They have four children: Jennie, 
George, Ida and William, all at home. All 
the family, save George, are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. In politics. Mr. White 
is a democrat. Mrs. White's grandfather 
served in the Indian war. 

John McNamee, boatman, postoffice Mc- 
Kee's Rocks, son of James and Amanda Mc- 
Namee, was born in this count}' in 1848. His 
grandf.ather came from Ireland very early in 
the nineteenth century. .lames McNamee 
■was born in this county in 1825. He had 
two brothers. William and John, and asister, 
Mary, wife of Christopher Setter. The wife 
•of James McNamee died in 1871 : he is still 
living. He is a ship-carpenter by trade, but 
for some years has worked iu the carshops. 
The subject of these lines learned the car- 
penter's trade, but for many years has been 
engaged in the rolling-mill works. He mar- 
ried, in 1847, Barbara, daughter of Leonard 
and Catherine Hahn, of Beaver county, Pa., 
and two children. Albert and Charles, have 
blessed their union. Mr. McNamee is a mem- 
ber of the Heptasophs. He is the owner of 
a good home and other valuable property. 

S. E. Carotiikrs, proprietor of Hotel 
White, McKeesport, was born and bred on a 
Weslmoreland couuty farm, where he devel- 
oped that sturdy disposition to work out his 
own ambitious aspirations, and that persis- 
tence in accomplishing the task which he had 
set for liim.self, which has, in later life, made 
him the successful business man and repre- 
sentative citizen. When approaching man- 
hood he moved, with his father and the fam- 



ily, to a larger and more remunerative farm 
in Fayette county, and here nearly five more 
years of his life were passed in that round of 
healthful toil which was to so peculiarly fit 
him for the certain and unqualified success 
which he has since achieved. But the time 
came when the narrow limits of the farm 
were too circumscribed for his ambitious as- 
pirations, and so, at the age of twenty-four, 
he started out to seek his fortune, with no 
greater opportunities or capital than a deter- 
mination to succeed in life. He came almost 
directly to McKeesport, where he has re- 
mained seventeen years. He early purchased 
an interest in the "City Drugstore" of Dr. 
W. H. Hill, and for several years gave his 
time and attention to his business, and pros- 
pered. There were at that time no daily 
newspapers published in that town, and Mr. 
Carothers, without any experience in jour- 
nalism, thought he saw an opportunity, and 
in 1876 purchased the Times. Calling a 
younger brother to his aid, he set out on a 
journalistic career, and for five years gave 
the people of McKeesport a live, progressive, 
enterprising, stalwart local paper. He was 
always a stanch republican and party worker, 
and was appointed postmaster by President 
Garfield, and for more than four years ad- 
ministered the affair.s of the McKeesport 
office with credit to himself and to the satis- 
faction of the public. 

During his residence in that city he has 
been more or less interested in the liver}' 
business, and is now proprietor of a fine 
stable on Fifth avenue. He has also recently 
purchased his former drugstore, now known 
as "Apothecary Hall," and is also landlord 
of the Hotel White, one of the leading hos- 
telries of the city. Though never aspiring 
to public honors, his name has been frequently 
mentioned for burgess and member of coun- 
cil, and for six years he was a borough clerk. 
Mr. Carothers is yet a young man, being 
forty-two years of age, is liberally endowed 
with good common sense, ranks among the 
foremost in all public enterprises, and is lib- 
eral with the means he has accumulated by 
application and industry. 

L. P. Edsidndson, postolfice McKees- 
port, a daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Gam- 
ble) Edmundson, was born in Lincoln town- 
ship in 1852, and comes of a family promi- 
nently identified with the early history of the 
county. Levi Edmundson was born in Mlf- 
ilin township in 1809. and after his marriage 
with Elizabeth Gamble located in Lincoln 
township, where the latter died in 1856, leav- 
ing three children: Drucilla (now wife of 
Rev. John A. Bower, of Bellaire, Ohio), Ha- 
villah (deceased) and L. P. In 1862 Levi 
Edmundson married Mary D. Fife, to whom 
were born four chddren: Jenny, Sadie, Mat- 
tie and Lida. Levi Edmundson began life 
under peculiarly fortunate circumstances. 
He inherited a handsome competency, to 
which by judicious Investment in various 
directions he continually added until he was 
known as one of the most successful finan- 



706 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ciers of his day. In social circles he enjoyed 
the confidence and esteem of his friends, and 
his business integrity was proverbial. He 
died Nov. 8, 1887, deeply regretted by all. 

Carl. Fuaxz Wilhki.m von Bonniioust 
was born Auff. 16, 1774, in Thalsheim, near 
Wallendorff, Westphalia, and emigrated to 
America in 1808. Dec. 8. 1808. he married, 
at Philadelphia, Rebecca, daughter of John 
and Anna (Huston) Taylor, and the fruits of 
this marriage were Charles G\istavus von 
Bonnhorst, born June 13, 1812, died Fel). 38, 
1826; Sidney Francis von Bonnhorst, born 
Sept. 17, 1814, died July 23. 1887, and Fred- 
erick Alexander von Bonnhorst, born Nov. 
14, 1815. died April 19. 1817. Shortly after 
his marriage Mr. von Bonnhorst removed 
from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and soon 
bought the large farm opposite Port Perry, 
on the Monongahela river, now known as 
the "Oliver farm," where his children were 
born. After the death of his wife, which oc- 
curred in 1816, he came to Pittsburgh, stud- 
ied law, and was admitted to the bar; was 
also elected one of the aldermen of the city. 
He was stricken with paralysis in 1843, and 
died one year later. 

Sidney F. von Bonnhorst first entered 
business under John D. Davis, one of Pitts- 
burgh's leading merchants in the olden time. 
Afterward he was in the employ of Henry F. 
Schwoeppe, whom many of our older citizens 
will remember. He was also bookkeeper in 
the Bank of the United States, and was sent 
to New Brighton to close the affairs of the 
branch bank at that place. Afterward Mr. 
von Bonnhorst engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits until elected secretary and treasurer of 
the P. & S. R. R. Co., which position he held 
until appointed postmaster of Pittsburgh by 
Mr. Lincoln in 1861, which office he held un- 
til 1866, when the People's Savings Bank was 
chartered, and he was elected secretary and 
treasurer, which office he held until his 
death. Mr. von Bonnhorst married, in 1836, 
Miss Mar}' A. Murphy, daughter of Andrew 
Murphy, of Fleecedale, Chartiers township. 
Ten children were born to them, seven of 
whom still live. 

D. Web Mains, grocer, McKeesport, was 
born in that city, Feb. 16. 1846, a son of Will- 
iam and Eliza (Brady) Mains. His paternal 
grandfather was 'rhomas Mains, whose 
father was a native of Ireland, and a pioneer 
of Elizabeth township, this county. Thomas 
Mains was a farmer, and in later life moved 
to Illinois, where he died. The maternal 
grandparents of our subject were Joseph and 
Barbara (Ream) Brady, natives of Cumber- 
land and Lancaster counties. Pa., respective- 
ly, and were among the pioneers of West- 
moreland county. The father of D. W. 
Mains was a native of Elizabeth township, 
where he was reared and educated, and 
learned the blacksmith's trade. He settled 
in McKeesport about 1838, where, with the 
exception of four years, he conducted a shop 
until his death, Ju"ly 5, 1881, In 1856 he was 
appointed postmaster by President Buchanan, 



and held that position four years. He reared 
a family of fivechildren: D. Web, Flora (Mrs. 
Josiah Howe), E. King, William B. and 
Eugene F. D. Web was reared and educated 
in McKeesport, and learned the blacksmith's 
trade in his father's shop, which he followed 
five years. For a number of years he was 
employed in the mills of the city, and for 
five j^ears was the clerk and bookkeeper for 
a retail coal firm in McKeesport. In 1886 he 
embarked in the grocery business, in which 
he has since been successfully engaged. In 
1881 he married Sarah, daughter of Samuel 
and Jane (Meff) Reed, of Indiana township, 
this county, and has five children: Min- 
nie I., Matilda E., Charles E., Walter R. and 
Martha E. Mr. Mains is a member of the 
M. E. Church, and is a democrat. 

Alfrkd McCabe, farmer, postoffice Cora- 
opolis, was born July 26, 1836, on the home- 
stead of his father, who was a farmer, and 
which he now owns. His father, James H. 
McCabe, was born in Cumberland county. 
Pa., in 1782, and died Nov. 16, 1850. fle 
was a son of William McCabe, a Scotch 
Presbyterian. James H. McCabe immigrated 
with his parents to Allegheny county in 
1793,and settled on Chartiers creek, near the 
Washington county line. He was three times 
married; his first "wife, Miss Watson, died 
childless, and soon thereafter they settled on 
the old homestead at Coraopolis" He then 
married Jane Vance, who left one child, 
James H., Jr., who resides on a part of the 
home farm. His third wife was Mrs. Marga- 
ret Keifer, nee White, who was born in Ohio 
township, this county, a daughter of John 
White. James H. McCabe was appointed a 
magistrate under Gov. Simon Snyder, and 
served over fifty years. By his third wife 
he had five children: AVilliam P.. born Oct. 
20, 1820, residing at Coraopolis; John W., in 
Washington, D. C; Milton H. (deceased), 
Junius M. (deceased) and Alfred. The last 
named was educated at Coraopolis, and 
worked on his father's farm. He inherited a 
talent for music, and learned both instrument- 
al and vocal branches of that art, and taught 
music for some thirty years. He was 
leader of the Sharon Church choir nineteen 
years, and of Forest Grove choir four or 
five years. At the organization of the Mid- 
dletown First Presbyterian Church, now the 
First Coraopolis, he became leader of the 
choir, and still holds that position. 

Mr. McCabe was united in marriage. Sept. 
22, 1859, with Margaret McDowell, who 
was born in South Fayette township, a 
daughter of John A. and Elizabeth (Hannah) 
Nesbit. Mrs. McCabe died March 13, 1886. 
the mother of eight children: Elizabeth M.. 
wife of William A. Phillips, in Robinson 
township; John H.. deceased when aged 
four years; Emma F., wife of H. H. McKel- 
vy, Coraopolis; Alfred D.. William P.. Lotta 
L.,MaryC. and Eva C. Mr. McCabe. Dec. 
22, 1887, married, in Robinson township, 
Margaret S. Hall, who was born in that town- 
ship, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Silk) 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



(07 



Hall. Mr. and Mrs. McCabe are members 
of the Presbyteriaa Cliurch. of which he is 
trustee. Old Vance Fort was built on the 
McCabe farm at Coraopolis. 

Joseph Stewart, farmer, postoffice Mc- 
Minn, wasboru on his farm in Findlay town- 
ship. May 30. 1816, a son of Samuel and Jane 
(Patterson) Stewart, former of whom was 
liorn in Carlisle, Cumberland county. Pa., 
March 5, 1767, a son of Hugh Stewart, of 
Carlisle, Pa., and the latter at Redstone, 
Westmoreland couuly. Pa., Jan. 18, 1774, 
where they were married. The parents 
moved to Findlay township, Allegheny 
county, in 1794 or 179.5, where the father died 
in August, 1837, and the mother in November, 
1867, members of the A, R. P. Church. They 
purchased and settled on the farm now owned 
by their son Joseph, and George Hawkins. 
They had twelve children: James, Robert, 
Hugh, Agnes, Flora, John, Margaret, Samuel, 
Jane, William, Joseph and Uriah. Joseph 
Stewart, our subject, married, Oct. 3, 1839, 
Hannah Glass, born in Robinson township, 
Allegheny county, Pa., April 6, 1823, a 
daughter of Samuel and Jane (Stewart) 
Glass, natives, respectively, of Ireland and of 
Robinson township, Allegheny county. Pa. 
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stewart are the parents 
of nine children: Samuel G.. married Har- 
riet Stoddard; Jane M., wife of John E, 
Stewart: Mary 0., wife of H. Albert 
Aten; William J., married Margaret Miller; 
John P., married Eliza Plummer; .Joseph P., 
Sarah A. (deceased), Andrew D. and Albert 
E. Mr. Stewart is a worthy descendant of 
two old families of Allegheny county. He 
has held several local ofBces of trust in his 
township, and has the confidence and respect 
of all as an honest citizen and earnest 
Christian. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are mem- 
bers of Sharon Presbyterian Church. 

John Garner Emrick, polisher, post- 
oflBce Hulton, was born in 1854, in Sharps- 
burg, Pa., a son of Andrew and Nancy 
(Wikert) Emrick. His parents lived for some 
time at Lancaster, Pa., and then came to 
Sharpsburg, where Andrew enlisted in Co. 
E, 63d P. V. I. He was wounded at the bat- 
tle of Fair Oaks, taken prisoner, confined in 
Andersonville prison, and, so far as can be 
ascertained, died at Richmond, date un- 
known. John was educated at the Sharps- 
burg schools and the seminary. After his 
father's death he was obliged to leave school 
and help to support the family. He started at 
stair-building when fifteen years old, and 
later worked in a rolling-mill. He was en- 
gineer three years at Woodale, and in 1873 
he settled in Verona and became engineer in 
a paper-mill for a short time; then engaged in 
the Verona Tool-works, where he has charge 
of the grinding and polishing department, 
having several men at work for him. Wl)en 
about eighteen years of age he married So- 
phia Gillinger, a native of Woodale, Pa. 
Six children now grace their home: Anna 
Florence, Harry Ralph, Monclare, William, 
John G., Jr., and Scott. Mr. Emrick's ances- 



tors were members of the M. E. Church and 
Mrs. Emrick's of the English Lutheran. Mr. 
Emrick is a republican and is a member of 
the Verona council. He is also a K. of P. 

Robert Hunter, machinist, Bellevue, 
was born in London. England, Sept. 13, 183.5, 
a son of John Ferrier and Sarah (Davis) 
Hunter, former born in Scotland, April 36, 
1807, and died at the age of seventy-two; lat- 
ter born in Lancaster, England, in 1809, and 
died in 1840. John Hunter served an appren- 
ticeship as machinist at Edinburgh, and in 
1854 immigrated with his family to Pitts- 
burgh. Robert attended school in London; 
he served part apprenticeship there and fin- 
ished the machinist's trade in Pittsburgh. 
He followed his trade for two years in St. 
Louis and in Mississippi. He enlisted in Au- 
gust, 1862, for nine months, in Co. G, 123d 
P. V. L, serving in' the battles of Antietam, 
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He 
was married April 26, 1866, to Mary Eliza- 
beth, daughter of John and Mary Ann Cook, 
of England, and to them have been born two 
children: Martha and Robert Ferrier, the 
latter a clerk for Joseph Woodwell & Co., 
Pittsburgh. The familj' are members of the 
Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Hunter 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity; he 
was elected treasurer of West Bellevue 
borough by the republican party, serving 
nine years; also a member of the school 
board for the same length of time, and his 
refusal to fill the former office longer was re- 
gretted by his many friends of the borough. 

Joseph Mat and James Mat, gardeners, 
postoflice Chartiers. Jacob May, a gardener, 
was born in Germany, in 1821, and comin" to 
this country in 1839 settled in Pittsburgh, Pa. 
He married, in Pittsburgh, in 1843, Theresa, 
daughter of Andrew and Magdalena Heiser, 
and their children are Joseph, Andrew, 
Tiney (wife of Louis Myers), John, Luke, 
Theresa (wife of Peter Herley), Mary (wife of 
Peter Mousser), Frances (wife of Peter 
Yunker) and Jacob. Mr. May was an indus- 
trious, successful and honorable citizen. He 
commenced life in humble circumstances, 
reared a large family, and left them, when he 
died, very comfortably provided for. He 
died in the Catholic faith Aug. 7, 1885, at the 
age of sixty-five years. His son, Joseph, 
married, Nov. 17, 1868, Mar}', daughter of 
Joseph and Bar-bara Louncs, and of their five 
children only one is living, Elizabeth. Mi-s. 
May died April 30, 1886, at the age of thirty- 
six years. Jacob, Jr., was married, in May, 
1886, to Mary, daughter of Joseph and Mary 
Herley. They have one child, .Jacob. Four 
of the sons of Jacob May, Sr., live on and 
have inherited portions of their father's farm. 

Francis Wilson, deceased, was born near 
Hebron church, Feb. 12, 1837. a grandson of 
Thomas Wilson, who built the first dwell- 
ing in Penn township. Francis, son of 
Thomas, married Mary Duff, a native of 
Penn township, and settled on the farm 
where his son's widow now resides. Our 
subject married, in 1853, Mary M., who 



708 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 



was born just a week after her husband, a 
ihiughter of John and Jane Morrow. Mr. 
Wilson inherited the farm from a bachelor 
uncle, and tilled it until his death, which oc- 
curred in August, 1881. He always attended 
the Presbyterian Church, was a democrat, 
and served four years as supervisor. The 
children, save John M., the second, who died 
aged thirty-one, reside as follows; Mary 
Jane, at home; Eliza (Mrs. F. D. Cribbs) and 
Frank Henry, in Verona; Charles Miner 
works the farm, and Sarah A., a teacher, at 
home. 

John W. Patterson, retired. McKees- 
port, was born in Elizabeth township, Alle- 
Sheny county, Feb. 20, 1823, a son of James 
and Mary (Watt) Patterson. His paternal 
grandfather was James Patterson, a native 
of Scotland, and pioneer of Westmoreland 
county, Pa. His maternal grandfather was 
John Watt, a native of Ireland, a wheel- 
wright by trade, a pioneer of Elizabeth, this 
county, and in later life a prominent farmer. 
James Patterson, father of our subject, was 
a, cabinet-maker by trade; also a carpenter 
and farmer. He died in Elizabeth township 
in 1856, on the farm where he had settled in 
1812. He had eight children who grew to 
maturity: Nancy (Mrs. William Watt), Jane 
(Mrs. William Finney), Margaret (Mrs. Rob- 
ert Finney), John W., James, Joseph, Thomas 
and Finney. John W. was reared in Eliza- 
beth township; at the age of nineteen was 
apprenticed for three years at the mill- 
wright's trade, which he followed for eight 
years. He was engaged in farming for six 
years in Elizabeth, and in 18.55 located in 
McKeesport, where he engaged in business 
as a contractor and builder, in which he con- 
tinued until 1883, when he retired. In 1845 
he married Susan, daughter of Joseph and 
Mary (Vankirk) Scott, of Elizabeth, by whom 
he had two children: James E. and Ruth A. 
(Mrs. John O'Neil). Mr. Patterson is a rep- 
resentative and worthy citizen. He is a 
member of the U. P. Church, and is repub- 
lican. 

Wn.LiAM P. Byers, painter. 194 Steuben 
street. Thirty-sixth ward, Pittsburgh, a son 
of Jonas and Amelia Byers, was born in this 
county, in 1851. His paternal grandfather 
came from Germany, and located in Little 
York, Pa., but about 1820 moved to Alle- 
gheny county, and settled at Saw-Mill run. 
His business was farming and mining. He 
had four children, only two of whom are 
living: Jonas and Alexander. The father 
died in 1848 and the mother in 1868. Jonas 
Byers, father of William P., was born in 
this county in 1825, and in 1850 married 
Amelia Whitright. Their children were 
William P., John (deceased), Mary (wife of 
Charles Risenberger), Wesle}', Olive (wife of 
Peter Hershberger), Austin, George, James 
(deceased) and Clara. Jonas Byers spent 
most of his life as pilot on the river. During 
the civil war he served as wagoner for two 
years, and in 1864 enlisted for three years in 
Co. F, 76th V. I., receiving an honorable 



discharge at the close of the war. He was a 
member of the G. A. R. His son, W. P., 
learned painting, in which occupation it can 
justly be said he excels, and is a contractor 
of everything pertaining to his line of busi- 
ness. 

Richard Straw, retired, Bellevue, was 
born March 23, 1819, in Derbyshire, England, 
son of Francis and Phoebe'Straw. He was 
educated and served an apprenticeship at the 
tailor's trade, coming to America in 1840. 
In 1853 he moved to Bellevue, and built the 
house now owned by Senator Bayne, where 
he lived until 1865, and in 1867 built a fine 
brick house across the street. For more than 
forty years he successfully conducted a mer- 
chant-tailoring business in Pittsburgh, at the 
corner of Market and Second streets; in con- 
nection with his trade he bought the territorial 
right for Allegheny county from the Singer 
Sewing Machine company, and the first sew- 
ing-machine west of the mountains came to 
him. Later on the right to sell in the entire 
western part of Pennsylvania, Virginia and a 
part of Ohio was assigned to him, and he 
moved his business to Sixth street, devoting 
his entire time to the machine trade until 
1875. He was married, in February, 1847, to 
Anna Allcott, of England, a daughter of Rev. 
William Allcott, a Protestant Methodist min- 
ister, and nine children have blessed this 
union, viz.; Charles F., F. W., John H., Wal- 
ter H., Willie Lincoln, Annie E. (Mrs. E. G. 
Whitehead). Mary Emma (wife of George F. 
Wright) Richard Jr. (died Oct. 2, 1888, aged 
thirty-one), and Percy B. (died June 9, 1886, 
aged twenty-four years). Mrs. Straw died 
Nov. 29, 1886. The family are Protestant 
Methodists. Mr. Straw has been a republican 
since the organization of that party; he was 
burgess of Bellevue two terms, justice of the 
peace ten years, and school director. He was 
one of the organizers of Bellevue borough, 
and is one of the prominent and oldest set- 
tlers. 

Robert C. Hamilton, farmer and stock- 
raiser, postofHce Clinton, was born in Not- 
tingham township, Washington count}'. Pa.. 
Feb. 27. 1851, a son of James and Lucy (Bush- 
ager) Hamilton, latter a native of Westmore- 
land county,' Pa. James was born in Wash- 
ington county. Pa., was a farmer, and he and 
wife were members of the Presbj'terian 
Church. They had seven children, live liv- 
ing: Robert C; Sarah, wife of Park Morrison, 
in Nottingham township, Washington coun- 
ty; Margaret A., wife of Samuel McNarj', in 
Washington county; James, who married 
Anna Sumany, in Washington county; and 
George, who married Miss Sadie Chamberlin, 
and resides with his parents on the old home- 
stead in Washington county. Robert C. 
married. Feb. 18. 1872. JLary Lewis, who was 
born in Findlay township, Alleglieny county, 
a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Stuart) 
Lewis. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ham- 
ilton are J. Lewis, Robert I.. Howard W. and 
Bessie. Mr. Hamilton owns a fine farm of 
106 acres. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGEAPHY. 



709 



Conrad Fix, contractor, Wilkinsburg, is 
a native of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, born 
in 1840. Wlien he was four years old his 
parents, Conrad and Mary (Brill) Fix. immi- 
grated to America, and lived in Penn and 
Collins townships till the death of the father, 
which took place lu 1880, at the age of 
seventy-six. There were three children, of 
whom" Conrad is the eldest. Kate (Mrs. 
Joseph Blank), resides in Baltimore, Md., 
and Philip at Bloomfleld, this county. The 
mother, now aged eighty-four, resides with 
the latter. When eleven years old our sub- 
ject began driving on the canal. When 
seventeen commenced molding brick, an 
occupation he followed till 18T0. when he 
began contracting for the making of cisterns, 
sewers and general brickwork. April 17, 
1861, he left Pittsburgh with the first troops 
responding to President Lincoln's call, and 
afterward joined Knap's battery, becoming, 
in 1861, a member of the 5th "P. H. A. At 
the close of the war he came to Wilkinsburg, 
and in 1870 built his present home. Aug. 22, 
1866, Mr. Fix was married to Joannah Nib- 
lock, native of Butler county. Pa., daughter 
of Sapiuel and Nancy Niblock, natives of 
Ireland and Philadelphia, respectively. Three 
children bless this union: Annie M., Rebecca 
N. and Ira N. The family attend the Re- 
formed Church; in politics Mr. Fix is a 
republican. 

William Shrader, retired, postofBce 
Elizabeth, a son of William and Dorcas 
(Warren) Shrader, was born in what is now 
Forward township in 1839. His paternal 
great-grandfather, when six years of age, 
embarked, with his parents and their family, 
for America. While en route the entire fam- 
ily, with a single exception, died, and on the 
arrival of the vessel at Philadelphia this 
child of six years was sold for his passage- 
money, it being legal at that time to enforce 
payment in that manner. He became the 
property of a farmer living near Philadelphia, 
with whom he remained until relinquished 
from his indebtedness. Subsequeutl}' he 
married the farmer's daughter, and located 
near Baltimore, Md., where they lived for 
some years. They then removed to near 
Stanton, Westmorelad county, where he 
died. His son, Willis Shrader, was born 
near Stanton, Westmoreland county, in 1755. 
Our subject's maternal grandmother. Mary 
Sechrist, was born in 1761, and sought pro- 
tection in Hannastown during one of the 
periodical raids made by hostile Indians. 
William Shrader, father of our subject, was 
born in what is now West Newton in 1796, 
and this family are pre-eminently entitled to 
the distinction of being among the pioneers 
of Western Pennsylvania. Dorcas, mother 
of our subject, died when he was a child of 
eleven years. His father died at the age of 
sixty-four years. Two children were born 
to William and Dorcas Shrader: Susanna, 
now Mrs. Finney, of Westmoreland county, 
and William. The latter married Eliza J. 
Byers, in May, 1861, and resided on the old 



homestead until 1876. He then sold out and 
purchased coal-mines at Lovedale, which he 
disposed of in 1882. and is now living in ele- 
gant retirement in Lincoln township. His 
residence is located on a prominent bluff 
facing the Monongahela river, from which a 
beautiful view is afforded. 

Loois Hoffmann, farmer, postofBce Mc- 
Kee's Rocks, was born in Alsace, France 
(now Germany), in 1849, a son of Philip and 
Charlotte Hoffmann. and came to this country 
in 1871. His parents both died in Germany, 
his father in 1856 and his mother in 1854. 
Their children were Charlotte (wife of a Mr. 
Cook), Phily, Louisa (wife of Christ Roser), 
Louis, and Nicholas (deceased). The first 
two years Louis was in this county he worked 
at the carpenter's trade; then moved to Stowe 
township, and has since been engaged in 
gardening. In 1873 he married Christina, 
daughter of Philip Beaver, of this county, 
and they have three children; Louis W., 
Tina and Louise. He owns twenty-one acres 
of veiT valuable land in Stowe township, 
near McKee's Rocks. 

Frederick Kirsch, retired, postoffice 
West View, was born Sept. 20, 1822, in Ger- 
many, the son of Nicholas and Charlotte 
(Bier) Kirsch, who were among the leading 
families for many generations in their native 
place. His great-grandfather, Wilhelm Kirsch, 
and grandfather, Nicholas Kirsch, were 
burgomasters of Baumholder, and were highly 
esteemed. Frederick was educated in his 
native home, and there learned his trade of 
coppersmith and sheet-brass worker, at which 
he became an expert. While a journeyman 
he traveled extensively in Europe. In 1849 
he came to America, and settled in Pitts- 
burgh, Pa , where he followed his trade and 
later opened a shop, doing only special work, 
and is well known in business circles as a 
specialist. He subsequent!}' moved to Ross 
township, and opened a shop, where he has 
also done only special work, but is now re- 
tired from business, and resides on a place of 
twenty acres. Mr. Kirschhasbeen twice mar- 
ried. His first wife, Julia Warth, a native 
of Germany, was the mother of four children, 
viz.: Edward J., Matilda J. .Laura and Celia. 
His present wife is Charlotte Warth, who is 
themotherof fivechildren; William, Oswald, 
Frederick, Garfield and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kirsch are members of the E. L. Church of 
Smithfield. Politically he is a republican. 

Henry Warren Williams, deceased, 
was born in Groton (now Ledyard), New 
London county. Conn., in 1816. His earliest 
ancestor in America, Robert Williams, came 
from England to Roxbury, Mass., in 1632. 
About 1700 we find his progenitor in a direct 
line in New London county, Conn. His 
parents were Warren and Elizabeth Stanton 
(Gallup) Williams. Warren's father was 
Seth, the latter a son of Henry, whose father 
bore the same name. Our subject attended 
the common school until fourteen years old, 
when he began to prepare for admission to 
Amherst College, from which he graduated 



rio 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



in 1837. He taught school for a year, and 
came In Pitlsljurgh iu 1838; read law with 
Walter II. Lowry, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1840. For five years he practiced in 
partnership with his preceptor, when the lat- 
ter was appointed judge of the district court. 
He was then associated with William M. 
Shinn until his election to the district court 
in 1851 on the anti-Masonic whig ticl<et. He 
was reelected at the cud of his lirst ten-year 
term, and remained until his promotion, in 
1868, to the supreme bench of the state, 
■where death found him Feb. 19, 1877. He 
was made a ruling elder iu the Third Presby- 
terian Church of Pittsburgh in 1858, and 
filled that position during his remaining 
years; was a member of the General Assem- 
Ijly at four sessions, of the committee on laws 
in the fusion of the old and new schools, and 
the American board of commissioners for 
foreign missions. In 1866 Amherst Col- 
lege conferred ou him the degree of LL. D. 
His wife was Lucy Jane Stone, a native of 
New Jersey, whose ancestors came from En- 
gland to Hampshire county, Mass., about 
1650. 

Nathan Stone Williams, attomej'. post- 
office Wilkinsburg, son of Judge H. W. 
Williams, was born in Pittsburgh, July 13, 
1854, and vfas reared iu that city. He gradu- 
ated from Amherst College in 1877, read law 
with A. H. Miller, and then went to the 
Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, 
where he graduated from the law school, 
under Judge Cooley, in 1880. After practic- 
ing for a year with his former preceptor, he 
was several years a partner with W. A. 
Lewis. He is now associated with a j'ounger 
brother, Gurdon Walter, a resident of the 
city. Since January, 1883, Mr. Williams has 
dwelt in Wilkinsburg. He is a member of 
the Congregational Church, with which his 
early ancestors were associated; is a member 
of the Jr. O. U. A. M., and I. O. O. F., and 
is a Scottish-rite Mason. In November. 1880, 
he married Jennie H., daughter of James 
Madison an<l Harriet (Palmer) Balkam, of 
Robinson, Maine. Two children bless the 
home of Mr. Williams: Edith Leslie and 
Nathan Stone. 

James F. Sykes, contractor and builder, 
■Chase, was born in India. Sept. 13, 1843, a 
son of William and Sarah (Francis) Sykes. 
His father was a native of Manchester, En- 
gland, a theatrical manager by occupation, 
and opened the third theater in India, and 
first in Canada. He settled in Pittsburgh 
in 1853, and resided there nineteen years; 
then removed to Toronto, Canada, where he 
died in 1870. Mrs. Sykes was a daughter of 
Stanley Francis, a pioneer of Allegheny 
county. James F. was reared in this county, 
where he learned the carpenter's trade. In 
1884 he located at Elrod's, in Versailles town- 
ship, where he has since been actively en- 
gaged in business as a contractor and builder. 
He married, in 1863. Margaret, daughter of 
Angus Kerr, of St. Thomas, Canada, and has 
eleven children: William. Maria (Mrs. George 



Mahlow), Mary A., Margaret (Mrs. Baj'ard 
Taylor), James, Allie, George, Frank, Char- 
lie, Minnie and Lettie. Mr. S3'kes is a mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church, the Royal Tem- 
plars of Temperance and Mystic Chain. He 
IS a justice of the peace for Versailles town- 
ship, and a stanch advocate of prohibition. 

John Wimcy Mateeu, carpenter, post- 
office Hullon. was born near Kittanning, Pa., 
in July, 1845, a son of Sharrod and Jane 
(Reed) Mateer. His father was a farmer and 
moved to Kittanning in 1800; bis mother was 
born near Kittanning in 1806, and died Jan. 
14, 1878. The}' were members of the Presby- 
terian Church. Mr. Mateer received his edu- 
cation at Kittanning, and made his home 
there until he was twenty-four years of age. 
At the age of eighteen he learned the car- 
penter trade, and worked eleven years at 
bridge-building on the A. V. R. R. He came 
to Verona in 1885 and began work in the 
railroad shops. He was married, Aug. 12, 
1869, to Maria Williams, daughter of Michael 
and Charlotte (Bayne) Williams, natives 
of Armstrong county. They have two chil- 
dren, Me.ad and Minnie, both at home. Mrs. 
Mateer died April 8. 1878, aged thirty-three 
years. Mr. Mateer was next married. June 
23, 1879, to Lizzie E. Kneifcamp, of Green 
Oak, this county, daughter of Frederick and 
Caroline Kneifcamp, natives of Germany. 
They have one child, William Henry. The}' 
are both members of the Presbyterian 
Church, and Mr. Mateer of the I. O. O. F. and 
the Jr. O. U. A. M., and Carpenters' Union. 
Politicallj' he is a republican, and member of 
the Verona council. In 1871 his house was 
burned, and nearly all of his goods lost; he 
completed his new home on C street in 1888. 

George Linn Applegate, farmer, post- 
office Sunny Side, is a son of Harvey and 
Mary (Applegate) Applegate, and w.as born 
Jan. 31, 18,56. He is a direct descendant of 
Benjamin and Vincent Applegate. The chil- 
dren of his father's family were Milton. Jo- 
seph Vincent, Harrison, George Linn, Will- 
iam A., Minnie E., Bessie Corinue. Bernice 
and Harriet Jane; Milton, Joseph Vincent, 
Harrison and Be.ssie Corinne are deceased. 
George Linn Applegate's birthplace was on 
the old homestead settled on by Benjamin. 
Their farm was taken up by patent, and has 
never been transferred by deed, it having de- 
scended from father to son until now it is in 
the hands of the fourth generation. Mr. 
Applegate married Clara, daughter of Calvin 
Applegate, of Youngstown. Ohio, and has 
three children: Sally, Harvey and an infant. 
He is the owner of the old farm. 

George F. Ludwig, McKeesport, was 
born in Versailles township, Allegheny 
county, April 19, 1843, a son of John and 
Matilda (Craig) Ludwig. His paternal grand- 
father, Jacob Ludwig, and maternal grand- 
father, George Craig, were pioneers of Ver- 
sailles township. The subject of these lines 
was reared and educated in Versailles town- 
ship, and began life as a farmer. On the out- 
break of the civil war he enlisted, April 14, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



711 



1861, at Lincoln's first call for troops, in Co. 
K, 14tU P. V. I., and served three months; 
he re-enlisted in Co. K, 11th P. V. I., and 
served three years, and immediately on the 
expiration of his term re-enlisted in the 
same regiment and served until the close of 
the war, being honorably discharged June 1.5, 
186.5. During liis term of service he received 
four wounds, and was once captured by the 
enemy. At the close of the war Mr. Ludwig 
settled in McKeesport, where he has since re- 
sided, engaged in various business enter- 
prises. He married, Jan. 15, 1867, Rebecca, 
daughter- of Elijah and Sarah (Shaffer) Ow- 
ings, of McKeesport, and had three children: 
Anna V. and George A. (living) and Charles 
C. (deceased). Mr. Ludwig is a member of 
the Baptist Church and P. & A. M., and is a 
republican. 

VaijEntine Vet, grocer. Braddock, only 
son of Valentine and Catharine (Kuntz) Vey, 
was born in Allegheny, Pa., Sept. 1, 1863. His 
father came from Germany when twenty- 
three years old, and located in Allegheny, 
where he died three months before the birth 
of his son, with whom the widowed mother 
now resides. He was educated in German 
and English in New York city, and finished 
his English training at Ebensburg, Pa. When 
twelve years old he went on the P. R. R. 
as news agent, for six years. Before he was 
nineteen he built a house at Brushton, out of 
his savings, and has since erected another. 
For five years he was brakeman on a P. R. R. 
passenger train. In 1887 he became a partner 
in the firm of Vey & Dinges, who purchased a 
building and established a successful grocery 
trade at Braddock. Mr. Vey is a member of 
St. James R. C. Church; politically he is a 
democrat. June 26, 1888, he married Miss 
Sadie, a native of Kearney Station, Pa., 
daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Troy. 

William M. Wall, farmer, postoffice 
Elizabeth, is a son of James and Mary (Ma- 
nown) Wall. He is a direct descendant of 
Walter Wall, one of the pioneer settlers of 
Forward township. He was born in De- 
cember, 1834, in the first frame house 
erected in the township, now owned 
and occupied by him. He was married, 
in 1866, to Rebecca, daughter of William 
and Lucinda Finney, and they have 
two children — James F. and Alice K. 
Mr. Wall is engaged in farming; is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and is a repub- 
lican. 

L. L. Davis, attorney at law. Homestead, 
is a native of Sheakleyville, jNIercer county, 
Pa., and a son of John Davis, who was born 
near Greenwich, England. The latter came 
to America in 1833, became a merchant in 
New York city, and after the memorable 
"Black Friday" removed to the west to 
build up his health and fortune. He finally 
became a well-known merchant in Mercer 
county. Pa., where he died. The subject of 
this sketch received his primary education in 
his native county, and graduated at Allegheny 
College in 1878. Before graduating he stud- 

78 



led law with W. D. Moore, of Pittsburgh, 
and at the latter place was admitted to the 
bar in 1879. He resided in Allegheny Cilj- 
until 1885, when he came to Homestead 
to live, following his profession in Pitts- 
burgh. He married Anna B., daughter of 
Isaiah and Catharine Carter, and they 
have one child, Ralph Carter. Mr. Davis is 
a Freemason, and a member of the I. O. 
O. F. of Pittsburgh, representing the latter 
in the Grand Lodge; is al.so a member of the 
.Jr. O. U. A. M., and is a republican. 

W. R. Andrews, farmer, postofflce Bridge- 
ville, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, 
in 1817. His parents, Matthew and Sarah 
(Rodgers) Andrews, came to America about 
1821, and located in Washington county. 
Matthew was a shoemaker by trade, and died 
at the age of fifty years. He was the father 
of two children; W. R. and Jane Ann. W. 
R. received a common-school education, and 
for the past thirty years has been a farmer. 
He learned the tanning trade, and. in connec- 
tion with saddlery, followed that line of busi- 
ness for upward of twenty years. He mar- 
ried, in 1839, Amelia, daughter of John and 
Susanna Collins, and three children blessed 
their union: Susanna C, Dkvid H. and Fran- 
ces Jane. Mr. Andrews owns 125 acres of 
land, which he has greatly improved. He is 
a republican, and has been school director 
and assessor of his township. He is a mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. 

Henry Franz, superintendent. Home- 
stead, was born in 1849, in Pittsburgh, son of 
John Franz, a native of Germany, who came 
to America at the age of eighteen years, and 
became a well-known contractor in Pitts- 
burgh, where he held several oflices and was 
active in the organization of the repul)licau 
party. He married Caroline Shram, a native 
of Prance, who bore him five children: 
Henry, William, John, Emma and Eliza. 
Henry received a common-school education: 
early in life entered the glasshouse, and later 
had charge of the moldshop for Canvill, 
Jones & Co. In Pittsburgh he married 
Margaret Phlug, a native of Beaver county. 
Pa. In April, 1887, Mr. Franz came to 
Homestead, where he is superintendent of 
the Windsor Glass-works, which was organ- 
ized in August, 1886, by George Trautman, 
Robert Brown, William H. Aldred, George 
Boton and J. W. Doubleday. Of these, 
George Trautman is president, W. H. Aldred, 
secretar}', and Charles H. Reed, general 
manager. They employ nearly two hundred 
hands, and principally manufacture table- 
ware. Mr. Franz is a republican. He is a 
member of the A. P. & A. M., I. O. O. P., 
Red Men and other societies. 

JOHS Osborne, M. D., Homestead, was 
born Feb. 1, 1858, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 
England, son of John and Sarah (Abernethy) 
Osborne, natives of County Armagh, Ireland; 
the former was a weaver by occupation; at 
the age of nineteen was induced to go to 
England, where he soon found work as a 
miner. In 1863' he came to America, mined 



712 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



in Westmoreland county, Pa., one year, and 
then sent for his family. His labors were re- 
warded, and he now leads a retired life in 
Homestead. He has a family of six children: 
Hugh, Andrew William, John, Kobert, 
Margaret and Eleanor. Of these, Hugh was 
a soldier in a New York regiment in the civil 
war. The subject of this sketch also mined 
in Westmoreland county, where he afterward 
kept a grocery-store. He helped to educate 
his brother William, who graduated at the 
Chicago Medical College. John worked and 
studied about ten years before he graduated 
at the Cincinnati Medical College, in class of 
1883, where he took the prize in obstetrics. 
He followed his profession in Westmoreland 
county until 1887, when he took a special 
course on the eye and ear, and graduated in 
that department. In July of the same year 
he located in Homestead, where he has built 
up a large practice, and since January, 1888, 
has held the position of county physician at 
the city farm. He married Melissa Adams, 
by whom he has Ave children: William, 
Robert, Harold, Sadie and Anna. The doctor 
is a member of the Western Pennsylvania 
Medical society; he is a republican. 

William Ckeighton, contractor, post- 
office Crafton, a son of David and Jane 
Creighton, was born in Ireland in 1837, came 
with bis parents to this country in 1847, and 
settled in Allegheny county. His parents 
had a family of seven children: John, Will- 
iam, Elizabeth, James (deceased), and Jane 
(wife of Charles Pepper), George and Abram 
(deceased). The mother died in 1847, aged 
forty years, and the father in 1854, aged 
fifty-two. By occupation the latter was 
a bookkeeper. William Creighton married, 
in 1860, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and 
Margaret Dinsmore, and their children are 
Jane, Margaret, William and Elizabeth. For 
several years Mr. Creighton was a boatman, 
but since then he has been a contractor. He 
has held the offices of assessor, supervisor 
and auditor, is a member of the O. U. A. M., 
and is a republican. He has risen from 
humble circumstances to a comfortable com- 
petency. 

WiLLi.\M Braithwait, contractor, post- 
office Hulton. was born in Glasgow, Scot- 
land, July 15, 1846. a son of Henry and 
Sarah (Grimes) Braithwait. His father died 
when William was three years old, and when 
he was five years he came to Pitts- 
burgh with his mother and two sisters, Eliza 
and Sarah. The former now lives in Cleve- 
land, and the latter in Allegheny City. Be- 
tween the years 1851 and 1860 Mrs. Braith- 
wait, with her children, lived at times in 
Maryland, about fifteen miles from Baltimore, 
and in Xew Jersey. William attended school 
in these places, and in 1860 returned to Alle- 
gheny City with his mother, who feared that 
he would enter the navy. Here he worked 
in a cotton-factory for a short time, and then 
went to learn the machinist's trade. In 
August. 1862, beinga month past sixteen years 
of age, he e-nlistedinCo. E, 123d P. V. I., and 



for nine months served with the Army of the 
Potomac. He was engaged in the battles of 
Fredericksburg and Chancellorsvillc, but his 
time expired before the battle of Gettysburg. 
He again enlisted, in August, 1864, at the call 
for one-huudred-days men, hoping to be at 
the close of the conflict, but was disappointed. 
This time he did guard duty at Delaware. 
Returning home, he learned tlie carpen- 
ter's trade with J. C. Patterson & Co., with 
whom he remained until 1882, when the firm 
dissolved partnership. In 1879 he built his 
present home in Verona, and in 1884 began 
contracting for himself at that place. He 
was married, in 1873, to Sarah W. Hulton. a 
native of this county, and a daughter of 
James and Susana (Warwick) Hulton. Four 
children have blessed this union: James, 
William, Bruce and Earl. The parents are 
members of the Verona U. P. Church. Mr. 
Braithwait is a member of the G. A. R. and 
Royal Arcanum. In the spring of 1888 he 
was elected to fill an unexpired term in the 
Verona council. 

Columbus C. Carroll, merchant, Chase, 
son of James and Margery Carroll, was born 
in Patton township in 1839. His grandfather, 
Thomas Carrol), came from Maryland, and 
located there at an early day, soon after the 
war of the Revolution. His children were 
Thomas, William, John, Nathaniel, David 
and James, all of whom died in the south but 
James. William Carroll was governor of 
Tennessee three terms, and was colonel of 
Tennessee volunteers at the battle of New 
Orleans. James was born in 1798, in Patton 
township, and married Margery, daughter of 
Saul Stewart, of McKeesport. They located 
in Patton township, and bad a familj- of 
twelve children, viz. : Thomas M. (deceased), 
James L., Stewart. William, Henry, Robert 
(deceased), C. C. Mary J., Margaret, Nancy 
(deceased), Elizaiieth and Margeiy (deceased). 
Columbus C. was born in Patton township, 
and in 1873 married Mary Jane Wilkinson, 
and' located at Ellrod's in 1877, where he is 
engaged in business as dealer in general 
merchandise. He and wife are members of 
the First Presbyterian Cliurch of McKees- 
port. 

John Hastings, merchant, Verona, was 
born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1847, a son 
of Peter and Sarah (Fletcher) Hastings. His 
father is a farmer in England, but his mother 
died in 1870. John attended school until he 
was seven years old. In 1871 Mr. Hastings 
married Susan Bristow, a native of Lincoln- 
shire, England, born in 1847. a daughter of 
John and Ann (Francis) Bristow. Two weeks 
after marriage Mr. and Jlrs. Hastings came 
to America, spending the first two years in 
Oneida county. N. Y. He then came to 
Pittsburgh and worked in the Crescent Steel- 
works, and later moved to Verona, where he 
teamed for the Dexter Spring-works for nine 
years. In 1875 he started a grocery-store, 
which his wife managed. Five years later 
he gave up teaming, and has siuce given his 
attention to the store. Mr. and Mrs. Hast- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



713 



ings have three children: Gertrude Ann, 
James Bristow and Maud, the eldest being 
in the store. Mr. Hastings is a republican, 
and he and his wife are members of the U. P. 
Church. His maternal great-grandmother 
died at the advanced age of 103 years. 

James Scarborough, farmer, postofflce 
Remington, was born in Maryland about 1828, 
a son of John Scarborough, who was an 
American, as were many generations of the 
family. James was left an orphan at six 
years of age, and thrown upon his own re- 
sources; his life has been a varied one. At 
the age of nineteen he went to California, 
where he remained three years, engaged in 
gold-mining, hunting, etc., and has traveled 
through many of the states. He finally set- 
tled at his present home in 1861, and pur- 
chased a tract of land containing seventy 
acres. Four children were born to Mr. 
Scarborough: Henry E., Joseph S., Lewis 
and Charles W., all of whom are engaged in 
various occupations. Mr. Scarborough is a 
member of the U. P. Church, and in politics 
is independent. 

Charles Thomas Taylor, builder, post- 
offlce Turtle Creek, is a grandson of Jacob 
Taylor, a revolutionary soldier, who settled 
on a farm in Westmoreland county about 
1800. William, a son of Jacob, born in 1807, 
married Louisa Craig, of Scotch descent, and 
settled on the Greensburg pike, in Versailles 
township, where he engaged in wagon- 
making. He died in Westmoreland county, 
in September, 1885, aged seventy-eight. 
Charles T. Taylor was born March 9, 1835, in 
Versailles, received a common-school educa- 
tion, and worked with his father until 
twenty-two years old, when he took up car- 
penter-work. In 1859 he married Eliza Jane 
Maxwell, a native of Patton township, and 
a daughter of Hugh and Agnes Maxwell, of 
Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have four 
children, all with their parents: James 
Maxwell, employed at Homestead Steel- 
works; Samuel Alfred, a civil engineer; 
Agnes Louisa, and Charles Francis, assisting 
his father. 

John Watson, superintendent, postofflce 
Homestead, was born in County Down, Ire- 
land, in 1838, a son of James Watson, a na- 
tive of the same place. He received a com- 
mon-school education in his native country, 
immigrated to America at the age of seven- 
teen, and worked for some time for Smith, 
Varner& Co., of Pittsburgh. He then came 
to Six-Mile Ferry, where he teamed for 
James H. Hay. His faithfulness and 
thoroughness soon gained for him the esteem 
and confidence of his employers and his sons, 
who subsequently inherited the Hay estate. 
Knowing every detail of the large coal busi- 
ness, Mr. Watson soon became general 
manager and superintendent at Six-Mile 
Ferry, which position he maintains to the 
present day. Mr. Watson married Mary J., 
daughter of Frederick Rineman, and two 
children have blessed them — James H. and 
Mabel Watson. Mr. Watson and his family 



are members of the M. E. Church. In poli- 
tics he is a republican. 

James Stoker, carpenter, Elizabeth, 
is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Stewart) 
Storer. Their parents were natives of New 
Jersey, and came to Westmoreland county in 
a very early day, the father of our subject 
being born there April 1, 1800. He was 
reared a farmer, and afterward settled in this 
township, where James was born Feb. 7, 1834. 
At an early age the latter learned the trade of 
ship-carpenter, which he has since followed. 
In 1864 be enlisted in the United States navv 
and served until the close of the war. He 
married, Sept. 25, 1859, Julia, daughter of 
James and Annie (Whittaker) Lennox, of 
Brownsville, and they have five living chil- 
dren: Alice (Mrs. James Lynch), Hattie (Mrs. 
Charles Snowden), Clarence, Arthur and 
Annie, all citizens of Elizabeth. Mr. Storer 
is a member of Brownsville Lodge, No. 
51, and Encampment No. 70, I. O. O. F. ; K. 
of P. No. 357, and J. W. Stephens Post, No. 
311, G. A. R. At present he is a member of 
the school board of the borough. 

James C.Cubbage, lumber-merchant, post- 
offlce Putnam, was born in this county in 1853, 
and is descended from one of the oldest fam- 
ilies in this section of Allegheny count}'. It 
was about the time of the first settlement of 
this county that James Cubbage, with his 
mother and two brothers, came from Ireland, 
and purchased some 350 acres of land in 
Allegheny county, then in Virginia. James 
was eighteen years of age when he located 
here; he was always a farmer, and erected 
buildings on the property he purchased, 
parts of which are yet standing. He married 
Jane Gillflllian, and became the father of 
three sons and five daughters; he died in 
1853. Of his children, Joseph, who was born 
in 1819 on the farm purchased by his father, 
married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel 
Glass, and by her had nine children, of whom 
four daughters and two sons are living. 
Joseph was a farmer, and died in 1874, aged 
] fifty-seven years; his widow survives him, 
aged fifty-seven. James C. is the eldest son, 
and was educated at the public schools. He 
was a farmer previous to 1881, but since that 
time has been successfully engaged in lum- 
ber business and operating a planing-mill. 
He is a Freemason, a member of the Presby- 
terian Church, and is a democrat. 

Jacob Weinman, coal-operator, Wilkins- 

burg, was born in Wiirtemberg, Germany, in 

1843, son of Casper and Dorothea (Bulling) 

Weinman, who came to America in 18.53, and 

located at McKeesport. The father was a 

miller, and died in 18.58, aged fifty-eight; his 

' widow died in 1884, at the age of seventy-two. 

1 Following are the names of their children: 

] Mary (Kraft), deceased; Matthias, in Pitts- 

I burgh; Veronica (Kreider). in Wilkinsburg; 

Christina (Rudolph), in Buena Vista; Jacob 

and Dorothea (Lamp). When thirteen years 

\ old, Jacob Weinman commenced mining in a 

coalpit, and continued at same seventeen 

I years. For the last seventeen years he has 



714 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY CObNTY. 



beeu an operator of mines about WilUius- 
burg, and is now owner of four liundred 
acres in Penn, Wilkins and Sterrett town- 
ships. In 1888 be built bis handsome resi- 
dence, corner of Coal and Franltlin streets, 
and is tlie owner of six bouses in the borougli. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a 
Lutheran in religious faith, and a repulilican 
in politics. In 1862 be married Anna Barbara 
Vogel, a native of the same locality as him- 
self, and they have six children living: Jacob, 
Emma (Mrs. Herbert Crolty), Josliua, Min- 
nie, Dorothea and Anna Belle. Three died 
in infancy: Charles, William and James. 

Fhank Brettuallb, grocer, posloflice Put- 
nam, was born in Prussia, in 1839, a son of 
Frederick (a farmer) and Louisa (Ressmair) 
Bretthalle, also of Prussia. They had 
six children, all of whom are living. Franlc 
came to America in 1867, and up to 1881 en- 
gaged in the grocery business in Pittsburgh. 
In tlie spring of 1881 he came to Mansfield, 
and has since remained here, carr3'iu£; a full 
line of groceries, having one of the finest 
stores of the kind in the town. He married, 
in 18To, Louisa, daughter of Christian 
Luebbe, of Prussia, and five children have 
blessed their union: Frederick Lewis (now 
aged twelve years), Harry B'ranli (aged ten 
years), Minnie (aged eight years), Tillie 
(aged five years) and Frank (aged four years). 
Mr. Bretthalle is a member of the G. L. 
Church, and is a democrat. 

Abram Lbonidas Dollkns, merchant, 
Verona, was born in Florence, Boone county, 
Ky., a son of Robert William and Elizabeth 
Eleanor (Stansifer) Dollens, of Kentucky. 
His grandfather, William Dollens. was said 
to be a descendant of John Randolph, of 
Roanoke, and the Stansifer blood is German. 
Robert Dollens was a slaveholder and exten- 
sive planter, and sent his son to school at 
Louisiana, Mo., for five years. During vaca- 
tions he was employed as clerk in stores, and 
after completing his education he engaged in 
the manufacture of tobacco at Louisiana, 
Mo., and in Covington, Louisville, New 
Albany and other points. He became a resi- 
dent of Pittsburgh in 1870, and engaged in 
the wholesale drug trade for over ten years. 
In 1881 he opeued a general store in Verona, 
where he has since resided. Mr. Dollens was 
married, in 1874, to Amelia Alma, daughter of 
William Loder and Mary (Conning) Meyrick, 
all born in England. The family is united 
with Trinity Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, 
and includes two children, William Meyrick 
and Anna Meyrick. Mr. Dollens was a re- 
publican before the war. He served six 
months, enlisting, in 1861, in the 5th Mo. S. 
M., and helped to keep eleven counties clear 
of rebel soldiery and guerrillas. He is now 
a pronounced democrat. 

John Holmes, farmer, postofflce Fetter- 
man, emigrated from the north of England, 
and, with his wife, came to Allegheny county 
about 1841, settling in Temperanceville. He 
married Miss Lee, and they were the parents 
of four children. He was a mechanic in his 



day, and a highly respected citizen. John 
Holmes. Jr., was born in Temperanceville in 
184.'); he was educated in the public schools of 
Pittsburgh, and farming has always been his 
occupation. He was married, in 1873, to a 
daughter of F. B. Sawyers, of Mount 
Washington, and two children have beeu 
born to them: John and Eunice. Mr. Holmes 
is a member of the O. U. A. M., and has been 
a school director. He is a member of the 
Methodist Church, and is a republican. 

William Dewalt, gardener, postofflce 
Chartiers, is a native of Stowe township, and 
was born in 18.57 to Adam and Christina 
Dewalt, former of whom was reared on his 
father's farm in (Jermany. On coming to 
this country, in 1848, he (Adam) soon found 
himself destitute of funds, and was obliged 
to pawn his trunk in Buffalo, N. Y., to raise 
funds to bring him to Pittsburgh, where he 
obtained work on a farm at from five to 
eight dollars per month. In after years he was 
succeeding very well, but about 1863 his 
health failed, and he has never been able to 
do much work since — in fact none at all the 
past six years. His wife died in 1882, at the 
age of fifty-nine years, after twelve or four- 
teen years' sickness. Mr. Dewalt is now 
seventy years of age, and a great sufferer, 
making his home with his son William. 
Adam Dewalt married the widow Stipe, a 
daughter of Jacob Minke, of this county, and 
became the father' of the following-named 
children: William M., Adam J., Jacob and 
John. Adam's brothers and sisters were 
Catherine, Elizabeth, Margaret, Philomena 
and Jacob. William Dewalt (our subject) has 
always kindly remained at home, and cared 
for his parents. He is one of Stowe town- 
ship's most worthy young men, and is the 
owner of a considerable amount of property 
at Duffy's station, in Stowe township. 

James Brown, brick-manufacturer, Mc- 
Keesport, was born in Pittsburgh, April 9, 
1843, a son of Robert and Mary (Ray) Brown. 
His father, who was a cooper b}^ trade, was 
a native of Carlisle, Pa., and settled in Pitts- 
burgh about 183.5, but is now a resident of 
Allegheny. James was reared and educated 
in Pittsburgh, where he learned the trade of 
brickmaker,in which he has since successfully 
continued, and has the oldest establishment 
in that line of business in the city. His wife 
was Mary J. Forsythe, a daughter of Alex- 
ander For.sj'the, Esq., of Beaver county. Mr. 
Brown served three years and three months 
in the war of the rebellion, in Co. B. 46th 
P. v., and participated in the battles of 
Antietara, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, 
Atlanta, Resaca, Lookout Mountain, besides 
other engagements. 

John Armstrong Cowan, farmer, post- 
office Upper St. Clair, was born Oct. 4, 1846. 
in Baldwin township, a son of John and 
Louise E. (Pr3'or) Cowan, natives of this 
county, born, respectively, Feb. 23. 1810, and 
July 30, 1815. His father was a tailor, but in 
1841 began keeping the Union hotel, on the 
Brownsville road. He died June 14. 1883, bis 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGBAPHY. 



715 



wife May 11, same year. Our subject's 
paternal grandparents, David and Margaret 
Cowan, botli born in 1775, came here from 
Cliester county; tbe former was a carpenter 
and farmer, and died at the age of ninety- 
three years. The maternal grandparents of 
John A. Cowan were Silas D. and Elizabeth 
Pryor, who died April 1, 1851, and in 1850, 
respectively. Our subject received his 
education in the Moore schoolhouse and 
Hayslet Academy, on the Brownsville road. 
His father came to the present farm in 1863, 
and John lived at home and had charge of 
his father's farm until thelatter's death, when 
he became the owner. He also conducted a 
sawmill on the place from 1864 to 1878. He 
married, March 13, 1873, Sarah V., who was 
born in Allegheny City, May 13, 1851, a 
daughter of John and Anna (Richardson) 
Cinnamoud. Her father was a machinist in 
Pittsburgh, and was born at Lawrenceville in 
1810; her mother was born in 1815, on Penn 
avenue, Pittsburgh. Mrs. Cowan's maternal 
grandparents, Thomas and Jane (Benny) 
Richardson, came from Ireland, as did also 
her paternal grandparents, John and Jane 
(.Johnson) Cinnamond. John Cinuamond 
was a chemist in the Pittsbtirgh arsenal. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cowan have one child, John 
Pryor. They are members of the Presby- 
terian Church, and Mr. Cowan is a member 
of the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. Mrs. 
Cowan's father was a colonel in the Mexican 
war, and at the beginning of the civil war 
enlisted with the three-months men, then 
joined the Black Horse Cavalry for three 
years' service, and was killed at the battle of 
Fredericksburg. 

R. J. Edib, teller First National Bank, 
McKeesport, was born in Allegheny City, 
Sept. 9, 1854, a son of 'William H. and Mary 
J. CWilson) Edie, also natives of Allegheny. 
His paternal grandfather, Guyan Edie, 
a native of 'Virginia, was among the pio- 
neers of Allegheny. The subject of these 
lines was educated in Pittsburgh, and 
commenced the world as a bill-clerk in 
the wholesale dry-goods house of Ar- 
buthnot & Shannon, in that city. From 
there he went to Texas and spent four years 
on the frontier, moving thence to St. Louis, 
Mo., where, for two years, he was book- 
keeper in a large wholesale dry-goods house. 
Returning to Pittsburgh, he served for a 
time as teller in the Penn Bank, and later 
was employed by the P. & L. E. R. R. Co. as 
pa3'master, a position that he filled to the 
entire satisfaction of that great company, 
and which demonstrated the confidence 
and esteem in which he was held by 
those who had charge of great public 
interests. In March, 1886, Mr. Edie came 
to McKeesport, where he has since resided, 
occupying the position referred to above, 
and attending also to the duties of treasurer 
of the New Enterprise Building and Loan 
association, to which office he was chosen 
when that association was formed. He be- 
longs to a family noted for its scholastic 



attainments, some of them having been 
prominent in literary circles, and some in 
the professions, several eminent divines of 
the name being widely known in the councils 
of the orthodox churches. 

Mr. Edie married, in 1871, Emily, daughter 
of Alljert and Emily (Brown) Culbertsou, of 
Monongahela City, and has one son living, 
Robert B. Mr. Edie is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church; is a member of the R. 
A., and is a democrat. 

William Baud Brush, merchant. Turtle 
Creek, was born at Caveltsville, 'Westmore- 
land county, June 11. 1860, a son of Daniel S. 
Brush, and a grandson of Robert Brush, an 
early settler in Westmoreland county. Dan- 
iel S. was born in that county, and married 
Susan, daughter of Joseph Mehaffey, who 
came from Ireland to Westmoreland county, 
where Mrs. Brush was born in 1838. Daniel 
Brush was a tanner and shoemaker. In 1861 
he enlisted for one year in Co. B, 56th P, V.. 
and on the expiration of his term re-enlisted 
for the war. He served with the Army of 
the Potomac, sharing in all its hardships 
and battles until his right arm was taken olf 
by a fragment of a shell, before Peter.'ilHirg. 
He died In 1871, at the age of forty-nine; his 
widow still resides at Caveltsville. William 
B. Brush was reared in his native village, 
and attended the public schools. After 
serving a short time as clerk in a store at 
Larimer's Station, he commenced, in 1880, in 
mercantile business at Stewart's Station, 
where he was very successful. In 1887 he 
bought the stock of C. A Black at Turtle 
Creek; is doing a profitable business, and 
carries about five thousand dollars' worth of 
general merchandise. He is connected with 
the U. P. Church, and is a republican. In 
September, 1885, he married Ida Haymaker, 
and they have one son, Harry Berlin. 

Clarence Harry Chdrch, fireman, post- 
offlce Turtle Creek, was born in Allegheny 
City, July 27, 1859. a son of Calvin Church. 
Nearly all his life has been passed here, and 
his education was acquired in the public 
schools of Turtle Creek. When sixteen years 
old he began work about the coal-mines.and 
soon after was employed as a brakeman, and 
later as a fireman, on his father's coal-trains. 
For the last five years he has been employed 
on the P. R. R., and will soon be promoted 
to engineer. Mr. Church is associated with 
the Jr. O. U. A. M. and the Masonic frater- 
nity, and with his wife attends the M. E. 
Church. Like his father and brother, he sup 
ports the republican party. .Jan. 19, 1888. he 
married Sadie E. Roberts, who was born in 
Sewickley township. They are established in 
a home recently purchased by Mr. Church. 

Frank G. Bergman, liquor-salesman, 
McKeesport, was born in Hanover, Germany, 
Jan. 15, 1851. a son of Frank H. and Eliza- 
beth (Busch) Bergman. He was reared and 
educated in his native town, and graduated 
from Gottiugen College as a surgeon, and 
practiced his profession eight years. He 
came to America in November, 1880, and set- 



716 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



tied in Mc'Keesport, where he worked in the 
NatioiuU Kolliug-mills five monllis. He then 
served five months as a nurse at the Western 
Pennsylvania hospital, Pittsburgh. In 1883 
he embarked in the wholesale and retail 
liquor business in McKeesport, in which he 
was successfully engaged until May 1, 1888, 
and is now acting as a wholesale "agent for 
foreign houses. lie is a member of the G. C. 
Church, and in politics is independent. 

William W. McLaughlin, engineer, 
Homestead, was born Aug. 31, 1847, in 
Mifflin township, Allegheny county, the son 
of William and Jane McLaughlin, "of Scotch 
descent. His paternal grandfather was born 
in the United States; was a farmer, and one 
of the earliest pioneers in Westmoreland 
county, Va. William W. is one of si.x chil- 
dren: .lames, Milton. Adeline. Sarah E., 
Melvina and William W. He was reared on 
the river, learned engineering, followed it 
on different boats, and since 1886 has been 
engineer of the beam-mill in the Homestead 
Steel-works. In 18G4, at the age of seven- 
teen, he enlisted in the 18th P. C, Co. 
F, and served until the surrender of Lee, 
participating in the Ijattle of Winchester 
and others. His father and two brothers 
were also in the army. He married Catha- 
rine Fickison, a native of this county, and 
they have seven cliildren: Raymond, 
Thomas, Frances, Adeline, Catharine, Will- 
iam and George. Mr. McLaughlin is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. and of the R. 
A., and is a democrat. 

John Thompson, farmer, postofflce Mon- 
roeville, was born in County Armagh, Ire- 
land, in 1811. His parents, John and Eliza- 
beth (McMuUeu) Thompson, came to Penn- 
sylvania in 1812, and settled soon after on 
the farm where our subject now resides. 
The father died at the age of one hundred 
and two. and the mother at the age of fort}'- 
five. They reared four sons, of whom tlie 
eldest and youngest are now deceased; James, 
John, William and Alexander. .John has 
passed his life in the township, always re- 
siding on the home farm. He has been a 
lifelong republican, and bears the soubriquet 
of "Honest John." In 1843 he married Mary 
McKnight, a native of Washington count}', 
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Connor) 
McKnight. Of thirteen children born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Thompson, six died in infancy. The 
following are the names and residences of 
the others: William and John, in Cannons- 
burg. Ohio; Anna Mary, wife of Frank Mc- 
Clure, in Patton township; Nancy Jane, wife 
of David Clements, in Plum; James, in Pat- 
ton; Elmer, with his parents, and Rebecca, 
wife of George Anderson, in Murrysville. Mr. 
Thompson is a member of the U. P. Church. 

Samuel Alexander Steel, contractor, 
Wilkinsburg. was born in Washington coun- 
ty. Pa., July 14, 1843, son of James and 
Elizabeth (McKinley) Steel, natives of Ire- 
land, who married in Philadelphia, and came 
west. The father died when Samuel was 
four vears old, and the latter was reared in 



Pittsburgh. When eighteen years old he 
began to learn the bricklaver's trade. In 
1869, with a partner named McLaughlin, he 
engaged in contracting for brickwork. Two 
years later they dissolved, and next year he 
became associated with his present partner, 
Alexander Hall, This firm has put up many 
of the finest buildings in Pittsburgh, inclucf- 
iug the Central high-scliool, Hamilton 
building. Home's block, on Wood street, Mc- 
Clintock and Weslinghou.se buildings. He 
became a resident of Wilkinsburg in 1872, 
and ten years later built his present hand- 
some residence. He is connected with the 
I. O. O. F., is a Scottish Rite Mason; supports 
the republican party and the V. P. Church. 
In 1867 Mr. Steel married Elizabeth Mitchell, 
a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., and daughter of 
Robert and Mary Mitchell, who were born in 
Ireland. Following are the names of Mr. 
and Mrs. Steel's children: Mary Jane, James 
Hall, Robert John, Samuel Alex., Elizabeth, 
George Glass and Royal. Mrs. S. is a mem- 
ber of the U. P. Church. 

Sidney H. Totten, accountant, Pitts- 
burgh, was born in that city Sept. 8, 1843. 
John Totten, his grandfather, was born in 
Orange county, N. Y., Aug. 5, 1770, and 
removed to Westmoreland county. Pa., near 
Greensburg. His son, William J. Totten, 
father of Sidney H., was also a native of 
Orange county. N. Y., born March 15, 1804, 
and came to Western Pennsylvania with his 
father's family in 1808. He afterward settled 
in Pittsburgh, and established the Fort Pitt 
foundry, under the firm name of Knapp & 
Totten. At about the time of the Mexican 
war they manufactured large quantities of 
shot, shell and cannon, some of them of large 
caliber, known as the " Rodman ordnance." 
The subject of this sketch was educated in 
this city, and, like his father, was engaged in 
the manufacture of iron and steel till recently. 
He has always been a stanch republican. 
When the civil war broke out he was young 
and in delicate health, and was prevailed 
upon by his widowed mother and others not 
to enlist. He frequently visited the theater 
of hostilities, aided in raising men and money 
to resist the invasion of Pennsylvania by 
Gen. Lee. He was tendered a commission as 
captain by the late Hon, Thomas M. Howe, 
acting adjutant-general of volunteers under 
Gov. Curtin. Mr. Totten is now connected 
with the department of public safety in 
Pittsburgh. 

Dr. E. G. Husler. Mansfield, was born 
in this county in 1855. R. Husler, his 
father, is bs' trade an auger maker, which he 
followed for a number of years, but is now 
engaged in farming in this county. He mar- 
ried Mary Phillips, who has borne him seven 
children, six of whom are now living, E. G. 
being the third child. He was educated at 
the public schools in this county, and at an 
early age commenced the study of medicine 
under Dr. George Cheeseman, a graduate of 
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 
which institution our subject entered in 1878, 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



717 



graduating therefrom in 1880 as phj-sician 
and surgeon. He immediately commenced 
practice in this count}', at Wallier's Mills, 
where he remained two j-ears. In 1883 he 
came to Mansfield. He married. Oct. 13. 
1883, Hattie, daughter of William Steen, of 
this county, and one son and one daughter 
— Edward Gregg and Edna Pearl — have been 
boru to them. The doctor is a democrat. 

John Albert, farmer, postoffice White 
Ash. son of Nicholas and Anna Albert, was 
born in Bavaria, Germany. He was reared 
on a farm, and when twenty-two years old 
emigrated to America, and dwelt many years 
in McKeesport, this county. For thirty years 
he was engaged in digging coal, and by in- 
dustry and frugality laid up enough to buy 
the farm which he now occupies. This he 
purchased in 1864, and built his resi- 
dence. He is a communicant of the R. C. 
Church of Verona. In 1851 he married, at 
McKeesport, Sophia Robini, a native of Prus- 
sia, who died in 1871, the mother of four 
children, three of whom are now living: 
Mary (Mrs. Peter Weiss) resides with Mr. 
Albert; John and Christian, in East Liberty, 
Katrina, the third child (Mrs. Kopel), is de- 
ceased. 

William W. Anderson, machinist, Wil- 
kinsburg, was born Oct. 6, 1851, in Allegheny 
City. After the family came to Williinsburg 
he attended Prof. Ludden's academy, and 
when eighteen years old entered the machine- 
shops of the Westinghouse Air-brake com- 
pany, in Pittsburgh. With the exception of 
two 3'ears, when employed iu plumbing in 
Pittsburgh, he has been with the company ever 
since, and is now engaged in the manufact- 
ure of gas-meters. Jan. 30, 1873, he was 
married to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas 
and Mary Maloy, of Irish descent, and dur- 
ing that year built his present home on 
Rebecca street. Mr. and 5lrs. Anderson are 
associated with the Presbyterian Church, and 
he follows the political precepts of his 
fathers. Following are the names of their 
children: Mary Malazeua, Edna Jane, Will- 
iam, Henry Newton, Thomas J., Joseph K. 
and Grace. 

William C. Neemes, superintendent of 
McKeesport Gas company, was born in Pitts- 
burgh, March 8, 1849, a son of George and 
Mary C. (Calhoun) Neemes. His father, a 
native of Whitehaven. England, a black- 
smith and machinist by trade, settled in 
Pittsburgh in 1835; worked on the Pittsburgh 
<5as company's buildings, and was the 
efficient superintendent of the worlds for 
thirty-five years. His wife was a daughter 
of William and Mary Calhoun, earl}' settlers 
of Pittsburgh, who occupied a farm where a 
portion of the city now stands. George 
Neemes, by this marriage, had seven chil- 
dren: John (deceased), Phebe (deceased), 
AVilliam C, Jennie (deceased), George, 
Thomas (deceased) and Norwell. William 
C. was reared in Pittsburgh, and was gradu- 
ated from the public schools, Pittsburgh 
University and Iron City Business College. 



He afterward served an apprenticeship of 
five years at the machinist's trade, and during 
that time studied mechanical and architect- 
ural drawing under Prof. Vandermalin. 
While serving his apprenticeship he was 
appointed assistant superintendent of the 
Pittsburgh Gas company, in which capacity 
he served one year, after which he served 
three years as mechanical and architectural 
draftsman for the same company. He 
was then employed by the Pittsburgh Water- 
works company as superintendent of laying 
all the water-mains, but resigned his position, 
and was appointed superintendent of the 
Consolidated Gas company, of Pittsburgh, 
in which capacity he served two years. Dur- 
ing that time he rebuilt and remodeled the 
works of the company. In 1880 he came to 
McKeesport, where he has since been the effi- 
cient superintendent of the McKeesport Gas 
company. Mr. Neemes is an active F. & A. 
M. He has served two years as a member of 
the McKeesport council, and is a stanch 
republican. 

S. O. Rhodes, lumber-merchant, post- 
office Elizabeth, a son of Frederick and 
Catherine Rhodes, was born in Jefferson 
township, in 1838, and made his home with 
his parents until 1862. He then married 
Rachel, daughter of Jesse Cunningham, of 
Baldwin township, and after marriage lo- 
cated in Elizabeth township, where he built 
a steam sawmill with a daily capacity of ten 
thousand feet of lumber. This mill he wore 
out, and then erected another of about the 
same capacity, and is engaged in building 
barges, coalboats, etc.; is also a general 
dealer in lumber. Their children were Jesse 
(deceased), Samuel O., George Q., Florel- 
la May (deceased), Howard, Robert S. and 
Rachel L. During the war he was in the 
three-months service, in Capt. Harmar's 
company. Mr. Rhodes is descended from 
one of the old families of Allegheny county. 

John M. Lewis was born near Nobles- 
town, North Fayette township, Feb. 35, 
1824, on the old homestead of his father and 
grandfather, a son of John and Margaret 
(McClellan) Lewis. Mrs. Lewis was a 
daughter of Alexander and Nancy McClellan, 
old settlers of North Fayette township. John 
Lewis was born in Westmoreland county. 
Pa., a son of William, who was born in 
Easton, Pa., and was one of the earliest set- 
tlers of North Fayette township, Allegheny 
county. He married a Miss McAllister, and 
moved to Montgomery county. Pa. John 
and Margaret (McClellan) Lewis settled on 
the old homestead in North Fayette. They 
were Presbyterians, and had thirteen chil- 
dren. The living are Alexander P., John 
M., James Mc, Nancy (widow of Robert 
Stevenson). Mary (wife of Joseph Hamilton) 
and John M. Our subject married, Feb. 10, 
1848, Elizabeth J. Stewart, born in Findlay 
township, a daughter of James and Isabella 
(Gladden) Stewart. Her father was born in 
Findlay township, a son of James and Mar- 
garet (McCune) Stewart, early settlers of 



718 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Fiiullaj'. ilr. uud Mrs. Lewis settled on 
their present farm soon after their marriage. 
They liad five eliildren: J. Stewart, married 
to Klla Hamilton, residing in Washington 
county. Pa.; Margaret M.. married to Murray 
Cook, residing in Washington county; John 
P. A. (deceased), married to Jennie Harper; 
Mary, married to R. C. Hamilton, residing in 
Findlay township; Wilson McB. L., mar- 
ried to Maggie Ayel, residing in Findlay. 
Mr. Lewis owns 107 acres of land; has held 
the offices of township collector, treasurer 
and constable. He and Mrs. Lewis are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church at Hebron. 

William Tayloh, farmer, jiost office Mc- 
Keesport, son of Joseph and Ann (Kissick) 
Taylor, was born in Versailles township, on 
the farm he now owns, Dec. 25, 1813. His 
parents were natives of Ireland, came to 
America and located in Lancaster county, 
Pa., and then removed to near Cannonsburg, 
Pa., and in 1813 purchased the farm now 
owned by G. William, of 208 acres, where 
thej' lived and died. They reared a family 
of eight children, viz. : Martha (deceased), 
May (deceased), Margaret (deceased). John 
(deceased). Anna (deceased). Andrew (de- 
ceased), Sarah (now Mrs. Samuel Boal) and 
William. William Taylor was born, reared 
and educated in Versailles township, and in 
1851 married Amanda, daughter of Peter 
Whitehead, of Versailles township, and then 
purchased the old homestead. To them have 
been horn twelve children, viz. : Arabella, 
Oliver, Amelia, Priscilla, Lincoln R., Sophia, 
John W., Sarah E. (deceased). Rebecca J. 
(deceased), Harry W., Charles H. and Clyde 
B. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the 
Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is a 
republican. 

John G. Oeffner, justice of the peace. 
Homestead, was born in Pittsburgh, on the 
site of old Fort Duquesue. His father, John 
F. Oeffner. native of C-Jermany, came to 
America In 1851, and is yet a well-known 
resident of Pittsburgh. John G. was edu- 
cated in his native city, where he afterward 
became interested in the oil business, being a 
wholesale jobber for three years. He then 
became a general contractor of bricklaying, 
which he followed for seven years, and dur- 
ing that time superintended the construction 
of the brick buildings at the Homestead 
Steel-mills. He has been a resident of Home- 
stead for a number of years, and in 1886 was 
elected justice of the peace, which position 
he has tilled with tact and ability. He is 
also in the insurance business, representing 
the Germania, Xew York, and Dwelling 
House, Boston, Mass. Mr. Oeffner is one of 
the stockholders and directors of the First 
National Bank at Homestead. He is a mem- 
ber of the K. of P., K. of G. E., Mystic Chain 
and order of Red Men. He is a republican. 

John Josiah Walkek, justice of the 
peace, Wilkinsburg, was born in Allegheny 
City, Feb. 1, 1841. His grandfather, Jo- 
seph Walker, was many years keeper of 
the prison in Londonderry, Ireland, and was 



twice married. James, a son of the first 
wife, was brought to America by an elder 
sister when nine years old. When si.xteen he 
paid a visit to his native land, and his visit 
there occupied nine months. His father 
came to this country in 1850, and passed his 
remaining days here. James Walker was 
forty years keeper of the Western peniten- 
tiary, and three years steward of tlie Alle- 
gheny County Home. He died in 1875, aged 
seventy-three; his widow is now living at 
Mercer, Pa., in her eightieth year. He 
helped to organize the First U. P. "Church in 
Allegheny, and was an elder for fifty years. 
He was originally a whig, afterward a demo- 
crat, but became a republican after the ad- 
ministration of James Buchanan. John J., 
who is the eighth of twelve children, attended 
the public school till fourteen years of age; 
then commenced the trade of painter, and 
was a partner in a firm of painters at the out- 
break of the civil war. He was one of th« 
first thirty men who left Allegheny to enter 
the Union army. After three months' service 
in the 7th P. V. I. he helped organize Bat. 
I, 112th, taking the rank of second lieutenant. 
In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 139th 
Regt. In 1864 he was made hospital steward in 
the regular army, and as such served till Dec. 
10. 1865. He took part in twenty-three regu- 
lar engagements, and at the battle of the 
Wilderness he received a scalp-wound, was 
shot through the finger and had three ribs 
broken by the recoil of his gun. In the 
spring of 1867 he came to Wilkinsburg, and 
carried on a successful painting business till 
compelled by ill health to abandon it. While 
Wilkinsburg was part of Pittsburgh he was 
the alderman; has been three times elected 
justice of the peace, and was appointed to 
fill vacancy for two years; was six years dep- 
uty clerk of courts, and is now the republican 
nominee for jury commissioner; is a member 
of the M. E. Church; Past D. D. G. M. of 
the I. O. O. F., Past Representative K. of P., 
member of the G. A. R., Veteran Legion, 
Jr. O. U. A. M. and Heptasophs. In 1861 Mr. 
Walker was married to Sarah Ann, daughter 
of Jacob and Ann Gould, of same German 
e.xtraction as Jay Gould. One son and one 
daughter have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Walker; Sarah A. M., a teacher in the 
Wilkinsburg public school; Loyal John, a 
bookkeeper for the Singer Manufacturing 
company', Pittsburgh 

Sa.muel S. Meanor, merchant and ferry- 
man, postoffice Stoops, was born in Moon 
township, Jan. 31, 182-1, a son of Isaac and 
Elizabeth (Davidson) Meanor. Isaac Meanor 
was born in Findlay township, Allegheny 
county. Pa.; his parents were natives of Ire- 
land, and Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. Isaac 
Meanor's grandmother, Sarali (Scott) Meanor, 
was acousinof Gen.Winfield Scott. Her fath- 
er and brothers were soldiers in the Revolu- 
tion, and both were in the battle of Brandy- 
wine. Isaac Meanor's parent shad four daugh- 
ters and nine sons, all of whom lived to be old 
and had families, Isaac Meanor and wife were 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



im 



members of the Pi'esbyteriau Church; they 
had uiue children, six living: Martha (wife 
of Henry Powell, of Madison. Ind.), Samuel 
S., Rebecca (unmarried, residing at Stoops' 
Ferry). Margaret (wife of John A. Porter, in 
Evansville, Ind.), Mary (widow of .lames 
Kain. in Chester, 111.) and Jane (wife of 
Washington McCartney, in Rochester, Beaver 
county. Pa.). Samuel S. remained on the 
farm until he was fifteen years old, when he 
began life for himself. He learned the 
cooper's trade and followed it at Clinton, 
Allegheny county, until Fel). 26, 18.53. He 
then went to California, mined and pros- 
pected until 18.55, when he returned to Clin- 
ton, worked at the carpenter's trade until 
1858, and then bought a general store there. 
He sold out in 1864. purchased a farm in 
Moon township, and in February, ISS-i, 
bought his present propert}' at Stoops' Ferry. 
He has been twice married; first, Jan. 37, 
1847, to Isabella Hood, who was born in 
Findlay township, this county, daughter of 
Nathan and Jane (Davison) Hood, natives 
of Ireland and Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. 
Mr. and Mrs. Meanor had five children, three 
living: Winfield S. (a fruit-grower and gar- 
dener, at Sharon, married to Nancy McKin- 
ley), Sierra Nevada ^managing the store at 
Stoops' Ferry for his father, and is married 
to .llice White), E. E. (a carpenter on 
the P. & L. E. R. R., married to Nancy Win- 
ters, and residing at Stoop.s' .Ferry). Mrs. 
Meanor died in April, 1863, a member of the 
M. E. Church, and Mr. Meanor next married, 
in 1875, Mrs. Margaret F. Elder, a daughter 
of David and Jane (Flanuigan) Moody. Mr. 
and Mrs. Meanor have had five children, 
three living: Elizabeth G. (wife of John 
Springer, farmer, of Moon township), and 
Laura and Margaret L. (who reside with their 
parents). Mrs. Meanor and daughters are 
members of the Presbyterian Church at 
Sharou. Mr. Meanor cast his first vote for 
his relative, Winfield Scott, for president, 
and since the organization of the republican 
party has been one of its warm supporters. 

, George Hkrwig, supervisor, Dravosburg, 
was bom in Weida, Roda, Hessen, Germany, 
a son of Adam and Gillase Herwig, who were 
tillers of the soil in their native land, and 
came to America in 1845, where the father 
. engaged in the butcher business for forty- 
five years, of which seventeen were spent in 
Pittsburgh. They were the parents of the 
following children: Elizabeth, Dorothea, 
Barbara, Catharine, Margaret. Daniel, Jacob, 
George and Adam. Of these Jacob sacrificed 
his life in the service of his country at the 
second battle of Bull run. Our subject 
came to America in 1838; he came to Dra- 
vosburg in August, 1855, but for the last 
seven years has not been in business. For 
the last four years he has been supervisor of 
the road, and has given general satisfaction. 
He married Louise Kaufmau, a native of 
Germany, and they have si.i children: Daniel 
M., William, Mrs. Ella M. Robison, Louisa, 
Paulina and Anna. The sons are employed 



in the National Rolling-mill at McKeesport. 
where Daniel M. is head bookkeeper, and 
William foreman. Mr. and Mrs. Herwig are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, and he 
is a republican. 

J. S. BOHN, mill foreman, McKeesport, is 
a native of Frederick county, Md., where he 
was reared and educated. He is a miller, 
and followed that business seven 3'ears. 
Later he spent several years in traveling. 
He located in McKeesport, and entered Ihe 
employ of W. D. Wood & Co., where, by 
strict attention to business, lie became 
thoroughly posted in all departments of the 
mill. In 1875 he was appointed foreman of 
the patent planishing Russian sheet-iron 
department of the works. 

Dr. R. H. Ramage, Mansfield, was born 
near Pittsburgh iu 1843. His father, William 
Ramage. a farmer, married Sarah Wilson, 
and by her had seven children, of whom the 
doctor is the third child. He was educated 
at the public schools, and in 1868 commenced 
the study of medicine under Dr. N. D.White, 
of Allegheny City. He entered the Hahne- 
mann College of Homeopathy, at Cleveland, 
in 1870, graduating iu 1873, and commenced 
the practice of his profession in Allegheny 
county. He then remained one year with 
his preceptor, and in 1878 located in Mans- 
field, where he has since resided. He mar- 
ried, in 1881, Sarah E., daughter of Elmobert 
Belson, of Pittsburgh. Dr. Ramage is the 
only physician of his school in the town, and 
has a large patronage. He is a member of 
the American Institute of Homeopathy, the 
Homeopathic Medical Society of Pennsyl- 
vania, and Allegheny County Homeopathic 
Medical society. He is a Presbyterian and 
a republican. 

George Bratten Armstrong, farmer, 
postofflce Logan's Ferry, was born in Plum 
township in 1834, a son of Samson and Sarah 
(Bratten) Armstrong, who were also natives 
of this county. Samson was a carpenter, 
and also owned farms, but in his later days 
abandoned his trade and attended solely to 
farming. He was an old-time whig, later a 
republican, and held several township offices. 
He died Feb. 13, 1885, aged ninety-one years; 
his widow died in 1887, aged eighty years. 
James Armstrong, father of our subject, was 
of Scotch-Irish descent, and came from the 
north of Ireland. George B. received his 
education in the common schools of this 
county, and started for himself in 1855, farm- 
ing on leased land until 1876, although he had 
bought a farm in Westmoreland county in 
1870. In 1876 he bought his present farm, 
and in 1887 sold the one iu Westmoreland 
county. In 1873, in company with others, he 
bought a lot in Parnassus, and built the Odd- 
Fellows'hall which he still owns. Remar- 
ried, Oct. 13. 1854, Nancy Elliott, of Plum 
township, a daughter of Robert and Marga- 
ret (Fryer) Elliott, natives of this county. 
Mr. Elliott was born in 1800, and died in 
1869. Mrs. Armstrong died in September, 
1884, the mother of tvvelve children: James 



720 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Calvin (professor in Piltslmrgh Academy, 
formerly principal of Oakdale Academy, and 
a graduate of Millcrsville State Normal 
School), Robert Elliott (died Feb. 24, 1877, 
aged twenty-oue years), Minerva .Jane, 
Maggie E. (a teacher), Samson (at Duff's 
College, also a teacher for four years), Sally 
M. (a dressmaker at East End), John Lincoln, 
Rebecca, George Edward, Nanna A., Lizzie 
S. and Gertie. All are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church at Parnassus, of which Mr. 
Armstrong is an elder. He is a member of 
the L O. O. F., and has been for six years 
representative to the Grand Lodge. He is 
also a member of the Sons of Temperance, 
and has been school director, supervisor and 
judge of election. His maternal grandfather, 
George Bratten, was a farmer, and a trader 
between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, trans- 
porting salt one way and spices the other. 
He was a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch- 
Irish descent, and died about 1858. 

William McLarn, retired, postofBce 
Walker's Mills, was born in Allegheny coun- 
ty, a son of Hugh McLarn, a farmer, who 
came from County Down, Ireland, at an early 
date, married Jane Harper, and became the 
father of nine children. He tirst purchased 
land in Beaver countj' in partnership with 
two brothers, but afterward came to Findlaj' 
township, this county, and purchased land 
from Mr. McCandless, the pioneer. William 
McLarn was reared on a farm in Findlay 
township, where he resided until 1847. He 
was educated at the old log schoolhouse, 
early in life learned the cooper's trade, and 
worked for one firm thirty-seven years. He 
now owns one hundred acres of land, eighty 
of which are underlaid with coal. Mr. Mc- 
Larn married, in 1839, Adina, daughter of 
Samuel Thornberg, and seven children have 
blessed their union: William, Olive, Eliza- 
beth, Mary, Jane, Martha and Samuel. Mr. 
McLarn superintends the work on his farm. 
He has been successful, and is now enjoying 
rest from the labors of a well-spent life. He 
is a member of the U. P. Church, and is a 
republican. 

G. L. Reiber, secretary and treasurer 
McKeesport Light company, McKeesport,was 
born in that borough April 22, 1852, a son of 
Andrew and Augusta (Manns) Reiber, natives 
of Germany, who settled in McKeesport 
about 1850. Andrew was a blacksmith, and 
on coming to McKeesport opened a shop, 
which he conducted up to 1876, when he re- 
tired. He reared a family of seven children: 
Georgiaua (Mrs. George Snyder), George L., 
Ferd, Adelia (Mrs. C. H. Ilitzrot), Henry, 
Amelia (Mrs. Z. Latshaw) and Edwin. The 
subject of these lines was reared and 
educated in McKeesport, and began life as 
a clerk in a store when but nine years of age. 
In 1868 he went to Pittsburgh and entered 
one of the banks of that city as clerk, serv- 
ing as such in different banks of Pittsburgh 
and McKeesport until 1869, when he was ap- 
pointed assistant cashier of the People's 
Bank of McKeesport, and later its cashier. 



In 1871 he was appointed bookkeeper and 
teller of the Penn Bank. Pittsburg!), which 
position he held up to 1881, wlien he was 
promoted to assistant cashier, and held tlie 
same until the failure of the bank, in 1884. 
In 1883 the McKeesport Light company was 
organized, of whiciii Mr. Reiber was a stock- 
holder; in August, 1886, he was appointed 
secretary of the company, and Oct. 13 was 
elected secretarj' for one year; Oct. 12, 
1887, he was elected secretary and treasurer 
of the same, which position he now holds. 
Mr. Reiber married, July 1, 1886, Emma B., 
daughter of William and Elizabeth (Frich) 
Small, of McKeesport, and has one son, 
John L. Mr. Reiber is a member of the 
Bank Clerks' Mutual association, of Pitts- 
burgh, Liederkranz, Equitable Aid Union, 
and G. L. Church. In politics he is inde- 
pendent. 

Samuel Pangburn, farmer, postofflce 
Elizabeth, a son of Isaac and Susanna (Hill) 
Pangburn, was born in Forward township, 
in 1830. His father was a native of Mercer 
county, and removed to Forward township, 
this county, about 1805. Both of his parents 
died in that township. Samuel, however, 
remained with his parents until 1852. He 
married Elizabeth Egbert, of Brown county, 
Ohio, and afterward settled on the place now 
owned by him. Their children are Walter 
C, at Lock No. 4; Rebecca S., now Mrs. 
Walter Spear,- of Webster; Flora A., now 
Mrs. P. Davidson, and Isaac G., who is mar- 
ried, and resides at West Elizabeth. 

William B. Rath, farmer, postoffice 
Duquesne, was born Sept. 21, 1857, in Mif- 
flin township, on the old homestead, a son of 
James Rath. He was educated in his native 
count}', has been a farmer all his life, and 
is now cultivating the old Patterson home- 
stead. He married, Feb. 28, 1884, Sarah E. 
Patterson, who was born June 29, 1859. 
Mr. and Mrs. Rath are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. Politically he is 
identified with the republican party. 

John Roehn, baker, McKeesport, is a 
native of Germany, born Feb. 24, 1848, a 
son of Philip and Cliristiana Roehn, who 
came to America in 1867, and settled in Pitts- 
burgh, where the father, who was a 
weaver by trade, resided until his death. 
They were the parents of seven chil- 
dren: Christiana, Louis, John, August, 
Lizzie, Nicholas and Philip. The subject of 
this memoir was reared in Germany, where 
he served an apprenticeship of four years at 
the baker's trade. Coming to this country 
in 1866, he worked in Pittsburgh as a journey- 
man baker five j'ears, and in 1871 embarked 
in business for himself on the South Side, 
where he did a successful trade until March, 
1882. He then settled in McKeesport, where 
he has since carried on the same line of busi- 
ness with marked success. He is now the 
owner of five stores and nine dwellings in 
the borough. Mr. Roehn was twice married; 
first to Teresa, daughter of Leibold Graol, of 
Pittsburgh, and by her h.ad three children: 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



721 



August, Minnie and Albert. His second 
wife was Minnie Werrinlv, of Pittsburgh. 
Mr. Roehn is a member of tlie Presbyterian 
Churcli, and is a republican. 

Frederick K. Bowers, merchant. Wil- 
kiusburg, was born near that borough Aug. 
15, 1852. His earl}' life was spent on the 
farm and about the coal-mines, and his in- 
dustry has gradually advanced him from a 
very humble beginning. In 1884 he opened 
« grocery-store in Wilkinsburg, and is doing 
a steadily increasing business by the aid of 
his wife, whom he married in 1875. Mrs. 
Bowers {nee Mary Jane Huggins) is a daugh- 
ter of John and Jane Huggins, of Scotch de- 
scent, and was born in Shaler township, this 
■county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. F. K. 
Bowers now living are Henry Alfred, Dora 
Olive, Frank Clyde, Clara Blanche and Ma- 
bel. Charles Frederick, the fourth, is de- 
■ceased. The family attend the German Re- 
formed Church; in politics Mr. B. is a repub- 
lican. 

John Fairlet, farmer, postoffice West 
View, was born Feb. 31, 1830, on the old 
homestead. His grandfather, John Fairley, a 
native of Countj' Fermanagh. Ireland, emi- 
grated to America in 1798, with his wife and 
■children. Thej' were farmers, and bought 
300 acres of land for four dollars per acre. 
"They both died nearly ninety years old. 
Their children were Peter. Elizabeth, Burns, 
Mrs. Sarah Neeley and John. John inherited 
a part of the old farm, on which he died Jan. 
•8, 1860, at the age of tifty-six years. John 
Fairley, Sr., married Rosanna, daughter of 
Lawrence Burns. She died in 1879, aged 
seventy-six years, the mother of three chil- 
dren: Peter, Jolin and Nanc.y. Of these our 
subject is the only one now living. He was 
educated in this county, and married here 
Susannah Smith. They have ten children: 
John, Thomas, Mary J., Harry, Rosannah, 
Ann M., Estella, Susannah, Frank and Louise 
A. Politically the Fairleys were democrats. 

J.4.MES Madison Chadwick, farmer, post- 
•office East Liberty, was born in Pittsburgh, 
Dec. 16, 1840. His father, Thomas, was also 
born in that city, in 1833, and his mother, 
Elizabeth, was born in McPherson, Cumber- 
land county. Pa. They were, respectively, 
sixteen and fourteen years old at the time of 
their marriage. Thomas died at Oakland in 
1854, but Elizabeth is still living. He kept 
a shoestore and tannery, and had three sons 
and four daughters, of whom the following 
are now living: Mary Emma (Ferree), Grape- 
ville, Westmoreland county; James M. ; Caro- 
line (McMinn), Brushton;and Jane E.(Land- 
wehr), in Penn township. James Chadwick, 
father of Thomas, came from England, pur- 
chased one thousand acres of land in Alle- 
gheny county in 1820, and also owned a large 
tract in Westmoreland county. He built the 
plank-road from Pittsburgh to Oakland. He 
■was a member of the M. E. Church, and died 
in 1847, at a great age. James M. Chadwick 
has dwelt on his present farm since he was 
.ten years old, and received a common-school 



education. The Methodist Church repre- 
sents his religious faith, and the repub- 
lican party his political creed. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., Mystic Chain and 
K. P. In 1871 he married Mary McCombs. a 
native of Pittsburgh, daughter of John and 
Mary Jane (Kelly) McCombs, of Scotch ex- 
traction. Their children are Harry Homer, 
Bella Jane, Ella F., Rebecca W., James F., 
Mary and Charles Offenbach. 

Alexander McCittcheon (deceased) was 
born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Oct. 10, 
1804,ason of Claudius and Margaret (Graham) 
McCutcheon, Scotch Presbyterians. Alex- 
ander came to Pennsylvania in 1833, and 
located in Lancaster county. Pa., where he 
followed his trade of weaver. He then came 
to Allegheny City, shortly thereafter moving 
to Bocktown, Beaver county, and after eight 
years came to Findlaj' township and pur- 
chased a farm, where he died May 19, 1873. 
He was united in marriage July 29, 1841, with 
Rachel McCoy, born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug. 
14, 1818, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah 
(Woods) McCoy. Isaac McCoy was born in 
Allegheny county, Pa., a son of James and 
Rachel (Meanor) McCoy. James was born 
in Ireland, and settled near Pittsburgh, Alle- 
gheny county. He and his wife were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, and were 
among the pioneers of Alleghenj' county. 
Alexander McCutcheon and wife had seven 
children: James Mc. ; Claudius, who died at 
the age of twenty-one; Alexander, married 
to Sarah J. Jackson, and residing on a farm 
in Findlay township; Sarah, married to Jo- 
seph McCleason, residing on a farm in Moon 
township; Margaret, wife of Joseph Balford, 
a blacksmith at Sharon. Moon township; 
John, married to Anna M. Elder, residing on 
a farm in Findlay township, and Thomas, 
who married Elizabeth McCallister, and re- 
sides on the old homestead with his mother. 
Mrs. McCutcheon is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church at Sharon. 

John McCutcheon, farmer, postoffice 
Moon, was born Dec. 31, 1856, on the old 
homestead of his father in Findlay township, 
and a part of which he now owns. He was 
united in marriage March 9, 1875. with Anna 
M. Elder, a native of Scottsville, Beaver 
county. Pa., and daughter of David and 
Margaret (Moody) Elder. Mr. and Mrs. 
McCutcheon have one daughter, Rachel 
McCoj' McCutcheon; ihey are members of 
the Presbyterian Church at Sharon. 

George Gutbub, farmer, postoffice Fair- 
haven, was born Sept. 31, 1831, in Rothbach, 
Alsace, Germany, a son of Heinrich and Mag- 
dalena (Konigsfeld) Gutbub, also natives of 
the above-named place. The parents had 
three children: George, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Hodges and Mrs. Magdalena Knowlson. 
The entire family came to America in 1863, 
and settled in Baldwin township, this county, 
where they followed farming. The mother 
died here, aged tifty-lour years, and the father 
returned to Germany, and died there in 1877, 
aged sixty-seven years. The family were all 



722 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



members of the Lutheran Church, in which 
our subject was an elder for several years. 
He married Sophia Clotz, also a native of 
Alsace, and they had nine children, all of 
whom died of diphtheria before attaining 
their fifteenth 3'earexcept William, who died 
when twenty-one years old. Mrs. Gutbub 
was an invalid for seven years previous to 
her death. Mr. Gutbub has been a success- 
ful farmer, and owns sixty-five acres of land. 
He is a democrat, and has filled several town- 
ship offices. 

Phillip Hoffman, blacksmith, McKees- 
port, was born in Germany Aug. 30, 1834, a 
son of George Hoffman. He was reared and 
educated in his native land, and served an 
apprenticeship of one year at the blacksmith's 
trade. In 1853 he came to America, located 
in Pittsburgh, and in the latter part of the 
same 3'ear in McKeesport, where he finished 
his trade. He then worked as a journeyman 
in Mifflin township five j'ears; then started a 
shop of his own in the same township, 
which he successfidly conducted until 1875, 
when he removed to McKeesport, where he 
has since remained, engaged in business. In 
1855 he married Caroline, daughter of Paul 
and Caroline (Spangler) Wilhelm, of Mifflin 
township, and has nine children living: 
Philip, George, Henry, Frederick, John, 
Charles, Edward, Caroline and Annie. Mr. 
Hoffman is a member of the G. L. Church 
and F. & A. M. ; in politics he is independent. 

Fred Steckel, dry-goods and fancy- 
goods merchant, McKeesport, was born in 
Hanover, Germany, Nov. 8, 1835, a son of 
Henry L. and Wilhelmina (Hille) Steckel. 
He was reared in his native province, where 
he served an apprenticeship of three years 
at the dyer's trade, at which he afterward 
worked as a jeurneyman two years. In 1856 
he came to America, locating in Pittsburgh, 
and was in the employ of the breweries of 
that city nine years. He then followed ped- 
dling for two years, and in 1867 located in 
Dravosburg, this county, where he embarked 
in the grocery and dry-goods business, in 
which he was engaged until 1871. In Sep- 
tember of that year he opened out his pres- 
ent business in McKeesport, which has had a 
large and prosperous trade. In 1861 he mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of Christian and Mar- 
garet (Beilstein) Faulkenstein, of Allegheny, 
formerly of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and 
b J' her has three children: Sophia, Augusta 
and Fred. Mr. Steckel is an adherent of the 
G. L. Church. He is a member of the A. O. 
U. W. and K. of H., and is a republican. 

Holmes B. Ward, master mechanic, post- 
office Castle Shannon, was born Feb. 28. 
1837, in Berkeley county, W. Va., a son of 
Nicholas and Rachel (Holyday) Ward, old 
settlers of Berkeley county, and a grand- 
son of Capt. Joel Ward, a captain of 
militia in the war of 1813. George Holy- 
day, his maternal grandfather, was also a 
captain of militia in the same war, and par- 
ticipated in the Bladensburg fight. Nicholas 
and Rachel Ward were the parents of eleven 



cliildren, of whom Holmes B. was educated 
in Virginia. He served his apprenticeship 
with Sliriver Bros., Cumberland, Md.; later 
was einploved in a railroad shop, and from 
1862 to 1867 was engineer on the Q. & O. 
R. R. He went to Pittsburgh in the spring 
of 1868, and remained there for a short time; 
two years later he removed to Castle Shan- 
non and became master mechanic, his pro- 
motion being due to his indomitable energy 
and perseverance. Previous to his promotion 
he ran an engine eight years. He is at pres- 
ent master mechanic of the P. tt C. S. R. R. 
Mr. Ward married Martha D. Wright, and 
they have the following-named children: 
William, Maria, Rachel. Leah, Anna B., 
Arthur. Holmes, Firney. Naoma and an in- 
fant daughter. Mr. Ward is a member of 
the K. of M., and is a republican; his grand- 
fathers were old-line whigs. 

Samuel Herkon, farmer, postoffice White 
Ash, is a native of County Down, Ireland, 
born in Donaghadee, Jan. 16, 1836. His 
parents, John and Sarah (McKnight) Herron, 
were of Scotch and English blood, respect- 
ively, and both were born in the year 1802. 
The father was a shoemaker and farmer, and 
came with bis family to America about 1852. 
For some time he owned and operated a farm 
in West Deer, but returned to Penn town- 
ship, where he first located in America, and 
died in 188-t. His widow now resides in Pitts- 
burgh. Their eldest child, John, was killed 
while a corporal in the British army. James, 
the fourth, died in Australia. The others, in 
order of age, are Robert, Margaret (deceased), 
Nancy (Frazier), Samuel, David, Mary 
(Stoner), Sarah (Bennett) and Eliza (Griffith). 
Samuel Herron received an ordinaiy educa- 
tion in Ireland, and on his arrival in Penn- 
sylvania began work in a rolling-mill at $2.35 
a week. For two years he worked at his 
father's ti'ade, and for a like period at gar- 
dening. Thereafter he followed farming, 
and purchased his present home in 1879. 
The house was built in 1811 by W. W. Wil- 
son. The farm includes thirt}- acres, and is 
devoted chiefly to fruit-culture". Mr. Herron 
is a republican. In 1861 he married Chris- 
tina, daughter of Michael and Margaret En- 
gel, of Germany. Jlrs. Herron was born in 
Sumach, N. Y., and reared in this county. 
Her maternal grandmother died here in 1884, 
aged ninety-three. Mr. Herron is a member 
of the Orange association. 

Fred S'chwitter, dairyman, postofflce 
Allegheny City, was born March 3, 1847, in 
Canton Glarus, Switzerland, the son of Fred 
and Louise (Schwitter) Schwitter. The fam- 
ily is one of the largest in Switzerland. Our 
subject received his education in his native 
home, where he learned his trade, that of silk- 
colorer, and worked five years to earn his 
passage to America, where he arrived in Au- 
gust, 1866. He was without food from New 
York to Allegheny county, where he settled. 
He worked at various occupations until 1871, 
when he procured a few cows and started a 
dairy on a small scale in Allegheny City, and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



723 



served milk to liis customers in a two-wheeled 
cart. He built up a good business; then 
rented, and finally, in ISSl, purchased the old 
Morrow homestead. He now owns seventy- 
five acres of laud, and has greatly improved 
the farm, keeps from sixty to eight3'-five 
cows, and has all tlie modern dairy improve- 
ments, and the place presents a verj' attract- 
ive appearance. He married Mary, born in 
this county, daugliter of Francis J. Wehrle, 
of Baden. 

John Yourd, farmer, postoflSce White 
Ash. was born on the farm where he now 
resides. May 17, 1829. His grandfather, 
Samuel, son of Archibald, came from Ireland 
and settled in Penn about 1801. Archibald 
Yourd. son of Samuel, was about three years 
old when the family came to America. He 
married Mary Woods, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and settled where John Yourd now 
lives. He died in 1860, aged sixty -two years, 
and his widow in 1866, aged sixty-one. He 
was employed in farming and coal-mining. 
John Yourd has always lived on the home 
farm, but for some time followed boating on 
the Allegheny river. He and Mrs. Yourd 
are members of the R. P. Church, and polit- 
ically he is a republican. Hg served as 
road supervisor seven years and as school 
director eleven years. In. 18.54 he married 
Martha Clark, a native of Wilkinsburg, and 
■daughter of James and Flora Ann Clark, of 
Irish descent. Their children are Archibald, 
in East Liberty; William, in Penn; Harriet 
Ann (Mrs. George Bond), in Beltzhoover; 
Hugh Ellsworth, Elizabeth and James Ed- 
ward, at home. 

Robert M, Boyd, postofflce Elizabeth, is 
a son of Benjamin F. and Susan (Gamble) 
Boyd, of Westmoreland county, who settled, 
about 1830, where they resided until their 
deaths, in 1884 and 1883, respectively. They 
left eight children: John, of Pittsburgh; 
Benjamin, Joseph; Malinda, wife of Robert 
Logan, of McKeesport; Oliver; Ann, widow 
of James McKown, of Elizabeth; Margaret 
J., wife of George Hornback. of Montana 
territory; and Robert M., who was born in 
1888 in Elizabeth borough, and received his 
education at the public schools. In 1850 he 
engaged in steamboating, which he has since 
followed. In 1867 he became a part owner 
of the steamer Elizabeth, has since been 
connected with it, and for the last thirteen 
years has been its captain. In 1863 he 
married Mary, daughter of Samuel and 
Martha McCune, of Elizabeth, and they have 
six children: James I., a merchant in Eliza- 
beth; Kale M., IdaL.,AnnieM. and Willie D., 
all at home. Mr. Boyd is a member of 
Stephen Bayard Lodge, No. 536, F. & A. M. 
The family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

Mrs. Louisa Wallace, retired, postofHce 
Elkhorn, daughter of William and Ann (Jami- 
son) Patrick, was born in Maryland, and 
married to Lewis Wallace in 18.50. He was a 
merchant in Baltimore, of which city he 
"was also a native. He purchased the present 



homestead, and about twenty-five years since 
removed to Forward township, and was 
engaged in farming until his death, in Sep- 
tember, 1886. His family consisted of Will- 
iam, John, Jean (now Mrs. Webster, who 
resides in Allegheny), Kate and Rachel, five 
in all, three of whom still live with their 
mother; the remaining brother has his home 
in Pittsburgh, where he is engaged in 
banking. 

George Fornop, butcher. Wilkinsburg, 
was born in Allegheny City, Nov. 4, 1855. His 
grandfather, William Fornof, came from 
Germany to Allegheny about 1837. at which 
time William, son of the latter, was a small 
child. On reaching manhood he married 
Eliza ShafEuitt, also a native of Germany, 
and followed butchering till his death; he 
died in 1876, at the age of fifty-six; his 
widow still resides in Allegheny. They had 
six children, of whom George" is the third. 
William, the eldest, died at Los Angeles, 
Cal., while in the meat business there. The 
others reside as follows: Elizabeth (Schaer), 
in Allegheny; Leon, in Rochester, Pa,; Car- 
rie and Kate, with their mother. George was 
reared in tlie neighborhood of Allegheny, 
attending school in Ross (now Reserve) 
township. Early in life he began his trade, 
and established a meat-market at Wilkins- 
burg, Dec. 9, 1879, subsequently buying a 
building on Penn avenue, to which he has 
since added. He was reared a Lutheran, 
but the family attends the U. B. Church. 
Mr. Fornof is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. 
M., K. of P., R. A. and L O. O. F., and is a 
republican. In 1880 he married Minnie 
Bealafeld, and following are the names of 
their children: George, Clara, Walter (de- 
ceased) and Mabel. 

Calvin Rufus Church, engineer, post- 
offlce Turtle Creek, is descended from En- 
glish ancestors, through a long line in Amer- 
ica. The homestead in East Haddam, 
Conn., has always descended to sons named 
Joseph Church. Calvin Church was born on 
this homestead in 1799. and went to Rome. 
Ashtabula county, Ohio, when twenty-two 
years old. There he engaged in farming, 
and afterward moved to Thompson, same 
state, where he kept store and hotel, and 
died in 1857. His wife, Susan, nee Crowell, 
was also a native of Middlesex county. Conn. 
Calvin Church was one of the defenders of 
New London during the war of 1813. His 
son, Calvin Rufus, born at Rome, Ohio, 
Aug. 6. 1839. attended the common schools 
and Kirtland Academy. After working a 
short time as a blacksmith, a hotel clerk and 
in a Connecticut spoon-factory, he took up 
railroad work, beginning as a brakeman on 
the Erie. He came to Allegheny county in 
1853, and continued on the Pennsylvania 
system (with the exception of one year in 
Tennessee) until 1870. After the first year 
he had charge of a locomotive, and had two 
narrow escapes from injury. Since 1870 Mr. 
Church has had control of the engine of the 
N. Y. & C. G. C. Co. here. He owns two 



724 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



bouses, one of which he built, in Willvins 
township, with two and alialf acres of land. 
He lias served as inspector of elections, and 
is now school director, and acts with the re- 
publican party. He and Mrs. Church are 
members of the M. E. Church, and he is as- 
sociated with the following benevolent 
orders: I. O. O. F., K. G. E. and K. P. 
Jan. 1. 1855, Mr. Church married Mrs. 
Annie Rogers, who died in 1867, leaving five 
children, of whom four are now living: 
Annie L., wife of David Gilchrist, of Mc- 
Keesport; Charles R., of Turtle Creek; Emma 
L., wife of John McKeevcr, of Reynoldton; 
Harry, Turtle Creek, and Carrie, who died 
at four years of age. In 1868 Mr. Church 
married Mrs. Hannah Dempsey, who bore 
him two children— Jacob O. (died when three 
years old) and Susan Melinda — and died June 
5, 18T3. Mr. Church ne.xt married Maggie 
Vaughn, and they have one son living — 
William Alexander Mcintosh. 

Samuel McGognet, M. D., Castle Shan- 
non, was born Feb. 20, 1856. His grand- 
father. John McGogney, came to Jefferson 
township, this county, in an early day, and 
attained the age of one hundred and three 
years and three months. His son, David, the 
father of Dr. McGogney, was born in 1800, and 
died in 1871. He married Margaret Brad- 
shaw, who survived him, and they became the 
parents of twelve children. Of these Samuel, 
the youngest, was educated in this county and 
at Avashington and Jefferson College. He 
read medicine with Dr. C. H. Black, of Mc- 
Keesport. attended lectures at Jefferson 
Medical College in Philadelphia, and gradu- 
ated in the class of 1879. He located in 
Castle Shannon, where he has built up a good 
practice. The doctor married Nannie C, 
daughter of William Young, and they have 
thre^ children: Jessie May, William H. and 
Paul R. Dr. McGogney is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and K. of M; he is. a republican. 

Thomas B. Bridges, contractor. Home- 
stead, was born Nov. 25. 1853. in Pittsburgh, 
Pa., a son of Robert Bridges, a native of 
Ohio. Robert was an engineer on the Ohio 
river, a popular and highly esteemed man, 
was considered one of the most skillful 
engineers of his day, and regarded as an 
authority. Thomas B. was educated in 
Pittsburgh, and at the age of nineteen en- 
gaged in teaming, dealing in building 
material, and contracting, in Braddock, which 
he has followed successfully to the present 
time. He came to Homestead in 1881, and 
entered upon the same business here. In 
I5raddock he married Lena Eisenberger, and 
they have five children: Oliver, Rosa, Adda, 
Helen and Florence. He is a member of the 
R, A., and is a republican. 

William C4rapeb, itinerant merchant, 
postoiflce Carrick, was born in October, 1836, 
in Uchte, Hanover, Germany, a son of John 
Graper. He came to America in July, 1860, 
and for a time worked at whatever he could 
find to do, draying for a time in Pittsburgh. 
In 1864 he turned his attention to huckstering 



in this county, and during the last twenty 
years has lived in Baldwin township, where 
he has a property of tliirty-si.\ acres, upon 
which he has built a very pretty home. Mr. 
Graper here married Dorothea Yoshert, a 
native of Germany, and they have four 
children: Elizabeth (wife of Emil Schultz), 
Minnie (wife of Walter Hays), John H. and 
Harry F. Mr. and Mrs. Graper are members 
of the Lutheran Church. He is a republican, 
and has been a successful man. 

Christian H. Gass, farmer, postofflce 
Perrysville, was born July 18, 1843, in Alle- 
gheny City. His grandfather, Jacob Gass, 
a native of Switzerland, and a gardener, im- 
migrated to America in 1812 with his wife, 
Elizabeth, and seven children: Jacob, John, 
Fred, Sebastian. Elizabeth, Anna and Sally. 
He was a member of the Smithfield Street 6. 
L. Church. Jacob Gass. Jr., was a farmer, a 
carpet and coverlet weaver, and farmed and 
gardened where the P. & Ft. W. R. R, depot 
in now located in Allegheny. He married 
Amelia Bittenbring, anil became the father 
of eight children: John, Jacob, Christian 
H., Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth, Sarah and 
Caroline. Of these Christian H. was edu- 
cated in Allegheny, learned gardening and 
farming, and now owns a farm of fifty-six 
acres. He married Rachel E. Hucli, and has 
four children: Henry, Amelia, Edward V. 
and Oliver. Mr. and Mrs Gass are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, of which 
he is trustee. Politically he is a republican. 

Ch.\rlbs Jefferson Selleck, gardener, 
postoflice Hulton, was born Jan. 1, 1838, in 
Erie, Pa., a son of Joseph Whiting and 
Mary Ann (Casper) Selleck. His father was 
born in Syracuse, N. Y., Dec. 14, 17911, and 
died in 18.58; he was one of the old pioneers 
of Erie, and for many years was a teacher of 
music, day school and penmanship, in his 
last days following gardening. His mother 
was born in December, 1812, and died in 
1876. They were members of the Episcopal 
Church. Mr. Selleck was educated in the 
Erie Academy and the west ward school. At 
the age of twenty-one he enlisted in the U. S. 
navy, on the ship Conestoga. carrying 
six guns. He served one year, and the next 
year enlisted ou the Silver Lake, and par- 
ticipated in the battle of Nashville; he was 
discharged Aug. 19, 1865. Returning to Erie 
county, he learned the cooper's trade, which 
he followed twelve years at Erie, Oil City, 
Titusville and Pittsburgh. Since then he has 
been engaged in the garden business in 
Verona. He was married, in 1868, to Mary 
R. Shade, of Coleman, this county. They 
have seven children, named as follows: 
Charles Francis, Harry Vincent, George 
Whiting, Emma Blanche, Milley, Willis and 
Ralph, all at home. The family are members 
of the M. E. Church; politically Mr. Selleck 
is a republican. 

Mrs. Mary E. Kinkaid. farmer, post- 
oflice Elizabeth, is a daughter of E. E. and 
E. E. (McKnight) Barter, and was born in 
Iowa. She removed with her parents to 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



725 



Oregon, thence to Idaho, where she married 
Matthew D. Fife, son of Andrew Fife, and 
went to Nevada, and thence came to Forward 
township. Mr. Fife here followed farming 
until his death, in 1879. He left a widow 
and three children: Charles E., Anna H. 
and ClifiEord M., now living with their 
mother. In 1888 our subject married John 
Kinkaid, a native of this county, and is now 
living on the old farm. Mrs. Kinkaid is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. 

Sylvan C. Le Bauda, gardener, postofflce 
West View, was born Oct. 18, 1861. in Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., the son of Sylvan Le Bauda, a 
native of Normandy, France. The latter 
learned the shoemaker's trade in his native 
country, and coming to America located in 
Pittsburgh in 1840, where he engaged in the 
wholesale and retail shoe business. He trav- 
eled all over the United States, but found no 
place which suited him .so well as Pittsburgh. 
He married there Augusta, daughter of 
James Davis, an old settler, and a native of 
London. Mrs. Le Bauda was the mother of 
four children, who are yet living: Sylvan C, 
Jr., Constant C, May and Pauline. Our 
subject was educated in Pittsburgh, where 
he learned the molder's trade with De Haven 
& Co. He has also traveled extensively over 
the United States, but returned to his first 
love, Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1873 he removed 
to Ross township, and turned his attention 
to gardening and farming, having fifty-two 
acres of land. Politically he is a prohibi- 
tionist. 

Daniel Risher, civil engineer, postofflce 
Homestead, was born Feb. 37, 1843. His 
grandfather, Daniel Risher, had nine chil- 
dren, of whom seven were daughters, all 
now widows, and of his two sons J. C. is yet 
a resident of Pittsburgh. He (J. C.) married 
Nancy Denny, daughter of John McClure. 
She died May 12, 1875, aged sixty-eight years. 
She and her husband were members of 
Lebanon Church; they were the parents of 
five children: Rev. Levi Risher. Mrs. S. S. 
Crump, Daniel, Mrs. William J. Snodgrass 
and John M. J. C, in 1851, bought the coal- 
fields at Amity, which he and his son de- 
veloped, the firm being known as J. C. 
Risher & Co. For seventeen years our sub- 
ject was the third partner, and on him 
devolved most of the business, employing 
upward of four hundred men. and at times 
getting out 25,000 bushels of coal per day. 
They had their own sawmill, and built many 
barges for their own coal trade and for other 
people. Mr. Risher has been married twice; 
his present wife is Anna P. Gleadall. a native 
of the city of Allegheny. His first wife, Re- 
becca Gamble, of Elizabeth town.ship, bore 
him five children. Mr. Risher is a member 
of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., Pittsburgh Com- 
mandery No. 1, K. T. 

J. W. McC REEDY, justice of the peace, 
Mansfield, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Sept. 
26, 1848. About 1819 his grandfather, Hugh 
McCreedy, came to America from Ireland, 
landed in New York, and soon after came to 



Pittsburgh. He was a linen-manufacturer in 
the old country, but in America was engaged 
in peddling. He died soon after his arrival 
in Pittsburgh. His son, Robert, was twelve 
years of age when he came with his parents 
to this country; he was by trade a stone- 
cutter. He married Margaret Huston, who 
bore him six children. Robert died in 1865, 
aged about fifty-eight years; his widow still 
survives him, aged about sixty years. J. W., 
our subject, is the second son. He was edu- 
cated in the common schools until the age of 
twelve years, soon after which he commenced 
the study of drugs, and graduated at Ann 
Arbor College. He followed the drug busi- 
ness tor thirteen years. He came to Mans- 
field in 1871, and engaged in the hardware 
business, and here has since remained. Mr. 
McCreedy married, in 1872, Mary Higbee, 
daughter of Benjamin and Jane Higbee, of 
this county. Mr. McCreedy is a republican, 
and was elected by that party justice of the 
peace of the borough of Mansfield in 1870, 
and still fills that office. He has been a 
member of the lown council, and twice bur- 
gess of the borough. He is a Freemason and 
a member of the U. P. Church. 

NiCKOLAS Wolf, proprietor of the Monou- 
gahela House, McKeesport, was born in Prus- 
sia, March 20, 1835, a son of Nickolas and 
Angela (Wagner) Wolf. He was reared on a 
farm, came to America in 1854, settling in 
McKeesport, where he worked in the coal- 
mines of the vicinity twenty-six years. In 
1879 he erected the hotel he now occupies, 
which he has since successfully conducted. 
He married, in 1860, Anna, daughter of John 
and Anna (Davis) Eckert. of Germany, and 
by her has nine children living: Man' A., 
John, Margaret, Nickolas, Peter, Jacob, 
Frank, Leonard and George. Mr. Wolf is a 
member of the German Catholic Church, and 
is a democrat. 

Charles Welpal, butcher, postofflce 
Turtle Creek, was born July 3, 1840, in 
Allegheny City, Pa., a son of Lawrence and 
Catharine (Hoey) Welfal, of German origin. 
The father was a blacksmith and locksmith, 
came to this country in 1832, and found em- 
ployment as sheet-ironworker in Pittsburgh, 
but resided in Allegheny. He died in 1886, 
aged seventy-four years. Catharine Welfal 
died in 1848, leaving five children: Henry, 
who died in Baltimore; Amelia (Vogel), a 
resident of Bloomfield, this county; Charles, 
Frederick and William. Mr. Welfal after- 
ward married Kate Beckert, who bore him 
five children, viz.: George, John, Lawrence, 
Clara and Jessie. Charles Welfal was reared 
in Allegheny, when fourteen years old began 
work at his trade, and in 1800 opened a 
butcher-shop in Pittsburgh. For eight years 
he was employed in the steelworks at Besse- 
mer, where his eyesight was severely im- 
paired. He came to Turtle Creek in 1885, 
established a good meat trade, and is now 
erecting his second dwelling, near the 
Catholic church. Mr. Welfal is an enthusi- 
astic republican. In 1860 he married Eliza- 



726 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



beth Brad}', who died four years later, 
leaving two nhil<lren; Cliarles and Emma: 
the former died when five years ohl. In 1866 
Mr. Welfal married Grace R. Oslerman, who 
has one daughter, Agnes Bertlia. 

Hezkkiah Waoeman Ament, brakeman, 
postortice Turtle Creek, was born iu Frank- 
lin township, Westmoreland county, in 1846. 
His parents, John and Susan (Hartman) 
Anient, as well as his grandfather, George 
Ament, were also born in that count)-. The 
latter bore the title of major, gained in the 
mililiu, and was descended from Dutch an- 
cestors. H. W. Ament was reared on a farm, 
and came to Turtle Creek in 1870. Next year 
lie became brakeman on the P. R. R., and 
lias since followed that occupation. With 
his family he is connected witli tlie Lutheran 
Church, and is a member of the Improved 
Order of Red Men. Politically, Mr. Ament 
associates with the deniocrac}'. Jan. 7, 1875, 
he married Sanathetta EUenora Snyder, a na- 
tive of Wilkinsburg, daughter of Adam 
George Washington and Nancy Jane Snj-der, 
of German and Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ament have one living child. Birdie Belle; 
another, Maggie May, died when nearly a 
year old. 

William Neel ( deceased) was born in 
1827, a son of Archibald and Mary Neel. His 
earl}- boyhood was spent on the farm, and 
later he became a practical agriculturist. He 
owned a farm of one hundred acres in Mifflin 
township, in which he developed the coal, and 
also operated the McElhaney & Smith coal- 
mines. As a coal-producer he was well 
known and esteemed liy miners and river- 
men, his fair and just dealings winning him 
many friends. He was an active memtier of 
the McKeesport Presb3'terian Church, and 
politically was always identified with the 
republican party. He married, in Somerset 
county, Pa., Nancy, born June 4, 1838, a 
daughter of John and Sarah (Keefer) Woy, 
and this marriage was blessed with four 
children: James E., Irene, Cora M. and Nora. 
Mr. Neel departed this life March 18, 1880, 
aged fifty-three years. 

Joseph Allen, farmer, postofflce West 
View, was born Jan. 1, 1810, in County 
Down. Ireland, a son of Samuel and Jenny 
(Carlisle) Allen, also natives of the Emerald 
Isle. He received his early education in his 
native land, and in 1846 immigrated to 
America. He worked in Pittsburgh and 
Allegheny, Pa., and later engaged in con- 
tracting, paving streets, excavating, etc. 
This he followed with marked success until 
1861. when he removed to Ross township, 
where he owns thirty-three acres of land. 
Mr. Allen married filiza Musgrave, with 
wliom he was acquainted in Ireland. Thej' 
are the parents of two children, Mary E. and 
John M. The latter, who is in the coke 
and coal business in Pittsburgh, married 
Katie Kinnej-, and they have three children: 
Mamie, John M. and Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. 
Allen are members of the R. P. Church. Polit- 
ically he is a republican. 



W. A. WiLLOCK, farmer, postofBce Op 
tion, was born Aug. 2."), 18;i9, on the old 
homestead. His grandfather, Alexander 
Willock, who was a native of Ireland, came 
to America at the a.ge of eighteen, and was a 
baker on Fourth street, Pittsburgh, for many 
years. He bought two hundred acres of land in 
Mifflin township, which he cleared and on 
which he died, aged fifty-six years. He mar- 
ried Mary McElhenny. by whom he liad six 
children: Jane. Mary.John. Alexander. Eliza 
and James. Of these. John was born Dec. 10, 
1812. in Pitlsliurgh. and married Jane Moore, 
who died leaviiiL'seven children: William A., 
Samuel U.. Sarah J.. Mary E., Delilah A., 
John P. and Bel). His second wife, Eliza 
Leech, died March 12, 188."). John Willock 
has been an active republican all his life, and 
has filled nearly all of the township offices, 
making his influence in local elections felt 
far and wide. William A., the subject of 
this sketch, was educated here, and married 
Mary E., daughter of John McRoberts. 
Six children have been born to them: Charles 
E., John P.. Laura E., Seward P., Sylvester 
R. and Royal L. He has been a trustee of 
Lebanon Presbyterian Church for seven 
3'ears. of which his parents are also members. 

J. H. Rose, merchant, Homestead, was 
born March 3. 1860, in Pittsburgh, a son of 
Henry Rose, a native of German}-, and a 
well-known glassworker in Pittsburgh. He 
received his education in the public and Ger- 
man schools of Pittsburgh, and later was a 
nailcutter. He soon entered on a mercantile 
career, clerking for various firms until he had 
a thorough knowledge of the grocery busi- 
ness. In September. 188.1. he opened a gro- 
cery in Homestead, where he is a successful 
business-man. He married here Adela Haj'- 
den, and their union has been blessed with 
two children — Cortula and Stewart Rose. 
Mr. and Mrs. Rose are members of the G. L. 
Church of Pittsburgh, South Side. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. and' I. O. H.. of 
which latter he is a past officer, and Is a 
republican. 

James Murry Greer, farmer, postofflce 
Murrvsville. was born in Westmoreland 
county. Pa., March 13, 1831. a son of Col. 
William and Abigail (Collins) Greer. Her 
mother. Abigail Byran, was taken prisoner 
by the Indians, in compan}- with her father, 
when she was seven years old, and was held 
a prisoner seven years. Mr. Greer's father 
was born in 1802. and died in 1872. His 
mother was born in 1803, and died in 1886. 
His father was a farmer, and wa.s justice of 
the peace twenty- four years. His grand- 
father, Patrick Greer, came from Ireland, 
and his wife was Elizabeth Wilson. Mr. 
Greer received his schooling in Franklin 
township, Westmoreland count}-, and when 
twenty-three years of age began for himself 
farming. In 18.58 he bought a farm of one 
hundred acres in Westmoreland county, and 
in 1874 bought out tlie heir.s of his father's 
farm in Plum township, and has erected fine 
buildings. There were nine children in his 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



727 



father's famih-, Mr. Greer beiiis llie third 
eldest; a brother, Joseph C. , is a United Pres- 
byterian minister. Mr. Greer married, in 
1854, Anna Jane Stephenson, who was born 
in Ireland in 1830, and came to America 
with her parents, Joseph and Margaret (Mc- 
Mnllen) Stephenson, when eighteen months ' 
old. They settled in Patton township, where ' 
they died "in 1884. Five children have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Greer: Joseph, Agnes 
Caroline (Mrs. David K. Quilqnin); AVilliam 
Conner, a farmer in Patton township; George 
McCune, at home; Claude L., at home. 
They are members of the Murrysville U. P. 
Church. Mr. Greer is one of the few men 
who have made a success of farming, and 
has built up a pleasant rural home. 

Simon Cameron Bethdne. undertaker, 
postofflce Turtle Creek, is a grandson of 
Henry Gilmer Bethune, a cabinet-maker, who 
came from Ireland and settled in Westmore- 
land County, Pa., where he died at the age 
of seventy-two years. Jacob Hill Bethune, 
son of Henry G., married Christina Hall. 
Both were natives of Pennsylvania, and 
settled in Newlinsburg, where Mr. Bethune 
carried on cabinet-making and undertaking 
until his death, which occurred in 1883, when 
he was fifty-four years old. He was well 
known, and did business in a circuit of 
twenty-five miles around his home. He had 
six sons, each of whom took up his father's 
calling, and two daughters; only three of 
the former and one of the latter are now 
living. Simon C, the fifth son, was born 
Dec. 6, 1858; was married on Nov. 2, 1880. to 
Mary Ellen Cline, who was born and reared 
within a mile of her husband's home. Mrs. 
Bethune's parents, Andrew and Catharine 
Cline, were of German descent. In the 
spring of 1881 Mr. Bethune bought a house 
in Turtle Creek, settled there and engaged in 
the sale and repair of pumps, together with 
undertaking, and now gives his attention ex- 
clusively to the latter. In 1886 he built the 
fine residence and office which he now 
occupies. Politically he is a republican. He 
is connected with the Reformed Church, and 
with the following benevolent orders: 
Knights of Mystic Chain, R. A., Jr. O. U. A. 
M.,1. O. O. F. and K. of P. His children 
are named, respectively, Mowen Wilberforce, 
Jennie Luellen and Laura Edith. 

John Caiii.ik, supervisor. Thirty-sixth 
ward, Pittsburgh, a son of Patrick and Marj- 
Carlin, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 18'3(i. 
His father was born in Ireland, in 1800; in 
1818 came to America, and settled in Pitts- 
burgh, where he resided until his decease, iu 
1840. His widow survived him forty-four 
years, and lived to the advanced age of sev- 
enty-eight. Patrick Carlin's principal occu- 
pation through life was building roads, and 
he was quite an extensive contractor in that 
line for several years. He married Mary 
McCaffrey, by whom he had following-named 
children; John. James (deceased). Sarah A. 
(wife of John Dauglierly), Isabella (married 
first to Charles McCullough, and afterward to 



John McGinnis). Catherine (deceased), Cath- 
erine, second (wife of Thomas Bozel), and 
Jane. John Carlin married, in 1854, Mary, 
daughter of Edward and Ann Blundon. .and 
their children were James (deceased), John 
C. Mary, Sarah A. (a teacher), Margaret 
(wife of Frank Lutz), Ellodie (a teacher), 
Susan and Francis L. Mr. Carlin has been 
in the coal trade for many years, mining and 
selling coal. He has been school director, 
and is now supervisor in Chartiers township 
The family are members of the R. C. Church. 

Christian Schanzenb.^ch, hotel-keeper, 
postofflce West View, was born Aug. 13, 
1838, in Wiirtemberg, Germany, the son of 
Christ and Catharine (Sauer) Schanzenbach, 
also natives of Germany. He came to Amer- 
ica in 1866; had been a farmer in his native 
land, but here worked with a brewer. For 
eighteen years he has kept a public house, 
the last four of which he has been proprietor 
of the "Five-Mile House." 

William G. Rankin, merchant. Boston, 
is a son of Robert Rankin, and was 
born at Glenwood, in this county, in 1839. 
His early education was received at the com- 
mon schools and completed at the Com- 
mercial College at Pittsburgh. He then 
followed farming for some twenty years, 
when he engaged in the meat business.which 
he conducted until 1885, and then embarked 
in general merchandising, which he still 
follows. In 1862 Mr. Rankin enlisted in 
Co. I, 15olh P, v., serving about two years 
in that command. Later he was transferred 
to Co. B, 1st battalion of sharpshooters. 5th 
army corps, and served in that capacity 
until the close of the war. He married, in 
1871, Mary J., daughter of James and Eliza 
Jane Marion, of Elizabeth township, and 
they have five children: Sylvia, James A., 
Herbert S., Clyde E. and XVilliam G. Mr. 
Rankin is a member of Post 127, G. A. R., 
holding the office of commander; also a mem- 
ber of the K. O. M. C, Elrod Castle, 87. 
He is also a member of the Mt. Vernon Pres- 
byterian Church. 

William Anderson, foreman of rigging 
department. National Tulie-works. McKees- 
port, was born in Sweden, in 1835, and is a 
son of John and Elizabeth Anderson. At 
the age of fifteen he went on the seas, and 
followed the occupation of a seaman for 
eighteen years. In 1867 he came to America, 
located in Boston, and worked in the rigging- 
lofts of that city one j'ear. In 1869 he en- 
tered the employ of the National Tube- 
works company at Boston, and in 1872, 
when the compan\- started their plant in 
McKeesport, he moved to that city, and has 
since held his present position. Mr. Ander- 
son is an attendant of the Episcopal Church. 
He is a member of the K. of P., I. O. F., 
K. of H. and International Progressive as- 
sociation. In politics he is a republican. 

John Swearingen. farmer, postoffiCe 
Clinton, was born on his farm in Findlay 
townsihp, July 9, 1816, a son of Nicholas 
and Melinda (Blackamore) Swearingen. 



728 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Nicholas, who was of English descent, was 
born near Thompsonviile, Washington 
county. Pa. When Pen'isylvania ceased to 
be a slave state he removed to Brooke connty, 
Va., where he died. Melinda (Blackamore) 
Sweariagen was a daughter of Samuel and 
Abrilla (Dowden) Bhickamore, natives of 
Maryland. Samuel Blackamore was a son of 
Samuel Blackamore. Sr.. an Englishman, 
who received from King William, for serv- 
ices rendered, a tract of land comprising 492 
acres. Samuel Blackamore leased the land 
for ninety-nine years, and died some thirty 
years after. This land is now in the center of 
Washington city, and comprises the site of 
half the capitol building, the commons and 
other valuable property. The ninety-nine 
years' lease expired about four years ago, 
and now the heirs of Samuel Blackamore 
claim the land. Samuel and Abrilla (Black- 
amore) Sweariugeu were early settlers of 
Findlay townsliip, and had eight children 
who lived to maturity. John, our subject, is 
the eldest. He married, Nov. 18, 1838, Mary 
Ferguson, who was born in Findlay town- 
ship, a daughter of -John and Mary (Guy) 
Ferguson, old settlers of Findlay township, 
and they were the parents of four children, 
one living; Mary, wife of John Shillato, who 
resides in Beaver, Pa. Mrs. Swearingen died 
Feb. 24, 1884, a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Swearingen owns a fine farm 
of 106 acres, and ranks among our leading 
farmers. While not a member of any church, 
he aids in the building of all, and assists all 
worthy enterprises. 

Jonas Roup McClintock Johnston, liv- 
eryman, Wilkinsburg. is a native of Wilkins, 
Pa., and was born June 1, 1849. His educa- 
tion was finished under Prof. Levi Ludden at 
his academy, and his life was spent on his 
native farm till 1887. In that year he built a 
large livery barn on his property at the cor- 
ner of Ross and Hay streets, Wilkinsburg. 
where he engaged in business. He had 
formerly given some time to coal-mining and 
the sale of feed in connection with his farm- 
ing operations. Besides his farm and livery 
property he is the owner of three houses in 
the borough. In 1883 he married Eulalia 
Ann, daughter of A. Stoner, and they have 
two sons; Frederick W. and Reed. Mr. and 
Mrs. Johnston are members of the Presbyte- 
rian Church. 

WiLLi.^M Davidson, farmer, postoffice 
New Texas, was born in Plum township, July 
27, 18.5t, a son of Josiah and Caroline (Wolf) 
Davidson. His father was born in Plum 
township in 1833; his mother died in 1858. 
William received his schooling in Plum town- 
ship, and at Murrysvdle, and in 1876 began 
for liimself, conducting his father's farm, 
which he has since successfully continued. 
He married, in 1876, Anna M. Conner, a 
daughter of John A, and Eliza F. Conner, of 
New Texas, and four children bless the home; 
Jennie F,, Mary Nan Craig, Josiah and Alice 
May. Mrs. Davidson was born in 18.56. She 
and her liusband are members of the Laird 



Presbyterian Church. William is a repub- 
lican, has been a member of the school board 
for six years, and tax-collector three years. 
His father has been many years superv isor 
of the township, and is a member of the 
M. E Church. 

William M. Simcox, physician. Thirty- 
sixth ward, Pittsburgh, a son of William and 
Margaret Simcox, was born in Washington 
county. Pa., in 1826. His grandfather, 
William Simcox, Sr., came to Washington 
county. Pa., in 1787, immediately after his 
discharge from the army in the revolution- 
ary war, \n which he had served from its 
commencement to its close. He remained in 
Washington county until his decease, in 1843. 
His son, William Simcox, father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was born in Washington 
county, April 2, 1801, and reared on the farm 
of 160 acres his father had purchased in 1787. 
He remained there until 1880, when he came 
to Allegheny count}', and resided with his 
son. Dr. William M., until his death, which 
occurred Nov. 3, 1884. He had been edu- 
cated for a lawyer, but never practiced. He 
married Margaret Moss, of Washington 
county. Pa., by whom he had three chil- 
dren who lived to manhood: William M., 
James R. (deceased) and John. Their mother 
died June 7. 1878, aged seven tj'-eight years. 

Dr. William M. Simcox was reared on the 
old Washington count}' farm, but at the age 
of fifteen entered Jefferson College, at Can- 
nonsburg. Pa., and in 1847 and 1848 at- 
tended the Ohio Medical College, at Cincin- 
nati. April 16, 1848, he came to Chartiers 
township, Allegheny county, commenced the 
practice of medicine, and lias since followed 
his profession continually. He has been 
twice married; first in 1849, to Elizabeth, 
daughter of William and Mary Ephlin, of 
Montour county, Pa., Ijy which union 
there were four children; William H. H., 
Mary E. (wife of Joseph Roberts), Kate L. 
(wife of John Rogers) and Robert L Mrs. 
Simcox died in 18.58, aged thirty years, and 
the doctor then married, in 18.59, Martha E,, 
daughter of .John and Susanna Stephenson, 
of this count}'. By this marriage there were 
three children: Harry M., Margaret (wife of 
G. W. Dougherty) and Jessie B. F., who was 
killed, with twenty-one of her schoolmates, at 
the Twenty-eighth street railroad disaster, 
Pittsburgh, Oct. 9, 1880. Dr. Simcox is a 
member of the medical society of this coun- 
ty, and of the L O. O. F. 

James B. Reed, contractor and builder, 
was born in Allegheny City, Oct. 23, 1838, a 
son of Robert M. and Sarah (Bigham) Reed. 
His paternal grandfather, Robert Reed, a 
native of Lancaster county, Pa., and a pio- 
neer of Washington and Allegheny counties, 
in the pioneer days "packed" salt over the 
mountains to Pittsburgh. Robert M. Reed 
was a native of this county, a carpenter by 
trade, and the proprietor of a planing-mill in 
the city of Allegheny for a number of years: 
was also engaged in bridge-building to some 
extent. He reared a family of six children; 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



729 



France?, Thomas J.. James B., Horace G., 
Jennie M. and John M. The subject of these 
lines was reared in Allegheny, and learned 
the carpenter's trade with his father. He 
came to McKeesport in 1863. and worked at 
his trade as a journeyman until 1875, when 
he embarked in business as a contractor and 
builder, in which he has been very success- 
ful. In 1870 he married Martha E., daugh- 
ter of Aseph and Anna (Sill) Atwater, of 
McKeesport, and by her he has three chil- 
dren: Anna, Harry and Charlie. Mr. Reed 
is a member of the First Christian Church. 
He is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the 
A. O. H., and is a republican. 

John J. Kurtz, dairyman, postofflce Fair- 
haven, was born Dec. 27, 1842, a sou of John 
and Mary A. (Raber) Kurtz, natives of Ger- 
many, who had seven children; John J., 
Conrad, Elizabeth, Peter, Mary, Nicholas 
and Barbara. At the age of ten years John 
J. came to America, and subsequently was 
employed by the Birmingham Coal company 
for twent5' years; at the present time he 
keeps a dairy. He is a self-made man. Mr. 
Kurtz married Catherine Kramer, a native of 
Germany, and their union has been blessed 
with six children; John C, Margaret, George 
D.. William, Jennie and Jessie. Mr. and 
Mrs. Kurtz are members of the R. C. Church 
in Baldwin township, and he is a republican. 
William Wade. Sr., deceased, was born in 
Springfield, N. J., in 1790. His wife 
was Susan King,born in 1800,in Washington, 
D. C. Mr. Wade was an officer in the war 
of 1812, and settled in this county in or about 
1832. He built the Allegheny arsenal, and 
was one of the originators of the Fort Pitt 
foundry. Leaving that in 1839, he returned 
to the government service, as constructor of 
ordnance, till 1852. He then again engaged 
in the foundry business until be was burned 
out, in 1858. He was a member of the com- 
mission to establish the high-water lines of 
Pittsburgh, a member of the council, and 
held many other offices in the earl}- days. 
He was also an able contributor to a large 
work on American manufacturing. He died 
in 1878. His wife survives him, aged sixty- 
eight years. 

Alexander James McGregor, postofflce 
Monroeville.was born in that part of Wilkins 
now called Penn township, in 1829. His 
grandfather went from Scotland to Ireland, 
where he died, and our subject's father, 
James McGregor, was born there. The lat- 
ter was the youngest of five children, who 
came with their widowed mother to York 
county, Pa., when he was eleven j'ears old. 
There he grew to manhood, and married Mar- 
tha, daughter of Robert Wilson, of Scotch 
stock. About 1818 he settled on a farm in 
Penn township, where he died in 1833, aged 
forty-five. He was one of the twelve organ- [ 
izers of Unity Presbyterian Church, and was | 
a democrat. His widow died in 1873, aged 
eighty years. There were ten children in the i 
family, and the six survivors reside in this ; 
county. Following are their names, with | 



ages at time of the death of the deceased: 
John, fifty-five; William, fifty-one; Margaret, 
twentj'-five; Robert. Jane (Barton), Nancy 
(Peterman), Mary (Booth); Slartha, fifteen; 
Alexander and Rebecca (Elliott). A. J. 
McGregor remained on the farm in Penn un- 
til fifteen years old. when he took up carpen- 
ter-work, and in 1845 embarked in building 
in Pittsburgh. Later he took up pattern- 
building and tank-making, and for five years 
kept a i-etail grocerj' in the city. His only 
unsuccessful venture was the purchase of a 
steam flouring-mill in Penn township, which 
burned down after he had operated it a year 
and a half, and which was uninsured. In 
1865 he was associated with others in putting 
down an oil-well near Pit Hole, which was 
sold to advantage same year. Mr. 
McGregor became a resident of Patton in 
1872, purchasing 146 acres of land, on which 
he has excellent buildings, and engages in 
general farming. He is a republican, with 
prohibition S3'mpathies. In 1860 he married 
Margaret Anderson, a native of Ireland, a 
daughter of Jacob Anderson, who brought 
her to America when a babe. Four children 
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McGregor. 
The second, Mary, died when thirteen 
months old. The others are Martha, Annie 
and James; the oldest is the wife of George 
Aber, residing at Bingham, Wyo. 

John Martin, retired, postofflce Dravos- 
burg, was born Aug. 81, 1836, in Selp, 
Bavaria, Germany, and came to America at 
the age of eighteen years. In Germany he 
had learned the cotton-weaver's trade, but 
found employment in the coal-mines in this 
county. Becoming tired of a miner's life, 
he thoroughly learned the butcher business. 
In 1856 he opened a shop, and by fore- 
thought, honest dealing and economy has 
accumulated a competency. His son, John 
H.. is evincing some of his father's industiy, 
and is now conducting his business. Mr. 
Martin married Alvelina Kunkelman. a 
native of Germany, and they are the parents 
of nine children; Anna, who died, aged 
twenty years and ten months; Mrs. Catharine 
Watkins, John H., William, Emma, Lena, 
George, Addie and Charlie. Mr. and Mrs. 
Martin are members of the G. L. Church of 
McKeesport. Mr. Martin is a republican. 

"WiLLiA^vr Franklin Schwer, farmer, 
postofflce Verona, is a son of Henry and 
Eleanor (Ferster) Schwer, and was born in 
Pittsburgh, May 4, 1853. His parents were 
natives, respectively, of the cities of Ham- 
burg and Copenhagen, a,nd came to this 
country, immediately after their marriage, 
about forty years ago. For several years 
they kept what is known as the Danish 
restaurant on the Diamond, and were success- 
ful in accumulating some means. In 1856 
they purchased a large farm in Penn 
township, whereon they dwelt until two 
years before Mr. Schwer's deatli at East 
Liberty, in 1876, his age being sixty-four. 
The sons and his mother then returned 
to the farm, where the latter died in 1888, 



730 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



aged nearly sevenly-lwo years. The fam- \ 
ily has always been associated with the 
G. L. Church. Frances (Resler), the eldest 
child, resides in Allegheny City. William, 
the only son, remained at home, and received ' 
a fair education in the public schools. He is 
a member of the K. O. T. M.; is an enthu- j 
siastic republican, and has been elected to 
various township offices. In 1875 he married 
Mina Bauer, and Ihey have Ave children; 
Henry Herbert, Dora Florence. William 
Royden and MinaEleanor (twins) and Arthur 
Bauer. 

Earnest C. A. Bcch, heater in rolling- 
mill. 726 W. Carson street, Pittsburgh, a son 
of Frederick W. Buch, was born in Prussia 
in 182.5. He came with his parents to this 
country in 1852, and settled in Allegheny 
county. They had eight children: John H. 
C, I."F. A. (deceased), J. H. E., Earnest C. 
A., a daughter that died in Infancy, Louisa 
(deceased), J. C. H. and Frederick W., Jr. 
Frederick W. was a saddler by trade, and 
died in 18.54. at the age of thirty-eight years; 
his widow is still living, aged seventy years. 
Earnest C. A. Buch learned the glass-manu- 
facturing business, but in 1860 commenced 
work in the rolling-mill, which occupation 
he has since followed, except sis years he 
was engaged in the glass business: he is now 
a heater in Painter's rolling-mill. He mar- 
ried. Dec. 24, 1867, Philomena, daughter of 
Francis and Mary A. Snyder, and their chil- 
dren are Esther C., Elmer E., Augustus A., 
George F., Park A. and Charlotte E. Mr. 
Buch is a member of the A. O. U. W., the 
Heptasophs and the Amalgamated associa- 
tion. By industry and perseverance he is now 
theownerof a verj' pleasant homeinChartiers 
township, andagood business-house in Pitts- 
burgh. 

Dennis Nill, boot and shoe merchant, 
McKeesport. was born in Wiirtemberg, Ger- 
many, Aug. 6, 1833, a son of Jacob and Agnes 
Nill. He came to America in 1854, and set- 
tled at Port Perry, this county, where he 
worked sixteen years at the shoemaker's 
bench, and two years thereafter in Pitts- 
burgh. In 1872 he located in McKeesport, 
and opened a shoestore, which he has since 
successfully conducted; also has had a saloon 
in connection since 1873. In 1858 he married 
May C. Hannah, daughter of Philip Koder, 
of Wiirtemberg, Germany, and by her has 
eleven children living: Lizzie, Jacob P., Carl, 
Anna, Hannah, Otto, Dennis, Emma, Ida, 
Bertha and George W. Mr. !Xill is a mem- 
ber of the G. L. Church, of which he was 
president ten j-ears in succession. He has 
held the office of school director of his ward 
nine years, and served three years as a mem- 
ber of council. He is a member of the F. & 
A. M., I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W. and Lieder- 
kranz. and is a republican. 

Jacob Keil, Sr., retired, an old and 
highly respected citizen of Sharpsburg, was 
born in Darmstadt, Germany, in 18'24. His 
parents, George and Catherine (Shaffer) Keil, 
were also born in Germanv, and had a family 



of six children. George was a weaver, and, 
coming to America in 1827, located in Pitts- 
burgh, and continued to reside in Allegheny 
county until his death, in 1808, at the age of 
seventy-five years. His wife died in 1878, 
aged seventy-one years. Jacob attended the 
common schools of Pittsburgh, and at an 
early day commenced to work in the iron- 
mills. He came to Sharpsburg in 1845, and 
here has since resided. That same year he 
married Doratha Krause, also of Germany, 
and eight children were born to them, of 
whom four sons are now living: Peter, man- 
ager of the tubeworks, Philadelphia; Ed- 
ward, an iron-worker; Jacob, Jr., a druggist, 
of Sharpsburg, and George L.. an iron- 
worker in Pittsburgh. Mr. Keil has for 
many years been boss roller in the iron-mill. 
He and family are members of the Lutheran 
Church. Politically he is a democrat. 

David Dempset, retired, postofflce Ben- 
nett, was born Aug. 22, 1828, in County 
Derry, Ireland, son of Daniel and Marj- E. 
(McCalister) Dempsey. The father died in 
Ireland, and in 1831 the mother came to 
America with her children, and settled at 
Girty's run. now Millvale. on the same place 
where David now resides: she rented thirty 
acres of land of William Sample, farmed 
this and built a home. Here she reared her 
six children: John (a bachelor). James (of 
Cincinnati), Mrs. Mar3' Quinn (of Mercer 
county), Mrs. Catharine Logrin. Mrs. Mary 
McGaghey (of Erie county) and David. The 
mother died in 1864 aged seventy-two years, 
a woman of remarkable courage, a devout 
Catholic, much beloved and esteemed. David 
! Dempsey remained in this county, and for 
eleven years was employed in the rolling- 
mills, subsequently became captain of a 
steamboat for eleven years, since then has 
been teaming for Graft, Bennett & Co. He 
was married, in 1847, to Mary Disert, who 
died, leaving six children, viz.: Richard, 
John, Lillie, Maggie, James and Alfred. His 
present wife was Mrs. Isabella Robinson, nee 
Lightcap, daughter of G. C. Lightcap. Sr., 
an old settler. They are members of the M. 
E. Church; politically he is a republican. He 
voted for W. H. Harrison, the whig, and 
hauled two logs for the campaign cabin. 
I Adolph W. Reineman.oI the firm of A. 
W. & H. A. Reinenian. jewelers, McKees- 
j port, was born in Alleghenv City March 4, 
i 1858, a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Ricken- 
baugh) Reineman, natives of Ziegenheim, 
Germany, and Allegheny county, respective- 
ly. His paternal grandfather, Conrad Reine- 
' liian. a watchmaker by trade, settled in Cham- 
, bersburg, in 1834. and his maternal grand- 
father, .lohn Rickenbaugh, a native of Swit- 
zerland, was among the pioneers of Allegheny 
county. Adam Reineman, who was a walch- 
raakef by trade, settled in Chambersburg, 
Pa., in 1834. removed to Pittsburgh in 1841, 
and embarked in the jewelry business, in 
which he continued until 18.52, and then re- 
tired. His children who grew to maturity 
were August R., Emma (Sirs. Dr. Herraat! 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



731 



Heclielmau), Henrietta (Mrs. Adolph Poer- 
ster), Edward, Adolph W., Henry A. and 
Louis E. Adolpli W. was reared and edu- 
cated in Alleglieny. He located in McKees- 
port May 31, 1885, and with liis brother, 
Henry A., embarlied in the jewelry business. 
They have succeeded in building up a fine 
trade that is daily increasing, and their estab- 
lishment is the principal one of the kind in 
McKeesport. Adolph W. married, Feb. 11, 
1885, Callie, daughter of August and Henri- 
etta (Goehring) Hartze, of Allegheny, by 
■whom he had one son, Lawrence G. Mr. 
Reineman is an enterprising and prominent 
business-man. Politically he is independent. 

Harry Sheafp P,\rL. manufacturer, was 
born on Ross street, Pittsburgh, Feb. 13, 
1856, son of J. W. Paul. He attended the 
public schools until fourteen years of age, 
when he learned the printer's trade. Shortly 
after, however, he went with his uncle Met- 
t;alf, and entered the Crescent Steel-works, 
where he remained for over a year. When 
the firm of Metcalf, Paul & Co. opened the 
Verona Tool-works he began there as office- 
boy, and learned telegraphy. Through his 
industry and business ability, he soon ad- 
vanced to the position of shipping-clerk, and 
then to superintendent of the works, filling 
the latter place four years. The business 
had so increased that he went into their citj 
office in Pittsburgh to take charge of their 
financial department, at the same time be- 
coming one of the partners. This position 
he has held for eight years, with great credit 
to himself. Mr. Paul is a Scottish Rite 
Mason of the 32d degree; is a member of the 
Ro3'al Arcanum and Jr. O. U. A. M. For 
two years he has been president of the Amer- 
icus Political Club of Pittsburgh, and is well 
inown in political circles. In 1877 he mar- 
ried Miss Jennie Lee, daughter of Caleb Lee, 
Jr. She was born in July, 1858. Three 
girls have been born to them, namely. Alice 
Knox, Mary Lee and Susan. Mr. and Mrs. 
Paul are members of the Episcopal Church. 

S. W. Phillips, boat-builder, Redman 
Mills, was born Sept. 39, 1856, in Mansfield, 
Allegheny county. He is a son of Theodore 
Phillips, who was born June 3, 1830, in Rob- 
inson township, this county. William Phil- 
lips, grandfather of Samuel, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and came to Allegheny county 
in an early day, and followed farming; he 
married Eliza Bails, a native of this county, 
of Irish descent. Theodore Phillips was 
also a farmer, and for twelve years he teamed 
for John Redman. He married Margaret 
Bonne}', who died April 1, 1883, leaving 
eight children: William A., John A., Samuel 
W., Elmer E., Alex. S., Clara, Anna R. and 
Luella M. Samuel W. was educated in this 
county, and learned the boat-builder's trade 
with Church & Swain, on the Monongahela 
river. In 1883 he built the Iron City docks at 
Redmansville. of which he is now a partner 
and the superintendent. They employ from 
twenty-five to thirty men repairing boats, etc. 
Mr. Phillips married Hester Miller, who bore 



him three children: J. Hartle_y. Thomas E. 
and Bessie Phillips. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips 
are members of the Baptist Church. He la 
a republican, and a member of the A. O. U. 
W. and I. O. O. F. 

Oscar Melvin Tucker, teacher, Wil- 
kinsburg, was born in Peru, Oxford county, 
Me., in 1840. His earliest ancestor in this 
country was Thomas Tucker, who came 
from England in 1713. He had two broth- 
ers, one of whom settled in South Caro- 
lina and the other in Western New York. 
William, his son, was born in Prospect (now 
Falmouth), and settled in New Gloucester, 
Me. They were a race of farmers and lum- 
bermen. Eliphalet, son of William, cleared 
two farms. His leg was broken when he was 
thirteen years old in his effort to carry an 
enormous backlog for the fire. His son 
William married Lydia, sister of Timothy 
Ludden. and settled on a farm in Peru, 
where Oscar M. was born. Our subject was 
reared on the home farm, and educated at 
Bates College, Lewiston. In 1862 he enlisted 
for nine months' service in the 23d Maine 
Volunteers, Co. F, and served nearly a year 
in the Army of the Potomac. He then 
engaged in teaching in the west, at Indian- 
apolis and Tonica, Lacon and Chillicothe, 
111. For the last thirteen years he has been 
a tutor in the preparatory department of the 
Western University, with home in Wilkins- 
burg. He is associated with the East End 
Baptist Church, the R. A. and the republican 
party. In 1867 he married a native of Peru, 
Miss Harriet Emily, daughter of William B. 
and Charlotte (Thomas) Walton, of English 
and Welsh ancestry, respectively, and one 
daughter. Myrtle May, has been born to them. 

Frederick Fleck, engineer, postoflice 
Wall, is a direct descendant of the "Hard 
Knight," or Fleck of Bank, who flourished in 
Austria in 1114. He was born to John and 
Catharine (Adler) Fleck, at Biugen. on the 
Rhine, May 29, 1830. Seven years later they 
immigrated, and, after dwelling some years 
at Buffalo and other points, settled in Pitts- 
burgh in 1840. John Fleck made the first 
lager beer in Pittsburgh, using yeast brought 
from Bavaria in a letter. He died in 1854, 
at the age of fifty-three, and his widow died 
thirty years later, at the age of seventy-three. 
There were two sons, John, the eldest, being 
deceased. Fred Fleck was taught brewing 
and cooperage, and when sixteen years old 
set out to see the world. He first visited St. 
Louis, then New Orleans, Mexico and the 
West Indies. In 1849 he visited his native 
land, and traced his ancestr}' from the public 
records. After traveling in France and En- 
gland, he returned to Pittsburgh, and was 
married, in 1851, to Ida Phobe, a native of 
Saxony. She died in 1861, leaving a daugh- 
ter, Elizabeth, now teaching at Wall's sta- 
tion, where the family have lived since 1868. 
In 1852 Mr. Fleck became a fireman on the 
P. R. R., and four years later an engineer. 
He has hauled all sorts of trains, and never 
had an accident nor left bis train. His hand- 



732 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



some home, which he built, contains a choice 
library of over 250 voluiiU'S, to which he is 
ooiistantly adding. He has filled some local 
ofBces, such as school director, etc., and is a 
lifelong democrat. The family is associated 
with the M. E. Church. In 1864 Mr. Fleck 
married Annie E. Mclntyre. a native of 
Greensburg. daughter of James and Annie 
(Funli) Mclntyre. members of old Westmore- 
land families, of Irish and German extraction, 
respectively. Three children have blessed 
the second union: Charles B., ticket-agent at 
■Wall's station; Anna Mary and Katie Isabel. 

Fkederick Stoner, farmer, postoffice 
White Ash, was born Dec. 10, 1829, on the 
farm where he has always resided. Sept. 
25, 1863, he married Mary, sister of 
Samuel Herron, and daughter of John and 
Sarah (McKnight) Herron. She was born in 
County Down, Ireland, and is a member of 
the U. P. Church. Mr. Stoner's father. 
Christian, was born in Franklin county in 
1794, and died in Penn township June 22, 
1871. He married Mary Stoner (no relative), 
a native of Bedford county, who died Feb. 
12, 1876, aged eighty-four years. Christian 
Stoner was one of the founders of Mt. Hope 
Baptist Church, of wliich he was deacon. 
He held numerous town offices, and was, as 
is his son, a republican. His children are 
Nancy (Fondersmith), Barbara (Stotler), Penn 
township; Catharine, Elizabeth and Fred- 
erick (both on the homestead) and Mary 
(Miller.) 

Dennis Wool, coupling-maker, McKees- 
port, was born at Boston, Mass., Oct. 15, 1836, 
a son of Richard and Mary (Madden) Wool, 
natives of Ireland and England, respectively. 
He was reared and educated in his native city, 
where he also learned the blacksmith's trade, 
at which he worked as a journeyman four 
years. He came to McKeesport in 1872, and 
entered the employ of the National Tube- 
works company, where he has since been 
employed in the coupling department, and 
has one of the best positions in the works. 
He is a member of the K. of H., and has al- 
ways been a democrat. 

David Means, farmer, postofflce Taren- 
tum. was born at Colerain, Count}' Derry, 
Ireland, in 1831. In 1840 his parents immi- 
grated to America, and located in West Deer 
township, Allegheny county. Pa. His father, 
George Means, a millwright by trade, was 
killed at the erection of a mill in West Deer 
township. David learned the brass-founder's 
trade, and then went to California, where he 
remained fifteen years, having previously 
purchased the farm he now owns. He mar- 
ried Mary Chestnut in East Deer township, 
and engaged in farming. They have two 
children, 'Thomas and James, and are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 

Henry Morgan, miner, postoffice Turtle 
Creek, is a native of Wales, born in Brecon- 
shire. Feb. 15, 1848. His parents, James and 
Jane (Edwards) Morgan, came to Allegheny 
county in 1854, and located at Dravosburg. 
James was all his life a coal-miner, and in 



1874 moved to Turtle Creek, where he died in 
February. 1886, aged sixty-four years. His 
widow "now resides in Wilkins township. 
They were members of Ihe M. E, Church, 
and reared seven children: Henry. James (a 
resident of Homestead). Maria (Mrs. John 
Skelton, Wilkins), Charles (with his mother). 
George W. (in Wilkins). Thomas and Jane 
(with their mother). Two died in infancy: 
Maria and Thomas. Henry Morgan began 
mining when only nine years old, and has 
since followed the business, except a year 
spent in peddling. After dwelling seven 
years at Irwin, he came to Turtle Creek in 
1879. His first dwelling here was pulled 
down to prevent the spread of a fire: he then 
built another, which was burned down July 5, 
1887. Mr. Morgan is associated with the M. 
E. Church, and politically is a stanch repub- 
lican. In 1870 he married Lucinda Young, a 
native of Dravosburg, and daughter of Con- 
rad and Eve Young, natives of Germany 
and Westmoreland county. Pa. The follow- 
ing are the names of Mr. Morgan's children: 
Lillian, Minerva. Conrad "ioun^, James, 
Charles Wesley, Leonora Hunter, William J. 
and Mabel. 

James Carothers, farmer, postoffice 
Monroeville, is a brother of David Carothers, 
and was born on the farm where he now re- 
sides, Oct. 20, 1827. His home has always 
been here, and he came into possession of it 
by inheritance in 1853. He enlisted, Aug. 8, 
1862, in Co. E, 123d regiment, nine-months 
men, and served in the Army of the Potomac, 
participating in the battles of Chancellors- 
ville and Fredericksburg. In 1868 he mar- 
ried Elizabeth H. Dubarry, born in Pitts- 
burgh, a daughter of Edward and Wilhel- 
mina Dubarr}-, of French and German 
descent. Mr. Carothers has served as assessor, 
auditor and collector. He is a republican, 
and is an elder in the Cross Roads Presbyte- 
rian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Carothers have 
five children: Matilda C, Edward D., Sophie 
E., Sarah E. and Wilhelmina. The first 
born, Robert, died in infancy. 

Joseph H. Price, M." D., postoffice 
Lancelot, is a son of John and Mary (Otter- 
son) Price. His father was reared in Pitts- 
burgh, and opened the first confectionery 
store in Allegheny Cit}-. In 1865 he was ap- 
pointed overseer of the engineering depart- 
ment of the Western penitentiary, and died 
in 1868. His widow is still living, a resident 
of Alleghenj' City. Seven of their children 
are also living, as follows: William (a mem- 
ber of the firm of Reyner Bros., confection- 
ers). Mar}-, Emma, Elizabeth and George (at 
home), Charles (a farmer of this township), 
and Joseph H., our subject, who was born 
April 4, 1854, in Allegheny City, and re- 
ceived his education at the public schools 
and the Newell Institute, and graduated 
from Jefferson Medical College, of Philadel- 
phia, in 1879, and began the practice of his 
profession in Petersville, Butler county, 
where he remained one year. He then moved 
to Allegheny, and in 1886 located in Hampton. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGBAPHY. 



733 



township. He married, in 1883, Eva, daugh- 
ter ot J. P. and Elizabeth (Richards) Eaton, 
of Sewickley. They have one child, Will- 
iam. Dr. and Mrs. Price are members of the 
U. P. Church of Allegheny City. 

John M. Peebles, farmer, Perrysville, 
is a son of William and Catherine (Brown) 
Peebles. William Peebles was born in Ross 
township in 1819. and followed the occupa- 
tion of a farmer; he was a soldier in the late 
war, and was a member of Co. E, 18th P. C. 
He died in 1883. John M. is the youngest 
son, and was born on the homestead, Aug. 
2, 1857; was educated at the public schools, 
and at the death of his father became part 
owner of the homestead, which he works. 
He has held the office of assessor, and at- 
tends the Hiland Presbyterian Church of 
Perrysville. 

Robert Carson Catherwood, farmer, 
Culmerville, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., 
April 6, 1832, son of John Canning and Eliza- 
beth (Fleming) Catherwood, who came to 
Pittsburgh, in 1813, from County Derry, 
Ireland: They died May 15, 1861, aged 
seventy-four years, and Dec. 20. 1845, aged 
forty-five years, respectively. His father was 
a farmer, but worked in the Pittsburgh roll- 
ing-mills for some time, and was justice of 
the peace for West Deer township for two 
terms. Mr. Catherwood has one sister, Mrs. 
Susan Hessen Culmer. Robert attended the 
common school here, and remained with his 
father until the death of the latter. He then 
worked on the farm, which his father bought 
about 1827, consisting of one hundred acres, 
which he cleared from the woods. Robert was 
married, Jul}' 14, 1857, to Sarah Catherine 
McKuight, of Meadville, Crawford county. 
Pa., daughter of David S. and Elizabeth 
(Wayley) McKnight, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. Her father died in 1874, aged seventy- 
four years, and her mother lives in Tarentum, 
Pa. They are all members of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church, and are among 
its founders; her father was one of the elders 
from its organization until his death. Mr. 
and Mrs. Catherwood have four children 
living and four dead. Those living are John 
Charles, James S., Robert Fleming and 
Joseph Leonard; those deceased were all 
under four years of age. Mr. Catherwood 
was justice of the peace for two terms, and 
has held all of the town offices. 

Robert Bown, foreman machinery de- 
partment National Tube-works, McKees- 
port, was born in Bakewell, Derbyshire, En- 
gland. Dec. 16, 1845, a son of Joseph and 
Ann (Nixon) Bown. He was reared and edu- 
cated in his native town, and served seven 
years' apprenticeship at the machinist's trade. 
He came to America in 1869, located in New 
York, and in 1871 removed to Boston, where 
he entered t^e employ of the National Tube- 
works company as a machinist, working in 
that capacity three years. In 1877 he settled 
in McKeesport, where he began work for the 
same company, and has held his present 
position since 1881. In 1873 he married Jane, 



daughter of Charles and Jane (Domslield) 
Skerret, of Manchester, England, and has 
six children; Lillian, Joseph R., Ernest, 
James, Lucy J. and Waller. Mr. Bown is a 
member of the Episcopal Church, F. & A. 
M. and I. O. F., and in politics is independ- 
ent republican- 

Samuel G. Brown, farmer, postoffice 
Talley Cavey, is a son of George and Jlary 
(Eliott) Brown, of Middlesex, Butler county. 
Pa., where our subject was born Jan. 13, 
1813, and was educated at the public schools. 
In April, 1849, he moved to his present farm 
in Hampton township, where he has since 
lived. He married, in 1841, Mrs. Mary Col- 
well, widow of Thomas Colwell, of this 
county. She died in 1866, leaving one son, 
John G., who enlisted in Co. G, 102d P. V., 
and lost an arm at the battle of Fair Oaks, 
returned home, and for a number of years 
acted as clerk of the court in Pittsburgh. 
He died May 2, 1874. Our subject married 
tor his second wife, in 1869, Margaret, daugh- 
ter of John Porter, of this count}'. She died 
in 1872, leaving one daughter, Margaret, 
who lives at home. Mr. Brown has held the 
offices of justice of the peace, auditor and 
assessor of the township, and is a member of 
the U. P. Church of Talley Cavey. 

Alonzo Ecker, contractor, AVilkinsburg, 
was born in 1854, in Pittsburgh, Pa., where 
his father, Emanuel Ecker. settled in 1831. 
The latter was born in 1812, in Cumberland 
county, Pa., married Mary Ann White, a 
native of Pittsburgh, in 1832, and died in 
1884. a few minutes after casting his ballot 
for James G. Blaine for president. His father 
was a Duukard preacher, and Catharine M. 
J. Ecker, a well-known writer, is his half- 
sister. For over forty years he was a prom- 
inent contractor in Pittsburgh, and built the 
Monongahela House, present city hall, many 
schoolhouses, churches, etc. His wife was 
a daughter of Rev. John White, a Baptist 
clergyman, who dropped dead one morning 
while waiting for the ferry, on his way to 

preach. His wife's father, Ziegler, 

was a revolutionary soldier. At one time 
his wife entertained together in her house 
her mother, grandmother, daughter and 
grandson, making five generations. Emanuel 
Ecker had seven sons and five daughters. 
Alonzo being the eleventh child. With the 
exception of nine years, during which the 
family dwelt on a farm in Armstrong county, 
his youth was passed in Pittsburgh. When 
nineteen years old he began to learn the 
bricklayer's trade with his father, and has 
followed it ever since. In 1880 he became a 
resident of Wilkinsburg, and three years 
later the building firm of Ecker it Glantz 
was established. Among other buildings they 
erected the Presbyterian and L'. P. churches 
at Wilkinsburg, and Pennsylvania Female 
College and German school buildmgs in the 
East End. Mr. Ecker married Ida, daughter 
of Frederick and Sarah (Terry) Bishop, of 
Allegheny, where Mrs. Ecker was born, and 
their children are Harvey F., Laura J., 



734 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Louisa B. and Chester R. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ecker are Baptists; lie is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and Knights of the Mystic Chain. 

William G. Fui.ton. mercliant, Taren- 
tum. was born in Pittsbursh, Pa., a son of 
James and Sarali (Smith) Fulton, who were 
both natives of Ireland, where tliey married, 
and on coming to America located at Pitts- 
burgh, where James became engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits; later he received the appoint- 
ment of ganger, and about 1837 he removed 
to Tareutum, where he became a dealer in 
general merchandise. James Fulton was a 
soldier in tlie war of 1812, with rank of en- 
sign. Sarah, his wife, died in 18-1'.3, and he 
in 1830. Their children were Andrew S., who 
was educated for the ministry, now deceased; 
Jonathan G.. who died al)out 1878; James B.. 
deceased iu 1884; Sarali, deceased in 1842; 
James, deceased in 1874; Mary A. and Will- 
iam G. James B.. who had been in Califor- 
nia for some time following the death of his 
father, returned to Tarenlum, and with his 
brother continued in business, the firm being 
J. B. Fulton & Bro. A new building was 
erected, and an addition was soon found 
necessar}' to afford facilities for their increas- 
ing trade. William G. is now in trade at the 
same place. He is a member of the U. P. 
Church. 

HoBEiiT Miller (deceased) was born in 
November, 1835, in Allegheny county, where 
be died April 7, 1877. He was a son of Rod- 
tie}' Miller, a well-known farmer, and was 
educated in this county, where he followed 
agricultural pursuits. Having been reared 
on the farm, he, early in life, showed the 
qualities that make a good husbandman. He 
was an esteemed member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and wherever he was known was 
respected. He married Jane Douthett, a na- 
tive of Butler county. Pa., the only daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Rebecca (Magee) Douthett. 
the parents dying at her home. Mrs. Miller 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
by her devotion to her parents and her hus- 
band has proven herself a true woman. 

Joseph Miller, hotel-keeper, postoffice 
Herron, is a son of George and Frances 
(Wahl) Miller, natives of France, who immi- 
grated to America in 1839, and settled in 
Pittsburgh. George followed gardening, and 
in 1853 purchased a farm in Ross township, 
where he has since resided. He is the father 
of nine children: John; Man' E., wife of 
Joseph Begenwall; Andrew, William. Jose- 
pbine. Rosa B.,Burnhart and Frank, at home, 
and our subject, who was born June 10. 1849. 
in Pittsburgh, but was reared and educated 
in Ross township. In 1866 he commenced to 
learn the carpenter's trade, and followed it 
for seventeen years. In 1881 he enga.ged in 
the hotel business at Eleven-Mile House, in 
Hampton township, and continued until 1883, 
when he moved to his present location. In 
1871 he married Miss Annie, daughter of 
John Lovitt, of Blair county. She died in 
1872, leaving no children. Mr. ]Miller mar- 
ried, in 1876, for his second wife Ella, daugh- 



ter of Jolin and Susan (Good) Keown, of Ross 
township. They have two children; Susan 
Frances and Klla T., who are at home. Our 
subject has held the offices of supervisor of 
Ross township and school director of Hamp- 
ton townsliip for three years. He and family 
are members of St. Mary's Church, of Pine 
Creek. 

J.\\f Bs H. McLtjRE, tax-collector. McKees- 
port, was born in Butler county. Pa., Aug. 
14. 1820. a son of Robert and Agnes (McLeod) 
McLure. pioneers of Butler county, the 
formera native of Carlisle, Pa., and the latter 
of .Scotland. James H. was reared in Butler 
county, and is a ship-carpenter, which trade 
he followed on the rivers of Western Penn- 
sylvania for upward of thirty-five years. 
He located in McKeesport in 1857, where he 
has since resided. In 1844 he married Mar- 
garet, daughter of Chrissman and Catherine 
(Cifer) West, of Butler county, and by her 
has two children; Margaret (Mrs. John T. 
Lynn) and Livy H. Mr. McLure is a mem- 
ber of the First M. E. Church of McKees- 
port, and the Equitable Aid Union. He was 
assessor of the First ward of McKeesport for 
twelve years, and tax-collector for a number 
of years. In politics he is a democrat. 

Joseph Hite, manufacturer, Sewickley, 
was born in Armstrong county. Pa., son of 
John Hite, a native of Germany, who came 
to America in 1847, and located in Armstrong 
county, later removed to Westmoreland 
county, where he engaged in the nursery 
business and died. Joseph Hite was reared 
in Westmoreland county, and in 1862 he 
moved to Pittsburgh, where he worked for dif- 
ferent parties till 1875. when he entered part- 
nership with Wilson & Snyder. brass-founders 
and manufacturers of iron pipe, valves and 
fittings, and steam-pump machines, etc. 
They have put in various large pumps for 
water-works. amoD,g them two six-million- 
gallon pumps for Alleghenj'. They do an 
immense business, giving ein])loyment to 120 
mechanics. Mr. Hite is traveler for the firm. 

Hcgii Phillips, general merchant. Glen- 
field, was born Sept. 25, 1852. in County 
Antrim. Ireland, son of John Phillips, a 
native of above-named place, who came to 
America when his son Hugh was seven 
months old. settling on Neville island, this 
county, where Robert Phillips, an uncle, 
resided. John Phillips was a gardener, an 
occupation he followed successfully; the 
parents are still living. Hugh Phillips was 
educated in this county; at the age of fifteen 
years he entered his brother Thomas' store 
at Glenfleld. and in course of time became 
a partner. They conduct a general merchan- 
dise business, including feed, flour, drugs, 
coal. etc.. also lumber and building material 
of all kinds, the stj'le of the firm being 
Thomas Phillips & Bros. Mr, Phillips was 
married to Urilda A., daughter of Capt. R. 
R. Frisbee. a pioneer steamboalman. and 
they are the parents of six children: Katie. 
Bessie. Allen C. Emma V., Ethel and 
Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are mem- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



735 



bers of the Presbyterian Church; politically 
lie is a republican. 

John C. Sholtz, engineer, postofBce 
Homestead, was born Nov. 14, 1846, in Har- 
risburg, a son of Jacob Shultz. He was edu- 
cated in his native town, and learned the 
machinist's trade in Williamsport, Pa.. 
where he worked four years. He then worked 
two years in Galesburg, 111., and Burlington, 
Iowa, coming back to Williamsport; but in a 
short time he returned to the west. After re- 
maining a year and a half he again came east, 
and in Pittsburgh worked with Mcintosh, 
Hempell & Co. until September, 1883. At 
that time he removed to Homestead, and be- 
came foreman of the machine-shop, which 
position he fills to the present time, having 
two foremen under him. and is now master 
mechanic. In Pittsburgh he married Jennie 
Jefifriss, and their union was blessed with five 
children: Frank, Ada, Harry and James 
(twins) and Wallace. Mr. Shultz was a sol- 
dier in the civil war, served during the one 
hundred days in Co. A. 194th P. V. He is a 
member of the I. O. O.F. and Jr. O. U. A. M., 
and is a Knight of the Golden Eagle. 

M. Stoll, blacksmith, Bennett, was born 
Nov. 12, 1846. in Wiirtemberg, Germany, a 
son of Jacob F. and Christine (Nofer) Stoll. 
He was educated in Germany, and came to 
America at the age of seventeen years. He 
learned his trade with John Kruger. and has 
been conducting a successful business for 
biraself since 1870. He married Anna Aldin- 

ger, and they have four children; Louise P., 
harles W., Mary L. and John F. Mr. and 
Mrs. Stoll are members of the German 
Church, in which he has held several offices. 
Politically he is a republican. 

William Henry Mallisee, miller, post- 
office Murrysville, was born in Pittsburgh 
May 29, 1852. His parents, Henry and 
Deliah (Deal) Mallisee, natives of Pittsburgh 
and Westmoreland county, respectively, now 
Teside on a farm in Plum township, and are 
of German and Irish descent. W. H. Malli- 
see was reared in Pittsburgh, and began work 
at the molder's trade when eleven years old, 
following that until 1873. In 1876 he pur- 
chased what was known as the Blueball 
mill, in Patton, which he has since operated. 
In 1875 he married Margaret Dible, who died 
the same year, and the next year he married 
Anna Catharine Dice, a native of Plum. Her 
father, Enoch, was a sou of Peter Dice, 
whose father came from Germany; her 
mother, Christina, was a daughter of John 
Holtzer, whose father, Jacob, was a revolu- 
tionary soldier. The wife of the latter was 
a Miss Pore, of English descent. The 
Holtzers are no doubt of German ancestry. 
In politics Mr. Mallisee is a republican. He 
and Mrs. Mallisee are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church, and he is a republican. 

F. M. Love, Sewickley, was born in Ca- 
bell county, W. Va., and is descended from 
one of the oldest families. The ancestors 
were Scotch on the father's side and English 
on the mother's. The paternal great-grand- 



father, Daniel Love, was a native of Scot- 
land, and a farmer. His sou, Daniel, was a 
soldier in the revolutionary war. A son of 
Daniel was a soldier in the war of 1812, and 
subsequently became an e.xteusive farmer. 
He was married to Cynthia Chadwick, whose 
grandfather, Hiram Chadwick, was a native 
of England, and his son, John, was a whig, 
and under Gen. Marion in South Carolina. 
F. M. Love was reared on a farm in West 
Virginia, and is principally self-educated. At 
the age of eighteen years, April 10, 1848, he 
came to Pittsburgh, where he clerked in his 
brother's business, the firm being Young, 
Stevenson & Love. He left them in 18.56, 
having been a member of the firm two years. 
He then traveled west, and returning east he 
located in Philadelphia, Pa., where he clerked 
in the dry-goods house of Lippincott, Coffin 
& Co. Eventually he moved to Pittsburgh, 
and became a member of the firm of Phelps, 
Park & Co., manufacturers of wagons. In 
1862 Mr. Love entered the army as quarter- 
master in the Pennsylvania volunteers. Hum- 
phrey's division, 5th army corps ; served 
nine mouths and then returned to Pittsburgh, 
where he remained a member of the old firm 
until 1864, when he sold his interest in the 
business to his partners. Until 1867 he was 
again engaged with his father in the dry- 
goods business, and subsequently for two 
years was general agent for the Federal In- 
surance company, of Allegheny. In 1873 the 
dry-goods firm of Love & Co. was formed, 
which continued for sixteen years, our sub- 
ject furnishing the cash and being the main- 
stay of the firm. Since 1861 he has been a 
resident of Edgeworth, and has materially 
aided in the prosperity of the place. 

Rev. David Barclay, pastor of Hebron 
Church, postofflce White Ash, was born in 
Nottingham township. Harrison county. 
Ohio, Jan. 27, 1836. His parents, David and 
Eliza (Kissick) Barclay, came from County 
Derry, Ireland, and settled on the farm where 
he was born and reared. He graduated from 
Franklin College, Ohio, in September, 1857, 
and afterward attended Allegheny Theolog- 
ical Seminary. His first and only charge 
was that of Hebron U. P. Church, where he 
began preaching Jan. 1, 1870. Oct. 11, 1881, 
he married Mary J., daughter of John Duff, 
of this township, and widow of Newton 
Wilson. In 1887 he built the residence he 
occupies, to which is attached a small farm. 
Politically he has always acted with the 
republicans. Mrs. Barclay has a child by 
her former marriage, Maud Wilson. 

Nicholas Rattigan, foreman. Home- 
stead, was born May 5, 1865, in Mystic, Conn., 
the son of Michael and Bridget (Cuff) Rat- 
tigan, natives of Ireland. He was educated 
in Pittsburgh, and at the age of fifteen came 
to Homestead, where he was employed in 
the Pittsburgh Bessemer Steel-works, where 
he worked his way up, and since 1885 has 
filled the position of foreman of the convert- 
ing department of Carnegie, Phipps & Co. 
He is a man of excellent ability, and has 



736 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



earned for himself his present position. He 
married, in Piltsburfth, Mary Manuinfj, and 
they have two children; Blanche C. and 
Catharine M. 

WiLLi.wi J. McLauoulin. farmer, post- 
oflice Moon, was born on the farm wliere he 
now resides, .June lH, IS.^Jl, a son of Thomas 
and Ellen (Hooper) McLaughlin. The latter 
was born in JIoou township, a daughter of 
John and Klizabeth (Kiccord) Hooper, who 
settled first in Moon and afterward in Findlay 
townsliip. Thomas McLaughlin was born 
in Findlay township, where his son William 
.1. now resides. He was a son of .James and 
Elizabeth (Baird) McLaughlin. .James Mc- 
Laughlin and brother came from Ireland to 
Eastern Pennsylvania, and soon after his 
marriage James came to what is now Find- 
lay township. Thomas and Ellen I Hooper) 
McLaughlin had three children: Emmeline 
(who resides with her mother in Findlay 
township), Eliza ,J. (widow of David Mc- 
Cleaster, in Findlay township) and William 
J. The latter married, Sept. 9, 1873, Marga- 
ret McLaughliu, who was born in Findlay 
township, a daughter of Lazareth and Mar- 
garet (Wyke) McLaughlin. Their children 
are Fannie C. Thomas L., Jane M. and 
Jeremiah M. Mr. McLaughlin owns a fine 
farm of two hundred acres, and raises grain 
and stock; also has an extensive dairy. Mr. 
and Mrs. McLaughlin are members of the 
Presbyterian Church at Sharon. 

Phillip Grall, Jr., gardener, postofBce 
Bennett, was born April 8, 1852, in Millvale, 
this county. His father, Phillip Grall, a 
native of Alsace, France (now Germany), 
came to America with liis young wife, Bar- 
bara (Jacobs) Grall, in 18.50, and worked in 
Millvale two years. He removed to Spring 
Hill, where he gardened thirteen years, and 
then purchased thirty-three acres of land in 
Shaler township, where he farmed and gar- 
dened until his death, Nov. 29, 1886; his 
widow survives him. Thej- had only one 
son, our subject, who was educated in this 
county, and has followed farming and gar- 
dening successfully. He married here Maggie 
Thomas, a native of Alsace, Germany, and 
they have four sons: Phillip, Fred, George 
and Charles. Phillip Grall, Sr.. was presi- 
dent of the G. L. Church for many years. 
and which he assisted to build. Our subject 
is also a member, and politically he is a re- ' 
publican. 

Robert MoMahan, farmer, postoffice 
Sunny Side, a son of Hugh and Rosella 
(Comiski) McMahan. was born in County 
Down, Ireland, in 1811. In 1816 his parents 
removed to Westmoreland county, and pur- 
chased one hundred acres of land at nineteen 
dollars per acre. Hugh died in Westmore- 
land county, and Rosella, his wife, at Monon- 
gahela City. Robert married Betsey (now 
deceased), daughter of Samuel Reeves, of 
Westmoreland county, over fifty years ago. 
Their children were Martha, Rosella. Hugh, 
Nancy, John, Mary and Robert, all living in 
the county except Hugh, who is in West 



Virginia. Mr. McMahan is engaged in farm- 
ing. He is a member of the I{. C. Church, 
and is a democrat. 

John McClakin. farmer, postotfice Ta- 
rentum. a son of William and Jane (Cook) 
McClarin. was born in Beaver county. Pa., in 
1829. In 1864 his parents removed to the 
farm in East Deer township, Allegheny 
county, now owned by John, where they both 
died. Their children were Elizabeth, who 
now resides in Tarentum; Mary, deceased; 
William, who enlisted during the civil war, 
and was killed in battle, and John. John 
now occupies the old homestead farm, and is 
quite an extensive dairyman. 

William Floyd, suijcrintendent of steel- 
mills, postoffice Munhall, was born May 12, 
1840, in Chester county, Pa. His great-grand- 
father was an English sea-captain, and a rel- 
ative of William Floyd, one of the signers of 
the Declaration of Independence. George W. 
Floyd, the father of our subject, was a native 
of and a well-known resident and millwright 
of Chester county. Pa., and married Sarah 
Leggett, who became the mother of nine 
children; her three sous were mechanics. In 
youth William learned the trade of black- 
smith, at which he worked two years in Ohio. 
He then worked thirteen years for the Penn- 
sylvania Steel company, at Steelton, where 
he had charge of the hammer department, 
but, his health failing, he went west to Mich- 
igan, and farmed a year. Later he worked 
two years in the steelmills at Joliet, 111., and 
in September, 1881, came to Homestead, 
where he has held the position of superin- 
tendent of the steclmill ever since, and con- 
ducted the business intrusted to his care with 
commendable zeal and ability. At the out- 
break of the civil war Mr. Floyd was the 
first to enter the ranks, enlisting April 16, 
1861, in Co. A. 9th P. V. I. He afterward 
enlisted in Co. I. 201st P.V., in which he was 
second duty-sergeant, and participated in 
several engagements. Mr. Floj'd is a member 
of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 160, and of 
the Encampment, No. 10, at Harrisburg. He 
married Mary E. Powell, of Chester county, 
and they have one child. Georgia A. 

Charles M. JIcCullt, merchant. De- 
haven Station, postoffice Herron, is a son of 
William and Nancy (Gilmore) McCully, 
natives of County Down. Ireland, who emi- 
grated to America about 182.5. Thej' located 
in Pittsburgh, where the father followed the 
occupation of carjienter. In 1832 he pur- 
chased a farm in Hampton township, and re- 
sided thereon until his death, in 1882; his 
widow died in 1885. Their family consisted 
of ten children, nine of whom are still living: 
Henry, James G.. Mary Jane (wife of Lott 
Morrison). Hugh. Euphemia (a maiden lady), 
Nancy (wife of Alexander Lawber), Eliza 
(wife of Samuel Morrow). Sarah E. (Mrs. 
Edward Chandler) and our subject, who was 
born on the homestead in Hampton town- 
ship, Oct. 8. 1849, and remained on the farm 
until 1886, when he engaged in general mer- 
cantile business at Dehaven Station. In 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



-37 



1877 he married Mary, daughter of J. B. and 
Marj' (Couchroun) SlcMorland. of McKees- 
port. They have six children living: Emma 
Gertrude, Anna Margaret, David Allen, 
Mary Gilmore, Charles Melvin and Harry 
McKee (twins). Our suhject has held the 
office of school director of the township, 
and he and family are members of the U. P. 
Church of Pine Creek. 

Seward Oliver, D. D. 8., Duquesne, 
was born April 12, 1848, on the Oliver home 
stead, and was educated in this county and 
at the State Normal school. He studied den 
tistry with Dr. J. S. King, of Pittslmrgh 
and graduated in March. 1887, at Indianapo 
lis, Ind. He resides iu Duquesne, where he 
has an office and keeps a drugstore. Dr, 
Oliver married, Nov. 23, 1885, Alice M., 
daughter of Archibald Robinson, and they 
have one child, Laura Bell. Dr. Oliver is a 
republican. 

William T. Shannon, dry-goods mer- 
chant, Sewickley, is a son of Robert and Essie 
Shannon, born in County Down, Ireland. 
The family is a very old one in Ireland, hav- 
ing come from Scotland at the time of the 
Normans. William T. was educated in his 
native home, came to America in 1843, at the 
age of sixteen years, clerked in New Castle, 
Pa., till 1847, and then located in Pittsburgh. 
He clerked forThomas White & Brothers, was 
next with Charles Arbuthnot for thirty-five 
years, five years as clerk and thirty years as 
partner, engaged in wholesale notions and 
dry goods. In 1883, after a successful career, 
they dissolved partnership, and his son 
Robert was taken into the business, the firm 
being now W. T. Shannon & Son. Mr. 
Shannon resided in Pittsburgh till 1873, when 
he removed to Edgeworth, where he now re- 
sides. He has all his life been a sober, 
earnest, industrious man. 

Dr. S. F. Shannon. Another son of 
Mr. Shannon is Dr. S. F. Shannon, who read 
medicine with Dr. Burger, of Pittsburgh, 
and graduated at the Hahnemann Medical 
College, in Philadelphia, in the class of 1879. 
The following year he went abroad, where 
he pursued his studies in the best European 
hospitals. He is now located in Sewickley, 
where he has built up a tine practice. 

John H. Heinz, manufacturer. Sharps- 
burg, the junior member of the tirm of F. & 
J. Heinz, was born at South Side, Pittsburgh, 
in 1849, the second son and third child born 
to Henry and Margaret (Smith) Heinz. His 
education was obtained at the private schools 
of Sharpsburg, and as early as eight years of 
age he helped his father in the brickyard. 
At thirteen years of age he learned the trade 
of nail-cutting, which he followed until 
twenty-two years of age, when he returned to 
the brickyard and assisted his father in 
that work. He continued thus until 1874, 
when he turned his attention to the preserv- 
ing of pickles and the vinegar business, and 
is now superintendent of the packing and 
manufacturing department. In February, 
1876, upon the reorganization of this estab- 



lishment, Mr. Heinz became one of the tirm, 
which still exists. In 18G8 he married Maria 
C daughter of Robert James, of Canada. 
They have six children: Harry W., I. T., 
Eddie, Clara May. John R. and Henrietta 
Ada. From his tirst association with this 
business Mr. Heinz has devoted all his at- 
tention to it. He and family are members of 
the U. P. Church, and politically he is a 
republican. 

Jambs Simpson, foreman of the butt-weld 
department National Tube-works, McKees- 
port, was born in Manchester, England, June 
9, 1841, a son of James and Catherine (Pendle- 
berry) Simpson. He was reared and educated 
in his native city, and served an apprentice- 
ship of seven years at the machinist's trade. 
Coming to America in 1869, he settled in Mc- 
Keesport, where he was foreman in the 
McKeesport locomotive- and car-works five 
years. In 1874 he engaged with the National 
Tube-works company as a machinist, and 
since 1880 has held his pre.sent position. In 
1862 he married Abigail, daughter of John 
and Ann (Riley) Hill, of Manchester. En- 
gland, and by her has eight children: Polly, 
James A., Thomas, Annie, Florence. Henry 
I., Charles and Diana E. A. Mr. Simpsou is a 
representative citizen of the borough, a mem- 
ber of the F. & A. M., and a republican. 

John McClaren, pattern-maker, Pitts- 
burgh, son of Peter and Mary (McVain) 
McClaren, was born in Scotland, where he 
was educated and learned his trade, that of 
pattern-maker. He immigrated to America 
in 1879, arriving in Pittsburgh, Pa., in May 
of that year. Here he followed his trade 
until 1888, when he opened a pattern-shop on 
his own account on Third avenue. Mr. Mc- 
Claren was married, in or about 1876, to Eliza- 
beth Nelson, a native of Scotland, and three 
children have been born to them: Bella, May 
and Jessie. Mr. and Mrs. McClaren are mem- 
bers of the Emsworth U. P. Church, and he 
is a F. & A. M. 

Andrew Wtse, tailor, Wilkinsburg, son 
of Robert and Margaret (Hardie) Wyse, was 
born at Markinch, Fifeshire, Scotland, June 
19, 1850. His father was a mine boss, and 
died there in 1883; the widow still resides 
there. Of their ten children, one-half re- 
main in Scotland and the others are in 
America, all married and settled. Andrew, 
who is the seventh, was reared in a village, 
attended a pay-school till thirteen years old, 
when he was apprenticed to a tailor. He 
served four and one-half years, and always 
followed the trade. In 1870 he came to 
Pittsburgh, and was employed in some of 
the leading shops there. In 1882 he took up 
his residence at Wilkinsburg, and built his 
house two years later. March 1, 1887, he 
opened a tailor-shop here, and has built up a 
very successful business, employing six 
hands. He is an active supporter of the 
Presbyterian Church, and a consistent re- 
publican; he is a member of the A. O. U. W. , 
R. A. and I. O. H. He was married, in 1879, 
to Gertrude Lacock, and they have one son. 



738 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 



born June 5, 1881. John Scott and MarKiirot 
(McLean) Lacock, parents of Mrs. AVyse, 
were early residents of Wilkinsburg, and 
were of Scotch ancestry, 

Frank Baumann, Glenfield, was born 
Feb. 6. 1853, in Endigen, Baden, Germany, 
son of Frank and Apolonia (Benitz) Bau- 
mann. former of wliom was at one time a 
merchant, and now lives retired in Freiburg, 
Germany. Frank Baumann. the subject of 
this sketch, w.is educated in his native home, 
and there learned the brewer's trade. After 
having traveled considerably in Europe, he 
came to America in 1874, and followed his 
trade in Pittsburgh for a couple of years, then 
engaged in the hotel business, and subse- 
quently turned his attention to fruit-growing. 
He now owns a farm of thirty acres, and has 
been very successful. Mr. Baumann married 
Augusta Schuahmann. a native of Prussia, 
and they have one daughter. Emma, and 
one adopted daughter. Lizzie Baumann. In 
politics Mr. Baumann is an independent. 

C. G. L. Peffer. merchant, postofflce 
Creighlon. was born in Butler countj'. Pa., 
in 183"2. He received his education in the 
schools of that count}' when educational ad- 
vanta.ges were not so good as thej' are now, 
but fitted himself for business. He has been 
a mercliant for thirty-six j'ears. and located 
in Creighton in 1883. as a dealer in general 
merchandise. Nov. 23, 1873, he married Jen- 
nie Creighton, a cousin of James Creighton, 
formerly superintendent of the W. P. R. R.. 
in whose honor Creighton was named, Mr. 
and Mrs. Pefler have four children: Harry 
C George W.. Lulu C. and Gracie. 

Samuel King McElhent, farmer. Dorsey- 
ville, was born in this county in 1846. son of 
Cortlaud King and Mary (Patton) McElheny. 
who were born in Washington county in 1816, 
and in this county in 1817. respectively. His 
father learned the trade of cabinet-maker in 
Pittsburgh, and afterward rented a fartn in 
Indiana township (near Hampton), then 
bought the farm where Samuel now lives. 
He was a member of Pine Creek Presby- 
terian Church, and an elder in the church at 
Bakerstown at the time of his death, which 
occurred in September, 1884. His widow 
died in January, 1888. His maternal grand- 
father was one of the earliest settlers in Indi- 
ana township, and his grandfather was in the 
war of 1813. Both of his great-grandfathers 
were in the revolutionary war. Samuel was 
educated in the common schools of this town- 
ship, and at the age of seventeen he enlisted 
in Co, D, 77th regiment, P. V. I., 4th corps. 
Army of the Cumberland. They were sent 
to the front, and reached Nashville just after 
the battle; then were sent to Alabama, New 
Orleans and Texas, but had no engagements, 
and were discharged in November, 1865. He 
succeeded his father after the death of the 
latter, and continued to cultivate the home 
farm. He was married in April, 1884. to 
Sarah J. Brown, a native of Ireland, who 
came to this country with her parents when 
she was a baby, and settled in Moon town- 



ship, where she resided until 1865. Three 
children, two of whom are deceased, were 
born to Mr. and Mrs, McElheny; Marj' Alice 
is living. Mrs. McElheny is a member of the 
East Union M. P. Church. Mr. McElheny is 
a republican, member of the G. A. R,, Post 
No, 38, and has been assessor and register of 
the township. He has eighty-four acres of 
land, with tine buildings. 

James Kennedy, manufacturer, Taren- 
tum, son of John and Sarah M, (Woods) 
Kennedy, was born at Tarentum, in 1828, 
which has since been his home (a record of 
his family appearing on page 288). He mar- 
ried, Oct. 80, 18.51. Margaret N., daugh- 
ter of James Hare, of East Deer township, 
AUeghenj' county, her people being among 
the pioneers of that part of the country. 
Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy settled in Tarentum, 
where he followed his trade, that of a car- 
penter, until 1872, in which year he and his 
brother, John, built the planing-mill, in 
wliich business he is now engaged. Mr. and 
Mrs. Kennedy reared a family of nine chil- 
dren: Mary A., now Mrs, W. A. Tucker, of 
Tarentum; Kezia A,, who has taught for six- 
teen 3'ears in Tarentum; .John A,, superin- 
tendent of the planing-mill at Monongahela 
City; James H., at the glassworks near 
Kittanning; Sarah I., Rebecca J.; William 
G,, being educated at the university at AUe- 
ghenj' City; Thomas S,, manager of the 
planing-Miill, and Alfred C, at school in Tar- 
entum, The mother died Jan. 10, 1885, a mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church, of which Mr. Ken- 
nedy is also a member, 

Hon, Andrew Large, retired, postofflce 
Coal Valley, was born March 14, 1820, on 
the Large homestead, a son of Jonathan 
Large, who was born in 1794, and died in 
1863, in Jefferson township. Jonathan mar- 
ried Esther, a daughter of Andrew and Jane 
(Howe) Finney, and became the father of the 
following children: Jane, John, Andrew, 
Levi, Jonathan, James. Isaac and Llewellyn 
(twins). Henry and Mrs. Henrietta McCrack- 
en, Jonathan Large, Sr., was one of the 
most active men in his day in the building up 
of the Pennsylvania militia, of which be was 
brigadier-general. The subject of this sketch 
has been a farmer, carpenter, miller, soldier 
and statesman, and was captain in the 
militia. Union artillery. He yet owns 123 
acres of the Finney homestead. He is a 
strong democrat, and when, on the outbreak 
of the civil war, the Union was threatened, he 
raised Co. C, 102d P. V., and enlisted Au^. 
6, 1861. for a three-years term. He partici- 
pated in the battle of Williamsburg and other 
engagements, but after ten months' service 
was stricken with camp fever, from which 
he never fully recovered. He married 
Mary, a daughter of James and Mary (Low- 
dan) McRoberts, and bj' her had follow- 
ing children: William, Sarah. May and Eliz- 
abeth. Mrs. Large died Jan. 14. 1888. aged 
sixty-five years, a membar of the U. P. 
Church, of which Mr. Large is also a mem- 
ber. He has tilled manj' township offices. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



739 



and in 1874 was elected to the liouse of rep- I 
reseiitatives, and served on the military j 

committee. „ ■,, T^ 1 

Geokge GreenfieldGraham, M. D., as- > 
sistant physician Dixmont Hospital for In- 
sane, was born March 29, 1856, in Allegheny 
Pa son of John and Martha A. (Greenfield) 
Graham former of whom was born in Pitts- 
burgh in 1832, and now resides at Washing- 
ton Pa The mother was born in Newburgh, 
N Y and died in 1886. His grandparents, j 
John and Elizabeth Graham, were born in 
Westmoreland county, Pa., of Scotch parent- 
age and his grandfather came to Pittsburgh 
in an early day. where he began business m 
the hat trade, finally becoming president of 
the Bank of Pittsburgh: was also vice-presi- 
dent of the Dixmont hospital and the West- 
ern Pennsylvania hospital. George G. Gra- 
ham attended the Allegheny public schools 
and the Western University of Pennsylvania, 
and then studied medicine at the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, 
Md graduating in 1882. In the same year 
he became resident physician of the \\ est- 
ern Pennsylvania hospital, department of 
medicine and surgery, and in Slay, 18Sd, 
he entered the Dixmont Hospital for the 
Insane of which he is now senior assistant 
physician. He is a member of the Alle- 
ehenv County Medical society, A. O. V. 
W and F. & A. M., and Allegheny Chapter. 
He and his father are members of the Sec- 
ond Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. 

J\MEs"DicK, brick-manufacturer, Taren- 
tum" is a son of David and Letitia Dick, and 
was' born in Allegheny City, in 1821 His 
parents were natives of Ireland, and were 
married in Allegheny City, where thej' both 
died Their surviving children are Nancy 
(now Mrs. Thomas Brown, of East Liberty, 
Pa ) Marv (now Mrs. Thomas Bartley, of 
Alleiihenv) and James. Our sub.iect, when 
eighteen Vears of age, left the paternal roof 
and begai life for himself. In 1844 he mar- 
ried Miss Nancy Leslie, of West Deer 
township, and they began their married life 
in Allegheny, where he was engaged in 
the manufacture of brick. Removing sub- 
sequently to West Deer township they 
there remained fourteen years, and then 
returned to Allegheny. In 1872 they removed 
to Tarentum, his present residence and place 
of business, where he is now manufacturing 
brick Their children are Letitia. now Mrs. 
Hui^h Cargo, of Warren county. Pa.; James 
L °now in Kansas; William, in Tarentum; 
David, a tinner in Charleston, W \ a. ; Mary, 
now Mrs. Robert Caldwell, of Tarentum; 
John of Scottdale, Westmoreland county, 
Pa., and Margaret I., now Mrs. Charles Lar- 
din, of Tarentum. The motlier died m IHSfa. 
Is\AC Wall, farmer, postofhce E izabeth. 
is a son of Maxwell and Elizabeth (Jobb) 
Wall and was born Oct. 28, 1835 Walter 
Wall' the tirst of the family, was his great- 
o-randfather, and Isaac Wall was his grand- 
father The father of our subject was born 
on the farm now occupied by our subject, 



and his family consisted of six children: 
Isaac, Margaret A., Araminta, Hannah K.; 
Sarah M. and Mary E., all of whom are liv- 
ing except Sarah M. Isaac Wall was mar- 
ried Dec. 24, 1863, to Margaret, daughter of 
Robert Beam, of Baltimore, Md., and they 
have one child living— May. Mrs. Wall and 
three children are deceased. Mr. 'W all married 
for his second wife Sarah, daughter of Rev. J . 
K Cramer, of Forward township, and by 
this union they have four children: Francis 
W., Lillie, Susan P.. Theresa M. Mr. Wall 
lives upon the place where he was born. 
When a bov. while engaged in gathering 
hickory-nuts', he fell sixty-four feet, causing 
the loss of one arm. He has occupied several 
positions of trust in his township. He is a 
republican. 

Edwvbd D. Murray, farmer, postotnce 
Hites a son of Bartram and Eveline (Gal- 
braith) Murray, was born on the farm now 
owned by him. in East Deer township, Alle- 
i gheny county. Pa., in 1844. His parents, 
i natives of Lancaster county. Pa., were among 
' the first settlers of this portion of the county, 
coming to East Deer about 1830. Here his 
father purchased one thousand acres of land, 
and made his home until his death, in 1861. 
Eveline, his wife, died in 1884, leaving four 
children: Caroline, now Mrs. Dr. Jacoby, of 
Pittsburgh; Louisa, now Mrs. McGraw. of 
Tarentum; Leander, of Indiana township, 
and Edward. In 1870 Edward married Mary 
Jane, daughter of Robert Stewart, of Lin- 
coln Allegheny county, and located on the 
farni he now owns. He and his wife have 
reared five boys: Bartram, Robert, Edward, 
Harry and Marcus. _ 

John W. Lynch, engineer, Elizabeth, is 
a native of Scotland, and came to this coun- 
try with his mother when eighteen months 
old She settled in this county near Lock 
No' 3 and is still living, a resident of Eliza- 
beth borough. John W. Lynch commenced 
work on the river boats when about hfteen 
years old; at twenty-one was licensed by the 
government as an engineer, and has since 
followed that occupation. He has been em- 
ployed by the firm uf Joseph Walton & Co. 
for fourteen years, the last eleven years of 
which he has been on the steamer Nellie 
Walton He married. Dec. 25, 1870, Mary, 
dauo-hter of David and Jane (Loan) Burns, of 
West Elizabeth, and they have two children, 
George H. and MoUie E. Mr. Lyu'^h '* 
a member of Marine Association No dU, 
Officers' Protective Association of Pitts- 
burgh, and Assembly 278, K^ of L He and 
family are members of St. Michael s Church 
of Elizabeth. 

William Thompson Dunn, contractor 
\llegheny, was born at what was then called 
Georgetown, Mercer county. Pa., in 182o. son 
of James and Maria (Thompson) Dunn, who 
were born in Crawford county. Pa., in 1800 
and 1802, respectively. His grandfather, 
Alexander Dunn, was born m Eastern I'enn- 
gylvania, and was for many years a justice 
of the peace. The maternal grandfather ot 



740 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Mr. Dunn was carried off l)y Indians while 
on a survey in Crawford county, and lield 
for ransom. Tlie father of William T. was 
a carpenter, and died in Allegheny in 1874; 
his wife died in 1865; both were members of 
the M. E. Church. William received his 
education in the public schools and at Alle- 
gheny College, Meadville, graduating in 18.53. 
He then went south in 1853, and taught 
school itr Louisiana for three years. Return- 
ing in 1856, he, in July, 1H57, began reading 
law with Judge Wilson MoCandless, and in 
1860 was admitted to the Imr at Pittsburgh, 
where he practiced till 1867. He then asso- 
ciated with the late Edward Allen, as con- 
tractors and builders of sewers, etc. April 
25, 1861, Mr. Dunn was married to Amelia 
Frances, daughter of Edward Allen (de- 
ceased); her mother resides with Mr. Dunn, 
aged eighty-two years. One child has been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunn, Amelia Maria, 
wife of Frank Moore. In 1884 Mr. Dunn 
purchased property at Emsworth, and has a 
beautiful home. He and family are members 
of the M. E. Church. 

Eben Bragdon (deceased) was born in 
1803, in the state of Maine, son of Ebenezer 
and Dorolha (Cutts) Bragdon, also natives of 
Maine. Eben received his education at the 
place of his birth; on reaching manhood he 
went to sea. and was mate on a vessel ten 
years. In 1857 he came to Neville island. 
He was married in June. 1838, to Elizabeth 
Jackman, a native of Bellevue, and daughter 
of William and Mary (Hondon) Jackman. 
Her parents were born in Ireland, and when 
they came to America located in Washing- 
ton county, but moved to Bellevue, where 
Mrs. Bragdon was born, and has always 
lived near her old home. Her father died in 
October, 1850. aged seventy-two j'ears, and 
her mother in September, 1865, aged seventy- 
two years. Mrs. Bragdon was born May ], 
1816, and is the mother of five children; 
Amelia (Mrs. John Robinson), Mary Jane 
(Mrs. James S. Hamilton), Eliza B. (Mrs. E. 
B. Houghton), William Perry, and Madison 
H., who was married Fell. 14, 1888, to Mag- 
gie Gallagher, of Pittsburgh. He lives with 
his mother and carries on the home farm. 
A part of the house they now occupy was the 
home of Gen. Neville, and a house on the 
next farm was the general's slave-quarters. 

George W. Beale, farmer, Natrona, son 
of Washington andRosanna(McCune) Beale, 
was born in Harrison township, Allegheny 
county. Pa., in 1855, on the farm he now 
owns. His grandfather, Washington Beale, 
was one of the first settlers in that portion of 
the country, and he with three other brothers 
laid out the first streets in Philadelphia. 
Washlngtob Beale located in Harrison town- 
ship, and reared a family of ten children: 
Margaret, Priscilla, Nancy, Alexander, 
Thomas, Washington, James. Sarah, Hannali 
and Mrs. Boyd. Washington, father of G. 
W., was born on the place now owned by 
Samuel Alter, in Harrison township, March 
1, 1821; he married, and reared a familj' of 



seven children: Joseph G., Jane E., the late 
Mrs. David II. Harrison; May J., now Mrs. 
W. R. Logan; James B., Margaret M.. now 
Mrs. J. R. Anderson; George W. and Sarah 
A., who died July 10, 1881. Mr. Beale died 
April 6, 1885, his wife having died Julv 10, 
1881. George W., in 1887, married Zelia E., 
daughter of Alfred Harrison, of Shadyside, 
and located on the farm he now owns, where 
he is engaged in farming and dealing in 
stock, his father having lieen the first im- 
porter of heavy draft-horses in this country. 
Mr. and Mrs. Beale have one child, Mattie E. 
Beale, and are members of the Presbyterian 
Church of Freeport. 

William T. Armstrong, hotel-keeper. 
McKee's Rocks, was born in the north of 
Ireland, in 1840, and is of Scotch-Irish 
descent. He came to this country in 1860, 
but his parents remained in Ireland, where 
his father still resides, aged seventy six years, 
and where his mother died in 1887, at the age 
of seventy-four years. They had eleven chil- 
dren. The living are Andrew. Mary A., 
Elizabeth, Jane, Catharine (the only o'ne in 
this county except William T.) and Sarah. 
Andrew, Mary A. and Elizabeth are in Aus- 
tralia. Mr. Armstrong spent his first three 
years in this country in the state of New 
York, working on a farm, though he was a 
miller by trade; he then came to Pittsburgh, 
and was emjiloyed in the glassworks until 
his health failed. He possessed a good deal 
of inventive genius, and was the patentee of 
some verj' valuable devices for the construc- 
tion of glass-furnaces. He still has an in- 
terest in the glass business. In consequence 
of failing health, in 1883 he came to McKee's 
Rocks and engaged in the restaurant and 
saloon business, which lie is still prosecuting. 
In December, 1886, while out hunting, he 
was accidentally wounded in the arm, which 
had to be amputated just below the elbow. 
He was married, in 1871, to Sarah, daughter 
of William and Elizabeth Crozier, of Alle- 
gheny, and their children are Annie E., John 
(deceased), Andrew, Sarah, William J. and 
Robert. Mr. Armstrong is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity and the I. O. O. F. Mr. 
Armstrong owns a good hotel property at 
McKee's Rocks, and is keeping hotel there. 

F. Heinz, manufacturer, Sharpsburg, was 
born in 1842, in Baiern, Germany, the son of 
Fred and Rosa (Schrader) Heinz, the former a 
farmer and wine-grower of that country. In 
1869 he came to America, and for some j'ears 
was emplo3-ed at gardening. After that he 
entered the employ of Heinz, Noble & Co., 
and iu 1876 became a member of the firm of 
F. & J. Heinz. Mr. Heinz married, in 1878, 
Rebecca Seekawp, three children being the 
result of the union: Charles, Maggie and 
Bertha. Mr. Heinz also superintends the 
work on the farm near Sharpsburg. He and 
family are members of the G. L. Church. 
Politically he is a republican. 

Joseph C. Johnston, farmer, Natrona, 
was born in Harmar township. Allegheny 
county. Pa., in 1857, son of George and 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



741 



Sarah (McKee) .lohnston, the former ot 
whom was a native of Ireland, came to 
America in 1842. and located in Canada; in 
1844 George removed to Pittsburgh, where 
he married, in 1849. Sarah, daughter of 
James and Mary (Wise) McKee, of Etna, 
where they located. In 1853 George John- 
ston went to California, where he was suc- 
cessfullj' engaged in mining for a period of 
four years, when he returned and purchased 
the farm, a portion of which is now owned 
by J. C, and where lie died in 1887. Follow- 
ing are the names of Mr. Johnston's chil- 
dren: Lizzie, now Mrs. Dr. Young, of Kan- 
sas; J. C, George R. and Emma, now Mrs. 
Samuel Hookey. 

Henry Cowan, retired, postoffice Put- 
nam, was born in Collier township, in 1823, 
a son of Hugh (a farmer) and Jane (Mc- 
Michael) Cowan, to whom were born nine 
children, six yet living. The grandfather, 
Henry, came from Ireland; he was a farmer, 
and purchased one hundred acres of land on 
Miller's run, where he died. Hugh, who 
was also a farmer, died in 1868, aged seventy- 
two years. Henry, the subject of this memoir, 
named after his grandfather, was reared on 
a farm. He married, in 1849. Hannah, 
■daughter of George Cubbage. Mrs. Cowan 
died in 1880, the mother of two children, 
Harry and Emma. Mr. Cowan retired from 
active farm-work in 1885. He is a member 
of the U. P. Church, and is a democrat. 

Georg Altmeyer. proprietor of restau- 
rant and saloon, McKeesport, was born in 
Mifflin township, Allegheny county, Jan. 4. 
1858, a son of Georg and Barbara (Seward) 
Altmeyer. His father was a native of Ger- 
many, and came to this countrj^ in 1833, 
locating in Mifflin township. He was a 
carpenter, and for a number of years was in 
business as a coal-operator; he died in 1867. 
His children were Peter. Mary (Mrs. Peter 
Flaus), Barbara (Mrs. Peter Steiner), Kate 
(Mrs. Joseph Nagle), Annie (Mrs. Jacob 
Switzer), Maggie (Mrs. William Stone), 
Oeorg and Lizzie (Mrs. Peter Dewar). The 
maternal grandfather of our subject was 
John Seward, a native of France, and a 
pioneer of Mifflin township, where he was 
engaged in the coal business for many years. 
The subject of this memoir was reared in 
Mifflin township, where he received a com- 
mon-school education. In 1879 he engaged 
in the liquor business in Mifflin, in which he 
continued until December, 1887. From 1883 
to 1888 he had an interest in his present es- 
tablishment in McKeesport, and became sole 
proprietor May 1, 1888. His restaurant is 
very popular, receiving a large patronage. 
Since 1885 Mr. Altmeyer has been in busi- 
ness as a coal-operator, and owns an interest 
in a mine at Webster, Pa. He married, in 
1881, Isabella, daughter of Walter and Sarah 
Sutton, of Mifflin township, and has three 
children; Millie, Walter and Peter. 

F. H. Callahan, merchant, postoffice 
Bennett, was born July 12, 1845, in The 
Grove, Chester county. Pa., a son of Patrick 



and Margaret Callahan, natives of Ireland, 
who reared a family of six children. F. H. 
Callahan was educated in bis native county, 
and at the age of sixteen entered the rolling- 
mills at the PhcBnix Iron-works, in Chester 
county. In 1861 he removed to this county, 
and worked in the rolling-mills until 1882, 
when he engaged in the grocery business, 
which he has conducted successfully up to 
the present time. Mr. Callahan was married 
to Mary J. Cunning, and they are the par- 
ents of ten children, eight daughters and 
two sons. Mr. Callahan is not identified with 
any parly, and belongs to no society. 

Philip Bohlander, proprietor of meat- 
market, Elizabeth, was born in Germany in 
1832; came to America in 18.52, and settled at 
McKeesport, in this count}-, where he was 
engaged in the butchering business for about 
twelve years. He then moved to Elizabeth 
borough and established his present market, 
where he enjoys the largest business of the 
kind here. In 1854 he married Catherine 
Miller, a native of Germany, who died in 
1872, leaving three children: Leonard, John 
and George, all of Elizabeth borough. He 
was then married, in 1874, to Susan Messer- 
smith, also a native of Germany, and they 
have three children: Christian, Alexander 
and Catherine. Mr. Bohlander is a member 
of the K. of P. and Old Monougahela Lodge. 
No. 211, 1. O. O. F. He and family are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 

Ernest Frederick, farmer, postoffice 
Glenshaw, was born Aug. 1, 1840, in Kurhes- 
sen, Germany. At the age of two j'cars he 
came to America with his mother and step- 
father, and has since lived in Shaler town- 
ship. He worked eight years for .lohn Her- 
ron; subsequently he enlisted for three years 
in Co. E, 63d P. V. I. He returned after one 
year's service, and has since then been a 
farmer. He married Emma, daughter of 
Thomas Douglas, an old settler of Lawrence- 
ville: she was born in this county, and is the 
mother of eight children: Marj', Maggie, 
Hattie, Sadie, Frank, Florence, Thomas and 
James. Politically Mr. Frederick is a repub- 
lican. 

William Grabner, farmer, postoffice 
Negley, was' born in the Kingdom of Han- 
over, Germany, in 1819, a son of Charles 
Godfrey and Caroline (Rachel) Grabner, both 
deceased. His father was a surgeon, and 
served under the Prussian government, at the 
time of Napoleon's invasion, at the battles of 
Austerlitz, Leipsic and Waterloo. He re- 
ceived two balls in the left leg. a saber-wound 
in the right thigh and a scalp-wound. After 
the close of the war he held a position under 
the government. William's maternal grand- 
father. George Otto (Rachel), was a German 
schoolteacher and organist of a church for 
fifty years. Our subject had the good fort- 
une to be highly educated in his native coun- 
try, studying German, Latin and French at 
the Osnabi'uck Seminary, from which he 
graduated in 1834. He then worked four 
years in a chemical laboratory, where he 



742 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CO0NTY. 



became a skilled driifigist. but, his health 
failing, he was obliged to cross the ocean, 
and arrived in Baltimore in 1842. There he i 
engaged with Judge George Smith, judge of 
the orphans' court, and for two years labored 
on his plantation in Frederick county, Md., 
and for the next Ave years he was foreman ' 
or manager. He also acted as private tutor 
to the judge's son. In 1849. seeing the evils 
of slavery, he left Maryland, and, coming to 
East Liberty, worked four years for Robert 
Bailey, whose daughter Hannah he married. 
Mrs. Grabner was born in Belfast, Ireland, 
and died in September, 1884. Mrs. Minnie 
Winkler, a niece of Mr. Grabner, and her 
two children, William and Mary, reside with 
him. In 18,59 he moved to his present farm 
in Plum township, where he has been four 
years school director and fourteen years ' 
trustee of the Unity U. P. Church. In pol- 
itics he is a republican, and having received 
a liberal education himself is ever interested 
in the good work of educating the young. 

Alexander JonNSTON, brickmanufact- 
urer, Tarentum. was born in Indiana town- 
ship, Allegheny county, Pa., in 1848. His 
parents were among the pioneers of Alle- 
gheny county. He enlisted in Co. H, 116th 
P. V. I., was wounded at Danville rail- 
road, but served until the expiration of 
his term of enlistment. Returning in 1873, ' 
he married Miss May E. Mitchell, and lo- 
cated in Pittsburgh, where they remained 
nearly a year, and in 1874 removed to Taren- 
tum, purchased the works he now owns, and 
is engaged in the manufacture of brick. 

Jacob Trautman, decorator. Homestead, 
was born Feb. 18, 1843, in Bavaria, Germany, 
the son of Adam and Margaret (Rothar) 
Trautman, natives of the above-named place. ! 
Jacob was brought to America at the age of 
two years bj- his parents, who settled in Co- 
lumbus, Ohio, where they died. He was there 
educated; also learned the decorative trade, 
and followed it for several years. Julv22,1861, 
he enlisted in Co. D. 2d battalion, 18th U. S. 
I., Army of the Cumberland, and served until 
July 22, 1804. He participated in the battles 
of Stone river, Chickamauga, Pea Ridge and 
Peach Tree creek, and while carrying mes- 
sages to headquarters he had two horses shot 
under him and his clothes perforated. In the 
fall of 1880 he removed to Homestead, where 
he has followed his trade successfully, and 
has taken an active part in building up the 
place. He was one of the charter members : 
of the I. O. O. F., and also of the Loan and ' 
Building association, of which he has been a 
director since its organization. He also as- 
sisted in organizing the First Kational Bank 
of Homestead, of which he is a director. He 
is a member of the commercial and school , 
boards, and of the I. O. H. and R. A., and is j 
a republican. 

William Smeaton, farmer, postoffice 
Harmarville, was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, 
in 1821, a son of Edward and Ann (Brown) 
Smeaton, who came to America in 1840. His 
father was a carpenter and a member of the 



Presbyterian Church. Mr. Smeaton received 
his schooling in Scotland, and, on coming to 
America, slopped in Bedford county. Pa., 
about seven years, and learned the miller's 
trade. In 18.52 he went to California and dug 
gold for five years. He tlien returned to 
Harmarville. and located on his present farm. 
He nuirried, in 180."), Mary Jane Wilson, of 
Pittsburgh. Five children have blessed this 
union: Anna Brown. Jessie pjllis, Mary, 
James Alexander, William Graham, all at 
home. The family belong to the U. P. 
Church. Mr. Smeaton is a republican, and 
was school director three terms, also assessor. 
Mrs. Smeaton's parents were William and 
Mary (Alexander) Wilson, natives of Scot- 
land. Mr. Smeaton has a fine fruit-farm on 
the highest bluff overlooking Verona borough 
and the Allegheny river, making a beautiful 
sight. In his travels in the gold regions of 
California he has ascended many high and 
rugged peaks, and the high, commanding 
site of his home suits his tastes. 

John Addison Courtney, coal-dealer, 
Pittsburgh. In the year 1803 William Court- 
ney came from Chester county. Pa., and 
settled on a farm at Emsworth, Kilbuck 
township, this county, which was then in a 
state of nature. He was born in 1777. and 
lived to be seventy-seven years of age. and 
was one of the foremost and earliest settlers 
of his township. He belonged to the old 
whig and republican parties, and was the first 
postmaster of Kilbuck. He held a commis- 
sion from John Quincy Adams for the im- 
provement of the Ohio river, and was turned 
out of office bj- Andrew Jackson. He served 
in the Pennsylvania legislature in 1816-17, 
and was elected colonel of a regiment from 
Allegheny county. He was an elder in the 
Presbyterian Church for many j'ears. Mr. 
Courtney was twice married, becoming the 
father of eighteen children. His first wife 
was Anna Dickson, by whom he had sis 
children; his second wife was Margaret 
Scott, daughter of one of the oldest settlers 
of Ross township, this county. Nearly all 
his children are living, three of the sons, 
Samuel, James Milton and John Addison, 
now residing at Emsworth. The last named, 
the subject of this sketch, was born April 1, 
1837, and is well and favorabh' known in 
Pittsburgh as a coal-merchant, which busi- 
ness he has carried on nearly all his life, 
although he was for a short time in the iron 
trade. 

Stephen Wall and Milo Wall, farmers, 
postoffice Sunny Side, sons of Gideon and 
Rebecca (Applegate) Wall. were born, respect- 
ively, about 1845 and 1847, Stephen on the 
place now occupied by Brisbiu Wall's heirs, 
and Milo on the place which is now their resi- 
dence. They are descendants of Walter and 
Elsa (Applegate) Wall, who settled in Alle- 
gheny county, from New Jersey. The 
parents of the subjects of these lines had six 
children: Sparks, who entered the Union 
arm}', served three years, and contracted a 
disease which resulted in his death; Theo- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



743 



■dore and Sarah (deceased); Lucinda. who 
now resides in Missouri; Stephen, and Milo, 
who was married, Dec. 15, 1869, to Miss 
Agues, daughter of John Howison, who 
emigrated from Scotland in 1849; they have 
three children; Dora May, Katie and Porter 
Morrison. 

John G. Smith, farmer, postofflce Sharps- 
burg, was born in Ohio township, Allegheny 
county, Pa., in 1838. John Smith, his father, 
came from County Tyrone, Ireland, about 
1814, and located first in New York state, 
where he remained one year, moving thence 
to Ohio township, Allegheny county. Pa., 
where he purchased a farm. In 1833 he 
came to Indiana township, Alleghenj' county 
(now O'Hara township), and bought eighty- 
six acres of land, all of which is now owned 
by our subject. He was a farmer, and mar- 
ried Fannie Caldwell, who bore him seven 
chUdren. two living. John died, aged nine- 
ty-three years, and his wife, aged seventy- 
nine years. Our subject was reared and edu- 
cated in Indiana township, and has followed 
farming and gardening. In 1856 he married 
Rebecca J. Ramage, daughter of Benjamin 
Ramage, of Allegheny county. Three chil- 
dren have blessed this union; William John, 
Frank and Harry J. Mr. Smith has resided 
on his present farm for the last five j'ears. 
He and family are members of the M. E. 
Church. Politically he is a republican. 

John C. Reed, foundryman, postoflice 
Bennett, was born Feb. 19, 1847, in County 
Derry, Ireland, son of John and Mary (Mor- 
rison) Reed, former of whom came to Pitts- 
burgh in 1847, his wife following in 1849 
with five children, viz.; William M., Robert, 
Mary A., James (since deceased) and John 
C. Two other children were born to them 
here, Joseph and James F. John Reed lived 
in Pittsburgh until his death, in 1859; the 
mother is still living, aged seventy-nine 
years. The subject of this memoir was 
reared in Pittsburgh, had two years' school- 
ing, and at the age of seven years went to 
work in the old rolling-mill at Girty's Run; 
when he was twelve years old his father died, 
and he became the main support of the fam- 
ily. In 1857 he removed to Pittsburgh, 
where he resided until 1869. when he engaged 
'in the lime business one year at Beaver Falls, 
Pa. Returning to Pittsburgh, he worked a 
brief season in the stove-foundry, subse- 
quently traveling for a business firm. He 
was the first one who successfully introduced 
a non-conductor of heat west of the mount- 
ains; his patent, known as "Reed's elastic 
sectional non-conducting covering for heated 
surfaces." has entirely superseded other 
styles of coverings. He was married, in 
1869, to Mary E., daugliter of John Curtz, 
whose father, John Curtz, Sr. , was one of 
the original Iron-men of Pittsburgh. Mr. 
and Mrs. Reed are the parents of six children, 
viz.: Mary M., John C. William F., Lillie 
M., Henry M. and Martha E. Mr. Reed 
engaged in business for himself in 1883, in 
Millvale, where he erected a foundry. In 



1886 a limited partnership was formed, com- 
posed of J. C. Reed, A. Krauscope, E. W. 
Demmler and F. E. Schenk. They manu- 
facture the Vesta ranges; also make their 
own patterns, being the first to break record 
by making all at home; the}' employ thirty- 
five men. Mr. Reed is a prohibitionist; has 
been in the city council two years, and one 
term on the school board. 

Hbnrt T. Healet, brick-manufacturer, 
Homestead, was born May 31, 1847, in Ox- 
fordshire, England, the only son of James 
and Susan (Johnson) Healey , former of whom 
now resides with him. Mr. Healey was a 
carpenter by trade in England, immigrated 
to America in 1873, and was the first one to 
settle in Homestead after it was laid out in 
lots. In the great strike at the steelmills he 
received injuries which prevented him from 
following his trade, and since 1877 he has 
been successfully engaged in the manufact- 
ure of bricks. His first wife, Jane Milk (de- 
ceased), was the mother of five children; Al- 
bert, 'William, Henry T.. John A. and Jessie. 
By his present wife, nee Maggie Freeburn, he 
has four children; James, Edward. Susan and 
Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Healey are members of 
the Episcopal Church, and be is a republican. 

Thomas J. Murphy, dealer, Sharpsburg, 
was born in Ireland in 1846, the second of 
four children born to Thomas Murphy. In 
1848 the family immigrated to Allegheny 
county. Pa. Thomas M. was educated at the 
public schools of Sharpsburg, and at an early 
age commenced work in an iron-mill in the 
town, at which he continued for some years. 
He married, in 1874, Catherine McNamara, 
daughter of Andrew, and their union has 
been blessed with eight children, five living. 
Mr. Murphy has been engaged in various 
business enterprises in the town, and was 
elected to the town council in 1885. He is a 
member of the Catholic Church, and politic- 
ally a democrat. 

John L. Hess, boss roller. Homestead, 
was born June 8, 1859, In Cambria county. 
Pa., a sou of John H. Hess, a native of the 
above-named place, who died in Altoona, Pa. 
John L. was educated in his native county 
and Pittsburgh Academy, and learned the 
blacksmith's trade in Oil City. In April, 
18'79, he came to Braddock, and was employed 
in the Edgar Thomson Steel-works, where he 
worked his way up to the position of extra 
roller. In March, 1885, he was appointed to 
the Homestead Steel-works, where he was a 
roller in the new beam-mill, and is now the 
boss roller. He married, Sept. 30, 1885, Olive 
A. Bryant, of Braddock. Mr. and Mrs. Hess 
are members of the M. E. Church; he is a 
member of the C. L. S. C, and is arepublican. 

Michael Metzgak, brewer, Etna, was 
born Feb. 3, 1817, in Schornweisen, Bavaria, 
German J^ a son of George and Elizabeth 
(Keil) Metzgar. The former was alarge land- 
owner in Germany. " Waldmershof " being 
the name of his estate. Michael learned the 
brewer's trade in his native home, and trav- 
eled considerably for his employer. He came 



744 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



to Amerira in 185:?, aud in Temperanceville 
followed his trade. lu 1867 he came to Etna, 
■where lie built a brewery, and has since con- 
ducted it. He married here Miss Margaretha 
Scuuster, a native of Germany, and they have 
four children, viz.: John, George, Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Klaus and Caroline. 

D. H. SiKBERT, merchant, postofflce Ben- 
nett, was born Nov. 22, 1858, in Pittsburgh, 
Pa., a son of William and Margaretta Siebert, 
former of whom was a native of Germany, 
came to America in 1836, aud followed the 
shoemalier's trade in Pittsburgh till 18G8,when 
he removed to Millvale, where he followed 
his trade, and engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness. He was twice married; his first wife, 
Catliarine Miller (deceased), was the mother 
of Mrs. Anna Credel and Martha Siebert. 
His present wife. Margaretta, is the mother 
of David H., Hannah, Emma, Sarah and 
Clara. David H. was reared on a farm, and 
received a public-school education. At an 
early age he began a mercantile career, in 
which he has been very successful, and is 
now conducting a grocery and feed business 
in Millvale. He married Alice Kimberly, aud 
they have one child— Paul William. Mr. 
Siebert is a member of the K. of P. and the 
American Mechanics; politically he is a re- 
publican. 

Henry Stein, proprietor of Stein's hotel, 
Sharpsburg, is a native of Prussia, Germany, 
born in 1841, a son of Jacob Stein, a farmer 
in that country. Henry is the youngest of 
his parents' seven children, and at nine years 
of age became an orphan. In 1854 he came 
to America, soon after located in Sharps- 
burg, and for six years was engaged in the 
grocery business, and later for sixteen years 
was employed in the iron-mills of that town. 
In May, 1874, he commenced his present 
business, which he has since followed. His 
hotel is a three-story brick, erected in 1885 
for the local trade. 

G. W. Goodwin, druggist, postofflce Ben- 
nett, was born June 13, 1843, in Pittsburgh, 
Pa., son of Samuel and Mary (McGeary) 
Goodwin, former of whom was a native of 
Lancashire, England, came to America when 
a young man, and settled in Pittsburgh; he 
was a baker by trade, but here he engaged in 
making pots for melting glass in furnaces. 
He died in 1854; his wife died young, leaving 
two children: Mrs. Emma Morrison, of Indi- 
ana county. Pa., and G. W. Goodwin, our 
subject, who was reared in Pittsburgh, and 
at the age of ten years entered a drugstore. 
At the age of seventeen years he enlisted in 
the 103d Regt. P. V. I., Co. M; participated 
in all the engagements of the Army of the 
Potomac, and was with Gen. Sheridan in 
the Shenandoah vallcv- He was discharged 
Nov. 1, 1864, and subsequently returned to 
the drug business. In November, 1873, he 
came to Millvale, where he opened a drug- 
store for himself. The following January he 
was elected postmaster, which office he held 
until September, 1885. Mr. Goodwin was 
married to Anna E. Woods, of Pittsburgh, 



and they are the parents of five children, 
viz.: Samuel, Emma M., John W., Thomas 
M. and Mary J. Politically Mr. Goodwin is 
a republican, and is a member of the A. O. 
U. W. and G. A. R. 

William TnoMTSON. farmer, postofflce 
Bennett, was born Jan. 17, 1817. on the old 
homestead. His father, John Thompson, a 
native of Ireland, came to America at the age 
of thirty, with his brother James. He mar- 
rie<l Ellen Davis, who was of Welsh descent, 
aud to them were born sixteen children, of 
whom fourteen attained maturity, viz.: 
Nancy, James, Elizabeth, Thomas, Mary, 
John, William, Davis, Robert, Isabella, 
Samuel, Sarah, Ellen. Benjamin. John 
Thompson enlisted to go to the war of 1812, 
but was not accepted on account of his age. 
He bought land in Ross township, now 
Shaler, upon which his children are living. 
He was an earnest and active member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and died on the home- 
stead, at the age of eighty-five years. Politic- 
ally he was a d«mocrat. Our subject, Will- 
iam Thompson, married Mary, daughter of 
Archie Hazlet. She died Aug. 7, 1881, the 
mother of six children: Mrs. Isabella Haney, 

[ Rebecca J., Elizabeth, Emma, William and 
John. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members 

j of the Presbyterian Church, of which he 

I has been an elder for forty years. Politically 
he is a democrat. 

W. H. Kern, homeopathic physician, 
McKeesport, was born in Johnstown, Pa., 
June 8, 1839, a son of George W. and Martha 
(Wakefield) Kern. George W., a native of 
Little York, Pa., was a merchant of standing, 
and began his mercantile career at Greens- 

I burg. Pa.; removed to Johnstown in 1839; 
for a number of j-ears kept a drugstore, and 
later a general store. He was the first post- 

' master of Johnstown, and also the first 
justice of the peace. He had considerable 
reputation as an engineer, and surveyed the 

1 line for the Somerset plank-road, a distance 

I of eighteen miles, between Johnstown and 
Stoystown. He was one of the original 
stockholders and projectors of the lu'idge 
between Johnstown and Kernville, which 
latter place was named for him, he having 
surveyed and laid out the town. 

W. H. Kern was educated at Johnstown 
Academy and Elder's Ridge Academy, In- 
diana county, and in 1857 began the study of 
medicine with Dr. Samuel Kern, of Wilmore, 
Cambria county. The war, however, inter- 
rupted his studies, aud Aug. 3, 1861, he 
enlisted in Co. H, 13th P. R., and served as 
second lieutenant three years. In April, 
1864, he enlisted as a veteran in the same 
company, served as first lieutenant, and in 
June, 1864, was appointed captain by brevet. 
He was honorably discharged from the serv- 
ice June 29, 1865. In 1870 he resumed the 
study of medicine at St. James, Mo., entered 
Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, 
from which he graduated in 1873. He located 
in McKeesport in 1871, and has had a large 
and extensive practice. He is the oldest 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



745 



established homeopathic physician in the 
city; is a member of the Homeopathic 
Medical Society of Allegheny county. Med- 
ical Society ol the State of Pennsylvania. 
Medical Society of America, Institute of 
Homeopathy and International Homeo- 
pathic Medical Society. In 1877 Dr. Kern 
took a special course of lectures on diseases 
of women at the private school of Prof. 
Reuben Ludlam. M. D., Chicago, 111. He is 
a Freemason and a republican. 

Adam Mangold, farmer, Etna, was born 
June 16, 1838, in Etna, Pa. His father, John 
J. Mangold, a native of Canton Basel, Switzer- 
land, emigrated to America when a young 
man, and settled in East Liberty, Alleghenj' 
county. In the course of two years he re- 
moved to Allegheny, and gardened where the 
cotton-factory now stands. In 1831 he came 
to Etna and pursued gardening until his 
death, which occurred Feb. 23, 1875. His 
widow, who still survives, resides with their 
son, Adam. They had six children, viz.; 
Adam, Henry, John F., Fannie, Rosa and 
Margaret. Mr. Mangold held various offices 
in the German Evangelical Church, of which 
his wife and family are members. He was 
a republican, as are also his sons. Adam and 
Henry were soldiers in the civil war. Adam 
enlisted in Co. C, oth H. A., and participated 
in many prominent engagements. Henry 
was wounded at Cold Harbor. 

J. G. Wbrtz. butcher, postoffice Sharps- 
burg, was born in that town in 1855, a son of 
Gottlieb Wertz, who came to Allegheny 
county from New Orleans, and from 1850 to 
1874 was engaged in the general meat busi- 
ness. He married a Mrs. Proyer, who bore 
him four children, J. G. being among the old- 
est. The latter was educated at the public 
schools of Sharpsburg, and early in life 
assisted his father in the meatshop, and 
assumed full control of tlie business in 1874, 
the date of his father's retirement. Our sub- 
ject's market is at 816 Main street, where he 
has a successful business. He is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity and A. O. U. W. 
Politically he is a strong republican. 

Alice Wall, postoffice Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of James and Naomi (Wall) Wall, was 
born April 15, 1808. Her father was a na- 
tive of Philadelphia, Pa., and came to For- 
ward township with his parents when about 
five years old. They had a family of ten 
children; Steven. Walter, Gard. Franklin, 
Wayne, James, Jessie, Catherine, Alice and 
Hannah, who are all deceased. Our subject 
was reared on the homestead, where she now 
resides, and was educated at the public 
schools of the county. She is engaged in 
farming, and is a member of the Baptist 
Church. 

Wiley & Lawton, marble-workers, Mc- 
Keesport, are natives of Pittsburgh. The 
latter was reared in his native city until fif- 
teen years of age, when he removed to Mc- 
Keesport, where he has since resided, and 
was the first apprentice to learn the marble- 
cutting trade in that city, Mr. Wiley was 



reared in McKeesport from four years of age, 
and was the second apprentice to serve his 
time as a marble-cutter. The present firm of 
Wiley & Lawton was established in 1884. and 
succeeded to the business of George H. Law- 
ton, who emliarked in the trade in McKees- 
port in 1869. Messrs Wilej' & Lawton thor- 
oughly understand every branch and detail 
of their business, are wide awake, enterpris- 
ing and energetic, and have built up a suc- 
cessful business that is constantly increasing, 
extending from Pittsburgh to Brownsville. 

Charles O'Donnell, proprietor of Com- 
mercial hotel, corner of Eighth and Main 
streets, Sharpsburg, is a native of Ireland. 
Since 1886 he has been proprietor of his 
present hotel, a new two-story frame build- 
ing, centrally located in the town. 

Haery H. Molony, installment merchant, 
McKeesport, was born in Woodbury, N. J., 
Sept. 3, 1866, a son of C. T. and S. A. (John- 
son) Molony. He was reared and educated 
in his native city, and located in McKees- 
port in the fall of 1887. He opened an in- 
stallment business for a Pittsburgh firm, and 
Jan. 1, 1888, purchased the business, which 
he has since successfully conducted. He 
married, June 12, 1888, Marie, daughter of 
Frederick Price, of McKeesport. Mr. Molony 
is one of the enterprising young business- 
men of the city; is a member of the Episco- 
pal Church and Jr. O. U. A. M., and is a 
democrat. 

Wendlin Kracs, ice-merchant, Etna, was 
born Sept. 22. 1835, a son of Faltin and Eva 
(Breining) Kraus. He learned the wagon- 
maker's trade in Germany, and came to 
Pittsburgh at the age of nineteen, where he 
followed his trade two years. He then opened 
a dairy in Shaler township, which he con- 
ducted successfully eight j'ears. He also 
followed various other occupations, and at 
present resides in Etna, where he is in the 
ice business, and puts up nine thousand tons 
annually, supplying Pittsburgh and other 
places. Mr. Kraus was married here to Liz- 
zie, daughter of Anton Vellsbach, and they 
have had seven children; Leopold, August, 
Katie (deceased), Wilhelm, Lena, John and 
George. Mr. and Mrs. Kraus are members of 
the Catholic Church. Politically he is a 
democrat. 

John Prinz, hotel-keeper, Sharpsburg, 
was born in McKeesport, May 7, 1851. Since 
1880 he has resided in Sharpsburg, and is 
proprietor of Horseman's Home hotel, 1326 
North Canal street. 

C. H. Stilley, M. D., postoffice Hope 
Church, was born March 13, 1847, in Thomp- 
son ville, Washington county. Pa., a grandson 
of Peter Stilley, a native of Jefferson town- 
ship. John B. Stilley, the father of C. H., 
was born in Jefferson township, this county, 
and died in 1886, at the age of seventy years. 
He had been a farmer in early life, but subse- 
quently practiced medicine eight years, and 
then became civil engineer, serving as county 
engineer for three years. He was also a 
teacher at Bethel Academy for eight years; 



746 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



was a well-known gentleman, highly cs- 
teeined. His wife was Lydia A. Morgan, 
whose father was one of "the early millers 
and millwrights on Painter's run" in this 
county. She survives her husband, and is 
the nrother of four children: Dr. Hugh M. 
(deceased), Charles H.. M. D., Horace (an 
eugineer), and Edward (a physician). The 
subject of tills memoir was educated at 
Bethel Academy, read medicine witli his 
father, and graduated at the Miami Medical 
College. Cincinnati, in 1873. He located at 
Six-Mile Ferry, where he has built up a good 
practice. Tlie doctor married Melissa M. 
Cunningham, and they have two children; 
Alexander M. and Jessie C. He is a repub- 
lican. 

WiLLi-iM Alexander Shanks, gardener, 
Coraopolis, was born in Ohio township, this 
county, Feb. 22. 182.). sou of John and Eliza 
(Ingram) Shanks. His father was born in 
Philadelphia in the year 1800. He was a 
farmer, and came to this county in 1838, liv- 
ing most of the time in Franklin township, 
where he died in December. 1888. Mr. 
Shanks' grandfather was also named John. 
William received a common-school education 
at Fairmont, and at the age of twenty-one 
began life for himself; two years later he set- 
tled on the island, where he worked for John 
Hamilton. At the age of twenty-four he 
married Jane Kerr, daughter of .John and 
Sarah Kerr, natives of Ireland. His capital 
was fifty dollars, and he rented the Craig 
farm for six years, at seven dollars per acre. 
He then bought another small farm, but at 
the breaking out of the war he sold it. In 
1865 he bought his present farm, which he 
has paid for and improved; he has two fine 
houses, and has now purchased the Rev. 
Wortman place. Mr. Shanks is the father 
of six children, viz.: Alexander. John J., 
William C. F., Harry Howard, Emma Jane, 
and Eliza Jane, who died at the age of thir- 
teen months. His wife also died in February 
of 1872. John J. was married to Harriet 
Gibson, daughter of James and Margaret 
(Walters) Gibson. Mr. Shanks is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and has been an 
elder for thirty years. Owing to his having 
no opportunitv to receive an education him- 
self, he has tried to liuild up good schools in 
his own township, where they now employ 
the best of teachers. He is now holding his 
seventh commission as justice of the peace. 
He and his twin brother. Samuel F. Shanks, 
were the eldest of his father's ten children. 
One of his brothers. James Dickson Shanks, 
is a minister in Philadelphia, Pa. 

J. T. BfRNKY. merchant, Tarentura, son 
of Thomas and Mary Birney. was born in 
Pittsburgh in 1858. "His pare"uts were among 
the old "families of Allegheny county, and 
his father was one of the oldest merchants of 
Pittsburgh. Their family consisted of six 
children: Annie (now wife of David Ander- 
son, a sewer-pipe manufacturer in West Vir- 
ginia), Essie. Minnie (now Mrs. Lewis Dal- 
myer. of Pittsburgh). Mary, Eva and John 



T. In Maj-, 1886, our subject removed to 
Tarentum. where he engaged in business as 
a dealer in liardware. farming implements, 
etc. In 1883 he married Eliza McQueen, of 
Gleufleld, Allegheny county. Pa., and they 
have one child, Wilford. Mr. Birnev is a 
Freemason, a member of the Dallas Lodge, 
No. .508. of Pittsburgh. 

Adam WoLPARxk, baker. Homestead, 
was born July 4, 1854, in South Germany, 
son of Andrew W. Wolfarth. He was reared 
and learned the baker's trade in his native 
home, and in 1871 came to America, working 
at his trade in Pittsburgh, New York and 
Chicago. In 1882 he sailed for Australia, 
but was not as well pleased with the country 
as he had expected, and the next year he 
sailed for Eugland, subsequently returning 
to America. He settled on the South Side, in 
Pittsburgh, where he engaged in business for 
himself. Later he removed to Homestead, 
where he is doing an extensive trade. He 
was married to Annie Keusick, and they have 
three children; Clara, Philip and Waller. 
Mr. W. is an independent voter. 

William Dickson, contractor, Sewickley, 
was born August 2. 1845, in Glasgow, Scot- 
land, sou of Robert and Elizabeth (Shoan) 
Dickson. They came to America in 18,50, 
settling in Sewickley, Pa., and reared three 
children, one son and two daughters. Rob- 
ert Dickson had been a stonemason and 
contractor in Scotland, and followed the 
same business here successfully. Originally 
a Covenanter, he is now a member of the 
Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, where he 
lives a retired life. He has been a member 

I of council, and is a democrat. His son 

j William received his education in the public 
school of Sewickley, and for a short time he 
was in business with his father, but is now 

[ doing business on his own account, princi- 
pally in contracting io stonework. 

Henry Dallmeter, tobacco-manufact- 
urer, Pittsburgh, was born in Minden. Ger- 
many, and descends from a fine old family. 
He was reared and educated in his native 
home, and there learned the trade of cigar- 
making. When a young man he immigrated 
to New York, and after spending one year 
there he came to Pittsburgh, where he soon 

j became popular as an expert cigar-maker. 
In 1852 he engaged in business for himself on 
a sm.all capital, but to-day he is the largest 
manufacturer in his line in Western Pennsyl- 
vania. He employs seventy hands, and they 
turn out 150,000 cigars per "week, all brands. 
Mr. Dallmeyer is the father of five children. 
Of these Louis is engaged in the business 
with his fatber. Mr. Dallmeyer is a director 
of the Third National Bank of Pittsburgh, 
and German Fire Insurance company, of the 
same city. He and family are members of 
the G. L. Church. Politically he is a repub- 
lican. 

Samuel Fitzsimoxs. farmer, Leet town- 
ship, is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. His 
father, David Filzsimous. was a native of 
Ireland, and in 1806. at the age of fourteen 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



747 



years, came to Pittsbuish, Pa., where he 
eventually engaged in mercantile business, 
keeping a grocery -store many years; was also 
engaged in the transportation and commission 
business, and was identified with banking 
interests. He was self-made, honored and 
esteemed. When a young man, he returned 
to his native country, where be married 
Martha Reed. Of their seven children, Will- 
iam R. became a well-known citizen in Pitts- 
burgh, where he filled the office of council- 
man. Samuel Fitzsimons was educated in 
Pittsburgh, where he was associated with 
his father and brother in business. Since 
1873 he has resided in Leet township, where 
he owns considerable property. Politically 
he was formerly a whig, but is now a repub- 
lican. 

John K. Rhodes, farmer, postofHce Mc- 
Keesport, was born May 31, 1827, in Alle- 
gheny county, Pa. His grandfather, Casper 
Rhodes, of German descent, came to this 
county, and was an industrious farmer. His 
children were Frederick and Mrs. Katie 
Webb. Frederick married Jane, a daughter 
of Alexander Snodgrass, and they had the 
following children: John K., Ann, Presley, 
Susan, Alexander and Mary J. John K. has 
been a successful farmer, and owns 154 acres 
of land. He married Margaret, daughter of 
Andrew McClure, whose father was Judge 
McClure. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes have one 
son, Sylvester E., who married Bell M.. 
daughter of John Willock, Esq.. and they 
have one son, John K. Mr. Rhodes and fam- 
ily are members of the Lebanon Church. 

Joseph Newton Watters, gardener. 
Dixmont, was born Aug. 1, 1849, in Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., son of Joseph and Harriet (Eys- 
ton) Watters. (See sketch of W. E. Watters 
for parents.) He received his education on 
the island and at Clinton. He was married, 
in 1876, to Emma P. Fleeson. daughter of 
Thomas P. and Elizabeth M. (McCuer) Flee- 
son. Her mother was a daughter of Mr. Mc- 
Cuer. of Pittsburgh, who was clerk of the 
court. Her father was a gardener, and a rul- 
ing elder in the Presbyterian Church. He 
died. July 38, 1888, aged seventy years. Mrs. 
Walters' grandfather was Reese E. Fleeson, 
and his wife was Matilda Craig, sister of 
Neville B. Craig. He was a southern banker, 
and when he came to Neville island he 
brought his slaves with him. Mrs. Watters' 
greatT-grandfather, Thomas Plunckett, was a 
Presbyterian minister in Ireland, and fled 
with his family to this country at the time of 
the religious persecution, and at that time 
changed the name to Fleeson. He was a de- 
scendant of Lord Plunckett, of Ireland. Her 
father's brother. Reese E. Fleeson, was editor 
of the Pittsburgh Dispatch. Her mother re- 
sides with T.P. Fleeson, of Hite's Station. Pa. 
Her maternal grandparents were William F. 
and Margaret (Ferguson) McCuer. of West- 
moreland county, Pa., and of Scotch descent; 
her great-grandfather was Joseph Bartlett, 
who was scalped by the Indians. Her fa- 
ther's uncle, Eugene Fleeson, was in the Mex- 



ican war and the rebellion, dying in Libby 
prison. Her great-uncle, Charles Carroll, 
was one of the signers of the Declaration of 
Independence. Her sister. Miss Kate Neville 
Fleeson, is a Presbyterian missionary to 
Siam. Five children have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Watters: Margaret Virginia. John 
Barnard, Harriet Elizabeth, Joseph Wilson 
and Carroll Stanley Crossen. Mr. Watters 
is now vegetable-inspector of Pittsburgh. He 
is a republican and a member of the I. O. O. F. 

Leander Riggs, M. D., Elizabeth, is a 
son of Joseph (deceased) and Sarah (Cooper) 
Riggs, of Snowden township, this county, 
and was born Sept. 6, 1845, in that township. 
He received his early education at the public 
schools, and graduated from the medical de- 
partment of the Western Reserve University, 
of Cleveland, in 1870. In 1871 he located in 
Elizabeth, where he began the practice of 
his profession, and is now looked upon as 
one of the leading physicians of this end of 
the county. In 1876 he married Mary L., 
daughter of Robert and Catherine (Boyd) 
Finucj', of Elizabeth. They have no children. 

John Betington, river-pilot, Leetsdale. 
was born March 31, 1835, in Columbiana coun- 
ty, Ohio, son of Henry and Margaret (Laugh- 
lin) Bevington, natives of Ohio, where their 
parents were pioneers. The subject of these 
lines was reared on a farm, but eventually he 
left home and engaged in railroad contract- 
ing. In 1853 he went on the river, and has 
followed it as pilot up to the present time. 
Mr. Bevington married Mary A. McAlbrath, a 
native of East Liverpool, Columbiana county, 
Ohio, who died Jan. 26, 1884, leaving one 
son, Harrison M., born March 11, 1867, who 
is now a trusted employe of the American 
Express company. 

Edward Clarence Kleinman, gardener, 
Coraopolis, son of Herbert and Eliza (Holt- 
hause) Kleinman, was born in South Pitts- 
burgh, Feb. 26, 1859. His father was born 
at Cologne, on the Rhine, German}', Jan. 4, 
1825, a son of John and Catharine (Hercdorf) 
Kleinman, natives of the same place, who 
died in 1837 and 1831, aged fifty-two and 
forty-six years, respectively. Edward's great- 
grandfather was at Moscow with Napoleon. 
His mother was born in Prussia, a daughter of 
John and Louisa (Forneich) Holthause. His 
father came to America in 1849, settling in 
Pittsburgh, where he followed his trade of 
coppersmith. In 18.53 he opened a store at 
Birmingham (South Side), continuing until 
1865, when he moved to his present home on 
the island, and has now retired. He has 
three gas-wells on his place, which supply 
Glenfield and Dixmont. Edward was edu- 
cated at the island schools and at McKees- 
port; in 1880 he started for himself in the 
gardening business, buying ten acres just 
below the Phillips place. He was married, 
in 1881. to Emma Pluchel. of Alliance. Ohio, 
daughter of John and Amelia (HofE) Pluchel. 
very old settlers of that place. They have 
three children living, viz. : Eva Irene, Edith 
Gertrude and Laura Vera. One child, Ed- 



748 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY CODNTY. 



ward Clarence, died, aged seveu mouths. 
Mr. and Mrs. Kleinman are members of the 
Presbyterian Cliurch; politically he is a pro- 
hibitionist. 

Henky Johnston Bigger, lawyer, Pitts- 
burgh, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, 
June 5, 1849. of Scotch-Irish parentage. He 
was reared on a farm, and graduated at Mon- 
mouth College, Illinois, in 1872. He was a 
teacher in Greene county, Ohio, in 1872 and 
1873, and in the latter year he came to Pitts- 
burgh, where he entered the law-office of 
Aughinbaugh & Duff, and was admitted to 
the bar of Allegheny county in the autumn 
of 1876. He was married, "Feb. 6, 1881, to 
Miss Sallie P., daughter of the late John 
Palmer Pears, of Pittsburgh, and they have 
three children. 

Dr. D. T. McIntosh, physician and sur- 
geon, Sharpsburg, was born in Columbiana 
county, Ohio, the third child of Philip and 
MarthaMary(Fraser) Mcintosh, the former a 
prominent farmer, but now a resident of the 
above-named county. Our subject commenced 
the study of medicine in 1876, entered the 
University of New York, and graduated in 
1881. He commenced practicing in Alle- 
gheny City, but shortly after located in 
Sharpsburg, where he has since resided. He 
married, in 1881, Helen, daughter of Peter 
Schildecker, a prominent citizen of Pitts- 
burgh. Three children were born to this 
marriage, two now living: Daniel H. and 
Margaret Helen. During his seven years' 
residence in Sharpsburg, Dr. Mcintosh has 
been continuously engaged at his profession, 
has the confidence of the people, and enjoys 
a high reputation as a successful physician. 
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church 
and of the Masonic fraternity. Politically 
he is a republican. 

James Martin Wisman, professor of 
higher mathematics, Curry University, Pitts- 
burgh, son of Eli and Susanna (Obney) Wis- 
man. was born Feb. 20, 1854. at Montpelier, 
Williams county, Ohio. His parents were 
natives of Beaver county. Pa., of which 
county his grandfather, William Wisman, 
was a prominent farmer. His father, who 
was a mechanic and farmer, was born in 
1803. and for many years was an elder in the 
Presbyterian Church; he died in 1861, his 
widow in 1877, at the age of fifty-four years. 
The subject of this memoir attended the 
normal school at Bryan, Ohio, for two years, 
then taught in the public schools of Evans- 
port. Ohio, one year, and following that 
attended the Oberlin (Ohio) College three 
and one-half years, completing all but the 
senior year. He was then appointed super- 
intendent of the Fayette (Fulton county) 
schools, which position he filled nearly 
five years. With a view of fitting himself 
for the profession of teacher, he attended 
the Valparaiso (Ind.) Normal school for four 
years, teaching in the school the last two 
years, and graduating in same in the class- 
ical, scientific and musical (vocal) courses. 
He also gave considerable time to the studv 



of anatomy and commercial work. Mr. Wis- 
man was then elected associate principal of 
the normal schools at Fayette, Ohio, teach- 
ing rhetoric, Latin and history. In 1887 he 
entered the Curry University as teacher of 
higher mathematics, and took charge of the 
normal department and physical geography. 
At the same time he took lessons in elocution 
of Prof. Byron W. King (in the university), 
graduating in 1888. Prof. Wisman, in the 
earlier days of his student-life, was a molder 
of brick, commanding high wages, whereby 
he was enabled by his own individual efforts 
to complete his education. Thus, rung by 
rung, he has ascended the ladder of literary 
fame. He is identified with the Third Pres- 
byterian Church of Pittsburgh, and in 
politics is a stanch republican. 

William A. Payne, farmer, postoffice 
Coal Valley, son of James and Hannah (Alli- 
son) Payne, was born in Jefferson township 
in 1823, on the place where James Payne now 
resides. The early history of the family 
will be found in the biographical sketch of 
Joseph Payne, on page 483. Mr. Payne mar- 
ried Isabella J., daughter of Capt. Blair, in 
October. 1851. Their children were James 
N. (deceased), Esther M. (deceased). William 
F. B. (deceased), George B. and Hannah A. 
(now Mrs. A. G. Willson). 

Charles S. Beck, apothecary, Sharps- 
burg, is a native of Germany, and was bora 
in 1861, a son of Prof. Adolph and Mary 
(Baker) Beck, who were parents of seven 
chiUlren, five of whom are now living. 
Charles S., the third child, was educated at 
home, and also attended college five years. 
At fifteen j'ears of age he commenced the 
study of medicine, and graduated at the 
College of Pharmacy, Strasbourg, Germany, 
in 1880. He came to America in 1883, and 
for three years was emploj'ed as clerk in 
Pittsburgh, Pa. Coming to Sharpsburg in 
July, 1877, he established his present busi- 
ness, since which time he has continued 
here. Mr. Beck married, in 1887. Mary, 
daughter of Nicholas Smitzeu, now of Alle- 
gheny county, and one child has blessed 
their union, Adolph Nicholas. Mr. Beck is 
a member of the Catholic Church, and polit- 
ically is independent. 

William McPhilliany, farmer, posl- 
oflice Sharpsburg. was born in Countv Tyrone, 
Ireland, Oct. 12, 1818, a son of William and 
Jane (Galbreath) McPhilliany. William JIc- 
Philliany, Sr., came to America in 1829 with 
his wife and children, and purchased 140 
acres of land in Indiana township. He was 
a farmer by occupation, and after the pur- 
chase of his land returned three times to his 
native isle. He died aged sixty-five years, 
and his wife at the age of fifty-eight. Our 
subject, the eldest of seven children, is the 
only surviving member of the family, and 
since eleven years of age has resided in 
O'Hara township, and received his education 
in the common schools. In 1849 he married 
Mary Wise, who lias borne him three chil- 
dren, all of whom are deceased. Seventy- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



749 



"four of the 140 acres of land purchased b)' 
his father are now owned by our subject, 
"Who has always led the life of a farmer. He 
and wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Politically he is a Cleveland dem- 
ocrat. 

Charles Gibson. Sr., retired, postofflce 
■Gibsonia, is a son of Thomas and Rachel 
(Dixson) Gibson, and was born in Pine town- 
•ship in 1803. Thomas was a native of Ire- 
land, and immigrated to America about ISOO. 
stopping in Philadelphia for one year, and 
then moved to Allegheny count}-, and en- 
gaged in farming in Pine township. He was 
justice of the peace for that township for 
thirty years, and afterward moved to Alle- 
gheny City, where he died in 1864. He was 
the father of seven children, live of whom 
still live, viz.: Charles, Eliza (wife of Charles 
Donnell, of Allegheny), Nancy, Margaret 
(wife of Washington Collins, of Indiana), 
and Sarah (wife of Dr. William M. Herron, 
of Allegheny). Of these Charles is the eldest. 
He was educated at the schools of his time, 
and subsequently for several j'ears engaged 
in farming and distilling on the homestead. 
-At an early age he learned the carpenter's 
trade, at whicli he worked for many years. 
He was one of the first stockholders in the 
Butler and Allegheny plank-road, of which 
he is now manager, and is also president of 
the Allegheny and Perrysville plank-road. 
He was one of the earliest stockholders of 
the P. & W. R. R., and acted as president 
of that road for several years; has also been 
engaged in saw- and grist-milling in Rich- 
land township for a number of years. He mar- 
ried, in 1841, Elizabeth Logue, daughter of 
James Logue, of York county, and who died 
in 188.5, leaving four children: Robert (a 
merchant of Gibsonia), Charles (a farmer of 
the township), Louisa (wife of John Logan, 
of Pine township) and Rachel (wife of Clark 
Alexander, of Cleveland, Ohio). Mr. Gibson 
has held the ofBces of supervisor and school 
director of the township. He moved to his 
present farm in 1841, and Gibsonia station 
and postoffice are named in his honor. In 
1861 he engaged in mercantile business at 
Bakerstown, and continued four years. He 
is a member of the Cross Roads Presbyterian 
Church. 

Robert M. Gibson, merchant, postoffice 
Gibsonia, is a son of Charles, Sr., and Eliza- 
beth (Logue) Gibson, and was born in Rich- 
land in 1845. He was educated at the pub- 
lic schools of the township and Jefferson 
College, of Washington county. After com- 
pleting his education he engaged in farming 
for a number of years, and in 1876 was 
chosen freight and station agent on the P. 
& W. R. R. at Gibsonia. which he held for 
seven years. In 1879 he engaged in general 
mercantile business at his present stand, and 
in 1880 was appointed postmaster, which 
office he still holds. In 1881 he married 
Annie M. Owens, daughter of John and 
Nancy Owens, of Pine township. By her he 
has two children — Elizabeth Logue and 



Nancy; also has two children by a former 
marriage — Charles E. and Maggie. Mr. Gib- 
son and family are members of the Presby- 
terian Church at Bakerstown. 

Charles J. Gibson, farmer, postoffice 
Gibsonia, is the youngest son of Charles, Sr.. 
and Elizabeth (Logue) Gibson, and was born 
in Richland in 1858. He was educated 
at Monmouth, 111., and Valparaiso, Ind., and 
married, in 1880, Alice, daughter of Samuel 
and Margaret Patch, of Chicago. Mr. Gibson 
is a member of the Juniata Lodge, No. 201, 
I. O. O. F., and Encampment 56, of Illinois. 
He has held the office of inspector of elections 
of the township. 

August Depp, manufacturer, Sharpsburg, 
was born in 1830. in Bavaria, Germany, a 
son of Adolph Depp, a farmer, who came to 
America in 18.54. Adolph married Mary 
Wilhelm, and of their children August is the 
eldest. He attended school in Germany, 
worked on a farm in his younger days, and 
for a number of years was employed in a 
tannery in Allegheny City. In 1885 he com- 
menced his present business — the manufact- 
ure of glasshouse pots, stoppers, etc. He 
married, in 18.57, Mary, daughter of Andrew 
Auberger, of Germany. Three children, all 
living, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Depp: 
William M., Barbara and George A. Mr. 
Depp is a member of the G. C. Church, and 
politically is an independent. 

James McRoberts, farmer, postoffice 
Hoboken, was born in County Down, Ireland, 
in 1834. His father, David McRoberts, was 
a weaver and farmer, and married Margaret 
McGoran, who became the mother of eight 
children. James, the eldest son. at twenty 
years of age left his native land, came to 
America, worked for a time in Pittsburgh, 
and in 1830 purchased his farm of one hun- 
dred acres, making additional purchases of 
one hundred acres. He married, in 1848, 
Agnes McWilliams, also of County Down, 
Ireland, and six children have been born to 
them: .lane, John, Samviel, James, Foster 
and David. 

James G. Weik, wagon- and coach-maker, 
Sharpsburg, is a native of County Derry, 
Ireland, born in 1835. His father was named 
Alexander Weir, as was also his grandfather, 
and both were natives of Scotland. Alexan- 
der, Jr., was a farmer, married Rachel Speer, 
and became the father of eight children. 
James G., the third son, was educated in 
Ireland, and remained at home until eighteen 
years of age, at which time he went to Scot- 
land, and then for five years was engaged in 
mining. In 1857 he came to America, lo- 
cated in Pittsburgh, and served an appren- 
ticeship of three years at wagon-making. At 
the expiration of that time he commenced 
business for himself. Starting on a small 
scale, he has to-day one of the leading houses 
in his line in the cil}', and has become such 
by his industry and attention to business. 
He married, in 1.860, Annie Porter, daughter 
of George Porter, of Scotland. Twelve 
children blessed this union, six living: George 



750 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



S., John P.. Lula Ma.v, Robert Mc. W. S. 
and Daisy. Mr. Weir purchased one hundred 
acres of land in O'Uara township in 1871, 
■where his family now reside. He is a mem- 
ber of the U. P. Church, and politically is a 
republican. 

Henkt IIohmann. farmer, postoffice Ems- 
worth, was born Sept. 11, 1827, in Helpers- 
heim, Uessen-Darmstadt, Germany, son of 
John and Gertrude (Pepler)Hohmann. They 
had four children: Henry. Adam. John and 
Katie. Henry came to America in 1848, and 
settled in Allegheny county. He was a sol- 
dier in the German army, and during our 
late war lie left his wife and five children to 
fight in the northern army. He married 
Anna E. Reel. Tliey have nine children, viz. : 
J. Henry. John. Elizabeth. Ernest, George, 
Matilda, Katie G.. Fred and Charley. Mr. 
Hohmann was on the river for eighteen years, 
and during the war served in Co. A, .oth P. 
H. A. He has a farm of seventy acres. Po- 
litically he is a republican, and was tax-col- 
lector one year and constable seven years. 

William S. Grdbbs, farmer, postofHce 
Glenfield. was born Dec. 30,1829. in Allegheny 
county. His grandfather, Conrad Grubbs, 
of German descent, was a native of Lancas- 
ter county. Pa. He was a whig, and his 
people were members of the G. R. Church. 
He came to this county in an early 
day, and married Margaret A. Wible. He 
owneil a large tract of land on Pine creek; 
when he died he was more than ninety years 
old. He had eleven children, viz. : Andrew, 
John. William, David. Wible, George, Eliza- 
beth. Charlotte, Catharine, Sarah and Mary 
A. Andrew came to Ohio township in 1842, 
and bought 130 acres of good farm-land. He 
married Mary Neff, who died in 1871, aged 
sistj'-five years. Six children blessed this 
union; William S., A. Harrison, Frank, 
Harvey, Harriet and Sarah. Andrew died in 
1877, aged eighty -five years. William received 
a limited education, but is a well-read man. 
He taught school fourteen years, and later 
cultivated his farm of one hundred acres. 
He married Mary J. Laird. They have five 
children, viz.: Mary E.. Clara B., Ella J., 
Harry S. and Lillie F. Mr. and Mrs. Grubbs 
are members of the U. P. Church, of which 
he is a member of sessions. 

Alex.\nder Martin, E.sq.. salt-manu- 
facturer. Etna, is a great-grandson of Thomas 
Martin, a native of Ireland, who settled near 
Wilkinsburg. AUeghen}' county, shortly after 
the Revolution, in which struggle he was a 
soldier. He was married, in Scotland, to 
Mary Morrow, and their children were Will- 
iam. James. John. Alexander, Richard, Mary 
and Jane. Of these Alexander was in the 
war of 1812. Thomas Martin. Sr., moved to 
Butler county, where he died. John Martin 
was a representative and senator. Thomas 
Martin, the father of our subject, has been a 
deputy marsh.al twice in Butler county, 
besides filling other positions. Since 1881 he 
has resided in Etna. He and his wife, 
Martha Welsh, are the parents of six chil- 



dren: Alexander, Ellen B., Mary, Thomas 
M., Sarah E. and John. Our subject was 
educated at the Witherspoon Institute. He 
clerked for many years in a store at Etna, 
and since severing that connection has been 
superintendent of the Allegheny Salt com- 
pany, limited. Politicall}' he is a republican, 
and has been a member of the council. Im 
April, 1887, he was elected justice of the 
peace, filling that office with efficiency. He- 
is also a member of the A. O. U. W. and 
A. Y. M. 

Wii^LiAM Brickell. deceased, was a son 
of George and Lydia Brickell, of Lancaster 
count}', and was born in Shaler township, 
Allegheny county, April 21, 1800. Hisparents 
settled in Shaler township about 179.'). Will- 
iam was educated at the schools of his time, 
and followed farming. In 1842 he married 
Lavina Stolfine, of Butler county, and in the 
same year purchased a farm, where his fam- 
ily now live, in Richland township, and he 
died there in 1868. Three of his children 
still live: Nancy, wife of P. Kennihan. living 
on the homestead; Elizabeth, wife of John 
Wilson, of Allegheny City, and Sarah, wife 
of George McMorran. of Sharpsburg. Mrs. 
Brickell carries on the farm in connection 
with her son-in-law. Mr. P. Kennihan, and Is 
a member of the Presbyterian Church of 
Bakerstown. 

Fraugott Obenacf. retired. Etna, was 
born Sept. 26, 1828, in Ehra Reis. Saxony, 
Germany, son of Christian Obenauf, who 
came to America in 1854, and died in Mahon- 
ing county, Ohio. Our subject was educated 
in Germany, where he learned ropemaking. 
He immigrated to America at the age of 
eighteen, and followed his trade for ten years 
in Pittsburgh and Etna. He became the 
owner of the steam ferry-boat Blackhawk, 
and from 1866 to 1868 was in the sawmill 
business. Subsequently he spent four years 
in the west, in Illinois and Missouri, and 
during the last eight years has been engaged 
in the tobacco business very successfully. 
He married Magdalena, daughter of Jacob 
and Catherine Morbach, old settlers in Etna, 
who owned fourteen acres of Etna property, 
and Jacob, being a carpenter, assisted in 
building most of the houses in Etna. Mr. 
Obenauf is a republican. 

William G. Shaw, farmer, Glenshaw. 
was born Oct. 13, 1826, on the old mansion 
farm in Shaler township. His parents, John 
and Matilda (Courtney) Shaw, were also 
natives of this county, and the latter was a 
daughter of William Courtney, an old settler 
at Lowry's Run. John Shaw was a miller by 
trade, and operated the old mill at Glenshaw. 
He was an active business-man, and, besides 
his milling, was engaged in the coal business, 
supplying Spang's mill with fuel. The old 
Shaw family were active members of the 
Presbyterian Church. Our subject is a miller 
by trade, and followed it in early life. Later 
on he helped his father in the coal business, 
and now is a farmer and gardener. He mar- 
ried Eliza J. Mather, and four children have 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



751 



blessed their union: Mrs. Matilda Watts, 
Edward D., Clara and Lyda C. All are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, of 
which Mr. Shaw is an elder 

Joseph D. Hdnter, guide-roller, Etna, 
was born Jan. 17, 1847, in Shaler township. 
His father, Joseph Hunter, was a native of 
New Jersey, and of Scotch descent. He 
came to this county when a little boy, accom- 
panied by his parents, Joseph and Mary E. 
Hunter. He was a blacksmith by occupation, 
but followed the sickle-malier's trade later in 
life. He married Catherine, daugliter of 
Henry and Barbara (Moyer) Boyer. Henry 
Boytr came from New York and settled in 
Pittsburgh in 1803, and there cleared the 
ground and built a house where the county 
courthouse now stands. He was a gunsmith 
by trade, and a little above Etna built a tun- 
nel to make a race for his mill, and manu- 
factured guns, in which occupation his 
daughter, Catherine, assisted him. The latter 
is the only survivor of eight children. She 
was born Aug. 13. 1818, and is the mother of 
six children; Matthew C, John S., James 
C., Joseph D., William H. and Mary E. 
Hunter. Of the above, Joseph D. was born 
Jan. 17, 1847. At the age of ten years, after 
the death of his father, he entered the Etna 
Iron-works, and thus helped to support his 
widowed mother. He has been employed 
twenty-nine years in the mill, and is one of 
the company's most trusted men. He mar- 
ried Mattie E., daughter of George Taylor, 
and they have four children: Mabel E., 
Clarence J., Oliver E. and Mary C. Mr. 
Hunter has been a delegate of the I. O. O. F. 
and E. A. U. He has always taken a deep 
interest in societies and the affairs of Etna. 

JoHANN Beierlein. gardener, Etna, was 
born Jan. 15, 1823, in Mortfield, Grabenberg, 
Bavaria, Germany, a son of George Beier- 
lein. He came to America in 1848, and, after 
residing in East Liberty seventeen years, 
removed to Shaler township, where he has 
farmed and gardened up to tlie present time. 
He married Slargaret Backoefer, a native of 
the above-named place, and they have seven 
sons, viz.: Henry, Thomas. John, George, 
William, Conrad and Prank. The children 
are conducting the ice business, and spell the 
name Byerly. Mr. and Mrs. Beierlein are 
members of the Lutheran Church in Sharps- 
burg, where Mr. Beierlein has held several 
offices. 

George Dillig, blacksmith, postofflce 
Bennett, was born Oct. 27, 1847, in Chimchen, 
near Koblenz, Prussia, the son of Jacob 
and Margaretta (Knebel) Dillig. George was 
educated in Germany, and began learning the 
blacksmith's trade there, finishing in Pitts- 
burgh, where he located in 1865. He removed 
to ilillvale in 1874. where he has followed 
his business successfully up to the present 
time. He has a wagon-shop connected with 
the smithy, and employs several men. He 
was married here to Lena Householder, and 
they are the parents of four children: Carrie, 
George, Harry and Albert. Mr. and Mrs. Dil- 



lig are members of the G. E. Church at Mill- 
vale, of which he is a trustee; he is also a 
member of the A. O. U. W. ; in politics he is 
a republican. 

WiLLi.\M H. WiBLE, merchant, postoffice 
Bennett, was born Nov. 25, 1854, in 
Shaler township, this county, on the old 
homestead, " Sturbridge," son of James H. 
and Charlotte (Wilson) Wible, former also 
born on the old homestead, latter a native of 
Ireland. James Wible was a farmer by oc- 
cupation; politically a republican, and a 
patriotic worker for the Union during the 
late war. Mr. and Mrs. Wible were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. William 
H. graduated from the bookkeeping depart- 
ment of Duff's Business College. He farmed 
until 1884. when he engaged in the coal busi- 
ness in Millvale, which he is conducting with 
success. He married Anna M. Hagan, a 
native of this county, daughter of Thomas 
and Maria (Wilson) Hagan, and they have 
one child, Florence I. Wible. 

George Vilsack. farmer, postoffice Ben- 
nett, was born April 15, 1837, in Pittsburgh, 
Pa., son of Anton and Catharine (Farmorie) 
Vilsack, former of whom was a native of 
Carlsruhe, Baden, Germany, latter of Alsace, 
France (now Germany). Anton Vilsack 
came to Pittsburgh in 1835, where lie fol- 
lowed his trade, that of carpenter. He re- 
moved to Shaler township, where he engaged 
in farming, and died here quite young; his 
widow lived to be over eighty years of age. 
They were the parents of four children: 
George, Leopold, Catharine and Elizabeth. 
The subject of this memoir is a farmer, but 
was previously employed in the Sharpsburg 
mills. He married Mary Bavelon, native of 
this county, and they are the parents of tour 
children: Maria, Joseph, Anna and Lena. 
Mr. and Mrs. Vilsack are members of the 
Catholic Church; politically he is a demo- 
crat. 

James W. Oesterling, hotel-keeper, 
postoffice Bennett, was born in October, 
1848, in Butler county. Pa., a son of John 
Oesterling, who was born in Hessen-Darm- 
stadt, Germany, and came to the above- 
named place when a child, and is now a 
farmer there. James W. remained on the 
farm during the early part of his life. In 
1875 he embarked in the livery business, 
which he abandoned in 1878, and I'or four 
years conducted a hotel in Zelienople, Pa. 
He subsequently removed to this county, 
where he has continued to conduct a hotel to 
the present time. His father and brother 
were soldiers in the late war. Politically Mr. 
Oesterling is a democrat. 

Patrick Bligd, bender, lap-welding de- 
partment National Tube-works, McKeesport, 
is a native of County Roscommon, Ireland. 
He came to America in 1868, and settled in 
Boston. Mass. In 1870 he entered the em- 
ploy of the National Tube-works company, 
in that city, where he operated a furnace for 
several months. In 1872 he came to McKees- 
port in the interest of the same company. 



752 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENV COUNTY. 



and hag been working iu the lap-welding de- 
parlineut of their works here ever since. 
After the works burned down, in 1ST3. and 
new buildings were erected, he was the first 
man to build a pipe, and the first when the 
mills were originally started. He is a promi- 
nent leader in local organizations, and is a 
stanch republican, 

Is.\AC Kerr and Daniel Kerr, fanners, 
Elkhorn, sons of James and Esther (Wilson) 
Kerr, were both born in Forward township. 
Their father's familj* consisted of seven 
children: Mary, .Tane, Wilson, Joseph, Mat- 
thew, Isaac and Daniel, of whom the last 
two are the only ones now living. Their 
grandfather, James, settled in Washington 
county at an early time, where .lames, his 
son. was born, and who later came to For- 
ward township, bought a large tract of land, 
now owned by the two surviving sons, who 
are engaged iu farming and raising stock, 

J. M, McConDY, M, D.. Dravosburg, was 
born May 2T, ISIG, in Indiana county. Pa., a 
son of Samuel McCurdy, of Scotch-Irish 
descent, and an old resident of the above- 
named place. Dr. McCurdy received his 
primary education iu his native county, 
where he subsequently became a teacher. In 
June, 1864, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted 
in Co. F, 204lh H. A,, and served his country 
until the close of the war. After wielding 
the rod three years he was persuaded bj- his 
mother, Margaret (Miller) McCurdy, an ex- 
cellent woman, to study medicine. He 
attended lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
graduated at the Long Island Medical Col- 
lege in the class of 1871. The doctor has 
been a successful practitioner, and in Dravos- 
burg has built up a good practice. He 
married Clara Bell, and has two children. 
Wilda X, and Garvin P, 

Robert McKhnney, farmer, postoflice 
Elizabeth, is a grandson of Matthew and 
Elizabeth (Lard) McKinney, His parents 
were James and Marj- Jane (Blee) McKinney, 
and be was born Maj' 7, 182.T, in what is now 
Forward township. His wife was Nancy, 
daughter of Robert Marshall, of Ohio, aud 
she died Dec, 20, 1880, leaving four children; 
Robert Marshall, James Wallace. Mary Jane 
(Mrs. Joseph Lytle) aud Margaret Elizabeth 
(Mrs, James Gambol). Mr, iMcKinney has 
always followed farming; he and his family 
are members of the Presbyterian Church of 
Round Hill, 

D, W, Risher, manager, postofHce Hope 
Church, was born April 28, 186.5, on the old 
homestead in this county. He was educated 
at Chester Military Academy and the Uni- 
versity of Pittsburgh, At the age of twenty 
he began to work with his father, and soon 
became manager of his father's coal and 
real-estate business. He married Fannie B,, 
daughter of Robert Patter.son, and they have 
onelhild, Frank G, Risher, 

WrLLtAM M.\S0N, farmer, postotfice Ta- 
rentum, is a native of England, and came to 
America at the age of eighteen years, located 
in Pittsburgh and learned the trade of shoe- 



making. In IS'IO he married Sarah Miller, 
of Wilkinsburg, where they resided three 
years. In 18.53 he purchased' thirty acres of 
land on Bull creek. East Deer "township, 
and engaged in farming: also worked at his 
trade. Later he moved to Indiana county, 
where he was a coal-dealer for five years, 
and then came to Fawn township. In 1881 
he purchased the farm of 125 acres which he 
now owns, and has since been engaged in 
agricultural pursuits, Mr, Mason has been 
supervisor of Fawn township, and has held 
several positions of trust. His first wife 
died, leaving four children, and he next 
married, in 1868, Elizabeth Montgomery, of 
West Deer township, who has borne him six 
children, Mr, Mason visited England about 
twenty-three years ago, 

Thomas H, Grimes, M. D,, Sewickley, 
was born May 2, 1852, in Sewickley, Pa, His 

frandfather, James Grimes, was a native of 
reland, and came to America in an early day, 
settling in Maryland, where he was a'slave- 
holder. His sou, Capt, James Grimes, was 
born near Baltimore, Md,, aud married Deb- 
orah Grimes (same, name but no relative), 
and they had twelve children, who all at- 
tained maturity; Benjamin. Samuel. Elias, 
James, Lavina (all born in Manlaud), Ellen, 
Sarah, John, Elizabeth, Mary," William and 
Davis (born in Sewickley), "The family re- 
moved to Sewickley in 1805, and settled on 
Jordan's hill; they farmed extensively. 
Capt, James Grimes was a well-known pilot 
between Pittsburgh and Louisville, He was 
captain of the Gazelle and other boats for 
many years. He died in Sewickley Jan, 2, 
1862. He was married to Elizabeth, a daugh- 
ter of John and Mary (Hoey) Fife, the latter 
of whom was a daughter of Thomas Hoey, 
a prominent merchant of Dublin, Ireland, 
Our subject was educated at the Western 
University, where he took a special course, 
and graduated from the Bellevue Hospital 
Medical College in the class of 1876, Subse- 
quently he studied homeopathy with J, F. 
Cooper, M, D., of Allegheny Cit}-. and then 
located in Sewickley, He was married here 
to Miss Anna >I, Dilkes, who died Sept, 6, 
1887. leaving two children. Walter and Mary. 
The doctor is a member of the Allegheny 
county and state medical societies, 

Ed. a. Smith is a manufacturer at Se- 
wickley, His ancestors were natives of 
Scotland, his grandfather, Hugh Smith, hav- 
ing been born near Edinburgh, Ed, A. Smith 
was educated at the Western University, 
from which he graduated, at the age of eight- 
een, in the class of 1875, He then entered the 
Fifth National Bank, where he was employed 
ten years, and held the position of teller. 
For the next two years he was a member of 
the Smith Brothers Steel-works, and then en- 
gaged in the manufacture of Krupp's cooling 
compound. He is general manager of the 
concern, and a large stockholder. Mr, Smith 
has led an active business career, and early 
in life laid the foundation of those principles 
which lead to success. He married Henri- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



753 



^tta T. Catherwood, of Philadelphia, and 
five children were born to them: Andrew D., 
Edward C, Eleanor N., Harold A. and 
Miriam C. Smith. 

George W. Cochkan, Sewickley, was 



born Aug. 24, 1824, ou the old homestead?'*t-]in)"Shields 



ness. which he is still pursuing. He is the 
agent and manager of the North Amer- 
ican, Hartford Fire and Pennsylvania (of 
Philadelphia) companies. His wife is a 
daughter of Thomas and "Winifred E. (Chap- 



in Pine township, this county. The paternal 
grandfather, Richard Cochran, was born in 
Londonderry, Ireland, came to America in 
1794, located in Philadelphia, Pa., and about 
the year 1800 removed to Pine township, 
where he built a cabin, and later a house, 
which bears the inscription of 1806. Mr. 
■Cochran farmed and operated a sawmill. 
His son, Hon. William Cochran, was 
born in 1777, and died in 1867: he was a 
farmer early in life, was elected to tlie legis- 
lature, andVas deputy warden of the West- 
ern penitentiary. He was unanimously re- 
elected to the legislature; also tilled the oiBce 
of justice of the peace and other positions. 
Politically he was identified with the demo- 
cratic party until Gen. Harrison became a can- 
didate, when he accepted whig principles, 
and adhered to that party. He married Mary 
Davis, of Ireland; they were Scotch Presby- 
terians, originally Covenanters. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cochran were married sixty years, she 
living to be ninety-five years old. This union 
was blessed with five children: Mrs. Jane 
Lecky, Mrs. Sarah McGonigle, Mrs. E. C. 
Davis, Robert (deceased) and George W. 
Our subject was educated in Sewickley, and 
engaged in steamboating, filling every posi- 
tion up to that of captain. He was captain 
of several boats, and ran ou all the principal 
.rivers in the Mississippi valley. During 
the war he retired, and has resided in or near 
Sewickley for twenty-five years. He has 
filled many offices — those of councilman and 
burgess for several vears. Mr. Cochran was 
married to Miss Martha, daughter of Dr. 
Daniel E. Neviu, and they have two children, 
William G. and George I. 

William Potter Jones (deceased) was 
born in Norristown, Pa., son of Rev. John 
Jones, of Warrenton, Va. He was married 
to Harriet Potter, of Bridgetou, N. J., which 
family is related to the Potter family of New 
York. Eight generations of tlie Potter fam- 
ily are buried in New Jersey. William P. 
Jones was educated at New Castle, Ky., and 
came to Pittsburgh, Pa., with Moses Atwood, 
his brother-in-law, about 1835. He engaged 
in the forwarding commission business, which 
he followed successfully until the railroad 
destroyed that branch of transportation. 
Subsequently he engaged in the insurance 
business, represeutmg the North Ameri- 
can; he then established the Manufacturers' 
& Merchants' Insurance company, and he 
became its secretary. He was popular and 
everywhere highly esteemed. He married 
Elizabeth J., daughter of Rev. L. Hunting- 
ton, of the Presbyterian Church of Lyons, 
Conn., an old and popular English fam- 
ily in the United States. William L. Jones 
was educated in Sewickley Academy, and 
■subsequently engaged in tlie insurance busi- 



JoHN McMiLLEN, Contractor, Sewickley, 
was born March 15, 1836, in Moon township, 
Allegheny county. Pa. His paternal grand- 
father, who was of Scotch descent, came 
from Ireland, and settled permanently in 
Hopewell township, this county, where he 
carried on farming. He was married to 
Martha J. Jeffrey, a daughter of an old pio- 
neer in Jeffreystown, this county, and she still 
survives her husband, at the age of seventy- 
eight. Of their six children, Charles was 
born in Beaver county. Pa., came to Al- 
legheu}' county, where he followed his trade, 
that of cooper; he died in Middletown, Moon 
township, a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. John was educated at Sharon, Pa., 
and in 1853, at the age of seventeen, he came 
to Sewickley, where he learned the carpen- 
ter's trade with the Miller brothers. After 
one year of journeyman-work, Mr. Miller 
began contracting, and has resided in Sewick- 
ley up to the present time. He has one 
brother, John W., and two sisters, Mrs. 
Amanda Watson and Mrs. Anna Cole, still 
living. Mr. Miller has been councilman and 
assessor several times. 

John Applegate, farmer, postofllce Mo- 
uongahela City, is a son of James and Rachel 
(Halscraft) Applegate, and was born in 1815, 
in Union township, Washington county. Pa. 
James was a son of Garret Wall and Mary 
(Johnson) Applegate, and was born in For- 
ward township in 1787, and Rachel, his wife, 
in 1793. Garret Applegate came from New 
Jersey, and was the first settler in Forward 
township. James Applegate had five chil- 
dren: Elizabeth, John, Rachel, Harriet J. 
and Minerva. Harriet J. and Rachel are 
deceased. John came to his present farm 
when two years old, and here has since resid- 
ed. He has been engaged in farming all his 
life. He is unmarried, and occupies the old 
homestead with his sister, Elizabeth. 

Ralph Johnson, contractor, Sewickley, 
was born May 14, 1813, in Yorkshire, England, 
where his ancestors have resided for many 
generations. He was educated there, and 
learned the bricklayer's trade. In 1839 he 
immigrated to America, spent one year in 
Philadelphia, and then removed to Pitts- 
burgh, where he followed his trade. He 
worked ou many of the old prominent build- 
ings in Pittsburgh and Allegheny, finally 
engaged in contracting, and built the first 
Monongahela House. He was a member of 
the Smithfield M. E. CImrch, of wliich he 
was officer, class-leader, steward and trustee. 
Politically he is a republican. Mr. Johnson 
came to Sewickley in 1874, aud has taken an 
active part in the growth of the town, and in 
many enterprises, in the way of stone bridges, 
jail, etc. He was member of the council 
twice. Mr. Johnson was married in England. 



754 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



He has been a member of the firm of Adams 
& Co., glasshouse, and also of Johnson, 
King ii Co. 

J. P. Eaton", proprietor of livery estab- 
lishment, Sewickley, is a native of tliis 
county. His parents, George and Sarah 
Eaton, who were Americans, of Scotch and 
German descent, settled in this county, near 
Clinton, about the beginning of this' century. 
George Eaton's name and the date of 1812 
appear on his old barn. He died aged 
ninety-four years; his wife when aged eighty- 
three. They reared a family of eight chil- 
dren. Of these, Capt. Eaton was born in 
this county, near Clinton, and went on the 
river at an early age, " keelboating" for 
many years on the Ohio between Cincinnati 
and Pittsburgh. Subsequentl}' be became a 
pilot, and later captain, and the owner of 
many boats, among them the Rambler, one 
of the oldest towboats of the Mouongahela 
river. In 1859 he had his hand injured, and 
in 1880 he was elected prothonotary of Alle- 
gheny county b}' the republican party. After 
serving three years creditably he retired to 
his farm near Manstield. Subsequently he 
engaged in the livery business, keeping 
stables in New Castle and Sewickley. He 
died in Allegheny, aged eighty-two years; 
his wife, 7iee Sarah Hood, died young, leav- 
ing eight children, who all attained maturity. 

J. P. Eaton, the subject proper of this 
memoir, was reared iu this county, and at the 
age of fourteen j'ears he went on the river, 
following it till 1868, when he embarked 
in commerce. In 1872 he commenced his 
present livery business in Sewickley. 

Robert Stewart, farmer, Springdale, 
was born in 1806, in Allegheny county. Pa., 
son of James and Sarah Stewart. His grand- 
father, John Stewart, was of Scotch descent, 
and came from Ireland to America soon after 
the revolutionary war. James Stewart, 
father of Robert, was born in Scotland, and 
came with his parents to this country when 
quite young; he was married, in 1800. to 
Sarah Shaffer, and to them were born thirteen 
children, nine now living. 

Albert Hake, 51. D., Tarentum, son of 
Robert and Sarah (Flack) Hare, was born in 
Tarentum, in 185,5. His grandfather, Thomas 
Hare, with his brothers, James and Robert, 
came from Ireland, locating in Tarentum, in 
1841, and secured a contract to build a section 
of the Pennsylvania canal. Thomas Hare 
was married in Ireland, and his fiimih' con- 
sisted of Robert, Alexander (now a lumber- 
dealer), Maria (now Mrs. Samuel Black, of 
McKeesport, Pa.), and John, whose place of 
residence is unknown. The parents of 
Albert Hare were among the pioneers of 
Tarentum, and his fatlicr was one of its old 
merchants. There are but two surviving 
children: Emma (now Mrs. Eugene Hall, of 
Tarentum) and Albert. The subject of this 
sketch received his early education in the 
educational institutions of the countj', and 
graduated in medicine in May, 1882, from the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Balti- 



more, Md., and began the practice of medi- 
cine at Tarentum. Dr. Hare is identified 
with many of the local offices of the borough, 
being a director in the g.as companj-, a stock- 
holder in the water-works, and liaving 
served several terms in the council. He is a 
member of Pollock Lodge, No. 502, and of 
the A. O. U. W. 

John R. Harbison, attorney at law, Pitts- 
burgh, was born in AUeglieny, Pa., son of 
Adam Harbison, a native of the north of Ire- 
land, and a Covenanter of Scotch descent. 
He came to America at the age of fourteen 
years, and lived in Cannonsburg, Pa., five 
years, when he removed to Allegheny, where 
ne engaged in the carpenter's trade, which 
he followed until his death; he built several 
boats. John R. Harbison received his pri- 
mar}' education in the public schools of Alle- 
gheny, and in Eldridge Academy and West- 
minster College. He read law "at the Cleve- 
land Law School, and was admitted to the 
bar with John Barton in April, 1874. He 
has followed his profession in Pittsburgh 
successfully up to the present time, especially 
in the civil courts, and since April. 1880, he 
has resided at Osborn. In 1888 he was elected 
burgess. Politically he is a republican. 

J. C. Stewart, merchant, Tarentum. is 
a native of Westmoreland county. Pa., born 
at Parnassus. Aug. 31. 1843, a son of William 
and Mary (Hunter) Stewart, former of whom 
was a merchant at Parnassus, and in 1883 
was in business at Freeport, Armstrong 
count}'. They had a family of six children, 
viz.: W. Reid (now of Williamsburg, Iowa), 
Frank (residing near Saltsburg, Pa.), R. O. 
(residing near Parnassus), Mary (now Mrs. D. 
A. Hawk, of Kansas), Annie (now Mrs. John 
Kunkle, of Kansas), and J. C. The grand- 
parents of these children came from near 
Gettysburg, Pa., to Westmoreland county, 
and there settled. J. C, the subject of this 
sketch, remained at home until 1862, when 
he enlisted in Co. F, 123d Regt. P. V. I., re- 
ceived his discharge in 1863, and re-enlisted 
in Co. I, 5th Regt. P. H. A., and was mus- 
tered out of service July 4, 1865. His father 
havitig presented him with a farm, J. C. 
married, in 1865, Jennie, daughter of John 
McKain, of Westmoreland count}', and lo- 
cated on the place, which thej' soon sold, 
however, and Mr. Stewart engaged in busi- 
ness at Parnassus, as dealer in general mer- 
chandise. He was also " on the road " for a 
period of seven years. In 1884 he removed 
to Tarentum. where he became a dealer in 
clotliing, gents' furnishing goods, carpets, 
etc. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have two chil- 
dren (twins), Frank and Newton. The 
parents are members of the U. P. Church. 
Mr. Stewart is a member of the G. A. R., 
Post No. 41, of Pittsburgh. 

James Stalet, druggist. Tarentum, son 
of James and Julia A. Staley,' former of 
whom is decea.sed, was born in Tarentum, 
Aug. 23, 1845, his parents being among the 
pioneers of this portion of Allegheny county. 
Their children were Nancj', now Jfrs. J. W. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGKAPHY. 



755 



Hemphill, of Tareatum; William J., James; 
Julia A., deceased; Willard; Dora, deceased; 
Belle, now Mrs. H. Euricb, of Tarentura, 
and Maud, now Mrs. T. Hudefoll, of Taren- 
tum. James Staley married, in 1867, Miss 
Sarah M.. daughter of Joseph Nash, of 
Georgetown, Beaver county. Pa., and lo- 
cated in Pleasantville, Venango county. Pa., 
where he engaged in the oil business from 
1869 to 1879. He then removed to Richburg, 
N. Y., and thence to Tarentum in 1884. The 
children of Mr. and Mrs. Staley were Maud 
E., Harry (deceased), Charles H., Eugene W., 
Claude and Howard. Mr. Staley is a mem- 
ber of the Order of American Mechanics. 

HiTE EuRicn, merchant, Tarentum. a 
son of Valentine Eurich, was born at Hite's 
Station, West Deer township, in 1838. His 
parents were among the early settlers of 
that portion of Allegheny county, but are 
now residents of West Tareutum. In June, 
1878, our subject married Mary I., daughter 
of James Staley, of Tarentum, where they 
made their home and Mr. Eurich commenced 
business. He is now a dealer in general mer- 
chandise in the Tarentum Bank building. 
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Eurich are 
Charles S., Julia E., Bella and Georgiana. 

I. P. LoocKS, merchant and postmaster, 
Tarentum, son of John M. and Mary A. 
Loucks, was born in Westmoreland county. 
Pa., in 1850. In 1876 he removed to Taren- 
tum, when he engaged in his present busi- 
ness as dealer in general merchandise. In 
1884 he married Annie, daughter of John 
Dyer, of Allegheny, Pa., and by her has two 
children; Paul and an infant not named. 
Mrs. Loucks is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church; he is a member of the R. A. and 
the A. O. U. W. In politics he has been a 
lifelong democrat. He was appointed post- 
master at Tarentum during the administra- 
tion of President Cleveland. 

H. H. Weylman, jeweler, Tarentum, es- 
tablished his house here in 1884, and has 
since that time been identified with the bor- 
ough as one of its prominent business-men. 
He is dealing in watches, clocks, jewelry, 
silverware and optical goods. 

Samoel Wolf, farmer, postofflce Taren- 
tum, a son of George and Nancy Wolf, was 
born in 1818, in Fawn township, whither his 
parents came from over the mountains and 
settled at an early time, where they died. 
Their children were John, Andrew, David, 
Zigler, Catharine, Margaret, Polly, Betsy, 
Sarah, Samuel, Wallace, Jackson, Joseph 
and George. In 1837 Samuel Wolf married 
Mary Jane, daughter of Joseph Haney, of 
Fawn township, where they located and en- 
gaged in farming, and where they reared 
a family of thirteen children: Nancy J., 
John, George. Sarah, David, Catherine, 
Annie, Josephine, Malinda, Delila (deceased), 
Samuel, Martha (deceased) and Haney (de- 
ceased). In 1888 Mr. Wolf sold the farm 
and removed to his present residence in Ta- 
rentum. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are members of 
the Methodist Cluirch. 



Alexander LARMOURPHiLLiPS,gardener' 
Dixmont, was born March 11, 1855, on the 
place where he now resides, son of John and 
Elizabeth (Larmour) Phillips, natives of 
County Antrim, Ireland. His father was 
born about eight miles from Belfast, and his 
parents were Thomas and Margaret (Sales) 
Phillips. Alexander Phillips' grandparents 
were Daniel and Sarah (Boys) Phillips, and 
his maternal grandfather was Hugh Sales. 
John Phillips and his twin brother, Robert, 
came from Ireland about the year 1853, and 
settled on Neville island. John Phillips and 
his wife are still living on the homestead, 
which their son Alexander has charge of. 
Six children were born to John, viz. : Thomas, 
Margaret (Mrs. Graham), Robert, Hugh, 
AVilliam John and Alexander. All but Alex- 
ander reside at Gleulield. The family are 
Presbyterians. Alexander received his edu- 
cation at the Glenfleld and city schools, and 
since 1883 has had charge of his father's 
farm. He was married, in October, 1870, to 
Lizzie Dickson, of Neville island, daughter 
of James Dickson (see his sketch). Pour 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Phillips: Thomas Leslie, Velma May, Alexan- 
der Larmour and Maggie. Mr. Phillips has 
been school director, supervisor and trustee 
in the church. Politically he is a prohibi- 
tionist. 

John Sommers, miller, Elizabeth, is a 
native of Mifflin county. Pa., born Sept. 17. 
1835. At the age of fourteen he moved to 
Canton, Ohio, and learned the trade of miller, 
which he has since followed, and for some 
years he worked in the large Cascade mill 
at Canal Dover. In 1883 he came to 
Elizabeth, and has since acted as head miller 
in the Elizabeth mills, now operated by the 
Meyer Milling company. He married, in 
1864, Catherine Wintield, of Stark county, 
Ohio, and they have four children living: 
Mary E., John C, William E. and Ida May, 
all at home. Mr. Sommers and family are 
members of St. Michael's Church of Eliza- 
beth. 

Wilson Wall, farmer, postofflce Eliza- 
beth, a son of John and Mary (Wilson) Wall, 
was born In 1814, in what is now Forward 
township. Walter Wall, his grandfather, 
and James, his brother, came at the same 
time from New Jersey, and were among the 
first settlers of Forward. Wilson Wall mar- 
ried Hannah Eliza Storrer, daughter of Rich- 
ard Storrer. Their children are Wilson Stu- 
art, James S. O., John R., Anna Mary and 
Mannah Martha. Only three are living. Mr. 
Wall deservedly occupies a prominent place 
in the estimation of the citizens of Forward, 
and is prominent in local enterprises. 

S.\MUEL P. HoLLis (deceased) was born 
Sept. 19. 1833, in Providence, R. I., a descend- 
ant of the Stuarts of Scotland. He died Feb. 
5, 1888. He was educated in the east, and 
there learned the tack and nail trade, and 
was a partner in his father's business. He 
came to Pittsburgh in 1855, and followed his 
trade a number of years before he started in 



756 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



business, wliicli lie did in 1870, willi several 
partners, condiii'liiiy- it successfully until the 
combination roinpany liought them out. In 
1886 he again entered into busine.ss, with his 
sou Charles and his brother, William B. 
Hollis. as partners. Mr. and Mrs. Mollis were 
Presbyterians. He was a very popular man 
in business circles. He married Sophie D.. 
daughter of Uev. Isaac Banks, and by her 
had five children: Maud. Charles A., Leora 
O., Ralph W. and Isaac B. (who died at the 
age of eighteen). Mr. Hollis was a repub- 
lican. 

C. W. G.4RDNER, merchant, postofflce Ben- 
nett, was born Dec. 14, 1862, in Buffalo town- 
ship, Butler county. Pa,; was reared on a 
farm, but while still a boy came to Pittsburgh 
and here worked in a grocery-store. In 1880 
he went to Millvale, and here clerked with 
his brother until 1884, when he commenced 
iu the dry-goods business for himself. He 
had no previous experience in that line, but 
has made a complete success of it, notwith- 
standing that he embarked in it without cap- 
ital; his success is due to his honesty and in- 
dustry. Mr. Gardner is a member of the 
American Mechanics; he is a republican. 

Frederick H. Hampe, merchant, Mt, 
Oliver, was born Aug. 26, 1860, in Pittsburgh, 
South Side. He is a son of Frederick and 
Hannah (Ochlman) Hampe, nalives of Goet- 
tingen, Germany. Frederick. Sr., is success- 
fully engaged iu the bottling business, and 
takes an active part in local politics, being 
identified with the republican party, and 
under the republican administration was 
postmaster of Mt. Oliver for eleven years, 
having had the honor of naming that town. 
He was also the originator and first president 
of the Mt. Oliver fire company. Frederick, 
.Jr., was educated in Pittsburgh, and for the 
last five years he has conducted the grocery 
business in Mt. Oliver. He was married to 
Miss Laura, a daughter of Louis Kuehneisen, 
a merchant of Pittsburgh. He is a repub- 
lican, and a member of the A. P. A., S. O. 
of A. M. 

Fi{.\NK Patterson, farmer, poslofBce 
Buena Vista, is a son of Peter and Jane (Mc- 
Knightj Patterson. James Patterson, the 
grandfather of our subject, was one of the 
first settlers of Elizabeth township, locating 
in this county over one hundred years ago. 
He was a farmer, and iu connection carried 
on the business of distilling. He was an active 
participant in the "whisky insurrection," 
and was held by Washington prisoner at 
Buena Vista for his connection with that 
outbreak. He had eight children, one of 
whom is still living— Rebecca, widow of Eb- 
enezer Henderson, of Elizabeth township. 
Peter the father of our subject, was born on 
the homestead, and always followed the oc- 
cupation of farming. He had seven children, 
one of whom. Sarah. Mrs. Thomas W'. McCune. 
of Elizabeth township, is dead. The living 
are James II., Willi a in E..ThomasC.. Rebecca 
(now Mrs. James Nusbit). Amanda (a maiden 
lady, living with James H.), and Frank, the 



eldest, who was born April 23, 1828. He re- 
ceived his early education at the public 
schools, the preparatory course at Greene 
Academy, Greene county, Pa., and graduated 
from Waynesboro College. Sul)sequently 
he engaged in the mercantile business at 
Bui'ua Vista. For ten years he was justice 
of tlie peace of his township, school director 
seventeen years, and in 1885 was elected di- 
rector of the poor of this county, which office 
he now fills. Mr. Patterson is extensively 
engaged in farming. He was married to 
Kate, daughter of William and Julia (Flynn) 
McCune, of this county. They have three 
children living: Charles H., .Jesse O. and 
Frederick G. Mr. Patterson is a member of 
the R. A., and he and family are members of 
the U. P. Church of Buena Vista, of which 
he is presiding elder. 

Adam Hennino, saddler. Mt. Oliver, was 
born April 13. 1843, in Hessen, Germany, son 
of Adam and Mary (Hochhous) Henning, also 
natives of the above-named place: both are 
still living, the father being eighty-three 
years of age; he is a cooper by trade, and 
has followed various other occupations suc- 
cessfully. They had following-named chil- 
j dren, viz. : Adam, Catherine. Henry, Mar- 
I garet Louise (deceased). Sophie and Mary. 
i The parents were members of the Evangelical 
Church. Adam was educated in this county, 
i and here learned the saddler's trade, which 
; he followed for twenty-two years in Mt. 
I Oliver, where he has now established a flour- 
t ishing business. He married Catherine Claus, 
a native of Germany, and to them were born 
si.\ children: Charles, Henry, George, Katie, 
Emma and Frederich. Mr. Henning is a 
republican, and has held the office of school 
director for nine years. 
i Joseph Rittek, farmer, postoffice Verona, 
was born in Alsace, then France, in 1818, a 
[ son of Joseph and Ann (Borschure) Ritter. 
In 1827 the family, including si.x children, 
immigrated to America, and dwelt twelve 
years in Cambria county. Pa. In 1840 they 
removed to Pittsburgh, South Side, where 
the father died in 1849, at the age of si.xty- 
four years, and his widow in 1872, aged 
eighty-two. Joseph remained with his father 
until his death, and carried on the farm until 
1856. when he sold out and bought his pres- 
ent farm of eighty-seven acres in Penn. In 
1844 Mr. Ritter married Catharine Werling, 
who was born in Bavaria. Her parents. An- 
tony and Clara (Metz) Werling. were born 
in 1800, and died, the former at the age of 
forty-nine, and the latter at seventy-three. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ritter lost two sons and two 
daughters in infancy, and one son, John 
Nicholas, died at the age of twenty. The 
living are Joseph (in Kentucky), Daniel (in 
Verona), Cornelius (in Lorain, Ohio), Peter 
A. (in Verona) and William Henry (with his 
parents). In 1887 the last named married 
Maggie Costello, a native of Penn town.=hip, 
of Irish descent. Mr. Ritter is a democrat, 
and he and family are members of the R. C. 
Church at Verona. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



757 



Horace Gibbons, merchant, Duncan, 
was born in 1824, in Westmoreland county, 
where he received his education. Sept. 
32, 1846, he married Elizabeth Gregg, of 
Allegheny county, and remained in West- 
moreland county until 1863. They then 
removed to Osceola, where Mr. Gibbons 
opened the mines and remained as superin- 
tendent until 1869. Moving thence to Coul- 
tersville, he entered the service of R. Mc- 
Quistion, Kirkpatrick, Herrn & Co., in the 
capacity of check-weighman and pit-boss, 
and remained there for thirteen vears. In 
1864 he enlisted in Co. F. 204th P. V. I., and 
was discharged in 1865 by reason of disabil- 
ity, having received injuries from which he 
never recovered. Upon his return he was 
honored with various official positions in his 
township, and was tax-collector for a period 
of ten years. Later he engaged in the gen- 
eral merchandise business, which he still 
continues; he is a republican in politics. 
Mrs. Gibtjons is a member of the M. E. 
Church. Their children were: John, de- 
ceased; Mary, now Mrs. Painter; Margaret, 
Mrs. James Colligan: William O. B. and 
Abba Etta, now Mrs. Adam Lang. 

S. Klingensmith, merchant, postoffice 
Hites, was born in Armstrong county. Pa., 
in 1840, and was educated in Allegheny 
county. In 1867 he came to Hites, and was 
superintendent until 1872 for Mr. Hite. In 
the latter year the firm of Row & Co. estab- 
lished a mercantile business at Hites, with 
which Mr. Klingensmith was connected. In 
1876 the above firm was succeeded by P. Y. 
Hite, and Mr. Klingensmith was given an in- 
terest, which he retained until 1885, when he 
purchased the entire stock. In 1862 he mar- 
ried Mary Jane, daughter of Thomas Beale, 
of Freeport. The latter served his country 
in the civil war, later made his home in 
Hites, and died at the residence of his daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Klingensmith. Mr. Klingensmith 
has seven children: Samuel Spear, Minnie 
Eloise, George Washington, Sarah Alice, 
Ida Marian, John Hite and Charles 
Roger. A postoffice was always needed at 
Hites, and Tarentum had always opposed it, 
but through the efforts of Mr. Klingensmith 
one was established here in 1877, of which 
he was appointed postmaster, serving as such 
until 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Klingensmith are 
members of the M. E. Church. 

John Bowek, retired farmer, postoffice 
Brinton, is a native of thiscount.y, born near 
the present town of Wilkinsburg, in 1806, 
only son of Abraham and Effie (Curdy) 
Bower, former of whom, born of German 
parents, came from Lancaster county, Pa. 
John, the suijject of this sketch, remained at 
the place of his birth until 1844, in which 
year he came to his present farm of eighty- 
four acres, which he had purchased, and 
here he has since resided, now retired from 
active life. He married Elizabeth, daughter 
of James McKelvy, and by her had eight 
children, five now living: Eva Ann (Mrs. 
Baker), James, Elizabeth (Mrs. More), John, 



Jr., and Abraham. The sons, since Mr. 
Bower's retirement, have had charge of the 
farm. 

William Williams, farmer, postoffice 
Leetsdale, was born April 13, 1820, in Breck- 
nockshire, Wales, a son of Thomas and Mary 
Williams, and was reared and educated in 
Monmouthshire. He came to America in 
the spring of 1842, and followed his trade, 
that of carpenter, for a time, then for 
twenty-four years was an engineer on the 
river. He has since purchased a farm of 
thirty-nine acres of land, where he now re- 
sides. Mr. Williams was married in this 
country to Miss Hannah, daughter of Daniel 
and Mary (Young) Jones. Mr. and Mrs. 
Williams are members of the Baptist Church 
of Fair Oaks; he is a republican. 

John H. Boertzler, mechanic, Etna, 
was born June 13, 1833, in Riitzwiler Amt 
Glauen, Bavaria, Germany, the son of Carl 
Boertzler. He emigrated to America in 1850, 
and, coming to Etna, learned the wagon- 
maker's trade with Daniel Hieler, and has 
been employed in the same shop up to the 
present time, the business now being con- 
ducted by Mr. Hieler's grandchildren. Our 
subject married Mary Wunderling, of Lan- 
caster county, Pa. She is of German de- 
scent, and the mother of four children, viz.: 
Caroline, Malinda, Emma and Melvina. Mr. 
and Mrs. Boertzler are members of the G. L. 
Church, of which he is financial secretary. 
He is a republican; has been school director 
nine years, and was treasurer when the 
schoolhouse was in progress. He is now a 
member of the council. He has been secre- 
tary of the I. O. O. F. for twelve years, and 
is a member of the R. A. 

Peter Anthony Ritter, newsdealer, 
Verona, was born M.oy 15, 1862. a son of 
Joseph and Catharine Kitter, a full account 
of whom is given in their biography. Mr. 
Ritter received his education at Mont'oeville, 
and at the age of twenty-one started a milk 
dairy, and one }'ear later began tending bar 
for his brother. In 1884 he bought out J. W. 
Sadler & Son in the news business, the only 
place of the kind in Verona, carrying also a 
stock of school supplies, and he has a pros- 
perous business. He was married, June 18, 
1885, to Cornelia Antoinette, daughter of A. 
.T. and Mary Ann (Neelis) Verner, natives of 
Pittsburgh, and one child, Mattie Verner, 
has been born to this union. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ritter are members of St. Joseph Catholic 
Church; he is a democrat; a member of the 
Emerald Benefit Association. 

William Rose, merchant, McKee's 
Rocks, was born in Germany in 1853, a Son 
of Henry and Catharine Rose, and came with 
his parents to this country in 1856, settling 
in Allegheny county. Pa. Henry and Cath- 
arine Rose had seven children: Conrad, Will- 
iam, Jacob A., John H., Henry, Christ and 
Lena. William Rose was married. Dec. 27, 
1877, to Catharine, daughter of John R. and 
Catharine Brezger, and they have had three 
children, viz. ; Henry E. (deceased), Estella 



758 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



C. (deceased) and Edna M. From 188.J to 
1888 Mr. Rose was engaged in mercantile 
business, but has recently sold liis slock of 
goods to his brother-in-law, William Hrezger. 
Mr. Hose early in life learned the trade of 
macliinist, and followed it for some time. 
He recently built a good business block and 
dwelling on River road, Chartiers. The 
family are members of the G. L. Church. 

Ja.mes McKee, superintendent of the 
sawmill, docks and river business for 
Joseph Walton & Co., West Elizabeth, is 
a son of Alexander and Jane McKee. former 
a native of Ireland, latter of Beaver county, 
Pa. He was born at Baker's Yard, Beaver 
county, near Freedom, in 1843. There, later, 
he found employment, and learned the trade 
of ship-carpenter. In 1871 he married Amelia, 
daughter of Christian and Margaret Holland, 
of Freedom, Beaver county. In 1873 he 
moved to West Elizabeth, where for several 
years he followed his trade in the employ of 
J. Walton & Co., when he received the posi- 
tion he now holds. Mr. and Mrs. McKee 
have three children: Christie H. (born in 
Freedom, Beaver county, in 1872), Mabel 
Irene (born in West Elizabeth, in 1876), and 
Bertha Ada (born in West Elizabeth, in 
1884). Mr. and Mrs McKee are members of 
the M. E. Church. 

John Girdel, farmer, postofBce Verona, 
was born in Bodenstein, Bavaria, in 18.38. 
His parents, John and Gunigute (Diem) Gir- 
del, came to America when he was six years 
old, and settled in Birmingham, Allegheny 
county. Pa. The father was employed as a 
laborer, and died in 1849, aged forty-two 
years. The only daughter, Katrina, and eld- 
est son, Hans, died at the same time, of 
cholera. John, the only child left, was 
forced to work to support himself, and cared 
for his mother during the last twenty-five 
years of her life. She died at his home near 
Verona, in 1887, at the advanced age of 
eighty-nine years. Mr. Girdel has followed 
farming from twelve years of age, and rented 
before purchasing his farm of 150 acres, in 
Penn, in 1872. He occupied one farm of two 
hundred acres,at Birmingham, for some seven 
years. In 1863 he married Theresa Stoebel. 
who was born in Bavaria. Her parents, 
George and Katrine Stoebel, never came to 
this country. One child blesses the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. Girdel — Catharine Theresa, 
Tlie family are members of St. Joseph's R. 
C. Church at Verona. Mr. Girdel has al- 
ways been a democrat. 

Newton Speer, postoffice Chartiers, is a 
son of James Speer, Jr., who was born in 
1807, on the farm purchased by his father, 
James. Sr., in Stowe township prior to 1800. 
James Speer, Jr., was a farmer, and always 
resided on the home farm. He married, in 
1853, Agnes, daughter of Manuel Twiford, of 
Beaver county. Pa., and the fruits of this 
union were eleven children: Wilmina (wife 
of Philip J. Magnus, of Indiana county, Pa.), 
Dillic A., Harriet C. (wife of Lewis Magnus, 
of Pittsburgh. Pa.), Lizzie E. (deceased). 



Isaac N., Frank B., Howard L., Elmer B., 
Grant A. and Cora V. (twins) and Garnet R. 
Dillie A. has followed teaching eleven years, 
and is principal of the school at Braddock, 
Pa. Mr. and Mrs. James Spegr were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church; Mr. Speer 
was a republican. Their son Newton is 
managing the farm. 

D.wiD MoRRrsoN, farmer, postotfice Mc- 
Keesport, son of John and Mary Ann (Suce) 
Morrison, was born in New York in 1822. 
His parents moved to Pitlsl)urgh in 1834; his 
father was a carpenter and millwright, and 
worked at his trade until he died, at Girty's 
Run. in 1828. The mother of our subject lived 
until 1877, when she died near Freeport, Pa., 
when over ninety years of age. The chil- 
dren of John and Mary Ann Morrison were 
Isaac (deceased). Elizabeth (now Mrs. Charles 
Prayer, of Wheeling, W.Va.), David, Matilda 
(now Mrs. Andrew Irvin) and Julia A. (de- 
ceased). David was reared in this county, 
and in 1843 married Sarah E., daughter of 
William Adams, of Allegheny, and their 
children were Jane, Nancy. David, Martha, 
Mary. Robert, Benjamin, Harriet, William, 
1 Rachel and Sarah E., all now deceased except 
I the last three named. After the marriage of 
David and Sarah E. they located in Allegheny 
City, where Mr. Morrison was a coal-operator, 
having mines at Saw-Mill run and Allegheny 
Side. He remained there until 1851, then 
removed to Mifflin township, and in 1868 pur- 
chased the farm he now owns in Versailles 
township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. 
Morrison were Martha J. (deceased), Will- 
iam J. (deceased), Rachel A. (now Mrs. Nico- 
las Rusha), Isaac N., Samuel, Sarah H. (now 
Mrs. Mabery Gates). The two last named 
are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Mor- 
rison is a stanch republican. His brother 
Isaac was a resident of Elizabeth township, 
and while burning charcoal fell into the pit 
and was burned to death. 

William Redman (deceased) was bori.. 
near London, England, in 1811, and came 
with his people to America when fifteen j'ears 
of age. In early life he commenced boating 
and trading on the river, which he followed 
many years, and in 1853 he located in Brad- 
dock township, where he purchased thirty 
acres of land, all of which he afterward sold 
with the exception of a few acres where his 
widow and sons now reside. He died in 
1876. The subject of this sketch married, in 
1852, Ann Faucett, a native of England, born 
in 1836, and daughter of Thomas Faucett, 
and nine children were born to them; Henri- 
etta (Mrs. Stewart). Charles B., Anna (Mrs. 
McCiure). Margaret, Jane (Mrs. Miller), John, 
William, Frank and Christojjher. The family 
are members of the Methodist Church; polit- 
ically republican. 

Andrew Jackson Hanket, painter, post- 
office Hulton, was born in this county May 
35, 1845, a son of Jonas and Elizabeth (Lud- 
wick) Hankey, natives of Franklin town- 
ship. His father was a cabinet-maker, and 
moved to V^erona in 1882. They were mem- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



759 



bers of the Lutlieran Church. Andrew, at 
the age of iifteen years, learned the paiuter'.s 
trade in Parnassus, where he worked for 
three years. He married, July 25, 1878, 
Mary Dewalt, of Allegheny City, daughter 
of John W. and Elizabeth (George) Dewalt. 
natives of Westmoreland county. Three chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. andMr.s. Hankey, 
named as follows: Elmer Brace, Frank and 
William. In 1879 Mr. Hankey moved to 
Allegheny City, where he followed his trade 
for six years, then came to Verona. He en- 
listed, in 1863, in Co. K, 54th P. V., for one 
hundred days. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F., K. of M., J. W. Paul Tent, No. 40, and 
the G. A. R. 

Jacob Stemler, gardener, postoffice 
Chartiers, was born in Germany in 1844, and 
came with his parents to this country in 1853, 
settling in Pittsburgh, Pa. His parents, 
Peter and Elizabeth Stemler, had the fol- 
lowing-named children: Frederick, Peter, 
Caroline (wife of George Shaffer), Jacob, 
Daniel, Elizabeth and Charlie. The mother 
died in June, 1870, at the age of lifty-four 
years, the father in 1879, at the age of sixty- 
five; he was a laborer in the glassworks. 
Jacob has worked in the glassworks ever 
since he was nine years old. In 1870 he 
married Annie, daughter of -Stephen and 
Mary Saddler, of this county, and they have 
two children, Mar}^ and Frederick. Mrs. 
Stemler's parents were natives of Ireland, 
and came to this country in 1847; they had 
two children: Annie (Mrs. Stemler) and John. 
Mr. Stemler has by industry and economy 
secured a good home and seventy-three 
acres of valuable land in Stowe township, on 
which he raises a vast quantity of fruits and 
vegetables for the Pittsburgh market. 

George W. Wineland, blacksmith, post- 
office Wall, was born in Derry township, 
Westmoreland county, March 5, 1833, a son 
of John and Mary Louise (Robb) Wineland, 
of Pennsylvania. His maternal great-grand- 
father. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, first governor of 
the Northwest Territory, and a revolution- 
ary veteran, was a Scotchman, and his re- 
mains lie in the Greeosburg cemetery. John 
Wineland was a miller in Westmoreland coun- 
ty; he died in June, 1888, aged seventy-seven 
years; his wife died a year previously, at the 
same age. They had seven sons and three 
daughters, of whom George W. is the eldest. 
He was reared in Derry and Unity, and at- 
tended the common school until fifteen years 
of age, when he began his trade. He was 
employed on bridge-work by the railroad 
company at Latrobe, and by the Cambria 
Iron company. On the first call for troops, 
in 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 10th P. V., and 
at expiration of three months joined Co. 
B, 133d P. v., remaining nine months. He 
took part in the battles of Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorsville. Antietam and South Mount- 
ain. Three of his brothers were also in the 
service. He was employed some years in 
Pittsburgh, five years by the P. li. R. at 
Altoona, two years at Bradford division and 



for the last five }'ears at Wall's station. He is 
a member of the G. A. R. and A. O. U. W. 
He is a democrat. He and his wife attend 
the Methodist Church. He married, in 1856, 
Caroline Owens, who was born in Centre 
county, daughter of Henry and Sarah Owens, 
of Peun, and they have five children living: 
John Albert, Mary (Mrs. John Saylor), Wag- 
ner, Ellen (Mrs. S. B. Patterson), Winfield 
(a soldier in the regular army at Ft. Assini- 
boine) and Florence Gertrude. Dallas, Viotta 
and Adell died in infancy. 

James Little Johnston, retired, Wilkins- 
burg. was born in Pittsburgh, Oct. 22, 1832. 
His father, George Reed Johnston, was a 
half-brother of Capt. James M. Johnston 
(whose sketch appears elsewhere), and was 
born Aug. 7, 1790. Sarah Ann, wife of the 
latter, born here in March, 1807, was a daugh- 
ter of David Little, who came from Cumber- 
land county and settled in Wilkinsburg; he 
was a carpenter. G. R. Johnston was em- 
ployed on the river in early life, and later 
engaged in farming in Wilkins township, 
this county, where he died in November, 
1886. He had eight sons (four of whom are 
living): James, George, John, Robert, John 
(who was born after the death of the first 
John), David, William and Jonas. Robert 
and John served in the Union army; the for- 
mer was killed at the battle of the Wilder- 
ness, and the latter died from djsease con- 
tracted in the service. James L. was edu- 
cated in the common schools and an academy 
at East Liberty. Until very recently, he re- 
mained on the farm which lie inherited from 
his father, and now resides in Wilkinsburg. 
He is a member of the Presb3'terian Church, 
in politics a republican. In July, 1861, 
he married Rachel Glenn, daughter of Rev. 
James Graham and his third wife, Martha 
McCullough. Mrs. Graham was a daughter 
of John and Jane (Witherow) McCullough. 
Mr. Graham came from Cumberland county, 
and was forty years pastor of Beulah Church. 
John P. Karl, farmer, postoflice Glenfield, 
was born Sept. 1, 1833, in Neufchatel, on the 
Eisch, Heckstadt, Germany, son of Casper 
and Anna M. (Fisher) Karl. He was educated 
and learned the linen-weaver's trade in his 
native town. In 1849 he came to America 
and settled in this county, engaged with a 
farmer, and eventually purchased a farm of 
sixty acres. Mr. Karl has been twice mar- 
ried, his first wife being Sai'ah Johnson, who 
died young, leaving two daughters, Mary 
A. and Eliza J. His present wife was Mary 
J. Crawford, and she is the mother of four 
children; Ella M., Maggie B., John and 
James I. Mr. Karl has been school director 
nine years, and is a member of the U. P. 
Church; he is a republican. 

James M. Love, bookkeeper, postofflce 
Duncan, a son of Samuel Love, was born in 
1833, in Westmoreland county, where he 
was educated. In 1844 he married Priscilla 
McKain, and located at Port Perry, Alle- 
gheny county, where he worked at his trade 
of blacksmithing, which he also followed 



760 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



later in McKcesport. In 18r)9 he removed to 
Coiiltersville, where lie pursued his business 
as before, but for the last eight j-ears lias 
been keepitit? books for the Oseeola Coal 
compan}'. Mr. Love is a republican, and has 
been ideulifled with the township officially 
for many years, and at the e.vpiralion of his 
present term will have served twenty-one 
years as justice of the peace. His children 
are Manda J., wife of James Boon; Angeline. 
wife of W. K. Kramer; Melissa, wife of 
Henry Blank; James C; Ada, wife of W. 
K. Scott, and Edward. 

Joseph Kink.ud, National Tube-works 
company, McKeesport, was born in London- 
derry, County Donegal, Ireland, Oct. 2.5, 
1829, son of "Robert and Margaret (Miller) 
Kinkaid. He was reared in his native 
county, and came to America in 18.52, lo- 
cating in Philadelphia, where he resided fif- 
teen years. Afterward he traveled from 
place to place in the county until 1874, in 
which year he located in McKeesport, where 
he has since made his home, and with the 
exception of two years has been in the em- 
ploy of the National Tube-works company. 
He is a republican. 

Ch.\rle8 a. Black (deceased) was born 
near Six-Mile Ferry, Allegheny county, in 
1843, a son of Hamilton and Rebecca (Cox) 
Black. In 1853 the family moved to Patton 
township, and twenty years later to Turtle 
Creek village. Hamilton Black died in 1876, 
aged seventy, and his widow in 1881. in her 
fifty-eighth year. Charles A. secured a good 
education, and taught school for some time. 
He was very successful in teaching the violin, 
and spent considerable time in literary labors, 
being a frequent contributor to De.morest's 
Magazine. He married Rose Ann, daughter 
of Degery and Nancy (Myers) Morcom, now 
residents in Westmoreland county. In 1877 
Mr. Black opened a general store on Church 
street. Turtle Creek; in 1887 he was compelled 
b}' failing health to sell out his stock, and 
death closed a useful life on the 10th of Jan- 
uaiy, 1888. He is survived by a widow and 
three children: Jennie Mabel, Charles Ashley 
and William Noble. 

John J. McGiur, real-estate agent, Mc- 
Keesport. was born at Youngstown, Pa., 
March 12, 1855, a sou of Dr. John E. and 
Maher (Heyden) McGirr. His paternal 
grandfather. Dr. Patrick McGirr, a native of 
Ireland, was a prominent ph3-sician of Lon- 
don, England, and later of Westmoreland 
county, Pa. Dr. John E. McGirr was an 
eminent physician of his day, and during the 
civil war had charge of tlie United States 
hospital at Nashville. Tenn. He afterward 
removed to Pittsburgh. Pa., where he died in 
1870. The subject of this sketch was edu- 
cated in the Catholic schools of Latrobe and 
Pittsburgh, and when ten years old began the 
study of Latin, under his father. He took a 
course at Ashland Hall, Pittsburgh, where he 
read Lalin with Prof. Arnold, now a B. & O. 
emploj'e in McKeesport. He also took a 
course of instruction in English literature 



with Prof. J. P. O'Neil, and completed his 
education at the Western University of 
Pennsylvania. In January, 1872, Mr. McGirr 
came to McKeesport, where he was at first 
agent of the B. & O. U. R., and afterward 
agent of the P., McK. ii Y. R. R., which 
position he resigned April 30, 1888. He then 
embarked in the real-estate business, in which 
he is now successfully engaged. He is a 
gentleman of literary tastes, has contributed 
poems to magazines and newspapers, and is 
the author of a work entitled "The 
Destruction of the World," and other poems. 
He is a member of the Catholic Church and 
C. K. of A. He is a democrat. 

Evan Beedle, postoffice Jones Station, 
is a son of Edward and Margaret Beedle (na- 
tives of Wales, and now deceased), and was 
born in Wales in 18.35. He immigrated to 
America in 18.50, and located at McKeesport, 
this county.where he engaged in coal-mining. 
In 1858 he married Sarah Ann, daughter of 
William and Charlotte Hodgson, and settled 
twenty years ago near Jones Station, in Jef- 
ferson township, which is his present place 
of residence. Their children are William, 
Charlotte, Sarah Ann, Steven, John, Maggie, 
Eddie, Henry Charles and Evan. Of these, 
William is at Hillsdale, Sarah A. (now Mrs. 
R. Latta), resides at McKeesport, and the rest 
are at home with their parents. Mr. Beedle 
is operating mines at Hillsdale and Coal 
BluS, which have a capacit}-, respectively, of 
ten and twelve thousand bushels daily. He 
devotes nearly his entire time to the mines, 
and is also a merchant. 

Jacob Ament, engineer. Wall, is a brother 
of Hezekiah Ament, and was born in Frank- 
lin, Oct. 34, 1841, a great-grandson of George 
Ament, a revolutionary soldier. He was 
reared on the farm, and attended the common 
schools. When seventeen years of age he 
was employed about a coalboat-yard, and 
later went on a coalboat on the Ohio. On 
reaching his majority he was employed in 
the carpenter-shop of the Penns3'lvania rail- 
road, in Pittsburgh. After braking two 
years and firing four years, he took charge of 
a locomotive in 1867. In 1871 he located at 
Wall, and built bis present residence the 
next year. He is a member of the M. E. 
Church at Turtle Creek, and superintendent 
of the Sunday-school there and at Wall. He 
is a democrat, with prohibition tendencies. 
In 1866 he married Isabella Jemima Cline, 
a native of Westmoreland, daughter of 
Michael and Hester Cline. of Dutch descent. 
The following are the names of Mr. Amenfs 
children: Francis Chalmer, Joseph Albert, 
Norman Mcintosh and Florence Edna. 

H. W. Flick, undertaker and liveryman, 
Tarentum, was born in Butler county. Pa.. 
in 1859, a son of Edward Flick, of Butler 
county. Pa. In 1875 he removed with his 
parents to Tarentum, where his father died 
in 1885 and his mother now has her residence. 
Their family consisted of the following- 
named children: Catherine, John C. Robert 
G., William J., H. W., Mary, Grant, Annie 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



761 



R. (deceased), Catherine (uow Mrs. White, of 
Harrison township) and Mary (uow Mrs. 
Vogeley, also of Harrison township). In 
1875 our subject and his father became 
engaged in business iu Tarentum, which they 
followed until the decease of the latter.when 
H. W. continued iu the same Hue. In 1884 
he married JMiss Ella Bovard, of East Deer 
township, and they have two children; Goldie 
and Edward W. Mr. and Mrs. Flick are 
members of the Presbyterian Church. He is 
a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 587, of 
Tarentum. 

Fkank Smolenske, grocer, McKeesport, 
was born in Westchester county, N. Y., 
March 9, 1860, a son of Louis and Nancy A. 
(Ewing) Smolenske, the former a native of 
Russia, and the latter of Ireland. The par- 
ents, in 1875, settled iu McKeesport, where 
the father, for the past six years, has carried 
on the business of dairyman. His family 
consists of six children; Mary, Frank, Mar- 
tha, Delia, John and Maggie. Frank settled 
in McKeesport in 1873, and for eight years 
worked as a laborer. He then embarked in 
business as a dairyman, in which be still 
continues, and since 1886 has been iu the 
grocery business. In 1881 he married Rose 
A., daughter of Frederick and Caroline 
(Nunencamp) Knipcamp, of Green Oak, 
Allegheny county, and has two children; 
Mattie B. and Louis F. He is a member of 
the C. P. Church and of the I. O. H., and is 
a democrat. 

Henry S. Becker, expressman, Sewick- 
ley, was born December 9, 1841, in Pitts- 
burgh, Pa., son of Adam Becker, a native of 
Holland, who came to America when a sin- 
gle man, and settled in Pittsburgh; he bad 
been a blacksmith in Holland, and engaged 
here with John Auderson & Son, of Monon- 
gahela foundry, in 1833. He remained with 
the same firm until his death. which occurred 
in 18,57. He was trustee of St. Michael's 
Catholic Church, and was one of the origi- 
nal stockholders of one of the first German 
newspapers in Pittsburgh, known as the 
Republicancr, published for the benefit of St. 
Joseph's orphan asylum. He was married to 
Mary T. Gehlhausen, and they reared a 
family of four children. Henry S. Becker 
enlisted in the Army of the Potomac at the 
age of nineteeen, and served three years. 
He participated in eight or ten battles, and 
was promoted to sergeant. Since the war he 
has lived in Sewickley, where he has been in 
the express business for eighteen years. He 
was married to Mary S. Sacher, and they 
have nine children. Mr. Becker is a demo- 
crat. 

Henry Mathews, farmer, postofBce 
Upper St. Clair, was born Feb. 29, 1848, in 
Union township, this county, a son of John 
and Catherine Mathews, who were born in 
Germany, April 30, 1807, and April 15. 1813, 
respectively. His father came to Union 
township in 1837, and began farming in Bald- 
win township in 18-53, and in 1873 he bought 
the farm where our subject now lives. He 



died April 11, 1886; his widow now resides 
on the South Side, Pittsburgh. Henry mar- 
ried, Aug. 21, 1873, Martha Kitcer, born Aug. 
10, 1851, in Upper St. Clair township, a 
daughter of Conrod and Mary (Muth) 
Kitcer, who were born in Germany in 
1817 and 1823, respectively. The latter died 
March 26, 1888. The former was a wagon- 
maker on the Brownsville road, and his 
father and mother, Henry and Margaret 
Kitcer, died there in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mathews are members of the Lutheran 
Church at Castle Shannon. Seven children 
have been born to them; Anna Mary C, 
July 10, 1874; Harry John, Dec. 25, 1875; 
John Henry, Oct. 26, 1877; William Fred- 
ric, Aug. 30, 1879; Lizzie Ellamanda. Oct. 
22, 1881; George Edward, Dec. 12, 1886, and 
Henry Adam, Aug. 11. 1888. Mr. Mathews 
had his collar-bone broken in a runaway, but 
was only laid up a few days; he also barely 
escaped being shot, through the carelessness 
of a Pittsburgh gunsmith, the ball grazing 
his cheek. 

Daniel McCordy, merchant, postofflce 
White Ash, was born near Bush Mills, 
County Antrim, Ireland, in 1832. When 
fourteen years old he came with his parents, 
Daniel and Mary Ann (McAlese) McCurdy, 
to Pittsburgh, and since then has cared for 
himself. In 1853 the elder McCurdy came to 
Penn township and engaged in farming; 
he died in 1870, aged eighty years, his 
widow in 1877, aged about seventy. They 
had five children who grew up, of whom 
Daniel is the eldest. The others are Eliza- 
beth (wife of William Palmer, in Hatfield, 
this couuty), Mary (Mrs. Wilson Smith, in 
Verona), James (at Sandy Creek) and Julia 
(Mrs. R. L. Keht, in Verona). Ou reaching 
his majority Daniel was employed about the 
Sandy Creek Coal-works, and was sev- 
eral years superintendent. He opened a 
general store in the village in 1876; has done 
a successful business, and owns a handsome 
brick residence on the Frankstown road. He 
is connected with Hebron U. P. Church; 
politically he is a republican, and h.as served 
two years as supervisor. In 1858 he married 
Margaret, daughter of Anthony Edgar, of 
County Down, Ireland, and they have nine 
children living; John, in Verona, and Sarah, 
Elizabeth, Minerva, Daniel Morgan, James 
Oliver. Lee, Perry and Stella, at home; Julia, 
Harry and Etta died in infancy. 

John Philips, farmer, postoffice Upper 
St. Clair, was born in this county in 1819. 
About 17.55 Joseph Philips, in company with 
his brother, Rev. David Philips, came to 
America from Wales. Of the early life of 
Joseph but little is known, he being thirty- 
nine years of age at the time he emigrated to 
America. He settled in Chester county, 
where he purchased a small tract of land, 
erected a two-story log house, and there 
remained until his death. He married a 
Welsh lady, whose first name was Mar3% and 
three children, David, John and Joseph, 
were born to them. Of these, Joseph, who 



762 



HISTOUY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



was a native of Chester county, came to this 
county and took up 360 acres of land, where 
he remained until his death. He followed 
fanning all his life, and was for many years 
a justice of the peace. His son. David, was 
born and reared on this tract of land, and 
married Siehey Hulls, by whom he had thir- 
teen children, nine of whom are living. Of 
these, John, the subject of this memoir, and 
who is the sixth son, was born and reared on 
the farm where he now resides, and which he 
owns, and was educated in the log school- 
house. He owns seventy -five acres of the 
first tract purchased by his grandfather. He 
married, in 1843, Margaret, daughter of 
Josiah Philips, and eight children were born 
to them, viz.: .losiah F., David M. (deceased), 
Miiry Bell (deceased), James Alfred, Sarah 
Frances, Emma F., Lois A. and Elmer Ells- 
worth. The mother died in 1879, aged fifty- 
eight years. Mr. Philips and family are 
members of the Baptist Church; he is a 
republican. 

Gkorge Ross Dougherty, miller, post- 
oflSce Drennen. was born in Westmoreland 
county. Pa., March 3.5, 1848, a son of An- 
drew and Sarah (Albert) Dougherty, natives 
of this county, the former a farmer in West- 
moreland county. George Ross Dougherty 
received a common-school education, and 
worked with his father until about 1870. He 
was in the rolling-mills two years at Blair, 
Ohio, and for eighteen years has operateil his 
father's gristmill in Plum township. He 
married, Feb. 17, 1876, Mary Wall Smith, a 
native of Westmoreland county, and two 
sons and four daughters have been born to 
them. Mrs. Dougherty is a member of the 
Lutheran Church; Mr. Dougherty is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., and is a democrat. 

JoHAN C. ZiEscnE, gardener, postofiice 
Ross, was born Jan. 33, 1813, in Chemnitz, 
Saxony, Germany, to Gotfried and Christiana 
R. (Glaeser) Ziesche. He learned the weav- 
er's trade in Germany, and followed it in 
this country. In 1878 he crippled his hand, 
after which he removed to Ross township, 
where he occupies six acres of land.which he 
cultivates successfully, with the aid of his 
wife and children. Mr. and Mrs. Ziesche are 
members of St. Matthew's German Church. 

S.\MnEL AosTEN, farmer, postoffice Gib- 
sonia, is a sou of Thomas P. and Lydia B. (Al- 
lison) Austen, former a native of England, 
latter of Richland township, this county, 
where she was reared, and where she died. 
Thomas P. came to America with his parents, 
Charles and Sarah, in 1831. Thej' settled in 
McCandless township, near Pearce's Mill. 
Charles Austen died at Bakerstown, Dec. 5, 
18.50. There Thomas P. lived until 1844, 
when he moved to Richland township, and 
here he remained until his death, in 1886; his 
wife died in 1878. Samuel was born on the 
Grubbs farm, near Bakerstown, in 1854. He 
received his educatiou at Bakerstown Acad- 
emy, and engaged in teaching for several 
years; then commenced farming, which he 
has since followed. He married, in 1877, 



Eliza, daughter of John and Jane Love, of 
West Deer township, and they have three 
children living: Hester S., Thomas P. and 
Clyde Sylvester. Mr. Austen has held the 
office of school director of the township for 
seven years. He and family are members of 
the Presbyterian Church at Bakerstown, of 
which he is an elder. 

William Ross Clendenning, farmer, 
postofiice Bakerstown, was born on his 
father's farm in 1836, son of Charles Clenden- 
niug (see his sketch). He received his educa- 
tion in West Deer township and at Bakers- 
town. beginning work for himself in 1858. 
He was then married to Margaret G., daugh- 
ter of George and Eliza (Karnes) Ilazelett, 
natives of Tarentum, Pa. Her father died 
Oct. 18, 1870. and her mother Oct. 4, 1869. 
Mrs. Clendeaning was educated at Tarentum 
and Allegheny Cil}'. Mr. and Mrs. Clenden- 
niug have one child. Mary Ellen. The family 
are members of Bakerstown Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Clendenning is a large farmer 
in the township, and is a republican. 

Samuel Suttek, farmer, postoffice Etna, 
was bora in Etna, the son of Samuel and 
Sarah (Heckenthorn) Sutter, natives of 
Switzerland. Samuel Sutter, Jr., came to 
America when a boy with his parents, who 
settled in Etna in an earlj' day. The father 
made nail-kegs for Spang & Co.; was an 
early gold-miner in California, being one of 
the "forty-niners." He was successful in 
his enterprise, but was killed on his way 
home by one of his companions. There were 
only two children: Mrs. Sarah Seitz and 
Samuel. The latter married Margaret Man- 
gold, and they have six children: Emma, 
John, Marj' A., Sophia, Sarah and George. 
Mr. Sutter worked sixteen j'ears in Spang's 
mill and other iron-mills. In 1873 he pur- 
chased fifty acres of land, which he improved. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sutter are members of the G. 
L. Church. He is a republican, and is school 
director. 

John McNeal. farmer, postoffice Mon- 
tooth, is a son of John and Margaret (Camp- 
bell) McNeal, natives of Ireland, who immi- 
grated to this country in 1838, and settled in 
Pittsburgh. In 1831 they moved to Hampton 
township, and located on a farm near Talley 
Cavey. Mrs. Margaret (Campbell) McXeal 
died in 1857, and John, Sr. . next married Mrs. 
Hamilton, of Butler county, who is still liv- 
ing; he died July 4, 1885." His children by 
his first wife were Catherine.nowMrs. Henry 
Thomas, of Iowa; John, our subject; Jane, 
now Mrs. David Ryan, of Temperanceville; 
Arthur, of Lawrenceville; Henrj-, who was 
killed by accident Dec. 7, 1887; Sarah, widow 
of James Kane, of Iowa; Margaret E.. widow 
of Henry Leafier, of Lawrenceville. The 
children by the second marriage are Freder- 
ick, who resides with his mother, and Belle, 
wife of Dr. Joseph Irwin, of Miola. The 
subject of this memoir was born in Pitts- 
burgh in 1839, and was brought to Hampton 
township, where he was reared. In 1851 he 
married Mary, daughter of Patrick Cullen, of 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



763 



this county, and Ihey have had four children, 
two of whom are now living: Edward J. and 
William A., both farmers of Hampton town- 
ship. Mr. McNeal was elected justice of the 
peace of Hampton township in 1882, again 
in 1887, and still holds the office; has also 
been assessor, school director and supervisor. 
He and Mrs. McNeal are members of St. 
Mary's Church, of Pine creek. 

Joseph Hatch, farmer, postcfflce Ben- 
nett, was born Jan. 1, 1818. in Massachusetts, 
son of Ebenezer Hatch, who was born in 
1774, in Barnstable county, Mass. The Hatch 
ancestry, Davis and Cushman, came over in 
the Mayflower in 1620. Ebenezer Hatch 
learned the ship-building trade in South Caro- 
lina. He married, In Maine, Statirah Blanch- 
ard, who became the mother of six children: 
Sabra, Eunice, Elizabeth, Nathaniel B., 
Joseph and Davis P. Ebenezer came to this 
county in 1807. and followed his trade in 
Pittsburgh, where he built the first brick 
house. Joseph learned the wagon-makei 'sand 
painter's trades and surveying, which he fol- 
lowed at different times. When a young 
man he taught school for ten years. He 
married Nancy Jane McFerrin, who died 
Feb. 24, 1875, a Presbyterian. Of her 
children, two are living: Mrs. Elizabeth 
Thompson and Mrs. Nancy J. Schar. Mr. 
Hatch has been a farmer forty-five years. 
He is a Presbyterian; has been a republican, 
is now a prohibitionist. 

William Andrews, farmer, postofflce 
Remington, was born in 1806, in County 
Derry. Ireland, son of Mark and Sarah (An- 
derson) Andrews, and was among the young- 
est children born to his parents. In 1825 he 
immigrated to America, settling in Lebanon 
county, Pa., and in that part of the state was 
for forty years engaged in contracting and 
railroading. In 1831 he came to Allegheny 
county and purchased 145 acres of la d, aft- 
erward owning over three hundred acres. 
Hewas married, inl831. to Margaret Phillips, 
daughter of James Phillips, and of the five 
children born to them the following three 
are now living: Mark, Joseph and Samuel. 
Mr. Andrews, through his own perseverance, 
has been very successful financially. He and 
family are members of the U. P. Church, and 
he is "a republican. 

James Alonzo Cypheks, retired, post- 
office White Ash, was born in Wilkinsburg, 
March 8, 1818, the eldest child of Philip and 
Nancy (Quinter) Cyphers. Philip was born 
in 1791 in New Jersey, and died in East Lib- 
erty in 1808. He came to Wilkinsburg in 
1815, in company with John Quinter, his 
wife's father, and was a lime-burner and 
farmer. His wife died Feb. 9, 1870, aged 
sixty-nine years. There were fourteen chil- 
dren, of whom the following grew to matur- 
ity: James A., John, William, Henry, Philip, 
Benjamin, Sarah and Elizabeth (triplets) and 
Mary. James A. Cyphers was reared on a 
farm, and for eleven years drove a six-horse 
team at Wilkinsburg. For about the same 
period he was night yardmaster at East Lib- 



erty, and took part in the construction of the 
A. v. R. R. and Sandy Creek coal-road. In 
1847 he purchased land where Sandy Creek 
village now lies, and built three houses. 
Oct. 6, 1842, he wedded Maria, only child 
of John and Jane (Thompson) McGlade, 
of Ireland, former of whom kept hotel 
many years at Johnstown, where Mrs. Cy- 
phers was born, in 1827. Mr. Cyphers has 
always been a democrat. He was reared a 
Presbyterian, but with his wife joined the 
R. C. Church at Verona. They have seven 
children: William John, Rebecca Jane. Annie, 
James, Frank, Lawrence and Albertus P. 

AncHiBALD McFee Stewart, postofflce 
White Ash, a son of William and Elizabeth 
(McFee) Stewart, was born in Kilmarnock, 
Scotland, Nov. 12, 1837. His father was a 
landscape-gardener, and came to this country 
in 1851. His first work in America was to 
lay out the grounds of J. K. Knox, at Knox- 
ville. He afterward settled in Pittsburgh, 
where he acquired property, and died Sept. 
20, 1874, aged sixty-nine years; his widow 
now resides there, at the age of eight5^ Be- 
sides the son above named there are two 
others, John and James, in Pittsburgh. 
Archibald McFee Stewart received most of 
his education in Scotland. When fourteen 
years old he went to learn the shoemaker's 
trade until he was twenty. He kept a shop 
in Lawrenceville and Allegheny, Titusville 
and various points in the oil-country, being 
longest at Martinsburg, where he now owns 
property. In 1887 he moved to the farm 
owned by the family at White Ash, and is 
engaged in fruit-growing. In 1872 he mar- 
ried Mary Smathers, born in Clarion county, 
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Walters) 
Smathers, of German descent, and they have 
three children: Anna, Ella and William G. 
Mr. Stewart accepts the Swedenborgian 
faith, and is a member of the A. O. U. W.; 
for many years he has voted with the prohi- 
bitionists. 

Hercdles McInttre, blacksmith, post- 
offlce Talley Cavey, was born in County 
Down, Ireland, in 1841, and in 1849 came to 
America in company with six brothers. Two 
brothers went to California, where they died. 
One was killed in the civil war, and James, 
David and William are farmers in this county. 
Hercules was married, in 1867, to Christina, 
daughter of George Sterling, of West Deer 
township, and they have six children: Mary, 
John, Robert, Belle, George and William, 
all at home. In 1867 Mr. Mclntyre purchased 
his present home, where he has since been 
engaged in blacksmithiug. He and his fam- 
ily are members of the 11. P. Church at Tal- 
ley Cavey. 

Mrs. Caroline Grafp, merchant, post- 
offlce West Elizabeth, daughter of Michael 
and Margaret Wilds, was born in Bald- 
win township, in 1840. Her parents were 
both natives of Germany, where they were 
married, after which they immigrated to 
Baldwin township, where they reared a 
family of seven children, three of whom are 



764 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Still living: Jacob, William and Caroline. 
The last named married, in 1859, John Graff, 
of Baldwin township, where they resided for 
a period of nine years. They then moved to 
We.9t Klizabeth, and purchased property now 
owned by our subject, and where she is at 
present engaged as a dealer in general mer- 
chandise. Mr. GralTdied July G,1887,and was 
the father of the following-named children; 
Louisa, now Mrs. Samuel Livingston, of 
Duquesne; Margaret, now deceased; Lena, 
now Mrs. George Moyer, of Jefferson town- 
ship; John W., Charles B., Jane L., Sadie 
M. and Ella Belle. Charles B. has a store at 
Duquesne. 

Chakles Durning, machinist, Verona, 
was born in Pittsburgh, Feb. 18, 1848, a son 
of Robert and Mary (Alcock) Durning, of 
Lancashire, England. The father was called 
a whitesmith, that is, a fine-tool maker, and 
died in 1870, aged sixty-six years. His 
widow, now seventy-seven, resides in Pitts- 
burgh. Charles attended the city schools 
until fourteen years old, and when si.xteen 
began work in machine-shops. In 1872 he 
took employment in the A. V. R. R. shops, 
and for the past three years has had charge 
of the entire machine department. He be- 
came a resident of Verona when the shops 
■were moved here in 1876. and is the owner of 
a house and several lots in the First ward. 
In 1873 he married Mary E. Gray, who was 
born at Blairsville, of German descent. 
Mrs. Durning is the mother of nine children, 
five of whom are living; Charles Harry, 
Alice, Bessie. Martha May and Thomas. 
Those deceased were named Alma Ida, 
Joseph, Maud and Bertie, who was thirteen 
years old. The family is connected with tlie 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Durning is a F. 
& A. M. and a member of the I. O. O. F. ; 
he is a republican, and a member of the 
borough council. 

Henry Elkim, hotel-keeper, Hulton, was 
born in County Tyrone, Ireland, May 17. 
1843. a son of William and Jane (Rippey) 
Elkin, former of whom came to America in 
1853, and engaged in farming in Indiana 
county. Pa. ; he is a member of the Episco- 
pal Church, and helped to build St. James' 
church in Pittsburgh. Henry Elkin received 
his education in Ireland. In 1861 he began 
work in the Fort Pitt foundry, where he 
made guns for a year and a half; was then 
five years a puddler in the rolling-mills; then 
engaged in the restaurant business on Peun 
avenue, Pittsburgh, in which he continued 
nineteen years. In 1873 he organized the 
American Tin-plate company, and started a 
factory at Wellsville, Oliio. In 1873 the 
panic financially ruined the concern, and 
Mr. Elkin lost all he had invested. In July, 
1886, he came to Verona, where he opened 
the Holton hotel, in which he has met with 
success. He was married, in 1869. to Agues 
Ann Potter, a native of Clearfield county, 
Pa., born Aug. 31, 1840, and a daughter of 
Joseph Ramsey and Margaret (Postlewaite) 
Potter. Mr. and Mrs. Elkin have four chil- 



dren; Margaret Ellen, Antha Cardila, Anna 
Gusta, Ida Lily, all at home. Mr. Elkin is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., American Protest- 
ant Association, Orange Society and Knights 
of Malta. He is a republican. 

Stei'uen BuTLEit CLE.VIENT, clerk, post- 
office Verona, was born Feb. 33, 1847, in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, and is the son of William 
Butler and Eliza Jane (Meeds) Clement, na- 
tives of Cincinnati and Baltimore. Our sub- 
ject received his education in the Cincinnati 
public schools, and in 1860 embarked as clerk 
in the wholesale house of T. F. Tliirkield & 
Co. At the outbreak of the war this firm 
closed up, and in 1866 Mr. Clement began 
farming in Colerain township, Hamilton 
county, Ohio. In 1873 he came to Plum 
township, where he engaged in farming until 
1881. He then engaged in his present busi- 
ness with the Verona Tool-works. He was 
united in marriage. Oct. 8, 1873, with Mary 
Ellen, daughter of George and Sarah (Leeber) 
Gosling. Two children bless their union: 
Bertha Bishop, aged thirteen, and Ada. aged 
si.x. The family are members of the P. E. 
Churcli. Mr. Clement is a member of the 
I. O. H. He was elected auditor of Verona 
by the republican party. 

Isaac Patterson, engine-hostler. Wall, 
was born in the parish of Tillabish. County 
Down, Ireland, a son of Isaac and Margaret 
Patterson. He was reared on a farm, and 
attended the public schools. When thirty 
years old he came to Pittsburgh, and was 
employed in the construction of the P. R. R. 
For the last twenty-four years he has had 
charge of locomotives when not in use. He 
lived sixteen years above Stewart's Station, 
and in 1869 bought a house at Wall. He is 
also the owner of two other houses, which 
his industry has secured. Mr. Patterson is a 
member of the M. E. Church at Turtle Creek; 
politically he is a democrat. He married, in 
Ireland, in 1851, Susannah English, a native 
of the same parish as himself, and they have 
five children: Thomas, a resident of Wall; 
John, at Braddock; Isaac, in Pittsburgh; 
Ellen, wife of D. S. Lewis, Wall, and Cath- 
arine, at home. 

Thomas F. Watson, retired, postoflice 
Coraopolis, was born in Middletown, County 
Durham, England, Oct. 5. 1834, a son of 
Mark and Eleanor (Rennison) Watson, both 
natives of England, and members of the M. 
E. Church. They immigrated to South Pitts- 
burgh. Pa., in 1830, where Mark engaged in 
manufacturing brick for seven 3'ears. He 
then removed to Fayette county, and pur- 
chased a large body of land. Two years 
later he sold out. returned to Allegheny 
county, and, coming to what is now Cora- 
opolis. purchased 141 acres now included in 
the borough. He was the first resident 
Methodist, and did everything in his power 
to encourage the building up of a congrega- 
tion here; he gave the land on which the 
present church is built, and was one of the 
principal contributors toward its erection. 
He died Feb. 18, 1856, in the seventy-second 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



765 



year of his age. He and his wife had a fam- 
ily of eight children, sis of whom grew to 
be men and women: Elizabeth, married to 
William Hannah; Mark, married to Eliza- 
beth Allen; Agnes, married to James Brown; 
Sarah, married to Rev. Josiah Dillon; 
Thomas F., and John, who married Amanda 
McMillon. Thomas F. worked on his fa- 
ther's farm,and after the latter's death he and 
his brother purchased a sawmill, which they 
operated at Coraopolis until April, 1888. 
June 30, 18.50, Mr. Watson married Mary A. 
Moore, who was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., a 
daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Hook) 
Moore, and they have had eight childreu, 
seven yet living: Mark, an engineer, married 
to Mollie Hohie; Ella, wife of Charles 
Scharff; Thomas F., Jr., clerk for the P. & W. 
R. R., married to Bessie Winn; Charles E., 
John W., Cora A. and James, all of whom 
reside at Coraopolis. Mr. Watson is a 
trustee of the M. E. Church, of which he and 
family are members. 

Hugh G. Miller, farmer, postoffice Glen- 
shaw, was born July 19, 1838, on the old 
Miller homestead, in Shaler township. His 

frandfather, James Miller, came here from 
reland with his second wife and three 
children, Rodney, Thomas and Margaret. 
He was a member of the old Covenanter 
Church, to which his descendants still ad- 
here. Thomas Miller married Margaret 
Watt, and their union was blessed with the 
following-named children: Jane, James, 
John, Mary, Sarah, Hugh G., Robert and 
Martha. Hugh G. has been a miner, but is 
now a farmer, and has eighty acres of the 
old homestead. He married Martha J., 
daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Black) 
Cunningham, who were old settlers in Butler 
county, and they have four children: Mrs. 
Sarah E. Croskey, Matilda C, Clara B. and 
H. P. Wilej'. Mr. Miller has been an active 
member of the R. P. Church, of which he 
has been an elder for twenty years. 

William Parker McDade, toolmaker, 
postoffice Verona, was born on an island in 
the mouth of Plum creek, this county, April 
5, 1852, a grandson of James McDade, who 
came from Ireland, and kept store many 
years in Pittsburgh, and also in what is now 
Verona. William Parker was jailer of Pitts- 
burgh the same time that James McDade 
dwelt there, and Robert, son of the latter, 
married Mary, daughter of the former, both 
being born in the city. The McDades were 
Methodists and the Parkers Presbyterians. 
Robert McDade now resides in Pittsburgh, 
his wife having died June 14, 1888. He 
served three years in Hampton's batteiy dur- 
ing the civil war, and his son went out at the 
age of fifteen, and died a year later in the 
service. William McDade was the youthful 
stay of his mother during his father's mili- 
tary service, and had little opportunity for 
scliooling. At the age of nineteen he went 
to learn the plasterer's trade, which he fol- 
lowed six years. For the last twelve years 
he has been employed in the Verona Tool- 



works. He is a member of the R. A. ; is a 
republican, and adheres to the faith of the 
Methodist Church. In 187-") he married 
Loraine, a native of Penn township, and 
daughter of Alexander and Eliza Smith. 
Their children are Harry Parker, Warren, 
Clifford, Ella Maud, Edith P. and an infant 
son unnamed. 

George Mason Ferrbe, farmer, post- 
office Coraopolis, was born on the homestead 
of his father and grandfather, near Coraopolis, 
April 31, 1831, a son of William P. and 
Mary (Stoddart) Ferree, and was educated 
at Coraopolis. He married, Dec. 31, 1862, 
Rachel O. Curry, who was born Dec. 30, 
1841, on her father's farm in Moon township, 
a daughter of John and Anna (Onstott) 
Curry. Mr. Ferree worked on his father's 
farm and conducted a sawmill with R. B. 
Kindle until his father was killed. He then 
located on his present farm at Coraopolis, it 
being part of the place his grandfather, 
Jacob, purchased prior to 1800. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ferree have a family of two sons a;nd 
two daughters: Emery Howard, clerk in the 
Chartiers Steel-works; Westanna J., Ralph 
Nevine and Beulah V., all with their parents. 
Mr. Ferree is a republican. He and his wife 
are members of Forest Grove Presbyterian 
Church. 

Jambs H. Rath, farmer, postoffice Eliza- 
beth, a son of Robert and Mary (McFadden) 
Rath, was born in Mifflin township, in 1841. 
His parents settled in Mifflin upward of fifty 
years ago, and their familj' consisted of 
nine children — six girls, five of whom are 
living, and three boys. James H. is by pro- 
fession a teacher, and received his earlj' edu- 
cation in the schools of the county, and 
later attended several educational institu- 
tions. In 1865 he married Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of William and Diana Lowrie. He re- 
sided for some time in Jeflerson township, 
and recently moved to the farm purchased 
by him in Forward township. His children 
are Carrie L., William L., Sadie M., Maud J., 
Minnie, Charley C, Mabel F. and George 
Lytle. Susan P. Lowrie is also a member of 
his household, having made her home with 
him since 1865. She has taught school for 
fifteen years, with invariable success. Mrs. 
Rath, after a lingering illness, died Nov. 13, 
1887, a member of the U. P. Church, of 
which Mr. Rath is also a member. 

John Holmes, farmer, postofiioe Talley 
Cavey, is a son of Lazarus and Margaret 
(McCombs) Holmes. His parents were 
natives of Ireland, and came to this country 
about 1813. They located in Washington 
county. Pa., remained there until 1818, when 
they moved to Ohio, and about 1823 came to 
this county and settled on the farm now 
occupied by our subject. They died in 1840 
and 1863, respectively. They reared four- 
teen children, six of whom are still living: 
Maria, wife of J. Moore; Mary, wife of 
Samuel Chamberlain, both in Ohio; Joanna 
and Margaret, maiden ladies, in Hampton 
township; Elizabeth, widow of Robert Mo- 



766 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Elheny, of Hampton township, and our 
subject, who was liorn in Tuscarawas county, 
Ohio, in 1820, and came to this county with 
his parents in 1823. Dec. 24, . 1803, he 
married Eli/.abetli, daughter of James and 
Rachel(Bradshaw) Moore, natives of Ireland, 
and settlers in this county. Eleven children 
were born to this union: James M., Lazarus 
M., William J., Joseph C, Mary Ann, 
Albert J., Agnes E., George Syl., Rachel, 
Susan E. and David H. I., all living at home. 
Mr. Holmes has been assessor of the town- 
ship for several terms, and he and his wife 
are members of the U. P. Church of Talley 
Cavey, in which he is an elder. 

WoLKOSKY Bkothers (Jacob and Mayer), 
clothiers, McKeesport, are natives of Rus.sia, 
where they were reared and educated. Jacob 
came to America in 1880, located in Pitts- 
burgh, and in 1881 embarked in the jewelry 
business in that city, in which he was en- 
gaged five years. Iii 1887 he carried on the 
clothing business in Counellsville, Pa., six 
months, and Oct. 1st. same year, established 
his present business in McKeesport, in com- 
pany with his brother, Mayer, who came to 
this county in 1884. Though but a recent 
acquisition to the business community of 
McKeesport, the Wolkosky Brothers, by strict 
attention to business, have built up a large 
trade that is constantly increasing. 

FtNDLEV GiLKESON, farmer, postofflce 
Mount Lebanon, was born in Allegheny 
county, in 1849, the youngest of four chil- 
dren born to James and Fannie (McCuUey) 
Gilkeson. This family came originally from 
east of the Allegheny mountains. James 
was a farmer, and purchased the farm now 
owned by Findley. He died in 1872, aged 
seventy-five years; his wife in 1841, aged 
forty-four years. Our subject was born and 
reared on the place he now owns, and has al- 
ways been a farmer. He received a common- 
school education at the public schools, and 
married, in 1874. Caroline Anderson, daugh- 
ter of Jacob and Sarah Anderson, of this 
county. Three children have been born to 
this union: Harvey, Wallace and Sarah Fran- 
ces. Mr. Gilkeson is a democrat. 

Edwin P. Peakson, of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad Delivery company, Pittsburgh, is a 
son of Joseph and Mary Pearson, and was 
born in Pittsburgh in 1840. His father was 
born in England in 1789, came to this country 
in 1810, and settled in Pittsburgh, where he 
engaged in the hardware trade until his re- 
tirement in 18.'50. His wife was Mary, 
daughter of James Miller, of this county, 
and their children were Joseph, George. 
William (deceased). Alfred, Edwin F., Mary 
(wife of George W. Bowlman) and James. 
The father was a member of the Masonic 
fraternity and the 1. O. O. F., and died in 
1865, at the age of seventy-six years. Edwin 
F. married, in 1864, Sophia, daughter of 
Edward and Wilhemina Dubarry, and by 
this marriage there were five children: Jo- 
seph, Adda. Edwin, Rollaud and Julia M. 
When about si.xteen years of age Mr. 



Pearson went west, where he remained three 
years engaged in various occupations, among 
others teaching school one year. On his re- 
turn to this county he became manager of 
the Duquesne freight department for the 
P. R. R., and is at present with the Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad Delivery company of John 
W. Ilaney. He is a member of the A. O. 
U. W. and the Golden Chain. Mr. Pearson 
is a successful business-man, and has recently 
built a very excellent residence at Crafton. 

Edwakd Horen, roller in Singer, 
Nimick & Co.'s rolling-mill, postofflce Pitts- 
burgh, a son of Edward and Ann Horen, was 
born in Ohio, in 18.J2, and came to this 
county in 1873. His father, a native of Ire- 
land, came to this country in 1848, and located 
in Vermont. About 1852 he came to Penn- 
sylvania, where he has resided ever since, with 
the exception of a few years. He married 
Ann Dempsey, and they had children as fol- 
lows: Simon (deceased), James (deceased), 
Eliza (wife of Richard Maloney), Michael, 
Catherine (wife of John Craig), Thomas, Ann 
(wife of John Broadrick), Edward, Patrick 
(deceased) and John. The mother of this 
family died in 1865, at the age of fifty-seven 
years ; the father is living in the county, at the 
age of seventy-six years. Edward, the subject 
of this sketch, married, in 1876, Mary, daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Rose Kelley, and their 
children are Ida M., Thomas and Rosella. 
Mr. Horen is a member of the Amalgamated 
association and Sovereigns of Industry. 
He has, by industry and economy, secured a 
good home, and is owner of other valuable 
property. 

Christ Wiegering, grocer, McKees- 
port, was born in Prussia, Sept. 12. 1839, a 
son of Henry and Cliristiana (Stelnhoflf) 
Wiegering. He was reared in his native 
land, where he learned the wagon-maker's 
trade, came to America in 1866, settled in 
McKeesport, and opened a carriage- and 
wagon- shop, which he successfully conducted 
for seven years. He then embarked in the 
grocer3' business, in which he is still engaged. 
May 7, 1868, he married Christiana, daughter 
of Peter and Catherine (Werkley) Miller, of 
McKeesport. Her parents settled in this 
county about 1840, and her grandmother, 
Christiana Werkley, died in McKeesport. in 
1887, at the advanced age of ninety-two 
years. Mr. and Mrs. Wiegering had four 
children: Sophia, Willie, Allen and Alfred 
(deceased). Mr. Wiegering has been a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F. for twenty-one years. 
He is a member of the G. L. Church, and is 
a democrat. 

Capt. Arthur Stuart, clerk, Wilkins- 
burg, was born in Pittsburgh, Nov. 21, 1833, 
a sou of James and Elizabeth (Shaw) Stuart, 
who were boin in Ireland and Liverpool, En- 
gland, respectively, both being of Scotch de- 
scent. James Stuart was a painter, in busi- 
ness many years in Pittsburgh, where he died 
in 1853; his widow died in 1861. They had 
seven children, onlj' two of whom grew to 
maturity. James. »he eldest, died in Novem- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



767 



ber, 1862. Arthur attended the public and 
a private school, and pursued a literary 
course at the Western Universitj'. He se- 
cured employment as steamboat clerk on the 
Monongahela and Ohio rivers, and later built 
the Jacob Poe, which he commanded. In 
1861 he joined the 9th P, R., Co. A, as first 
sergeant, and served three years in the Army 
of the Potomac, sharing in all its hardships 
and severe engagements. After the expira- 
tion of his term of enlistment, he organized 
Co. D, Knap's battery, P. A., which he com- 
manded. This body served in the defense 
about Washington till the close of the war. 
For ten years Capt. Stuart was employed as 
traveling salesman by the Pittsburgh Nov- 
elty works; traveled nine years for a saddlery- 
hardware firm, and also represented a glass- 
factory and the Standard Manufacturing 
company; he is now with S. W. Black & Co., 
real-estate dealers. In 1868 he became a resi- 
dent of Wilkinsburg, and in 1884 built the 
large double house, of which he occupies one- 
half, on North street; also owns his former 
dwelling on Wallace street. In July, 1868, he 
married Miss Kate Crumley, of Massachu- 
setts. They are members of Calvary P. E. 
mission Capt. Stuart is a lifelong repub- 
lican, and is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity and the R. A. 

Ai^EXANDER W. Rook was born in Pitts- 
burg in 1826. Hisparents had come to West- 
ern Pennsylvania from New York state some 
years before his birth. He was given the 
best education then obtainable in Pittsburg, 
and early showed a bent toward mechanical 
pursuits. At an early age, having obtained 
his parents' permission to learn the printing 
trade, he entered the job-printing olfice of 
Johnston & Stockson as roller boy and type- 
setter. At the same time he did not abandon 
his studies, but continued to attend night- 
school, and in this industrious fashion he 
obtained an unusually thorough education. 
It was clear from the very first that he had a 
decided preference for the printing trade, 
and very soon he apprenticed himself for si.^ 
years, first to the Pittsburg Post, and later to 
the Chronicle. Even in these early days his 
work attracted attention, and at the end of his 
six years' apprenticeship he was reckoned 
among the foremost typographical experts in 
the city. He was not satisfied, however, with 
local supremacy in his craft, and he success- 
ively added to his store of knowledge and 
experience in the composing-rooms of the 
Philadelphia Ledr/er and the New York Her- 
ald. About 1850 he returned to Pittsburg, 
where he became the first local representa- 
tive of the Typographical Union, then just 
formed. Two years later he went to 
Greensburg and bought an interest in 
the Pennsylvdnm Argua. This venture did 
not satisfy him altogether, and in 1854 he 
returned to Pittsburg and took the place 
of foreman of the composing-room of the 
Evening Chronicle. This was the first favor- 
able opportunity he had to show his ex- 
ecutive .ibility, and his ^nccess was remark- 



able. It was acknowledged during the years 
from 1854 to 1864 that the typographical de- 
partment of the Chronicle in his hands was 
the best managed in that part of the country. 

In 1858 Mr. Rook was married to Miss 
Harriett L. Beck, an alliance which had a 
very marked influence for good upon his 
career. During the half-dozen years suc- 
ceeding his marriage Mr. Rook's rise was 
remarkably fast. In 1865 he and Daniel 
O'Neill became partners in the firm of J. H. 
Foster & Co., then publishers of the Dispatch. 
That paper was really re-born on the day 
Messrs. Rook and O'Neill put their brains and 
energy into its publication. When Col. J. 
Heron Foster died (April 31, 1868), Messrs. 
Rook and O'Neill became sole proprietors of 
the Dispatch. The two partners divided the 
administration between them, Mr. Rook 
taking entire charge of the mechanical part, 
while the business and editorial work fell 
into Mr. O'Neill's hands. It was a singularly 
powerful combination of diverse talents, 
and the result was brilliant. The Dispatch. 
in a short time was advanced to the first 
rank of newspapers in Pennsylvania. It was 
easily the first among the papers of Pitts- 
burg soon after Messrs. Rook and O'Neill 
took charge of it. The Dispatch owes its 
reputation of being one of the handsomest 
papers in the country, typographically con- 
sidered, to the genius of Mr. Rook. In this 
way Mr. Rook became one of the leading 
citizens of Pittsburg. He was a very hard 
worker, and after the death of his partner, 
Daniel O'Neill, in 1877, the pressure of his 
duties began to tell upon him. He continued 
in active cooperation with Eugene M. O'Neill 
in the publication of the Dispatch, though 
his health began to fail, until early in the 
summer of 1880. The end came swiftly after 
this, and Aug. 14, 1880, he died from a com- 
plication of organic diseases. Mr. Hook was 
not only respected for his qualities as a busi- 
ness-man, but also for the excellent traits of 
character revealed in his familj' and social 
connections. He was always interested in 
charitable enterprises, and gave his money 
and labor to such benevolent schemes as 
sending the poor children of the city on 
excursions into the country. In the order of 
Freemasons and in several other secret socie- 
ties he held a high place. Mr. Rook's wife 
and family survive him. The family consists 
of Charles A. Rook, secretary of The Dis- 
patch Publishing company; Helen E., now 
Mrs. 0. A. Carroll, and Edwin M. and Harry 
C. Rook. 

R. T. Gr.\ham, justice of the peace, Etna, 
was born Feb. 9, 1823, in Butler county, Pa. 
His grandfather, Patrick Graham, of County 
Derry, Ireland, was a pioneer of Butler 
county, where he died at the age of ninety- 
nine j'ears and four months. He married 
Elizabeth McKee, of Scotch descent, and to 
them were born eight children. Of these, 
Joseph, father of R. T., farmed part of the 
homestead, where he died aged eighty-eight 
years. He was a soldier in the war of 1813; 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHEXy COUXTY. 



was founty commissioner three j'ears. and a 
Presbyterian elder nearly fifty years. He 
married Xanry, dauKhter of Kobert Thomp- 
son, a native of Glasgow, Scotland. The 
subject of this memoir is one of five children, 
and was educated in his native county, where 
he also learned the bricklaying trade. In 
184.J he came to Etna, and assisted in build- 
ing the residence and pipemill for Charles 
F. Spang, Sr. ; he also built the Park, Mc- 
Curdy & Co. copper-mill, Pittsburgh, in 18.59. 
During the war he ran a steam ferry in 
Sharpsburg, and since then has been in the 
sawmill business, and has also been interested 
in gold-mines in Colorado and South Caro- 
lina. Mr. Graham's first wife was Permelia 
BufEngtou, who died leaving three children: 
Edwin, Mrs. Zelas McCord and Dr. Xorman 
R. His present wife, nee Jane M. Ayres. has 
borne him two children — Mabel and Charles. 
Mr. and Mrs. Graham are members of the M. 
P. Church. He has held all the principal 
offlccs in Etna; was twice elected burgess.and 
served as justice of the peace fifteen years 
in Sharpsburg and Etna boroughs. In early 
life he was one of the best sharpshooters in 
the state, and has many medals and trophies 
of his victories. He also took great pleasure 
in collecting rare coins, native and foreign, 
and has in his possession one of the finest col- 
lections in the count}^ This collection, which 
now numbers some three thousand pieces 
outside of duplicates, was commenced in the 
year 1840 by a number of odd coins coming 
into his possession. But few were added to 
this stock until the year 1845, when a silver 
half-dollar of the date 1818 was picked up 
by Mr. Graham in the debris of the Pitts- 
burgh fire, and from that time the collection 
steadily grew. A hint of coins for sale, an 
announcement of a coin exhibition, or a 
newspaper item concerning the finding of 
an)', was, after that year, sufficient to start 
Mr. Graham on au investigation, from which 
he rarely returned without a coin or coins to 
pa)- him for his trouble. The arrangement 
of the coins is systematic, and in strict nu- 
mi'imatical order. 

Bexjamin CotJRSix, retired, postofBce 
McKeesport, was born in Jefferson township, 
Alleghenj' county, Jan. 10. 1807, a son of 
Peter and Hannah (Winn) Coursin. His 
father was born in Xew Jersey in 1765. and 
died in Elizabeth, this county, at the age of 
one hundred years and eight months. He 
came to Allegheny county soon after the 
Revolution; was a carpenter by trade, though 
he followed farming to some extent. He 
settled permanently in Elizabeth township 
in 1810. and resided there until his death. 
His children were Polly (Mrs. B. Grimes), 
Jane (Mrs. Thomas Brant), Nancy (Mrs. 
George Cunningham), Catherine (Mrs. Joseph 
Hamilton), Isaac and Benjamin. The last 
named was reared in Elizabeth, where he 
resided from 1810 until 1849. He then located 
at Reynoldton, where he has since resided. 
He is a boat-builder by trade, and was 
engaged in that business in Elizabeth, West 



Elizabeth and Reynoldton (opposite Mc- 
Keesport) for many years. He retired in 1866. 
He was twice married; first to Christina, 
daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth lihodes, 
of Elizabeth township, by whom he had 
seven children: Isaac, Benjamin B. , Freder- 
ick, John, Mary (Mrs. Dorsey Downey), 
David and James P. His second wife was 
Mrs. Lydia (Hull) Norton. Mr. Coursin is 
a director of the First National Bank of 
McKeesport, director of Pittsburgh, Browns- 
ville it Geneva Packet companv. and presi- 
dent of the Elizabeth Steam Packet Com- 
pany. He is a republican. 

Vert Kev. John Hickey was born in 
the city of Kilkenny, Ireland, Nov. 11. 1854, 
and came with his parents to the United 
States in September. 1840. He entered .St. 
Michael's Seminarj- in the fall of 1848. His 
health failing, he was obliged to return to 
the residence of his maternal uncle. Rev. 
Joseph Cody, at Sugar Creek, Armstrong 
county. Pa., where he remained till the win- 
ter of 18.51. Under the advice of Rt. Rev. 
Michael O'Conner. then bishop of the Pitts- 
burgh diocese, he repaired, at a later date, 
to .St. Vincent's College, Westmoreland 
county. Pa., to study the rudiments of the 
Latin and German languages. On the 22d 
of January, 1853, he crossed the Alleghany 
mountains, and entered Mount St. Mary's 
College, Emmitsburg, Md., where he grad- 
uated with the degree of A. M. in June, 
1855. After a theological course of three 
years he was ordained to the priesthood by 
Bishop O'Conner, in St. Paul's cathedral, 
Pittsburgh, Aug. 1.5, 1858. In September of 
the same year he was recalled to his alma 
mater as professor of belles lettres, a position 
which he held with much distinction for the 
term of one year. On the resignation of Dr. 
O'Conner, in 1860, Father Hickej- was ap- 
pointed assistant professor in St. Michael's 
Diocesan Seminary, near Glenwood, Pa. In 
1862 he took temporary charge of a church 
at Freeport, Armstrong county, and on Jan. 
6. 1863, became rector of the cathedral, 
Pittsburgh. While in this charge he finished 
the building of the cathedral, erected the 
present magnificent episcopal residence, es- 
tablished the parishes of St. Malachy. St. 
Agnes, within the limits of the cit)- proper, 
and St. James, Wilkinsburg, at a distance of 
five miles from Pittsburgh. In addition to 
these works he founded an orphan asylum 
with ample accommodations for six hundred 
children, and before leaving Maryland built 
a neat gothic stone church in the village of 
Mechanicstown, for the colored people at 
that end of the state. 

Father Hickej- remained at the cathedral 
till 1877, filling the offices of rector, vicar- 
general, and several times administrator of 
the diocese during the absence of the bishop. 
In August. 1879. he visited Rome and other 
parts of Europe. On his return, in March, 
1882, he was appointed rector of St. Thomas' 
congregation, Braddock. In 1883 he built a 
schoolhouse at this place, roomy enough 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



769 



for one thousand children. When called to j 
other and far more important missions, i 
financially, he was induced by the universal 
petition of the citizens, Catholic and Prot- 
estant, to remain at Braddock, where he still 
resides. During the labor troubles at the 
Edgar Thomson Steel-works, he took such 
a deep interest in the welfare of the working 
classes as to endear himself to all alike. The 
Sisters of Mercy are in charge of his schools. 

The H.\ys Family. Among the promi- 
nent pioneer Scotch-Irish families of Alle- 
gheny county and Pennsylvania there is none 
more worthy of mention than the Hays fam- 
il}'. From llie " Pennsylvania Genealogies," 
published by Dr. W. ft. Egle, M. A., Har- 
risburg, Pa., the following is taken; "This 
name lias had a varied orthography — in olden 
times De la Haye and De la Haya. while in 
later. Hay, Haj-s and Hayes. The Ameri- 
can branch of the famil}' write it Hays, as a 
^general thing. In Burke's Peerage is a very 
interesting account of the origin of the Hays 
arms, which was, ' argent, three escutcheon 
gules,' to which was afterward added ' crossed 
arms, each hand grasping a short sword and , 
supporting the escutcheon gules, surmouuted 
by a crown.' " 

William Haj's, a native of Scotland, left 
that country during the religious persecu- 
tion, and settled in County Tyrone, Ireland. 
He was at the siege of Derry, and suffered 
with the rest of the besieged until relief 
came, being absent from the family tweutj'- 
two months. The first of the Hays family 
to settle in Allegheny county was Abraham, 
who married Miss Fannie Pittee, a French 
lady. They removed from Maryland to Alle- 
gheny conn)}', Pa., in 1767, and located one 
mile above Homestead, opposite Braddock's 
Field, where the}' remained nine months. On 
account of Indian troubles they returned to 
Maryland, but in 1769 once more came to 
this count}'. Here Abraham Hays look up 
land which is still in the possession of his 
descendants. He was a Presbyterian, an 
upright and honorable citizen. He and his 
wife died on the old homestead farm where 
they first located, one mile above the place 
now known as Homestead. Abraham Hays 
and James Whittaker married sisters. The 
neighbors were Robert Byerly (who came 
from Maryland), Andrew McClure, Samuel 
Hamilton, Samuel Ferguson, James McKin- 
uey, Edward West, Joseph AVest, John Neal, 
Judge McClure (a bachelor, and brother of ' 
Andrew McClure), John Risher, Davy Cal- , 
boon, John Irvine. Robert Patterson. Will- 
iam Furl. William Brown and David McKee, 
all being about the same age. Abraham and 
Fannie (Pitfee) Hays had nine children : 
Francis, Isaac, Abraham, Patty, Jacob (see \ 
bis sketch below), Jolin, Thomas. Sarah and 
Elizabeth. Of these, Francis was born in 
1770, married Beckey Drennen, and moved 
in 1820 to Butler county. Pa. (they had six j 
sons and si-\ daughters); Isaac married a Miss 
Wylie, of Pittsliurgh, and moved down the 
river to Owl Creek; Abraham married, and l 



had two sons and two daughters; Patty mar- 
ried Steve Wylie, who made the first brick 
ever manufactured in Pittsburgh; John was 
a bachelor; Thomas married Elizabeth Ham- 
ilton, and had four sons and six daughters; 
Sarah married James Harden, and had two 
sons and four daughters; Elizabeth died un- 
married. 

Jacob, fourth son of the pioneer Abraham 
Hays, was born in 1778, and married, in 1799, 
Jane Harden, who was born in 1779; they 
had the following-named children; James H., 
born in 1800; E. W., in 1802; Thomas H. (see 
his sketch); Emily J., in 1806; Frances, in 
1808; Nancy, in 1810; Mary, in 1812; Abra- 
ham (see his sketch); John K., in 1815; 
Sarah, in 1817; Alexander, in 1819; Ivy, in 
1821, and Caroline, in 1824. Of these, James 
H. married Mary Crady, and died at Beck's 
Run in 1876 (they had ten children: Ann E.. 
Mary J., Josephine, Henry B., Emeline, 
Sarah. Agnes, James H., John S. and Walter 
F.); E. W. married, in 1822, Ivy McKenzie, 
a native of Jamaica (thev had ten children; 
Marv. born in 1822; Emiiy, in 1824; Sarah, 
in 1826; Charles, in 1828; Elizabeth, in 1830; 
Josephine, in 1834; Alexander and Arthur 
(twins), in 1837; Thomas, in 1839, and Vir- 
ginia, in 1841); Emily J. married Charles 
Gibbs, and had thirteen children; Frances 
married James Rippert, and had four chil- 
dren; Nancy married Henry Alexander, and 
had four children; Mary married Jacob 
Painter, an iron-manufacturer, and had five 
sons; John K. married a Miss Large, and 
had three children; Sarah married David E. 
Park. Thomas Hardin, father of Mrs. Jane 
(Hardin) Hays, was an oflicer in the revolu- 
tionary war, and had a horse shot from un- 
der him at the battle of Brandy wine. Jacob 
Hays, son-in-law of Thomas Hardin, was a 
soldier in the late war. Jacob Hays was 
a farmer, and at one time owned and run a 
mill and distillery; he was a Presbyterian 
and a Freemason; was originally a demo- 
crat, but his last two voles were republican. 
He died Jan. 2, 1866, his widow on March 
28, same year. Jacob Hays and son E. W. 
started the first ferry on the Monongahela 
river, in 1811, at Six-Mile Ferry. E. W. 
Hays handled the first stick of timber that 
ever went into a steamboat in Pittsburgh, 
and which was used for a keel; he had 
eighteen oxen and seven horses to draw it to 
Six-Mile Ferry, whence it was rafted down 
the river. 

Thomas Habdin H.\ys (deceased) was 
born in 1804. on the old Hays farm, in Mifflin 
township, this county. Coming to Pitts- 
burgh in his youth, he here learned the trade 
of millwright, and afterward embarked in 
the manufacture of white lead and linseed 
oil, in partnership with his brother-in-law, 
Jacob Painter, which firm continued until 
Mr. Hays' decease, when the property was 
sold to'the P. R. R. Co. Mr. Hays married 
Miss Sarah, daughter of Hon. Lazarus and 
Mary (Thompson) Stewart, former of whom 
was twice member of the legislature, and 



770 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



twice elected sheriff of Alleglien3' county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hays had a family of ten chil- 
dren, of whom two sons and three daughters 
lived to maturity, viz.: Amanda (wife of 
Walter F. Hunter, of Oakland), Mary 
(widow of D. McKinley), George S. and 
Charles T. (who enlisted in the war of the 
rebellion, and both died from exposure while 
in the service), and Alice Park (wife of 
David K. Calhoon, residing in Mifflin town- 
ship). 

Mr. Hays died in 1853. He was a man of 
more than ordinary ability and intelligence, 
and enjoyed the confidence and respect of 
all. He was a member of the First Presby- 
terian Church of Pittsburgh, toward the 
building of which he contributed the sum of 
five hundred dollars. 

Capt. ABR.\nAM Hats (deceased), late of 
Mifflin township, this county, was born in 
1809, on the old Hays homestead, located on 
what is now known as AVhiltaker's run, one 
and one-half miles above Homestead, and 
about one and one-half miles from the 
Monongahela river. He was reared on the 
farm, and was a private pupil of H. M. Turn- 
ing, a well-known teacher, for several years, 
until eighteen years of age, when he com- 
menced the trade of millwright with his 
brother-in-law, Charles Gibbs. This busi- 
ness he followed until his marriage with Miss 
Sarah Brenneman, of Mifflin township, soon 
after which event he moved into Pittsburgh, 
where he formed a partnership with his 
brother. Thomas, in the manufacture of flax- 
seed oil. (Their mill stood near the present 
site of the Pennsylvania union depot.) Some 
years later, his health failing, Capt. Hays 
moved to Butler county. Pa., where he fol- 
lowed farming about three years, and then 
returned to the old homestead. Some years 
later he moved down the Monongahela river, 
above Homestead, where he followed his 
trade several 3'ears; then engaged in steam- 
boating in partnership with his brother, 
James H., Harvey Kobinson and James 
Lindsej', owning steamboats and towing coal. 
Afterward he purchased a farm near his 
residence, just above Homestead, where he 
died Sept. 10, 1887. He and his wife were 
members of the Presbyterian Church at 
Lebanon. They had two children: Alraira 
Painter, who died unmarried at the age of 
twenty-four, and Capt. W. Seward B. Mrs. 
Ha3's was a daughter of Jacob and Susan 
Brenneman, who came from Westmoreland 
county. Pa., and settled in Mifflin township 
on a farm which is now m the borough of 
Duquesne. They were Presbyterians, of 
German descent, and had a family of six sons 
and six daughters. 

Capt. W. Seward B. Hats, steamboat 
pilot, boat-owner, and coal-merchant in Pitts- 
burgh, was born in that city Dec. 14, 1838, 
the only son of Abraham Hays, whose sketch 
appears above. When he was six months 
old his parents moved to Butler count3-, and 
three years later to Mifflin township, this 
county, where the subject of these lines ob- 



tained his education in private and public 
schools. On his father's farm he worked 
until eighteen 3'cars of age, at which time he 
commenced running on the river, assisting 
his father. 

Capt. Hays resides on the old homestead 
farm in Mifflin township. He was united in 
marriage June 7. 1870, with Flora B. Packer, 
a resident of Braddock, and daughter of 
Capt. Wilson and Electa (Corbett) Packer, 
former a retired steamboat captain and coal- 
shipper. Capt. and Mrs. Hays are parents 
of one son, Abraluim Packer. They are 
members of Lebanon Presbyterian Church; 
in politics Capt. Hays is a republican. 

Michael Simon, contractor, builder and 
planing-mill owner, Allegheny, was born in 
Germany, Oct. 18, 1833, and is the son of 
John and Catherine Simon. He came to 
America in 18-53, and settled in this county, 
where he has since resided. He is the only 
one of the family who ever came to this, 
country. His parents both died in Germany, 
his f.ather in 1840. and his mother in 1865. Of 
their famil3- of eight children, seven are liv- 
ing. Michael Simon was married, April 2.5, 
1858, to Maria, daughter of Matthias and 
Catherine Voelp, and to them have been born 
ten children, of whom eight are now living, 
as follows: Philip. Charles, John, George, 
Emma, Clara, William and Harry; two chil- 
dren died in infancy. Mr. Simonlearned the 
carpenter's trade in German3-. and engaged 
in that business upon his arrival in Allegheny 
county. In 1861 he commenced business for 
himself as a contractor and builder, and in 
1871 added a planing-mill to facilitate his 
operations. At the age of twenty years Mr. 
Simon found himself far from home, among 
strangers, with only ten dollars to commence 
life with, but b3' industry, econom3- and 
good business ability he has risen from those 
humble circumstances to be one of the finan- 
cially substantial men of the city of Alle- 
gheny, and is highly esteemed b3' all who- 
know him. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, the A. O. U. W., and of the G- P. 
Church. In all of the relations of life Mr. 
Simon is faithful and true to every obliga- 
tion- As a citizen, as a business man. as a 
neighbor and friend, he is respected by all, 
and has the cordial good-will of everyone 
who knows him. 

D.wiD K. Calhoox, farmer, postoffice 
Homestead, was born on the old mansion 
farm, April 3, 1831. His grandfather. Dr. Cal- 
hoon, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, was 
born east of the mountains, and at the age of 
seventeen years teamed to Pittsburgh. In the 
latter part of the eighteenth century, after 
the Revolution, in which he was a soldier and 
fought many battles, he settled in Mifflin 
township. His patent, known as the Cal- 
hoon it Sliier patent, for three hundred acres- 
of land was granted in 1803. At the begin- 
ning of the war of 181'.^. at the age of sixty 
years, being 3'et a strong, active man. lie 
shouldered his musket and marched out with 
the troops to Gen. Harrison's headquarters. 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



771 



but the general ordered him to Pittsburgh, 
where he was placed in command of the fort. 
He died, aged eighty years, a strict United 
Presbyterian, and is buried in Mifflin church 
cemetery. His sons, .James and .John, and his 
father, James Calhoon, are buried at Leba- 
non cemetery. David Callioon married 
Eleanor King, by whom he liad eight chil- 
dren: Sarah, Thomas, Mary, James,, Eliza- 
betli, John Iv., David and Eleanor. Of these, 
John K. farmed the old homestead, where he 
died. J-Iemarried Mary R., daughter of Rob- 
ert Hays, a native of Ireland, who bought the 
Shier portion of the old homestead, and they 
had three children: Mary H., Robert R. and 
David K. 

The subject of this sketch owns the old 
homestead, where he 3-et resides. He mar- 
ried Alice P., daughter of Thomas and Sarali 
(Stewart) Hays, the latter a daughter of Laz- 
arus Stewart, first sheriff of Allegheny county, 
who was induced to come here l)y grand- 
father David Calhoon. Mr. and Mrs. Cal- 
hoon have been blessed with seven children: 
Mary H., John K., Sarah J.. Flora H., Alice 
Eleanor, David H. and Charles. The old 
members of the Calhoon family were Seced- 
ers, and later joined the U. P. Church. Polit- 
ically they were first democrats, and then 
republicans. 

Henuy Wilkins Bigley, retired, post- 
office Logan's Ferry, was born in Franklin 
township, this county, in 1832, son of Phillip 
and Mary (Esteft) Bigley, natives of Clarion 
county, Pa. The father died about 1867, 
aged seventy-eight years, and the mother in 
1856, aged fifty-one years, both members of 
the Presbyterian Church. The grandfather 
of H. W. Bigley was Phillip Bigley. The 
subject of this sketch received his education 
at the place of his birth, and at the age of 
fourteen years sailed on the first iron-clad 
steamer that left Pittsburgh via the gulf and 
Red river for the Rocky mountains, carrying 
provisions to the standing army. He was 
eight years on the Red river, then returned 
to Pittsburgh, and ran on the Allegheny and 
Ohio rivers as pilot, from Pittsburgh to Cin- 
cinnati, until 1882, when he retired. He was 
married, in 18.50, to Maria, daughter of Sam- 
uel and Catharine (McMillen) Hosick, early 
settlers in East Deer township. Twelve chil- 
dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bigley, 
four of whom are living: Samuel Joseph, 
Viola(Mrs. Oliver Fulton Ivatz),Isabella(Mrs. 
William L3'ons), and Harry, in Verona. 
Four of the family died 'n October, 1877, of 
diphtheria, their names being Flora, Stewart 
W., Melissa and Foster, aged seventeen, 
fourteen, twelve and nine years, respectively; 
four others died under two years of age. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bigley are members of 
Alice Cary Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, of 
Pittsburgh, and of the Presbj'terian Church 
at Parnassus. Mr. Bigley is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and the republican party. 
March 17, 1865, his house and barn, with all 
their effects, were swept away by the flood, 
and all was lost save one trunk of clothing. 



This involved a loss of several thousand 
dollars, but Mr. Bigley, being a resolute 
man, began anew, and has since prospered 
in every business undertaking. 

Ancestry of Mrs. Capt. Edward W. H. 
ScHENLEY, nee Croghan. Mrs. Edward W. 
H. Schenley, possessed of large estates in 
Allegheny county, was born near Louisville, 
Ky., in 1837. Her ancestors were identified 
with the patriot cause from colonial times. 
She was the granddaughter of Maj. William 
Croghan and of Gen. James O'Hara; the 
grandniece of Gen. George Rogers Clarke 
and of Gen. William Clarke, and the niece of 
Gen. George Croghan. 

Maj. William Croghan was a native of 
Ireland, born about 17.50. He came to Vir- 
ginia when quite young. When the revolu- 
tionary war broke out, and the clash of 
arms was heard on the fields of Lexington 
and Concord, Virginia sprang to the contest. 
Among Virginia's soldiers was young Will- 
iam Croghan. In 1776 he was a captain in the 
4th regiment of the Virginia line, under Col. 
John Neville. The lieutenant-colonel of the 
regiment was Presley Neville, the son of 
John Neville. William Croghan was pro- 
moted to be mgjor of the regiment. These 
soldiers fought under the eye of Washington, 
being intimate friends of his. Amid the 
snows of Trenton and Princeton, and under 
the burning heat of Monmouth, they fought 
and were victorious. At Braudywine and 
Germantown they fought also, and, though 
defeated, retired in grim defiance with 
Washington to Valle}- Forge, to watch 
through that dismal winter the British army 
under Howe at Philadelphia, and to drive 
that army the following summer across the 
Delaware, through New Jersej' to Sandy 
Hook, and across the bay to New York. In 
1780 the regiment was ordered south to join 
the army under Gen. Lincoln. During the most 
of this year the military operations were 
confined to the Carolinas. A powerful Brit- 
ish fleet transported Sir Henry Clinton and 
the bulk of his forces from New York, and 
anchored in Charleston harbor. After a 
month's siege, the most of the fortifications 
having been beaten down, Gen. Lincoln 
found himself obliged to surrender his troops, 
including Neville's regiment of Virginians; 
among them Cols. John and Presley Neville 
and Maj. William Croghan. Col. Presley 
Neville was fortunate enough to be ex- 
changed, but Col. John Neville and Maj. 
Croghan, with the rest of the officers, were 
released only on their parole of honor. 
Before Maj. Croghan was exchanged, he was 
present at the siege of Yorktown and surren- 
der of Cornwallis, but could only participate 
in the stirring scenes by his presence. Maj. 
Croghan came to Fort Pitt with Col. John 
Neville, and was here on the 6th of July, 
1782. Under that date he wrote to the Vir- 
ginia secretary of war, giving an account of 
the murdering of the Moravian Indians by a 
party of white men from Washington county. 
Pa. On the 24th of July, 1783, he was 



772 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



ordered bj' the secretary of war to discharge 
the men of the Virginia line at fort Pitt 
enlisted for the war, and give them three 
months' pay. He was one of the original 
members of the Society of the Cincinnati, the 
officers of the Virniniii line having joined at 
a meeting held at Fredericl<sburg in the 
beginning of October. 1783. 

It is remarkable what a number of soldiers 
of the revolutionarv army became residents 
of Pittsburgh and" vicinity after the war. 
Among them were Col. John Xeville. Col. 
Presley Neville. Col. Richard Butler, who 
became major-general, and was killed at St. 
Clair's defeat, in 1791; Col. William Butler, 
Col. Stephen Bayard, Maj. Isaac Craig, Maj. 
Ebenezer Denny, Maj. Abraham Kirkpatrick, 
Col. James O'Hara. Gen. John Wilkins, Jr., 
Maj. James Gordon Herron, James Foster 
and many others. 

In 1784 Maj. William Croghan visited 
Kentucky, and was so pleased with the 
country that he concluded to make it his 
home, and accordingly removed there, finally 
settling in Jefferson county, where he passed 
the remainder of his life at his beautiful 
place, Locust Grove, not far from Louisville, 
where he died in September, 1823. 

After his removal to Kentuck}' he married 
the sister of Gen. George Rogers Clarke, 
who conquered the Northwest territory 
from the British during the revolutionary 
war. 

Gen. Oeorge Ragers Clarke was a native 
of Virginia, born in Albemarle county, Nov. 
19. 1752. When twenty-two j-ears old he 
was captain of a company sent against the 
Indians in Lord Dunmore's war. The fol- 
lowing year he went to Kentucky, and was 
given command of the armed settlers there. 
He was so active and so successful in his 
conflicts with the Indians that his name 
became a terror to them. In the spring of 
1778 he was intrusted by the state of Virginia 
with the command of an expedition against 
the Illinois country, then in possession of 
the British. Gov. Hamilton, the British 
commander, was a man of most cruel, barbar- 
ous nature. He continually provided the 
Indians with arms and supplies to enable 
them to operate against the American set- 
tlers. He offered high prices for scalps, but 
would pay nothing for live prisoners. Gen. 
Clarke organized his expedition at Redstone 
Old Fort, now Brownsville, Pa. He prepared 
boats, ammunition and supplies, and with 
about one hundred and fifty rangers, armed 
with rifles, he set sail down the Ohio. He 
received a few reinforcements at Fort Ran- 
dolph, and other reinforcements in Kentucky 
farther down. His whole force consisted of 
less than four hundred men. but they were 
men of steel, inured to exposure, and sure 
shots with their rifles. Clark landed his 
men opposite the mouth of the Tennessee 
river, and concealed his boats among the 
bushes of a small creek. With his rifle and 
provisions on his back, he placed himself on 
foot at the head of his men and silently led 



the way through the wilderness for distant 
Kaskaskia. Tiiere were deep streams to 
cross and swamps to wade througli, but so 
secretly did he nuive that the enemy were 
totally unaware of his coming. He was a 
stout, rather short man, with a high, broad 
forehead, sandy hair, blue eyes, and heavy 
shaggy eyelirows. With his personal prow- 
ess, liardihood and capacity for detail, there 
was always comprehensive wisdom in plan 
and purpose. The enemy knew of his coming 
only by his presence among them, and the 
American flag supplanting the royal standard 
of England. Hence his prestige and renown 
among the savages was of great value to 
carry on hostilities or dictate a peace. 
When he was present the great Indian war- 
riors never noticed any other general. In 
six days Clarke and his little party reached 
the Kaskaskia river, at night. They saw the 
old French mission building on the opposite 
bank lighted up, and heard the soimd of 
music. It was a ball given b)' the British 
officers to the inhabitants of Kaska.'.kia. 
Taking with him a portion of his men, he 
waded the river at the ford. Placing men 
quietly at each door, he gave orders to 
let no one pass. Wrapping himself in his 
blanket, he passed in, and. with his arms 
folded, leaned against the door-cheek of the 
ballroom and looked in upon the dance. An 
Indian who lay asleep upon the floor of the 
entry waked up, and gazing intentl_v upon 
the general's features in the light reflected 
from the room, suddenly sprang to his 
feet and gave the warwhoop, exclaiming 
in Indian, "The great white chief!" The 
dancing ceased, the greatest confusion pre- 
vailed, women screamed, and all rushed 
toward the door. Without moving from his 
position or changing his grave expression, 
Clarke said to them, " Go on with your dance. 
The only difference is you dance now under 
Virginia instead of Great Britain." 

His next movement was against Vin 
cennes. Gov. Hamilton was in command 
there organizing a force of British regulars 
and Indians to move against Clarke and cut 
him off. No time was to be lost. Clarke 
said, "I must take Hamilton or he will take 
me." With 17.5 men he marched in cold, 
stormy weather. He traversed a wilderness 
and tiie drowned lands of Illinois, enduring 
eveiy privation from wet, cold and hunger, 
and suddenly appeared before Vincennes. 
By marching his men along the crest of the 
bluff in sight of the fort, counter-marching 
out of sight, and again appearing in a con- 
tinuous file, he made his force appear much 
larger than it was. After some sharp fight- 
ing, Hamilton surrendered and was made a 
prisoner. Clarke was strongly inclined to put 
him to death for his cruelty and uncivilized 
modes of warfare, but finally sent him to 
Virginia under guard. The power of Great 
Britain was ended in the Northwest terri- 
tor}-. and from Fort Pitt to the Mississippi 
river the American flag floated in triumph. 
Clarke was anxiously waiting for money to 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



•73 



pay his men and to enable him to malie good 
his engagements on sudden emergencies for 
supplies furnished them. He sent many 
messengers urging relief, but was disap- 
pointed. The state of Virginia voted him a 
sword for his conquest of the Illinois coun- 
try. The bearers of it met the grave and 
discontented hero on the bauk of the Wa- 
bash. He took the sword, drew it from its 
scabbard, and placing the point tn the ground 
thrust the blade deep into the soil he had 
conquered, and broke it off by the hilt. ! 
Throwing the glittering handle into the river, j 
he exclaimed, " I ask Virginia for bread and 
she sends me a sword." 

In 1T80 Gen. Clarke led a force against the 
Shawanese Indians, defeating them with great 
loss on their part. He established Fort Jef- 
ferson on the Mississippi. Learning of the 
disastrous battle of the Blue Licks, he started 
immediately on foot with one companion for 
Kentucky, rallied the people, and drove the 
enemy across the Ohio. He then proceeded 
to Richmond to procure aid. While there 
Benedict Arnold invaded Virginia, and Gen. 
Clarke served temporarily in a command 
against him. under Baron Steuben. 

In 1783 Gen. Clarke made a successful 
campaign against the Shawanese towns in 
Ohio. and destroyed them, driving the Indians 
from that part of the country. 

Gen. Clarke spent the latter part of his life 
with his sister, Mrs. Croghan. at the beauti- 
ful country seat, Locust Grove, He died 
there Feb. 18, 1818, His modest grave is in 
Cane Hill cemetery, 

A plain stone with the initials G, R, C. 
engraved upon it is all that tells where the 
great-hearted leader sleeps. He who con- 
quered for us the territory of five states, con- 
taining 160,000,000 of acres, has only six feet 
of earth. Congress moved last winter about 
raising a monument to him. He does not 
need it. "Ohio, Indiana, Illinois. Michigan, 
Wisconsin," are his monument. It will 
stand as long as free government lasts on 
this continent. When the romance of 
American chivalry shall be written, the story 
of George Rogers Clarke will be linked 
with heroic, poetic members, immortal as 
the tale of Roland or that of the Cid Cam- 
peador. 

Gen. William Clarke, youngest brother of 
George Rogers Clarke, and of Mrs, Maj. 
Crogiian, was an ensign in the army at the 
early age of eighteen years. Promoted to be a 
captain, he was in 1804 selected by President 
Jelferson, in conjunction with Capt, Meri- 
wether Lewis, to explore the great west 
from the Mississippi to the mouth of Colum- 
bia river. The particulars of this famous 
expedition are familiar to every intelligent 
reader in the world. The vast continent 
which for ages had slept in the darkness of 
obscurity was, like a book, unsealed and 
opened to light and progress by Lewis and 
Clarke and their little band of hunters and 
trappers. The country they explored is thus 
described by the great American poet: 



"Far in the West there lies a desert land. 
Where the mountains lift through perpet- 
ual snows 
Their lofty and luminous summits. 

Westward the Oregon flows, and the Walle- 

way and the Oaj'hee, 
Eastward with devious course, among the 

Wind River Mountains, 
Through the Sweet Water Valley, precipitate 

leaps the Nebraska, 



Spreading between these streams are the 

wondrous beautiful prairies; 
Over them wander the wolves and herds of 

riderless horses. 
Fires that blast and blight, and winds that 

are weary with travel; 
Over them wander the scattered tribes of 

Ishmael's children. 
Staining the desert with blood; above their 

terrible war-trails 
Circles and sails aloft, on pinions majestic, 

the vulture. 
Like the implacable soul of a chieftain 

slaughtered in battle." 

William Clarke was appointed governor 
of Missouri in 1812. He was promoted to be 
a brigadier-general in 1817. In 1822 he was 
appointed Indian agent by President Monroe. 
He died in 1838, after having served his coun- 
try over fifty years, leaving a name that is 
an honor to "the American army, 

Oeorge Croghan. William Croghan, Jr., 
and Dr, Croghan, the owner of theSIonmouth 
cave, were sons of Maj. William Croghan, 

George Croghan, the most distinguished 
of them, was named after his uncle. Gen, 
George Rogers Clarke, He was born at Lo- 
cust Grove, Nov, 15, 1791, and graduated at 
William and Mary College in 1810, At the 
age of twenty years he was aid-de-camp to 
Col, Boyd at the battle of Tippecanoe, On 
12th of March, 1812, he was appointed cap- 
tain in the 17th regiment of infantry, and 
distinguished himself at the sortie from Fort 
Meigs, where the Pittsburgh Blues under 
Capt, James R, Butler gained such honor. 
On the 30th of March, 1813, he became a 
major, and was appointed aid-de-camp by 
Gen. William H. Harrison. 

On the 1st and 2d of August, 1813. he 
commanded at Fort Stevenson, and con 
ducted the memorable defense of that fort 
against five hundred British regulars and 
seven hundred Indians, with artillery, under 
Gen. Proctor. This defense will live in his- 
tory as one of the most gallant successful 
exploits of any nation. For his bravery and 
skill in this affair George Croghan received a 
commission as brevet lieutenant-colonel, and 

I the thanks of Congress, and on 21st of Feb- 
ruary, 1814, he was made lieutenant-colonel. 
In 1824 he was appointed postmaster at New 

i Orleans, and on the 81st of December, 1825, 
was appointed inspector-general of the army. 



774 



HISTORY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



He served uuder Gen. Taylor in the Mexican 
war; was in the battle of Monterey and other 
hard Uglits. Gen. Croglian died in New Or- 
leans Jan. 8, 1849. He was a soldier "without 
fear and without reproach." 

Oen. Jaimx O'lLira was a native of Ire- 
land, who imraip;rated to this country when 
quite young. He came to Fort Pitt in 1773, 
and was an Indian trader here before the 
revolutionary war. He entered the army as 
a private, and became a captain in the 9th 
Virginia regiment. His superior business 
qualities and activity made him necessary to 
the quartermaster's department, and he served 
as assistant quartermaster. 

After the revolutionary war he was act- 
ively engaged in business, among other 
things tilling large contracts with the gov- 
ernment for supplying the western armies, 
and acted as purchasing agent for Indian 
supplies. When the town of Pittsburgh was 
laid out, and afterward the reserve tract oppo- 
site Pittsburgh, on the north side of the 
Allegheny river, he made large purchases of 
property at the low prices offered by the 
Peuns and the state of Pennsylvania. He 
also acquired large landed property in Ohio. 
Indiana and Illinois. He was foremost and 
led the way in every enterprise calculated to 
promote the business interests and growth of 
Pittsburgh. In his various active movements 
his life was constantly exposed and in dan- 
ger. The Indians in the interest of the Brit- 
ish had planned to murder him at Schoen- 
brum, one of the Moravian towns. The 
Moravians discovered the plot, and sent one 
of their most trusty Indians, called Anthony, 
to guide him by night through the woods, 
avoiding the trail, to Foit Pitt, which place 
he safely reached, although hotly pursued by 
eleven Hurous. 

In 1788 Mr. O'Hara was a presidential 
elector, and cast his vote for George Wash- 
ington at the first presidential election. 

In 1792 he was appointed quartermaster- 
general in the United States army, and served 
as such during the whisky insurrection of 
1794, the first armed rebellion against the 
United States, to suppress which Washington 
himself drew the sword and marched at the 
head of fifteen thousand men as far as Bed- 
ford. 

In 1795 Gen. O'Hara, as quartermaster- 
general, marched with Gen. Anthony Wayne 
in the memorable campaign which put an 
end to Indian hostilities at the battle of the 
Fallen Timbers and the treaty of Greenville. 

In 1797 Gen. O'Hara, in partnership with 
Maj. Isaac Craig, erected the first Pittsburgh 
glassworks. It was a stone building on the 
south side of the Monongahela river, nearly 
opposite the Point. Peter William Eichbaum 
was brought from Germany to superintend 
the works. Green glass bottles were made. 
In a note of Gen. O'Hara found among his 
papers after his death he says: " To-day we 
made the first bottle, at a cost of thirty thou- 
sand dollars." About this time he built his 
own ships and loaded them, some with furs 



and peltries from the great northwest for 
Liverpool, others with flour for South Amer- 
ica and the West Indies. A bushel of salt 
had been worth a cow and a calf at Pitts- 
burgh, and men were not allowed to walk 
across the floor when salt was being measured. 

After Wayne's treaty Gen. O'Hara entered 
into a contract with the government to sup- 
ply Oswego with provisions, which were 
then cheaper at Pittsburgh than in the set- 
tlements on the Mohawk. Gen. O'Hara was 
a far-sighted calculator; lie had obtained 
correct information in relation to the manu- 
facture of salt at Salina, and in his contract 
for provisioning the garrison he had in view 
the supplying of the western country with 
salt from Onondaga. This was a project 
that few men would have thought of, and at 
that time hardly anyone else would have un- 
dertaken. The means of trans|)ortalion had 
to be created on the whole line. Boats and 
teams must be provided to gel the salt from 
the works to Oswego. A vessel was built to 
transport it to the landing below the falls of 
Niagara, wagons procured to carry it to 
Schlosser, then boats constructed to carrj' it 
to Black Rock. There another vessel was 
required to transport it to Erie. The road 
from Erie to the head of French creek 
had to be improved, the country through 
which it passed being mostly swampy, and 
the salt carried in wagons across the portage; 
and finally boats provided to float it down 
French creek and the Allegheny river to 
Pittsburgh. It required no ordinary capac- 
ity and perseverance to give success to this 
enterprise. An individual undertaking at 
the present time to exchange Pittsburgh 
goods for furs and Russian leather with the 
traders at Nijni Novgorod by way of the 
great lakes and Behring straits would hardly 
be equal to it in boldness and in complexity 
of detail. Gen. O'Hara. however, could exe- 
cute as well as plan. He packed his flour 
and provisions in barrels suitable for salt. 
These barrels were reserved in his contract. 
Arrangements were made with the manufact- 
urers, and the necessary advances paid to 
secure a supply of salt. Two vessels were 
built, one on Lake Ontario and one on Lake 
Erie, and the means of transportation on the 
various sections of the line were secured. 
The plan fully succeeded, and salt of fair 
quality was delivered at Pittsburgh and sold 
at four dollars a bushel. The vocation of 
those who brought salt across the mountains 
on packhorses was gone. The trade opened 
by this man. whose success was equal to his 
merits, was extensively prosecuted by others. 
A large amount of capital was invested in 
the salt trade, and the means of transpor- 
tation so greatly increased that in a few years 
the Pittsburgh market was supplied with 
Onondaga salt at two dollars and forty cents 
per bushel. 

In 1804 Gen. O'Hara was appointed a 
director of the branch of the Bank of Penn- 
sylvania established that year at Pittsburgh. 
This was the first bank west of the AUe- 



GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY. 



775 



ghauy mouutains. The "Miami Exporting 
Company " was uot then a bank and did not 
become so until afterward. Gen. John AVil- 
kins, Jr.. was the tirst president, and he was 
succeeded by Gen. O'Hara, who was the 
president when the Bianch Bank of Penn- 
sylvania was transferred to and merged in 
the office of the Bank of the United States. 
In the tirst board of the Branch Bank of 
Pennsylvania were the following other of- 
ficers of the revolutionary army: Gen. 
Presley Neville. Maj. Abraham Kirkpatrick, 
Maj. Ebenezer Denny, Gen. Adamson Tan- 
neliill. Surgeon George Stevenson. 

A large proportion of the prominent citi- 
zens of Pittsburgh at this early period hav- 
ing been officers of the army, they necessarily 
constituted a majority in the boards of trust- 
ees of the church, the bank and the academy. 
Nor does it appear that the Bank of Penn- 
sylvania, or its successor, the Bank of the 
United States, had any reason to regret their 
confidence in these gentlemen. Only one 
other branch of the United States Bank (the 
office at Mobile) was more successfully man- 
aged or lost less money. To these brave 
men the countrj- was a debtor when they 
died, and continues so to the descendants of 
most of them. But no one lost liy them. 

James O'Hara, while as enterprising as 
Astor or Girard. was as large hearted and 
magnanimous as Abraham. John Henry 
Hopkins, a young Irishman, afterward 
bishop of Vermont, came to the United 
States in the early part of this century, and 
about 1811 to Pittsburgh, poor, but full of 
intelligence and activity. Gen. O'Hara, 
pleased with Hopkins' business qualifications, 
took him into partnership in an iron-works 
he established at Ligonier. and gave him the 
management. This husiness, through no 
fault of Hopkins, failed, as, indeed, did all 
business after the war of 1813. Hopkins w,as 
overwhelmed, and his hopes apparently 
blasted for life by his share of the debt which 
hung over him. O'H.ara said to him, " Give 
yourself no concern. You have done your 
best. I will pay all the debts." He gave 
Hopkins a clear acquittance and settled up 
all the debts. This incident was told by 
Bishop Hopkins himself in the accents of a 
grateful heart. 

Gen. O'Hara died at bis home on the bank 
of the Monongahela in 1819. wealthy and 
full of years. A patriotic soldier, an enter- 
prising "business-man and a charitable Chris- 
tian. The tears of the poor and rich alike 
were shed at his grave and mingled with the 
clods that fell upon his coffin. Pittsburgh 
owes him a debt of gratitude, and his mem- 
ory should be cherished and held sacred. 

William Crog/iati, Jr., and Mary O'Hara 
were married in the year 1821. He was the 
son of Maj. William Croghan, and she was 
the daughter of Gen. James O'Hara. 

■William Croghan. Jr., was a remarkably 
handsome man, whom the writer remembers 
with pleasure for many kindnesses to him a 
bo}'. He was tall and well built, with remarka- 



bly well-proportioned features.and an exceed- 
ingly keen and intelligent eye. He was a 
very Chesterfield in courtly manners, and a 
true gentleman in heart. 

On the 30th of May. 183o. Mr. Croghan 
was admitted as a member of the Allegheny 
county bar. He resided at his beautiful 
country seat, " Picnic," which commands a 
view of the three historic rivers, Mononga- 
hela, Allegheny and Ohio, and a far-off 
glimpse of the hazy Chestnut ridge of 
Pennsylvania. He died at his residence, 
Picnic, near Pittsburgh, Sept. 22, 1850, loved 
and lamented by all who knew him. 

Mrs. Croghan died Oct. 25, 1827, leaving 
two children: William, her oldest child, sur- 
vived his mother but a short time, and died 
April 35, 183S; Mary E. Croghan, the daugh- 
ter, was burn April 37, 1826. She married 
Capt. Edward W. H. Schenley, an officer of 
the British army, and went to England, 
where she has resided for the greater part of 
her married life, having now living five 
daughters and one son. — Morrison Foster. 

■WiLLtAM Walker Fortune, civil engi- 
neer. Turtle Creek, was born in Pittsburgh, 
April 16, 1854, a son of George and Jane 
(Campbell) Fortune, former a native of 
Philadelphia, latter of Scotland. George 
Fortune settled early in the present century 
at Pittsburgh, where he carried on the manu- 
facture of saddletrees for many years. From 
1850 to 1875 he was secretary of the board of 
guardians of the poor, and for twenty years 
was health officer of his city. He died in 1876, 
at the age of sixty-three, well known and 
respected. Politically he was a republican, 
and in religion he was brought up with the 
Roman Catholics, but united with the Unita- 
rians. His wife died in 1870, at the age of 
sixty. Her father, John Campbell, was the 
first Unitarian preacher in Western Pennsyl- 
vania, and resided in Pittsburgh, where he 
died. The subject of this sketch was reared 
in Pittsburgh. He received his education at 
the Second ward school, and when fifteen 
years old entered the city engineer's office, 
where he worked his way up I'apidly, be- 
coming, when but nineteen years old, chief 
engineer in charge of the grading of Fifth 
avenue. Since 1878 he has given his atten- 
tion to railroad work, and for the past two 
years has been in charge of the Turtle 
Creek Valley railroad, with office at Turtle 
Creek. In 1879 Mr. Fortune married Vir- 
ginia, daughter of Charles and Margaret 
Rahm, all of Pittsburgh birth. Martin and 
Dorothea, parents of Charles Rahm, came 
from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Fortune had 
two sons born to them, the elder now living: 
Frank Rahm, born in July, 1880; George, 
the second son, died in 1887, aged six years. 

Robert McFarland Smith (deceased) 
was born near Elizabeth, Pa., July 34, 1804, 
and was a son of Philip and Elenor Smith, of 
Germantown, Pa. Philip was a son of Thom- 
as and Elizabeth Smith, who came from Ger- 
many in 1750 and settled in "Upland," now 
Germantown, Pa. Philip married Miss Elenor 



776 



HISTOKY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 



Fismire, of Germantown, Sept. 13, 1782. In 
1783 or 178.5, Philip, tlieu a slurd)- j'oung 
farmer, and his wife, came hunting for them- 
selves a home in the then western wilder- 
ness. After a long and toilsome journey 
they reached Elizabeth, then only a settle- 
ment with three or four dwellings, the prin- 
cipal one, that of Col. Stephen Bayard, being 
built of logs. Within less than a mile the 
newcomer built his first home. It was a one- 
room log cabin on the hill plantation, called 
■■ Salisbery," which comprised three hundred 
acres bought from Joseph Carle in 1790. 
In 1798 he bought from Thomas Liming the 
plantation of ItiOi acres called Newry. nearer 
the Monongahela river. On this he built his 
house, containing one large room, second 
story, a hall and stone kitchen, a porch 
length of the front, a large barn and other 
outbuildings for a farmer's use; part of the 
old barn is standing yet. These buildings 
were made of hewn logs. A few years after- 
ward he weatherboarded his house, and it is 
said to have been the first weatherboarded 
house west of the Alleghau3' mountains. 
Often while engaged in this work he was 
obliged to take up the old musket which he 
had carried at Valley Forge and Trenton, in 
order to repel the attacks of Indians. A few 
years after his house was finished the first 
public worship ever held in that region was 
conducted there: and there, in the providence 
of God, was first organized the Old Stone M. 
E. Church of Elizabeth, which by his bless- 
ing has been the means of converting mul- 
titudes, who with Philip Smith have long 
since passed awa}'. This church was dedi- 
cated to the worship of God in 1832, the 
stone to build the same having l)een donated 
by Philip Smith and taken from^ his old 
homestead. 

Miss Elenor Fismire was born Sept. 11. 
1765, in Germantown, Pa., a daughter of 
Christian and Martha Fismire. Elenor's 
grandparents were Quakers, who came from 
Wales in 1682, being among the number of 
about two thousand colonists who founded 
Philadelphia. They had eleven children, 
seven of whom were horn prior to 1800. 
Their names are Martha, Betsey, John, 
Elenor. Adam, Thomas, Nancy, James, Jo- 
seph, Robert and Margaret. The father of 
this family willed to his son Joseph the hill 
farm; Robert, the homestead, and to Mar- 
garet, the town propertj'; all the rest of his 
children settled in the west and south. 
Philip Smith was owner of large tracts of 
land, which he sold and gave to his children. 



They also settled in the west and south, and 
almost every state in the Union can furnish 
a relative. 

Robert McFarland Smith was married 
Aug. 13, 1828, to Caroline Black, of Monon- 
gahela City, in Washington county, then 
called Willlamsport. Ten children were born 
to them: Marj- Elenor, Eliza Jane, wife of 
William F. Curry; Hester Ann, wife of D. 
Mcintosh; Wilson Speers, of Elizabeth, in 
the liverj- business; Ross Stokely, died Dec. 
2. 1875, aged thirty-eight years and four days; 
Caroline Bellvidere, wife of John Finnej', 
died March 8, 1867, aged twentj'- eight years 
and seven days; Laura and Robert Sehon. 
who died in infancy, and Mvra Dell, wife of 
James H. Christy, of Elizabeth. 

Their father was born and reared on the 
old homestead, and died Jan. 27, 1881, in his 
seventy-seventh year; his widow died July 
24, 1885, in her sevent\'-fifth 3'ear. In the 
family burial-ground, on a sunuj- spot over- 
looking the beautiful Monongahela, and in 
full view of the old homestead, rest the ashes 
of parents and children. Philip Smith, father 
of Robert, died June 23, 1842. aged eighty- 
eight years; Elenor, his wife, died Sept. 
26, 1836, aged seventy-one years and fifteen 
days. 

Robert followed farming, but in 1847 he 
bought the glasshouse property', and took 
an interest with his son Samuel in the manu- 
facturing of glass, which proved a bad 
investment, as Samuel H. went to San Fran- 
cisco with the Mar}iand Mining company in 
1849, and died there among strangers, Jan. 13, 
18.50, aged nineteen yeais and thirty-two days. 
His brother, Wilson S., enlisted Sept. 4, 1862. 
in Co. D, 14th P. C, Sheridan's command, 
and was in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's 
Hill. Mt. Jackson, White Sulphur Springs, 
Rocky Gap, Droop Mountain, Lewisburg, 
Snicker's Gap, Leesburg and others, being 
honorably discharged at the expiration of his 
term of service. 

Their daughter, Mary E. , was twice mar- 
ried; first, Dec. 25, 1845, 'to William Christian 
Lorenz, by whom she had one son, Frederick 
Smith, who inherited a part of his father's 
estate. This he willed to his mother, who is 
now the wife of William M. Grace, having 
been married to him March 23, 1859. The 
Lorenz homestead they now own and occupy. 
Her son, Frederick S. Lorenz, died Jan. 20. 
1875. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Grace, Mary Frances, who died in infancy. 
William C. Lorenz. father of Frederick, died 
Feb. 29. 1853. 



INDICES. 



INDEX TO PART I. 



PAGE, 

Abbott, W. S 751 

Acheson, Marcus \V 361 

Adams, Gabiiel 256 

Addison, Hon. Alex ,250, 251, 

252, 268, 264, 266, 294, 547 

Advance of Settlers 454 

Aguew, Daniel 275 

Agnew, Dr. James 651 

Ais-la-Chapelle, Treaty of. 24 

Alexander, James 7:iO 

Aliquippa 20 

Alleglieny Arsenal 696 

ALLEfiUENY: 

Borough Officers, 1829-40. ..867, 668 

City Home 703 

City Officers, 1840-38 G68, 609 

Fire Department 643 

General Hospital 711 

Incorporation 519, 076 

Observatory 695 

Old Town Hall 668 

Population 519 

Allegheny Cemetery 718 

AUegheny County Erected... 120, 

246, 249, 518 
Allegheny County, 1759 to 1779.. 45 

Allegheny Hills 15 

Allegheny, Origin of Name 11 

Allegheny River 11,494, 499 

Allegheny Town 519 

Allison, George 586, 592 

Allison, Robert 274 

Ankrim, Lieut. William 181 

Annexations to Allegheny Co... 121 

Anshutz, George 5.S6, 692 

Ami-Masonic Excitement. ..234, 235 

Anti-Slavery Agitation 240 

Armbrust, L. F 753 

Armstrong, John 40, 44, 46, 96 

Asbury, Bishop 351, 352 

Associate Churches 302 

Attique 40 

Augusta Town 116 

Austin, JohnM 274 

Bailey, John H 263 

Baldwin, Henry 236,239.246, 

249, 271, 272 

Ballentine, Col. James W 220 

Baltimore & Ohio E. R 572 

Banking 585-594 

Bank 01 Pennsvlvania 585 

Bank of Pittsburgh 586, 587 

Baptist Church 365-374 

Baron. Rev. Denys 395 

Barr, Rev. Samuel...290, 491, 512, 513 

Batchelor, Charles W 413, 718 

Bateman. Hugh 183 

Bayard, Stephen 96, 294, 475, 

491, 512 

Bayardstown 625 

Bavne, Col. Thomas M 219, 239 

Beattv, Rev. Charles 385, 450 

Beatt'y, Mrs. H. E 412 

Bedford County 64 

Bedford, Dr. Nathaniel 648, 651 

Beilstein, J. F 551 

Belfour, Rev. Edmund 379, 380 

Bell, A. K., D. D 373 

Beltzhoover 626 

Bench and Bar 241-280 

Berford, E. G 658 

Berk, Joseph 183 

Beymer, Simon 517 



PAGE. 

Biddle, Clement 154 

Biddle, Richard 239, 274 

Bishop Bowman Institute 691 

Black, Samuel W 180, 202, 279 

Blaine, Col. Ephraim 150, 471, 

533, 592 

Boat-Building 466, 614, 542, 599 

Booth, James J 573 

Boundaries, County 73, 131 

Boundary Disputes 61-74, 246 

Bouquet, Henry. ...43, 46, 50, 53, 

55, 66, 448, 449 

Bouquet's Redoubt 4-39,446 

Bowman, Dr. Samuel 340 

Brackenridge, H. H 159, 160, 

164,171,178,224,229, 239,245, 
246, 250, 251, 253, 366, 370, 492, 511 

Brackenridge, Henry M 171, 274 

Braddock.Gen .32, 36, .39 

Braddock's Road 123 

Bradford, David 350,369 370 

Bradford, Atty. -Gen. William... 

159, 160, 161, 163, 164, 172 

Bradley, L 695 

Breading, James E 117 

Bridges and Ferries 569-571 

Brodbead, Col. Daniel 93, 99, 

102, 150, 469, 470, 471, 472 

Brooks, Maj.-Gen 190 

Brown, A. M 432, 451 

Brown, James 67, 586, 668, 669 

Brown, Rev. John G., D. D 416 

Brown, Thomas 125 

Brown, W. H 325 

Browne, Jlaj. Joseph 313 

Brownsville 123, 134, 135, 126 

Bruce, Rev. Robert, D. D 313 

Brunot, Dr. FeUx 17 

Brunot, Felix E 217, 340, 687, 

688, 708, 730 

Brunot, Mrs. Felix E 697, 707 

Brunot, Hilary 1.37 

Brunot'a Island 471, 497 

Bryan, A M 323, .324 

Bryson, James 121 

Buchanan. Rev. Ed. Y 3.38 

Burd, Col. James 124 

Burke, Eobert and Andrew 273 

Bushnell, Daniel 473, 544 

Business and Statistics 585-014 

Butler, Capt. James E 174, 176 

Butler, Gen. Eichard 131, 468 

Campbell, Alex .389 

CampbeU, Col. David 308 

Campbell, Col. John 438, 439, 

446, 462, 468 

Campbell, Lieut.-C'ol. John B 175 

Candidates for Office 492 

Carnegie, Andrew 688 

Carroll, Bishop 400 

Case, Frank P 635 

Catholic Church 395-110 

CSIeron, Louis D 21,434, 437 

Cemeteries 717-720 

Census, 1761, 1796, 1800..5.37, 538. 541 

Centennial Celebration 437-433 

Chamberof Commerce 695 

Charlton, Lieut. William 181 

Chartiers Creek 104 

Chartiers Eailroad 575 

Cherubusco, Battle of. 182 

Chrislian Advocate 362 

Christian Church 389-395 



PAGE. 

Christian Home for Women 707 

Churches 280-411 

Clark, Col. John B 216, 220, 311 

Clarke, Charles J 091, 713, 720 

Clarke, Col. George Eogers....82, 

103, 151 

Clarke, Thomas S 207 

Classical School 675 

Clymer, George 166 

Coalbeds, Pittsburgh 425, 426 

Coalboats, etc 543, 544 

Coal Hill 453 

Coal-Mining 4.53, 543 

Coal Trade 731-734 

Cochran, A. G 239 

Cochran, H. B 748 

Cochran, William 150 

Collier, Frederick H 303 

Collins, John V 7.32, 751 

Collins, Thomas 269, 270 

Colored Orphan Asylum 710 

Columbia Railroad 558, 559 

Complaints of Indians 454, 455 

Conaway, Rev. Chas 349 

C<mf€rence Jottmal 357, 362 

Congressmen, 1789-1889 236, 239 

Connellsville Railroad 733 

Connollv, Dr. John....65, 69, 70, 

245, 461, 467, 468 

Contrecojur 29, 437 

Converse, E. C 529 

Converse, J. C 786, 748 

Cooper, Thomas, Sr 351 

Copley, Josiah 227 

Corbly, Eev. John 366 

Corn-Husking 136 

Cornwallis' Surrender 105 

County Home 432 

County Officers, First 121, 133 

County Seat, Location of 119, 243 

Coursin, Benjamin 733 

Coursin, B. B 715,742,740, 751 

Courthouse, Burning of 427 

Courthouse, New 427, 438 

Courts, Early 342 

Cowden, Eev. W. F 390 

Cox, John F 033 

Craig, Isaac 103, 394, 333, 475, 

489, 491, 609. 521, 533, 692, 630 
Craig, Neville B.102, 275, 482, 641, 

057, 607 
Crawford, Col. Wm...79, 106, 119, 24:5 

Cresap, Michael 125 

Croghan, Col. George..21, 46,454, 

460,402, 535 
Croghan, Gen. George. .176, 446, 6;j5 

Croghan, Mai. Wm 37, 5.36 

Croghan, William, Jr 635 

Cromwell, Thomas 586, 592 

Cronemeyer, W. C 739 

Cumberland Presbyterian 

Church 322-324 

Cumberland Valley R. R 558 

Cunningham, D. 627 

Currency 461 469, 511,520, 624 

Curry, Robert, A. M 686 

Dabbs, B. L. H 583 

Dallas, Trevanion B 253, 260, 667 

Dalzell, John 239, 607 

Dalzell, John H 718 

Danver, Maj. Hugh 216 

Darlington, W. M 432, 720 

Darragh, Hon. C 2.89,270,279, 680 



778 



PAGB. 

Darragh, John 686,592, 06B 

Davis, Hugh 256 

Davis, John 539 

Davis, Rev. Samuel 355 

Day Nursery 711 

Deaf and Dumb Institution 416 

Declaration of War 40 

Defenses Against Indians 129 

De Jumonville, Death of. 31, 36 

Delawares, The 11,52, !)0, 102 

DemmIer,A. J 739 

Denny, Maj. Ebenezer 294, 666 

Denny, Hon. Harmar....239, 294, 

535, 667 

Denny, Lieut. James O'H 181 

Depreciation Lands 113, 114, 115 

Detroit British Headquarters.... 

80, 86, 93 

Detroit Expedition 86 

Diamond, The 519 

Dickson, John. M. D 319 

Distilleries 152 

Distillery, First 489 

District Court Established 256 

Dil, MissD. L 418 

Dixmont 418, 431 

Dodd, Rev. Thaddeus 286 

Doddridge, Rev. Jos., M. D..330, 333 
Domenec, Rev. Michael.404, 405, 409 

Donation Lands 113, 114, 115 

Dravo, John F 363, 695 

Dress of Pioneers 141 

Ducking-stool 116 

Dunbar, Col. Thomas 33, 34 

Dunmore, Lord 62, 66, 69, 70, 468 

Dunmore's War 461 

Duquesne 519 

Duquesne Grevs 181 

Earliest Time's 9 

Early Catholic Services 395 

Easton Treaties 42,43, 46 

Eaton, Prof. L. H 368 

Ecofl', Joseph 746 

Educational 669-687 

Education, Early 146 

Edwards, Richard 247 

Eichbaum, Arnold 555 

Eichbaum, William 87, S33, 

636, 667, 719 

Election Districts 122 

Elections, 1799-lSlO 230-233 

Elections, Early 223, 224 

Elliott Mathew 467, 468 

English Acquisitions 23 

English Instigations 80, 85, 102 

Episcopal Church Home 708 

Errett, Hon. Russell.. .239, 341, 667 

Evang'l Lutheran Church 374-389 

Evans, George 544, 556 

Evans, James 753 

Evans. Oliver... 544, 656, 601, T27, 746 

Ewalt, James 249 

Excise Law 152, 154 

Execution, First 249 

Expedition to Log.stown 25 

Federalists and Democrats 171 

Feeding the floldiers 186 

Female Colleges 690 

Ferree, Capt. Jeremiah 175 

Fetterraan, Charles S 263 

Fiddlers, Early 136 

Financial Distress 152 

Finley, Joseph I .'. 99 

Fire Department, Pioneer 431 

Fire of 1S45 580-582 

First Courts 116 

First Furnace 522 

First Pittsburgh Bank Bldg 585 

First Postoffice in Pittsburgh 512 

First Presbyterian Church ^12 

First Prothonotary „ 121 

First Register 121 

First Shingle Roof 125 

First White Child 489 

Fishing in the Allegheny 494, 497 

Flagler, J. H 441, 736, 748 

Fleming, Hugh S 479, 668, 711 

Floods ; 576-680 



PAGE. 

Flouring-Mill, First Steam 547 

Forbes, Gen. John 41,42,437, 444 

Forister, George 390 

Fort Crawford 94 

Fort Duquesne.. ..30, 44, 437, 444, 

490, 509 

Fort Fayette 509 

Fort Franklin 110, 111 

Fort Hand 86, 94 

Fort Harmar 110 

Fort Lafayette 522, 525 

Fort Laurens 91, 94, 469 

Fort Le Bceuf 22, 26, 29, 44, 437 

Fort Ligonier 44, 53 

Fort Mcintosh 90, 490 

Fort Machault 44, 46 

Fort Meigs, Siege of. 176 

Fort Necessity 31 

Fort Pitt 45, 49, 50, 52, 63, 62, 

65, 81, 89, 103, 116, 2R5, 444, 

445, 446, 490, 509 

Fort Shirley 40 

Fort Stanwlx Treaties. ..109, 455, 489 

Fort Stevenson, Defense of 176 

Forward, Hon. Walter...233, 2a9, 

259, 264, 270, 272, .592 

Foster, J. Heron 658 

Franklin, Benjamin 120 

Free Dispensary 711 

Free-School System 669, 673 

French Claims 20, 24 

1-rench Forts 25 

Frew, William.'. 385,688, 695, 713 

Fulton, Robert 564 

Gallatin, Albert 154, 155, 164, 

109, 170, 172, 223, 236, 250, 

266, 598 

Garrison, Abraham 691 

Gas, Natural 426, 616-620 

Gast, Col. Frederick 216 

Gazelle, The 492, 6.54 

Gazzam, Dr. J. P 652 

Geary, John W 180, 181, 192 

Geological Diagram opposite 425 

Geology and Topography 425-427 

German Congregations 360 

German Papers 659 

Gibson, Gen. John 79, 91, 100, 

103, 156,294,469, 526 

Gilleland, James C 2,34, 657 

Girty, Simon 93, 101, 467 

Gist, Christopher 21, 22, 26, 437 

Glassworks, First .5.33 

Goff, M. B., LL. D 671, 689 

Gourley, Henry 1 693 i 

Graham, James L 432 

Grain and Flour Exchange 692 

Grant's Defeat 43, 490, 503 

Grant's Hill 500, 503 

Greensburg 243 

Grier, Robert C..246, 256, 269, 264, 275 

Guthrie, John B 2.16 

Guthrie, Capt. P. N 181 

Halket, Sir Peter .3;3, 34, .36 

Hague. Lieut. John W 181 

Hamilton, George P 276 

Hamilton, Hon. ,Tohn 236 

Hamilton, John 181 

Hampton. Moses 239. 259. 264, 279 

Hand, Gen. Edward.. ..81, 82, 83, 85 

Hanna, Robert 119, 243 

Hannastown 106, 119, 243 

Harbaugh, William 495 

Harmar's Expedition 162, 621 

Harper, Albert M 197 

Harper, John... 187, 190, 417, 422, 

587, 720 

Harrison, John 731 

Hartman, William, 8r 683 

Hawkins. W.E 264 

Hay, Col. Alex.180, 181, 202, 236, 666 

Hays, Abraham 419 

Hays, William 586, 562 

Hazelwood 481 

Heath. Andrew 116 

HendricksoD, James 746 

Hepburn. Hopewell 259, 276 

Herron, W. A 347 



Herron, Capt. John 147, 180, 

181, 236 556, 637, 666 

Herron, Rev. Francis 47, 294, 295 

Heyer, Rev. F 377, 382 

Hibernia Greens 181 

High-School 686 

Hofmann, H. H., M. D 639 

Hoge, John 236 

Hoge, William 236 

Hogg, George 97,417, 719 

Holcroft, John l.')9 

Holland, W. J., D. D 300 

Holmes, Miss Jane..697, 707, 71ij, 711 

Holmes, .Miss Jane B 697 

Holmes, Nathaniel 352, 692 

Home for .\ged Protestants 697 

Home for Destitute Women 704 

Home for Incurables 711 

Home for the Friendless 704 

Homestead 701 

Homeopathic Hospital 713 

Homewood Cemetery 717 

Hopkins, James H....' 2.39 

Hopkins, John H 336, 33T, 344 

Hospital, Western Pennsylvania 417 

Hostetter, David .391,695, 720 

House-Raising 136 

Howard, William J 2.36 

Howe, Hon. Thomas M..239, 257, 

693, 695, 708 

Huey, Dr. James 762 

Hukill, E. M 567 

Husbands, Herman 164 

Hussey, C. G., M. D 277 

Hutchinson, F. M 611 

Hutchinson. Dr. H. A 421 

Improvement of the Poor 703 

Independence, Prelude to 45 

Indian Alarms 467 

Indian Claims 19 

Indian Neutrality 79, 81, 462 

Indian Title Extinguished 110 

Indian Towns, etc 12 

Indian Treaties 19, 60 

Indian Troubles 520, 521, 526 

Ingham, John B 661 

Inskeep, A 655 

Insurance 594, 597 

Intercommunication 123 

Iron-Foundry. First .547 

Iroquois Confederacy 44S 

Iroquois Indians 11 

Irvine, Gen, William 103, 105, 

109, 163, 472, 475, 499 

Irwin, Col. Matthew 261 

Irwin, <;en 490 

Irwin, Thomas 261 

Irwin, William W 236, 276 

Jacks-of-All-Trades 133 

Jackson, .John B 708, 720 

Jackson, Opposition to 234 

Jacobs, Captain 40 

Jacobs, Israel 236 

Jail 428 

Jennings, John F 303, 658 

Jewish Congregations 410, 411 

Jones, B. F 353 

Jones, Ephraim 235,533, 634 

Jones, Samnel 121. 256 

Jones, Thomas, Sr 225, 5.34 

Jones, Thomas, Jr 225, 5.34, .543 

Jones ra. Postlethwaite 224-230 

Jones, W. R 501 

Johnson, Robert 154 

Johnston, Samuel R 157 

.Judges, 1791-1882 362-264 

Kane, Lieut. James 181, 183 

Kennedy, John 246, 255,269, 271 

Kerfoot, Bishop 843,344, 345 

Kerr, Rev. Dr. Joseph 315 

Kerr, William 2.36 

Ketcham, Winthrop W S61 

Keyasutha 79, 106, 462, 465, 6S7 

Key to the West \ 128 

Klddoo, James 156 

Kier, Samuel M S7S, 890 

Kingston, Samuel 272 

Einkead, Col. Joseph M 218 



779 



PAGE. 

Kirkpatrick, Mai. Abrain....l59, 

373, 625, 536 

Kirkpatrick, Jolan M 264 

Kiskakunk 12 

Kittanning 11, 12, 40, 95, 96 

Kittanning Manor 69 

Knox, Joseph 279 

Kaoxville 626 

Kuhii, James S 740 

Kuhn, J.I 279 

Laeock, Abner 2.32, 236 

Lambing, Rev. A. A., LL. D 407 

Land Companies 16 

Land-Titles 112, 447 

Langley, Prof. S. T 696 

Leathern Breeches 525 

Lee, Arthur 443, 489 

Lenni Lenape 10, 466 

Library Association 687 

Liggett, Thomas 127 

Liixle Sisters' Home 704 

Little, William 236 

Lochry, Archibald 89, 96 

Logstown 12,35, 490 

Lost Industries 614 

Lost State, A 473 

Lotteries 613 

Loughhead, William 729 

Lowrie, Walter U 246, 260, 642 

Lucas, John B. C 252 

Luckey, George J., A. M 674 

MeCandless, William 686 

McCandless, Wilson 201, 264, 

270, 271, 680, 686, 713 

McClelland, J. H 485 

McClelland, Robert 276 

McCUntock, Jonas R 236 

McClure, Francis 256 

McClure,WilliamB..255,264,270, 271 

McClurg, Alexander 107, 554 

McClurg, Joseph 167, 547, 5.M 

McClurg, Thomas B 605 

McConnell, Thomas 276 

McCreery, William 695, 711 

McCully, William 237 

McDonald, John 274 

McDowell, John 256 

McGuire, Rev. Charles B 399 

Mcllwaine, Col. WUIiam 213 

Mcintosh, Gen. Lachlan...S5, 93, 469 

McJunkins, Ebenezer 239 

McKean.GoT. Thomas...230,231, 

241, 250 

McKee, Alexander 84, 467 

McKee, David 723, 724 

SIcKee Family 723, 724 

McKee, John 784, 729, 730 

McKeespokt : 

Additions 741, 742 

Churches 753 

Drawing for Lots 725 

Educational 752 

Ferry, Steam 733 

Financial Institutions 747 

Illumination 747 

Incorporation, Borough 742 

Iron-Works. 735 

Library Association 7.52 

Lot-Owners, Original 726, 729 

Manufacturing Interests 735 

Municipal Government 745 

Newspapers 751, 752 

Passenger Railway 747 

Railroad Interests 733-735 

Residents in 1830 730 

Secret Societies 753 

Water System 746 

McKee's Rock 497 

McKee's Rocks 433,434, 475 

McKnight, Robert 239 

McLaren, Rev. John F., D. D. 



McLean, Alexander 113 

McMillan, Eev. John. ...286, 289, 290 

McMillan.Thomas L 256 

Mackay, Col. ^neas 95 

Mahon, John D 276 

Mails, Early 511, 532, 533 



PAGE. 

Majorities, Political 236 

Manchester 519 

Manners and Diversions 145 

Manors, The Penn 475 

Manorville 69 

Manufactures, Early 597, 598 

Map of Allegheny County ...opp. 9 

Market-House 512 j 

Markets, Lack of 149, 151 

Marvin, S. S 692, 695 

Mason and Dixon's Line. ..66, 71, 73 

Maumee, Battle of 116 

Mayer, Dr. L 410 

Maynard, John Wesley 250, 263 

Medical Profession 648 

Medical Society 653 

Mellon, Thomas 263,276, 297, 594 

Mercer, Rev. Boyd 7'53 

Mercer, Col. Hugh 49, 50, 444 

Mercy Hospital 712 

Messier, Thomas D 457 

Metcalf, Orlando 177, 279, 417, 713 

Metcalf, William 691, 708, 713 

Methodist Book Depository 365 

Methodist Church 349-365 

Mexican War 179-183 

Mexico, Capture of. 182 

Meyran, Charles 695 

Mifflin, Gov 162, 165, 261 

Military Supplies, JIauufacture 189 

Millar, .Wexander 741, 747 

Miller, Reuben , 695 

Mills and Postofflces 134 

Mississinewa, Fight at 175 

Mollinger, Rev. S. G 403 

Monckton, Gen 50, 448, 449 

Money, Scarcity of 92 

Monongahela Navigation Co 

566, 569 
Monongahela, Signification of... 493 

Montour's Island 490 

Moorhead, Henry C 276 

Moorhead, James K 239, 367, 273 

417, 695 

Moorhead, Capt. Samuel 94 

Morgan, Col. George 444, 46.5, 467 

Morrow. Robert 274 

Mound-Builders 10 

Mount Oliver 626 

Mountain, Siduey 271 

Mowry, Dr. Peter 651 

Mullen, Bishop 402 

National Banks .594 

National Tube-Works 730 

Negley, Gen 186 

Negley, James S 239 

Neville, John 70, 79, 81, 163, 

156,461,462, 465 

Neville, Gen. Johnson .333 

New Lights 317 

New PostotHce 513 

New Purchase, The 115 

Newsboys' Home 714 

Newspaper, First 492 

Newspapers 654-660, 751, 752 

Nicholson, Robert D 183 

Nimick, Alex 718, 720 

Northern Liberties 625 

O'Brien, Rev. W. F. X 399 

O'Connor, Rev. Michael 401, 

402, 404, 405, 409 

Offenses, Capital 242 

Officers, How Chosen 532 

O'Hara Estate '269 

O'Hara, Gen. James 27, 294, 

396, 633, 534, .535, 542, 555 

Ohio Company 16, 21, 00. 62, 

434, 438, 497 
Ohio River, Origin of Name..l3, 493 

Ohio Valley, Contest for 23 

Ohio Valley, Settlement of. 62 

Old Almshouse 698 

Old Courthouse and Market 516 

Oliver, H. W., Jr 695 

Opposition to Law 153-165 

Ordinance of 1787 514 

Outlet to the Ocean 471 

Over, I. W 264 



PAGE. 

Panic of 1817 .535 

Panic of 1858 .575 

Paper-MillB 537 

Park, Public 519 

Park, Robert M 681 

Parke, John M 256 

Parkinson's Ferry 159 

Parnassus 94 

Parties, Political 233 

Passavant, Rev. W. A., D. D 

379, 383, 387 

Patriot Meetings 74, 75 

Patterson, Maj. John W 213 

Patton, Benjamin 254, 275, 432 

Paul, Col. James 124 

" Peacemakers" 249 

Pearson, R. W., D. D .371 

Penitentiary, Western 423, 519 

Penney, James 729, 754 

Penney, John P 279 

Penney, John T 740 

Penney, Thomas 743, 746, 748, 754 

Penney, William 753, 754 

Pennsylvania Canal 563 

Pennsylvania Gazelle 447 

Penn'3 Charter 14 

Peuns, The 456, 459, 475-J78 

Pennsylvania R. R 558, 572, 

675, 660, 664 

Pentland, Ephraim 262, 657 

Perry's Victory 179 

Pershing, Rev. I. C, D. D 690 

Petroleum 426, 614, 615 

Phelan, Rt. Rev. Biohard 402, 405 

Phelps, Darwin 239 

Physicians at Funerals 6.52 

Pillory and Whipping-Post 244 

Pioneer Life 133-149 

Pitcairn, Robert 561 

Pittsburgh; 

Additions to 625 

Advantages of Site 433 

Boundaries, Borough 528, 632 

Boundaries, City 635 

Brackenridge's Description, 

1786 492 

City Officers, 1816-38 666, 667 

Craig's Recollections 541 

Fire Department 626-643 

First Census 460, 

From 1763 to 1768 450 

Health 621, 622 

Incorporation, Borough 439, 528 

Incorporation, City 261 

Indebtedness 624 

In 1770, 1788 443 

In 1774 74 

In 1795 484 

In 1807 544, 547 

In 1817 Frontispiece 

In 1818 547 

Maj. Denny's Account 112 

Manufactures in 1828 553-556 

Mayors, 1836-58 236 

Military Import#nce 465 

Mrs. Royall's Account 548-566 

Name Given 446 

Police Department 644-647 

Pope's Account 123 

Population in 1796 537, 638 

Street Paving 624 

Started by the Penns 620 

Survey 487,488 

Trades in 1792 625 

Wards 625 

Water- Works 623, 624 

Pittsburgh Blues 174,175, 176 

Pittsburgh, Manor of 440, 456 

Pittsburgh Manufacturing Co... 

686, 587 

Pitt Township 64,119, 533 

Plumer, Jonathan 489 

Politics, Early 223-341 

Poland, Maj. John 312, 213 

Pontiac's Conspiracy.. 51, 62, 53, 465 

Poor, Care of the (597-711 

Population 620, 621 

Portage Railroads 659 



780 



PAGE. 

Porter, J. W 523 

Porter. Capt. Eobevt 180, 181 

Post, Christian Frederic 43 

Postlethwaite, Joseph R 224, 225 

Post-Routes 532 

Power, Rev. James 286 

Presbyterian Church 280-302 

Presqu' Isle, Fort 82 

Pressl.v, Rev. John T., D. D.808, 311 

Primitive Methodists 358 

Privations of the Pioneers 130 

Protestant Episcopal Church 

•329-349 
Protestant Home for Aged 

Women 697 

Protestant Home lor Boys 710 

Protestant Orphan Asylum 709 

Provisions, Scarcity of.. ..95, 151, 

467, 469 

Public Buildings. First 119 

Public Institutions. ..411-424, 687-714 

Pumpkin Flood 577 

Purviance, Henry 269, 270 

Purvianee, Samuel A 2.39, 270 

Quaker Policy -42, 50, 55 

Racecourse in 1786 510 

Railroads and Connections . ..571-576 

Railroads, Early 558 

Railroad Subscriptions 734 

Raleigh's Patent 14 

Rankin, Lieut. William 181 

Rebellion, War of the 184-223 

Redemptioners 510 

Redstone Old Fort 124 

Reed, David 276 

Reed, William B 476 

Reel. Casper 77 

Reform School 423, 424 

Reformed (German) Church. .324-329 
Reformed Presbyterian Church 

316-322 

Religious Influences 146 

Reno, Rev. Francis 3::i3, 334 

RepubUcan Party, Origin of..',>:)9-'.M0 

Repudiation 734 

Reservations of Lands 113, 114 

"Reserved Tract" 51.'), 516, 519 

Revolution, Beginning of 462 

Revolution, Prelude to 71 

Revolutionary Period 74-109 

Reynolds, Thomas 748 

Riddle, David H., D. D 294 

Riddle, James 256 

Riots of 1877 060-666 

Rippey, Col. O. H 181 

Eitchie, David 23;i, 256 

Ritner, Gov. Joseph 2.33 

Roads, Opening of. 51 

Roberts, R. Biddle 642 

Roberts, Samuel 252 

Roberts, Col. W.B 180, 183 

Roberts, W. Milner 565, .569 

Robinson, Wm., Jr 489 

Rook, A. W 331 

Koss, James.... 160, 163, 230, 233, 
250, 251, 269, 270, 52T, 5.35, 

536, 667, 724 

Routes of Travel 483 

Rowley, Col. Thomas A 180, 

181,212, 213 

Royal Grants 61 

Royall, Mrs. Ann 271, 548 

Russel Manufacturing Co 740 

Ryan, James F 746, 748 

Ryan, M. F 705, T42 

St. Clair, Arthur 65, 69, 70, 79, 

119, 243, .Vi2 

St. Francis' Hospital 713 

St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum 710 

St. Michael's Orphan Asylum.... 709 

St. Paul's Orphan Asylum 709 

Sadler, 0. W , M. D 649 

Salt, Scarcity of 91, 131 

Saltworks 542 

Sample, James 183, 230 



PAi.E. 

Sanitary Fair 189, 431 

Sawcung 433 

Seaife, Oliver P 711, 718 

Scalps, Rewards for 55 

Schenley Estate 446, 459, 536 

Schiedt, Rev. F 383 

Schmertz. William E 328, 695 

Schools of Allegheny 676-687 

Schools of Pittsburgh 669-676 

Schools, Private 510, 674-676 

Scott, Graham 589 

Scott, John B 751 

Scott, Thomas 236 

Scull. John 492,511. 6.'>4. 657 

Seminaries, Theological 411-416 

Semple, Steel 269, 270 

Shadracb, Rev. Wm., D. D...3B7, 371 

Sh.aler, Charles 253, 262, 273 

Shannon, Peter C 259 

Shannopinstown 433 

Shawanese, The 11, 52. 89, 90 

Shingiss 433,434, 448, 497 

Shinn, William M '276 

Shipmau, James 682 

Shippen, Hon. Edward 527 

Shoenberger, J. H 340, 708 

Shoenberger, J.N 417 

Sill, William 753 

Simon. Michael 677 

Sinclair, H. B 733 

Sisters, Catholic 406, 407 

Six Nations 19,23, 60,79, 111, 448 

Skelly, Lieut. William P 181 

Smith, Dr. C. W 365 

Smith, Hon. Thomas 236 

Smoky Island 494,509. 578 

Snowden, John M 686, 592 

Snyder, Gov. Simon.:. ...175, 231, 250 

.Spang, Charles F 369, 417 

Spang, Charles H 720 

Squatters 59, 438, 440, 465 

Stages and Roads 547 

Stauton, Edwin M 185, 276 

Stauwix, Gen. John 49, 444. 448 

Statistics 599-613 

Steamboat Navigation 564. 565 

Stebiel, Rev. John 403, 404 

Sterling Steel-Works "39 

Sterrett, J. P '246, 255, 720 

Stevenson, James S 239 

Stewart, Hon. Andrew 566 

Stewart, John W 099,742 

Stocton, Rev. Joseph, 675 

Stowe, Edwin H •256, 263, 429, 432 

Street Nomenclature 481 

.Stuckslager, C. R 748 

Survey, Early 456 

.Swartzwelder. Marshall 276 

Swift. Elisha P., D. D 294 

Taggart. John 545 

Talligewi.The 10 

Tanacharison 448 

Tannehill, Gen. Adamson....l75, 

232, 2.36 

Tavern-Keeping 484 

Taylor, Rev. John 331 

Tedyuscung 42 

Temperanceville 447 

Thaw, .John 57, 638 

Thaw, Wm 287, 638, 689, 713, 720 

Thompson, George 256 

Thompson, James 2;W 

Thomson, J. Edgar 564, 599 

Thompson. John M 239 

Title Disputes 116 

Todd, A. B 279 

Tomahawk Improvements 125 

Tom the Tinker 159, 164 

Topography 427 

Tory Plot.tings 84 

Townships. Division into 122 

Trails, Indian 12, 13 

Transportation, etc 126, 557-569 

Treaty of Peace, 1763 449 

Treaty of Utrecht 23, 24 



Trent, Capt. William 26, 4 

Trovillo, Lieut. William 180, 1 

Tuigg, Bishop 4(M, 4 

Tulikens, Maj 60, 4 

Turnpikes 5 

Turtle Creek, Fight at 

Tyler, Maj. Horatio K 2 

United Evangelical Church, 

1791 3 

United Presbyterian Ch 302-3 

U. P. Women's Association 7 

U. S. Bank 566, 588, 591, 5 

U. S. Iron and Tin Plate Works.. 7 

Van Amringe, H. H 2 

Vaudergrift, John Jay 4 

■Vandergrift, T. J 6 

Varner, Thomas 309, 4 

Venango 110, 1 

Vera Cruz, Troops at 1 

Verner, James 4 

Vickroy, Thomas 481, 4 

Virginia Courts 1 

Walker, Jonathan H 'i 

Walker, Robert J 260, 2 

Wallace, George... 121, 249, 251, 
252, 256, 2 

Wampler, John 7 

Wampler, Joseph 7 

Wampler, W. P 595, 7 

War Escitemenl 1 

War of 1812 174-1 

Warner, Henry 422, 432, 6 

Washington's Expedition..25, 31, 

Washington's Journal 4 

Washington's Visit 4 

Washington Temperance So- 
ciety..... C 

Water Supply 629, 6 

Watson, Robert C 

Wayne, Gen. Anthony 116, 

432, 522, 526, 626, 6 

Wayne's Victory I 

Weaver, Henrj' A 2 

Weddings, Pioneer 1 

Weiser, Conrad 19, 

Wells, Calvin i 

Western Pa. Med. Coll 653, « 

Western University 6 

Westinghouse, George, Jr t 

Westmoreland County 64, 89, 1 

Whisky Insurrection 149-1 

Whisky Path. The 1 

White, David N 240, i 

AVhite, J. P ' 

White, J. W. 1' 20,4, J 

W'hite, T. L 748, 'i 

Whitehead, Cortlandt, D. D ; 

Wickersham, S. M 687, ( 

Widow's Home Association ' 

Wigham, William ' 

Wilkins, Capt. John i 

Wilkins, Charles : 

Wilkins, Ross i 

Wilkins, Hon. Wm 2.'i3, 

261, 273, 294, 417, .586, 638, f 

Williams, Henry W 246, ; 

W' illiams, J. C ' 

Williams, Rev. Samuel I 

Williams, Thomas i 

Willson, Samuel 225, 1 

Winters, Severe '• 

Women in the War 1 

Wood, George ■ 

Wood, W. D : 

Woodburn. Rev. B. F.. D. D ; 

Woods, John 250, 266, ' 

Woods, Robert '■ 

Woods, William ■ 

Woodside, Rev. N 

Workhouse, County ' 

Wrenshall, John 3-50. ; 

Wright. Col. Isaac ; 

Wyandots, The 

Wynkoop. Col. F. M : 

Youghioghania County : 



783 



ai: 



214 
. 601 
. 35S 



Abbott, W. S 

Abel. Edward ^{j 

Abel, Joseph gj'g 

Aber, Jacob ; gg^ 

Aber, James ; gQg 

Aber, Lewis -j^ 

Aber, Zephaniah W ^qq 

Ackard, A.C V*' 3y_j 

Aemetonia "* ^^g 

^^^^''•^'iibB}d::::z:::::z:" 403 

A^^fJSr'bert B 675 

^^'"•Jiavid 634 

'^i^"'' David S 413 

-^<>«ffi; Isaac M B33 

■Ji'ion, Prof. James, Ph. D 422 

■?^ion, James 634 

^ Son, James E 688 

(l^ion. Dr. John 238 

^?son, Johns 239 

•? fson, William 746 

-J arich Jacob 658 

•jirich, Ale 



;)n, Rev. Josiah 471 

imore. Dr. S. W 314 

smore, William McC 618 

mont 188 

714 



Ai::: 



.""ens, Abram L 

Laid, William W 497 

laldson, Henrj^ 577 

*^ioTao, Daniel G 613 

■Jjlittle, Jacob 4Uo 

-Jolittle, John 468 

■?ran, James A 607 

^ran, Patrick 600 

,ugherty, Daniel 687 

yugherty, George R "62 

".lugherty, Joseph C 594 

^>uglas, Joseph 324 

-juglass, Elisha P 3.34 

ouglass, John J 676 

ouglass. Thomas C 582 

ouglass, Col. Wm 92 

ouglass, William L 380 

loyle, William 604 

>ravo, John F 76, 252 

)ravosburff 76 

>rennen, Thomas H 388 

)uff, David 672 

)uff Family 187 

Durt", Firman K 495 

nutf. James 47(1 

Dufl", James H., M. D 361 

Dufif, JohnB 546 

Duff, Samuel A 380 

Duffoer. Rev. John B 277 

Duffy, Charles A 691 

Dugan, P. H 631 

Dumm, James M— ''^l 

Duncan, Alexander C 324 

Duncan, DanielS 361 

Dunlap, Capt. Hance M 538 

Dunlap, W. M 672 

Dunlevy, M. 0- 655 

Dunn, William T 7.39 

Dunshee, J. W 702 

Dunshee, Capt. William 311 

Durning, Charle-i 764 

Eagye. George W 348 

East.James J 383 

Eaton, Charles Homer 627 

Eaton, J. P 754 

Eaton, Osman L 636 

Ecker, Alonzo 733 

Ecker, William C 572 

Ecoff, Joseph 347 

Edgeworth .Seminary 125 

Edie, .John B 326 

Edie, E. J 715 

Edmundson, John W 684 

Edmundson, L. P 705 

Edmundson, William E 466 

Edwards Richard 220 



PAGE. 

Edwards, Thomas 565 

Edwards. William 611 

Ehrenburg, Arthur 601 

Eichbaum, William 216 

Elk, Frederick 666 

Elkin, Henry 764 

Elliott, D. S 505 

Elliott, Morgan 585 

Elsesser, J. L 453 

Elwood, Roberto 476 

Emrich, Fred 560 

Emrick, John G 707 

England, John 580 

English, John 436 

Erbe, Barthel 661 

Erbeck, E. L 517 

Erny, Frank A 667 

Erny, Joseph F 563 

Errett, Hon. Russell 33, 244 

Erskine, W. C 548 

Erwin, R. M 630 

Esier, James M 382 

Espe, Fred 611 

Espy, John 481 

Espy, Capt. Thomas 481 

Eurich, Hite 755 

Euwer, John 509 

Euwer, Matthew G 397 

Eviins, Cadwallader, M. D 238 

Evans, David 670 

Evans, George 682 

Evans, James 322 

Evans, John D 583 

Evans, Oliver, Sr 237 

Evans, Oliver, Jr 698 

Evans, Thomas 617 

Evergreen 174 

Ewalt, George W 645 

Ewing, Alex 18 

Ewing, Isaac 496 

Ewing, James 18, 26 

Ewing, James A 636 

Ewing, J. Nelson 469 

Ewing, Robert A 396 

Ewing, Capt. Samuel W 496 

Ewing, William, Jr 414 

Ey.ster, C. W 663 

Eyster, Matthew B 662 

Fairfield, Capt. J. G 603 

Fairley, John 721 

Farley, Daniel A 608 

Farmerie, John 434 

Farmerie, John A 434 

Faulkner, Dr. Richard B 544 

Fawcett, George 653 

Fawcett, Thomas 663 

Feilbach, Mrs. Elizabeth H 600 

Fell, Daniel 367 

Felloborn, W. M 703 

, Fenton, William S 679 

Ferguson, John S 550 

( Ferree, George M 765 

Ferree, Jacob F 477 

Ferree, Robert S 478 

Fey, Peter 581 

Fields, Samuel 325 

Fife *06 

Fife, Andrew 389 

Fife, James, Jr 407 

Fife, Maj..Iohn 406 

Fife, John, Sr 43 

Fife, Nathaniel 407 

Fife, Samuel R 425 

Fife. Thomas 406 

Fife, Thomas M 418 

Fife, William J 407 

Fife. William T 407 

Findlay, Gov. Wm U 

Finley, Samuel F 353 

Finney, James N 648 

Fisher, George 677 

Fisher, John 665 

Fisher, William (Pittsburgh) .320 

j Fisher, William (White Ash)... 654 

Fitzsimons, Samuel 746 

Fix, Conrad 709 

Flagler. John H 246 

i Fleck, Frederick 731 



PAGE. 

Fleming, Hugh S 263 

Fleming, John (Sewickley) 336 

Fleming, John (Pittsburgh) 702 

Fleming, J. R 673 

Fleming, Mrs. Julia H 264 

Flick, H. W 760 

Floyd, William 736 

Ford, Benjamin 678 

Foreman, Henry C 495 

Forks of Yough 84-87 

Fornof. George 723 

Forrester, Hugh 384 

Forsaith, J. L .t 520 

Fortune, William W 775 

Forward, Hon. Walter 98 

Foster, David 426 

Foster, David G. and W. Ross... 386 

Foster, Walter 648 

Fowler, John 19.3, 194 

Fox, John 673 

Francies, James .560 

Franz, Henry 711 

Frazier, Lieut. John 121 

Frazier, Samuel R 607 

Frederick, Ernest 741 

Frew, Samuel 105, 106 

Frew, William 224 

Frew, William N 225 

Fricke, Henrv 573 

Frost, .Vlbert'E 541 

Fry, Samuel ««.i:rr. 478 

Fryer, Amos 688 

Fryer, William J 498 

Fulton, William 6 734 

Galbraith, Thomas, M. D 406 

Galbraith, William M 397 

Gallagher, Thomas H 369 

Gamble, John and Hiram 520 

Gamble, William 676 

Gardner, C. W 756 

Gardner, James L 412 

Gardner, Stanley 319 

Gardner, T. D 335 

Gardner, William F 342 

Garrison, Abraham 247 

Gass, Christian H 724 

Gauf, Christian 515 

Gayley, James 521 

Gedekoh, Frederick 528 

Gensch, Theresa 599 

George, Mrs. Ann 550 

George, David 640 

George, J. C 369 

George, Samuel 550 

Gerwig, Nicholas J. H 363 

Getze, George M 398 

Gibb, Washington 630 

Gibbons, Horace - 757 

Gibson. Charles. Sr 749 

Gibson, Charles J 749 

Gibson, RobertM... 749 

Gibson, Thomas HI, 170 

Gibson, W. George 660 

Giffln, William 4.31 

Giles, George W 677 

GilBllan, Alex., 1st 42, 43 

Gilfillan, Alexander, Sr 465 

Gimllan Family, The 465 

Giiailan, Rev. Robert A 371 

Gilfillan, William. 465 

Gilkeson, Findley 766 

(jillespie, John 666 

Gilliland, Jacob 632 

Gilmore, David 422 

Gilmore, Capt. D. S. H 331 

Gilmore. Francis S 485 

Gilmorci .Tames, Sr 401 

Gilmore. Dr. William J 422 

Girdel, John 758 

Girty, Simon 180, 181 

Gist, Thomas J 692 

Gladden, George, M. D 498 

Gladden. Thomas D 577 

Glass, John C 6f3 

GJass, William 703 

Glendale 65 

Glenn, Robert W 464 

Glenn, Maj. W. J 508 



784 



PAGE. 

Glew, Thomas 605 

Glunt, Zephaoiah 616 

Godfrey, Edward B 523 

Goeddel, Philip 620 

Goff, Milton B 271 

Goldbach, George 511 

Goldatrohm, August CT7 

Good, Albert R 653 

Good, Baltzer 1T4 

Good, George L 322 

Good, Isaac 505 

GoodwiD, G. W 7M 

Gordon, A., Jr 530 

Gordon, Alexander 462 

Gordon, Harry 524 

Gordon, Robert W 362 

Gore, A. M 647 

Gormley, Jamea 639 

Gould, John A 626 

Gourhead Knob 143 

Gourley, Henry 1 253 

Grabner, William 741 

Grace, Rev. George S 319 

Grace, William M 392 

Graff, Mrs. Caroline 763 

Graham, Christopher M 411 

Graham, George G., M. D 739 

Graham, James 392 

Graham, Rev. James 120 

Graham, James H 380 

Graham, John 508 

Graham, John G 490 

Graham, John JC 91, 590 

Graham, Robert 87 

Graham, R. T 177, 767 

Grail, Phillip, Jr. 736 

Graper, William 724 

Grau, John 641 

Gray, James 463 

Gray, M. C 693 

Gray, Samuel M'. 526 

Grav, William 678 

Grav, Cai.t. William C 323 

Greaves, J. W 639 

Greenawalt, William 560 

Greenoak 91 

Greer, James M 726 

Grier, Samuel C 5.34 

Grier, William W 316 

Grlerson. James 518 

Griffith, Dr. G. R 416 

Griffith, Joseph 623 

Griggs, Joseph F 547 

Grimes, Joseph B 549 

Grimes, Thomas H., M. D 752 

Groab, Benjamin A 447 

Gross, Frederick L„ 535 

Gross, Michael 511 

Gnibbs. James 512 

Grubbs, William S 760 

Guffey, John 454 

Guise, Hartman 519 

Gutbub, George 721 

Gut, William H 4.32 

Guyton. Robert 648 

Haas, Fred M3 

Haas, William 584 

Hager, Christian, M. D 490 

Haeue, Capt. John W 544 

Haley, George W 34 

Haley, Thomas H 388 

Hall, William 458 

Hall, W. T 461 

Halstead. Capt. James W 0.33 

Hamilton, John 473 

Hamilton, P.obert C 708 

Hamilton, Robert H -iTO 

Hamilton, Prof. Samuel 448 

Hamilton, Williiim H 376 

Hammitt. John K 366 

Hammond, Henry 612 

Hammond. J. M .580 

Hampe, Frederick H 756 

Hampton, Hon. Moses 143 

Hankey, Andrew J 7.58 

Hanley, Patrick F 517 

Hanna, Joseph E 478 

Harbaugh, Alex. M 663 



PAGE. 

Harbaugh, William 202, 291 

Harbison, John 151 

Harbison, John R 754 

Harbison, S. B 645 

Hardie, .John D 680 

Hardy, David, Jr 653 

Hardv, John 504 

Hardy, Robert 6.52 

Hare, Albert, M. D 754 

Hare, Thomas 515 

Harmarville 164 

Harper, Albert M 232 

Harper, John 231 

Harrison, Capt. John J 576 

Harrison, William B 531 

Hartley, Roger .385 

Hartley, Thomas 64, 385 

Hartman, John N 342 

Hartman, William 287 

Haslett, John F 647 

Hassinger, Phillip 640 

Hastings, John 712 

Hatch, Rev. Cvrus B 398 

Hatch, Joseph 763 

Hattman, Louis M 516 

Haudenshield, Jacob 374 

Haudenshield, Samuel 644 

Hawkins, William 158 

Hayden, Zerah 656 

Haymaker, John C 400 

Haymaker, William N 452 

Hays, Abiiah, Jr 399 

Hays, Capt. Abraham 770 

Hays, Gen. Alexander 258 

Hays Family, The 769 

Hays, Gilbert A 2.59 

Hays, Jacob.. 373 

Hays, James H 75 

Hays, Capt. J. D.. 66.3 

Hays, Capt. W. Seward B 770 

Hays, Thom.is H 769 

Hazlett, George ^V 570 

Hazlett, Miss Mary J 629 

Heakes, William 347 

Healey, Henry T 743 

Heath. Samuel J 503 

Heath, Samuel L 4:j3 

Hegerich, Rev. Constantine M... 421 

Heim, Frederick, Sr 620 

Heinz, F 740 

Heinz, H. J 161, 290 

Heinz, John H 737 

Held, Fred 605 

Held, Louis 619 

Hemphill, James M 568 

Hemphill, ,Tohn W 661 

Henderson, Charles C 525 

Henderson, Robert 576 

Henderson. Thomas P 6MI 

Henger, Anthony 482 

Henning, .Vdam 756 

Henning, Samuel 393 

Henry, .\ntone .» 571 

Herbertson. David 621 

Herbst, Michael 671 

Heroki, William 369 

Herr, lienjamin 664 

Herr, Henrv 435 

Herriott, James 408 

Herriott, W. A 4o7 

Herron, Eev, Francis, D. D 221 

Herron. John 268 

Herron, Samuel 722 

Herron, William A 269 

Herron. William C 465 

Hershey. John. 469 

Herwig, George 719 

Hess, John L 743 

Hetzel, George 350 

Hezlep, Joseph B 189, 434 

Hickey, Verv Rev. John 117, 768 

Hickman Family, The... 414 

Hickman, L G ..^ 638 

Hickman, John A 415 

Hickman, Joseph 452 

Hickman, J. F .585 

Hickman, Moses 414 

Hickman, William S 626 



Hieber, Frank H 610 

Higbee, Joseph P 501 

Hill, John C 696 

Hill, Robert T 698 

Hill, Smith W 621 

Hill, WilUam 424 

Hindman, Samuel 498 

Hirning, George 559 

Hitchcock, Lawrence P 543 

Hitchcock, Mrs. Sarah 543 

Hite, Joseph 734 

Hite, P. Y 147 

Hitzrot, H. W 36S 

Hodge, Patrick F 690 

Hodgson, Joseph 629 

Hodil, George 453 

Hodkinson, Matthew 399 

Hoeveler, Augustus 545 

Hoeveler, W. A 545 

Hoey, Thomas 201 

Hoffman, G. W 529 

Hoffman, John 643 

Hoffman, Phillip 722 

Hoffmann, Louis 709 

Hofman, Anton 356 

Hofmanij, H. H., M. D 278 

Hogg, George 225 

Hogue, Hon. Xicholaa 457 

Hohmann, Heuiy 750 

Holland, Robert M 575 

Holland. Rev. W. J., D. D., Ph. D. 247 

Hollis, Samuel P 765 

_Holmes, James R 673 

Holmes, John i Putnam l 466 

Holmes, John (Fetterman) 714 

Holmes, John(Talley Cavey).... 765 

Holmes, .John G 264 

Holmes, Nathaniel 261 

Holt, Enoch T 641 

Holtzmau, Jacob 633 

Hopper, Arthur J 074 

Horen, Edward 766 

Horn. Martin 330 

Hosack, Geoi-ge Z 500 

Hosick, Joseph 453 

Hosick W. S 166 

Hostetter, David 260 

Houghtelin, Hezekiah 426 

Houghtelin, William D 374 

Householder, John A 60S 

Howard, Andrew 339 

Howder. George W 598 

Howe, Hon. Thomas M 262 

Huey, George E 3.38 

Huey, Dr. James E 337 

Huev, William 488 

Huff. Joseph B 697 

Huffman, Alfred B 458 

Hughes, Alexander 49S 

Hughes, James 570 

Hughey 379 

Hughey, John 413 

Hughey, Joseph 469 

Hughey, T. L 636 

Hugo, Jacob 605 

Hukill, E. M 307 

Hiikill, Henry O... 650 

Hulinus, Edward James 6.35 

Hulton, John 603 

Humes, F. N 389 

Humes, John F 395 

Hunter, James E 700 

Hunter,Rev. Joseph, A. M 345 

Hunter, Joseph D 751 

Hunter, Matthew r,14 

Hunler, Robert 707 

Hunter, Thomas A 625 

Hunter, William 1 421 

Hunter, WUliam W 330 

Husler, Dr. E G 716 

Hussey, Dr Curtis G 254 

Huston, John 403 

Hutcheson, William L 656 

Hutchinson, Rev. F. A 429 

Hutchinson, F. M 293 

Idlewood 62 

lies, William A 321 

Imperial 11, 19 



785 



PAGE. 

Industry 92 

iDgalls, JohnW" 570 

Ingham, Charles F 281 

Ingham, John B 281 

Ingram, John 615 

Ingram, Thomas 62 

Inskeep, A 299 

Irvine, J. Q. A 450 

Irwin, John 343 

Irwin, John V 445 

Irwin, William W 520 

Ivory, Peter 435 

Jack, James P 3S6 

Jackel, John t)93 

Jackson, William 510 

Jacobs, George 6fi3 

Jageman, Philip F 632 

James, John 512 

Jamison, John C 211, 538 

.larvis, David 657 

Jarvis, Samuel 462 

Jaycox, Hamilton S 354 

Jeffrey, R. W 675 

Jemphrey, H. G 690 

Jennings, Benjamin F 275 

Jennings, John F 273 

Jennings, Rev. Samuel C, D. D. 9 

Jennings, Samuel D., M.D 425 

Jenny. Ealthasar, Sr 571 

Jobe, Benjamin A 441 

Johnson, Joseph E 702 

Johnson, Halph 753 

•Johnson, Robert F 643 

Johnston, AdamS 648 

Johnston. .Vlexander^.-.^ 742 

.Johnston, CharlesFtTT 599 

Johnston, Charles M 582 

Johnston, Rev. George X 390 

Johnston, Henry. 525 

Johnston, Henry M 319 

Johnston, Jacob 480 

Johnston, James A 487 

Johnston, .Tames L 759 

Johnston, James M 470 

Johnston, James R 626 

Johnston, Prof. .Tohn S 430 

Johnston, Jonas R. McC 788 

Johnston, Joseph C 740 

Johnston, Joseph T 537 

Johnston, Robert 704 

Johnston, Samuel R 266 

Johnston, William 430 

Johnston, W. E., M.D 411 

.Tohnston, William F 479 

- Jlojinston, William G 480 

.Tones. Benjamin 193 

Jones, Benjamin F 233 

- Jones, D.R .3.S8 

Jones, Mrs. Rachel (Galbraith).. 575 

Jones, Richard 611 

Jones, E. D 357 

Jones, Thomas C 317 

- .Tones. Thomas M 695 

Jones, William 193 

Jones, William L 753 

Jones, William P 7.53 

Jones, William E.; 125. 283 

Jordan, Jacob 487 

~ Jordan, Samuel A 486 

Junker, William B 579 

Justus, William R '. 427 

Kammerer, John .591 

Kapp, Maurice 519 

Kappel, George 698 

Karl, .lohn P.„5 759 

Earns. James 'E 583 

Kaufmann. Leonhard 566 

Kearney, Edward C 353 

Kearns, Jerome 684 

Kearns, Leonard 395 

Kearns, Uriah 5ft4 

Keating, .Toseph F. D 571 

Keebler, Emil 699 

Keil, Jacob. Sr 7.30 

Kellev, Robert H.,Jr 379 

Kelley, Robert H., Sr .378 

Kelly, .Jindrew 449 

Kelly, F. W 432 



PAGE. I 

Kelly. .Tames 116, 120 

Kelly, J. G 453 

Kendall, Prof. J. C 582 

Kennedy, Hugh 321 

Kennedy, James 738 

Kennedy, John, Jr 145,152, 288 

Kennedy, .Tohn, Sr...Tr...l45, 152, 288 

Kennedy, John L 558 

Kennedy, Joseph 642 

Kennedy, Julian 531 

Kennedy, William.... ; ^ ^.... 152 

Kenngott, George 436 

Kenning, John 641 

Kenny, Anthony H 6.53 

Kenny, Thomas J 73, 294 

Kentzel, C. F 640 

Keown. William 651 

Kern, Dr. W. H 744 

Kerney, John 696 

Kerns. James 152 

Kerr, Isaac and Daniel 752 

Kidd, Andrew 620 

Kiddoo, Dr. S. R 407 

Kiddoo, William J 483 

Kier, Samuel M 5.35 

Kilbuck, William H 188 

King, Byron W 537 

King, Charles 379 

King, Mrs. Jane L 224 

King. Mrs. Mary J 510 

Kinkaid, Joseph 760 

Kinkaid, Mrs. Mary E 724 

Kinkead. Col. Joseph McC 419 

Kinzenbach. George 341 

Kircher. Christian 5.S8 

Kirk, William A 582 

Kirkpatrick, James 530 

Kirkpatrick, John C 34 

Kirkwood, Robert L 391 

Kirsch, Frederick 709 

Kirsch, Philip 599 

Kiskadden, John 448 

Kistler, Josiah B 448 

Klauss, John George .566 

Klauss, L. G 566 

Klein, .Tohn C 677 

Kleinman. Edward C 747 

Kletzly, John 657 

Kltngensmith, S 757 

Klussmann. Fred 495 

Knepper, Charles 70, 442 

Knoderer. William 401 

Knox. .Jeremiah 53 

Knox, William F 425 

Koch. W. E 3.52 

Koering, Theodore., 494 

Koops. Louie 6.S0 

Kramer. E. R 3r4 

Kraus. Wendlin 745 

Krauth, .Tohn G04 

Krauth, Frederic 604 

Kremmel George :.... 586 

Kroesen.Dr. W. B 420 

Kuhlman, George 685 

Kuhn, Archibald 451 

Kuhn, James S 315 

Kuhn, Samuel P 616 

Kurtz. John J 729 

Lacock. Gen. Abner 165 

Lafavette. Visit of. 122 

Lamb. William 624 

Lambing. Rev. Andrew .•i....l20, 249 

Lampe. Christian 609 

Lane. William G 507 

Lappe, Martin 534 

Lapsly. Capt. Thomas H .569 

Large, Agnes A 656 

I^arge, Hon. -Andrew 738 

Large, Hon. Henry (Cosgrove).. .393 
Large, Henry(West Elizabeth).. 613 

Large, James 496 

Large, William.. 698 

Larimer, John McM 607 

Larkin, .Tohn B 245 

Lashell, Capt, Jacob 467 

Latham, James C 408 

Laufman, Albert 360 

Laughlin, I. N 593 



PAGE. 

Laurent, Joseph 562 

Lawson, Joseph B 639 

Lea, David N 518 

Lea, J. W 400 

Lea, Robert 483 

Lea,S. W 624 

Lea, Maj. William 64 

Learn, James P 338 

Leasdale 65 

Le Bauda, Sylvan C 725 

Lecky, Johnston 568 

Lee, Caleb, Jr 391 

Lee, George L 314 

Lee, Hugh 500 

Leet, Maj. Daniel 197, 198 

Leet, Jonathan * 197 

Leudrum, James 492 

Lenkner, Louis 388 

Leonard, Michael H 606 

Leppig, George M 340 

Lesnet, Christopher 22 

Lesnett, John W 484 

Lewis, F. E 127 

Lewis, James C 438 

Lewis, John M 717 

Liggett, Thomas 272 

Lighthill, Charles W 565 

Linderman, George 632 

Lindsay, Isaac 581 

Linhart, James B 399 

Linhart, Henry 095 

Linke, Frederick 564 

LintoD, William S 481 

Lloyd, Edward J 589 

Lob'ingier, Christopher C 442 

Lockton .Station 63 

Loefller, Martin 4S9 

Logan, Alexander 129 

Logan, Hugh J 489 

Logan, James 631 

Logan, Robert 607 

Logan, William 589 

Logan's Ferry 129 

Lonerbaugh, 'George W„ 611 

Long, Henry M 330 

Long. H. R 636 

Loomis, A. W 398 

Lorenz, Frederick R. J 540 

Loucks, I. P 755 

Love, C. H 21 

Love, F. M 735 

Love, James M 7.59 

Lovedale 92 

Lowen, John 577 

Loyd, .\lfred G 349 

Loyd, Col. J. L 3.52 

Lucas, W. B 607 

Ludden. Levi 355 

Ludwick, Jacob 579 

Ludwick, John 646 

Ludwick, John T 646 

Ludwick, Levi 512 

Ludwig, George F 710 

Luft, Ernest 489 

Lundmark, John 1 694 

Lutes, George W 695 

Lutz, John B 281 

Lynch, John 648 

Lvnch, John W 739 

Lvon. H. H 493 

Lyon, Robert W 599 

Lvon, Waher 563 

Lysle, Thompson 341 

Lytle. Perry A 460 

McAdams. George W. J .529 

Mc.\dams, Joseph H 530 

McAteer, Alexander 682 

McBride,H. Elliott. 479 

McBride, Homer J •''44 

McCabe, Alfred 706 

McCabe, Howard L 4.58 

McCabe, Thompson F 458 

McCall, R. S. P 649 

McC-illen. John 650 

McCandless, Philip 485 

McCandless, Wilson 562 

McCandless Wilson, LL. D 172 

McCartney, Andrew 694 



786 



PAGE. 

McCartney, J. S., M. D 406 

McCartney, Robert 456 

McCaslin, John 143 

McCaslin, Robert 157 

McChesney, John 625 

MeClaren, John 737 

McClarin.John 736 

McOlean, Alex '. 176 

McClelland, J. H., M. D 259 

McClelland, Kev. Thos..l87, 193, 204 

McClintock, Aaron 450 

McClintock, James 638 

McClure, Abdiel 67, 76, 279 

McClure, Francis C 490 

McClure, Francis N 445 

McClure, James 437 

McClure, Jas. H. (McKeesport).. 734 

McClure, J. H. (Homestead) 280 

McClure, John 76 

McClure, M. L 677 

McClure, William 463 

McClurg, Alexander 295 

McClurg, Joseph ~37 

McClurg, filiss Mary A 237 

McClurg, Thomas B 237 

McCluskey, Henry 615 

McCorab, Henry 697 

McCouaughy, James 5T2 

McConnell, Joseph 485 

McConville, D. B 661 

McCord, John 170 

McCormick, Benjamin X 471 

McCormick, Henry T 604 

McCormick, James 42^ 

McCormick, John J 374 

McCormick, Dr. Joseph 441 

McCoy, Thomas 395 

McCrea, W. B 395 

McCreedy, J. W T25 

McCreery. VVilliam 9, 19, 264 

McCullough, \S. H., M. D 400 

McCully, Charles M 736 

McCully, William 224 

McCune, John D 322 

McCune, Samuel 532 

McCune, Thomas W 355 

McCurdy Daniel 761 

McCurdy, James B 418 

McCurdy, J.J : 625 

McCurdy, J. M., M. D 752 

McCutcheon, Alexander 721 

McCutcheon, James M 608 

McCutcheon, John 721 

McCutcheon. Joseph 618 

McDade, John P 635 

McDade, William P 765 

McDermott, Michael 479 

McDonald, Alex 143 

McDonald, John F 493 

McDonald, J. Sharp 327 

McDonough, J. B 373 

McDowell, B. B 474 

McDowell, John G 461 

McElheny, John A 670 

McElheny, Samuel K 738 

McElroy, Samuel 381 

McElwain, John 342 

McEnultv, John F - 373 

McFadden, Matthew T 396 

McFeeters, J. L 596 

McFerin, Andrew 668 

McFetridge, William 586 

McGee. Albert 665 

McGinnii, William R 461 

McGirr, John J 760 

McGlinchey. James 613 

McGogney, Samuel, M. D 724 

McGreevey, Daniel L 517 

-McGregor, Alexander J 729 

McGrew, Dr. F. R 4.55 

McGrew, J, B., M. D 696 

McGunneele, David K 537 

McIntosh.'Dr. D. T 748 

Mcintosh, Finley 608 

Mcintosh, John 487 

Mcintosh, L 490 

Mclntire. Capt. John W 579 

Mclntyre, Hercules 763 



PAGE. 

Mclntyre, James 634 

McJuukin, Rev. J. M 442 

McJunkin, William 129 

McKean, Thomas 196 

McKean Tract 196 

McKee, Alexander 38 

McKee, Charles 1 533 

McKee, D. R 612 

JlcKee, George 595 

McKee, George Y 21, 427 

McKee, James 758 

McKee, John R 6.58 

McKee, Joseph 701 

McKee, Robert 48 

McKee, Robert C 318 

McKee, Thomas 626 

McKee's Rocks 38 

McKelvey, William D 631 

McKelvy, J. S 419 

McKelvy, Col. Samuel 4.38 

Mi-Kenna, Charles F 543 

McKim, Alexander 364 

McKinley, Andrew 389 

McKinney, John (Braddock).... 435 
McKinney, John (Elizabeth).... 492 

McKinney, Robert 762 

McKinney, William 413 

McKinney, William, Jr 435 

McKnight, John 686 

SIcKown, John 23, 537 

McKown, Joseph 478 

McKown, Samuel 537 

McLain, W.J. E 514 

McLarn, William 720 

McLarn, W. D 584 

McLaughlin. Jeremiah W 470 

McLaughlin, William J 736 

McLaughlin, W. W 716 

McLean, Wilson 328 

McMahan, Robert 736 

McMahon, Martin J 649 

McMaster, Gilbert M 423 

McMaster, Robert B 343 

McMasters, Capt. Thomas 677 

McMichael, Isaac 587 

McMichsel, John 475 



PAGE. 

Martin, James 503 

Martin, John 729 

Martin, John A .375 

Martin, Joseph, Jr 654 

Marvin, Sylvester S 545 

Marx, John F 655 

Marx, Louis 629 

Mason, James 635 

Mason, L 495 

Mason, William 752 

Mateer, John W 710 

Mates, James C 610 

Mathews, Henry 761 

Mathias, Jonah 607 

Matlack, Frank H 448 

Matlack, James M., M. D 489 

■^ Jlaurer, Jacob 508 

Maxwell, Robert 569- 

May, Joseph and James 707 

May, LukeL 611 

May, Peter 606 

Mayer, C. P 475 

Meaner, Isaac 647 

Meaner, Samuel S 718 



Means, James 391 

Meek, Jeremiah 6, 7 

Meeks, C. W 528 

Megown.Hugh L 692 

Mehaffey, Charles 505 

MehriDg, Henry C 563 

Mpiers, John P 701 

Meinert Family, The 338 

Meinert, M. G 338 

Mellon, Joseph 449 

Mellon, Hon. Thomas 109, 219 

Mellor, Charles C 341 

Meloriey, James 476 

Melvin, Capt. O. F 630 

Mercer, John S. B .599 

Mercer, Robert E 597 

Merriman. Frederick 197 

Mertz, John 522 

Merz, Adalbert 586 

t- Messier, Thomas D 265 

r Metcalf. Orlando 230 

V- Metzgar, Michael 743 

Meyer, George H 246 



McMichael, John C 4' 

McMillan, Andrew 426 ._.^_. „ 

McMillan, Rev. John 48-f Meyer, Gustavus A 

McMillan, M. W .509 i, Meyer, Samuel 615 

McMillen, John 7.53*^ Mever, W. C 322 

McMillen, William C 619 Meyers, Herman 665 

Mc.Minn, Charles W 524 Mevran, Charles 556 



JIiMo 

McMullen, Enos L 651 

McNair, Joseph M 598 

McNall, George 481 

McNall, Joseph 519 

McNamee, John 705 

McNamee, Mary 15 

McNeal, John 762 

McNeill. John H 627 

McPhilliany, William 748 

McRoberts, James (Harmarville) 493 
McRoberts, James (Huboken)... 749 

McRoberts, John 183, 296 

McVicker, Charles L 642 

McWilliams, Daniel 557 

Maclerron, David 549 

Slockay. Col. jEneas 98 

Mackin, John 382 

Mader, Alexander 607 



Magee, Frederick M 549 . Miller, Robert i Freeport) 



Magin, William H 674 

Maguire, James S 688 

Mains, D. Web 706 

Maits, Joseph H 417 

Mallisee. William H 7.35 

Malsch, Ferdinand 559 

Manby, Charles E 318 

Mangold, Adam 745 

Mankedick F 25, 473 

Manown, Mrs. Hannah 511 

Manown. W. B 648 

Marlatt, J. W 596 

Marshall, John R 423 

Marshall, T. M 194 

Martin, Alexander, Esq 750 



Milholland, C. 

Millar Thomas A 316 

Miller, Amos 515 

Miller, August 402 

Miller, A. G 612 

Miller, D.Martin 446 

Smier, Ezekiel 151 

Miller, George 699 

Miller, George T 413 

Miller, Hugh G 765 

Miller, Jacob C 621 

Miller, James 48 

Miller, John, Jr 678 

Miller, John H..... 526 

Miller, Joseph 734 

Miller, J. J 551 

Miller, Dr. J. N 460 

Miller, Rev. Noble G 329 

Miller. Reuben, 



600 



Miller, Robert (Tarentum)„ 613 

Miller, Robert 734 

Miller, Hon, Vincent .504 

Miller, William 587 

Miller, William J 508 

MillPi, W. T 341 

Millisian, .Tohn W 627 

Milliken, Andrew 349 

Milliken, A. C 436 

Milliken, Mrs. Margaret 549 

Mills, Charles 127 

Mills, Isaac 581 

Mills, Robert 528 

Mineral Resources 25 

Mitchell, Larmer 699 



787 



PAGE. 

Mitchell, Michael 478 

Mitchell, William 616 

Mottit, James W 613 

Molony, Harry H 745 

Montgomery, John R 506 

Montgomery, Nathaniel 614 

Montour, Henry 6, 9 

Montour Railroad 9, 11, 19 

Montour's Island 40 

Moody, Samuel E 6S3 

Moore, George H 703 

Moore, JoseimH 604 

Moore, Rev. Samuel H 382 

Moore, William 372 

Moorhead, James K iMO 

Morgan, Col. George 197 

Morgan, Henry 732 

Morgan, H. H 687 

Morgan, James 687 

Morgan, John W 358 

Morgan, Samuel 465 

Morgan, Capt. Samuel 22 

Morgan, Thomas E 519 

Morgan, W. J 473 

Morris, S. D B41 

Morrison, David 758 

Morrison, John W 663 

Morrow, Charles J 430 

Morrow, Daniel W 678 

Morrow, Ephraim 462 

Morrow, George A.« 559 

Morrow, Henry 429 

Morrow, Henry McD : 430 

Morrow, John 4.30 

Morrow, John C 427 

Morrow, S. W 678 

Morrow, Thomas J. E '628 

Morrow, Thomas M 380 

Morton, James 543 

Mount Oliver 50 

Mourer, Pierre 607 

Mower, Ephraim C 676 

Moyle, William B 514 

Mueller, John 503 

Mueller, J. H 320 

Mullett, James R .387 

MuUin. Joseph E 604 

Mulloolv, John F 694 

Munhall, John 40O 

Murdoch, H. J 345 

Murphey, Edward P 348 

Murphy, Thomas J 743 

Murray, David K 663 

Murray, Edward D 739 

Murray, George P 428 

Murray, James B .330 

Murray, James G 428 

Murray, Leander G 590 

Murray, R. J., M. D 335 

Muse, .John .' 444 

Musgrave, Joseph 659 

Myers, Eli 48S 

Myers, Ernst H .')65 

Myers, Harry C 484 

Myers, John 699 

Myers, Mrs. Martha 131 

Myers, Milton L 544 

Kash, John 359 

Neel, Hiram M (iS3 

Neel, J. B 387 

Necl, William 726 

Neel, William B 6.33 

Neely, Samuel 414 

Neemes, W. C 717 

Neglev, A. W 511 

Negley, C. S 511 

Negley, Felix 148 

Neglev, William B 270 

Nesbit, J. W 409 

Nesbit, R. W 409 

Nesbit, Win6eld S 529 

Ncune, John 578 

Neupert. Robert 585 

-'Neville, Gen. John 4", 41 

- iJeville, Gen. Presley 41, 136 

Nevin, James M 4.39 

Nevin, Robert P 324 

Newlin, H. S 362 



PAGE. 

Newspapers. ..34, 10, 77, 106, 107, 

121, 126, 127, 150, 160, 166, 182 

Newton, John A 467 

Niemann, Herman H 534 

Kill, Dennis 730 

Nimiok, Alex 63 

Nimick Station 62 

Nimick,W.H 62 

Nixon, Jane Lea 66 

Nixon, Samuel 499 

Noble, Col. Henry 19, 20 

Noble, Joseph - 20 

Noblestown 19 

Norton, Anson P 553 

Nuttall, Edmund 645 

Oakdale Station 21 

Obenauf, Fraugott 750 

O'Bryon, William 360 

Ochse, H. W „.. 526 

O'Connor, H. R.. M. D 456 

O'Donnell, Charles 745 

OeB'ner, John G .718 

Oesterley, Jacob 671 

Oesterling, James W 751 

O'Hara, Gen. James 12,157 774 

Oil, Fii-st Search for r..... 195 

Oliver, John H 464 

Oliver, Seward, D. D. S 737 

Olver, Mrs. Mary Gould 125, 

203, 204 

O'Keefe, Michael 476 

O'Neil, James (EmsworthI 494 

O'Neil, James iMcKeeaport) 325 

O'Neil, James (West Elizabeth). 83 

O'Neil, J. D 404 

O'Neil, John N 101, 306 

O'Neil, William D 306 

Orr, James 669 ! 

Orr, William (Pittsburgh) 669 [ 

Orr, Wm. (Upper St. Clair)...221, 478 

Osborne, Dr. John 711 ' 

Osborne, William, M. D 396 | 

Osburn, Franklin 313 I 

Osceola 115 

Otl, William E 635 [ 

Owens, David 693 

Owens, Edward 494 

Owens, William P 638 

Pahlmann, John 616 

Pahlmann, .John N 675 ■ 

Painter, John W 660 I 

Pangburn, Samuel 7'20 

Parker, George M *. 521 

Parkinson, J.M 580 

Parkinson, Robert B 554 

Partridge, Joseph 621 I 

Patrick, James 632 

Patterson, Abraham 310 1/ 

Patterson, Alexander 404 ; 

Patterson, Boyd 388 i 

Patterson, Mrs. E. Y 310 i 

Patterson, Frank 756 j 

Patterson, Isaac 764 

Patterson, John W 708 

Patterson, Peter 318 

Patterson, Robert, Sr 315 

Patterson, Robert (Duquesne)... 641 
Patterson, Robert (Pittsburgh). 315 

Patterson, Thomas 606 

Patterson. William 4.55 

Patton, David 460 

Paul, Benjamin 1.38 

Paul, Harry S 731 

Paul, Jacob W 679 

Payne, Joseph 443 

Payne, Susan 435 

Payne, William A 748 

Pearce, Harry 494 

Pearson, Edwin F 766 

Peebles, .Tohn M 7.33 

Peffer, C. G. L 738 

Pence, Perry 665 , 

Penney, Fred. H 77 ! 

Penney, James L 344 

Penney, John T 404 

Penney, Hon. Thomas 2.'>i 

Penney, Thomas (Versailles).... 113 
Penney, W. L I(t7 i 



PAGE. 

Percival, Charles 586 

Perkins, George W 617 

Perrysville 174 

Pershing, Frank S 333 

Peters Creek 81 

Peters, William H 605 

Peterson, C. T., J. K. and G. W. 646 

Peterson, Derrick 147 

Peterson, Lewis, Jr 534 

Petty. Thomas 589 

Pfeiffer, Martin 377 

Phelan, Rt. Rev. Richard, D. D.. 250 

Philips, John 761 

Philips, William T., M. D 427 

Phillips, Alexander L 755 

Phillips, Franklin J a'>8 

Phillips, Hugh 734 

Phillips, Samuel 471 

Phillips, S. W 731 

Phillips, William H 471 

Phillips, William J !578 

Phillips, William S 471 

Phipps, Hy., Jr 135 

Pichel, Louis 632 

Pierce, Andrew 678 ■ 

Pierce, A. M., M. D 459 

Pierce, David 518 

Pierce, Joseph 4-33 

I^ierce, William 399 

Pitcairn, Robert 264 

Pitts, E. W 528 

Plummer, N. H 659 

Poellot, Henrv 475 

Poff, Franklin 645 

Pollock, Rev, D. H 95, 288 

Pollock, P. S 394 

Pollock, Samuel G 412 

Port Perry 113, 114 

Porter, Albert A opposite 330, 568 

Porter, James M 686 

Porter, John, Esq 465 

Porter, John, Jr., M. D 364 

Porter. Capt. J, W 250 

Portman, Peter 577 

Power, James 602 

Power, James S 446 

Power John H 681 

Powers, James 157 

Prager. John F 367 

Prager, Peter 167, 290 

Preston, William 167 

Price, B, Frank, M. D 454 

Price, John 693 

Price, Rev. John 421 

Price, Joseph 667 

Price, Joseph H., M. D 732 

Prinz, John 745 

Pritchard, Benjamin E 328 

Provost, Watson 460 

Pugh, E. J 445 

Purdy, Archibald A 644 

Purdy, James 644 

Pyle, John 510 

Quinette, Alfred A 686 

Quinn, William J 691 

Radzinsky, Loui< D 363 

Raisig, Louis A 359 

Ralston, Robert 608 

!e,Dr. R. H 719 

William 626 

W. S., M. D 679 

Rankin, Robert C 846 

Rankin, Samuel C 497 

Rankin, Thomas .'iOS 

Rankin, William G 727 

Rath, James H 76.5 

Rath, Robert M 623 

Rath, William B 720 

Rattigan. Nicholas 735 

Raymond. Samuel M 400 

Ream. Samuel 619 

Redman. James R 680 

Redman Williiim 758 

Reed, James B 728 

Reed. Horace G 602 

Reed, James H 654 

Reed, Rev. James S 207 

Reed, ,Iohn C 743 



788 



PAGE. 

Beed, Joseph S C69 

Reel. Casper, Sr 174, 229 

Reel, David (>29 

Reel, William V 620 

Reese, James 625 

Reese, William 417 

Reeves, W. W 509 

Reiber, G. L T20 

Reich, John 704 

Reid, Rev. Dr 240 

Eeilly, John _ 682 

Reineman, Adolph W 730 

Reinhard, Charles 437 

Rend, W, P 25 

Reniers, Peter C 569 

Reno, Capt. A. D 397 

Reno, Rev. Francis 203 

Reutzel, John 704 

Reymer, Jacobs 564 

Reymer, Philip 564 

Reynolds, Thomas 109.111, 280 

Reynolds, Thomas, Jr 280 

Khodes, John K 747 

Rhodes, Joshua 562 

Rhodes, S. 717 

Rice, Patrick 549 

Richey, George 467 

Richev, William McC 468 

Riddle, Samuel L 883 

Riegner, George J 61o 

Riethmiller, Charles 363 

Rigg. John E 331 

Biggs, David 469 

Riggs, Leander, M. D 747 

Riggs, Robert L -344 

Rinard, John 569 

Rischpeter, Charles 614 

Risher, Daniel 725 

Risher, D.W 752 

Risher, J. C 51, 296 

Risher, J. D 55 

Risher, John JI 396 

Risher, Rev. Levi 139, 296 

Ritehey. A. G. P 318 

Ritchey, George 656 

Ritehey, Sylvester C 317 

Ritter, Joseph 756 

Ritter, Peter A...., 757 

Roads, David 447 

Roads, Frederick 66S 

Robb, J. H 459 

Robb, John S 405 

Robb, Mart 504 

Robbins, William N 350 

Roberts, George W.. Jr 290 

Roberts, George W., .>r 89, 289 

Roberts, Joseph F 522 

Roberts, Samuel S .; 290 

Robertson, J. L 501 

Robinson, James 475 

Robinson, John C 552 

Robinson, Thomas C 371 

Robison, Dr. G. R. B 317 

Rodenbaugh. WUUam H 506 

Rodgers, Capt. John SSS 

Rodgers, Thomas 169 

Roedel, August 610 

Roehn, John 720 

Rogers, Rev. George 323 

Rogers, Felix 700 

Roll. Lewis 524 

Roller, R. Lewis 636 

Ralph, Charles C 631 

Rolshouse, J. L 360 

Romine, .Tohn R 369 

Rook, Alexander W 767 

Rook, C. A 767 

Rose, J. H 726 

Rose, William 757 

Ross Family, The 469 

Ross, James.., 173 

Ross, John M 624 

Ross, Philip 66 

Eott, Christian 356 

Rott, Louis 696 

Routh, John 446 

Rnwand, Arch. H., Jr -561 

Rowley, Howard 459 



Ruettiger, Joseph 463 

Eumsey, Cornelius E 549 

Russell. James A 689 

Ryan, J. Stephen 6]S 

Ryan, Martin F 2.S7 

Rvan, Uriah 593 

Sa'dler. Dr. O. W 242 

Salt, Ernest J 496 

Salt, W. B 447 

Sample, Hyde K » 650 

Sample, James 179, 180 

Sample, John 182 

Sample, Robert 412 

Sample, Silas 412 

.Sample, William, Sr 155, 349 

Sanders, Thomas 570 

Sandles, W. A., M. D 420 

Sanlord, N. F 519 

Sawyer, N. P 62 

Scarborough, .lames 713 

Scaife, Charles C 277 

Scaife, 0. P 277 

Scaife, William B 377 

Schafer, John 6.39 

Schanzenbach, Christian 727 

Scheide, Valentine 571 

Schenley, Mrs. Capt. Edw. W.H. 771 

Schindeheetle, John 694 

Schmelz, Charles 614 

Schmertz, William E 242 

Schmid. John 393 

Schmidt. Peter W 525 

Schmitt. Charles 386 

Schneider. John P 541 

Schuorr, Rev. G. H 64 

Schoeller, Charles 340 

Schoeneck, Philip C .M8 

Schooley Dr. A. W 4S7 

Schooley, -Matthew P 77, 398 

Schoyer, Solomon, Jr 452 

Schramm, M. J 365 

Schreiner, C. B., M. D 407 

Schuchman. Frederick 405 

Schulte, A. J .'44, 693 

Scbulte, H. H 6.30 

.Schultze, C. J 3R 

Scnwab, Charles M - 527 

Schwartz, J. E 32, .34 

Schwer, William F 729 

Schwitter, Fred 722 

Scott, Alexander M 521 

Scott, Brewer ^SG 

Scott, Graham 283 

Scott, John V 399^ 

Scott, John W 3SS V 

Scott, Mary C 644 

Scott, Samuel 4.57 

Scott, Vankirk .368 

Scott, William 523 

Scott, Hon. W L 88 

Scott, Zaccheus 382 ' 

Scovel, Charles W .566 

Scully, Cornelius .i9o 

Seaman, S. A 669 

Seaman, William 622 

Seaman, William H 661 

Seddon, Thomas 581 

Seibert, Charles 555 

Seif. G. T 492 

Selling. John /. .560 

Seitz, Charles 670 

Selleck, Charles J 724 

Sellers, Isaac 63 

Semmens, William H 384 

Semple, Frank 333 

Semple, John 337 

Senger, Louis 6't2 

Serena, John 367 

Seville. John F 6i»i 

Sevin, George V 655 

Sewickley Academy 203 

Sewicklev Cemeterv 207 

Shaffer, J'ohn E , M'. D 107 

Shaffer, P. T. B lOr,, 107 

Shale, J.acob B,. 349 

Shaler, Hon. Charles 170 

Shane, .\ndrew 472 

Shane, John P 472 



PARE. 

Shaner, Mrs. Deborah 652 

Shanks, William A 746 

Shannon, John 492 

Shannon, Dr. S F 737 

Shannon, William 681 

Shannon, William T 737 

Sharp, George 691 

Sharp, James (deceased) 311 

Sharp, James (Sharpsburg) 159 

Sharp, T. W 123, 288 

Sharpies, William J 617 

Shaver, David 367 

Shaw, Alex. Y 663 

Shaw, John 462 

Shaw, John, Sr 180 

Shaw, John A 682 

Shaw, Samuel W 637 

Shaw, Thomas W 497 

Shaw, Dr. William C 385 

Shaw, William C 506 

Shawhan, Daniel 426 

Shedden, William J. and John.. 375 

Sheedy, Rev. Morgan M 540 

Sheekey, Owen 627 

Shelton, Tom 684 

Shephard, Andrew 669 

Sheraden, William 656 

Sheridanville 62 

Sherriff, John B 515 

Shields, David 202, 204 

Shields, Mrs. Eliza 198 

Shields Family 507 

Shoemaker, John C 550 

Shouse, Peter 15 

Shoustown 15 

Shrader, John B 699 

Shrader. William 709 

Shultz. John C 7.35 

Siebert, August 585 

Siebert, D. H 744 

Siebert, John 640 

.Silk, William 4.34 

Silvey, A. H 121, 127 

Simoox, Samuel 589 

Simeox, Dr. William M 728 

Simmons, Addison H 382 

Simmons, Phillip 573 

Simon, Michael 770 

Simon, S 664 

Simpson, James 737 

Simpson, John Knox 532 

Sinclair, Hiram B 334 

Sinn. John 587 

Skelley, Hugh r 370 

Skelley, Joseph A 370 

Skelly, John K 370 

Sloan, John C, M. D 488 

Smeaton, William 742 

Smith, Albert C 631 

Smith, Alfred 588 

Smith, Dr. Andrew 403 

Smith, Augustus W .349 

Smith, Rev. Chas. W., A.M , D.D. 316 

Smith, Ed. A 7.52 

Smith, Edward D 375 

Smith, Florian 689 

Smith, George C 625 

.Smith, John G 743 

Smith, J. Renwick 325 

Smith, Mrs. Marv E 415 

Smith, M. Robbins 513 

Smith, Richard G r.76 

Smith, Robert McF 775 

Smith, Roberts 551 

Smith, S. Harper 418 

Smith, Theodore 684 

Smith, William G 530 

Smith, W. H .363 

Smith, W. S 607 

Smoleuske, Frank Vtil 

Sneathen, Frank F 411 

Snitzer, Henry O.Vj 

Snively, Henrv 409 

Snively, William H .^84 

Snodgrass, Robert 381 

Snowmen, John M 47 

Snowden, Lewallen M 588 

Soles, Andrew 400 



789 



PAGE. 

Soles, Elmer M 6fi2 

Soles, Wesley C 356 

Sonimers, John 755 

Sossong, Charles Ij39 

Spahr, Jesse ^9 

Spahr, Dr. Jesse 349 

Spang, Charles F 271 

Spang, Charles H 272 

Spang, Henry S 181 

Spangler, James K .352 

Speer, James M 528 

Speer, Maj. James P 373 

Speer, John 399 

Speer, JohnE 344 

Speer, Newton 758 

Spence, David 610 

Spencer, John 311 

Spencer, Sam W 491 

Springer, George 431 

Sproal, William (iOl 

Sproul, Hugh 463 

Srodes, Dr. J. L 409 

St. Clair. Gen. Arthur 49 

Staley, James 754 

Stamm, Henry 56-2 

Standish, William L 329 

Stanton, William 32S 

Starr, A. B 333 

Steckel, Fred 7-22 

Steedle, F. F 629 

Steel, Samuel A 716 

Sieen, Daiid 474 

.■^teen, James B 474 

Steen, Thomas D 474 

Steen, William J 474 

Stein, Henry 744 

Steinhilber, John 616 

Stemler, Jacob 759 

Stephens, William E 329 

Stephenson, James 366 

Stephenson, Joshua 464 

Sterrett, James P 120 

Sterritt, D. A 6S8 

Stevener, F 577 

Stevenson, Andrew B. fPittsb'h) 273 

Stevenson, A. B. (Braddock) 448 

Stevenson, Alexander K 310 

•Stevenson, Alex. M 681 

Stevenson, John S 324 

Stevenson,?. H 480 

Stevenson, Thomas J 542 

Stewart, Archibald McF 763 

Stewart, Henry 67] 

Stewart, J. C 754 

Stewart, James M 571 

Stewart, James W 477 

Stewart, John S 468 

Stewart, .John W 287 

Stewart, Joseph 707 

Stewart, Levi J 502 

Stewart, Robert 754 

Stewart, Bobert E 411 

Stewart, Robert S.. M. D 394 

Stewart, William G 329 

Stifel, Charles F 5.3S 

Stillerich, Rev. J 20 

Stilley, C. H., M D 745 

Stipe, Louis 608 

Stockdale, Jackman T 561 

Stocker. Louis 530 

StoU, M 7i5 

Stoner, Abraham 335 

Stoner, Frederick 732 

Stoner,Henry 358 

Stoner, Joseph 408 

Stonesipher, John C 622 

Storer, James 713 

Story, John 612 

Stotler, Andrew P 416 

Stotler, Emanuel 421 

Stotler. .Tohn S 416 

Stowe. Judge Edwin H 37, 2.51 

Stratton. Daniel 681 

Straw, Richard 708 

Strohm, Henry 164 

Stuart. Capt. Arthur 766 

Stuckslager, Dr. Cyrus E 336 



PAGE. 

Succop, August E 546 

Succop, Frank R 546 

Sullinger, Jacob 648 

Sullivan, Charles A 553 

Sutter, Samuel 762 

Sutton, Dr. K. Stansbury 533 

Swaney, Homer H 685 

Swartswelder. Sylvester 700 

Swearingen, John 727 

Sweeney, Daniel 163 

Swisshelm, John 420 

Swissvale 126 

Sykes, James F 710 

.Sykes, J. W., M. D 409 

Sylves, Robert 698 

Taggart, John 289 

Talley Cavey 143 

Tate, Thomas 568 

Taylor, Charles T 713 

Tavlor. Edward J 351 

Taylor, Martha M 666 

Taylor, Matthew J 501 

Taylor, William 718 

Taylor, W. P.. M. D 443 

Taylor, W. V. >I 365 

Teegarden, George M 355 

Teeraer, John 576 

Teese, George 595 

Teeter, C. C 513 

Terrell, Isaac 340 

Thaw, John 227 

Thaw, William 228 

Thorn, Robert 593 

Thomas, Elliott S 527 

Thompson, Andrew 600 

Thompson, Andrew P 539 

Thompson, E. L 382 

Thompson, John 716 

Thompson, John C 482 

Thompson, Robert 472,. 

Thompson, Samuel H 327 

Thompson, Stewart S. D 564 

Thompson, William 744" 

Thompson, William R 539 

Thomson, James 347 

Thornburg, W. D 593 

Thorne. J. M 365 

Tidball, Andrew 432 

Tilbrook, Joseph 521 

Tilbrook, Thomas 314 

Tilghman, G. W 354 

Tiostman, Abraham 418 

Titzel, John A 450 

Tomlinson, William A 133, 291 

Torrence. Mrs. Emaline 698 

Totten, Sidney H 716 

Towers, Thomas 628 



Townships AND Boroughs: 

Aleppo 191,192 

Baldwin 54, 55 

Bellevue 175 

Beltzhoover 53 

Bethel 48, 49 

Braddock Borough 126, 127 

Braddock Township 121-127 

Chartiers Borough ,3.3-37 

Chartiers Township 55-63 

Collier 26-28 

Coraopolis 9, 10 

Crescent 12-16 

Deer 13T 

East Deer 144-150 

Elizabeth Borough 97-108 

Elizabeth Township 87- 93 

Etna 18*7182 

Fawn 150-152 

Fayette 28-31 

Findlay 10-12 

Forward 93-108 

Franklin 192, 193 

Glenfield 191' 

Green Tree 64 

Hampton 142-144 

Harmar 163-165 



PAGE. 

Harrison 152, 153 

Homestead 76-78 

Indiana ..154-157 

Jelferson 78-84 

Kilbuck 187-191 

Knoxville 53, 54 

Leet 197-208 

Lincoln 108-110 

Lower St. Clair 50-54 

MeCandless 171-173 

Mansfield 66-71 

Marshall 194, 195 

Mifflin 71-78 

Millvale 182-185 

Moon 5-10 

Neville 40-42 

North Fayette 17-22 

North Versailles 114 

O'Hara 157-163 

Ohio 18-5-187 

Osborn 191, 192 

Patton 130-132 

Penn 132-137 

Pine 169-171 

Plum 128-130 

Reserve 175-179 

Reynoldton 109, 110 

Richland 141, 142 

Robinson 31-37 

Ross 173-175 

St. Clair 42, 43 

Scott 64-71 

Sewickley Borough 201-208 

Sewicklev Township 196, 197 

Shaler 179-185 

Sharpsbiirg 159-163 

Snowden 47 

South Fayette 22-26 

South Versailles 115 

Springdale 16.5, 166 

Spring Garden 176-179 

Sterrett 120, 121 

Stowe 37-40 

Tarentum 148-150 

Union 63, 64 

Upper St. Clair 43-47 

Verona 135-137 

Versailles 110-114 

West Bellevue 191 

West Deer 138-141 

West Elizabeth 82-84 

West Liberty 5S 

Wilkins 115-120 

Wilkinsburg 120, 121 

Tracy, Bruce 523 

Trautman. Jacob 742 

Travelli, Rev. Joseph S 203, 339 

Trent, John L 688 

Trich, Alex.E 639 

Trotter, William J 612 

Trunick Christian 387 

Tucker, Oscar M 731 

Turner, Thomas D 670 

Turner, William 17, 18 

Turtle Creek 114, 1.30-132 

Tweedy, William 624 

Dlery, George 201 

Unverzagt, Christian 560 

Vance, John 414 

Vance, Robert 10 

Vandergrift, Capt. Jacob Jay 300 

Vandergrift, Theophilus J 305 

Van Fossen. Nathan H 320 

Van Kirk, Theophilus R 362 

Varner, Thomas 236 

Verner, James 136, 272 

Verner, James K 273 

Verner, ,Tohn A .561 

Verner, John R 666 

Vetter, Simon 609 

Vey, Valentine 711 

Vilsack, Geoi-ge 751 

Voegtly, Andrew 493 

Voegtly, Mathias 677 

Vogeley, Jacob, G 514 

Von Stein, Peter 578 

Waddle, John S 524 



) 



790 



PA8E. 

Waddle, Thomas M 623 

Wade, Charles 1 342 

Wade, William, Sr 7'^9 

Wagener, Adam 617 

Wagner, John 6(iO 

Wagner, P. C 528 

Walker, Andrew 614 

Walker, David H 602 

Walker Family 103, 104 

Walker, Gabriel 600 

Walker, Gabriel and Isaac 2G, 27 

Walker, George 482 

Walker, .lames T 567 

Walker, J.J. (Walker's Mills)... 483 

Walker, Mai. John Iu3, 104, 

122, 125 
Walker, John J. (Wilkinsbiirg) 718 

Walker, John P 543 

Walker, John S 403 

Walker, Josiah 500 

Walker, Samuel 82, 104, 106 

Walker, Wesley J 359 

Wall, Alice 745 

Wall, Allen 84 

Wall, Col. Brisben 440 

Wall Family, The 439 

Wall, Garret 440 

Wall, George W 441 

Wall, Isaac 739 

Wall, James 080 

Wall, Jesse S 440 

Wall, Joseph 410 

Wall, Stephen and Milo 742 

Wall, William W 711 

W.all, Wilson 755 

Wallace, B. P 628 

WaUace, George 122 

Wallace, James (Carricki 404 

Wallace, James (Stureeon) 463 

Wallace, Joseph G8Q 

Wallace, Mrs. Louisa 723 

Wallace, Samuel - 688 

Wallace William J 456 

Wallace, William S 450 

Walter, George L 3.35 

Walter, Jacob 11 653 

Walthour, Lewis 641 

Wampler, John 683 

Wampler, William P 285 

Ward, HnlmesB 722 

Ward, William 536 

Wardrop, Robert 327 

Warner, Henry 361 

Warren, George W 194 

Wasmuth, George M 687 

Waters, W. W 362 

Watson, John 713 

Watson, Robert 202, 340 

Watson, Pvohert P 620 

Watson, Thomas F 764 

Watson, William M 489 

Watt, W. H 77 

Watt, William .S 589 

Watters, John A 591 



PAOE. 

Watters, Joseph N 747 

Watters, William E 591 

Waugaman, S. P 576 

Way, Abishai 313 

Wav, John, Jr 313 

Weber, George 673 

Weber, J. Phillip 658 

Weddell, George W 637 

Weddle, Peter 582 

Weinman, Jacob 713 

Weir, Gamble 297 

Weir, James G 749 

Weiskircher, Jacob 094 

Welfal, Charles 725 

Wells, Calvin 261 

Wells, Charles F .551 

Welser, Sam R 341 

Werner, John 620 

Wernke, Chris. H 3.39 

Wertz, J. G 745 

West, Capt. Edward 653 

West, Isaac 683 

West, James 389 

West, Lowry H 57, 294 

Westerman, Thomas 654 

Western Pa. Hospital 188 

Wettach, William 550 

Weylman, H. H 755 

Whiskv Insurrection 121 

White,' D. P 341 

White. F. McK 359 

White, James 705 

White, James P 596 

White, Ralph 573 

White, Thomas L 597 

Whitehead. Bishop /„.. 239 

Whitesell, Frank 4--t '65 

Whitlatch, Jotham XJ^m 

Wible, Andrew and Harrison.^. 449 

Wible, William H 751 

Wick, Henry M 665 

Wicks, Charles W 622 

Wicks, J. S 459 

Wiegel, William 661 

Wiegering, Christ 766 

Wigand, Leopold 678 

Wiggins. S. L .366 

Wightman. Thomas 251 

Wilcox, William 394 

Wilde, Frederick 524 

Wilds, William 643 

Wiley & Lawion 745 

Wilhelm, Christian 515 

Wilhelm, William 689 

Wilkins, Hon. William 119, 181 

Williams, Henry W 709 

Williams, James C, A. M 282 

Williams, Joseph 359 

Williams, Joseph D 649 

Williams, Capt. J. H 402 

Willinms, Nathan S 710 

Williams, Thomas D 703 

Williams, T. M 462 

Williams, William 757 



PAGE. 

Williby, Harvey 60O 

Willis, Thomas 698 

Willock, W. A 726 

Willson, Eliza, Margaret & Wm. 644 

Wilson, A. J. E 639 

Wilson, Amzi M 690 

Wilson, Francis (White Ash i 480 

Wilson, Francis (PennTp.) 707 

Wilson, Gilbreath B 390 

Wilson, James 677 

Wilson, James A .3.31 

Wilson, Robert (Ellrod) 527 

Wilson, Robert (Greenoak) 91 

Wilson, Thomas 132 

"Wilson, William, Sr 466 

Wiltshire, Joshua 605 

Wineland, Cxeorge W 759 

Winter, William E 628 

Wisman, James M 748 

Witchcraft, Trial for 163 

Witherow, James 451 

Wittmer, Henry 578 

Woerner, August H 622 . 

Wolf, M 685 

Wolf, Nickolas 725 

Wolf, Samuel ; 765 

Wolfarth, Adam 746 

Wolfe, Henry 586 

Wolkoskv Brothers 766 

Wood, Rev. E. M., A. M., D. D... 243 

Wood, Capt. John A 376 

Wood, Jonathan H 080 

Woodburn, Rev. Dr 240 

Woodford, R 396 

Woods, Milton L 670 

Woods, Robert 687 

"^Woods, William, M. D 357 

Woods. William, Jr 473 

Woodville 28, 65 

Woodville P. E. Church 66 

Wool, Dennis 732 

Work, Aaron M 602 

Wortman, Rev. Martin L 444 

Wrenshall Family 500 

Wycofif, Rev. Cornelius W 432 

Wycofl", Jonathan 514 

Wylie, J. P 81 

Wyse, Andrew 737' 

Yoder, David K 692 

Young, Ezra P 312 

Young, Philip H 632 

Young, W. A 575 

Youngk, William F 609 

Yourd, John 723 

Yunker, John 696 

Zacharias, Zechariah 606 

Ziesche, Johan C 762 

Zinkhan, William 625 

Zoller, William 559 

Zollinger, John 679 

Zollinger, Louis 702 

Zumpft, Albert 615 

Zumpft, Charles 615 

Zwingler, J. C 6.37 




HK264-78 




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